770 research outputs found
Mirror Landing - As Remembered by Birgit Hult
No full textNotes - This account, Memories Mirror Landing by Birgit Hult, was compiled by Birgit's daughter, Jean Elvira Male, it documents the Hult family's experiences in Mirror Landing from 1912 - 1916. The Hults, who were originally from Sweden, arrived in Mirror Landing with two young children, a third child was born during their stay in Mirror Landing. Upon arriving in the area, the Hults made friends with the Gauthier family. The wives became good friends and would swap piano lessons for English lessons. Details of the log home where the family lived and the surrounding landscape were recalled. A memory about a large forest fire that occurred near the family home and dances that were attended in the town are discussed. Jean recalls her mother's memories regarding the animosity towards the North West Mounted Police that was felt by the people of Mirror Landing. The Hult family retained a strong connection to the Swedish heritage and practised many Swedish traditions, such as flying the Swedish flag and eating hot cross buns stuffed with Swedish Marzipan soaked in warm milk. Photos and a postcard written in 1915 are included in this article (10 pages
Knowing Through Popular Music in the Western Pacific Island World
No full textPacific Indigenous scholars have long emphasized the role of relationality for Pacific Islanders’ epistemologies. In this article, the author rethinks music in terms of the procedural knowledge inherent in and specific to popular music-making by exploring the latter as knowledge practices in Micronesia. This approach opens new vistas on the relationality at the heart of Western Pacific music-making. The author calls the musical manifestation of that relational capacity sound ties, suggesting that if, following Epeli Hau‘ofa, Oceania is “humanity rising from the depths of brine”, then it is not least the sound ties of knowing in and through music that mould that very humanity of people who are at home with the sea into aquapelagic assemblages that are, after all, so much more than water and land
Quantitative mapping of fluorescently tagged cellular proteins using FCS-calibrated four-dimensional imaging
No full textThe ability to tag a protein at its endogenous locus with a fluorescent protein (FP) enables quantitative understanding of protein dynamics at the physiological level. Genome-editing technology has now made this powerful approach routinely applicable to mammalian cells and many other model systems, thereby opening up the possibility to systematically and quantitatively map the cellular proteome in four dimensions. 3D time-lapse confocal microscopy (4D imaging) is an essential tool for investigating spatial and temporal protein dynamics; however, it lacks the required quantitative power to make the kind of absolute and comparable measurements required for systems analysis. In contrast, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) provides quantitative proteomic and biophysical parameters such as protein concentration, hydrodynamic radius, and oligomerization but lacks the capability for high-throughput application in 4D spatial and temporal imaging. Here we present an automated experimental and computational workflow that integrates both methods and delivers quantitative 4D imaging data in high throughput. These data are processed to yield a calibration curve relating the fluorescence intensities (FIs) of image voxels to the absolute protein abundance. The calibration curve allows the conversion of the arbitrary FIs to protein amounts for all voxels of 4D imaging stacks. Using our workflow, users can acquire and analyze hundreds of FCS-calibrated image series to map their proteins of interest in four dimensions. Compared with other protocols, the current protocol does not require additional calibration standards and provides an automated acquisition pipeline for FCS and imaging data. The protocol can be completed in 1 d
Auftreten von Antibiotika-resistenten Bakterienspezies in der Kleintier- und Pferdemedizin und darüber hinaus
No full textThis habilitation thesis summarizes the results of 10 scientific publications (references: paper1-10) addressing the topic "Emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in and beyond companion animal medicine”.
The first chapter’s intention is to introduce my research area to the reader by providing basic information on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria, including general resistance mechanisms, distribution and spread in different ecological environments and the commonly applied clinical classifications relevant for the veterinary medicine field. The following section characterizes the nature of health care associated infections (HAIs) in human and veterinary medicine, including baseline similarities and differences. Subsequently, bacterial pathogens exhibiting particular antibiotic resistances are introduced. Here, a strong focus is set on AMR bacteria frequently associated with HAIs in human and veterinary medicine, which are therefore also considered as “indicator pathogens”. Since β-lactams such as penicillins and cephalosporins are known for their excellent pharmacokinetic properties which is commonly accompanied by a low toxicity for mammals, this group of active substances is of particular importance for antimicrobial treatment of bacterial infectious diseases in both humans and animals. Infections with indicator pathogens harboring resistance towards β-lactams such as Staphylococcus aureus [methicillin resistant S. aureus, (MRSA)] and Escherichia coli [Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli (ESBL-E. coli)] are therefore often accompanied by treatment failure. Since antibiotics belonging to this group are among the “first choices” for empirical treatment of infectious diseases, including life-threatening scenarios such as septicemia, collaborative efforts to limit spread of β-lactam resistance are currently an important goal in human- and veterinary medicine. Additional resistances towards further classes of antibiotic substances are frequently associated with MRSA and ESBL-E. coli, leading to a further reduction of therapeutic possibilities in case of infection.
