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Publikation Discovering fundamental principles of antibody repertoires by large-scale systems and network analysis(ETH, 2017) Miho, Enkelejda05 - Forschungs- oder ArbeitsberichtPublikation Computational deconvolution of the dengue immune response complexity with identification of novel broadly neutralizing antibodies(21.09.2022) Natali, Eriberto Noel; Horst, Alexander; Meier, Patrick; Greiff, Victor; Nuvolone, Mario; Babrak, Lmar Marie; Djordjevic, Kristina; Fink, Katja; Traggiai, Elisabetta; Miho, EnkelejdaDengue virus poses a serious threat to global health as the causative agent of the dengue fever. Currently, there is no approved therapeutic, and broadly neutralizing antibodies recognizing all four serotypes may be an effective treatment. High-throughput immune repertoire sequencing and bioinformatic analysis enable in-depth understanding of the immune response in dengue infection. Here, we use these technologies and apply machine learning to identify rare and underrepresented broadly neutralizing antibody sequences through investigation of antibody response in dengue. We observed challenging the immune system with dengue elicits the following signatures on the antibody repertoire: (i) an increase of the diversity in the CDR3 regions and the germline genes; (ii) a change in the architecture by eliciting power-law network distributions and enrichment in polar amino acids of the CDR3; (iii) an increase in the expression of transcription factors of the JNK/Fos pathways and ribosomal proteins. Moreover, our work demonstrates the applicability of computational methods and machine learning to high-throughput antibody repertoire sequencing datasets for neutralizing antibody candidate identification. Further investigation with antibody expression and functional assays is planned to validate the obtained results.06 - PräsentationPublikation Qualitative assessment of the exotoxicological effects of residues generated in scandium production technologies(08.10.2020) Vaszita, Emese; Hengevoss, Dirk; Lenz, Markus; Feigl, VictoriaScandium production from wastes, such as bauxite residue or TiO2 production wastes are gaining focus due to the high economical value of this element. To evaluate the environmental impact of such production technologies a scoring and classification system was developed and adapted to the residues generated during the entire technological process chain. The system enabled us to rank the input and output materials and the residues in each technological step based on environmental toxicity and potential environmental effects.06 - PräsentationPublikation Citizen science-based waste diaries. An exploratory case study of household waste in Switzerland(MDPI, 30.04.2024) Breitenmoser, Lena; Behner, David; Baertsch, Alessia; Mondardini, Maria Rosa; Hugi, ChristophSustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) and national waste reduction goals require frequent waste analyses for monitoring and governance decisions. We developed and tested a citizen science (CS)-based household waste diary for ten consecutive days with 89 volunteer households in Switzerland as a complementary monitoring option to official composition analyses. Discrepancies between the CS-based household diary data and the official composition analyses ranged between 55–65% less reported waste quantities for minerals, compound products, and plastics and 80–90% less for paper, avoidable food waste, and glass. Household waste diaries should be digitalized and prolonged to 21–28 days, and volunteers from different demographic groups are needed to produce stratified, representative results. We conclude that a hybrid CS study design involving waste composition analyses and waste diaries could reduce self-reporting biases while increasing the monitoring frequencies of household waste compositions. CS-based hybrid household waste projects can be a powerful means to complement the measures identified in the 2022 Swiss action plan against food waste and for data reporting for the SDG 12.3 Food Waste Index.01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher ZeitschriftPublikation Cloud-based three-dimensional pattern analysis and classification of proximal humeral fractures – A feasibility study(EasyChair, 2022) Kalt, Denise; Gerber Popp, Ariane; Degen, Markus; Brodbeck, Dominique; Coigny, Florian; Suter, Thomas; Schkommodau, Erik; Rodriguez y Baena, Ferdinando; Giles, Joshua W.; Stindel, EricFor the complex clinical issue of treatment decision for proximal humeral fractures, dedicated software based on three-dimensional (3D) computer tomography (CT) models would potentially allow for a more accurate fracture classification and help to plan the surgical strategy needed to reduce the fracture in the operating theatre. The aim of this study was to elaborate the feasibility of implementation of such software using state-of-the-art cloud technology to enable access to its functionalities in a distributed manner. Feasibility was studied by implementation of a prototype application, which