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The objective of this review is a global assessment of the economics of second‐generation biorefineries, with a focus on the use of food waste and agricultural residues for chemical production by applying biotechnological processes. Analyses are conducted on feedstock and product distribution, applied economic models, and profitability figures for the period 2013–2018. In a study of 163 articles on different biorefinery systems, the production of chemicals is identified as the second major product class, after bioenergy. Bagasse and straw are frequently analyzed second‐generation feedstocks. Based on the evaluation of 22 articles, second‐generation biorefineries producing chemicals by applying biotechnological processes proves to be economically feasible. On average, both the internal rate of return (IRR) and the return on investment (ROI) are 20% and the payback period (PP) is 6 years. The cost share of feedstock in biorefineries is between 0–50%. The price of the end product and the fermentation yields have the most impact on profitability. The processing of food waste that has industrial and municipal origins appears more economical than the processing of agricultural residues. Scientists, policy makers and entrepreneurs with an appropriate risk tolerance are advised to pay particular attention to municipal food waste and the potential economic production of carboxylic acids. For various economic issues related to biorefineries, dynamic‐deterministic models are recommended, which can be extended by a stochastic model. This review provides an initial overview of the economic feasibility of second‐generation biorefineries. Further techno‐economic analyses are required to produce statistically significant statements on key profitability figures. © 2020 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organic pot-based production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) often has lower biomass yield than conventional cultivation. Previous investigations indicate that this growth impairment is related to high ammonium (NH4+) concentrations in the growing media released by the mineralization of organic nitrogen (N) fertilizers. However, as a result of this ammonification process substrate pH may also increase. Under neutral to alkaline conditions NH4+ is converted to ammonia (NH3), which is known to be phytotoxic even at low concentrations. Therefore, we investigated the impact of both ammonical N species on basil grown in a peat substrate. In total, three fertilization pot experiments were conducted in a greenhouse in order to compare the effect of different organic base dressings [250 and 750 mg N (L substrate)-1 mainly supplied by a liquid amino acid fertilizer (AAF)] and two initial substrate pH levels (5.5 and 6.5). In two treatments, 5% (v/v) mature compost was mixed into the peat 1 day and 12–days before the substrate was used for sowing, respectively. The aim of this procedure was to stimulate nitrification in this way to reduce ammonical N concentration. Ammonia concentration in the aerial plant surrounding environment was measured by using NH3 detector tubes in combination with an open-top chamber method. The results showed that the growth of basil (number of plants, fresh matter yield, plant height) was significantly inhibited in the second and third week of cultivation by rising NH3 and NH4+ exposure, as well as by a substrate pH ≥ 7.0. These adverse effects were reduced by lowering the organic base dressing rate and adjusting the initial substrate pH to 5.5. Furthermore, the addition of mature compost to peat in combination with a 12-day storage was proven to be effective for promoting nitrification in the organically fertilized substrate. As a result, plant growth was improved by both lower NH3 and NH4+ exposure as well as a faster supply of nitrate (NO3-) as an additional N source. Using this approach, it was possible to feed organically fertilized basil right from the seedling stage with a NO3--N/NH4+-N-balanced and later on providing a predominant NO3--N supply.
The market for external ratings is dominated worldwide as well as in the European Union (EU) by three major credit rating agencies (CRAs). These “Big Three” are Standard & Poor's (S&P), Moody's and Fitch Ratings. Due to the oligopolistic market structure and possible involvement in the 2008 financial crisis, the rating agencies have constantly come under criticism. This was associated with stricter regulatory requirements to ease the situation. The EU-Regulation on credit rating agencies („CRA-Regulation“) coming into force 2009 and its amendments in 2011 and in 2013 have mainly governed such regulation. The aim of the article is to analyse potential regulatory impact on the still inherent oligopolistic situation on the EU rating market in the context of the CRA-Regulation. Selected key figures are used to observe over a defined period of time if and how the dominance has changed. The motivation for this article is the observation, that political and private efforts to establish a European rating agency as a counterweight to the three major agencies and other approaches to increase competition in the rating market, followed, which has not been resounding to date. In summary, it is shown that new agencies have a potential impact on the EU rating market and that the three major rating agencies still dominate the market but within a changed environment.
