The induction of antigen-specific immune responses after in vivo transfection with expression plasmids has triggered a revolution of vaccine research. After a first hype, evoked by the fascinating options of this method, clinical studies did not reach the ambitious aims and a phase of disillusion ensued. It became obvious that Gene vaccines displayed a weaker immunogenicity in humans than had been observed in the mouse models. Meanwhile these hurdles have been overcome and gene vaccines undergo a renaissance. The present book gives an update of the "world of naked gene vaccines", namely DNA and RNA vaccines. Its content ranges from general mechanisms, inherent immunostimulatory properties and the vast potential to modulate immune responses, to recent successful clinical studies and approved veterinary gene vaccines. Beyond the state-of-the-art of genetic immunization, the reader will be stimulated with a chapter addressing "burning questions".

The induction of antigen-specific immune responses after in vivo transfection with expression plasmids has triggered a revolution of vaccine research. After a first hype, evoked by the fascinating options of this method, clinical studies did not reach the ambitious aims and a phase of disillusion ensued. It became obvious that Gene vaccines displayed a weaker immunogenicity in humans than had been observed in the mouse models. Meanwhile these hurdles have been overcome and gene vaccines undergo a renaissance. The present book gives an update of the "world of naked gene vaccines", namely DNA and RNA vaccines. Its content ranges from general mechanisms, inherent immunostimulatory properties and the vast potential to modulate immune responses, to recent successful clinical studies and approved veterinary gene vaccines. Beyond the state-of-the-art of genetic immunization, the reader will be stimulated with a chapter addressing "burning questions".

Der vorliegende Band Baubetriebslehre wurde in kollegialer Zusammenarbeit der Auto- ren Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Winfried Brecheler, Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Jurgen Friedrich, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alfons Hilmer und Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Richard Weiss erstellt. Der besondere Dank der Auto- ren gilt Herrn Dipl.-Ing. Ewald-J. Weichenmeier von der Tiefbau-Berufsgenossenschaft fur die Bearbeitung des Kapitels Sicherheitstechnik. Der Band Baubetriebslehre gliedert sich ein in eine dreibandige Reihe, die unter den Oberbegriffen Projektmanagement und Baubetrieb steht. Die Zielsetzung dieser Reihe ist es, durch eine intensive Zusammenarbeit der beteiligten Autoren, dem Leser einen durchgangigen UEberblick uber die Vorgehens- und Arbeitsweisen aller am Bauwerk und am Baugeschehen Beteiligten zu ermoeglichen. Die Inhalte wurden dementsprechend vorwiegend anwenderorientiert gestaltet und sind insbesondere fur Studierende an Fach- hochschulen als studienbegleitende Grundlage gedacht. Wir hoffen aber, dass auch Fach- leute aus dem Bereich des Bauingenieurwesens und der Architektur hier wesentliche Informationen und Anregungen finden, die sie in ihrer beruflichen Arbeit unterstutzen. Die Zielsetzung eines moeglichst weitgreifenden UEberblicks bringt es naturgemass mit sich, dass in manchen Bereichen auf die im Einzelfall wunschenswerte Ausfuhrlichkeit oder die Vollstandigkeit, zum Beispiel bei der Darstellung der Bauverfahren, verzichtet werden musste, um den Gesamtrahmen nicht zu uberfordern. In diesen Fallen haben wir uns bemuht, entsprechende Hinweise zu geben und die grundlegenden Verfahren und Arbeitsweisen so darzustellen, dass dem Leser die Bearbeitung weiterfuhrender Problem- stellungen erleichtert wird. Wir danken allen Mitarbeitern des Verlages fur die hervorragende Zusammenarbeit. Unser besonderer Dank gilt den Autoren der weiteren Bande der Reihe fur ihre kollegiale Unterstutzung.

"Weiss Cracks," how it began: Upon moving to Palm Springs in the summer of 2012, standup comedian Richard Weiss hooked up with the talents of wacky artist Bart E. Slyp. The two immediately hit it off and launched their hilarious comic strip, "Weiss Cracks," which was picked up and published by the "CV WEEKLY" newspaper, where it received rave reviews from residents of the Coachella Valley in California.
"It was Bart's idea to include me in many of the strips," said Richard, "something I had not initially thought of... but it turned out to be brilliant. I could now take my standup act, incorporated with real life situations, and depict them to the masses without even getting on stage. Bartabulous and I are like Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the sum is greater than its parts."
As you gaze through the pages of Richard and Bart's first book release, you'll enter a world where anything and everything goes. As one reader exclaimed after reading Weiss Cracks, "It's pure comic genius." Enjoy reading.

About the Author
Richard Weiss is described by one observer as a performer who is pure heart and soul. "His body language on stage is so grounded and positive. All feeling. No ego."
Weiss, a recovering alcoholic and cocaine addict from New York City, came to Riverside, California to attend a rehab facility as a result of a family intervention. In 2006, shortly after his first year clean and sober, Richard began writing comedy and recently did the "Standup to Addiction" show, where he toured the country to sold-out shows.
Grateful to be clean and sober, Weiss feels blessed that he can share his experiences with others in a humorous vein. When asked his view on doing recovery comedy, he responded, "Laughter is a great healer. I want them to have what I've found. As they say, 'You can't keep it, unless you give it away.'"