Kommt und staunt! Denkmalschutz und Identitätsstiftung an Monumentalbauten in Usbekistan

Usbekistan gehört ohne Frage zu den islamischen Kunstländern ersten Ranges, was sich nicht zuletzt in der Aufnahme von Städten wie Samarkand, Buchara, Chiwa und anderen in die Liste des UNESCO-Welt- kulturerbes äußert. Viele der historischen Monumentalbauten Usbekistans sind jedoch in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten, auch schon vor der Erlangung der politischen Unabhängigkeit im Jahr 1991, durch Restaurierungsmaßnahmen mehr oder weniger stark überformt worden. Verlorene Gebäudestrukturen und Architekturdekore erstanden neu. Selbst für Fachleute ist es gegenwärtig schwer, originales Bauzeitliches von Neuerschaffenem zu unterscheiden. All das läuft den hehren Theorien der europäischen Denkmalpflege zuwider, die das Konservieren, also das Erhalten des gealterten Originals, sehen möchte. Der folgende Artikel zeichnet am Beispiel Samarkands, wo die entscheidenden Theorien und Methoden entwickelt wurden, die wichtigsten Meilensteine auf dem Weg zur aktuellen Denkmalpflegepraxis nach und beleuchtet Auswirkungen gesellschafts- und kulturgeschichtlicher Entwicklungen auf die Methoden und Herangehensweisen des Denkmalschutzes. Ziel dabei ist es, zu verstehen, zu erklären und zu begründen, aber nicht zu richten. Denkmalpflege ist und bleibt weitgehend hoheitliche Aufgabe und steht immer in einem regionalen geschichtlichen Kontex

Development of an online-coupled MARGA upgrade for the 2 h interval quantification of low-molecular-weight organic acids in the gas and particle phases

A method is presented to quantify the lowmolecular- weight organic acids such as formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, pyruvic, glycolic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, malic, glutaric, and methanesulfonic acid in the atmospheric gas and particle phases, based on a combination of the Monitor for AeRosols and Gases in ambient Air (MARGA) and an additional ion chromatography (Compact IC) instrument. Therefore, every second hourly integrated MARGA gas and particle samples were collected and analyzed by the Compact IC, resulting in 12 values per day for each phase. A proper separation of the organic target acids was initially tackled by a laboratory IC optimization study, testing different separation columns, eluent compositions and eluent flow rates for both isocratic and gradient elution. Satisfactory resolution of all compounds was achieved using a gradient system with two coupled anion-exchange separation columns. Online pre-concentration with an enrichment factor of approximately 400 was achieved by solid-phase extraction consisting of a methacrylate-polymer-based sorbent with quaternary ammonium groups. The limits of detection of the method range between 0.5 ngm3 for malonate and 17.4 ngm3 for glutarate. Precisions are below 1.0 %, except for glycolate (2.9 %) and succinate (1.0 %). Comparisons of inorganic anions measured at the TROPOS research site in Melpitz, Germany, by the original MARGA and the additional Compact IC are in agreement with each other (R2 D0.95-0.99). Organic acid concentrations from May 2017 as an example period are presented. Monocarboxylic acids were dominant in the gas phase with mean concentrations of 306 ngm3 for acetic acid, followed by formic (199 ngm3), propionic (83 ngm3), pyruvic (76 ngm3), butyric (34 ngm3) and glycolic acid (32 ngm3). Particulate glycolate, oxalate and methanesulfonate were quantified with mean concentrations of 26, 31 and 30 ngm3, respectively. Elevated concentrations of gas-phase formic acid and particulate oxalate in the late afternoon indicate photochemical formation as a source

Cerebrovascular reactivity during the Valsalva maneuver in migraine, tension-type headache and medication overuse headache

The aim of this study was to investigate, by means of transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD), cerebrovascular reactivity during the Valsalva maneuver (VM) during the headache-free interval in patients with migraine (M), migraine plus tension-type headache (M+TTH), and migraine plus medication overuse headache (M+MOH). A total of 114 patients (n=60 M, n=38 M+TTH, n=16 M+MOH) and n=60 controls were investigated; diagnoses were made according to the International Headache Society criteria. All subjects underwent TCD monitoring and, simultaneously, non-invasive assessment of arterial blood pressure and end-tidal CO2. Two indices were determined: the cerebrovascular Valsalva ratio (CVR) was calculated as the maximum end-diastolic flow velocity acceleration during the late straining phase of the VM [cm/s2] and the centroperipheral Valsalva ratio (CPVR) was defined as the quotient of CVR to the concomitant arterial blood pressure acceleration [cm/mmHg x s]. The dynamic cerebrovascular autoregulatory response to the VM, measured as CVR, was increased in patients with M and M+TTH compared to age-matched healthy subjects. By contrast, CPVR (i.e. the quotient of the cerebrovascular to the peripheral autonomic response), was increased in M patients compared to healthy subjects and all other headache conditions tested. Cerebrovascular autoregulatory response during the VM was increased in M patients compared to agematched normal healthy subjects, indicating a disturbed autonomic control of cerebral vasoreactivity. The CPVR seems to be a sensitive parameter for distinguishing between M patients and M+TTH or M+MOH patients

