University of Konstanz

About: University of Konstanz is a education organization based out in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Membrane. The organization has 12115 authors who have published 27401 publications receiving 951162 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Constance & Universität Konstanz.

Corporatism and political theory

Abstract: In recent years the concept of corporatism in liberal democracies has had enormous impact on the fields of political studies - but there is as yet no agreed definition of corporatism. Alan Cawson aims to provide this definition, and show how the concept relates to such central political concerns as power, theories of the state, dualism and democracy. The opening chapters present a summary and justification of the theory of corporatism in relation to its two apparent rivals, pluralism and Marxism. Reviewing the various recent approaches to corporatism, the book extends the theory from the national to the sectoral level, showing its importance in policy-making in industrial and welfare fields. It offers theoretical treatment of `meso-corporatism'. Arguing that contemporary western political systems include both pluralist and corporatist elements, the author offers a way out of the sterile route between corporists and pluralists, by a development of the `dual politics' thesis, in which economic and productive issues are resolved through corporative modes, and moral and consumption issues through pluralistic and competitive politics.

Mid-infrared difference-frequency generation of ultrashort pulses tunable between 3.2 and 4.8 μm from a compact fiber source

Abstract: We report single-pass difference-frequency generation of mid-infrared femtosecond pulses tunable in the 3.2-4.8 μm range from a two-branch mode-locked erbium-doped fiber source. Average power levels of up to 1.1 mW at a repetition rate of 82 MHz are obtained in the mid infrared. This is achieved via nonlinear mixing of 170 mW, 65 fs pump pulses at a fixed wavelength of 1.58 μm, with 11.5 mW, 40 fs pulses tunable in the near-infrared range between 1.05 and 1.18 μm. These values indicate that the tunable near-infrared input component is downconverted with a quantum efficiency that exceeds 30%.

A roadmap for the development of alternative (non-animal) methods for systemic toxicity testing.

Abstract: Systemic toxicity testing forms the cornerstone for the safety evaluation of substances. Pressures to move from traditional animal models to novel technologies arise from various concerns, including: the need to evaluate large numbers of previously untested chemicals and new products (such as nanoparticles or cell therapies), the limited predictivity of traditional tests for human health effects, duration and costs of current approaches, and animal welfare considerations. The latter holds especially true in the context of the scheduled 2013 marketing ban on cosmetic ingredients tested for systemic toxicity. Based on a major analysis of the status of alternative methods (Adler et al., 2011) and its independent review (Hartung et al., 2011), the present report proposes a roadmap for how to overcome the acknowledged scientific gaps for the full replacement of systemic toxicity testing using animals. Five whitepapers were commissioned addressing toxicokinetics, skin sensitization, repeated-dose toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity testing. An expert workshop of 35 participants from Europe and the US discussed and refined these whitepapers, which were subsequently compiled to form the present report. By prioritizing the many options to move the field forward, the expert group hopes to advance regulatory science.

Human embryonic stem cell-derived test systems for developmental neurotoxicity: a transcriptomics approach

Abstract: Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) and many forms of reproductive toxicity (RT) often manifest themselves in functional deficits that are not necessarily based on cell death, but rather on minor changes relating to cell differentiation or communication. The fields of DNT/RT would greatly benefit from in vitro tests that allow the identification of toxicant-induced changes of the cellular proteostasis, or of its underlying transcriptome network. Therefore, the 'human embryonic stem cell (hESC)- derived novel alternative test systems (ESNATS)' European commission research project established RT tests based on defined differentiation protocols of hESC and their progeny. Valproic acid (VPA) and methylmercury (MeHg) were used as positive control compounds to address the following fundamental questions: (1) Does transcriptome analysis allow discrimination of the two compounds? (2) How does analysis of enriched transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) and of individual probe sets (PS) distinguish between test systems? (3) Can batch effects be controlled? (4) How many DNA microarrays are needed? (5) Is the highest non-cytotoxic concentration optimal and relevant for the study of transcriptome changes? VPA triggered vast transcriptional changes, whereas MeHg altered fewer transcripts. To attenuate batch effects, analysis has been focused on the 500 PS with highest variability. The test systems differed significantly in their responses (\20 % overlap). Moreover, within one test system, little overlap between the PS changed by the two compounds has been observed. However, using TFBS enrichment, a relatively large 'common response' to VPA and MeHg could be distinguished from 'compound-specific' responses. In conclusion, the ESNATS assay battery allows classification of human DNT/RT toxicants on the basis of their transcriptome profiles. © The Author(s) 2012.