Frauen, Religion und Bollywood

Die Diplomarbeit untersucht populäre Bollywood-Filme in Hinblick auf den darin enthaltenden Diskurs zum traditionellen brahmanisch-hinduistischen Frauenideal. Im Zentrum dieser Arbeit stehen drei populäre Filme aus dem Jahr 2009. Anhand dieser Filme wird versucht herauszuarbeiten, inwiefern dieses Frauenideal im populären Hindi-Film präsent ist oder welchen Wandlungen es unterliegt. Bekannte episch-religiöse Frauenfiguren wie Sītā, Draupadī und Savitrī verkörpern ein populäres Frauenideal in der indischen Gesellschaft und werden immer wieder als Vorbilder für das Leben realer Frauen herangezogen. Gesellschaftliche Veränderungen, die durch Globalisierung und Wachstum bedingt sind, zeigen sich auch in der indischen Bevölkerung. Dem Bollywood-Kino in seiner Funktion als Vermittler von Werten wird eine große Rolle in der Kommunikation und dem Verhandeln neuer Bedeutungen zugesprochen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die weiblichen Hauptfiguren dieser drei populären Bollywood-Filme auf die Darstellung und Veränderungen des traditionellen brahmanisch-hinduistischen Frauenideals hin zu untersuchen, diese in den gesellschaftlichen Kontext einzubinden und mögliche Veränderungen zu erörtern. Zusätzlich wird untersucht, inwieweit religiöse Elemente im Film vorkommen und dargestellt werden. Die Arbeit gliedert sich in einen theoretisch-beschreibenden und einen analytisch-interpretativen Teil. Im ersten Kapitel der Arbeit werden die Eigenheiten des indischen Kinos und der im Bollywood-Film und vorkommende Frauentypen dargestellt. Danach folgt eine nähere Beschäftigung mit der Geschichte und der Entwicklung des Frauenideals. Die großen Epen und deren zentrale Frauenfiguren werden erörtert und das religiöse Leben die religiösen Pflichten der Frauen erklärt. Der theoretische Rahmen ist in zwei Teile gegliedert. Zu Beginn wird der Film im Sinne der Cultural Studies als kultureller Text und das darin enthaltene Frauenbild als kulturelle Repräsentation definiert. Dem Zuseher kommt hier in seiner Funktion als aktiver Rezipient eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Demnach werden die kognitiven Tätigkeiten der Zuseher anhand der Handlung und der ästhetischen Gestaltungsmittel zwar vom Text vorstrukturiert, die Bedeutungen realisieren sich aber erst im Zuge der Aneignung durch den Rezipienten. Weiblichkeit wird hier nicht als biologische Konstante sondern als sozial konstruiert und durch Geschlechtsdarstellung, Geschlechtszuweisung und Performance vermittelt angesehen. Nach einer kurzen Einführung in die Figurenanalyse werden die in den Filmen Wanted, Love Aaj Kal und Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Khahani auftretenden Frauenfiguren analysiert und in weiterer Folge mit weiteren Filmen aus dem Jahr 2009 abgeglichen. In der Analyse zeigt sich eine Wandlung des traditionellen Frauenideals, traditionelle Merkmale werden mit neuen Eigenschaften vermischt und dargestellt. Religiöse Motive und Anspielungen sind auch weiterhin präsent, doch kommt ihnen nunmehr eine geringere Bedeutung zu

A novel retinoblastoma therapy from genomic and epigenetic analyses.

Retinoblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer of the developing retina that is initiated by the biallelic loss of RB1. Tumours progress very quickly following RB1 inactivation but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here we show that the retinoblastoma genome is stable, but that multiple cancer pathways can be epigenetically deregulated. To identify the mutations that cooperate with RB1 loss, we performed whole-genome sequencing of retinoblastomas. The overall mutational rate was very low; RB1 was the only known cancer gene mutated. We then evaluated the role of RB1 in genome stability and considered non-genetic mechanisms of cancer pathway deregulation. For example, the proto-oncogene SYK is upregulated in retinoblastoma and is required for tumour cell survival. Targeting SYK with a small-molecule inhibitor induced retinoblastoma tumour cell death in vitro and in vivo. Thus, retinoblastomas may develop quickly as a result of the epigenetic deregulation of key cancer pathways as a direct or indirect result of RB1 loss

Manual de Indicadores para Monitoreo de Planes Prediales de Manejo de Bosque con Ganadería Integrada – MBGI Región Patagónica

El presente informe presenta los indicadores MBGI a una escala predial para la región Patagónica, y propone una metodología para la toma de información y posterior análisis de los indicadores. En un proceso participativo, entendido como una consulta amplia a expertos y trabajo de taller para la redefinición y priorización de indicadores, y por indicación de la Mesa Nacional MBGI, se generaron los siguientes indicadores de monitoreo a escala predial. El trabajo se llevó adelante con la participación de un grupo diversificado de expertos especialmente seleccionados (ej. INTA, Universidades, CONICET, Direcciones de Bosques, MAyDS, MAGyP). Los indicadores que a continuación se detallan son una guía orientativa y facilitadora para los productores, técnicos y organismos del Estado en el manejo adaptativo de las prácticas MBGI en la región Patagónica. Es decir, los indicadores han sido diseñados como una herramienta para la determinación de las líneas de base a nivel predial, así como para asistir al monitoreo de los planes de manejo, brindando elementos básicos para la interpretación, reflexión y ajuste de las prácticas de manejo implementadas en el campo. La sustentabilidad per se, puede ser un objetivo móvil dados los cambios ambientales y sociales que se producen temporalmente. Sin embargo, es importante resaltar, que existen umbrales que, al ser traspasados impiden el logro de la misma. Este es uno de los principales objetivos del empleo de indicadores, aunque uno de los aspectos más complejos. Tanto evaluar la evolución de los indicadores a través del tiempo, como referir el estado de los mismos a dichos umbrales son las principales funciones de su medición, ya que subrayan las alertas más necesarias a la hora de implementar un manejo adaptativo. Otro aspecto central a tener en cuenta es que el predio debe contar con un área bajo pastoreo, un área de conservación y un área conectora, las que deben estar claramente especificadas, en el espacio. Cada una de ellas posee un objetivo diferente. Por ello, los indicadores deberían reflejar la situación real en cada una en forma independiente, considerando que el valor “deseado” o esperado dependerá del objetivo que esa área deba cumplir.EEA Santa CruzFil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Rusch, Verónica Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área Forestal. Grupo de Ecología Forestal; Argentina.Fil: Von Müller, Axel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Esquel; Argentina.Fil: Varela, Santiago Agustin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Quinteros, Claudia Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro científico tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia norte; Argentina.Fil: Quinteros, Claudia Pamela. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de investigación Esquel de montaña y estepa patagonica; Argentina.Fil: Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC); Argentina

Threshold-Dependent BMP-Mediated Repression: A Model for a Conserved Mechanism That Patterns the Neuroectoderm

Subdivision of the neuroectoderm into three rows of cells along the dorsal-ventral axis by neural identity genes is a highly conserved developmental process. While neural identity genes are expressed in remarkably similar patterns in vertebrates and invertebrates, previous work suggests that these patterns may be regulated by distinct upstream genetic pathways. Here we ask whether a potential conserved source of positional information provided by the BMP signaling contributes to patterning the neuroectoderm. We have addressed this question in two ways: First, we asked whether BMPs can act as bona fide morphogens to pattern the Drosophila neuroectoderm in a dose-dependent fashion, and second, we examined whether BMPs might act in a similar fashion in patterning the vertebrate neuroectoderm. In this study, we show that graded BMP signaling participates in organizing the neural axis in Drosophila by repressing expression of neural identity genes in a threshold-dependent fashion. We also provide evidence for a similar organizing activity of BMP signaling in chick neural plate explants, which may operate by the same double negative mechanism that acts earlier during neural induction. We propose that BMPs played an ancestral role in patterning the metazoan neuroectoderm by threshold-dependent repression of neural identity genes

