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To increase granularity in human neuroimaging science, we designed and built a next-generation 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner to reach ultra-high resolution by implementing several advances in hardware. To improve spatial encoding and increase the image signal-to-noise ratio, we developed a head-only asymmetric gradient coil (200 mT m −1 , 900 T m −1 s −1 ) with an additional third layer of windings. We integrated a 128-channel receiver system with 64- and 96-channel receiver coil arrays to boost signal in the cerebral cortex while reducing g-factor noise to enable higher accelerations. A 16-channel transmit system reduced power deposition and improved image uniformity. The scanner routinely performs functional imaging studies at 0.35–0.45 mm isotropic spatial resolution to reveal cortical layer functional activity, achieves high angular resolution in diffusion imaging and reduces acquisition time for both functional and structural imaging. A combination of hardware developments has increased the achievable spatial resolution in 7 Tesla human neuroimaging to about 0.4 mm.

Previous studies demonstrated substantial variability of the location of primary visual cortex (V1) in stereotaxic coordinates when linear volume-based registration is used to match volumetric image intensities [Amunts, K., Malikovic, A., Mohlberg, H., Schormann, T., and Zilles, K. (2000). Brodmann’s areas 17 and 18 brought into stereotaxic space—where and how variable? Neuroimage, 11(1):66–84]. However, other qualitative reports of V1 location [Smith, G. (1904). The morphology of the occipital region of the cerebral hemisphere in man and the apes. Anatomischer Anzeiger, 24:436–451; Stensaas, S.S., Eddington, D.K., and Dobelle, W.H. (1974). The topography and variability of the primary visual cortex in man. J Neurosurg, 40(6):747–755; Rademacher, J., Caviness, V.S., Steinmetz, H., and Galaburda, A.M. (1993). Topographical variation of the human primary cortices: implications for neuroimaging, brain mapping, and neurobiology. Cereb Cortex, 3(4):313–329] suggested a consistent relationship between V1 and the surrounding cortical folds. Here, the relationship between folds and the location of V1 is quantified using surface-based analysis to generate a probabilistic atlas of human V1. High-resolution (about 200 μm) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 T of ex vivo human cerebral hemispheres allowed identification of the full area via the stria of Gennari: a myeloarchitectonic feature specific to V1. Separate, whole-brain scans were acquired using MRI at 1.5 T to allow segmentation and mesh reconstruction of the cortical gray matter. For each individual, V1 was manually identified in the high-resolution volume and projected onto the cortical surface. Surface-based intersubject registration [Fischl, B., Sereno, M.I., Tootell, R.B., and Dale, A.M. (1999b). High-resolution intersubject averaging and a coordinate system for the cortical surface. Hum Brain Mapp, 8(4):272–84] was performed to align the primary cortical folds of individual hemispheres to those of a reference template representing the average folding pattern. An atlas of V1 location was constructed by computing the probability of V1 inclusion for each cortical location in the template space. This probabilistic atlas of V1 exhibits low prediction error compared to previous V1 probabilistic atlases built in volumetric coordinates. The increased predictability observed under surface-based registration suggests that the location of V1 is more accurately predicted by the cortical folds than by the shape of the brain embedded in the volume of the skull. In addition, the high quality of this atlas provides direct evidence that surface-based intersubject registration methods are superior to volume-based methods at superimposing functional areas of cortex and therefore are better suited to support multisubject averaging for functional imaging experiments targeting the cerebral cortex.

Particle filters are well known in statistics. They have a long tradition in the framework of ensemble data assimilation (EDA) as well as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. A key challenge today is to employ such methods in a high-dimensional environment, since the naïve application of the classical particle filter usually leads to filter divergence or filter collapse when applied within the very high dimension of many practical assimilation problems (known as the curse of dimensionality). The goal of this work is to develop a localized adaptive particle filter (LAPF), which follows closely the idea of the classical MCMC or bootstrap-type particle filter, but overcomes the problems of collapse and divergence based on localization in the spirit of the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) and adaptivity with an adaptive Gaussian resampling or rejuvenation scheme in ensemble space. The particle filter has been implemented in the data assimilation system for the global forecast model ICON at Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD). We carry out simulations over a period of 1 month with a global horizontal resolution of 52 km and 90 layers. With four variables analyzed per grid point, this leads to 6.6 × 106 degrees of freedom. The LAPF can be run stably and shows a reasonable performance. We compare its scores to the operational setup of the ICON LETKF.

