Ruhr-University Bochum Research Articles

Applying Augmented Reality Technology in STEM Education: A Bibliometrics Analysis in Scopus Database

Augmented reality offers diverse potential applications for STEM education, enabling students to engage directly with virtual elements in real-time and providing them with immersive, natural experiences. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of articles on this topic on the Scopus database to determine some quantitative information, such as general information about publications, countries, institutions, authors with the most contributions, and key trends in applying augmented reality technology in STEM education. An analysis of 201 studies published from 2005 to 2023 using Biblioshiny software and VOSviewer reveals that the United States leads in the number of studies conducted on this issue. Kryvyi Rih National University, Ukraine, has the most studies. The authors who contributed the most studies with the most citations on this issue are Lindner, C. and Rienow, A. from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Two primary research trends emerge, focusing on how Augmented Reality technology is utilized, particularly in STEM fields like Chemistry, which combines learning forms with other learning support tools and media such as mobile applications. Secondly, integrating augmented reality and virtual reality technologies into STEM programs at the university level, design of games, and virtual tools. This study offers important data for researchers looking to explore future applications of augmented reality technology within STEM education.

Exploring accessibility, user experience and engagement of digital media among older patients with depression: a pilot and observational screening study protocol of the DiGA4Aged study

IntroductionThe prevalence of mental health problems is increasing worldwide, particularly in the vulnerable group of older people. The limited availability of therapists, long wait periods and increasing shortage of healthcare...

8401 Genetic Characterization of a Case of Primary Aldosteronism in an 11-Year-Old Girl carrying a Germline VUS of CACNA1H and a Somatic Mutation of CTNNB1

Abstract Disclosure: S. Parisien-La Salle: None. G. Van Vliet: None. G. Corbeil: None. M. Labrecque: None. M. Tétreault: None. I. Bourdeau: None. Introduction: Primary aldosteronism is a frequent cause of secondary hypertension in adults but is rare in children. We report the case and genetic studies of an 11 yo girl presenting with primary aldosteronism at puberty. Case presentation: An 11-year-old female patient was referred to the pediatric endocrinology clinic for hypertension (166/118). Her past medical history and family history were unremarkable. She reported polyuria, polydipsia and occasional headaches and abdominal pain. Her Tanner stage indicated that puberty was initiated (P2M2). An abdominal CT revealed a 9x10x11cm right adrenal mass with calcifications and a necrotic zone. On [1]8F-FDG PET/CT, the mass had an uptake of 2.9 SUVmax. Laboratory results revealed hypokalemia (K: 2.6 mmol/L [N: 3.5-4.5]) and elevated aldosterone (1712.8 pmol/L [N: 110-1330]) with suppressed renin (0.2 ng/ml/h [N: <5.3]). Her urinary aldosterone level was elevated (114 nmol/day [N: <67]). The rest of the biochemical adrenal panel was normal. Patient underwent a right adrenalectomy by laparotomy. The pathology report showed an adrenal tumor without capsular or vascular invasion. The only malignancy criterion was an area of necrosis and the ki-67% proliferation index was < 1%. Genetic investigations: After informed consent, the patient underwent germline analysis for the chimeric gene CYP11B2/CYP11B1 (Ruhr University Bochum, Germany) and a multigene panel including KCNJ5, CACNA1D, CACNA1H and CLCN2 genes (Fulgent, CA), which were both negative except for a variant of unknown significance (VUS) that was identified in CACNA1H (c.3868G>A, p.Val1290Ile) with a minor allele frequency of 3.291E-5 (GnomAD). Tumor DNA was extracted after adrenalectomy from fresh frozen tissues. Somatic genetic analysis of GNAS, CTNNB1, KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3 and CACNA1D was performed using direct Sanger Sequencing (Genome Quebec Innovation Centre) and revealed a heterozygous missence pathogenic variant in the CTNNB1 gene (c.121 A>G p.Thr41Ala). This mutation was absent in leukocyte DNA of the patient. Immunohistochemistry of the adrenal tumor disclosed strong cytoplasmic β-catenin staining in most tumor cells (monoclonal anti-β-catenin antibody; BD Transduction Laboratories). RNA-sequencing of patient tumor RNA was performed (Research Center CHU Québec) and compared to human adrenal total RNA (Clontech, Mountain View, CA). Pathway enrichment analysis showed activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. No variant was identified in GNAQ or GNA11 genes. However, GNRHR was upregulated compared to the control sample with a log2 fold change of 3.96 (p=0.000074). Conclusion: We present a rare pediatric case of an aldosterone producing adenoma harbouring a somatic β-catenin pathogenic variant with upregulation of GNRHR. The implication of the germline CACNA1H VUS still needs to be clarified. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Detection of tendon breaks in prestressed concrete structures using coda wave interferometry

