Die EU als Partnerin der Vereinten Nationen bei der Friedenssicherung : zwischen universalen Normen und partikularen Interessen

Mit Beginn des neuen Jahrtausends rief die Europäische Union (EU) ihre Europäische Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik (ESVP) ins Leben. Diese soll zur internationalen Friedenssicherung beitragen. Nach eigenem Bekunden will die EU mit ihren Interventions­fähigkeiten die Vereinten Nationen (VN) bei der Konfliktprävention und beim Krisenmanagement unterstützen. Dieses Engagement begann die EU in einer Umbruchsphase des Völkerrechts: Konzepte wie das der „menschlichen Sicherheit“ und das der „Ver­ant­wortung zum Schutz“ stellen neue und erweiterte Anforderungen an die Friedens­sicherung. Um den wachsenden Aufgaben gerecht zu werden, haben die VN Aufgaben an Staaten und regionale Organisationen abgeben müssen, was Chancen aber auch Risiken birgt. Zwar können Konflikte so effektiver und auf regionaler Ebene bearbeitet werden, doch besteht die Gefahr, dass die internationale Friedenssicherung von den Interessen starker Staaten oder Regionalorganisationen abhängig wird. Wie sich die EU als Partnerin der VN verhält, entscheidet damit auch über die Akzeptanz der neuen völkerrechtlichen Normen. Matthias Dembinski und Christian Förster gelangen in ihrem Report zu einer positiven Einschätzung des Beitrags der EU als Partnerin der VN bei der internationalen Friedenssicherung. Aufgrund der internen Strukturen der EU steht zu erwarten, dass sie sich überraschend oft im Auftrag der VN engagieren und dabei die Vorgaben des Sicherheitsrats beachten wird

Understanding the Role of Data for Innovating Business Models: A System Dynamics Perspective

Data have become a key ingredient for ICT-enabled business models. Nevertheless, there is great uncertainty among scholars and practitioners alike about how to leverage data as an essential innovation resource. This raises the question of how to design data roles to innovate business models. To answer this question and to facilitate a deeper, cause-effect-relation understanding of the interdependencies between data roles and business models, system dynamics was chosen as the approach of analysis. Within a multiple case study of five business model cases with multiple embedded units per case, the study shows that there are four recurring basic data role patterns e.g. ‘incremental improvement’ or \u27initial data boost’ and two data role characteristic patterns, describing how data roles unfold within business models e.g. ‘change in self-reinforcement’ pattern. Overall, the patterns help to visualize and articulate data usage in business models and therefore contribute to the ongoing endeavor of innovating business models

Towards an experimentally feasible controlled-phase gate on two blockaded Rydberg atoms

We investigate the implementation of a controlled-Z gate on a pair of Rydberg atoms in spatially separated dipole traps where the joint excitation of both atoms into the Rydberg level is strongly suppressed (the Rydberg blockade). We follow the adiabatic gate scheme of Jaksch et al. [1], where the pair of atoms are coherently excited using lasers, and apply it to the experimental setup outlined in Ga\"etan et al. [2]. We apply optimisation to the experimental parameters to improve gate fidelity, and consider the impact of several experimental constraints on the gate success.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figure

Die EU als Partnerin der Vereinten Nationen bei der Friedenssicherung: zwischen universalen Normen und partikularen Interessen

'Mit Beginn des neuen Jahrtausends rief die Europäische Union (EU) ihre Europäische Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik (ESVP) ins Leben. Diese soll zur internationalen Friedenssicherung beitragen. Nach eigenem Bekunden will die EU mit ihren Interventionsfähigkeiten die Vereinten Nationen (VN) bei der Konfliktprävention und beim Krisenmanagement unterstützen. Dieses Engagement begann die EU in einer Umbruchsphase des Völkerrechts: Konzepte wie das der 'menschlichen Sicherheit' und das der 'Verantwortung zum Schutz' stellen neue und erweiterte Anforderungen an die Friedenssicherung. Um den wachsenden Aufgaben gerecht zu werden, haben die VN Aufgaben an Staaten und regionale Organisationen abgeben müssen, was Chancen aber auch Risiken birgt. Zwar können Konflikte so effektiver und auf regionaler Ebene bearbeitet werden, doch besteht die Gefahr, dass die internationale Friedenssicherung von den Interessen starker Staaten oder Regionalorganisationen abhängig wird. Wie sich die EU als Partnerin der VN verhält, entscheidet damit auch über die Akzeptanz der neuen völkerrechtlichen Normen. Matthias Dembinski und Christian Förster gelangen in ihrem Report zu einer positiven Einschätzung des Beitrags der EU als Partnerin der VN bei der internationalen Friedenssicherung. Aufgrund der internen Strukturen der EU steht zu erwarten, dass sie sich überraschend oft im Auftrag der VN engagieren und dabei die Vorgaben des Sicherheitsrats beachten wird.' (Autorenreferat

