34 research outputs found
Pflanzenschonende mechanische Bearbeitung des Pflanzstreifens bei Kernobst und Alternativen: Optimierung der bestehenden Verfahren unter arbeitswirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten auf verschiedenen Standorten und Bodentypen
Weed control and cultivation is still a serious problem in organic pipfruit production. In a research project which has started in May 2004 cultivation and weed control equipment is tested in four different locations in Germany. The efficiency of the different machines in controlling the weed is as well acquired as possible effects on the fruit quality and the crop. After the first year with results statements to the efficiency can be made. The machines âLadurnerâ and âPellencâ are appropriate for cultivation and weed control in organic pipfruit production. No statements can be made about possible effects on the crop jet. These effects will become apparent not until three to four years of continuing the research projekt
Konzept zur Reduktion der Regenfleckenkrankheit - Ermittlung von Parametern zur Biologie der Erreger unter westeuropĂ€ischen Klimabedingungen als Grundlage fĂŒr die Weiterentwicklung eines Prognosemodells
Ziel des dreijĂ€hrigen Projekts war es, SchlĂŒsselparameter der bisher unter europĂ€ischen Bedingungen nur wenig erforschten Regenfleckenkrankheit (RFK) zu erarbeiten. In den Regionen Altes Land und Bodensee dominierte in allen drei Versuchsjahren (2007 â 2009) ein und derselbe RFK-Erreger, Peltaster sp.. Weitere RFK-Erreger sowie der Erreger der Fliegenschmutzkrankheit (FSK), Schizothyrium pomi, kamen nur sporadisch vor und sind wahrscheinlich fĂŒr die BekĂ€mpfung der Symptome derzeit ohne Bedeutung. In beiden Regionen ist die RFK fast ausschlieĂlich auf ökologisch bewirtschaftete Anlagen beschrĂ€nkt. Eine Besiedlung von Obstanlagen durch RFK-Erreger findet zunĂ€chst von auĂen statt, kann dann aber in den darauf folgenden Jahren durch endogenes Inokulum getragen werden. Fruchtmumien spielen eine Rolle als endogene Infektionsquellen. Umfangreiche Versuche zur PrĂ€zisierung der Infektionsbedingungen haben ergeben, dass eine Besiedlung der jungen FrĂŒchte bereits zum sehr frĂŒhen Zeitpunkt (T-Stadium, BBCH 74) und danach wĂ€hrend des gesamten weiteren Saisonverlaufs erfolgen kann. Die StĂ€rke der SymptomausprĂ€gung zur Ernte ist in erster Linie davon abhĂ€ngig, wie lange die FrĂŒchte den natĂŒrlichen Infektionsbedingungen ausgesetzt waren. Je spĂ€ter in der Saison Infektionen stattfinden, desto weniger Zeit haben die RFK-Pilze fĂŒr die Besiedlung und Ausbreitung auf der Frucht, so dass spĂ€te Infektionen i.d.R. nicht mehr zu starken Befallsgraden fĂŒhren. Zur AusprĂ€gung von RFK-Symptomen ist Blattfeuchte, auch in Form von Taubildung, ausreichend, jedoch wird die Symptomausbildung mit zunehmenden Niederschlagsmengen deutlich beschleunigt. Sind erste RFK-Symptome in einer Anlage sichtbar, verkĂŒrzt sich die zur Inkubation notwendige kumulative BlattnĂ€ssedauer von etwa 250 auf unter 150 Stunden. Die RFK-Erreger scheinen eine mehrwöchige Trockenphase unbeschadet ĂŒberdauern zu können. Apfelsorten zeigen deutliche Unterschiede in der AusprĂ€gung der RFK-Symptome. Die Ursachen hierfĂŒr mĂŒssen in weiteren Untersuchungen geklĂ€rt werden
Identification of semiconductive patches in thermally processed monolayer oxoâfunctionalized graphene