Literature is strongly contradictory about the molecular reasons for yellowing and brightness reversion of pure (lignin- and hemicellulose-free) celluloses, such as in highly bleached pulps, bacterial cellulose, or cotton linters. While oxidized groups—carbonyls (CO) and carboxyls (COOH)—have been recognized as the initiators of yellowing, they are generally always found together; thus, their effects are permanently superimposed in real-world cellulose. For this reason, their individual contributions could not be reliably determined. To tackle this conundrum, we have used a two-stage study: the employment of glucopyranose-derived model compounds and the use of special cellulosic pulps. Both substrates had either only carbonyl functions, only carboxyl functions, or defined ratios of both functionalities present at the same time. The model compounds alone already provided strong indications of the CO-related and COOH-related effects, and further confirmation was obtained by the pulp study. Here, in regard to the polymer case, the carbonyl groups are the minimum functional unit in cellulose responsible for chromophore generation (termed as the “CO effect”). The carbonyl groups are the precursors for the chromophores that are formed later upon yellowing/aging. Chromophore formation increases strictly linearly with the carbonyl content at a constant given carboxyl content. Carboxyl groups alone (i.e., in the absence of carbonyl groups) are fully innocent regarding the color generation. However, they have a strong promotive action when carbonyl groups are present (termed as the “COOH effect”), which includes acidic catalysis and an additional activation by electronic effects. The general roles of CO and COOH are the same for all aging types (e.g., thermal, acidic, or alkaline), while the respective rates of chromophore generation evidently depend on various parameters such as the temperature, medium, and pH value. Graphical abstract

The transdisciplinary research mode has gained prominence in the research on and for sustainability transformations. Yet, solution-oriented research addressing complex sustainability problems has become complex itself, with new transdisciplinary research formats being developed and tested for this purpose. Application of new formats offers learning potentials from experience. To this end, we accompanied fourteen research projects conceptualized as real-world labs (RwLs) from 2015 to 2018. RwLs were part of a funding program on ‘Science for Sustainability’ in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Here, we combine conceptual and empirical work to a structured collection of experiences and provide a comprehensive account of RwLs. First, we outline characteristics of RwLs as transformation oriented, transdisciplinary research approach, using experiments, enabling learning and having a long-term orientation. Second, we outline eleven success factors and concrete design notes we gained through a survey of the 14 RwLs: (1) find the right balance between scientific and societal aims, (2) address the practitioners needs and restrictions, (3) make use of the experimentation concept, (4) actively communicate, (5) develop a ‘collaboration culture’, (6) be attached to concrete sites, (7) create lasting impact and transferability, (8) plan for sufficient time and financial means, (9) adaptability, (10) research-based learning, and (11) recognize dependency on external actors. Characteristics and success factors are combined to illustrate practical challenges in RwLs. Third, we show which methods could be used to cope with challenges in RwLs. We conclude discussing the state of debate on RwLs and outline future avenues of research.

Both nutrition and exercise are known to affect metabolic regulation in humans. Sirtuins are essential regulators of cellular energy metabolism; SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT4 have a direct effect on glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid oxidation. This cross-sectional study investigates the effect of different diets on exercise-induced regulation of sirtuins. SIRT1 and SIRT3–SIRT5 were measured in blood from omnivorous, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and vegan recreational runners (21–25 subjects, respectively) before and after exercise at the transcript, protein, and enzymatic levels. SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT5 enzyme activities increased during exercise in omnivores and lacto-ovo vegetarians, commensurate with increased energy demand. However, activities decreased in vegans. Malondialdehyde as a surrogate marker of oxidative stress inversely correlated with sirtuin activities and was elevated in vegans after exercise compared to both other groups. A significant negative correlation of all sirtuins with the intake of the antioxidative substances, ascorbate and tocopherol, was found. In vegan participants, increased oxidative stress despite higher amounts of the antioxidative substances in the diet was observed after exercise.

