Bøger udgivet af Cuvillier

The ecological usage of wood as a carbon store, a substitute for fossil-intensive materials, and a direct alternative for fossil fuels has garnered tremendous attention. A variety of public and private activities therefore aim to increase the efficient usage of wood in networks. Because inter-organizational IT can play an important role in the efficient utilization of wood, the overall goal of this dissertation thesis is to provide practitioners, policy makers, and researchers with deep insights into how to effectively promote and use inter-organizational IT in the wood industry. This cumulative dissertation is the results of a research project at the DFG Resource Training Group 1703 ¿Resource Efficiency in Interorganizational Networks¿ and the Chair of Information Management at the University of Göttingen. It presents eight studies in the fields of adoption, value co-creation, and governance of inter-organizational IT, encompassing a rich data set of 19 interviews and 833 questionnaires. The theoretical and practical insights gained from the data analysis enable policy makers to effectively promote inter-organizational IT for the wood industry and allow practitioners in wood networks to effectively design their IT usage, IT processes, and IT governance. Researchers find a variety of new avenues for studying the phenomena of IT non-adoption under consideration of industry specifics, IT-based value co-creation through the lens of inter-organizational IT alignment, and distinct modes of effective IT network governance.

Worldwide rapidly increasing urbanization is intensifying the demand for foods, particularly those of animal origin, in the urban centers. Peri-urban dairy production has already a longstanding tradition in Pakistan (chapter 1), but these dairy production systems have their unique characteristics, opportunities and constraints. Although in general they are economically profitable, the profitability varies tremendously between farms. Poor managerial practices, lack of knowledge about balanced feeding and feed scarcity management, poor hygiene in milk production and handling, and unsupervised use of veterinary medicines leading to drug residues in milk are recognized as major technical challenges for peri-urban dairy farmers in Pakistan. Therefore, efforts must be made to improve management practices of peri-urban dairy units in such a way that farm income is increased and product quality and safety is assured.Qualitative and semi-quantitative data obtained from 139 interviews with peri-urban dairy farmers in Faisalabad, Pakistan, was subjected to cluster analysis to identify homogenous groups of farms regarding animal management, milk yields and marketing strategies (chapter 2). Four distinct production systems were identified. Semi-commercial small scale mixed systems (SSM; 31%) combined crop and livestock production, and fodder was primarily produced for own livestock. Semi-commercial small scale dairy producers (SSD; 21.6%) had few buffaloes and cattle and low income. Commercial small scale dairy producers (CSD; 37.4%) were mostly well-off and produced substantial quantities of milk year-round. Commercial large scale dairy farms (CLD; 10%) showed the highest input and output levels. In all systems most of the produced milk was sold (SSM: 69%, SSD: 69%, CSD: 87%; CLD: 94%). Negligence in breeding, wastage of high yielding buffaloes, high costs of feedstuffs, an unfavorable marketing system and lack of a diversified dairy value chain were the main constraints for all production systems. Improving resources use efficiency, especially with respect to animal genetics and nutrition, should encourage these peri-urban dairy farmers to produce more milk for sale, serving both the increasing urban demand and their own income.

In recent years, the tremendous growth of the Internet and the increasing demand of user applications have resulted in a number of architectural changes to the Internet infrastructure. By its original, the Internet based on the packet-switched technology has been designed for delivering packets in a best effort fashion: the end systems do not need to inform the network prior to transmitting their IP packets, whole routers simply perform routing and forwarding of these packets without distinguishing from each other. However, this design has been challenged due to the new requirements which have been dramatically different from over 30 years ago. For example, to realize the bandwidth and connectivity on demand for the service providers, a signaling protocol seems to be critical.Signaling is not a new topic. In the telecommunication industry, signaling is common and can be dated back to when circuit switches first replaced human telephone operators. Even the modern Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) [187] began its development in the mid 1970¿s, based on the idea that relies on a separate control element (i.e., the SS6 signal switches) to signal to other control element to set up, manage and release voice trunk lines required to make a call. Based on the signaling standard for ISDN [8], ITU-T standardized a Q.2931 signaling protocol [9] which allows ATM nodes to exchange control of information, request the use of network resources, or negotiate for the use of circuit parameters, for instance, mapping between an input set and an output set of virtual circuit parameters, for instance, mapping between an input set and an output set of virtual circuit identifiers (VCIs) and virtual path identifiers (VPIs). Essentially, signaling protocols manages states in network nodes. They generally reflect some requirements of an end-to-end session/call to the traverses nodes. Thus, they need to be maintained properly, especially when network ¿conditions¿ change (e.g., some link or node fails, or the traversing route changes). The task of a signaling protocol involves establishing, maintaining and removing network control states, traversing from one end system to another through the network. Hence, the concept of signaling protocol discussed in this book mainly targets at network control state singnaling.

