Regionale Klimaszenarios für die Modellregion Dresden

Dies ist ein Faktenblatt aus dem REGKLAM-Vorhaben zum Thema "Regionale Klmaszenarien für die Modellregion Dresden"

Auf den Spuren eines Begriffs

Der Begriff Politische Religion sowie Entsprechungen in anderen Sprachräumen erfreuen sich seit über einem Vierteljahrhundert einer wachsenden internationalen Popularität in der wissen-schaftlichen und populärwissenschaftlichen, aber auch tagespolitischen Medienlandschaft. Dies ist mitunter der 1986 veröffentlichten englischen Übersetzung und der 1993 herausgegebenen Neuauflage der Schrift Die politischen Religionen (1938) des österreichischen Politologen und Philosophen Eric Voegelin (1901-1985) und der breiten Rezeption seiner gleichnamigen Theo-rie zu verschulden, die er zur Wesensbeschreibung und Interpretation totalitärer Herrschafts-formen des 20. Jahrhunderts, wie etwa des Kommunismus und Nationalsozialismus, heranzog. Seit dieser Neubelebung in den 1990er Jahren wurde der Begriff als politisch-religiöses Inter-pretationsmodell interdisziplinär in der Forschungslandschaft in zahlreichen wissenschaftlichen Studien wieder aufgegriffen, die im Gros auf Voegelin als Galionsfigur des Theorems Politi-sche Religion und dessen Publikation als Grundlagen- und Referenzschrift rekurrieren, obwohl er weder Begründer noch einziger zeitgenössischer Vertreter dieses Ansatzes war und sich spä-terhin von dieser kontroversen Terminologie distanzierte. Es ist vermutlich dieser seit den 1990er Jahren anhaltenden Voegelin-Fixierung geschuldet, dass bisher nur wenige Forschende den Blick auf frühe Verwendungen des Begriffs Politische Religion gerichtet haben, dessen Wurzeln bis ins 16. Jahrhundert zurückverfolgt werden kön-nen. Diesem Mangel wendet sich die vorliegende Studie mit dem Ziel einer begriffsgeschichtli-chen Annäherung an die frühen Verwendungen des Begriffs Politische Religion im Zeitraum vom 16. bis zum 19. Jahrhundert zu. Da sich allein im deutschsprachigen Raum zahlreiche Verwendungsbelege finden, wird der Fokus auf deutschsprachige Publikationen gelegt. Punk-tuell soll an ausgewählten Stellen auch auf Quellen aus anderen Sprachräumen (zum Beispiel Latein, Französisch und Englisch) verwiesen und ein translingualer Ausblick gewagt werden. Zur Erschließung des Quellenmaterials bedient sich die Studie einer Verflechtung methodischer Ansätze aus den Bereichen der Historischen Semantik. Dabei sollen u. a. folgende Untersu-chungsfragen in den Vordergrund gestellt werden: In welchen historischen, politischen oder religiösen Kontexten tauchen die ersten belegbaren Verwendungen im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert auf und welchem sozialen wie religiösen Umfeld ist die frühe Autorschaft zuzuordnen? Wel-chen Wandel durchlief der Begriff im Untersuchungszeitraum? Welche Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede bestehen zwischen dem frühneuzeitlichen Begriffsverständnis und einer Verwen-dung als Analyseinstrument zur Deutung moderner Herrschaftsformen im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert? Die Historisierung des Begriffs und seine Einbettung in den diskursgeschicht-lichen Kontext des Religionsbegriffs sollen einen Überblick zur Geschichte des Begriffs Politi-sche Religion auf der Grundlage eines bisher unerschlossenen Quellenmaterials bieten und die unterschiedlichen Begriffsbedeutungen sowie die mit ihnen transportierten Intentionen im Laufe der Jahrhunderte und im Wandel eines bis heute kaum greifbaren Religionsbegriffs aufzeigen.The term Politische Religion and its equivalents in other languages – such as political religion in English – have grown ever more popular in academia, popular science, and media over the last quarter of a century. This is partly due to the English translation of Eric Voegelin’s The Political Religions published in 1986 and followed by a new edition of the German original text Die politischen Religionen in 1993. Voegelin (1901-1985), an Austrian political scientist and phi-losopher, originally published his widely perceived theory in 1938, in which he analyzed and interpreted the essence of totalitarian forms of rule of the 20th century, such as communism and National Socialism. Being revived by the translation of Voegelin in the late 1980s, the term Politische Religion has been taken up interdisciplinary as a concept in numerous scientific stud-ies, frequently referring to Voegelin as the founder of the term itself and his publication as the theoretical reference even though he neither coined the term nor had he been the only contempo-rary representative of the approach and eventually distanced himself from the terminology alto-gether. It is probably due to this Voegelin fixation, which has persisted to this day, that so far only a few scholars have turned their attention to early uses of the term political religion, whose roots can be traced back to the 16th century. This study addresses that deficiency with the aim of providing a conceptual historical approach to the early uses of the term stretching from the 16th to the 19th century. The study focuses on German texts as the term enjoyed huge popularity in the German-speaking world of that timeframe. At selected points references will be made from a translingual perspective to sources from other language areas (e.g. Latin, French and English) to demonstrate its broad appeal beyond the limitations of said world. Analyzing the source material, this study interweaves various methodological approaches from the fields of historical semantics. The following research questions provide a guiding thread to tie together this longue durée approach to the semantics of Politische Religion: In which historical, political and/or religious contexts did the first verifiable uses of the term appear in the 16th and early 17th century? To which social and religious environment can the early authors be assigned? How did the term transform during the centuries? What similarities and differences exist between the early modern understanding of the term and its use as an analytical instrument to interpret modern forms of rule in the 20th and 21st century? Historicizing the term religion and embedding it in its historical discourse will provide an overview of the history of the term political religion on the basis of hitherto unexplored source material. Thus the project not only analyzes the different meanings of the term, but reconstructs the permutations through their historical intentions and changes in the concept of religion which is still barely tangible today

