Abundances and distribution of chalcogen volatile elements in chondritic meteorites and their components

The Sun comprises approximately 99.8 % of the matter of the solar system. Thus, the chemical composition of the Sun is considered representative for the composition of the solar system in cosmochemistry. Based on spectroscopic studies of the solar photosphere and chemical investigations on meteorites, the composition of the solar system is now relatively well known. There is one group of meteorites – the CI chondrites – that are of special interest as their composition is nearly indistinguishable from the composition of the solar photosphere for non-atmophile elements. Thus, the composition of CI chondrites is broadly used for reference purposes in cosmochemistry. Compared to CI chondrites all other inner solar system materials are depleted in volatile elements. The reasons for this pervasive primary depletion of volatile elements are still under debate. Chondritic meteorites contain the most pristine solar system materials available for scientific investigations. They consist of different components such as chondrules (small melt droplets), refractory inclusions (e.g. Ca, Al-rich inclusions), metals, and sulfides embedded in fine-grained matrix material. Some of these components are thought to have formed under different spatio-temporal conditions (e.g. Chondrules and CAIs) before they assembled to form the chondrite parent bodies. After accretion, processes such as thermal metamorphism, aqueous alteration, and shock metamorphism during collisions may have further changed the chemical composition of chondritic material. Investigations on chondrites that largely escaped such secondary processes yield information about the pre-accretionary processes that were involved in the primary depletion of volatile elements in the early solar system. To better understand these processes the focus of this work was on the development and utilization of novel analytical methods to study the elemental abundances in chondritic components and in bulk chondrites. A special focus was on the chalcogen and moderately volatile elements sulfur, selenium and tellurium. The first chapter of this dissertation contains a general introduction to the topic. Chapter 2 comprises the analytical protocols of all methods that were applied within this thesis. These methods were utilized for the quantification of major-, minor-, and trace elements in two novel reference materials developed for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) during this PhD. This chapter includes the reference concentrations determined for the reference materials and the data assessment. For the determination of major-, minor-, and trace element concentrations by sector field ICP-MS in “synthetic” and natural chondritic reference materials matrix-matched calibration solutions were developed and prepared. An isotope dilution ICP-MS method for the highly precise and accurate determination of Se and Te concentrations was refined and adjusted to chondrites, while a second isotope dilution ICP-MS method to determine S concentrations in bulk chondrites was set up completely new. Both methods are now routinely implemented and allow the determination of accurate and precise S, Se and Te concentrations from the same sample aliquot. Chapter 3 comprises the analytical approach to determine the abundances and distributions of elements in chondritic components using femtosecond LA-ICP-MS. The focus was on the elaborative quantification of elements in chemically and physically heterogeneous and thus challenging chondritic matter. Because common procedures to correct for different ablation yields between sample and external calibration material failed, an alternative strategy was applied. However, this strategy in which the ablation yield is corrected by the total material requires a suitable external calibration material for major and minor element calibration in chondrites. According to this, matrix-matched calibration and reference materials (based on synthetic and natural nano-particles) were designed, prepared, quantified (Chapter 2) and applied (Chapter 4) during this PhD project. This chapter thus contains the application and applicability of the novel reference materials as well as the analytical setup and the strategy for data evaluation. In Chapter 4 highly precise and accurate isotope dilution ICP-MS concentration data for S, Se, and Te in 54 chondrites of different classes and groups of carbonaceous, ordinary, enstatite, and Rumuruti chondrites are presented. Furthermore, this chapter presents the first data obtained from the newly developed femtosecond LA-ICP-MS method described in Chapter 3. In-situ laser ablation ICP-MS data yield information about the distribution and the relative abundances of S, Se and Te in sulfides and metals in different chondritic components such as chondrules, matrix, and refractory inclusions. Initial results indicate that S, Se, and Te depletion and in particular the decoupling of Te from Se in ordinary chondrites might be related to chondrule formation. It is demonstrated that bulk analyses are instructively complemented by the in-situ LA-ICP-MS analysis