Measurements of PM10 ions and trace gases with the online system MARGA at the research station Melpitz in Germany – A five-year study

An hourly quantification of inorganic water-soluble PM10 ions and corresponding trace gases was performed using the Monitor for AeRosols and Gases in ambient Air (MARGA) at the TROPOS research site in Melpitz, Germany. The data availability amounts to over 80% for the five-year measurement period from 2010 to 2014. Comparisons were performed for the evaluation of the MARGA, resulting in coefficients of determinations (slopes) of 0.91 (0.90) for the measurements against the SO2 gas monitor, 0.84 (0.88), 0.79 (1.39), 0.85 (1.20) for the ACSM NO3 −, SO4 2− and NH4 + measurements, respectively, and 0.85 (0.65), 0.88 (0.68), 0.91 (0.83), 0.86 (0.82) for the filter measurements of Cl−, NO3 −, SO4 2− and NH4 +, respectively. A HONO comparison with a batch denuder shows large scatter (R2 = 0.41). The MARGA HNO3 is underestimated compared to a batch and coated denuder with shorter inlets (slopes of 0.16 and 0.08, respectively). Less NH3 was observed in coated denuders for high ambient concentrations. Long-time measurements show clear daily and seasonal variabilities. Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) analysis indicates the emission area of particulate ions Cl−, NO3 −, SO4 2−, NH4 +, K+ and gaseous SO2 to lie in eastern European countries, predominantly in wintertime. Coarse mode sea salt particles are transported from the North Sea to Melpitz. The particles at Melpitz are nearly neutralised with a mean molar ratio of 0.90 for the five-year study. A slight increase of the neutralization ratio over the last three years indicates a stronger decrease of the anthropogenically emitted NO3 − and SO4 2− compared to NH4 +

Pharmacokinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the MEK inhibitor zapnometinib in rats

Zapnometinib is a MEK inhibitor currently under clinical development for the treatment of COVID-19 and influenza. Zapnometinib has both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Information concerning the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the compound following single oral doses of 30 mg/kg [14C]-zapnometinib to rats was required to support pharmacology and toxicology studies in animals and clinical studies in man. As part of the development and safety assessment of this substance, zapnometinib was radioactively labeled and used for the investigation of time-dependent plasma concentrations, the rates and routes of excretion, the extent and time-course of compound distribution in body tissues, the metabolite profiles in plasma, urine and feces and the chemical nature of its metabolites. The present study reveals a rapid but low absorption of zapnometinib from the gastrointestinal tract, with more than 90% of the compound being excreted within 48 h, mainly via feces. Whole body autoradiography confirms that zapnometinib was rapidly and widely distributed, with greatest concentrations in the circulatory and visceral tissues. Maximum plasma and tissue concentrations occurred between two and 8 h post dose. Penetration into the brain was low, and elimination from most tissues almost complete after 168 h. Metabolic profiles showed that the main clearance routes were metabolism via oxidative reactions and glucuronidation. These results further strengthen the knowledge of zapnometinib with respect to the clinical development of the drug

Entwicklung eines zwangläufigen Schneid- und Fixiersystems für den Einsatz in einem Tapelegekopf

Im Rahmen des Bundesxzellenzclusters MERGE EXC 1075 an der TU Chemnitz erfolgte die Entwicklung einer neuartigen großserientauglichen Technologie zur Herstellung faserverstärkter Thermoplastbauteile. Für die Demonstration der Technologie wurde eine Pilotanlage realisiert, die zum Ablegen des Thermoplasttapes über eine Verlegeeinheit – einen sog. Tapelegekopf – verfügt. Mit Abschluss des Legeprozesses wird das Halbzeug, das aus einer angebremsten Spule abgezogen wird, abgeschnitten und der Prozess wird von neuem begonnen. Für das Schneiden des Materials haben Voruntersuchungen gezeigt, dass konturierte Klingen erforderlich sind, um ein Verlaufen des Bandes zu vermeiden. Darüber hinaus hat sich als zweckmäßig erwiesen eine zusätzliche Fixierung vorzunehmen. Dies verbessert die Schnittqualität und Zuverlässigkeit des Systems. Aufgrund enger Bauraumrestriktionen wurde entschieden die Schneidbewegung und das Fixieren zwangläufig synchronisiert auf einen Antrieb zurück zu führen. Hierfür wurden zwei ungleichmäßige Rastgetriebe synthetisiert, ausgelegt sowie in weiteren Entwicklungsstufen auskonstruiert, gefertigt und getestet. Mit der Inbetriebnahme des Gesamtanlagensystems erfolgte ebenfalls der Funktionsnachweis dieses mechanisch zwangläufigen Schneidsystems, das im Rahmen des Vortrags vorgestellt wird. Diese Arbeiten entstanden im Rahmen des Bundesexzellenzclusters EXC 1075 „Technologiefusion für multifunktionale Leichtbaustrukturen“ und wurde von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft gefördert. Die Autoren danken für die finanzielle Unterstützung