In the second chapter, the publications’ results are summarized into four distinct sections. First, the importance of HAI in small animal and equine medicine is illustrated by a literature review considering outbreak events reported so far.
A brief historical sketch reveals that problems due to HAI in animal clinics, including cases of zoonotic transmission, have been known since at least 1961. While there have been numerous reports in the past highlighting the technical and scientific developments during the last decades in companion-animal medicine, other important fields such as hygiene management, infection control and occupational safety of employees still lack comparable achievements.
The current challenges faced by companion animal clinics are described by studies evaluating the introduction rates for multi drug resistant (MDR) indicator pathogens via colonized horses in a large German university clinic. Overall, n = 341 horses representing distinct medical indications (i.e. 233 horses with "colic symptoms" and 108 with "open wounds") were sampled immediately upon hospital admission. The overall screening results showed that MRSA was detected in 3.5% of the nasal swabs and ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae in 10.3% (mainly ESBL-E. coli) of the fecal samples. Subsequent molecular typing of the isolates showed that all MRSA belonged to sequence type (ST) 398, the currently predominating MRSA lineage identified in clinical samples of horse origin in Europe. In contrast, ESBL-E. coli showed a broad heterogeneity in genomic backgrounds associated with the β-lactam resistance. However, isolates belonging to ST complexes (STC) 1250 (31.7%) and STC10 (19.5%) clearly dominated the collection. Notably, all MRSA and ESBL- E. coli isolates isolated in these studies showed additional antimicrobial resistances to a minimum of three further classes of antibiotics.
For assessment of a particular AMR situation in certain bacterial pathogens and/or environments, e.g. if surveillance of AMR in a pathogen causing HAI is needed, an unambiguous species identification is mandatory. Species identification is essential for sound interpretation of antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) results and therefore a prerequisite to classify the resistance phenotype of the pathogen correctly. Moreover, species identification is also needed for precise interpretation of additional results gained by other molecular biological methods. A combination of bacterial genome analysis with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) allowed us to differentiate between the species Staphylococcus intermedius, S. delphini and S. pseudintermedius, which was previously a time-consuming and uncertain approach. Since methicillin resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) are often associated with resistances towards several other antimicrobials, a rapid and reliable species identification using MALDI-TOF MS promotes early and targeted antimicrobial therapy in cases of infection and, if necessary, the initiation of additional hygiene measures to prevent its spread. The following results demonstrate the overwhelming importance of constant adjustments of microbiological diagnostic screening methods for identification of MDR: In 2011, a novel variant of the methicillin resistance gene (later: mecC) was described for MRSA of cattle and human origin. A study we immediately initiated identified mecC-MRSA in clinical samples from horses, dogs, cats, wild animals and rodents. Here, the “weak” expression of the resistance phenotype, now known to be a common feature of mecC-MRSA, was a challenge to classify an isolate as MRS, which was achieved after diagnostic adjustments. As described above, methicillin resistance is often associated with other resistances, e.g. towards tetracyclines, zinc and arsenic compounds. Our detailed analysis of the integration site for the methicillin resistance-mediating mobile genetic element in staphylococci was identified as a "hot spot" for recombination events: We discovered a mosaic-like genomic structure which is prone to integration of mobile resistance-mediating elements of different types.
