Interne Compliance-Kommunikation : ein Reifegradmodell

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Wirtschaftswiss., Diss., 2013

Hochintensiver fokussierter Ultraschall beim Niedrig-Risiko-Prostatakarzinom : onkologische Ergebnisse im direkten Vergleich eines erfahrenen und unerfahrenen Therapiezentrums

Magdeburg, Univ., Med. Fak., Diss., 2014

Himenópteros parasitóides associados a pupas de Methona themisto (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil

Os objetivos deste estudo foram conhecer a guilda de parasitóides associados a pupas de Methona themisto (Hübner, 1818), avaliando a abundância relativa de cada espécie de parasitóide e o efeito do parasitoidismo na mortalidade do hospedeiro. Foram coletadas 160 pupas de M. themisto, 80 em outubro de 2001 e 80 em outubro de 2002. Essas foram mantidas em temperatura de 25 ± 2,0ºC e fotofase de 14 horas, sendo diariamente observadas, até a emergência de parasitóides ou borboletas. Os seguintes parasitóides foram obtidos das pupas de M. themisto: Brachymeria annulata (Fabricius, 1793), B. mnestor (Walker, 1841) (Chalcididae), Neotheronia sp. (Ichneumonidae), Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle, 1996 e Tetrastichus sp. (Eulophidae). Somente os gêneros Brachymeria e Neotheronia ocorreram nos dois anos de estudo, sendo que o primeiro foi mais abundante em 2001 e o último, em 2002. As outras espécies de parasitóides ocorreram somente no segundo ano de estudo. Este é o primeiro relato da associação de B. annulata, B. mnestor, Neotheronia sp. e P. elaeisis com M. themisto.

Secondary effects of catalytic diesel particulate filters: copper-induced formation of PCDD/Fs.

Potential risks of a secondary formation of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) were assessed for two cordierite-based, wall-through diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for which soot combustion was either catalyzed with an iron- or a copper-based fuel additive. A heavy duty diesel engine was used as test platform, applying the eight-stage ISO 8178/4 C1 cycle. DPF applications neither affected the engine performance, nor did they increase NO, NO2, CO, and CO2 emissions. The latter is a metric for fuel consumption. THC emissions decreased by about 40% when deploying DPFs. PCDD/F emissions, with a focus on tetra- to octachlorinated congeners, were compared under standard and worst case conditions (enhanced chlorine uptake). The iron-catalyzed DPF neither increased PCDD/F emissions, nor did it change the congener pattern, even when traces of chlorine became available. In case of copper, PCDD/F emissions increased by up to 3 orders of magnitude from 22 to 200 to 12 700 pg I-TEQ/L with fuels of < 2, 14, and 110 microg/g chlorine, respectively. Mainly lower chlorinated DD/Fs were formed. Based on these substantial effects on PCDD/F emissions, the copper-catalyzed DPF system was not approved for workplace applications, whereas the iron system fulfilled all the specifications of the Swiss procedures for DPF approval (VERT).

Results of computer assisted navigation in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): comparison with the conventional method