AbstractTendon breaks significantly threaten the safety of prestressed concrete structures. Failure of embedded tendons does not necessarily indicate as surface cracks, demonstrating the need for early detection methods. This paper presents a novel ultrasound‐based approach for detecting and localizing tendon breaks using coda wave interferometry. Already few embedded ultrasonic transducers form a robust monitoring network able to detect subtle changes in the structure. To demonstrate the feasibility of detecting tendon breaks, a post‐tensioned concrete beam was fabricated at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. A break of a centric and eccentric tendon was artificially created by drilling from the outside. Both were successfully detected and localized through characteristic changes in the ultrasound results without any evidence of damage on the concrete surface. Measurements with fiber optic sensors validate the ultrasonic findings and provide insights into the re‐anchoring behavior after tendon failure.

Logic Matters – Gender and Diversity, Too

Abstract This interview features Andrea Reichenberger. Currently she holds a substitute professorship for history of technology at TUM Technical University of Munich. She is junior research group leader at the Department of Mathematics, University of Siegen, Germany, and leads the research project “Rethinking the History of Mathematics and Physics: Women in Focus.” Reichenberger has held several postdoctoral positions, e.g., at the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists (HWPS) at Paderborn University (Germany) and in the DFG research project “Thought Experiment, Metaphor, Model” at the Institute for Philosophy I at the Ruhr University Bochum. Between 2019 and 2021, she was a fellow at the University of Paderborn and principal investigator of the research project “Foundational research in mathematical logic – relativity – quantum physics. Case studies on the integration of women philosophers.” Reichenberger has written a book on Émilie du Châtelet (Springer, 2016) and has published many articles in journals, collected editions, and encyclopedias.

Humanitarianism and the Quantification of Human Needs: Minimal Humanity By Joël Glasman *

In this iteration of the Review's “Beyond the Literature” series, we have invited Joël Glasman to introduce his recent book Humanitarianism and the Quantification of Human Needs, before then posing a series of questions to Bertrand Taithe, Léa Macias, Dennis Dijkzeul, Andrea Behrends and William Anderson. Bertrand Taithe is Professor of Cultural History at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Léa Macias is an anthropologist focusing on digital humanitarianism in the Middle East, currently working as an Evaluation Officer for the French Development Agency. Dennis Dijkzeul is Professor of Organization and Conflict Studies at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Andrea Behrends is Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at Leipzig University, Germany. William Anderson is the Executive Director for Sphere based in Geneva.The Review team is grateful to all five discussants, and to Joël, for taking part in this engaging conversation.

Intraoperative hypotension and its association with acute kidney injury in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a large retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is known to affect renal outcomes in noncardiac surgery. However, it is unclear whether intraoperative hypotension (IOH) causes postoperative acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine whether the duration of IOH during cardiac surgery is associated with the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and identify its impact on long-term outcomes. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Academic university hospital (Heart and Diabetes Center, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany). PATIENTS A cohort of 28 909 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018. INTERVENTIONS IOH was defined as intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of less than 60 mmHg for more than 2 min. The cumulative duration of these IOH events was recorded each patient. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of AKI according to the KDIGO criteria (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the associations between IOH and the incidence of AKI. Secondary outcomes were the independent predictors for the incidence of AKI. RESULTS Postoperative AKI was observed in 42.9% of patients. The cumulative duration of IOH (minutes) had a significant influence on the incidence of AKI [odds ratio (OR) 1.004; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.003 to 1.005; P < 0.001] (P > 0.001 versus P < 0.001). The survival time was significantly shorter in patients with a higher cumulative duration of IOH, patients aged more than 70 years, and those who developed AKI (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified eight predictors of AKI: age, cumulative duration of IOH, duration of surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, body mass index, type of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists stage, and Euroscore 2. CONCLUSIONS The cumulative duration of IOH is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of postoperative AKI after cardiac surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION Ethics Committee of the Ruhr University Bochum (Register number 2019-491).

Virtual reality in teaching using mentally ill patient avatars

Medical interaction and exploration techniques are the most important tools that medical students have to acquire in the subject of psychiatry and psychotherapy. The new digital technologies currently available, such as virtual reality (VR), as important supplements can contribute to asignificant improvement in the teaching of psychiatric-psychopathological learning content as well as, in particular, the technique of ascertaining the psychiatric history and diagnosis. Evaluation of the Bochum Avatar Exploration Project (AVEX) as part of the curricular course in medical studies at the Ruhr University Bochum for its possibilities to convey learning content and techniques of anamnesis and diagnosis in the subject of psychiatry and psychotherapy. In AVEX, atotal of 87medical students in the clinical study section have so far been able to enter into a dialogue with "mentally ill" avatars and gain experience with VR technology as alearning and teaching method in the subject of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Despite the limited possibilities for interaction with the digital avatars, it is possible to achieve asubstantial transfer of learning content in psychiatry; however, the students must be well supported by the lecturers. The AVEX project already shows promising possibilities for supplementing the teaching of medical students, even if the fit of questions and replies in dialogue with the virtual avatars still needs to be improved. As advances in the linguistic communication of emotions and the visual effects of the avatar representation can be predicted, the significance of this technology will continue to increase.

Differential cross–section measurements for the proton-induced alpha and deuteron reactions and elastic scattering on 9Be, suitable for Ion beam analysis applications

In the current work the differential cross sections for the proton-induced 9Be(p,d0)8Be and 9Be(p,α0)6Li nuclear reactions (Q-values = 559 and 2125 keV respectively), as well as, the 9Be(p,p0)9Be elastic scattering were measured for 6 backscattering detection angles (θ = 120°, 130°, 140°, 150°, 160° and 170°) covering the Ep,lab = 300–3000 keV energy range with an energy step between 10 and 50 keV. The total estimated uncertainties of the determined cross-section values did not exceed 6.4 % for the elastic scattering, 7.0 % for the 9Be(p,α0)6Li and 9.9 % for the 9Be(p,d0)8Be reaction. Benchmarking measurements were also performed with a suitable thick target in order to validate the obtained cross-section values. The present experimental results constitute three coherent differential cross-section datasets suitable for IBA applications. The measurements were performed at the 4 MV Tandem Dynamitron Laboratory of the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. The experimental, data analysis and benchmarking procedures are presented in detail.

FRI157 Systematic Germline Genetic Analysis In A Cohort Of Adults With Primary Aldosteronism And Hypertension Onset ≤35 yo : Low Yield Of Genetic Pathogenic Variants

