Collaborative Research Center Research Articles

Proton Binding at Protein and Membrane Interfaces

Membrane-embedded proton transporters often expose to the bulk clusters of closely spaced carboxylate groups that might function as a proton antenna, binding a proton that could then be released to the bulk or transferred to an internal protein group. To characterize mechanisms of proton binding and proton transfer at protein and membrane interfaces we study membranes and proteins in membranes. Extensive computations of a proton-antenna model using classical mechanical and quantum mechanical descriptions indicate that the surface proton-binding site is part of an extensive hydrogen-bond cluster that includes caged waters. The water-mediated bridges between carboxylate groups are, however, highly dynamic, with lifetimes comparable to that of water hydrogen bonding. The energetic barrier for proton transfer within the proton antenna cluster is somewhat high, suggesting that a proton bound at this site could indeed be stored. At the interface of a membrane with negatively charged lipids, we find a rich network of dynamic lipid-water hydrogen bonds and transient clusters of water-bridged phosphate groups.We developed algorithms inspired from graph theory and social sciences and applied these algorithms to study protein conformational dynamics. Using such algorithms, we found that hydrogen-bonded waters might assist long-distance conformational coupling of the SecA protein motor. Financial support was provided in part by the DFG Collaborative Research Center SFB 1078 Project C4 (to A.-N.B.) and by the Freie Universität Berlin within the Excellence Initiative of the German Research Foundation. Computing time was provided by the HLRN, the North-German Supercomputing Alliance.

Development of a Domain-Specific Ontology to Support Research Data Management for the Tailored Forming Technology

The global trend towards the comprehensive digitisation of technologies in product manufacturing is leading to radical changes in engineering processes and requires a new extended understanding of data handling. The amounts of data to be considered are becoming larger and more complex. Data can originate from process simulations, machines used or subsequent analyses, which together with the resulting components serve as a complete and reproducible description of the process. Within the Collaborative Research Centre "Process Chain for Manufacturing of Hybrid High Performance Components by Tailored Forming", interdisciplinary work is being carried out on the development of process chains for the production of hybrid components. The management of the generated data and descriptive metadata, the support of the process steps and preliminary and subsequent data analysis are fundamental challenges. The objective is a continuous, standardised data management according to the FAIR Data Principles so that process-specific data and parameters can be transferred together with the components or samples to subsequent processes, individual process designs can take place and processes of machine learning can be accelerated. A central element is the collaborative development of a domain-specific ontology for a semantic description of data and processes of the entire process chain.

Development of a Modified Tool System for Lateral Angular Co-Extrusion to Improve the Quality of Hybrid Profiles

The application of monomaterials is limited in lightweight construction concepts, because in addition to the weight requirements, the thermal and mechanical demands are constantly increasing. In order to ensure that the right material is used in the right place, the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1153 is concerned with research into innovative process chains that lead to components with locally adapted properties. The lateral angular co-extrusion approach (LACE) allows the manufacturing of hybrid semi-finished products from aluminium alloy EN AW-6082 and steel AISI 5120. Throughout the LACE process, the steel tube is inserted into the extrusion die at an angle of 90° to the pressing direction, where it is covered in aluminium. The coaxial semi-finished products are subsequently formed into a hybrid bearing bushing by die forging. In this study, the LACE process is investigated on an industrial scale using a 10 MN extrusion press. The investigations are carried out by means of finite element (FE) simulation and are validated by a comparison with experimental results. The focus of this study is on the design and improvement of the aluminium material flow. The two major challenges of hybrid profile extrusion are the straightness of the extruded profile and, particularly in this study, the coaxial position of the support element. Within the numerical design process, different mandrel positions and chamber geometries are considered in terms of their influence on the profile quality. The numerically determined tool geometries are subsequently used for experimental investigations using the 10 MN extrusion press. The extruded hybrid profiles are compared with results of the numerical simulations. For the validation of the numerical model, metallographic analyses of the hybrid profiles as well as experimental extrusion force-time curves are used. Based on these results, the final mandrel position and chamber geometries are chosen and serve as a basis for further co-extrusion experiments.