This paper presents an optimized algorithm for estimating static and dynamic gait parameters. We use a marker- and contact-less motion capture system that identifies 20 joints of a person walking along a corridor.
Based on the proposed gait cycle detection basic metrics as walking frequency, step/stride length, and support phases are estimated automatically. Applying a rigid body model, we are capable to calculate static and dynamic gait stability metrics. We conclude with initial results of a clinical study evaluating orthopaedic technical support.
The accounting of small and medium enterprises is specific, compared to the accounting of large enterprises, for several reasons. First of all, lower business volume implies less demanding accounting in terms of less turnover and the number of accounts to be processed, lower financial reporting requirements, more favourable tax treatment is expected and the like. Practical experience in the years of application of EU-accounting directives, which represent the framework of financial reporting of companies at the EU level, pointed to certain difficulties or excessive administrative burden of small and medium enterprises in relation to the requirements for large companies and identified areas for improvement. The complexity of these regulations as well as problems in practical application have led to the need to develop and publish a revised single accounting directive (2013/34/EU). This Directive was primarily adopted with the aim of simplifying the accounting and financial reporting of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Today, it is common for small and medium-sized enterprises to go beyond the borders of one country. In the internationalization of business, SMEs face many challenges and potential barriers. First of all, it refers to financial, human and procedural barriers, but also to informational barriers related to regulations, rules and laws of other countries. Since the accounting and tax treatment of the same business transaction may differ between countries, it seems entirely justified to investigate whether there are differences in the regulation and regulation of the accounting system between the two countries. This paper compares the characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises’ accounting systems between two economically strongly connected countries, Germany and Croatia, which is the main goal of this paper. It is well known that financial reporting is a particularly important, final phase of accounting data processing. Namely, financial reporting system of these two countries is compared by using the method of comparison and classification analysis. The types and scope of financial statements have been defined and the content of financial statements that SMEs are obliged to compile and publish has been analysed. The paper pays additional attention to the analysis of similarities and differences between these two accounting regulations as well as current events in the implementation of the revised accounting directive into national legislation, especially in simplifying the financial reporting of the smallest, but numerically most represented micro enterprises. The important finding of the research show that some changes have been made but there is still room to improve accounting regulations for this segment of entrepreneurship.
Abstract
Background
The clinical presentation of neck-arm pain is heterogeneous with varying underlying pain types (nociceptive/neuropathic/mixed) and pain mechanisms (peripheral/central sensitization). A mechanism-based clinical framework for spinally referred pain has been proposed, which classifies into (1) somatic pain, (2) neural mechanosensitivity, (3) radicular pain, (4) radiculopathy and mixed pain presentations. This study aims to (i) investigate the application of the clinical framework in patients with neck-arm pain, (ii) determine their somatosensory, clinical and psychosocial profile and (iii) observe their clinical course over time.
Method
We describe a study protocol. Patients with unilateral neck-arm pain (n = 180) will undergo a clinical examination, after which they will be classified into subgroups according to the proposed clinical framework. Standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) measurements will be taken in their main pain area and contralateral side. Participants will have to complete questionnaires to assess function (Neck Disability Index), psychosocial factors (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Depression, anxiety and stress scale), neuropathic pain (Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions, PainDETECT Questionnaire) and central sensitization features (Central Sensitization Inventory). Follow-ups at three, six and 12 months include the baseline questionnaires. The differences of QST data and questionnaire outcomes between and within groups will be analyzed using (M)AN(C)OVA and/or regression models. Repeated measurement analysis of variance or a linear mixed model will be used to calculate the differences between three, six, and 12 months outcomes. Multiple regression models will be used to analyze potential predictors for the clinical course.
