Medienfreiheit in der Demokratiemessung : ein Konzeptualisierungsvorschlag und Evaluation einschlägiger Indizes

Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, einen Beitrag zur Klärung des Zusammenhangs zwischen Medienfreiheit und Demokratie, der zwar weitläufig postuliert, aber dennoch lediglich in geringem Maße erforscht ist, zu leisten und insbesondere die konzeptionelle Rückbindung von Medienfreiheit an die Demokratietheorie zu verbessern. Es wird davon ausgegangen, dass eine Demokratie ohne die Verwirklichung von Medienfreiheit nicht funktionieren kann. Medienfreiheit wird daher als ein Merkmal von Demokratie aufgefasst. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wird, ausgehend von Larry Diamonds Konzeption einer liberalen Demokratie, eine konkrete Definition und Konzeptualisierung von Medienfreiheit herausgearbeitet. Damit wird ein Maßstab formuliert, der im Folgenden dazu dient existierende Messungen von Medienfreiheit auf ihren konzeptuellen Gehalt hin zu überprüfen. Im zweiten Teil werden existierende Indizes bezüglich ihrer Messung von Medienfreiheit evaluiert. Betrachtet werden hierbei sowohl zwei Demokratieindizes (der Index Politische Rechte und Bürgerliche Freiheiten von Freedom House sowie der Index Liberale Demokratie aus dem Varieties of Democracy-Projekt) als auch zwei Indizes, die explizit Medienfreiheit messen (der Index Pressefreiheit von Freedom House sowie die Rangliste der Pressefreiheit von Reporter ohne Grenzen).

The Lady Footballers and the British Press, 1895

Nettie Honeyball and Florence Dixie founded the British Ladies Football Club (BLFC) in 1894 with the aim to provide football-playing opportunities for girls and young women, but also as a means of making money. Theirs, in effect, was an attempt to create a professional football league for women. Public interest in 'the lady footballers' was enormous, at least in its early stages, and generated considerable attention from the press. Overall, press coverage of the BLFC was negative (football is a man's sport; football is a working-class sport; women are physically incapable of playing the game; women shouldn't appear publicly in bifurcated garments, etc.), with only a few notable exceptions. Did the stance adopted depend on the political leaning of the newspaper? Or were the reporters simply reflecting the social and economic realities of their time, struggling to 'explain' a marginal group - women athletes, or more specifically, middle-class women football players - engaging in a working-class male game? This article examines the press coverage of the BLFC. The double standard evident in the newspaper coverage was, on the surface, as one might expect: if a woman played well, she was a freak, possibly a man in disguise; if she didn't play well, it proved that women shouldn't play football. But on closer examination, the double standard was actually rather nuanced: if she played well and looked the part of a woman, she could be subject to praise; yet if she played well and didn't conform to the standard of feminine beauty, she faced ridicule, and her gender called into question.

The use of light- and electron microscopy for studies on the cell- and molecular biology of parasites and parasitic diseases

Lightmicroscopical (LM) and electron microscopi cal (EM) techniques, have had a major influence on the development and direction of cell biology, and particularly also on the investigation of complex host-parasite relationships. Earlier, microscopy has been rather descriptive, but new technical and scientific advances have changed the situation. Microscopy has now become analytical, quantitative and three-dimensional, with greater emphasis on analysis of live cells with fluorescent markers. The new or improved techniques that have become available include immunocytochemistry using immunogold labeling techniques or fluorescent probes, cryopreservation and cryosectioning, in situ hybridization, fluorescent reporters for subcellular localization, micro-analytical methods for elemental distribution, confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and live-imaging. Taken together, these tools are providing both researchers and students with a novel and multidimensional view of the intricate biological processes during parasite development in the host.