Virtual Element Method for Cross-Wedge Rolling during Tailored Forming Processes

In this work we present an application of the virtual element method (VEM) to a forming process of hybrid metallic structures by cross-wedge rolling. The modeling of that process is embedded in a thermomechanical framework undergoing large deformations, as outlined in [1, 2]. Since forming processes include mostly huge displacements within a plastic regime, the difficulty of an accurate numerical treatment arises. As shown in [3], VEM illustrates a stable, robust and quadratic convergence rate under extreme loading conditions in many fields of numerical mechanics. Numerically, the forming process is achieved by assigning time-dependent boundary conditions instead of modeling the contact mechanics yielding to a simplified formulation. Based on the two metallic combinations of steel and aluminum, different material properties are considered in the simulations. The purpose of this contribution is to illustrate the effectiveness of such a non-contact macroscopic framework by employing suitable boundary conditions within a virtual element scheme. A comparison with the classical finite element method (FEM) is performed to demonstrate the efficiency of the chosen approach. The numerical examples proposed in this work stem out from the DFG Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1153 “Process chain for the production of hybrid high-performance components through tailored forming”.

Investigation of the Influence of an Oscillation Superposition on the Wear Behaviour in an Industrial-like Process

In cold forging processes as well as in sheet-bulk metal forming, vast contact stresses result in severe tool wear and thus in tool failures. In order to achieve a sustainable production, a new manufacturing process is developed within the subproject T06 in the transregional collaborative research centre 73 at the Institute of Forming Technology and Machines (IFUM). In this subproject the influence of an oscillation superposition on a forming process is investigated. The new type of sheet-bulk metal forming (SBMF) process manufactures a component with internal and external gearing. Contact normal stresses and thus tool wear could be reduced by applying an oscillation superposition in the main force flow of the machine. To verify the positive results in other processes, the oscillation method is applied to an industrial-like process based on anchor bolt manufacturing of Fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG. For this purpose, a representative tool system is developed using numerical simulation. The numerical simulation is also used to investigate resulting local contact stresses and relative sliding velocities. Furthermore, cylinder compression tests with and without oscillation superposition are conducted for the workpiece stainless steel 1.4362 (AISI S32304), in order to qualify the reduction of contact stress.

The Contributions of Propensity, Delinquent Peers, Low Parental Supervision, and Empathy to the Emergence of Antisocial Behavior in Childhood and Adolescence: Testing Developmental Path Models Combining Psychological- and Sociological-Criminological Approaches

Psychological- and sociological-criminological research refers to, for example, cumulative risk factor models (e.g., Lösel & Bender, 2003) and Situational Action Theory (SAT; e.g., Wikström, 2006). The German longitudinal study “Chances and Risks in the Life Course” (research project A2, Collaborative Research Center 882; e.g., Reinecke, Stemmler, & Wittenberg, 2016) focuses upon the development of antisocial behavior from a psychological and sociological point of view. Two-wave panel data of two cohorts (children and adolescents) were utilized to test the power of developmental path models investigating the development of antisocial behavior. Individual risk seems to have both direct and indirect influences on antisocial behavior, supporting the ideas of risk factor models; antisocial behavior might be the outcome of the interaction between propensity and criminogenic exposure, so there is evidence for SAT. Additionally, empathy seems to be related to both propensity and low parental supervision. Implications for the study of antisocial behavior in childhood and adolescence are discussed in line with developmental criminology.

Addiction Research Consortium: Losing and regaining control over drug intake (ReCoDe)-From trajectories to mechanisms and interventions.

One of the major risk factors for global death and disability is alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use. While there is increasing knowledge with respect to individual factors promoting the initiation and maintenance of substance use disorders (SUDs), disease trajectories involved in losing and regaining control over drug intake (ReCoDe) are still not well described. Our newly formed German Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) on ReCoDe has an interdisciplinary approach funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with a 12-year perspective. The main goals of our research consortium are (i) to identify triggers and modifying factors that longitudinally modulate the trajectories of losing and regaining control over drug consumption in real life, (ii) to study underlying behavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological mechanisms, and (iii) to implicate mechanism-based interventions. These goals will be achieved by: (i) using mobile health (m-health) tools to longitudinally monitor the effects of triggers (drug cues, stressors, and priming doses) and modify factors (eg, age, gender, physical activity, and cognitive control) on drug consumption patterns in real-life conditions and in animal models of addiction; (ii) the identification and computational modeling of key mechanisms mediating the effects of such triggers and modifying factors on goal-directed, habitual, and compulsive aspects of behavior from human studies and animal models; and (iii) developing and testing interventions that specifically target the underlying mechanisms for regaining control over drug intake.

