@article{EilmannRigling2012, author = {Eilmann, Britta and Rigling, Andreas}, title = {Tree-growth analyses to estimate tree species' drought tolerance}, series = {Tree Physiology}, volume = {32}, journal = {Tree Physiology}, number = {2}, editor = {Abrams, Marc}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0829-318X (Print)}, doi = {10.1093/treephys/tps004}, pages = {178 -- 187}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Climate change is challenging forestry management and practices. Among other things, tree species with the ability to cope with more extreme climate conditions have to be identified. However, while environmental factors may severely limit tree growth or even cause tree death, assessing a tree species' potential for surviving future aggravated environmental conditions is rather demanding. The aim of this study was to find a tree-ring-based method suitable for identifying very drought-tolerant species, particularly potential substitute species for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Valais. In this inner-Alpine valley, Scots pine used to be the dominating species for dry forests, but today it suffers from high drought-induced mortality. We investigate the growth response of two native tree species, Scots pine and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.), and two non-native species, black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb. var. menziesii), to drought. This involved analysing how the radial increment of these species responded to increasing water shortage (abandonment of irrigation) and to increasingly frequent drought years. Black pine and Douglas fir are able to cope with drought better than Scots pine and larch, as they show relatively high radial growth even after irrigation has been stopped and a plastic growth response to drought years. European larch does not seem to be able to cope with these dry conditions as it lacks the ability to recover from drought years. The analysis of trees' short-term response to extreme climate events seems to be the most promising and suitable method for detecting how tolerant a tree species is towards drought. However, combining all the methods used in this study provides a complete picture of how water shortage could limit species.}, language = {en} } @article{RiglingBiglerEilmannetal.2012, author = {Rigling, Andreas and Bigler, Christof and Eilmann, Britta and Feldmeyer-Christe, Elisabeth and Gimmi, Urs and Ginzler, Christian and Graf, Ulrich and Mayer, Phillip and Vacchiano, Giorgio and Weber, Pascal and Wohlgemuth, Thomas and zweifel, Roman and Dobbertin, Matthias}, title = {Driving factors of a vegetation shift from Scots pine to pubescent oak in dry Alpine forests}, series = {Global Change Biology}, volume = {19}, journal = {Global Change Biology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1354-1013 (Print)}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.12038}, pages = {229 -- 240}, year = {2012}, abstract = {An increasing number of studies have reported on forest declines and vegetation shifts triggered by drought. In the Swiss Rhone valley (Valais), one of the driest inner-Alpine regions, the species composition in low elevation forests is changing: The sub-boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) dominating the dry forests is showing high mortality rates. Concurrently the sub-Mediterranean pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) has locally increased in abundance. However, it remains unclear whether this local change in species composition is part of a larger-scale vegetation shift. To study variability in mortality and regeneration in these dry forests we analysed data from the Swiss national forest inventory (NFI) on a regular grid between 1983 and 2003, and combined it with annual mortality data from a monitoring site. Pine mortality was found to be highest at low elevation (below 1000 m a.s.l.). Annual variation in pine mortality was correlated with a drought index computed for the summer months prior to observed tree death. A generalized linear mixed-effects model indicated for the NFI data increased pine mortality on dryer sites with high stand competition, particularly for small-diameter trees. Pine regeneration was low in comparison to its occurrence in the overstorey, whereas oak regeneration was comparably abundant. Although both species regenerated well at dry sites, pine regeneration was favoured at cooler sites at higher altitude and oak regeneration was more frequent at warmer sites, indicating a higher adaptation potential of oaks under future warming. Our results thus suggest that an extended shift in species composition is actually occurring in the pine forests in the Valais. The main driving factors are found to be climatic variability, particularly drought, and variability in stand structure and topography. Thus, pine forests at low elevations are developing into oak forests with unknown consequences for these ecosystems and their goods and services.}, language = {en} } @article{BragardBragard2012, author = {Bragard, G. and Bragard, Michael}, title = {Ein kosteng{\"u}nstiges, universelles Modellbauinterface}, series = {Der mathematische und naturwissenschaftliche Unterricht : MNU ; Organ des Deutschen Vereins zur F{\"o}rderung des Mathematischen und Naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts e.V.