Münster University of Applied Sciences

Abstract Background Given the therapeutic potential of Approach-Avoidance interventions (AAIs) in the alcohol domain, research has increasingly applied them to the food domain. In AAIs, harmful stimuli are avoided while healthy ones are approached, for example by respectively moving a phone away from or towards oneself. Methods We administered a phone-based AAI six times over two weeks to 156 participants in a pre-registered randomized-controlled trial to reduce intake of six “decrease-foods” and increase intake of six “increase-foods”, selected according to each participant’s individual dietary goals. The control group received a placebo task in which all stimuli were equally often approached and avoided. Food craving and intake were the outcomes, measured daily during the training period, four days before and after, and once during a follow-up one month after training. Per-food approach bias was recorded before and after training, and at follow-up. Results Compared to placebo, active training reduced the level of decrease-food craving without affecting how often craving occurred. Restrained eaters and those with low past dietary success showed the strongest craving strength reduction. Active training also reduced approach bias for decrease-foods. We found no intervention effects on increase-foods on any outcome. There were no interpretable training effects for food intake and no changes were maintained at follow-up. Conclusions We find support for the use of AAI against food cravings for goal-incongruent foods, especially for those who struggle with their diet. It remains to future research how this can be effectively translated into reduced food intake. Trial registration This study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register, ID DRKS00030780.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between technology orientations and export performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research design was adopted for this study. The paper formulates hypotheses from the literature review. These hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling with data collected from 231 SMEs in Uganda. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and AMOS.FindingsThe findings of this study showed technology orientation has a positive and significant relationship with the performance of Ugandan SMEs and that supply chain agility moderates technology orientation and export performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study discusses the findings, advances limitations and managerial implications. It also suggests future research avenues. It proposes some recommendations to help Ugandan SMEs to form flexible supply chains, use the latest technology and create strong relationship ties with their partners in the supply chain.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that managers of Ugandan SMEs should use the latest technology in production, marketing, logistics and supply chain management which will enable them to respond quickly to customer tastes and preferences leading to higher levels of export performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on strategic management showing the reliability of scales used and the confirmatory of the factor structure. This study shows that in strategic management technology, orientation is critical in increasing export performance. This study has extended the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities theories.

Abstract Background. Intestinal preservation for transplantation is accompanied by hypoperfusion with long periods of ischemia with total blood cessation and absolute withdrawal of oxygen leading to structural damage. The application of intraluminal oxygen has been successfully tested in small-animal series during storage and transport of the organ but have been so far clinically unrelatable. In this study, we tested whether a simple and clinically approachable method of intraluminal oxygen application could prevent ischemic damage in a large animal model, during warm ischemia time. Methods. We utilised a local no-flow ischemia model of the small intestine in pigs. A low-flow and high-pressure intraluminal oxygen deliverance system was applied in 6 pigs and 6 pigs served as a control group. Mucosal histopathology, hypoxia and barrier markers were evaluated after two hours of no-flow conditions, in both treatment and sham groups, and in healthy tissue. Results. Macro- and microscopically, the luminal oxygen delivered treatment group showed preserved small bowel’s appearance, viability, and mucosal integrity. A gradual deterioration of histopathology and barrier markers and increase in hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α expression towards the sites most distant from the oxygen application was observed. Conclusions. Intraluminal low-flow, high oxygen delivery can preserve the intestinal mucosa during total ischemia of the small intestine. This finding can be incorporated in methods to overcome small bowel ischemia and improve intestinal preservation for transplantation.

Background and aimsChildren have been vastly overlooked in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Hazardous Gaming research so far. The diagnoses are listed in different ICD-11 chapters (addiction vs. problematic health condition) and are thus considered as distinct constructs. However, screening tools for children do not exist yet. We aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of an existing IGD screening tool modified to also assess Hazardous Gaming in children. Further, we aimed to compare the dissimilarity and overlap between (subclinical) IGD and Hazardous Gaming in children.MethodsThe study analyzed data from a mixed school and clinical sample. Data from N = 871 children aged between 8 and 12 years of age (M = 10.3, SD = 0.90) were analyzed. Data were collected via the Video Game Dependency Scale (CSAS) in its parent report version, which was adapted to assess Hazardous Gaming symptoms in addition to the IGD symptoms. Item analyses and reliability and factor analyses were conducted on the Hazardous Gaming version.ResultsThe results show that the adapted CSAS version that assesses Hazardous Gaming symptoms in children mostly shows acceptable psychometric properties. Explorative Factor Analysis (EFA) shows a two-factor structure with one factor of higher order. Additionally, results show that 35.2% of all children meeting the threshold for Hazardous Gaming exclusively meet criteria for Hazardous Gaming but not for (subclinical) IGD. Vice versa, 91.3% of children with IGD also meet the criteria for Hazardous Gaming.DiscussionHazardous Gaming and (subclinical) IGD are distinct constructs with some overlaps and might have a temporal relation. We recommend adding four items to assess Hazardous Gaming using the CSAS and further evaluate the validity. The assessment of Hazardous Gaming in children is crucial because it might occur earlier than subclinical or full-syndrome IGD.

