Theologie

Die Theologie beschäftigt sich mit keiner anderen Welt als die Umwelt(natur)wissenschaften. Sie versteht die Welt jedoch nicht aus sich heraus, sondern als Teil eines Relationsgefüges. Dabei thematisiert sie das komplexe Verhältnis von Mensch und Natur im Kontext seiner religiösen Deutungen. Eine Sakralisierung oder Divinisierung der Natur oder des Lebens wird dabei ebenso problematisiert wie ein materialistischer Reduktionismus. Während die bibelwissenschaftliche und historische Theologie religiöse Deutungsmuster von „Natur“ in ihrem historischen Kontext analysiert, bezieht die systematische Theologie Fragen gegenwärtiger Welt- und Naturverhältnisse in den Forschungsdiskurs ein. Theologische Umweltethik bedenkt religiöse, kulturelle und ethische Aspekte menschlicher Lebensführung. Hier setzt sie sich insbesondere mit der engen Korrelation von sozialen und ökologischen Aspekten sowie mit Freiheit, Verantwortung und Handlungsfähigkeit unter Endlichkeitsbedingungen und angesichts bedrohlicher Zukunftsszenarien auseinander

Flexible, Heat-Resistant, and Flame-Retardant Glass Fiber Nonwoven/Glass Platelet Composite Separator for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A new type of high-temperature stable and self-supporting composite separator for lithium-ion batteries was developed consisting of custom-made ultrathin micrometer-sized glass platelets embedded in a glass fiber nonwoven together with a water-based sodium alginate binder. The physical and electrochemical properties were investigated and compared to commercial polymer-based separators. Full-cell configuration cycling tests at different current rates were performed using graphite and lithium iron phosphate as electrode materials. The glass separator was high-temperature tested and showed a stability up to at least 600 °C without significant shrinking. Furthermore, it showed an exceptional wettability for non-aqueous electrolytes. The electrochemical performance was excellent compared to commercially available polymer-based separators. The results clearly show that glass platelets integrated into a glass fiber nonwoven performs remarkably well as a separator material in lithium-ion batteries and show high-temperature stability

Wissenschafts- und Technikkonflikte in demokratischen Gesellschaften - Zur Bedeutung "alternativer" Verfahren in der Technikbewertung

Bora A. Wissenschafts- und Technikkonflikte in demokratischen Gesellschaften - Zur Bedeutung "alternativer" Verfahren in der Technikbewertung. In: Göpfert J, Moos T, eds. Konfliktfelder beackern. Dialog- und Partizipationsverfahren bei fundamentalen Technikkonflikten am Beispiel der Grünen Gentechnik. Ethik interdisziplinär. Vol 11. Münster, Hamburg, London: Lit-Verlag; 2009: 185-201

Improved Discharge Capacity of Zinc Particles by Applying Bismuth-Doped Silica Coating for Zinc-Based Batteries Batteries

Corrosion and discharge behavior of battery-grade zinc particles coated with a silica layer doped with bismuth was investigated and compared with untreated zinc powder. Electrochemical investigations were carried out in half-cell configuration. The electrolyte was 6 M KOH in excess. Coated zinc particles provided a discharge capacity of 737 mAh g−1 (89.9% DoD) versus 633 mAh g−1 (77.2% DoD) of untreated zinc particles after a dwell time of 1 h in KOH. The silica coating reduced the direct contact of the zinc surface with the electrolyte and thus minimized the hydrogen evolution reaction, which led to an increased discharge capacity. Additionally, bismuth doping enhanced conductivity within the silica coating and increased zinc utilization. Those coated zinc particles inhibited corrosion, i.e., corrosion efficiency reached 87.9% compared to uncoated zinc. Additionally, the coating achieved a capacity retention of 90.9% (670 mAh g−1) after 48 h dwell time in 6 M KOH. The coatings were prepared by sol-gel technology and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface determination

Predictors for shorter and longer length of hospital stay outliers: a retrospective case-control study of 8247 patients at a university hospital trauma department

