Spiel und Sprache

Die vorliegende Diplomarbeit befasst sich mit der Bedeutung und dem Stellenwert des Spiels im Kontext des Erst- respektive Zweitspracherwerbs von Kindern im Kindergartenalter und entstand im Rahmen des interdisziplinären Forschungsprojektes „Spracherwerb und lebensweltliche Mehrsprachigkeit im Kindergarten“. Ausgehend von der Annahme, dass spielerische Aktivitäten das Sprachenlernen begünstigen, wird untersucht, welche Rolle spielerischen Aktivitäten im Rahmen des Spracherwerbs in sprachwissenschaftlichen, (sprachheil-)pädagogischen als auch populärwissenschaftlichen Publikationen zugeschrieben wird. Den forschungsmethodischen Zugang bildet eine umfassende Literaturrecherche sowie -analyse, wobei sich die Auswertung an der Qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse orientiert und zu Kategorien von Bedeutungszuschreibungen über das Spiel führt. Zudem werden Bezugnahmen zu wissenschaftlichen Theorien und Studien aufgezeigt und genannte Spielformen gesammelt.The diploma thesis in hand deals with the meaning and value of play in the context of the first respectively second language acquisition of children in kindergarden and is developed in the context of the interdisciplinary research project “Spracherwerb und lebensweltliche Mehrsprachigkeit im Kindergarten”. Based on the assumption that playful activities favour language learning it was examined, which role is attributed to play in the context of the language acquisition in linguistic, educational and popular-scientific publications. The research approach is defined by a comprehensive literature research and analysis, whereby the evaluation follows a qualitative content analysis and leads to categories of meaning attributions about play. Furthermore references to relevant scientific theories and studies are made and mentioned forms of play compiled

Quantification of paravalvular leaks associated with TAVI implants using 4D MRI in an aortic root phantom made possible by the use of 3D printing

IntroductionTranscatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an alternative to surgical replacement of the aortic valve elderly patients. However, TAVI patients may suffer from paravalvular leaks (PVL). Detecting and grading is usually done by echocardiography, but is limited by resolution, 2D visualization and operator dependency. 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising alternative, which did not reach clinical application in TAVI patients. The aim of this study was applying 3D printing technologies in order to evaluate flow patterns and hemodynamics of PVLs following TAVI, exploiting 4D flow MRI and standard ultrasound. Materials and methodsAn MR-compatible, anatomically left ventricle, aortic root, and ascending aorta model was fabricated by combining 3D-printed parts and various soft silicone materials to match physiological characteristics. An Abbott Portico (TM) valve was used in continuous antegrade flow (12-22 l/min), retrograde flow with varying transvalvular pressures (60-110 mmHg), and physiological pulsatile hemodynamics (aortic pressure: 120/80 mmHg, cardiac output: 5 l/min) Time-resolved MR measurements were performed above and below the TAVI stent and compared with color Doppler ultrasound measurements in exactly the same setup. ResultsThe continuous antegrade flow measurements from MRI largely agreed with the flowmeter measurements, and a maximum error of only 7% was observed. In the retrograde configuration, visualization of the paravalvular leaks was possible from the MR measurements, but flow was overestimated by up to 33%. The 4D MRI measurement in the pulsatile setup revealed a single main PVL, which was also confirmed by the color Doppler measurements, and velocities were similar (2.0 m/s vs. 1.7 m/s). Discussion4D MRI techniques were used to qualitatively assess flow in a patient-specific, MR-compatible and flexible model, which only became possible through the use of 3D printing techniques. Flow patterns in the ascending aorta, identification and quantification of PVLs was possible and the location and extent of PVLs were confirmed by ultrasound measurements. The 4D MRI flow technique allowed evaluation of flow patterns in the ascending aorta and the left ventricle below the TAVI stent with good results in identifying PVLs, demonstrating its capabilities over ultrasound by providing the ability to visualize the paravalvular jets in three dimensions at however, additional expenditure of time and money