A round robin on GPC of a wide range of different pulp samples was conducted among leading groups in cellulose analysis. The aim was to survey the status quo of the methods available to date. The pulp samples covered not only fully-bleached dissolving pulps but also bleached paper pulps and one unbleached sample. The methods applied were current state-of-the-art GPC with RI, MALLS, and viscosimetry detectors. Different dissolution protocols were compared as well. Following from the obtained results, more standardized protocols were proposed for approaches with different equipment (RI or MALLS/RI) and solvent systems (direct dissolution or derivatization). Major influencing factors, such as derivatization compared to direct solution, calibration versus light scattering and in-between lab variation, were discussed.

Particle filters are well known in statistics. They have a long tradition in the framework of ensemble data assimilation (EDA) as well as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. A key challenge today is to employ such methods in a high-dimensional environment, since the naïve application of the classical particle filter usually leads to filter divergence or filter collapse when applied within the very high dimension of many practical assimilation problems (known as the curse of dimensionality). The goal of this work is to develop a localized adaptive particle filter (LAPF), which follows closely the idea of the classical MCMC or bootstrap-type particle filter, but overcomes the problems of collapse and divergence based on localization in the spirit of the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) and adaptivity with an adaptive Gaussian resampling or rejuvenation scheme in ensemble space. The particle filter has been implemented in the data assimilation system for the global forecast model ICON at Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD). We carry out simulations over a period of 1 month with a global horizontal resolution of 52 km and 90 layers. With four variables analyzed per grid point, this leads to 6.6 × 10 6 degrees of freedom. The LAPF can be run stably and shows a reasonable performance. We compare its scores to the operational setup of the ICON LETKF.

When a fire strikes libraries or archives, physical deterioration of the paper is so severe that its chemical properties are often regarded as less important. However, knowledge of the chemical changes of the papers upon nearly burning is necessary to design a subsequent conservation treatment. In the present study, we have examined a rag paper object, which partially survived a fire, and analysed its chemical properties by various methods. The polymeric state of cellulose, as well as its low-molar mass degradation products, were assessed. Comparison to an identical, unharmed duplicate provided a more profound understanding of the changes caused by the fire. Light scattering analysis revealed conformational changes of the cellulose molecule after high-temperature impact, and a chemical cross-linking was observed. In our study, we found the integrity of cellulose to depend on the temperature profile induced by the fire. The low thermal conductivity of cellulose protects the material even in close proximity to the burned edges.

A new backscatter lidar forward operator was developed which is based on the distinct calculation of the aerosols' backscatter and extinction properties. The forward operator was adapted to the COSMO-ART ash dispersion simulation of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010. While the particle number concentration was provided as a model output variable, the scattering properties of each individual particle type were determined by dedicated scattering calculations. Sensitivity studies were performed to estimate the uncertainties related to the assumed particle properties. Scattering calculations for several types of non-spherical particles required the usage of T-matrix routines. Due to the distinct calculation of the backscatter and extinction properties of the models' volcanic ash size classes, the sensitivity studies could be made for each size class individually, which is not the case for forward models based on a fixed lidar ratio. Finally, the forward-modeled lidar profiles have been compared to automated ceilometer lidar (ACL) measurements both qualitatively and quantitatively while the attenuated backscatter coefficient was chosen as a suitable physical quantity. As the ACL measurements were not calibrated automatically, their calibration had to be performed using satellite lidar and ground-based Raman lidar measurements. A slight overestimation of the model-predicted volcanic ash number density was observed. Major requirements for future data assimilation of data from ACL have been identified, namely, the availability of calibrated lidar measurement data, a scattering database for atmospheric aerosols, a better representation and coverage of aerosols by the ash dispersion model, and more investigation in backscatter lidar forward operators which calculate the backscatter coefficient directly for each individual aerosol type. The introduced forward operator offers the flexibility to be adapted to a multitude of model systems and measurement setups.