}, volume = {65}, journal = {Der mathematische und naturwissenschaftliche Unterricht : MNU ; Organ des Deutschen Vereins zur F{\"o}rderung des Mathematischen und Naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts e.V.}, number = {5}, publisher = {Seeberger}, address = {Neuss}, issn = {0025-5866}, pages = {290 -- 293}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Wir stellen einen USB-Baustein vor, der eine kosteng{\"u}nstige und universelle M{\"o}glichkeit schafft , im Unterricht den Themenkreis Messen-Steuern-Regeln zu behandeln. Die Funktionalit{\"a}t orientiert sich am CVK-Interface der Firma Fischertechnik. Im Gegensatz zu kommerziellen L{\"o}sungen erlaubt unser Aufbau auch den preiswerten Einsatz in Gruppen- oder Einzelarbeit. Abschließend berichten wir {\"u}ber ein Beispiel aus dem Unterrichtseinsatz.}, language = {de} } @article{AbouzarPoghossianCherstvyetal.2012, author = {Abouzar, Maryam H. and Poghossian, Arshak and Cherstvy, Andrey G. and Pedraza, Angela M. and Ingebrandt, Sven and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Label-free electrical detection of DNA by means of field-effect nanoplate capacitors: Experiments and modeling}, series = {Physica Status Solidi (a)}, volume = {209}, journal = {Physica Status Solidi (a)}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6319}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.201100710}, pages = {925 -- 934}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Label-free electrical detection of consecutive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization/denaturation by means of an array of individually addressable field-effect-based nanoplate silicon-on-insulator (SOI) capacitors modified with gold nanoparticles (Au-NP) is investigated. The proposed device detects charge changes on Au-NP/DNA hybrids induced by the hybridization or denaturation event. DNA hybridization was performed in a high ionic-strength solution to provide a high hybridization efficiency. On the other hand, to reduce the screening of the DNA charge by counter ions and to achieve a high sensitivity, the sensor signal induced by the hybridization and denaturation events was measured in a low ionic-strength solution. High sensor signals of about 120, 90, and 80 mV were registered after the DNA hybridization, denaturation, and re-hybridization events, respectively. Fluorescence microscopy has been applied as reference method to verify the DNA immobilization, hybridization, and denaturation processes. An electrostatic charge-plane model for potential changes at the gate surface of a nanoplate field-effect sensor induced by the DNA hybridization has been developed taking into account both the Debye length and the distance of the DNA charge from the gate surface.}, language = {en} } @article{Staat2012, author = {Staat, Manfred}, title = {Limit and shakedown analysis under uncertainty}, series = {Tap chi Khoa hoc \& ung dung - Dai hoc Ton Duc Thang}, volume = {19}, journal = {Tap chi Khoa hoc \& ung dung - Dai hoc Ton Duc Thang}, pages = {45 -- 47}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @article{HuckPoghossianWagneretal.2012, author = {Huck, Christina and Poghossian, Arshak and Wagner, Patrick and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Combined amperometric/field-effect sensor for the detection of dissolved hydrogen}, series = {Sensors and actuators B: Chemical}, volume = {187}, journal = {Sensors and actuators B: Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2012.10.050}, pages = {168 -- 173}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Real-time and reliable monitoring of the biogas process is crucial for a stable and efficient operation of biogas production in order to avoid digester breakdowns. The concentration of dissolved hydrogen (H₂) represents one of the key parameters for biogas process control. In this work, a one-chip integrated combined amperometric/field-effect sensor for monitoring the dissolved H₂ concentration has been developed for biogas applications. The combination of two different transducer principles might allow a more accurate and reliable measurement of dissolved H₂ as an early warning indicator of digester failures. The feasibility of the approach has been demonstrated by simultaneous amperometric/field-effect measurements of dissolved H₂ concentrations in electrolyte solutions. Both, the amperometric and the field-effect transducer show a linear response behaviour in the H₂ concentration range from 0.1 to 3\% (v/v) with a slope of 198.4 ± 13.7 nA/\% (v/v) and 14.9 ± 0.5 mV/\% (v/v), respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{StaatVu2012, author = {Staat, Manfred and Vu, Duc Khoi}, title = {Limit analysis of flaws in pressurized pipes and cylindrical vessels Part II: Circumferential defects}, series = {Engineering Fracture Mechanics ; 97(2013), H. 1}, volume = {97}, journal = {Engineering Fracture Mechanics ; 97(2013), H. 1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0013-7944}, doi = {10.1016/j.engfracmech.2012.05.017}, pages = {314 -- 333}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Upper and lower bound theorems of limit analyses have been presented in part I of the paper. Part II starts with the finite element discretization of these theorems and demonstrates how both can be combined in a primal-dual optimization problem. This recently proposed numerical method is used to guide the development of a new class of closed-form limit loads for circumferential defects, which show that only large defects contribute to plastic collapse with a rapid loss of strength with increasing crack sizes. The formulae are compared with primal-dual FEM limit analyses and with burst tests. Even closer predictions are obtained with iterative limit load solutions for the von Mises yield function and for the Tresca yield function. Pressure loading of the faces of interior cracks in thick pipes reduces the collapse load of circumferential defects more than for axial flaws. Axial defects have been treated in part I of the paper.