Discrimination: because I want to or because I have to? : a comparison between the explanations of social identity theory and social dominance theory for intergroup prejudice in South Africa

Includes bibliographical references.This thesis attempts to determine whether the amount of discrimination a person displays is more influenced by stable attitudinal orientations, as implied by the Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) construct of Social Dominance Theory, or by the context variance favoured by Social Identity Theory. To this end, three studies were conducted. The first study was designed to establish whether the standard assessment tool, the SDO6 scale, is an appropriate measure of SDO in South Africa. It was found that the scale possessed the same general characteristics as in other societies, as assessed using a diverse sample of people from the Cape Town metropolitan region. However, the finding that Black females had a higher desire for inequality between groups than Black males, and that younger subjects desired more inequality than older participants, suggests that cultural aspects have to be taken into consideration when interpreting findings obtained with the SDO6 scale. The second and third study employed the scale in order to assess the research question, as stated above. The second study employed an experimental design to determine whether manipulations of group status, stability, and the legitimacy of status differences influences in-group bias in English speaking students from the University of Cape Town. They completed the SDO6 scale before and after being exposed to a contrived theory of coping differences between English and Afrikaans speakers. As the manipulations of stability and legitimacy were unsuccessful only the influence of status and SDO on discrimination could be tested High status group members described themselves their own group as more competent than the group of Afrikaans speakers, and also contributed greater coping ability to English speakers than to Afrikaans speakers. Differences in SDO levels were not reflected in the amount of in-group bias expressed. The third study investigated the influence of SDO, group status, stability and legitimacy on race- based discrimination by analysing survey data collected from a large and diverse sample from the Cape Town metropolitan region. This study differed from previous SOT research, which focused on societies with stable societies, by investigating the applicability of the concept of SDO in a society which has been recognised as undergoing socioeconomic and political change. The results obtained support SOTs assumption that stratification systems are rather persistent to change. Black, Coloured and White participants still see the historically dominant White South African group as dominant and the Black South African group as the most subordinate group. The participants expected this hierarchy to remain stable over the next five years. Black participants were the most in favour of equality between race groups, despite SDT's prediction that the most subordinate group would have the lowest SDO levels. In contrast to the finding in Study 2, a higher SDO level was relate to more favouritism for a person's own group. The effect of SDO was moderated by perceptions of the own group's relative status and the perceived legitimacy of the stratification stem. The socio-structural variables by themselves did not contribute to the explanation of individual differences in discrimination. It is concluded that under some conditions, SITs socio-structural variables are better able to explain why people discriminate and in others the SDT's concept of SDO has more value. In other words, SDO is not as general as posted by social dominance theorists. Further research on the influence of the salience of group distinctions and cultural factors in general on the desire to establish and maintain social hierarchies is required

Haltungsalternativen Schwein - Haltungsalternativen für Ferkel und Mastschweine

Die im Rahmen der Haltungsgesetzgebung diskutierten gering oder nicht perforierten Liegeflächen für Schweine führen in der Haltungspraxis in Warmställen zu bislang ungelösten Problemen. Denn ohne eine weitere Verbesserung der Haltungstechnik kommen unweigerlich die Probleme (Verschmutzung, Stallklima u.s.w.) zurück, die letztendlich zur Ablösung der früher weit verbreiteten Teilspaltenlösungen für Schweine geführt haben. Die neue Nutztierhaltungsverordnung für Schweine wird etwa 50% Liegefläche für Sauen und Mastschweine mit einem Schlitzanteil von maximal 15% vorsehen. Die Ausgestaltung dieser Flächen insbesondere der maximal mögliche Schlitzanteil wird im Zuge der weiteren Entwicklung der Haltungsvorschriften auch weiter diskutiert werden

Comparison of the Meat Quality of Turopolje, German Landrace x Turopolje and German Landrace x Pietrain Pigs

