Publications by authors named "Kirchner A"

Bulk high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) such as BaCuO (BCO, = Y, Gd) are commonly used in rotationally symmetric superconducting magnetic bearings. However, such bulks have several disadvantages such as brittleness, limited availability and high costs due to the time-consuming and energy-intensive fabrication process. Alternatively, tape stacks of HTS-coated conductors might be used for these devices promising an improved bearing efficiency due to a simplification of manufacturing processes for the required shapes, higher mechanical strength, improved thermal performance, higher availability and therefore potentially reduced costs.

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Cowden syndrome (CS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by multiple hamartomas across various tissues and an elevated risk of several types of cancer, including breast, thyroid, and endometrial cancers. Skin findings can precede more serious malignancies, making early detection and diagnosis crucial. In this report, we detail four individual patient histories, including their initial dermatological symptoms or concerns.

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Advance care planning in the acute hospital: A qualitative analysis of terms and conditions Advance Care Planning (ACP) is an internationally established concept aimed to facilitate anticipatory care planning in the event of future inability to consent. In Germany, ACP is currently not regularly offered to patients in acute care hospitals. We aimed to identify preconditions for implementation of ACP in acute care hospitals in Germany through review of the international literature and expert interviews.

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Background: Compared to workers of larger companies it is less clear what health promoting interventions might be beneficial for employees of small businesses and self-employed individuals.

Objective: Our aim was to critically appraise trials investigating health promotion programs among small business workers and self-employed individuals, by means of a systematic review.

Methods: We conducted a search of primary studies using MEDLINE, Web of Science, LIVIVO and the Cochrane library.

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Background: Advance Care Planning interventions should be evaluated as broadly as possible to gain a holistic understanding of the Advance Care Planning process. However, validated early stage outcome instruments are lacking. Therefore, the Treatment-Preference-Measure-Advance Care Planning (Treat-Me-ACP) instrument was developed and validated as part of the cluster-randomized controlled trial STADPLAN (Study on Advance Care Planning in care-dependent community-dwelling older persons) to assess the effects of Advance Care Planning interventions on patients' medical treatment preferences.

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We introduce a portable dual-comb spectrometer operating in the visible spectral region for atmospheric monitoring of NO, a pollution gas of major importance. Dual-comb spectroscopy, combining key advantages of fast, broadband and accurate measurements, has been established in the infrared as a method for the investigation of atmospheric gases with kilometer-scale absorption path lengths. With the presented dual-comb spectrometer centered at 517 nm, we make use of the strong absorption cross section of NO in this spectral region.

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DNA structure can regulate genome function. Four-stranded DNA G-quadruplex (G4) structures have been implicated in transcriptional regulation; however, previous studies have not directly addressed the role of an individual G4 within its endogenous cellular context. Using CRISPR to genetically abrogate endogenous G4 structure folding, we directly interrogate the G4 found within the upstream regulatory region of the critical human oncogene.

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The spread of Homo sapiens into new habitats across Eurasia ~45,000 years ago and the concurrent disappearance of Neanderthals represents a critical evolutionary turnover in our species' history. 'Transitional' technocomplexes, such as the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ), characterize the European record during this period but their makers and evolutionary significance have long remained unclear. New evidence from Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany, now provides a secure connection of the LRJ to H.

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The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe is associated with the regional disappearance of Neanderthals and the spread of Homo sapiens. Late Neanderthals persisted in western Europe several millennia after the occurrence of H. sapiens in eastern Europe.

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Background: Most randomised controlled trials on advance care planning were conducted in people with advanced, life-limiting illnesses or in institutional settings. There are few studies on its effect in older people living in the community.

Aim: To determine the effects of advance care planning in older community dwelling people.

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Background: Scintigraphy with a 99m TC-trimethyl-Br-IDA tracer (TBIDA) is used to monitor liver function regeneration after auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) for acute liver failure (ALF). As computed tomography (CT) is also regularly performed during patient follow-up, CT volumetry could be used as an alternative to monitor native liver recovery after APOLT for ALF.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent APOLT (October 2006-July 2019).

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Intracranial hemorrhage, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), is associated with many cardiac effects, including cardiac rhythm abnormalities, ischemic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, elevated cardiac troponin levels, and regional wall motion abnormalities on echocardiogram. About 40% of patients with SAH demonstrate increased serum markers for myocardial necrosis. Approximately 10% of patients with SAH demonstrate left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormalities; a subset of these patients will have irreversible myocardial damage, but most regain LV function in several weeks.

