Internet: a new potential for European political communication

"Whether the possibilities for new forms of political communication that are offered by the Internet have positive or negative impacts on the constitution of democratic and transnational public spheres is a controversial debate that so far involves much speculation. This paper investigates how hierarchical political communication on the Internet actually is and to what degree it may contribute to a Europeanisation of public spheres. We address both aspects comparatively by contrasting content-analytic findings on political communication in the Internet with similar data drawn from the traditional print media. Our focus is on the political communication made visible by search engines, one of the most frequently used means for online information retrieval. We show that the Internet indeed offers somewhat better opportunities for non-institutional actors, but the discrepancy to the traditional media is not nearly as large as is often assumed. Regarding the potential for Europeanised, transnational communication, our findings indicate that the Internet, at least as far as it is accessed by way of search engines, is as strongly bound to national actors and issues as the traditional media." (author's abstract)"Ob das Internet durch die Ermöglichung neuer Formen politischer Kommunikation positive oder negative Auswirkungen auf die Konstitution demokratischer und transnationaler Öffentlichkeiten hat, ist Gegenstand kontroverser Debatten, die weitgehend auf spekulativer Ebene stattfinden. Dieses Papier untersucht, wie hierarchisch politische Kommunikation im Internet tatsächlich ist und inwieweit sie zu einer Europäisierung von Öffentlichkeiten beitragen könnte. Beide Fragen werden aus einer vergleichenden Perspektive behandelt, indem die Ergebnisse einer inhaltsanalytischen Untersuchung politischer Kommunikation im Internet den Ergebnissen einer vergleichbaren Analyse der traditionellen Printmedien gegenüber gestellt werden. Untersucht wird der Raum politischer Kommunikation im Internet, der durch Suchmaschinen aufgespannt wird, da diese eine der meistgenutzten Orientierungshilfen bei der Beschaffung von Online-Informationen sind. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Internet nicht-institutionalisierten Akteuren tatsächlich etwas bessere Möglichkeiten bietet, öffentliche Sichtbarkeit zu erlangen, als die traditionellen Printmedien - wenn auch in einem weit geringeren Ausmaß als häufig vermutet. Hinsichtlich der Potentiale einer europäisierten, transnationalen Kommunikation zeigen wir, dass durch das Internet, zumindest wenn Suchmaschinen verwendet werden, ähnlich wie durch die traditionellen Printmedien vor allem nationale Akteure und Themen öffentliche Sichtbarkeit erlangen." (Autorenreferat

Medical technology innovations - challenges for research, economic an health policy. Summary

The medical technology sector is characterised by a pronounced innovative strength, high knowledge intensity and social relevance due to its contributions to the health care of the population. In Germany, the situation of this future-oriented sector can be characterised as good overall: The scientific-technical basis of medical technology research and development (R&D) is internationally outstanding in many areas. As an industry, German medical technology manufacturers are very well positioned and occupy a leading place on the world market alongside the USA and Japan. Despite this favourable starting position, the industry faces a number of challenges resulting from intensifying international competition, the internationalisation of production and distribution structures and the changing conditions in the health care sector. Subject and objective of the study The promotion of medical technology and the creation of the most favourable framework conditions possible also pose considerable challenges for the public sector: In addition to taking into account the complex requirements for the promotion of this markedly heterogeneous cross-sectional technology, it must be noted that medical technology falls within the sphere of responsibility of both research, economic and health policy. The innovation policy problem here is to coordinate the partly synergetic, but also partly divergent objectives, measures and instruments of the respective policy fields in such a way that favourable framework conditions are created for the development and clinical application of medical technology innovations. The aim of the policy benchmarking was to analyse, with regard to medical technology at the interfaces between research, economic and health policy, which demands on research policy for medical technology arise from health and economic policy objectives and strategies, through which mechanisms, procedures and instruments this situation could be taken into account in practice or is taken into account in order to create goal conflicts. To this end, to identify good practice examples of successful medical technology funding in two countries that are also successful in medical technology (Great Britain and Switzerland) and to examine the extent to which these examples can be transferred to the situation in Germany, and on this basis to develop options for action for a successful innovation policy from a research policy perspective in medical technology in Germany

Characterization of Murine Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family Members

