Household Protection Against Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemics in Coastal City of Makassar

The skill of two simple models for predicting Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) epidemics in a coastal city of Makassar was evaluated. One model uses persistence while the other uses past dengue cases and climate factors to make predictions. It was shown that the skill of the models was not significantly different. The value of the prediction was also investigated when it was used for deciding whether or not to protect a household from epidemics. When the model predicts that a DHF epidemic was forthcoming, a highly effective but low-cost DEET product was applied to the whole family as protection against mosquito bites. It was found that the cost of implementing such model prediction was much cheaper than other options such as: (i) using protection without any forecast and, (ii) neglecting any protection. It was also found that the value of a forecast depends on forecast skill and the cost-to-loss ratio

Gas emission strength and evolution of the molar ratio of BrO/SO2 in the plume of Nyiragongo in comparison to Etna

Airborne and ground-based differential optical absorption spectroscopy observations have been carried out at the volcano Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of Congo) to measure SO2 and bromine monoxide (BrO) in the plume in March 2004 and June 2007, respectively. Additionally filter pack and multicomponent gas analyzer system (Multi-GAS) measurements were carried out in June 2007. Our measurements provide valuable information on the chemical composition of the volcanic plume emitted from the lava lake of Nyiragongo. The main interest of this study has been to investigate for the first time the bromine emission flux of Nyiragongo (a rift volcano) and the BrO formation in its volcanic plume. Measurement data and results from a numerical model of the evolution of BrO in Nyiragongo volcanic plume are compared with earlier studies of the volcanic plume of Etna (Italy). Even though the bromine flux from Nyiragongo (2.6t/d) is slightly greater than that from Etna (1.9t/d), the BrO/SO2 ratio (maximum 7x10(-5)) is smaller than in the plume of Etna (maximum 2.1x10(-4)). A one-dimensional photochemical model to investigate halogen chemistry in the volcanic plumes of Etna and Nyiragongo was initialized using data from Multi-GAS and filter pack measurements. Model runs showed that the differences in the composition of volcanic volatiles led to a smaller fraction of total bromine being present as BrO in the Nyiragongo plume and to a smaller BrO/SO2 ratio

Umfassendes Modell für den Einfluss des Aerosols auf die Vorgänge in der Atmosphäre von Ballungsgebieten

Ein Gesamtmodell bestehend aus einem mesoskaligen Grenzschichtmodell, einem Strahlungsmodell, einem Optikmodul und einem Chemie- und Ausbreitungsmodell wird vorgestellt. Damit kann der Einfluss des Aerosols auf den Strahlungshaushalt der Atmosphäre und auch auf die meteorologischen Größen detailliert berechnen werden. Anhand eines einfachen Falles werden das Strahlungsmodell und das Optikmodul validiert, die Leistungsfähigkeit des Gesamtmodells wird anhand eines realitätsnahen Falles beurteilt

Kariera Henryka (Heinka) z Głubczyc : przyczynek do badań nad otoczeniem księcia opawsko-raciborskiego Mikołaja II Przemyślidy

The very text is an attempt to reconstruct a biography of Henryk (Heinko, Hynek) from Głubczyce, a townsman who was one of the most trusted advisors in the Opawa Duchy and, next, in the Racibórz Duchy, during the reign of Mikołaj Przemyślid II. The person of Henryk from Głubczyce is extremely valuable in order to learn the processes of shaping the prince’s surrounding of the first Przemyślid dynasty, especially at the court of Mikołaj II. The first years of his ruling are characterised by the lack of an educated political surrounding, while the prince himself used to spend most of his time with Jan Luxembourg, accompanying him in his political and military trips. Later on, however, the prince started devoting more time to domestic affairs of the duchy, and, then, the representatives of local gentry and bourgeoisie started to appear around him as his witnesses. Among those witnessing the documents were most often knight Henryk Hoberk and his namesake, a townsman from Głubczyce. After the Opawa and Racibórz Duchy had been joined together, the latter was definitely in the first place, being the only townsman to be found first in testation. His special role can be proved by the fact that the prince called him consiliari. The very text, apart from presenting the person of Henryk and heritage he left, a lot of attention has been paid to a description of goods and private foundations he possessed. The emphasis was also put on relationships with Franciszek from Prague, a protonotary, and Jan from Głubczyce who might have been Henryk’s protégé or relative

