Geomorphic response to neotectonic activity in the Jura Mountains and in the southern Upper Rhine Graben

Present-day tectonic activity at the southern end of the Upper Rhine Graben in central Western Europe is evidenced by significant seismicity, which has been documented over hundreds of years. The hazard that is posed by this activity was violently demonstrated in 1356, when an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of ML≈6.5 caused extensive damage to the area of Basel in north-western Switzerland. A sound understanding of the regional tectonic deformation field is a prerequisite for the accurate assessment of this hazard. However, long-term deformation rates in this region are very low. Together with the presence of a network of fault families of different age and orientation, which results from the complex tectonic evolution of this area in the Neogene, this makes the characterisation of the regional deformation field and the identification of active faults difficult. Nevertheless, for a better comprehension of the active tectonic processes in general, and for the assessment of the seismic hazard in this region in particular, an improved understanding of the regional tectonic evolution in the recent geological past is indispensable. This thesis addresses the recent tectonic history of the Basel area by combining seismological data with an investigation of the geomorphological evidence of tectonic activity. The fact that tectonic activity can be recorded and preserved by the landscape provides an additional source of information that has been little used so far. It offers an opportunity to extend the time-scale of observation from the decades covered by (instrumental) seismologic and geodetic records further into the past. Whereas a wide range of geomorphic features can carry signatures of past tectonic events, the focus in this work is laid on fluvial geomorphology. The fluvial system in the northern Alpine foreland has been affected by a number of large-scale tectonic events since the late Oligocene. Apart from processes related to the Alpine orogeny and the rifting of the Upper Rhine Graben and Bresse Graben, the evolution of the Jura fold-and-thrust belt, the most external element of the Alpine orogen, dramatically influenced the drainage system. Sedimentary and morphological evidence of former river courses allow further constraining the evolution of the drainage system between the Oligocene and the Quaternary. The tectonic history in the Quaternary was studied using a quantitative geomorphological approach. On the basis of a digital elevation model, geomorphic indices (steepness and concavity index) were determined to characterise the longitudinal profile for a large number of rivers in the area of the southern Upper Rhine Graben and the eastern Jura fold-and-thrust belt. The spatial distribution of these indices indicates uplift of a region roughly corresponding to the Jura fold-and-thrust belt, as well as subsidence of the interior parts of the Upper Rhine Graben relative to the Tabular Jura. A morphological analysis of Late Quaternary alluvial terraces in the lower Aare valley, northern Switzerland, was carried out using a high-resolution digital elevation model. The results suggest regional northward tilt during the past 20’000 years, compatible with both a general (isostatic) uplift of the Swiss Molasse basin, and continuing convergence due to ongoing Alpine collision. The geomorphic data revealed no unambiguous evidence of recent tectonic activity on individual faults. Furthermore, no evidence of recent or ongoing thin-skinned deformation in the Mesozoic sedimentary cover could be identified. The study area at the junction of the Upper Rhine Graben and the Jura fold-and-thrust belt is characterised by a pronouncedly diffuse distribution of deformation, typical for regions where strain is accommodated on inherited tectonic structures. The superposition of large-scale regional uplift and small-scale deformation on individual faults, as well as seismic and aseismic movements, results in a distinct heterogeneity of deformation styles in the northern Alpine foreland

Response of drainage systems to Neogene evolution of the Jura fold-thrust belt and Upper Rhine Graben