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a human tumor marker whose gene belongs to a family with more than 20 members. This gene family codes for a group of proteins with in vitro cell adhesion properties and for a group of abundantly expressed pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSG) with unknown functions. As a basis for in vivo functional studies, we have started to analyze the murine CEA gene family and have identified five new members (Cea-2 to Cea-6). cDNA clones were isolated for Cea-2, Cea-3, and Cea-6. The deduced amino acid sequences of Cea-2 and Cea-6 indicate three IgV-like (N), followed by one IgC-like (A) domain (N1-N2-N3-A). We have also partially characterized the Cea-2 gene and two additional ones, Cea-4 and Cea-5. Cea-2 and Cea-4 are separated by only 16 kb, suggesting a close linkage of murine CEA-related genes, as found for the human CEA gene family. Cea-5 was located to the proximal region of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 7, which is syntenic to part of human Chr 19, containing the human CEA gene family cluster. Cea-2, Cea-3, and a Cea-4-like gene are differentially transcribed in the placenta during pregnancy, but not in other organs tested. This expression pattern strongly suggests that they represent counterparts of the human PSG subgroup members, despite the presence of multiple IgV-like domains, a feature not found for human PSGs. The more distantly related Cea-5 seems to be ubiquitously expressed. The putative promoter region of Cea-2 lacks typical TATA-or CAAT-boxes, but contains other conserved motifs that could play a role in the initiation of transcription

Barriers to the establishment of new key technologies. Summary

Germany is considered innovative and, in a global comparison, excellent in basic research and technology development. Germany is strong in its traditional markets, such as mechanical and vehicle engineering or electrical engineering. However, Germany also has problems when it comes to the rapid and broad implementation of the innovative ideas and results of research and development in concrete applications, especially for the establishment of new, future-oriented key technologies. The diffusion of applications resulting from new key technologies on the market also often confronts companies and entrepreneurs with blockades that are difficult or almost impossible to overcome. Subject and objective of the study The objective of the project "Blockades in the Establishment of New Key Technologies" was to investigate the existing innovation barriers in Germany that block or impede the establishment of new key technologies and the creation of German lead markets or the replacement of traditional export technologies by new key technologies. However, factors that have a particularly beneficial effect should also be identified. On this basis, specific technologies or markets were identified where Germany has not yet exhausted its diffusion and market potential or has been particularly successful in doing so. Finally, by analysing the factors to which these deficits or successes could be attributed, possibilities for political influence were elicited that could contribute to the removal of existing blockades and the promotion of positive factors. The project used a combined approach of a cross-technology innovation system analysis and three technology-specific, in-depth case studies to investigate specific key technologies. The innovation system approach was based on a comprehensive literature and data analysis and provided a research grid for the three case studies. In doing so, the innovation system analysis primarily aimed at capturing and structuring the central inhibiting and facilitating factors, which were specifically investigated and evaluated in the case studies. The case studies selected were Nanoelectronics as a cross-sectional technology, wind energy as an application technology, MP3 players and mini beamers as applications and product innovations respectively. Within the framework of these case studies, several expert interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders in each case, as well as a workshop in the German Bundestag in Berlin with representatives from science, business and politics. The results of the three case studies were harmonised via the research grid in order to finally compare the identified blockages and derived measures or options for action on a generalised basis. In doing so, blockades were related to suitable measures and possible contributions for involved actors were identified, by means of which the dismantling of existing blockades and the establishment of new key technologies could be supported

Medizintechnische Innovationen – Herausforderungen für die Forschungs-, Gesundheits- und Wirtschaftspolitik. Politikbenchmarking