Österreichischer Film und nationale Identität

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich dem gegenwärtigen österreichischen Film und dessen Stellenwert für die nationale Identität der ÖsterreicherInnen. Anstoß dafür war der große internationale Erfolg des österreichischen Films bzw. österreichischer Filmschaffender und DarstellerInnen in der ersten Dekade des 21. Jahrhunderts. Dennoch blieb bisher eine wissenschaftliche Analyse über den Stellenwert des österreichischen Films in der heimischen Bevölkerung aus. Mit dieser Arbeit soll eine erste Annäherung an diese Fragestellung versucht werden. Die Grundlage dazu bildet eine Auseinandersetzung mit der Geschichte der österreichischen Identität und der Situation des österreichischen Films. Darauf aufbauend wurde ein Online-Fragebogen erstellt, der die Fragestellung einer empirischen Analyse unterziehen sollte. Aufgrund der Erhebungsmethode können die Ergebnisse allerdings nicht auf die österreichische Bevölkerung übertragen werden.The thesis at hand explores the significance of contemporary Austrian film in the formation of Austrian national identity and was inspired by the major international success of Austrian film, film-makers and actors during the first decade of the 21st century. Since no scientific surveys have been conducted among the local population in order to analyze the significance of Austrian film so far, this thesis presents a first approach to the research question. The theoretical basis of this work is composed of an examination of the history of Austrian identity as well as the state of Austrian film. Based on this, an online survey was constructed for empirical analysis of the research question. However, due to the method of data collection employed, the results cannot be applied to the whole Austrian population and are therefore only valid for the survey sample

Symbol realnej władzy czy polityczna propaganda? Geneza i zmiany tytulatury stosowanej w dokumentach Mikołaja I opawskiego

In the article, the author tried to present the origins of the princely title of Nicholas I of Opava and the subsequent forms of titles that he adopted in close relation to the events in his biography and the history of the Opava district from 1278 to 1309. Given that the author intended to depict the conscious and purposeful policy of Nicholas I, the entire premise of the article is based on documents (and titles) that were undoubtedly introduced and used purposefully on the duke’s initiative. Thus, titles appearing in chronicles and documents issued by foreign chancelleries are mentioned here only as supplementary information.Autor starał się w niniejszym artykule przedstawić genezę tytułu książęcego Mikołaja I opawskiego oraz kolejne formy przybieranych przez niego tytulatur w ścisłym związku z wydarzeniami z jego biografii i dziejami ziemi opawskiej w latach 1278–1309. Ponieważ intencją autora było ukazanie świadomej i celowej polityki Mikołaja I, całość wywodu opiera się głównie na tych dokumentach (i tytulaturach), których powstanie i pochodzenie było bez wątpienia działaniem celowym, inspirowanym przez księcia. Z tego powodu intytulacja księcia pojawiająca się w kronikach czy dokumentach będących wytworem kancelarii obcych ma tutaj znaczenie jedynie uzupełniające

Die Bedeutung des angeborenen Immunrezeptors CD14 in der Pathogenese der experimentellen Multiplen Sklerose

