68034 research outputs found
Sort by
Gesundheitliche Ungleichheit im Alter - Eine multivariable Analyse soziodemografischer, sozioökonomischer, psychosozialer und verhaltensbezogener Faktoren der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität älterer Erwachsener
No full textDas Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Zusammenhänge zwischen soziodemografischen, sozioökonomischen, psychosozialen und verhaltensbezogenen Faktoren und der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (HRQOL) älterer Erwachsener zu untersuchen. Die Analysen basieren auf gemeindebezogenen Querschnittsdaten von 1687 Erwachsenen ab 65 Jahren (Rücklauf: 33 %, 52 % Frauen, Durchschnittsalter: 76 Jahre). Die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität wurde mithilfe des 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36v2) erfasst. Zur differenzierten Analyse wurden hierarchische multiple lineare Regressionen durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialen Faktoren und der körperlichen und psychischen Lebensqualität im Alter. Internale Kontrollüberzeugung, körperliche Aktivität, soziale Unterstützung und Einkommen sind mit der körperlichen und psychischen Lebensqualität positiv assoziiert, während externale Kontrollüberzeugung und Alter negativ assoziiert sind. Alkoholkonsum und Bildungsniveau sind nur mit der körperlichen Lebensqualität positiv assoziiert, während das weibliche Geschlecht nur mit der psychischen Lebensqualität negativ assoziiert ist. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung sozialer Faktoren für die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität im Alter und bieten Ansätze zur Entwicklung und Umsetzung spezifischer Gesundheitsinterventionen für ältere Erwachsene
Time for Change - Wirtschaftspolitik neu ausrichten (10): Belastungen für den Wohnungsbau reduzieren.
No full textNach dem jahrelangen Aufschwung der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft rissen der jähe Zins- und Baukostenanstieg beide Branchen in eine schwere Anpassungsrezession, die bis zum aktuellen Rand nicht überwunden ist. Die nächste Bundesregierung sollte dieses Problem sehr ernst nehmen, da Wohnen in Deutschland bereits relativ teuer ist. Der Schwerpunkt der Maßnahmen sollte auf der Angebotsseite liegen: wenn Mieten steigen, hilft es nicht, dieses Steigen mit Ordnungsrecht aufzuhalten, sondern es muss durch mehr Bauten aufgehalten werden. Alles, was im Bestand (aber nicht nur dort) Wohnraum schafft, muss geprüft werden. Bestandsmaßnahmen hätten gerade deswegen einen Vorzug, weil hier schnell Angebot geschaffen werden könnte, und Geschwindigkeit der Umsetzung muss Priorität haben
Climate Change in Microcredit Portfolios: Evidence on Vulnerability, Adaptation and Implications for Inclusive Finance
Get PDFClimate change poses new challenges to the social mission and financial viability of microfinance institutions (MFIs). These include the vulnerability of borrowers, increased credit risks and the need to adapt to the changing climate. Using a novel microcredit data set, we first study the prevalence of climatic hazards and vulnerabilities in the portfolios of MFIs across Latin America and the Caribbean as well as sub-Saharan Africa. We find evidence of microborrower vulnerability to climatic hazards and associated heightened credit risk. We then explore ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) as a potential strategic complement to inclusive finance in aiding adaptation. Our analysis finds widespread autonomous implementation of EbA by agricultural microborrowers. While EbA measures appear to negatively moderate the association between climatic hazards and microborrower vulnerabilities, we do not find them to be directly associated with lower vulnerabilities. Furthermore, lenders do not appear to increase financing of adaptation in portfolios with greater exposure to climatic hazards. The findings suggest a need to enhance the effectiveness of adaptive actions and further potential to expand the financing of EbA by MFIs
Impact of opioid abuse on oral health: a retrospective cohort study
No full textObjectives: Opioid use has significantly increased in Germany in recent years.
This study aimed to evaluate and compare the oral health, dental hygiene,
self-perceived pain, and functional limitations of opioid-addicted patients with
a healthy control group.