Distribution Analysis of Hydrogenases in Surface Waters of Marine and Freshwater Environments

Background Surface waters of aquatic environments have been shown to both evolve and consume hydrogen and the ocean is estimated to be the principal natural source. In some marine habitats, H2 evolution and uptake are clearly due to biological activity, while contributions of abiotic sources must be considered in others. Until now the only known biological process involved in H2 metabolism in marine environments is nitrogen fixation. Principal Findings We analyzed marine and freshwater environments for the presence and distribution of genes of all known hydrogenases, the enzymes involved in biological hydrogen turnover. The total genomes and the available marine metagenome datasets were searched for hydrogenase sequences. Furthermore, we isolated DNA from samples from the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, and two fresh water lakes and amplified and sequenced part of the gene encoding the bidirectional NAD(P)-linked hydrogenase. In 21% of all marine heterotrophic bacterial genomes from surface waters, one or several hydrogenase genes were found, with the membrane-bound H2 uptake hydrogenase being the most widespread. A clear bias of hydrogenases to environments with terrestrial influence was found. This is exemplified by the cyanobacterial bidirectional NAD(P)-linked hydrogenase that was found in freshwater and coastal areas but not in the open ocean. Significance This study shows that hydrogenases are surprisingly abundant in marine environments. Due to its ecological distribution the primary function of the bidirectional NAD(P)-linked hydrogenase seems to be fermentative hydrogen evolution. Moreover, our data suggests that marine surface waters could be an interesting source of oxygen-resistant uptake hydrogenases. The respective genes occur in coastal as well as open ocean habitats and we presume that they are used as additional energy scavenging devices in otherwise nutrient limited environments. The membrane-bound H2-evolving hydrogenases might be useful as marker for bacteria living inside of marine snow particles

Stakeholders' perspectives on the operationalisation of the ecosystem service concept : Results from 27 case studies

The ecosystem service (ES) concept is becoming mainstream in policy and planning, but operational influence on practice is seldom reported. Here, we report the practitioners' perspectives on the practical implementation of the ES concept in 27 case studies. A standardised anonymous survey (n = 246), was used, focusing on the science-practice interaction process, perceived impact and expected use of the case study assessments. Operationalisation of the concept was shown to achieve a gradual change in practices: 13% of the case studies reported a change in action (e.g. management or policy change), and a further 40% anticipated that a change would result from the work. To a large extent the impact was attributed to a well conducted science-practice interaction process (>70%). The main reported advantages of the concept included: increased concept awareness and communication; enhanced participation and collaboration; production of comprehensive science-based knowledge; and production of spatially referenced knowledge for input to planning (91% indicated they had acquired new knowledge). The limitations were mostly case-specific and centred on methodology, data, and challenges with result implementation. The survey highlighted the crucial role of communication, participation and collaboration across different stakeholders, to implement the ES concept and enhance the democratisation of nature and landscape planning. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Transcriptome dynamics of a broad host-range cyanophage and its hosts

Cyanobacteria are highly abundant in the oceans and are constantly exposed to lytic viruses. The T4-like cyanomyoviruses are abundant in the marine environment and have broad host-ranges relative to other cyanophages. It is currently unknown whether broad host-range phages specifically tailor their infection program for each host, or employ the same program irrespective of the host infected. Also unknown is how different hosts respond to infection by the same phage. Here we used microarray and RNA-seq analyses to investigate the interaction between the Syn9 T4-like cyanophage and three phylogenetically, ecologically and genomically distinct marine Synechococcus strains: WH7803, WH8102 and WH8109. Strikingly, Syn9 led a nearly identical infection and transcriptional program in all three hosts. Different to previous assumptions for T4-like cyanophages, three temporally regulated gene expression classes were observed. Furthermore, a novel regulatory element controlled early-gene transcription, and host-like promoters drove middle gene transcription, different to the regulatory paradigm for T4. Similar results were found for the P-TIM40 phage during infection of Prochlorococcus NATL2A. Moreover, genomic and metagenomic analyses indicate that these regulatory elements are abundant and conserved among T4-like cyanophages. In contrast to the near-identical transcriptional program employed by Syn9, host responses to infection involved host-specific genes primarily located in hypervariable genomic islands, substantiating islands as a major axis of phage-cyanobacteria interactions. Our findings suggest that the ability of broad host-range phages to infect multiple hosts is more likely dependent on the effectiveness of host defense strategies than on differential tailoring of the infection process by the phage