Bacterial translocation occurs early in cirrhosis and triggers a selective infammatory response

Background: Experimental data suggest that bacterial translocation (BT) promotes systemic inflammation, portal hypertension, and circulatory dysfunction in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Methods: Patients with ACLD undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and absence of acute decompensation or infections were included (n = 249). Serum biomarkers of BT (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], lipoteichoic acid [LTA], bacterial DNA [bactDNA]), systemic inflammation and markers of circulatory dysfunction were assessed. T-cell subsets in intestinal biopsies (n = 7 ACLD, n = 4 controls) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Patients had a median HVPG of 18 (12-21) mmHg and 56% had decompensated ACLD. LPS (0.04 [0.02-0.06] vs. 0.64 [0.30-1.06] EU/mL), LTA (4.53 [3.58-5.97] vs. 43.2 [23.2-109] pg/mL), and detection of bactDNA (≥ 5 pg/mL; 5% vs. 41%) were markedly higher in patients with ACLD than healthy controls (n = 40; p < 0.001) but were similar between different clinical stages of compensated and decompensated ACLD and displayed no meaningful correlation with HVPG and systemic hemodynamics. TNF-α and IL-10 correlated with LPS (Spearman's rs = 0.523, p < 0.001/rs = 0.143, p = 0.024) but not with LTA. Presence of bactDNA was associated with higher LPS (0.54 [0.28-0.95] vs. 0.88 [0.32-1.31] EU/mL, p = 0.001) and TNF-α (15.3 [6.31-28.1] vs. 20.9 [13.8-32.9] pg/mL). Patients with ACLD exhibited a decreased CD4:CD8-ratio and increased TH1-cells in the intestinal mucosa as compared to controls. During a median FU of 14.7 (8.20-26.5) months, bacterial antigens did not predict decompensation or liver-related death (in contrast to HVPG, IL-6, and MAP) as well as infections at 24 months. Conclusion: BT occurs already in early ACLD stages and triggers a systemic inflammatory response via TNF-α and IL-10. Interestingly, BT markers showed no clear correlation with portal hypertension and circulatory dysfunction in patients with stable ACLD

The Non-Steroidal FXR Agonist Cilofexor Improves Portal Hypertension and Reduces Hepatic Fibrosis in a Rat NASH Model

Background: The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) influences hepatic metabolism, inflammation and liver fibrosis as key components of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We studied the effects of the non-steroidal FXR agonist cilofexor (formerly GS-9674) on portal pressure and fibrosis in experimental NASH. Methods: NASH was induced in Wistar rats using a choline-deficient high-fat diet plus intraperitoneal sodium nitrite injections. First, a dose-finding study was performed with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg of cilofexor, focusing on histological readouts. Liver fibrosis was assessed by Picro-Sirius-Red, desmin staining and hepatic hydroxyproline content. Gene expression was determined by RT-PCR. In a subsequent hemodynamic study, rats received 30 mg/kg cilofexor with or without propranolol (25 mg/kg). Portal pressure, systemic hemodynamics and splanchnic blood flow were measured. Results: Cilofexor dose-dependently induced FXR target genes shp, cyp7a1 and fgf15 in hepatic and ileal tissues, paralleled by a dose-dependent reduction in liver fibrosis area (Picro-Sirius-Red) of −41% (10 mg/kg) and −69% (30 mg/kg), respectively. The 30 mg/kg cilofexor dose significantly reduced hepatic hydroxyproline content (−41%), expression of col1a1 (−37%) and pdgfr-β (−36%), as well as desmin area (−42%) in NASH rats. Importantly, cilofexor decreased portal pressure (11.9 ± 2.1 vs. 8.9 ± 2.2 mmHg; p = 0.020) without affecting splanchnic blood-flow or systemic hemodynamics. The addition of propranolol to cilofexor additionally reduced splanchnic inflow (−28%) but also mean arterial pressure (−25%) and heart rate (−37%). Conclusion: The non-steroidal FXR agonist cilofexor decreased portal hypertension and reduced liver fibrosis in NASH rats. While cilofexor seems to primarily decrease sinusoidal resistance in cirrhotic portal hypertension, the combination with propranolol additionally reduced mesenteric hyperperfusion

