259594 research outputs found
Sort by
The impact of system models on systems thinking in the context of climate change in elementary school
No full textIn the context of climate change, the implementation of education for sustainable development (ESD) is of particular importance in schools. Developing key competencies, such as systems thinking to understand complex relationships, is essential in teaching students how to solve sustainability-related problems through ESD. Previous research has shown that using system models in the classroom can foster systems thinking. This study investigated the effects of using alternative system models with varying visualization of temporal developments in developing different facets of systems thinking based on a heuristic structural competence model. Overall, 293 elementary school students were assigned to one of four groups (a qualitative system model without time representation vs. a qualitative system model with time representation vs. a quantitative system model with time representation vs. the control group) and participated in a five-lesson classroom intervention in pre-post-test design. The results showed a large effect of fostering systems thinking in all experimental groups compared to the control group. The qualitative system models led to higher learning gains than the quantitative system model, especially with system modeling and solving complex problems, which requires higher systems thinking skills. The results were interpreted by referring to situational interest in interacting with the respective system model
Modeling detection and management strategies to control bark beetle (Ips typograpus) spread under variable environmental conditions
No full text
Approach for the vertical wind speed profile implemented in the UTCI basics blocks UTCI applications at the urban pedestrian level
No full textThe applicability of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) at the urban pedestrian level is analysed in relation to the approach for the vertical wind speed profile (VWSP) used in the UTCI basics. As the UTCI refers to the human-biometeorological reference height (zh−b) of 1.1 m above ground level (agl), all meteorological input variables for UTCI calculations should also be originated from zh−b. Since the development of the UTCI considered meteorological conventions for stations routinely operated by national weather services, the wind speed (v) as one of four meteorological input variables is initially required at 10 m agl (v10 m). In order to calculate v at zh−b from v10 m, the logarithmic law for the VWSP is implemented in the UTCI basics, but only for neutral atmospheric stability and a roughness length (z0) for short-cut grassland (z0 = 0.01 m). This methodological approach cannot be changed in the UTCI basics so far. The UTCI developers also recommend the application of the same logarithmic law, if v values at lower heights have to be extrapolated to 10 m agl. However, the use of this VWSP approach disregards basic air flow findings and principles in the urban canopy layer (UCL). If the UTCI is nevertheless applied at the urban pedestrian level, inaccuracies in the UTCI values will occur. With reference to z0 = 0.80 m, which is more typical for the UCL, they can be up to 7 K, as shown in the example of three different climate zones
Zur fünffachen Verwendung der Aussage "Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini" in der Vulgata Clementina
No full text
Relations of continuous water potentials, tree water deficits and sap flow in four temperate tree species.
No full textPublisher correction: Herpesviruses mimic zygotic genome activation to promote viral replication
No full textNutrient supplementation mitigates retinal dysfunction in Acox1 knockout mice with impaired peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation
No full textIntroductionDyslipidemia contributes to many retinal diseases, but underlying lipid processing pathways are not fully understood. Peroxisomes oxidize very long-chain fatty acids and generate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Mutations in peroxisomal genes can result in severe neural retinal dysfunction. However, therapeutic approaches for peroxisomal diseases remain scarce, and dietary strategies yield inconsistent results.ObjectivesThis study sought to elucidate retinal metabolic adaptations resulting from impaired peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of nutrient supplementation in peroxisomal retinal disease.MethodsIn mice with global knockout (KO) of acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 (Acox1), encoding the first and rate-limiting enzyme in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation, the retina was characterized at postnatal day (P) 30 during development. Retinal thickness, photoreceptor structure, and function were examined. Proteome analysis was utilized for molecular mechanistic investigation. Metabolomics and fatty acid profiling were conducted to study metabolic alterations in the retina. Nutrient intervention was performed to test if providing deficient nutrients could attenuate the observed retinal dysfunction.ResultsIn P30 Acox1 KO mice, we observed impaired neural retinal signaling, accompanied by reduced expression of genes involved in phototransduction. Proteomics suggested diminished glucose and mitochondrial metabolism, supported by decreased mitochondrial number and mitochondrial DNA copy number. Metabolomics showed reduced abundance of retinal pyruvate, and pyruvate supplementation from P30–P60 attenuated neural retinal dysfunction in Acox1 KO mice at P60. Furthermore, Acox1 KO mice at P30 exhibited a significant decrease in omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids and a compensatory increase in n-6 fatty acids. Dietary supplementation with DHA (n-3) or DHA plus arachidonic acid (n-6) from P30-P60 mitigated the progression of retinal dysfunction in Acox1 KO mice.ConclusionRetinal dysfunction, decreased mitochondrial number, and metabolic imbalance were observed in mice with impaired peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. Nutrient intervention may offer a promising therapeutic approach for peroxisomal diseases