Laughter is the Best Medicine

Titelblatt 0. Einleitung 1 1. "Lachen ist gesund?" - eine Präsentation gegenwärtiger Untersuchungsansätze zur Nutzbarmachung des Lachens 3 1.1. Krankenhaustherapie 3 1.2. Humor in der psychotherapeutischen Praxis 4 1.3. Der gegenwärtige Stand der wissenschaftlichen Forschung: Messen und Zählen 6 1.4. Zusammenfassende Betrachtung 16 2. Das Lachen und die Philosophie - Historischer Überblick der wesentlichen Positionen 19 2.1. Vor allem: Lachen in Mythos und Religion 19 2.2. Platon und die gefährliche Lust im Lachen/TD> 24 2.3. Aristoteles' gemäßigtes Lachen 27 2.4. Hellenismus: Steuerung des Lachens und Kampf um Würde 29 2.5. Die Vereinnahmung des Lachens in mittelalterlichen Traditionen 30 2.6. Lachen in England - degradierend oder kontrastierend 31 2.7. Lachen in Deutschland 33 2.8. Der letzte Stand der Dinge: Lachen im 20. Jahrhundert 37 2.9. Zusammenfassung 38 3. Krämpfe und Kämpfe um die Mitte - Bedeutungsverschiebungen in der Geschichte des Zwerchfells 41 3.1. Zusammenfassung 51 4. Die Philosophie und das Lachen im Dialog mit der Medizin 54 4.1. Exkurs: Panorama der Barockmedizin 54 4.1.1. Henricus Regius: "De Affectibus animi" (1650) 62 4.1.2. Zusammenfassung 66 4.2. Descartes - Lachen als mechanisch fundierter Selbstbezug 67 4.2.1. Lachen als körperliches Phänomen 67 4.2.2. Zwischenergebnis 71 4.2.3. Lachen als Ausdruck eines Affekts 71 4.2.4. Die Frage der Verbindung von Physiologie und Affektivität des Lachens 73 4.2.5. Zusammenfassung 76 4.3. Exkurs: Panorama der Aufklärungsmedizin 80 4.3.1. Albrecht von Hallers Lehre von der Irritabilität und Sensibilität 80 4.3.2. Georg Ernst Stahls "Animismus" 81 4.3.3. Der Irritabilitätsdynamismus von John Brown (1735-1788) 83 4.3.4. Die medizinhistorische Bedeutung der Affekte im Aufschein der Aufklärung 86 4.3.5. Zusammenfassung 88 4.4. Kant - Lachen als diätetischer Tipp 90 4.4.1. Lachen als verdauungsförderndes Phänomen 90 4.4.2. Lachen als Ausdruck eines Affekts im Spannungsfeld von Sthenie und Asthenie 96 4.4.3. Der Witz als Anlaß des Lachens: Kontrast und Abfuhr 101 4.4.4. Zusammenfassung 104 4.5. Novalis - Lachen als hypochondrische Kur 107 4.5.1. Lachen als Erscheinung von Elektrizität 111 4.5.2. Der willkürliche Lachkrampf als Heilmittel 119 4.5.3. Zusammenfassung 124 4.6. Schopenhauer - Lachen als Reflex 126 4.6.1. Zur naturwissenschaftlichen Kompetenz Schopenhauers 126 4.6.2. Lachen als Reflex 129 4.6.3. Der Lachreflex und das Denken 137 4.6.4. Das Lachen als Bewegung der Selbsterhaltung 140 4.6.5. Zusammenfassung 141 4.7. Freud - Lachen als Spareffekt 143 4.7.1. Zum Entstehungshintergrund von Freuds Abhandlung über den Witz 143 4.7.2. Die Mechanismen des Lachens - Lust und Abfuhr 145 4.7.3. Exkurs: Herbert Spencer - The Physiologie of Laughter 147 4.7.4. Zwischenergebnis 150 4.7.5. Noch einmal Elektrizität - Lachen im Spannungsfeld von besetzender Erregung und abführender Befreiung 151 4.7.6. Lachen als ökonomische Entladung 159 4.7.7. Zusammenfassung 161 5. Schlußbetrachtung: Alles moderne Fragen nach dem Lachen ist hypochondrisch 163 Literaturverzeichnis 174Das Lachen wird landläufig als Ausdruck allgemeinen Wohlgefühls und Glücks verstanden und begrüßt. Dabei stehen meist psychologische oder soziologische Erwägungen im Vordergrund. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob das Lachen wirklich gesund ist. Anlaß zu dieser Frage waren die in letzter Zeit sich häufenden Medienberichterstattungen über Strategien, das Lachen auf einer breiten medizinischen Ebene als Medikament einsetzen zu wollen. Die im 1. Kapitel genauer dargestellten Therapieansätze und Untersuchungsergebnisse zeigen, daß die Binsenwahrheit "Lachen ist gesund" weder medizinisch-biologisch abgesichert noch soziologisch-psychologisch einleuchtend diagnostiziert bzw. therapeutisch belegt ist. Aufgrund der festzustellenden Ungenauigkeiten und Unsicherheiten hinsichtlich einer genaueren Bestimmung dessen, was je unter "Lachen" oder "Humor" verstanden wird, soll im 2. Kapitel die Philosophiegeschichte befragt werden. Dabei wird deutlich, daß die klassischen Positionen sich dem Lachen gegenüber eher kritisch verhalten und von einer Empfehlung des Lachens keine Rede sein kann. Das 3. Kapitel beschäftigt sich mit der körperlichen Grundlage des Lachens - dem Zwerchfell und seiner Deutungsgeschichte. Im 4. Kapitel wird das Überschneidungsfeld von Philosophie und Medizin anhand einschlägiger Texte von Descartes, Kant, Novalis, Schopenhauer und Freud geprüft. Dabei zeigt sich, daß alle moderne philosophisch-physiologische Beschäftigung mit dem Lachen den gleichen Problemkomplex zur Grundlage hat: das Spannungsfeld von Melancholie und Hypochondrie. Descartes erarbeitet sein Konzept des Lachens als mechanisch fundiertem Selbstbezug vor dem Hintergrund einer vergeblichen Suche nach der ominösen "schwarzen Galle" der Melancholie; Kant und Novalis waren bekennende Hypochonder, Schopenhauer begleitet die Erbschaft der Hypochondrie in der Rückenmarkanalyse und Freud leitet die somatische Erregungsenergie des Lachens aus der Neurose ab. Das 5. Kapitel belegt, daß die Frage nach dem Lachen, vor allem die hoffnungsvolle Formulierung "Lachen ist gesund", sich als hypochondrisch begründet erweist; sie hat ihre Wurzeln im urmelancholischen Zweifeln und Hadern mit den Lebensumständen."Laughter is the Best Medicine" ? A Popular and Medical Truism in the Light of Philosophy Laughter is commonly understood and accepted to be the expression of general well-being and happiness. The background are psychological and sociological considerations. This study examines the question whether laughter is actually the best medicine. The reason for this question was the recent spate of reports in the media about strategies to use laughter as a medicament at all medical levels. In Chapter 1, the review of therapeutic approaches and research findings will show that the truism "laughter is the best medicine" did neither get medicinal- biological support nor plausible socio- psychological diagnosis or therapy. As there are inaccuracies and uncertainties about the exact definition of what is "laughter" and what is "humour", Chapter 2 will consult the history of philosophy. This will show that classical positions are rather critical towards laughter and recommending it is out of the question. Chapter 3 deals with the physical basis of laughter ? the diaphragm and the history of its interpretation. Chapter 4 reviews the overlapping area of philosophy and medicine in the relevant texts of Descartes, Kant, Novalis, Schopenhauer and Freud. This will show that any modern philosophical-physiological study of laughter is concerned with the same issue: the field of melancholia and hypochondria. Descartes elaborates his concept of laughter as a mechanically founded self-reflex on the background of the futile search for the elusive "black gall" of melancholia; Kant and Novalis were confessed hypochondriacs; Schopenhauer follows the legacy of hypochondria in the analyses of the spinal marrow, and Freud deduces the somatic stimulus energy of laughter from neurosis. Chapter 5 will prove that the question of what is laughter, mainly its hopeful wording "Laughter is the best medicine" is based on hypochondria; it has its roots in primal melancholic doubt and quarrel with living conditions

Mathematical Reflections on Acupoint Combinations in the Traditional Meridian Systems

The meridian system is a systematic order of empirical knowledge functioning as a rational ground for a balanced treatment by combining meridians. In TCM theory, a continuous circulation of Qi through 12 meridians is postulated, described as the Chinese clock (CC). On this basis, combinations of meridians and acupoints had been described in historical writings. The most common is the interior/exterior system beside the neighbouring system, the opposite clock system, and three systems, developed out of the theory of the six stages. All of these represent symmetrical combinations, which were defined by the steps in the CC. We calculated the possible combinations that fit into the systematics of the historical descriptions, leading to 19 systems. Merging the data of the 19 systems, possible steps in the CC clock for balancing a meridian are 1, 2, 3, and 6. Step 4 is not possible. Step 5 is a combinatory possibility but has no widespread tradition except for activating the yin extraordinary vessels. These possibilities can be plotted on the CC as a powerful tool for daily practice. Only two meridians might be excluded as potentially balancing meridians, so it seems almost impossible to define noneffective acupuncture points as controls in clinical trials

First in-situ detection of the CN radical in comets and evidence for a distributed source

Although the debate regarding the origin of the cyano (CN) radical in comets has been ongoing for many decades, it has yielded no definitive answer to date. CN could previously only be studied remotely, strongly hampering efforts to constrain its origin because of very limited spatial information. Thanks to the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft, which orbited comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko for two years, we can investigate, for the first time, CN around a comet at high spatial and temporal resolution. On board Rosetta's orbiter module, the high-resolution double-focusing mass spectrometer DFMS, part of the ROSINA instrument suite, analyzed the neutral volatiles (including HCN and the CN radical) in the inner coma of the comet throughout that whole two-year phase and at variable cometocentric distances. From a thorough analysis of the full-mission data, the abundance of CN radicals in the cometary coma has been derived. Data from a close flyby event in February 2015 indicate a distributed origin for the CN radical in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Detection of volatiles undergoing sublimation from 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko coma particles using ROSINA/COPS. II. The nude gauge

In an earlier study, we reported that the ram gauge of the COmet Pressure Sensor (COPS), one of the three instruments of the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA), could be used to obtain information about the sublimating content of icy particles, made up of volatiles and conceivably refractories coming from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. In this work, we extend the investigation to the second COPS gauge, the nude gauge. In particular, we analyse the volume of the volatile content of coma particles, along with a search for possible dependencies between the nude gauge detection rate (i.e. the rate at which icy particles are detected by the nude gauge) and the position of the Rosetta spacecraft. We also investigate the correlations of the nude gauge detection rate with the quantities associated with cometary activity. Although it was not originally designed for such a purpose, the COPS nude gauge has been able to detect $\sim$67000 features generated by the sublimation of the volatile content of icy particles. The nude gauge detection rate follows a trend that is inversely proportional to the heliocentric distance. This result is interpreted as a confirmation of a possible relation between the nude gauge detection rate and cometary activity. Thus, we compared the former with parameters related to cometary activity and obtained significant correlations, indicating that the frequency of icy particle detection is driven by cometary activity. Furthermore, by representing the volatile part of the icy particles as equivalent spheres with a density of 1 g cm$^{-3}$, we obtained a range of diameters between 60 and 793 nanometres, with the smaller ones ($<390\,\mathrm{nm}$ in diameter) having a size distribution power index of $-4.79\pm 0.26$.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Detection of volatiles undergoing sublimation from 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko coma particles using ROSINA/COPS. I. The ram gauge

The ESA Rosetta mission has allowed an extensive in-situ study of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. In measurements performed by the ram gauge of the on-board COmet Pressure Sensor (COPS), features have been observed that deviate from the nominal ram gauge signal. These are attributable to the sublimation of the volatile fraction of cometary icy particles containing volatiles and refractories. The objective of this work is the investigation of the volatile content of icy particles that entered the COPS ram gauge. The ram gauge measurements are inspected for features that we associate to the sublimation of the volatile component of cometary particles impacting the instrument. All sublimation features with high enough signal to noise ratio are modelled by fitting one or more exponential decay functions. The parameters of these fits are used to categorise different compositions of the sublimating component. From features attributable to ice sublimation, we infer the detection of 73 icy particles containing volatiles. 25 detections have enough volatile content for an in-depth study. From the values of the exponential decay constants, we classified the 25 inferred icy particles into three types, interpreted as different volatile compositions, possibly further complicated by different morphologies. Available data do not give indication as to which molecules compose the different types. Nevertheless, we can estimate the total volume of volatiles, expressed as the diameter of an equivalent sphere of water (density of 1 g cm$^{-3}$). This was found to be on the order of hundreds of nanometres.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, published in A&A, figures with better resolutio

Thin film solar cells based on the ternary compound Cu2SnS3

Alongside with Cu2ZnSnS4 and SnS, the p-type semiconductor Cu2SnS3 also consists of only Earth abundant and low-cost elements and shows comparable opto-electronic properties, with respect to Cu2ZnSnS4 and SnS, making it a promising candidate for photovoltaic applications of the future. In this work, the ternary compound has been produced via the annealing of an electrodeposited precursor in a sulfur and tin sulfide environment. The obtained absorber layer has been structurally investigated by X-ray diffraction and results indicate the crystal structure to be monoclinic. Its optical properties have been measured via photoluminescence, where an asymmetric peak at 0.95 eV has been found. The evaluation of the photoluminescence spectrum indicates a band gap of 0.93 eV which agrees well with the results from the external quantum efficiency. Furthermore, this semiconductor layer has been processed into a photovoltaic device with a power conversion efficiency of 0.54%, a short circuit current of 17.1 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage of 104 mV hampered by a small shunt resistance, a fill factor of 30.4%, and a maximal external quantum efficiency of just less than 60%. In addition, the potential of this Cu2SnS3 absorber layer for photovoltaic applications is discussed

Potentials of formative assessment practices in social studies and science in inclusive primary education – Conceptual and methodological implications of a design-based-research-based approach for teacher education

In der Herausforderung Unterricht inklusionsbezogen weiterzuentwickeln, manifestiert sich unter anderem die Forderung nach der Qualifizierung von (angehenden) Lehrkräften bzgl. der Anwendung und Umsetzung einer alltagsintegrierten Diagnostik mit dem Ziel, Kinder individualisiert und gleichzeitig mit Bezug auf einen gemeinsamen Lerngegenstand zu unterrichten. Dabei ist ein didaktisch-diagnostisches Handeln aller Lehrkräfte gefordert, welches im Kontext einer professionellen und inklusionsorientierten Gestaltung sowie einer angemessenen Begleitung und Förderung von Lern- und Entwicklungsprozessen steht. In der Konzeption entsprechender Aus- und Weiterbildungsformate setzt das geplante Projekt DiPoSa (Didaktisch-diagnostische Potentiale des inklusionsorientierten Sachunterrichts) an. Ziel ist es durch einen Design-Based-Research-Ansatz (DBR) Videovignetten zu erstellen und zu evaluieren, mittels derer entsprechende Kompetenzen von (angehenden) Lehrkräften im Sachunterricht weiterentwickelt werden können. Dabei bietet insbesondere der Sachunterricht als vielperspektivisches Integrationsfach der Grundschule einen passenden Rahmen, kindliche Lernpotentiale als Ausgangspunkt für didaktisch-diagnostisches Handeln nutzbar zu machen. Denn in aktuellen inklusionsorientierten Ansätzen des Sachunterrichts sind sowohl reformpädagogisch orientierte als auch offene Konzepte und Modelle des adaptiven Unterrichts zu finden, die sich an den unterschiedlichen Programmatiken der Umsetzung von individueller Förderung orientieren. Im folgenden Beitrag werden die dem geplanten Projekt zugrundeliegenden theoretischen und empirischen Zugänge erläutert und die forschungsmethodische Umsetzung durch einen DBR-Ansatz als methodologische Basis für eine Theorie-Praxis-verzahnende Forschungsperspektive auf diagnostisches Handeln sowie die Förderung diagnostischer Handlungskompetenzen durch Videovignetten im Kontext der Aus- und Weiterbildung von (Sachunterrichts-)Lehrkräften diskutiert. (DIPF/Verlag)The challenge to further promote practices of inclusive teaching, requires the development of assessment literacy. Combined with the aim to teach all children in a collaborative learning environment, qualification of teachers (in training) in the application and implementation of formative assessment as an integrated daily routine is needed. Therefore, the project DiPoSa focuses on the development of appropriate training and qualification formats. The project heads to create and evaluate video vignettes using a design-based-research approach (DBR), which can then be used to further develop assessment literacy of teachers in social studies and science in primary education. As a multi-perspective integrative subject in elementary school social studies and science in primary education offers a suitable framework for practices of formative assessment taking children\u27s learning potentials as a serious concern. Foundations can be seen in current inclusive approaches to social studies and science in primary education, where reform pedagogically orientation and open concepts can as well be found as models of adaptive teaching. Although there are different theoretical and programmatic implementations, both perspectives share an orientation towards individual support of children. With this in mind the following article tries to lay down the theoretical and empirical approaches of the planed project DiPoSa and discusses methodological foundations of the project. The discussion focuses on how assessment practices as well as assessment literacy can be promoted through a DBR research-design using video vignettes in the context of teacher education and qualification and rooting in a deepened science-practice partnershi