Die Medizintechnikbranche zeichnet sich durch ausgeprägte Innovationskraft, hohe Wissensintensität und gesellschaftliche Relevanz aufgrund ihrer Beiträge zur Gesundheitsversorgung der Bevölkerung aus. In Deutschland kann die Situation dieser Zukunftsbranche insgesamt als gut charakterisiert werden: Die wissenschaftlich-technische Basis der medizintechnischen Forschung und Entwicklung (FuE) ist in vielen Bereichen international herausragend. Als Branche sind die deutschen Medizintechnikhersteller sehr gut positioniert und nehmen neben den USA und Japan einen führenden Platz auf dem Weltmarkt ein. Trotz dieser günstigen Ausgangsposition steht die Branche vor einer Reihe von Herausforderungen, die sich aus dem sich verschärfenden internationalen Wettbewerb, der Internationalisierung der Produktions- und Vertriebsstrukturen und den sich verändernden Bedingungen im Gesundheitswesen ergeben. Gegenstand und Ziel der Untersuchung Die Förderung der Medizintechnik und die Gestaltung möglichst günstiger Rahmenbedingungen stellt auch die öffentliche Hand vor erhebliche Herausforderungen: Neben der Berücksichtigung der komplexen Anforderungen an die Förderung dieser ausgesprochen heterogenen Querschnittstechnologie ist zu beachten, dass die Medizintechnik in den Zuständigkeitsbereich sowohl der Forschungs-, der Wirtschafts- und der Gesundheitspolitik fällt. Dabei besteht die innovationspolitische Problemstellung darin, die teilweise synergetischen, teilweise aber auch divergierenden Zielsetzungen, Maßnahmen und Instrumente der jeweiligen Politikfelder so aufeinander abzustimmen, dass günstige Rahmenbedingungen für die Entwicklung und klinische Anwendung von medizintechnischen Innovationen geschaffen werden. Ziel des Politikbenchmarking war es, mit Blick auf die Medizintechnik an den Schnittstellen zwischen Forschungs-, Wirtschafts- und Gesundheitspolitik zu analysieren, welche Anforderungen sich an die Forschungspolitik für die Medizintechnik aus gesundheits- und wirtschaftspolitischen Zielsetzungen und Strategien ergeben, durch welche Mechanismen, Prozeduren und Instrumente dieser Situation in der Praxis Rechnung getragen werden könnte bzw. getragen wird, um Zielkonflikte aufzulösen und Synergien zu nutzen, zu diesem Zweck Good-Practice-Beispiele für erfolgreiche Medizintechnikförderung in zwei ebenfalls in der Medizintechnik erfolgreichen Ländern (Großbritannien und Schweiz) zu identifizieren und zu überprüfen, inwieweit diese Beispiele auf die Verhältnisse in Deutschland übertragbar sind, und auf dieser Basis Handlungsoptionen für eine erfolgreiche Innovationspolitik aus forschungspolitischer Sicht in der Medizintechnik in Deutschland zu entwickeln. INHALT ZUSAMMENFASSUNG 5 I. EINLEITUNG 19 1. Thematischer Hintergrund 19 2. Ziele und Vorgehensweise 21 3. Aufbau der Studie 23 4. Danksagungen 25 II. PROBLEMORIENTIERTE BESTANDSAUFNAHME 27 1. Medizintechnik: wichtige Branchenkennzahlen 27 2. Medizintechnikstandort Deutschland: Stärken- und Schwächenanalyse 37 2.1 Stärken 37 2.2 Chancen 45 2.3 Schwächen 51 2.4 Risiken 58 III. INNOVATIONSPOLITIK – KONZEPTIONELLE GRUNDLAGEN UND GOVERNANCEPRINZIPIEN 63 1. Innovationsforschung aus systemischer Perspektive 63 2. Governance von Innovationspolitik 67 2.1 Innovationspolitische Interventionsmöglichkeiten 67 2.2 »Good Governance« in der Innovationspolitik 75 IV. FORSCHUNGS- UND INNOVATIONSPOLITIK IN INTERNATIONALER PERSPEKTIVE 79 1. Auswahl und Vorgehen 79 2. Fallbeispiel Großbritannien 81 2.1 Rahmenbedingungen und Strukturen 81 2.2 Forschungs- und innovationspolitische Strategieentwicklung 92 3. Fallbeispiel Schweiz 106 3.1 Rahmenbedingungen und Strukturen 106 3.2 Forschungs- und innovationspolitische Strategieentwicklung 116 4. Fazit 123 4.1 Vergleichende Gegenüberstellung der Rahmenbedingungen 123 4.2 Förderung der Medizintechnik im Vergleich 127 4.3 Schlussfolgerungen für die Medizintechnikförderung in Deutschland 128 V. ANSATZPUNKTE FÜR EINE INNOVATIONSFÖRDERNDE MEDIZINTECHNIKPOLITIK IN DEUTSCHLAND 131 1. Auswahl und Vorgehen 131 2. Forschungs- und Innovationspolitik des Bundes im Bereich der Medizintechnik 133 2.1 Forschungs- und innovationspolitische Strategieentwicklung 135 2.2 Bewertungen 141 3. Zulassung von Medizinprodukten 146 3.1 Bedeutung von Zulassungen im Innovationsprozess 146 3.2 Zulassungsverfahren für Medizinprodukte 147 3.3 Ansatzpunkte zur Verringerung von Hemmnissen bei der Zulassung von Medizinprodukten 152 4. Nachhaltige Integration von Medizintechnik-KMU in Innovationsnetzwerke 172 4.1 Ausgangssituation und Problemstellung 172 4.2 Kooperation KMU und FuE-Institute zur Stärkung der technologischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit 174 4.3 Innovative Finanzierungs- und Kooperationsmodelle als Mittel der Markterschließung und Kundenbindung 204 VI. RESÜMEE UND HANDLUNGSOPTIONEN 221 1. Vorbemerkung 221 2. Ansatzpunkte für eine Stärkung der Medizintechnik in Deutschland 222 VII. LITERATUR 233 VIII. ANHANG 245 1. Tabellenverzeichnis 245 2. Abbildungsverzeichnis 246 3. Abkürzungsverzeichnis 246 4. Gesprächspartner 252 5. Das deutsche Gesundheitssystem: Organisationsstruktur und Akteurslandschaft 254 5.1 Gesundheitssystem: orientierender Überblick 254 5.2 Bundesebene 257 5.3 Länderebene 259 5.4 Korporatistische Ebene in der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung und Selbstverwaltung 260 5.5 Weitere Gesundheitsakteure 267 6. Tabellen 26

