14 research outputs found
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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020.
BACKGROUND: Seroepidemiological studies provide important insight into the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoVâ2) in our society. We aimed to determine seropositivity of SARS-CoVâ2 antibodies and its cross-sectional correlates in a large cohort of blood donors. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, we tested healthy blood donors residing in Tyrol, Austria, for SARS-CoVâ2 antibodies using the Abbott SARS-CoVâ2 IgG chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. We estimated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of seroprevalences using bootstrapping and tested for differences by participant characteristics using logistic regression. FINDINGS: Between 8 June and 4 September 2020, we screened 5345 healthy individuals at local blood donor sessions (mean age 42.7 years, SD 13.5 years, 46.7% female). Overall seroprevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.7-3.6%, 165 cases), which is 5.1-fold higher (95% CI 4.5-6.0%) than the case number identified by the health authorities in the state-wide testing program (0.6%; 4536 out of 757,634). Seroprevalence was higher in the district Landeck (16.6%, PâŻ<â0.001) and in individuals aged <âŻ25 years (4.7%, PâŻ=â0.043), but did not differ by gender, blood types, or medication intake. The odds ratio for seropositivity was 2.51 for participants who had travelled to Ischgl (1.49-4.21, PâŻ=â0.001), 1.39 who had travelled to other federal states (1.00-1.93, PâŻ=â0.052), and 2.41 who had travelled abroad (1.61-3.63, PâŻ<â0.001). Compared to participants who had a suspected/confirmed SARS-CoVâ2 infection but were seronegative, seropositive participants more frequently reported loss of smell (odds ratioâŻ=â2.49, 1.32-4.68, PâŻ=â0.005) and taste (odds ratioâŻ=â2.76, 1.54-4.92, PâŻ=â0.001). CONCLUSION: In summer 2020, SARS-CoVâ2 seroprevalence in Tyrolean blood donors was 3.1%. Our study revealed regional variation and associations with young age, travel history and specific symptoms
Wege zu mehr Bio in Europa und weltweit!
Die IFOAM hat an der Biofach 2014 die Idee einer biologischen Landwirtschaft 3.0 lanciert. Dies entstand aufgrund eines weit verbreiteten GefĂŒhls, dass sich der Ăkolandbau trotz groĂen Erfolgen mit den zukĂŒnftigen Herausforderungen auseinandersetzen muss. Die Diskussion hat einerseits die BeschĂ€ftigung mit der bisherigen Entwicklung des Ăkolandbaus geschĂ€rft, und andererseits eine dynamische Analyse der zukĂŒnftigen Positionierung ausgelöst.
Personen der traditionellen VerbĂ€nde der biologischen resp. ökologischen Landwirtschaft von Deutschland, Ăsterreich und der Schweiz, Bioland, Naturland, Bio Austria und Bio Suisse sind zusammen mit dem FiBL der Meinung, dass vier wichtige Herausforderungen gemeistert werden mĂŒssen: A) Das nur noch zögerliche Wachstum der landwirtschaftlichen Urproduktion angehen und Neueinsteiger durch mehr Innovation gewinnen. B) Die Ăkobetriebe und die vor- und nachgelagerte Branche im Sinne einer dynamischen âBeste Praxisâ nachhaltiger machen. C) Die StĂ€rken des Ăkolandbaus fĂŒr eine nachhaltige und ressourcenschonende ErnĂ€hrungssicherheit in der Welt besser nutzen. D) Mit den Verbrauchern, der Zivilgesellschaft und mit Initiativen und AktivitĂ€ten mit Ă€hnlicher StoĂrichtung transparent zusammenzuarbeiten.
In der Diskussion wurden vier Zukunftsszenarien herausgeschĂ€lt: Das Szenario 1 ist Fortsetzung der kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung der biologischen Landwirtschaft. Dieses haben wir auch Bio 2.1 genannt. Das Szenario 2 fokussiert stark auf eine anspruchsvolle KĂ€uferschaft, welche die besondere QualitĂ€t und die Werte, welche hinter dem Ăkolandbau stehen, wĂŒnschen. Dieses haben wir auch QualitĂ€ts- und Werte-Bio genannt. Dies wĂŒrde zusĂ€tzliche Anforderungen in den Richtlinien und in der Zertifizierung bringen. Mit dem Szenario 3 möchten wir die ökologische Landwirtschaft weltweit auf einen raschen Wachstumspfad bringen, damit es fĂŒr die globalen Herausforderungen eine echte Alternative wird und nicht in der Nische verharrt. Wir haben dieses Szenario auch Produktive Ăkologisierung genannt. Dabei steht eine umfassende Innovationsstrategie im Vordergrund, welche auch den wissenschaftlich-technischen Fortschritt besser, aber kritisch nutzt. Das Szenario 4 ist eine Kombination von 2 und 3. Die Produktive Ăkologisierung ist der Einstieg in den Ăkolandbau und entspricht mit Vorteil den gesetzlichen Verordnungen, wĂ€hrend darauf die Beste Praxis als QualitĂ€ts- und Werte-Bio aufbaut. Szenario 4 wurde von den Autoren klar bevorzugt.
