Transborder Data Flows: Do We Mean Freedom or Business?

The growth of the modem information society is a phenomenon transcending national borders, characterized by tremendous progress in both telecommunications and computer technology - a technology called collectively telematics. Telematics have not only become the vital nervous system of our domestic economies and begun to play an increasing role in our private lifestyles, but have grown to link the nations of the world in constant, instantaneous, and complex ways. These communications and the data conveyed through them (whether their raw material is written text, tables, numbers, pictures, or voices), due to their importance, are in many respects a matter of concern for governments, and thus the object of national and/or international regulation

Die Mauer im Westjordanland : ein Crashtest für das Völkerrecht?

Dieses Bauwerk hat viele Namen: Israel nennt es "Sicherheitszaun", heftige Gegner sprechen von der "Separation Wall" oder "Apartheid Wall". Institutionen, die sich um eine ausgewogene Haltung bemühen, bezeichnen es schlicht als "the Barrier". Die arabische Seite und inzwischen auch die Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen gebrauchen den Begriff "Mauer". In der Tat ist es nicht nur die unterschiedliche Beschaffenheit dieser baulichen Begrenzung - einige Abschnitte sind aus meterhohem Stacheldraht, andere aus Beton -, vielmehr spiegeln sich in der Vielfalt der Bezeichnungen auch die verschiedensten Haltungen wider. Michael Bothe hat sich für den Ausdruck "Mauer" entschieden, nicht zuletzt wegen der Assoziationen, die dieser Begriff in Deutschland auslöst, aber auch in Anlehnung an den Sprachgebrauch der Vereinten Nationen als Hüter und Verfechter des Völkerrechts. In der Beurteilung der Mauer, die Israel im Westjordanland zu errichten begonnen hat, herrscht unter den Staaten der Welt weitgehend Einigkeit: Sie ist völkerrechtswidrig und wieder abzubauen. Als der Internationale Gerichtshof in Den Haag dies auch offiziell feststellen sollte, zeigten jedoch zahlreiche Staaten eine überraschende Zurückhaltung. Diese Entwicklung nimmt der Autor zum Anlass, um für eine konsequente Anwendung des Völkerrechts zu plädieren. Er legt dar, warum es in jedem Fall anzuwenden ist, und welche Gefahren eine selektive Be- oder Missachtung des Völkerrechts in sich birgt

Trithioorthoester Exchange and Metathesis: New Tools for Dynamic Covalent Chemistry

To expand the toolbox of dynamic covalent and systems chemistry, we investigated the acid-catalyzed exchange reaction of trithioorthoesters with thiols. We found that trithioorthoester exchange occurs readily in various solvents in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of strong Bronsted acids or catalytic amounts of certain Lewis acids. The scope of the exchange reaction was explored with various substrates, and conditions were identified that permit clean metathesis reactions between two different trithioorthoesters. One distinct advantage of S, S, S-orthoester exchange over O, O, O-orthoester exchange is that the exchange reaction can kinetically outcompete hydrolysis, thereby making the process less sensitive to residual moisture. We expect that the relatively high stability of the products might be beneficial in future supramolecular receptors or porous materials.Fil: Bothe, Michael. Universitat Ulm; AlemaniaFil: Orrillo, Alfredo Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Furlan, Ricardo Luis Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: von Delius, Max. Universitat Ulm; Alemani

Satt aus der Stadt? – Bericht vom 2. Braunschweiger Stadtgrün-Tag

Vor dem Hintergrund des geringen Selbstversorgungsgrades Deutschlands an Obst und Gemüse fordert die Politik regionale und lokale nachhaltige Agrar- und Ernährungssysteme als Wege in eine krisenfeste Landwirtschaft. Darin spielt die Ausrichtung der Landwirtschaft auf die Stadt eine besondere Rolle. Anlässlich des 2. Braunschweiger Stadtgrün-Tages stellten sich die Teilnehmenden darüber hinaus die Frage, welchen Beitrag die nicht-professionelle urbane Nahrungserzeugung in Braunschweigs Gärten für die Selbstversorgung der Stadt mit Obst und Gemüse spielen könnte. Das überraschende Ergebnis war, dass sich Braunschweig theoretisch innerhalb seiner Stadtgrenzen mit Gemüse und Obst selbst versorgen könnte. Die Faktoren, die die praktische Umsetzung begrenzen, wurden diskutiert

Peripheral skin cooling during hyper-gravity: hemodynamic reactions

Introduction: Orthostatic dysregulation occurs during exposure to an increased gravitational vector and is especially common upon re-entering standard Earth gravity (1 g) after an extended period in microgravity (0 g). External peripheral skin cooling (PSC) has recently been described as a potent countermeasure against orthostatic dysregulation during heat stress and in lower body negative pressure (LBNP) studies. We therefore hypothesized that PSC may also be an effective countermeasure during hyper-gravity exposure (+Gz). Methods: To investigate this, we designed a randomized short-arm human centrifuge (SAHC) experiment (“Coolspin”) to investigate whether PSC could act as a stabilizing factor in cardiovascular function during +Gz. Artificial gravity between +1 g and +4 g was generated by a SAHC. 18 healthy male volunteers completed two runs in the SAHC. PSC was applied during one of the two runs and the other run was conducted without cooling. Each run consisted of a 10-min baseline trial followed by a +Gz step protocol marked by increasing g-forces, with each step being 3 min long. The following parameters were measured: blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), cardiac output (CO). Furthermore, a cumulative stress index for each subject was calculated. Results: +Gz led to significant changes in primary as well as in secondary outcome parameters such as HR, SV, TPR, CO, and BP. However, none of the primary outcome parameters (HR, cumulative stress-index, BP) nor secondary outcome parameters (SV, TPR, CO) showed any significant differences—whether the subject was cooled or not cooled. Systolic BP did, however, tend to be higher amongst the PSC group. Conclusion: In conclusion, PSC during +Gz did not confer any significant impact on hemodynamic activity or orthostatic stability during +Gz. This may be due to lower PSC responsiveness of the test subjects, or an insufficient level of body surface area used for cooling. Further investigations are warranted in order to comprehensively pinpoint the exact degree of PSC needed to serve as a useful countermeasure system during +Gz

Loss of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Factor GATA2 in the Osteogenic Lineage Impairs Trabecularization and Mechanical Strength of Bone

The transcription factor GATA2 is required for expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), GATA2 blocks adipogenesis, but its biological relevance and underlying genomic events are unknown. We report a dual function of GATA2 in bone homeostasis. GATA2 in MSCs binds near genes involved in skeletal system development and colocalizes with motifs for FOX and HOX transcription factors, known regulators of skeletal development. Ectopic GATA2 blocks osteoblastogenesis by interfering with SMAD1/5/8 activation. MSC-specific deletion of GATA2 in mice increases the numbers and differentiation capacity of bone-derived precursors, resulting in elevated bone formation. Surprisingly, MSC-specific GATA2 deficiency impairs the trabecularization and mechanical strength of bone, involving reduced MSC expression of the osteoclast inhibitor osteoprotegerin and increased osteoclast numbers. Thus, GATA2 affects bone turnover via MSC-autonomous and indirect effects. By regulating bone trabecularization, GATA2 expression in the osteogenic lineage may contribute to the anatomical and cellular microenvironment of the HSC niche required for hematopoiesis.Peer reviewe