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We investigate the effects of rotation on the behavior of the helium-burning shell source in accreting carbon- oxygen white dwarfs, in the context of the single degenerate Chandrasekhar mass progenitor scenario for type la supernovae (SNe Ia). We model the evolution of helium-accreting white dwarfs of initially 1 M-circle dot, assuming four different constant accretion rates (2, 3, 5 and 10 x 10(-7) M-circle dot/yr). In a one-dimensional approximation, we compute the mass accretion and subsequent nuclear fusion of helium into carbon and oxygen, as well as angular momentum accretion, angular momentum transport inside the white dwarf, and rotationally induced chemical mixing. Our models show two major effects of rotation: a) The helium-burning nuclear shell source in the rotating models is much more stable than in corresponding non-rotating models - which increases the likelihood that accreting white dwarfs reach the stage of central carbon ignition. This effect is mainly due to rotationally induced mixing at the CO/He interface which widens the shell source, and due to the centrifugal force lowering the density and degeneracy at the shell source location. b) The C/O-ratio in the layers which experience helium shell burning - which may affect the energy of an SN Ia explosion - is strongly decreased by the rotationally induced mixing of a-particles into the carbon-rich layers. We discuss implications of our results for the evolution of SNe la progenitors
We study the global singularity structure of solutions to 3-D semilinear wave equations with discontinuous initial data. More precisely, using Strichartz' inequality we show that the solutions stay conormal after nonlinear interaction if the Cauchy data are conormal along a circle. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
The ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of Erythrina abyssinica showed anti-plasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values of 7.9 +/- 1.1 and 5.3 +/- 0.7 mug/ml, respectively. From this extract, a new chalcone, 2,3,4,4'-tetrahydroxy-5- prenylchalcone (trivial name 5-prenylbutein) and a new flavanone, 4',7-dihydroxy-3'-methoxy-5'- prenylflavanone (trivial name, 5-deoxyabyssinin II) along with known flavonoids have been isolated as the anti- plasmodial principles. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Suppression of the keto-emission in polyfluorene light-emitting diodes : Experiments and models
(2004)
The spectral characteristics of polyfluorene (PF)-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) containing a defined low concentration of either keto-defects or of the polymer poly(9.9-octylfuorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) are preseneted. Both types of blend layers were tested in different device configurations with respect to the relative and absolute intensities of green blue emission components. It is shown that blending hole-transporting molecules into the emission layer at low concentration or incorporation of a suitable hole-transport layer reduces the green emission contribution in the electroluminescence (EL) spectrum of the PF:F8BT blend, which is similar to what is observed for the keto- containing PF layer. We conclude that the keto-defects in PF homopolymer layers mainly constitute weakly emissive electron traps, in agreement with the results of quantum-mechanical calculations
A commercially available Ir complex has been employed for the preparation of highly efficient (see Figure) single-layer phosphorescent polymer light,emitting diodes by use of appropriate thermal treatment and proper adjustment of the layer composition. These devices exhibit essentially no dependence of the driving field on the concentration of the Ir complex, suggesting that the build-up of space-charge in the layer is insignificant
We demonstrate efficient single-layer polymer phosphorescent light-emitting devices based on a green-emitting iridium complex and a polymer host co-doped with electron-transporting and hole-transporting molecules. These devices can be operated at relatively low voltages, resulting in a power conversion efficiency of up to 24 lm/W at luminous efficiencies exceeding 30 cd/A. The overall performances of these devices suggest that efficient electrophosphorescent devices with acceptable operating voltages can be achieved in very simple device structures fabricated by spin coating. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics
It has been found in recent measurements that the singlet-to-triplet exciton ratio in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is larger than expected from spin degeneracy, and that singlet excitons form at a larger rate than triplets. We employed the technique of optically detected magnetic resonance to measure the spin-dependent exciton formation rates in films of a polymer and corresponding monomer, and explore the relation between the formation rates and the actual singlet-to-triplet ratio measured previously in OLEDs. We found that the spin-dependent exciton formation rates can indeed quantitatively explain the observed exciton yields, and that singlet formation rates and yields are significantly enhanced only in polymer OLEDs, but not in OLEDs made from the corresponding monomer
The correlations between the chemical structures of the 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole compounds and their corresponding vapour deposited film structures on Si/SiO2 were systematically investigated with AFM, XSR and IR for the first time. The result shows that the film structure depends strongly on the substrate temperature (Ts). For the compounds with ether bridge group, the film periodicity depends linearly on the length of the aliphatic chain. The films based on those oxadiazols have ordered structure in the investigated substrate temperature region, while die amide bridged compounds form ordered film only at high Ts due to the formation of intermolecular H-bond. The tilt angle of most molecules is determined by the pi-pi complexes between the molecules. The intermolecular interaction between head groups leads to the structural transformation during the thermal treatment after deposition. All the ether bridged oxadiazoles form films with bilayer structure, while amide bridged oxadiazole form film bilayer structure only when the molecule has a head group.
Edge representations of operators on closed manifolds are known to induce large classes of operators that are elliptic on specific manifolds with edges, cf. [9]. We apply this idea to the case of boundary value problems. We establish a correspondence between standard ellipticity and ellipticity with respect to the principal symbolic hierarchy of the edge algebra of boundary value problems, where an embedded submanifold on the boundary plays the role of an edge. We first consider the case that the weight is equal to the smoothness and calculate the dimensions of kernels and cokernels of the associated principal edge symbols. Then we pass to elliptic edge operators for arbitrary weights and construct the additional edge conditions by applying relative index results for conormal symbols.