The German National Registry of Primary Immunodeficiencies (2012-2017)

Introduction: The German PID-NET registry was founded in 2009, serving as the first national registry of patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) in Germany. It is part of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) registry. The primary purpose of the registry is to gather data on the epidemiology, diagnostic delay, diagnosis, and treatment of PIDs. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data was collected from 2,453 patients from 36 German PID centres in an online registry. Data was analysed with the software Stata® and Excel. Results: The minimum prevalence of PID in Germany is 2.72 per 100,000 inhabitants. Among patients aged 1–25, there was a clear predominance of males. The median age of living patients ranged between 7 and 40 years, depending on the respective PID. Predominantly antibody disorders were the most prevalent group with 57% of all 2,453 PID patients (including 728 CVID patients). A gene defect was identified in 36% of patients. Familial cases were observed in 21% of patients. The age of onset for presenting symptoms ranged from birth to late adulthood (range 0–88 years). Presenting symptoms comprised infections (74%) and immune dysregulation (22%). Ninety-three patients were diagnosed without prior clinical symptoms. Regarding the general and clinical diagnostic delay, no PID had undergone a slight decrease within the last decade. However, both, SCID and hyper IgE- syndrome showed a substantial improvement in shortening the time between onset of symptoms and genetic diagnosis. Regarding treatment, 49% of all patients received immunoglobulin G (IgG) substitution (70%—subcutaneous; 29%—intravenous; 1%—unknown). Three-hundred patients underwent at least one hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Five patients had gene therapy. Conclusion: The German PID-NET registry is a precious tool for physicians, researchers, the pharmaceutical industry, politicians, and ultimately the patients, for whom the outcomes will eventually lead to a more timely diagnosis and better treatment

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

The Effect of Interfacial Ge and RF-Bias on the Microstructure and Stress Evolution upon Annealing of Ag/AlN Multilayers

The present study addresses the structural stability and mass outflow of Ag 10 nm/Ge 1 nm/AlN 10 nm nanomultilayers (NMLs) during thermal treatments in different atmospheres (Ar and air). The nanomultilayers were obtained by magnetron sputtering under different deposition conditions (with and without the RF (Radio-Frequency)-bias application). The microstructure of the as-deposited and thermally treated NMLs were analyzed by XRD and SEM techniques, deriving morphology, microstructure and internal stress. Bias application during the deposition is found to create highly disordered interfaces and to have a very strong influence on the morphology and structural evolution with temperature of the nano-multilayers. Complete multilayer degradation is observed for the bias sample when annealed in Ar at 700 ∘C, while the periodic multilayer structure is preserved for the non-bias samples. Structural and morphological changes are observed starting from 400 ∘C, accompanied with Ag surface migration. The highest Ag amount on the surface is detected in air atmosphere for bias and non-bias samples annealed at temperatures as high as 700 ∘C. The presence of Ge is found to strongly hinder the Ag surface migration. Ag outflow is measured to take place only through the network of surface cracks in the AlN barrier formed upon heating. The crack formation and Ag migration are discussed together with the stress relaxation. The present study demonstrates the feasibility to tailor the stress state of as-deposited NML structures and observe different structural evolution depending on the initial conditions. This paves the way for advanced experimental strategies to tailor directional mass outflow in nanoconfined filler systems for advanced nano-joining applications