Biologisch-dynamische Forschung zwischen "wissenschaftlicher Weltsicht" und "Ideologie"

Der Beitrag zeigt den Konflikt zwischen "wertefreier" Wissenschaft und "ganzheitlicher" Forschung auf. Ein Zusammenspiel bio-dynamischer Forschung und der Anthroposophie mit anderen Disziplinen könnte einen Beitrag zu einem neuen Wissenschaftsbegriff mit umfassender Weltanschauung leisten. Dialog, Verständnis, Toleranz, Offenheit, kritisches Hinterfragen und Mut zur sinnvollen Anpassung sind dafür notwendige Schritte

Biodiversität ökologischer und integrierter Landwirtschaft – Natur- und sozialwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zur Optimierung des Öko-Landbaus im Projekt Ökologische Bodenbewirtschaftung (PÖB)

Der vorliegende Bericht ist ein Auszug aus der Dissertation des Autors. Im Mittelpunkt steht der Beitrag der Landwirtschaft zum Erhalt und zur Förderung der biologischen Vielfalt. Der Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zum Beikrautvorkommen im Verhältnis zur Bodenbearbeitung und zur Diversifizierung der Rotationsbrache vor und präsentiert die Resultate einer schriftlichen Befragung von Landwirten zur Rolle der Biodiversität im ökologischen Landbau

Infrared Jntensities of Liquids IV: Recent Measurements of Infrared Optical Constants and Absolute Infrared Absorption Intensities of Liquids by Multiple Attenuated Total Reflectance

Recent refinements are described to the CIRCLE, multiple attenuated total reflection method for measuring infrared optical and dielectric constants, absolute integrated intensities and, hence, molecular dipole derivatives. Attention is focussed on the accuracy of the method, which is estimated from measurements on H20 (1) and D20 (1).The real and imaginary optical constants agree with literature values to < 1.5% and about 6%, respectively, which is about the agreement of the literature values. The integrated areas agree with literature values to < 2%, and OH and OD bond dipole derivatives for H20 and D20 agree to < 10f0. pATR, refractive index, dielectric constant, and absorption cross section spectra are reported from 8000to 350 cm? for 2-butanol, and integrated absolute absorption intensities and bond dipole derivatives are presented for 2-butanol, 2-hexanol, and 2-octanol and compared with those for primary alcohols and water

Infrared Jntensities of Liquids IV: Recent Measurements of Infrared Optical Constants and Absolute Infrared Absorption Intensities of Liquids by Multiple Attenuated Total Reflectance

Recent refinements are described to the CIRCLE, multiple attenuated total reflection method for measuring infrared optical and dielectric constants, absolute integrated intensities and, hence, molecular dipole derivatives. Attention is focussed on the accuracy of the method, which is estimated from measurements on H20 (1) and D20 (1).The real and imaginary optical constants agree with literature values to < 1.5% and about 6%, respectively, which is about the agreement of the literature values. The integrated areas agree with literature values to < 2%, and OH and OD bond dipole derivatives for H20 and D20 agree to < 10f0. pATR, refractive index, dielectric constant, and absorption cross section spectra are reported from 8000to 350 cm? for 2-butanol, and integrated absolute absorption intensities and bond dipole derivatives are presented for 2-butanol, 2-hexanol, and 2-octanol and compared with those for primary alcohols and water

Treeborg

Treball desenvolupat dins el marc del programa 'European Project Semester' i l'"International Design Project Semester".The aim of this report is to present the work of the Treeborg team over the time of the European Project Semester (EPS), on the project of analysing the possibility of implementing the electrical device in the tree that would be powered by the energy coming from the nature. Firstly, the report begins with an introduction where the aim and purpose of the report are stated. The main companies involved in the project are introduced and their main goals. Secondly, it describes the method of harvesting the energy from the process of photosynthesis. BIOO’s technology is explained and their solution for a natural source of energy is investigated. Next, the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the device inside and outside the tree are pointed out and the comparison between them is conducted. The final conclusion is that in the further part of the report only the internal implementation is considered. The electronical part of the project is presented as following. Each part of the electronic module is developed and explained. All components of the device are described and depicted. Also, the final code of the device is shown. In the further part of the report, the implementation into the tree is described and the methodology. The least harmful way had to be chosen to guarantee that the tree will survive the operation. The possible impact on the tree is also considered. As the main part of the report, the design of the device is elaborated. Starting with the initial concepts that were created at the beginning of the semester, to the final selection that is thoroughly described and depicted. Both internal and external parts are presented. At the end, possible improvements and the material to be used are described. The problems faced with time limitation and technical aspects are mentioned. Also, the possibilities for the future are described. The possibility of using the device in a smart city is justified and the other uses of the idea are presented. Moreover, the improved electronic system is described. As one of the last points, the marketing strategy is considered. The basic profile of the customer is created and the market analysis is conducted. The basic cost calculation is made and displayed in a form of a table. The afterlife of the device and possible business partners are also considered. Lastly, the discussion on the project itself is made and finishes with final conclusions

