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A comparative analysis of the doctoral regulations at the medical faculties in Germany
No full textObjective: In order to be allowed to use the title “Dr. med.” in Germany, an independent scientific achievement under the supervision of an established scientist is necessary. The research question, analysis and results are essentially carried out and developed independently by the doctoral student. The doctorate serves as proof that the doctoral candidate is capable of independent academic work. The acquisition of scientific skills and knowledge is of particular importance in medicine, as Germany´s international competitiveness is based on the education of today´s young academics. Fair conditions and uniform quality standards for doctoral studies are therefore indispensable to attract future young scientists at an early stage. Methods: The currently valid doctoral regulations of the medical faculties in Germany were analysed with regards to the following target criteria; update date, dissertation language, possibility of publication-based dissertation and its details (number of first and total authorships, publication organ), knowledge of methods and consideration of "Good Medical Practice" (GMP), plagiarism check, review process and disputation. Results: All faculties with the right to award doctorates, and, thus 40 valid regulations were included in the analysis. This revealed a great divergence in the requirements for doctoral candidates. Although a publication-based doctorate is now possible at 93% (n=37) of the faculties, in addition to the monographic dissertation, the required first and total authorships vary from one required first authorship (n=26, 70%) to two or three first authorships (n=5, 14%), as well as some faculties having no information regarding the number of publications (n=6, 16%). The quality of the publication organ was not described in detail in seven faculties (19%). To ensure quality, requirements have increasingly been anchored in the regulations, so that 22 regulations (56%) now stipulate participation in courses on GMP or qualification programmes. The regulations leave a lot of room for manoeuvre in terms of content and do not allow for comparability of the conditions for preparing doctoral researchers. The specifications range from mere mention, to instruction, to compulsory course participation. Another means of quality assurance is the prevention of plagiarism through the applications of software systems. However, this simple and effective means is not yet mentioned in 65% of the regulations (n=26). While the other regulations make use of this possibility, it is not an obligatory application. A total of 34 regulations provide for the regular drawing up of a supervision agreement to define the rights and obligations of the actors involved. Conclusion: The analysis showed a divergent picture. Although imprecise regulations or gaps in information allow scope for design, they also prevent transparency. Despite revisions of many regulations in the past, these revisions have not led to any significant harmonisation. The implementation of standardised and structured doctoral programmes is desirable and could be tackled within the framework of the planned amendment of medical studies. This opens up the possibility of dealing efficiently with the scarce resource of time in the face of competing curriculum content and of making a doctoral project more attractive to potential young scientists at an early stage
Analysis of Urinary Glycosaminoglycans to Predict Outcome in COVID-19 and Community-Acquired Pneumonia—A Proof-of-Concept Study
No full textAlthough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered a systemic disease associated with vascular inflammation and eventual destruction of the protective endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), biomarkers of eGC damage are not yet available in the clinic. The most prominent components of eGC are sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) attached to core proteoglycans. We hypothesised that the amount of sGAG fragments shed in urine (as a surrogate for systemic eGC damage) would correlate with disease severity and outcome. Total urinary sGAG concentration was measured using an in-house optimised 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay, which is highly accurate and insensitive to interferences. The median urinary sGAG concentration was significantly higher in 67 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 compared to 72 hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In both groups, urinary sGAG concentrations predicted a combined endpoint (including intubation and death) with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.72 (95% CI 0.55–0.88, p = 0.01) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.57–0.83, p = 0.007), respectively. In conclusion, the inexpensive and easy-to-perform DMMB assay provides a surrogate parameter for eGC damage that may be useful for risk stratification of patients with COVID-19 and CAP
An Imaginary Byzantium in Early Islam: Byzantium as Viewed through the Sīra Literature
No full textThis article examines the emergence of new representations of Byzantium in early Arabic literature, with a focus on the Sīra, the biography of the Prophet Muḥammad. This historical investigation leads to a dual conclusions that the Arab perception of Byzantium not only forged an “imaginary Byzantium” but also marked the emergence of Arab self-consciousness. This process significantly influenced the Arab historical and cultural narratives, framing them within the context of the Arabic identity that emerged in late antiquity. Nevertheless, this relationship between the early Islamic community and Byzantium does little to confirm accurate knowledge about Byzantium, rendering the emerging representations as not truly reflective of “reality”, but rather presenting us with an “imaginary Byzantium”. This applies whether related to events in the 1st/7th century or the transition from oral to written texts during the 2nd/8th and 3rd/9th centuries. Furthermore, these representations reveal more about the creators of this imaginary than the other itself, shedding light on the motives of early Muslim writers who used the Sīra as a vehicle for these imaginaries. Ultimately, the article identifies, through the textual analysis and historical contextualization of Sīra, two narrative layers therein that are related to the imaginary Byzantium. The first layer reflected a pervasive fear of Byzantium, while the second layer represented an attitude of challenge and rivalry