Prey Selection of Scandinavian Wolves: Single Large or Several Small?

Research on large predator-prey interactions are often limited to the predators' primary prey, with the potential for prey switching in systems with multiple ungulate species rarely investigated. We evaluated wolf (Canis lupus) prey selection at two different spatial scales, i.e., inter- and intra-territorial, using data from 409 ungulate wolf-kills in an expanding wolf population in Scandinavia. This expansion includes a change from a one-prey into a twoprey system with variable densities of one large-sized ungulate; moose (Alces alces) and one small-sized ungulate; roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Among wolf territories, the proportion of roe deer in wolf kills was related to both pack size and roe deer density, but not to moose density. Pairs of wolves killed a higher proportion of roe deer than did packs, and wolves switched to kill more roe deer as their density increased above a 1:1 ratio in relation to the availability of the two species. At the intra-territorial level, wolves again responded to changes in roe deer density in their prey selection whereas we found no effect of snow depth, time during winter, or other predator-related factors on the wolves' choice to kill moose or roe deer. Moose population density was only weakly related to intra-territorial prey selection. Our results show that the functional response of wolves on moose, the species hitherto considered as the main prey, was strongly dependent on the density of a smaller, alternative, ungulate prey. The impact of wolf predation on the prey species community is therefore likely to change with the composition of the multi-prey species community along with the geographical expansion of the wolf population

Bone marrow cell derived arginase I is the major source of allergen-induced lung arginase but is not required for airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling and lung inflammatory responses in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Arginase is significantly upregulated in the lungs in murine models of asthma, as well as in human asthma, but its role in allergic airway inflammation has not been fully elucidated in mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In order to test the hypothesis that arginase has a role in allergic airway inflammation we generated arginase I-deficient bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice. Following transfer of arginase I-deficient BM into irradiated recipient mice, arginase I expression was not required for hematopoietic reconstitution and baseline immunity. Arginase I deficiency in bone marrow-derived cells decreased allergen-induced lung arginase by 85.8 ± 5.6%. In contrast, arginase II-deficient mice had increased lung arginase activity following allergen challenge to a similar level to wild type mice. BM-derived arginase I was not required for allergen-elicited sensitization, recruitment of inflammatory cells in the lung, and proliferation of cells. Furthermore, allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and collagen deposition were similar in arginase-deficient and wild type mice. Additionally, arginase II-deficient mice respond similarly to their control wild type mice with allergen-induced inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, proliferation and collagen deposition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bone marrow cell derived arginase I is the predominant source of allergen-induced lung arginase but is not required for allergen-induced inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness or collagen deposition.</p