Effect of hypoxia and anoxia on invertebrate behaviour: Ecological perspectives from species to community level

Coastal hypoxia and anoxia have become a global key stressor to marine ecosystems, with almost 500 dead zones recorded worldwide. By triggering cascading effects from the individual organism to the community-and ecosystem level, oxygen depletions threaten marine biodiversity and can alter ecosystem structure and function. By integrating both physiological function and ecological processes, animal behaviour is ideal for assessing the stress state of benthic macrofauna to low dissolved oxygen. The initial response of organisms can serve as an early warning signal, while the successive behavioural reactions of key species indicate hypoxia levels and help assess community degradation. Here we document the behavioural responses of a representative spectrum of benthic macrofauna in the natural setting in the Northern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean). We experimentally induced small-scale anoxia with a benthic chamber in 24 m depth to overcome the difficulties in predicting the onset of hypoxia, which often hinders full documentation in the field. The behavioural reactions were documented with a time-lapse camera. Oxygen depletion elicited significant and repeatable changes in general (visibility, locomotion, body movement and posture, location) and species-specific reactions in virtually all organisms (302 individuals from 32 species and 2 species groups). Most atypical (stress) behaviours were associated with specific oxygen thresholds: arm-tipping in the ophiuroid Ophiothrix quinquemaculata, for example, with the onset of mild hypoxia (< 2 mL O2 L-1), the emergence of polychaetes on the sediment surface with moderate hypoxia (< 1 mL O 2 L-1), the emergence of the infaunal sea urchin Schizaster canaliferus on the sediment with severe hypoxia (< 0.5 mL O 2 Lg-1) and heavy body rotations in sea anemones with anoxia. Other species changed their activity patterns, for example the circadian rhythm in the hermit crab Paguristes eremita or the bioherm-associated crab Pisidia longimana. Intra-and interspecific reactions were weakened or changed: decapods ceased defensive and territorial behaviour, and predator-prey interactions and relationships shifted. This nuanced scale of resolution is a useful tool to interpret present benthic community status (behaviour) and past mortalities (community composition, e.g. survival of tolerant species). This information on the sensitivity (onset of stress response), tolerance (mortality, survival), and characteristics (i.e. life habit, functional role) of key species also helps predict potential future changes in benthic structure and ecosystem functioning. This integrated approach can transport complex ecological processes to the public and decision-makers and help define specific monitoring, assessment and conservation plans. © 2014 Author (s).This study was financed by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF; projects P17655-B03 and P21542-B17) and supported by the OEAD Bilateral Slovenian Austrian Scientific Technical Cooperation project SI 22/2009Peer Reviewe

High-quality draft genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum E18, isolated from a healthy adult

Bifidobacteria are important gastrointestinal commensals of a number of animals, including humans, and various beneficial effects on host health have been attributed to them. Here, we announce the noncontiguous finished genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum E18, isolated from a healthy adult, which reveals traits involved in its interaction with the host

