Over the last three decades researchers of Cognitive Metaphor Theory have shown conclusively that metaphor is motivated rather than arbitrary and often used to systematically map out conceptual territory. This cognitive semantic proposal holds the potential for alternative L2 teaching strategies. As an abstract domain, business discourse is naturally rich in metaphors and is additionally filled with consciously used metaphorical language to strategically manipulate clients and business partners. Business English courses especially stand to profit from metaphor-oriented language teaching, as (future) managers aim to quickly improve their language performance to be prepared for international business communication. In using metaphors, speakers as well as hearers conceptualize and thus experience one thing in terms of another. Having been made aware of the conceptual linkage, students are immediately equipped with a whole set of vocabulary they may already have learned for a concrete domain and are then able to elaborate in the more abstract area of business discourse. Enhanced metaphor awareness may thus prove to be a valuable vehicle for vocabulary acquisition as well as for vocabulary retention. This thesis is subdivided into ten chapters. With each successive chapter, the focus will increasingly sharpen on the main hypothesis that metaphor awareness raising and explicit teaching in the business English classroom assists the students to dip into their savings' and transfer already acquired vocabulary to abstract business discourse and thus to become more proficient business communicators. After an introduction to the main objectives, chapter two critically looks at the different strands of Cognitive Linguistic contributions to metaphor theory made within the last three decades and discusses the structure, function and processing of figurative language to single out relevant aspects of the language classroom applications. Chapter three narrows the perspective to the socio-economic discourse as the very target domain in focus and surveys the conceptual metaphors that have been identified for this target domain, namely the source domains most productive for the target and therefore most valuable for the language classroom. In chapter four Cognitive Linguistic findings are put in contact with language didactics; i.e., the Cognitive Linguistic basis is discussed in the context of language teaching and learning theories and a first classification of metaphor teaching in the theoretical framework of language didactics is proposed. Ten cornerstones summarize the theoretical output of the previous chapters and the respective didactic consequences are considered. Theories of cognitive psychology pertaining to noticing, processing, and storing metaphors are systematically revisited and expanded to formulate further didactic implications for metaphor teaching. The consequences drawn from both linguistic as well as didactic theory are translated into a list of ten short guidelines identifying essentials for the explicit integration of metaphors into the language classroom. In chapter five those experimental studies that have already been conducted in the field of Cognitive Linguistic-inspired figurative language teaching are systematically summarized and possible contributions to set up a didactic framework for metaphor teaching are investigated. Chapters six to nine then present a piece of original research. Starting out from five research questions tackling receptive and productive vocabulary acquisition and retention as well as the influence of and on the learner- level of language proficiency, a three-fold study was designed and conducted in a regular business English classroom and results are discussed in detail. The last chapter deals again with specific implications for teaching. Earlier statements about and claims for the language classroom are revisited and refined on the basis of the theoretical linguistic, didactic and empirical findings, and an agenda for further empirical investigations is sketched out.

"Da wollten ich und mein Bruder jetzt so ein Lied machen und das heißt "Vergangenheitsträume" so. (...) Und da wollten wir so über alles, was wir beide so erlebt haben, schreiben." (Karsten, 17 Jahre). Dieses Zitat entstammt einem Interview, das, neben weiteren, im Rahmen dieser Forschungsarbeit ausgewertet und interpretiert wurde. Es fasst in komprimierter Form zusammen, worum es in dieser Arbeit gehen soll: Bildung und Biografie. Ein junger Menschen, Karsten, berichtet in einem Interview, dass er angefangen hat zu rappen. Die Texte handeln von Erlebnissen und Erfahrungen seines Lebens. Er blickt gemeinsam mit seinem jüngeren Bruder zurück und hält Gedanken und Gefühle hierzu fest. "Bildung" soll verstanden werden, als eine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit sich und der Welt. Hierbei steht das eigene Leben im Fokus. "Biografie" soll verstanden werden als ein soziales Konstrukt. Ereignisse und Handlungen werden in eine Ordnung, in einen Zusammenhang gebracht. Der Prozess, sich mit seinem Leben auseinanderzusetzen dient dem Selbstverstehen und dem Fremdverstehen. Es ist mit "aktivem Tun" verbunden. Es passiert nicht einfach mit einem Menschen, vielmehr stellt es einen aktiven Prozess dar. Das Ordnen, Zusammenführen, in-Beziehung-setzen und Verstehen von Erlebnissen, Erfahrungen und Träumen des eigenen Lebens steht im Vordergrund von Bildungs- und Biografisierungsprozessen. Daher wurde der Titel für diese Forschungsarbeit ausgewählt. Im Fokus dieser Studie stehen Veränderungsprozesse der Konstruktionen von "Selbstbildern" und "Weltbildern" vier junger Menschen sowie von ihren Handlungsmustern. Die Begriffe "Selbstbild" und "Weltbild" enthalten die Vorstellung, dass Menschen die Bilder, die sie von sich selbst und von der Welt in sich tragen, im Laufe des Lebens entwickeln. Kinder entfalten eine Vorstellung davon, wie sie aussehen, welche Eigenschaften sie besitzen und was sie gut oder weniger gut können. Vielfältige Faktoren tragen zur Entstehung und Entwicklung dieser konstruierten Selbst- und Weltbilder bei (vgl. beispielhaft zu Traumaerlebnissen Dillig 1983). Es wird in dieser Arbeit versucht nachzuzeichnen, ob bzw. wie sich diese Selbst- und Weltbilder der jungen Menschen und ihre Handlungsmuster im Verlauf verändern. Dies ist dadurch möglich, weil es sich bei der vorliegenden Untersuchung um eine Langzeituntersuchung handelt. Mit den vier jungen Menschen (Anni, Ben, Julia und Karsten) wurden zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten Interviews geführt, in denen sie über ihr Leben berichteten. In § 1 SGB VIII wird an die Kinder- und Jugendhilfe der Auftrag formuliert, die Entwicklung von Kindern zu fördern. Jugendhilfe hat den Auftrag, Einfluss auf den Prozess der Bildung zu nehmen und die Entwicklung der jungen Menschen zu fördern, sie soll Bildungsprozesse anstoßen. Kinder machen vielfältige Erfahrungen in ihrem Leben. Sie lernen ihre "Lebenswelt" kennen und entwickeln in Auseinandersetzung mit der Welt, "eigene-sinnige" Vorstellungen von sich und von ihrer Lebenswelt (vgl. dazu Tenorth / Tippelt 2007; Marotzki 2004). Die Kinder- und Jugendhilfe muss sich mit den Selbst- und Weltkonstruktionen der jungen Menschen beschäftigen, wenn sie sich als eine an der Lebenswelt orientierte Jugendhilfe verstehen will. Sie muss sich mit den Lebensgeschichten ihrer Adressaten befassen, mit ihnen gemeinsam Biografiearbeit leisten. Dazu benötigt sie unbedingt einen verstehenden Zugang zu den jungen Menschen und ihren Interpretationen vergangener Erfahrungen (Vergangenheitsträume), um mit ihnen (neue) Lebensentwürfe, Zukunftsträume entwickeln zu können. Des Weiteren geht es in der Arbeit um Überlebensmuster junger Menschen. Vielleicht ruft die Wahl des Begriffs Verwunderung oder Unverständnis hervor. Die Vorstellung, dass es um Muster geht, die das "Überleben" sichern sollen, mutet dramatisch an. Doch zeigen die Ergebnisse der Fallrekonstruktionen, dass dieser Vergleich durchaus angemessen erscheint (vgl. dazu auch Schrapper 2002). Für die Kinder- und Jugendhilfe stellt sich zudem die Frage nach der Wirksamkeit ihrer Bemühungen. Ist die Jugendhilfe ihrem Auftrag nachgekommen? Kann dies in den Interviews mit den jungen Menschen gezeigt werden? Wenn davon ausgegangen werden kann, dass (öffentliche) Erziehung (nachhaltig) Einfluss auf das (Er)Leben und Erzählen von Jugendlichen hat und damit auch auf die Selbst- und Weltbilder und ihre Überlebensmuster, so bieten Interviews, die zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten geführt wurden, die Chance, dieser Frage nachzugehen. Die Forschungsfragen, die dieser Arbeit zu Grunde liegen, sind jedoch Fragen die nicht auf das Thema "Geschlossene Unterbringung" begrenzt sind. Sie können in allen anderen pädagogischen Zusammenhängen gestellt und bearbeitet werden, da der theoretische Kerngedanke der Fragestellungen nicht von einer bestimmten Intervention oder vom Setting einer Hilfe abhängt. Es werden in dieser Arbeit Anforderungen an die Kinder- und Jugendhilfe formuliert, die verdeutlichen, welche Aufgaben die Kinder- und Jugendhilfe leisten muss, damit sie Kindern und Jugendlichen Bildungserfahrungen ermöglichen kann. Die formulierten Anforderungen werden im Verlauf nochmals aufgegriffen und sollen anhand der Forschungsergebnisse diskutiert werden. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Fallrekonstruktionen vier junger Menschen. Hier werden in einem ersten Schritt jeweils Lebens- und Hilfegeschichten der jungen Menschen tabellarisch dargelegt. Es folgt eine Darstellung des Verlaufs der Selbstbilder, der Weltbilder und der Handlungsmuster der Jugendlichen, die jeweils mit einem Fazit enden. In der Zusammenfassung werden jeweils die Bezüge und Zusammenhänge zwischen den konstruierten Selbstbildern, Weltbildern und Handlungs- bzw, Überlebensmustern vorgestellt.