Die jetzt anstehende Diskussion ĂŒber die Zukunft des Ăkolandbaus hat sich an klaren GrundsĂ€tzen zu orientieren. Diese wurden von den Autoren wie folgt definiert:
a) Der ĂL basiert auf den vier Prinzipien der IFOAM.
b) Der ĂL soll relevanter fĂŒr die Herausforderungen der Menschheit werden.
c) Der ĂL soll die Nachhaltigkeit umfassend berĂŒcksichtigen.
d) Der ĂL soll immer ein ganzheitlicher Systemansatz sein.
e) Der ĂL soll die StoffkreislĂ€ufe geschlossen halten.
f) Der ĂL soll naturstoffbasiert sein.
g) Der ĂL soll eine ganzheitliche und umfassende Innovationskultur sein.
h) Der ĂL soll im Einklang mit den Megatrends der Gesellschaft und der Verbrauchern sein.
i) Der ĂL soll das Wohl der Nutztiere hoch gewichten, da es fĂŒr die Nachhaltigkeit eine wichtige Rolle
spielt.
k) Der ĂL 3.0 soll nach unten kompatibel mit bestehenden Richtlinien sein
Verwendungsnachweis der BWB Mittel im Projekt AeroLight
Der Beitrag beschreibt die Verwendung von Fördermitteln zum Aufbau eines Testrigs im Projekt AeroLigh
SOME ASPECTS OF TRANSONIC COMPRESSOR TANDEM DESIGN
The development of modern axial compressors has
already reached a high level. Therefore an enlargement of
the design space by means of new or advanced aerodynamic methods is necessary in order to achieve further
enhancements of performance and efficiency. The tandem
arrangement of profiles in a transonic compressor blade
row is such a method. It is necessary to address the design
aspects a bit more in detail in order to efficiently apply
this blading concept to turbomachinery. Therefore, in the
current study the known design aspects of tandem blading
in compressors will be summed up under consideration of
the aerodynamic effects and construction characteristics
of a transonic compressor tandem. Based on this knowledge, a new transonic compressor tandem cascade (DLR
TTC) with an inflow Mach number of 0.9 is designed
using modern numerical methods and a multi objective
optimization process. Three objective functions as well
as three operating points are used in the optimization.
Furthermore, both tandem blades and their arrangement
are parameterized. From the resulting database of 1246
members a final best member is chosen as state-of-the-art
design for further detailed investigation. The aim of the
ensuing experimental and numerical investigation is to
answer the question, whether the tandem cascade resulting from the modern design process fulfills the described
design aspects and delivers the requested performance
and efficiency criteria. The numerical simulations within
the study are carried out with the DLR flow solver TRACE.
The experiments are performed at the Transonic Cascade
Wind Tunnel of DLR in Cologne. The inflow Mach number
during the tests is 0.9 and the AVDR [1, 2] is adjusted
to 1.3 (design value). Wake measurements with a 3-hole
probe are carried out in order to determine the cascade
performance. The experimental results show an increase in
losses and a reduction of the cascade deflection by about
2 degrees compared to design concept. Nevertheless,
the experimental and numerical results allow a good
understanding of the aerodynamic effects. In addition,
Planar PIV was applied in a single S1 plane located at
midspan to capture the velocity field in the wake of blade
1 in order to analyze the wake flow in detail and describe
its influence on the cascade deflection and loss behavior.
Finally, an outlook will be given on what future tandem
compressor research should be focused
Seroprevalence, Waning and Correlates of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Tyrol, Austria: Large-Scale Study of 35,193 Blood Donors Conducted between June 2020 and September 2021.