Targeting the EGF-Receptor and CD38 in Solid and Haematological Malignancies with Nanobody-Based Heavy Chain Antibodies and AAV Vectors

Abstract Background Although monoclonal antibodies binding the EGF-receptor (cetuximab, panitumumab) or CD38 (daratumumab) show therapeutic efficacy, many cancer patients still develop resistance. Therefore, new therapies are necessary. Nanobodies are highly soluble immunoglobulin domains derived from heavy chain antibodies (hcAbs) that naturally occur in camelids. Replication defective AAV (adeno associated virus) vectors, when equipped with a tumor targeting ligand, can be used for the delivery of (suicide) genes to tumor cells. Methods We generated recombinant chimeric nanobody-based human IgG1 hcAbs, by fusing EGFR- or CD38-specific nanobodies derived from immunized llamas to the hinge, CH2 and CH3 domains of human IgG1 (1, 2). To promote cytotoxic effector functions we introduced CDC (complement dependent cytotoxicity)-enhancing and ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity)-enhancing mutations into the CH2 and CH3 domains of human IgG1. As a second strategy to target CD38-overexpressing cells, we inserted CD38-specific nanobodies into the VP1 capsid protein of AAV2 (3). We analyzed the capacity of these constructs to target EGFR and CD38 in tumor cell lines and multiple myeloma (MM) patient bone marrow samples using proliferation, CDC, ADCC and AAV-transduction assays. Results EGFR-specific hcAbs effectively blocked the proliferation of tumor cell lines (HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and mCRC, metastatic colorectal cancer) expressing WT EGFR and cetuximab/panitumumab-escape variants of EGFR. EGFR- and CD38-specific hcAbs mediated effective ADCC towards tumor cell lines (HNSCC, mCRC and MM respectively). HcAbs carrying the hexabody mutation were more potent at inducing CDC than parental hcAbs. Display of CD38-specific nanobodies on the AAV capsid resulted in a 20- to 100-fold enhanced transduction of myeloma cells in patient bone marrow samples. Some of these results have recently been published (1, 2) or accepted for publication (3). We will present updated data on tumor cell lines and patient samples. Conclusion Nanobody-based hcAbs and nanobody-displaying AAV hold promise as novel tools to target solid and hematological tumors. Legal entity responsible for the study Friedrich Koch-Nolte. Funding DFG (German Research Foundation) and SFB (Collaborative Research Centres). Disclosure The author has declared no conflicts of interest.

El papel de los centros de investigación colaborativa en los sistemas de innovación: innovaciones estructurales para la producción de conocimiento

Este artículo trata el problema de los varios tipos de acciones y políticas que se pueden definir como “innovaciones estructurales” en los sistemas nacionales de innovación, prestando especial atención al caso de la transformación de las interacciones entre el sector de la ciencia pública y la industria privada. El estudio se centra en la aparición y difusión de organizaciones que definen un entorno más estable y formalizado para la colaboración y la transferencia de conocimiento entre ciencia y empresa, como los centros de investigación colaborativa (CIC). El objetivo de la investigación es comprender de qué manera los CIC generan transformaciones estructurales en los sistemas de innovación. Empleando un conjunto de datos de encuesta, relativo a una muestra de 128 CIC radicados en España, se analizan las actividades y los resultados de los centros. Los resultados del análisis muestran que los centros se especializan principalmente en actividades de investigación aplicada, desempeñando un papel de productores, más que de transmisores, del conocimiento científico técnico. Así pues, para el caso español, parece que estas innovaciones estructurales cubren un “hueco funcional” entre dominios de actividad diferentes, más que un “hueco estructural” entre sectores.

Power loss reduction in timing chain drives by adjusted tensioning and surface structuring

Purpose Energy losses in a timing chain drives are caused by friction in chain-rail contacts. To improve the efficiency, the Chair of Machine Elements and Transmission Technology at the University of Kaiserslautern developed various experimental and simulative analysis tools as a part of the German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded 1551 priority program and the DFG Collaborative Research Centre CRC 926. With these tools, various approaches for improving the efficiency were investigated. This paper aims to illustrate the approaches and present the results achieved within the framework of the above-mentioned priority program. Design/methodology/approach A towed cylinder head test rig is used for efficiency tests on timing chain drives. In addition to the experiments, a multi-body simulation model of the timing drive was developed and used. Findings It was possible to find positive approaches to reduce friction power by adapting the chain tensioning force as required. This was ensured for both the stationary operating points and the transient operating processes. An efficiency improvement of up to 10 per cent could be detected. Furthermore, a possibility was found to improve the frictional power by a targeted lubrication of the chain-rail contact. Here, the efficiency could be improved by 5-6 per cent. In addition, various structures were examined on a microscopic and macroscopic level. Neutral to negative results were achieved here. Originality/value This paper makes a contribution to improve the energy efficiency of timing chain drives. Different approaches have been investigated and evaluated.