Das Hauptziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Absicherung der Qualität eines pharmazeutischen Produktionsprozesses durch die Überprüfung des Volumens mikroskopischer Polymerstäbchen mit einem hochgenauen 3D Messverfahren. Die Polymerstäbchen werden für pharmazeutische Anwendungen hergestellt. Aus Gründen der Qualitätssicherung muss das Istgewicht überprüft werden. Derzeit werden die Polymerstäbchen stichprobenartig mit einer hochpräzisen Waage gewogen. Für die nächste Generation von Polymeren wird angenommen, dass die Produktabmessungen weiter reduziert werden sollen und die Produktionstoleranzen auf 2,5% gesenkt werden. Die daraus resultierenden Genauigkeitsanforderungen übersteigen jedoch die Möglichkeiten der Wiegetechnik. Bei homogenen Materialien ist die Masse proportional zum Volumen. Aus diesem Grund kommt dessen Bestimmung als Alternative in Frage. Dies verschafft Zugang zu optischen Messverfahren und deren Flexibilität und Genauigkeitpotenzial. Für den Entwurf eines auf die Fragestellung angepassten Messkonzeptes sind weiterhin von Bedeutung, dass das Objekt kontaktlos, mit einer Taktzeit von maximal fünf Sekunden vermessen und das Volumen approximiert wird. Die Querschnitte der Polymerstäbchen sind etwa kreisförmig. Aufgrund der Herstellung der Fragmente kann nicht davon ausgegangen werden, dass die Anlageflächen orthogonal zur Symmetrieachse des Objektes sind. Daher muss analysiert werden, wie sich kleine Abweichungen von kreisförmigen Querschnitten sowie die nicht idealen Anlageflächen auswirken. Die maximale Standardabweichung für das Volumen, die nicht überschritten werden sollte, beträgt 2,5%. Dies entspricht einer maximalen Abweichung der Querschnittsfläche um 1106 µm² (Fehlerfortpfanzung). Als Bewertungskriterium wird der Korrelationskoeffzient zwischen den gemessenen Volumina und den Massen bestimmt. Ein ideales Ergebnis wäre 100%. Die Messung zielt auf einen Koeffzienten von 98% ab. Um dies zu erreichen, ist ein präzises Messverfahren für Volumen erforderlich. Basierend auf dem aktuellen Stand der Technik können die vorhandenen optischen Messverfahren nicht verwendet werden. Das Polymerstäbchen wird von einer Kamera im Durchlicht beobachtet. Daher sind der Durchmesser und die Länge sichtbar. Das Objekt wird mittels einer mechanischen Vorrichtung um die Längsachse gedreht. So können Bilder von allen Seiten aufgenommen werden. Der Durchmesser und die Länge werden mit der Bildverarbeitung berechnet. Das neue Konzept vereint die Vorteile der Verfahren: Es ist unempfindlich gegen Farb-/Helligkeitsänderungen und die Bilder können in beliebiger Anzahl aufgenommen werden. Außerdem sind die Erfassung und Auswertung wesentlich schneller. Es wird ein Entwurf und die Umsetzung einer Lösung zur hochpräzisen Volumenmessung von Polymerstäbchen mit optischer Messtechnik und Bildverarbeitung ausgearbeitet. Diese spezielle Prozesslösung in der Prozesslinie (inline) sollte eine 100%ige Qualitätskontrolle während der Produktion garantieren. Die Zykluszeiten des Systems sollte fünf Sekunden pro Polymerstäbchen nicht überschreiten. Die Rahmenbedienungen für den Prozess sind durch die Materialeigenschaften des Objekts, die geringe Objektgröße (Breite = 199 µm, Länge = 935 µm bis 1683 µm) und die undeffinierte Querschnittsform (durch den Trocknungsprozess) vorgegeben. Darüber hinaus sollten die Kosten für den Prozess nicht zu hoch sein. Der Messaufbau sollte klein sein und ohne Sicherheitsvorkehrungen oder Abschirmungen arbeiten. Das entstandene System nimmt die Objekte in verschiedenen Winkelschritten auf, wertet mit Hilfe der Bildverarbeitung die Aufnahmen aus und approximiert das Volumen. Der Korrelationskoffizient zwischen Volumen und Gewicht beträgt für 77 Polymerstäbchen mit einem Gewicht von 37 µg bis 80 µg 99; 87%. Mit Hilfe eines Referenzsystems kann die Genauigkeit der Messung bestimmt werden. Die Standardabweichung sollte maximal 2,5% betragen. Das entstandene System erzielt eine maximale Volumenabweichung von 1,7%. Die Volumenvermessung erfüllt alle Anforderungen und kann somit als Alternative für die Waage verwendet werden.

Water is used in a way as if it were available infinitely. Droughts, increased rainfall or flooding already lead to water shortages and, thus, deprive entire population groups of the basis of their livelihoods. There is a growing fear that conflicts over water will increase, especially in arid climate zones, because life without water - whether for humans, animals or plants - is not possible. More than 60 % of the African population depend on land and water resources for their livelihoods through pastoralism, fishing and farming. The water levels of rivers and lakes are decreasing. Hence, the rural population which is dependent on land and water move towards water-rich and humid areas. This internal migration increases the pressure on available water resources. Driven by the desire to strengthen the economic development, African governments align their political agendas with the promotion of macro international and national economic projects. This doctoral thesis examines the complex interrelationships between water shortages, governance, vulnerability, adaptive capacity and violent and non-violent conflicts at Lake Naivasha in Kenya and Lake Wamala in Uganda. In order to satisfy the overall complexity, this doctoral thesis combines various theoretical and empirical aspects in which a variety of methods are applied to different geographical regions, across disciplines, and cultural and political boundaries. The investigation reveals that Lake Naivasha is more affected by violent conflicts than Lake Wamala. Reasons for this include population growth, historically grown ethnic conflicts, corruption and the preferential treatment of national and international economic actors. The most common conflict response tools are raiding and the blockage of water access. However, deathly encounters, destruction of property and cattle slaughtering are increasingly used to gain access to water and land. The insufficient implementation of the political system and the governments’ prioritization to foster economic development results, on the one hand, in the commercialization of water resources and increases, on the other hand, non-violent conflict between national and sub-national political actors. While corruption, economic favours and patronage defuse this conflict, resource access becomes more difficult for the local population. Resulting thereof, a final hypothesis is developed which states that the localization of the political conflict aggravates the water situation for the local population and, thereby, favours violent conflicts over water access and water use in water-rich areas.

This dissertation introduces a methodology for formal specification and verification of user interfaces under security aspects. The methodology allows to use formal methods pervasively in the specification and verification of human-computer interaction. This work consists of three parts. In the first part, a formal methodology for the description of human-computer interaction is developed. In the second part, existing definitions of computer security are adapted for human-computer interaction and formalized. A generic formal model of human-computer interaction is developed. In the third part, the methodology is applied to the specification and verification of a secure email client.

Abstract Location based services maybe are within one of the most outstanding features of modern mobile devices. Despite the fact, that cached geolocation data could be used to reconstruct motion profiles, the amount of devices capable to provide these information in the field of criminal investigations is growing. Motivation The aim of this work is to generate in-depth knowledge to questions concerning geolocation in the field of mobile forensics, making especially somehow cached geolocation data forensically valuable. On top, tools meeting the specific requirements of law enforcement personnel shall be developed. Problems Geolocation processes within smartphones are quite complex. For the device to locate its position, different reference systems like GPS, cell towers or WiFi hot\-spots are used in a variety of ways. The whole mobile geolocation mechanism is proprietary to the device manufacturer and not build with forensic needs in mind. One major problem regarding forensic investigations is, that mainly reference points are being extracted and processed instead of real life device location data. In addition, these geolocation information only consist of bits and bytes or numeric values that have to be securely assigned to their intended meaning. The location data recovered are full of gaps providing only a part of the process or device usage. This possible loss of data has to be determined deriving a reliable measurement for the completeness, integrity and accuracy of data. Last but not least, as for every evidence within a criminal investigation, it has to be assured, that manipulations of the data or errors in position estimation have no disadvantageous effect on the analysis. Research Questions In the context of localisation services in modern smartphones, it always comes back to similar questions during forensic everyday life: * Can locations be determined at any time? * How accurate is the location of a smartphone? * Can location data from smartphones endure in court? Approach For a better understanding of geolocation processes in modern smartphones and to evaluate the quality and reliability of the geolocation artefacts, information from different platforms shall be theoretically analysed as well as observed in-place during the geolocation process. The connection between data points and localisation context will be examined in predefined live experiments as well as desktop- and native applications on smartphones. Results Within the scope of this thesis self developed tools have been used for forensic investigations as well as analytical interpretation of geodata from modern smartphones. Hereby a generic model for assessing the quality of location data has emerged, which can be generally applied to geodata from mobile devices.

