Wirkungen hoher Schwefelgaben auf Mineralstoffgehalte, Proteinfraktionen und Kleberqualität von Weizen aus biologisch-dynamischem Anbau

In der vorgestellten Arbeit sollte geprüft werden, ob hohe Schwefel-Gaben den Dehnwiderstand des Klebers weiter verringern und welche Auswirkungen diese auf die Proteinfraktionen ausüben. Gleichzeitig sollte ein Beitrag zur Schwefel-Ernährung von Weizen unter biologisch-dynamischen Anbauverhältnissen geleistet werden. Auf einem Winterweizenschlag (Sorte Bussard) eines biologisch-dynamisch wirt­schaftenden Betriebes (Dottenfelderhof, Bad Vilbel) wurde 1998 zu Vegetationsbe­ginn ein Schwefeldüngungsversuch (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 kg S/ha als Kalimagnesia) angelegt. - Erträge, Stickstoff-, Schwefel-, Kalium- und Magnesium-Gehalte des Korns unter­schieden sich nicht. - Dagegen wurden die S-Gehalte des Strohs schon ab einer Gabe von 50 kg S/ha signifikant erhöht. - Ab Mengen von 200 kg S/ha ergaben sich signifikant niedrigere Gehalte HMW-Glutenin sowie Dehnwiderstände des Klebers. - Dagegen waren in der RP-HPLC-Analyse des Endospermmehls keine Unter­schiede erkennbar. Die Ergebnisse dieses Versuchs sind deshalb so bedeutsam, weil sie die Abhän­gigkeit der Proteinstruktur des Weizens im Zusammenhang mit der Schwefelversor­gung in folgender Weise bestätigen: Während bekannt ist, dass Schwefel-Mangel feste Kleber bzw. Teige induziert, werden die Kleber unter dem Einfluss hoher Schwefel-Gaben (im Überschuss) wei­cher. Aus solchen Phänomenen konnte dann ein weiterer Aspekt des Leitbildes für die Züchtung von Weizensorten für den biologisch-dynamischen Anbau entwickelt werden: - weichere Kleber - höhere Gehalte an Albuminen und Globulinen - gute Proteingehalte (bei akzeptablen Erträgen) durch verbesserte Nährstoffauf­nahme (bessere Durchwurzelung

Using answer set programming to integrate RNA expression with signalling pathway information to infer how mutations affect ageing.

A challenge of systems biology is to integrate incomplete knowledge on pathways with existing experimental data sets and relate these to measured phenotypes. Research on ageing often generates such incomplete data, creating difficulties in integrating RNA expression with information about biological processes and the phenotypes of ageing, including longevity. Here, we develop a logic-based method that employs Answer Set Programming, and use it to infer signalling effects of genetic perturbations, based on a model of the insulin signalling pathway. We apply our method to RNA expression data from Drosophila mutants in the insulin pathway that alter lifespan, in a foxo dependent fashion. We use this information to deduce how the pathway influences lifespan in the mutant animals. We also develop a method for inferring the largest common sub-paths within each of our signalling predictions. Our comparisons reveal consistent homeostatic mechanisms across both long- and short-lived mutants. The transcriptional changes observed in each mutation usually provide negative feedback to signalling predicted for that mutation. We also identify an S6K-mediated feedback in two long-lived mutants that suggests a crosstalk between these pathways in mutants of the insulin pathway, in vivo. By formulating the problem as a logic-based theory in a qualitative fashion, we are able to use the efficient search facilities of Answer Set Programming, allowing us to explore larger pathways, combine molecular changes with pathways and phenotype and infer effects on signalling in in vivo, whole-organism, mutants, where direct signalling stimulation assays are difficult to perform. Our methods are available in the web-service NetEffects: http://www.ebi.ac.uk/thornton-srv/software/NetEffects

An Impacting Descent Probe for Europa and the other Galilean Moons of Jupiter

We present a study of an impacting descent probe that increases the science return of spacecraft orbiting or passing an atmosphere-less planetary body of the solar system, such as the Galilean moons of Jupiter. The descent probe is a carry-on small spacecraft (< 100 kg), to be deployed by the mother spacecraft, that brings itself onto a collisional trajectory with the targeted planetary body in a simple manner. A possible science payload includes instruments for surface imaging, characterisation of the neutral exosphere, and magnetic field and plasma measurement near the target body down to very low-altitudes (~1 km), during the probe's fast (~km/s) descent to the surface until impact. The science goals and the concept of operation are discussed with particular reference to Europa, including options for flying through water plumes and after-impact retrieval of very-low altitude science data. All in all, it is demonstrated how the descent probe has the potential to provide a high science return to a mission at a low extra level of complexity, engineering effort, and risk. This study builds upon earlier studies for a Callisto Descent Probe (CDP) for the former Europa-Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) of ESA and NASA, and extends them with a detailed assessment of a descent probe designed to be an additional science payload for the NASA Europa Mission.Comment: 34 pages, 11 figure