Gas hydrate technology: state of the art and future possibilities for Europe

Interest in natural gas hydrates has been steadily increasing over the last few decades, with the understanding that exploitation of this abundant unconventional source may help meet the ever-increasing energy demand and assist in reduction of CO2 emission (by replacing coal). Unfortunately, conventional technologies for oil and gas exploitation are not fully appropriate for the specific exploitation of gas hydrate. Consequently, the technology chain, from exploration through production to monitoring, needs to be further developed and adapted to the specific properties and conditions associated with gas hydrates, in order to allow for a commercially and environmentally sound extraction of gas from gas hydrate deposits. Various academic groups and companies within the European region have been heavily involved in theoretical and applied research of gas hydrate for more than a decade. To demonstrate this, Fig. 1.1 shows a selection of leading European institutes that are actively involved in gas hydrate research. A significant number of these institutes have been strongly involved in recent worldwide exploitation of gas hydrate, which are shown in Fig. 1.2 and summarized in Table 1.1. Despite the state of knowledge, no field trials have been carried out so far in European waters. MIGRATE (COST action ES1405) aims to pool together expertise of a large number of European research groups and industrial players to advance gas-hydrate related activity with the ultimate goal of preparing the setting for a field production test in European waters. This MIGRATE report presents an overview of current technologies related to gas hydrate exploration (Chapter 2), production (Chapter 3) and monitoring (Chapter 4), with an emphasis on European activity. This requires covering various activities within different disciplines, all of which contribute to the technology development needed for future cost-effective gas production. The report points out future research and work areas (Chapter 5) that would bridge existing knowledge gaps, through multinational collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches

LUBAC assembles a ubiquitin signaling platform at mitochondria for signal amplification and transport of NF-κB to the nucleus

Mitochondria are increasingly recognized as cellular hubs to orchestrate signaling pathways that regulate metabolism, redox homeostasis, and cell fate decisions. Recent research revealed a role of mitochondria also in innate immune signaling; however, the mechanisms of how mitochondria affect signal transduction are poorly understood. Here, we show that the NF-κB pathway activated by TNF employs mitochondria as a platform for signal amplification and shuttling of activated NF-κB to the nucleus. TNF treatment induces the recruitment of HOIP, the catalytic component of the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), and its substrate NEMO to the outer mitochondrial membrane, where M1- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains are generated. NF-κB is locally activated and transported to the nucleus by mitochondria, leading to an increase in mitochondria-nucleus contact sites in a HOIP-dependent manner. Notably, TNF-induced stabilization of the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 furthermore contributes to signal amplification by antagonizing the M1-ubiquitin-specific deubiquitinase OTULIN. Overall, our study reveals a role for mitochondria in amplifying TNF-mediated NF-κB activation, both serving as a signaling platform, as well as a transport mode for activated NF-κB to the nuclear

Growing old at home – A randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive home visits to reduce nursing home admissions: study protocol [NCT00644826]

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Regarding demographic changes in Germany it can be assumed that the number of elderly and the resulting need for long term care is increasing in the near future. It is not only an individual's interest but also of public concern to avoid a nursing home admission. Current evidence indicates that preventive home visits can be an effective way to reduce the admission rate in this way making it possible for elderly people to stay longer at home than without home visits. As the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive home visits strongly depends on existing services in the social and health system existing international results cannot be merely transferred to Germany. Therefore it is necessary to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention in Germany by a randomized controlled trial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The trial is designed as a prospective multi-center randomized controlled trial in the cities of Halle and Leipzig. The trial includes an intervention and a control group. The control group receives usual care. The intervention group receives three additional home visits by non-physician health professionals (1) geriatric assessment, (2) consultation, (3) booster session.</p> <p>The nursing home admission rate after 18 months will be defined as the primary outcome. An absolute risk reduction from a 20% in the control-group to a 7% admission rate in the intervention group including an assumed drop out rate of 30% resulted in a required sample size of N = 320 (n = 160 vs. n = 160).</p> <p>Parallel to the clinical outcome measurement the intervention will be evaluated economically. The economic evaluation will be performed from a society perspective.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>To the authors' knowledge for the first time a trial will investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive home visits for people aged 80 and over in Germany using the design of a randomized controlled trial. Thus, the trial will contribute to the existing evidence on preventive home visits especially in Germany.</p

Selective targeting of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells by microRNA-148a-specific antagomirs in vivo.

In T lymphocytes, expression of miR-148a is induced by T-bet and Twist1, and is specific for pro-inflammatory Th1 cells. In these cells, miR-148a inhibits the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim and promotes their survival. Here we use sequence-specific cholesterol-modified oligonucleotides against miR-148a (antagomir-148a) for the selective elimination of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells in vivo. In the murine model of transfer colitis, antagomir-148a treatment reduced the number of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells in the colon of colitic mice by 50% and inhibited miR-148a expression by 71% in the remaining Th1 cells. Expression of Bim protein in colonic Th1 cells was increased. Antagomir-148a-mediated reduction of Th1 cells resulted in a significant amelioration of colitis. The effect of antagomir-148a was selective for chronic inflammation. Antigen-specific memory Th cells that were generated by an acute immune reaction to nitrophenylacetyl-coupled chicken gamma globulin (NP-CGG) were not affected by treatment with antagomir-148a, both during the effector and the memory phase. In addition, antibody titers to NP-CGG were not altered. Thus, antagomir-148a might qualify as an effective drug to selectively deplete pro-inflammatory Th1 cells of chronic inflammation without affecting the protective immunological memory

ARTEFACTS: How do we want to deal with the future of our one and only planet?

