How to train Business Students for Corporate Social Responsibility at Universities and Business Schools

-- Ausgangspunkt ist die These, dass Universitäten und Business Schools den Studierenden sehr wenig oder gar keine Möglichkeit bieten, sich während ihres Studiums mit dem Themenkreis Wirtschafts- bzw. Management-Ethik und soziale Verantwortung (CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility) zu befassen. Es stellt sich die Frage, was getan werden könnte, um die Ausbildung künftiger Führungsnachwuchskräfte in CSR zu verbessern. Als Reaktion auf den erkannten Handlungsbedarf wird ein modular aufgebautes CSR-Studienkonzept für die genannten Bildungseinrichtungen zur Diskussion gestellt.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),CSR-Ausbildung

Flexible Beschäftigungsformen und flexible Arbeitszeitgestaltung in Deutschland im Spannungsfeld von Unternehmens- und Mitarbeiterinteressen

Auf Einladung der deutsch-polnischen Juristen-Vereinigung e.V. in Warschau wurde im Rahmen einer Konferenz drei besonders interessierende Themen aus dem Bereich "flexible Beschäftigungsformen und flexible Arbeitszeitgestaltung in Deutschland" behandelt und in der vorliegenden verkürzten Form veröffentlicht: die arbeitsrechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen, die Nutzung der vorhandenen Gestaltungsspielräume und schließlich die Reaktion der Beschäftigten. Anmerkungen zur Flexicurity-Forderung der EU schließen den Beitrag ab, der in deutscher und polnischer Sprache vorliegt. --|aFlexible Beschäftigungsformen,|aArbeitszeitflexibilisierung

Elastyczne formy zatrudnienia i elastyczne kształtowanie czasu pracy w Niemczech w aspekcie interesów przedsiębiorców i pracowników

-- Auf Einladung der deutsch-polnischen Juristen-Vereinigung e.V. in Warschau wurde im Rahmen einer Konferenz drei besonders interessierende Themen aus dem Bereich „flexible Beschäftigungsformen und flexible Arbeitszeitgestaltung in Deutschland“ behandelt und in der vorliegenden verkürzten Form veröffentlicht: die arbeitsrechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen, die Nutzung der vorhandenen Gestaltungsspielräume und schließlich die Reaktion der Beschäftigten. Anmerkungen zur Flexicurity-Forderung der EU schließen den Beitrag ab, der in deutscher und polnischer Sprache vorliegt.Flexible Beschäftigung,Arbeitszeitflexibilisierung

Hidden in the crowd: primordial germ cells and somatic stem cells in the mesodermal posterior growth zone of the polychaete Platynereis dumerillii are two distinct cell populations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the polychaete <it>Platynereis</it>, the primordial germ cells (PGCs) emerge from the <it>vasa</it>, <it>piwi</it>, and <it>PL10 </it>expressing mesodermal posterior growth zone (MPGZ) at the end of larval development, suggesting a post-embryonic formation from stem cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to verify this hypothesis, embryos and larvae were pulse labeled with the proliferation marker 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) at different stages of development. Subsequently, the PGCs were visualized in 7-day-old young worms using antibodies against the Vasa protein.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Surprisingly, the primordial germ cells of <it>Platynereis </it>incorporate EdU only shortly before gastrulation (6-8 hours post fertilization (hpf)), which coincides with the emergence of four small blastomeres from the mesoblast lineage. We conclude that these so-called 'secondary mesoblast cells' constitute the definitive PGCs in <it>Platynereis</it>. In contrast, the cells of the MPGZ incorporate EdU only from the pre-trochophore stage onward (14 hpf).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>While PGCs and the cells of the MPGZ in <it>Platynereis </it>are indistinguishable in morphology and both express the germline markers <it>vasa</it>, <it>nanos</it>, and <it>piwi</it>, a distinct cluster of PGCs is detectable anterior of the MPGZ following EdU pulse-labeling. Indeed the PGCs form independently from the stem cells of the MPGZ prior to gastrulation. Our data suggest an early PGC formation in the polychaete by preformation rather than by epigenesis.</p

