Die EU als Partnerin der Vereinten Nationen bei der Friedenssicherung : zwischen universalen Normen und partikularen Interessen

Mit Beginn des neuen Jahrtausends rief die Europäische Union (EU) ihre Europäische Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik (ESVP) ins Leben. Diese soll zur internationalen Friedenssicherung beitragen. Nach eigenem Bekunden will die EU mit ihren Interventions­fähigkeiten die Vereinten Nationen (VN) bei der Konfliktprävention und beim Krisenmanagement unterstützen. Dieses Engagement begann die EU in einer Umbruchsphase des Völkerrechts: Konzepte wie das der „menschlichen Sicherheit“ und das der „Ver­ant­wortung zum Schutz“ stellen neue und erweiterte Anforderungen an die Friedens­sicherung. Um den wachsenden Aufgaben gerecht zu werden, haben die VN Aufgaben an Staaten und regionale Organisationen abgeben müssen, was Chancen aber auch Risiken birgt. Zwar können Konflikte so effektiver und auf regionaler Ebene bearbeitet werden, doch besteht die Gefahr, dass die internationale Friedenssicherung von den Interessen starker Staaten oder Regionalorganisationen abhängig wird. Wie sich die EU als Partnerin der VN verhält, entscheidet damit auch über die Akzeptanz der neuen völkerrechtlichen Normen. Matthias Dembinski und Christian Förster gelangen in ihrem Report zu einer positiven Einschätzung des Beitrags der EU als Partnerin der VN bei der internationalen Friedenssicherung. Aufgrund der internen Strukturen der EU steht zu erwarten, dass sie sich überraschend oft im Auftrag der VN engagieren und dabei die Vorgaben des Sicherheitsrats beachten wird

Theory and simulations of rigid polyelectrolytes

We present theoretical and numerical studies on stiff, linear polyelectrolytes within the framework of the cell model. We first review analytical results obtained on a mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann level, and then use molecular dynamics simulations to show, under which circumstances these fail quantitatively and qualitatively. For the hexagonally packed nematic phase of the polyelectrolytes we compute the osmotic coefficient as a function of density. In the presence of multivalent counterions it can become negative, leading to effective attractions. We show that this results from a reduced contribution of the virial part to the pressure. We compute the osmotic coefficient and ionic distribution functions from Poisson-Boltzmann theory with and without a recently proposed correlation correction, and also simulation results for the case of poly(para-phenylene) and compare it to recently obtained experimental data on this stiff polyelectrolyte. We also investigate ion-ion correlations in the strong coupling regime, and compare them to predictions of the recently advocated Wigner crystal theories.Comment: 32 pages, 15 figures, proceedings of the ASTATPHYS-MEX-2001, to be published in Mol. Phy

Nutritional diversity in leaves of various amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) genotypes and its resilience to drought stress

The nutritional diversity in leaves of twelve accessions of four amaranth species (Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus, A. hybridus, A. hypochondriacus) was studied in a randomized complete block design (n = 5). The accessions revealed high contents of the macronutrients K, Ca, Mg, and P, while the micronutrients Fe and Zn were comparatively low (542 – 717, 304 – 497, 131 – 230, 74 – 166, 0.9 – 1.3, 0.4 – 0.9 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight, respectively). Protein contents were found to be higher (23 – 32%) compared to other commonly consumed leafy vegetables in Sub-Saharan-Africa. Phenolic acid and flavonoid contents strongly varied between accessions and to some extent were lower in comparison to those reported in literature. Amaranth is reported to be drought tolerant, thus, one accession of each species was subjected to two different drought stress conditions (moderate – 35 – 45% field capacity, severe – 15 – 25% field capacity, n = 3). Well-watered plants were used as control (60 – 70% field capacity). A significant reduction in plant height and fresh matter occurred in all accessions with increasing drought stress, whereas contents of nutritional compounds increased. Phenolic acids and flavonoid contents in all accessions/species were not affected by drought stress except for A. cruentus where total phenolic acids significantly increase

Hemp Waste as a Substrate for Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) and Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Rearing

The article processing charge was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 491192747 and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.The proper treatment of cannabis agricultural wastes can reduce the environmental impact of its cultivation and generate valuable products. This study aimed to test the potential of cannabis agricultural wastes as a substrate for the rearing of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and yellow mealworms (MW). In the case of BSFL, replacing the fibre component (straw) in the substrate with the hemp waste can increase the nutritional value of the substrate and led to bigger larvae. The bigger larvae had lower P and Mg, and higher Fe and Ca. Crude protein also varied based on the size of larvae and/or the content of protein in the initial substrate, which was boosted by replacing straw with hemp material. No other cannabinoids than cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), and cannabidiol (CBD) were found in significant amounts in the larvae. In the case of MW, the larvae grew less on the hemp material in comparison to wheat bran. Replacing wheat bran with the hemp material led to smaller larvae with higher Ca, Fe, K, and crude protein content, but lower Mg and P values. No cannabinoids were detected in the MW fed with the hemp material.Peer Reviewe

Die EU als Partnerin der Vereinten Nationen bei der Friedenssicherung: zwischen universalen Normen und partikularen Interessen

