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A recent report showed PINK1 transcript levels to be up- or down-regulated by the gain or loss of Ataxin-2 function, respectively, in human blood, in a human neural cell line and in mouse tissues. These observations may have profound implications for the regulation of cell growth and may be medically exploited for the treatment of cancer and neural atrophy...
Intense direct and indirect human pressure has been imposed on grasslands throughout their range. Mostly due to the constant need for more food production or due to changes in environmental conditions, grasslands as habitats are expected to become highly endangered. The aim of this study was to estimate the grasslands’ ecological response to future climate and environmental changes. The study took place in three ecologically different grassland communities in three protected natural areas of Serbia (Southeastern Europe), following the same methodology. The study sites were: 1) Peštersko polje Special Nature Reserve (SNR), 2) Deliblato sands SNR (its southern part: Labudovo okno) and 3) Zasavica SNR.
Climate change was simulated for mean temperatures and precipitations using the Eta Belgrade University-Princeton Ocean Model (EBU-POM) climate model, for the A1B Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission scenario covering the 1951–2100 period and insolation and volumetric soil moisture content for the 1979–2100 period. Grassland vegetation was analysed at all three sites. One representative plant community per site was selected for further analysis and simulation of ecological changes. One plot was positioned inside each of the above-mentioned communities, all vascular plant species inside the plot were recorded, and soil samples were taken. Ecological Optima (EO) for moisture and temperature were calculated from modified Ellenberg’s plant indicator values of recorded species. The plants’ response to climate and environmental changes was simulated using the VSD+ model for the 2010–2100 period. The data obtained from the model were further analysed with Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA).
Overall results show that the temperature rise, along with the irregular precipitation at all three sites, will lead to a drop of the relative abundance of many native species in the period between 2040 and 2060. The low obtained Habitat Suitability Index for the future means that there will be either unfavourable environmental conditions for the development of grasslands, or the species we analysed were untypical. Cosmopolitans and xerothermic species will be more accustomed to the new conditions. Grasses will be the most resilient functional group according to our study. It may be concluded that the functional group of grasses will also play the leading role in future
grasslands at the studied sites.
In April and May 2012 data on Au+Au collisions at beam energies of Ekin = 1.23A GeV were collected with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung facility in Darmstadt, Germany. In this thesis, the production of deuterons in this collision system is investigated.
A total number of 2.1 × 109 Au+Au events is selected, containing the most central 0-40% of events. After particle identification, based on a mass determination via time-of-flight and momentum and on a measurement of the energy loss, the transverse mass spectra of the deuteron candidates are extracted for various rapidities and subsequently corrected for acceptance and efficiency.
The inverse slope parameter of a Boltzmann fit applied to the transverse mass spectra at midrapidity, which is referred to as the effective temperature, is extracted. For a static thermal source, this parameter corresponds to the kinetic freeze-out temperature Tkin and is therefore expected to be smaller or equal to the chemical freeze-out temperature Tchem. The extracted effective temperature of Tef f = (190 ± 10) MeV however exceeds the chemical freeze-out temperature that was obtained by a statistical model fit to different particle yields. The effective temperatures of various particle species, obtained in previous analyses, suggest a systematic rise with increasing particle mass, which is confirmed by the deuteron results.
An explanation can be the influence of a collective expansion with a radial expansion velocity βr. By fitting a Siemens-Rasmussen function to the transverse mass spectra, the global temperature of T = (100 ± 8) MeV and radial expansion velocity βr = 0.37 ± 0.01 are obtained. This temperature is still very high and only takes into account the production of deuteron nuclei.
The simultaneous fit of a blast-wave function to the transverse mass spectra of deuterons and other particles, as obtained by previous analyses, considers a velocity profile for the radial expansion velocity and takes into account the production of various particle species. The resulting global temperature Tkin = (68 ± 1) MeV and average transverse expansion velocity hβri = 0.341 ± 0.003 are within the expected range for the collision energy.
The Siemens-Rasmussen fits are also used to extrapolate the transverse mass spectra into unmeasured regions, to integrate them and obtain a rapidity-dependent count rate. This count rate exhibits a thermal shape for central events and shows increasing spectator contributions for more peripheral events.