Positive effect of the combination of multilevel contracture release and glucocorticoid treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Purpose: In the 1980s the first results of an early multilevel contracture release (MLCR) in patients suffering from progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) showed a positive effect on ambulation. Despite the demonstrated positive effects of prolongation of walking this treatment is not part of current guidelines. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of MLCR as well as its combination with glucocorticoid (GC) treatment on ambulation. Methods: Data of all boys (n = 86) with DMD treated in our outpatient department were analyzed regarding the treatment and loss of independent ambulation. In all, 23 were treated with GC only, ten were operated on, 21 received GC and underwent MLCR and 32 received neither of the two treatments. Results: The analysis of the loss of independent ambulation in our cohort showed a comparable extension of the ambulatory period between the GC-treated and MLCR-treated boys (p = 0.008 and p = 0.005, respectively). Furthermore, an additive effect of both therapies was found; patients with DMD who had both treatments were able to walk two years longer than those with only one of the two treatment options (p<0.001). Conclusion: Standard GC treatment and early MLCR in lower limbs have an independent positive effect on prolongation of ambulation in patients with DMD. In our cohort, the combination of both therapies is significantly more effective than each therapy alone. We suggest both should be offered to all DMD patients eligible. Level of evidence: III

Nuclear egress of TDP-43 and FUS occurs independently of Exportin-1/CRM1

TDP-43 and FUS are nuclear proteins with multiple functions in mRNA processing. They play key roles in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and FTD (frontotemporal dementia), where they are partially lost from the nucleus and aggregate in the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells. Defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport contribute to this pathology, hence nuclear import of both proteins has been studied in detail. However, their nuclear export routes remain poorly characterized and it is unclear whether aberrant nuclear export contributes to TDP-43 or FUS pathology. Here we show that predicted nuclear export signals in TDP-43 and FUS are non-functional and that both proteins are exported independently of the export receptor CRM1/Exportin-1. Silencing of Exportin-5 or the mRNA export factor Aly/REF, as well as mutations that abrogate RNA-binding do not impair export of TDP-43 and FUS. However, artificially enlarging TDP-43 or FUS impairs their nuclear egress, suggesting that they could leave the nucleus by passive diffusion. Finally, we found that inhibition of transcription causes accelerated nuclear egress of TDP-43, suggesting that newly synthesized RNA retains TDP-43 in the nucleus, limiting its egress into the cytoplasm. Our findings implicate reduced nuclear retention as a possible factor contributing to mislocalization of TDP-43 in ALS/FTD

Outcome of Pediatric Cataract Surgeries in a Tertiary Center in Switzerland

Purpose. To determine and to analyze the outcome of pediatric cataract surgery. Methods. A retrospective chart review of individuals aged up to 10 years who underwent cataract surgery between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2014, at the UniversityHospital Zurich, Switzerland. Results. 63 children (94 affected eyes) with bilateral (68/94) or unilateral (26/94) cataract were identified. Surgery was performed at a median age of 1.5 months (IQR: 1.3–2.6 months) for the aphakic group (45/94) and of 50.7 months (IQR: 38.0–78.4 months) for the IOL group (49/94). At the last follow-up visit (median 31.1 months, IQR: 18.4–50.2 months), visual acuity was better in bilateral than in unilateral cataract cases. Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was diagnosed in 30.9% of eyes without a significant difference in the IOL and aphakic groups (p=0.12). Aphakic glaucoma was diagnosed in 12/45 eyes at a median of 6.8 months (IQR 2.1–13.3 months) after surgery. Microcornea (5/12) and anterior segment anomalies (8/12) were associated with glaucoma development (p<0.05). Conclusion. Laterality and timing of surgery influence the outcome of pediatric cataract surgery. PCO was the most frequent postoperative complication. Aphakic glaucoma is often associated with ocular developmental abnormalities and a poor visual outcome

Corona und die Digitalisierung der universitären Lehre an der Universität Mannheim : Executive Summary zu einer Studierendenbefragung im HWS 2020/21