The roots of evil : the foundation years of anti-semitism : from the time of Bismarck to Hitler
(2004)
Various authors have investigated the problem of light deflection by radially moving gravitational lenses, but the results presented so far do not appear to agree on the expected deflection angles. Some publications claim a scaling of deflection angles with 1-v to first order in the radial lens velocity v, while others obtained a scaling with 1-2 v. In this paper we generalize the calculations for arbitrary lens velocities and show that the first result is the correct one. We discuss the seeming inconsistency of relativistic light deflection with the classical picture of moving test particles by generalizing the lens effect to test particles of arbitrary velocity, including light as a limiting case. We show that the effect of radial motion of the lens is very different for slowly moving test particles and light and that a critical test particle velocity exists for which the motion of the lens has no effect on the deflection angle to first order. An interesting and not immediately intuitive result is obtained in the limit of a highly relativistic motion of the lens towards the observer, where the deflection angle of light reduces to zero. This phenomenon is elucidated in terms of moving refractive media. Furthermore, we discuss the dragging of inertial frames in the field of a moving lens and the corresponding Lense-Thirring precession. in order to shed more light on the geometrical effects in the surroundings of a moving mass. In a second part we discuss the effect of transversal motion on the observed redshift of lensed sources. We demonstrate how a simple kinematic calculation explains the effects for arbitrary velocities of the lens and test particles. Additionally we include the transversal motion of the source and observer to show that all three velocities can be combined into an effective relative transversal velocity similar to the approach used in microlensing studies
B0218 + 357 is one of the most promising systems to determine the Hubble constant from time-delays in gravitational lenses. Consisting of two bright images, which are well resolved in very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations, plus one of the most richly structured Einstein rings, it potentially provides better constraints for the mass model than most other systems. The main problem left until now was the very poorly determined position of the lensing galaxy. After presenting detailed results from classical lens modelling, we apply our improved version of the LENSCLEAN algorithm which for the first time utilizes the beautiful Einstein ring for lens modelling purposes. The primary result using isothermal lens models is a now very well defined lens position of (255 +/- 6, 119 +/- 4) mas relative to the A image, which allows the first reliable measurement of the Hubble constant from the time-delay of this system. The result of H-0 = (78 +/- 6) km s(-1) Mpc(-1) (2sigma) is very high compared with other lenses. It is, however, compatible with local estimates from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) key project and with WMAP results, but less prone to systematic errors. We furthermore discuss possible changes of these results for different radial mass profiles and find that the final values cannot be very different from the isothermal expectations. The power-law exponent of the potential is constrained by VLBI data of the compact images and the inner jet to be beta = 1.04 +/- 0.02, which confirms that the mass distribution is approximately isothermal (corresponding to beta = 1), but slightly shallower. The effect on H-0 is reduced from the expected 4 per cent decrease by an estimated shift of the best galaxy position of circa 4 mas to at most 2 per cent. Maps of the unlensed source plane produced from the best LENSCLEAN brightness model show a typical jet structure and allow us to identify the parts which are distorted by the lens to produce the radio ring. We also present a composite map which for the first time shows the rich structure of B0218 + 357 on scales ranging from mas to arcsec, both in the image plane and in the reconstructed source plane. Finally, we use a comparison of observations at different frequencies to investigate the question of possible weakening of one of the images by propagation effects and/or source shifts with frequency. The data clearly favour the model of significant 'extinction' without noticeable source position shifts. The technical details of our variant of the LENSCLEAN method are presented in the accompanying Paper I.
LensClean revisited
(2004)
We discuss the LENSCLEAN algorithm which for a given gravitational lens model fits a source brightness distribution to interferometric radio data in a similar way as standard CLEAN does in the unlensed case. The lens model parameters can then be varied in order to minimize the residuals and determine the best model for the lens mass distribution. Our variant of this method is improved in order to be useful and stable even for high dynamic range systems with nearly degenerated lens model parameters. Our test case B0218 + 357 is dominated by two bright images but the information needed to constrain the unknown parameters is provided only by the relatively smooth and weak Einstein ring. The new variant of LENSCLEAN is able to fit lens models even in this difficult case. In order to allow the use of general mass models with LENSCLEAN, we develop the new method LENTIL which inverts the lens equation much more reliably than any other method. This high reliability is essential for the use as part of LENSCLEAN. Finally a new method is developed to produce source plane maps of the unlensed source from the best LENSCLEAN brightness models. This method is based on the new concept of 'dirty beams' in the source plane. The application to the lens B0218 + 357 leads to the first useful constraints for the lens position and thus to a result for the Hubble constant. These results are presented in the accompanying Paper II, together with a discussion of classical lens modelling for this system
Chemical transformations and hydraulic processes in soil and groundwater often lead to an apparent retention of nitrate in lowland catchments. Models are needed to evaluate the interaction of these processes in space and time. The objectives of this study are i) to develop a specific modelling approach by combining selected modelling tools simulating N-transport and turnover in soils and groundwater of lowland catchments, ii) to study interactions between catchment properties and nitrogen transport. Special attention was paid to potential N-loads to surface waters. The modelling approach combines various submodels for water flow and solute transport in soil and groundwater: The soil-water- and nitrogen-model mRISK-N, the groundwater flow model MODFLOW and the solute transport model RT3D. In order to investigate interactions of N-transport and catchment characteristics, the distribution and availability of reaction partners have to be taken into account. Therefore, a special reaction-module is developed, which simulates various chemical processes in groundwater, such as the degradation of organic matter by oxygen, nitrate, sulphate or pyrite oxidation by oxygen and nitrate. The model approach is applied to different simulation, focussing on specific submodels. All simulation studies are based on field data from the Schaugraben catchment, a pleistocene catchment of approximately 25 km², close to Osterburg(Altmark) in the North of Saxony-Anhalt. The following modelling studies have been carried out: i) evaluation of the soil-water- and nitrogen-model based on lysimeter data, ii) modelling of a field scale tracer experiment on nitrate transport and turnover in the groundwater as a first application of the reaction module, iii) evaluation of interactions between hydraulic and chemical aquifer properties in a two-dimensional groundwater transect, iv) modelling of distributed groundwater recharge and soil nitrogen leaching in the study area, to be used as input data for subsequent groundwater simulations, v) study of groundwater nitrate distribution and nitrate breakthrough to the surface water system in the Schaugraben catchment area and a subcatchment, using three-dimensional modelling of reactive groundwater transport. The various model applications prove the model to be capable of simulating interactions between transport, turnover and hydraulic and chemical catchment properties. The distribution of nitrate in the sediment and the resulting loads to surface waters are strongly affected by the amount of reactive substances and by the residence time within the aquifer. In the Schaugraben catchment simulations, it is found that a period of 70 years is needed to raise the average seepage concentrations of nitrate to a level corresponding to the given input situation, if no reactions are considered. Under reactive transport conditions, nitrate concentrations are reduced effectively. Simulation results show that groundwater exfiltration does not contribute considerably to the nitrate pollution of surface waters, as most nitrate entering soils and groundwater is lost by denitrification. Additional sources, such as direct inputs or tile drains have to be taken into account to explain surface water loads. The prognostic value of the models for the study site is limited by uncertainties of input data and estimation of model parameters. Nevertheless, the modelling approach is a useful aid for the identification of source and sink areas of nitrate pollution as well as the investigation of system response to management measures or landuse changes with scenario simulations. The modelling approach assists in the interpretation of observed data, as it allows to integrate local observations into a spatial and temporal framework.
