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1076 research outputs found
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Quantitative real-time PCR Detection of Yersinia ruckeri for Application in Aquaculture
No full textTo detect pathogen infections in aquaculture early and reduce their impact, a photonic biosensing chip is being developed in the PHOTO-SENS project, to enable fast and easy routine testing in aquaculture facilities. One target bacterial pathogen is Yersinia ruckeri, the causative agent of enteric redmouth disease. Detection is based on short DNA sequences (probes), that are complementary to the DNA of their target pathogen.
In this work, a Yersinia ruckeri-specific probe was designed together with a set of qPCR primers. The probe and primers were tested in qPCR experiments, including quantifi- cation of extracted DNA, specificity and sensitivity testing, and detection of bacterial DNA from highly diluted samples to mimic the detection of environmental DNA. Three different standard series were created for the quantification of unknown samples. The influence of fish tissue on detection was tested, and the efficiency of Chelex-DNA ex- tractions were compared to peqGOLD Tissue DNA Mini Kit extractions.
During quantification experiments with a first standard series (Y1P), the quantification output of most samples was 12–175 times higher than expected. The lower limit of detection was at 100 copies based on that standard, with an efficiency of 88%. The discrepancy was reduced with a gBlocks standard (limit of detection: 5 copies; effi- ciency: 92%). A CFU standard provided quantification results in reasonable agreement with expected CFU starting quantities (limit of detection: 1 CFU; efficiency: 106%). De- tection of diluted samples after filtration was possible. Chelex DNA extractions yielded higher amounts of detectable DNA compared to a DNA extraction kit. Less bacterial DNA was extracted in bacterial culture samples containing fish tissue than in samples that did not contain fish tissue.
Higher-than-expected quantification outputs were attributed to flaws in the creation of a first standard series as well as detectable DNA from dead cells or clusters that were not accounted for in the expected starting quantities. The gBlocks standard was as- sumed to be most reliable for quantification of exact copy numbers, while the CFU standard produced results that could be accounted for in CFU counts. As these chal- lenges concerned the standard series’ and not the probe itself, it was concluded that the probe was suitable for application in the PHOTO-SENS project for detection of Yersinia ruckeri
Study on the Potential of Mob Grazing on Animal and Pasture Performance exemplified by an Organic Holstein Dairy Herd
No full textIncreasing adverse effects of climate change challenge Central European farmers. Severe precipitation deficits reduce fodder crop yields in livestock production and make grazing difficult. Understanding the effects of climate change and the impact grazing systems have on the environment is vital to economically utilize grassland. Mob grazing is a strategy that could provide an opportunity to ensure stable grassland yields during drought periods. Commonly used grazing systems, impact of climate change on pasture management and possible benefits of mob grazing are reviewed in this thesis. In addition, the effects of mob grazing on animal and pasture performance exemplified by an organic Holstein dairy herd are assessed in a field trial carried out at the Agricultural Chamber of North-Rhine Westphalia. The potential on animal performance is evaluated by milk yield and body condition. Pasture performance is determined by yield, sward height, pasture residues, and yield shares.
Computation of milk yield from pasture allows for an interpretation of the potential of mob grazing in an interdisciplinary scope of pasture and animal performance.
The research showed that mob grazing has the potential to achieve promising yields, regarding milk yield, pasture forage yield and milk production from pasture in comparison to conventional grazing systems. Mob grazing can provide resilience against potential consequences of climate change. It has the potential to be further adapted by farmers due to its economic and ecological advantages.
To emphasize this, future research must focus on the effects of mob grazing on soil fertility, carbon sequestration and biodiversity
Motivation and Quality Management towards ISO 9001:2015
No full textThis bachelor thesis simulates a self-created schematic representation of the elements of a single process in ISO 9001:2015 (officially named as DIN EN ISO 9001:2015), incrementing problem-based aspects regarding employee management and motivation. Methodically, this paper provides a qualitative analysis, demonstrating theoretical and empirical findings in motivational methodologies and quality management. Motivation is a term that reduces itself into a diversifiable definition but is mostly associated to an individual’s behavior to achieve goals. Work motivation theories follow different theories to explain the individual’s behavior. These theories generate ideas to increase company performance, create goal-achievement, and can be achieved by managers mostly with extrinsic facets. On the other hand, within the DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, work quality is divided into four focus areas: process orientation, management with motivational aspects, employee-, and customer satisfaction. Including, DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 is model oriented on a personal management basis. On behalf of the increasing employee-focus in DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, the German Society for Quality (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität) proposes a New-Work model that emphasizes intrinsic motivation in the updated quality management process of DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. As a result of these theoretical findings, this thesis creates its own self-developed problem-based schematic representation of the elements of a single process in DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. Hereby, the current issues of quality management and motivation such as lack of quality awareness or limited motivation impulses in companies using DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 are emphasized and improved in the problem- based model. Quality management and motivation are progressively englobed as one factor in the current and future managerial models, which reinforces the importance of finding a problem-oriented solution