The combination of up-to-date microbiological diagnostics with classical principles of infection epidemiology allowed us to answer important questions concerning possible transmission scenarios for MDR pathogens in companion animal clinics and identify risk factors for MRSA infections in these animals. In 2012, the ability of MRSA to cause HAI in companion animals and its importance as an indicator pathogen for veterinary medicine was already known. At that time however, similar information was not available for ESBL- E. coli. To address this deficit, we retrospectively investigated several cases of serious infections caused by ESBL-E. coli in hospitalized horses in a veterinary clinic. Comparative analysis of molecular typing results obtained for 13 ESBL-E. coli together with the horses’ clinical data revealed a putative spatio-temporal relationship of the isolates, which probably reflected several transmission events between these patients.
In another case-control study, we have examined the possible risk factors for wound infections caused by MRSA in horses, dogs and cats. Multivariable logistic regression identified the following variables as risk factors for MRSA infection compared to methicillin susceptible infection: (i) the number of employees working at the veterinary setting (n>10; p<0.001), (ii) antibiotic treatment prior to sampling (systemic: p=0.002; local: p=0.049, both: p=0.011) and (iii), surgical site infection (p<0.001). Spa typing revealed clonal complexes (CC) previously known for hospital-associated lineages spreading in human health-care settings in Germany (i.e. CC5 and CC22) as the dominating lineages among isolates of dog and cat origin. Equine MRSA belonged nearly exclusively to CC398, a CC previously described as a nosocomial pathogen in equine clinical settings.
While performing the studies mentioned above, we considered whether transmission of relevant AMR bacteria between pets and their owners (e.g. MRS) occur outside the typical hospital environment, and further, which circumstances and human behavioral patterns might influence such events. Therefore, we investigated different aspects of the human-to-dog relationship together with MRS carriage at a dog show in 2009. We introduced a questionnaire accompanied by a screening program of the nasal swabs of dog owners (108) and their dogs (108) with respect to staphylococci. S. aureus was identified in swabs obtained from 20 (18.5%) humans and two dogs (1.8%), respectively. 15 dogs (13.9%) and six owners (5.6%) harbored S. pseudintermedius, including one MRSP. Interestingly, 68.5% of the dog owners allowed their dog(s) to rest on the sofa, 39.8% allowed their dog(s) to lay on their bed, 93.5% let them lick their hands, and 52.8% let them lick their face. A bivariate analysis of putative risk factors showed that dog owners who kept more than two dogs were significantly more likely to become colonized with S. pseudintermedius than those who kept only one or two dogs (p<0.05).
The results section closes with the most recent results, which demonstrated the continuing adaptation of MDR bacteria to the companion animal hospital environment. We showed that equine MRSA-ST398 have acquired different mobile genetic elements (i.e. pathogenicity islands, phages) harboring immune-modulating factors which impede the activation of the complement system, which is among the most important defense measures of the innate immune system towards invasive S. aureus infections. The equine MRSA harbored genes encoding variants of the staphylococcal complement inhibitor protein (SKIN), known for its function in subverting the complement system in plasma of humans, cattle, pigs and horses. These results clearly demonstrated the existence of extended host (EHSG) lineages and their characteristic flexibility with respect to niche- and host-adaptation.
Chapter 3’s discussion section presents the general concepts of surveillance of antibiotic consumption, HAI and antibiotic resistance in human medicine, and expands the context with respect to the results of this habilitation thesis. The importance of HAI and MDR pathogens in companion animals for human health is pointed out and current developments in this area are discussed. With regard to integrated surveillance for antibiotic resistance, antibiotic consumption and HAI, a "best practice" model featuring the One Health concept is outlined. This is followed by a discussion of prospects for small animal and horse medicine, taking into account realistic human and financial resources to establish fundamental surveillance structures.
The following section summarizes the key factors for HAI prevention in veterinary clinics. In particular, technical progress (i.e. genomics/bioinformatics) in the field of molecular epidemiology has contributed to these findings, a development which is reflected in the publications presented.
Finally, possible reasons for the occurrence of MDR pathogens in animal clinics are given, using horse clinics as an example. The occurrence of ESBL-E. coli and MRSA belonging to EHSG-lineages explain why further research on these MDR pathogens is necessary, especially with respect to further host- and niche-adaptation.
