Erscheinungsformen des Phantastischen

Das sehr komplexe Werk des sizilianischen Schriftstellers Giuseppe Bonaviri wird durch autobiographische und phantastische sowie märchenhafte Elemente gekennzeichnet. Geboren in Mineo, in der Provinz Catania, beginnt er schon als Junge, beeinflusst von den Eltern, dem Ort und den Mitbürgern, zu schreiben, bevor er später beschließt Arzt zu werden. Entdeckt von Italo Calvino und Elio Vittorini in den 50er Jahren beginnt 1954 Bonaviris literarische Produktion mit dem Roman Il sarto della stradalunga. Die Entwicklung seines Schaffens geht vom Neorealismus zum Phantastischen unter Berücksichtigung des Autobiographischen und Wissenschaftlichen und wird in drei Phasen eingeteilt. Anhand der drei Romane Novelle saracene, È un rosseggiar di peschi e di albicocchi und Silvinia wird aufgezeigt, dass das gesamte literarische Werk Bonaviris als Märchen bezeichnet werden kann. Trotz der von Bonaviri neu entwickelten Struktur, lassen sich die traditionelle Märchenstruktur und die traditionellen Märchenelemente erkennen, die mit Hilfe von Max Lüthis Stilanalyse und Vladimir Propps Strukturanalyse herausgearbeitet werden. Giuseppe Bonaviris Märchen kennzeichnen sich durch die Vermischung von traditioneller Märchenstruktur, Realismus, Einflüssen aus dem arabischen Raum, wie Tausendundeiner Nacht, autobiographischen Elementen und dem Element des Wunderbaren. Besonders stark ist neben dem Einfluss der von Giuseppe Bonaviris Mutter erzählten Märchen in der Kindheit, der arabische Einfluss, der aufgrund der langen arabischen Herrschaft zur Identität Siziliens gehört und sich vor allem in der Figur Giufà, aber auch durch die Verwendung arabischer Namen äußert, welche Märchenatmosphäre erzeugen

Französische Elemente in der mittelalterlichen Architektur der Normannen in Sizilien

Die Architektur des normannischen Siziliens ist gekennzeichnet von verschiedenen Merkmalen, die sie einerseits mit der normannischen Architektur Frankreichs und Englands verbindet, andererseits Elemente aufweist, deren Herkunft arabische Wurzeln besitzen. Die Beziehungen zum Norden wurden durch die Anwesenheit englischer Prälaten auf Sizilien sowie durch die Heirat Wilhelms II mit der englischen Prinzessin gefördert. Dadurch konnte es zu einem intensiveren Austausch in der Kunst und Kultur kommen, der sich an den Gebäuden auch im Dekor zeigt. Im Unterschied zu den frühnormannischen Bauten, die aufgrund der langen arabischen Herrschaft durch islamische Elemente geprägt sind, werden nun die typischen geometrischen Motive angewendet. Das repräsentativste Beispiel dafür ist die Kathedrale von Cefalù, die Roger II 1131 errichten ließ. Neben Zickzackmotiven, Sternen sowie den typisch nordischen Faltenkapitellen tritt das Motiv der Kreuzbögen in Erscheinung, dessen Herkunft bzw. Verbreitung in der Forschung noch nicht eindeutig geklärt ist. Vergleichsbeispiele sind in England zu suchen, da sizilianische Beispiele ausgeschlossen werden können. Eine weitere Besonderheit an den Gebäuden des normannischen Siziliens sind die Lavaintarsien, die auf der Insel erstmals an den Apsiden des Doms von Monreale und zeitgleichen Bauten in Palermo auftreten. Man geht davon aus, dass sie aus dem arabischen Raum über Spanien nach Kampanien gelangten und von dort nach Sizilien kamen. Das auf byzantinischen Einfluss zurückgehende farbige Mauerwerk sizilianischer Beispiele bestätigt im Vergleich mit kampanischen Gebäuden diese Hypothese. Beeinflusst von den Apsiden des Doms in Monreale verweist der kleinteilige und flache Dekor der Apsiden der normannischen Kathedrale von Palermo wieder auf arabische Elemente. Der plastische Dekor der Westfassade dagegen veranschaulicht eine Wende in der Architektur Siziliens. In der Folge entwickelt sich ein eigener Stil, der das gesamte 14. Jahrhundert prägen wird und unter dem Begriff „Architettura Chiaramonte“ bekannt ist. Ihr Kennzeichen sind die mit normannischen Motiven geschmückten Fenster und Portale. Es sind zahlreiche Bilder enthalten