Chancen und Risiken der CAR-T-Zellen in der onkologischen Immuntherapie
No full textBei der CAR-T-Zell-Therapie erhalten Patient*innen nach einer Leukapherese autologer T-Lymphozyten ihre eigenen T-Zellen zurück, die vor der Behandlung mittels viraler Vektoren die chimären Antigenrezeptoren, engl. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR), transduziert bekommen. Bereits Stunden nach der Zellinfusion und in den folgenden Wochen expandieren die CAR-T-Zellen und sind in der Lage, das Antigen spezifisch zu binden und die Tumorzellen zu zerstören. CAR-T-Zellen haben sich in Therapien gegen hämatologische Tumore als spektakulär wirksam erwiesen. Doch die vielversprechende Behandlung hat ihre Grenzen und ihren Preis. Drei große Herausforderungen begrenzen derzeit ihren Erfolg im Bereich solider Tumore: Antigenerkennung, Migration und Überleben in der Tumormikroumgebung. CAR-T-Zell-Therapien zählen auch mit Kosten von etwa 300 Tausend Euro immer noch zu den teuersten Verfahren in der Medizin. Eine intensivere Forschung im Bereich der Dysfunktion des Immunsystems in der Tumormikroumgebung stellt ein notwendiger Schritt zur Überwindung von Hürden bei der Behandlung von soliden Tumoren mit CAR-T-Zellen dar. Angemessene finanzielle sowie gesetzliche Anreize und die Einführung optimierter Herstellungsprozesse, multidisziplinärer und prädiktiver Ansätze und zeitgemäßer Tools der Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik in den klinischen Alltag zur prädiktiven Krebsmodellierung sind ebenso wichtige Grundvoraussetzungen für eine wirtschaftliche Ausweitung des Einsatzes von CAR-T-Zellen. Anderenfalls würden Gesundheitssysteme die Kosten sowie die Komplexität nicht mehr stemmen können und diese lebensrettende CAR-T-Zell-Therapien würden außerhalb der Reichweite der Patienten bleiben, die es wirklich brauchen
A comparative study on the plants’ phenological response to climate change in China and Germany
No full textThis study applied a total of over 100,000 phenological datasets from Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), International Phenological Gardens (IPG) and LANUV in Germany and Chinese Phenological Observation Network (CPON) in China, as well as weather datasets from DWD and World Meteorological Organization (WMO), concluding that the beginning of flowering dates of flowering plants in China and Germany correlated with changes in local temperature. Germany has experienced a temperature increase of about 1.7 °C over 136 years (1881-2017) and the beginning of flowering date has advanced by about 17 days on average. In China, the temperature has increased by about 2 °C over 45 years (1963-2008), and the beginning of flowering date has advanced by about 9 days on average. Due to the large differences in the amount of data and recording time between the two countries, it is not possible to concretely conclude whether plants begin to flower is more sensitive to temperature changes in Germany or in China. However, it can still be concluded that temperature is an important factor in determining flowering time. In general, phenology is a very suitable tool for the study of effects of climate change, and climate change can also lead to a more detailed study of phenology. Overall, after evaluating the slopes of the same species in China and Germany, there was a surprising similarity of the slopes. And that it is surprising as well that all reliable datasets showed a tendency towards a shift of flowering in spring to an earlier DOY
Der Einfluss geschlechtergerechter Sprache auf die Bewrebungsabsicht von Studierenden für ein Workshop-Programm zum Thema Unternehmertum.
No full textIn der vorliegenden Arbeit soll der Einfluss von geschlechtergerechter Sprache am Anwendungsbeispiel Unternehmertum untersucht werden, welches stereotypisch männlich geprägt und männlich dominiert ist. Dabei wird der Frage nachgegangen, welchen Einfluss geschlechtergerechte Sprache in Stellenanzeigen auf die die selbstzugeschriebene Passung zu, das Interesse an und die Bewerbungsabsicht von Studierenden für ein Workshop-Programm zum Thema Unternehmertum hat. Dazu wird ein Online-Experiment konzipiert, an dem 172 Studierende teilnahmen. Es fungierten die drei geschlechtsbezogenen Sprachformen generisches Maskulin, feminin-maskuline Wortpaare und Gendersternchen als experimentelle Bedingungen. Die selbstzugeschriebene Passung, das Interesse am Programm und die Bewerbungsabsicht werden mittels validierter Skalen erhoben. Des Weiteren wird das Geschlecht ex-post-facto erfasst. Zur Untersuchung des Einflusses der geschlechtsbezogenen Sprachformen auf die drei abhängigen Variablen wurden einfaktorielle ANOVAs durchgeführt. Die Annahme, dass das Geschlecht diesen Einfluss moderiert, wurde mittels zweifaktorieller ANOVAs überprüft. Zudem wurde eine Mediationsanalyse gerechnet, um einen mediierenden Effekt der selbstzugeschriebenen Passung und des Interesses an dem Programm auf den Einfluss der geschlechtsbezogenen Sprachform auf die Bewerbungsabsicht zu überprüfen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die geschlechtsbezogene Sprachform die selbstzugeschriebene Passung und das Interesse am Programm insofern beeinflusst, dass das generische Maskulin zu signifikant niedrigeren Werten als das Gendersternchen führt. Auch für die Mediation konnte Bestätigung gefunden werden, nicht aber für die anderen Annahmen. Die Befunde bestätigen nur zum Teil den aktuellen Forschungsstand und legen nahe, geschlechtergerechte Sprache in Form von Gendersternchen in Anzeigen zur Anwerbung von Studierenden für Workshop-Programme zum Unternehmertum zu verwenden. Die Ergebnisse geben aber auch Anlass zu weiterer Forschung, insbesondere mit größeren und geschlechtlich gleichverteilten Gruppen