Iatrogenic nerve injury in primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION Iatrogenic nerve injury in orthopedic surgery can impair functional outcomes. During the last years, a steady increase in the number of performed reverse total shoulder arthroplasties has been reported and complications associated with this procedure are continuously described. Neurological complications, however, remain underreported. The aims of this study were to calculate the incidence of iatrogenic nerve injury after primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in a large patient cohort, as well as identify associated patient-and surgery-related risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of our institution's internal Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (RTSA) database from September 2005 to December 2019 was undertaken and 34 patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries were identified, resulting in a neurological complication rate of 2.6%. Group comparisons between patients with nerve injuries (n = 34) and the remaining cohort without nerve injuries (n = 1275) were performed to identify patient- and surgery-related risk factors. RESULTS Of the 34 cases with iatrogenic nerve injury, damage to terminal nerve branches occurred in 21 patients, whereas a brachial plexus lesion was diagnosed in the other 13. Nerve revision surgery was necessary in four patients. At final follow-up 13 patients (45%) had residual motor deficits and 17 (59%) had residual sensory deficits. Higher numbers of previous surgeries of the affected shoulder correlated with subsequent nerve injury (p = 0.035). Operative time was significantly longer in patients, who developed a neurologic deficit, showing a correlation between duration of surgery and occurrence of nerve injury (p = 0.013). Patients with neurologic complications were significantly younger than patients without nerve damage (median 68 vs. 72 years, p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS In specialists' hands reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is a rather safe procedure regarding the risk of neurologic injury. However, multiple previous surgeries of the affected shoulder increase the risk of neurological complications. Cases with post-operative neurologic compromise are rare and usually recover well, with few patients suffering long-term functional deficits from iatrogenic nerve injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective cohort study

Investigating short-time-scale variations in cometary ions around comet 67P

The highly varying plasma environment around comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko inspired an upgrade of the ion mass spectrometer (Rosetta Plasma Consortium Ion Composition Analyzer) with new operation modes, to enable high time resolution measurements of cometary ions. Two modes were implemented, one having a 4 s time resolution in the energy range 0.3–82 eV/q and the other featuring a 1 s time resolution in the energy range 13–50 eV/q. Comparing measurements made with the two modes, it was concluded that 4 s time resolution is enough to capture most of the fast changes of the cometary ion environment. The 1462 h of observations done with the 4 s mode were divided into hour-long sequences. It is possible to sort 84 per cent of these sequences into one of five categories, depending on their appearance in an energy–time spectrogram. The ion environment is generally highly dynamic, and variations in ion fluxes and energies are seen on time-scales of 10 s to several minutes

POINT CLOUD DATASET AND FEM FOR A COMPLEX GEOMETRY: THE SAN LUZI BELL TOWER CASE STUDY

Detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of heritage objects is crucial for different purposes, such as analysis, preservation and maintenance, among others. Geomatics techniques allow acquiring complex and comprehensive information about geometry and current conditions of the surveyed objects in a short time, which is a great advantage for documentation and historical archives. The reconstruction of three-dimensional models is often performed using either image-based techniques, mainly Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP), including Structure from Motion approaches (SfM), or range-based techniques, such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). These approaches have been widely applied in the field of Cultural Heritage to support multidisciplinary studies, from simple documentation to the monitoring of historical buildings, in restoration works or for structural analysis checks.The present paper aims at exploring the potential contribution of Geomatics to Structural Engineering, by investigating capabilities and advantages of TLS for a vertical structure. The experiments presented herein were carried out in a notable case study, the San Luzi church, located in Zuoz (Switzerland) in the Upper Engadin. Its bell tower is about 60&thinsp;m high and is equipped with four bells. Strong vibrations caused by the ringing of the bells have been observed in the past, and a structural model was desired to enable numerical evaluations of the response of the tower to various load situations by FEM.</p