1.1 Zusammenfassung Die Bedeutung des angeborenen Immunrezeptors CD14 in der Pathogenese der experimentellen Multiplen Sklerose Die Multiple Sklerose ist die häufigste chronische, neurodegenerative, autoimmun vermittelte Erkrankung des jungen Erwachsenenalters. Sie ist gekennzeichnet durch eine Infiltration autoimmuner Zellen ins Zentralnervensystem, die dort zu einer Inflammation, neuronalen Degeneration und Bildung gliotischer Narben führen. Ein Großteil der pathophysiologischen Verständnisse der Multiplen Sklerose konnte durch Studien am Tiermodell, der experimentellen autoimmunen Enzephalomyelitis, gewonnen werden. Betrachtet man die Pathophysiologie der Erkrankung, so spielen insbesondere die Aktivierung autoimmuner Zellen in der Peripherie und die anschließende Migration über die entzündlich veränderte Blut-Hirn-Schranke eine entscheidende Rolle. Die Einwanderung der Zellen ins Zentralnervensystem folgt hierbei einem komplexen Mechanismus, bei dem Adhäsionsmoleküle der Lymphozyten und des Endothels interagieren. Im Zentralnervensystem bewirken die autoimmunen Zellen letztendlich die weitere Freisetzung proinflammatorischer Zytokine und Chemokine, die gemeinsam eine Demyelinisierung mit Verlust der saltatorischen Erregungsfortleitung, Axon- und Oligodendrozytenschädigung verursachen. Obwohl die genaue Pathogenese bisher nicht geklärt ist, geht man bei der Multiplen Sklerose von einer CD4+ T-Zell-vermittelten Erkrankung aus. Zwischenzeitlich gibt es jedoch immer mehr Hinweise, dass auch das angeborene Immunsystem bei der Krankheitsentstehung eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Es ist bekannt, dass der Lipopolysaccharidrezeptor CD14, ein Rezeptor des angeborenen Immunsystems, die Pathophysiologie der experimentellen autoimmunen Enzephalomyelitis beeinflusst. CD14-defiziente Mäuse zeigten eine Zunahme der klinischen Symptomatik nach Induktion einer experimentellen autoimmunen Enzephalomyelitis sowie histopathologisch vermehrte entzündliche Infiltrate in Hirn und Rückenmark. Die pathophysiologischen Schritte dieser Erkenntnisse sind bis jetzt nicht geklärt. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erfolgte daher die Untersuchung der Lymphozyten-Aktivierung, insbesondere der kostimulatorischen Moleküle CTLA-4 und CD28, sowie der Zellmigration über die Blut-Hirn-Schranke mit Durchführung von in vitro Adhäsions- und Transmigrationstests. In den Ergebnissen sahen wir nach Induktion der experimentellen autoimmunen Enzephalomyelitis in vitro eine signifikant erhöhte Migration von Lymphozyten aus CD14-defizienten Mäusen gegenüber ihrer Wildtypkontrolle durch Endothelzellen am Peak der Erkrankung. Hingegen zeigte sich im Adhärenzverhalten in den in vitro Adhäsionstests kein Unterschied zwischen beiden Gruppen. Auch konnte durchflusszytometrisch eine veränderte Expression der Zellaktivierungsmoleküle TCR/CTLA-4 oder TCR/CD28 sowie der für die Adhäsion und Migration relevanten Integrine LFA-1 und α4-Integrin auf Lymphozyten von CD14-defizienten Mäusen ausgeschlossen werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit weisen auf eine entscheidende Rolle des CD14 Rezeptors bei der Migration von Zellen ins Zentralnervensystem im Rahmen einer experimentellen autoimmunen Enzephalomyelitis hin und zeigen erneut die Relevanz der angeborenen Immunrezeptoren bei erworbenen Autoimmunerkrankungen wie beispielsweise der Multiplen Sklerose.1.2 Summary The Role of the innate immune receptor CD14 in the pathogenesis of experimental multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is the most common chronic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease in young adults and is characterized by an infiltration of autoimmune cells into the central nervous system, leading to inflammation, subsequent neurodegeneration and formation of gliotic scars. Most of the pathophysiological understanding has been gained by its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Pathophysiologically, the peripheral activation of autoimmune cells and the migration across the inflamed blood-brain barrier are crucial steps in the development of the disease. Migration of cells into the parenchyma of the central nervous system follows a complex multi-step process involving interactions between complementary adhesion molecules on the surfaces of lymphocytes and endothelial cells. Finally, in the central nervous system autoimmune cells provoke secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, leading to demyelination with loss of saltatory conduction, axonal and oligodendrocyte damage. Although the cause of the disease is presently still unknown, multiple sclerosis is considered as a CD4+ T cell mediated disease. In the meantime, however, there are several findings that support a disease-promoting role of the innate immune system. It has been described that the lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14, a receptor of the innate immune system, plays a central role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development. CD14-deficiency resulted in an increased disease severity and enhanced inflammatory infiltration in brain and spinal cord during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Up to now, the pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. In the current study, we further investigated the causes of this disease aggravation by CD14-deficiency and examined lymphocyte activation, focusing on the costimulatory molecules CTLA-4 and CD28, and migration capacity over the blood brain barrier by in vitro adhesion and transmigration assays. In the results, we observed a significantly increased migration capability of lymphocytes from CD14-deficient mice compared to wildtype controls, when lymphocytes were isolated in the clinical phase of the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In contrast, we did not see any differences in adhesion capacity, using in vitro adhesion tests, between both groups. Additionally, there were no differences in expression levels of cell activation molecules TCR/CTLA-4 or TCR/CD28 and adhesion molecules LFA-1 und α4-integrin on lymphocytes from CD14-deficient mice. The results demonstrate an important role of the CD14 receptor in migration of lymphocytes into the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and strengthen the importance of innate immune receptors in adaptive autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis

Ground based ultraviolet remote sensing of volcanic gas plumes

Ultraviolet spectroscopy has been implemented for over thirty years to monitor volcanic SO2 emissions. These data have provided valuable information concerning underground magmatic conditions, which have been of utility in eruption forecasting efforts. During the last decade the traditionally used correlation spectrometers have been upgraded with miniature USB coupled UV spectrometers, opening a series of exciting new empirical possibilities for understanding volcanoes and their impacts upon the atmosphere. Here we review these technological developments, in addition to the scientific insights they have precipitated, covering the strengths and current limitations of this approach

Fluxes and origin of halogenated organic trace gases from Momotombo volcano (Nicaragua)

In order to assess the contribution of quiescent degassing volcanoes to the global halo(hydro)carbon inventory, we have quantified volcanic fluxes of methyl halides (CH3Cl, CH3Br, and CH3I), ethyl halides (C2H5Cl, C2H5Br, and C2H5I), and higher chlorinated methanes (CH2Cl2, CHCl3, and CCl4). About every eight months over a 2-year period (July 2001 to July 2003), gas samples were collected and analyzed from high-temperature fumaroles (472°C–776°C) at the Nicaraguan subduction zone volcano Momotombo. Using a simultaneous record of trace and main compounds in fumarolic gases as well as SO2 fluxes of the plume, we were able to calculate halo(hydro)carbon fluxes for Momotombo and extrapolate our results to estimate halo(hydro)carbon fluxes for the whole Quaternary Nicaraguan volcanic arc and, in addition, for all volcanoes globally. The most abundant halohydrocarbon was CH3Cl with concentrations up to 19 ppmv. Further major halo(hydro)carbons were CH3Br, CH3I, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CCl4, C2H5Cl, C2H5Br, C2H5I, and C2H3Cl with an average concentration of 0.20 to 720 ppbv. Estimated mean halo(hydro)carbon fluxes from Momotombo were in the range of 630–5000 g/yr for methyl halides, 49–260 g/yr for ethyl halides, and 2.4–24 g/yr for higher chlorinated methanes. When the results for Momotombo are scaled up to SO2 fluxes of the Nicaraguan volcanic transect, fluxes of 1.7 × 105 g/yr CH3Cl and 82 g/yr CCl4 are attained for Nicaragua. Scaled up to the estimated global SO2 flux, this translates to hypothetical global fluxes of 5.6 × 106 g/yr CH3Cl and 2.7 × 103 g/yr CCl4. These volcanic fluxes are negligible compared to global anthropogenic and natural emissions of about 3 × 1012 g/yr CH3Cl and 2 × 1010 g/yr CCl4

A global model of tropospheric chlorine chemistry : Organic versus inorganic sources and impact on methane oxidation

Chlorine atoms (Cl) are highly reactive toward hydrocarbons in the Earth’s troposphere, including the greenhouse gas methane (CH4). However, the regional and global CH4 sink from Cl is poorly quantified as tropospheric Cl concentrations ([Cl]) are uncertain by ~2 orders of magnitude. Here we describe the addition of a detailed tropospheric chlorine scheme to the TOMCAT chemical transport model. The model includes several sources of tropospheric inorganic chlorine (Cly), including (i) the oxidation of chlorocarbons of natural (CH3Cl, CHBr2Cl, CH2BrCl, and CHBrCl2) and anthropogenic (CH2Cl2, CHCl3, C2Cl4, C2HCl3, and CH2ClCH2Cl) origin and (ii) sea-salt aerosol dechlorination. Simulations were performed to quantify tropospheric [Cl], with a focus on the marine boundary layer, and quantify the global significance of Cl atom CH4 oxidation. In agreement with observations, simulated surface levels of hydrogen chloride (HCl), the most abundant Cly reservoir, reach several parts per billion (ppb) over polluted coastal/continental regions, with sub-ppb levels typical in more remote regions. Modeled annual mean surface [Cl] exhibits large spatial variability with the largest levels, typically in the range of 1-5×104 atoms cm-3, in the polluted northern hemisphere. Chlorocarbon oxidation provides a tropospheric Cly source of up to ~4320 Gg Cl/yr, sustaining a background surface [Cl] of 20% of total boundary layer CH4 oxidation in some locations