Transfer as a reciprocal process: How to foster receptivity to results of transdisciplinary research

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) seeks to address real-world problems and aims to be socially transformative. This normative objective extends beyond particular TDR projects, as real-world problems are embedded in concrete contexts but, at the same time, are also related to wider societal challenges that are not restricted to one context. Therefore, TDR generally entails transfer of knowledge and results to other contexts. However, the TDR discourse has mainly treated transfer efforts from the perspective of scientific generalization, translation and packaging of knowledge. Within this understanding of transfer, little attention has been paid to interplay between contexts and the role of new contexts themselves. This article is based on qualitative explorative research on four TDR projects. Its results were iteratively derived through project analysis, reflection on insights from the literature and discussions with TDR experts. We propose that transfer is a complex reciprocal process in which different types of knowledge are provided and transferred to other contexts, where knowledge is adapted, enriched and modified. In addition to project researchers, actors in other (pick-up) contexts also play an important role for successful transfer and appropriation of TDR results. Generating transfer potential within the duration of a project depends on being aware of potential pick-up contexts. To address the interdependent aspects of transfer (results, mediation, and appropriation in other contexts), we present a comprehensive model outlining TDR transfer processes. To support projects seeking to raise their transfer potential in a more conscious manner, we also formulate three overarching recommendations: 1) process results for transfer adequately, 2) identify and support intermediaries and, 3) increase awareness of and address other contexts. Considering these recommendations while also being aware of their interdependence may increase potential for transfer of knowledge and results to other contexts. Our conceptual understanding acknowledges the complexity and non-linearity of endeavors to take advantage of case-specifically gained knowledge and results in other contexts or at other scales

Societal effects of transdisciplinary sustainability research—How can they be strengthened during the research process?

Transdisciplinary sustainability research aims to mitigate or to solve complex societal problems and advance the production of scientific knowledge. Reflexive approaches to transdisciplinary research processes are outlined to systematically strengthen the potential for societal effectiveness. So far, it is rare to find empirically based analyses of the links between the quality of the research process and the methods applied on the one hand and the effects achieved on the other. This paper thus addresses the issue of heightening the societal effects of transdisciplinary sustainability research. The objective is to explore ways of consciously promoting societal effectiveness in transdisciplinary research. We argue that these possibilities evolve at the intersection between the general project framework and an adaptive shaping of transdisciplinary research processes. A reflexive approach of this kind proactively considers the dynamics of interests and concerns, roles and responsibilities, the collaboration culture within a project, and the connectivity to the context of action addressed. Its deployment presupposes an appreciation of the basic conditions, i.e. the historical development of the respective problem, the heterogeneity of actors involved, the general environment and, finally, the funding conditions

Greek Goat Encephalitis Virus Strain Isolated from Ixodes ricinus, Greece

A strain of Greek goat encephaltitis virus was isolated from engorged Ixodes ricinus ticks that had fed on goats in northern Greece. The strain was almost identical to the prototype strain isolated 35 years ago