The eastern Jura Mountains consist of the Jura fold-thrust belt and the autochthonous Tabular Jura and Vesoul-Montbéliard Plateau. They are drained by the river Rhine, which flows into the North Sea, and the river Doubs, which flows into the Mediterranean. The internal drainage systems of the Jura fold-thrust belt consist of rivers flowing in synclinal valleys that are linked by river segments cutting orthogonally through anticlines. The latter appear to employ parts of the antecedent Jura Nagelfluh drainage system that had developed in response to Late Burdigalian uplift of the Vosges-Back Forest Arch, prior to Late Miocene-Pliocene deformation of the Jura fold-thrust belt. The following stages are recognized in the evolution of the Jura Mountain drainage systems: 1) middle to late Tortonian (10-7.2Ma) folding-related overpowering and partial reversal of the south-directed Jura Nagelfluh drainage system, 2) Messinian to early Pliocene (7.2-4.2Ma) Aare-Danube and proto-Doubs stage, 3) early to middle Pliocene (4.2-2.9Ma) Aare-Doubs stage, 4) late Pliocene to early Quaternary (2.9-1.7Ma) Aare-Rhine and Doubs stage and 5) Quaternary (1.7-0Ma) Alpine-Rhine and Doubs stage. Development of the thin-skinned Jura fold-thrust belt controlled the first three stages of this drainage system evolution, whilst the last two stages were essentially governed by the subsidence of the Upper Rhine Graben, which resumed during the late Pliocene. Late Pliocene and Quaternary deep incision of the Aare-Rhine/Alpine-Rhine and its tributaries in the Jura Mountains and Black Forest is mainly attributed to lowering of the erosional base level in the continuously subsiding Upper Rhine Graben. Incision of the Doubs and Dessoubre canyons reflects uplift of the Franches-Montagnes and Franche-Comté in response to thick-skinned deformation of the Jura fold-thrust belt, which had commenced around 3Ma. Geodetic data indicate that uplift of the Jura Mountains, relative to the Tabular Jura, presently continues at very low strain rates whilst the Upper Rhine Graben subsides very slowly and the Black Forest is relatively stabl

Multiplex real-time PCR for the detection and differentiation of equid gammaherpesvirus 2 and 5

Equid gammaherpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5) are widely distributed in the equines. Although their pathogenic potential is not yet fully understood, they appear to play a role in disease patterns like equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, a multiplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) was designed to detect DNA of the glycoprotein H (EHV-2) and E11 gene (EHV-5). Analytical specificity was determined by testing DNA of other herpesviruses by SYBR Green rtPCR and melting curve analysis, as well as Sanger sequencing of positive field samples. Analytical sensitivity was assessed by standard curve generation of serial plasmid dilutions containing the respective target gene. Melting curves and BLAST analysis of the sequences indicated specific detection of the viruses. The lower limit of detection of the singleplex rtPCR was 40 and 29 DNA copies per reaction for EHV-2 and EHV-5, respectively. Comparison of the Ct values of a selection of positive field samples showed only minimal differences between the singleplex and the multiplex assay. The here described multiplex rtPCR protocol allows sensitive and specific detection of EHV-2 and EHV-5. It represents a convenient and rapid tool for future studies to investigate the clinical relevance of EHV-2 and EHV-5 in more detail

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1/Adeno-Associated Virus Hybrid Vectors

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicons can accommodate foreign DNA of any size up to 150 kbp and, therefore, allow extensive combinations of genetic elements. Genomic sequences as well as cDNA, large transcriptional regulatory sequences for cell type-specific expression, multiple transgenes, and genetic elements from other viruses to create hybrid vectors may be inserted in a modular fashion. Hybrid amplicons use genetic elements from HSV-1 that allow replication and packaging of the vector DNA into HSV-1 virions, and genetic elements from other viruses that either direct integration of transgene sequences into the host genome or allow episomal maintenance of the vector. Thus, the advantages of the HSV-1 amplicon system, including large transgene capacity, broad host range, strong nuclear localization, and availability of helper virus-free packaging systems are retained and combined with those of heterologous viral elements that confer genetic stability to the vector DNA. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has the unique capability of integrating its genome into a specific site, designated AAVS1, on human chromosome 19. The AAV rep gene and the inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that flank the AAV genome are sufficient for this process. HSV-1 amplicons have thus been designed that contain the rep gene and a transgene cassette flanked by AAV ITRs. These HSV/AAV hybrid vectors direct site-specific integration of transgene sequences into AAVS1 and support long-term transgene expression

Genome Sequence of Alongshan Virus from Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected in Switzerland