Successful export sectors in manufacturing and agribusiness are important drivers of structural transformation in Sub-Sahara African countries. Backed by industrial policies and active state involvement, a small number of successful productive export sectors has emerged in Sub-Saharan Africa. This thesis asks the question: How do politics shape the promotion of export-driven industrialisation and firm-level upgrading in Sub-Saharan Africa? It exemplifies this question with an in-depth, qualitative study of the cashew processing industry in Mozambique in the period from 1991 until 2019. Mozambique used to be one of the world’s largest producers and processors of cashew nuts in the 1960s and 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, the cashew processing industry broke down completely but has re-emerged as one of the country’s few successful agro-processing exports. The thesis draws on theoretical approaches from the fields of political science, notably the political settlements framework, global value chain analysis and the research on technological capabilities to explore why the Mozambican Government supported the cashew processing industry and how Mozambican cashew processors acquired the technological capabilities needed to access the global cashew value chain and to upgrade. It makes an important theoretical contribution by linking the political settlements framework and the literature on upgrading in global value chains to study how politics shaped productive sector promotion and upgrading in the Mozambican cashew processing industry. The findings of the thesis are based on extensive primary data, including 58 expert interviews and 10 firm surveys, that was collected in Mozambique in 2018 as well as a broad base of secondary literature. The thesis argues that the Mozambican Government supported the cashew processing industry because it became important for the Government’s political survival. Promoting the cashew sector formed part of an electoral strategy for the ruling FRELIMO coalition and a means to keep FRELIMO factions united by offering economic opportunities to key constituencies. In 1999, it adopted a protectionist cashew law that created strong incentives for cashew processing in Mozambique. This not only facilitated the re-emergence of the cashew processing industry after its breakdown. The law and the active involvement of the National Cashew Institute (INCAJU) also affected the governance of the local cashew value chain, the creation of backward linkages, and the upgrading paths of cashew processors. The findings of the thesis suggest that the cashew law reduced the pressure on the cashew processing industry to upgrade. The law further created opportunities for formal and informal rent creation for members of the political elite and lower level FRELIMO officials that prevented a far-reaching reform of the law. The thesis shows that international buyers do not promote upgrading among Sub-Sahara African firms in global value chains with market-based or modular governance. Moreover, firms that operate in countries where industrial policies are not enforced effectively cannot draw on the support of government institutions to enhance their capabilities and to upgrade. Firms therefore mainly depended on costly learning channels at firm level, e.g. learning by doing or hiring skilled labour, and/or on technical assistance from donors to build the technological capabilities needed to access global value chains and to remain competitive. The findings of the thesis suggest that researchers, governments, development practitioners and consultants need to rethink their understanding of upgrading in GVCs in four ways. First, they need to move away from understanding upgrading in terms of moving towards more complex, higher value-added activities in GVCs (functional upgrading). Instead, it is important to consider the potential of other, more realistic types of upgrading for firms in low-income countries, such reducing risks by diversifying suppliers and buyers or increasing rewards by making production processes more efficient. Second, they need to replace an overly positive view on upgrading that neglects possible side-effects at sector and/or country level. Third, GVC participation on its own does not promote upgrading among local supplier firms in Sub-Saharan Africa. The interests of lead firms and Sub-Sahara African supplier firms may not be aligned or even conflicting. Targeted industrial policies and the creation of institutions that effectively promote capability building among firms therefore become even more important. Finally, upgrading needs to be understood as a process that is not only shaped by interactions between firms, but also by local domestic politics. The findings of the thesis are highly relevant for scholars from the fields of political science, development studies, and economics. Its practical implications and tools, e.g. a technological capabilities matrix for the cashew industry, are of interest for development practitioners, members of public institutions in Sub-Sahara African countries, local entrepreneurs, and representatives of local business associations that are involved in promoting export sectors and upgrading among local firms.

The formulation of the decoding problem for linear block codes as an integer program (IP) with a rather tight linear programming (LP) relaxation has made a central part of channel coding accessible for the theory and methods of mathematical optimization, especially integer programming, polyhedral combinatorics and also algorithmic graph theory, since the important class of turbo codes exhibits an inherent graphical structure. We present several novel models, algorithms and theoretical results for error-correction decoding based on mathematical optimization. Our contribution includes a partly combinatorial LP decoder for turbo codes, a fast branch-and-cut algorithm for maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding of arbitrary binary linear codes, a theoretical analysis of the LP decoder's performance for 3-dimensional turbo codes, compact IP models for various heuristic algorithms as well as ML decoding in combination with higher-order modulation, and, finally, first steps towards an implementation of the LP decoder in specialized hardware. The scientific contributions are presented in the form of seven revised reprints of papers that appeared in peer-reviewed international journals or conference proceedings. They are accompanied by an extensive introductory part that reviews the basics of mathematical optimization, coding theory, and the previous results on LP decoding that we rely on afterwards.

With 47% land coverage in 2016, agricultural land was one of the largest terrestrial biomes in Germany. About 70% of the agricultural land was cropped area with associated pesticide applications. Agricultural land also represents an essential habitat for amphibians. Therefore, exposure of amphibians to agrochemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, seems likely. Pesticides can be highly toxic for amphibians, even a fraction of the original application rate may result in high amphibian mortality. To evaluate the potential risk of pesticide exposure for amphibians, the temporal coincidence of amphibian presence on agricultural land and pesticide applications (N = 331) was analyzed for the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), moor frog (Rana arvalis), spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) and crested newt (Triturus cristatus) during spring migration. In 2007 and 2008, up to 80% of the migrating amphibians temporally coincided with pesticide applications in the study area of Müncheberg, about 50 km east of Berlin. Pesticide interception by plants ranged between 50 to 90% in winter cereals and 80 to 90% in winter rape. The highest coincidence was observed for the spadefoot toad, where 86.6% of the reproducing population was affected by a single pesticide in winter rape during stem elongation with 80% pesticide interception by plants. Late migrating species, such as the fire-bellied toad and the spadefoot toad, overlapped more with pesticide applications than early migrating species, such as the moor frog, did. Under favorable circumstances, the majority of early migrants may not coincide with the pesticide applications of arable fields during spring migration. To evaluate the potential effect of pesticide applications on populations of the common frog (Rana temporaria), a landscape genetic study was conducted in the vinicultural area of Southern Palatinate. Due to small sample sizes at breeding sites within viniculture, several DNA sampling methods were tested. Furthermore, the novel repeated randomized selection of genotypes approach was developed to utilize genetic data from siblings for more reliable estimates of genetic parameters. Genetic analyses highlighted three of the breeding site populations located in viniculture as isolated from the meta-population. Genetic differentiation among breeding site populations in the viniculture (median pairwise FST=0.0215 at 2.34 km to 0.0987 at 2.39 km distance) was higher compared to genetic differentiation among breeding site populations in the Palatinate Forest (median pairwise FST=0.0041 at 5.39 km to 0.0159 at 9.40 km distance). The presented studies add valuable information about the risk of pesticide exposure for amphibians in the terrestrial life stage and possible effects of agricultural land on amphibian meta-populations. To conserve endemic amphibian species and their (genetic) diversity in the long run, the risk assessment of pesticides and applied agricultural management measures need to be adjusted to protect amphibians adequately. In addition, other conservation measures such as the creation of new suitable breeding site should be considered to improve connectivity between breeding site populations and ensure the persistence of amphibians in the agricultural land.

