Motiviert und produktiv trotz schwerer Krankheit: REHADAT-Studie "Mit Multipler Sklerose im Job"

Viele Menschen stehen trotz ihrer Erkrankung an Multipler Sklerose (MS) als qualifizierte Fachkräfte aktiv im Berufsleben, so die Ergebnisse einer empirischen REHADAT-Studie auf Basis einer Befragung von rund 750 Betroffenen. Die überwiegende Mehrheit der Befragten, nämlich zwei Drittel, arbeitet in Vollzeit und ein Viertel kann seinen beruflichen Verpflichtungen nachkommen, ohne auf unterstützende Maßnahmen angewiesen zu sein. Etwa jeder sechste Beschäftigte in der Befragung fühlt sich bislang nicht durch die Erkrankung im Arbeitsleben eingeschränkt. Wenn Unterstützungsbedarf besteht, verlassen sich die meisten Betroffenen auf die Hilfe ihrer Vorgesetzten und Kollegen. Flexible Arbeitszeiten werden ebenso als hilfreich wahrgenommen. Die Beschäftigten mit einer MS-Erkrankung nutzen ferner häufig Seh- und Mobilitätshilfen, ergonomisches Arbeitsmobiliar, Hebe- und Transportgeräte sowie spezielle Computer und Software. Eine offene Kommunikation trägt dazu bei, dass die Arbeitsplätze adäquat auf die individuellen Anforderungen zugeschnitten werden können. Beschäftigte, die offen mit ihrer Erkrankung umgehen, berichten sechs Mal so häufig, dass ihr Arbeitsplatz angemessen gestaltet ist, um problemlos die beruflichen Aufgaben erfüllen zu können. Gleichwohl besteht noch Aufklärungsbedarf - sowohl auf der Seite der Betroffenen, die gern im Arbeitsleben verbleiben wollen, als auch auf der Seite der Betriebe, in denen vielfach das Wissen über den Umgang und über Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten von Beschäftigten mit MS fehlt. Den betroffenen Menschen fehlen vor allem Informationen zu rechtlichen und finanziellen Aspekten. Nur eine Minderheit fühlt sich zur Erkrankung und zu den beruflichen Auswirkungen gut informiert

The arginine deiminase pathway in the wine lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus hilgardii X1B: structural and functional study of the arcABC genes

The genes implicated in the catabolism of the amino acid arginine by Lactobacillus hilgardiiX1Bwere investigated to assess the potential for formation of ethyl carbamate precursors in wine. L. hilgardii X1B can use arginine via the arginine deiminase pathway. The complete nucleotide sequence of the arc genes involved in this pathway has been determined. They are clustered in an operon-like structure in the order arcABC. No evidence was found for the presence of a homologue of the arcD gene, coding for the arginine/ornithine antiporter. The arc genes have been expressed in Escherichia coli resulting in arginine deiminase (ArcA), ornithine carbamoyltransferase (ArcB) and carbamate kinase (ArcC) activities. The results indicate the need for caution in the selection of lactic acid bacteria for conducting malolactic fermentation in wine since arginine degradation could result in high amounts of ethyl carbamate.This work was supported by grant VIN00-016 from the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) and Consejo de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (CIUNT). M.E. Arena was a recipient of a Contrato UNT-Proyecto FOMEC 1214 from the Programa de Reforma de la Educación Superior. The nucleotide sequence of the arcABC gene cluster has been deposited in the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ databases under accession number AJ421514.Peer reviewe

Роль дизъюнктивных нарушений в распределении, формировании и разрушении залежей газа на Малохетском валу (северо-восток Западно-Сибирской низменности)

High reliable diode laser pump modules are essential for free-space optical telecommunications. Besides the reliability, low mass and small dimensions, radiation-hardness and low power-consumption are requirements to be met for space applications. A diode laser module suited for pumping Nd:YAG lasers for optical intersatellite links has been developed. The module consists of two diode laser bars overlaid by a polarization beam splitter to increase the system's reliability. Each diode laser bar consists of six emitters. If the integrated photodiode detects the failure of one bar, the second, substitute bar is switched on and can fully sustain all module functions. To equalize the beam quality of the diode laser bar, a pair of micro step mirrors is used for each bar. The laser beam is focussed on the entrance of a d=200 µm, NA=0.22 fiber. Both the coupling efficiency and the accuracy of the mounting of the diode laser components have been analyzed by raytracing. Passive cooling has been chosen because liquid chilling systems are unsuitable for space applications. To evaluate the effects of different heat sink materials and to predict the temperature drop over the module, a 3D finite element analysis for the steady-state temperature distribution of the module has been performed. The optical output power of the module described above amounts to 2,8 W with one bar operating derated to 0.5x maximum current, and the whole unit fits in a housing of 78 x 50 x 24 mm. Further developments will lead to a more compact design and a smaller fiber diameter

Исследование активности хромо-оловянных катализаторов для окисления SO2 в SO3

Целью настоящей работы является исследование активности каталитической системы Cr[2]O[3]+SnO[2] в широких пределах соотношений между двумя ее исходными компонентами

Экспериментальные исследования периодического способа питания забоя скважин дробью