Abstract Disclosure: S. Parisien-La Salle: None. D. Nadine: None. Z. El-Haffaf: None. A. Lacroix: None. I. Bourdeau: None. Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common but underdiagnosed cause of hypertension. Although most cases are sporadic, up to 5% of patients have a familial form of PA. Current guidelines recommend germline genetic analysis in patients who present PA < 20 yo or have a family history of PA. As PA is underdiagnosed, we hypothesized that some patients with PA do not undergo germline genetic screening since familial history of PA is unrecognized. Objective: To evaluate the yield of systematic germline genetic analysis for familial PA in patients with PA, hypertension detection ≤ 35 yo and a family history of hypertension. Methods: From 2012-2022, patients diagnosed with PA (positive ARR and confirmatory testing), hypertension onset ≤ 35 yo and a family history of hypertension were offered genetic counselling for germline screening for known familial causes of PA. After informed consent, patients underwent germline analysis for the chimeric gene CYP11B2/CYP11B1 (Ruhr University Bochum, Germany) and a multigene panel including KCNJ5, CACNA1D, CACNA1H and CLCN2 genes (Fulgent, CA). Results: Twenty-five patients consented for genetic analysis. Thirteen patients (52%) were female. In regards to ethnic origin, 52% were French Canadians, 24% African-Americans and the other 24% was split between Asian, European and Middle Eastern descent. The mean age at diagnosis of hypertension was 28.3 yo and 39.7 yo at PA diagnosis. At PA diagnosis, 91.3% (21/23) had previous hypokalemia and 12% (3/25) a cortisol co-secretion (1 mg dexamethasone test> 50 nmol/L). Approximately 13% were on one hypertension drug, 30% on two, 26% on three, 26% on four and 5% were on five medications. Comobordities included: 8% atrial fibrillation, 20% obstructive sleep apnea and 4% coronary heart disease. All patients had a family history of hypertension, 5 patients (20%) had a family history of stroke, and 1 patient (4%) had a family history of PA. Of the patients who had already undergone adrenal vein sampling (n=22), 68.2% (15/22) underwent an adrenalectomy for lateralised aldosterone secretion and 31.8% (7/22) were treated with medical therapy for bilateral disease. None of the 24 patients who underwent testing for glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism were found to have the chimeric gene CYP11B2/CYP11B1. Twenty-three patients underwent the multigene panel and no pathogenic variants were identified. However, 4/23 (17,4%) patients carried a variant of unknown significance (VUS) in CACNA1H or CLCN2 genes (CACNA1H c.1315C>T(p.Arg439Cys),CACNA1H c.3868G>A(p.Val1290Ile),CACNA1H c.1939G>A (p.Gly647Ser), CLCN2 c.2402C>T, (p.Thr801Ile)). Conclusion: Systematic germline genetic testing for familial PA in this cohort of patients with PA, hypertension diagnosis ≤ 35 yo and a family history of hypertension did not yield positive results. Although PA is an underdiagnosed disease, familial forms remain very rare. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Fatigue behavior at flange thickness transitions with cope holes – design model for engineering practice

AbstractFlange thickness transitions are common constructional details in welded girders, such as crane runway girders or main girders of highway and railway bridges, to adapt the bending moment capacity of the girder to variable bending moment distributions. At these details the transverse butt weld is often decisive for the fatigue verification of the member. Based on comprehensive studies at Graz University of Technology, including also two fatigue tests, stress concentration factors for the fatigue verification of the butt welds at the girder flange were developed. However, due to the complex local stress fields at the flange thickness transition, cope holes were not included in these studies.Within a research cooperation of Graz University of Technology and Ruhr University Bochum, flange thickness transitions with cope holes are studied recently. Based on comprehensive numerical FE‐ calculations within the practically relevant geometric parameter range, the complex local stress fields near the cope hole are analyzed both, within the web and the flange plate. For validation of the FE‐model also strain measurements were carried out at large‐scale test girders. Applying the hot spot stress method, the decisive hot spots are determined, and a simplified design model is developed for an accurate prediction of these hot spot stresses.The paper presents this design model in detail and shows its accuracy ‐ compared to the FE‐results ‐ for a wide range of different geometrical conditions, as used in practice (e.g. variation of girder dimensions, flange thickness ratio, tapering to the outside and to the inside).Finally, also the results of full‐scale fatigue tests on two different welded girders with flange thickness transitions and cope holes are presented. This provides an accurate fatigue resistance for the proposed design model, based on the hot spot stress method.

