Einrichtung und Arbeitsweise Gemeinsamer Servicestellen für Rehabilitation: wissenschaftliche Begleitforschung des Instituts für Sozialforschung und Gesellschaftspolitik e.V. im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit und Soziale Sicherung ; integrierter Abschlussbericht

Der methodische Ansatz der wissenschaftliche Begleitforschung zur Einrichtung und Arbeitsweise Gemeinsamer Servicestellen (GS) für Rehabilitation kombiniert quantitative und qualitative Methoden. In leitfadengestützten Telefoninterviews wurden die Mitarbeiter von 30 ausgewählten GS nach ihren Erfahrungen und Einschätzungen befragt. Hinzu kamen Nutzerdokumentationen und eine schriftliche Nutzerbefragung sowie eine schriftliche Befragung von Teammitgliedern im Backoffice der GS sowie von Kooperationspartnern der GS. Zwei Workshops mit den Mitarbeitern wurden zur Erörterung von Untersuchungsergebnissen, zum Erfahrungsaustausch, Wissenstransfer und zur Ableitung von Entwicklungsvorschlägen durchgeführt. Bis zum 30. Juni 2004 wurden bundesweit 578 Gemeinsame Servicestellen (GS) für Rehabilitation eingerichtet. Die flächendeckende Einrichtung Gemeinsamer Servicestellen ist damit weitestgehend abgeschlossen. Die Leistungen der GS bestehen in erster Linie aus der Klärung des Rehabilitationsbedarfs und der Klärung der Zuständigkeit, Informationen über Leistungen und Leistungsvoraussetzungen sowie Unterstützung bei der Antragstellung. Aufgaben der Koordination und Vermittlung sowie der Fallbegleitung werden insgesamt selten wahrgenommen. Die Inanspruchnahme der GS ist insgesamt sehr gering. Bis zu 30 Prozent der GS hatten bislang noch keine Kunden. Die GS erklären die geringe Inanspruchnahme unterschiedlich: 1. Die GS sind nicht bekannt. 2. Es besteht kein Bedarf, da das zuvor schon bestehende trägerinterne Beratungsangebot quantitativ und qualitativ ausreichend ist, sowie die Ratsuchenden ihren zuständigen Leistungsträger in der Regel kennen. Trotz der geringen Inanspruchnahme stellen die GS folgende positive Effekte der Einrichtung Gemeinsamer Servicestellen fest: 1. Die Zeit der Zuständigkeitsklärung hat sich deutlich verkürzt. 2. Streitigkeiten zwischen Rehabilitationsträgern über die Frage nach der Zuständigkeit gehen nicht mehr zu Lasten der Betroffenen. 3. Die Kooperation der Leistungsträger hat sicher verbessert. 4. Die Koordination der Leistungen hat sich verbessert. 5. Der Zugang zur Beratung ist einfacher geworden. (IAB

Datenerhebung zu den Leistungs- und Vergütungsstrukturen in der Frühförderung behinderter und von Behinderung bedrohter Kinder: Abschlussbericht

"'Frühförderung' bezeichnet pädagogische und therapeutische Maßnahmen für behinderte und von Behinderung bedrohte Kinder in den ersten Lebensjahren. Die Umsetzung der Frühförderung als interdisziplinäre 'Komplexleistung', die sich aus medizinisch-therapeutischen und heilpädagogischen Maßnahmen zusammensetzt und ambulante und mobile Betreuung mit einschließt (vgl. Paragr. 26, 30, 56 SGB IX) bereitet seit Jahren Schwierigkeiten. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die Bundesregierung die vorliegende Studie in Auftrag gegeben, um Aufschluss über die Organisation und die Finanzierung der Frühförderung und über den Grad ihrer Umsetzung als Komplexleistung zu gewinnen. Neben vielfältigen Informationen über die Situation und die Rahmenbedingung der Frühförderung in Deutschland enthält die Studie auch Hinweise zu besonderen Problemen, die im Rahmen der Umsetzung der Frühförderung als Komplexleistung entstehen und spricht Empfehlungen aus, wie diesen Problemen zu begegnen sei." (Autorenreferat