In this study, the grain boundary-free surface line tension and grain boundary triple line tension were investigated on copper polycrystals, nanowires, and tricrystals through a thermodynamically correct approach which allows a direct and precise measurement of the line tension. The grain boundary-free surface line tension was determined by comparing the dihedral angle at the root of a flat and a curved grain boundary groove. A measurement of grain boundary triple line tension was achieved by the investigation of the force equilibrium at a triple junction as established by the inclination of the adjourning grain boundary grooves at the root of the triple junction. The experimental technique utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) to scan the surface topography of grain boundary thermal grooves and triple junctions.The mean value of the dihedral angle on a flat grain boundary groove in copper polycrystals was 161.8°, with a scatter of 2.3°. Assuming a surface energy of 1.75J/m2, the corresponding grain boundary energy was about 0.6J/m2. The grain boundary energies of a low angle grain boundary (9.4°) and a special grain boundary (near ¿=17) were only 0.4J/m2. By comparing the dihedral angles at the root of a grain boundary groove on random grain boundaries and nanowires, the grain boundary-free surface line tension was derived to be (2.1±0.9)×10-8J/m on average. It was demonstrated that the normal shape of a thermal groove and a negative value of the grain boundary-free surface line tension can not be in equilibrium.

This dissertation focuses on the molecular systematic analysis of the genusCorchorus (Malvaceae s.l.), investigated for the first time using nuclear rDNA ITSsequences, and addresses diversity of selected species, which were conductedusing morphological, molecular, and flow cytometry methods.Prior to this study, little information was available regarding the biodiversity andpotential use of jute (Corchorus species) in Ethiopian agriculture. The present studysummarizes species¿ ecological distribution, use, and ethnobotany of Corchorusspecies in Ethiopia. About 13 species were recorded, ranking the country second inthe total number of species in Africa. The study revealed low similarity in speciescomposition between the regional states, indicating that each region has its ownunique set of species. Farmers¿ perception, indigenous knowledge and folk taxonomyof jute species are more comprehensive in the southwest than other studied regionsof the country. Although several jute species are found in Ethiopia, they are neithercultivated nor popularly used as leafy vegetables. This part of the dissertationemphasizes the need for creating of public awareness of jute in Ethiopian agricultureand recommends conservation measures for some threatened species.

Die vorliegende Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit den experimentellen und analytischenUntersuchungen an der Kathode einer auf Polybenzimidazol (PBI) und Phosphorsäurebasierten Hochtemperatur-Polymer-Elektrolyt-Membran-Brennstoffzelle (HT-PEM-BZ). DieCharakterisierung der Reaktionszonen an der Elektroden-Elektrolyt-Grenzfläche der Kathodewurde mittels chronoamperometrischer Messungen vorgenommen. Der transienteZellstromverlauf bei einer Veränderung der Zellspannung wurde anhand von CottrellschenGleichungen aufgezeichnet und analysiert. Die Cottrellschen Darstellungen zweiermodifizierter Kathoden zeigen eine Trennung der Zweiphasen- und Dreiphasenreaktionszone.Cottrellsches Verhalten einer durchschnittlichen, kommerziellen Kathode kann als eineKombination der modifizierten Kathoden aufgefasst werden. Weitere Analysen zeigen dieMöglichkeit auf, die für die Reaktion verfügbare Katalysatoroberfläche zu quantifizieren, unddass sich ein dünner Elektrolytfilm auf den Katalysatoroberflächen bildet.Die Entdeckung des Auftretens einer Zellstromhysterese durch Temperaturänderung wirdvorgestellt. Der Zellstromverlust nach einem Temperaturzyklus wird durch eineZellspannungserhöhung auf Leerlaufspannung wiederhergestellt. Frühere Untersuchungenzeigen, dass möglicherweise der Transport des erzeugten Wassers für den temporärenZellstromverlust verantwortlich ist. Die Erholung des Zellstroms verläuft proportional zu demBetrag des Zellspannungsanstiegs. Auf der Basis der anfänglichen Untersuchungen und einerintensiven Literaturrecherche wird eine Hypothese zu dem beobachteten Phänomenaufgestellt. Der Effekt wird den Wechselwirkungen der auf der Platinkatalysatoroberflächeadsorbierten Spezies zugeschrieben. Ein auf dem Monte-Carlo-Verfahren basierendes Modellwurde dazu verwendet, die Temperaturabhängigkeit der adsorbierten Phosphorsäure zubeschreiben. Das Modell wird auf Grundlage des Alterungsprozesses des Katalysators, der zueinem Platinpartikelwachstum führt, validiert. Die Ergebnisse der Simulation stimmenqualitativ mit den experimentellen Messungen überein und können daher teilweise den in derHypothese beschriebenen Mechanismus des Zellstromverlustes beweisen.

