Weiterbildung von Managern und Führungskräften auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Bauernhöfen

Are organic farms suited to offer educational training for managers and stakeholders working in leading positions in companies or institutions? Eight interviews with experts were carried out in 2007 and analysed by methods of qualitative social research. Substantial deficiencies of managers and executives lie in the field of soft skills and have their origin in the school system among other reasons. The basic precondition for a successful course/training is the transfer of items that were perceived and learned in daily life. The experts are convinced that organic farms are well suited to offer educational courses and seminars for managers and executives especially because of some characteristics of organic farming: holistic and systemic perception, ethical values, farm diversity, sustainability, exposure to time und bounds, coherences on different farm levels etc. The ways of performance can be different (conceptual design, participants, target group, topic, methodology, marketing, etc.). To assure sustainable success three parameters are essential: professionalism, reliability and exclusiveness

Symptomkontrolle in der Tumorschmerztherapie : Opioidrotation zu oralem retardiertem Hydromorphon

Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war die Evaluation der Technik der Opioidrotation zu Hydromorphon bei ambulanten Tumorschmerzpatienten nach Auftreten opioidbedingter Symptome unter einer Schmerztherapie gemäß WHO-Stufenschema. Hierzu wurden bei 50 Patienten in zwei Untersuchungszeiträumen vor und nach Rotation die Schmerzstärke, die Zufriedenheit mit der Therapie sowie verschiedene Nebenwirkungen uns Symptome erfasst. Ein weiteres Ziel war die Erfassung der Lebensqualität von Tumorschmerzpatienten nach einer Opioidrotation zu Hydromorphon. Die Opioidrotation war bei 32 Patienten, die vorher andere Opioide erhalten hatten, effektiv. Die mittleren NRS-Werte für Schmerz fielen signifikant. Damit verbunden war eine signifikante Besserung von Ein- und Durchschlafstörungen in der gesamten Patientenpopulation. Hinsichtlich der gastrointestinalen Nebenwirkungen zeigte sich eine deutliche Zunahme der Defäkationsrate bei den wegen Obstipation zu Hydromorphon rotierten Patienten. Es zeigte sich eine klare Überlegenheit einer Laxanzientherapie mit Natriumpicosulfat oder Macrogol gegenüber einer unterlassenen Laxanzientherapie. Zwischen diesen beiden Präparaten war kein signifikanter Unterschied in der Stuhlgangshäufigkeit oder im Obstipationsgefühl nachzuweisen. Bezüglich der anderen erfassten Nebenwirkungen war keine signifikante Besserung oder Verschlechterung zu finden. Deutlich war der Zusammenhang der Zufriedenheit mit der Therapie und der Schmerzstärke mit einem Korrelationskoeffizienten von 0,9. Eine Rotation zu Hydromorphon stellt eine wichtige Option zur Symptomkontrolle in der Tumorschmerztherapie dar. Durch eine konsequente Erfassung von Nebenwirkungen und Einschränkungen der Lebensqualität können weitere Verbesserungen für die Patienten erreicht werden

The role of pannexin hemichannels in the anoxic depolarization of hippocampal pyramidal cells

Neuronal gap junctional hemichannels, composed of pannexin-1 subunits, have been suggested to play a crucial role in epilepsy and brain ischaemia. After a few minutes of anoxia or ischaemia, neurons in brain slices show a rapid depolarization to ∼−20 mV, called the anoxic depolarization. Glutamate receptor blockers can prevent the anoxic depolarization, suggesting that it is produced by a cation influx through glutamate-gated channels. However, in isolated hippocampal pyramidal cells, simulated ischaemia evokes a large inward current and an increase in permeability to large molecules, mediated by the opening of pannexin-1 hemichannels. N-methyl-d-aspartate is also reported to open these hemichannels, suggesting that the activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, which occurs when glutamate is released in ischaemia, might cause the anoxic depolarization by evoking a secondary ion flux through pannexin-1 hemichannels. We tested the contribution of pannexin hemichannels to the anoxic depolarization in CA1 pyramidal cells in the more physiological environment of hippocampal slices. Three independent inhibitors of hemichannels—carbenoxolone, lanthanum and mefloquine—had no significant effect on the current generating the anoxic depolarization, while a cocktail of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid class A receptor blockers abolished it. We conclude that pannexin hemichannels do not generate the large inward current that underlies the anoxic depolarization. Glutamate receptor channels remain the main candidate for generating the large inward current that produces the anoxic depolarization

A Dual-Species Atom Interferometer Payload for Operation on Sounding Rockets

We report on the design and the construction of a sounding rocket payload capable of performing atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates of 41 K and 87 Rb. The apparatus is designed to be launched in two consecutive missions with a VSB-30 sounding rocket and is qualified to withstand the expected vibrational loads of 1.8 g root-mean-square in a frequency range between 20–2000 Hz and the expected static loads during ascent and re-entry of 25 g. We present a modular design of the scientific payload comprising a physics package, a laser system, an electronics system and a battery module. A dedicated on-board software provides a largely automated process of predefined experiments. To operate the payload safely in laboratory and flight mode, a thermal control system and ground support equipment has been implemented and will be presented. The payload presented here represents a cornerstone for future applications of matter wave interferometry with ultracold atoms on satellites

A unique recipe for glass beads at Iron Age Sardis

In large parts of the Mediterranean recipes for the earliest man-made glass changed from melting mixtures of crushed quartz pebbles and halophytic plant ashes in the Late Bronze Age to the use of quartz sands and mineral soda during the Early Iron Age. Not much is known about this transition and the experimental materials which would inevitably have been connected to such technological change. In this paper we present a unique snapshot of developments in glass technology in Anatolia during the Middle Iron Age, when glass is still a relatively rare commodity. The present work focusses on black glass beads decorated with yellow trails from eighth to seventh century BCE Sardis, glass beads that are very rare for this period, and on this site. A full elemental analysis of the beads was made, and Sr, Pb and B isotope ratios were determined. This study reveals the use of a combination of a previously unknown source of silica and of mineral soda, giving rise to elevated (granite-like) Sr isotope signatures, as well as high alumina and B concentrations. The yellow trails of glass on the beads consist of lead-tin yellow type II, lead stannate, showing the earliest occurrence of this type of opacifier/colourant so far, predating any other findings by at least four centuries. The production of these glass beads may be local to Sardis and experimental in nature. It is therefore suggested that Sardis may have played its role in the technological development of the glass craft during the Iron Age