Political mobilisation through public deliberation

In this master thesis I am integrating ideas on the mobilisation of political engagement with the concept of deliberative democracy to enhance the practical applicability of public deliberation in contexts such as environmental advocacy campaigns. I explore the degree to which environmental campaigns of three German environmental NGOs use public deliberation in order to bring about a more active citizenship and produce political pressure for progressive policy change

Der Erfolg des schwedischen Musikexportes:eine vergleichende Studie zum Export und zur Geschichte der populären Musik Schwedens und Deutschlands

Schweden gilt als drittgrößter Musikexporteur der Welt. Die interdisziplinäre Arbeit befasst sich mit den Gründen für diesen außergewöhnlichen Erfolg. Mithilfe einer vergleichenden Studie zum Musikexport und zur Geschichte der populären Musik Schwedens und Deutschlands sowie einer Fragebogenuntersuchung soll die Frage nach den Gründen für den Musikexporterfolg beantwortet werden. Die Dissertation setzt sich zum Ziel, aufzuschlüsseln, wie es zum Erfolg des schwedischen Musikexportes kam, wie groß dieser Erfolg ist und welche Auswirkungen die Tatsache hat, dass sich Schweden seit den 90er Jahren einen Namen als drittgrößter Musikexporteur der Welt gemacht hat. Die schwedische Musikgeschichte und das schwedische Musikexportphänomen werden in dieser Arbeit in Kontrast zu dem Vergleichsland Deutschland gesetzt. Ziel ist es, zu erforschen, welche Faktoren eine Rolle für den Musikexporterfolg spielen und wie die Länder ihren Musikexport steigern können

Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout Solar Sail Implementation

The Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout mission is an innovative CubeSat concept manifested on Space Launch System (SLS) Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), the first planned flight of the SLS and second uncrewed test flight of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. This paper will focus on mission elements involved in the implementation of a solar sail on a deep space CubeSat mission and will leverage component and subsystem test and analysis results. Spacecraft configuration dependencies and constraints will be addressed including the manipulation of the spacecraft center-of-mass and center-of-pressure relationship through a new enabling technology, the Active Mass Translator (AMT). Prediction of the resulting propulsive solar sail characteristics through thrust model development and associated impacts on mission design and trajectory resiliency will also be included. Subsequent to these inputs, imposed power and telecommunication constraints and overall impacts on the mission ConOps will be outlined. Breadboard and engineering development unit test results will be presented in the context of these system-level dependencies to provide developmental lessons learned and address competing spacecraft needs. The 6U solar sail-propelled CubeSat will address human exploration-focused Strategic Knowledge Gaps. NEA Scout will perform a close and slow rendezvous to provide the first imagery and characterization of a NEA in them² solar sail to serve as the primary means of propulsion to the NEA providing a ΔV up to two kilometers per second, a magnitude currently impossible to meet with other high technology readiness level CubeSat-sized propulsion systems. Momentum exchange between the Sun\u27s photons and the solar sail membrane provides the means necessary to perform a long duration deep space cruise and perform a NEA rendezvous at(resource utilization, planetary defense, human operations, and science) and paves the way for future multi-spacecraft exploration of NEAs. Using an optical imaging payload, NEA Scout will characterize the morphology, rotational and orbital properties, volume, color type and meteoritic classification, as well as the dust/debris environment of the target. NEA Scout is funded through NASA\u27s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate\u27s Advanced Exploration Systems program and is under joint development by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The missions leverage technologies and experience gained from JPL\u27s deep-space CubeSat developments (Interplanetary Nano-Spacecraft Pathfinder In Relevant Environment (INSPIRE) and Mars Cube One (MarCO)) and MSFC\u27s NanoSail-D2, the first CubeSat mission to deploy a solar sail

Inhibition of the glucocorticoid‐activating enzyme 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 drives concurrent 11‐oxygenated androgen excess