In the human body almost all cells contain the same genetic material; however, individual cells can perform vastly different functions. This is only possible, if different genes are active in different cell types. Furthermore, every cell stems from the same zygote; Hence the genetic information in cells needs to undergo reprogramming during differentiation. These processes require precise time dependent and robust control of gene expression, i.e. both stable and dynamic gene activation and silencing. The ¿ATCG¿ DNA base sequence alone cannot control these processes. To enable the regulation of gene activity, cytosine bases in DNA can be further modified. The presence of methylated cytosines is long known to silence genes and aberrant methylation is the reason for many diseases including cancer. Thus, DNA modification is one of the most fundamental events in epigenetics.

Spin-sensitive low temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) measurements provide the unique capability to study structural, electronic and magnetic properties of individual and coupled magnetic atoms on surfaces with high energy resolution. In this thesis, spin-polarized STM (SP-STM) and Inelastic Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (ISTS) are utilized to investigate Fe atoms on the semiconducting InSb(110) surface and the metallic Cu(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. Model calculations of tunneling through an excitable quantum spin system and analytical investigations of the model, as well as quasi-classical and Ising model calculations of coupled spin systems prepare the ground for the theoretical description of the experiments. The ISTS measurements of Fe on InSb(110) are the first observation of spin excitations of individual magnetic atoms on a semiconductor surface. By comparing the experimental data to Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations performed by S. Schuwalow and F. Lechermann and to model calculations, it is found that the Fe atoms behave like quantum spins with spin quantum number S = 1, which are subject to magnetic anisotropy in the meV range. The Fe atoms are coupled to a two dimensional electron system (2DES) which is induced at the surface by positively charged adsorbates. The spectroscopic peaks of the spin-split Landau levels of this 2DES show an asymmetry of their amplitudes when the tunnel current is passed through the Fe atoms. It is shown that the Landau level asymmetry, recorded as a function of external magnetic field, can be interpreted as a new type of Single Atom Magnetization Curve (SAMC). Measurements of the Landau level asymmetry with magnetic tips can be used to quantitatively determine the spin polarization of the tip. SP-STM measurements of the SAMCs of single Fe atoms on Cu(111) show that the Fe atoms behave paramagnetically with a broad statistical distribution of the effective magnetic moment, centered around 3.5 ¿B. ISTS measurements on the same system reveal a magnetic anisotropy energy in the meV range, a g-factor of about 2.1, and a very broad, energy dependent spin-excitation line width in the meV range. Analogous ISTS measurements of Fe on Ag(111) show similar behavior, but with a three times larger anisotropy energy, and a g-factor of roughly 3.1. The observations can be interpreted in the context of advanced calculations including spin-orbit coupling and the Cu/Ag(111) surface state performed by S. Lounis et al..

Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Synthese magnetisch interessanter Koordinationscluster der frühen Übergangsmetalle Vanadium und Chrom in Verbindung mit 4f-Metallionen. Die relativen Beiträge der jeweilig beteiligten Ionen zu dem gesamt resultierenden magnetischen Moment sollte untersucht werden, um zu sehen, ob diese Art von 3d/4f Verbindungen eine vielversprechende Route zu einer neuen Klasse von Einzelmolekülmagneten (Single-Molecule Magnets, SMMs) darstellt.Eine Reihe von Chrom-Lanthanoid und Vanadium-Lanthanoid-Verbindungen mit N-methyldiethanolamin- und N-n-butyldiethanolaminliganden wurde synthetisiert und auf ihre magnetischen Eigenschaften hin untersucht.Desweiteren wurden Reaktionen von Chrom und Vanadium in Verbindung mit 2-pyridyltriazol-Liganden durchgeführt und auch diese auf ihre magnetischen Eigenschaften hin untersucht. Als interessanteste Ergebnisse sind ein achtkerniger [Cr4Dy4]-3d/4f-Komplex zu nennen, der das erste Beispiel für eine Cr-Ln-Verbindung darstellt, die Einzelmolekülmagnet-Verhalten aufweist.Desweiteren ist es gelungen, das erste Beispiel einer V-Ln-Verbindung darzustellen, die als Einzelmolekülmagnet identifiziert werden konnte. Es handelt sich dabei um eine kristallographisch sehr interessante Struktur eines [V8Dy6]-Kerns.Aus Solvothermalreaktionen von Chrom und Vanadium in Verbindung mit den 2-pyridyltriazol-Liganden ist eine dimere Chromverbindung hervorzuheben, bei der es sich um eine der ersten Verbindungen handelt, die eine ferromagnetische Kopplung zwischen den Cr-Cr-Metallzentren aufweist.