The invariant yield spectra of the deuterons are compared to those of protons, as obtained by a previous analysis, in the context of a nucleon coalescence model. The hereby extracted nucleon coalescence factor B2 = (4.6 ± 0.1) × 10−3 agrees with the expected result for the beam energy that was studied.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly; important risk factors are old age and inheritance of the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) allele. Changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) binding, trafficking, and sorting may be important AD causative factors. Secretase-mediated APP cleavage produces neurotoxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, which form lethal deposits in the brain. In vivo and in vitro studies have implicated sortilin-related receptor (SORL1) as an important factor in APP trafficking and processing. Recent in vitro evidence has associated the APOE4 allele and alterations in the SORL1 pathway with AD development and progression. Here, we analyzed SORL1 expression in neural stem cells (NSCs) from AD patients carrying null, one, or two copies of the APOE4 allele. We show reduced SORL1 expression only in NSCs of a patient carrying two copies of APOE4 allele with increased Aβ/SORL1 localization along the degenerated neurites. Interestingly, SORL1 binding to APP was largely compromised; this could be almost completely reversed by γ-secretase (but not β-secretase) inhibitor treatment. These findings may yield new insights into the complex interplay of SORL1 and AD pathology and point to NSCs as a valuable tool to address unsolved AD-related questions in vitro.
Allopatric alpine populations of Phtheochroa frigidana s. lat. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) are reviewed. In addition to traditional diagnostic characters of external morphology, the genitalia structures of everted vesicae in male genitalia and DNA barcodes are analysed. This new approach supports the existence of five rather than two species in Europe: Phtheochroa schawerdae (Rebel, 1908) comb. nov. (Dinaric Mts, Rila Mts, Pirin Mts) = P. drenowskyi (Rebel, 1916) syn. nov.; P. alpinana sp. nov. (SW Alps); P. apenninana sp. nov. (Apennines); P. frigidana (Guenée, 1845) stat. rev. (Pyrenees) = P. flavidana (Guenée, 1845) = P. sulphurana (Guenée, 1845) = P. andorrana (Millière, 1865); P. cantabriana sp. nov. (Cantabrian Mts). In order to stabilize the nomenclature, a neotype for Eupoecilia frigidana is designated.
In this paper we propose a sociological concept of innovation capable of transcending the limitations faced by the approaches of common theories of action. The concept was formulated by Ulrich Oevermann and is based upon Max Weber’s theory of charismatic authority. We apply this concept to archaeological data, using the example of Neolithic copper metallurgy in central Europe, and discuss the importance of analyzing innovations that failed to materialize even though they might have been "in the air" at the time. The concept sketched here enables the scientific study of such a phenomenon.
The process of urbanization is one of the major causes of the global loss of biodiversity; however, cities nowadays also have the potential to serve as new habitats for wildlife. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, L. 1758) is a typical example of a wildlife species that reaches stable population densities in cities. Due to intense plant and soil damages, German city authorities aim to control high rabbit densities through the application of a yearly hunting regime (e. g., in Munich, Berlin or Frankfurt am Main). In contrast, population densities of O. cuniculus are on decline in German rural areas, i. e., numbers of yearly hunting bags decreased. The aim of my doctoral thesis was to answer the following research questions: Do population densities of the European rabbit correlate with the intensity of urbanization in and around Frankfurt am Main and if so, which factors play a role in varying densities? How are burrow construction behaviors and group sizes, daytime activity patterns and anti-predator behaviors as well as communication behaviors of this mammal affected by urbanization?
In my first study, I focused on population dynamics across 17 different study sites in and around Frankfurt. As one of yet few studies, I invented an approach that quantified the intensity of urbanization (degree of urbanity) of each study site base on four variables: (1) intensity of anthropogenic disturbance per min and ha, (2) number of residents within a radius of 500 m, (3) proportion of artificial ground cover and (4) numbers of anthropogenic objects per ha. Spearman rank correlations confirmed that with increasing degree of urbanity also rabbit and burrow densities increased. The access to dense shrubs, bushes etc. as suitable sites for burrow construction is the most determining factor for rabbit abundances, and therefore I presumed different densities along the rural-to-urban gradient to be driven by shifts in the availability of thick vegetation.