Aldo‐keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a key enzyme in the activation of both classic and 11‐oxygenated androgens. In adipose tissue, AKR1C3 is co‐expressed with 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1), which catalyzes not only the local activation of glucocorticoids but also the inactivation of 11‐oxygenated androgens, and thus has the potential to counteract AKR1C3. Using a combination of in vitro assays and in silico modeling we show that HSD11B1 attenuates the biosynthesis of the potent 11‐oxygenated androgen, 11‐ketotestosterone (11KT), by AKR1C3. Employing ex vivo incubations of human female adipose tissue samples we show that inhibition of HSD11B1 results in the increased peripheral biosynthesis of 11KT. Moreover, circulating 11KT increased 2–3 fold in individuals with type 2 diabetes after receiving the selective oral HSD11B1 inhibitor AZD4017 for 35 days, thus confirming that HSD11B1 inhibition results in systemic increases in 11KT concentrations. Our findings show that HSD11B1 protects against excess 11KT production by adipose tissue, a finding of particular significance when considering the evidence for adverse metabolic effects of androgens in women. Therefore, when targeting glucocorticoid activation by HSD11B1 inhibitor treatment in women, the consequently increased generation of 11KT may offset beneficial effects of decreased glucocorticoid activation

Association of Spermatogenic Failure with the b2/b3 Partial AZFc Deletion

Infertility affects around 1 in 10 men and in most cases the cause is unknown. The Y chromosome plays an important role in spermatogenesis and specific deletions of this chromosome, the AZF deletions, are associated with spermatogenic failure. Recently partial AZF deletions have been described but their association with spermatogenic failure is unclear. Here we screened a total of 339 men with idiopathic spermatogenic failure, and 256 normozoospermic ancestry-matched men for chromosome microdeletions including AZFa, AZFb, AZFc, and the AZFc partial deletions (gr/gr, b1/b3 and b2/b3)

The AZFc region of the Y chromosome: at the crossroads between genetic diversity and male infertility

BACKGROUND: The three azoospermia factor (AZF) regions of the Y chromosome represent genomic niches for spermatogenesis genes. Yet, the most distal region, AZFc, is a major generator of large-scale variation in the human genome. Determining to what extent this variability affects spermatogenesis is a highly contentious topic in human reproduction. METHODS: In this review, an extensive characterization of the molecular mechanisms responsible for AZFc genotypical variation is undertaken. Such data are complemented with the assessment of the clinical consequences for male fertility imputable to the different AZFc variants. For this, a critical re-evaluation of 23 association studies was performed in order to extract unifying conclusions by curtailing methodological heterogeneities. RESULTS: Intrachromosomal homologous recombination mechanisms, either crossover or non-crossover based, are the main drivers for AZFc genetic diversity. In particular, rearrangements affecting gene dosage are the most likely to introduce phenotypical disruptions in the spermatogenic profile. In the specific cases of partial AZFc deletions, both the actual existence and the severity of the spermatogenic defect are dependent on the evolutionary background of the Y chromosome. CONCLUSIONS: AZFc is one of the most genetically dynamic regions in the human genome. This property may serve as counter against the genetic degeneracy associated with the lack of a meiotic partner. However, such strategy comes at a price: some rearrangements represent a risk factor or a de-facto causative agent of spermatogenic disruption. Interestingly, this precarious balance is modulated, among other yet unknown factors, by the evolutionary history of the Y chromosome

