Kinder kauft man nicht. Die politische Ökonomie von Auslandsadoptionen in Deutschland und den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika

Bei der Adoption eines Kindes aus dem Ausland werden hohe Summen an unterschiedliche Akteure gezahlt: Adoptionsagenturen, Behörden, Vermittler, Ärzte und Waisenhäuser. In der Literatur der letzten dreißig Jahre wird daher immer wieder kritisiert, Auslandsadoptionen seien im Grunde Kinderhandel oder zumindest ein Teil der Adoptionsakteure betriebe profitorientierten Handel mit Kindern. Im Jahre 1993 veröffentlichte die Den Haager Konferenz für internationales Privatrecht das "Haager Übereinkommen für Auslandsadoptionen", das mit einem transnationalen Regime für Adoptionen mit Grenzberührung den Kinderhandel verhindern soll. Geldzahlungen verbietet es jedoch nicht. Die Dissertation untersucht, die Geschichte des Kampfes gegen Kinderhandel; die Entstehungsgeschichte des Übereinkommens; wie es Kinderhandel verhindern soll; es fragt nach den Regimestrukturen, die es etablieren, die Probleme, die es lösen und den Wirkungen, die es entfalten soll. Die theoretische und empirische Untersuchung basiert auf der Auswertung von Statistiken, Experteninterviews und Dokumentenanalysen. Die Dissertation trägt damit zur Forschung über die soziale Einbettung von ökonomischen Systemen bei, die nicht wie Märkte aufgebaut sind.

La mitificación occidental de Saladino: Un viaje por las principales literaturas románicas de los siglos XIII y XIV

This article deals with the figure Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn, Saladino or Saladin and his reception in European cultures. It describes its function as myth which reappears in distinct shapes in relation to local realities and nevertheless also exhibits general features of the European cultural identity.

Proficiency and mechanisms of perturbation of mature T-cell homeostasis by the TCL1 family of oncogenes

In the first part of this thesis, the oncogenic potential of TCL1A family genes was comparatively evaluated by using gamma-retroviral vectors to introduce human TCL1A, MTCP1, and TML1 into hematopoietic stem cells/hematopoietic progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) of wild type mice that were transplanted into wild type recipients. TCL1A and MTCP1 recipient mice predominantly developed B-cell malignancies after a median survival of 388 days and 394 days, respectively. The presented data indicates that TCL1A and MTCP1 are oncogenes with comparable oncogenic potential and shows for the first time that MTCP1 is not only a T-cell oncogene, but is able to transform B cells as well. The third family member TML1 induced the development of immature T-cell malignancies in only a few mice. This study provides first evidence for its oncogenic function. Additionally, the transforming potential of compartment-targeted TCL1A variants was evaluated by retroviral expression of a membrane localizing myristoylated (myr-TCL1A) and a nuclear localizing (nls-TCL1A) variant. Recipients of HSC/HPC transduced with myr-TCL1A and nls-TCL1A predominantly developed B-cell malignancies after a median survival of 360 days and 349 days, respectively. There was a significantly shorter latency period for nls-TCL1A compared to the previously described generic TCL1A. Gene expression analysis revealed higher similarities between expression profiles of tumors induced by TCL1A and nls-TCL1A. Together these data implicate that TCL1A’s predominant oncogenic function might rely on its nuclear presence. The second part of this thesis aims to understand if and how TCR stimulation affects the transforming potential of TCL1A. Mature OT-1 T cells carrying monoclonal TCR’s that specifically recognize ovalbumin (OVA) were retrovirally transduced with TCL1A and repeatedly stimulated in vivo with OVA-peptides. TCR stimulated recipient mice of TCL1A transduced T cells showed a significantly accelerated leukemic outgrowth and a reduced median survival of 305 days, when compared to unstimulated recipients (417 days). These data strongly implicate a pro-leukemogenic cooperation of TCL1A and TCR signals that might be actionable in upcoming interventional designs.

El copernicanismo en las Españas del XVI y el XVII. Ciencia, filosofía y literatura.