Development of an online-coupled MARGA upgrade for the 2 h interval quantification of low-molecular-weight organic acids in the gas and particle phases

A method is presented to quantify the low-molecular-weight organic acids such as formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, pyruvic, glycolic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, malic, glutaric, and methanesulfonic acid in the atmospheric gas and particle phases, based on a combination of the Monitor for AeRosols and Gases in ambient Air (MARGA) and an additional ion chromatography (Compact IC) instrument. Therefore, every second hourly integrated MARGA gas and particle samples were collected and analyzed by the Compact IC, resulting in 12 values per day for each phase. A proper separation of the organic target acids was initially tackled by a laboratory IC optimization study, testing different separation columns, eluent compositions and eluent flow rates for both isocratic and gradient elution. Satisfactory resolution of all compounds was achieved using a gradient system with two coupled anion-exchange separation columns. Online pre-concentration with an enrichment factor of approximately 400 was achieved by solid-phase extraction consisting of a methacrylate-polymer-based sorbent with quaternary ammonium groups. The limits of detection of the method range between 0.5&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3 for malonate and 17.4&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3 for glutarate. Precisions are below 1.0&thinsp;%, except for glycolate (2.9&thinsp;%) and succinate (1.0&thinsp;%). Comparisons of inorganic anions measured at the TROPOS research site in Melpitz, Germany, by the original MARGA and the additional Compact IC are in agreement with each other (R2&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.95–0.99). Organic acid concentrations from May 2017 as an example period are presented. Monocarboxylic acids were dominant in the gas phase with mean concentrations of 306&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3 for acetic acid, followed by formic (199&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3), propionic (83&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3), pyruvic (76&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3), butyric (34&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3) and glycolic acid (32&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3). Particulate glycolate, oxalate and methanesulfonate were quantified with mean concentrations of 26, 31 and 30&thinsp;ng&thinsp;m−3, respectively. Elevated concentrations of gas-phase formic acid and particulate oxalate in the late afternoon indicate photochemical formation as a source.</p

Integrated North Sea grids: The costs, the benefits and their distribution between countries

A large number of offshore wind farms and interconnectors are expected to be constructed in the North Sea region over the coming decades, creating substantial opportunities for the deployment of integrated network solutions. Creating interconnected offshore grids that combine cross-border links and connections of offshore plants to shore offers multiple economic and environmental advantages for Europe's energy system. However, despite evidence that integrated solutions can be more beneficial than traditional radial connection practices, no such projects have been deployed yet. In this paper we quantify costs and benefits of integrated projects and investigate to which extent the cost-benefit sharing mechanism between participating countries can impede or encourage the development of integrated projects. Three concrete interconnection case studies in the North Sea area are analysed in detail using a national-level power system model. Model outputs are used to compute the net benefit of all involved stakeholders under different allocation schemes. Given the asymmetric distribution of costs and benefits, we recommend to consistently apply the Positive Net Benefit Differential mechanism as a starting point for negotiations on the financial closure of investments in integrated offshore infrastructure

Efficacy of frovatriptan versus other triptans in the acute treatment of menstrual migraine: pooled analysis of three double-blind, randomized, crossover, multicenter studies

The objective of this study was to review the efficacy and safety of frovatriptan (F) versus rizatriptan (R), zolmitriptan (Z) and almotriptan (A), in women with menstrually related migraine (IHS criteria) through a pooled analysis of three individual studies. Subjects with a history of migraine with or without aura were randomized to F 2.5 mg or R 10 mg (study 1), F or Z 2.5 mg (study 2), and F or A 12.5 mg (study 3). The studies had an identical multicenter, randomized, double-blind, crossover design. After treating three episodes of migraine in no more than 3 months with the first treatment, patients had to switch to the next treatment for other 3 months. 346 subjects formed intention-to-treat population of the main study; 280 of them were of a female gender, 256 had regular menses and 187 were included in the menstrual migraine subgroup analysis. Rate of pain free at 2, 4 and 24 h was 23, 52 and 67 % with F and 30, 61 and 66 % with comparators (P = NS). Pain relief episodes at 2, 4 and 24 h were 37, 60 and 66 % for F and 43, 55 and 61 % for comparators (P = NS). Rate of recurrence was significantly (P < 0.05) lower under F either at 24 h (11 vs. 24 % comparators) or at 48 h (15 vs. 26 % comparators). Number of menstrual migraine attacks associated with drug-related adverse events was equally low (P = NS) between F (5 %) and comparators (4 %)