The thermal decomposition of graphene oxide (GO) is a complex process at the atomic level and not fully understood. Here, a subclass of GO, oxoâfunctionalized graphene (oxoâG), was used to study its thermal disproportionation. We present the impact of annealing on the electronic properties of a monolayer oxoâG flake and correlated the chemical composition and topography corrugation by twoâprobe transport measurements, XPS, TEM, FTIR and STM. Surprisingly, we found that oxoâG, processed at 300â°C, displays CâC sp3âpatches and possibly CâOâC bonds, next to graphene domains and holes. It is striking that those CâOâC/CâC sp3âseparated sp2âpatches a few nanometers in diameter possess semiconducting properties with a band gap of about 0.4â
eV. We propose that sp3âpatches confine conjugated sp2âC atoms, which leads to the local semiconductor properties. Accordingly, graphene with sp3âC in double layer areas is a potential class of semiconductors and a potential target for future chemical modifications
Considerations and guidelines for import and export of ornithological samples from tropical countries
âBiodiversitĂ€tâ wird zunehmend als wichtige Ressource
erkannt. Schutz, Zugang und nachhaltige Nutzung der BiodiversitÀt
(genetische Ressourcen, Arten, Proben jeglicher
Couleur) werden inzwischen auf verschiedenen politischen
Ebenen verhandelt, was in international verbindlichen Rahmenwerken
verankert wird. VerstÀndnis von und Bewusstsein
ĂŒber Genehmigungen zum Import und Export biologischer
Proben ist von zunehmender Bedeutung fĂŒr Biologen,
um Forschungsprojekte legal und zeitnah durchfĂŒhren
zu können. Nichtsdestotrotz werden nach wie vor biologische
Proben fleiĂig im- und exportiert, oft genug auch unter
VernachlÀssigung der Genehmigungspflicht aufgrund lokaler,
nationaler und internationaler Ăbereinkommen, Gesetzen
und Verordnungen bzw. auch schlichtweg mit gesetzeswidrigem
Verhalten oder Verpackungen beim Transport.
Daraus entstehende Schwierigkeiten können ernsthafte Probleme
wÀhrend der Feldarbeit bedeuten, aber auch den
Export verzögern oder zum Verlust von Proben fĂŒhren.
Intensive rechtzeitige (Vorab-) Information bezĂŒglich gesetzlicher
Voraussetzungen zum Import, Export und Transport
biologischer Proben kann das Problempotenzial stark
vermindern oder ganz beseitigen. Wir haben vier wichtige
Faktoren identifiziert und fassen Informationen zu diesen
Bereichen zusammen, die bei Beachtung die Genehmigungen
und den Import in die EG vereinfachen können: (1) gute
persönliche (auf gegenseitigem Vertrauen beruhende) Kontakte
im Ursprungsland; (2) VerstÀndnis und Einhaltung von
allen relevanten Gesetzen und Verordnungen; (3) Zugang
zu Informationen bezĂŒglich Genehmigungen, Verordnungen
und Informationsverbreitung innerhalb der Forschergemeinschaft;
und (4) Zugang zu einheitlichen und aktuellen
Richtlinien zu Genehmigungen, Verordnungen und Gesetzen.
Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, in Zukunft die Forschung von
einigen zentralen Problemen im Im- und Export zu befreien
und Probleme und MissverstĂ€ndnisse zu reduzieren.âBiodiversityâ is increasingly perceived as an important resource. Conservation, access and sustainable use of biodiversity
(genetic resources, species, samples) are negotiated at political levels, resulting in an internationally binding legal framework.