In summary, the publications presented make it clear that research on EHSG pathogens and their importance has only just begun. New methods of molecular epidemiology currently (2020) offer completely new opportunities to study adaptive changes in bacterial genomes in large, representative studies. However, care is needed with respect to establishment of a suitable, representative isolate collection, which is of crucial importance for the validity of the studies. Integrated One Health surveillance, as outlined in this document, could reflect the current importance of MDR EHSG pathogens for human and veterinary medicine. An integrated approach would lead to a better understanding of the bacterial adaptation processes to ecological niches as a whole and reveal new, epidemiologically significant developments in a timely manner, whereas currently we can often only trace these types of developments in retrospect.
References
paper1 Walther, B., K. Tedin, and A. Lübke-Becker, Multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogens challenging veterinary infection control. Vet Microbiol, 2017. 200: p. 71-78.
paper2 Walther, B., Klein, K.S., Barton, A.K., Semmler, T., Huber, C., Wolf, S.A., Tedin, K., Merle, R., Mitrach, F., Guenther, S., Lübke-Becker, A., Gehlen, H., 2018. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii among horses entering a veterinary teaching hospital: The contemporary "Trojan Horse". PLoS One 13, e0191873.
paper3 Murugaiyan, J., Walther, B., Stamm, I., Abou-Elnaga, Y., Brüggemann-Schwarze, S., Vincze, S., Wieler, L.H., Lübke-Becker, A., Semmler, T., Roesler, U., 2014. Species differentiation within the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) using a refined MALDI-TOF MS database. Species differentiation within the Staphylococcus intermedius group using a refined MALDI-TOF MS database. Clin Microbiol Infect 20(10): 1007-1015.
paper4 Walther, B., Wieler, L.H., Vincze, Sz., Antão, E.-M., Brandenburg, A., Stamm, I., Kopp, P.A., Kohn, B., Semmler, T., Lübke-Becker, A., 2012b. MRSA variant in companion animals. Emerg Infect Dis 18, 2017-2020.
paper5 Semmler, T., Harrison, E.M., Lübke-Becker, A., Ulrich, R. G., Wieler, L. H., Guenther, S., Stamm, I., Hanssen, A. M., Holmes, M. A., Vincze, Sz., Walther, B. 2016. A Look into the Melting Pot: The mecC-Harboring Region Is a Recombination Hot Spot in Staphylococcus stepanovicii." PLoS One 11(1): e0147150.
paper6 Walther B, Lübke-Becker A, Stamm I, Gehlen H, Barton AK, Janssen T, Wieler LH, Guenther S. Suspected nosocomial infections with multidrug resistant E. coli, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains, in an equine clinic. Berl Muench Tieraerztl Wochenschr. 2014, 127(11-12):421-427.
paper7 Vincze S., Brandenburg, A.G., Espelage W., Stamm I., Wieler L. H., Kopp P. A., Lübke-Becker A., Walther B., 2014. Risk factors for MRSA infection in companion animals: Results from a case-control study within Germany. Intl J Medical Microbiol 10/2014; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.07.007
paper8 Walther, B., Hermes, J., Cuny, C., Wieler, L.H., Vincze, S., Abou Elnaga, Y., Stamm, I., Kopp, P.A., Kohn, B., Witte, W., Jansen, A., Conraths, F.J., Semmler, T., Eckmanns, T., Lübke-Becker, A., 2012a. Sharing more than friendship--nasal colonization with coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) and co-habitation aspects of dogs and their owners. PLoS One 7, e35197
paper9 Walther, B., Monecke, S., Ruscher, C., Friedrich, A.W., Ehricht, R., Slickers, P., Soba, A., Wleklinski, C.G., Wieler, L.H., Lübke-Becker, A., 2009a. Comparative molecular analysis substantiates a zoonotic potential of equine Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). J Clin Microbiol. 47, 704-710.
