Evaluation: Perspectives of Students and Graduates

Women\u27s studies, now in its second phase, is making its presence felt within institutions, developing a new curriculum, and building a new body of intellectual knowledge. Women\u27s studies\u27 original purpose continues: to change the sexist and other biased values, practices, and structures within and outside traditional educational spheres. How much change has occurred? Impact within colleges, high schools, and women\u27s centers is easier to judge than effect in other arenas . Outside educational institutions, impact may be observed through two channels: first, the ties which programs explicitly make with community groups; second, students who graduate and choose not to continue their formal education. Although we assume that students are changed by their women\u27s studies experience, we often do not know what happens to them after leaving. Do they become involved in social change? Or do they feel their education has not influenced what they are now doing? The answers to these questions measure the strengths and deficiencies of women\u27s studies and provide one solid basis on which to build the curriculum during its second phase

Lobar Dementia due to Extreme Widening of Virchow-Robin Spaces in One Hemisphere

Widened perivascular spaces known as Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) are often seen on MRI and are usually incidental findings. It is unclear if enlarged VRS can be associated with neurological deficits. In this report, we describe a case of lobar dementia associated with unusual VRS widening in one cerebral hemisphere. A 77-year-old woman, seen at a memory clinic, presented with progressive cognitive decline, left hemianopsia, and mild pyramidal signs on the left side. On MRI, unusually wide VRS were visible, predominantly in the right centrum semiovale and the right temporo-occipital white matter. The clinical syndrome was consistent with the extent and location of the abnormally dilated VRS. The high MR signal in white matter bridges between the VRS suggested parenchymal damage, possibly representing gliotic white matter. No evidence for another etiology was found on cerebral MRI and rCBF SPECT. As a conclusion, enlarged VRS in one cerebral hemisphere may be associated with cognitive change and neurological deficits

Maximierung der Photovoltaik-Eigennutzung mittels Eisspeicher der Supermarkt-Verkaufsstelle Coop Etagnières

Im Rahmen eines Pilot- und Demonstrationsprojekts wurde ein Eisspeichersystem zur Maximierung der Eigenstromnutzung sowie der Steigerung der Kühleeffizienz im Coop Supermarkt Etagnières erstellt. Coop war Initiator und Projektleiter, wobei die Planung sowie Inbetriebnahme der Anlage durch Frigo- Consulting erfolgte, und die ZHAW als wissenschaftlicher Partner die Auswertung sowie Schlussfolgerung der Messdaten durchführte. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein Eisspeicher in eine direktverdampfende CO2-Kälteanlage eingebunden werden kann. Dieser stellt bei korrekter Funktionsweise eine günstige und umweltfreundliche Alternative zum Batteriespeicher dar. Gemäss Auswertung wurde der Eisspeicher von April bis Oktober effektiv genutzt. Dieser wurde oft nur teilentladen, da die Kälteanlage weniger unterstützende Kühlenergie benötigt als angenommen. Der Nutzen des Eisspeichers konnte im Projekt nicht bewiesen werden. Es besteht die Vermutung, dass die Kälteanlage effizienter betrieben wird als angenommen, was den Nutzen der Eisspeicherenergie drastisch senkt. Zudem zeigen exergetische Berechnungen zur Ladung und Entladung eine starke Energieentwertung, was schlussendlich zu tiefen elektrischen Einsparungen führt. Ausserdem wirkt die überdimensionierte PV-Anlage dem Speicherkonzept entgegen. Deren enorme Stromproduktion senkt den Eigenverbrauchsanteil auf bis zu 50%, eine Erhöhung des Anteils durch den Eisspeicher konnte nicht festgestellt werden. Spitzen der Entladung vor den Ladephasen lassen vermuten, dass der Eisspeicher den Stromverbrauch effektiv senkt, jedoch konnte ein tieferer Verbrauch der Kälteanlage nicht durchgängig auf die Eisspeicherentladung zurückgeführt werden. Entgegen des Eigenverbrauchsanteils wurde jedoch der absolute Eigenverbrauch gesteigert, was zu einer Entlastung des Stromnetzes führt. Bei kleineren PV-Anlagen wäre das "Peak-Shifting" stärker beeinflusst worden. Zusammenfassend besteht die Vermutung, dass der Eisspeicher zur Speicherung von Solarstrom dienen kann, wie es die Theorie des vorgestellten Konzepts zeigt. Der vorgestellte Filialenvergleich und die beschränkte Beobachtbarkeit des Systems lassen keine abschliessenden Aussagen zu. Weitere Untersuchungen innerhalb der Filiale Etagnières mit modifizierten Betriebsparametern können zeigen, ob die hier gemachten Aussagen und Vermutungen stimmen oder unzutreffend sind

The immunologic tumor microenvironment in endometrioid endometrial cancer in the morphomolecular context: mutual correlations and prognostic impact depending on molecular alterations

OBJECTIVE POLE-mutant, microsatellite-instable (MSI), p53-mutant and non-specific molecular profile (NSMP) are TCGA-defined molecular subgroups of endometrial cancer (EC). Hypothesizing that morphology and tumor immunology might differ depending on molecular background concerning composition and prognostic impact, we aimed to comprehensively interconnect morphologic, immunologic and molecular data. METHODS TCGA-defined molecular groups were determined by immunohistochemistry and sequencing in n = 142 endometrioid EC. WHO-defined histopathological grading was performed. The immunologic microenvironment (iTME) was characterised by the quantification of intraepithelial and stromal populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL: overall T-cells; T-Killer cells; regulatory T-cells (Treg)). Immunologic parameters were correlated with WHO-grading, TCGA-subgroups and prognosis. RESULTS High density TIL were significantly more frequent in high-grade (G3) compared to low-grade (G1/2) EC in the whole cohort and in the subgroup of POLE-wildtype-/microsatellite-stable-EC. MSI was associated with high-level TIL-infiltration when taking into account the type of mismatch repair defect (MLH1/PMS2; MSH2/MSH6). Prognostic impact of biomarkers depended on molecular subgroups: In p53-mutant EC, Treg were independently prognostic, in NSMP, the unique independently prognostic biomarker was WHO-grading. CONCLUSIONS EC morphology and immunology differ depending on genetics. Our study delineated two molecularly distinct subgroups of immunogenic EC characterized by high-density TIL-infiltration: MSI EC and high-grade POLE-wildtype/microsatellite-stable-EC. Prognostic impact of TIL-populations relied on TCGA-subgroups indicating specific roles for TIL depending on molecular background. In NSMP, histopathological grading was the only prognostic biomarker demonstrating the relevance of WHO-grading in an era of molecular subtyping

Zusammenarbeit über die Grenzen hinweg

Netzwerk für wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung und Personalentwicklung der Universitäten in Österreich: AUCEN (Elke Gornik/Monika Kil/Katharina Mallich-Pötz/Anna Steiger/Christine Stöckler-Penz) In diesem Beitrag werden die Entstehung von AUCEN, die Rahmenbedingungen der Universitätsgesetzgebung für wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung und Personalentwicklung, Projektaktivitäten und aktuelle Herausforderungen ausgeführt. Wirkungsvolle Interessenvertretung der universitären Weiterbildung in der Schweiz: Swissuni (Andreas Fischer). Working together to promote University Lifelong learning in Europe: eucen (Françoise de Viron). This chapter presents eucen, a specific European university lifelong learning network. Using an organisational framework, based on the concepts of collaborative inter-organisational network and community of practice, it describes the characteristics, the functions and benefits of this network and highlights some prerequisites for its development. It concludes by a short test application of the framework to other networks dedicated to LLL at national level and highlights some examples in the case of Germany and the DGWF network

Clinical and epidemiological analysis of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus infections in humans and comparative genetic analysis with strains isolated from cattle.

BACKGROUND Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus (CFF) is an important pathogen for both cattle and humans. We performed a systematic epidemiological and clinical study of patients and evaluated the genetic relatedness of 17 human and 17 bovine CFF isolates by using different genotyping methods. In addition, the serotype, the dissemination of the genomic island containing a type IV secretion system (T4SS) and resistance determinants for tetracycline and streptomycin were also evaluated. METHODS The isolates from patients diagnosed with CFF infection as well as those from faecal samples of healthy calves were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), as well as single locus sequence typing (SLST) targeting cmp1 and cmp2 genes encoding two major outer membrane proteins in CFF. The presence of the genomic island and identification of serotype was determined by PCRs targeting genes of the T4SS and the sap locus, respectively. Tetracycline and streptomycin resistance phenotypes were determined by minimal inhibitory concentration. Clinical data obtained from medical records and laboratory data were supplemented by data obtained via telephone interviews with the patients and treating physicians. RESULTS PFGE analysis defined two major clusters; cluster A containing 16 bovine (80 %) isolates and cluster B containing 13 human (92 %) isolates, suggesting a host preference. Further genotypic analysis using MLST, SLST as well as sap and T4SS PCR showed the presence of genotypically identical isolates in cattle and humans. The low diversity observed within the cmp alleles of CFF corroborates the clonal nature of this pathogen. The genomic island containing the tetracycline and streptomycin resistance determinants was found in 55 % of the isolates in cluster A and correlated with phenotypic antibiotic resistance. CONCLUSIONS Most human and bovine isolates were separated on two phylogenetic clusters. However, several human and bovine isolates were identical by diverse genotyping methods, indicating a possible link between strains from these two hosts

A systematic review and secondary data analysis of the interactions between the serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and environmental and psychological factors in eating disorders

Objectives: to summarize and synthesize the growing gene x environment (GxE) research investigating the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) in the eating disorders (ED) field, and overcome the common limitation of low sample size, by undertaking a systematic review followed by a secondary data meta-analysis of studies identified by the review. Method: a systematic review of articles using PsycINFO, PubMed, and EMBASE was undertaken to identify studies investigating the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and an environmental or psychological factor, with an ED-related outcome variable. Seven studies were identified by the systematic review, with complete data sets of five community (n = 1750, 64.5% female) and two clinical (n = 426,100% female) samples combined to perform four secondary-data analyses: 5-I-M1PR x Traumatic Life Events to predict ED status (n = 909), 5-HTTLPR x Sexual and Physical Abuse to predict bulimic symptoms (n = 1097), 5-HTTLPR x Depression to predict bulimic symptoms (n = 1256), and 5-HTTLPRx Impulsiveness to predict disordered eating (n = 1149). Results: under a multiplicative model, the low function (s) allele of 5-HTTLPR interacted with traumatic life events and experiencing both sexual and physical abuse (but not only one) to predict increased likelihood of an ED and bulimic symptoms, respectively. However, under an additive model there was also an interaction between sexual and physical abuse considered independently and 5-HTTLPR, and no interaction with traumatic life events. No other GxE interactions were significant. Conclusion: early promising results should be followed-up with continued cross-institutional collaboration in order to achieve the large sample sizes necessary for genetic research

B cells orchestrate tolerance to the neuromyelitis optica autoantigen AQP4

Neuromyelitis optica is a paradigmatic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, in which the water-channel protein AQP4 is the target antigen1. The immunopathology in neuromyelitis optica is largely driven by autoantibodies to AQP42. However, the T cell response that is required for the generation of these anti-AQP4 antibodies is not well understood. Here we show that B cells endogenously express AQP4 in response to activation with anti-CD40 and IL-21 and are able to present their endogenous AQP4 to T cells with an AQP4-specific T cell receptor (TCR). A population of thymic B cells emulates a CD40-stimulated B cell transcriptome, including AQP4 (in mice and humans), and efficiently purges the thymic TCR repertoire of AQP4-reactive clones. Genetic ablation of Aqp4 in B cells rescues AQP4-specific TCRs despite sufficient expression of AQP4 in medullary thymic epithelial cells, and B-cell-conditional AQP4-deficient mice are fully competent to raise AQP4-specific antibodies in productive germinal-centre responses. Thus, the negative selection of AQP4-specific thymocytes is dependent on the expression and presentation of AQP4 by thymic B cells. As AQP4 is expressed in B cells in a CD40-dependent (but not AIRE-dependent) manner, we propose that thymic B cells might tolerize against a group of germinal-centre-associated antigens, including disease-relevant autoantigens such as AQP4. The immune system is tolerized against the neuromyelitis optica autoantigen AQP4 by thymic B cells, which present their endogenous AQP4 to AQP4-reactive thymocytes

Movements and Population Structure of Humpback Whales in the North Pacific

Despite the extensive use of photographic identification methods to investigate humpback whales in the North Pacific, few quantitative analyses have been conducted. We report on a comprehensive analysis of interchange in the North Pacific among three wintering regions (Mexico, Hawaii, and Japan) each with two to three subareas, and feeding areas that extended from southern California to the Aleutian Islands. Of the 6,413 identification photographs of humpback whales obtained by 16 independent research groups between 1990 and 1993 and examined for this study, 3,650 photographs were determined to be of suitable quality. A total of 1,241 matches was found by two independent matching teams, identifying 2,712 unique whales in the sample (seen one to five times). Site fidelity was greatest at feeding areas where there was a high rate of resightings in the same area in different years and a low rate of interchange among different areas. Migrations between winter regions and feeding areas did not follow a simple pattern, although highest match rates were found for whales that moved between Hawaii and southeastern Alaska, and between mainland and Baja Mexico and California. Interchange among subareas of the three primary wintering regions was extensive for Hawaii, variable (depending on subareas) for Mexico, and low for Japan and reflected the relative distances among subareas. Interchange among these primary wintering regions was rare. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of the migratory structure of humpback whales in the entire North Pacific basin

Early development of infants with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case series

Background Prospective studies of infants at familial risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have yielded insights into the earliest signs of the disorder but represent heterogeneous samples of unclear aetiology. Complementing this approach by studying cohorts of infants with monogenic syndromes associated with high rates of ASD offers the opportunity to elucidate the factors that lead to ASD. Methods We present the first report from a prospective study of ten 10-month-old infants with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a monogenic disorder with high prevalence of ASD or ASD symptomatology. We compared data from infants with NF1 to a large cohort of infants at familial risk for ASD, separated by outcome at age 3 of ASD (n = 34), atypical development (n = 44), or typical development (n = 89), and low-risk controls (n = 75). Domains assessed at 10 months by parent report and examiner observation include cognitive and adaptive function, sensory processing, social engagement, and temperament. Results Infants with NF1 showed striking impairments in motor functioning relative to low-risk infants; this pattern was seen in infants with later ASD from the familial cohort (HR-ASD). Both infants with NF1 and the HR-ASD group showed communication delays relative to low-risk infants. Conclusions Ten-month-old infants with NF1 show a range of developmental difficulties that were particularly striking in motor and communication domains. As with HR-ASD infants, social skills at this age were not notably impaired. This is some of the first information on early neurodevelopment in NF1. Strong inferences are limited by the sample size, but the findings suggest implications for early comparative developmental science and highlight motor functioning as an important domain to inform the development of relevant animal models. The findings have clinical implications in indicating an important focus for early surveillance and remediation in this early diagnosed genetic disorder