Abnehmendes Produktivitätswachstum – zunehmende Produktivitätsunterschiede

Wie in anderen Industriestaaten ist auch in Deutschland in den vergangenen Jahren trotz eines anhaltenden Wirtschaftswachstums, einer zurückgehenden Arbeitslosigkeit und einer hohen technologischen Dynamik ein Rückgang des Produktivitätswachstums zu beobachten. In einem Workshop Anfang 2018 in Berlin wurde dieses Phänomen eingehend diskutiert

Zurück zu den Wurzeln inklusiver Forschung. Regionale und internationale Verortungen. Ein Dialog der Generationen

Volker Schönwiese und Josefine Wagner stellen fest: Inklusionsforschung bedeutet Widerstand. Sie erforschen Wege und Möglichkeiten, die Binarität von gesund und krank, abweichend und konform, dazugehörig und fremd zu durchbrechen, mit dem Ziel, soziale Räume für das gesamte Spektrum menschlicher Existenz zugänglich zu machen. Ausgangspunkt ihres Dialogs der Generationen kann unter aktuellen Bedingungen des Drucks in Richtung „Retrotopia“ und vielfältiger neuer Spaltungen ein Blick zurück auf die Begründungen und Aufbrüche in Theorie und Praxis der schon historischen Inklusionsbewegung sein. Kann ein Rückblick auf Konzepte wie z. B. Dialog, kritisch-(re-)konstruktive Bildung, Pädagogik der Vielfalt, dialogische Validierung, Identität usw. Räume für die Analyse der aktuellen Entwicklungen, Befindlichkeiten, Mentalitäten und die Systemlogik inklusiver Schule in Theorie und Praxis ermöglichen? Wie können inklusive Räume individuell und auf gesellschaftliche Bedingungen hin reflexiv ausgelotet und verändert werden? Aktivistisch kann gefragt werden, warum und für wen forschen wir überhaupt? In ethnographischer Tradition des Perspektivwechsels von strange to familiar and back again setzen die Autor*innen den Dialog regional und international an und beleuchten, wie Gemeinschaften geschaffen werden, in denen Akzeptanz und Teilhabe gelebt und immer wieder aufs Neue ausgehandelt werden. (DIPF/Orig.

Transcriptome analysis of human cancer reveals a functional role of Heme Oxygenase-1 in tumor cell adhesion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is expressed in many cancers and promotes growth and survival of neoplastic cells. Recently, HO-1 has been implicated in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these biologic effects of HO-1 remain largely unknown. To identify a common mechanism of action of HO-1 in cancer, we determined the global effect of HO-1 on the transcriptome of multiple tumor entities and identified a universal HO-1-associated gene expression signature.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genome-wide expression profiling of Heme Oxygenase-1 expressing versus HO-1 silenced BeWo choriocarcinoma cells as well as a comparative meta-profiling of the preexisting expression database of 190 human tumors of 14 independent cancer types led to the identification of 14 genes, the expression of which correlated strongly and universally with that of HO-1 (P = 0.00002). These genes included regulators of cell plasticity and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling (MMP2, ADAM8, TGFB1, BGN, COL21A1, PXDN), signaling (CRIP2, MICB), amino acid transport and glycosylation (SLC7A1 and ST3GAL2), estrogen and phospholipid biosynthesis (AGPAT2 and HSD17B1), protein stabilization (IFI30), and phosphorylation (ALPPL2). We selected PXDN, an adhesion molecule involved in ECM formation, for further analysis and functional characterization. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting confirmed the positive correlation of expression of PXDN and HO-1 in BeWo cancer cells as well as co-localization of these two proteins in invasive extravillous trophoblast cells. Modulation of HO-1 expression in both loss-of and gain-of function cell models (BeWo and 607B melanoma cells, respectively) demonstrated a direct relationship of HO-1 expression with cell adhesion to Fibronectin and Laminin coated wells. The adhesion-promoting effects of HO-1 were dependent on PXDN expression, as loss of PXDN in HO-1 expressing BeWo and 607B cells led to reduced cell attachment to Laminin and Fibronectin coated wells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, our results show that HO-1 expression determines a distinct 'molecular signature' in cancer cells, which is enriched in genes associated with tumorigenesis. The protein network downstream of HO-1 modulates adhesion, signaling, transport, and other critical cellular functions of neoplastic cells and thus promotes tumor cell growth and dissemination.</p

