Possibilities and limits of the microscopical investigation of cremations

Die Dissertation behandelt Aussagemöglichkeiten der mikroskopischen (Lichtmikroskopie und Rasterelektronenmikroskopie) Untersuchung am Leichenbrand. Die Hauptziele der Untersuchung sind eine Präzisierung der Bestimmung des biologischen Lebensalters des Individuums sowie die Feststellung möglicher Veränderungen durch pathologische Prozesse und ihre Unterscheidung von verbrennungsbedingte Artefakte. Verglichen wurden unterschiedliche prähistorische Leichenbrände aus verschiedenen Regionen (Osttürkei, Deutschland, Tschechien, Slowakei), von der mesopotamischen Bronzezeit über die vorrömische Eisenzeit bis in die römische Kaiserzeit. Als Vergleichsmaterial diente eine rezente Population mit bekanntem Sterbealter.The Dissertation concerns the possibilities of the microscopical investigation (light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy) on human cremations. The main goals were the specification of the age-at-death estimation of the individual as well as the diagnosis of possible changes due to pathological processes and their distinction from heat-induced changes. Different prehistoric cremations from several regions (eastern Turkey, Germany, Czech and Slovak Republic) have been compared, dating from the mesopotamian Bronze Age up to the Iron Age and Roman Age. As comparision material a recent population of individuals with known age-at-death has been investigated

Ontologie-gestützte Optimierung des Entwurfs automobilelektronischer Systeme

Die zu beherrschende Komplexität bei der Entwicklung automobilelektronischer Systeme unterliegt einem stetigen Wachstum und ist nicht zuletzt aus diesem Grund mit mehreren ingenieurtechnischen Herausforderungen verbunden. Etablierte Ansätze wie die des Systems Engineering bieten Möglichkeiten, solch komplexe Systeme zu entwerfen und schließlich zu realisieren. Vordringliches Problem in diesem Zusammenhang ist jedoch, dass Engineering-Daten primär in über unterschiedliche Arbeitsplatzsysteme verstreuten Dokumenten abgelegt sind und dass diese nur unzureichend verwaltet werden. Einen Ausweg aus dieser Misere stellt die Abbildung dieser Daten auf Modelle dar. So gilt das Modell-basierte Systems Engineering derweil in der Automobil- und Luftfahrtindustrie als akzeptierter Weg, komplexe Systeme zu realisieren, auch wenn nicht alle Disziplinen dabei kontinuierlich gekoppelt sind. Nicht nur für diese Kopplung, sondern auch für das automatische Schlussfolgern benötigen Modelle zusätzliche, explizite Semantik. Automatisches Schlussfolgern ist beispielsweise für die Identifikation von Korrelationen zwischen Systems Engineering-Daten erforderlich. Für die Schaffung semantischer Interoperabilität eignen sich insbesondere Ontologien, die selbst auch Modelle sind. In dieser Arbeit wird ein Ontologie-basierter Ansatz zur Optimierung des Entwurfsprozesses von automobilelektronischen Systemen vorgestellt. Wesentlicher Grundgedanke dabei ist es, Ontologien zu nutzen, um Entwurfsmethoden und -modelle zu konsolidieren und zu integrieren. Dazu beruht der Ansatz im Kern auf dem Vorschlag einer einheitlichen Basis zur Entwicklung und Ausführung von Anwendungen, unter konsequenter Nutzung etablierter Standards, um Modelle auf Ontologien abzubilden. Diese Basis wurde als Softwareplattform realisiert, welche unter anderem auf eine nahtlose Integration in existierende Arbeitsabläufe abzielt. Vorrangiger Aspekt des Lösungsansatzes ist die Berücksichtigung von Anforderungen, sowie spezieller Last- und Nutzungsprofilen in Form von sogenannten Mission Profiles und deren Integration in Entwicklungsprozesse. Ergänzt wird diese Arbeit zudem durch die Beschreibung und Einordnung dreier Anwendungen, welche auf der Plattform aufsetzen und zur Untersuchung und Bewertung in konkreten Fallbeispielen Gebrauch finden. Die damit entstandenen Entwurfsmethodiken adressieren jeweils spezielle Problemstellungen aus dem Umfeld der Entwicklung automobilelektronischer Systeme und demonstrieren zudem die Anwendbarkeit der vorgestellten Entwurfs- und Anwendungsplattform

Structural and functional basis of mammalian microRNA biogenesis by Dicer

MicroRNA (miRNA) and RNA interference (RNAi) pathways rely on small RNAs produced by Dicer endonucleases. Mammalian Dicer primarily supports the essential gene-regulating miRNA pathway, but how it is specifically adapted to miRNA biogenesis is unknown. We show that the adaptation entails a unique structural role of Dicer’s DExD/H helicase domain. Although mice tolerate loss of its putative ATPase function, the complete absence of the domain is lethal because it assures high-fidelity miRNA biogenesis. Structures of murine Dicer⋅miRNA precursor complexes revealed that the DExD/H domain has a helicase-unrelated structural function. It locks Dicer in a closed state, which facilitates miRNA precursor selection. Transition to a cleavage-competent open state is stimulated by Dicer-binding protein TARBP2. Absence of the DExD/H domain or its mutations unlocks the closed state, reduces substrate selectivity, and activates RNAi. Thus, the DExD/H domain structurally contributes to mammalian miRNA biogenesis and underlies mechanistical partitioning of miRNA and RNAi pathways