1180Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Brd4 induces hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and suggests a novel function for the chromatin reader as co-repressor in the healthy heart

Abstract Introduction There is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications integrate stress stimuli into cellular responses during pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). The chromatin readers of the Bromo- and extraterminal domain (BET) family (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4) were reported to recognize acetylated histone tails and to promote transcription. Previously, BET inhibition by JQ1 was shown to displace BET readers from chromatin preventing pathologic remodelling after pressure overload (PO). This suggests a major role for BET proteins in HF development and demonstrates their therapeutic potential. However, JQ1 acts systemically and simultaneously inhibits all BET proteins making precise conclusions on functions of particular BET members in cardiac cells impossible. This work presents the first in vivo deletion of Brd4 in cardiomyocytes and its impact on the healthy and diseased murine heart. Purpose This study aims to analyse if deleting Brd4 in cardiomyocytes can protect the heart from pathologic remodelling after PO as observed with BET inhibition. Methods The αMHC-MerCreMer line and a conditional Brd4 allele were used to induce a knockout of Brd4 (Brd4 KO) in cardiomyocytes by tamoxifen application (i.p. 3x30 mg/kg/day) at postnatal week 5. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was used to induce PO in 8 weeks old mice. Global gene expression changes in Brd4 KO mice were analysed by mRNA sequencing. Results Adult Brd4 KO mice showed left ventricular (LV) wall thickening, increased LV mass, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and mild interstitial fibrosis in comparison to control but lived for over 1 year and showed normal ejection fraction. Transcriptome analysis of Brd4 KO hearts revealed the induction of a pathologic gene program like the expression of fetal genes such as Myh7 or Acta1, Nppa, and Nppb and genes involved in extra cellular matrix organization. After TAC, Brd4 KO mice showed higher mortality with a median survival of 37 days in comparison to 132 days in the control group. However, Brd4 KO mice that survived the acute phase showed significantly higher ejection fraction than control 10 weeks after TAC. Despite the basal hypertrophy, Brd4 KO mice showed no further pathologic remodelling in response to PO and had significantly lower LV weights and diameters. Conclusions The development of concentric hypertrophy, expression of fetal genes, and fibrosis with preserved ejection fraction in Brd4 KO animals resemble typical characteristics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and the increased mortality after TAC is likely due to diastolic dysfunction or arrythmias. However, surviving Brd4 KO mice show limited remodelling and partially preserved heart function suggesting cardio-protective potential as previously observed with BET inhibition. Together with relevant literature our findings suggest two distinct roles for Brd4, co-repression of hypertrophy genes in the healthy heart and their co-activation in response to stress. Acknowledgement/Funding German Research Foundation - Collaborative Research Center 1002

Numerical prediction of passenger cabin noise due to jet noise by an ultra–high–bypass ratio engine

Within the framework of the Collaborative Research Center 880, future civil transportation aircraft are investigated. One major aim is a drastic reduction of the noise emission to the ground and an appropriate noise immission into the passenger cabin. The latter forms the focus of this contribution with the aim to ensure an equal or lower noise level in the cabin for new aircraft configurations. Numerical methods are applied to establish a multidisciplinary modeling chain resulting in a prediction of cabin noise due to jet noise by two different engine configurations. An ultra–high–bypass ratio engine is compared to a conventional engine on the basis of a preliminary aircraft design used for both configurations. On the basis of flow calculations in cruise flight as operation point, the hybrid Computational Aeroacoustics solver PIANO combined with the Fast Random Particle Mesh method is applied to compute the pressure fluctuations due to jet noise on the outer skin of the fuselage. These loads are applied to a finite element model considering the structure and the fluid of the aircraft cabin. The acoustic model resolving the structure-borne and airborne sound waves is derived from the design data. The results show a lower sound pressure level induced by the ultra–high–bypass ratio engine in the entire frequency range on the outer skin. Within the cabin, the modern engine is still much quieter, though this fact is not generally valid for the entire frequency range as transmission effects of the double wall occur.

Comparative analysis of amplicon and metagenomic sequencing methods reveals key features in the evolution of animal metaorganisms

BackgroundThe interplay between hosts and their associated microbiome is now recognized as a fundamental basis of the ecology, evolution, and development of both players. These interdependencies inspired a new view of multicellular organisms as “metaorganisms.” The goal of the Collaborative Research Center “Origin and Function of Metaorganisms” is to understand why and how microbial communities form long-term associations with hosts from diverse taxonomic groups, ranging from sponges to humans in addition to plants.MethodsIn order to optimize the choice of analysis procedures, which may differ according to the host organism and question at hand, we systematically compared the two main technical approaches for profiling microbial communities, 16S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic shotgun sequencing across our panel of ten host taxa. This includes two commonly used 16S rRNA gene regions and two amplification procedures, thus totaling five different microbial profiles per host sample.ConclusionWhile 16S rRNA gene-based analyses are subject to much skepticism, we demonstrate that many aspects of bacterial community characterization are consistent across methods. The resulting insight facilitates the selection of appropriate methods across a wide range of host taxa. Overall, we recommend single- over multi-step amplification procedures, and although exceptions and trade-offs exist, the V3 V4 over the V1 V2 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Finally, by contrasting taxonomic and functional profiles and performing phylogenetic analysis, we provide important and novel insight into broad evolutionary patterns among metaorganisms, whereby the transition of animals from an aquatic to a terrestrial habitat marks a major event in the evolution of host-associated microbial composition.

Investigation of the Prediction Accuracy of a Finite Element Analysis Model for the Coating Thickness in Cross-Wedge Rolled Coaxial Hybrid Parts.

The Collaborative Research Centre 1153 (CRC 1153) “Process chain for the production of hybrid high-performance components through tailored forming” aims to develop new process chains for the production of hybrid bulk components using joined semi-finished workpieces. The subproject B1 investigates the formability of hybrid parts using cross-wedge rolling. This study investigates the reduction of the coating thickness of coaxially arranged semi-finished hybrid parts through cross-wedge rolling. The investigated parts are made of two steels (1.0460 and 1.4718) via laser cladding with hot-wire. The rolling process is designed by finite element (FE)-simulations and later experimentally investigated. Research priorities include investigations of the difference in the coating thickness of the laser cladded 1.4718 before and after cross-wedge rolling depending on the wedge angle , cross-section reduction , and the forming speed . Also, the simulations and the experimental trials are compared to verify the possibility of predicting the thickness via finite element analysis (FEA). The main finding was the ability to describe the forming behavior of coaxially arranged hybrid parts at a cross-section reduction of 20% using FEA. For a cross-section reduction of 70% the results showed a larger deviation between simulation and experimental trials. The deviations were between 0.8% and 26.2%.

Development of a Stainless Austenitic Nitrogen-Alloyed CrMnNiMo Spring Steel

The generation of a nickel-reduced, stainless spring steel strip with a thickness of 0.2 mm, producible under industrial conditions, is the aim of a transfer project together with the Institute of Metal Forming/TU BAF and the Auerhammer Metallwerk GmbH within the DFG Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 799. The spring steel strip should exhibit a tensile strength of ≥1700 MPa in work-hardened and partitioned state. The mechanical and corrosive properties of the steel strip should be equal or better than those given for 1.4310 steel (AISI 301). The article presents the results of laboratory alloys focused on the design of steel strips, which meet the requirements for a cost-effective production. The results presented relate to steel design, microstructure formation, temperature-dependent mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. Four alloys of the type X5CrMnNiMoN16-x-4 with manganese contents of approximately 2 to 6 wt.-percent were investigated. The austenitic steel X5CrMnNiMoN16-4-4 with TRIP/TWIP effect was selected for deformation and partitioning treatments. Its deformation-induced α’-martensite formation significantly contributes to the work hardening of the steel. A short-time annealing treatment (partitioning) further increases the strength properties.

Integration of LCA in the Planning Phases of Adaptive Buildings

The high consumption of resources in the building industry requires a significant reduction of material in buildings and consequently a reduction of emissions over all phases of the life cycle. This is the aim of the Collaborative Research Centre 1244 Adaptive Skins and Structures for the Built Environment of Tomorrow, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), which addresses research on the development and integration of adaptive systems in building structures and skins. New approaches in building planning are required for the implementation of adaptive buildings. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team from various fields such as architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, and system dynamics is necessary. The environmental impacts of the whole life cycle have to be considered for an integral planning process for adaptive buildings right from the beginning. For the integration of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), four temporal and content-related interfaces were identified in the planning process. Inputs and outputs of the LCA were defined for the relevant planning stages in order to enable the greatest possible benefit for the planners and to minimize the environmental impacts as far as possible. The result of the research work is a methodology that can be used in the future to reduce life cycle-related environmental impacts in the planning process of adaptive buildings (ReAdapt).