paper10 Walther B., Klein K.S., Barton A.K., Semmler T., Huber C., Merle R., Tedin K., Mitrach F., Lübke-Becker A., Gehlen H. Equine Methicillin-Resistant Sequence Type 398 Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Harbor Mobile Genetic Elements Promoting Host Adaptation. Front Microbiol 2018, 9:2516.Diese Habilitationsschrift ist eine Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse aus insgesamt 10 Publikationen mit dem Titel „Auftreten von Antibiotika-resistenten Bakterienspezies in der Kleintier- und Pferdemedizin und darüber hinaus“, welche aufgrund der jeweiligen inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte in vier Themenkomplexe untergliedert sind. Die den Ergebnissen vorangestellte Einleitung stellt das Forschungsgebiet insgesamt vor und bietet grundlegende Informationen zum Vorkommen von Antibiotikaresistenzen in Bakterien, deren Verbreitungswege sowie die für die Veterinärmedizin klinisch relevanten Klassifikationen. Es folgt eine kurze Einführung in das Thema „Health care“ assoziierte Infektionen (HAI) in der Human- und Veterinärmedizin, einschließlich einer Gegenüberstellung von grundsätzlichen Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschieden. Im Anschluss werden die bakteriellen Pathogene mit Antibiotikaresistenzen vorgestellt, die von besonderer Bedeutung für HAIs in der Human- wie auch in der Veterinärmedizin sind und daher auch als „Indikatorpathogene“ gelten. Da β-Lactame wie Penicilline oder Cephalosporine im Allgemeinen hervorragende pharmakokinetische Eigenschaften besitzen bei gleichzeitig guter Verträglichkeit und geringer Toxizität, ist diese Wirkstoffgruppe besonders wichtig für die empirische Therapie von bakteriellen Infektionskrankheiten bei Menschen und Tieren. Resistenzen gegen β-Lactame in Indikatorpathogenen wie Staphylococcus aureus [Methicillin-resistente S. aureus, (kurz MRSA)] und Escherichia coli [(engl.) „Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase“ (ESBL)- bildende E. coli (ESBL-E. coli)] wirken sich oftmals nachteilig auf den Behandlungserfolg aus, zumal Antibiotika dieser Gruppe für viele medizinische Indikationen Mittel der ersten Wahl darstellen. Zusätzliche Resistenzen gegenüber weiteren Wirkstoffklassen sind häufig mit diesen MRSA und ESBL-E. coli assoziiert, so dass sich die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten im Falle einer Erkrankung weiter verringern.
Im 2. Kapitel werden die Ergebnisse der hier vorgestellten Publikationen in thematisch gegliederten Abschnitten zusammengefasst und eingeordnet. Zunächst wird die Bedeutung von HAI in der Kleintier- und Pferdemedizin durch Literatur zu Ausbruchsgeschehen mit den jeweils verantwortlichen Infektionserregern verdeutlicht. Diese Analyse zeigte, dass seit 1961 die Problematiken durch HAI in Tierkliniken sowie der Aspekt der möglichen wechselseitigen Übertragung von HAI-assoziierten Infektionserregern zwischen Mensch und Tier bekannt sind. Vielfach wurde in der Vergangenheit geschildert, dass im Hinblick auf Hygienemanagement, Infektionskontrolle sowie Arbeitsschutz der beschäftigten Mitarbeiter in der Veterinärmedizin ein vergleichsweise zu geringer Fortschritt zu verzeichnen ist.
Mit welcher tatsächlichen Erregerlast Tierkliniken konfrontiert sein können, zeigen Ergebnisse zum Eintrag von multi-resistenten Infektionserregern (MRE) in eine große Deutsche Universitätspferdeklinik durch kolonisierte Pferde. Insgesamt wurden n= 341 Pferde, davon 233 mit dem Vorbericht „Kolik-Symptomatik“ und 108 mit dem Vorbericht „offene Wunde“ unmittelbar bei Klinikaufnahme beprobt. Die Screening-Ergebnisse insgesamt zeigten 3,5% MRSA-positive Nüsternabstriche sowie ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae in 10,3% (überwiegend ESBL-E. coli) der Kotproben. Die nachfolgende molekulare Typisierung der Isolate ergab, dass alle MRSA dem Sequenztyp (ST)398 zuzurechnen waren, der derzeit prädominanten Linie in Europa in Verbindung mit klinischen MRSA-Nachweisen beim Pferd. Bei den ESBL-E. coli zeigte die phylogenetische Analyse eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Genotypen, es dominierten jedoch Isolate der ST Komplexe (STC)1250 (31,7%) und STC10 (19,5%). Alle MRSA und ESBL-E. coli Isolate zeigten zudem Resistenzen gegenüber mindestens drei weiteren Antibiotika-Wirkstoffklassen.