Rezensiertes Werk: Römling, Michael: Ein Heer ist ein großes gefräßiges Tier : Soldaten in spanischen und kaiserlichen Diensten und die Bevölkerung der vom Krieg betroffenen Gebiete in Italien zwischen 1509 und 1530 / Michael Römling. - [2002]. Göttingen, Univ., Diss., 2001 [Elektronische Ressource]: http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=964390426
"Es ist mir ein innerer Parteitag, dass das 'Muttiheft' lebt". Wörterbücher zum DDR- Wortschatz
(2004)
Sprachverstehen mit Cochlea-Implantat : EKP-Studien mit postlingual ertaubten erwachsenen CI-Trägern
(2004)
Local asymptotic types
(2004)
The quasar HE 0047-1756, at z = 1.67, is found to be split into two images 1."144 apart by an intervening galaxy acting as a gravitational lens. The flux ratio for the two components is roughly 3.5:1, depending slightly upon wavelength. The lensing galaxy is seen on images obtained in the i (800 nm) and K-s bands (2.1 mum); there is also a nearby faint object which may be responsible for some shear. The spectra of the two quasar images are nearly identical, but the emission line ratio between the two components scale differently from the continuum. Moreover, the fainter component has a bluer continuum slope than the brighter one. We argue that these small differences are probably due to microlensing. There is evidence for a partial Einstein ring emanating from the brighter image toward the fainter one
We present spatially resolved spectrophotometric observations of multiply imaged QSOs, using the Potsdam Multi- Aperture Spectrophotometer (PMAS), with the intention to search for spectral differences between components indicative of either microlensing or dust extinction. For the quadruple QSO HE 0435-1223 we find that the continuum shapes are indistinguishable, therefore differential extinction is negligible. The equivalent widths of the broad emission lines are however significantly different, and we argue that this is most likely due to microlensing. Contrariwise, the two components of the well-known object UM 673 have virtually identical emission line properties, but the continuum slopes differ significantly and indicate different dust extinction along both lines of sight
English and German, though genetically closely related, have undergone different developments with regard to the verbal category aspect in its interaction with aktionsart. English has grammaticalized a periphrastic construction to mark the progressisve whereas German - if at all - uses word formation to mark the perfective. This study deals with verbal prefixes, especially ge-/gi-, in the earliest attestable stages of the two languages, i.e. in Old English (King Alfred's Orosius) and Old High German (Tafan). These elements have often been considered markers of perfective aspect or aktionsart and can be compared to perfectives, which - according to Bybee/Perkins/Pagliuca (1994) - have developed from "bounders", i.e. adverbial particles to denote situation boundaries. Our analyses suggest that although there are basic similarities in the use of the various verbal constructions, the diverging paths of development with regard to aspect seem to begin already in these early stages
Die englische Grammatikschreibung im 18. Jahrhundert ist vordergründig präskriptiv und basiert auf den traditionellen theoretischen Grundlagen, die für die klassischen Sprachen entwickelt wurden. So werden grammatische Kategorien wie Person und Numerus, Tempus, Modus, Genus Verbi unterschieden, für welche Flexionsparadigmen aufgestellt werden. Im Vergleich zu den klassischen Sprachen hat jedoch das Englische eine weitreichende Umgestaltung in der Strukturierung seiner gesamten Verbalkategorien erfahren: Analytische Mittel (have, be, do, will, etc. in Verbindung mit infiniten Formen des Verbs) werden verwendet, um verschiedene Ausprägungen der Vergangenheit, Zukünftigkeit, Gleichzeitigkeit, Vorzeitigkeit, Prozeßhaftigkeit etc. auszudrücken. Das Modussystem ist zusammengebrochen. Um dies zu kompensieren und einige der Funktionen des ehemaligen Konjunktivs zu übernehmen, wurden zum Beispiel die Modalverben grammatikalisiert. Dann ist auch noch eine völlig neue Kategorie entstanden, der Aspekt. In den frühen Grammatiken des 17. Jahrhunderts wurde die Konstruktion be + V-ing, die den Progressiven Aspekt ausdrückt, noch nicht einmal erwähnt (z.B. John Wallis 1653, Jeremiah Wharton 1654, Joseph Aickin 1693). Es ist interessant, daß sie zum ersten Mal von einem Ausländer Beachtung findet: Guy Miege führt diese Konstruktion auf in seiner Englischen Grammatik von 1688. Eine ausführliche und systematische Beschreibung erfolgt dann aber erst gegen Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts (James Pickbourne 1789). Er integriert die Progressive Form in das Tempussystem und unterscheidet somit insgesamt 18 Tempora im Englischen. Andere Grammatiker nennen 3 oder 5 oder 7 Tempora. Der Aufsatz beschreibt verschiedene Herangehensweisen an die Beschreibung des neu entstandenen Englischen Tempus- und Aspektsystems in der Grammatikschreibung des 18. Jahrhunderts. Ein zentraler Punkt ist die Integration der aspektuellen Unterscheidung zwischen Einfacher und Progressiver Form, die sich in dieser Zeit gerade erst in der Sprache etabliert hatte.
Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and Mossbauer spectra were collected on synthetic glasses of basaltic composition and of glasses on the sodium oxide-silica binary to establish a relation between the pre- edge of the XANES at the K-edge and the Fe oxidation state of depolymerised glasses. Charges of sample material were equilibrated at ambient pressure, superliquidus temperatures and oxygen fugacities that were varied over a range of about 15 orders of magnitude. Most experiments were carried out in gas-flow furnaces, either with pure oxygen, air, or different CO/CO2 mixtures. For the most reduced conditions, the samples charges were enclosed together with a pellet of the IQF oxygen buffer in an evacuated silica glass ampoule. Fe3+/SigmaFe x 100 of the samples determined by Mossbauer spectroscopy range between 0% and 100%. Position and intensity of the pre-edge centroid position vary strongly depending on the Fe oxidation state. The pre-edge centroid position and the Fe oxidation state determined by Mossbauer spectroscopy are nonlinearly related and have been fitted by a quadratic polynomial. Alternatively, the ratio of intensities measured at positions sensitive to Fe2+ and Fe3+, respectively, provides an even more sensitive method. Pre- edge intensities of the sample suite indicate average Fe co-ordination between 4 and 6 for all samples regardless of oxidation state. A potential application of the calibration given here opens the possibility of determining Fe oxidation state in glasses of similar compositions with high spatial resolution by use of a Micro-XANES setup (e.g., glass inclusions in natural minerals). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
There is concern about the lack of recruitment of Acacia trees in the Negev desert of Israel. We have developed three models to estimate the frequency of recruitment necessary for long-term population survival (i.e. positive average population growth for 1,000 years and <10% probability of extinction). Two models assume purely episodic recruitment based on the general notion that recruitment in and environments is highly episodic. They differ in that the deterministic model investigates average dynamics while the stochastic model does not. Studies indicating that recruitment episodes in and environments have been overemphasized motivated the development of the third model. This semi-stochastic model simulates a mixture of continuous and episodic recruitment. Model analysis was done analytically for the deterministic model and via running model simulations for the stochastic and semi-stochastic models. The deterministic and stochastic models predict that, on average, 2.2 and 3.7 recruitment events per century, respectively, are necessary to sustain the population. According to the semi-stochastic model, 1.6 large recruitment events per century and an annual probability of 50% that a small recruitment event occurs are needed. A consequence of purely episodic recruitment is that all recruitment episodes produce extremely large numbers of recruits (i.e. at odds with field observations), an evaluation that holds even when considering that rare events must be large. Thus, the semi- stochastic model appears to be the most realistic model. Comparing the prediction of the semi-stochastic model to field observations in the Negev desert shows that the absence of observations of extremely large recruitment events is no reason for concern. However, the almost complete absence of small recruitment events is a serious reason for concern. The lack of recruitment may be due to decreased densities of large mammalian herbivores and might be further exacerbated by possible changes in climate, both in terms of average precipitation and the temporal distribution of rain
Entsprechend der sogenannten Set-point-Theorie besitzt jeder Mensch eine individuell festgelegte Körpermasse, die über große Zeiträume konstant gehalten und gegen Abweichungen verteidigt wird. Es wird angenommen, dass der Körper auf noch unbekannte Weise Änderungen in der Körpermasse per se wahrnimmt und daraufhin Mechanismen aktiviert, die zur Regenerierung der ursprünglichen Masse führen. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Hypothese getestet, dass eine künstliche Erhöhung der Körpermasse zu einer kompensatorischen Reduktion in der Körpermasse führt, um das Ausgangsgewicht wieder zu regenerieren. Die Körpermasse von männlichen und weiblichen Mäusen wurde akut durch die Implantation von Gewichten mit einer Masse von 10% der aktuellen Körpermasse in die Bauchhöhle erhöht. Bei Gültigkeit der Set-point-Theorie sollte die Körpermassereduktion der Masse des zusätzlichen Gewichtsimplantats entsprechen. Die Mäuse reagierten auf die künstlich erhöhte Körpermasse geschlechtsspezifisch. Männchen zeigten eine partielle Reduktion in der Körpermasse. Weibchen zeigten langfristig jedoch keine Änderungen in der Körpermasse. Die Reduktion der Körpermasse erfolgte bei den Männchen durch eine Abnahme in der Fettmasse. Die fettfreie Masse war in beiden Geschlechtern nicht verändert. Änderungen in der Körpermasse wurden vor allem durch Änderungen in der Energieaufnahme hervorgerufen. Ein Einfluss des Energieumsatzes auf Änderungen in der Körpermasse konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden. Die Regulation der Körpermasse entsprechend eines massespezifischen Set-points konnte partiell für die Männchen gezeigt werden. Bei den Männchen könnte daher die Wahrnehmung der Körpermasse in die Regulation der Körpermasse teilweise integriert sein. Weibchen verminderten ihre Körpermasse dagegen trotz der künstlichen Körpermasseerhöhung nicht. Das führte zur Bewahrung der Energiereserven und spricht eher für die Regulation der Körpermasse entsprechend des notwendigen Energiebedarfs im Vergleich zu Änderungen in der Körpermasse per se. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Regulation der Körpermasse geschlechtsspezifischen Mechanismen unterliegt. Dementsprechend sind auch geschlechtsspezifische Ansätze zur Therapie von Übergewicht und Adipositas notwendig.
Wie sich eine Nation arm rechnet : einige statistische Bemerkungen zum Konzept der relativen Armut
(2004)
In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in compensating thermally induced errors to improve the manufacturing accuracy of modular tool systems. These modular tool systems are interfaces between spindle and workpiece and consist of several complicatedly formed parts. Their thermal behavior is dominated by nonlinearities, delay and hysteresis effects even in tools with simpler geometry and it is difficult to describe it theoretically. Due to the dominant nonlinear nature of this behavior the so far used linear regression between the temperatures and the displacements is insufficient. Therefore, in this study we test the hypothesis whether we can reliably predict such thermal displacements via nonlinear temperature-displacement regression functions. These functions are estimated firstly from learning measurements using the alternating conditional expectation (ACE) algorithm and then tested on independent data sets. First, we analyze data that were generated by a finite element spindle model. We find that our approach is a powerful tool to describe the relation between temperatures and displacements for simulated data. Next, we analyze the temperature-displacement relationship in a silent real experimental setup, where the tool system is thermally forced. Again, the ACE-algorithm is powerful to estimate the deformation with high precision. The corresponding errors obtained by using the nonlinear regression approach are 10-fold lower in comparison to multiple linear regression analysis. Finally, we investigate the thermal behavior of a modular tool system in a working milling machine and get again promising results. The thermally inducedaccuracy using this nonlinear regression analysis. Therefore, this approach seems to be very useful for the development of new modular tool systems. errors can be estimated with 1-2 micrometer
In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in compensating thermally induced errors to improve the manufacturing accuracy of modular tool systems. These modular tool systems are interfaces between spindle and workpiece and consist of several complicatedly formed parts. Their thermal behavior is dominated by nonlinearities, delay and hysteresis effects even in tools with simpler geometry and it is difficult to describe it theoretically. Due to the dominant nonlinear nature of this behavior the so far used linear regression between the temperatures and the displacements is insufficient. Therefore, in this study we test the hypothesis whether we can reliably predict such thermal displacements via nonlinear temperature-displacement regression functions. These functions are estimated firstly from learning measurements using the alternating conditional expectation (ACE) algorithm and then tested on independent data sets. First, we analyze data that were generated by a finite element spindle model. We find that our approach is a powerful tool to describe the relation between temperatures and displacements for simulated data. Next, we analyze the temperature-displacement relationship in a silent real experimental setup, where the tool system is thermally forced. Again, the ACE-algorithm is powerful to estimate the deformation with high precision. The corresponding errors obtained by using the nonlinear regression approach are 10-fold lower in comparison to multiple linear regression analysis. Finally, we investigate the thermal behavior of a modular tool system in a working milling machine and get again promising results. The thermally induced errors can be estimated with 1-2${mu m}$ accuracy using this nonlinear regression analysis. Therefore, this approach seems to be very useful for the development of new modular tool systems.