Within aquatic environments sediment water interfaces (SWIs) are the most important areas concerning exchange processes between the water body and the sediment. These spatially restricted regions are characterized by steep biogeochemical gradients that determine the speciation and fate of natural or artificial substances. Apart from biological mediated processes (e.g., burrowing organisms, photosynthesis) the determining exchange processes are diffusion or a colloid-mediated transport. Hence, methods are required enabling to capture the fine scale structures at the boundary layer and to distinguish between the different transport pathways. Regarding emerging substances that will probably reach the aquatic environment engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are of great concern due to their increased use in many products and applications. Since they are determined based on their size (<100 nm) they include a variety of different materials behaving differently in the environment. Once released, they will inevitable mix with naturally present colloids (< 1 μm) including natural nanomaterials. With regard to existing methodological gaps concerning the characterization of ENMs (as emerging substances) and the investigation of SWIs (as receiving environmental compartments), the aim of this thesis was to develop, validate and apply suitable analytical tools. The challenges were to i) develop methods that enable a high resolution and low-invasive sampling of sediment pore water. To ii) develop routine-suitable methods for the characterization of metal-based engineered nanoparticles and iii) to adopt and optimize size-fractionation approaches for pore water samples of sediment depth profiles to obtain size-related information on element distributions at SWIs. Within the first part, an available microprofiling system was combined with a novel micro sampling system equipped with newly developed sample filtration-probes. The system was thoroughly validated and applied to a freshwater sediment proving the applicability for an automatic sampling of sediment pore waters in parallel to microsensor measurements. Thereby, for the first time multi-element information for sediment depth profiles were obtained at a millimeter scale that could directly be related to simultaneously measured sediment parameters. Due to the expected release of ENMs to the environment the aim was to develop methods that enable the investigation of fate and transport of ENMs at sediment water interfaces. Since standardized approaches are still lacking, methods were developed for the determination of the total mass concentration and the determination of the dissolved fraction of (nano)particle suspensions. Thereby, validated, routine suitable methods were provided enabling for the first time a routine-suitable determination of these two, among the most important properties regarding the analyses of colloidal systems, also urgently needed as a basis for the development of appropriate (future) risk assessments and regulatory frameworks. Based on this methodological basis, approaches were developed enabling to distinguish between dissolved and colloidal fractions of sediment pore waters. This made it possible for the first time to obtain fraction related element information for sediment depth profiles at a millimeter scale, capturing the fine scale structures and distinguishing between diffusion and colloid-mediated transport. In addition to the research oriented parts of this thesis, questions concerning the regulation of ENPs in the case of a release into aquatic systems were addressed in a separate publication (included in the Appendix) discussing the topic against the background of the currently valid German water legislation and the actual state of the research.

In summary, this study revealed the widespread occurrence of antiviral drugs in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, it could be shown that the elimination of pharmaceuticals in both biological and oxidative treatment do not necessarily result in their mineralization but rather leads to the formation of a variety of transformation and oxidation products. This is one of the first studies in which the fate and in particular the transformation of pharmaceuticals has been comprehensively investigated in almost the complete water cycle, from biological wastewater treatment to advanced oxidation processes via ozone. It was shown that the transformation of pharmaceuticals in the urban water cycle can ultimately result in the formation of toxic transformation products.

Studies have shown that wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are the major pathways of organic and inorganic chemicals of anthropogenic use (=micropollutants) into aquatic environments. There, micropollutants can be transferred to ground water bodies - and may finally end up in drinking water - or cause various effects in aquatic organisms like multiple resistances of bacteria. Hence, the upgrading of WWTPs with the aim to reduce the load of those micropollutants is currently under discussion. Therefore, the primary objective of this thesis was to assess ecotoxicological effects of wastewater ozonation, a tertiary treatment method, using specifically developed toxicity tests with Gammarus fossarum (Koch) at various levels of ecological complexity. Several studies were designed in the laboratory and under semi-field conditions to cope with this primary objective. Prior to the investigations with ozone treated wastewater, the ecotoxicity of secondary treated (=non-ozone treated) wastewater from WWTP Wüeri, Switzerland, for the test species was assessed by a four-week experiment. This experiment displayed statistically significant impairments in feeding, assimilation and physiological endpoints related to population development and reproduction. The first experiment investigating ecotoxicological implications of ozone application in wastewater from the same WWTP displayed a preference of G. fossarum for leaf discs conditioned in ozone treated wastewater when offered together with leaf discs conditioned in non-ozone treated wastewater. This effect seems to be mainly driven by an alteration in the leaf associated microbial community. Another series of laboratory experiments conducted also with wastewater from WWTP Wüeri treated with ozone at the lab- or full-scale, revealed significantly increased feeding rates of G. fossarum exposed to ozone treated wastewater compared to non-ozone treated wastewater. These laboratory experiments also indicated that any alteration in the organic matrix potentially caused by ozone treatment is not related to the effects in feeding as this endpoint showed only negligible deviation in secondary treated wastewater, which contained hardly any (micro)pollutants (i.e. pharmaceuticals), from the same wastewater additionally treated with ozone. Moreover, it was shown that shifts in the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) profile do not affect the feeding rate of gammarids. In situ bioassays conducted in the receiving stream of the WWTP Wüeri confirmed the results of the laboratory experiments by displaying significantly reduced feeding rates of G. fossarum exposed below the WWTP effluent if non-ozone treated wastewater was released. However, at the time the ozonation was operating, no adverse effects in feeding rates were observed below the effluent compared to the unaffected upstream sites. Also population studies in on-site flow-through stream microcosms displayed an increased feeding and a statistically significantly higher population size after ten weeks when exposed to ozone treated wastewater compared to non-ozone treated wastewater. In conclusion, the present thesis documents that ozonation might be a suitable tool to reduce both the load of micropollutants as well as the ecotoxicity of wastewaters. Thus, this technology may help to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive also under predicted climate change scenarios, which may lead to elevated proportions of wastewater in the receiving stream during summer discharge. However, as ozone application may also produce by-products with a higher toxicity than their parent compounds, the implementation of this technique should be assessed further both via chemical analysis and ecotoxicological bioassays.

Streams are coupled with their riparian area. Emerging insects from streams can be an important prey in the riparian area. Such aquatic subsidies can cause predators to switch prey or increase predator abundances. This can impact the whole terrestrial food web. Stressors associated with agricultural land use can alter insect communities in water and on land, resulting in complex response patterns of terrestrial predators that rely on prey from both systems. This thesis comprises studies on the impact of aquatic nsects on a terrestrial model ecosystem (Objective 1, hapter 2), the influence of agricultural land use on riparian spiders’ traits and community (Objective 2, Chapter 3), and on the impact of agricultural land use on the contribution of different prey to spider diet (Objective 3, Chapter 4). In chapter 2, I present a study where we conducted a mesocosm experiment to examine the effects of aquatic subsidies on a simplified terrestrial food web consisting of two types of herbivores (leafhoppers and weevils), plants and predators (spiders). I focused on the prey choice of the spiders by excluding predator immigration and reproduction. In accordance with predator switching, survival of leafhoppers increased in the presence of aquatic subsidies. By contrast, the presence of aquatic subsidies indirectly reduced weevils and herbivory. In chapter 3, I present the results on the taxonomic and trait response of riparian spider communities to gradients of agricultural stressors and environmental variables, with a particular emphasis on pesticides. To capture spiders with different traits and survival strategies, we used multiple collection methods. Spider community composition was best explained by in-stream pesticide toxicity and shading of the stream bank, a proxy for the quality of the habitat. Species richness and the number of spider individuals, as well as community ballooning ability, were negatively associated with in-stream pesticide toxicity. In contrast, mean body size and shading preference of spider communities responded strongest to shading, whereas mean niche width (habitat preference for moisture and shading) responded strongest to other environmental variables. In chapter 4, I describe aquatic-terrestrial predator-prey relations with gradients of agricultural stressors and environmental variables. I sampled spiders, as well as their aquatic and terrestrial prey along streams with an assumed pesticide pollution gradient and determined their stable carbon and nitrogen signals. Potential aquatic prey biomass correlated positively with an increasing aquatic prey contribution of T. montana. The contribution of aquatic prey to the diet of P. amentata showed a positive relationship with increasing toxicity in streams. Overall, this thesis contributes to the emerging discipline of cross-ecosystem ecology and shows that aquatic-terrestrial linkages and riparian food webs can be influenced by land use related stressors. Future manipulative field studies on aquatic-terrestrial linkages are required that consider the quality of prey organisms, fostering mechanistic understanding of such crossecosystem effects. Knowledge on these linkages is important to improve understanding of consequences of anthropogenic stressors and to prevent further losses of ecosystems and their biodiversity.