In the second study, I calculated two indices that in both cases classified burrows to be either accumulated, evenly or randomly distributed within study sites. Additionally, in cooperation with local hunters the number of burrow entrances and animals that occupy the same burrow had been determined during the hunting season. With increasing degree of urbanity burrow distribution patterns shifted from accumulated in rural areas towards more evenly distributed within the city center of Frankfurt. This is a clear sign for an increasing access to sites suitable for burrow construction along the rural to-urban gradient. Additional Spearman rank correlations revealed that the external dimensions of burrows decreased (shorter distances between entrances) and that burrows became less complex (fewer entrances) along the rural-to-urban gradient. In accordance, the number of rabbits that commonly shared the same burrow system was highest within rural areas, whereas I found mainly pairs and single individuals within highly urbanized study sites.
In the last study I compared activity patterns, burrow use and percentages of anti-predator behaviors from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset of rural, suburban and urban rabbit groups. A linear mixed model (LMM) and Spearman rank correlations confirmed that rabbits located at urban and suburban sites spent more time outside their protective burrows compared to their rural conspecifics. At suburban sites, individuals invested the least amount of time in anti-predator behavior. Results of this third study gave evidence that suburban rabbit populations on one hand benefit from less predation pressure by natural predators in comparison to rural sites, whereas on the other hand are exposed to less intense disturbance by humans compared to urban study sites.
The last study focused on the effects that urbanization had on the latrine-based communication behavior of rabbits. As many other mammals, O. cuniculus exchange information via the deposition of excreta in latrines, and depending on the intended receiver(s), latrines are either formed in central areas for within-group communication or at territorial boundaries, e. g., for between-group communication. The relative importance of within- vs. between-group communication depends on, amongst other factors, population densities and group sizes which I proved both to shift along the considered rural-to-urban gradient. I determined latrine sizes, latrine densities and latrine utilization frequencies relative to their distance to the nearest burrow at 15 different study sites. Latrine densities and utilization frequencies increased with increasing distance from the burrow in suburban and urban populations whereas at rural sites, largest latrines and those containing the most fecal pellets were close to the burrow, suggesting that within-group communication prevailed.
To sum up, for the first time, I was able to relate shifts in the ecology and behavior of the European rabbit as adaptations to a gradual anthropogenic habitat alteration that are typical for “urban exploiters”. Especially the suburban habitat provides high landscape heterogeneity (“edge habitat“) which is essential for high and stable rabbit populations. Moreover, here, comparably low human disturbance and predation pressure are given in contrast to the agriculturally transformed, open landscapes which are nowadays typical for most rural areas in central Europe. I argue that this mainly leads to the observed behavioral changes along the rural-to-urban gradient. Future plans for rural land management actions should aim to increase refuge availability by generating networks of ecotones. This would also benefit species that depend on similar ecosystem structures as the European rabbit and are on decline in Germany.
This revision concerns a small group of Western Palaearctic Copris species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea:
Scarabaeidae) distinguished by having three lateral teeth on the foretibae. According to the literature, this group consists of four taxa: Copris armeniacus Faldermann, 1835, C. felschei Reitter, 1892, C. pueli Mollandin de Boissy, 1905 and C. umbilicatus Abeille de Perrin, 1901. Copris armeniacus is herein deemed a species inquirenda, and C. felschei, for which a neotype is designated, is deemed valid. Copris umbilicatus is recorded for the fi rst time from Turkey. A key to all species of the genus Copris known from the Western Palaearctic is provided. Variability of the cephalic and pronotal armature, and morphology of the parameres are illustrated.
For centuries the continent of Africa has been characterised by negative images such as poverty, disease and conflicts. Today, however, the People's Republic of China's growing presence in Africa, particularly with regards to China-Africa business relations, brings new vitality to the continent. This new movement is not a windfall but rather obtained through the hard work of both African and Chinese people at various levels. Narrating on daily experiences of Chinese merchants and their vivid interactions with people in Botswana, this book decodes the frustrating while rewarding process through which China-Africa relations have been maturing on the grass-roots level. This book not only presents insights and suggestions to both Botswana and Chinese policy makers interested in understanding their constituents' everyday interactions with each other, but also offers readers interested more broadly in contemporary Chinese experiences in Africa a fascinating glimpse into these cross-cultural encounters. This book is an original and pioneering study of issues that resonate in almost every African country which has responded to a growing Chinese presence. It argues that as the process of globalisation permeates the everyday lives of people, each individual is empowered to be an 'ambassador' in shaping international relations.