Entwicklung technikdidaktischer Kompetenzfacetten im Verlauf schulpraktischer Studien

Der Anspruch einer stärkeren berufspraktischen Orientierung und Aufwertung von schulpraktischen Lerngelegenheiten im Rahmen der Lehrer/-innenausbildung resultierte im rein quantitativen Ausbau des zeitlichen Umfangs sowie qualitativ in neuen Ansätzen der investierten Lernbegleitung seitens der Hochschulen (vgl. Gröschner & Seidel 2012). Bislang fehlt es jedoch an geeigneten Testinstrumenten sowie empirischer Evidenz, ob Praxisphasen die gewünschten Förderwirkungen bei angehenden Lehrpersonen auch einlösen.In einem ersten Schritt widmet sich daher der vorliegende Beitrag einer Instrumentenprüfung mittels einer im Längsschnitt angelegten Untersuchung dieser Forschungsaufgabe: Inwieweit ist das umfassend validierte und auf Unterrichtsvignetten basierende Testinstrument PCK-T in der Lage, die allgemein unterstellte Entwicklung fachdidaktischer Kompetenzfacetten im Verlauf schulpraktischen Studien von Studierenden im allgemein bildenden Fach Technik[1] erfassen zu können?[1] Es wird lediglich die Erfassung zentraler technikdidaktischer Kompetenzfacetten von angehenden Lehrkräften des allgemein bildend ausgerichteten Technikunterrichts beansprucht. Für angehende Lehrkräfte gewerblich-technischer berufsbildender Schulen wäre das Instrument in der hier vorliegenden Ausgestaltungin der Verwendung ungeeignet

COVID-19 Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients in a German Transplant Center

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) show higher morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 than the general population and have an impaired response to vaccination. We analyzed COVID-19 incidence and clinical outcomes in a single-center cohort of approximately 2500 KTRs. Between 1 February 2020 and 1 July 2022, 578 KTRs were infected with SARS-CoV-2, with 25 (4%) recurrent infections. In total, 208 KTRs (36%) were hospitalized, and 39 (7%) died. Among vaccinated patients, infection with the Omicron variant had a mortality of 2%. Unvaccinated patients infected with the Omicron variant showed mortality (9% vs. 11%) and morbidity (hospitalization 52% vs. 54%, ICU admission 12% vs. 18%) comparable to the pre-Omicron era. Multivariable analysis revealed that being unvaccinated (OR = 2.15, 95% CI [1.38, 3.35]), infection in the pre-Omicron era (OR = 3.06, 95% CI [1.92, 4.87]), and higher patient age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.03, 1.06]) are independent risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalization, whereas a steroid-free immunosuppressive regimen was found to reduce the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.33, 0.79]). This suggests that both virological changes in the Omicron variant and vaccination reduce the risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in KTRs. Our data extend the knowledge from the general population to KTRs and provide important insights into outcomes during the Omicron era

The NSL Complex Regulates Housekeeping Genes in Drosophila

MOF is the major histone H4 lysine 16-specific (H4K16) acetyltransferase in mammals and Drosophila. In flies, it is involved in the regulation of X-chromosomal and autosomal genes as part of the MSL and the NSL complexes, respectively. While the function of the MSL complex as a dosage compensation regulator is fairly well understood, the role of the NSL complex in gene regulation is still poorly characterized. Here we report a comprehensive ChIP–seq analysis of four NSL complex members (NSL1, NSL3, MBD-R2, and MCRS2) throughout the Drosophila melanogaster genome. Strikingly, the majority (85.5%) of NSL-bound genes are constitutively expressed across different cell types. We find that an increased abundance of the histone modifications H4K16ac, H3K4me2, H3K4me3, and H3K9ac in gene promoter regions is characteristic of NSL-targeted genes. Furthermore, we show that these genes have a well-defined nucleosome free region and broad transcription initiation patterns. Finally, by performing ChIP–seq analyses of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in NSL1- and NSL3-depleted cells, we demonstrate that both NSL proteins are required for efficient recruitment of Pol II to NSL target gene promoters. The observed Pol II reduction coincides with compromised binding of TBP and TFIIB to target promoters, indicating that the NSL complex is required for optimal recruitment of the pre-initiation complex on target genes. Moreover, genes that undergo the most dramatic loss of Pol II upon NSL knockdowns tend to be enriched in DNA Replication–related Element (DRE). Taken together, our findings show that the MOF-containing NSL complex acts as a major regulator of housekeeping genes in flies by modulating initiation of Pol II transcription

Determination of a Reference Value for Adequate Assessment of Teaching Situations: Development of a Technical Education Expert Norm (PCK-T)

The different facets of professional performance of teachers are being debated in the current educational research discussion. Both qualitative and quantitative test constructions exist for vignette-based measurement of competence. For economic reasons, a procedure with closed-ended items is often favored, a reference is required for determining and comparing alternative responses. This paper sketches out the procedure for identifying adequate reactions to responses that we call a technical education expert norm (PCK-T).  This expert norm is generated from a multi-step expert survey and, in addition, reveals possible validation steps that can be derived for developing teaching situations. After a content validation (N1 = 8) a multi-step quantitative survey with specialised subject experts at schools and universities, departmental heads at public colleges for education and teacher training, as well as experienced teachers of technology was carried out (N2 = 79; N3 = 76).  In order to assess teaching competencies of pre-service teachers using a vignette-based test procedure, the generated technical education expert norm (PCK-T) allows adequate responses to be differentiated from (rather) inadequate responses in the teaching situations

Determination of a Reference Value for Adequate Assessment of Teaching Situations: Development of a Technical Education Expert Norm (PCK-T)

The different facets of professional performance of teachers are being debated in the current educational research discussion. Both qualitative and quantitative test constructions exist for vignette-based measurement of competence. For economic reasons, a procedure with closed-ended items is often favored, a reference is required for determining and comparing alternative responses. This paper sketches out the procedure for identifying adequate reactions to responses that we call a technical education expert norm (PCK-T). This expert norm is generated from a multi-step expert survey and, in addition, reveals possible validation steps that can be derived for developing teaching situations. After a content validation (N1 = 8) a multi-step quantitative survey with specialised subject experts at schools and universities, departmental heads at public colleges for education and teacher training, as well as experienced teachers of technology was carried out (N2 = 79; N3 = 76). In order to assess teaching competencies of pre-service teachers using a vignette-based test procedure, the generated technical education expert norm (PCKT) allows adequate responses to be differentiated from (rather) inadequate responses in the teaching situation

P/Re/Enact!:Performing in Between Times

For quite some time the concept of reenactment has enjoyed popularity as an artistic practice used to visualize and contemporize the past. More recently the term preenactment has started to receive a great deal of attention. Preenactment as a performative practice does not deal with the revision or replication of a historic event, instead it sets out to experiment with fictitious time(s) and space(s). How can one conceptualize the temporality of preenactment when its vectors, intensities, and affects go beyond an allegedly fleeting moment? Similar to the way in which reenactment always provides a prospective dimension, preenactment always includes a retrospective dimension which is why the conference conceives of it as (P)reenactment. It thereby encourages the establishment of a new perspective on the notion of reenactment, whereby reoccurrence, repetition, or duration do not stand at the forefront, but rather as a beginning, as a means of relief, reorientation, and a process of transition. The interdisciplinary conference aims at examining Pre-, Re-, as well as En-actments that are not just based on artistic practices, but include social, medial, political, and activist phenomena. To what extent can artistic (P)reenactments influence – especially in terms of anticipation – political relationships and vice versa? To what extent is the theory of (P)reenactment capable of redefining the relationship between art and politics? Which role do cultural-historic preconditions play in particular courses of action and habits of perception? Moreover, the conference aims at conceptualizing (P)reenactments beyond their definition as live performances by drawing on the discourses of media studies.  (P)reenactments are to be understood as phenomena not only within artistic frameworks but are encountered in other social contexts as well. Along with the temporal and spatial dynamics of (P)reenactments, their different affective potential has to be addressed also: In (P)reenactments, the capacity to move and be moved takes place between the poles of memory/history and vision(s) of the future. Comprehending (P)reenactments as affective events allows for a focus on aspects that have until now been overlooked by the research into reenactment, but which have acquired great significance within the field of affect studies. The goal of this conference is to promote an interdisciplinary exchange on the various dimensions of (P)reenactment outlined above. Speakers are invited from various fields, including theater studies, media studies, literary studies, political science, and social sciences. In addition to promoting an interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars, the conference will incorporate artistic interventions and contributions from practitioners of (P)reenactment from various fields. P/Re/Enact!: Performing in Between Times, conference, ICI Berlin, 27–28 October 2017 <https://doi.org/10.25620/e171027

Table 1: Soil chemical properties of the analysed depth profiles in the Venice lagoon

Visual traces of iron reduction and oxidation are linked to the redox status of soils and have been used to characterise the quality of agricultural soils.We tested whether this feature could also be used to explain the spatial pattern of the natural vegetation of tidal habitats. If so, an easy assessment of the effect of rising sea level on tidal ecosystems would be possible. Our study was conducted at the salt marshes of the northern lagoon of Venice, which are strongly threatened by erosion and rising sea level and are part of the world heritage 'Venice and its lagoon'. We analysed the abundance of plant species at 255 sampling points along a land-sea gradient. In addition, we surveyed the redox morphology (presence/absence of red iron oxide mottles in the greyish topsoil horizons) of the soils and the presence of disturbances. We used indicator species analysis, correlation trees and multivariate regression trees to analyse relations between soil properties and plant species distribution. Plant species with known sensitivity to anaerobic conditions (e.g. Halimione portulacoides) were identified as indicators for oxic soils (showing iron oxide mottles within a greyish soil matrix). Plant species that tolerate a low redox potential (e.g. Spartina maritima) were identified as indicators for anoxic soils (greyish matrix without oxide mottles). Correlation trees and multivariate regression trees indicate the dominant role of the redox morphology of the soils in plant species distribution. In addition, the distance from the mainland and the presence of disturbances were identified as tree-splitting variables. The small-scale variation of oxygen availability plays a key role for the biodiversity of salt marsh ecosystems. Our results suggest that the redox morphology of salt marsh soils indicates the plant availability of oxygen. Thus, the consideration of this indicator may enable an understanding of the heterogeneity of biological processes in oxygen-limited systems and may be a sensitive and easy-to-use tool to assess human impacts on salt marsh ecosystems