'Mit Beginn des neuen Jahrtausends rief die Europäische Union (EU) ihre Europäische Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik (ESVP) ins Leben. Diese soll zur internationalen Friedenssicherung beitragen. Nach eigenem Bekunden will die EU mit ihren Interventionsfähigkeiten die Vereinten Nationen (VN) bei der Konfliktprävention und beim Krisenmanagement unterstützen. Dieses Engagement begann die EU in einer Umbruchsphase des Völkerrechts: Konzepte wie das der 'menschlichen Sicherheit' und das der 'Verantwortung zum Schutz' stellen neue und erweiterte Anforderungen an die Friedenssicherung. Um den wachsenden Aufgaben gerecht zu werden, haben die VN Aufgaben an Staaten und regionale Organisationen abgeben müssen, was Chancen aber auch Risiken birgt. Zwar können Konflikte so effektiver und auf regionaler Ebene bearbeitet werden, doch besteht die Gefahr, dass die internationale Friedenssicherung von den Interessen starker Staaten oder Regionalorganisationen abhängig wird. Wie sich die EU als Partnerin der VN verhält, entscheidet damit auch über die Akzeptanz der neuen völkerrechtlichen Normen. Matthias Dembinski und Christian Förster gelangen in ihrem Report zu einer positiven Einschätzung des Beitrags der EU als Partnerin der VN bei der internationalen Friedenssicherung. Aufgrund der internen Strukturen der EU steht zu erwarten, dass sie sich überraschend oft im Auftrag der VN engagieren und dabei die Vorgaben des Sicherheitsrats beachten wird.' (Autorenreferat

Survey of bioactive metabolites in selected cultivars and varieties of Lactuca sativa L. under water stress

Plants respond to water stress with a variety of physiological and biochemical changes, but their response vary between species, varieties and cultivars. The present study focused on changes of bio-functional phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, chlorophyll, carotenoids, dietary fiber) in commercial cultivars and old, traditional varieties of lettuce under different water regimes (water-deficit, well-watered and water-logged).Results revealed lettuce varieties and cultivars with a different response behavior to water stress. Biomass production under drought conditions was reduced significantly. Carotenoid and chlorophyll contents decreased in both water extremes, while total phenols were accumulated under limited water availability. Dietary fiber content was not influenced by different water regimes. Water stress reduces biomass production and led to a change of phytochemicals in lettuce, however, old and traditional varieties did not show a different water stress adaptation compared to commercial cultivars

Towards detecting swath events in TerraSAR-X time series to establish NATURA 2000 grassland habitat swath management as monitoring parameter

Spatial monitoring tools are necessary to respond to the threat of global biodiversity loss. At the European scale, remote sensing tools for NATURA 2000 habitat monitoring have been requested by the European Commission to fulfill the obligations of the EU Habitats Directive. This paper introduces a method by which swath events in semi-natural grasslands can be detected from multi-temporal TerraSAR-X data. The investigated study sites represent rare and endangered habitats (NATURA 2000 codes 6410, 6510), located in the Döberitzer Heide nature conservation area west of Berlin. We analyzed a time series of 11 stripmap images (HH-polarization) covering the vegetation period affected by swath (June to September 2010) at a constant 11-day acquisition rate. A swath detection rule was established to extract the swath events for the NATURA 2000 habitats as well as for six contrasting pasture sites not affected by swath. All swath events observed in the field were correctly allocated. The results indicate the potential to allocate semi-natural grassland swath events to 11-day-periods using TerraSAR-X time series. Since the conservation of semi-natural grassland habitats requires compliance with specific swath management rules, the detection of swath events may thus provide new parameters for the monitoring of NATURA 2000 grassland habitats.DLR/50EE092

Phenolic compound abundance in Pak choi leaves is controlled by salinity and dependent on pH of the leaf apoplast

Onset of salinity induces the pH of the leaf apoplast of Pak choi transiently to increase over a period of 2 to 3 hr. This pH event causes protein abundances in leaves to increase. Among them are enzymes that are key for the phenylpropanoid pathway. To answer the questions whether this short-term salt stress also influences contents of the underlying phenylpropanoids and for clarifying as to whether the apoplastic pH transient plays a role for such a putative effect, Pak choi plants were treated with 37.5 mM CaCl2 against a non-stressed control. A third experimental group, where the leaf apoplast of plants treated with 37.5 mM CaCl2, was clamped in the acidic range by means of infiltration of 5 mM citric acid/sodium citrate (pH 3.6), enabled validation of pH-dependent effects. Microscopy-based live cell imaging was used to quantify leaf apoplastic pH in planta. Phenolics were quantified shortly after the formation of the leaf apoplastic pH transient by means of HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. Results showed that different phenolic compounds were modulated at 150 and 200 min after the onset of chloride salinity. A pH-independent reduction in phenolic acid abundance as well as an accumulation of phenolic acid:malate conjugates was quantified after 200 min of salt stress. However, at 150 min after the onset of salt stress, flavonoids were significantly reduced by salinity in a pH-dependent manner. These results provided a strong indication that the pH of the apoplast is a relevant component for the short-term metabolic response to chloride salinity.BMBF research grantDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659Peer Reviewe

Successful optimization of reconstruction parameters in structured illumination microscopy

The impact of the different reconstruction parameters in super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) on image artifacts is carefully analyzed. These parameters comprise the Wiener filter parameter, an apodization function, zero-frequency suppression and modifications of the optical transfer function. A detailed investigation of the reconstructed image spectrum is concluded to be suitable for identifying artifacts. For this purpose, two samples, an artificial test slide and a more realistic biological system, were used to characterize the artifact classes and their correlation with the image spectra as well as the reconstruction parameters. In addition, a guideline for efficient parameter optimization is suggested and the implementation of the parameters in selected up-to-date processing packages (proprietary and open-source) is depicted. © 2018 The Author