Design and development of a modular and reusable CubeSat bus

In the past decade, CubeSats have started a new chapter in space exploration and research. CubeSats present university students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in designing and flying satellites. Advancements in technology have allowed more powerful electronics to fit within the CubeSat constraints and launch providers are willing to launch these spacecraft as secondary payloads. With new advancements in technology and flight heritage, CubeSats are becoming a valuable research tool for NASA, the NSF, and many other institutions. Beyond the standard size, mass, and testing requirements, there are few similarities between CubeSats developed at different institutions; the structures are often uniquely designed and the software is written to be functional for the current mission. Now, as small satellites become more accepted and useful to the scientific community, there is an increased need to create a reusable and modular satellite support bus for a third party payload. Science customers can develop their own instruments, integrate into a working satellite through simple software and hardware interfaces, and gain access to space. This thesis is focused on the research conducted for the University of Texas at Austin Satellite Design Laboratory’s current ARMADILLO and Bevo-2 CubeSat projects. Though the missions for these two satellites are very different, both satellites benefit from the same research around a common hardware and software bus design. Both the structure and software research is inspired by modularity. Hardware is grouped into modules and included within a ‘wall shell’. All of the modules, including a designated payload module, are easily connected by ‘section connectors’ to create a functioning satellite. The flight software ‘Hookem’ also creates modules of code for each subsystem. This ‘Interface Object Software’ gives the Command and Data Handling subsystem full access to the subsystem software functions the satellite can execute in its mission. Both the structure and software modules can be changed out as hardware or mission objectives change for future projects or to support a payload. The Satellite Design Laboratory has a rich history in designing, building, and operating small satellites. Because the lifespan of small satellite projects are only a few years, the Lab has recognized the challenges of transferring knowledge and work between missions. The target of this research is to create a modular and reusable bus design that reduces the non-recurring engineering time and costs of starting new satellite projects. With careful future planning, the structure and software for a small satellite bus can be designed and developed to benefit future missions. The ultimate goal is to create a capable satellite to support nearly any customer’s needs.Aerospace EngineeringEngineering Mechanic

Design and characterization of a printed spacecraft cold gas thruster for attitude control

textA three-rotational degree of freedom attitude control system has been developed for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s INSPIRE Project by the Texas Spacecraft Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin. Using 3D plastic printing manufacturing techniques, a cold gas thruster system was created in order to detumble and maintain the attitude of two 3U CubeSats traveling through interplanetary space. A total of four thruster units were produced, including two engineering designs and two flight units. The units feature embedded sensors and millisecond level thrust control while using an inert, commercially-available refrigerant as a propellant. The thrust, minimum impulse bit, and specific impulse performance of the cold gas units was characterized using a ballistic pendulum test stand within a microtorr vacuum chamber. A heating element was used to change the temperature conditions of the propellant and determine the relationship between temperature and performance. The flight units were delivered in January of 2014 and the INSPIRE satellites are expected to launch in the upcoming year.Aerospace Engineerin

Production of hardwood and softwood-based wood fibre insulation materials with a focus on fibre characterisation and the determination of physical, mechanical and biological properties