The book describes a new mathematical model for intracellular protein folding and the implementation of this model in the form of a novel simulation software. Besides, the related biological, chemical, and physical background, important for understanding and rationalization of the proposed model, is outlined, and a short overview of the best-known methods for protein structure prediction and molecular modeling is given.The first chapter provides a general introduction to the problem, characterizes the chemical structure of proteins, and summarizes amino acid properties, including chirality and ionization behavior. After that, the principles of quantum mechanics and their consequences for the molecular structure are described. The discussion goes over to covalent and hydrogen bonding, as well as to electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. Further, some known facts about the three-dimensional structure of proteins and typical conformations of amino acids are outlined, followed by a quick glance at the hydrophobic effect and the interaction of charged groups with the solvent. Later on the focus is shifted to biological aspects, starting with chaperons and assisted protein folding, mentioning prions, which put into question the popular hypothesis about the global energy minimum of any native structure, and continuing with details of protein synthesis in the cell, which constituted the basis for the proposed model. The chapter finishes with a short description of experimental methods for protein structure prediction and with some information about databases for storage of known protein structures.The second chapter starts with a short overview of the knowledge-based protein structure prediction and ab initio protein folding approaches, then continues with empirical molecular mechanics force fields, typically used for molecular modeling. After that, it describes computation of atomic partial charges with a focus on the procedure of J. Gasteiger and M. Marsili, and proceeds with some models for hydrogen bonding. The chapter ends with a discussion about implicit solvation models.The third chapter describes the new modeling approach and some mathematical theory developed in relation to it. The idea of the model is to simulate a process resembling intracellular cotranslational folding. An attachment of a new residue is performed in a way that the formed peptide group is disposed in the trans conformation, and only the chain twisting about certain single bonds is allowed. Transitions with an energy increase are permitted to a limited extent. Beside the electrostatic and van der Waals interactions, the proposed model incorporates hydrogen and disulfide bonding, solvation effects, and dielectric screening at the protein surface. A general expression connecting interatomic distances and dihedral angles is derived, which resulted in a formulation of the model in the space of molecular torsion angles. Twisting forces are computed analytically and utilized for the improvement of computational efficiency the folding simulations. Besides, equations for dynamics in the space of torsion angles are derived, and a conclusion related to folding pathways is drawn.The last chapter discusses some non-technical details related to the implementation of the proposed model, including a number of developed algorithms, and the resulting simulation software. The chapter ends with a short discussion of simulation results and with an outlook.This book is aimed in the first place to biophysicists and bioinformaticians, but can be also interesting for theoretical chemists, mathematicians, and molecular biologists, since it includes a broad interdisciplinary overview accompanied by unique visualizations, which were performed with the help of the simulation software developed by the author.

Social integration and marriage are important factors as regards health and disease outcomes (e.g. Berkman, Glass, Brissette, & Seeman, 2000; Cohen, 1988; Fone, Dunstan, Lloyd, Williams et al., 2007; Kaplan & Kronick, 2006; Orth-Gomer & Johnson, 1987). Social support is one mechanism by which social integration, and happy marriage in particular, was hypothesized to increase individual health. But despite the flourishing research in this area, few specific supportive interactions have been found to actually increase individual well¿ being and health, and some researchers have failed to show any beneficial effect of received support (Bolger, Zuckerman, & Kessler, 2000; Coyne & Bolger, 1990; Frazier, Tix, & Barnett, 2003). High social support was even found to decrease physical well¿being under certain circumstances (Cohen & Hoberman, 1983). The effect of social support on health outcomes has been shown to be mediated by biological processes (Uchino, 2006), which have been investigated especially in stress situations. An adaptive response to acute stress is reflected in an increase and a subsequent decrease of biological stress indicators, which are central to maintaining the body¿s homeostasis (McEwen, 1998b). Maladaptation of the body¿s stress systems has been found to be predictive of various psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders (for an overview, see Heinrichs & Gaab, 2007; and Thayer & Sternberg, 2006).