Including RNA secondary structures improves accuracy and robustness in reconstruction of phylogenetic trees

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In several studies, secondary structures of ribosomal genes have been used to improve the quality of phylogenetic reconstructions. An extensive evaluation of the benefits of secondary structure, however, is lacking.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This is the first study to counter this deficiency. We inspected the accuracy and robustness of phylogenetics with individual secondary structures by simulation experiments for artificial tree topologies with up to 18 taxa and for divergency levels in the range of typical phylogenetic studies. We chose the internal transcribed spacer 2 of the ribosomal cistron as an exemplary marker region. Simulation integrated the coevolution process of sequences with secondary structures. Additionally, the phylogenetic power of marker size duplication was investigated and compared with sequence and sequence-structure reconstruction methods. The results clearly show that accuracy and robustness of Neighbor Joining trees are largely improved by structural information in contrast to sequence only data, whereas a doubled marker size only accounts for robustness.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Individual secondary structures of ribosomal RNA sequences provide a valuable gain of information content that is useful for phylogenetics. Thus, the usage of ITS2 sequence together with secondary structure for taxonomic inferences is recommended. Other reconstruction methods as maximum likelihood, bayesian inference or maximum parsimony may equally profit from secondary structure inclusion.</p> <p>Reviewers</p> <p>This article was reviewed by Shamil Sunyaev, Andrea Tanzer (nominated by Frank Eisenhaber) and Eugene V. Koonin.</p> <p>Open peer review</p> <p>Reviewed by Shamil Sunyaev, Andrea Tanzer (nominated by Frank Eisenhaber) and Eugene V. Koonin. For the full reviews, please go to the Reviewers' comments section.</p

Cryptochrome Interacts With Actin and Enhances Eye-Mediated Light Sensitivity of the Circadian Clock in Drosophila melanogaster

Cryptochromes (CRYs) are a class of flavoproteins that sense blue light. In animals, CRYs are expressed in the eyes and in the clock neurons that control sleep/wake cycles and are implied in the generation and/or entrainment of circadian rhythmicity. Moreover, CRYs are sensing magnetic fields in insects as well as in humans. Here, we show that in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster CRY plays a light-independent role as “assembling” protein in the rhabdomeres of the compound eyes. CRY interacts with actin and appears to increase light sensitivity of the eyes by keeping the “signalplex” of the phototransduction cascade close to the membrane. By this way, CRY also enhances light-responses of the circadian clock

Outcome of patients with local recurrent gynecologic malignancies after resection combined with intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT)

Background: Treatment of recurrent gynecologic cancer is a challenging issue. Aim of the study was to investigate clinical features and outcomes of patients with recurrent gynecologic malignancies who underwent resection including IOERT (intraoperative electron radiation therapy) with regard to clinical outcome and potential predictive factors or subgroups that benefit most from this radical treatment regime. Methods: A total of 36 patients with recurrent gynecologic malignancies (cervical (n = 18), endometrial (n = 12) or vulvar cancer (n = 6)) were retrospectively identified through hospital databases in accordance with institutional ethical policies. Patient characteristics and outcomes were assessed. Survival data was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier-method and log-rank-test, categorical variables were analyzed with chi-square-method. Results: For the entire cohort 1-/2-/5-year Overall Survival (OS) was 65.3 %/36.2 %/21.7 %. Patients with endometrial, cervical, and vulvar carcinoma had a 1-/2-/5-year OS of 83.3 %/62.5 %/50 %, 44.5 %/25.4 %/6.4 %, and 83.3 %/16.7 %/16.7 %, respectively. Patients with endometrial carcinoma showed a significantly better OS (p = 0.038). 1-/2-/5-year Local Progression-free Survival (LPFS) for the entire cohort was 44.1 %/28 %/21 % with 76.2 %/61 %/40.6 % for endometrial, 17.2 %/0 %/0 % for cervical, and 40 %/20 %/20 % for vulvar cancer, respectively. Patients with endometrial cancer showed a significantly (p = 0.017) and older patients a trend (p = 0.059) for a better LPFS. 1-/2-/5-year Distant Progression-free Survival (DPFS) for the entire cohort was 53.1 %/46.5 %/38.7 % with 74.1 %/74.1 %/74.1 % for endometrial, 36.7 %/36.7 %/0 % for cervical, and 60 %/30 %/30 % for vulvar cancer, respectively. There was a significantly better DPFS for older patients (p = 0.015) and a trend for a better DPFS for patients with endometrial carcinoma (p = 0.075). Conclusion: The radical procedure of resection combined with IOERT seems to be a valid curative treatment option for patients with recurrent endometrial carcinoma with 5-year survival rates of 50 %. For patients with cervical or vulvar cancer this treatment should be considered a rather palliative one and must be weighted carefully against other treatment options like chemotherapy, targeted therapies or new highly conformal radiotherapy techniques

