Beziehung zwischen IT-Erfolgsfaktoren und IT-Risikomanagement im eGovernment

Zusammenfassung: IT-Erfolgsfaktoren beschreiben Bedingungen, die maβgeblich zur erfolgreichen Umsetzung von IT-Projekten beitragen. Über das IT-Risikomanagement wird dabei präventiv versucht, kritischen Erfolgsfaktoren Rechnung zu tragen, was u.a. durch den Einsatz von IT-Governance-Methoden unterstützt und geprüft werden kann. Der vorliegende Beitrag setzt sich mit der Beziehung zwischen IT-Risikomanagement und IT-Erfolgsfaktoren im eGovernment und deren Zusammenhang auseinander. Dazu werden Erfolgsfaktoren aus acht Studien ausgewertet und konsolidiert. Es wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit die identifizierten Erfolgsfaktoren in den in der schweizerischen Bundesverwaltung eingesetzten IT-Governance-Methoden im IT-Risikomanagement berücksichtigt werden. Aus der theoretischen Gegenüberstellung wird zusätzlicher Handlungsbedarf in der Methodenunterstützung für das Risikomanagement ersichtlich, um Risiken im eGovernment effektiv antizipieren zu könne

Novel method for high-throughput colony PCR screening in nanoliter-reactors

We introduce a technology for the rapid identification and sequencing of conserved DNA elements employing a novel suspension array based on nanoliter (nl)-reactors made from alginate. The reactors have a volume of 35 nl and serve as reaction compartments during monoseptic growth of microbial library clones, colony lysis, thermocycling and screening for sequence motifs via semi-quantitative fluorescence analyses. nl-Reactors were kept in suspension during all high-throughput steps which allowed performing the protocol in a highly space-effective fashion and at negligible expenses of consumables and reagents. As a first application, 11 high-quality microsatellites for polymorphism studies in cassava were isolated and sequenced out of a library of 20 000 clones in 2 days. The technology is widely scalable and we envision that throughputs for nl-reactor based screenings can be increased up to 100 000 and more samples per day thereby efficiently complementing protocols based on established deep-sequencing technologie

Transport of Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins through reconstituted human bronchial epithelia and protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical studies have proven antiviral effectiveness of treatment with a Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) specific against the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More information on transport mechanisms and efficiency to the site of action is desirable. Transepithelial migration through air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of reconstituted human bronchial epithelia (HBE) was assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for different DARPin designs in comparison to a monoclonal antibody. Antiviral efficacy against authentic SARS-CoV-2, applied apically on HBE, was investigated based on viral titers and genome equivalents, after administration of therapeutic candidates on the basal side. Transepithelial translocation of all DARPin candidates and the monoclonal antibody was efficient and dose dependent. Small DARPins and the antibody migrated more efficiently than larger molecules, indicating different transport mechanisms involved. Microscopic analyses support this, demonstrating passive paracellular transport of smaller DARPins and transcellular migration of the larger molecules. All therapeutic candidates applied to the basal side of HBE conferred effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In summary, we have shown that DARPins specific against SARS-CoV-2 translocate across intact airway epithelia and confer effective protection against infection and viral replication

Histone Ubiquitination by the DNA Damage Response Is Required for Efficient DNA Replication in Unperturbed S Phase

Chromatin ubiquitination by the ubiquitin ligase RNF168 is critical to regulate the DNA damage response (DDR). DDR deficiencies lead to cancer-prone syndromes, but whether this reflects DNA repair defects is still elusive. We identified key factors of the RNF168 pathway as essential mediators of efficient DNA replication in unperturbed S phase. We found that loss of RNF168 leads to reduced replication fork progression and to reversed fork accumulation, particularly evident at repetitive sequences stalling replication. Slow fork progression depends on MRE11-dependent degradation of reversed forks, implicating RNF168 in reversed fork protection and restart. Consistent with regular nucleosomal organization of reversed forks, the replication function of RNF168 requires H2A ubiquitination. As this novel function is shared with the key DDR players ATM, γH2A.X, RNF8, and 53BP1, we propose that double-stranded ends at reversed forks engage classical DDR factors, suggesting an alternative function of this pathway in preventing genome instability and human disease

Persistence of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 over time in the ski resort Ischgl

Background In early March 2020, a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the ski resort Ischgl in Austria triggered the spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout Austria and Northern Europe. In a previous study, we found that the seroprevalence in the adult population of Ischgl had reached 45% by the end of April, representing an exceptionally high level of local seropositivity in Europe. We performed a follow-up study in Ischgl, which is the first to show persistence of immunity and protection against SARS-CoV-2 and some of its variants at a community level. Methods Of the 1259 adults that participated in the baseline study, 801 have been included in the follow-up in November 2020. The study involved the analysis of binding and neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses. In addition, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in Ischgl was compared to the incidence in similar municipalities in Tyrol until April 2021. Findings For the 801 individuals that participated in both studies, the seroprevalence declined from 51.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 47.9-54.9) to 45.4% (95% CI 42.0-49.0). Median antibody concentrations dropped considerably (5.345, 95% CI 4.833 - 6.123 to 2.298, 95% CI 2.141 - 2.527) but antibody avidity increased (17.02, 95% CI 16.49 - 17.94 to 42.46, 95% CI 41.06 - 46.26). Only one person had lost detectable antibodies and T cell responses. In parallel to this persistent immunity, we observed that Ischgl was relatively spared, compared to similar municipalities, from the prominent second COVID-19 wave that hit Austria in November 2020. In addition, we used sequencing data to show that the local immunity acquired from wild-type infections also helped to curb infections from variants of SARS-CoV-2 which spread in Austria since January 2021. Interpretation The relatively high level of seroprevalence (40-45%) in Ischgl persisted and might have been associated with the observed protection of Ischgl residents against virus infection during the second COVID-19 wave as well as against variant spread in 2021. Funding Funding was provided by the government of Tyrol and the FWF Austrian Science Fund

A Conserved Function of C. elegans CASY-1 Calsyntenin in Associative Learning

BACKGROUND: Whole-genome association studies in humans have enabled the unbiased discovery of new genes associated with human memory performance. However, such studies do not allow for a functional or causal testing of newly identified candidate genes. Since polymorphisms in Calsyntenin 2 (CLSTN2) showed a significant association with episodic memory performance in humans, we tested the C. elegans CLSTN2 ortholog CASY-1 for possible functions in the associative behavior of C. elegans. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using three different associative learning paradigms and functional rescue experiments, we show that CASY-1 plays an important role during associative learning in C. elegans. Furthermore, neuronal expression of human CLSTN2 in C. elegans rescues the learning defects of casy-1 mutants. Finally, genetic interaction studies and neuron-specific expression experiments suggest that CASY-1 may regulate AMPA-like GLR-1 glutamate receptor signaling. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our experiments demonstrate a remarkable conservation of the molecular function of Calsyntenins between nematodes and humans and point at a role of C. elegans casy-1 in regulating a glutamate receptor signaling pathway

Human Rights and German Intellectual History in Transnational Perspective

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156446/1/gequ12147.pd

A transient presence: black visitors and sojourners in Imperial Germany, 1884-1914

The onset of German colonial rule in Africa brought increasing numbers of Black men and women to Germany. Pre-1914 the vast majority of these Africans can best be described as visitors or sojourners and the Black population as a whole was a transient one. This makes recovering their presence in the archival record exceptionally difficult and it is not surprising that the existing historiography almost exclusively focuses on individual biographies of well documented lives. Through utilising a number of newly digitised archival materials, particularly the Hamburg Passenger Lists, this article draws upon a database with information on 1092 individuals from sub-Saharan Africa who spent time in Germany over the period 1884-1914 in order to add considerable bread and depth to our understanding of the Black presence as a whole. It provides increasing empirical detail about the make-up and character of this fluid population - where visitors came from, why they came to Germany, their age on arrival - as well as more accurate detail on the temporal and, to a lesser extent, spatial distribution of visitors