Selenium-Binding Protein 1 Indicates Myocardial Stress and Risk for Adverse Outcome in Cardiac Surgery

Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) is an intracellular protein that has been detected in the circulation in response to myocardial infarction. Hypoxia and cardiac surgery affect selenoprotein expression and selenium (Se) status. For this reason, we decided to analyze circulating SELENBP1 concentrations in patients (n = 75) necessitating cardioplegia and a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during the course of the cardiac surgery. Serum samples were collected at seven time-points spanning the full surgical process. SELENBP1 was quantified by a highly sensitive newly developed immunological assay. Serum concentrations of SELENBP1 increased markedly during the intervention and showed a positive association with the duration of ischemia (ρ = 0.6, p < 0.0001). Elevated serum SELENBP1 concentrations at 1 h after arrival at the intensive care unit (post-surgery) were predictive to identify patients at risk of adverse outcome (death, bradycardia or cerebral ischemia, "endpoint 1"; OR 29.9, CI 3.3-268.8, p = 0.00027). Circulating SELENBP1 during intervention (2 min after reperfusion or 15 min after weaning from the CPB) correlated positively with an established marker of myocardial infarction (CK-MB) measured after the intervention (each with ρ = 0.5, p < 0.0001). We concluded that serum concentrations of SELENBP1 were strongly associated with cardiac arrest and the duration of myocardial ischemia already early during surgery, thereby constituting a novel and promising quantitative marker for myocardial hypoxia, with a high potential to improve diagnostics and prediction in combination with the established clinical parameters

Zielgerichteter Einsatz von Antibiotika in der Eutergesundheit von Biobetrieben - Integration von tiergesundheitlichen Erfordernissen und Biorichtlinien

The effect of dry cow recommendations on udder health of cows after calving is investigated in 10 conventional Bavarian dairy farms. Information is based on monthly somatic cell count (SCC) measurements during the last 3 months and the result of quarter milk sample bacteriology and SCC (bovicare laboratory). An udder phase was calculated for every individual cow which could be “GREEN” (normal), “YELLOW” and “ORANGE” (mostly infected cows) or “RED” (mostly cows with low cure risk). Within 7 months, 219 cows had complete data to assess the effect of dry cow means (such as antibiotic treatment, teat sealing or no therapy) on SCC after calving. Farmers followed the recommendations in 80 % of the cases. Use of non-antibiotic therapies were recommended in 53% and applied in 43% of the cases. Effects depended on udder phase prior to drying off. Proportions of “unsuspicious cows” (SCC <100k/ml) were 66%, 60% and 48% for GREEN, YELLOW and ORANGE/RED cows, respectively. Targeted dry cow therapy with antibiotics was successful compared to use of antibiotics against recommendations in cows with phases beyond GREEN. The concept of an information based udder health management connects individual cow data as a basis for adequate therapy recommendations in accordance to organic regulations

A 10 kW indirectly fired absorption heat pump : Concepts for a reversible operation

Part of: Thermally driven heat pumps for heating and cooling. – Ed.: Annett Kühn – Berlin: Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, 2013 ISBN 978-3-7983-2686-6 (print) ISBN 978-3-7983-2596-8 (online) urn:nbn:de:kobv:83-opus4-39458 [http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:83-opus4-39458]In the last decade several small and medium sized solar or waste heat driven chillers have been developed and brought to market. Nevertheless, in Central Europe where many of these chillers are installed, the required cooling period of buildings is rather short. By using them as a heat pump during winter time their operating period can be extended in order to shorten the payback period and increase the cost effectiveness, and at the same time, the benefit to the environment is increased. From a thermodynamical point of view it is possible to run a chiller also as a heat pump, but in practice there are restrictions in application due to the dependency of the driving temperature and the temperatures of heat source and heat sink. Using the example of a 10 kW H2O/LiBr absorption chiller, constraints of and demands on different possible peripheral systems (heat sources and heat sinks) for the reversible operation have been investigated. In the paper we present combinations which are favorable, and others which should be avoided from a primary energy point of view

Resilience of dynamical systems

Stability is among the most important concepts in dynamical systems. Local stability is well-studied, whereas determining how "globally stable" a nonlinear system is very challenging. Over the last few decades, many different ideas have been developed to address this issue, primarily driven by concrete applications. In particular, several disciplines suggested a web of concepts under the headline "resilience". Unfortunately, there are many different variants and explanations of resilience, and often the definitions are left relatively vague, sometimes even deliberately. Yet, to allow for a structural development of a mathematical theory of resilience that can be used across different areas, one has to ensure precise starting definitions and provide a mathematical comparison of different resilience measures. In this work, we provide a systematic review of the most relevant indicators of resilience in the context of continuous dynamical systems, grouped according to their mathematical features. The indicators are also generalized to be applicable to any attractor. These steps are important to ensure a more reliable, quantitatively comparable and reproducible study of resilience in dynamical systems. Furthermore, we also develop a new concept of resilience against certain non-autonomous perturbations to demonstrate, how one can naturally extend our framework. All the indicators are finally compared via the analysis of a classic scalar model from population dynamics to show that direct quantitative application-based comparisons are an immediate consequence of a detailed mathematical analysis.Comment: 54 pages, 18 figure

Atmosphären des Lehrens und Lernens. Annäherung an ein soziales Phänomen

In dem Beitrag zeigt sich, dass die Lernatmosphäre ein Beziehungsphänomen in Bildungs- und Lernprozessen ist. Dabei wird deutlich, dass der Lernort der zentrale Bezugspunkt für die so kreierten Stimmungsräume ist. Diese Räume können von den beteiligten Akteuren gestaltet werden und wirken sich auf emotionale Muster aus, die wiederum Schneisen schlagen für nachfolgende lebensbegleitende Lernprozesse. (DIPF/Orig.

School as a space for teams. Finding a common ground between architecture and pedagogy

In den letzten Jahren hat im Schulbau ein Paradigmenwechsel stattgefunden, dessen Anfänge bis in die 1960er-Jahre zurückreichen. Cluster- und Großraumstrukturen lösen dabei das bisherige System von Gang und Klassenraum ab, wobei Flexibilität, Inklusion, Clusterung und Vernetzung die wesentlichen Kriterien sind. Die unmittelbare Wirksamkeit des neuen Paradigmas auf den Lernerfolg ist bisher allerdings durch keine Studien nachgewiesen. Metastudien wie „Visible Learning“ lassen Rückschlüsse auf indirekte Wirkungen zu, die sich aus der Idee der „collaborative expertise“ als entscheidendem Faktor ergeben. Für einen nachhaltigen Erfolg des neuen Paradigmas gibt es zwei wichtige Voraussetzungen: die partizipatorische Einbindung der Nutzer*innen in den Planungsprozess sowie eine pädagogische Ausbildung, die auf das Arbeiten in innovativen Lernumgebungen vorbereitet. (DIPF/Orig.)In recent years, a paradigm shift has taken place in school architecture, the beginnings of which date back to the 1960s. Cluster and open-plan structures are replacing the previous system of corridors and classrooms, with flexibility, inclusion, clustering and networking identified as key criteria. However, the direct effectiveness of the new paradigm on learning outcomes has not yet been demonstrated by any studies. Meta-studies such as “Visible Learning” allow conclusions to be drawn about indirect effects resulting from the idea of “collaborative expertise” as a decisive factor. There are two important prerequisites for sustainable success of the new paradigm: participatory involvement of users in the planning process and pedagogical training that prepares them for working in innovative learning environments. (DIPF/Orig.