ITS2 data corroborate a monophyletic chlorophycean DO-group (Sphaeropleales)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Within Chlorophyceae the ITS2 secondary structure shows an unbranched helix I, except for the '<it>Hydrodictyon</it>' and the '<it>Scenedesmus</it>' clade having a ramified first helix. The latter two are classified within the Sphaeropleales, characterised by directly opposed basal bodies in their flagellar apparatuses (DO-group). Previous studies could not resolve the taxonomic position of the '<it>Sphaeroplea</it>' clade within the Chlorophyceae without ambiguity and two pivotal questions remain open: (1) Is the DO-group monophyletic and (2) is a branched helix I an apomorphic feature of the DO-group? In the present study we analysed the secondary structure of three newly obtained ITS2 sequences classified within the '<it>Sphaeroplea</it>' clade and resolved sphaeroplealean relationships by applying different phylogenetic approaches based on a combined sequence-structure alignment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The newly obtained ITS2 sequences of <it>Ankyra judayi, Atractomorpha porcata </it>and <it>Sphaeroplea annulina </it>of the '<it>Sphaeroplea</it>' clade do not show any branching in the secondary structure of their helix I. All applied phylogenetic methods highly support the '<it>Sphaeroplea</it>' clade as a sister group to the 'core Sphaeropleales'. Thus, the DO-group is monophyletic. Furthermore, based on characteristics in the sequence-structure alignment one is able to distinguish distinct lineages within the green algae.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In green algae, a branched helix I in the secondary structure of the ITS2 evolves past the '<it>Sphaeroplea</it>' clade. A branched helix I is an apomorph characteristic within the monophyletic DO-group. Our results corroborate the fundamental relevance of including the secondary structure in sequence analysis and phylogenetics.</p

What can we learn from comparing glacio-hydrological models?

Glacio-hydrological models combine both glacier and catchment hydrology modeling and are used to assess the hydrological response of high-mountain glacierized catchments to climate change. To capture the uncertainties from these model combinations, it is essential to compare the outcomes of several model entities forced with the same climate projections. For the first time, we compare the results of two completely independent glacio-hydrological models: (i) HQsim-GEM and (ii) AMUNDSEN. In contrast to prevailing studies, we use distinct glacier models and glacier initialization times. At first glance, the results achieved for future glacier states and hydrological characteristics in the Rofenache catchment in ötztal Alps (Austria) appear to be similar and consistent, but a closer look reveals clear differences. What can be learned from this study is that low-complexity models can achieve higher accuracy in the calibration period. This is advantageous especially when data availability is weak, and priority is given to efficient computation time. Furthermore, the time and method of glacier initialization play an important role due to different data requirements. In essence, it is not possible to make conclusions about the model performance outside of the calibration period or more specifically in the future. Hence, similar to climate modeling, we suggest considering different modeling approaches when assessing future catchment discharge or glacier evolution. Especially when transferring the results to stakeholders, it is vital to transparently communicate the bandwidth of future states that come with all model results. © 2020 by the authors

Plasmonic Library Based on Substrate-Supported Gradiential Plasmonic Arrays

We present a versatile approach to produce macroscopic, substrate-supported arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles with well-defined interparticle spacing and a continuous particle size gradient. The arrays thus present a “plasmonic library” of locally noncoupling plasmonic particles of different sizes, which can serve as a platform for future combinatorial screening of size effects. The structures were prepared by substrate assembly of gold-core/poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide)-shell particles and subsequent post-modification. Coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) could be avoided since the polymer shell separates the encapsulated gold cores. To produce a particle array with a broad range of well-defined but laterally distinguishable particle sizes, the substrate was dip-coated in a growth solution, which resulted in an overgrowth of the gold cores controlled by the local exposure time. The kinetics was quantitatively analyzed and found to be diffusion rate controlled, allowing for precise tuning of particle size by adjusting the withdrawal speed. We determined the kinetics of the overgrowth process, investigated the LSPRs along the gradient by UV–vis extinction spectroscopy, and compared the spectroscopic results to the predictions from Mie theory, indicating the absence of local interparticle coupling. We finally discuss potential applications of these substrate-supported plasmonic particle libraries and perspectives toward extending the concept from size to composition variation and screening of plasmonic coupling effects