}, language = {en} } @article{GrandeMeffertSchoenbergeretal.2012, author = {Grande, Marion and Meffert, Elisabeth and Schoenberger, Eva and Jung, Stefanie and Frauenrath, Tobias and Huber, Walter and Hussmann, Katja and Moormann, Mareike and Heim, Stefan}, title = {From a concept to a word in a syntactically complete sentence: An fMRI study on spontaneous language production in an overt picture description task}, series = {NeuroImage}, volume = {61}, journal = {NeuroImage}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1522-2586}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.03.087}, pages = {702 -- 714}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Spontaneous language has rarely been subjected to neuroimaging studies. This study therefore introduces a newly developed method for the analysis of linguistic phenomena observed in continuous language production during fMRI. Most neuroimaging studies investigating language have so far focussed on single word or — to a smaller extent — sentence processing, mostly due to methodological considerations. Natural language production, however, is far more than the mere combination of words to larger units. Therefore, the present study aimed at relating brain activation to linguistic phenomena like word-finding difficulties or syntactic completeness in a continuous language fMRI paradigm. A picture description task with special constraints was used to provoke hesitation phenomena and speech errors. The transcribed speech sample was segmented into events of one second and each event was assigned to one category of a complex schema especially developed for this purpose. The main results were: conceptual planning engages bilateral activation of the precuneus. Successful lexical retrieval is accompanied - particularly in comparison to unsolved word-finding difficulties - by the left middle and superior temporal gyrus. Syntactic completeness is reflected in activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (area 44). In sum, the method has proven to be useful for investigating the neural correlates of lexical and syntactic phenomena in an overt picture description task. This opens up new prospects for the analysis of spontaneous language production during fMRI.}, language = {en} } @article{VerbanellaFabo2012, author = {Verbanella, Stresa and Fabo, Sabine}, title = {Mit Pinsel und Farbe hacken : Interview mit Sabine Fabo}, series = {Remotewords.net}, journal = {Remotewords.net}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Remotewords makes its mark on the picturesque "Bar Verbanella", located in Stresa near Isola Bella on Lago Maggiore. The words CUM GRANO SALIS (with a grain of salt) by Sabine Fabo, art theorist on media contexts, were applied to its roof in collaboration with the German-Italian art organization "Lo spirito del Lago".}, language = {de} } @article{ScheerKapelyukhRodeetal.2012, author = {Scheer, Nico and Kapelyukh, Yury and Rode, Anja and Buechel, Sandra and Wolf, C. Roland}, title = {Generation and characterization of novel cytochrome P450 Cyp2c gene cluster knockout and CYP2C9 humanized mouse lines}, series = {Molecular Pharmacology}, volume = {82}, journal = {Molecular Pharmacology}, number = {6}, publisher = {ASPET}, address = {Bethesda, Md.}, issn = {1521-0111}, doi = {10.1124/mol.112.080036}, pages = {1022 -- 1029}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Compared with rodents and many other animal species, the human cytochrome P450 (P450) Cyp2c gene cluster varies significantly in the multiplicity of functional genes and in the substrate specificity of its enzymes. As a consequence, the use of wild-type animal models to predict the role of human CYP2C enzymes in drug metabolism and drug-drug interactions is limited. Within the human CYP2C cluster CYP2C9 is of particular importance, because it is one of the most abundant P450 enzymes in human liver, and it is involved in the metabolism of a wide variety of important drugs and environmental chemicals. To investigate the in vivo functions of cytochrome P450 Cyp2c genes and to establish a model for studying the functions of CYP2C9 in vivo, we have generated a mouse model with a deletion of the murine Cyp2c gene cluster and a corresponding humanized model expressing CYP2C9 specifically in the liver. Despite the high number of functional genes in the mouse Cyp2c cluster and the reported roles of some of these proteins in different biological processes, mice deleted for Cyp2c genes were viable and fertile but showed certain phenotypic alterations in the liver. The expression of CYP2C9 in the liver also resulted in viable animals active in the metabolism and disposition of a number of CYP2C9 substrates. These mouse lines provide a powerful tool for studying the role of Cyp2c genes and of CYP2C9 in particular in drug disposition and as a factor in drug-drug interaction.}, language = {en} }