Conclusion
The rationale for this study is to assess the usability and utility of the proposed clinical framework as well as to identify possible differing somatosensory and psychosocial phenotypes between the subgroups. This could increase our knowledge of the underlying pain mechanisms. The longitudinal analysis may help to assess possible predictors for pain persistency.
Background/Aim
This study aimed to establish the somatosensory profile of patients with lumbar radiculopathy at pre-and post-microdiscectomy and to explore any association between pre-surgical quantitative sensory test (QST) parameters and post-surgical clinical outcomes.
Methods
A standardized QST protocol was performed in 53 patients (mean age 38 ± 11 years, 26 females) with unilateral L5/S1 radiculopathy in the main pain area (MPA), affected dermatome and contralateral mirror sites and in age- and gender-,and body site-matched healthy controls. Repeat measures at 3 months included QST, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and numerous other clinical measures; at 12 months, only clinical measures were repeated. A change <30% on the ODI was defined as ‘no clinically meaningful improvement’.
Results
Patients showed a significant loss of function in their symptomatic leg both in the dermatome (thermal, mechanical, vibration detection p < .002), and MPA (thermal, mechanical, vibration detection, mechanical pain threshold, mechanical pain sensitivity p < .041) and increased cold sensitivity in the MPA (p < .001). Pre-surgical altered QST parameters improved significantly post-surgery in the dermatome (p < .018) in the symptomatic leg and in the MPA (p < .010), except for thermal detection thresholds and cold sensitivity. Clinical outcomes improved at 3 and 12 months (p < .001). Seven patients demonstrated <30% change on the ODI at 12 months. Baseline loss of function in mechanical detection in the MPA was associated with <30% change on the ODI at 12 months (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.09–6.37, p = .032).
Conclusion
Microdiscectomy resulted in improvements in affected somatosensory parameters and clinical outcomes. Pre-surgical mechanical detection thresholds may be predictive of clinical outcome.
Significance
This study documented quantitative sensory testing (QST) profiles in patients with lumbar radiculopathy in their main pain area (MPA) and dermatome pre- and post-microdiscectomy and explored associations between QST parameters and clinical outcome. Lumbar radiculopathy was associated with loss of function in modalities mediated by large and small sensory fibres. Microdiscectomy resulted in significant improvements in loss of function and clinical outcomes in 85% of our cohort. Pre-surgical mechanical detection thresholds in the MPA may be predictive of clinical outcome.
Career Decisions of Indian Female Talent: Implications for Gender-sensitive Talent Management
(2020)
Purpose: Talent scarcity in emerging economies such as India poses challenges for companies,and limited labour market participation among well-educated women has been observed. The reasons that professionals decide not to pursue a further corporate career remain unclear. By investigating career decision making, this article aims to highlight (1) the contextual factors that impact those decisions, (2) individuals’ agency to handle them, and (3) the implications for talent management (TM).
Design/methodology/approach: Following a qualitative research design, computer-aided analysis was conducted on interviews with 24 internationally experienced Indian business professionals. A novel application of neo-institutionalism in the Indian context was combined with the family-relatedness of work decisions (FRWD) model.
Findings: Career decisions indicate that rebellion against Indian societal and family expectations is essential to following a career path, especially for women. TM as part of the current institutional framework serves as a legitimising façade veiling traditional practices that hinder females’ careers.
Research limitations: Interviewees adopted a retrospective perspective when describing their career decisions; therefore, different views might have existed at the moment of decision making.
Practical implications: Design and implementation of gender-sensitive TM adjusted to fit the specific Indian context can contribute to retaining female talent in companies and the labour market.
Originality/value: The importance of gender-sensitive TM can be concluded from an empirical study of the context-based career decision making of experienced business professionals from India. The synthesis of neo-institutionalism, the FRWD model and the research results provides assistance in mapping talent experiences and implications for overcoming the challenges of talent scarcity in India.
Model-derived relationships between chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and nutrients and temperature have fundamental implications for understanding complex interactions among water quality measures used for lake classification, yet accuracy comparisons of different approaches are scarce. Here, we (1) compared Chl-a model performances across linear and nonlinear statistical approaches; (2) evaluated single and combined effects of nutrients, depth, and temperature as lake surface water temperature (LSWT) or altitude on Chl-a; and (3) investigated the reliability of the best water quality model across 13 lakes from perialpine and central Balkan mountain regions. Chl-a was modelled using in situ water quality data from 157 European lakes; elevation data and LSWT in situ data were complemented by remote sensing measurements. Nonlinear approaches performed better, implying complex relationships between Chl-a and the explanatory variables. Boosted regression trees, as the best performing approach, accommodated interactions among predictor variables. Chl-a–nutrient relationships were characterized by sigmoidal curves, with total phosphorus having the largest explanatory power for our study region. In comparison with LSWT, utilization of altitude, the often-used temperature surrogate, led to different influence directions but similar predictive performances. These results support utilizing altitude in models for Chl-a predictions. Compared to Chl-a observations, Chl-a predictions of the best performing approach for mountain lakes (oligotrophic–eutrophic) led to minor differences in trophic state categorizations. Our findings suggest that both models with LSWT and altitude are appropriate for water quality predictions of lakes in mountain regions and emphasize the importance of incorporating interactions among variables when facing lake management challenges.
Objective: The more people there are who use clinical information systems (CIS) beyond their traditional intramural confines, the more promising the benefits are, and the more daunting the risks will be. This review thus explores the areas of ethical debates prompted by CIS conceptualized as smart systems reaching out to patients and citizens. Furthermore, it investigates the ethical competencies and education needed to use these systems appropriately.
Methods: A literature review covering ethics topics in combination with clinical and health information systems, clinical decision support, health information exchange, and various mobile devices and media was performed searching the MEDLINE database for articles from 2016 to 2019 with a focus on 2018 and 2019. A second search combined these keywords with education.
Results: By far, most of the discourses were dominated by privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent issues. Intertwined with confidentiality and clear boundaries, the provider-patient relationship has gained much attention. The opacity of algorithms and the lack of explicability of the results pose a further challenge. The necessity of sociotechnical ethics education was underpinned in many studies including advocating education for providers and patients alike. However, only a few publications expanded on ethical competencies. In the publications found, empirical research designs were employed to capture the stakeholders’ attitudes, but not to evaluate specific implementations.
Conclusion: Despite the broad discourses, ethical values have not yet found their firm place in empirically rigorous health technology evaluation studies. Similarly, sociotechnical ethics competencies obviously need detailed specifications. These two gaps set the stage for further research at the junction of clinical information systems and ethics.
The current narrative literature review aims to discuss clinical reasoning based on nociceptive pain mechanisms for determining the most appropriate assessment and therapeutic strategy and to identify/map the most updated scientific evidence in relation to physical therapy interventions for patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). We will also propose an algorithm for clinical examination and treatment decisions and a pain model integrating current knowledge of pain neuroscience. The clinical examination of patients with TMDs should be based on nociceptive mechanisms and include the potential identification of the dominant, central, or peripheral sensitization driver. Additionally, the musculoskeletal drivers of these sensitization processes should be assessed with the aim of reproducing symptoms. Therapeutic strategies applied for managing TMDs can be grouped into tissue-based impairment treatments (bottom-up interventions) and strategies targeting the central nervous system (top-down interventions). Bottom-up strategies include joint-, soft tissue-, and nerve-targeting interventions, as well as needling therapies, whereas top-down strategies include exercises, grade motor imagery, and also pain neuroscience education. Evidence shows that the effectiveness of these interventions depends on the clinical reasoning applied, since not all strategies are equally effective for the different TMD subgroups. In fact, the presence or absence of a central sensitization driver could lead to different treatment outcomes. It seems that multimodal approaches are more effective and should be applied in patients with TMDs. The current paper also proposes a clinical decision algorithm integrating clinical diagnosis with nociceptive mechanisms for the application of the most appropriate treatment approach.
Current challenges are a result of complex and multi-layered factors. They require systemic solutions: problems must be solved holistically by identifying interconnections between the different problems which are results of the same root cause. Social entrepreneurs are agents of change, their mission is to generate societal impact. I investigated how a social entrepreneurship think tank can be conceptualized to support systems change. Think tanks can conduct in-depth research to inform about the systems and share knowledge. Entrepreneurs can make strategic interventions based on the research findings. To create a framework of how social entrepreneurship think tanks can promote systems change I conducted 14 case studies. The framework is created based on the method of Theory of Change, it displays how different activities can contribute to succeeding in systems change. I outline eleven activities which include strategies in capacity building, research and collaboration with the other actors in the field. In the end, the framework is applied to the evolving case of a think tank founded in 2018.
Jede Ernährung hat Auswirkungen auf den Gesundheitszustand des Einzelnen, auf die Umwelt und auf soziale Belange. Eine wachsende Zahl von Mahlzeiten wird in der Außer-Haus-Verpflegung eingenommen, in der eine systematische Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung nicht zur gängigen Praxis gehört. Um diese Lücke zu schließen, wurde im Rahmen des NAHGAST-Projekts ein Instrument entwickelt. Nach mehr als einem Jahr des Einsatzes des NAHGAST-Online-Tools soll nun überprüft werden, welche positiven Umwelteinflüsse durch den Einsatz des Instruments realisiert werden können. Aus diesem Grund befasst sich dieser Artikel mit der Frage, ob ein Online-Tool Akteure aus dem Bereich des Außer-Haus-Verzehrs in die Lage versetzen kann, ihre Mahlzeiten im Hinblick auf Aspekte einer nachhaltigen Ernährung zu überarbeiten. Darüber hinaus wird die Frage beantwortet, wie sich konkrete Rezeptüberarbeitungen der beliebtesten Mittagsgerichte auf den materiellen Fußabdruck sowie auf den Carbon Footprint auswirken.
Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass ein Online-Tool individuelle Nachhaltigkeitspfade für Akteure im und ermöglicht eine eigenständige Rezeptüberarbeitung für bereits bestehende Gerichte. Mahlzeiten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass bereits geringfügige Änderungen in den Rezepten zu Einsparungen von bis zu einem Drittel führen können beim CO2-Fußabdruck sowie beim Materialfußabdruck führen können. Bezogen auf den Außer-Haus-Verzehr Außer-Haus-Verzehr ergibt sich daraus das Potenzial für erhebliche Multiplikationseffekte, die den Weg für die Verbreitung von nachhaltiger Ernährung ebnen.
The central aim of the investigation at hand is to deal with the problem areas of Human Resource Management, which arise by demographic changes and migration. The paper focuses on mutual relationships. Managers and human resource managers are considered as multipliers. Older employees, migrants and women are important potential. Therefore, following research questions have been investigated: Which competences are necessary to promote to recognise the potential of migrants correctly and to promote them? Do the multipliers have to be more sensitized for the issue diversity? Do they have to develop specific competences to make the system more permeable and to make the entry and promotion of migrants possible? Which competences should be promoted to increase the sensitivity for diversity? The questions were examined by a qualitative investigation to develop hypotheses for a quantitative study. Overall, 30 interviews with managers, human resource managers and diversity representatives of the large DAX companies were conducted. Furthermore, 17 employees with immigration background and 15 employees without an immigration background were interviewed. The data was transcribed and analysed by the qualitative content analysis according to Mayring (2010). Comparative analyses were made with single items with Likert Scales. The investigation of managers and employees is a highly diversified issue. Therefore, the main focus of the project lays on the problem areas, conflicts and competences of human resources managers in demographic-sensitive personnel management. In comparison, employees with and without an immigration background were asked. The results show an interesting field of tension between self-perception and perception of others and the assessment of the relevance of diversity attitudes and measures, competences and their implementation. Furthermore, a contrary perception regarding strains and stresses of person with and without immigration background is determined, which is developed in the consequences of migrations stress and experiences of discrimination. The results indicate the need of promotion of competences, especially regarding intercultural competence. A critical analysis of the results will be presented.
