Dranbleiben : wie das IAM von seinen Absolventinnen und Absolventen lernt

Seit 2003 betreibt das Institut für Angewandte Medienwissenschaft (IAM) am Departement für Angewandte Linguistik ein umfangreiches „Absolvententracking“, das die departementweite Einführung von Absolventenbefragungen mitgeprägt und -gestaltet hat. Das Tracking begleitet Studierende und spätere AbsolventInnen von Beginn des Studiums bis zehn Jahre nach ihrem Abschluss. Dieses wertvolle Evaluationsinstrument ermöglicht unmittelbare Rückmeldungen zum Studiengang, Einschätzungen zu Entwicklungen im Berufsfeld und kann den Studiengang legitimieren. Nachfolgend wird ein Einblick in das Instrument Absolventenbefragung gegeben, am Beispiel der IAM-Befragungen „Erfolgsfaktoren“ in der Durchführung vorgestellt und die gewonnenen Einsichten diskutiert

MR Elastography-Based Assessment of Matrix Remodeling at Lesion Sites Associated With Clinical Severity in a Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) is routinely used in the clinic to visualize lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). Although GBCA reveal endothelial permeability, they fail to expose other aspects of lesion formation such as the magnitude of inflammation or tissue changes occurring at sites of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Moreover, evidence pointing to potential side effects of GBCA has been increasing. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop GBCA-independent imaging tools to monitor pathology in MS. Using MR-elastography (MRE), we previously demonstrated in both MS and the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) that inflammation was associated with a reduction of brain stiffness. Now, using the relapsing-remitting EAE model, we show that the cerebellum-a region with predominant inflammation in this model-is especially prone to loss of stiffness. We also demonstrate that, contrary to GBCA-MRI, reduction of brain stiffness correlates with clinical disability and is associated with enhanced expression of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN). Further, we show that FN is largely expressed by activated astrocytes at acute lesions, and reflects the magnitude of tissue remodeling at sites of BBB breakdown. Therefore, MRE could emerge as a safe tool suitable to monitor disease activity in MS

Few recurring types of microdomains define smallest units of soilfunctioning

Soil aggregation is a key factor for a number of important biogeochemical processes (e.g. soil organic matter stabilization and nutrient and pollutant sorption) in soils. Although there is a large number of studies on the factors controlling such soil processes, it is still challenging to study these processes in-situ. However, it can be assumedthat the spatial arrangement of organic and mineral soil constituents in soil aggregates, and thus the aggregate structure determine the processes happening at the aggregate scale. Using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectroscopy and a novel digital image processing approach, we extensively analyzed the spatial distribution of ions characteristic for mineral and organic soil components on the micrometer-scale in an intact soil aggregate. We were surprised that 40 spatially independent measurements could be statistically clustered in just two complimentary types of micrometer-sized domains. Each domain is characterized by a micro-architecture built of a definitemineral assemblage with various organic matter forms and a specific pore system. Each of these microdomainsfulfil different functions in soil. Our results demonstrate that the manifold mineral and organic soil components arrange in a limited number of micro-architectures because of self-organization and feedback mechanisms. Thesemicrodomains are the smallest units in soil that fulfill specific functionalities

Treatment of class II furcation defects with autogenous bone graft associated with Bichat’s fat pad: case report