BACKGROUND Providing efficient healthcare is important for hospitals. Shorter and longer length of hospital stay (LOS) outliers influence financial results and reimbursement. The objective of this study was to identify independent diagnosis related group (DRG)-related risk factors for shorter and longer LOS outlier status. METHODS A retrospective case-control study was conducted at a Swiss level 1 trauma centre between January 2012 and December 2014. The study included all patients with available information on LOS based on DRG. Many predictor variables were tested. The outcome variable was the DRG-based LOS. Logistic regression models were fitted for shorter and longer LOS outliers, with a significance level of <1%. RESULTS A total of 8247 patients were analysed, of whom inliers were more frequent than shorter and longer LOS outliers (n = 5838 [70.8%] vs n = 1996 [24.2%] vs n = 413 [5.0%]). Predictors for shorter LOS outliers were death (odds ratio [OR] 4.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.27-7.31), concussion (OR 4.87, 95% CI 4.20-5.63) and psychiatric disease (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.46-2.34). Predictors for longer LOS outliers were age ≥65 years (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.31-2.30), number of diagnoses ≥5 (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.52-2.81), comorbidity (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.28-2.40), number of surgical procedures (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.36-2.28), complication perioperatively (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.24-2.30), infection (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.57-4.49]), concussion (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.14-2.01) and urinary tract infection (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.61-3.41). CONCLUSION This large study showed that LOS outliers, especially shorter LOS outliers, are relatively common. Patients who died, or had concussion or psychiatric disease were more commonly discharged early. Patients weremore often discharged late if they were aged ≥65 years, had more diagnoses, were comorbid, had more surgical procedures, complications perioperatively, infection, concussion and urinary tract infection. For hospitals, this can help raise awareness and lead to better management of specific diagnoses in order to avoid monetary deficits. For the public health sector, this information may be considered in future revisions of the DRG

Mechanical Coating of Zinc Particles with Bi2O3-Li2O-ZnO Glasses as Anode Material for Rechargeable Zinc-Based Batteries

The electrochemical performance of zinc particles with 250 μm and 30 μm diameters, coated with Bi2O3-Li2O-ZnO glass is investigated and compared with noncoated zinc particles. Galvanostatic investigations were conducted in the form of complete discharge and charging cycles in electrolyte excess. Coated 30 μm zinc particles provide the best rechargeability after complete discharge. The coatings reached an average charge capacity over 20 cycles of 113 mAh/g compared to the known zero rechargeability of uncoated zinc particles. Proposed reasons for the prolonged cycle life are effective immobilization of discharge products in the glass layer and the formation of percolating metallic bismuth and zinc phases, forming a conductive network through the glass matrix. The coating itself is carried out by mechanical ball milling. Different coating parameters and the resulting coating quality as well as their influence on the passivation and on the rechargeability of zinc–glass composites is investigated. Optimized coating qualities with respect to adhesion, homogeneity and compactness of the glass layer are achieved at defined preparation conditions, providing a glass coating content of almost 5 wt % for 250 μm zinc particles and almost 11 wt % for 30 μm zinc particles

Are the rib fracture score and different computed tomography measures of obesity predictors for mortality in patients with rib fractures? A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: There is missing knowledge about the association of obesity and mortality in patients with rib fractures. Since the global measure of obesity (body mass index [BMI]) is often unknown in trauma patients, it would be convenient to use local computed tomography (CT)-based measures (e.g., umbilical outer abdominal fat) as a surrogate. The purpose of this study was to assess (1) whether local measures of obesity and rib fractures are associated with mortality and abdominal injuries and to evaluate (2) the correlation between local and global measures of obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study included all inpatients with rib fractures in 2013. The main exposure variable was the rib fracture score (RFS) (number of rib fractures, uni- or bilateral, age). Other exposure variables were CT-based measures of obesity and BMI. The primary outcome (endpoint) was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcome consisted of abdominal injuries. Sex and comorbidities were adjusted for with logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients (median age 55.0 [IQR 44.0-72.0] years) were analyzed. Mortality was 8.5%. RFS > 4 was associated with 490% increased mortality (OR$_{adjusted}$ = 5.9, 95% CI 1.9-16.6, p = 0.002). CT-based measures and BMI were not associated with mortality, rib fractures or injury of the liver. CT-based measures of obesity showed moderate correlations with BMI (e.g., umbilical outer abdominal fat: r = 0.59, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RFS > 4 was an independent risk factors for increased mortality. Local and global measures of obesity were not associated with mortality, rib fractures or liver injuries. If the BMI is not available in trauma patients, CT-based measures of obesity may be considered as a surrogate