Materials and methods: 50 opioid-addicted patients (OAP) attending
substitution treatment at the Centre for Addiction Medicine of the Department
of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Regensburg were enrolled
and interviewed about their drug use history. A control group was matched for
age and sex. The oral health status of patients in both groups was
documented using a record of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT),
Periodontal Screening Index (PSI), Silness and Loe Plaque Index (PI), stimulated
salivary flow rate, buffer capacity and pH. Patients also completed a
questionnaire on oral hygiene, functional limitations, dietary habits and other
topics. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests (α = 0.05).
Results: More men (74%) than women (26%) participated in the study with an age
range of 19–64 years. According to the inclusion criteria, all OAP had a history of
heroin use, followed by cannabinoids (90%) and cocaine (82%). The median
DMFT of the OAP was 21 (IQR = 12–28) and was significantly higher (P < 0.001)
than in the control group (median = 10, IQR = 5–16). In addition, the OAP had
a significantly higher proportion of periodontal treatment needs (P < 0.001).
The PI of the OAP was also significantly worse (P = 0.012). The pH of
stimulated saliva from the OAP (median = 6.8, IQR = 6.4–7.2) was significantly
lower (P = 0.002) compared to the control group (median = 7.2, IQR = 7.0–
7.4). However, there were no significant differences in stimulated salivary flow
rate and buffering capacity (P > 0.086). OAP had significantly poorer oral
hygiene, with a particular lack of interdental care (P ≤ 0.0012), and a
significantly higher consumption of sweets or sweetened drinks appeared to
be a problem (P ≤ 0.027). Functional limitations (P < 0.001) were reported to
be a burden for OAP.
Conclusion: Opioid addiction significantly impacts oral health, necessitating
improved dental care and confidential treatment services to prevent dental
and periodontal diseases and support the social integration of
affected individuals
Are Competence Beliefs or Value Beliefs More Important for STEM Career Aspirations?—Longitudinal Mediation Analyses Based on Recent Modeling Approaches Show Different Results
No full textThere is a consensus in situated expectancy-value theory research that value beliefs better predict career aspirations and choices than competence beliefs and thus should be the main target of interventions aimed to motivate youth for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers. However, research on the longer-term causal effects of the two constructs and their indirect effects is missing. The latter is relevant since competence beliefs seem to influence value beliefs but less the other way around. The present study investigated such longer-term effects and the underlying indirect effects in a sample of 690 students from Germany (52.6% girls; M (T1) = 15.26 years, SD = 0.68) over three measurement points from the middle of Grade 9 to the middle of Grade 10. For these purposes, two recent models with improved properties for identifying causal effects, the random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) and the dynamic panel model, as well as the traditional CLPM were applied. Final analyses were based on the RI-CLPM, and the results were compared to the traditional CLPM. Both models found the expected tendency of higher effects of STEM value beliefs on STEM career aspirations from one time point to the next. However, regarding the longer-term total effects, the analysis based on the RI-CLPM found a slight tendency for larger effects of competence beliefs, including an indirect effect of competence beliefs via value beliefs. These findings indicate that the competence beliefs of youth should not be underestimated in developing interventions for career aspirations and choices
Spin Hall magnetoresistance and spin Seebeck effect in Pt |CoCr 2 O 4 heterostructures