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results after TKA (PFC, DePuy), performed either by computer assisted navigation (CAS, Brainlab, Johnson&Johnson) or by conventional means. Material and methods: Between May and December 2006 we reviewed 36 conventional TKA performed between 2002 and 2003 (group A) and 37 navigated TKA performed between 2005 and 2006 (group B) by the same experienced surgeon. The mean age in group A was 74 years (range 62-90) and 73 (range 58-85) in group B with a similar age distribution. The preoperative mechanical axes in group A ranged from -13° varus to +13° valgus (mean absolute deviation 6.83°, SD 3.86), in group B from -13° to +16° (mean absolute deviation 5.35, SD 4.29). Patients with a previous tibial osteotomy or revision arthroplasty were excluded from the study. Examination was done by an experienced orthopedic resident independent of the surgeon. All patients had pre- and postoperative long standing radiographs. The IKSS and the WOMAC were utilized to determine the clinical outcome. Patient's degree of satisfaction was assessed on a visual analogous scale (VAS). Results: 32 of the 37 navigated TKAs (86,5%) showed a postoperative mechanical axis within the limits of 3 degrees of valgus or varus deviation compared to only 24 (66%) of the 36 standard TKAs. This difference was significant (p = 0.045). The mean absolute deviation from neutral axis was 3.00° (range -5° to +9°, SD: 1.75) in group A in comparison to 1.54° (range -5° to +4°, SD: 1.41) in group B with a highly significant difference (p = 0.000). Furthermore, both groups showed a significant postoperative improvement of their mean IKSS-values (group A: 89 preoperative to 169 postoperative, group B 88 to 176) without a significant difference between the two groups. Neither the WOMAC nor the patient's degree of satisfaction - as assessed by VAS - showed significant differences. Operation time was significantly higher in group B (mean 119.9 min.) than in group A (mean 99.6 min., p <0.000). Conclusion: Our study showed consistent significant improvement of postoperative frontal alignment in TKA by computer assisted navigation (CAS) compared to standard methods, even in the hands of a surgeon well experienced in standard TKA implantation. However, the follow-up time of this study was not long enough to judge differences in clinical outcome. Thus, the relevance of computer navigation for clinical outcome and survival of TKA remains to be proved in long term studies to justify the longer operation time. References 1 Stulberg SD. Clin Orth Rel Res. 2003;(416):177-84. 2 Chauhan SK. JBJS Br. 2004;86(3):372-7. 3 Bäthis H, et al. Orthopäde. 2006;35(10):1056-65.

Technology shocks and aggregate fluctuations in an estimated hybrid RBC model

This paper contributes to the on-going empirical debate regarding the role of the RBC model and in particular of technology shocks in explaining aggregate fluctuations. To this end we estimate the model’s posterior density using Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) methods. Within this framework we extend Ireland’s (2001, 2004) hybrid estimation approach to allow for a vector autoregressive moving average (VARMA) process to describe the movements and co-movements of the model’s errors not explained by the basic RBC model. The results of marginal likelihood ratio tests reveal that the more general model of the errors significantly improves the model’s fit relative to the VAR and AR alternatives. Moreover, despite setting the RBC model a more difficult task under the VARMA specification, our analysis, based on forecast error and spectral decompositions, suggests that the RBC model is still capable of explaining a significant fraction of the observed variation in macroeconomic aggregates in the post-war U.S. economy.

Productivity shocks and aggregate fluctuations in an estimated endogenous growth model with human capital

Employing an endogenous growth model with human capital, this paper explores how productivity shocks in the goods and human capital producing sectors contribute to explaining aggregate fluctuations in output, consumption, investment and hours. Given the importance of accounting for both the dynamics and the trends in the data not captured by the theoretical growth model, we introduce a vector error correction model (VECM) of the measurement errors and estimate the model’s posterior density function using Bayesian methods. To contextualize our findings with those in the literature, we also assess whether the endogenous growth model or the standard real business cycle model better explains the observed variation in these aggregates. In addressing these issues we contribute to both the methods of analysis and the ongoing debate regarding the effects of innovations to productivity on macroeconomic activity.

Evidence against a direct role of klotho in insulin resistance.