Field margins are often the only remaining habitats of various wild plant species in agricultural landscapes. However, due to their proximity to agricultural fields, the vegetation of field margins can be affected by agrochemicals applied to the crop fields. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the individual and combined effects of herbicide, insecticide and fertilizer inputs on the plant community of a field margin. Therefore, a 3-year field experiment with a randomized block design including seven treatments (H: herbicide, I: insecticide, F: fertilizer, H+I, F+I, F+H and F+H+I) and one control was conducted on a low-production meadow. Each treatment was replicated 8 times in 8 m x 8 m plots with a distance of 2 m between each plot. The fertilizer rates (25 % of the field rate) and pesticide rates (30 % of the field rate) used for the plot applications were consistent with realistic average input rates (overspray + drift) in the first meter of a field margin directly adjacent to a wheat field. The study revealed that fertilizer and herbicide misplacements in field margins are major factors that affect the natural plant communities of these habitats. In total, 20 of the 26 abundant species on the study site were significantly affected by the fertilizer and herbicide treatment. The fertilizer promoted plants with high nutrient uptake and decreased the frequencies of small species. The herbicide caused a nearly complete disappearance of three species directly after the first application, whereas sublethal effects (e.g., phytotoxic effects and reduced seed productions of up to 100 %) were observed for the other affected species. However, if field margins are exposed to repeated agrochemical applications over several years, then such sublethal effects (particularly reproduction effects) also reduce the population size of plant species significantly, as observed in this study. Significant herbicide-fertilizer interaction effects were also detected and could not be extrapolated from individual effects. The fertilizer and herbicide effects became stronger over time, leading to shifts in plant community compositions after three years and to a 15 % lower species diversity than in the control. The insecticide significantly affected the frequencies of two plant species (1 positively and 1 negatively). The results of the experiment suggest that a continuous annual agrochemical application on the study site would cause further plant community shifts and would likely lead to the disappearance of certain affected plants. A clear trend of increasing grass dominance at the expense of flowering herbs was detected. This finding corresponds well with monitoring data from field margins near the study site. Although herbicide risk assessment aims to protect non-target plants in off-field habitats from adverse effects, reproduction effects and combined effects are currently not considered. Furthermore, no regulations for fertilizer applications next to field margins exist and thus, fertilizer misplacements in field margins are likely to occur and to interact with herbicide effects. Adaptations of the current risk assessment, a development of risk mitigation measures (e.g., in-field buffers) for the application of herbicides and fertilizers, and general management measures for field margins are needed to restore and conserve plant diversity in field margins in agricultural landscapes.

Agricultural pesticides, especially insecticides, are an integral part of modern farming. However, these may often leave their target ecosystems and cause adverse effects in non- target, especially freshwater ecosystems, leading to their deterioration. In this thesis, the focus will be on Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) that can in many ways cause disruption of the endocrine system of invertebrates. Freshwater invertebrates play important ecological, economic and medical roles, and disruption of their endocrine systems may be crucial, considering the important role hormones play in the developmental and reproductive processes in organisms. Although Endocrine Disruption Chemicals (EDCs) can affect moulting, behaviour, morphology, sexual maturity, time to first brood, egg development time, brood size (fecundity), and sex determination in invertebrates, there is currently no agreement upon how to characterize and assess endocrine disruption (ED). Current traditional ecotoxicity tests for Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) show limitations on generating data at the population level that may be relevant for the assessment of EDCs, which effects may be sublethal, latent and persist for several generations of species (transgenerational). It is therefore the primary objective of this thesis to use a test method to investigate adverse effects of EDCs on endpoints concerning development and reproduction in freshwater invertebrates. The full life-cycle test over two generations that includes all sensitive life stages of C. riparius (a sexual reproductive organism) allows an assessment of its reproduction and should be suitable for the investigation of long-term toxicity of EDCs in freshwater invertebrates. C. riparius is appropriate for this purpose because of its short life cycle that enables the assessment of functional endpoints of the organism over several generations. Moreover, the chironomid life cycle consists of a complete metamorphosis controlled by a well-known endocrine mechanism and the endocrine system of insects has been most investigated in great detail among invertebrates. Hence, the full life-cycle test with C. riparius provides an approach to assess functional endpoints (e.g. reproduction, sex ratio) that are population-relevant as a useful amendment to the ERA of EDCs. In the laboratory, C. riparius was exposed to environmentally-relevant concentrations of the selected IGRs in either spiked water or spiked sediment scenario over two subsequent generations. The results reported in this thesis revealed significant effects of the IGRs on the development and the reproduction of C. riparius with the second (F1) generation showing greater sensitivity. These findings indicated for the first time the suitability of multigenerational testing for various groups of EDCs and strongly suggested considering the full life-cycle of C. riparius as an appropriate test method for a better assessment of EDCs in the freshwater environment. In conclusion, this thesis helps to detect additional information that can be extrapolated at population level and, thus, might contribute to better protection of freshwater ecosystems against the risks of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs.) It may furthermore contribute to changes in the ERA process that are necessary for a real implementation of the new European chemical legislation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals). Finally, significant interactions between temperature, chemical exposure and generation were reported for the first time and, may help predict impacts that may occur in the future, in the field, under predicted climate change scenarios.

Groundwater is essential for the provision of drinking water in many areas around the world. The ecosystem services provided by groundwater-related organisms are crucial for the quality of groundwater-bearing aquifers. Therefore, if remediation of contaminated groundwater is necessary, the remediation method has to be carefully selected to avoid risk-risk trade-offs that might impact these valuable ecosystems. In the present thesis, the ecotoxicity of the in situ remediation agent Carbo-Iron (a composite of zero valent nano-iron and active carbon) was investigated, an estimation of its environmental risk was performed, and the risk and benefit of a groundwater remediation with Carbo-Iron were comprehensively analysed. At the beginning of the work on the present thesis, a sound assessment of the environmental risks of nanomaterials was impeded by a lack of guidance documents, resulting in many uncertainties on selection of suitable test methods and a low comparability of test results from different studies with similar nanomaterials. The reasons for the low comparability were based on methodological aspects of the testing procedures before and during the toxicity testing. Therefore, decision trees were developed as a tool to systematically decide on ecotoxicity test procedures for nanomaterials. Potential effects of Carbo-Iron on embryonic, juvenile and adult life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the amphipod Hyalella azteca were investigated in acute and chronic tests. These tests were based on existing OECD and EPA test guidelines (OECD, 1992a, 2013a, 2013b; US EPA, 2000) to facilitate the use of the obtained effect data in the risk assessment. Additionally, the uptake of particles into the test organisms was investigated using microscopic methods. In zebrafish embryos, effects of Carbo-Iron on gene expression were investigated. The obtained ecotoxicity data were complemented by studies with the waterflea Daphnia magna, the algae Scenedesmus vacuolatus, larvae of the insect species Chironomus riparius and nitrifying soil microorganisms. In the fish embryo test, no passage of Carbo-Iron particles into the perivitelline space or the embryo was observed. In D. rerio and H. azteca, Carbo-Iron was detected in the gut at the end of exposure, but no passage into the surrounding tissue was detected. Carbo-Iron had no significant effect on soil microorganisms and on survival and growth of fish. However, it had significant effects on the growth, feeding rate and reproduction of H. azteca and on survival and reproduction in D. magna. Additionally, the development rate of C. riparius and the cell volume of S. vacuolatus were negatively influenced. A predicted no effect concentration of 0.1 mg/L was derived from the ecotoxicity studies based on the no-effect level determined in the reproduction test with D. magna and an assessment factor of 10. It was compared to measured and modelled environmental concentrations for Carbo-Iron after application to an aquifer contaminated with chlorohydrocarbons in a field study. Based on these concentrations, risk quotients were derived. Additionally, the overall environmental risk before and after Carbo-Iron application was assessed to verify whether the chances for a risk-risk trade-off by the remediation of the contaminated site could be minimized. With the data used in the present study, a reduced environmental risk was identified after the application of Carbo-Iron. Thus, the benefit of remediation with Carbo-Iron outweighs potential negative effects on the environment.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden auditorische Vernachlässigungen (auditorische Extinktion und auditorischer Neglekt) bei Patienten mit visuell-räumlichem Neglekt untersucht. Neben diesen Patienten mit rechtshemisphärischer Hirnschädigung wurde eine hinsichtlich des Alters kontrollierte Vergleichsgruppe untersucht. Als Verfahren zur Untersuchung des auditorischen Neglekts und der auditorischen Extinktion wurden drei aus der Literatur adaptierte experimentelle Verfahren eingesetzt, in denen sowohl alltagsnahe (Zahlenwörter, Alltagsgeräusche) als auch alltagsferne (Rauschen) akustische Reize monaural und binaural präsentiert wurden. In einem der Verfahren wurde ein monaural und binaural präsentiertes Rauschen durch den Stimulus unterbrochen. Über alle Untersuchungsbedingungen hinweg wiesen die Patienten im Vergleich zu der Kontrollgruppe in den untersuchten Bereichen deutlich schlechtere Leistungen auf. Unter monauralen Untersuchungsbedingungen machten die Patienten unabhängig vom präsentierten Stimulusmaterial wenig Fehler mit einer tendenziellen Abhängigkeit der Performanz von der Präsentationsseite, wobei rechtsseitig präsentierte Reize besser erkannt wurden. Monaurale Reizdetektion bei gleichzeitiger Präsenz eines kontinuierlichen Hintergrundgeräusches führt darüber hinaus zu einer deutlich schlechteren kontraläsionalen Detektionsleistung sowie zu einer Abhängigkeit der Detektionsleistung von der Art des Stimulusmaterials. Diese Ergebnisse liefern einen Hinweis auf eine grundsätzliche Beeinträchtigung der kontraläsionalen Diskriminationsfähigkeit in der untersuchten Patientengruppe, welche in der vorliegenden Studie als kritisches Merkmal des auditorischen Neglekts angesehen werden. Bei der binauralen Stimuluspräsentation zeigte sich, dass identische, simultan an beiden Ohren präsentierte akustische Reize von den Patienten kaum ihren getrennten Ursprungsorten zugeschrieben werden können. Die Patienten identifizierten diese Reize häufig als monaural, was charakteristisch für das Störungsbild der Extinktion ist, und zeigten eine Tendenz, diese Reize dem rechten, auf der Seite der Hirnschädigung gelegenen, Ohr zuzuschreiben. Unter dichotischen Präsentationsbedingungen, das heißt bei simultaner Darbietung von zwei ungleichen akustischen Reizen, steigert sich dagegen die Lokalisations- und Identifikationsleistung der Patienten signifikant. Zusätzlich zeigte sich unter dichotischen Untersuchungsbedingungen eine deutliche Asymmetrie der Extinktionsseite, mit einer signifikant häufigeren Extinktion linksseitiger im Vergleich zu rechtsseitigen Reizen. Insgesamt zeigt sich eine Abhängigkeit der Testergebnisse von den spezifischen Bedingungen der Reizpräsentation und dem Alltagsrelevanz des Stimulusmaterials. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass nahezu alle untersuchten Patienten mit visuell-räumlichem Neglekt auch von Vernachlässigungsphänomenen in der auditorischen Modalität betroffen sind. Allerdings konnte kein genereller Zusammenhang der Schweregrade der Symptome in der auditorischen und visuellen Modalität nachgewiesen werden. Während sich ein Zusammenhang hinsichtlich der Schwere der Beeinträchtigung für den auditorischen Neglekt zeigte, ließ sich diese Assoziation für die auditorische Extinktion nicht nachweisen. Auf Grundlage der vergleichenden Analyse der untersuchten experimentellen Testverfahren zur auditorischen Vernachlässigung wird vorgeschlagen, dass Neglekt und Extinktion auch in der auditorischen Domäne als sinnvolle Störungsbilder beibehalten sollten und ihre Unterscheidung in Analogie zur visuellen Modalität vorgenommen werden kann. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit des Einsatzes experimentell-neuropsychologischer Aufgaben in der klinischen Praxis um räumlichattentionale Beeinträchtigungen in der akustischen Reizverarbeitung nach einer Hirnschädigung erfassen zu können. Es wird eine Testbatterie bestehend aus einem auditorischen Extinktionstest " mit simultaner Darbietung von identischen und unterschiedlichen binauralen Stimuli " sowie einem Neglekttest vorgeschlagen, bei dem unterschiedliche Zielreize in der Gegenwart eines kontinuierlichen binauralen Hintergrundrauschens detektiert werden müssen.

This Thesis contributes by reporting on the current state of diffusion of collaboration information technology (CIT). The investigation concludes, with a high degree of certainty, that today we have a "satisfactory" diffusion level of some level-A CITs (mostly e-Mail, distantly followed by Audio Conferencing), and a "dissatisfactory" diffusion level of higher-level CITs (i.e. those requiring significant collaboration and cooperation among users, like Meeting Support Systems, Group Decision Support Systems, etc.). The potential benefits of the latter seem to be far from fully realised due to lack of user acceptance. This conclusion has gradually developed along the research cycle " it was suggested by Empirical Study I, and tested through Empirical Studies II and III. An additional, unplanned and rather interesting, finding from this study has been the recognition of large [mostly business] reporting on numerous Web 2.0 user-community produced collaboration technologies (most of them belonging to the category of "social software") and their metamorphosis from autonomous, "bottom-up" solutions into enterprise-supported infrastructures. Another contribution of this Thesis " again suggested by Empirical Study I, and tested through Empirical Studies II and III " pertains to the "process structure" of CIT diffusion. I have found that collaboration technology has historically diffused following two distinct (interdependent but orthogonal) diffusion paths " top-down (authority-based) and bottom-up. The authority-based diffusion path seems to be characterised by efforts aimed at "imposing" technologies on employees, the primary concern being to make sure that technology seamlessly and easily integrates into the organisational IT infrastructure. On the other hand, the bottom-up diffusion trail seems to be successful. The contribution of this investigation may be summarised as threefold: 1. This investigation consolidates most of the findings to date, pertaining to CIT adoption and diffusion, which have been produced by the CIT research community. Thus, it tells a coherent story of the dynamics of the community focus and the collective wisdom gathered over a period of (at least) one decade. 2. This work offers a meaningful framework within which to analyse existing knowledge " and indeed extends that knowledge base by identifying persistent problems of collaboration technology acceptance, adoption and diffusion. These problems have been repeatedly observed in practice, though the pattern does not seem to have been recognised and internalised by the community. Many of these problems have been observed in cases of CIT use one decade ago, five years ago, three years ago, and continue to be observed today in structurally the same form despite what is unarguably "rapid technological development". This gives me reason to believe that, at least some of the persistent problems of CIT diffusion can be hypothesised as "determining factors". My contribution here is to identify these factors, discuss them in detail, and thus tackle the theme of CIT diffusion through a structured historical narrative. 3. Through my contribution (2) above, I characterise a "knowledge-action gap" in the field of CIT and illuminate a potential path through which the research community might hope to bridge this gap. The gap may be operationalised as cognitive distance between CIT "knowledge" and CIT "action".

The cytological examination of bone marrow serves as clarification of variations in blood smears. It is also used for the clarification of anemia, as exclusion of bone marrow affection at lymphoma and at suspicion of leukemia. The morphological evaluation of hematopoietic cells is the basis for the creation of the diagnosis and for decision support for further diagnostics. Even for experienced hematologists the manual classification of hematopoietic cells is time-consuming, error-prone and subjective. For this reason new methods in the field of image processing and pattern recognition for the automatic classification including preprocessing steps are developed for a computer-assisted microscopy system. These methods are evaluated by means of a huge reference database. The proposed image analysis procedures comprise methods for the automated detection of smears, for the determination of relevant regions, for the localization and segmentation of single hematopoietic cells as well as for the feature extraction and classification task. These methods provide the basis for the first system for the automated, morphological analysis of bone marrow aspirates for leukemia diagnosis and are therefore a major contribution for a better and more efficient patient care in the future.

