Steigende Temperaturen in schwachen Staaten: Klimawandel und Gewalt im Nahen Osten

Am 30. Januar 2014 verabschiedete der Weltklimarat den ersten Teil seines jüngsten Sachstandsberichtes. Auf der Basis verbesserter Klimamodelle warnt er noch eindringlicher als im Vorgängerbericht von 2007 vor den Folgen des Klimawandels. Die Länder des Nahen Ostens werden besonders stark betroffen sein. Steigende Temperaturen und sinkende Niederschläge können die Verfügbarkeit lebenswichtiger Ressourcen verringern. Das Risiko gewaltsamer Konflikte steigt vor allem dann, wenn solche Umweltveränderungen auf schwache politische Institutionen und Strukturen treffen - wie dies in vielen Ländern des Nahen Ostens der Fall ist. Klimaprognosen sagen einen weltweiten Anstieg der Temperaturen und eine zunehmende Wasserknappheit voraus. Im Nahen Osten zeichnen sich die Folgen dieser Entwicklung schon jetzt deutlich ab. Bereits in der Vergangenheit haben langfristige Umweltveränderungen auf direktem oder indirektem Wege zur Gewalt im Nahen Osten beigetragen - etwa im Jemen, Irak, Sudan oder in Syrien. Im Westen des Sudan beispielsweise kommt es immer wieder zu gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen um fruchtbare Landstriche; im Süden des Jemen ist Wasser der häufigste Konfliktgegenstand in ländlichen Gebieten. Dennoch sind neo-malthusianische Prognosen einer zwangsläufigen Gewalteskalation ungerechtfertigt: Entscheidender als die Umweltveränderungen selbst ist der staatliche Umgang mit der Verknappung von Ressourcen und dessen Folgen. Klimaveränderungen können zwar Verteilungskonflikte verschärfen; wie diese aber letztendlich ausgetragen werden, hängt primär von der Qualität und Kapazität der jeweiligen politischen Institutionen ab. Umso wichtiger wird es für besonders betroffene Staaten, frühzeitig Maßnahmen zur Adaption an den Klimawandel vorzubereiten und umzusetzen. Dadurch kann verhindert werden, dass langfristige Umweltveränderungen die politische und wirtschaftliche Fragilität weiter verstärken

Interpretasi Lingkungan Pengendapan Formasi Talang Akar Berdasarkan Data Cutting dan Wireline Log pada Lapangan X Cekungan Sumatera Selatan

A sedimentary environment is a part of earth\u27s surface which is physically, chemically and biologically distinct from adjacent terrains (Selley, 1988). The study of the depositional environment is one goal of many studiesconducted for academic purpose and economically purpose in oil and gas exploration. The study of the depositionalenvironment requires a fairly comprehensive analysis as to sequencestratigraphy facies analysis to obtain detailedinterpretations or conclusions. The purpose of this study is to analyze cutting and wireline logs to determinelithology, facies and sedimentation history of theTalang Akar formation field X in South Sumatra basin. The method used to analyze the formation of depositional environment of Talang Akar field X in SouthSumatra basin is the cutting description in order to know the composition of the constituent formations. While theanalysis conducted is cutting analysis to get lithofacies interpretation, second is well log analysis method to getsubsurface data such as physical rock properties then electrofacies analysis based on gamma ray log pattern andthird is stratigraphy sequence analysis method so sea level changed can be known. Stratigraphy sequenceinterpretation did base on facies and gamma ray log pattern changed. Pratama-1 well lithology consists of shale, siltstone, very fine sandstone until medium sandstone andlimestones. While the well lithology Pratama-2 is composed of shale, very fine until medium sandstone and siltstone.Facies found in wells Pratama-1 consists of distributary channel fill, prodelta, distal bar, distributary mouth bar,and marsh. Facies in wells Pratama-2 is a mud flat and mixed flat. In Pratama-1 wells are 2 sets sequence that bounded by 2 sequence boundary, with a stratigraphic unit LST, TST and HST with progradation andretrogradation stacking patterns. While the Pratama-2 wells contained one stratigraphic unit sequence that is onlyTST in progradation and agradation stacking patterns. Based on this analysis the Talang Akar formation field X inSouth Sumatra basin has a transitional depositional environment

