Bielefeld University

About: Bielefeld University is a education organization based out in Bielefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Quantum chromodynamics. The organization has 10123 authors who have published 26576 publications receiving 728250 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Bielefeld & UNIVERSITAET BIELEFELD.

Global mortality from firearms, 1990-2016

Abstract: Importance Understanding global variation in firearm mortality rates could guide prevention policies and interventions. Objective To estimate mortality due to firearm injury deaths from 1990 to 2016 in 195 countries and territories. Design, Setting, and Participants This study used deidentified aggregated data including 13 812 location-years of vital registration data to generate estimates of levels and rates of death by age-sex-year-location. The proportion of suicides in which a firearm was the lethal means was combined with an estimate of per capita gun ownership in a revised proxy measure used to evaluate the relationship between availability or access to firearms and firearm injury deaths. Exposures Firearm ownership and access. Main Outcomes and Measures Cause-specific deaths by age, sex, location, and year. Results Worldwide, it was estimated that 251 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 195 000-276 000) people died from firearm injuries in 2016, with 6 countries (Brazil, United States, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guatemala) accounting for 50.5% (95% UI, 42.2%-54.8%) of those deaths. In 1990, there were an estimated 209 000 (95% UI, 172 000 to 235 000) deaths from firearm injuries. Globally, the majority of firearm injury deaths in 2016 were homicides (64.0% [95% UI, 54.2%-68.0%]; absolute value, 161 000 deaths [95% UI, 107 000-182 000]); additionally, 27% were firearm suicide deaths (67 500 [95% UI, 55 400-84 100]) and 9% were unintentional firearm deaths (23 000 [95% UI, 18 200-24 800]). From 1990 to 2016, there was no significant decrease in the estimated global age-standardized firearm homicide rate (−0.2% [95% UI, −0.8% to 0.2%]). Firearm suicide rates decreased globally at an annualized rate of 1.6% (95% UI, 1.1-2.0), but in 124 of 195 countries and territories included in this study, these levels were either constant or significant increases were estimated. There was an annualized decrease of 0.9% (95% UI, 0.5%-1.3%) in the global rate of age-standardized firearm deaths from 1990 to 2016. Aggregate firearm injury deaths in 2016 were highest among persons aged 20 to 24 years (for men, an estimated 34 700 deaths [95% UI, 24 900-39 700] and for women, an estimated 3580 deaths [95% UI, 2810-4210]). Estimates of the number of firearms by country were associated with higher rates of firearm suicide ( P R2 = 0.21) and homicide ( P R2 = 0.35). Conclusions and Relevance This study estimated between 195 000 and 276 000 firearm injury deaths globally in 2016, the majority of which were firearm homicides. Despite an overall decrease in rates of firearm injury death since 1990, there was variation among countries and across demographic subgroups.

Four-Loop Decoupling Relations for the Strong Coupling

Abstract: We compute the matching relation for the strong coupling constant within the framework of QCD up to four-loop order. This allows a consistent five-loop running (once the $\beta$ function is available to this order) taking into account threshold effects. As a side product we obtain the effective coupling of a Higgs boson to gluons with five-loop accuracy.

Empathy in Virtual Agents and Robots: A Survey

Abstract: This article surveys the area of computational empathy, analysing different ways by which artificial agents can simulate and trigger empathy in their interactions with humans. Empathic agents can be seen as agents that have the capacity to place themselves into the position of a user’s or another agent’s emotional situation and respond appropriately. We also survey artificial agents that, by their design and behaviour, can lead users to respond emotionally as if they were experiencing the agent’s situation. In the course of this survey, we present the research conducted to date on empathic agents in light of the principles and mechanisms of empathy found in humans. We end by discussing some of the main challenges that this exciting area will be facing in the future.

Evaluation of the resolving power of three different DNA fingerprinting methods to discriminate among isolates of a natural Rhizobium meliloti population

Abstract: In a comparative study, the PCR-based RAPD and ERIC fingerprint methods were evaluated for their resolving power to discriminate among 21 isolates of a natural Rhizobium meliloti population. PCR fingerprint patterns were analysed by using an automated laser fluorescent (ALF) DNA sequencer, thus allowing the automated on-line storage of data. Results obtained were compared to a classification system using insertion sequence (IS) fingerprinting. Both PCR fingerprint methods were comparable in their ability to resolve differences amongst Rh. meliloti isolates. Grouping of strains on the basis of their RAPD as well as their ERIC fingerprints correlated with grouping of strains according to their IS fingerprints. Moreover, strains displaying identical PCR patterns could be further differentiated according to their IS fingerprints, thus allowing a detailed insight into phylogenetic relationship among strains. The automated evaluation of strain-specific fingerprint patterns has the potential to become a valuable tool for studies of bacterial population genetics. Moreover, the rapid identification of single strains, e.g. pathogens in epidemiological studies seems feasible.