Aim of the study was to evaluate, if the mixed breed German Landrace x Turopolje (L x T) was suitable for conventional fattening and the production of high quality palatable meat. Hence, we chose to study the carcass characteristics of three different breeds: true bred Turopolje (T x T) (n=15), an autochthonous Croatian breed, German Landrace x Pietrain (L x P) (n=19), a typical German pig hybrid and German Landrace x Turopolje (L x T) (n=23) as mixed breed. All three breeds were kept in a conventional fattening indoor system. The data consisted of the chemical and physical values of the carcass and the difference between breeds during breeding and fattening. All pigs were fattened with a conventional ad libidum feeding system. The feed consisted of an optimal mixture for the fattening of L x P. The daily feed intake and the weight from birth until the end of the fattening was recorded every 14 days. The quality of the carcass was evaluated at the age of 20 and 25 weeks. The measurement of the carcass was based on the “Richtlinie für die Stationsprüfung auf Mastleistung, Schlachtkörperwert und Fleischbeschaffenheit beim Schwein” published by the national German control office. L x T showed the lowest feed intake per kg carcass compared to the other breeds. The quality of meat was characterized by pH, conductance, intramuscular fat and water holding capacity. L x T showed a trend for a lower conductance in week 25. The value of pH and water holding capacity was not significant between the breeds. Surprisingly, the intramuscular fat of L x T was by trend higher compared to L x P and significantly lower than T x T (p < 0.05). L x T had by trend a higher carcass weight and a larger carcass length compared to L x P, which was significantly higher than T x T (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the new breed L x T seems to be suitable for an indoor fattening system and produces a high quality palatable meat. The energy and protein intake should be slightly reduced, which would reduce the cost of meat production

Techno-Economic Analysis of Different Battery Cell Chemistries for the Passenger Vehicle Market

The introduction of battery electric vehicles on the global market has triggered a sustained upheaval in the automotive industry. In this process, the new properties of a battery-electric powertrain lead to a different set of central requirements, such as increasing the range, lifetime or the fast-charging capability of the vehicle battery. This paper develops a bottom-up systematic model to assess the current and future impact of different battery technologies on vehicle costs. For this purpose, it summarises the scientific findings of automotive battery cell chemistries and, flanked by novel expert interviews and teardown data, derives key values for them. Based on the data obtained, modelling is carried out to demonstrate the technical and economic suitability of the identified cell chemistries and their impact on the range and total cost of electric vehicles. Lithium iron phosphate batteries appear to be able to achieve a price saving of up to 21% in the small vehicle segment compared to nickel-rich cell chemistries, provided that customers are prepared to accept a reduced range. At the same time, further efficiency improvements of the powertrain lead us to expect that, in combination with future high-energy cells, ranges of more than 800 km can be achieved even in the mid-size vehicle segment. It turns out that depending on whether the focus of the vehicle is on cost, range or performance, different battery technologies are likely to be used in the future

Untersuchungen zur Qualitätsveränderung bei der Verarbeitung und Lagerung von ausgewählten Erzeugnissen aus Bio-Forellen und konventionell erzeugten Forellen als Voraussetzung für die Erstellung einer Handlungshilfe für handwerkliche Forellenzuchtbetriebe

Die Aufzucht der Forellen wurde unter standardisierten Bedingungen durchgeführt (Modellversuch). Futterzusammensetzung und Besatzdichte entsprachen ökologischen und konventionellen Zuchtbedingungen. Es wurden verschiedene Ökofutter getestet. Extrudiertes Ökofutter desselben Herstellers schnitt deutlich besser ab als pelletiertes. Die Leistungsvorteile (Wachstum, Futterauswertung, Proteinausnutzung) eines hochwertigen konventionellen Futters hingen von der Pelletgröße ab. Mit 6,0 % Fett waren die geräucherten konventionellen Forellen des Modellversuches deutlicher fetter als die ökologischen (4,5 %). TVB-N- Wert, Redoxpotential, Malondi-aldehyd und Glutathion sowie physikalische Methoden (Farbmessung, elektronische Nase) waren zur Verfolgung von Qualitätsveränderungen bei einer Lagerung bei 2-4 °C ungeeignet. Aufzuchtsbedingte unterschiedliche Gehalte einiger Fettsäuren sind als ernährungsphysiologisch unbedeutend einzustufen. Die mikrobiologische Qualität war gut oder sehr gut. In konventionellen vakuumverpackten Räucherfilets wurden seltener Bakterien und niedrigere Gesamtkeimzahlen gegenüber den ökologisch produzierten gefunden. Die Befunde waren aber nicht geeignet, die sensorische Qualität zu beeinflussen. Diese nahm kontinuierlich ab, war jedoch am Ende der Lagerung noch als durchschnittlich zu bezeichnen und keinesfalls verdorben. In Übereinstimmung mit Ergebnissen des Vorgängerprojektes „Bioforelle“ an rohen Forellen konnten auch in den Räucherforellen weder reproduzierbare Auswirkungen der Produktionsform noch qualitative Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Durch Besichtigung kleiner bis mittelständischer Räuchereien wurden individuelle Verarbeitungsstrukturen erfasst. Die Auswirkungen der wichtigsten Arbeitsschritte (Salzen, Räuchern) auf die Qualität wurden näher untersucht. Die Kerntemperatur von 60°C wurde in konventionellen Handelsproben nicht immer, bei der untersuchten Bioware zuverlässig erreicht. Die besuchten ökologisch arbeitenden Betriebe waren modern ausgestattet unter Berücksichtigung heutiger Hygienestandards