was tested in a usability study with five biomedical engineers. Implementation of a cloud-based solution was feasible using state-of-the-art technology under application of a specific software architectural approach allowing to distribute computational load between client and server. Mean System Usability Scale (SUS) Score for the developed application was determined to be 63 (StDev 20.4). These results can be interpreted as a medium low usability with high standard deviation of the measured SUS score. We conclude that more test subjects should be included in future studies and the developed application should be evaluated with a representative user group such as orthopaedic shoulder surgeons in a clinical setting.04B - Beitrag KonferenzschriftPublikation Organic photovoltaics: Potential fate and effects in the environment(Elsevier, 2012) Zimmermann, Yannick-Serge; Schäffer, Andreas; Hugi, Christoph; Fent, Karl; Corvini, Philippe; Lenz, MarkusIn times of dwindling fossil fuels it is particularly crucial to develop novel “green” technologies in order to cover the increasing worldwide demand for energy. Organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs) are promising as a renewable energy source due to low energy requirement for production, low resource extraction, and no emission of greenhouse gasses during use. In contrast to silicium-based solar cells, OPVs offer the advantages of light-weight, semi-transparency and mechanical flexibility. As to a possible forthcoming large-scale production, the environmental impact of such OPVs should be assessed and compared to currently best available technologies. For the first time, this review compiles the existing knowledge and identifies gaps regarding the environmental impact of such OPVs in a systematic manner. In this regard, we discuss the components of a typical OPV layer by layer. We discuss the probability of enhanced release of OPV-borne components into the environment during use-phase (e.g. UV- and biodegradation) and end-of-life phase (e.g. incineration and waste disposal). For this purpose, we compiled available data on bioavailability, bioaccumulation, biodegradation, and ecotoxicity. Whereas considerable research has already been carried out concerning the ecotoxicity of certain OPV components (e.g. nanoparticles and fullerenes), others have not been investigated at all so far. In conclusion, there is a general lack of information about fate, behavior as well as potential ecotoxicity of most of the main OPV components and their degradation/transformation products. So far, there is no evidence for a worrying threat coming from OPVs, but since at present, no policy and procedures regarding recycling of OPVs are in action, in particular improper disposal upon end-of-life might result in an adverse effect of OPVs in the environment when applied in large-scale.01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher ZeitschriftPublikation Continuous in situ lactic acid extraction from sweet whey fermentation broth using a tubular membrane contactor(2022) Demmelmayer, Paul; Pérez, Alan; Riedl, Wolfgang; Kienberger, MarleneBackground Whey, as the major dairy by-product, has become a severe problem for the dairy industry because its demand has decreased, while its production has increased in the past years. Since the high demand for dairy products tends to further increase, suitable routes for whey valorization are required. Whey contains valuables like lactate, but due its composition matrix, processing is challenging. The high sugar content in whey makes it a potential feedstock to produce lactic acid (LA) via microbial fermentation. Still, the known drawbacks of biotechnological LA production, such as growth inhibition by the product, the use of neutralizers, low productivity, and high overall costs of the process must be overcome. In situ LA recovering using a suitable separation technology is a potential strategy to overcome the mentioned drawbacks. In this work, the in situ LA extraction from a whey fermentation broth was evaluated. Sweet whey was used as feedstock for lactic acid production via microbial fermentation, while LA was recovered by reactive liquid-liquid extraction using a tubular membrane contactor. Method The feed material used in this work is a fermentation broth from sweet whey, which was filtered prior to extraction experiments using microfiltration. In a first series of experiments, two-phase extraction experiments were conducted in temperature controlled separation funnels, to investigate different solvent phase combinations for the lactic acid extraction. Special attention was paid to replace commonly applied fossil-based solvents with green alternatives, such as deep eutectic solvents (DES). After extraction, the extract was treated in a back-extraction step to recover LA from the solvent phase. Here, an anti-solvent, e.g. heptane or p-cymene, was used to transfer LA to the receiving phase, which was water. Afterwards the performance of reactive liquid-liquid extraction of LA using a PTFE membrane contactor was evaluated by using