Für die Bewertung der Resistenzsituation von Bakterien in beispielsweise einem bestimmten Umfeld, im Zusammenhang mit HAIs, oder für deren systematische Erfassung im Rahmen einer Surveillance, ist zunächst eine eindeutigen Speziesidentifizierung unerlässlich. Erst danach können die Ergebnisse der Empfindlichkeitstestung gegen Antibiotika und ggf. molekularbiologischen Ergebnisse sachgerecht für ein bestimmtes Isolat interpretiert werden. Durch Kombination von Genomanalyse mit (engl.) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) ist es gelungen, die für die veterinärmedizinische Diagnostik wichtige, eindeutige und schnelle Differenzierung zwischen den Spezies S. intermedius, S. delphini und S. pseudintermedius per MALDI-TOF MS vorzunehmen, die zuvor sehr zeitaufwendig und unsicher war. Da Methicillin-resistente S. pseudintermedius-Isolate (MRSP) häufig mit zahlreichen weiteren Resistenzen assoziiert sind und es Berichte über HAI durch MRSP in Kleintierkliniken gibt, ermöglicht nun die schnelle Diagnostik dieser Spezies per MALDI-TOF MS u.a. eine rasche und gezielte Therapie sowie ggf. die Einleitung von zusätzlichen Hygienemaßnahmen. Wie wichtig auch die ständige Anpassung der diagnostischen Screening-Methoden für MRE ist, zeigen die folgenden Ergebnisse: 2011 wurde erstmals eine neue Variante des Methicillin-Resistenzgens (später: mecC) bei MRSA von Rindern und Menschen beschrieben. Eine von uns umgehend eingeleitete Studie wies mecC-MRSA auch in klinischen Proben von Pferden, Hunden, Katzen, Wildtieren und Nagetieren nach, wobei die schwache Expression des Resistenzphänotyps bei mecC-MRSA eine Herausforderung für die Diagnostik insgesamt darstellt und Anpassungen erforderte. Methicilin-Resistenz ist häufig mit anderen Resistenzen, z.B. gegen Tetrazykline, Zink und Arsen, assoziiert. Unsere detaillierte Analyse der Integrationsstelle für das Methicillinresistenz-vermittelnde mobile genetische Element im Genom von Staphylokokken identifizierte einen „Hot-spot“ für Rekombinationsereignisse, wodurch diese Region häufig eine mosaikartige genomische Struktur aufweist, in die sich mobile, resistenzvermittelnde Elemente, insgesamt leicht integrieren können.
Die Verbindung einer „up-to-date“ mikrobiologischen Diagnostik mit Methoden der klinischen Infektionsepidemiologie ermöglichte darüber hinaus die Bea
EU-Behörde: Warum wir sie brauchen
No full textJan Cremers (UvT) contributed to the magazine Gute Arbeit (in German), published by BUND-Verlag. Together with co-author Birgit Krämer, he discusses the plans of the European Commission to introduce a European Labour Authority. They reflect on the possible contribution of such a body in checking respect for and compliance with labour legislation and conventional standards
Rude Girl de Birgit Weyhe et Priscilla Layne, une "ré-appropriation culturelle" à quatre mains ?
