Mentorielle Betreuung im Web – Konzepte und Perspektiven für das Fernstudium

Im vorliegenden Artikel werden zunächst verschiedene für die Betreuung Fernstudierender relevante Konzepte vorgestellt. Nach einem zusammenfassenden Vergleich, der die jeweils unterschiedlichen Rollen der Betreuenden aufzeigt und in eine Unterscheidung zwischen statischen und dynamischen Betreuungskonzepten mündet, werden unter Einbeziehung weiterer Studien zum computergestützten und kollaborativen Lernen Perspektiven für zukünftige Betreuungsszenarien im Fernstudium formuliert. Zentrale Aspekte sind dabei die Gestaltung von Mentoriaten, der drei Basiskonzepte zugrunde liegen sollten (Blended Learning, kooperatives Lernen, diskursbezogene Betreuung), die Gestaltung der Zusammenarbeit der Betreuenden, für die verschiedene Möglichkeiten der Förderung von Kommunikation und Kooperation aufgezeigt werden, und die zu berücksichtigenden Anforderungen an Mentoren/-innen, die vor allem eine umfassende Medienkompetenz und sozial-kommunikative Kompetenz betreffen. Empfohlen wird darüber hinaus die Einrichtung einer koordinierenden Instanz in Form einer/eines übergreifend agierenden Mitarbeiterin/Mitarbeiters für die Betreuungsorganisation (Betreuungskoordinator/in)

The key project managers’ competences for different types of projects

This paper describes a quantitative research approach for identifying key project managers’ competences for different types of projects. By identifying the perceived most valuable project manager competences, as having the most potential for increased contribution to project management (PM) performance, practitioners and organizations can select their priorities when developing their PM practices. The 46 competences (technical, behavioural and contextual) provided by IPMA (International Project Management Association) were surveyed through an online questionnaire. Three dimensions to distinguish project types were used: application area, innovation and complexity. Completed questionnaires were received from 96 project managers from Portugal. The results showed that 13 key competences (20%) were common to the majority of the projects. Most of these are behavioural competences, such as: ethics, reliability, engagement, openness, and leadership. It was also observed a clear correlation between technical competences and project complexity

Photoproduction of eta-mesic 3He

The photoproduction of eta-mesic 3He has been investigated using the TAPS calorimeter at the Mainz Microtron accelerator facility MAMI. The total inclusive cross section for the reaction gamma+3He->eta+X has been measured for photon energies from threshold to 820 MeV. The total and angular differential coherent eta cross sections have been extracted up to energies of 745 MeV. A resonance-like structure just above the eta production threshold with an isotropic angular distribution suggests the existence of a resonant quasi-bound state. This is supported by studies of a competing decay channel of such a quasi-bound eta-mesic nucleus into pi^0+p+X. A binding energy of (-4.4+-4.2) MeV and a width of (25.6+-6.1) MeV is deduced for the quasi-bound eta-mesic state in 3He.Comment: v1: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PRL; v2: minor revisions and corrections, new figure added, 4 pages, 5 figs; v3: minor change

The Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinase 2 in the p38/TNF-α Pathway of Systemic and Cutaneous Inflammation

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) is a downstream molecule of p38, involved in the production of TNF-α, a key cytokine, and an established drug target for many inflammatory diseases. We investigated the role of MK2 in skin inflammation to determine its drug target potential. MK2 deficiency significantly decreased plasma TNF-α levels after systemic endotoxin application. Deficient mice showed decreased skin edema formation in chronic 2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced irritative dermatitis and in subacute 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity. Surprisingly, MK2 deficiency did not inhibit edema formation in subacute 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced contact allergy and even increased TNF-α and IL-1β levels as well as granulocyte infiltration in diseased ears. Ear inflammation in this model, however, was inhibited by TNF-α neutralization as it was in the subacute DNFB model. MK2 deficiency also did not show anti-inflammatory effects in acute DNFB-induced contact hypersensitivity, whereas the p38 inhibitor, SB203580, ameliorated skin inflammation supporting a pathophysiological role of p38. When evaluating possible mechanisms, we found that TNF-α production in MK2-deficient spleen cells was strongly diminished after TLR stimulation but less affected after T-cell receptor stimulation. Our data suggest that MK2, in contrast to its downstream effector molecule, TNF-α, has a rather elusive role in T-cell-dependent cutaneous inflammation

The ultraviolet colour of globular clusters in M31: a core density effect?

