162 research outputs found

    Characterization of a carbon aerosol generator in a helium gas-jet for the extraction of fission products from the research reactor TRIGA Mainz

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    OnTEAM metadata: GDSID: DOC-2009-Jul-151; Attribute ID: LIBRARY-thesis_diplom-2009-009; Title: [GSI Dipl 2009-06] Characterization of a carbon aerosol generator in a helium gas-jet for the extraction of fission products from the research reactor TRIGA Mainz; Author(s): Eibach, Martin; Corporate author(s): ; Publication date: 20090729; Creator: manton; Creation date: 29.07.2009 13:46:59; Change date: 24.09.2010 14:39:59; Access: Welt; Attribute type: Thesis.Diplom; Directory path: ['GSI Publications', 'GSI as Publisher']; Attribute path: ['Infrastructure', 'Library and Documentation', 'thesis_diplom', 'Added in 2009']; File name(s): ['DOC-2009-Jul-151-1.pdf']; File title(s): ['']; File access: ['nur berechtigte Gruppen'

    Fragile Families. Marriage and Domestic Life in the Age of Bourgeois Modernity (1750-1900)

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    In the era of bourgeois modernity (1750–1900), the family is as valued as it is vulnerable. It constitutes a community of care, conflict, and emotion. Time and again, it is evoked as a bond of love as well as a moral institution. Yet both love and morality are fragile. A more detailed exploration reveals that domestic life during this period was much more colorful, open, and dynamic – and also more prone to crisis – than one might expect given the vaunted view of the family that characterized the heyday of the bourgeoisie. This book rewrites the history of the modern family. Self-narratives – primarily diaries – written by members of eight families from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria serve as sources for this research. The focus extends far beyond the bourgeoisie. With a micro-historical eye, the author reconstructs family histories from the peasant milieu to the patrician elite, from the parsonage to the educated bourgeoisie; he considers the domestic life of a journeyman craftsman, a couple’s descent from the ranks of the petite bourgeoisie, the effects of an itinerant childhood among the proletariat, and the strain of being caught between a bourgeois family and artistic individuality. Many of these aspects point beyond bourgeois modernity to the family in our time

    Charakterisierung antimikrobieller Resistenzmuster bei Vibrio cholerae Isolaten aus Ghana mittels Third Generation Vollgenomsequenzierung

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    Diese Arbeit untersucht die Anwendbarkeit der Vollgenomsequenzierung (VGS) zur Bestimmung antimikrobieller Resistenzmuster am Beispiel von Vibrio cholerae. Die Sequenzierung erfolgte mittels Illumina- und Nanopore-Sequenzierung von 82 V. cholerae Isolaten (Patientenproben aus Ghana 2011, 2012 und 2014), die in einer vorigen Studie experimentell auf Resistenzmuster untersucht worden waren. Zur bioinformatischen Auswertung entwickelten und implementierten wir ein Programm namens CholerAegon und identifizierten damit insgesamt 11 Resistenzgene, 10 davon durch Nanopore Sequenzdaten. Im Vergleich zu den experimentell ermittelten Resistenzmustern lieferte die VGS für Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazol, Nalidixinsäure, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin und Tetrazyklin überzeugende Daten. Für Ampicillin und Chloramphenicol war dies jedoch nicht der Fall. In der Gegenüberstellung der verwendeten Sequenziermethoden erwiesen sich die Illumina-Daten in der Average Nucleotid Identity, die Nanopore-Daten in der Fragmentlänge und der Größe der Genomassemblierung als überlegen. Insgesamt lieferte die Kombination der Daten mittels Hybridassemblierung die besten Ergebnisse. Für Ausbruchsgeschehen bietet die Nanopore-Technologie aufgrund der mobilen Anwendbarkeit und der geringen Kosten einen großen Nutzen zur schnellen Identifizierung und epidemiologischen Überwachung von Krankheitserregern. Für detaillierte Fragestellungen, insbesondere zur Identifizierung von Punktmutationen, ist die Genauigkeit der Nanopore-Sequenzierung jedoch zurzeit noch nicht ausreichend. Zusammenfassend kann festgehalten werden, dass die VGS bereits zufriedenstellende Ergebnisse zur Resistenzcharakterisierung liefert, jedoch in Bezug auf die Sensitivität die konventionellen Methoden noch nicht ersetzen kann. Hierzu muss in Zukunft weiteres Wissen über Resistenzgene und deren molekulare Mechanismen gesammelt und in den gängigen Open Access Datenbanken hinterlegt werden