Ecological restoration of an urban demolition site through introduction of native forb species
(2020)
Urban brownfields can provide habitats for endangered native plant species but may also support invasive non native species. The aim of our study was to develop and test different measures for the ecological restoration of an urban brownfield. We aimed to enhance native plant species richness by seeding two native forb seed mix tures containing 25 (HD-mixture) and 13 species (LD-mixture), respectively, without affecting spontaneously colonizing plant species of nature conservation value. Additionally, we tested the effects of species introduction and mowing on the establishment of invasive non-native plant species, woody species development, and per ennial grass dominance.
With establishment rates of 84% (HD) and 92% (LD) in the first study year and about 60% for both seed mixtures in the fourth year, species introduction was successful and led to rapid re-vegetation of the formerly bare brownfield. Although seeding did not result in increased species richness using either seed mixture, the dominance of perennial grasses was significantly reduced by the establishment of forb species from the HD mixture. Overall, we observed the spontaneous establishment of ten plant species of conservation value; seeding affected these species only temporarily, in the second year. Seeding (with either seed mixture) and mowing both resulted in reduced cover of woody species and a lower frequency of the invasive non-native Robinia pseudoa cacia.
Our study demonstrated the high nature conservation value of dry and nutrient-poor urban brownfields for spontaneously occurring threatened plant species. Further studies have to evaluate if the reduced cover of grasses and woody species through introduction of site-specific native forb species might increase these sites’ aesthetic value and broader acceptance of brownfields by urban residents.
Injection of slurry or digestate below maize seeds is a relatively new technique developed to improve nitrogen use efficiency. However, this practice has the major drawback of increasing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The application of a nitrification inhibitor (NI) is an effective method to reduce these emissions. To evaluate the effect of the NI 3,4‐dimethypyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on N2O emissions and the stabilization of ammonium, a two‐factorial soil‐column experiment was conducted. PVC pipes (20 cm diameter and 30 cm length) were used as incubation vessels for the soil‐columns. The trial consisted of four treatments in a randomized block design with four replications: slurry injection, slurry injection + DMPP, digestate injection, and digestate injection + DMPP. During the 47‐day incubation period, N2O fluxes were measured twice a week and cumulated by linear interpolation of the gas‐fluxes of consecutive measurement dates. After completion of the gas flux measurement, concentration of ammonium and nitrate within the soil‐columns was determined. DMPP delayed the conversion of ammonium within the manure injection zone significantly. This effect was considerably more pronounced in treatment digestate + NI than in treatment slurry + NI. Regarding the cumulated N2O emissions, no difference between slurry and digestate treatments was determined. DMPP reduced the release of N2O significantly. Transferring the results into practice, the use of DMPP is a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching, following the injection of slurry or digestate.