Attachment disorder symptoms in foster children: development and associations with attachment security

BackgroundChildren in foster care constitute a risk population for developing symptoms of attachment disorders. However, little is known about the longitudinal course of attachment disorders and their association with attachment security in foster children.MethodThis longitudinal study assessed attachment disorder symptoms in a sample of foster children (n = 55) aged 12 to 82 months. Foster parents with a newly placed foster child were assessed at three points during the first year of placement. At all assessment points, the Disturbance of Attachment Interview (DAI; Smyke and Zeanah in Disturbances of attachment interview, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1999) and the Attachment Q-sort (AQS; Waters and Deane in Monogr Soc Res Child Dev 50:41–65, 1985 German version as reported(Schölmerich and Leyendecker in Deutsche Übersetzung des attachment behavior Q-Set, revision 3.2. Unpublished manual, Ruhr UniversityBochum, Bochum, 1999) were used to investigate the interplay between disorder symptoms and attachment security.ResultsThe results revealed that the symptoms of attachment disorders decreased. The decrease was more pronounced for the inhibited than for the disinhibited symptoms with marked changes in the first 6 months of placement. There was a noticeable gender difference in the development with boys showing a more pronounced decrease in inhibited attachment disorder symptoms and a stronger increase of attachment security. After 12 months, no significant gender effects were found. Regarding the association between symptoms of attachment disorders and attachment security, a significant negative correlation between the inhibited attachment disorder symptoms and attachment security was found 12 months after placement.ConclusionsAttachment disorder symptoms decreased in the stable foster care environment. Thus, foster care seems to be an effective placement option regarding children’s attachment development.

Quality Assessment and Modulating Factors on Self-Regulatory Behavior in Peer-Assisted Medical Learning.

Standardized extracurricular skills labs courses have been developed in recent decades and are important approaches in peer-assisted medical learning (PAL). To provide high quality training and achieve effective learning strategies, continuous evaluations and quality assessments are essential. This research aims to evaluate quality data from medical students participating in extracurricular skills labs courses at Ruhr-University Bochum to prospectively optimize concepts and didactical training and standardize processes. Additionally, we set out to assess and quantify drivers that are influencing factors of the self-reflection of competencies. The analysis was based on a routine assessment of n = 503 attendees of the PAL courses in the skills labs in three consecutive semesters, who voluntarily participated in the evaluation. We analyzed the effects of age, semester and their interaction on the self-reflection of competencies in technical skills courses using moderated regression and simple slope analyses, as previously published. A univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tukey HSD testing was used to analyze group means in estimated competencies using IBM SPSS Statistics V.28. An analysis of variance revealed a significant increase in self-assessed competencies when comparing pre- vs. post-course evaluation data in all 35 depicted items (all p < 0.001). A total of 65.5% of the items were adjusted significantly differently, revealing modified self-reflected pre-course levels compared to those stated before. A moderated regression analysis revealed that age (R2 = 0.001, F(1;2347) = 1.88, p < 0.665), semester of study (∆R2 = 0.001, ∆F (1;2346) = 0.012, p < 0.912) and their interaction (∆R2 = 0.001, ∆F (1;2345) = 10.72, p < 0.227) did not explain a significant amount of the variance in self-reflection variance. A simple slope analysis of earlier (b = 0.07, t = 0.29, p < 0.773) and later semesters of study (b = 0.06, t = 0.07, p < 0.941) did not differentiate from zero. The presented evaluation paradigm proved to be a useful tool to encourage students to initiate self-regulatory and self-reflective behavior. The cohesive evaluation of the large cohort of attendees in extracurricular, facultative skills labs courses was helpful in terms of quality assessments and future adaptations. Further evaluation paradigms should be implemented to assess other influencing factors, such as gender, on self-reflection, since age and semester did not explain significant differences in the model.