Quantitative permeability imaging of plant tissues

A method for mapping tissue permeability based on time-dependent diffusion measurements is presented. A pulsed field gradient sequence to measure the diffusion encoding time dependence of the diffusion coefficients based on the detection of stimulated spin echoes to enable long diffusion times is combined with a turbo spin echo sequence for fast NMR imaging (MRI). A fitting function is suggested to describe the time dependence of the apparent diffusion constant in porous (bio-)materials, even if the time range of the apparent diffusion coefficient is limited due to relaxation of the magnetization. The method is demonstrated by characterizing anisotropic cell dimensions and permeability on a subpixel level of different tissues of a carrot (Daucus carota) taproot in the radial and axial directions

K(2P)18.1 translates T cell receptor signals into thymic regulatory T cell development

It remains largely unclear how thymocytes translate relative differences in T cell receptor (TCR) signal strength into distinct developmental programs that drive the cell fate decisions towards conventional (Tconv) or regulatory T cells (Treg). Following TCR activation, intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is the most important second messenger, for which the potassium channel K(2P)18.1 is a relevant regulator. Here, we identify K(2P)18.1 as a central translator of the TCR signal into the thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) selection process. TCR signal was coupled to NF-kappa B-mediated K(2P)18.1 upregulation in tTreg progenitors. K(2P)18.1 provided the driving force for sustained Ca2+ influx that facilitated NF-kappa B- and NFAT-dependent expression of FoxP3, the master transcription factor for Treg development and function. Loss of K(2P)18.1 ion-current function induced a mild lymphoproliferative phenotype in mice, with reduced Treg numbers that led to aggravated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, while a gain-of-function mutation in K(2P)18.1 resulted in increased Treg numbers in mice. Our findings in human thymus, recent thymic emigrants and multiple sclerosis patients with a dominant-negative missense K(2P)18.1 variant that is associated with poor clinical outcomes indicate that K(2P)18.1 also plays a role in human Treg development. Pharmacological modulation of K(2P)18.1 specifically modulated Treg numbers in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we identified nitroxoline as a K(2P)18.1 activator that led to rapid and reversible Treg increase in patients with urinary tract infections. Conclusively, our findings reveal how K(2P)18.1 translates TCR signals into thymic T cell fate decisions and Treg development, and provide a basis for the therapeutic utilization of Treg in several human disorders.Peer reviewe

Eleven strategies for making reproducible research and open science training the norm at research institutions

Across disciplines, researchers increasingly recognize that open science and reproducible research practices may accelerate scientific progress by allowing others to reuse research outputs and by promoting rigorous research that is more likely to yield trustworthy results. While initiatives, training programs, and funder policies encourage researchers to adopt reproducible research and open science practices, these practices are uncommon inmanyfields. Researchers need training to integrate these practicesinto their daily work. We organized a virtual brainstorming event, in collaboration with the German Reproducibility Network, to discuss strategies for making reproducible research and open science training the norm at research institutions. Here, weoutline eleven strategies, concentrated in three areas:(1)offering training, (2)adapting research assessment criteria and program requirements, and (3) building communities. We provide a brief overview of each strategy, offer tips for implementation,and provide links to resources. Our goal is toencourage members of the research community to think creatively about the many ways they can contribute and collaborate to build communities,and make reproducible research and open sciencetraining the norm. Researchers may act in their roles as scientists, supervisors, mentors, instructors, and members of curriculum, hiring or evaluation committees. Institutionalleadership and research administration andsupport staff can accelerate progress by implementing change across their institution

Integrating Signals from the T-Cell Receptor and the Interleukin-2 Receptor

T cells orchestrate the adaptive immune response, making them targets for immunotherapy. Although immunosuppressive therapies prevent disease progression, they also leave patients susceptible to opportunistic infections. To identify novel drug targets, we established a logical model describing T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling. However, to have a model that is able to predict new therapeutic approaches, the current drug targets must be included. Therefore, as a next step we generated the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling network and developed a tool to merge logical models. For IL-2R signaling, we show that STAT activation is independent of both Src- and PI3-kinases, while ERK activation depends upon both kinases and additionally requires novel PKCs. In addition, our merged model correctly predicted TCR-induced STAT activation. The combined network also allows information transfer from one receptor to add detail to another, thereby predicting that LAT mediates JNK activation in IL-2R signaling. In summary, the merged model not only enables us to unravel potential cross-talk, but it also suggests new experimental designs and provides a critical step towards designing strategies to reprogram T cells

