Mediennutzung in der 1. Berufswahl durch Schülerinnen und Schüler der 8. und 9. Klasse im Kanton Thurgau

Die vorliegende Masterarbeit setzt sich mit der Frage auseinander, welche Berufswahlmedien die Schülerinnen und Schüler der 8. und 9. Klasse im Kanton Thurgau kennen und nutzen. Nebst den Erläuterungen zur Fragestellung und dem Ziel wird auf wichtige Begriffe wie Berufswahlmedien, Mediennutzung, Umfrage und 1. Berufswahl eingegangen. Darin enthalten ist die Einführung der vier befragten Berufswahlmedien der Umfrage: die Homepage berufsberatung.ch, das Online-Lehrfirmenverzeichnis lehrfirmen-tg.ch, die BIZ-App sowie die Ausleihbroschüren. Auf das Thema des entwicklungspsychologischen Hintergrundes der Jugendlichen wird ebenso eingegangen wie auf den Prozess der 1. Berufswahl und die darin beinhalteten Schritte. In Bezug auf die Mediennutzung der Schülerinnen und Schüler werden sowohl der status quo als auch die Veränderungen beleuchtet. Die aktuelle Medienlandschaft der 1. Berufswahl wird mit vier weiteren Medien noch eingehender betrachtet

Algorithms for detecting dependencies and rigid subsystems for CAD

Geometric constraint systems underly popular Computer Aided Design soft- ware. Automated approaches for detecting dependencies in a design are critical for developing robust solvers and providing informative user feedback, and we provide algorithms for two types of dependencies. First, we give a pebble game algorithm for detecting generic dependencies. Then, we focus on identifying the "special positions" of a design in which generically independent constraints become dependent. We present combinatorial algorithms for identifying subgraphs associated to factors of a particular polynomial, whose vanishing indicates a special position and resulting dependency. Further factoring in the Grassmann- Cayley algebra may allow a geometric interpretation giving conditions (e.g., "these two lines being parallel cause a dependency") determining the special position.Comment: 37 pages, 14 figures (v2 is an expanded version of an AGD'14 abstract based on v1

Extending observations further: using historic biogeochemical data to understand trends in Puget Sound

Fluctuations in Puget Sound water quality reflect a combination of natural variability and anthropogenic influence. Predictions of how future changes will unfold requires an understanding of the complex interplay between these factors. Recent and ongoing measurement of water quality parameters allow a thorough assessment of variability over short time scales, but understanding changes over longer (e.g., decadal) timescales is critical for forecasting future changes. Examining long term trends requires the use of historical data, however, measurements that pre-date modern monitoring programs can be scarce, and the detection limits are often higher than newer analytical techniques. Here, we will consider several possible methods to stitch together modern and historical data records of dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations while accounting for differences in sample rate, temporal coverage, and sensitivity of analytical techniques. To test different data analysis methods, data records with good temporal coverage that show discernible trends and/or high covariance with other environmental parameters will be used as the basis for simulating data with spotty temporal coverage (as might be expected for less commonly measured biogeochemical parameters like deep dissolved oxygen). Selected trend analyses will then be applied to these simulated time series records to assess method effectiveness in identifying a known feature. Top performing methods for trend analysis will then be applied to key biogeochemical parameters such as nitrate and deep dissolved oxygen. We report on the major covariates and trends identified and the associated statistical confidence intervals. These results will be part of a larger effort to determine how existing trends might play out under different anthropogenic input scenarios

Glutathione-S-transferase P1 may predispose children to a decline in pulmonary function after stem cell transplant

RATIONALE: Pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (SCT) are associated with increased mortality. Genetic markers for those at risk for pulmonary impairment post-SCT have not been widely investigated. METHODS: Forty-nine patients were retrospectively selected from a single institution's biorepository with linked clinical data. All subjects performed pre-SCT PFTs. Genotyping was conducted using the Infinium Exome-24 BeadChip. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected (rs1800871, rs1695, rs1800629, rs12477314) and evaluated for association with PFT parameters as change over time from baseline. Associations between SNPs and PFT parameters were assessed and adjusted for the following confounding variables: age, gender, and race. RESULTS: Using the recessive genetic model, patients with one or two minor alleles for the glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) SNP rs1695 had a lower decline in FEV1 and FEF25-75 at 1-year post-SCT compared to patients who were homozygous for the ancestral allele (adjusted P-values <0.01 and 0.02, respectively). No other SNPs were significantly associated with other PFT parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that GSTP1 genotype may be associated with lung function during the first year post-SCT. Identifying and investigating genes that predispose patients to pulmonary complications after SCT may allow for more personalized patient management based on pre-emptive genetic testing. The glutathione S-transferase gene merits further investigation

Epidemiology and geographical distribution of enteric protozoan infections in Sydney, Australia

Background. Enteric protozoa are associated with diarrhoeal illnesses in humans; however there are no recent studies on their epidemiology and geographical distribution in Australia. This study describes the epidemiology of enteric protozoa in the state of New South Wales and incorporates spatial analysis to describe their distribution. Design and methods. Laboratory and clinical records from four public hospitals in Sydney for 910 patients, who tested positive for enteric protozoa over the period January 2007-December 2010, were identified, examined and analysed. We selected 580 cases which had residence post code data available, enabling us to examine the geographic distribution of patients, and reviewed the clinical data of 252 patients to examine possible links between protozoa, demographic and clinical features. Results. Frequently detected protozoa were Blastocystis spp. (57%), Giardia intestinalis (27%) and Dientamoeba fragilis (12%). The age distribution showed that the prevalence of protozoa decreased with age up to 24 years but increasing with age from 25 years onwards. The geographic provenance of the patients indicates that the majority of cases of Blastocystis (53.1%) are clustered in and around the Sydney City Business District, while pockets of giardiasis were identified in regional/rural areas. The distribution of cases suggests higher risk of protozoan infection may exist for some communities. Conclusions. These findings provide useful information for policy makers to design and tailor interventions to target high risk communities. Follow-up investigation into the risk factors for giardiasis in regional/rural area is needed

