Concepts, challenges and market potential for online food retailing in Germany

Online food retailing is high on the current agendas of European retailers - again. Many companies tried to enter and conquer this market in the beginning of 2000's when e-commerce was seen as revolutionizing not only the retail business, but the way in which business is conducted in general. Many of these pioneers of online food retailing failed and when the e-commerce bubble burst, online food retailing was almost forgotten in many European countries, inter alia, in Germany. However in some countries retailers not only managed to survive, but to provide value to customers and develop a new market. Online grocery sales per capita in the UK, Switzerland and Belgium are €82, €23 and €18 respectively, while they reach only €2 in Germany. This is surprising since no major structural characteristics can be identified to mitigate internet-based retailing in Germany compared, say, to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom can be clearly considered as the most developed online food retailing market worldwide, with €5.5 billion market sales of online groceries in 2010. In contrast, online grocery sales in Germany are estimated at only €200 million, which is nearly 27 times less than that of its European neighbor (A.T. Kearney Research, 2011). Also in relative terms the UK online grocery market represent around 4.5% of the total grocery market, compared to only 0.2% in Germany. The German market lags behind other European markets in online food retailing, and our analysis hints at a significant growth potential here. In this study that is based on expert interviews with representatives of large retailers and a survey of more than 600 respondents we identify the reasons for customers' hesitant approach to online retailing and identify strategic options for retailers to successfully operate in this promising segment of the retail industry, that will develop rapidly

Electrical detection of magnetic skyrmions by non-collinear magnetoresistance

Magnetic skyrmions are localised non-collinear spin textures with high potential for future spintronic applications. Skyrmion phases have been discovered in a number of materials and a focus of current research is the preparation, detection, and manipulation of individual skyrmions for an implementation in devices. Local experimental characterization of skyrmions has been performed by, e.g., Lorentz microscopy or atomic-scale tunnel magnetoresistance measurements using spin-polarised scanning tunneling microscopy. Here, we report on a drastic change of the differential tunnel conductance for magnetic skyrmions arising from their non-collinearity: mixing between the spin channels locally alters the electronic structure, making a skyrmion electronically distinct from its ferromagnetic environment. We propose this non-collinear magnetoresistance (NCMR) as a reliable all-electrical detection scheme for skyrmions with an easy implementation into device architectures

Data Mesh: Motivational Factors, Challenges, and Best Practices

With the increasing importance of data and artificial intelligence, organizations strive to become more data-driven. However, current data architectures are not necessarily designed to keep up with the scale and scope of data and analytics use cases. In fact, existing architectures often fail to deliver the promised value associated with them. Data mesh is a socio-technical concept that includes architectural aspects to promote data democratization and enables organizations to become truly data-driven. As the concept of data mesh is still novel, it lacks empirical insights from the field. Specifically, an understanding of the motivational factors for introducing data mesh, the associated challenges, best practices, its business impact, and potential archetypes, is missing. To address this gap, we conduct 15 semi-structured interviews with industry experts. Our results show, among other insights, that industry experts have difficulties with the transition toward federated governance associated with the data mesh concept, the shift of responsibility for the development, provision, and maintenance of data products, and the concept of a data product model. In our work, we derive multiple best practices and suggest organizations embrace elements of data fabric, observe the data product usage, create quick wins in the early phases, and favor small dedicated teams that prioritize data products. While we acknowledge that organizations need to apply best practices according to their individual needs, we also deduct two archetypes that provide suggestions in more detail. Our findings synthesize insights from industry experts and provide researchers and professionals with guidelines for the successful adoption of data mesh

High density lipoprotein mediates anti-inflammatory transcriptional reprogramming of macrophages via the transcriptional repressor ATF3

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) mediates reverse cholesterol transport and it is known to be protective against atherosclerosis. In addition, HDL has potent anti-inflammatory properties that may be critical for protection against other inflammatory diseases. The molecular mechanisms of how HDL can modulate inflammation, particularly in immune cells such as macrophages, remain poorly understood. Here we identify the transcriptional repressor ATF3, as an HDL-inducible target gene in macrophages that down-regulates the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. The protective effects of HDL against TLR-induced inflammation were fully dependent on ATF3 in vitro and in vivo. Our findings may explain the broad anti-inflammatory and metabolic actions of HDL and provide the basis for predicting the success of novel HDL-based therapies

Functional analysis of postural spinal and pelvic parameters using static and dynamic spinometry