Indium(III) chloride forms in water with potassium 1,2-dithiooxalate (dto) and potassium 1,2-dithiosquarate (dtsq) stable coordination compounds. Due to the higher bridging ability of the 1,2-dithiooxalate ligand in all cases only thiooxalate bridged binuclear complexes were found. From 1,2-dithioquadratate with an identical donor atom set mononuclear trischelates could be isolated. Five crystalline complexes, (BzlMe(3)N)(4)[(dto)(2)In(dto)In(dto)(2)] (1), (BzlPh(3)P)(4)[(dto)(2)In(dto)In(dto)(2)] (2), (BzlMe(3)N)(3)[In(dtsq)(3)] (3), (Bu4N)(3)[In(dtsq)(3)] (4) and (Ph4P)[In(dtsq)(2)(DMF)(2)] (5), have been isolated and characterized by X-ray analyses. Due to the type of the complex and the cations involved these compounds crystallize in different space groups with the following parameters: 1, monoclinic in P2(1)/c with a = 14.4035(5) Angstrom, b = 10.8141(5) Angstrom, c = 23.3698(9) Angstrom, beta = 124.664(2)degrees, and Z = 2; 2, triclinic in P (1) over bar with a = 11.3872(7) Angstrom, b = 13.6669(9) Angstrom, c = 17.4296(10) Angstrom, alpha = 88.883(5)degrees, beta = 96.763(1)degrees, gamma = 74.587(5)degrees, and Z = 1; 3, hexagonal in R3 with a = 20.6501(16) Angstrom, b = 20.6501(16) Angstrom, c = 19.0706(13) Angstrom and Z = 6; 4, monoclinic in P21/c with a = 22.7650(15) Angstrom, b = 20.4656(10) Angstrom, c = 14.4770(9) Angstrom, P
(1) Über die Notwendigkeit, die bisherige Informatik in eine Grundlagenwissenschaft und eine Ingenieurwissenschaft aufzuspalten (2) Was ist Ingenieurskultur? (3) Das Kommunikationsproblem der Informatiker und ihre Unfähigkeit, es wahrzunehmen (4) Besonderheiten des Softwareingenieurwesens im Vergleich mit den klassischen Ingenieurdisziplinen (5) Softwareingenieurspläne können auch für Nichtfachleute verständlich sein (6) Principles for Planning Curricula in Software Engineering
Application and Acceptance of the Habitats Directive in Germany and France - Comparison of Selected Areas. Since 1992, when the Habitats Directive (92/43/EWG) came into effect, all EU member states are obligated to contribute to the establishment of a coherent ecological framework of special protection areas, called Natura 2000. The guideline states both protection objects and protection aims more precisely but its implementation is, to a large extent, left to the member states. In the neighbouring states Germany and France the organisation report strategy, and area management of the Natura 2000 areas differ significantly. Based on these conditions, in both countries two exemplary regions (mountain range and low mountain range) with 3 Natura 2000-areas were selected. In exemplary municipalities the local decision-makers and other relevant activists were interviewed regarding their acceptance of Natura 2000. The results showed altogether a higher acceptance in the 12 German municipalities than in the 12 French but at the same time an extensive insecurity regarding the new obligations on order to implement the protection system. In the French examples the lack of public participation organised by the state government contributed to a reduced acceptance during the first years of the implementation of the Habitats Guideline. Besides, crucial elements for a local acceptance of the Natura 2000 system in both states were the land owners, existing plans and development aims of the municipality, land use and a possibly existing protection status of the area. Additionally the study showed that a transparent establishment of a management plan offers the opportunity to co-ordinate different land use and protection interests. The designation of a separate area co-ordinator for each Natura 2000-area, at the same time contact for the local community like in France, can provide a valuable, confidence-building measure.
In einer Laengsschnittstudie wird die Entwicklung von Motivationskomponenten zum Lernen in Mathematik von der fuenften bis zur neunten Klassenstufe untersucht. Motivationskomponenten wurden mit dem "Potsdamer Motivations-Inventar" erfasst, die Bezugsnormorientierung der Lehrer sowie das mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Anregungsklimas im Elternhaus mit eigens entwickelten Skalen. Daten wurden an einer Stichprobe von urspruenglich zirka 750 Schuelerinnen und Schuelern erhoben. An der dritten Erhebung nahmen nur noch etwa 600 von ihnen teil. Es zeigte sich, dass sich die Mathematiknote am Ende eines Schuljahres sehr gut durch die zu Schulbeginn erfassten Motivationskomponenten vorhersagen laesst. Waehrend das insgesamt geringe Angsterleben im Mathematikunterricht von der fuenften bis zur neunten Klasse stabil blieb, nahm das Sachinteresse kontinuierlich ab. Bei der Einschaetzung des mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Anregungsklimas im Elternhaus fanden sich ueberraschenderweise grosse Unterschiede zwischen Kindern und Eltern. (U.B. - ZPID)
Die EMRK und nationales Recht : Deutschland - eine Spurensuche / Österreich - ein Köningsweg?
(2004)
Herbivore populations are commonly restricted by resource limitation, by predation or a combination of the two. Food supplement experiments are suitable for investigating the extent of food limitation at any given time. The main part of this study was performed in an extremely acidic lake (pH 2.7) where the food web consists of only a few components and potential food sources for herbivores are restricted to two flagellates. Life table experiments proved that Chlamydomonas was a suitable food source whereas Ochromonas was an unsuitable food source. The two flagellates and the two rotifers exhibit a pronounced vertical distribution pattern. In this study, a series of food supplement experiments were performed in order to: (1) quantify and compare potential resource limitation of two primary consumers (Cephalodella hoodi and Elosa worallii, Rotatoria) over time, (2) compare their response at different temperatures, (3) evaluate the effect of having an unsuitable food source alongside a valuable one, (4) estimate the effect of predation on rotifers by Heliozoa, and (5) compare the results with those from other acidic lakes. Additionally, the spatio- temporal population dynamics of both species were observed. The field data confirmed a vertical separation of the two species with E. worallii dominating in the upper water layers, and C. hoodi in the deeper, cooler water layers. The results from the food supplement experiments in which Chlamydomonas served as the supplemented suitable food source showed that the two rotifers were food limited in the epilimnion throughout the season to different extents, with Cephalodella being more severely food limited than Elosa. The experiments at different temperatures provided evidence that Elosa had a higher optimum temperature for growth than Cephalodella. When the unsuitable food algae Ochromonas was added alongside the suitable food source Chlamydomonas, C. hoodi was unaffected but E. worallii was negatively affected. Predation of Heliozoa on rotifers was observed but the total effect on the rotifer dynamics is probably low. The comparison with other lakes showed that resource limitation also occurred in one other lake, although to a lesser extent. Overall, the vertical separation of the two rotifers could be explained by both their differential extent of resource limitation and differential response to temperature.
