Feldvögel im Kreis Höxter (NRW) – Habitatnutzung und Auswirkungen des Anbaus nachwachsender Rohstoffe auf die Avifauna

Durch die politisch beschlossene Energiewende wird zunehmend auf einen Energiemix aus erneuerbaren Energien gesetzt. In der Kulturlandschaft spiegelt sich der in den letzten Jahren gestiegene Anteil erneuerbarer Energien an der Versorgung der Bundesrepublik deutlich wider. Neben Windkraft- und Photovoltaikanlagen ist dabei vor allem der steigende Anteil an Biogasanlagen auffällig. Wurden 2007 im Kreis Höxter 13 Anlagen betrieben, so ist ihre Zahl im Jahr 2010 bereits auf 33 gestiegen (Bioenergie- Region Kulturland Kreis Höxter, schriftl. 2011). Diese dem Bundestrend entsprechende Entwicklung ist mit einer deutlichen Zunahme von Maisund Rapskulturen verbunden. Die auf diesen Flächen erzielte Ernte wird zum größten Teil einer energetischen Nutzung zugeführt. Insgesamt stieg die Anbaufläche für nachwachsende Rohstoffe in Deutschland zwischen 1993 und 2007 von 200.000 ha auf annähernd 1,6 Mio. ha, was einem Anteil von 13 % an der Gesamtackerfläche des Landes entspricht (MENGEL et al. 2010). Im Kreis Höxter wurden im Jahr 2010 10,7 % der Ackerflächen für den Anbau von Biomasse genutzt (LWK NRW 2011). Die Entwicklung des Bioenergiesektors lässt sich an der Steigerung des Flächenanteils für Maisund Rapskulturen verfolgen. So nahm dieser in den letzten 15 Jahren im Kreis Höxter deutlich zu. Allein von 1995 bis 2007 erhöhte sich der Flächenanteil von 14,6 auf 20,7 % (vgl. Abb.1). Diese Entwicklung ist als gesamteuropäischer Trend zu sehen (CHAMBERLAIN et al. 2000). Generell hat sich die Tendenz zu Energiepflanzenkulturen in den vergangenen Jahren verstärkt (FLADE et al. 2008). Die Beschränkung auf wenige, intensiv genutzte Feldfruchtarten führte und führt zu einem gebietsweise starken Verlust an Biodiversität (BAUMANN et al. 2007; UBA 2011; WIERSBINSKI et al. 2007). Die gestiegene Nachfrage an Flächen für Energiepflanzen hatte eine vermehrte Umwandlung von Stilllegungsflächen in Mais- und Rapsfelder zur Folge (JOEST 2008, ILLNER 2007). Die bis 2007 auf diesen Flächen durchgesetzte verpflichtende Stilllegung wurde im Zuge des Rohstoffanbaus für erneuerbare Energien im Jahr 2009 endgültig abgeschafft. Auch eine obligatorische Stilllegung von Flächen wird seit diesem Zeitpunkt nicht mehr finanziell unterstützt (LANDWIRTSCHAFTSKAMMER NRW 2011). Dieser Trend wirkt sich besonders negativ auf die Bestandstrends vieler Vogelarten aus (FLADE et al. 2008). So konnte beispielsweise in der Hellwegbörde eine rückläufige Brutbestandsentwicklung der Wiesenweihe im Zuge des Umbruchs von Brachflächen festgestellt werden (JOEST 2008). Auch die Entwicklung der Grauammerbestände lässt sich direkt an der Verfügbarkeit von Brachflächen messen (DZIEWIATY & BERNARDY 2007). Seit dem Jahr 2010 wird der Kreis Höxter als Bioenergieregion gefördert (BMELV). Das Fachgebiet Landschaftsökologie und Naturschutz der Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe am Standort Höxter (Leiter: Prof. Dr. Ulrich RIEDL) wurde vom Kreis Höxter mit Begleitforschungen zu den Auswirkungen des Biomasseanbaus auf die landschaftliche und biologische Vielfalt im Kulturland Kreis Höxter beauftragt. Die hier dargestellten Daten zur Habitatnutzung und Siedlungsdichte für die Avifauna sind Ergebnisse dieser Begleitforschungen, die in den Jahren 2010 und 2011 durchgeführt wurden. Dabei wurden hauptsächlich die Vogelarten der offenen Feldfluren – die so genannten Feldvögel (vgl. HÖTKER 2004) – betrachtet

Monitoring pattern formation in drying and wetting dispersions of gold nanoparticles by ESEM