Pioglitazone inhibits androgen production in NCI-H295R cells by regulating gene expression of CYP17 and HSD3B2

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are widely used as insulin sensitizers in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In diabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome, treatment with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone improves insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, but the mechanism by which TZDs down-regulate androgen production is unknown. Androgens are synthesized in the human gonads as well as the adrenals. We studied the regulation of androgen production by analyzing the effect of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on steroidogenesis in human adrenal NCI-H295R cells, an established in vitro model of steroidogenesis of the human adrenal cortex. Both TZDs changed the steroid profile of the NCI-H295R cells and inhibited the activities of P450c17 and 3betaHSDII, key enzymes of androgen biosynthesis. Pioglitazone but not rosiglitazone inhibited the expression of the CYP17 and HSD3B2 genes. Likewise, pioglitazone repressed basal and 8-bromo-cAMP-stimulated activities of CYP17 and HSD3B2 promoter reporters in NCI-H295R cells. However, pioglitazone did not change the activity of a cAMP-responsive luciferase reporter, indicating that it does not influence cAMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein pathway signaling. Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is the nuclear receptor for TZDs, suppression of PPARgamma by small interfering RNA technique did not alter the inhibitory effect of pioglitazone on CYP17 and HSD3B2 expression, suggesting that the action of pioglitazone is independent of PPARgamma. On the other hand, treatment of NCI-H295R cells with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) enhanced promoter activity and expression of CYP17. This effect was reversed by pioglitazone treatment, indicating that the MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a role in regulating androgen biosynthesis by pioglitazone.

Different modes of translation for hid, grim and sickle mRNAs in Drosophila

Protein synthesis is inhibited during apoptosis. However, the translation of many mRNAs still proceeds driven by internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). Here we show that the 5'UTR of hid and grim mRNAs promote translation of uncapped-mRNA reporters in cell-free embryonic extracts and that hid and grim mRNA 5'UTRs drive IRES-mediated translation. The translation of capped-reporters proceeds in the presence of cap competitor and in extracts where cap-dependent translation is impaired. We show that the endogenous hid and grim mRNAs are present in polysomes of heat-shocked embryos, indicating that cap recognition is not required for translation. In contrast, sickle mRNA is translated in a cap-dependent manner in all these assays. Our results show that IRES-dependent initiation may play a role in the translation of Drosophila proapoptotic genes and suggest a variety of regulatory pathways.

Translational regulation of nuclear gene COX4 expression by mitochondrial content of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Previous results indicated that translation of four mitochondrion-encoded genes and one nucleus-encoded gene (COX4) is repressed in mutants (pgs1Delta) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. COX4 translation was studied here using a mitochondrially targeted green fluorescence protein (mtGFP) fused to the COX4 promoter and its 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). Lack of mtGFP expression independent of carbon source and strain background was established to be at the translational level. The translational defect was not due to deficiency of mitochondrial respiratory function but was rather caused directly by the lack of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin in mitochondrial membranes. Reintroduction of a functional PGS1 gene under control of the ADH1 promoter restored phosphatidylglycerol synthesis and expression of mtGFP. Deletion analysis of the 5' UTR(COX4) revealed the presence of a 50-nucleotide fragment with two stem-loops as a cis-element inhibiting COX4 translation. Binding of a protein factor(s) specifically to this sequence was observed with cytoplasm from pgs1Delta but not PGS1 cells. Using HIS3 and lacZ as reporters, extragenic spontaneous recessive mutations that allowed expression of His3p and beta-galactosidase were isolated, which appeared to be loss-of-function mutations, suggesting that the genes mutated may encode the trans factors that bind to the cis element in pgs1Delta cells.