We investigate the effect of stellar density on the ultraviolet (UV) emission from M31's globular clusters (GCs). Published far-UV (FUV) and near-UV (NUV) colours from Galaxy Evolution and Explorer (GALEX) observations are used as a probe into the temperature of the horizontal branch (HB) stars in these clusters. From these data, we demonstrate a significant relationship between the core density of a cluster and its FUV-NUV colour, with dense clusters having bluer ultraviolet colours. These results are consistent with a population of (FUV bright) extreme-HB (EHB) stars, the production of which is related to the stellar density in the clusters. Such a relationship may be expected if the formation of EHB stars is enhanced in dense clusters due to dynamical interactions. We also consider the contribution of low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) to the integrated FUV luminosity of a cluster. We note that two of the three metal rich clusters, identified by Rey et al. 2007 as having a FUV excess, are known to host LMXBs in outburst. Considering the FUV luminosity of Galactic LMXBs, we suggest that a single LMXB is unlikely to produce more than 10% of the observed FUV luminosity of clusters that contain a significant population of blue-HB stars.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 9 pages, 6 figures and 1 tabl

Speciation of phosphorus in a fertilized, reduced-till soil system: in-field treatment incubation study

Citation: Khatiwada, Raju, Ganga M. Hettiarachchi, David B. Mengel, and Mingwei Fei. “Speciation of Phosphorus in a Fertilized, Reduced-Till Soil System: In-Field Treatment Incubation Study.” Soil Science Society of America Journal 76, no. 6 (2012): 2006–18. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2011.0299.Phosphorus management in reduced-tillage systems is a great concern for farmers. Conclusive positive results of deep-banding P fertilizers compared with broadcast application and the chemistry of reduced-tillage systems remain unclear. Knowledge of the dominant solid P species present in soil following application of P fertilizers and the resulting potential P availability would help us understand and efficiently manage P in reduced-tillage systems. The objective of this research was to study the influence of placement (broadcast vs. deep-band P), fertilizer source (granular vs. liquid P), and time on the reaction products of P under field conditions. Changes in soil pH, resin-extractable P, total P, and speciation of P were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application at 5 wk and 6 mo after P application at a rate of 75 kg ha−1 to a soil system that was under long-term reduced tillage. Resin-extractable P was lower for broadcast treatments compared with deep-band treatments for both time periods. Resin-extractable P was greater in the liquid P-treated soils than in the granular P-treated soils. Speciation results showed that granular P fertilizers tended to form Fe–P-like forms, whereas liquid forms remained in adsorbed P-like forms in the soil 5 wk after application; moreover, speciation results showed granular P fertilizers precipitated less when deep-banded. During the 6-mo period following application, reaction products of broadcast granular, broadcast liquid, and deep-band granular fertilizers transformed to Ca-phosphate or mixtures of Ca-, Fe- and adsorbed-phosphate-like forms, whereas deep-band liquid P remained as mainly adsorbed P-like forms. Deep-banding of P would most likely provide a solution that is both agronomically and environmentally efficient for reduced-till farmers

Efficacy and safety of enzyme replacement therapy with BMN 110 (elosulfase alfa) for Morquio A syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IVA): a phase 3 randomised placebo-controlled study.

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with BMN 110 (elosulfase alfa) in patients with Morquio A syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IVA).MethodsPatients with Morquio A aged ≥5 years (N = 176) were randomised (1:1:1) to receive elosulfase alfa 2.0 mg/kg/every other week (qow), elosulfase alfa 2.0 mg/kg/week (weekly) or placebo for 24 weeks in this phase 3, double-blind, randomised study. The primary efficacy measure was 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance. Secondary efficacy measures were 3-min stair climb test (3MSCT) followed by change in urine keratan sulfate (KS). Various exploratory measures included respiratory function tests. Patient safety was also evaluated.ResultsAt week 24, the estimated mean effect on the 6MWT versus placebo was 22.5 m (95 % CI 4.0, 40.9; P = 0.017) for weekly and 0.5 m (95 % CI -17.8, 18.9; P = 0.954) for qow. The estimated mean effect on 3MSCT was 1.1 stairs/min (95 % CI -2.1, 4.4; P = 0.494) for weekly and -0.5 stairs/min (95 % CI -3.7, 2.8; P = 0.778) for qow. Normalised urine KS was reduced at 24 weeks in both regimens. In the weekly dose group, 22.4 % of patients had adverse events leading to an infusion interruption/discontinuation requiring medical intervention (only 1.3 % of all infusions in this group) over 6 months. No adverse events led to permanent treatment discontinuation.ConclusionsElosulfase alfa improved endurance as measured by the 6MWT in the weekly but not qow dose group, did not improve endurance on the 3MSCT, reduced urine KS, and had an acceptable safety profile