Understanding and awareness of export and import permits for biological samples is increasingly important for biologists to
perform research projects legally and timely. Nevertheless, some biologists still export and import biological samples in disregard
of or non-compliant with national and international legislation, conventions, and regulations. Resulting difficulties may
not only cause serious problems during field work, but may also delay the export, import or exchange of samples. Comprehensive
a priori information regarding legal requirements helps to avoid or at least diminish potential problems. We identified
four major factors facilitating export/import permits: (1) good personal (mutually trusted) contacts in the country of origin,
(2) understanding and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations; (3) access to information regarding knowledge on
permits, regulations and laws including their circulation within the researcher communities and (4) access to consistent and
up to date regulations and guidelines. We provide information on key issues to assist research teams trying to reduce problems
and misunderstandings
Towards the integration and development of a cross-European research network and infrastructure:the DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity (DEDIPAC) Knowledge Hub
To address major societal challenges and enhance cooperation in research across Europe, the European Commission has initiated and facilitated âjoint programmingâ. Joint programming is a process by which Member States engage in defining, developing and implementing a common strategic research agenda, based on a shared vision of how to address major societal challenges that no Member State is capable of resolving independently. Setting up a Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) should also contribute to avoiding unnecessary overlap and repetition of research, and enable and enhance the development and use of standardised research methods, procedures and data management. The Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity (DEDIPAC) Knowledge Hub (KH) is the first act of the European JPI âA Healthy Diet for a Healthy Lifeâ. The objective of DEDIPAC is to contribute to improving understanding of the determinants of dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. DEDIPAC KH is a multi-disciplinary consortium of 46 consortia and organisations supported by joint programming grants from 12 countries across Europe. The work is divided into three thematic areas: (I) assessment and harmonisation of methods for future research, surveillance and monitoring, and for evaluation of interventions and policies; (II) determinants of dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours across the life course and in vulnerable groups; and (III) evaluation and benchmarking of public health and policy interventions aimed at improving dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. In the first three years, DEDIPAC KH will organise, develop, share and harmonise expertise, methods, measures, data and other infrastructure. This should further European research and improve the broad multi-disciplinary approach needed to study the interactions between multilevel determinants in influencing dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. Insights will be translated into more effective interventions and policies for the promotion of healthier behaviours and more effective monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of such intervention
Genetic variation at CYP3A is associated with age at menarche and breast cancer risk : a case-control study
Abstract
Introduction
We have previously shown that a tag single nucleotide polymorphism (rs10235235), which maps to the CYP3A locus (7q22.1), was associated with a reduction in premenopausal urinary estrone glucuronide levels and a modest reduction in risk of breast cancer in women age â€50 years.
Methods
We further investigated the association of rs10235235 with breast cancer risk in a large case control study of 47,346 cases and 47,570 controls from 52 studies participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. Genotyping of rs10235235 was conducted using a custom Illumina Infinium array. Stratified analyses were conducted to determine whether this association was modified by age at diagnosis, ethnicity, age at menarche or tumor characteristics.
Results
We confirmed the association of rs10235235 with breast cancer risk for women of European ancestry but found no evidence that this association differed with age at diagnosis. Heterozygote and homozygote odds ratios (ORs) were OR = 0.98 (95% CI 0.94, 1.01; P = 0.2) and OR = 0.80 (95% CI 0.69, 0.93; P = 0.004), respectively (P
trend = 0.02). There was no evidence of effect modification by tumor characteristics. rs10235235 was, however, associated with age at menarche in controls (P
trend = 0.005) but not cases (P
trend = 0.97). Consequently the association between rs10235235 and breast cancer risk differed according to age at menarche (P
het = 0.02); the rare allele of rs10235235 was associated with a reduction in breast cancer risk for women who had their menarche age â„15 years (ORhet = 0.84, 95% CI 0.75, 0.94; ORhom = 0.81, 95% CI 0.51, 1.30; P
trend = 0.002) but not for those who had their menarche age â€11 years (ORhet = 1.06, 95% CI 0.95, 1.19, ORhom = 1.07, 95% CI 0.67, 1.72; P
trend = 0.29).
Conclusions
To our knowledge rs10235235 is the first single nucleotide polymorphism to be associated with both breast cancer risk and age at menarche consistent with the well-documented association between later age at menarche and a reduction in breast cancer risk. These associations are likely mediated via an effect on circulating hormone levels