Investigation of the joining zone displacement of cross-wedge rolled serially arranged hybrid parts

Within the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1153 “Tailored Forming “the manufacturing of hybrid bulk components is investigated. Therefore, a process chain consisting of joining, forming, milling and quality control has been established by multiple subprojects. Within subproject B1 of the CRC forming of hybrid parts by the incrementally forming cross-wedge rolling (CWR) process is investigated. The superior aim is to determine process limits and capabilities, when forming parts consisting of different materials joined by varying technologies. In this paper, the investigation of cross-wedge rolling of serially arranged hybrid parts made of steel and aluminium is described. The focus of the research presented in this publication is the displacement of the joining zone of hybrid parts due to the cross-wedge rolling process. Therefore, finite element simulations have been developed, that allow the investigations of hybrid solid components. After simulation of various variations of the cross-wedge rolling process, i.e. differently shaped tools and forming velocities, experimental trials were carried out with identical parameter sets. A comparison of simulation and experiment, showed that the simulation model is capable of describing the cross-wedge rolling process of hybrid parts. The standard deviation of the displacement of the joining zone between simulation and experimental trials is 8.8% with regard to all investigated cases.

Method Toolbox for the Multidisciplinary Planning and Development of Adaptive Buildings

AbstractAdaptive buildings constitute an interdisciplinary approach for realizing the next generation of buildings in order to reduce the immense material requirements and energy demand throughout all lifecycle phases. Based on a novel cooperation between the disciplines of Architecture and Civil and Mechanical Engineering, adaptive support structures and skins are developed within the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1244. A holistic planning process is required in order to reduce the high complexity and achieve a goal-oriented procedure during the planning of such buildings and the development of integrated systems.Part of this research is the development of new specific and the transfer of established methods from different disciplines. The experience gained during the planning of an adaptive, high-rise demonstrator building within the research project has shown that the methods for application must be provided in the form of a method toolbox to present their purpose, application time and results within the planning team. Based on the examination of existing method toolkits, this paper focuses on the development of an approach while considering context-specific requirements.

Defensio oder Die Kunst des Invektierens im Oberrheinischen Humanismus

Summary Defensio or The Art of Disparagement in the Upper-Rhenish Humanism In the first years of the 16th century two scholars from the Alsatian province, secular priest Jakob Wimpfeling and Franciscan Thomas Murner, the latter one generation younger than the former, started a quarrel in Strasbourg. Quickly, their friends and students, then the city council, and finally even King Maximilian I got drawn into the polemical debate. At first sight the controversial topic was only a highly charged issue in politically troubled times: Had the Alsace region and its capital always belonged to Germany or had they been part of France at some time in the past? But it was also a quarrel about the educational sovereignty. This was an issue important to humanists. Secular ond ordinary priests hotly debated the topic not only in Strasbourg, but also elsewhere. The literary feud involved not only arguments, but also sharp personal attacks, offences and defamations. Several publications included disparaging letters, poems, treatises and pictures which often hardly bore any reference to the issue in question. The question arises why humanists, who are generally thought to be concerned with language and education, resorted to such drastic and defamatory means in their personal conflicts. The paper addresses this question with the help of the theories and methods currently employed by the Collaborative Research Centre Dresden with the title „Invectivity“. It analyzes the constellations of the controversy, examines the dynamics and escalations of their process, and traces the emotions of those involved. This will deepen our understanding about the operations of social demarcation and the mechanisms of group formation among humanists and concomitantly the fundamental social potential for conflict.

The concept of socio-environmental transformations in prehistoric and archaic societies in the Holocene: An introduction to the special issue

Transformations of human societies and environments are closely interwoven. Due to improved possibilities of paleoecological reconstruction and archaeological methods, we are now in a position to empirically collect detailed data from a variety of records. The Collaborative Research Centre 1266 ‘Scales of Transformation’ has developed a concept in which both deductive and inductive transformation dimensions are compared on different temporal and spatial scales. This concept includes the connection between the environmental and social spheres, which are often inseparable. Accordingly, a holistic principle of socio-environmental research is developed, which is exemplified by the contributions to this special issue of The Holocene.