No full textThis study delves into spin current-induced phenomena, such as spin-Hall magnetoresistance and the spin Seebeck effect within Pt films deposited on a noncollinear magnet, CoCr 2O 4 (CCO), particularly at low temperatures. Detailed investigation of the angular dependencies of spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) and spin Seebeck effect (SSE) was carried out. The temperature-dependent behavior of both SMR and SSE signals exhibits a discernible variation correlated with different magnetic phases of CCO. To distinguish the contributions arising from magnetic proximity effects, we conducted X-ray magnetic dichroism (XMCD) at the Pt-M 3 edge. XMCD data from Pt/CCO heterostructures suggest that any magnetic moment associated with Pt, if present, is below the detection limit. This supports the notion that the observed signals primarily stem from SMR and SSE. This study offers insights into spin-current-driven phenomena, paving the way for potential spintronic applications
Safety and efficacy of the ROCK-2-inhibitor Belumosudil in cGvHD treatment - a retrospective, German-Swiss multicenter real-world data analysis
Get PDFBelumosudil is a first in class ROCK2-inhibitor approved by the FDA for the 3rd line treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). In this retrospective real-world analysis, we report safety and efficacy data of belumosudil treatment from 5 German/Swiss transplant centers. A total of 33 adult patients (median age 59 years) with moderate (n = 2) or severe (n = 31) cGvHD were treated on individual request due to lack of EMA approval. The patient cohort had a long history of cGvHD (median 44 months) and was heavily pretreated (median 4 prior lines). The overall response rate was 42% (95%CI, 25–60%) including organ responses in all organs except the liver (n = 2). The median time to response was 3 months (range, 1–9 months) and 8 of 14 patients (57%) had a durable response at last follow-up. One-third of patients had at least a 50% reduction in concomitant corticosteroid dosage. Median failure-free survival and median overall survival were 16.5 and 23.1 months, respectively. Adverse events ≥CTCAE grade 3 were reported in 27% of patients, with a predominance of infectious events, including one fatal course. The results are consistent with previous prospective trials including a favorable safety profile, while acknowledging the challenges of a heavily pretreated patient cohort
Franciscus Neumayr „Titus Imperator“ - Text, Übersetzung mit Einleitung und Erläuterungen
Get PDFIm Jahr 1731 brachte der Münchner Professor und Theaterdichter Franciscus Neumayr seine lateinische Tragödie „Titus Imperator“ auf der Schulbühne in seiner bayerischen Heimatstadt zur Aufführung, es war das dramatische Erstlingswerk des jesuitischen Schriftstellers, zu dem sich in den darauffolgenden Jahren noch einige weitere Stücke gesellen sollten. Sie alle wurden schließlich nur wenige Jahre vor dem Tod ihres Verfassers in einem gedruckten Sammelband, dem „Theatrum Politicum“, publiziert und der Nachwelt zur Beurteilung überliefert. Die Arbeit knüpft hier an und gibt den Text des „Titus Imperator“ mit Einleitung, Übersetzung und Erläuterungen wieder.
Für eine erste Annäherung werden zentrale Hintergrundaspekte zu Neumayrs dramaturgischem Wirken angeführt. In diesem Zusammenhang findet sich ein entwicklungsgeschichtlicher Überblick bezüglich der Jesuiten in München, dann werden bildungsprogrammatische und lehrsituative Gesichtspunkte des Münchner Jesuitengymnasiums skizziert, bevor die hohe pädagogische Wichtigkeit des Schultheaters im jesuitischen Bildungssystem verdeutlicht und eine kurze Theatergeschichte des Münchner Jesuitenkollegs wiedergegeben wird.
Im nächsten Schritt wird Neumayrs Leben und Wirken näher beleuchtet. Dazu präsentiert die Arbeit als Erstes einen kurzen Aufriss seiner Biographie, dann wird der Jesuitenpater als streitlustiger und produktiver Kämpfer mit der Feder charakterisiert, bevor er als Dramatiker in den Fokus rückt, indem sein „Theatrum Asceticum“ und seine im „Theatrum Politicum“ veröffentlichten Tragödien und Komödien vorgestellt werden. Einige Hinweise zur Editionsgeschichte des „Titus Imperator“ sowie die Verortung von Neumayrs Poetologie im literarhistorischen Kontext schließen die thematische Einführung ab.
Im Kern beschäftigt sich die Arbeit mit Neumayrs Tragödie „Titus Imperator“ selbst. Zunächst wird das Stück inhaltlich zusammengefasst. Es folgen Hinweise zur Textgestaltung sowie der Text des Dramas mitsamt Übersetzung, dann werden einzelne Textstellen genauer erklärt.
Daran anschließend finden sich einige Erläuterungen zum „Titus Imperator“. Hierbei wird Neumayrs poetologische Rechtfertigung des Titus als Bühnenfigur dargestellt, dann folgen Anmerkungen zum Prolog und zu den Chören sowie Ausführungen zur strukturellen, dramaturgischen, stilistischen und sprachlichen Gestaltung des Stücks sowie zum Bühnenbild.