    Microbiological laboratory diagnostics of neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs)

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    This review reports on laboratory diagnostic approaches for selected, highly pathogenic neglected zoonotic diseases, i.e. anthrax, bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, echinococcosis, leishmaniasis, rabies, Taenia solium-associated diseases (neuro-/cysticercosis & taeniasis) and trypanosomiasis. Diagnostic options, including microscopy, culture, matrix-assisted laser-desorption-ionisation time of-flight mass spectrometry, molecular approaches and serology are introduced. These procedures are critically discussed regarding their diagnostic reliability and state of evaluation. For rare diseases reliable evaluation data are scarce due to the rarity of samples. If bio-safety level 3 is required for cultural growth, but such high standards of laboratory infrastructure are not available, serological and molecular approaches from inactivated sample material might be alternatives. Multiple subsequent testing using various test platforms in a stepwise approach may improve sensitivity and specificity. Cheap and easy to use tests, usually called "rapid diagnostic tests" (RDTs) may impact disease control measures, but should not preclude developing countries from state of the art diagnostics. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license

    Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter spp., and Arcobacter butzleri from Local and Imported Poultry Meat in Kumasi, Ghana

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    Salmonella and Campylobacter are important gastroenteric pathogens. Arcobacter butzleri is an emerging enteric pathogen. Data on the frequencies of these poultry-associated pathogens on meat products sold in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. This study aimed to analyze the frequency of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Arcobacter antibiotic resistance and underlying mechanisms of resistance to fluoroquinolones in locally produced and imported poultry sold in urban Ghana. Chicken meat was collected and cultured on standard media. Bacterial strains were identified by biochemical methods and by mass spectrometry. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion. Ciprofloxacin-resistant strains were assessed for molecular mechanisms of resistance. Among 200 samples, comprising 34% (n = 68) from the Ghanaian poultry industry and 66% (n = 132) from imports, 9% (n = 17) contained Salmonella, 11% (n = 22) Campylobacter, and 26.5% (n = 53) A. butzleri. Higher overall contamination frequencies were found in local meat. Most common Salmonella serovars identified were Kentucky (n/N = 5/16; 31%) and Poona (n/N = 4/16; 25%). Campylobacter were C. coli (n/N = 10/19; 53%) and C. jejuni (n/N = 9/19; 47%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was high with 63% (n = 10), 75% (n = 15), and 52% (n = 25) in Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Arcobacter, respectively. A link between Salmonella Kentucky [sequence type (ST) 198] and a ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration of 16 μg/mL was found. Salmonella Poona-ST308 revealed transferable qnrB2 fluoroquinolone resistance genes. Markedly high frequencies of resistant Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Arcobacter predominant in locally produced meat represent a probable transmission reservoir for human infections. These findings highlight the need for implementation of surveillance systems that focus on food hygiene, use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, and continuous monitoring of the quality of meat products from imports.Peer Reviewe