A novel gaze-based visual search task for children with CVI: A twin study
No full textVisual search is often impaired in children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI), but the current assessment of visual search performance is limited. This study aimed to investigate underlying visual search processes in detail by including gaze-based measurements. Twin brothers (age 11.8 years), one diagnosed with CVI and one with neurotypical development, underwent a newly developed conjunction visual search task while simultaneously their gaze was recorded. In addition to speed and accuracy, we analyzed additional timing and spatial parameters of the search process before and after their initial fixation in the target area. The twin with CVI had good visual sensory functions, but impaired search performance indicated by longer search time and larger search areas. Also, it was observed that in more difficult task conditions, he tended to miss the target, even when fixating on it. These results point towards higher-order visual deficits. This study gives insight into the visual search challenges of a child with CVI. Mapping the search process in detail provided new and distinctive information that can shape more tailored support. Coupling verbal and nonverbal gaze-based outcomes is a promising first step towards a more inclusive nonverbal and nonmotor assessment
Artificial Intelligence in Sports:Insights from a Quantitative Survey among Sports Students in Germany about their Perceptions, Expectations, and Concerns regarding the Use of AI Tools
No full textGenerative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini have a crucial impact on academic research and teaching. However, empirical data on how students perceive the increasing influence of AI, which different types of tools they use, what they expect from them in their daily academic tasks, and their concerns regarding to the use of AI in their studies are still limited. The project "Artificial Intelligence in Sports" (AIS) aims to address this empirical gap through a quantitative study. The manuscript presents findings from a quantitative survey conducted among sports students of all semesters in Germany using an online questionnaire. It explores aspects such as students' usage behavior, motivational factors, and uncertainties regarding the potential impact of AI in the future. Furthermore, the social climate in sports studies is being investigated to provide a general overview of the current situation in Germany. Data collection took place between August and November 2023, addressing all sports departments at German universities, with a total of 262 students participating. Our Findings indicate that students have a strong interest in using AI tools in their studies, expecting them to improve their overall academic performance, understand the complexity of scientific approaches, and save time. They express confidence that the proliferation of AI will not compromise their critical thinking skills. Moreover, students are positive about integrating more AI-related topics into the curriculum and about lecturers adopting more AI-based teaching methods. However, our findings also show that students have concerns about plagiarism, lecturer preparedness and their own skills and future skill development. In light of our empirical findings, we suggest that universities address this ambivalent situation by educating students on how to generate reliable information with AI and avoid misinformation. It is imperative that students have both practical and critical knowledge about the use and implications of a new technology that is rapidly spreading in academia. This will enable them to better understand the impact and also the limitations of a technology that only emerges through its practical use
Der Glücksburger Hofkapellmeister Christian Andreas Rezel (1713-1792) und seine Brüder:Ein Beitrag zur höfischen Musikkultur Norddeutschlands im 18. Jahrhundert
No full textAuf archivalischer Grundlage wird im vorliegenden Beitrag die Biographie des Violinisten, Fagottisten und Komponisten Christian Andreas Rezel (1713-1792) und seine Tätigkeit am herzoglichen Hof auf Schloss Glücksburg bei Flensburg untersucht. Als Folge ergeben sich neue Erkenntnisse zum Musikleben weiterer Höfe des norddeutschen Raums im 18. Jahrhundert - insbesondere zu Plön, Wolfenbüttel und Schwerin - sowie zu anderen Musikerbiographien, insbesondere zu Rezels Bruder August Gottlieb, zu den Musikerfamilien Abel und Linike sowie zu Schweriner Musikern wie Adolf Carl Kunzen und Carl Friedrich Baumgarten. Zudem wird ein erstes Verzeichnis der erhaltenen Werke Rezels publiziert. Unter diesen befindet sich ein in der Fürst zu Bentheimschen Musikaliensammlung Burgsteinfurt erhaltenes, in der Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Münster aufbewahrtes Arienmanuskript, das Christian Andreas Rezel auf der Basis von Handschriftenvergleichen eindeutig zugeschrieben werden kann
Der Lukianismus im Zeitalter der Renaissance
No full textIm Spanien des Siglo de Oro war Lukian so populär, dass dort Dutzende Lukianimitationen entstanden. Die Idee, Komisches mit Ernsthaftem in Dialogen zu vermischen, schien besonders reizvoll zu sein. Sie ermöglichte es Laster der Menschen humorvoll und unterhaltsam aufzudecken. In Italien und in Frankreich wurden zwar weniger lukianeske Dialoge verfasst, aber die außergewöhnliche literarische Qualität von Werken wie Bonaventure Des Périers Cymbalum Mundi oder Giovanni Pontanos Charon, kompensieren die kleinere Anzahl an Dialogen. Die literaturwissenschaftliche Untersuchung der lukianesken Werke konzentriert sich auf die drei großen Länder der Romania, Italien, Frankreich und Spanien. Die erste inhaltliche Achse dreht sich um den poetischen Kosmos der Götter und Mythen. Die Präsenz der Olympier in den behandelten Werken aus der Renaissance findet ihre Daseinsberechtigung in der Allegorie. Im zweiten Teil der Studie wird der Stellenwert des Tiers in ausgewählten Dialogen untersucht