Cellular and molecular basis of progesterone-induced neuroprotection

Progesterone exerts several effects in the central nervous system not directly involved in reproduction or sex behavior. Non-reproductive effects are better observed under pathological conditions, and include stimulation of myelin formation, neurogenesis and neurosteroidogenesis, preserved mitochondrial function, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory effects, decreased glutamate excitotoxicity, and regulation of mood, memory and cognition. In addition, the progesterone reduced derivative allopregnanolone shows anxiolytic, sedative and anesthetic properties after binding to GABAa receptors. In the present report we provide examples of [1] progesterone effects on the local synthesis of steroids (“neurosteroids”) in a demyelination model, [2] the requirement of the classical progesterone receptor for the anti- inflammatory effects in mice with spinal cord injury, and [3] the protective role of progesterone and allopregnanolone in a mouse model of neurodegeneration. In conclusion, the beneficial effects observed in different experimental paradigms support the versatile properties of progesterone in animal models of central nervous system disorders.La progesterona produce varios efectos en el sistema nervioso central no relacionados a la reproducción o comportamiento sexual. Estos efectos adicionales se observan preferentemente bajo condiciones patológicas, e incluyen la estimulación de la formación de mielina, la neurogenesis y neuroesteroidogenesis, el mantenimiento de la función mitocondrial, efectos anti-inflamatorios, disminución de la excitotoxicidad del glutamato y regulación del humor, memoria y conocimiento. En agregado, el derivado reducido de progesterona – alopregnanolona muestra propiedades ansiolíticas, sedantes y anestésicas luego de su unión al receptor GABAa. Este Minireview detalla los efectos de progesterona sobre [1] la síntesis local de esteroides (“neuroesteroides”), en un modelo de desmielinizacion, [2] ejemplifica el requerimiento del receptor clásico de progesterona para los efectos anti-inflamatorios en un modelo de injuria espinal en ratón, y finalmente [3] discute el rol protector de la progesterona y de la alopregnanolona en un modelo murino de degeneración de motoneurona. Como conclusión, los efectos beneficiosos mostrados en diferentes paradigmas experimentales apoyan las propiedades versátiles de la progesterona en modelos de patologías del sistema nervioso central.Fil: de Nicola, Alejandro Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; ArgentinaFil: Garay, Laura Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; ArgentinaFil: Meyer, Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Labombarda, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Deniselle, Maria Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología; Argentin

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Evaluation of High b-Value Computed Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Over the last few years, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has become increasingly relevant in the diagnostic assessment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of high-b DWI (c-DWI) compared to standard DWI in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. A cohort of 40 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis were included in this retrospective study. DWI was performed with b-values of 50, 400, and 800 or 1000 s/mm2 on a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. C-DWI was calculated using a mono-exponential model with high b-values of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 s/mm2. All c-DWI images with high b-values were compared in terms of volume, detectability of peritoneal lesions, and image quality with the DWI sequence acquired with a b-value of 800 or 1000 s/mm2 by two readers. In the group with a b-value of 800 s/mm2, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of lesion volume. In the second group with a b-value of 1000 s/mm2, peritoneal carcinomatosis lesions were statistically significantly larger than in the c-DWI with a- high b-value of 2000 s/mm2 (median 7 cm3, range 1–26 cm3vs. median 6 cm3, range 1–83 cm3, p < 0.05). In both groups, there was a marked decrease in the detectability of peritoneal lesions starting at b = 2000 s/mm2. In addition, image quality decreased noticeably from c-DWI at b = 3000 s/mm2. In both groups, all images with high b-values at b = 4000 s/mm2 and 5000 s/mm2 were not diagnostically valuable due to poor image quality. The c-DWI technique offers good diagnostic performance without additional scanning time. High c-DWI b-values up to b = 1000 s/mm2 provide comparable detectability of peritoneal carcinomatosis compared to standard DWI. Higher b-values over 1500 s/mm2 result in lower image quality, which might lead to misdiagnosis