Z_2-Bi-Gradings, Majorana Modules and the Standard Model Action

The action functional of the Standard Model of particle physics is intimately related to a specific class of first order differential operators called Dirac operators of Pauli type ("Pauli-Dirac operators"). The aim of this article is to carefully analyze the geometrical structure of this class of Dirac operators on the basis of real Dirac operators of simple type. On the basis of simple type Dirac operators, it is shown how the Standard Model action (STM action) may be viewed as generalizing the Einstein-Hilbert action in a similar way the Einstein-Hilbert action is generalized by a cosmological constant. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the geometrical scheme presented allows to naturally incorporate also Majorana mass terms within the Standard Model. For reasons of consistency these Majorana mass terms are shown to dynamically contribute to the Einstein-Hilbert action by a "true" cosmological constant. Due to its specific form, this cosmological constant can be very small. Nonetheless, this cosmological constant may provide a significant contribution to dark matter/energy. In the geometrical description presented this possibility arises from a subtle interplay between Dirac and Majorana masses

Immunosuppressive M2 TAMs represent a promising target population to enhance phagocytosis of ovarian cancer cells in vitro

IntroductionTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent an important cell population within the tumor microenvironment, but little is known about the phenotype and function of these cells. The present study aims to characterize macrophages in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).MethodsPhenotype and expression of co-regulatory markers were assessed on TAMs derived from malignant ascites (MA) or peripheral blood (PB) by multiparametric flow cytometry. Samples were obtained from HGSOC patients (n=29) and healthy donors (HDs, n=16). Additional expression analysis was performed by RNAseq (n=192). Correlation with clinically relevant parameters was conducted and validated by a second patient cohort (n=517). Finally, the role of TIGIT in repolarization and phagocytosis was investigated in vitro.ResultsExpression of the M2-associated receptors CD163, CD204, and CD206, as well as of the co-regulatory receptors TIGIT, CD226, TIM-3, and LAG-3 was significantly more frequent on macrophages in HGSOC than in HDs. CD39 and CD73 were broadly expressed on (mainly M2) macrophages, but without a clear clustering in HGSOC. CD163 mRNA levels were higher in TAMs from patients with residual tumor mass after surgery and associated with a shorter overall survival. In addition, TIGIT expression was associated with a higher tumor grading, indicating a prognostic relevance of M2 infiltration in HGSOC. TIGIT blockade significantly reduced the frequency of M2 macrophages. Moreover, combined blockade of TIGIT and CD47 significantly increased phagocytosis of ovarian cancer cells by TAMs in comparison to a single blockade of CD47.ConclusionCombined blockade of TIGIT and CD47 represents a promising approach to enhance anti-CD47-facilitated phagocytosis

Accuracy of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in myocarditis: comparison of MR and histological findings in an animal model

Background: Because Endomyocardial Biopsy has low sensitivity of about 20%, it can be performed near to myocardium that presented as Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). However the important issue of comparing topography of CMR and histological findings has not yet been investigated. Thus the current study was performed using an animal model of myocarditis. Results: In 10 male Lewis rats Experimental Autoimmune myocarditis was induced, 10 rats served as control. On day 21 animals were examined by CMR to compare topographic distribution of LGE to histological inflammation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for LGE in diagnosing myocarditis were determined for each segment of myocardium. Latter diagnostic values varied widely depending on topographic distribution of LGE and inflammation as well as on the used CMR sequence. Sensitivity of LGE was up to 76% (left lateral myocardium) and positive predictive values were up to 85% (left lateral myocardium), whereas sensitivity and positive predictive value dropped to 0 - 33% (left inferior myocardium). Conclusions: Topographic distribution of LGE and histological inflammation seem to influence sensitivity, specifity, positive and negative predictive values. Nevertheless, positive predictive value for LGE of up to 85% indicates that Endomyocardial Biopsy should be performed "MR-guided". LGE seems to have greater sensitivity than Endomyocardial Biopsy for the diagnosis of myocarditis