Two-level Metallization and Module Integration of Point-contacted Solar Cells

AbstractWe present a module integration process for back junction back contact (BJBC) solar cells featuring point contacts to the back surface field (BSF). We apply two metallization layers. A first metal layer of aluminum is deposited onto the rear side of the cell and carries the current extracted from the polarity with the larger surface area fraction, e.g. from the emitter. The second metallization layer is an Al layer on a transparent substrate that we laser-weld to the small and point-shaped regions of the other polarity, e.g. the BSF region. We use a polymer for insulation between the two metal layers. The Al layer on the substrate also serves for cell interconnection, i.e., it enables module integration. Such an interconnection structure halves the fill factor losses due to the metallization. First proof-of-principle modules show a shunt free interconnection, no laser-induced damage, and an energy conversion efficiency of up to 20.7%

Didaktisch-diagnostische Potentiale inklusionsorientierten Sachunterrichts. Alternative Zugangsweisen partizipativer Forschung und diagnostischen Handelns von Lehrkräften

Die Verfasser*innen nutzen in ihrem Beitrag den Ansatz der Design Based Research. Sie versuchen, didaktisch-diagnostische Handlungspotenziale in den Mikroprozessen des inklusionsorientierten Sachunterrichts zu identifizieren und für die Aus- und Weiterbildung von Lehrkräften aufzubereiten. (DIPF/Orig.)Teaching-learning processes have special subject- and development-related potentials and challenges; this is especially true for inclusion-oriented teaching. Conceptually and empirically, approaches of inclusion-oriented didactics are already available very early for Sachunterricht. Nevertheless, didactic-diagnostic action potentials in the micro processes of inclusion-oriented subject teaching have so far neither been precisely identified nor prepared for training and further education. According to the approach of design-based research, the project “Didaktisch-diagnostische Potentiale im inklusionsorientierten Sachunterricht (DiPoSa)” addresses this desideratum through an iterative research process in research-practice-partnerships. (DIPF/Orig.

The RIN: an RNA integrity number for assigning integrity values to RNA measurements

BACKGROUND: The integrity of RNA molecules is of paramount importance for experiments that try to reflect the snapshot of gene expression at the moment of RNA extraction. Until recently, there has been no reliable standard for estimating the integrity of RNA samples and the ratio of 28S:18S ribosomal RNA, the common measure for this purpose, has been shown to be inconsistent. The advent of microcapillary electrophoretic RNA separation provides the basis for an automated high-throughput approach, in order to estimate the integrity of RNA samples in an unambiguous way. METHODS: A method is introduced that automatically selects features from signal measurements and constructs regression models based on a Bayesian learning technique. Feature spaces of different dimensionality are compared in the Bayesian framework, which allows selecting a final feature combination corresponding to models with high posterior probability. RESULTS: This approach is applied to a large collection of electrophoretic RNA measurements recorded with an Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer to extract an algorithm that describes RNA integrity. The resulting algorithm is a user-independent, automated and reliable procedure for standardization of RNA quality control that allows the calculation of an RNA integrity number (RIN). CONCLUSION: Our results show the importance of taking characteristics of several regions of the recorded electropherogram into account in order to get a robust and reliable prediction of RNA integrity, especially if compared to traditional methods