Determination of the Binary Diffusion Coefficients and Interaction Viscosities of the Systems Carbon Dioxide–Nitrogen and Ethane–Methane in the Dilute Gas Phase from Accurate Experimental Viscosity Data Using the Kinetic Theory of Gases

The results of viscosity measurements at moderate densities on the two gaseous mixtures carbon dioxide–nitrogen and ethane–methane including the pure gases between 253.15 K and 473.15 K, originally performed by Humberg et al. at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, using a rotating-cylinder viscometer between 0.1 MPa and 2.0 MPa, were employed to determine the interaction viscosity, eta _{12}^{(0)}, and the product of molar density and diffusion coefficient, (rho D_{12})^{(0)}, each in the limit of zero density. The isothermal viscosity data were evaluated by those authors with density series restricted to the second order at most to derive the zero-density viscosities and initial density viscosity coefficients, eta _textrm{mix}^{(0)} and eta _textrm{mix}^{(1)}, for the mixtures, as well as, eta _i^{(0)} and eta _i^{(1)} (i=1,2), respectively, for the pure gases. Humberg et al. have already compared their eta _textrm{mix}^{(0)} and eta _i^{(0)} data for carbon dioxide–nitrogen and ethane–methane with corresponding viscosity values theoretically computed for the nonspherical potentials of the intermolecular interaction. Now we employed eta _textrm{mix}^{(0)} and eta _textrm{mix}^{(1)} as well as eta _i^{(0)} and eta _i^{(1)} in two procedures to derive eta _{12}^{(0)} values. For this, we needed A_{12}^* values (ratio between effective cross-sections of viscosity and diffusion). But the second procedure applying the initial density viscosity coefficients eta _textrm{mix}^{(1)} and eta _i^{(1)} failed to yield reasonable eta _{12}^{(0)} values. The first procedure should provide the best results when it is possible to use A_{12}^* values computed for the nonspherical potential. The effect is comparatively small if eta _{12}^{(0)} is determined. But if (rho D_{12})^{(0)} is calculated from eta _{12}^{(0)} using A_{12}^* values for the nonspherical potential, the impact is several percent. Moreover, the experimentally based eta _{12}^{(0)} and (rho D_{12})^{(0)} data agree with theoretically calculated values for the nonspherical potentials.

Differential cross-section measurements for the 9Be(3He,3He0)9Be elastic scattering and the 9Be(3He,px)11B reactions

The differential cross sections of 9Be(3He,3He0)9Be elastic scattering and of the 9Be(3He,p0,1,2,3,4+5,6,7)11B reactions have been determined in the energy range from 1.6 to 6 MeV at six backward angles from 120° to 170°, with a step of 10°. The experiments were performed at the 4 MV Dynamitron Tandem Laboratory of the Central Unit for Ion Beams and Radionuclides of the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. The obtained datasets have been validated through benchmarking experiments, at 8 beam energies, using a thick, high-purity, beryllium foil. The results of the present work are compared with existing ones from literature and any discrepancies observed are discussed.

First results from the 63Cu(α,γ)67Ga reaction study for nuclear astrophysics purposes

The 63Cu(α,γ)67Ga reaction cross-section was measured in the energy range between 5 and 9 MeV, which is relevant to p-process nucleosynthesis. The experiment was conducted at the Dynamitron Tandem Laboratory, of the Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany, by applying the 4π γ-summing method, using a 12"×12" NaI(Tl) single crystal scintillator. The preliminary results are compared with previous measurements and theoretical TALYS calculations as well.

Identification of multiple sclerosis endophenotypes by high dimensional blood signatures associated with distinct disease trajectories (P1-3.008)

Identification of multiple sclerosis endophenotypes by high dimensional blood signatures associated with distinct disease trajectories (P1-3.008)

Mortality rates of severe COVID-19-related respiratory failure with and without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the Middle Ruhr Region of Germany