The klotho gene may be involved in the aging process. Klotho is a coactivator of FGF23, a regulator of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism. It has also been reported to be downregulated in insulin resistance syndromes and paradoxically to directly inhibit IGF-1 and insulin signaling. Our aim was to study klotho's regulation and effects on insulin and IGF-1 signaling to unravel this paradox. We studied klotho tissue distribution and expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting in obese Zucker rats and high-fat fed Wistar rats, two models of insulin resistance. Klotho was expressed in kidneys but at much lower levels (<1.5%) in liver, muscle, brain, and adipose tissue. There were no significant differences between insulin resistant and control animals. We next produced human recombinant soluble klotho protein (KLEC) and studied its effects on insulin and IGF-1 signaling in cultured cells. In HEK293 cells, FGF23 signaling (judged by FRS2-alpha and ERK1/2 phosphorylation) was activated by conditioned media from KLEC-producing cells (CM-KLEC); however, IGF-1 signaling was unaffected. CM-KLEC did not inhibit IGF-1 and insulin signaling in L6 and Hep G2 cells, as judged by Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We conclude that decreased klotho expression is not a general feature of rodent models of insulin resistance. Further, the soluble klotho protein does not inhibit IGF-1 and/or insulin signaling in HEK293, L6, and HepG2 cells, arguing against a direct role of klotho in insulin signaling. However, the hypothesis that klotho indirectly regulates insulin sensitivity via FGF23 activation remains to be investigated.

Das Reichtum des fremden Textes. Ein historisch-kritischer Zugang zur Bibel

(Résumé de l'ouvrage) Die evangelischen Kirchen wollen Kirchen der Schrift sein. Nach der reformierten Lehre ist die Bibel klar, eindeutig und verständlich. Sie gibt der Kirche Grundlage und Ausrichtung. Die Wirklichkeit aber sieht anders aus: die Bibel ist vieldeutig, man kann mit ihr fast alles begründen. So kommt es, daß die Bibel in unseren evangelischen Kirchen nicht so sehr ein gemeinsames Fundament, sondern eher ein immerwährender Zankapfel zwischen verschiedenen Gruppen ist. In dieser Situation versuchte die Theologische Kommission des Schweizerischen Evangelischen Kirchenbundes mit ihrem «Bibelprojekt» Brücken zu schlagen und Gespräche zwischen Vertretern verschiedener Zugangswege zur Bibel zu ermöglichen. Dazu lud sie den Fundamentalisten Prof. Dr. Ernst Lerle, den Evangelikalen Pfr. Dr. Wolfgang Bittner, die Feministin Denise Jornod, den Neutestamentler Prof. Dr. Daniel Marguerat sowie Pfr. Rolf Kaufmann als Vertreter der tiefenpsychologischen und Dr. Kuno Füssel als Vertreter der materialistischen Interpretation zu einem Gespräch ein. «Zankapfel Bibel» ist die Frucht dieses Gespräches: Die sechs Autoren beschreiben ihre grundlegenden Annahmen und Positionen und interpretieren alle denselben Bibeltext (Mk 6,30-44, die Speisung der 5000). Der Herausgeber, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Luz, vergleicht diese verschiedenen Zugangswege und sucht nach Trennendem und Gemeinsamen. Das Buch ist eine Aufforderung und Hilfe zum Gespräch. Es soll daran erinnern, daß die eine Bibel die Grundlage ist, auf die sich alle Zugangswege beziehen. So möchte es mithelfen, daß auch anderswo, in Gemeinden und zwischen Kirchen und Gruppen, solche Gespräche stattfinden können.

Efficience of human Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine candidates in Aotus lemurinus monkeys

The protective efficacy of several recombinat and a synthetic Plasmodium falciparum protein was assessed in Aoutus monkeys. The rp41 aldolase, the 190L fragment of the MSA-1 protein and fusion 190L-CS. T3 protein containg the CS. T3 helper "universal epitope were emulsified in Freund's adjuvants and injected 3 times in groups of 4-5 monkeys each one. The synthetic polymer Spf (66)30 also emulsified in Freund's adjuvants was injected 6 times. Control groups for both experiments were immunized with saline solution in the same adjuvant following the same schedules. Serology for malaria specific antibodies showed seroconversion in monkeys immunized with the recombinant proteins but not in those immunized with the polymer nor in the controls. Challenge was performed with the 10 (elevado a quinta potência) parasites from the P. falciparum FVO isolate. Neither rp41 nor SPf (66)30 induced protection, whereas 190L induced significant delay of parasitemia. The fusion of the CS. T3 epitope to 190L significantly increased is protective capacity.