Wandel durch Annäherung : weil unsere Zukunft in Europa liegt, bleibt Deutschland eine zivile Macht
(2004)
Wald und Klima
(2004)
Früh setzte in Europa die Wahrnehmung der Veränderung des regionalen Klimas durch Waldrodungen ein. Als erster widmete Theophrastus (372-288 v. Chr.) dem Thema des menschlichen Einflusses auf die Temperatur und die Qualität der Luft einer Region ausführliche Überlegungen. Mit ihm beginnt ein Diskurs, der durch die Entdeckung und Kolonisierung Amerikas einen enormen Aufschwung erfuhr und im letzten Drittel des 19. Jahrhunderts auf globaler Ebene seinen Höhepunkt erreichte, um dann nach der Jahrhundertwende in Vergessenheit zu geraten. Alexander von Humboldt legte in seinem Amerika-Werk durch seine Fallstudie zum See von Valencia (1799) die ersten wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen für die systematische Untersuchung der Frage nach dem durch Menschen verursachten Veränderungen des Klimas. Die Fortsetzung dieser Studien in Lateinamerika durch Jean Baptist Boussingault erregten weltweites Aufsehen und wurden für die frühe Umweltbewegung (George Marsh) zum zentralen Argument bei der Verteidigung der Wälder in Europa, in den U.S.A. und in den Kolonien. Dem Klimaeinfluss des Waldes wuchs immer mehr eine mythische Grösse zu, sodass bei der Erschliessung regenarmer Regionen (in Australien und in den U.S.A.) umfangreiche Aufforstungsprogramme die Niederschlagsmenge erhöhen sollten. Nach dem Scheitern dieser Programme war generell die Befürchtung erwarteter anthropogener Klimakatastrophen durch die Zerstörung der Wälder diskreditiert.
Ziel der hier durchgeführten Analyse war es herauszufinden, ob und inwieweit sich unterschiedliche Wohlfahrtsstaaten auf das Erwerbsverhalten von Frauen nach der Geburt des ersten Kindes auswirken. Dazu wurde ein deutsch-britischer Ländervergleich angestellt. Die beiden Länder dienten exemplarisch für den konservativ-korporatistischen (Deutschland) und den liberalen (Großbritannien) Wohlfahrtsstaatstypus. Inhalt: Teil I Theoretischer Hintergrund 1 Zum Begriff des "Wohlfahrtsstaates" 1.1 Wohlfahrtsstaatstypologien nach Esping-Andersen 2 Wohlfahrtsstaat und Geschlechterverhältnisse 2.1 Kulturelle Rahmenbedingungen zur Erklärung unterschiedlichen Erwerbsverhaltens 3 Der deutsche und der britische Wohlfahrtsstaat 3.1 Wohlfahrtsstaatliche Rahmenbedingungen 3.1.1 Möglichkeiten der Kinderbetreuung 3.1.2 Systeme der Ehegattenbesteuerung 3.1.3 Familienpolitische Regulierungen 3.2 Kulturelle Unterschiede – Entwicklungen der Geschlechterverhältnisse in Deutschland und Großbritannien 3.2.1 Die Entwicklung der Geschlechterverhältnisse in Ost- und Westdeutschland 3.2.2 Die Entwicklung der Geschlechterverhältnisse in Großbritannien 4 Die Bedeutung von Teilzeitbeschäftigung für Frauen 5 Der Einfluss von Bildung und Bildungssystemen auf die Erwerbstätigkeit von Frauen Teil II Empirische Analyse 6 Hypothesenbildung 7 Der Datensatz 8 Ergebnisse 8.1 Deutschland und Großbritannien im Vergleich 8.2 Deutschland – Großbritannien nach Bildungsgruppen Fazit
When exposed to sufficiently high electric fields, polymer-foam electret materials with closed cells exhibit ferroelectric-like behavior and may therefore be called ferroelectrets. In cellular ferroelectrets, the influence of the cell size and shape distributions on the application-relevant properties is not yet understood. Therefore, controlled inflation experiments were carried out on cellular polypropylene films, and the resulting elastical and electromechanical parameters were determined. The elastic modulus in the thickness direction shows a minimum with a corresponding maximum in the electromechanical transducer coefficient. The resonance frequency shifts as a function of the elastic modulus and the relative density of the inflated cellular films. Therefore, the transducer properties of cellular ferroelectrets can be optimized by means of controlled inflation. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics
In cellular, electromechanically active polymer films, the so-called ferroelectrets, the cell size and shape distributions can be varied through a controlled inflation process. Up to now, high-pressure treatments were usually performed at elevated temperatures. There are, however, significant experimental limitations and complications if the pressure and temperature treatments are performed at the same time. Here, we demonstrate the controlled inflation of cellular polypropylene films by means of sepal-ate pressure and temperature treatments. Separate procedures are Much easier to implement. Excellent electromechanical properties were achieved with Such a two-step inflation process. The technique has significant potential for inflating large-area transducer films for electromechanical and electroacoustical applications
Piezo-, pyro- and ferroelectricity in poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer films
(2004)
Thin films of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) P(VDF-HFP) show significant electroactive properties, such as piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity and electrostriction. Suitable polar P(VDF-HFP) copolymer films can be prepared by melt-pressing or solution-casting. Dipolar orientation causes the macroscopic polarization and thus also the symmetry breaking necessary for electroactive properties. We discuss the polarization build-up in thin, stretched and non-stretched, films of P(VDF-HFP) copolymer with a HFP content of 15%. Poling currents measured in-situ during electric poling are analyzed and the polarization is calculated. Suitable electric poling leads to hysteresis phenomena of the polarization as a function of the electric field as well as to significant polarization during switching experiments. Our results indicate dipolar orientation also in non-stretched P(VDF-HFP) films
Voided space-charge electrets : piezoelectric transducer materials for electro-acoustic applications
(2004)