Spark plasma sintering of TiyNb1-yCxN1-x monolithic ceramics obtained by mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction

Nanometer-sized titanium-niobium carbonitride powders (TiyNb1-yCxN1-x) with different Ti/Nb atomic ratios were obtained by a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction, and sintered by spark plasma sintering technique at 1500 degrees C for 1 min in a vacuum atmosphere. Mechanical properties such as hardness and Young's modulus were determined by nanoindentation technique and friction and wear coefficients assessed by ball-on-disk testing using alumina ball in dry sliding conditions. The fracture surface and wear tracks of samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that it is possible to obtain dense monolithic ceramics from the solid solution (TiyNb1-yCxN1-x) with good mechanical properties and excellent wear resistance. The optimum values of nanomechanical properties were found for the Ti0.3Nb0.7C0.5N0.5 ceramic composition, which exhibited a high hardness over 26.0 GPa and Young's modulus around 400 GPa. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors would like to thank Dr. Emilio Rayon for performing the nanoindentation analysis in the Materials Technology institute (ITM) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia and to acknowledge the financial support received from Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for FPI grant (MAT2006-01783). This work was supported by the Spanish government under grant (MAT2010-17046), which is financed in part by the European Regional Development Fund of 2007-2013. E. Chicardi was supported by CSIC through a JAE-Pre grant, which is financed in part by the European Social Fund (ESF).Borrell Tomás, MA.; Salvador Moya, MD.; Garcia-Rocha, V.; Fernandez, A.; Chicardi, E.; Gotor, FJ. (2012). Spark plasma sintering of TiyNb1-yCxN1-x monolithic ceramics obtained by mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction. Materials Science and Engineering: A. 543:173-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2012.02.071S17317954

Recent Advances in Practical Methods for Liver Cell Biology: A Short Overview

Molecular and cellular research modalities for the study of liver pathologies have been tremendously improved over the recent decades. Advanced technologies offer novel opportunities to establish cell isolation techniques with excellent purity, paving the path for 2D and 3D microscopy and high-throughput assays (e.g., bulk or single-cell RNA sequencing). The use of stem cell and organoid research will help to decipher the pathophysiology of liver diseases and the interaction between various parenchymal and non-parenchymal liver cells. Furthermore, sophisticated animal models of liver disease allow for the in vivo assessment of fibrogenesis, portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and for the preclinical testing of therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this review is to portray in detail novel in vitro and in vivo methods for the study of liver cell biology that had been presented at the workshop of the 8th meeting of the European Club for Liver Cell Biology (ECLCB-8) in October of 2018 in Bonn, Germany

Effects of Salt Stress on Three Ecologically Distinct Plantago Species

Comparative studies on the responses to salt stress of taxonomically related taxa should help to elucidate relevant mechanisms of stress tolerance in plants. We have applied this strategy to three Plantago species adapted to different natural habitats, P. crassifolia and P. coronopus both halophytes and P. major, considered as salt-sensitive since it is never found in natural saline habitats. Growth inhibition measurements in controlled salt treatments indicated, however, that P. major is quite resistant to salt stress, although less than its halophytic congeners. The contents of monovalent ions and specific osmolytes were determined in plant leaves after four-week salt treatments. Salt-treated plants of the three taxa accumulated Na+ and Cl- in response to increasing external NaCl concentrations, to a lesser extent in P. major than in the halophytes; the latter species also showed higher ion contents in the non-stressed plants. In the halophytes, K+ concentration decreased at moderate salinity levels, to increase again under high salt conditions, whereas in P. major K+ contents were reduced only above 400 mM NaCl. Sorbitol contents augmented in all plants, roughly in parallel with increasing salinity, but the relative increments and the absolute values reached did not differ much in the three taxa. On the contrary, a strong (relative) accumulation of proline in response to high salt concentrations (600 800 mM NaCl) was observed in the halophytes, but not in P. major. These results indicate that the responses to salt stress triggered specifically in the halophytes, and therefore the most relevant for tolerance in the genus Plantago are: a higher efficiency in the transport of toxic ions to the leaves, the capacity to use inorganic ions as osmotica, even under low salinity conditions, and the activation, in response to very high salt concentrations, of proline accumulation and K+ transport to the leaves of the plants.MAH was a recipient of an Erasmus Mundus pre-doctoral scholarship financed by the European Commission (Welcome Consortium). AP acknowledges the Erasmus mobility programme for funding her stay in Valencia to carry out her Master Thesis.Al Hassan, M.; Pacurar, AM.; López Gresa, MP.; Donat Torres, MDP.; Llinares Palacios, JV.; Boscaiu Neagu, MT.; Vicente Meana, Ó. (2016). Effects of Salt Stress on Three Ecologically Distinct Plantago Species. PLoS ONE. 11(8):1-21. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160236S12111

The invisible rhythm of the city

Abweichender Titel nach Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersTäglich werden unzählige Entscheidungen getroffen. Wir können jetzt, in diesem Augenblick festlegen was wir tun, wo wir hingehen oder wen wir anrufen. Es ist uns überlassen. Aber ist uns auch bewusst, dass all das, was wir heute entscheiden, mit dem Eintreten der Zukunft sichtbar wird?Wir schreiben das Jahr 2020. Ich sehe Wien, wenn ich aus dem Fenster blicke – Wien in stillen, sowie in turbulenten Momenten, mal überfüllt, mal verlassen. Bei Tag, bei Nacht, im Sommer, im Winter, im Herbst sowie im Frühling. Ich sehe Kinder die auf dem Weg zur Schule sind, Erwachsene, die in ihren Autos den Weg zur Arbeit beginnen, Pensionisten, die ihre Hunde ausführen, Postboten, Radfahrer, Polizisten. Am Morgen verlassen sie die Häuser und abends kehren alle wie gewohnt zurück. Es sind die sich immer wiederholenden Situationen, die uns ein Bild von jener Stadt zeichnen, in der wir leben. Sie geben den Rhythmus an. Doch nicht nur die für uns im Alltag sichtbaren Rhythmen sind für die Entwicklung der Städte von Bedeutung, sondern vielmehrdie unsichtbaren und manipulativen, welche ihren Ursprung bereits viel früher in der Vergangenheit finden.Unsere Städte sind die Staaten der globalisierten Zukunft. Durch die zunehmende Verstädterung, den rasant steigenden Bevölkerungszahlen und den demographischen Wandel werden unsere Städte zu den mächtigsten Akteuren unserer Zeit. Was folgt sind eine signifikante Wohnraumknappheit in den Metropolen, ein ungezügeltes Agieren des freien Marktes in allen Bereichen, ein Ringen um die Akzeptanz und die Durchsetzung neuer Technologien und ein soziales Ungleichgewicht. Doch dies ist gewiss kein neues Phänomen aus dem Jahr 2020, sondern begleitet uns spätestens seit der Zuwendung zu der Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftsordnung des Kapitalismus.Inwiefern lassen sich diese wiederkehrenden Rhythmen steuern? Wie muss eine Stadt sein, um ihrer Bevölkerung zufrieden zu stellen und wann sprechen wir von Zufriedenheit? Können gesamtheitlich zufriedenstellende Szenarien überhaupt eintreten oder würden davor alle Systeme in sich zusammenbrechen? Was macht die Stadt unserer Zukunft also wirklich aus?Decisions are made every day. It is in our responsibility to decide whether we take actions or not. The most important part of it is that these actions made in a specific moment can change our whole life. We can decide now, in this moment, what we do, where we walk or who we call. It is up to us. But are we also aware that all the decisions we make today will become visible with the arrival of the future?It is the year 2020. I see Vienna when I look out of the window - Vienna in silence, as well as in turbulent moments, sometimes crowded, sometimes deserted. By day, by night, in summer, in winter, in autumn and in spring. I see children on their way to school, adults starting their way to work in their cars, pensioners walking their dogs, letter carriers, cyclists, policemen. In the morning they leave the houses and in the evening they all return as usual. It is the recurring situations that give us a picture of the city we live in. They set the rhythm.However, it is not only the rhythms that are visible to us in our everyday life that are important for the development of cities, but rather the invisible and manipulative ones that find their origins much earlier in history.Our cities are the states of the globalized future. Due to increasing urbanization, rapidly growing populations and demographic change, our cities are becoming the most powerful players of our time. What follows is a significant shortage of living space in the metropolises, uncontrolled, free market activity in all areas, a struggle for the acceptance and implementation of new technologies and social imbalance. However, this is certainly not a new phenomenon from 2020, but has been with us at least since we turned to the economic and social order of capitalism.To what extent can these recurring rhythms be controlled? How must the city react in order to offer its population everything it needs? Can satisfactory scenarios occur at all, or would all systems collapse before then? When do we even talk about satisfaction? What exactly makes us happy? And what really makes the city of our future?20