The European Commission’s Science and Knowledge Service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), decided to try working hand-in-hand with leading European science centres and museums. Behind this decision was the idea that the JRC could better support EU Institutions in engaging with the European public. The fact that European Union policies are firmly based on scientific evidence is a strong message which the JRC is uniquely able to illustrate. Such a collaboration would not only provide a platform to explain the benefits of EU policies to our daily lives but also provide an opportunity for European citizens to engage by taking a more active part in the EU policy making process for the future. A PILOT PROGRAMME To test the idea, the JRC launched an experimental programme to work with science museums: a perfect partner for three compelling reasons. Firstly, they attract a large and growing number of visitors. Leading science museums in Europe have typically 500 000 visitors per year. Furthermore, they are based in large European cities and attract local visitors as well as tourists from across Europe and beyond. The second reason for working with museums is that they have mastered the art of how to communicate key elements of sophisticated arguments across to the public and making complex topics of public interest readily accessible. That is a high-value added skill and a crucial part of the valorisation of public-funded research, never to be underestimated. Finally museums are, at present, undergoing something of a renaissance. Museums today are vibrant environments offering new techniques and technologies to both inform and entertain, and attract visitors of all demographics.JRC.H.2-Knowledge Management Methodologies, Communities and Disseminatio

Analysis of shared heritability in common disorders of the brain

ience, this issue p. eaap8757 Structured Abstract INTRODUCTION Brain disorders may exhibit shared symptoms and substantial epidemiological comorbidity, inciting debate about their etiologic overlap. However, detailed study of phenotypes with different ages of onset, severity, and presentation poses a considerable challenge. Recently developed heritability methods allow us to accurately measure correlation of genome-wide common variant risk between two phenotypes from pools of different individuals and assess how connected they, or at least their genetic risks, are on the genomic level. We used genome-wide association data for 265,218 patients and 784,643 control participants, as well as 17 phenotypes from a total of 1,191,588 individuals, to quantify the degree of overlap for genetic risk factors of 25 common brain disorders. RATIONALE Over the past century, the classification of brain disorders has evolved to reflect the medical and scientific communities' assessments of the presumed root causes of clinical phenomena such as behavioral change, loss of motor function, or alterations of consciousness. Directly observable phenomena (such as the presence of emboli, protein tangles, or unusual electrical activity patterns) generally define and separate neurological disorders from psychiatric disorders. Understanding the genetic underpinnings and categorical distinctions for brain disorders and related phenotypes may inform the search for their biological mechanisms. RESULTS Common variant risk for psychiatric disorders was shown to correlate significantly, especially among attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia. By contrast, neurological disorders appear more distinct from one another and from the psychiatric disorders, except for migraine, which was significantly correlated to ADHD, MDD, and Tourette syndrome. We demonstrate that, in the general population, the personality trait neuroticism is significantly correlated with almost every psychiatric disorder and migraine. We also identify significant genetic sharing between disorders and early life cognitive measures (e.g., years of education and college attainment) in the general population, demonstrating positive correlation with several psychiatric disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa and bipolar disorder) and negative correlation with several neurological phenotypes (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke), even though the latter are considered to result from specific processes that occur later in life. Extensive simulations were also performed to inform how statistical power, diagnostic misclassification, and phenotypic heterogeneity influence genetic correlations. CONCLUSION The high degree of genetic correlation among many of the psychiatric disorders adds further evidence that their current clinical boundaries do not reflect distinct underlying pathogenic processes, at least on the genetic level. This suggests a deeply interconnected nature for psychiatric disorders, in contrast to neurological disorders, and underscores the need to refine psychiatric diagnostics. Genetically informed analyses may provide important "scaffolding" to support such restructuring of psychiatric nosology, which likely requires incorporating many levels of information. By contrast, we find limited evidence for widespread common genetic risk sharing among neurological disorders or across neurological and psychiatric disorders. We show that both psychiatric and neurological disorders have robust correlations with cognitive and personality measures. Further study is needed to evaluate whether overlapping genetic contributions to psychiatric pathology may influence treatment choices. Ultimately, such developments may pave the way toward reduced heterogeneity and improved diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders