University of Mainz

About: University of Mainz is a education organization based out in Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Immune system. The organization has 37673 authors who have published 71163 publications receiving 2497880 citations. The organization is also known as: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz & Universität Mainz.

Evolution of lactase persistence: an example of human niche construction

Abstract: Niche construction is the process by which organisms construct important components of their local environment in ways that introduce novel selection pressures. Lactase persistence is one of the clearest examples of niche construction in humans. Lactase is the enzyme responsible for the digestion of the milk sugar lactose and its production decreases after the weaning phase in most mammals, including most humans. Some humans, however, continue to produce lactase throughout adulthood, a trait known as lactase persistence. In European populations, a single mutation (−13910*T) explains the distribution of the phenotype, whereas several mutations are associated with it in Africa and the Middle East. Current estimates for the age of lactase persistence-associated alleles bracket those for the origins of animal domestication and the culturally transmitted practice of dairying. We report new data on the distribution of −13910*T and summarize genetic studies on the diversity of lactase persistence worldwide. We review relevant archaeological data and describe three simulation studies that have shed light on the evolution of this trait in Europe. These studies illustrate how genetic and archaeological information can be integrated to bring new insights to the origins and spread of lactase persistence. Finally, we discuss possible improvements to these models.

The climate of China

Abstract: 1 Introduction.- 1.1 Aims and Concept of the Study.- 1.2 Climate Data.- 1.3 Review of Climate Studies on China.- 2 Controlling Factors of the Climate.- 2.1 Latitude, Longitude and Location.- 2.2 Topography and Landforms.- 2.3 Distribution of Land and Sea and Nature of the Underlying Ground.- 2.4 Seasons.- 3 Circulation.- 3.1 Seasonal Pressure Distribution at Sea Level.- 3.2 Seasonally Prevailing Winds and Air Masses.- 3.3 Winter and Summer Monsoon.- 3.3.1 Characteristics of the Monsoon in General.- 3.3.2 Onset and Duration of the Winter Monsoon.- 3.3.3 Periods of Active and Weak Winter Monsoon.- 3.3.4 Damage Due to Strong Cold Outbreaks of Winter Monsoon.- 3.3.5 Onset and Duration of the Summer Monsoon.- 3.3.6 Some Characteristics of the Summer Monsoon.- 3.4 Frontology.- 3.4.1 Mean Front Position in January and July.- 3.4.2 The Stationary Fronts in February and March as well as in the Pre-Typhoon Season in South China.- 3.4.3 Some Characteristics of the Mei-Yu Front.- 3.5 The Transient Disturbances.- 3.5.1 The Upper Westerly Troughs in the Westerlies.- 3.5.2 Extratropical Cyclones and Anticyclones.- 3.5.3 Typhoons.- 4 Temperature.- 4.1 Mean Annual Air Temperature Distribution.- 4.2 Mean Seasonal Temperature Distribution.- 4.3 Annual Range and Annual Variation of Temperature.- 4.4 Onset and End of Certain Limited Temperatures and Their Duration.- 4.4.1 Mean Daily Air Temperature ? 0 C.- 4.4.2 Mean Daily Air Temperature ? 10 C.- 4.4.3 Maximum Daily Air Temperature ? 35 C.- 4.4.4 Other Extreme Limited Temperatures.- 4.5 Vertical Distribution of Temperature.- 4.6 Comparison of Temperature at the Same Latitude.- 4.7 Diurnal Range of Temperature.- 4.8 Interannual Variability of Temperature.- 4.8.1 Variability of Annual Mean Temperature.- 4.8.2 Variability of Monthly Mean Temperatures.- 4.9 Historical-Climatic Change of Temperature During the last 5,000, 500 and 100 Years.- 5 Precipitation.- 5.1 Mean Annual Precipitation Distribution.- 5.2 Mean Seasonal Precipitation Distribution.- 5.3 Annual Variation of Precipitation.- 5.3.1 Specific Precipitation Types and Their Distribution.- 5.3.2 Variation of Wet and Dry Months over Space and Time.- 5.3.3 Summer Precipitation.- 5.4 Interannual Precipitation Variability.- 5.4.1 Variability of Annual Precipitation.- 5.4.2 Variability of Monthly Precipitation.- 5.4.3 Variability of Annual and Monthly Precipitation at Beijing.- 5.5 Precipitation Frequency Expressed in Rainy Days.- 5.6 Precipitation Intensity.- 5.7 Rainstorms and Certain Events of Heavy Rainfall.- 5.8 Diurnal Variation of Precipitation.- 5.9 Influence of Topography and Elevation on Precipitation.- 5.9.1 Influence of the Exposition of Slopes on Precipitation.- 5.9.2 Effect of Elevation on Prefipitation.- 5.10 Historical Change of Precipitation.- 5.11 Snow.- 5.11.1 Mean Length of Snow Cover Period.- 5.11.2 Number of Snowfall Days.- 5.11.3 Maximum Depth of Snow.- 5.11.4 Altitude of the Snow Line.- 6 Cloudiness and Sunshine.- 6.1 Mean Annual Cloudiness and January and July Amount.- 6.2 Sunshine.- 6.2.1 Annual Sunshine Duration.- 6.2.2 Sunshine Duration in January and July and Annual Variation.- 6.3 Global Radiation.- 6.4 Fog.- 7 Surface Wind.- 7.1 Mean and Extreme Wind Velocities.- 7.2 Local Wind Systems.- 7.2.1 Mountain and Valley Breezes.- 7.2.2 Land and Sea Breezes, Lake Breeze.- 7.2.3 Plateau Monsoon.- 7.2.4 Local Dry and Hot Winds.- 8 Climate Classification and Division of China.- 8.1 General Objectives and Fundamentals of Climate Regionalization.- 8.2 China Within Global Climate Classifications.- 8.3 National Climate Classifications of China.- 8.4 Climate Division of China According to Huang Bing-wei (1986).- 9 Climate Zones of China.- 9.1 Cold Temperate Zone (I).- 9.2 Middle Temperate Zone (II).- 9.3 Warm Temperate Zone (III).- 9.4 Northern Subtropical Zone (IV).- 9.5 Middle Subtropical Zone (V).- 9.6 Southern Subtropical Zone (VI).- 9.7 Peripheral Tropical Zone (VII).- 9.8 Middle Tropical Zone (VIII).- 9.9 Southern Tropical Zone (IX).- 9.10 Alpine Plateau Zone (H0).- 9.11 Subalpine Plateau tone (HI).- 9.12 Temperate Plateau Zone (HII).- Appendix: Climate Tables.- References.

Regular gaming behavior and internet gaming disorder in European adolescents: results from a cross-national representative survey of prevalence, predictors, and psychopathological correlates

Abstract: Excessive use of online computer games which leads to functional impairment and distress has recently been included as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in Section III of the DSM-5 Although nosological classification of this phenomenon is still a matter of debate, it is argued that IGD might be described best as a non-substance-related addiction Epidemiological surveys reveal that it affects up to 3 % of adolescents and seems to be related to heightened psychosocial symptoms However, there has been no study of prevalence of IGD on a multi-national level relying on a representative sample including standardized psychometric measures The research project EU NET ADB was conducted to assess prevalence and psychopathological correlates of IGD in seven European countries based on a representative sample of 12,938 adolescents between 14 and 17 years 16 % of the adolescents meet full criteria for IGD, with further 51 % being at risk for IGD by fulfilling up to four criteria The prevalence rates are slightly varying across the participating countries IGD is closely associated with psychopathological symptoms, especially concerning aggressive and rule-breaking behavior and social problems This survey demonstrated that IGD is a frequently occurring phenomenon among European adolescents and is related to psychosocial problems The need for youth-specific prevention and treatment programs becomes evident

A transgenic mouse model of inducible macrophage depletion: effects of diphtheria toxin-driven lysozyme M-specific cell lineage ablation on wound inflammatory, angiogenic, and contractive processes.

Abstract: Whether the wound macrophage is a key regulatory inflammatory cell type in skin repair has been a matter of debate. A transgenic mouse model mediating inducible macrophage depletion during skin repair has not been used to date to address this question. Here, we specifically rendered the monocyte/macrophage leukocyte lineage sensitive to diphtheria toxin by expressing the lysozyme M promoter-driven, Cre-mediated excision of a transcriptional STOP cassette from the simian DT receptor gene in mice (lysM-Cre/DTR). Application of diphtheria toxin to lysM-Cre/DTR mice led to a rapid reduction in both skin tissue and wound macrophage numbers at sites of injury. Macrophage-depleted mice revealed a severely impaired wound morphology and delayed healing. In the absence of macrophages, wounds were re-populated by large numbers of neutrophils. Accordingly, macrophage-reduced wound tissues exhibited the increased and prolonged persistence of macrophage inflammatory protein-2, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-1β, and cyclooxygenase-2, paralleled by unaltered levels of bioactive transforming growth factor-β1. Altered expression patterns of vascular endothelial growth factor on macrophage reduction were associated with a disturbed neo-vascularization at the wound site. Impaired wounds revealed a loss of myofibroblast differentiation and wound contraction. Our data in the use of lysM-Cre/DTR mice emphasize the pivotal function of wound macrophages in the integration of inflammation and cellular movements at the wound site to enable efficient skin repair.