Evaluation of residential bioaerosol concentrations and their related health effects

Limited research has been conducted on the collection of bioaerosols and their health effects on individuals in the El Paso area. A year long study was conducted in the region to evaluate indoor bioaerosol concentrations (Mota et al., unpublished data). As part of the study, air samples were collected during each season for a year from 38 homes from the El Paso area. The main objective of the study was to assess seasonality differences in bioaerosol concentrations. The air samples were then cultured and analyzed for bacterial and fungal concentrations. As a supplement to that study, a health questionnaire was given during each seasonal air sampling to the participating resident to complete regarding their health status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health questionnaire and assess any associations between the collected bioaerosol concentrations and the self-reported respiratory symptoms of the participating home residents. Symptom frequencies were tabulated and basic descriptive statistics, along with logistic regressions, were conducted on the relationship between “High” reporters of symptoms and bioaerosol concentrations and environmental factors. The most commonly reported symptoms by homeowners were nasal symptoms and allergies. In addition, there was evidence to support an association between indoor respirable bacteria concentrations and homeowners that report greater than or equal to 8 respiratory symptoms (OR=1.10, p=0.045). Smoking status, indoor humidity and season also displayed associations with homeowners that report greater than or equal to 8 respiratory symptoms (OR=3.3, p=0.045; OR=71.0, p=0.030; OR=7.2, 3.2, p=0.001, 0.008). With such a strong association, future assessment of symptoms, bioaerosol concentrations and environmental factors is needed to further establish their relationship. ^

STUDYING AGGREGATE FORMATION BY AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS-ASSOCIATED MUTANT SOD1 PROTEIN IN DROSOPHILA MODEL

A common pathological hallmark of most neurodegenerative disorders is the presence of protein aggregates in the brain. Understanding the regulation of aggregate formation is thus important for elucidating disease pathogenic mechanisms and finding effective preventive avenues and cures. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a selective neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting motor neurons. The majority of ALS cases are sporadic, however, mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are responsible for about 20% of familial ALS (fALS). Mutated SOD1 proteins are prone to misfold and form protein aggregates, thus representing a good candidate for studying aggregate formation. The long-term goal of this project is to identify regulators of aggregate formation by mutant SOD1 and other ALS-associated disease proteins. The specific aim of this thesis project is to assess the possibility of using the well-established Drosophila model system to study aggregation by human SOD1 (hSOD1) mutants. To this end, using wild type and the three mutant hSOD1 (A4V, G85R and G93A) most commonly found among fALS, I have generated 16 different SOD1 constructs containing either eGFP or mCherry in-frame fluorescent reporters, established and tested both cell- and animal-based Drosophila hSOD1 models. The experimental strategy allows for clear visualization of ectopic hSOD1 expression as well as versatile co-expression schemes to fully investigate protein aggregation specifically by mutant hSOD1. I have performed pilot cell-transfection experiments and verified induced expression of hSOD1 proteins. Using several tissue- or cell type-specific Gal4 lines, I have confirmed the proper expression of hSOD1 from established transgenic fly lines. Interestingly, in both Drosophila S2 cells and different fly tissues including the eye and motor neurons, robust aggregate formation by either wild type or mutant hSOD1 proteins was not observed. These preliminary observations suggest that Drosophila might not be a good experimental organism to study aggregation and toxicity of mutant hSOD1 protein. Nevertheless this preliminary conclusion implies the potential existence of a potent protective mechanism against mutant hSOD1 aggregation and toxicity in Drosophila. Thus, results from my SOD1-ALS project in Drosophila will help future studies on how to best employ this classic model organism to study ALS and other human brain degenerative diseases.

Exploring the link between sustainability reporting and sustainability management: a conceptual framework.

Sustainability managementand Sustainability Reporting (SR) practices have dramatically increased during the last two decades, raising important questions about the relationship between internal practices and external communication. Previous literature on SR has almost exclusively highlighted the role of institutional and stakeholder pressures in driving its adoption. However, as surveys among reporters also identify internal benefits of SR, its full role for company-level sustainability management remains unclear. In order to address this question, we develop a framework accounting for four SR configurations, stemming from different levels of relative importance of external and internal motives for SR. A multiple case study involving four large Spanish companies serves to illustrate the framework and to identify company-level factors that act both as enablers and barriers of SR internal relevance. We conclude that motivations for SR, along with such internal factors, decisively influence its contribution to sustainability management.

