University of Kiel

About: University of Kiel is a education organization based out in Kiel, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Crystal structure. The organization has 27816 authors who have published 57114 publications receiving 2061802 citations. The organization is also known as: Christian Albrechts University & Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.

Vascular abnormalities in reflex sympathetic dystrophy (CRPS I): mechanisms and diagnostic value.

Abstract: Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I, formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy) is a painful neuropathic disorder that develops after trauma affecting the limbs without overt nerve injury. Clinical features are spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, impairment of motor function, swelling, changes in sweating, and vascular abnormalities. In this study, the pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular abnormalities were investigated. Furthermore, the incidence, sensitivity and specificity of side differences in skin temperature were defined in order to distinguish patients with definite CRPS I from patients with extremity pain of other origin. In 25 CRPS I patients and two control groups (20 healthy subjects and 15 patients with other types of extremity pain), cutaneous sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity was altered tonically by the use of controlled thermoregulation. Whole-body temperature changes were induced with a thermal suit in which cold or hot water circulated. The vascular reflex response (skin blood flow, laser Doppler flowmetry, skin temperature, infrared thermometry) was analysed to quantify sympathetic outflow. Measurements were performed during a complete thermoregulatory cycle, i.e. during the entire spectrum of sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity from high (whole-body cooling) to low sympathetic activity (whole-body warming). Venous noradrenalin levels were determined bilaterally in five CRPS patients. (i) Three distinct vascular regulation patterns were identified related to the duration of the disorder. In the "warm" (acute) type of regulation, the affected limb was warmer and perfusion values were higher than in the contralateral limb during the entire spectrum of sympathetic activity. In the "intermediate" type of regulation the limb was either warmer or colder. In the "cold" (chronic) type of regulation, skin temperature and perfusion values were lower on the affected side during the entire spectrum of sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity. (ii) Noradrenalin levels were lower on the affected side, even in chronic patients with considerable cutaneous vasoconstriction. (iii) Temperature and blood flow differences between the two sides were dynamic and most prominent at a high to medium level of vasoconstrictor activity. (iv) In both control groups, there were only minor side differences in flow and temperature. In conclusion, it is suggested that, in CRPS I, unilateral inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstrictor neurones leads to a warmer affected limb in the acute stage. Secondary changes in neurovascular transmission may lead to vasoconstriction and cold skin in chronic CRPS I, whereas sympathetic activity is still depressed. Vascular abnormalities are dynamic. The maximal skin temperature difference that occurs during the thermoregulatory cycle distinguishes CRPS I from other extremity pain syndromes with high sensitivity and specificity.

A Cenozoic record of the equatorial Pacific carbonate compensation depth

Abstract: Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and climate are regulated on geological timescales by the balance between carbon input from volcanic and metamorphic outgassing and its removal by weathering feedbacks; these feedbacks involve the erosion of silicate rocks and organic-carbon-bearing rocks. The integrated effect of these processes is reflected in the calcium carbonate compensation depth, which is the oceanic depth at which calcium carbonate is dissolved. Here we present a carbonate accumulation record that covers the past 53 million years from a depth transect in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The carbonate compensation depth tracks long-term ocean cooling, deepening from 3.0-3.5 kilometres during the early Cenozoic (approximately 55 million years ago) to 4.6 kilometres at present, consistent with an overall Cenozoic increase in weathering. We find large superimposed fluctuations in carbonate compensation depth during the middle and late Eocene. Using Earth system models, we identify changes in weathering and the mode of organic-carbon delivery as two key processes to explain these large-scale Eocene fluctuations of the carbonate compensation depth.

The interplay of landscape composition and configuration: new pathways to manage functional biodiversity and agroecosystem services across Europe

Abstract: Managing agricultural landscapes to support biodiversity and ecosystem services is a key aim of a sustainable agriculture. However, how the spatial arrangement of crop fields and other habitats in landscapes impacts arthropods and their functions is poorly known. Synthesising data from 49 studies (1515 landscapes) across Europe, we examined effects of landscape composition (% habitats) and configuration (edge density) on arthropods in fields and their margins, pest control, pollination and yields. Configuration effects interacted with the proportions of crop and non-crop habitats, and species’ dietary, dispersal and overwintering traits led to contrasting responses to landscape variables. Overall, however, in landscapes with high edge density, 70% of pollinator and 44% of natural enemy species reached highest abundances and pollination and pest control improved 1.7- and 1.4-fold respectively. Arable-dominated landscapes with high edge densities achieved high yields. This suggests that enhancing edge density in European agroecosystems can promote functional biodiversity and yield-enhancing ecosystem services.

Productivity effects of international outsourcing: evidence from plant-level data

Abstract: . We investigate the impact of international outsourcing on productivity using plant-level data for Irish manufacturing. Specifically, we distinguish the effect of outsourcing of materials from services inputs. Moreover, we examine whether the impact on productivity is different for plants being more embedded in international markets through exporting or being part of a multinational. Our results show robust evidence for positive effects from outsourcing of services inputs for exporters, either domestic or foreign owned. By contrast, we find no statistically significant evidence of an impact of international outsourcing of services on productivity for firms not operating on the export market. On examine l'impact de la sous-traitance internationale sur la productivite en utilisant des donnees sur les etablissements irlandais. On distingue la sous-traitance d'intrants qui sont des biens materiels de celle d'intrants de services. On distingue aussi les etablissements encastres dans les marches internationaux via des liens d'exportations de ceux qui sont parties d'une firme plurinationale. Les resultats montrent des effets importants de la sous-traitance des intrants-services sur la productivite des exportateurs qu'ils soient independants ou parties d'une plurinationale. D'autre part, on ne trouve pas de relation statistique significative entre la sous-traitance des intrants-services et la productivite pour les entreprises qui n'operent pas sur le marche des exportations.