In 1543 Nicolas Copernicus published his Revolutionibus Orbium's Coelelestium. This is the scientific work that gave birth to modern science, something thoroughly European, since scientists of different countries contributed to it: Poland, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Holland, etc. A work that appeared in a crucial moment obviously represented the need of that time to correct the Julian calendar. A new procedure to calculate the positions of the stars was necessary for astrology and for the making of predictions that were important at that time. Our intention is to outline the history of how it was introduced in Spain at the beginning of the scientific revolution. We will not conceal that Spain has been a country that has only contributed to scientific literature in a deficient way, maybe we can offer some arguments that help to understand why this has happened.

Towards a grammar of the senses: perception in Lushese (Olussese)

The thesis presents the grammar of the Eastern African Bantu language Lushese (Olussese), spoken in Uganda, and gives information on the historical background that caused the today´s highly endangered status of the language (chapters 1 & 2). Focussing on the semantics of the verbs of perception, the thesis presents the use and meaning of various linguistic means for expressing perception in general and further for the expression of physical, sensory, emotional and cognitive experience in Lushese (chapters 3-5). The findings in Lushese provide insights of the use of language in the light of social interaction and include information on the ways cultural and social values impact the choice of linguistic means (chapter 6). With respect to the theoretical issues concerning the language of perception the data in Lushese show that the way people speak about the environment and use language to express categories of perception are rather a matter of innate cultural interpretation regarding the human body and the environment than a matter of the human body and the environment as given by biological and/or physical conditions.

Mittelneolithische Silexaustauschsysteme auf der Aldenhovener Platte und in ihrer Umgebung

In der Archäologie gibt die Untersuchung der räumlichen und zeitlichen Dimensionen von Tausch Hinweise auf die Reichweite und Entwicklung prähistorischer Wirtschaftssysteme und den damit verbundenen sozialen Kontakten. Bei der Erforschung neolithischer Gesellschaften wird Tausch – bedingt durch die archäologische Quellenlage – häufig anhand der Weitergabe lithischen Materials erforscht. In diesem Dissertationsprojekt wird die Weitergabe von Silex (Feuerstein) zwischen mittelneolithischen Siedlungen innerhalb der Kleinregion des heutigen Braunkohletagebaus zwischen Aachen und Köln untersucht. Silex diente als Rohmaterial zur Herstellung von Werkzeugen für die Jagd sowie für eine Vielzahl häuslicher, agrarischer und handwerklicher Tätigkeiten. Die untersuchten Siedlungslätze datieren in die mittelneolithischen Phasen Großgartach, Planig-Friedberg und Rössen (ca. 4900 bis 4550 v. Chr.). Ein zentraler Untersuchungsteil stellt der Vergleich zwischen den Fundplätzen im Hinblick auf die Produktion von Silexgrundformen und -werkzeugen dar. Dabei kommt unter anderem eine Faktorenanalyse zur Anwendung. Das Analyseresultat bildet die Grundlage zum Entwurf dreier Thesen, auf deren Überprüfung die darauffolgenden Untersuchungsschritte ausgelegt sind. Dabei werden die Analysen auf ein siedlungsinternes und ein überregionales Level ausgeweitet. Auf diese Weise konnten nicht nur quellenkritische Aspekte überprüft und Ergebnisse für das zentrale Untersuchungsgebiet verifiziert, sondern auch die weiträumigen Verteilungsmuster der Feuersteinweitergabe erfasst werden. In einer abschließenden interpretativen Betrachtung wurden die Tauschverhältnisse auf den verschiedenen Skalenniveaus anhand eines ethnographischen Modells nach M. Sahlins beschrieben.

Fluctuations in and out of equilibrium: Thermalization, quantum measurements and Coulomb disorder