Nutrient dynamics and ties to environmental conditions and drivers in central Puget Sound

Real-time and near-continuous in-situ measurements can provide new insights into variability and patterns of a marine system that would otherwise be undetected by sampling at a lower temporal resolution. King County has a comprehensive long-term marine water quality monitoring program in the Central Basin of Puget Sound that currently includes: bi-monthly water column vertical profiles, discrete sampling, near-surface real-time moored sensors, and new quantitative phytoplankton and zooplankton components. These data can assist with identifying changes and linkages in biogeochemical and ecological processes as well as changes in climate patterns. Recently, new moored and profiling optical nitrate sensors were added to existing monitoring systems to better understand nutrient dynamics. The mooring provides data at 15-minute intervals and the profiling sensor provides data throughout the water column at multiple sites. Nitrate data from 2016-17 are explored and tied to diurnal and seasonal patterns in physical conditions and phytoplankton dynamics. Our data show that variations in nitrate are tightly coupled to in-situ chlorophyll observations. During the phytoplankton growing season, near-surface nitrate may vary up to one order of magnitude in a short time period, such as from 0.03 to 0.32 mg/L in a day. Interannual differences are largely influenced by changes in river flow and oceanic inputs, weather, and climate. These data are framed in historical context of the long-term status and trends in nutrients from discrete sampling over the past two decades. By increasing our understanding of changes and drivers in nutrient patterns, these types of data records can help to inform models and management decisions, and better apply effective remediation targets for Puget Sound marine water quality

Mixed Effects Modeling of Proliferation Rates in Cell-Based Models: Consequence for Pharmacogenomics and Cancer

The International HapMap project has made publicly available extensive genotypic data on a number of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Building on this resource, many research groups have generated a large amount of phenotypic data on these cell lines to facilitate genetic studies of disease risk or drug response. However, one problem that may reduce the usefulness of these resources is the biological noise inherent to cellular phenotypes. We developed a novel method, termed Mixed Effects Model Averaging (MEM), which pools data from multiple sources and generates an intrinsic cellular growth rate phenotype. This intrinsic growth rate was estimated for each of over 500 HapMap cell lines. We then examined the association of this intrinsic growth rate with gene expression levels and found that almost 30% (2,967 out of 10,748) of the genes tested were significant with FDR less than 10%. We probed further to demonstrate evidence of a genetic effect on intrinsic growth rate by determining a significant enrichment in growth-associated genes among genes targeted by top growth-associated SNPs (as eQTLs). The estimated intrinsic growth rate as well as the strength of the association with genetic variants and gene expression traits are made publicly available through a cell-based pharmacogenomics database, PACdb. This resource should enable researchers to explore the mediating effects of proliferation rate on other phenotypes.</p

Theory Designed Strategies to Support Implementation of Genomics in Nephrology

Background: Genomic testing is increasingly utilized as a clinical tool; however, its integration into nephrology remains limited. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and prioritize interventions for the widespread implementation of genomics in nephrology. Methods: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Australian adult nephrologists to determine their perspectives on interventions and models of care to support implementation of genomics in nephrology. Interviews were guided by a validated theoretical framework for the implementation of genomic medicine—the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Nephrologists were from 18 hospitals, with 7 having a dedicated multidisciplinary kidney genetics service. Most practiced in the public healthcare system (n = 24), a large number were early-career (n = 13), and few had genomics experience (n = 4). The top three preferred interventions were increased funding, access to genomics champions, and education and training. Where interventions to barriers were not reported, we used the CFIR/Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change matching tool to generate theory-informed approaches. The preferred model of service delivery was a multidisciplinary kidney genetics clinic. Conclusions: This study identified surmountable barriers and practical interventions for the implementation of genomics in nephrology, with multidisciplinary kidney genetics clinics identified as the preferred model of care. The integration of genomics education into nephrology training, secure funding for testing, and counselling along with the identification of genomics champions should be pursued by health services more broadly

Measuring User Satisfaction for the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure Consortium

The User Forum is a Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI)-wide group focused on providing the NHERI Council with independent advice on community user satisfaction, priorities, and needs relating to the use and capabilities of NHERI. The User Forum has representation across NHERI activities, including representatives working directly with the Network Coordination Office (NCO), Education and Community Outreach (ECO), Facilities Scheduling, and Technology Transfer efforts. The User forum also provides feedback on the NHERI Science Plan. As the community voice within the governance of NHERI, the User Forum is composed of members nominated and elected by the NHERI community for a specified term of 1–2 years. User Forum membership spans academia and industry, the full breadth of civil engineering and social science disciplines, and widespread hazard expertise including earthquakes, windstorms, and water events. One of the primary responsibilities of the User Forum is to conduct an annual community user satisfaction survey for NHERI users, and publish a subsequent Annual Community Report. Measuring user satisfaction and providing this feedback to the NHERI Council is critical to supporting the long-term sustainability of NHERI and its mission as a multidisciplinary and multi-hazard network. In this paper, the role and key activities of the User Forum are described, including User Forum member election procedures, User Forum member representation and roles across NHERI activities, and the processes for measuring and reporting user satisfaction. This paper shares the user satisfaction survey distributed to NHERI users, and discusses the challenges to measuring community user satisfaction based on the definition of user. Finally, this paper discusses the evolving approaches of measuring user satisfaction using other methods, including engaging with the twelve NHERI research infrastructures