In this thesis, I present the results of my studies on taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) in Madagascar and the Comoro islands. In Chapter 1 I reviewed the literature on taxonomy and classification of Balsaminaceae, on habitat, world distribution, morphology, molecular phylogenetics and infrageneric classification of the genus Impatiens. In Chapters 2-15 (Fischer & Rahelivololona 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2015a, 2015b, 2015c, 2016, Fischer et al. 2004. 2017, 2018a, b submitted, Rahelivololona et al. 2003) I presented the first results of a revision of Balsaminaceae of Madagascar and the Comoro islands including the description of 78 new species. In Chapter 16 (Yuan et al. 2004) we worked on the phylogeny and biogeography of Balsaminaceae inferred from ITS sequences using combined results from molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses. In Chapter 17 (Rahelivololona et al. 2018) we conducted a phylogeny and assessment of the infrageneric classification of species in the Malagasy Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) with a particular emphasis on taxa collected from Marojejy. Below I summarise the most important findings of each chapter and provide an outlook for future studies. How many species of Impatiens occur in Madagascar and the Comoro islands? To provide additional information on the taxonomic revision of Impatiens in Madagascar and the Comoro islands, the identification of already described species as well as the description of new species was conducted. Based on herbarium specimens from BR, G, K, NEU, P, TAN and on living plants collected during several field trips, 78 new species and 6 nomina nova have been published and another 70 new taxa are already identified. Actually more than 260 species occur in Madagascar and the Comoro islands and all of them are endemic. For each species, a description of the morphology, phenology, ecology and known distribution range was provided. Apart from new taxa, the delimitation of already described species like Impatiens firmula Baker and Impatiens hildebrandtii Baill. could be clarified by studying the types and by observing the variability in the field. Are the groups of Impatiens in Madagascar monophyletic, and what is the systematic position of Trimorphopetalum? Yuan & al. (2004) conducted a molecular phylogenetic study to examine the morphological and karyological evolution, and the historical biogeography of the Balsaminaceae family by using nucleotide sequence data of internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results support the monophyly of the Malagasy endemic section Trimorphopetalum and show that the cleistogamous Impatiens inaperta should be included in the sect. Trimorphopetalum which is the most derived within Impatiens. Therefore, the section Preimpatiens proposed by Perrier de la Bâthie (1934) is paraphyletic. Rahelivololona & al. (2018) provided a phylogenetic study focused on three subdivisions (based on macromorphological characters) proposed by Perrier de la Bâthie (1934). The analysis was done using two nuclear AP3/DEF homologues (ImpDEF1 and ImpDEF2) and the plastid atpB-rbcL spacer to reassess or assess the monophyly of the Malagasy Impatiens, of the sections Preimpatiens (Humblotianae and Vulgare groups) and Trimorphopetalum. A focus was on the species of Impatiens from the Marojejy National Park and of the morphologically variable species I. elatostemmoides, I. “hammarbyoides”, I. inaperta and I. manaharensis, using monophyly as the primary criterion. As results the Malagasy Impatiens are paraphyletic and the section Preimpatiens sensu Perrier de la Bâthie (1934) (= subgen. Impatiens sensu Fischer & Rahelivololona 2002) was not resolved as a monophyletic group. The section Trimorphopetalum sensu Perrier de la Bâthie (1934) (= subgen. Trimorphopetalum sensu Fischer & Rahelivololona 2002), however, was strongly confirmed as a monophyletic lineage (BS: 92; BPP: 1). Neither the Humblotianae group nor the Vulgare group was supported as monophyletic. None of the morphologically variable species appeared to be monophyletic and the sampled species of Impatiens from the Marojejy National Park do also not form a monophyletic group. What are the biogeographical position and the distribution patterns of Impatiens in Madagascar and the Comoro islands? Investigation of the geographical affinities and species distribution of section Impatiens (including Humblotianae group and Vulgare group) and section Trimorphopetalum were conducted and the origin and evolution as well as species richness and endemism were discussed. The isolation, the climate and the complex topography of Madagascar have generated the microhabitats and ecological niches favourable to the diversification of Impatiens species. Impatiens of Madagascar with 260 endemic species is actually the largest genus in Madagascar. Therefore, Madagascar and the Comoro islands are among the most species-rich regions in the world for Impatiens. Future studies In Impatiens on Madagascar, there remain numerous unresolved questions that need to be adressed: • A further study based on a much larger molecular data set and sampling from the entire geographic ranges of Impatiens in Madagascar is needed to retest the monophyly of the different subgenera and sections, as well as a molecular dating of the Malagasy Impatiens. • The study of pollinators as a key for understanding the radiation and species richness is required: Within Impatiens the different shapes of spur are related to pollinators (bees, birds, butterflies and moths). Therefore pollinator observation of specific species need to be done to understand the radiation of species by adaptation and coevolution with these pollinators. A pollination study with a large number of species within section Trimorphopetalum will help to understand the mechanism of complete disappearance of the spur, the shift of pollinators and the evolution of species richness. • The destruction of the natural habitats of Impatiens and the subsequent reduction of humidity in logged area constitute a severe threat for the survival of many species. The conservation and reforestation of vulnerable areas such as Ankaratra, Daraina, Mandraka and Col des Tapia near Antsirabe is required. • In terms of conservation and to mitigate the threat on the genus, a study on the ex-situ-conservation of Malagasy Impatiens species is very important as long as some species are suitable for horticultural purposes (e.g. Impatiens mayae-valeriae, Impatiens emiliae and species with broad red spur). • Finally, the publication of the revision of Impatiens of Madagascar and the Comoro islands will help other botanists to identify the species and will thus increase our knowledge on the group.

Im schulischen Kontext wird dem Prozess der Erkenntnisgewinnung in eigenverantwortlichen Lernprozessen immer mehr Bedeutung beigemessen. Experimentelles Arbeiten wird in den nationalen Bildungsstandards als Prozess beschrieben, welcher vier Teil-schritte durchläuft: (1) Fragestellung entwickeln, (2) Experimente durchführen, (3) Daten notieren und (4) Schlussfolgerung ziehen [1]. In der fachdidaktischen Forschung gibt es bisher keine Untersuchungen, die explizit den Teilschritt der Datenaufnahme und dessen Bedeutung behandeln. In dieser Arbeit werden die unterschiedlichen Definitionen der naturwissenschaftlichen Protokollformen voneinander abgegrenzt sowie im Rahmen von drei Teilstudien die Bedeutung des Protokollierens für die Lernwirksamkeit untersucht. Zusätzlich wird eine Auswertungsmethode für die Qualität von Erarbeitungsprotokollen vorgestellt.

Zentrale Aufgaben der Hochschule sind die Bewertung, die Ursachenklärung und die Förderung von Studienleistungen (Heublein & Wolter, 2011, S. 215). In diesem Kontext gilt neben intellektuellen Fähigkeiten die Leistungsmotivation als bedeutsamer Prädiktor für den akademischen Erfolg (z. B. Schmidt-Atzert, 2005, S. 132; Steinmayr & Spinath, 2009, S. 80). Im Fokus der vorliegenden Studie stehen deshalb Überlegungen zu Motivationsprozessen von 332 Studienanfängern der Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit und zu den Faktoren, die sich förderlich auf ihre Lernresultate auswirken. Mit einer Ausschöpfungsquote von 89 % sind die gewonnenen Daten für die Grundgesamtheit repräsentativ. Anhand einer Ex-post-facto-Versuchsanordnung in Form eines quantitativen Prädiktor-Kriteriums-Ansatzes (spezielle Variante eines Längsschnittdesigns) mit unterschiedlichen Erhebungsmethoden, wie standardisiertem Selbstbeurteilungsfragebogen, Leistungstests und offiziellen Dokumenten/Aktenmaterial, wurden folgende Forschungshypothesen zugrunde gelegt: Die Stärke der Leistungsmotivation ist sowohl von Erwartungskomponenten (Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept, Selbstwert, subjektive Notenerwartung, Erfolgszuversicht und Misserfolgsfurcht) als auch von Anreizkomponenten (Gegenstands-, Tätigkeits-, Folgenanreizen) abhängig, welche wiederum vermittelt über das leistungsmotivierte Verhalten einen Einfluss auf die Studienleistung besitzt. Dabei wurde postuliert, dass motivationale Variablen auch dann noch einen bedeutsamen Effekt auf die Studienleistung ausüben, wenn weitere Leistungsprädiktoren, wie die Schulabschlussnote, die Intelligenz, die emotionale Stabilität und die Gewissenhaftigkeit kontrolliert werden.

The analysis of three-dimensional and complex motion sequences of human gait and therefore the most important question of kenesiology ”why are we falling?” is the essence of this paper. The gerontology and its science of movement is currently limited to simple and one-dimensional methods and models. An extensive literature research shows the latest state of research of the three common methods to determine the stability of human gait. To assess the margin of stability, local stability and orbital stability it is shown, how those methods are applicable to evaluate the subject’s ability to recover from any disturbences of the subject’s gait. Based on this assessment and the method’s advantages and disadvantages a new method will be derived that allows spatial analysis of dynamic instability of linear and non-linear human gait. A motion capture system and the timed up and go test serve as a basis for this new method and will be explained. A numerical approximation to optimise the number of markers within a marker-set of a motion capture analysis and its maximum correlation with the full-body-marker-set will be given. This simplification is very helpful for further clinical or scientific research. To validate the new method a trial with subjects will be shown and discussed. New appreciable variables and snapshots of specific situations during the gait offer new and different interpretations of the human gait. The new method is the most applicable and appropriate assessment of human gait and the individual development of the human gait while aging, as well as to detect and prevent falling and associated injuries. Especially directional change of a non-linear gait become assessable with the new method.