1.1 Lloyd Gaines

Lloyd Gaines had won his case. Speaking to reporters, Gaines said he was pleased with the result and looked forward to attending the Missouri School of Law in the fall of 1939. The Gaines v Canada decision was a major triumph and significant steppingstone for the Civil Rights movement. No longer did African-Americans in Missouri have to choose to be educated elsewhere when seeking degrees not offered to them in their home state. This was decided in the Murray v Pearson case three years prior, but the Gaines case had national implications since it was decided by the US Supreme Court.

UMA ECOLOGIA REFÉM DO PODER ECONÔMICO: Leitura exegética sócio-econômica de Deuteronômio 5,12-15

Com esse trabalho, visamos discutir a tentativa de estabelecer um equilíbrio entre o ser humano e natureza na área rural de Judá, pouco antes do reinado de Josias (640-609 a.C.). Nesse caso, pode-se perguntar: seria o mandamento de Deuteronômio 5,12-15 um discurso ecológico? A partir dos estudos de Frank Crüsemann e Haroldo Reimer se admite que partes das leis veterotestamentárias eram destinadas ao assim chamado grupo povo da terra de Judá, visando à manutenção de seu poder. O grupo teria assumido a liderança em Judá mediante um golpe político e, articulando-se, desde então, numa política de aliança para se conservar no poder, mesmo não o assumindo diretamente. Nesse contexto de política de alianças deve-se procurar a implementação do mandamento de Deuteronômio 5,12-15. Ele teria sido escrito por anciãos, um grupo junto ao qual o povo da terra teria se aliado para que ordenassem sentenças jurídicas para a acomodação social. Nesse caso, inicialmente o portão da cidade, espaço oficial para discussões, reclamações e propostas de intermediações, deve ter sido o lugar de elaboração de sentenças jurídicas sobre a utilização de técnicas na agricultura. Sendo elas posteriormente levadas ao tribunal do templo para passar pelas mãos dos sacerdotes, outro braço da coalizão. O uso dos animais de porte, cujo peso prejudicava as pequenas propriedades de terra de Judá, deve ter sido um motivo de incessantes conflitos entre pequenos e grandes proprietários de terra. Ressaltamos assim que apenas os homens mais abastados de Judá tinham acesso a esses animais. Esta solução, segundo se entende, liga o rodízio de culturas ao descanso do campo pertencente ao povo da terra de Judá. Liga-se o termo sábado com a vida da elite rural judaíta do período do reinado de Josias. Uma saída encontrada pelas elites de Judá, a qual nos leva a ponderar uma situação similar que ocorre na América Latina, diante da globalização. Se o texto Deuteronômio 5,12-15 é uma ponderação das elites hegemônicas de Judá que buscam o equilíbrio entre ser o humano e a natureza (ecologia), o discurso ecológico contemporâneo poderá ter neste texto um importante interlocutor. Esse discurso pode ocultar interesses econômicos, completamente diferentes, pois se trata de uma estratégia dominadora e não libertadora, objetivando-se, sobretudo, a reprodução social. O Brasil e os demais países da América Latina vêm sofrendo, há algum tempo, com essa distância entre a elite e o resto da sociedade. Nossas elites utilizam-se, há tempos, do discurso ecológico para se manterem no poder dessas sociedades. Por exemplo, vemos nos noticiários uma quantidade de programas e manchetes ligadas à destruição da natureza. Isso é interessante porque, após terem eles mesmo destruído a natureza, passam agora a defendê-la; controlando as reservas naturais, garantindo sua produtividade e seu status quo no sistema econômico atual.(AU)

UMA ECOLOGIA REFÉM DO PODER ECONÔMICO: Leitura exegética sócio-econômica de Deuteronômio 5,12-15