Wahrheit und Zeit in Sprache

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Plant growth promoting bacteria: significance and application in modern agricultural production

U suvremenoj poljoprivrednoj proizvodnji neselektivna uporaba gnojiva, posebno dušičnih i fosfornih, dovela je do značajnog onečišćenja tla, vode i zraka. Uz sve veći porast svjetskog stanovništva rastu i potrebe za većom količinom hrane, što posljedično dovodi do primjene velikih količina kemijskih sredstava kojima se ubrzava i poboljšava rast i razvoj biljnih kultura. Međutim, kontinuirana primjena mineralnih gnojiva i pesticida dovela je do smanjenja plodnosti tla, njegovog oštećenja, niske poljoprivredne produktivnosti, gubitka biološke raznolikosti, nepovoljnih ekonomskih posljedica i ozbiljnih opasnosti za okoliš. Kako bi se vratila ravnoteža u ekonomski, ali i ekološki aspekt poljoprivredne proizvodnje, moguće rješenje vidljivo je u primjeni bakterija promotora biljnog rasta (PGPB- engl. Plant growt promoting bacteria). Putem raznih direktnih i indirektnih mehanizama PGPB stimuliraju biljni rast i razvitak. Najpoznatiji rodovi bakterija kao što su Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas i Rhizobium pokazali su najširi pozitivni spektar djelovanja na rast i razvoj različitih biljnih vrsta. Navedeni rodovi osiguravaju povećanu opskrbu hranjivima i vodom, povećan sadržaja klorofila, veću toleranciju na abiotički stres, povećanu asimilaciju dušika i fosfora i ukupnu biljnu biomasu.In the modern agricultural production, the non-selective use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, has led to significant soil, water and air pollution. As the world's population grows, so does the need for more food, which in turn leads to the use of large amounts of chemicals that accelerate and improve the growth and development of crops. However, the continuous application of mineral fertilizers and pesticides has led to a reduction in soil fertility, its damage, low agricultural productivity, loss of biodiversity, adverse economic consequences and serious environmental hazards. In order to restore the balance in the economical and ecological aspect of agricultural production, a possible solution is visible in the application of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). PGPBs stimulate plant growth and development through various direct and indirect mechanisms. The most well-known genera of bacteria such as Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Rhizobium have shown the widest positive spectrum of action on the growth and development of various plant species by increasing nutrient and water supply, increasing chlorophyll content, increasing tolerance to abiotic stress, increasing the assimilation of nitrogen and phosphorus and total plant biomass