The laws of thermodynamics are a set of scientific principles that define a set of physical properties that describe thermodynamic systems in thermodynamic equilibrium, including temperature, energy, and entropy. J.C. Maxwell demonstrated in 1868 that if the equilibrium temperature in a vertical column of gas subject to gravity was a function of height, a perpetual motion machine of the second sort would be achievable. Maxwell, on the other hand, maintained that the temperature must be the same at all locations down the column. Boltzmann felt the same way. Loschmidt was their opponent. He asserted that the equilibrium temperature decreased with height and that a perpetual motion machine of the second sort running through such a column was compatible with his interpretation of the second law of thermodynamics. As a result, he was confident he had discovered an infinite supply of useful energy for humanity. Later, E. Mach, too, did not consider the development of a second-generation perpetual motion machine to be impossible, although he did not cite Loschmidt's notion. In this article, new arguments (based on statistical mechanics) are provided for the hypothesis that an insulated column of gas subject to gravity does not take on a homogenous temperature: Since Boltzmann’s distribution of energies leads to the general gas law even in case the molecules are supposed to be extended objects, it follows that Boltzmann’s distribution cannot be strictly valid if experience requires to replace the general gas law pV=NkT by p(V-b) = NkT. But such a modification of the general gas law is undoubtedly required. With a modification of the general gas law and hence a deviation from Boltzmann’s distribution of energies thus being indispensable, it further follows that a homogeneous temperature cannot be achieved in an insulated column if gas subject to gravity.

Academia focuses on the interplay of Higher Education Institutions and external stakeholders. In this context, academia is concerned with the societal impact and impact created in interactions with external stakeholders; the latter is often referred to as impact co-creation. There is agreement that the related processes leading to an impact are complex and multi-dimensional. However, academics disagree on how the ultimate, wider impact of research should be measured. This study seeks to conceptualize societal impact through the lens of value co-creation, arguing that societal impact is best conceptualized as the uptake of research. Based on this, we developed a generic research impact assessment framework to facilitate evaluations and enable cross-sector learning. This study contributes to academia by providing an overarching understanding of impact creation, including wider research impact, and offers the perspective that any research project involving stakeholders to a certain extent, also entails co-production.

Biogas is an important driver in carbon-neutral energy sources. Many biogas digester setups, however, are not well optimized and waste energy or fail to maximize their gas output potential. To optimize these systems, a framework was developed to measure and predict digester systems’ efficiencies by closely monitoring fluid movements. This framework includes a numerical calculation of fluid behavior (Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)), and Deep Learning to estimate the fluid shear-rates introduced by the agitator’s action. Additionally, a novel measurement system is presented that can measure the same metrics, as simulated, in real-world environments. Lastly, an outlook is given that presents the options and extensions of the presented setup to reduce prediction error, minimize measuring efforts further, and recommend optimization approaches to the operator.

For obtaining turbulent fluctuations in compressible organic vapor flows, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis tools were used to support the data reduction process of hot-wire anemometry signals. It was found that CFD can help during the calibration process of actual hot-wire probes operated in the constant-temperature mode. Such an approach is beneficial for determining the dependency of the sensitivity coefficients on Reynolds and Mach numbers. Due to the small Kolmogorov scales, corrections are needed for probes with finite wire lengths. The experimental and numerical analysis considering the decay of turbulence downstream a grid indicated that the correction scheme proposed by Wyngaard leads to consistent results for compressible organic vapors. The new developments provide recommendations for obtaining turbulent quantities of compressible organic vapor flows utilizing hot-wire anemometry.

Abstract This study examines how academic engagement with society can be facilitated by higher education institution (HEI) managers by studying academics’ needs and their managers’ support for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (i.e., the determinants of self-determination). Interviews were conducted with managers (n=6) and academics (n=16) affiliated with HEIs from the Hochschulallianz für den Mittelstand in Germany. The findings indicate alignment and gaps between managers and academics. First, the need and support for autonomy were present. Second, managers suggested that academics had relevant competencies, but academics indicated they had a lack of such competencies. Third, managers perceived that there was a strong collaboration between academics; however, academics reported that they experience negative peer effects when collaborating with society. Aiming to bridge the gap using a bonding social capital approach, HEI managers are recommended to strengthen academics’ sense of belonging to an HEI and to promote access to capital and competencies that are within the HEI’s internal network.