Clinical presentation and outcome in a series of 88 patients with the cblC defect

The cblC defect is the most common inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism. Despite therapeutic measures, the long-term outcome is often unsatisfactory. This retrospective multicentre study evaluates clinical, biochemical and genetic findings in 88 cblC patients. The questionnaire designed for the study evaluates clinical and biochemical features at both initial presentation and during follow up. Also the development of severity scores allows investigation of individual disease load, statistical evaluation of parameters between the different age of presentation groups, as well as a search for correlations between clinical endpoints and potential modifying factors. Results: No major differences were found between neonatal and early onset patients so that these groups were combined as an infantile-onset group representing 88% of all cases. Hypotonia, lethargy, feeding problems and developmental delay were predominant in this group, while late-onset patients frequently presented with psychiatric/behaviour problems and myelopathy. Plasma total homocysteine was higher and methionine lower in infantile-onset patients. Plasma methionine levels correlated with "overall impression” as judged by treating physicians. Physician's impression of patient's well-being correlated with assessed disease load. We confirmed the association between homozygosity for the c.271dupA mutation and infantile-onset but not between homozygosity for c.394C>T and late-onset. Patients were treated with parenteral hydroxocobalamin, betaine, folate/folinic acid and carnitine resulting in improvement of biochemical abnormalities, non-neurological signs and mortality. However the long-term neurological and ophthalmological outcome is not significantly influenced. In summary the survey points to the need for prospective studies in a large cohort using agreed treatment modalities and monitoring criteria

Collaborative meta-analysis finds no evidence of a strong interaction between stress and 5-HTTLPR genotype contributing to the development of depression

The hypothesis that the S allele of the 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter promoter region is associated with increased risk of depression, but only in individuals exposed to stressful situations, has generated much interest, research, and controversy since first proposed in 2003. Multiple meta-analyses combining results from heterogeneous analyses have not settled the issue. To determine the magnitude of the interaction and the conditions under which it might be observed, we performed new analyses on 31 datasets containing 38 802 European-ancestry subjects genotyped for 5-HTTLPR and assessed for depression and childhood maltreatment or other stressful life events, and meta-analyzed the results. Analyses targeted two stressors (narrow, broad) and two depression outcomes (current, lifetime). All groups that published on this topic prior to the initiation of our study and met the assessment and sample size criteria were invited to participate. Additional groups, identified by consortium members or self-identified in response to our protocol (published prior to the start of analysis1) with qualifying unpublished data were also invited to participate. A uniform data analysis script implementing the protocol was executed by each of the consortium members. Our findings do not support the interaction hypothesis. We found no subgroups or variable definitions for which an interaction between stress and 5-HTTLPR genotype was statistically significant. In contrast, our findings for the main effects of life stressors (strong risk factor) and 5-HTTLPR genotype (no impact on risk) are strikingly consistent across our contributing studies, the original study reporting the interaction, and subsequent meta-analyses. Our conclusion is that if an interaction exists in which the S allele of 5-HTTLPR increases risk of depression only in stressed individuals, then it is not broadly generalizable, but must be of modest effect size and only observable in limited situations

Prospective Validation of Cessation of Contact Precautions for Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase–Producing Escherichia coli

After contact precautions were discontinued, we determined nosocomial transmission of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Escherichia coli by screening hospital patients who shared rooms with ESBL-producing E. coli–infected or –colonized patients. Transmission rates were 2.6% and 8.8% at an acute-care and a geriatric/rehabilitation hospital, respectively. Prolonged contact was associated with increased transmission

TiO₂ Nanoparticle Exposure and Illumination during Zebrafish Development: Mortality at Parts per Billion Concentrations