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is discussed to improve patients’ outcome in severe COVID-19 with respiratory failure, but data on ECMO remains controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of patients under invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with or without veno-venous ECMO support and to evaluate outcome parameters. Ventilated patients with COVID-19 with and without additional ECMO support were analyzed in a retrospective multicenter study regarding clinical characteristics, respiratory and laboratory parameters in day-to-day follow-up. Recruitment of patients was conducted during the first three COVID-19 waves at four German university hospitals of the Ruhr University Bochum, located in the Middle Ruhr Region. From March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, the charts of 149 patients who were ventilated for COVID-19 infection, were included (63.8% male, median age 67 years). Fifty patients (33.6%) received additional ECMO support. On average, ECMO therapy was initiated 15.6 ± 9.4 days after symptom onset, 10.6 ± 7.1 days after hospital admission, and 4.8 ± 6.4 days after the start of IMV. Male sex and higher SOFA and RESP scores were observed significantly more often in the high-volume ECMO center. Pre-medication with antidepressants was more often detected in survivors (22.0% vs. 6.5%; p = 0.006). ECMO patients were 14 years younger and presented a lower rate of concomitant cardiovascular diseases (18.0% vs. 47.5%; p = 0.0004). Additionally, cytokine-adsorption (46.0% vs. 13.1%; p < 0.0001) and renal replacement therapy (76.0% vs. 43.4%; p = 0.0001) were carried out more frequently; in ECMO patients thrombocytes were transfused 12-fold more often related to more than fourfold higher bleeding complications. Undulating C-reactive protein (CRP) and massive increase in bilirubin levels (at terminal stage) could be observed in deceased ECMO patients. In-hospital mortality was high (Overall: 72.5%, ECMO: 80.0%, ns). Regardless of ECMO therapy half of the study population deceased within 30 days after hospital admission. Despite being younger and with less comorbidities ECMO therapy did not improve survival in severely ill COVID-19 patients. Undulating CRP levels, a massive increase of bilirubin level and a high use of cytokine-adsorption were associated with worse outcomes. In conclusion, ECMO support might be helpful in selected severe cases of COVID-19.

A Team for Accelerating Catalyst and Reaction.

This invited Team Profile was created by the Gessner and Gooßen research groups at Ruhr-University Bochum (Germany). They recently published a series of articles in Angewandte Chemie on the application of ylide-substituted phosphines (YPhos) in palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions. Owing to their inherently strong sigma-donating ability and their modular synthesis, YPhos ligands can be tailored to fit the demands of various catalytic transformations. In the most recent article, machine learning methods were applied to identify a YPhos catalyst that enables the previously elusive Hiyama coupling of aryl chlorides. "Computer-Driven Development of Ylide Functionalized Phosphines for Palladium-Catalyzed Hiyama Couplings", J. F. Goebel, J. Löffler, Z. Zeng, J. Handelmann, A. Hermann, I. Rodstein, T. Gensch, V. H. Gessner, L. J. Gooßen, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, e202216160; Angew. Chem. 2023, e202216160.

Measurement, evaluation and benchmarking of differential cross sections for proton elastic scattering on natO in the energy range E = 4–6 MeV, suitable for EBS

In this study we present the experimental differential cross sections of the natO(p,p0) elastic scattering, determined via the relative measurement technique, in the proton beam energy range Elab = 4–6 MeV with a varying step (from 5 to 15 keV), at six backscattering detector angles between 120° and 170° (every 10°). A thin, self-supporting target manufactured was used in this experiment and the determination of its stoichiometry was carried out according to the currently existing evaluation at lower energy, which has also been benchmarked recently. The measurements were performed using the Van de Graaff Tandem 5.5 MV Accelerator of N.C.S.R. “Demokritos” in Athens, Greece. Theoretical calculations leading to the extension of the existing evaluation up to Ep,lab ∼ 6 MeV have also been performed and the obtained results seem to reproduce well not only the differential cross-section datasets obtained in the present work, but also already existing ones in literature for this extended proton beam energy range. The observed peculiarities and discrepancies are discussed and analyzed, while the theoretical differential cross sections are validated via an accurate benchmarking experiment carried out at RUBION, Ruhr University Bochum, using a thick Bi2O3 target.