6510 Magere Flachland-Mähwiesen (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)

Artenreiche, extensiv bewirtschaftete Mähwiesen des Verbandes Arrhenatherion elatioris (planar-kolline Frischwiesen), im Flach- und Hügelland vorkommend. Der Lebensraumtyp schließt sowohl trockene Ausbildungen, typische Ausbildungen frischer, sowie Ausbildungen feuchter bis wechselfeuchter Standorte ein. Im Gegensatz zum Intensivgrünland sind Flachland-Mähwiesen blütenreich und wenig gedüngt. Der erste Heuschnitt erfolgt nicht vor der Hauptblütezeit der Gräser

Perspectives on Allyship in Academia

Allyship in academia is critical for creating inclusive communities that are welcoming to all students, but the perception of its benefits and challenges can vary depending on a number of factors. This session will explore perspectives of allyship in academia by bringing together a diverse group of faculty and students who can share a wide range of experiences and insights, and aims to facilitate a discussion among all attendees that leads to an exchange of ideas, the strengthening of our community, and progress toward our common goal of inclusion in computing

A Base-Independent Repair Mechanism for DNA Glycosylase-No Discrimination Within the Active Site

The ubiquitous occurrence of DNA damages renders its repair machinery a crucial requirement for the genomic stability and the survival of living organisms. Deficiencies in DNA repair can lead to carcinogenesis, Alzheimer, or Diabetes II, where increased amounts of oxidized DNA bases have been found in patients. Despite the highest mutation frequency among oxidized DNA bases, the base-excision repair process of oxidized and ring-opened guanine, FapydG (2, 6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine),remained unclear since it is difficult to study experimentally. We use newly-developed linear-scaling quantum-chemical methods (QM) allowing us to include up to 700 QM-atoms and achieving size convergence. Instead of the widely assumed base-protonated pathway we find a ribose-protonated repair mechanism which explains experimental observations and shows strong evidence for a base-independent repair process. Our results also imply that discrimination must occur during recognition, prior to the binding within the active site

A Base-Independent Repair Mechanism for DNA Glycosylase-No Discrimination Within the Active Site

The ubiquitous occurrence of DNA damages renders its repair machinery a crucial requirement for the genomic stability and the survival of living organisms. Deficiencies in DNA repair can lead to carcinogenesis, Alzheimer, or Diabetes II, where increased amounts of oxidized DNA bases have been found in patients. Despite the highest mutation frequency among oxidized DNA bases, the base-excision repair process of oxidized and ring-opened guanine, FapydG (2, 6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine),remained unclear since it is difficult to study experimentally. We use newly-developed linear-scaling quantum-chemical methods (QM) allowing us to include up to 700 QM-atoms and achieving size convergence. Instead of the widely assumed base-protonated pathway we find a ribose-protonated repair mechanism which explains experimental observations and shows strong evidence for a base-independent repair process. Our results also imply that discrimination must occur during recognition, prior to the binding within the active site

Real Time Activity Recognition of Treadmill Usage via Machine Learning

Our objective is to provide real-time classification of treadmill usage patterns based on accelerometer and magnetometer measurements. We collected data from treadmills in the Rose-Hulman Student Recreation Center (SRC) using Shimmer3 sensor units. We identified useful data features and classifiers for predicting treadmill usage patterns. We also prototyped a proof of concept wireless, real-time classification system

High capacity optical fibre transmission systems.

In this thesis a number of system design options are studied for the generation and processing of ultra—high speed optical data, based on the technique of Optical Time Division Multiplexing. The limits are investigated with regard to maximum unregenerated transmission distances for linear propagation over single mode fibre with large chromatic dispersion. Overall, the aim is to minimise the bandwidth requirements of electronic and opto—electronic system components for a given optical line capacity whilst at the same time maximising the chromatic dispersion limited propagation distances, thus exploring the potential for future system and network operating speeds of several tens of Gbit/s. A summary of standard system designs and their performance in terms of maximum system speed and dispersive fibre propagation provides an introduction into the field of high performance fibre optic data communication systems. Particular examples are used to introduce the device models subsequently employed in the analysis of new system configurations. This includes a description of the system performance measurements which are the basis for the performance analyses of the proposed ultra—high speed systems. In the field of fibre transmission research a variety of electrical interface and optical line signal formats are being investigated, each being appropriate for particular application areas and offering varying compromises between performance, complexity and user friendliness. In the context of this thesis the investigations are limited to high capacity time division multiplexed configurations, which represent a medium to longer term alternative as well as a complementary approach to the currently widely pursued system capacity upgrades by means of optical wavelength or frequency division multiplexing. Moreover, ultra—high speed time division multiplexed transmission is fundamentally compatible with WDM system operation, providing a future upgrade path for multi—wavelength systems being developed at the present time. The vehicle for these investigations is a set of computer models. Optical signal generation, pulse propagation in single—mode fibre, optical time domain processing, amplification and optical receiver detection are all included in the models to allow end—to—end system performance studies. Experimental results are presented at various stages to validate the models employed