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit bestand in der Untersuchung des Einsatzes von Laubholzfasern für die Herstellung von Holzfaserdämmstoffen (HFDS), um vor dem Hintergrund des ökologischen Waldumbaus und der aktuellen Problematik und Regression der Nadelholzmonokulturen eine breitere Rohstoffpalette zur Verfügung stellen zu können. Für die Bearbeitung der Zielstellung wurden zunächst verschiedene Laubholzfasern, Mischungen dieser mit Nadelholzfasern sowie letztere in Reinform als Referenzmaterial mit Hilfe eines scannerbasierten Systems charakterisiert und analysiert. Die Analyse hatte zum Ergebnis, dass Laubholzfasern kürzer sind als jene des Nadelholzes und zudem deutlich mehr Staubpartikel enthalten. Die Fasermischungen mit einem Nadelholzanteil von mindestens 50 % ergaben eine Faserlängenverteilung zwischen denen des Reinmaterials aus Laub- bzw. Nadelholz. Daraus ließ sich zunächst schlussfolgern, dass sich reine Laubholzfasern möglicherweise nicht für den Einsatz in HFDS eignen und Fasermischungen mit einem minimalen Nadelholzanteil von 50 % zu empfehlen sind. Im weiteren Verlauf dieser Arbeit sind aus den zuvor charakterisierten Fasern HFDS im Labormaßstab produziert worden, welche auf ihre physikalischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften, sowie auf ihre Brennbarkeit getestet wurden. Die Eigenschaftscharakterisierung führte zum Ergebnis, dass sich die Fasern verschiedener Laubbaumarten unterschiedlich gut für die Herstellung von HFDS eignen. Es zeigten sich für die verschiedenen Baumarten individuelle Eigenschaften. So wies Dämmstoffmaterial aus Erlenfasern ein sehr hohes Wasseraufnahmepotential auf, wohingegen bei solchem aus Eichenfasern gefertigtem eine erhöhte Wärmeleitfähigkeit festgestellt werden konnte. Bei HFDS aus Birkenfasern waren die mechanischen Festigkeiten reduziert. Die besten Ergebnisse erzielten HFDS aus Buchenfasern, welche vergleichbare Eigenschaften zu auf Nadelholz basierten HFDS aufwiesen. Auch HFDS aus Mischmaterial mit einem Nadelholzanteil von mindestens 20 % zeigten vergleichbare Eigenschaften zu HFDS aus Nadelholzfasern. Abschließend wurde die Anfälligkeit von HFDS auf Laubholzbasis gegenüber Schimmelpilzen geprüft, wofür verschiedene Fasermischungen sowie Nadelholzfasern getestet wurden. Mit steigendem Laubholzanteil stieg auch die Anfälligkeit gegenüber Schimmelpilzen. Zusammenfassend konnte im Zuge der Untersuchungen gezeigt werden, dass HFDS aus Laubholzfasern hergestellt werden können. Um vergleichbare Eigenschaften zu solchen aus Nadelholzfasern zu erzielen, wird der Einsatz von Buchenfasern oder Mischmaterial mit einem Nadelholzanteil von mindestens 20 % empfohlen.The objective of this work was to investigate the use of hardwood fibres for the production of wood fibre insulation materials in order to provide a broader range of raw materials against the background of ecological forest conversion and the current problems and regression of softwood monocultures. In order to work on the objective, different hardwood fibres, blends of hardwood and softwood fibres and, as a reference, softwood fibres were first characterised and analysed with the help of a scanner-based system. It was found that the hardwood fibres are shorter than the softwood fibres and contain distinctly more dust particles. The fibre blends with at least 50 % softwood fibres showed a fibre length distribution between that of the pure hardwood and softwood fibres. It was concluded that pure hardwood fibres were unlikely to be suitable for use in wood fibre insulation materials and fibre blends with a minimum of 50 % softwood fibres were recommended. In the further course of this work, wood fibre insulating materials were then produced on a laboratory scale from the previously characterised fibres and have been tested for their physical and mechanical properties, as well as for their flammability. It was found that the fibres of different hardwood tree species are differently suitable for the production of wood fibre insulating materials. Individual properties were found for the different tree species. For example, wood fibre insulating materials made from alder fibres have a very high water absorption potential. Wood fibre insulating materials made from oak fibres have an increased thermal conductivity, while those made from birch fibres have a reduced mechanical strength. The best results were achieved with wood fibre insulating materials made from beech fibres, which have comparable properties to wood fibre insulating materials made from softwood fibres. Wood fibre insulating materials made from fibre blends with a content of at least 20 % softwood fibres also show comparable properties to wood fibre insulating materials made from softwood fibres. Finally, the susceptibility of hardwood-based wood fibre insulation materials to mould fungi was tested. For this purpose, different fibre blends and softwood fibres were tested. With increasing hardwood content, the susceptibility to mould fungi also increased. In summary, it could be shown in the course of the investigations that wood fibre insulation materials can be produced from hardwood fibres. In order to achieve comparable properties to those out of softwood fibres, the use of beech fibres or fibre blends with a proportion of at least 20 % softwood fibres is recommended.2022-10-2