Eleven strategies for making reproducible research and open science training the norm at research institutions

Across disciplines, researchers increasingly recognize that open science and reproducible research practices may accelerate scientific progress by allowing others to reuse research outputs and by promoting rigorous research that is more likely to yield trustworthy results. While initiatives, training programs, and funder policies encourage researchers to adopt reproducible research and open science practices, these practices are uncommon inmanyfields. Researchers need training to integrate these practicesinto their daily work. We organized a virtual brainstorming event, in collaboration with the German Reproducibility Network, to discuss strategies for making reproducible research and open science training the norm at research institutions. Here, weoutline eleven strategies, concentrated in three areas:(1)offering training, (2)adapting research assessment criteria and program requirements, and (3) building communities. We provide a brief overview of each strategy, offer tips for implementation,and provide links to resources. Our goal is toencourage members of the research community to think creatively about the many ways they can contribute and collaborate to build communities,and make reproducible research and open sciencetraining the norm. Researchers may act in their roles as scientists, supervisors, mentors, instructors, and members of curriculum, hiring or evaluation committees. Institutionalleadership and research administration andsupport staff can accelerate progress by implementing change across their institution

Eleven strategies for making reproducible research and open science training the norm at research institutions

Reproducible research and open science practices have the potential to accelerate scientific progress by allowing others to reuse research outputs, and by promoting rigorous research that is more likely to yield trustworthy results. However, these practices are uncommon in many fields, so there is a clear need for training that helps and encourages researchers to integrate reproducible research and open science practices into their daily work. Here, we outline eleven strategies for making training in these practices the norm at research institutions. The strategies, which emerged from a virtual brainstorming event organized in collaboration with the German Reproducibility Network, are concentrated in three areas: (i) adapting research assessment criteria and program requirements; (ii) training; (iii) building communities. We provide a brief overview of each strategy, offer tips for implementation, and provide links to resources. We also highlight the importance of allocating resources and monitoring impact. Our goal is to encourage researchers - in their roles as scientists, supervisors, mentors, instructors, and members of curriculum, hiring or evaluation committees - to think creatively about the many ways they can promote reproducible research and open science practices in their institutions

New Techniques and Instrumentation – TEXUS Service Module (TSM)

Until the TEXUS-42 (EML-1) project, successfully launched in Dec. 2005, the payload of the TEXUS and the MAXUS were equipped with the former Kayser-Threde 12 bit based PCM data acquisition system. To fulfill experimental requirements for higher data resolution and the intention to reduce weight and also to improve the performance of the service module, ESA has taken initiative to contract industry for the development and built up of a new data acquisition system and the new TEXUS Service Module (TSM) in 2004. For the design, manufacturing and qualification task sharing, a cooperation of DLR Moraba and the Kayser-Threde GmbH has been initialized. With respect to the compatibility of already existing experiment modules, Kayser-Threde has developed, manufactured and qualified the decentralized 16 bit CTS 3000 (Compact Telemetry System) data acquisition system and together with DLR Moraba the TSM. In order to improve existing systems and to comply with new requirements the DLR/Moraba has designed a new power distribution and a GPS system. The TSM is incorporating all known standard features, modern technologies and is capable of serving actual and future experiment requirements. The TSM provides flexibility for future implementation of up to two digital TV respectively TM down links besides the three standard analog TV down links. The design implies economic technical concepts consuming a minimum of service module mass and length. The service module acquires and transmits all experimental and service system housekeeping data via telemetry transmitter to ground. Commands to the service system and for experiment control are received with a dedicated diversity system from the ground station and distributed onboard. Furthermore three TV down links, 3-axis micro-g and acceleration measurement as well as a rate control (RCS) and a GPS system are incorporated. The TSM is integrated within a standard TEXUS cylindrical structure with Radax flanges on both ends. Most of the components are assembled on the instrumentation deck, which is fixated via shock mounts to the outer structure. All electronic boards for TM/TC, RCS, power switching, sequencing, μ-g measurement and housekeeping are integrated and wired within one