Here, we report the detection of an Alongshan virus (ALSV) strain in Switzerland. Next-generation sequencing of homogenates from Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Canton Grisons, Switzerland, in 2022 yielded a coding-complete ALSV genome

Partnerschaften zwischen Hochschulen der Lehrer:innenbildung und dem Berufsfeld

Die Institutionen der Lehrer:innenbildung leben mit der Paradoxie, dass sie in großer Zahl Lehrpersonen auszubilden haben, aber meist nur über beschränkte Bereiche Zugang zum Berufsfeld verfügen, für das sie ausbilden, z. B. in der Organisation von Praktika. Ziel des Aufsatzes ist es, die Problemlage dieser chronischen Entfremdung darzustellen und mögliche Wege zu einer stärkeren strukturellen und inhaltlichen Verschränkung von Hochschulen und Schulfeld zu skizzieren. Anhand von Beispielen aus der Schweiz wird gezeigt, dass verbindliche Partnerschaften zwischen Schulen und den Hochschulen in beiderseitigem Interesse sind und ein hohes Potenzial für die Professionalisierung von Lehrpersonen bergen

Cloning of Bovine herpesvirus type 1 and type 5 as infectious bacterial artifical chromosomes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine herpesviruses type 1 (BoHV1) and type 5 (BoHV5) are two closely related pathogens of cattle. The identity of the two viruses on the amino acid level averages 82%. Despite their high antigenetic similarities the two pathogens induce distinctive clinical signs. BoHV1 causes respiratory and genital tract infections while BoHV5 leads to severe encephalitis in calves.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The viral genomes of BoHV1 and BoHV5 were cloned as infectious bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs). First, recombinant viruses carrying the genetic elements for propagation in bacteria were generated. Second, DNA from these recombinant viruses were transferred into prokaryotic cells. Third, DNA from these bacteria were transferred into eukaryotic cells. Progeny viruses from BAC transfections showed similar kinetics as their corresponding wild types.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The two viral genomes of BoHV1 and BoHV5 cloned as BACs are accessible to the tools of bacterial genetics. The ability to easily manipulate the viral genomes on a molecular level in future experiments will lead to a better understanding of the difference in pathogenesis induced by these two closely related bovine herpesviruses.</p

Mittels Kernpraktiken zu professionellem Unterrichten

Neben einer Begriffsklärung und Abgrenzung des Ansatzes von anderen Konzepten, werden Fragen der Identifizierung und Modellierung von Kernpraktiken behandelt und Strategien zu deren Aufbau dargestellt. Intendiert ist eine Annäherung an das Core-Practice-Konzept mit dem Ziel, Linien zu skizzieren, entlang derer die Erwartungen an diesen Ansatz im Rahmen von Lehrer*innenbildung einzulösen wären. (DIPF/Orig.

Fully automated dried blood spot sample handling and extraction for BoHV-1 antibody testing by ELISA

This study is the first proof of concept of the DBS technology for Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) antibody detection by ELISA after fully automated DBS extraction. DBS were prepared from nine BoHV-1 seropositive plasma samples spiked with erythrocytes. Spots were extracted automatically on a DBS-MS 500 HCT autosampler, as well as manually using a 3.2 mm puncher. DBS were equally prepared from 20 bovine seronegative EDTA-blood samples and extracted automatically. Extracts were tested in a commercial BoHV-1 antibody ELISA and results were compared with those from liquid plasma. Eight seropositive DBS samples were additionally tested in the ELISA after storage for four weeks at different conditions. After automated extraction all DBS samples yielded qualitatively correct results and were in full accordance with those obtained from liquid plasma. Automated extraction using a 6 mm extraction head was more sensitive than a 4 mm head. Stability of DBS was highest at - 20 °C and decreased with increasing temperature. Even after four weeks at 37 °C, most seropositive samples yielded a positive result in the ELISA. The minimal invasiveness, biosafety, and simplicity of DBS collection together with automated extraction represents an interesting, high-throughput compatible alternative to liquid blood samples for BoHV-1 monitoring or eradication programs