Um den „Titus Imperator“ einordnen zu können und Grundlagen und Parallelen aufzuzeigen, werden schließlich Neumayrs Themenwahl und Quellenrezeption genauer betrachtet, wobei insbesondere auf die beneficentia und clementia des Protagonisten eingegangen wird. Ferner wird die Relevanz des Titus als Bühnenfigur in Oper und Drama hervorgehoben, der historische Ursprung der clementia Caesaris beschrieben und die Fürstenspiegelliteratur als ideologischer Referenzpunkt des Werks in aller Knappheit dargestellt.
Im Anhang finden sich zudem noch die ins Deutsche übersetzten argumenta der anderen im „Theatrum Politicum“ publizierten Stücke aus Neumayrs Feder, um einen ersten Eindruck von seiner sonstigen Art, Dramen zu gestalten, vermitteln zu können und einen oberflächlichen Vergleich mit seinem „Titus Imperator“ zu ermöglichen
Label-free Sensing Strategies to Monitor Disease Models of Glaucoma In Vitro
Get PDFThis thesis deals with different approaches of non-invasive sensing techniques to contribute to current glaucoma treatment and to also find new glaucoma treatment strategies. The main focus is turned to its most prevalent form, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), where mechanical alterations of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells reduce the outflow of aqueous humor and, accordingly, increase the intraocular pressure (IOP) leading to a visual nerve damage. Studies are performed on 2D cell cultures, while cellular changes are recorded by the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Since the QCM is highly sensitive to stiffness changes / viscoelastic changes, this technique is mainly used to report on the relevant mechanical alterations. ECIS is used to record cell shape changes, while most of the measurements are complemented by CLSM investigations to observe the concomitant cytoskeletal changes. In a preliminary mechanical characterization, polyacrylamide (PAAm) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels are used as a model system for the cells. On the one hand, the hydrogels are used to establish correlations between the Young’s modulus measured by compression testing and the acoustic impedance recorded by QCM. These correlations are then used to calculate the Young’s modulus of a variety of cells from their QCM response providing results similar to those reported for atomic force microscopy (AFM). On the other hand, equations correlating the complex shear modulus with QCM parameters published by Bandey et al. are tested for hydrogels by calculation of the complex shear modulus from QCM data and comparison to values obtained from rheological measurements. Since the complex shear modulus is frequency-dependent and has not been studied in the MHz-region before, the results are plausible and in a reasonable order of magnitude. These equations are then applied to cells, which enables a way to determine complex shear moduli in the MHz-region, which is hardly accessible by other techniques. Studies on HTM-N cells, that serve as a model for the TM cells of the human eye and are treated with fasudil, reveal the suitability of this Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor for the treatment of POAG. Fasudil is demonstrated to induce a relaxation and degradation of actin filaments in HTM-N cells, as indicated by the stiffness decrease observed in QCM measurements and the morphological changes observed in ECIS measurements and CLSM imaging. This suggests a reduction of outflow resistance in the TM by fasudil, leading to an increase in aqueous humor outflow and consequently to a reduction of IOP, the main risk factor of POAG. To model the in-vivo situation of intravitreal fasudil injection followed by diffusion through the vitreous body and subsequent influence on TM cells, a transwell assay is developed in this thesis with photolithographic fabrication of the electrode arrays. This assay utilizes continuous ECIS measurements to monitor the response of HTM-N cells to fasudil as well as the retardation by diffusion through the vitreous body in transwell filter inserts. The cellular response to fasudil, as released from the vitreous body, is very similar to that obtained from a direct exposure, proving its relaxation effect even after previous diffusion. The successful performance of this transwell experiment demonstrates that it is complementary to existing organ on-a-chip devices for the investigation of POAG and also suggests using this assay to screen for other ROCK inhibitors or different kinds of drugs, or to investigate even other diseases. Additionally, osmotically triggered water flux in HTM-N cells is analyzed in this thesis. Water flux induced by osmotic gradients leads to changes of cell volume associated with changes of intracellular viscoelasticity, which makes it possible to detect water flux by QCM measurements. Results demonstrate a very fast water flux in HTM-N cells, providing the great potential to find glaucoma treatment strategies based on water flux. For example, as already suggested in literature, hypertonically induced TM cell shrinking can increase TM permeability and decrease IOP in glaucoma patients. This effect may be long-lasting since it is revealed by studying different water flux inhibitors that HTM-N cells barely exhibit regulatory volume increase processes