Residual LCMV antigen in transiently CD4; +; T cell-depleted mice induces high levels of virus-specific antibodies but only limited B-cell memory

Infection of C57BL/6 mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strain Armstrong (Arm) induces an acute infection with rapid virus clearance by CD8; +; T cells independently of CD4; +; T cell help. Residual viral antigen may, however, persist for a prolonged time. Here, we demonstrate that mice that had been transiently depleted of CD4; +; T cells during acute LCMV Arm infection generated high levels of virus-specific IgG antibodies (Ab) after viral clearance. Robust induction of LCMV-specific IgG after transient CD4; +; T cell depletion was dependent on Fcγ receptors but not on the complement receptors CD21/CD35. In contrast to the potent production of LCMV-specific IgG, the generation of LCMV-specific isotype-switched memory B cells after transient CD4; +; T cell depletion was considerably reduced. Moreover, mice depleted of CD4; +; T cells during acute infection were strongly impaired in generating a secondary LCMV-specific B cell response upon LCMV rechallenge. In conclusion, our data indicate that LCMV antigen depots after viral clearance were capable of inducing high levels of virus-specific IgG. They failed, however, to induce robust virus-specific B cell memory revealing a previously unappreciated dichotomy of specific Ab production and memory cell formation after priming with residual antigen

CD44 Contributes to the Regulation of MDR1 Protein and Doxorubicin Chemoresistance in Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of pediatric bone tumor. Despite great advances in chemotherapy during the past decades, the survival rates of osteosarcoma patients remain unsatisfactory. Drug resistance is one of the main reasons, leading to treatment failure and poor prognosis. Previous reports correlated expression of cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) with drug resistance and poor survival of osteosarcoma patients, however the underlying mechanisms are poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of CD44 in the regulation of drug chemoresistance, using osteosarcoma cells isolated from mice carrying a mutation of the tumor suppressor neurofibromatosis type 2 (Nf2) gene. CD44 expression was knocked-down in the cells using CRISPR/Cas9 approach. Subsequently, CD44 isoforms and mutants were re-introduced to investigate CD44-dependent processes. Sensitivity to doxorubicin was analyzed in the osteosarcoma cells with modified CD44 expression by immunoblot, colony formation- and WST-1 assay. To dissect the molecular alterations induced by deletion of Cd44, RNA sequencing was performed on Cd44-positive and Cd44-negative primary osteosarcoma tissues isolated from Nf2-mutant mice. Subsequently, expression of candidate genes was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Our results indicate that CD44 increases the resistance of osteosarcoma cells to doxorubicin by up-regulating the levels of multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 protein expression, and suggest the role of proteolytically released CD44 intracellular domain, and hyaluronan interactions in this process. Moreover, high throughput sequencing analysis identified differential regulation of several apoptosis-related genes in Cd44-positive and -negative primary osteosarcomas, including p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP-22 (Perp). Deletion of Cd44 in osteosarcoma cells led to doxorubicin-dependent p53 activation and a profound increase in Perp mRNA expression. Overall, our results suggest that CD44 might be an important regulator of drug resistance and suggest that targeting CD44 can sensitize osteosarcoma to standard chemotherapy

COVID-19 Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients in a German Transplant Center

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) show higher morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 than the general population and have an impaired response to vaccination. We analyzed COVID-19 incidence and clinical outcomes in a single-center cohort of approximately 2500 KTRs. Between 1 February 2020 and 1 July 2022, 578 KTRs were infected with SARS-CoV-2, with 25 (4%) recurrent infections. In total, 208 KTRs (36%) were hospitalized, and 39 (7%) died. Among vaccinated patients, infection with the Omicron variant had a mortality of 2%. Unvaccinated patients infected with the Omicron variant showed mortality (9% vs. 11%) and morbidity (hospitalization 52% vs. 54%, ICU admission 12% vs. 18%) comparable to the pre-Omicron era. Multivariable analysis revealed that being unvaccinated (OR = 2.15, 95% CI [1.38, 3.35]), infection in the pre-Omicron era (OR = 3.06, 95% CI [1.92, 4.87]), and higher patient age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.03, 1.06]) are independent risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalization, whereas a steroid-free immunosuppressive regimen was found to reduce the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.33, 0.79]). This suggests that both virological changes in the Omicron variant and vaccination reduce the risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in KTRs. Our data extend the knowledge from the general population to KTRs and provide important insights into outcomes during the Omicron era