This purely theoretical thesis covers aspects of two contemporary research fields: the non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum systems and the electronic properties of three-dimensional topological insulators. In the first part we investigate the non-equilibrium dynamics in closed quantum systems. Thanks to recent technologies, especially from the field of ultracold quantum gases, it is possible to realize such systems in the laboratory. The focus is on the influence of hydrodynamic slow modes on the thermalization process. Generic systems in equilibrium, either classical or quantum, in equilibrium are described by thermodynamics. This is characterized by an ensemble of maximal entropy, but constrained by macroscopically conserved quantities. We will show that these conservation laws slow down thermalization and the final equilibrium state can be approached only algebraically in time. When the conservation laws are violated thermalization takes place exponential in time. In a different study we calculate probability distributions of projective quantum measurements. Newly developed quantum microscopes provide the opportunity to realize new measurement protocols which go far beyond the conventional measurements of correlation functions. The second part of this thesis is dedicated to a new class of materials known as three-dimensional topological insulators. Also here new experimental techniques have made it possible to fabricate these materials to a high enough quality that their topological nature is revealed. However, their transport properties are not fully understood yet. Motivated by unusual experimental results in the optical conductivity we have investigated the formation and thermal destruction of spatially localized electron- and hole-doped regions. These are caused by charged impurities which are introduced into the material in order to make the bulk insulating. Our theoretical results are in agreement with the experiment and can explain the results semi-quantitatively. Furthermore, we study emergent lengthscales in the bulk as well as close to the conducting surface.

Identification of Genes Modulating Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Since Altmann recognized ubiquitously distributed "bioblasts" in 1890, understanding of mitochondria has evolved from "elementary organisms" living inside cells and carrying out vital functions, over the Harman's "free radical theory" in 1956, to one of the driving forces of aging and cause of multiple associated diseases impacting society today. While a tremendous amount of work has contributed to the understanding of mitochondrial biology in different model organisms, the precise molecular mechanisms of basic mitochondrial function have yet to be deciphered. By employing an RNA interference mediated screen in Caenorhabditis elegans, we identified two transcription factors: SPTF-3, a member of Sp1 family, and an uncharacterized, nematode specific W04D2.4. We propose that both proteins modulate expression of many genes with regard to mitochondrial function including mitochondrial single-stranded binding protein encoded by mtss-1, whose promoter was used as transcriptional reporter in the screen. Further, RNA sequencing data indicate that W04D2.4 indirectly regulates expression of mitochondrial DNA via control of genes functionally related to mitochondrial replication and translation machineries. We also demonstrate that from all interventions targeting cytosolic translation, MTSS-1 levels are elevated only upon knockdown of genes encoding cytosolic ribosomal proteins. Reduction of ribosomes leads to increased sptf-3 translation, most likely in an internal ribosome entry side (IRES) mediated manner, eventually inducing mtss-1 expression. Moreover, we identify a novel role for SPTF-3 in the regulation of mitochondrial unfolded stress response (UPRmt) activation, but not endoplasmatic reticulum or oxidative stress responses. Taken together, this study identifies two transcription factors previously not associated with mitochondrial biogenesis and UPRmt in C. elegans, establishing a basis for further investigation of mito-nuclear interactions.

The Participation of Townspeople Making Music in Public Events in the Low Countries in the Fifteenth Century

Musicians, rhetoricians and crossbowmen, all of them employed by the city of Brussels, acted, sang and played instruments during the "Ommegang" procession in the 15th century in the main square, some of them during other processions, too. In Bruges, instrumentalists and singers took part in the representation of biblical scenes on street corners, which were part of the entry of Philip III the Good, Duke of Burgundy, into the city around the year 1440. The members of the clergy who knew music sang plainchant in all of these three roles, and independent musicians probably participated, too, even though the documents don't name them or describe their function. Except for the disabled, who marched in a procession on their own, the "common people" were only spectators of these events, which were planned in advance. The evidence that remains indicates that the voices of the "common people" remained hidden in these events, which were intended to promote civic unity.

Religión y sociedad en la Granada cristiana: la Cruz de Mayo

The celebration of the Cruz of May – based on a fact for which tradition and the Legendi di Sancti Vulgari Storiado (Jacopo da Varazze, circa 1264) were possibly more relevant than history itself and extended by the ecclesiastical authority as a means of increasing faith – was accepted by people and was transformed into a social feast and an expression for local or social identity, which lead to peculiar rivalries amongst neighborhoods or streets. They had the aim to hold the best Cruz, leaving aside the feasts initial religious character. If the cross was, until the death of Christ, an instrument of martyrdom holding negative connotations (death, infamy, barbarism, etc.), it eventually transformed into a symbol of Christianity, a sign of triumph and everything related to Christ, and subsequently into a source of celebration and social festivity.