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine umfassende Charakterisierung der Morphologie und Produktbildung des Modellstammes Aspergillus niger SKAN1015 in Abhängigkeit von verschiedenen environomischen Bedingungen durchgeführt. Beispielhaft erfolgt in Batchkultivierungen die Variation des volumenbezogenen rührerinduzierten Leistungseintrags (6 bis 2919 W m-3), der Sporenkonzentration zu Kultivierungsbeginn (104 bis 107 Sporen mL-1) sowie des pH-Werts (konstanter pH-Wert, pH-Shift) als maßgebliche Faktoren, die die Morphologie und Produktbildung beeinflussen. Als Modellprodukt wird dabei das homolog-rekombinante Enzym ¿-Fructofuranosidase (SUCA, EC 3.2.1.26) unter Regulation des konstitutiven Promotors der Pyruvatkinase (Ppki) betrachtet. Zur Beschreibung der Morphologie in Abhängigkeit vom Environom wird kultivierungsbegleitend das Biomasse- und Pelletwachstum u. a. anhand bildanalytischer Auswerteverfahren bestimmt sowie die intrapartikuläre Pelletstruktur über mikroskopische Aufnahmen und Mikrotomschnitte repräsentativer Pellets charakterisiert. Die Bildung von ¿-Fructofuranosidase wird ausgehend von der Genexpression über die Synthese bis hin zur Freisetzung in den Kultivierungsüberstand unter Berücksichtigung environomischer und morphologischer Parameter untersucht. Darüber hinaus werden zur Analyse des physiologischen Zustands der Biomasse sowohl Stoffwechselprozesse als auch Expressionsanalysen ausgewählter Gene aus den Bereichen Morphologie, Metabolismus, Stressantwort und Sekretion betrachtet. Durch diese systematische Analyse von Prozessen auf genetischer, mikro- und makroskopischer Ebene werden vielfältige Verknüpfungen von Environom, Morphologie und Produktbildung identifiziert und schließlich Optimierungspotentiale des Produktionsprozesses mit filamentösen Mikroorganismen aufgezeigt.

In every day life the immiscibility of polar and non-polar components is a common problem. For instance molten chocolate coating already firms up, if it encounters the slightest bit of water. A smart possibility to overcome this problem is the use of microemulsions, which contain at least a polar, non-polar and an amphiphilic component. The formulation of bio compatible microemulsions is limited by the choice of surfactants permissible for applications in food, pharmaceutics and cosmetics. This work presents a progress and first milestones in formulating food-grade microemulsions which are suitable for all these applications. Triglycerides and phospholipids are edible, organic and thus the favored components. Microemulsions based on these were investigated. The first milestones towards the formulation of food-grade microemulsions are presented. Performed SANS measurements show, that microemulsions of the type H2O/NaCl ¿ triglyceride ¿ phospholipid ¿ edible co-surfactant exhibit a bicontinuous structure. Systematic studies were performed on how these microemulsions can be tuned regarding temperature range, surfactant mass fraction and structure. Therefore, the influence of bio-compatible hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic components on the phase behavior was investigated separately in well known (not food acceptable) model systems. Based on this work, a novel technique to introduce a polar into a non-polar phase and vice versa using a microemulsion or lamellar phase at low surfactant mass fractions was developed. This new invention of eXpandible moisture adapting sheets (X-mas) highlights the many possibilities of edible microemulsion for industrial exploitation.