Translocation of particles and inflammatory responses after exposure to fine particles and nanoparticles in an epithelial airway model

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Experimental studies provide evidence that inhaled nanoparticles may translocate over the airspace epithelium and cause increased cellular inflammation. Little is known, however, about the dependence of particle size or material on translocation characteristics, inflammatory response and intracellular localization. RESULTS: Using a triple cell co-culture model of the human airway wall composed of epithelial cells, macrophages and dendritic cells we quantified the entering of fine (1 mum) and nano-sized (0.078 mum) polystyrene particles by laser scanning microscopy. The number distribution of particles within the cell types was significantly different between fine and nano-sized particles suggesting different translocation characteristics. Analysis of the intracellular localization of gold (0.025 mum) and titanium dioxide (0.02-0.03 mum) nanoparticles by energy filtering transmission electron microscopy showed differences in intracellular localization depending on particle composition. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were detected as single particles without membranes as well as in membrane-bound agglomerations. Gold nanoparticles were found inside the cells as free particles only. The potential of the different particle types (different sizes and different materials) to induce a cellular response was determined by measurements of the tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the supernatants. We measured a 2-3 fold increase of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the supernatants after applying 1 mum polystyrene particles, gold nanoparticles, but not with polystyrene and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: Quantitative laser scanning microscopy provided evidence that the translocation and entering characteristics of particles are size-dependent. Energy filtering transmission electron microscopy showed that the intracellular localization of nanoparticles depends on the particle material. Both particle size and material affect the cellular responses to particle exposure as measured by the generation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha

Particles induce apical plasma membrane enlargement in epithelial lung cell line depending on particle surface area dose

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Airborne particles entering the respiratory tract may interact with the apical plasma membrane (APM) of epithelial cells and enter them. Differences in the entering mechanisms of fine (between 0.1 μm and 2.5 μm) and ultrafine ( ≤ 0.1 μm) particles may be associated with different effects on the APM. Therefore, we studied particle-induced changes in APM surface area in relation to applied and intracellular particle size, surface and number.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549 cell line) were incubated with various concentrations of different sized fluorescent polystyrene spheres without surface charge (∅ fine – 1.062 μm, ultrafine – 0.041 μm) by submersed exposure for 24 h. APM surface area of A549 cells was estimated by design-based stereology and transmission electron microscopy. Intracellular particles were visualized and quantified by confocal laser scanning microscopy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Particle exposure induced an increase in APM surface area compared to negative control (p < 0.01) at the same surface area concentration of fine and ultrafine particles a finding not observed at low particle concentrations. Ultrafine particle entering was less pronounced than fine particle entering into epithelial cells, however, at the same particle surface area dose, the number of intracellular ultrafine particles was higher than that of fine particles. The number of intracellular particles showed a stronger increase for fine than for ultrafine particles at rising particle concentrations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrates a particle-induced enlargement of the APM surface area of a pulmonary epithelial cell line, depending on particle surface area dose. Particle uptake by epithelial cells does not seem to be responsible for this effect. We propose that direct interactions between particle surface area and cell membrane cause the enlargement of the APM.</p

Desmoplastic small round cell tumors : Multimodality treatment and new risk factors

Background To evaluate optimal therapy and potential risk factors. Methods Data of DSRCT patients Results Median age of 60 patients was 14.5 years. Male:female ratio was 4:1. Tumors were abdominal/retroperitoneal in 56/60 (93%). 6/60 (10%) presented with a localized mass, 16/60 (27%) regionally disseminated nodes, and 38/60 (63%) with extraperitoneal metastases. At diagnosis, 23/60 (38%) patients had effusions, 4/60 (7%) a thrombosis, and 37/54 (69%) elevated CRP. 40/60 (67%) patients underwent tumor resection, 21/60 (35%) macroscopically complete. 37/60 (62%) received chemotherapy according to CEVAIE (ifosfamide, vincristine, actinomycin D, carboplatin, epirubicin, etoposide), 15/60 (25%) VAIA (ifosfamide, vincristine, adriamycin, actinomycin D) and, 5/60 (8%) P6 (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, ifosfamide, etoposide). Nine received high-dose chemotherapy, 6 received regional hyperthermia, and 20 received radiotherapy. Among 25 patients achieving complete remission, 18 (72%) received metronomic therapies. Three-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 11% (+/- 8 confidence interval [CI] 95%) and 30% (+/- 12 CI 95%), respectively, for all patients and 26.7% (+/- 18.0 CI 95%) and 56.9% (+/- 20.4 CI 95%) for 25 patients achieving remission. Extra-abdominal site, localized disease, no effusion or ascites only, absence of thrombosis, normal CRP, complete tumor resection, and chemotherapy with VAIA correlated with EFS in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, significant factors were no thrombosis and chemotherapy with VAIA. In patients achieving complete remission, metronomic therapy with cyclophosphamide/vinblastine correlated with prolonged time to relapse. Conclusion Pleural effusions, venous thrombosis, and CRP elevation were identified as potential risk factors. The VAIA scheme showed best outcome. Maintenance therapy should be investigated further.Peer reviewe