We remelted and analyzed crystallized silicate melt inclusions in quartz from a porphyritic albitezinnwaldite microgranite dike to determine the composition of highly evolved, shallowly intruded, Li- and F-rich granitic magma and to investigate the role of crystal fractionation and aqueous fluid exsolution in causing the extreme extent of magma differentiation. This dike is intimately associated with tin- and tungsten-mineralized granites of Zinnwald, Erzgebirge, Germany. Prior research on Zinnwald granite geochemistry was limited by the effects of strong and pervasive greisenization and alkali-feldspar metasomatism of the rocks. These melt inclusions, however, provide important new constraints on magmatic and mineralizing processes in Zinnwald magmas. The mildly peraluminous granitic melt inclusions are strongly depleted in CAFEMIC constituents (e.g., CaO, FeO, MgO, TiO2), highly enriched in lithophile trace elements, and highly but variably enriched in F and Cl. The melt inclusions contain up to several thousand ppm Cl and nearly 3 wt% F, on average; several inclusions contain more than 5 wt% F. The melt inclusions are geochemically similar to the corresponding whole-rock sample, except that the former contain much more F and less CaO, FeO, Zr, Nb, Sr, and Ba. The Sr and Ba abundances are very low implying the melt inclusions represent magma that was more evolved than that represented by the bulk rock. Relationships involving melt constituents reflect increasing lithophile-element and halogen abundances in residual melt with progressive magma differentiation. Modeling demonstrates that differentiation was dominated by crystal fractionation involving quartz and feldspar and significant quantities of topaz and F-rich zinnwaldite. The computed abundances of the latter phases greatly exceed their abundances in the rocks, suggesting that the residual melt was separated physically from phenocrysts during magma movement and evolution. Interactions of aqueous fluids with silicate melt were also critical to magma evolution. To better understand the role of halogen-charged, aqueous fluids in magmatic differentiation and in subsequent mineralization and metasomatism of the Zinnwald granites, Cl-partitioning experiments were conducted with a F-enriched silicate melt and aqueous fluids at 2,000 bar (200 MPa). The results of the experimentally determined partition coefficients for Cl and F, the compositions of fluid inclusions in quartz and other phenocrysts, and associated geochemical modeling point to an important role of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids in influencing magma geochemistry and evolution. The exsolution of halogen-charged fluids from the Li- and F- enriched Zinnwald granitic magma modified the Cl, alkali, and F contents of the residual melt, and may have also sequestered Li, Sri, and W from the melt. Many of these fluids contained strongly elevated F concentrations that were equivalent to or greater than their Cl abundances. The exsolution of F-, Cl-, Li-, +/- W- and Sn-bearing hydrothermal fluids from Zinnwald granite magmas was important in effecting the greisenizing and alkali-feldspathizing metasomatism of the granites and the concomitant mineralization
To address one of the central questions of plate tectonics-How do large transform systems work and what are their typical features?-seismic investigations across the Dead Sea Transform (DST), the boundary between the African and Arabian plates in the Middle East, were conducted for the first time. A major component of these investigations was a combined reflection/ refraction survey across the territories of Palestine, Israel and Jordan. The main results of this study are: (1) The seismic basement is offset by 3-5 km under the DST, (2) The DST cuts through the entire crust, broadening in the lower crust, (3) Strong lower crustal reflectors are imaged only on one side of the DST, (4) The seismic velocity sections show a steady increase in the depth of the crust-mantle transition (Moho) from 26 km at the Mediterranean to 39 km under the Jordan highlands, with only a small but visible, asymmetric topography of the Moho under the DST. These observations can be linked to the left-lateral movement of 105 km of the two plates in the last 17 Myr, accompanied by strong deformation within a narrow zone cutting through the entire crust. Comparing the DST and the San Andreas Fault (SAF) system, a strong asymmetry in subhorizontal lower crustal reflectors and a deep reaching deformation zone both occur around the DST and the SAF. The fact that such lower crustal reflectors and deep deformation zones are observed in such different transform systems suggests that these structures are possibly fundamental features of large transform plate boundaries
Robotic telescopes & Doppler imaging : measuring differential rotation on long-period active stars
(2004)
The sun shows a wide variety of magnetic-activity related phenomena. The magnetic field responsible for this is generated by a dynamo process which is believed to operate in the tachocline, which is located at the bottom of the convection zone. This dynamo is driven in part by differential rotation and in part by magnetic turbulences in the convection zone. The surface differential rotation, one key ingredient of dynamo theory, can be measured by tracing sunspot positions.To extend the parameter space for dynamo theories, one can extend these measurements to other stars than the sun. The primary obstacle in this endeavor is the lack of resolved surface images on other stars. This can be overcome by the Doppler imaging technique, which uses the rotation-induced Doppler-broadening of spectral lines to compute the surface distribution of a physical parameter like temperature. To obtain the surface image of a star, high-resolution spectroscopic observations, evenly distributed over one stellar rotation period are needed. This turns out to be quite complicated for long period stars. The upcoming robotic observatory STELLA addresses this problem with a dedicated scheduling routine, which is tailored for Doppler imaging targets. This will make observations for Doppler imaging not only easier, but also more efficient.As a preview of what can be done with STELLA, we present results of a Doppler imaging study of seven stars, all of which show evidence for differential rotation, but unfortunately the errors are of the same order of magnitude as the measurements due to unsatisfactory data quality, something that will not happen on STELLA. Both, cross-correlation analysis and the sheared image technique where used to double check the results if possible. For four of these stars, weak anti-solar differential rotation was found in a sense that the pole rotates faster than the equator, for the other three stars weak differential rotation in the same direction as on the sun was found.Finally, these new measurements along with other published measurements of differential rotation using Doppler imaging, were analyzed for correlations with stellar evolution, binarity, and rotation period. The total sample of stars show a significant correlation with rotation period, but if separated into antisolar and solar type behavior, only the subsample showing anti-solar differential rotation shows this correlation. Additionally, there is evidence for binary stars showing less differential rotation as single stars, as is suggested by theory. All other parameter combinations fail to deliver any results due to the still small sample of stars available.