Towards a public policy of cities and human settlements in the 21st century

Cities and other human settlements are major contributors to climate change and are highly vulnerable to its impacts. They are also uniquely positioned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lead adaptation efforts. These compound challenges and opportunities require a comprehensive perspective on the public policy of human settlements. Drawing on core literature that has driven debate around cities and climate over recent decades, we put forward a set of boundary objects that can be applied to connect the knowledge of epistemic communities and support an integrated urbanism. We then use these boundary objects to develop the Goals-Intervention-Stakeholder-Enablers (GISE) framework for a public policy of human settlements that is both place-specific and provides insights and tools useful for climate action in cities and other human settlements worldwide. Using examples from Berlin, we apply this framework to show that climate mitigation and adaptation, public health, and well-being goals are closely linked and mutually supportive when a comprehensive approach to urban public policy is applied

The genomic and transcriptional landscape of primary central nervous system lymphoma

Primary lymphomas of the central nervous system (PCNSL) are mainly diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) confined to the central nervous system (CNS). Molecular drivers of PCNSL have not been fully elucidated. Here, we profile and compare the whole-genome and transcriptome landscape of 51 CNS lymphomas (CNSL) to 39 follicular lymphoma and 36 DLBCL cases outside the CNS. We find recurrent mutations in JAK-STAT, NFkB, and B-cell receptor signaling pathways, including hallmark mutations in MYD88 L265P (67%) and CD79B (63%), and CDKN2A deletions (83%). PCNSLs exhibit significantly more focal deletions of HLA-D (6p21) locus as a potential mechanism of immune evasion. Mutational signatures correlating with DNA replication and mitosis are significantly enriched in PCNSL. TERT gene expression is significantly higher in PCNSL compared to activated B-cell (ABC)-DLBCL. Transcriptome analysis clearly distinguishes PCNSL and systemic DLBCL into distinct molecular subtypes. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+ CNSL cases lack recurrent mutational hotspots apart from IG and HLA-DRB loci. We show that PCNSL can be clearly distinguished from DLBCL, having distinct expression profiles, IG expression and translocation patterns, as well as specific combinations of genetic alterations

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Teachers in Disarray: Clashes Between Inclusive Policy and Practice in a German School

Upon ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (2009), Germany shifted from a school system segregated on the basis of disability toward an inclusive classroom policy. Teachers must now put these changes into practice, but they must also change the way they think about children with disabilities in the mainstream classroom. Against an outline of current theoretical concepts of disability, this paper explores and theorizes interviews with practitioners who only recently started teaching inclusively. Teachers express their views on questions of changing teacher identities, constructions of the child with a disability, and frustrations with the current challenges. My ethnographic research reveals how teachers are responding to new policy changes with great uncertainty and on a trial-and-error basis, which unfortunately often proves detrimental to children with disabilities, leading to stigmatization rather than inclusion.</p

Nauczyciele w zamęcie. Dysonans między polityką a praktyką inkluzji w szkołach niemieckich

Upon ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (2009), Germany shifted from a school system segregated on the basis of disability toward an inclusive classroom policy. Teachers must now put these changes into practice, but they must also change the way they think about children with disabilities in the mainstream classroom. Against an outline of current theoretical concepts of disability, this paper explores and theorizes interviews with practitioners who only recently started teaching inclusively. Teachers express their views on questions of changing teacher identities, constructions of the child with a disability, and frustrations with the current challenges. My ethnographic research reveals how teachers are responding to new policy changes with great uncertainty and on a trial-and-error basis, which unfortunately often proves detrimental to children with disabilities, leading to stigmatization rather than inclusion.Po ratyfikacji Konwencji Praw Osób Niepełnosprawnych ONZ (2009) w niemieckim systemie oświatowym w miejsce modelu szkolnictwa oddzielnego dla osób pełno- i niepełnosprawnych wprowadzono politykę klas inkluzyjnych. Nauczyciele muszą obecnie wprowadzać te przekształcenia w życie, a także zmienić podejście do dzieci z niepełnosprawnościami uczęszczających do szkół powszechnych. W artykule nakreślono współczesne koncepcje teoretyczne niepełnosprawności, a na ich tle przedstawiono i omówiono teoretycznie wywiady z praktykami, którzy nauczanie inkluzyjne rozpoczęli dopiero niedawno. Nauczyciele wyrażają swoje poglądy na takie kwestie, jak zmieniająca się tożsamość nauczyciela, wyobrażenia o dziecku z niepełnosprawnością oraz frustracje wywołane bieżącymi trudnościami. Moje etnograficzne badania ukazują również, że w obliczu ostatnich zmian w polityce edukacyjnej nauczyciele wykazują znaczne poczucie niepewności oraz skłonność do działania na zasadzie prób i błędów, co niestety ma często szkodliwy wpływ na dzieci z niepełnosprawnościami i zamiast do inkluzji prowadzi raczej do stygmatyzacji