Congenital syphilis in Switzerland: a retrospective cohort study, 2010 to 2019

AIMS OF THE STUDY We previously reported a re-emergence of syphilis from 2006 to 2009 with detection of congenital syphilis in Switzerland. This study aimed to reassess the incidence of children exposed to maternal syphilis during pregnancy and congenital syphilis in a following 10-year period in the canton of Zurich, the most populous canton in Switzerland with the highest incidences of syphilis. METHODS Children were identified both by reviewing medical records at the four major neonatal and paediatric hospitals providing acute care in the canton of Zurich and by the serological database of the syphilis reference laboratory. Inclusion criteria for children were (a) date of birth in the period 2010-2019, (b) place of birth in the canton of Zurich, (c) evaluation for syphilis due to positive syphilis pregnancy screening and (d) age <1 year at diagnosis. Results were compared with epidemiological data provided by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). RESULTS We identified and evaluated 17 children after potential exposure to maternal syphilis. Residual antibodies of a past infection were found in 11 mothers. Six children were identified as having had real exposure to asymptomatic maternal syphilis. From an epidemiological perspective, the distribution of the cases followed a similar pattern as confirmed syphilis cases in women of childbearing age reported to the FOPH. No cases of congenital syphilis were observed. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the rise in syphilis infections, this study identified no cases of congenital syphilis in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, in the period 2010-2019. Syphilis pregnancy screening may have prevented congenital syphilis by diagnosing and allowing adequate treatment of asymptomatic maternal syphilis

Prevalence and incidence of iron deficiency in European community-dwelling older adults : An observational analysis of the DO-HEALTH trial

Background and aim Iron deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older adults. However, data on its prevalence and incidence among older adults is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and incidence of iron deficiency in European community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 70 years. Methods Secondary analysis of the DO-HEALTH trial, a 3-year clinical trial including 2157 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 70 years from Austria, France, Germany, Portugal and Switzerland. Iron deficiency was defined as soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) > 28.1 nmol/L. Prevalence and incidence rate (IR) of iron deficiency per 100 person-years were examined overall and stratified by sex, age group, and country. Sensitivity analysis for three commonly used definitions of iron deficiency (ferritin  1.5) were also performed. Results Out of 2157 participants, 2141 had sTfR measured at baseline (mean age 74.9 years; 61.5% women). The prevalence of iron deficiency at baseline was 26.8%, and did not differ by sex, but by age (35.6% in age group ≥ 80, 29.3% in age group 75–79, 23.2% in age group 70–74); P  1.5. Occurrences of iron deficiency were observed with IR per 100 person-years of 9.2 (95% CI 8.3–10.1) and did not significantly differ by sex or age group. The highest IR per 100 person-years was observed in Austria (20.8, 95% CI 16.1–26.9), the lowest in Germany (6.1, 95% CI 4.7–8.0). Regarding the other definitions of iron deficiency, the IR per 100 person-years was 4.5 (95% CI 4.0–4.9) for ferritin  1.5. Conclusions Iron deficiency is frequent among relatively healthy European older adults, with people aged ≥ 80 years and residence in Austria and Portugal associated with the highest risk

Increased alpha-9 human papillomavirus species viral load in human immunodeficiency virus positive women

Abstract Background Persistent high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and increased HR-HPV viral load are associated with the development of cancer. This study investigated the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection, HIV viral load and CD4 count on the HR-HPV viral load; and also investigated the predictors of cervical abnormalities. Methods Participants were 292 HIV-negative and 258 HIV-positive women. HR-HPV viral loads in cervical cells were determined by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results HIV-positive women had a significantly higher viral load for combined alpha-9 HPV species compared to HIV-negative women (median 3.9 copies per cell compared to 0.63 copies per cell, P = 0.022). This was not observed for individual HPV types. HIV-positive women with CD4 counts >350/μl had significantly lower viral loads for alpha-7 HPV species (median 0.12 copies per cell) than HIV-positive women with CD4 ≤350/μl (median 1.52 copies per cell, P = 0.008), but low CD4 count was not significantly associated with increased viral load for other HPV species. High viral loads for alpha-6, alpha-7 and alpha-9 HPV species were significant predictors of abnormal cytology in women. Conclusion HIV co-infection significantly increased the combined alpha-9 HPV viral load in women but not viral loads for individual HPV types. High HR-HPV viral load was associated with cervical abnormal cytology