Changes of agricultural landscape in the administrative regions of Slovakia in 1990-2000

The paper shows the results of analysis and assessment of the changes in the agricultural landscape in Slovakia in the years 1990-2000, obtained through identification of the transfers from the CORINE land cover class 211 (arable land) in favour of classes 231 (pastures) and 242 (complex cultivation patterns). The area of class 242 increased by 13,111.7 ha, mainly in the hinterland of rural settlements of northern and central Slovakia and in the viticultural regions of south-western Slovakia. The cause of this change lies in restitution offarmland and its lease to new private farmers. The area of class 231 increased at the cost of the class 211 by 4,530.9 ha. This change was observed in almost all districts of mountain and sub-mountain regions of Slovakia and primarily it is due to the transformation in the agrarian policy of the State after 1989

Quality and Sustainability of Life Indicators at International, National and Regional Levels

This presentation gives a brief overview of the methodology and results achieved in the field of creation and evaluation the QSL indicators at three basic spatial levels – global, national and sub-national (regional). In years 2001-2002 the authors have developed the system of QSL indicators with use of s. c. methods of descriptive statistics, which are based on common methods of integration and averaging of statistical parameters. Results are expressed as aggregated indexes of QSL in all three above mentioned levels. Of course, these results are influenced by the view on problems of quality and sustainability of life. This year the authors are developing a new approach for evaluating this problem area. They are exploring a use of non-parametrical multidimensional statistical methods. These methods could be characterized as an independent tool for evaluating relationships among a variety of indicators and problem areas. On the other hand they could evaluate also variability in a spatial meaning (countries and regions). Especially results of the first mentioned approach are designed for today's presentation and discussion

Digital Collaborative Services and Tools for the Aeronautics and Space Sector

The German GAIA-X lighthouse project (COllabOrative Processes and sERvices for AeroNauTics and Space) is intend to accelerate the digitization processes in the space and aerospace industry with the aim of enabling more efficient working methods and development processes over the entire life cycle of spacecraft and aircraft in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry in Germany and Europe. In particular, this includes opportunities for decentralized cooperation with local, national and international partners, distributed teams while complying with the necessary export control and security requirements and for protecting know-how and IPR in an industry characterized by high technology. Partners from large industrial companies, SMEs, start-ups and research institutions are part of the consortium. The main work packages of the project are: Data governance, data spaces, advanced smart services and pilot missions. These various smart services (digital program management, collaborative engineering, cyberphysical interfaces, verification processes along supply chain, augmented reality environment, dashboards and intelligent assistants) will be validated and verified in pilot missions from the aeronautical and space sector. The project is embedded in the initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) to develop a lighthouse for innovative and practical applications in the GAIA-X digital ecosystem

A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial ofTrichuris suisova in Active Crohn’s disease

Background and Aims: To investigate the efficacy and safety of three different dosages of embryonated, viable eggs of Trichuris suis [TSO] versus placebo for induction of remission in mildly-to-moderately active ileocolonic, uncomplicated Crohn's disease [CD]. Methods: Adults with active CD [n = 252] randomly received six fortnightly doses of 250, 2500, or 7500 TSO/15 ml suspension/day [TSO 250, TSO 2500, TSO 7500], or 15 ml placebo solution/day, in a double-blind fashion, with 4 weeks' follow-up. Primary endpoint was the rate of clinical remission [Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] < 150] at end of treatment, ie at Week 12 or withdrawal. Secondary endpoints included the course of clinical remission, rate of clinical response, change in CDAI, change in markers of inflammation, mucosal healing, and Physician's Global Assessment. Results: Clinical remission at Week 12 occurred in 38.5%, 35.2%, and 47.2% of TSO 250, TSO 2500, and TSO 7500 patients, respectively, and in 42.9% of placebo recipients. TSO induced a dose-dependent immunological response. There was no response regarding laboratory markers of inflammation. Other secondary efficacy variables also showed no advantage of TSO over placebo for treatment of active CD. Administration of TSO did not result in any serious adverse drug reaction. Review of non-serious suspected adverse drug reactions following TSO did not reveal any safety concerns. Conclusions: Administration of 250-7500 TSO fortnightly over 12 weeks was safe and showed a dose-dependent immunological response, but no TSO dose showed a clinically relevant effect over placebo for induction of clinical remission or response in mildly-to-moderately active, ileocolonic CD