High power diode lasers have become an established source for numerous direct applications like metal hardening and polymer welding due to their high efficiency, small size, low cost and high reliability. These laser sources are also used for efficient pumping of solid state lasers as Nd:YAG lasers. To increase the output power of diode lasers up to several kilowatts, the emitters are scaled laterally by forming a diode laser bar and vertically by forming a diode laser stack. For most applications like hardening and illumination, though, the undefined far field distribution of most commercially available high power diode laser stacks states a major drawback of these devices. As single emitters and bars can fail during their lifetime, the near field distribution does not remain constant. To overcome these problems, the intensity distribution can be homogenized by a waveguide or by microoptic devices. The waveguide segments the far field distribution by several total internal reflections, and these segments are overlaid at the waveguide's exit surface. By the microoptic device, the near field is divided into beamlets which are overlaid by a field lens. Both approaches are presented, and realized systems are described

Test results of Spacelab 2 infrared telescope focal plane

The small helium cooled infrared telescope for Spacelab 2 is designed for sensitive mapping of extended, low-surface-brightness celestial sources as well as highly sensitive investigations of the shuttle contamination environment (FPA) for this mission is described as well as the design for a thermally isolated, self-heated J-FET transimpedance amplifier. This amplifier is Johnson noise limited for feedback resistances from less than 10 to the 8th power Omega to greater than 2 x 10 to the 10th power Omega at T = 4.2K. Work on the focal plane array is complete. Performance testing for qualification of the flight hardware is discussed, and results are presented. All infrared data channels are measured to be background limited by the expected level of zodiacal emission

The Use of the Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) Method as an Initial Estimator of Liquefaction Susceptibility in Greymouth, New Zealand

Combined analysis of the geomorphic evolution of Greymouth with Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) provides new insight into the geotechnical implications of reclamation work. The MASW method utilises the frequency dependent velocity (dispersion) of planar Rayleigh waves created by a seismic source as a way of assessing the stiffness of the subsurface material. The surface wave is inverted to calculate a shear wave velocity (Park et al., 1999). Once corrected, these shear-wave (Vs) velocities can be used to obtain a factor of safety for liquefaction susceptibility based on a design earthquake. The primary study site was the township of Greymouth, on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Greymouth is built on geologically young (Holocene-age) deposits of beach and river sands and gravels, and estuarine and lagoonal silts (Dowrick et al., 2004). Greymouth is also in a tectonically active region, with the high seismic hazard imposed by the Alpine Fault and other nearby faults, along with the age and type of sediment, mean the probability of liquefaction occurring is high particularly for the low-lying areas around the estuary and coastline. Repeated mapping over 150 years shows that the geomorphology of the Greymouth Township has been heavily modified during that timeframe, with both anthropogenic and natural processes developing the land into its current form. Identification of changes in the landscape was based on historical maps for the area and interpreting them to be either anthropogenic or natural changes, such as reclamation work or removal of material through natural events. This study focuses on the effect that anthropogenic and natural geomorphic processes have on the stiffness of subsurface material and its liquefaction susceptibility for three different design earthquake events. Areas of natural ground and areas of reclaimed land, with differing ages, were investigated through the use of the MASW method, allowing an initial estimation of the relationship between landscape modification and liquefaction susceptibility. The susceptibility to liquefaction of these different materials is important to critical infrastructure, such as the St. John Ambulance Building and Greymouth Aerodrome, which must remain functional following an earthquake. Areas of early reclamation at the Greymouth Aerodrome site have factors of safety less than 1 and will liquefy in most plausible earthquake scenarios, although the majority of the runway has a high factor of safety and should resist liquefaction. The land west of the St. John’s building has slightly to moderately positive factors of safety. Other areas have factors of safety that reflect the different geology and reclamation history

DHTKD1 Mutations Cause 2-Aminoadipic and 2-Oxoadipic Aciduria

Abnormalities in metabolite profiles are valuable indicators of underlying pathologic conditions at the molecular level. However, their interpretation relies on detailed knowledge of the pathways, enzymes, and genes involved. Identification and characterization of their physiological function are therefore crucial for our understanding of human disease: they can provide guidance for therapeutic intervention and help us to identify suitable biomarkers for monitoring associated disorders. We studied two individuals with 2-aminoadipic and 2-oxoadipic aciduria, a metabolic condition that is still unresolved at the molecular level. This disorder has been associated with varying neurological symptoms. Exome sequencing of a single affected individual revealed compound heterozygosity for an initiating methionine mutation (c.1A>G) and a missense mutation (c.2185G>A [p.Gly729Arg]) in DHTKD1. This gene codes for dehydrogenase E1 and transketolase domain-containing protein 1, which is part of a 2-oxoglutarate-dehydrogenase-complex-like protein. Sequence analysis of a second individual identified the same missense mutation together with a nonsense mutation (c.1228C>T [p.Arg410∗]) in DHTKD1. Increased levels of 2-oxoadipate in individual-derived fibroblasts normalized upon lentiviral expression of the wild-type DHTKD1 mRNA. Moreover, investigation of L-lysine metabolism showed an accumulation of deuterium-labeled 2-oxoadipate only in noncomplemented cells, demonstrating that DHTKD1 codes for the enzyme mediating the last unresolved step in the L-lysine-degradation pathway. All together, our results establish mutations in DHTKD1 as a cause of human 2-aminoadipic and 2-oxoadipic aciduria via impaired turnover of decarboxylation 2-oxoadipate to glutaryl-CoA