Technologische Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der integrierten Halbleitertechnik, die unter anderem auch zur gestiegenen Leistungsfähigkeit der Kamerasensoren beitragen, konzentrierten sich bisher primär auf die Schnelligkeit und das Auflösungsvermögen der Sensoren. Die sich ständig verändernde Entwicklung hat jedoch direkte Folgen auf das physikalische Verhalten einer Kamera und damit auch Konsequenzen für die erreichbare geometrische Genauigkeit einer photogrammetrischen 3D-Rekonstruktion. Letztere stand bisher nicht im Fokus der Forschung und ist eine Aufgabe, der sich diese Arbeit im Sinne der Photogrammetrie und Messtechnik stellt. Aktuelle Untersuchungen und Erfahrungen aus industriellen Projekten zeigen in diesem Zusammenhang, dass das geometrisch-physikalische Verhalten digitaler Kameras - für höchste photogrammetrische Ansprüche - noch nicht ausreichend modelliert ist. Direkte Aussagen zur erreichbaren Genauigkeit bei gegebener Hardware erweisen sich daher bislang als unzureichend. Ferner kommt es aufgrund der unpräzisen Modellierung zu Einbußen in der Zuverlässigkeit der erreichten Ergebnisse. Für den Entwickler präziser kamerabasierter Messverfahren folgt daraus, dass zu einer optimalen Schätzung der geometrischen Genauigkeit und damit auch vollständigen Ausschöpfung der Messkamera geeignete mathematische Modelle erforderlich sind, die das geometrisch physikalische Verhalten bestmöglich beschreiben. Diese Arbeit beschreibt, wie die erreichbare Genauigkeit einer Bündelblockausgleichung, schon a priori mithilfe des EMVA1288 Standards approximiert werden kann. Eine in diesem Zusammenhang wichtige Teilaufgabe ist die Schaffung einer optimalen Messanordnung. Hierzu gehören Untersuchungen der üblicherweise verwendeten Kalibrierkörper und die Beseitigung von systematischen Fehlern vor und nach der Bündelblockausgleichung. Zum Nachweis dieser Systematiken wird eine auf statistischem Lernen basierende Methode beschrieben und untersucht. Erst wenn alle genauigkeitsmindernden Einflüsse berücksichtigt sind, wird der Anteil des Sensors in den Messdaten sichtbar und damit auch mathematisch parametrisierbar. Die Beschreibung des Sensoreinflusses auf die erreichbare Genauigkeit der Bündelblockausgleichung erfolgt in drei Schritten. Der erste Schritt beschreibt den Zusammenhang zwischen ausgewählten EMVA1288-Kennzahlen und der Unsicherheit eines Grauwertes. Der zweite Schritt ist eine Modellierung dieser Grauwertunsicherheit als Zentrumsunsicherheit einer Zielmarke. Zur Beschreibung dieser Unsicherheit innerhalb der Bündelblockausgleichung wird ein stochastisches Modell, basierend auf dem EMVA1288-Standard, vorgeschlagen. Ausgehend vom Rauschen des Zielmarkenmittelpunktes wird im dritten Schritt die Unsicherheit im Objektraum beispielhaft mit Hilfe von physikalisch orientierten Simulationen approximiert. Die Wirkung der vorgeschlagenen Methoden wird anhand von Realkalibrierungen nachgewiesen. Abschließend erfolgt die Diskussion der vorgeschlagenen Methoden und erreichten Ergebnisse sowie ein Ausblick auf kommende Untersuchungen.

Diese Studie leistet einen Beitrag zur Weiterentwicklung der Nachrichtenwerttheorie. Hierzu wird das Konzept der Fotonachrichtenfaktoren zunächst theoretisch aufgearbeitet und seine Plausibilität anhand verschiedener Teilbereiche der Journalismusforschung dargelegt. Darauf aufbauend wird es im Rahmen einer Inhaltsanalyse eingesetzt, die die Prüfung des erweiterten Modells der Nachrichtenwerttheorie ermöglicht. Dieses Modell geht von einem gemeinsamen Einfluss der textbasierten Nachrichtenfaktoren und der Fotonachrichtenfaktoren auf den Nachrichtenwert bzw. die journalistische Beachtung eines Beitrags aus. Ergänzend werden die Fotonachrichtenfaktoren zur Bildung von Fototypen herangezogen. Die Analysen werden am Beispiel der Kriegs- und Krisenberichterstattung deutscher Tageszeitungen durchgeführt. Dieser Themenbereich des Journalismus genießt viel Aufmerksamkeit sowohl bei Medienrezipienten als auch bei Kommunikationswissenschaftlern. Die Ergebnisse der Studie unterstützen die Grundidee der Fotonachrichtenfaktoren: Sie können, ähnlich wie die textbasierten Nachrichtenfaktoren, zu übergeordneten Bündeln zusammengefasst werden. Diese Bündel zeigen Einflüsse auf die formale Gestaltung der Fotos und können gemeinsam mit den Textnachrichtenfaktoren teilweise die journalistische Beachtung des Artikels erklären. Darüber hinaus ist die gewählte Operationalisierung der Fotonachrichtenfaktoren geeignet, Fototypen bzw. zentrale Motive der visuellen Kriegsberichterstattung deutscher Tageszeitungen zu identifizieren. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie liefern Ausgangspunkte für weitere Fragestellungen zum Zusammenwirken der Text- und Fotonachrichtenfaktoren, der Anwendung der Zwei-Komponenten-Theorie und der Wirkung von typischen Bildmotiven.

Diese Arbeit untersucht die Biozönosen kontaminierter schlammig-schluffiger Sedimente in Stillwasserzonen großer Flüsse. Diese feinkörnigen und weichgründigen Sedimente beherbergen Lebensgemeinschaften, die zu einem großen Teil als Meiozoobenthos angesprochen werden und im Vergleich zu den Makrozoobenthos-Biozönosen grobkörniger und hartgründiger Fließgewässer und den Meiobenthos-Biozönosen der Küsten-, Tiden- und Ästuarbereiche bisher nur unzulänglich untersucht worden sind. Da die feinkörnigen Sedimente eine große Kapazität zur Schadstoffbindung haben, sind sie generell von großem ökotoxikologischen und wasserbaulichen Interesse. Ziele der Arbeit: (1) Entwicklung einer quantitativen Methode zur Bestandserfassung. (2) Untersuchung der lokalen und saisonalen Dynamik der benthischen Metazoen- Biozönose in Schluffsedimenten. (3) Ermittlung der Einflüsse chemischer und physikalischer Sedimenteigenschaftenrnauf die Biozönosen. (4) Beschreibung der Resilienz der Benthos-Biozönosen schluffiger Sedimente; Einfluss katastrophaler Ereignisse.

Non-Contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a major problem in modern football (soccer). The stud design of the football shoes is suspected to be one important risk factor for ACL injuries. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate whether or not the football shoe stud design corresponds to the loads occurring in the ACL. As direct measurements as well as subject tests (ethical reasons) are not possible, mechanical tests of the shoe-surface interaction are the only way to answer the research question. Hereby the realistic loading of the football shoes during the experimental tests is of major importance in order to get reliable and meaningful measurement results. Therefore the kinematics and ground reaction forces of real ACL injury situations were determined by means of the Poser method and the resulting joint moments were calculated via computer simulation using an inverse dynamics approach. The results of the Poser analysis and the computer simulation were the basic condition for the experimental setup comparing four different stud designs using a novel pneumatic driven test device called TrakTester. The measurement data showed significant differences of the measured forces and torques between the different stud designs. In order to estimate the influence of the stud design on the loading of the ACL risk potentials were derived from the measurement data for each loading scenario considering also medical and biomechanical knowledge. These risk potentials lead to the conclusion that the stud design influences the loading of the ACL. But they depend substantially on the specific boundary conditions and the loading scenario. This thesis basically contradicts the assumption that the use of football shoes with bladed studs causes a higher risk for the ACL compared to shoes with conventional round studs. In summary the new method developed during this thesis enables in combination with the TrakTester a considerably more realistic investigation of the shoe-surface interaction than approaches used up to now. Beside their role as boundary conditions for the experimental setup the results of the Poser analysis and the computer simulation provide furthermore a lot of biomechanical perceptions regarding the injury mechanism of non-contact ACL-injuries.

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) aims to raise the level of abstraction in software system specifications and increase automation in software development. Modelware technological spaces contain the languages and tools for MDE that software developers take into consideration to model systems and domains. Ontoware technological spaces contain ontology languages and technologies to design, query, and reason on knowledge. With the advent of the Semantic Web, ontologies are now being used within the field of software development, as well. In this thesis, bridging technologies are developed to combine two technological spaces in general. Transformation bridges translate models between spaces, mapping bridges relate different models between two spaces, and, integration bridges merge spaces to new all-embracing technological spaces. API bridges establish interoperability between the tools used in the space. In particular, this thesis focuses on the combination of modelware and ontoware technological spaces. Subsequent to a sound comparison of languages and tools in both spaces, the integration bridge is used to build a common technological space, which allows for the hybrid use of languages and the interoperable use of tools. The new space allows for language and domain engineering. Ontology-based software languages may be designed in the new space where syntax and formal semantics are defined with the support of ontology languages, and the correctness of language models is ensured by the use of ontology reasoning technologies. These languages represent a core means for exploiting expressive ontology reasoning in the software modeling domain, while remaining flexible enough to accommodate varying needs of software modelers. Application domains are conceptually described by languages that allow for defining domain instances and types within one domain model. Integrated ontology languages may provide formal semantics for domain-specific languages and ontology technologies allow for reasoning over types and instances in domain models. A scenario in which configurations for network device families are modeled illustrates the approaches discussed in this thesis. Furthermore, the implementation of all bridging technologies for the combination of technological spaces and all tools for ontology-based language engineering and use is illustrated.

German politicians have identified a need for greater citizen involvement in decision-making than in the past, as confirmed by a recent German parliamentarians study ("DEUPAS"). As in other forms of social interactions, the Internet provides significant potential to serve as the digital interface between citizens and decision-makers: in the recent past, dedicated electronic participation ("e-participation") platforms (e.g. dedicated websites) have been provided by politicians and governments in an attempt to gather citizens" feedback and comment on a particular issue or subject. Some of these have been successful, but a large proportion of them are grossly under-used " often only small numbers of citizens use them. Over the same time period, enthusiasm of Society for social networks has increased and is now commonplace. Many citizens use social networks such as Facebook and Twitter for all kinds of purposes, and in some cases to discuss politica