Two-component systems (TCSs) are the chief signal transduction systems used by bacteria for sensing their environment and auxiliary proteins provide response to additional stimuli. The Cpx pathway is one prevalent TCS in Gram¬negative bacteria which consists of the membrane integrated histidine kinase CpxA, the cytoplasmic response regulator CpxR and the periplasmic auxiliary CpxP protein. The Cpx pathway is activated by different signals that typically emerge during infection such as elevated pH, increased osmolarity, surface contact and accumulation of adhesin subunits. After induction, CpxA autophosphorylates, activates CpxR by phosphorylation and CpxR~P finally acts as a transcription regulator of target genes. It was known from other studies that the auxiliary CpxP protein inhibits CpxA autophosphorylation presumably by direct protein-protein interaction and that CpxP supports degradation of P pili that are crucial for uropathogenic Escherichia coli during kidney colonization. However, it was not clear how these two important biological functions of CpxP are linked.In this study, the crystal structure of the bifunctional auxiliary CpxP protein was solved at 1.45 Å of resolution. Two monomers displaying a novel fold are interdigitated like ¿left hands¿ forming a cap-shaped dimer. Each monomer is strengthened by double hydrogen bonds between two highly conserved LTxxQ repeat motifs. Based on the combined structural and functional studies we propose that CpxP inhibits its cognate histidine sensor kinase CpxA through direct interaction between its concave polar surface and the negatively charged sensor domain on CpxA. Sensing misfolded pilus subunits by direct interaction with an elongated hydrophobic cleft on the convex surface induces the release of CpxP from CpxA.Due to their central role in bacterial virulence regulation and their absence in animals including human beings, TCSs have been suggested as targets for antimicrobials. Blocking protein-protein interaction between CpxP and pili would prevent the formation of the essential biogenesis and quality control system of pili and consequently prevent adhesion. Thus, the structural details from this study highlight CpxP as a future target for antimicrobials against a TCS acting from the exterior of the bacterial cell.

An ethnic group¿s specific social life depends on a selection of manners in which members approach one another or take position towards a person or group. The characteristics of this conventional behaviour create social identity. This book will prove how a structure pattern functions as a basic principle for the moulding of various forms of social habits.In order to communicate such a pattern it is coded into myths and passed on with mythical tales and motives. Myths therefore enable both the constancy and the transformation of ethnic identity in a social community.A mythical song of the Asmat in Papua will be quoted in order to decode a specific structural pattern. It turns out to be interwoven with a socio-political, economical and cosmological context. But also features of the landscape that this ethnic group inhabits, offer astonishing analogies to the pattern, which determines its social and cultural life. Both are characterized by the absence of clear borders.Symbolically, the Asmat¿s strategy to abolish borders is represented by a dugout canoe. It is this means of transport that makes social relationships possible. In a carved form, designed for ritual purposes, it is also considered as a vehicle for ancestors returning to their home-village to attend a festival. It eliminates separation in our world but also represents the absence of division to other spheres of existence. The dugout is therefore an illustrative symbol for the structure pattern upon which the social life of the Asmat is based.

The aim of this thesis was to study the effect of propionate (C3) and ¿-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on the mRNA abundance of reference genes (RGs) and of the genes of interest (GOI) related to energy balance, by short term incubation (4 h) in bovine AT explants in vitro. Herein, we focused on three aspects: First, the differential effect of C3 and BHB on RGs and their use in gene expression normalization to improve the reliability of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) data. For this purpose, geNormTM and Normfinder© programs were used to identify the RGs with highest stability. The geometric mean of the RGs identified by geNormTM as being most stable in C3 and BHB treatment was used for accurate normalization. Second, to explore the effects of C3 and BHB on the mRNA abundance of energy balance related genes in subcutaneous (SC) and retroperitoneal (RP) adipose tissue (AT) explants. We demonstrated that in vitro stimulation of bovine SC and RP AT explants with different concentrations of C3 or BHB in short-term exerts differentiated effects on the mRNA abundance of the analyzed energy balance related genes adiponectin, adiponectin Receptor 1 (AdipoR1), AdipoR2, peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPAR¿2), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ¿ (C/EBP¿), facilitated glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1). Adiponectin receptor 1 and AdipoR2 mRNA were less affected by BHB than by C3 in the bovine explant model, indicating that the bovine adiponectin system might be more sensitive to C3 than to BHB. The mRNA abundance of PPAR¿2, a key regulator of adipogenesis, was increased by C3 in SC AT explants, while C3 suppressed mRNA abundance of IRS-1 in RP AT. The insulin-induced alterations were limited to the mRNAs of free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3) and IL-6 in SC and RP AT, respectively, for which a trend (P¿0.15) for increased abundances was recorded. Third, we established a bovine primary preadipocyte culture for characterizing the mRNA expression of the genes encoding C/EBP¿, FFAR2, FFAR3, fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) and PPAR¿2 during differentiation. In addition to increased mRNA abundance of the GOI during differentiation, we demonstrated the presence of FFAR2 and FFAR3 mRNA not only in both AT depots but also in differentiating preadipocytes isolated from bovine SC AT.