Predictors of surgical, general and follow-up complications in lumbar spinal stenosis relative to patient age as emerged from the Spine Tango Registry

Introduction: Published opinions regarding the outcomes and complications in older patients have a broad spectrum and there is a disagreement whether surgery in older patients entails a higher risk. Therefore this study examines the risk of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis relative to age in the pooled data set of the Spine Tango registry. Materials and methods: Between May 2005 and February 2010 the database query resulted in 1,764 patients. The patients were subdivided into three socio-economically relevant age groups:<65years, 65-74years,≥75years. Frequencies for occurred surgical, general and follow-up complications were assessed. Multivariate and univariate logistic regressions were performed to reveal predictors for respective complication types. Results and discussion: Our study found that age, ASA status and blood loss were significant co-varieties for the occurrence of general complications. The risk of general complications is increased in older versus younger patients. Fusion or rigid stabilization does not lead to more complications. Surgical complications as well as complication rates at follow-up showed no significant age-related variation. Physician-based outcome was good or excellent in over 80% of patients in all age group

First report of Crumillospongia (Demospongea) from the Cambrian of Europe (Murero biota, Spain)

The demosponge genus Crumillospongia, originally described from the Burgess Shale (middle Cambrian of Canada), has only been cited from lower and middle Cambrian localities of North America and China. The taxon is now also described from uppermost lower Cambrian rocks of the Murero Lagerstätte (Zaragoza Province, NE Spain). Crumillospongia mureroensis sp. nov. is a small to medium sized sack-shaped to elongate demosponge characterized by the presence of densely packed pores of three sizes, considerably larger than those in any other species of the genus. The Spanish material represents a link in the chronostratigraphical gap between the Chinese and North American material.Peer reviewe

trans-Tetra­chloridobis(diphenyl­aceto­nitrile)platinum(IV)

In the title compound, [PtCl4(C14H11N)2], the Pt atom lies on an inversion center and has a distorted octa­hedral environment. The main geometric parameters are Pt—N = 1.960 (5) Å, and Pt—Cl = 2.3177 (12) and 2.3196 (12) Å. The N C bond is a typical triple bond [1.137 (7) Å]. The Pt—N C—C unit is almost linear, with Pt—N—C and N—C—C angles of 174.6 (4) and 177.1 (6)°, respectively

Mid-range outcomes in 64 consecutive cases of multilevel fusion for degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine

In the treatment of multilevel degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine, spondylodesis plays a controversial role. Most patients can be treated conservatively with success. Multilevel lumbar fusion with instrumentation is associated with severe complications like failed back surgery syndrome, implant failure, and adjacent segment disease (ASD). This retrospective study examines the records of 70 elderly patients with degenerative changes or instability of the lumbar spine treated between 2002 and 2007 with spondylodesis of more than two segments. Sixty-four patients were included; 5 patients had died and one patient was lost to follow-up. We evaluated complications, clinical/radiological outcomes, and success of fusion. Flexion-extension and standing X-rays in two planes, MRI, and/or CT scans were obtained pre-operatively. Patients were assessed clinically using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Surgery performed was dorsolateral fusion (46.9%) or dorsal fusion with anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF; 53.1%). Additional decompression was carried out in 37.5% of patients. Mean follow-up was 29.4±5.4 months. Average patient age was 64.7±4.3 years. Clinical outcomes were not satisfactory for all patients. VAS scores improved from 8.6±1.3 to 5.6±3.0 pre- to post-operatively, without statistical significance. ODI was also not significantly improved (56.1±22.3 pre- and 45.1±26.4 post-operatively). Successful fusion, defined as adequate bone mass with trabeculation at the facets and transverse processes or in the intervertebral segments, did not correlate with good clinical outcomes. Thirty-five of 64 patients (54%) showed signs of pedicle screw loosening, especially of the screws at S1. However, only 7 of these 35 (20%) complained of corresponding back pain. Revision surgery was required in 24 of 64 patients (38%). Of these, indications were adjacent segment disease (16 cases), pedicle screw loosening (7 cases), and infection (one case). At follow-up of 29.4 months, patients with radiographic ASD had worse ODI scores than patients without (54.7 vs. 36.6; P<0.001). Multilevel fusion for degenerative disease still has a high rate of complications, up to 50%. The problem of adjacent segment disease after fusion surgery has not yet been solved. This study underscores the need for strict indication guidelines to perform lumbar spine fusion of more than two levels