Neighborhood network governance, ethnic organization, and the prospects for political integration

How may ethnic organizations work as mechanisms for political integration in suburban multicultural contexts with participative and network modes of governance? The overall argument of the paper is that a shift from vertical to more horizontal modes of governance affects the prospects for ethnic associations to fulfil different democratic functions. It does so in a complex, multidimensional and somewhat contradictory way. Although network modes of governance are often argued for in terms of openness and inclusion, it should not be taken for granted that such governance structures do promote democratic functions of ethnic associations. Drawing on an in-depth case study of ethnic associations and network politics in Botkyrka, Sweden, the purpose of the article is to provide theoretically informed arguments on how the political integration potential of ethnic organization is affected when they participate in local network-like arrangements and institutions. In brief, the article outlines three arguments: (1) There are different mechanisms of ethnic organization that might contribute to a more politically integrated society. (2) More horizontal network modes of governance generate new conditions for these integrative mechanisms to emerge out of ethnic organization. (3) In such a context of network governance, the different integrative mechanisms of ethnic organizations are not always supplementary, but sometimes contradictory, causing genuine dilemmas to be dealt with by local actors.     

A large-time-stepping scheme for balance equations

A well-balanced, large-time-stepping method for conservation laws with source terms is presented. The numerical method is based on a local reformulation of the balance law as a conservation law with a discontinuous flux function, and the approximate solution of this equation by a front tracking method. This yields an unconditionally stable method which is particularly well suited to calculate stationary states. The viability of this approach is demonstrated by several numerical examples. KHK has been supported in part by an Outstanding Young Investigators Award from the Research Council of Norway.     

Perspektiven der Plasmamedizin

Prospects of plasma medicine: Applications of Tissue Tolerable Plasmas (TTP) Based on the current knowledge on the physical properties and biological effects of tissue tolerable plasma (ttp) potential perspectives of plasma medicine are discussed. Currently, the foundations for the following medical applications of ttp are developed by an interdisciplinary research team: Prevention and/or treatment of diseases such as chronic wounds, skin and mucosal infectious diseases, localized tumors, promotion of angiogenesis, and tissue ablation Inhibition and/or elimination of biofilms by prevention of biofilm development due to surface treatment and/or plasma steered application of antimicrobial active layers with drug delivery function on foreign objects implanted into humans (implantable prosthesis, contact lenses, stents etc.) as well as elimination of biofilms by direct action of ttp on surfaces and tissues (chronic wounds, tooth surface, prosthesis) promotion of the incorporation of implants into viable tissue by changing the surface of materials (hydrophobicity) Promotion of penetration of topically applied drugs with therapeutic results Assessment of veterinary indications Improved cleaning performance in reprocessing of medical devices by surface modification.     

Aryl Bis‐Sulfonamide Inhibitors of IspF from Arabidopsis thaliana and Plasmodium falciparum

2‐Methylerythritol 2,4‐cyclodiphosphate synthase (IspF) is an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of isoprenoid precursors in plants and many human pathogens. The protein is an attractive target for the development of anti‐infectives and herbicides. Using a photometric assay, a screen of 40 000 compounds on IspF from Arabidopsis thaliana afforded symmetrical aryl bis‐sulfonamides that inhibit IspF from A. thaliana (AtIspF) and Plasmodium falciparum (PfIspF) with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. The ortho‐bis‐sulfonamide structural motif is essential for inhibitory activity. The best derivatives obtained by parallel synthesis showed IC₅₀ values of 1.4 μm against PfIspF and 240 nm against AtIspF. Substantial herbicidal activity was observed at a dose of 2 kg ha^?1. Molecular modeling studies served as the basis for an in silico search targeted at the discovery of novel, non‐symmetrical sulfonamide IspF inhibitors. The designed compounds were found to exhibit inhibitory activities in the double‐digit micromolar IC₅₀ range.     

Influence of the Multivalency of Ultrashort Arg‐Trp‐Based Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP) on Their Antibacterial Activity

Peptide dendrimers are a class of molecules of high interest in the search for new antibiotics. We used microwave‐assisted, copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC; “click” chemistry) for the simple and versatile synthesis of a new class of multivalent antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) containing solely arginine and tryptophan residues. To investigate the influence of multivalency on antibacterial activity, short solid‐phase‐ synthesized azide‐modified Arg‐Trp‐containing peptides were “clicked” to three different alkyne‐modified benzene scaffolds to access scaffolds with one, two, or three peptides. The antibacterial activity of 15 new AMPs was investigated by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays on five different bacterial strains, including a multidrug‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. With ultrashort (2–3 residues) peptides, a clear synergistic effect of the trivalent display was observed, whereas this effect was not apparent with longer peptides. The best candidates showed activities in the low‐micromolar range against Gram‐positive MRSA. Surprisingly, the best activity against Gram‐negative Acinetobacter baumannii was observed with an ultrashort dipeptide on the trivalent scaffold (MIC: 7.5 μM ). The hemolytic activity was explored for the three most active peptides. At concentrations ten times the MIC values, <1 % hemolysis of red blood cells was observed.     

Stochastic modeling of grain wear in geometric physically-based grinding simulations

Grinding processes can be optimized by simulating the influence of individual grains on process forces and surface topographies. However, the process results are significantly influenced by tool wear. Simulating this effect allows, e.g., the prediction of necessary tool changes when manufacturing large forming tools. Therefore, a new point-based approach for modeling arbitrarily shaped grains in different states of tool wear was developed. Based on a small amount of representative wear investigations, a flexible tool model was defined, which can be used for various tool shapes without further experiments. This model can be applied for grinding processes with varying engagement situations.     

GC–MS analysis of oxysterols and their formation in cultivated liver cells (HepG2)

Oxysterols play a key role in many (patho)physiological processes and they are potential biomarkers for oxidative stress in several diseases. Here we developed a rapid gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry-based method for the separation and quantification of 11 biologically relevant oxysterols bearing hydroxy, epoxy, and dihydroxy groups. Efficient chromatographic separation (resolution ≥ 1.9) was achieved using a medium polarity 35%-diphenyl/65%-dimethyl polysiloxane stationary phase material (30 m × 0.25 mm inner diameter and 0.25 μm film thickness). Based on thorough analysis of the fragmentation during electron ionization we developed a strategy to deduce structural information of the oxysterols. Optimized sample preparation includes (i) extraction with a mixture of n-hexane/iso-propanol, (ii) removal of cholesterol by solid phase extraction with unmodified silica, and (iii) trimethylsilylation. The method was successfully applied on the analysis of brain samples, showing consistent results with previous studies and a good intra- and interday precision of ≤20%. Finally, we used the method for the investigation of oxysterol formation during oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Incubation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide led to a massive increase in free radical formed oxysterols (7-keto-chol > 7β-OH-chol >> 7α-OH-chol), while 24 h incubation with the glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor RSL3 showed no increase in oxidative stress based on the oxysterol pattern. Overall, the new method described here enables the robust analysis of a biologically meaningful pattern of oxysterols with high sensitivity and precision allowing us to gain new insights in the biological formation and role of oxysterols.     

Evaluation of the acetylene-inhibition technique for the measurement of denitrification in grassland soils

The acetylene inhibition technique has been evaluated for its suitability for routine field measurements of denitrification in two soils under grass. Acetylene was introduced into the soil air by radial diffusion from probes inserted vertically into the soil and, using a soil cover, total denitrification was determined as the loss of nitrous oxide (N₂O) from the acetylene-treated soil. Acetylene concentrations of 0.1–1.0% (v/v), which are effective in inhibiting the reduction of N₂O, were established within 1–2 h of commencing the supply of acetylene to soil at field capacity; the N₂O flux equilibrated within the same period. Treatment and equilibration times were longer after rainfall on to a soil at field capacity and shorter in spring, summer and autumn when soil water content was less than field capacity. Spatial variability in N₂O flux from acetylene-treated soil was generally ±25% and was probably associated with variability in air-filled pore spaces in the soil. Repeated treatments, as required in routine measurements of denitrification, did not affect the distribution of soil inorganic N between NH₄+ and NO₃- which suggests that concurrent inhibition of nitrification by acetylene was not a significant constraint in the field application of the technique. The efficiency with which acetylene inhibits the reduction of N₂O was not affected by repeated treatments of soil nor was there any evidence for acetylene decomposition. Repeated treatments did not affect dry matter yield or mineral contents of herbage. The findings of this study suggest that the acetylene-inhibition technique may be applied to routine measurements of denitrification in both small and large plot studies of the fate of fertilizer N.     

Numerische Simulation dichtebeeinflusster und reaktiver Stofftransportprozesse im Grundwasser

Für die Prognose der Gef?hrdung der Schutzgüter Grundwasser und Boden gewinnen numerische Programmsysteme zur Simulation von Str?mungs- und Stofftransportprozessen immer mehr an Bedeutung. Im Mittelpunkt des Interesses stehen dabei komplexe geochemische Reaktionsvorg?nge, dichtebeeinflusste Str?mungs- und Stofftransportvorg?nge, komplizierte hydraulische Gegebenheiten und die Parameterbelegung gro?er Modelle. Das hier beschriebene Programmsystem MODCALIF erlaubt die dreidimensionale Simulation der dichtebeeinflussten Str?mung und des Stofftransportes. Die Verwendung neu integrierter L?sungalgorithmen erm?glicht eine grobe r?umliche Diskretisierung und damit eine deutliche Verringerung des Rechenaufwandes. Die Berücksichtigung unterschiedlicher Ans?tze zur Beschreibung der Wechselwirkungen zwischen gel?stem Stoff und Feststoff sowie die Kopplung mit dem geochemischen Gleichgewichtsprogramm PHREEQC erlauben die Simulation des Stofftransportes für vielf?ltige Problemstellungen. Aufbauend auf einer kurzen Darstellung der theoretischen Grundlagen des Programmsystems MODCALIF wird das Programm verifiziert und seine Anwendbarkeit an zwei ausgew?hlten Fallbeispielen praktisch demonstriert.