The topic of the thesis is banks and the Swiss economy. It consists of four main partswhich make empirical contributions to the fields of banking, productivity analysis,financial economics, macroeconomics and economic history. The first part describesthe construction of a newly developed data set, containing balance sheets and profit& loss accounts of Swiss banks from 1906-2007.The second part is about banking intermediation efficiency in Switzerland. Bankingefficiency is estimated utilizing stochastic frontier analysis. The results show thatstate owned cantonal banks and co-operatives are more stable in terms of efficiencythan big universal banks. There is little variation in cost efficiency. Scale effects arepresent, while banks with market power do not seem to obstruct smaller banks. Arisk measure based on the Basel II standardized approach is included to incorporatethe cost of risk.The third part investigates Swiss banking crises and their effect on the Swiss economy.Banking crises are determined by estimating deviations from potential returnon equity with Bayesian dynamic stochastic frontier analysis. Several periods of distressare revealed. The most prominent are the Great Depression, the mortgage crisisof the 1990s, the burst of the dot-com bubble and the onset of the sub-prime crisis in2007. These are put in historical perspective. The deviations from potential outputare included in a Bayesian dynamic factor model in order to generate an aggregatedbanking distress measure. To estimate the macroeconomic effects of banking crisesthis indicator is used in a time-varying coefficients Bayesian vector autoregressionwith sign restrictions identification setup. The results show that GDP growth, thebanking sector and credit conditions responded strongly to banking shocks. Thedependence of the Swiss economy on its banking industry is strongest during theGreat Depression, weak in the mid 20th century and regains importance during the1990s/2000s. Credit conditions relax earlier now than in the 1930s, while banksrecover more quickly.The fourth part studies the reduction in macroeconomic volatility in Switzerlandfrom 1949-2006 with respect to an abatement in economic shocks. The data for aset of variables are compared with the predictions from a dynamic stochastic generalequilibrium model with financial frictions using a relative mean square approximationerror. The hypothesis, that a large part of the reduction in macroeconomicvolatility in the last 25-30 years could be the consequence of ¿good luck¿ in form ofsmaller shocks, cannot be rejected.

The goal of this study was to compare production systems and potential for further developmentof beef buffalo and beef cattle farms in northeastern Thailand aiming at an improvement ofproduction and as a consequence of farmers¿ livelihoods. The specific objectives were:1. to better understand and re-examine characteristics of the livestock farms and reasons forkeeping livestock,2. to assess socio-economic and livelihood benefits of the livestock for the farmers,3. to investigate the livestock husbandry including farm management, feeding and breedingpractices,4. to explore farmers¿ perceptions of favourable traits of buffaloes and cattle and reasons forthe decline of the buffalo population,5. to investigate social and environmental impacts as well as problems and needs of thelivestock farming according to the farmers¿ point of view.The following hypotheses were tested to achieve the objectives of the study:1. Characteristics of livestock farming and reasons for keeping livestock differ between beefbuffalo and beef cattle farms and between herd sizes.2. Differences between beef buffalo and beef cattle farms and between herd sizes have aneffect on socio-economics and livelihoods of the farmers.3. There are differences in farm management, feeding management and breeding practicesbetween beef buffalo and beef cattle farms and between herd sizes.4. Beef buffalo farms have a lower level of farm inputs and a higher potential for improvingthe production.5. Community and environmental conflicts are caused by livestock farming depending onanimal species and herd size.

Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) is a powerful technique to observe surfaces at the atomiclevel. The resolution of this STM technique is good enough to study the electronic properties of singlemolecules adsorbed onto metallic substrates. An important step towards controllable single moleculartechnologies is the determination of how the molecule-substrate interaction changes the localmolecular electronic structure. Since this electronic structure of molecules is strongly perturbed by theelectrons of the underlying metallic substrate, an electronic decoupling of the molecules from themetal surface is required to isolate the electronic properties of an individual molecule.Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) has found many applications in different fields of science,because it allows the determination of the distance between two chromophores in the 1-10 nm range.In addition to other factors, this energy transfer is also dependent on the relative orientation of donorand acceptor chromophores to each other.This thesis describes the design, synthesis and investigations of model compounds for:1). STM induced light emission experiments from single molecules and2). for FRET studies.Chapter 1 provides an introduction to cyclophanes, energy transfer and scanning tunnellingmicroscopy.Chapter 2 gives a description of the aims of this work, which is split into the synthesis of cyclophanesfor STM induced luminescence investigations and FRET studies. The later is complemented by thesynthesis of a linear NDI system.Chapter 3 describes the design, synthesis and characterisation of all model compounds. In the first halfSTM investigations are presented and the electronic structure of two cyclophanes and complexationstudies of the crown ether model compound are discussed. In the second half a modular synthetic routeto asymmetric N,N¿-naphthalenediimides is presented for FRET studies.Chapter 4 gives a summary of this thesis and presents a short outlook.Chapter 5 provides the synthesis and characterisation of all the compounds listed in this thesis andexperimental details for STM investigations.