Photoactivation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Over time, this has the potential to produce cumulative cellular damage. To test this, we exposed zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) to two commercial TiO₂NP preparations at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 000 ng/mL over a 23 day period spanning embryogenesis, larval development, and juvenile metamorphosis. Fish were illuminated with a lamp that mimics solar irradiation. TiO₂NP exposure produced significant mortality at 1 ng/mL. Toxicity included stunted growth, delayed metamorphosis, malformations, organ pathology, and DNA damage. TiO₂NPs were found in the gills and gut and elsewhere. The two preparations differed in nominal particle diameter (12.1 ± 3.7 and 23.3 ± 9.8 nm) but produced aggregates in the 1 μm range. Both were taken up in a dose-dependent manner. Illuminated particles produced a time- and dose-dependent increase in 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine DNA adducts consistent with cumulative ROS damage. Zebrafish take up TiO₂NPs from the aqueous environment even at low ng/mL concentrations, and these particles when illuminated in the violet-near UV range produce cumulative toxicity

Clinical presentation and outcome in a series of 88 patients with the cblC defect

UNLABELLED: The cblC defect is the most common inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism. Despite therapeutic measures, the long-term outcome is often unsatisfactory. This retrospective multicentre study evaluates clinical, biochemical and genetic findings in 88 cblC patients. The questionnaire designed for the study evaluates clinical and biochemical features at both initial presentation and during follow up. Also the development of severity scores allows investigation of individual disease load, statistical evaluation of parameters between the different age of presentation groups, as well as a search for correlations between clinical endpoints and potential modifying factors. RESULTS: No major differences were found between neonatal and early onset patients so that these groups were combined as an infantile-onset group representing 88 % of all cases. Hypotonia, lethargy, feeding problems and developmental delay were predominant in this group, while late-onset patients frequently presented with psychiatric/behaviour problems and myelopathy. Plasma total homocysteine was higher and methionine lower in infantile-onset patients. Plasma methionine levels correlated with "overall impression" as judged by treating physicians. Physician's impression of patient's well-being correlated with assessed disease load. We confirmed the association between homozygosity for the c.271dupA mutation and infantile-onset but not between homozygosity for c.394C>T and late-onset. Patients were treated with parenteral hydroxocobalamin, betaine, folate/folinic acid and carnitine resulting in improvement of biochemical abnormalities, non-neurological signs and mortality. However the long-term neurological and ophthalmological outcome is not significantly influenced. In summary the survey points to the need for prospective studies in a large cohort using agreed treatment modalities and monitoring criteria

Clinical presentation and outcome in a series of 88 patients with the cblC defect

The cblC defect is the most common inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism. Despite therapeutic measures, the long-term outcome is often unsatisfactory. This retrospective multicentre study evaluates clinical, biochemical and genetic findings in 88 cblC patients. The questionnaire designed for the study evaluates clinical and biochemical features at both initial presentation and during follow up. Also the development of severity scores allows investigation of individual disease load, statistical evaluation of parameters between the different age of presentation groups, as well as a search for correlations between clinical endpoints and potential modifying factors. Results: No major differences were found between neonatal and early onset patients so that these groups were combined as an infantile-onset group representing 88 % of all cases. Hypotonia, lethargy, feeding problems and developmental delay were predominant in this group, while late-onset patients frequently presented with psychiatric/behaviour problems and myelopathy. Plasma total homocysteine was higher and methionine lower in infantile-onset patients. Plasma methionine levels correlated with "overall impression" as judged by treating physicians. Physician's impression of patient's well-being correlated with assessed disease load. We confirmed the association between homozygosity for the c.271dupA mutation and infantile-onset but not between homozygosity for c.394C > T and late-onset. Patients were treated with parenteral hydroxocobalamin, betaine, folate/folinic acid and carnitine resulting in improvement of biochemical abnormalities, non-neurological signs and mortality. However the long-term neurological and ophthalmological outcome is not significantly influenced. In summary the survey points to the need for prospective studies in a large cohort using agreed treatment modalities and monitoring criteria