Establishment of calcareous grassland on ex-arable fields by introducing target species is one of the most frequently used methods to restore the species assemblages of this highly endangered habitat type. The present study evaluates the long-term success of calcareous grassland restoration on former arable land in the vicinity of one of the oldest nature reserves in Bavaria, the “Garchinger Heide”. The restoration experiment combined different measures like topsoil removal, transfer of freshly cut seed-containing hay and additional sowing to the following variants in a 21-year experiment: (1) No topsoil removal, no hay transfer (control), (2) no topsoil removal with immediate hay transfer, (3) topsoil removal with immediate hay transfer and (4) topsoil removal with hay transfer 10 years after the start of restoration. Eleven Red List species which had not been transferred successfully were additionally sown after 9 to 19 years. Due to a limited availability of seeds, sowing of these species was mainly restricted to areas with topsoil removal, where better establishment was expected due to low vegetation cover. Five rare species with abundant seed production were also sown to plots without topsoil removal and hay transfer. The nature reserve served both as the donor area of the target species and as the reference to evaluate restoration success. Regarding aboveground biomass and total vegetation cover, greatest similarity to the donor site was observed on plots without topsoil removal. In contrast, the highest numbers of target species occurred on plots with topsoil removal, hay transfer and additional sowing. Similarity in species composition between restoration sites and the reference area increased over time, but species composition of restored sites did not fully reflect the reference after 21 years. One reason for the remaining dissimilarity was probably that topsoil removal favored stress tolerant species which were less common on the mature and more fine-grained soils of the nature reserve. Plots without topsoil removal still differed from the reference by their high vegetation cover and a significantly higher proportion of mesophytic grassland species. The study also showed that 19 Red List species were successfully established on the former arable fields, eight of them presumably by sowing. Nevertheless, various other rare species have not been observed yet. Results on functional traits characterizing environmental adaptation and reproduction also underlined the differences between restoration plots and the reference site. Our study presents a ʽdynamic restoration approachʼ where managers evaluated the original factorial treatments after a decade and modified them by additional treatments where development was sub-optimal. Such additional treatments may have confounded the experimental design, but from a management perspective proved to be a promising option to establish species rich grassland of high conservation value with a reasonable expenditure of time.
Entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathies, or radicular pain are the most common peripheral neuropathies and also the most common cause for neuropathic pain. Despite their high prevalence, they often remain challenging to diagnose and manage in a clinical setting. Summarising the evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies, this review provides an update on the aetiology and pathophysiology of entrapment neuropathies. Potential mechanisms are put in perspective with clinical findings. The contemporary assessment is discussed and diagnostic pitfalls highlighted. The evidence for the noninvasive and surgical management of common entrapment neuropathies is summarised and future areas of research are identified.
Entrapment neuropathies are a heterogenous condition reflecting distinct underlying pathomechanisms. A contemporary assessment aimed at identifying potential mechanisms may help target management for these patients.
In this paper, we evaluate the application of Bayesian Optimization (BO) to discrete event simulation (DES) models. In a first step, we create a simple model, for which we know the optimal set of parameter values in advance. We implement the model in SimPy, a framework for DES written in Python. We then interpret the simulation model as a black box function subject to optimization. We show that it is possible to find the optimal set of parameter values using the open source library GPyOpt. To enhance our evaluation, we create a second and more complex model. To better handle the complexity of the model, and to add a visual component, we build the second model in Simio, a commercial off-the-shelf simulation modeling tool. To apply BO to a model in Simio, we use the Simio API to write an extension for optimization plug-ins. This extension encapsulates the logic of the BO algorithm, which we deployed as a web service in the cloud.
The fact that simulation models are black box functions with regard to their behavior and the influence of their input parameters makes them an apparent candidate for Bayesian Optimization (BO). Simulation models are multivariable and stochastic, and their behavior is to a large extent unpredictable. In particular, we do not know for sure which input parameters to adjust to maximize (or minimize) the model’s outcome. In addition, the complex models can take a substantial amount of time to run.
Bayesian Optimization is a sequential and self-learning algorithm to optimize black box functions similar to as we find them in simulation models: they contain a set of parameters for which we want to identify the optimal set, they are expensive to evaluate, and they exhibit stochastic noise. BO has proven to efficiently optimize black box functions from varius disciplines. Among those, and most notably, it is successfully applied in machine learning algorithms to optimize hyperparameters.
Artificial intelligence will change our lives permanently - both at work and in our private lives. But how does machine learning actually work? The authors explore this question in their English-language textbook. They teach the necessary basics for the use of support vector machines, for example, through linear programming, the Lagrange multiplier, kernels and the SMO algorithm. They also cover neural networks, evolutionary algorithms, and Bayesian networks. Definitions are highlighted in the book and assignments invite readers to think along. The textbook is aimed at students of computer science, engineering and natural sciences, especially in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, and mathematics.