Forests and forestry in developing countries are major sources of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, but they are carbon dioxide sinks at the same time. They will suffer from increasing temperatures, but they can also help humanity to adapt to climate change. Land use decisions play a pivotal role in national development. The book resumes over a decade of policy advice. It starts by focusing the global frameset of forest-related mitigation activities under the Climate Convention.The subsequent chapters shed light on the diverse underlying methodological and economic issues. The final chapter proposes how to collect funds for tasks of global common interest like the reduction of emissions from forests or supporting adaptation to climate change, while at the same time strengthening the commitment of the beneficiaries towards the international climate regime. The book concludes that forestry as a means of mitigating climate change is special compared to other sectors, and that environmental risks in striking the balance between environmental effectiveness, cost-efficiency and equity are posing important challenges. Besides identifying the key issues in climate forestry, the book offers pragmatic solutions for the integration of forests into international climate policy.

Fertilizer has helped the growth of agriculture for decades. However, its overuse in some regions has caused environmental and health problems due to pollution and contamination of groundwater.Fertilizer quality is another cause for concern in many countries, as the actual nutrient content may not match the labeled content on the packaging.The North China Plain is a region affected by both fertilizer overuse and quality problems. This study delves into the issue using economic models and survey data of farm households. Is the effectiveness of fertilizer overstated? How do farmers respond to uncertainty in fertilizer quality? Can they differentiate between good and poor quality fertilizer?

In the present work, two different approaches for atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted ablation of optical glasses were investigated. For sequential plasma-assisted ablation, the glasses were plasma pre-treated prior to laser ablation. Here, a hydrogenous process gas was applied in order to initiate a plasma-chemical surface modification. It was shown that relevant optical properties and in particular the transmission characteristics of the investigated glasses were modified as a result of such pre-treatment. Several underlying mechanisms were determined: (i) the formation of suboxide layers close to the glass surface, (ii) the implantation of hydrogen into deeper regions of the glass bulk material and (iii) surface roughening due to the plasma pre-treatment. As a result, an enhanced coupling of incoming laser irradiation during subsequent ablation was achieved. This effect allowed a significant reduction of the laser ablation threshold as well as an improved machining quality, i.e. a higher contour accuracy and a reduced surface roughness of the ablated area.For simultaneous plasma-assisted ablation, the laser beam was guided coaxially to an argon plasma beam in order to benefit from plasmaphysical interactions. Due to an additional energy transfer by the plasma during ablation, the ablation rate was notably increased. It was further shown that the plasma beam used for this simultaneous process effects the smoothing of rough optical glass surfaces.The combination of the investigated approaches thus allows providing a novel integrated plasma-assisted ablation process for the micro structuring of optical devices of high quality.

Die in diesem Werk präsentierten Ergebnisse befassen sich mit der Kraftübertragung in den Grenzschichten von kompressiblen und inkompressiblen turbulenten Strömungen an bewegten Wänden. Sie zeigen nicht nur wie die Kraftübertragung von Fluiden auf Festkörper skalenübergreifend modelliert werden kann und die Resultate zur Herleitung dimensionsloser Gleichungen, welche für beliebige Parameter gelten, genutzt werden können, sondern bieten eine Grundlage für die Entwicklung eines neuartigen und bahnbrechenden Schleifwerkzeuges auf dem Gebiet des Mikroschleifens. Die Entwicklung dieses ¿GrindBalls¿ mittels numerischer Strömungssimulation wird beschrieben und dessen Eigenschaften ausführlich erörtert. Schleifkraft, Schleifleistung, und Druckkräfte werden skalenunabhängig generalisiert und es wird gezeigt, dass die angewendete Methode allgemeingültige mathematische Relationen liefert.