The periodontal treatment of teeth with furcation defect is clinically challenging. In cases of class II furcation defects, the regenerative surgery shows low morbidity and good prognosis when correctly indicated. The aim of the presentstudy is to report a treatment option for class II furcation defect through autogenous bone graft associated with the Bichat’s fat pad. Case report: A 59-year-old female patient was diagnosed with class II furcation defect in the left mandibular first molar. The treatment comprised surgical reconstruction of the defect with a combination of maxillary tuberosity bone graft and Bichat’s fat pad. The clinical and radiographic follow-up of 180 days showed bone formation inthe furcation area and absence of probing depth. Conclusion: An association of autogenous graft form the maxillary tuberosity with a Bichat’s fat pad proved to be a safe, low cost, and effective therapy for the regenerative treatment of class II furcation.The periodontal treatment of teeth with furcation defect is clinically challenging. In cases of class II furcation defects, the regenerative surgery shows low morbidity and good prognosis when correctly indicated. The aim of the presentstudy is to report a treatment option for class II furcation defect through autogenous bone graft associated with the Bichat’s fat pad. Case report: A 59-year-old female patient was diagnosed with class II furcation defect in the left mandibular first molar. The treatment comprised surgical reconstruction of the defect with a combination of maxillary tuberosity bone graft and Bichat’s fat pad. The clinical and radiographic follow-up of 180 days showed bone formation inthe furcation area and absence of probing depth. Conclusion: An association of autogenous graft form the maxillary tuberosity with a Bichat’s fat pad proved to be a safe, low cost, and effective therapy for the regenerative treatment of class II furcation

Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Periodontal plastic surgery for treatment of gummy smile with cosmetic restauration treatment

Introduction: Today, the appreciation of aesthetic dentistry by society brought to the search for materials and techniques that improve the appearance of smile, which is essential in maintaining physical and mental health of the patient. Objective: This study aimed to report a case of gummy smile involving Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. Case report: This case, despite other possible alternatives, was solved through periodontal surgery (clinical crown augmentation associated with osteotomy) and indirect restorations with porcelain crowns. Conclusion: In our experience this procedure is safe, predictable, with minimal risks or side effects, and it is a treatment option for these cases.Introduction: Today, the appreciation of aesthetic dentistry by society brought to the search for materials and techniques that improve the appearance of smile, which is essential in maintaining physical and mental health of the patient. Objective: This study aimed to report a case of gummy smile involving Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. Case report: This case, despite other possible alternatives, was solved through periodontal surgery (clinical crown augmentation associated with osteotomy) and indirect restorations with porcelain crowns. Conclusion: In our experience this procedure is safe, predictable, with minimal risks or side effects, and it is a treatment option for these cases

Iron mineral dissolution releases iron and associated organic carbon during permafrost thaw

It has been shown that reactive soil minerals, specifically iron(III) (oxyhydr)oxides, can trap organic carbon in soils overlying intact permafrost, and may limit carbon mobilization and degradation as it is observed in other environments. However, the use of iron(III)-bearing minerals as terminal electron acceptors in permafrost environments and thus their stability and capacity to prevent carbon mobilization during permafrost thaw is poorly understood. We have followed the dynamic interactions between iron and carbon, using a space for time-approach, across a thaw gradient in Abisko (Sweden), where wetlands are expanding rapidly due to permafrost thaw. We show through bulk (selective extractions, EXAFS) and nanoscale analysis (correlative SEM and nanoSIMS) that organic carbon is bound to reactive Fe primarily in the transition between organic and mineral horizons in palsa underlain by intact permafrost (41.8 ± 10.8 mg carbon per g soil, 9.9 to 14.8% of total soil organic carbon). During permafrost thaw, water-logging and O2 limitation lead to reducing conditions and an increase in abundance of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria which favor mineral dissolution and drive mobilization of both iron and carbon along the thaw gradient. By providing a terminal electron acceptor, this rusty carbon sink is effectively destroyed along the thaw gradient and cannot prevent carbon release with thaw

The Berlin Brain–Computer Interface: Non-Medical Uses of BCI Technology

Brain–computer interfacing (BCI) is a steadily growing area of research. While initially BCI research was focused on applications for paralyzed patients, increasingly more alternative applications in healthy human subjects are proposed and investigated. In particular, monitoring of mental states and decoding of covert user states have seen a strong rise of interest. Here, we present some examples of such novel applications which provide evidence for the promising potential of BCI technology for non-medical uses. Furthermore, we discuss distinct methodological improvements required to bring non-medical applications of BCI technology to a diversity of layperson target groups, e.g., ease of use, minimal training, general usability, short control latencies