Die Corona-Pandemie und die Maßnahmen zu deren Eindämmung haben dazu geführt, dass die Universität Mannheim ihren Lehrbetrieb in kürzester Zeit grundlegend umstellen musste. Notgedrungen musste auf Präsenzveranstaltungen verzichtet und die Nutzung digitaler Mittel ausgebaut werden. Um Informationen über diese Umstellung zu sammeln, führte das Qualitätsmanagement der Universität Mannheim eine Befragung unter Studierenden zum HWS 2020/21 durch. Diese Befragung sollte Einblicke in die Perspektive der Studierenden geben und zeigen, wie sie die Lehre in diesem Semester bewerten

Web-based intervention for depressive symptoms in adults with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus:A health economic evaluation

Background: Web-based interventions are effective in reducing depression. However, the evidence for the cost-effectiveness of these interventions is scarce. Aims: The aim is to assess the cost-effectiveness of a web-based intervention (GET.ON M.E.D.) for individuals with diabetes and comorbid depression compared with an active control group receiving web-based psychoeducation. Method: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis with treatment response as the outcome and a cost-utility analysis with qualityadjusted life-years (QALYs) alongside a randomised controlled trial with 260 participants. Results: At a willingness-to-pay ceiling of €5000 for a treatment response, the intervention has a 97% probability of being regarded as costeffective compared with the active control group. If society is willing to pay €14 000 for an additional QALY, the intervention has a 51% probability of being cost-effective. Conclusions: This web-based intervention for individuals with diabetes and comorbid depression demonstrated a high probability of being cost-effective compared with an active control group

A abordagem da violência de gênero desde a perspectiva das comunidades do norte cordobês, Argentina

La violencia de género es una violación a los derechos humanos y un grave problema de salud pública que debe ser abordado de forma intersectorial y con un enfoque interdisciplinario. La colaboración y coordinación entre los sectores, incluido salud, es fundamental para garantizar el correcto abordaje. Los objetivos de este trabajo son: conocer qué agentes abordan la violencia de género en las comunidades, y estudiar las opiniones de las comunidades en relación al rol y al abordaje del sistema público de salud ante esta problemática. Se realizó una investigación-acción cualitativa con talleres de autodiagnóstico comunitario local, utilizando diversas técnicas cualitativas. Análisis temático. Los resultados indican que existen diversos actores locales que abordan la problemática y que la atención primaria de la salud cumple un rol relevante, principalmente debido a sus características de cercanía con la población y abordaje interdisciplinario. Los obstáculos identificados por las comunidades para el abordaje desde el sistema de salud se vinculan principalmente con el modelo biomédico de atención, la descentralización y la falta de recursos, de capacitación y de políticas integradas. En conclusión, los talleres facilitaron la construcción de un conocimiento colectivo respecto a la realidad local, donde se destaca el rol de la atención primaria de la salud y la necesidad de articular acciones y abordajes entre sectores y localidades.Gender violence is a human rights violation and a serious public health problem that should be addressed with an inter-sector and interdisciplinary focus. Collaboration and coordination between sectors, including the health sector, is essential for guaranteeing such approach. The study aimed to learn which actors address gender violence in the communities and to study the communities’ opinions concerning the public health system’s role in (and approach to) this problem. A qualitative action-research project was conducted with local community self-diagnosis workshops, using various qualitative techniques and thematic analysis. The results pointed to various local actors that address the problem and showed that primary healthcare plays a relevant role, due mainly to its proximity to the population and interdisciplinary approach. The obstacles identified by the communities for the health system approach mainly involved the biomedical model of care, decentralization, and lack of resources, training, and integrated policies. In conclusion, the workshops facilitated the development of collective knowledge on the local reality, underlining the role of primary healthcare and the need to link action and approaches between sectors and communities.A violência de gênero e uma violação dos direitos humanos e um grave problema de saúde pública que deve ser abordado de forma transversal e com uma abordagem interdisciplinar. A colaboração e coordenação entre os setores, incluída a saúde, é fundamental para garantir a correta abordagem. Os objetivos deste trabalho são: conhecer quais são os agentes que abordam a violência de gênero nas comunidades, e estudar as opiniões das comunidades em relação ao rol e à função da abordagem do sistema público de saúde perante esta problemática. Foi realizada uma pesquisa-ação qualitativa com seminários de autoteste comunitário local, utilizando diferentes técnicas qualitativas. Análise temática. Os resultados indicam que existem diversos atores locais que abordam a problemática e que a atenção primaria em saúde cumpre uma função relevante, fundamentalmente, devido as suas características de proximidade com a população e abordagem interdisciplinaria. Os obstáculos identificados pelas comunidades relacionados para a abordagem desde o sistema de saúde estavam vinculados principalmente com o modelo biomédico de atenção, a descentralização e a falta de recursos, capacitação e políticas integradas. Em conclusão, os seminários facilitaram a construção de um conhecimento coletivo ao respeito da realidade local, onde se destaca a função da atenção primária à saúde e a necessidade de articular ações e abordagens entre setores e municípios.Fil: Saletti, Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; ArgentinaFil: Ferioli, Agostina. Universidad Popular de Colonia Caroya.; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Fany Del Valle. No especifíca;Fil: Viel, Elizabeth. Dirección de Desarrollo Social. Oficina de Género; ArgentinaFil: Baudin, Victoria. Dirección de Desarrollo Social. Oficina de Género; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Paola. Dirección de Desarrollo Social. Oficina de Género; ArgentinaFil: Funk, Natalia. Hospital Municipal Santa Rita; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Ana Claudia. No especifíca;Fil: Rodríguez, Anahi. No especifíca