Background: Spinometry is a radiation-free method to three-dimensional spine imaging that provides additional information about the functional gait patterns related to the pelvis and lower extremities. This radiation-free technology uses the surface topography of the trunk to analyze surface asymmetry and identify bony landmarks, thereby aiding the assessment of spinal deformity and supporting long-term treatment regimes. Especially reliable dynamic spinometric data for spine and pelvis are necessary to evaluate the management of non-specific back pain. Research aim: This study aims to generate reliable dynamic spinometric data for spine and pelvis parameters that can serve as reference data for future studies and clinical practice. Methods: This study assessed 366 subjects (185 females) under static and 360 subjects (181 females) under dynamic (walking on a treadmill at 3 km/h and 5 km/h) conditions. The DIERS Formetric 4Dmotion® system uses stripes of light to detect the surface topography of the spine and pelvis and identifies specific landmarks to analyze the spine during standing and walking. Results: Relevant gender effects were calculated for lordotic angle (ηp2 = 0.22) and pelvic inclination (ηp2 = 0.26). Under static conditions, female subjects showed larger values for both parameters (lordotic angle: 41.6 ± 8.60◦; pelvic inclination: 25.5 ± 7.49◦). Regarding speed effects, three relevant changes were observed (sagittal imbalance: ηp2 = 0.74, kyphotic angle: ηp2 = 0.13, apical deviation: ηp2 = 0.11). The most considerable changes were observed between static condition and 3 km/h, especially for sagittal imbalance and lordotic angle. For these parameters, relevant effect sizes (d > 0.8) were calculated between static and 3 km/h for males and females. Concerning clinical vertebral parameters, only lordotic angle and pelvic inclination were correlated with each other (r = 0.722). Conclusion: This study generated a gender-specific reference database of asymptomatic individuals for static and dynamic spinometry. It demonstrated that the DIERS Formetric 4Dmotion ® system could capture natural changes in static and dynamic situations and catalogue functional adaptations of spino-pelvic statics at different speeds. The lordotic angle is an indirect marker of pelvic inclination, allowing spinometry to identify individuals at risk even under dynamic conditions

Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Modulation of Ca2+ Handling in Metabolic HFpEF-Related Left Atrial Cardiomyopathy

Metabolic syndrome-mediated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is commonly accompanied by left atrial (LA) cardiomyopathy, significantly affecting morbidity and mortality. We evaluate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intrinsic inflammation (TNF-α, IL-10) related to dysfunctional Ca2+ homeostasis of LA cardiomyocytes in a rat model of metabolic HFpEF. ZFS-1 obese rats showed features of HFpEF and atrial cardiomyopathy in vivo: increased left ventricular (LV) mass, E/e' and LA size and preserved LV ejection fraction. In vitro, LA cardiomyocytes exhibited more mitochondrial-fission (MitoTracker) and ROS-production (H2DCF). In wildtype (WT), pro-inflammatory TNF-α impaired cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, while anti-inflammatory IL-10 had no notable effect (confocal microscopy; Fluo-4). In HFpEF, TNF-α had no effect on Ca2+ homeostasis associated with decreased TNF-α receptor expression (western blot). In addition, IL-10 substantially improved Ca2+ release and reuptake, while IL-10 receptor-1 expression was unaltered. Oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome mediated LA cardiomyopathy was increased and anti-inflammatory treatment positively affected dysfunctional Ca2+ homeostasis. Our data indicates, that patients with HFpEF-related LA dysfunction might profit from IL-10 targeted therapy, which should be further explored in preclinical trials

Right‐ventricular dysfunction in HFpEF is linked to altered cardiomyocyte Ca2+ homeostasis and myofilament sensitivity