We report an investigation of the self-assembly of patterns from functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) by monitoring the process in situ by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) during both evaporation and condensation of the dispersant. As this method limits the choice of dispersants to water, GNPs functionalized with hydrophilic thiol ligands, containing poly(ethylene)glycol (PEG) groups, were used on a variety of substrates including pre-patterned ones. Particular emphasis was given to early stage deposition of GNPs, as well as redispersion and lift-off upon condensation of water droplets. ESEM presents a unique opportunity of directly imaging such events in situ. It was found that attractive interactions between the substrate and the GNPs are often stronger than expected once the particles have been deposited. The role of nickel perchlorate as a highly water-soluble additive was studied. It was found that entropically driven deposition of particles and decoration of surface features was enhanced in its presence, as expected.</p

Application of Fourier Analysis of Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Color-Induced Long-Term Potentiation: A Novel Functional PET Spectroscopy (<em>f</em>PETS) Study in Mice

Fourier time-series analysis could be used to segregate changes in the ventral and dorsal streams of the visual system in male and female mice. Color memory processes of long-term potentiation and long-term depression could be identified through spectral analysis. We used small animal positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) to measure the accumulation of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) in the mouse brain during light stimulation with blue and yellow filters compared to darkness condition. The mean standardized uptake values (SUV) of [18F]FDG for each stimulus condition was analyzed using standard Fourier analysis software to derive spectral density estimates for each condition. Spectral peaks were identified as originating from the subcortical region (S-peak) by subcortical long-term potentiation (SLTP) or depression (SLTD), and originating from the cortical region (C-peak) by cortical long-term potentiation (CLTP) or depression (CLTD). Luminance opponency occurred at S-peak by SLTP in the dorsal stream in the left visual cortex in male mice. On the other hand, chromatic opponency occurred by wavelength-differencing at C-peak by CLTP in the cortico-subcortical pathways in the ventral stream in the left visual cortex in male mice. In contrast in female mice, during luminance processing, there was resonance phenomenon at C-peak in the ventral stream in the right visual cortex. Chromatic opponency occurred at S-peak by SLTP in the dorsal stream in the right visual cortex in female mice. Application of Fourier analysis improved spatial and temporal resolutions of conventional fPET/MRI methods. Computation of color processing as a conscious experience has wide range applications in neuroscience and artificial intelligence

Site-Specific Modification of Gold Nanoparticles by Underpotential Deposition of Cadmium Atoms

Underpotential deposition (UPD) of cadmium on 15 nm gold nanoparticles stabilized by 1-mercapto-undecane-11-tetra(ethylene glycol) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Particles are adsorbed to a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). It is shown that single cadmium atoms are deposited onto the same surface sites that are active for adsorptive hydrogen reduction when cadmium is absent. Depending on the solution pH, the deposition of cadmium atoms either blocks hydrogen reduction or vice versa, depending on which process occurs first during the cathodic potential sweep. Another remarkable finding is that single cadmium atoms UPD-deposited are also active for adsorptive hydrogen reduction. The use of CV to interrogate surface protected nanoparticles adsorbed on a HMDE represents a powerful method to study the electrocatalytic activity.Fil: Brust, Mathias. University of Liverpool; Reino UnidoFil: Ramírez, Silvana A.. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento; ArgentinaFil: Gordillo, Gabriel Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentin

SuSy-EnGaD: Surveillance System Enhanced by Games of Drones

In this article, we propose SuSy-EnGaD, a surveillance system enhanced by games of drones. We propose three different approaches to optimise a swarm of UAVs for improving intruder detection, two of them featuring a multi-objective optimisation approach, while the third approach relates to the evolutionary game theory where three different strategies based on games are proposed. We test our system on four different case studies, analyse the results presented as Pareto fronts in terms of flying time and area coverage, and compare them with the single-objective optimisation results from games. Finally, an analysis of the UAVs trajectories is performed to help understand the results achieved

Spatial Analysis of Metal-PLGA Hybrid Microstructures Using 3D SERS Imaging

The incorporation of gold nanoparticles in biodegradable polymeric nanostructures with controlled shape and size is of interest toward different applications in nanomedicine. Properties of the polymer such as drug loading and antibody functionalization can be combined with the plasmonic properties of gold nanoparticles, to yield advanced hybrid materials. This study presents a new way to synthesize multicompartmental microgels, fibers, or cylinders, with embedded anisotropic gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles dispersed in an organic solvent can be embedded within the poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix of polymeric microstructures, when prepared via electrohydrodynamic co‐jetting. Prior functionalization of the plasmonic nanoparticles with Raman active molecules allows for imaging of the nanocomposites by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy, thereby revealing nanoparticle distribution and photostability. These exceptionally stable hybrid materials, when used in combination with 3D SERS microscopy, offer new opportunities for bioimaging, in particular when long‐term monitoring is required