    Implementation and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

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    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The thesis aims to enhance the understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa and evaluate existing laboratory capacities for AMR surveillance in the region. It comprises two comprehensive cross-sectional studies. The first, conducted between November 2013 and March 2017, analyses clinical specimens from febrile patients hospitalized in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, and Tanzania, with focus on key AMR concerns highlighted by the World Health Organization, including carbapenem-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales, fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Notable variations in susceptibility patterns were found, with Burkina Faso exhibiting high prevalence in ESBL production and ciprofloxacin resistance, emphasizing the importance of region-specific AMR surveillance and improved reporting for targeted interventions. The study found no resistance to carbapenems, indicating their potential as an effective option against infections caused by ESBL-producing bacteria, despite their cost and limited availability. However, the thesis advocates for sustained vigilance in detecting emerging carbapenemase-producing pathogens to ensure timely response and management. Paper two assessed a convenience sample of healthcare facilities in Kenya, encompassing public and private sectors, rural and urban settings, as well as national, county and community units. The assessment was conducted through online surveys of laboratory managers between October 5th and 8th, 2020, with the aim of evaluating laboratory capacity for AMR surveillance and identifying areas for improvement. A scoring scheme was applied to evaluate indicators of quality assurance, management and dissemination of AMR data, material and equipment, staffing, microbiology competency, biosafety and certification. Gaps in laboratory information management technology, quality assurance, data management, and resources were identified, especially in rural areas. Interestingly, facilities performing bacterial cultures only and those conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) were found to have similar capacities, except in terms of equipment. This implies that investing in equipment could enhance the capabilities of facilities conducting cultures only to also perform ASTs, presenting a noteworthy opportunity for expanding AMR diagnostics and improving healthcare delivery within Kenya and potentially beyond its borders. The thesis advances AMR knowledge in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing a roadmap for tailored policies, strengthened surveillance systems, and improved capacities in health laboratories. The findings can serve as a basis to gauge potential impacts of future interventions and the applied scoring tool can be utilized in similar contexts. Furthermore, the evaluation tool in the current research stands as a valuable resource for facilities to independently assess their capacities and practices, contributing to ongoing development efforts in combating AMR.ABSTRACT Aim: To enhance the understanding of antimicrobial resistance patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa and evaluate existing laboratory capacity for AMR surveillance in the region. Methods: The thesis comprises two cross-sectional studies: a quantitative approach in [I] and a mixed methods approach in [II]. In Paper I, clinical specimens were collected from febrile patients aged ≥30 days and ≤15 years in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, and Tanzania. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on Enterobacterales and Staphylococcus aureus using the disk diffusion method. ESBL production was confirmed via a double-disk diffusion test and gene detection. Multilocus sequence typing was conducted on ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella enterica isolates were screened for plasmid-mediated resistance genes and mutations. S. aureus isolates were tested for mecA and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) presence and spa-typed. In Paper II, health facilities in Kenya were conveniently sampled. Online surveys were conducted with laboratory managers to assess quality assurance, data management, resources, staffing, competency, biosafety, and certification. Facility capacities were evaluated using a 0-1 scoring scheme and compared across facility types, settings, and governance levels. Results: The study analyzed 4,052 specimens from 3,012 patients, finding 219 positive cultures. Prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales varied: highest in Burkina Faso (45.2%), followed by Gabon (25.8%) and Ghana (15.1%), while Tanzania had none. ESBL-positive Salmonella was found in Burkina Faso and methicillin-resistant S. aureus in Ghana. ST131 dominated ESBL E. coli, and ESBL K. pneumoniae had diverse sequence types. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella were common in Burkina Faso (50%), carrying qnrB genes. PVL was found in 81.3% of S. aureus (I). Among 219 participating facilities, most did not offer bacterial culture testing (n= 135, 61.6%), while 47 (21.5%) provided culture services only, and 37 (16.9%) conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Major gaps in AST facilities were poor access to laboratory information management technology (LIMT) (score: 45.9%) and low participation in external quality assessment (EQA) programs (score of 67.7%). Urban facilities had more than two-fold higher access to laboratory technology compared to rural facilities (58.6% vs. 25.0%). Laboratories lacking culture services showed significant infrastructural gaps (average score 59.4%), whereas facilities performing cultures only and AST had notably high and similar scores (Average scores: 83.6%. & 82.9%). Lack of equipment was the main challenge for susceptibility testing in 46.8% of laboratories (II). Conclusions: The findings highlight distinct susceptibility patterns in the study regions and underscore the need for local AMR surveillance and reporting. The study also identified gaps in laboratory information management technology, external quality assurance, and equipment in the surveyed health facilities in Kenya. The findings suggest that by investing in equipment, facilities performing cultures can be successfully upgraded to provide additional antimicrobial susceptibility testing, presenting a chance for a leap toward improved AMR diagnostics and surveillance in the country

    Studies on terminology in music education: their relevance, methodology and benefit exemplified by the term Musik-Lernen (music learning)

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    The use of precise terminology is commonly regarded as an essential criterion for scholarliness. Therefore, the author presents here a research method, which was developed in a study on the usage, historical development, and range of meanings of the term Musik-Lernen (music learning). With reference to core findings of this paper, it is shown that studies on terminology are an indispensable part of basic research in music education because they provide the fundamentals for further scientific inquiries. (DIPF/Orig.
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