Aim Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is frequently (30%) associated with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, which increases morbidity and mortality in these patients. Yet cellular mechanisms of RV remodelling and RV dysfunction in HFpEF are not well understood. Here, we evaluated RV cardiomyocyte function in a rat model of metabolically induced HFpEF. Methods: and results Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction-prone animals (ZSF-1 obese) and control rats (Wistar Kyoto) were fed a high-caloric diet for 13 weeks. Haemodynamic characterization by echocardiography and invasive catheterization was performed at 22 and 23 weeks of age, respectively. After sacrifice, organ morphometry, RV histology, isolated RV cardiomyocyte function, and calcium (Ca2+) transients were assessed. ZSF-1 obese rats showed a HFpEF phenotype with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, LV diastolic dysfunction (including increased LV end-diastolic pressures and E/e ' ratio), and preserved LV ejection fraction. ZSF-1 obese animals developed RV dilatation (50% increased end-diastolic area) and mildly impaired RV ejection fraction (42%) with evidence of RV hypertrophy. In isolated RV cardiomyocytes from ZSF-1 obese rats, cell shortening amplitude was preserved, but cytosolic Ca2+ transient amplitude was reduced. In addition, augmentation of cytosolic Ca2+ release with increased stimulation frequency was lost in ZSF-1 obese rats. Myofilament sensitivity was increased, while contractile kinetics were largely unaffected in intact isolated RV cardiomyocytes from ZSF-1 obese rats. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased phosphorylation of cardiac myosin-binding protein C (Ser282 cMyBP-C) but no change in phosphorylation of troponin I (Ser23, 24 TnI) in RV myocardium from ZSF-1 obese rats. Conclusions: Right ventricular dysfunction in obese ZSF-1 rats with HFpEF is associated with intrinsic RV cardiomyocyte remodelling including reduced cytosolic Ca2+ amplitudes, loss of frequency-dependent augmentation of Ca2+ release, and increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity

Finerenone Reduces Renal RORγt γδ T Cells and Protects against Cardiorenal Damage

Introduction: Chronic activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) leads to pathological processes like inflammation and fibrosis during cardiorenal disease. Modulation of immunological processes in the heart or kidney may serve as a mechanistic and therapeutic interface in cardiorenal pathologies. In this study, we investigated anti-inflammatory/-fibrotic and immunological effects of the selective nonsteroidal MR antagonists finerenone (FIN) in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt model. Methods: Male C57BL6/J mice were uninephrectomized and received a DOCA pellet implantation (2.4 mg/day) plus 0.9% NaCl in drinking water (DOCA-salt) or received a sham operation and were orally treated with FIN (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle in a preventive study design. Five weeks after the procedure, blood pressure (BP), urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage, echocardiographic cardiac function, as well as cardiac/renal inflammatory cell content by FACS analysis were assessed. Results: BP was significantly reduced by FIN. FACS analysis revealed a notable immune response due to DOCA-salt exposure. Especially, infiltrating renal ROR gamma t gamma delta-positive T cells were upregulated, which was significantly ameliorated by FIN treatment. This was accompanied by a significant reduction of UACR in FIN-treated mice. In the heart, FIN reduced DOCA-salt-induced cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and led to an improvement of the global longitudinal strain. Cardiac actions of FIN were not associated with a regulation of cardiac ROR gamma t gamma delta-positive T cells. Discussion/Conclusion: The present study shows cardiac and renal protective effects of FIN in a DOCA-salt model. The cardiorenal protection was accompanied by a reduction of renal ROR gamma t gamma delta T cells. The observed actions of FIN may provide a potential mechanism of its efficacy recently observed in clinical trials

Effects of different exercise modalities on cardiac dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an increasingly prevalent disease. Physical exercise has been shown to alter disease progression in HFpEF. We examined cardiomyocyte Ca2+ homeostasis and left ventricular function in a metabolic HFpEF model in sedentary and trained rats following 8 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods and results: Left ventricular in vivo function (echocardiography) and cardiomyocyte Ca2+ transients (CaTs) (Fluo-4, confocal) were compared in ZSF-1 obese (metabolic syndrome, HFpEF) and ZSF-1 lean (control) 21- and 28-week-old rats. At 21 weeks, cardiomyocytes from HFpEF rats showed prolonged Ca-2(+) reuptake in cytosolic and nuclear CaTs and impaired Ca2+ release kinetics in nuclear CaTs. At 28 weeks, HFpEF cardiomyocytes had depressed CaT amplitudes, decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content, increased SR Ca2+ leak, and elevated diastolic [Ca2+] following increased pacing rate (5 Hz). In trained HFpEF rats (HIIT or MICT), cardiomyocyte SR Ca2+ leak was significantly reduced. While HIIT had no effects on the CaTs (1-5 Hz), MICT accelerated early Ca-2(+) release, reduced the amplitude, and prolonged the CaT without increasing diastolic [Ca2+] or cytosolic Ca2+ load at basal or increased pacing rate (1-5 Hz). MICT lowered pro-arrhythmogenic Ca2+ sparks and attenuated Ca2+-wave propagation in cardiomyocytes. MICT was associated with increased stroke volume in HFpEF. Conclusions: In this metabolic rat model of HFpEF at an advanced stage, Ca2+ release was impaired under baseline conditions. HIIT and MICT differentially affected Ca2+ homeostasis with positive effects of MICT on stroke volume, end-diastolic volume, and cellular arrhythmogenicity