two potential solvent phases, namely tri-n-octyl amine (TOA) with n-decanol and a DES formed from thymol and menthol. From the experimental results the overall mass transfer coefficient was calculated based on a rigorous mass transfer model to predict the LA concentration in both phases. Finally, performance of the in situ LA recovery from sweet whey by using membrane contactor was investigated from both, experimentally and theoretically points of view. Results & Conclusion In the two-phase extraction experiments, the reactive extractants Aliquat336, TOA, trioctylphosphinoxid (TOPO), and the mixture Aliquat336/TOA were found to be most efficient with the diluents 1-decanol, limonene, and a deep eutectic solvent consisting of thymol and menthol. Especially, the DES and limonene are promising as they can be produced from renewable resources. With respect to back-extraction, heptane and p-cymene showed the highest efficiencies for transferring lactic acid into the receiving phase water. In the next step, the selected solvents were used to perform LA recovery in the tubular membrane contactor from a model aqueous solution of LA and a fermentation broth of sweet whey. The proposed technology for valorizing dairy waste through LA biotechnological production shows the feasibility to scaling it up.06 - PräsentationPublikation Backtrainer. Computer-aided therapy system with augmented feedback for the lower back(SciTePress, 2009) Brodbeck, Dominique; Degen, Markus; Stanimirov, Michael; Kool, Jan; Scheermesser, Mandy; Oesch, Peter; Neuhaus, Cornelia; Azevedo, Luis; Londral, AnaLow back pain is an important problem in industrialized countries. Two key factors limit the effectiveness of physiotherapy: low compliance of patients with repetitive movement exercises, and inadequate awareness of patients of their own posture. The Backtrainer system addresses these problems by real-time monitoring of the spine position, by providing a framework for most common physiotherapy exercises for the low back, and by providing feedback to patients in a motivating way. A minimal sensor configuration was identified as two inertial sensors that measure the orientation of the lower back at two points with three degrees of freedom. The software was designed as a flexible platform to experiment with different hardware, and with various feedback modalities. Basic exercises for two types of movements are provided: mobilizing and stabilizing. We developed visual feedback - abstract as well as in the form of a virtual reality game - and complemented the on-screen graphics with an ambient feedback device. The system was evaluated during five weeks in a rehabilitation clinic with 26 patients and 15 physiotherapists. Subjective satisfaction of subjects was good, and we interpret the results as encouraging indication for the adoption of such a therapy support system by both patients and therapists.04B - Beitrag KonferenzschriftPublikation Tracking the orientation of deep brain stimulation electrodes using an embedded magnetic sensor(2021) Vergne, Céline; Madec, Morgan; Hemm-Ode, Simone; Quirin, Thomas; Vogel, Dorian; Hebrard, Luc; Pascal, JorisThis paper proposes a three-dimensional (3D) orientation tracking method of a 3D magnetic sensor embedded in a 2.5 mm diameter electrode. Our system aims to be used during intraoperative surgery to detect the orientation of directional leads (D-leads) for deep brain stimulation (DBS).06 - PräsentationPublikation Augmented feedback system to support physical therapy of non-specific low back pain(Springer, 2010) Brodbeck, Dominique; Degen, Markus; Stanimirov, Michael; Kool, Jan; Scheermesser, Mandy; Oesch, Peter; Neuhaus, Cornelia; Fred, Ana; Filipe, Joaquim; Gamboa, HugoLow back pain is an important problem in industrialized countries. Two key factors limit the effectiveness of physiotherapy: low compliance of patients with repetitive movement exercises, and inadequate awareness of patients of their own posture. The Backtrainer system addresses these problems by real-time monitoring of the spine position, by providing a framework for most common physiotherapy exercises for the low back, and by providing feedback to patients in a motivating way. A minimal sensor configuration was identified as two inertial sensors that measure the orientation of the lower back at two points with three degrees of freedom. The software was designed as a flexible platform to experiment with different hardware, and with various feedback modalities. Basic exercises for two types of movements are provided: mobilizing and stabilizing. We developed visual feedback - abstract as well as in the form of a virtual reality game - and complemented the on-screen graphics with an ambient feedback device. The system was evaluated during five weeks in a rehabilitation clinic with 26 patients and 15 physiotherapists. Subjective satisfaction of subjects was good, and we interpret the results as encouraging indication for the adoption of such a therapy support system by both patients and therapists.04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift