A numerical tool to integrate biophysical diversity of a large regulated river: hydrobiogeochemical bases. The case of the Garonne River (France)

This article presents the bases of a hydrobiogeochemical model of the Garonne River (southwest France) which has been developed to integrate physical and biological processes during summer low-water periods. The physical part of this model is composed of a one-dimensional unsteady hydrodynamic model, allowing the resolution of the Saint-Venant equations, and a transport model which simulates downstream changes in solute concentrations. Biogeochemical processes are considered through the definition of functional compartments which make up the channel bed. These different compartments are defined both by the organisms involved in the solute transformation processes and by the physical and hydraulic characteristics of their habitat. Integration of these functional compartments within the model required investigations at different scales. The scale at which biological processes take place ranges from millimetres to metres. The scale of a reach, at which organization of the functional compartments along the river can be linked to hydrodynamic and morphological characteristics, ranges from 500 m to several kilometres. The regional scale is that at which homogeneous reaches can be integrated. A feedback between numerical results and field experiments has allowed improvements to in situ measurement to increase modelling accuracy. For example, the model allows estimation of variables, such as fluxes, that are difficult to measure in situ. The developed model can integrate various functional compartments and their biogeochemical functioning. Two application examples, focused on dissolved inorganic nitrogen, are presented in order to illustrate the numerical tool functioning: integration of equations on nitrification processes in the water body, and integration of consumption/production terms on epilithic biofilm resulting from in situ experimental mean values. The model we have developed constitutes a promising analytical tool that will be able to integrate previous and future studies

Aus- und Weiterbildung in der Versicherungswirtschaft : Einflussfaktoren für die Studienwahl

In der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft gehört die Versicherungsindustrie zu den grössten acht Wirtschaftszweigen und leistet einen namhaften Beitrag zur Erhaltung des nationalen Wohlstandes. Der Schweizer Assekuranz droht in Zukunft ein Mangel an jungem, qualifiziertem Personal bedingt durch die Verschiebung der Altersstruktur im Personalbestand in Zusammenhang mit dem demographischen Wandel und der steigenden Komplexität. So ist in dieser Situation die Ausbildung von qualifizierten Fachkräften auf tertiärer Bildungsstufe von eminenter Bedeutung. Die vorliegende Bachelor-Thesis ermittelt relevante Einflussfaktoren auf Bildungsentscheidungen und klassifiziert anhand einer empirischen Untersuchung deren Ausprägung bei Absolventinnen und Absolventen der Höheren Fachschule Versicherung und des Bachelorstudienganges Risk & Insurance. Das Hauptziel der Arbeit liegt darin, relevante Unterschiede in den Beweggründen der Studienwahl unter den Studiengängen aufzuzeigen. Bezugnehmend auf die in der Bildungsliteratur diskutierten theoretischen Erklärungsansätze von Bildungsentscheidungen wurde ein für die Fragestellung geeignetes Analyseinstrument abgeleitet. Anhand eines onlinebasierten Fragebogens wurden die Ausprägungen der Einflussfaktoren bei den Studierenden der genannten Studiengänge ermittelt. Mittels allgemeiner statistischer Methoden werden die Ergebnisse konsolidiert und die Studiengänge gegenübergestellt. Die empirische Untersuchung zeigt auf, dass Studierende der Höheren Fachschule Versicherung in der Wahl des Studienganges besonders durch die zu erwartende Bildungsrendite, die möglichen Vorteile auf dem Arbeitsmarkt, die Höhe der Opportunitätskosten, der Studienform und den persönlichen Karrierezielen beeinflusst werden. Studierende des Bachelorstudiengangs Risk & Insurance weisen kongruente Ergebnisse bezüglich Bildungsrendite, Arbeitsmarktchancen und Karriereziele auf. Ergänzend dazu werden der Standort sowie das Statuserhaltsmotiv als wichtige Einflussfaktoren auf den Studiengangentscheid identifiziert. Zusammenfassend ist festzuhalten, dass die Studiengänge unterschiedliche Ausprägungen der Einflussfaktoren aufweisen. Während Studierende der Höheren Fachschule Versicherung massgeblich aufgrund ökonomischer und institutioneller Einflussfaktoren den Studiengang wählen, ist bei den Studierenden des Aus- und Weiterbildung in der Versicherungswirtschaft: Einflussfaktoren für die Studienwahl II Bachelorstudienganges Risk & Insurance ein starker Einfluss selektiver ökonomischer, institutioneller und sozialer Einflussfaktoren zu beobachten. Den Bildungsinstituten der Tertiärstufe in der Bildungslandschaft der Schweizer Versicherungsindustrie ist zu empfehlen, ihre Werbung und Kommunikation gezielt auf die erstmalig empirisch beobachteten wichtigen Einflussfaktoren des jeweiligen Studienganges auszurichten. So kann die Anzahl Interessenten je Studiengang erhöht, die Studienabbruchquote aufgrund der gezielten Kommunikation verringert und damit die Qualität des Studiums verbessert werden

Weed populations in the main cultures of Luxembourg: control options and monitoring in a complex environmental and political framework

Chemische Unkrautbekämpfung wird aufgrund von ökotoxikologischen Bedenken diskutiert. Um Landwirten zu helfen, die Ausbreitung von Unkräutern auch bei sinkender Verfügbarkeit von Herbiziden begrenzen zu können, wurden Projekte zu modifizierten Fruchtfolgen zur Reduzierung des Unkrautdruckes, digitale Ansätze für bessere Entscheidungen zum Herbizideinsatz und zur besseren Integration von nicht-chemischen Unkrautbekämpfungsmaßnahmen begonnen. In einem ersten Monitoring in den Rapsbeständen Luxemburgs wurden relativ weit verbreitete Arten wie Stellaria media, Viola arvensis, Polygonum aviculare sowie Poa annua, Elymus repens, und Apera spica-venti gefunden. Chenopodium album wurde neben den im Frühjahr keimenden Polygonum-Arten in moderater bis hoher Individuenzahl im Mais gefunden. Polygonum convolvulus wurde nach chemischer Bekämpfung in hoher Dichte am Standort Kuborn gefunden, wohingegen C. album schlecht von mechanischen Methoden bekämpft wurde. Alopecurus myosuroides-Pflanzen mit reifen Samen wurden nahezu ausschließlich im Süden Luxemburgs gefunden. Alle 35 bislang getesteten A. myosuroides Sämlingsproben waren resistent gegen Stomp® Aqua (mit dem K1 Hemmstoff Pendimethalin). Im Fall von Sigma® Maxx (mit den ALS-Inhibitoren Iodosulfuron+Mesosulfuron), waren jeweils 2 von 35 Proben sensitiv bzw. moderat resistent. 31 Proben waren resistent gegenüber Sigma® Maxx. 17 von 35 Proben waren sensitiv gegenüber Axial® (mit dem ACC-ase Inhibitor Pinoxaden), während 18 Proben resistent gegenüber Axial® waren.Due to ecotoxicological and environmental reasons, chemical treatments for weed control are under discussion. To help farmers in coping with challenges imposed by restricted herbicide availability, projects on using modified crop rotations for reducing weed pressure, digital approaches for better decision support, and a better integration of non-chemical weeding were initiated. First monitoring programs in winter oilseed rape in Luxembourg offered a preliminary overview about mainly widespread weed species like Stellaria media, Viola arvensis, Polygonum aviculare as well as Poa annua, Elymus repens and Apera spica-venti. Chenopodium album was found in moderate and high numbers in maize, as well as the spring-germinating Polygonum species. Polygonum convolvulus escaped from or re-emerged after the chemical control at location Kuborn, while C. album was poorly controlled by the mechanical treatments. Alopecurus myosuroides plants with mature seeds were almost exclusively found in the South of Luxembourg. All 35 A. myosuroides seedling samples tested so far were resistant towards Stomp® Aqua (containing the microtubule assembly inhibitor pendimethalin). In case of Sigma® Maxx (containing the ALS inhibitors iodosulfuron+mesosulfuron), 2 out of 35 samples were sensitive and moderately resistant, respectively. 31 samples were resistant to Sigma® Maxx. 17 out of 35 samples were sensitive to Axial® (containing the ACC-ase inhibitor pinoxaden), while 18 samples were resistant to Axial®

Low Power Wide Area Networks für das Gebäude

Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) sind Netzwerke, die vom Stromnetz unabhängig drahtlos Sensoren im Internet der Dinge vernetzen. Sie eröffnen auch im und um das Gebäude zahlreiche neue Einsatzmöglichkeiten, da sie in vielen Fällen die Erfassung von Zuständen vereinfachen

A ganglion cyst at the elbow causing superficial radial nerve compression: a case report

© 2008 McFarlane et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Increasing mean age of head and neck cancer patients at a German tertiary referral center

Background: The impact of demographic change on the age at diagnosis in German head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is unclear. Here we present an evaluation of aging trends in HNC at a tertiary referral center. Methods: Retrospective cohort study on aging trends at the initial diagnosis of newly diagnosed patients with HNC between 2004 and 2018 at the head and neck cancer center Ulm in relation to demographic data of the catchment area. Results: The study population consisted of 2450 individuals diagnosed with HNC with a mean age of 62.84 (±11.67) years. We observed a significant increase in annual incidence rates and mean age over time. Mean age among HNC patients increased significantly more than among the population in the catchment area. Whereas the incidence rate of patients <50 years did not change, the incidence of HNC patients aged ≥70 years increased the most. The mean patient age in the main tumor sites increased significantly. Surprisingly, HPV-positive patients were not younger than HPV-negative patients, but showed a non-significant trend towards a higher mean age (63.0 vs. 60.7 years). Conclusions: Increasing incidence rates in older patients pose a challenge for health care systems. A nationwide study is needed to assess the dynamics and impact of aging on the incidence of HNC

The microbial metabolite desaminotyrosine enhances T-cell priming and cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background Inter-individual differences in response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remain a major challenge in cancer treatment. The composition of the gut microbiome has been associated with differential ICI outcome, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and therapeutic modulation challenging. Methods We established an in vivo model to treat C57Bl/6j mice with the type-I interferon (IFN-I)-modulating, bacterial-derived metabolite desaminotyrosine (DAT) to improve ICI therapy. Broad spectrum antibiotics were used to mimic gut microbial dysbiosis and associated ICI resistance. We utilized genetic mouse models to address the role of host IFN-I in DAT-modulated antitumour immunity. Changes in gut microbiota were assessed using 16S-rRNA sequencing analyses. Findings We found that oral supplementation of mice with the microbial metabolite DAT delays tumour growth and promotes ICI immunotherapy with anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1. DAT-enhanced antitumour immunity was associated with more activated T cells and natural killer cells in the tumour microenvironment and was dependent on host IFN-I signalling. Consistent with this, DAT potently enhanced expansion of antigen-specific T cells following vaccination with an IFN-I-inducing adjuvant. DAT supplementation in mice compensated for the negative effects of broad-spectrum antibiotic-induced dysbiosis on anti-CTLA-4-mediated antitumour immunity. Oral administration of DAT altered the gut microbial composition in mice with increased abundance of bacterial taxa that are associated with beneficial response to ICI immunotherapy. Interpretation We introduce the therapeutic use of an IFN-I-modulating bacterial-derived metabolite to overcome resistance to ICI. This approach is a promising strategy particularly for patients with a history of broad-spectrum antibiotic use and associated loss of gut microbial diversity

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

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