Bacteria use a catabolic patchwork pathway of apparently recent origin for degradation of the synthetic buffer compound TRIS
No full textThe synthetic buffer compound TRIS (2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol) is used in countless applications, and no detailed information on its degradation has been published so far. Herein, we describe the discovery of a complete bacterial degradation pathway for TRIS. By serendipity, a Pseudomonas strain was isolated from sewage sludge that was able to grow with TRIS as only carbon and nitrogen source. Genome and transcriptome analyses revealed two adjacent gene clusters embedded in a mobile genetic element on a conjugative plasmid to be involved in TRIS degradation. Heterologous gene expression revealed cluster I to encode a TRIS uptake protein, a TRIS alcohol dehydrogenase, and a TRIS aldehyde dehydrogenase, catalyzing the oxidation of TRIS into 2-hydroxymethylserine. Gene cluster II encodes a methylserine hydroxymethyltransferase (mSHMT) and a d-serine dehydratase that plausibly catalyze the conversion of 2-hydroxymethylserine into pyruvate. Conjugational plasmid transfer into Pseudomonas putida KT2440 enabled this strain to grow with TRIS and with 2-hydromethylserine, demonstrating that the complete TRIS degradation pathway can be transmitted by horizontal gene transfer. Subsequent enrichments from wastewater purification systems led to the isolation of further TRIS-degrading bacteria from the Pseudomonas and Shinella genera carrying highly similar TRIS degradation gene clusters. Our data indicate that TRIS degradation evolved recently via gene recruitment and enzyme adaptation from multiple independent metabolic pathways, and database searches suggest that the TRIS degradation pathway is now globally distributed. Overall, our study illustrates how engineered environments can enhance the emergence of new microbial metabolic pathways in short evolutionary time scales
BMI-Stratified Exploration of the 'Obesity Paradox': Heart Failure Perspectives from a Large German Insurance Database
No full textBackground: The global rise of obesity and its association with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) have highlighted its connection to chronic heart failure (CHF). Paradoxically, obese CHF patients often experience better outcomes, a phenomenon known as the 'obesity paradox'. This study evaluated the 'obesity paradox' within a large cohort in Germany and explored how varying degrees of obesity affect HF outcome. Methods: Anonymized health claims data from the largest German insurer (AOK) for the years 2014–2015 were utilized to analyze 88,247 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction. This analysis encompassed baseline characteristics, comorbidities, interventions, complications, and long-term outcomes, including overall survival, freedom from CHF, and CHF-related rehospitalization. Patients were categorized based on body mass index. Results: Obese patients encompassed 21.3% of our cohort (median age 68.69 years); they exhibited a higher prevalence of CVRF (p < 0.001) and comorbidities than non-obese patients (median age 70.69 years). Short-term outcomes revealed lower complication rates and mortality (p < 0.001) in obese compared to non-obese patients. Kaplan–Meier estimations for long-term analysis illustrated increased incidences of CHF and rehospitalization rates among the obese, yet with lower overall mortality. Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that obese individuals faced a higher risk of developing CHF and being rehospitalized due to CHF but demonstrated better overall survival for those classified as having low-level obesity (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study underscores favorable short-term outcomes among obese individuals. The 'obesity paradox' was confirmed, with more frequent CHF cases and rehospitalizations in the long term, alongside better overall survival for certain degrees of obesity
Tout pwovizwa se définitif:Canaan – eine 'ordinary city' in der Karibik?
No full textMit einem Blick auf die historischen Raumentwicklung Haitis untersucht Yann-Olivier Kersaint in „Canaan - eine ordinary city“ einen der bedeutendsten Stadtentwicklungsprozesse in der Karibik der 2010er Jahre. Im Fokus des Buchs steht die Siedlung Canaan, die nach dem Erdbeben vom 12.01.2010 in der Metropolregion Port-au-Prince in Haiti entstanden ist. Anhand von Siedlungsbiographien und Expert*innen-Interviews erläutert Kersaint die Prozesse, die ausgehend von einem Camp für im Zuge des Bebens obdachlos gewordene Menschen, zwischen 2010 und 2020 eine Stadt mit mehreren hunderttausend Einwohner*innen produziert haben. Hierbei wird der junge urbane Raum in regionale Stadtentwicklungsprozesse eingebettet, und es wird dargestellt, wie sich geopolitische Verflechtungen langfristig lokalräumlich auswirken. Vor dem Hintergrund der naturräumlichen Gegebenheiten Canaans liegt ein besonderes Augenmerk auf der sozialräumlichen Produktion von Verwundbarkeit und Risiko für die dort lebende Bevölkerung.The book discusses Yann-Olivier Kersaint's exploration of one of the most significant urban development processes in the Caribbean during the 2010s, focusing on the historical spatial development of Haiti. In "Canaan - an ordinary city," the book centers on the settlement of Canaan, which emerged in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince in Haiti after the earthquake on January 12, 2010. Through settlement biographies and expert interviews, Kersaint elucidates the processes that transformed a camp for people rendered homeless by the earthquake into a city with several hundred thousand inhabitants. This analysis embeds the young urban space within regional urban development processes, illustrating how long-term geopolitical interconnections manifest at the local level. Within the context of socio-spatial production processes, particular attention is given to the production of vulnerability and risk for the population living in Canaan, considering the natural geographic characteristics of the area