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The human brain has evolved to have extraordinary capabilities, enabling complex behaviors. The uniqueness of the human brain is increasingly posited to be due in part to the functions of primate-specific, including human-specific, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes, systemically less conserved than protein-coding genes in evolution. Patients who have surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy are subjected to extensive electrical recordings of the brain tissue that is subsequently removed in order to treat their epilepsy.

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During the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic, various data had to be collected to support political decisions for pandemic preparedness and response. Nevertheless, using analogue tools like paper and pencil as well as sending files with media discontinuity that have to be merged later are not useful and can hardly provide usable data in real time. With the selected system architecture, the Bavarian Online Database for Corona Screening Tests (BayCoRei) is a central, Bavaria-wide, consistent digital solution that is agile and easy to use.

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Background: According to recent legislation, facilitated advance care planning (ACP) for nursing home (NH) residents is covered by German sickness funds. However, the effects of ACP on patient-relevant outcomes have not been studied in Germany yet. This study investigates whether implementing a complex regional ACP intervention improves care consistency with care preferences in NH residents.

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Nurses' perspectives on their potential role in advance care planning in home care: A qualitative study Advance Care Planning (ACP) in long-term care in Germany has been identified as a potential area of nurses' responsibility. In the StAdPlan study (DRKS0016886), an ACP intervention in outpatient care was implemented and evaluated: Trained nurses conducted ACP conversations with patients. A comprehensive process evaluation was part of the study.

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Advance care planning conversations in home care: Intervention development with the Behaviour Change Wheel StAdPlan is a multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial aimed to develop and evaluate an advance care planning (ACP) intervention for the German home care setting. This paper reports the intervention development. Available ACP concepts were reviewed and adapted to the German home care context in terms of staffing and available time resources.

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Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease of the skin that commonly affects women of childbearing age. Some of the medications used in the treatment of CLE are safe in pregnancy, whereas others are contraindicated based on their teratogenic effects. We describe the most recent recommendations for the use of commonly prescribed CLE medications for those who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.

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Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the causative agent for a variety of cutaneous lesions including verruca vulgaris (VV) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV). There are more than 200 known genotypes of HPV, and specific HPV types are associated with different clinical manifestations and malignant potentials. Herein, we describe a case of a 43-year-old immunocompetent woman who presented with morphologically distinct lesions that were most consistent with EDV on clinical examination.

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Efficient intracellular drug delivery in nanomedicine strongly depends on ways to induce cellular uptake. Conjugation of nanoparticles (NPs) with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is a known means to induce uptake endocytosis. Here, we functionalized NPs consisting of either poly(d,l-lactide--glycolide) (PLGA) or polyethene glycol (PEG)-PLGA block-copolymer with a lactoferrin-derived cell-penetrating peptide (hLF).

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THz radiation finds various applications in science and technology. Pump-probe experiments at free-electron lasers typically rely on THz radiation generated by optical rectification of ultrafast laser pulses in electro-optic crystals. A compact and cost-efficient alternative is offered by the Smith-Purcell effect: a charged particle beam passes a periodic structure and generates synchronous radiation.

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Background: The STADPLAN study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial including 27 home care services in Germany. It assesses the effect of an advance care planning (ACP) intervention delivered by trained nurses to older care-dependent patients. Patients received two ACP conversations and an information brochure.

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Due to the small variety of materials, the areas of application of additive manufacturing in the toolmaking industry are currently still limited. In order to overcome these material restrictions, AM material development for high carbon-containing iron-based materials, which are characterized by high strength, hardness, and wear resistance, must be intensified. However, these materials are often susceptible to crack formation or lack of fusion defects during processing.

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In the present state of the art, highly spherical alloy powders are employed as feedstock in powder bed fusion processes. These powders are characterized by high flowability and apparent density. Their elaborate fabrication process is reflected in high powder price, adding a significant fraction to the cost of additively manufactured parts.

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Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that typically presents in the first year of life with severe diarrhea, autoimmune endocrine disorder, and inflammatory dermatitis, most commonly an eczematous dermatitis. IPEX syndrome is caused by variants in the FOXP3 gene leading to dysregulation of T-regulatory (Treg) cells and an aberrant immune response. Here, we present a case of severe IPEX syndrome diagnosed following whole genome sequencing (WGS) in a 2-week-old boy with bloody mucoid diarrhea, failure to thrive, and a diffuse eczematous dermatitis.

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