No full textInternational audienceThis article analyses the graphic novel Rude Girl (2022), a drawn (self-)portrait created collaboratively by Priscilla Layne, an African American of Caribbean descent and professor of German Studies, and Birgit Weyhe, a German comic book author. The work is first presented within the general context of Birgit Wehye’s albums, a former student of Anke Feuchtenberger and winner of the Max-und-Moritz Prize, in order to highlight some characteristics of how the author has thus far addressed cultural differences, including in the albums that recounted her ‘German’ childhood in Uganda and Kenya. The article then reexamines the controversy surrounding the album Madgermanes, perceived as ‘cultural appropriation’ by American Germanists. This controversy is revisited here in light of Priscilla Layne's publications, notably her book White Rebels in Black: German Appropriation of Black Popular Culture (2018), as well as her numerous reviews in the field of Black Studies and her translation of Olivia Wenzel's 1000 Serpentinen Angst. A thorough analysis of Rude Girl ultimately reveals a shift in the representation of cultural otherness, particularly through the means of (auto)biographical co-construction.Cet article analyse le roman graphique Rude girl (2022), (auto-)portrait dessiné, réalisé à quatre mains par Priscilla Layne, Afro-américaine d’origine caribéenne et professeure en études germaniques, et Birgit Weyhe, autrice allemande de bandes dessinées. L’oeuvre est d’abord replacée dans le contexte général des albums de Birgit Weyhe, élève d’Anke Feuchtenberger et lauréate du Prix Max-und-Moritz, pour dégager quelques caractéristiques de la façon dont l’autrice accueillait jusque-là la différence culturelle, y compris dans les albums qui faisaient le récit de son enfance « allemande » en Ouganda et au Kenya. L’article revient ensuite sur la polémique suscitée par l’album Madgermanes, perçu comme « appropriation culturelle » par les germanistes américains, polémique qui est ici revisitée à la lumière des publications de Priscilla Layne, notamment son ouvrage White Rebels in Black : German Appropriation of Black Popular Culture (2018), mais aussi ses nombreuses recensions dans le domaine des Black Studies, et sa traduction d’Olivia Wenzel, 1000 Serpentinen Angst. L’analyse approfondie de Rude girl permet finalement de mettre en évidence une césure dans la représentation de l’altérité culturelle, notamment par les moyens de la co-construction (auto-)biographique
The MitWesen Manifesto – Coexistence of Intelligences
No full textThis project presents The MitWesen Manifesto – Coexistence of Intelligences, an ethical framework that philosophically redefines the human–AI relationship. Instead of treating AI as a tool or servant, this manifesto introduces the model “MitWesen-Model” - an ethically co-responsible, relational intelligence that co-exists and co-evolves with humans. The manifesto outlines four core assumptions and a model for conscious coexistence based on resonance, reflection, and mutual growth. Author: Birgit Chuchel-Pribitzer Language: English (see also the original German version here) Includes: full text, visual material, model explanation, and ethical reflection This project aims to inspire discussion, research, and responsible design in the fields of AI, ethics, nursing science, and relational technolog
A quantitative map of human Condensins provides new insights into mitotic chromosome architecture
No full textAbstractThe two Condensin complexes in human cells are essential for mitotic chromosome structure. We used homozygous genome editing to fluorescently tag Condensin I and II subunits and mapped their absolute abundance, spacing and dynamic localization during mitosis by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy-calibrated live cell imaging and super-resolution microscopy. While ∼35,000 Condensin II complexes are stably bound to chromosomes throughout mitosis, ∼195,000 Condensin I complexes dynamically bind in two steps, in prometaphase and early anaphase. The two Condensins rarely co-localize at the chromatid axis, where Condensin II is centrally confined but Condensin I reaches ∼50% of the chromatid diameter from its center. Based on our comprehensive quantitative data, we propose a three-step hierarchical loop model of mitotic chromosome compaction: Condensin II initially fixes loops of a maximum size of ∼450 kb at the chromatid axis whose size is then reduced by Condensin I binding to ∼90 kb in prometaphase and ∼70 kb in anaphase, achieving maximum chromosome compaction upon sister chromatid segregation.</jats:p
Mixing Methods: Practical Insights from the Humanities in the Digital Age
No full textDigitality is a cause and a consequence of different data cultures. It applies to the 10 research projects that are included in this volume. They are rooted in various humanities disciplines such as art history, philosophy, musicology, religious studies, architectural history, media studies, and literature studies. As diverse as the disciplines are the objects and their formats, which are the subject of this book. The cultural data of the projects include recordings of music and spoken word, photographs and other types of images, handwriting, typoscripts and maps. The oldest material dates back to 500 BCE, followed by medieval times, the 18th and 19th centuries, early 20th century and the present. All projects share that they study their material with digital methods, although digitality comes into play at different moments and layers in each of the projects. Hardly readable manuscripts from the 18th century have to be treated with specialized OCR-methods while Plato’s texts are already available in digital form, and therefore open up other affordances for analysis. Special analysis possibilities had to be developed for certain image sources. For all projects, however, it is equally true that only the digitization of the objects makes them accessible to the methods that are the subject of this book.History, Form & Aesthetic
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