There is uncertainty about the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Austria and about the waning of antibodies over time. We conducted a seroepidemiological study between June 2020 and September 2021, enrolling blood donors aged 18-70 years across Tyrol, Austria (participation rate: 84.0%). We analyzed serum samples for antibodies against the spike or the nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2. We performed a total of 47,363 samples taken from 35,193 individuals (median age, 43.1 years (IQR: 29.3-53.7); 45.3% women; 10.0% with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection). Seroprevalence increased from 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.2%) in June 2020 to 82.7% (95% CI: 81.4-83.8%) in September 2021, largely due to vaccination. Anti-spike IgG seroprevalence was 99.6% (95% CI: 99.4-99.7%) among fully vaccinated individuals, 90.4% (95% CI: 88.8-91.7%) among unvaccinated individuals with prior infection and 11.5% (95% CI: 10.8-12.3%) among unvaccinated individuals without known prior infection. Anti-spike IgG levels were reduced by 44.0% (95% CI: 34.9-51.7%) at 5-6 months compared with 0-3 months after infection. In fully vaccinated individuals, they decreased by 31.7% (95% CI: 29.4-33.9%) per month. In conclusion, seroprevalence in Tyrol increased to 82.7% in September 2021, with the bulk of seropositivity stemming from vaccination. Antibody levels substantially and gradually declined after vaccination or infection
Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Tyrol, Austria: Updated Analysis Involving 22,607 Blood Donors Covering the Period October 2021 to April 2022.
Because a large proportion of the Austrian population has been infected with SARS-CoV-2 during high incidence periods in winter 2021/2022, up-to-date estimates of seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are required to inform upcoming public health policies. We quantified anti-Spike IgG antibody levels in 22,607 individuals that donated blood between October 2021 and April 2022 across Tyrol, Austria (participation rate: 96.0%). Median age of participants was 45.3 years (IQR: 30.9â55.1); 41.9% were female. From October 2021 to April 2022, seropositivity increased from 84.9% (95% CI: 83.8â86.0%) to 95.8% (94.9â96.4%), and the geometric mean anti-Spike IgG levels among seropositive participants increased from 283 (95% CI: 271â296) to 1437 (1360â1518) BAU/mL. The percentages of participants in categories with undetectable levels and detectable levels at <500, 500â<1000, 1000â<2000, 2000â<3000, and â„3000 BAU/mL were 15%, 54%, 15%, 10%, 3%, and 3% in October 2021 vs. 4%, 18%, 17%, 18%, 11%, and 32% in April 2022. Of 2711 participants that had repeat measurements taken a median 4.2 months apart, 61.8% moved to a higher, 13.9% to a lower, and 24.4% remained in the same category. Among seropositive participants, antibody levels were 16.8-fold in vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals (95% CI: 14.2â19.9; p-value < 0.001). In conclusion, anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in terms of seropositivity and average antibody levels has increased markedly during the winter 2021/2022 SARS-CoV-2 waves in Tyrol, Austria
L ladin tl sistem formatif
The first volume of the series âScripta Ladina Brixinensiaâ edited by Paul Videsott is dedicated to the Ladin language in the educational system â compulsory schools, secondary schools, universities/colleges â in the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli as well as in the Canton of Grisons. The focus is on the Ladin department, a unique feature of the Free University of Bolzano, aiming at the documentation, description and the development of the Ladin language. The final contribution presents the volume Sprachen im Vergleich: Deutsch-Ladinisch-Italienisch which is designed as a teaching aid for multilingual language teaching in Ladin schools.Der erste Band der Reihe "Scripta Ladina Brixinensia" unter der Herausgeberschaft von Paul Videsott widmet sich der PrĂ€senz des Ladinischen im Bildungssystem â Pflichtschulen, Oberschulen, UniversitĂ€ten/Hochschulen â der LĂ€nder Trentino-SĂŒdtirol, GraubĂŒnden und Friaul. Im Zentrum steht die Ladinische Abteilung, die ein Alleinstellungsmerkmal der Freien UniversitĂ€t Bozen darstellt mit dem Ziel der Dokumentation, der Deskription und des Ausbaus des Ladinischen. Der abschlieĂende Beitrag stellt einen Unterrichtsbehelf fĂŒr den mehrsprachigen Unterricht im Bereich Sprachen vor, die dreisprachige Grammatik: "Sprachen im Vergleich: Deutsch-Ladinisch-Italienisch"
L ladin tl sistem formatif
The first volume of the series âScripta Ladina Brixinensiaâ edited by Paul Videsott is dedicated to the Ladin language in the educational system â compulsory schools, secondary schools, universities/colleges â in the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli as well as in the Canton of Grisons. The focus is on the Ladin department, a unique feature of the Free University of Bolzano, aiming at the documentation, description and the development of the Ladin language. The final contribution presents the volume Sprachen im Vergleich: Deutsch-Ladinisch-Italienisch which is designed as a teaching aid for multilingual language teaching in Ladin schools