When we think of extremophiles, organisms adapted to extreme environments, prokaryotes come to mind first. However, the unicellular red micro-alga Galdieria sulphuraria (Cyanidiales) is a eukaryote that can represent up to 90% of the biomass in extreme habitats such as hot sulfur springs with pH values of 0-4 and temperatures of up to 56 degreesC. This red alga thrives autotrophically as well as heterotrophically on more than 50 different carbon sources, including a number of rare sugars and sugar alcohols. This biochemical versatility suggests a large repertoire of metabolic enzymes, rivaled by few organisms and a potentially rich source of thermo-stable enzymes for biotechnology. The temperatures under which this organism carries out photosynthesis are at the high end of the range for this process, making G. sulphuraria a valuable model for physical studies on the photosynthetic apparatus. In addition, the gene sequences of this living fossil reveal much about the evolution of modern eukaryotes. Finally, the alga tolerates high concentrations of toxic metal ions such as cadmium, mercury, aluminum, and nickel, suggesting potential application in bioremediation. To begin to explore the unique biology of G. sulphuraria, 5270 expressed sequence tags from two different cDNA libraries have been sequenced and annotated. Particular emphasis has been placed on the reconstruction of metabolic pathways present in this organism. For example, we provide evidence for (i) a complete pathway for lipid A biosynthesis; (ii) export of triose-phosphates from rhodoplasts; (iii) and absence of eukaryotic hexokinases. Sequence data and additional information are available at http://genomics.msu.edu/galdieria
Understanding stars, their magnetic activity phenomena and the underlying dynamo action is the foundation for understanding 'life, the universe and everything' - as stellar magnetic fields play a fundamental role for star and planet formation and for the terrestrial atmosphere and climate. Starspots are the fingerprints of magnetic field lines and thereby the most important sign of activity in a star's photosphere. However, they cannot be observed directly, as it is not (yet) possible to spacially resolve the surfaces of even the nearest neighbouring stars. Therefore, an indirect approach called 'Doppler imaging' is applied, which allows to reconstruct the surface spot distribution on rapidly rotating, active stars. In this work, data from 11 years of continuous spectroscopic observations of the active binary star EI Eridani are reduced and analysed. 34 Doppler maps are obtained and the problem of how to parameterise the information content of Doppler maps is discussed. Three approaches for parameter extraction are introduced and applied to all maps: average temperature, separated for several latitude bands; fractional spottedness; and, for the analysis of structural temperature distribution, longitudinal and latitudinal spot-occurrence functions. The resulting values do not show a distinct correlation with the proposed activity cycle as seen from photometric long-term observations, thereby suggesting that the photometric activity cycle is not accompanied by a spot cycle as seen on the Sun. The general morphology of the spot pattern on EI Eri remains persistent for the whole period of 11 years. In addition, a detailed parameter study is performed. Improved orbital parameters suggest that EI Eri might be complemented by a third star in a wide orbit of about 19 years. Preliminary differential rotation measurements are carried out, indicating an anti-solar orientation.
Many agrammatic aphasics have a specific syntactic comprehension deficit involving processing syntactic transformations. It has been proposed that this deficit is due to a dysfunction of Broca's area, an area that is thought to be critical for comprehension of complex transformed sentences. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of Broca's area in processing canonical and non-canonical sentences in healthy subjects. The sentences were presented auditorily and were controlled for task difficulty. Subjects were asked to judge the grammaticality of the sentences while their brain activity was monitored using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging. Processing both kinds of sentences resulted in activation of language-related brain regions. Comparison of non-canonical and canonical sentences showed greater activation in bilateral temporal regions; a greater activation of Broca's area in processing antecedent-gap relations was not found. Moreover, the posterior part of Broca's area was conjointly activated by both sentence conditions. Broca's area is thus involved in general syntactic processing as required by grammaticality judgments and does not seem to have a specific role in processing syntactic transformations. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc
Neurodermitiskranke Kinder und Jugendliche : psychosoziale Belastungen und Krankheitsbewältigung
(2004)
Our aim was to assess the psychosocial well-being of asthmatic children and adolescents, the influencing factors, and to determine the effect of inpatient rehabilitation on their quality of life; 226 asthmatic children and adolescents participated in the inpatient rehabilitation (IG). The comparison group (CG) included 92 asthmatic children and adolescents receiving standard medical treatments. Patients were aged between 8 and 16 years and were predominantly male. The health-related quality of life was measured with the German version of the "Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire." Interviews were carried out for IG 2 weeks before the commencement of their inpatient stay and 1 year after their stay ended. The same time schedule was carried out for CG. All patients reported a mild to moderate impairment of their quality of life. Girls described a slightly lower quality of life than boys. With increasing asthma severity, quality of life decreased. Inpatients described a lower quality of life than CG at enrollment. Inpatient rehabilitation resulted in a greater improvement of quality of life over time for IG than for CG. Gender and severity status had no effect on this time course. The only modestly affected quality of life may reflect the good adaptation to the disease and medical treatment. Children and adolescents in the IG recorded improvements in their quality of life. Differences in quality of life based on gender and disease severity were not shown to influence the improvements. In summary, inpatient rehabilitation results in an improvement of health-related quality of life. Further research concerning the psychosocial situation of children and adolescents in this setting is needed
Background Bringing up children with atopic dermatitis (AD) is widely perceived as being stressful because parenting demands considerable time and energy. There have been only a few studies to assess the extent of problems experienced by the parents. Objective To assess the psychosocial well-being of parents caring for a young child with AD and to examine the relationship between parental quality of life and disease-related and sociodemographic variables. Methods One hundred and eighty-seven parents of young children with AD attending an inpatient rehabilitation clinic participated in the study. At admission, parents completed a set of questionnaires (assessing health-related quality of life, coping with the disease, family functioning). Dermatologists assessed disease severity using the severity scoring of AD index (SCORAD). Results In general, parents cope well with their situation. Compared with normal values, high rates of psychological distress were observed in a subsample of parents of children with AD. Parents of children with a higher severity of disease reported a significantly higher impact on family functioning, a greater financial burden and a higher level of disease management. Parental disease management could be predicted by the familial situation, their personal well-being and the severity of disease of their child. Differences attributed to their child's gender or age were not observed. Conclusions Childhood AD has a profound impact on the emotional and social well-being of many of the parents. The results underline the importance of psychological treatment approaches designed to increase parental well-being and ability to cope with stress and social strain
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of lentiviral transduction on primary murine B cells. Studying B cell activities in vivo or using them for tolerance induction requires that the cells remain unaltered in their biological behavior except for expression of the transgene. As we show here, murine B cells can efficiently be transduced by lentiviral, VSV-G-pseudotyped vectors without the necessity of prior activation. Culture with LPS gave enhanced transduction efficiencies but led to the upregulation of CD86 and proliferation of the cells. Transduction of naive B cells by lentiviral vectors was dependent on multiplicity of infection and did not lead to a concomitant activation. Furthermore, the transduced cells could be used for studies in the NOD mouse system without altering the onset of diabetes. We conclude that lentiviral gene transfer into naive B cells is a powerful tool for manipulation of B cells for therapeutic applications.