Com esse trabalho, visamos discutir a tentativa de estabelecer um equilíbrio entre o ser humano e natureza na área rural de Judá, pouco antes do reinado de Josias (640-609 a.C.). Nesse caso, pode-se perguntar: seria o mandamento de Deuteronômio 5,12-15 um discurso ecológico? A partir dos estudos de Frank Crüsemann e Haroldo Reimer se admite que partes das leis veterotestamentárias eram destinadas ao assim chamado grupo povo da terra de Judá, visando à manutenção de seu poder. O grupo teria assumido a liderança em Judá mediante um golpe político e, articulando-se, desde então, numa política de aliança para se conservar no poder, mesmo não o assumindo diretamente. Nesse contexto de política de alianças deve-se procurar a implementação do mandamento de Deuteronômio 5,12-15. Ele teria sido escrito por anciãos, um grupo junto ao qual o povo da terra teria se aliado para que ordenassem sentenças jurídicas para a acomodação social. Nesse caso, inicialmente o portão da cidade, espaço oficial para discussões, reclamações e propostas de intermediações, deve ter sido o lugar de elaboração de sentenças jurídicas sobre a utilização de técnicas na agricultura. Sendo elas posteriormente levadas ao tribunal do templo para passar pelas mãos dos sacerdotes, outro braço da coalizão. O uso dos animais de porte, cujo peso prejudicava as pequenas propriedades de terra de Judá, deve ter sido um motivo de incessantes conflitos entre pequenos e grandes proprietários de terra. Ressaltamos assim que apenas os homens mais abastados de Judá tinham acesso a esses animais. Esta solução, segundo se entende, liga o rodízio de culturas ao descanso do campo pertencente ao povo da terra de Judá. Liga-se o termo sábado com a vida da elite rural judaíta do período do reinado de Josias. Uma saída encontrada pelas elites de Judá, a qual nos leva a ponderar uma situação similar que ocorre na América Latina, diante da globalização. Se o texto Deuteronômio 5,12-15 é uma ponderação das elites hegemônicas de Judá que buscam o equilíbrio entre ser o humano e a natureza (ecologia), o discurso ecológico contemporâneo poderá ter neste texto um importante interlocutor. Esse discurso pode ocultar interesses econômicos, completamente diferentes, pois se trata de uma estratégia dominadora e não libertadora, objetivando-se, sobretudo, a reprodução social. O Brasil e os demais países da América Latina vêm sofrendo, há algum tempo, com essa distância entre a elite e o resto da sociedade. Nossas elites utilizam-se, há tempos, do discurso ecológico para se manterem no poder dessas sociedades. Por exemplo, vemos nos noticiários uma quantidade de programas e manchetes ligadas à destruição da natureza. Isso é interessante porque, após terem eles mesmo destruído a natureza, passam agora a defendê-la; controlando as reservas naturais, garantindo sua produtividade e seu status quo no sistema econômico atual.(AU)

IGREJA PENTECOSTAL DEUS É AMOR : ORIGENS, CARACTERÍSTICAS E EXPANSÃO

Procuramos demonstrar que a Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor - IPDA é uma Igreja, em expansão nas últimas cinco décadas. Nossa Dissertação de Mestrado indica que a IPDA elegeu a mídia radiofônica, seu jornal e suas próprias revistas para divulgar suas atividades. O estudo demonstra que a IPDA é alheia à política, não dá entrevistas às demais rádios, proíbe o uso da televisão e não atende jornalistas nem pesquisadores. Com base em nossa experiência de 11 anos de atuação na Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor , incluindo cinco anos como diácono, resgatamos detalhes que fornecerão subsídios aos meios acadêmicos e aos pesquisadores dos fenômenos pentecostais da atualidade. Ao cobrir certo espaço ainda não pesquisado pela academia, complementamos, por outro lado, dados que não constam da autobiografia de David Martins de Miranda, fundador da IPDA. Por fim, procuramos identificar características doutrinárias da IPDA e dos seus processos administrativos, que denotam certa tendência de profissionalização de parte da equipe da diretoria no processo sucessório. Abordamos, ainda, a questão da reprodução da instituição, mantida até aqui debaixo do carisma de seu fundador que vem administrando sua Igreja com todas as características de uma empresa familiar, dentro de um gradiente seita/igreja. Nossas conclusões demonstram as estratégias que permitiram a expansão da IPDA alicerçada nas suas rádios, nas suas grandes concentrações, no seu apelo proselitista e na arrecadação de recursos, fatores que alimentam e suportam o crescimento da Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor .(AU)