A time - motion study of the production process and the areas to be optimized at an Agaricus bisporus farm
No full textDespite the challenges in food production during the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a constant demand for champignons in Germany. With the need of improving production levels, a study was conducted at an Agaricus bisporus farm located in Geldern, Germany. The farm has two sites (A/B) which follow the traditional system of harvesting, and another site (site C) which follows a technically advanced work simplification approach. Time-motion studies were carried out to determine the most time-consuming activities and the areas that needed to be improved. The continuous sample method was chosen over work sampling in this study because picker and packer tasks (at site C) were frequent. Subsequently picking efficiencies of the farm were found by empirical data collection. Finally, strategies for improving production rates were created and prioritized using a SWOT analysis in conjunction with the Internal Factors Evaluation Matrix (IFEM), External Factors Evaluation Matrix (EFEM) and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). Significant results were obtained at sites A/B after changes in the logistics within the production process, with picking efficiency increasing from 39% to 43%. Technical issues at site C were significantly reduced after recipe settings were changed, and picking efficiency increased from 49 percent to 54 percent. The strategy with the highest priority level from the IFEM, EFEM, SWOT, and QSPM analysis was analyzing the pickers' performance over time. Undoubtedly, further research is a driving force behind the development of novel harvesting technologies in this field of agriculture
Analyse des Prozesses zur Digitalisierung und Umstrukturierung der Mitarbeiterpflichtschulungen mittels E-Learning-Management-System im Gesundheitswesen
No full textDie folgende Arbeit thematisiert den Implementierungsprozess eines E-Learning-Management-Systems zur Gewährleistung der Mitarbeiterpflichtschulungen in einem Großunternehmen, dessen Kernaufgabe die Sicherstellung der Gesundheitsversorgung, Altenhilfe und Gesundheitsförderung darstellt.
Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, den Nutzen und das Potenzial des E-Learning-Management-Systems im Unternehmen sowie die Risiken und Chancen herauszuarbeiten und das betriebliche E-Learning voranzutreiben sowie eine Erkenntnis darüber zu gewinnen, ob sich die Implementierung eines E-Learning-Management-Systems attraktiv für Unternehmen gestaltet. Hierfür wird der gesamte Implementierungsprozesses eines E-Learning-Management-Systems in den Einrichtungen der pro homine gGmbH im Rahmen eines Verbesserungsprojektes und in Anlehnung am PDCA-Zyklus dargestellt. Die im Verlauf erforderlichen Maßnahmen für eine erfolgreiche Implementierung werden erfasst und definiert, um anschließend Handlungsempfehlungen ableiten zu können.
Die Ergebnisse der systematischen Literaturrecherche und die Beobachtungen während der Projektumsetzung im Unternehmen zeigen, dass neben der technischen Infrastruktur im Unternehmen, weitere organisatorische und prozessuale Entwicklungen, Ressourcen und Strategien erforderlich sind, um die Implementierung eines E-Learning-Management-Systems im Unternehmen erfolgreich umzusetzen
Simulation of Standard Driving Operations of an Agricultural Tractor with Series-hybrid Powertrain on Asphalts Roads with MATLAB/Simulink
No full textThe domain of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) is not limited to public means of transport, but it is also quite large in the off-road vehicle industry. For this reason, a close inspection of how this type of powertrain works inside an agricultural tractor is indeed quite interesting. A particular agricultural tractor (AT) is chosen for the study of such a system
User Involvement in FinTech Product Design
No full textThis thesis investigates the user involvement practices in the product design process of FinTech UX practitioners mainly located in Nigeria. The study aims to identify the design activities used to involve users, the methods the practitioners used, the challenges they faced, and how they measured the impact of these activities. The study used an online survey research method to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 62 respondents. Results from the survey show that user involvement is mainly done during testing. However, it is less prevalent during the software design activity. Some of the significant challenges reported are user recruitment, user participation, user requests, budget, and time constraints. A mix of direct and indirect user involvement methods were also reported, such as surveys, observational techniques, user interviews, data analytic tools, user communities, and social media platforms. To measure the impact of user involvement, the practitioners mainly depended on analytical data, user feedback, and reviews.
For most of the practitioners, user involvement is not well established in their design process possibly due to the project-related, user-related, or organizational-related constraints reported in this study