Wer braucht heute noch die kirchliche Presse? Zehn (Chef-)Redakteure von Tageszeitungen zu den Perspektiven der katholischen Publizistik

Die katholische Presse in Deutschland steckt in einer existenziellen Krise. Über die gegenwärtige Situation liegen zahlreiche Analysen vor, aber kaum konkrete Vorstellungen, Pläne und Initiativen zur Um- und Neugestaltung. Darum hat Communicatio Socialis Redakteure in der säkularen Tagespresse um ihre persönliche, aus der Alltagspraxis erwachsene „Meinung von draußen“ gebeten über die Fragen, ob Kirchenpresse noch eine Rolle spielt für innerkirchliche Kommunika- tion, ob sie in der Öffentlichkeit überhaupt noch wahrgenommen wird oder ob ihre Aufgaben andere, nicht-kirchliche Medien erfüllen. Aus den Statements von zehn Journalisten geht hervor, dass sie die gegenwärtige Kirchenpresse trotz zahlreicher verlegerischer und redaktioneller Bemühungen als Auslaufmodell ansehen. Ihr wird jedoch nicht nur innerkirchlich, sondern auch in der Gesellschaft noch eine Aufgabe zugemessen, wenn sie als professionelles Printmedium mit Eigengesetzlichkeit im Herausgeber-, Verleger- und Redaktionsbereich gemacht werden und sie wirtschaftlich geführt werden können. EnglishWho needs still Church press? Ten (chief) editors from daily newspapers about perspectives of the catholic journalism The German Catholic Church press is facing an essential crisis. This is proofed by many analyses but there are no plans or initiatives to change the situation. Therefore, the author asked collegues from secular newspapers whether they think that Church press is still a necessary means for communication within the Church and into society, or whether other Church owned or private new media could take over their mission, or whether secular media and new social media could cover the existing interests in Church matters. In the opinion of ten secular editors the traditional Catholic Church press is even after many publishing and editorial updatings no model for the future. In general, most of the secular journalists see still a mission for Catholic newspapers as a special means of communication within the Church and into society if they were seen and made as professional print media with autonomous laws for publishers and editors. There are doubts, however, whether Church authorities would want them this way and economic existence could be made possible.