IGREJA PENTECOSTAL DEUS É AMOR : ORIGENS, CARACTERÍSTICAS E EXPANSÃO

Procuramos demonstrar que a Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor - IPDA é uma Igreja, em expansão nas últimas cinco décadas. Nossa Dissertação de Mestrado indica que a IPDA elegeu a mídia radiofônica, seu jornal e suas próprias revistas para divulgar suas atividades. O estudo demonstra que a IPDA é alheia à política, não dá entrevistas às demais rádios, proíbe o uso da televisão e não atende jornalistas nem pesquisadores. Com base em nossa experiência de 11 anos de atuação na Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor , incluindo cinco anos como diácono, resgatamos detalhes que fornecerão subsídios aos meios acadêmicos e aos pesquisadores dos fenômenos pentecostais da atualidade. Ao cobrir certo espaço ainda não pesquisado pela academia, complementamos, por outro lado, dados que não constam da autobiografia de David Martins de Miranda, fundador da IPDA. Por fim, procuramos identificar características doutrinárias da IPDA e dos seus processos administrativos, que denotam certa tendência de profissionalização de parte da equipe da diretoria no processo sucessório. Abordamos, ainda, a questão da reprodução da instituição, mantida até aqui debaixo do carisma de seu fundador que vem administrando sua Igreja com todas as características de uma empresa familiar, dentro de um gradiente seita/igreja. Nossas conclusões demonstram as estratégias que permitiram a expansão da IPDA alicerçada nas suas rádios, nas suas grandes concentrações, no seu apelo proselitista e na arrecadação de recursos, fatores que alimentam e suportam o crescimento da Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor .(AU)

A Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme Is Essential for Developmental Transitions in Dictyostelium

We have identified a developmentally essential gene, UbcB, by insertional mutagenesis. The encoded protein (UBC1) shows very high amino acid sequence identity to ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes from other organisms, suggesting that UBC1 is involved in protein ubiquitination and possibly degradation during Dictyostelium development. Consistent with the homology of the UBC1 protein to UBCs, the developmental pattern of protein ubiquitination is altered in ubcB-null cells. ubcB-null cells are blocked in the ability to properly execute the developmental transition that occurs between the induction of postaggregative gene expression during mound formation and the induction of cell-type differentiation and subsequent morphogenesis. ubcB-null cells plated on agar form mounds with normal kinetics; however, they remain at this stage for ∼10 h before forming multiple tips and fingers that then arrest. Under other conditions, some of the fingers form migrating slugs, but no culmination is observed. In ubcB-null cells, postaggregative gene transcripts accumulate to very high levels and do not decrease significantly with time as they do in wild-type cells. Expression of cell-type-specific genes is very delayed, with the level of prespore-specific gene expression being significantly reduced compared with that in wild-type cells. lacZ reporter studies using developmentally regulated and cell-type-specific promoters suggest that ubcB-null cells show an unusually elevated level of staining of lacZ reporters expressed in anterior-like cells, a regulatory cell population found scattered throughout the aggregate, and reduced staining of a prespore reporter. ubcB-null cells in a chimeric organism containing predominantly wild-type cells are able to undergo terminal differentiation but show altered spatial localization. In contrast, in chimeras containing only a small fraction of wild-type cells, the mature fruiting body is very small and composed almost exclusively of wild-type cells, with the ubcB-null cells being present as a mass of cells located in extreme posterior of the developing organism. The amino acid sequence analysis of the UbcB open reading frame (ORF) and the analysis of the developmental phenotypes suggest that tip formation and subsequent development requires specific protein ubiquitination, and possibly degradation.