Sigma-1 Receptor Positron Emission Tomography: A New Molecular Imaging Approach Using (S)-(−)-[18F]Fluspidine in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most devastating primary brain tumour characterised by infiltrative growth and resistance to therapies. According to recent research, the sigma-1 receptor (sig1R), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, is involved in signaling pathways assumed to control the proliferation of cancer cells and thus could serve as candidate for molecular characterisation of GBM. To test this hypothesis, we used the clinically applied sig1R-ligand (S)-(−)-[18F]fluspidine in imaging studies in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM (U87-MG) as well as in human GBM tissue. A tumour-specific overexpression of sig1R in the U87-MG model was revealed in vitro by autoradiography. The binding parameters demonstrated target-selective binding according to identical KD values in the tumour area and the contralateral side, but a higher density of sig1R in the tumour. Different kinetic profiles were observed in both areas, with a slower washout in the tumour tissue compared to the contralateral side. The translational relevance of sig1R imaging in oncology is reflected by the autoradiographic detection of tumour-specific expression of sig1R in samples obtained from patients with glioblastoma. Thus, the herein presented data support further research on sig1R in neuro-oncology

Expression of 3q Oncogene SEC62 Predicts Survival in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Primary Chemoradiation

Primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is an established treatment option for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) usually combining intensity modified radiotherapy with concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy. Though the majority of patients can be cured with this regimen, treatment response is highly heterogeneous and can hardly be predicted. SEC62 represents a metastasis stimulating oncogene that is frequently overexpressed in various cancer entities and is associated with poor outcome. Its role in HNSCC patients undergoing CRT has not been investigated so far. A total of 127 HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT were included in this study. The median follow-up was 5.4 years. Pretherapeutic tissue samples of the primary tumors were used for immunohistochemistry targeting SEC62. SEC62 expression, clinical and histopathological parameters, as well as patient outcome, were correlated in univariate and multivariate survival analyses. High SEC62 expression correlated with a significantly shorter overall survival (p = 0.015) and advanced lymph node metastases (p = 0.024). Further significant predictors of poor overall and progression-free survival included response to therapy (RECIST1.1), nodal status, distant metastases, tobacco consumption, recurrence of disease, and UICC stage. In a multivariate Cox hazard proportional regression analysis, only SEC62 expression (p = 0.046) and response to therapy (p < 0.0001) maintained statistical significance as independent predictors of the patients’ overall survival. This study identified SEC62 as an independent prognostic biomarker in HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT. The role of SEC62 as a potential therapeutic target and its interaction with radiation-induced molecular alterations in head and neck cancer cells should further be investigated

Sigma-1 receptor positron emission tomography: A new molecular imaging approach using (S)-(-)-[18F]fluspidine in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most devastating primary brain tumour characterised by infiltrative growth and resistance to therapies. According to recent research, the sigma-1 receptor (sig1R), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, is involved in signaling pathways assumed to control the proliferation of cancer cells and thus could serve as candidate for molecular characterisation of GBM. To test this hypothesis, we used the clinically applied sig1R-ligand (S)-(−)-[18F]fluspidine in imaging studies in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM (U87-MG) as well as in human GBM tissue. A tumour-specific overexpression of sig1R in the U87-MG model was revealed in vitro by autoradiography. The binding parameters demonstrated target-selective binding according to identical KD values in the tumour area and the contralateral side, but a higher density of sig1R in the tumour. Different kinetic profiles were observed in both areas, with a slower washout in the tumour tissue compared to the contralateral side. The translational relevance of sig1R imaging in oncology is reflected by the autoradiographic detection of tumour-specific expression of sig1R in samples obtained from patients with glioblastoma. Thus, the herein presented data support further research on sig1R in neuro-oncology

Preventing Plasmon Coupling between Gold Nanorods Improves the Sensitivity of Photoacoustic Detection of Labeled Stem Cells in Vivo

© 2016 American Chemical Society.Gold nanorods are excellent contrast agents for imaging technologies which rely on near-infrared absorption such as photoacoustic imaging. For cell tracking applications, the cells of interest are labeled with the contrast agent prior to injection. However, after uptake into cells by endocytosis, the confinement and high concentration in endosomes leads to plasmon band broadening and reduced absorbance. This would limit the potential of multispectral optoacoustic tomography in terms of spectral processing and, consequently, sensitivity. Here, we show that steric hindrance provided by silica coating of the nanorods leads to the preservation of their spectral properties and improved photoacoustic sensitivity. This strategy allowed the detection and monitoring of as few as 2 × 104 mesenchymal stem cells in mice over a period of 15 days with a high spatial resolution. Importantly, the silica-coated nanorods did not affect the viability or differentiation potential of the transplanted mesenchymal stem cells