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The present article explores perceptions and cultural constructions of the terms capitalism or capitalistic West among ex-Soviet, highly qualified Jewish migrants from Russia and Ukraine after their emigration to Germany between 1990 and 1996. It seems that migration offers a unique opportunity to migrants to realise knowledge that is normally taken for granted, behaviour schemes and values, and to reflect on them. How do they acquire such presumed capitalist knowledge of the new society and new social world, how do they create it, and with what concrete contents do they connect the illusion about monolithic cultural, economic and political capital, the illusion which contributes to group formation and which serves as action orientation? As my research shows, immigrants try to disparage much of what appeared to them in the Soviet Union as normative, right and appropriate; now they often act by way of categories, which were defined in the previous context as "capitalist" and were interpreted as immoral. Without exact ideas or knowledge about behaviour codes, unspoken norms and silent values from the new society, many immigrants orient themselves towards the opposite of what was counted as morally proper in the origin society. Simultaneously they revive old system through the establishing and development of a Russian language enclave. Nevertheless this enclave is not located in a vacuum of "dusty" memories from the past, but build transnational cross-border space connected and corresponding to the processes of to-day's CIS and with the life of those relatives and friends who still live there, und with whom the emigrants share intensive social networks.
Modifiability by almost has been used as a test for the quantificational force of a DP without stating the meaning of almost explicitly. The aim of this paper is to give a semantics for almost applying across categories and to evaluate the validity of the almost test as a diagnosis for universal quantifiers. It is argued that almost is similar to other cross-categorial modifiers such as at least or exactly in referring to alternatives ordered on a scale. I propose that almost evaluates alternatives in which the modified expression is replaced by a value close by on the corresponding Horn scale. It is shown that a semantics for almost that refers to scalar alternatives derives the correct truth conditions for almost and explains selectional restrictions. At the same time, taking the semantics of almost seriously invalidates the almost test as a simple diagnosis for the nature of quantifiers.
Prostaglandin (PG) E2 (PGE2) plays a predominant role in promoting colorectal carcinogenesis. The biosynthesis of PGE2 is accomplished by conversion of the cyclooxygenase (COX) product PGH2 by several terminal prostaglandin E synthases (PGES). Among the known PGES isoforms, microsomal PGES type 1 (mPGES-1) and type 2 (mPGES-2) were found to be overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the role and regulation of these enzymes in this malignancy are not yet fully understood. Here, we report that the cyclopentenone prostaglandins (CyPGs) 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 and PGA2 downregulate mPGES-2 expression in the colorectal carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 and HCT 116 without affecting the expression of any other PGES or COX. Inhibition of mPGES-2 was subsequently followed by decreased microsomal PGES activity. These effects were mediated via modulation of the cellular thiol-disulfide redox status but did not involve activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ or PGD2 receptors. CyPGs had antiproliferative properties in vitro; however, this biological activity could not be directly attributed to decreased PGES activity because it could not be reversed by adding PGE2. Our data suggest that there is a feedback mechanism between PGE2 and CyPGs that implicates mPGES-2 as a new potential target for pharmacological intervention in CRC.
In the paper by Bolte [Acta Cryst. (2006), E62, m1609-m1610], the chemical name in the title and the chemical diagram are incorrect. The correct title is {5-[4'-(2,2,5,5-Tetramethyl-3-pyrroline-1-oxyl-3-carbonyloxy)biphenyl-4-ylethynyl]-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrinato}copper(II) benzene solvate' and the correct diagram is given below.
... This year's Scientific Symposium of the University Library is already number six in the row. It was again prepared and organised like some of the previous conferences together with our North American partners. This means that a continuous specialists’ discussion and a professional partnership have been already installed. All librarians and information managers are invited to learn more about the results of this cooperation every year when it's time for the next Symposium during Frankfurt Book Fair. ...
Douglas G. Morris's excellent book poses a broad question: what happened to the rule of law in Germany after 1919? How severe was the collapse of judicial impartiality and competence? Can one doubt whether the Weimar Republic ever qualified as a republic, "if a necessary part of a republic is a judiciary committed to democratic ideals and impartial justice" (p. 1)? That there was a collapse in judicial impartiality is hardly in doubt. As early as 1922, Emil Julius Gumbel provided statistical proof: between late 1918 and summer 1922, a total of 354 political murders committed by perpetrators affiliated with the political right had been punished with one life sentence plus 90 years and 2 months imprisonment; in 326 cases, there had been no punishment at all. By contrast, the 22 murders committed by left-wing sympathizers in the same period had been punished with 10 death sentences, 3 life sentences and 248 years and 9 months imprisonment; only 4 perpetrators escaped (p. 1). To be sure, this statistic may indicate more about the political leanings of police officials and prosecutors investigating cases than of judges who rule on the evidence put before them, but the divergence in sentencing remains remarkable. Morris reformulates this insight to ask how Germany's judges, trained to apply the law in an impartial and technically correct manner, could become raving political partisans willing to twist the law in favor of a particular political position. He does not seek to provide a comprehensive answer, but focuses on cases which involved Max Hirschberg, a Jewish attorney who practiced in Munich from 1911 to 1934, when he escaped to Italy. Hirschberg moved on to the United States in 1939, where he died in 1964. Hirschberg was not only involved in the major political trials of the day in 1920s and early 1930s Munich, but also developed a systematic interest in judicial error, which culminated in a major work on Das Fehlurteil im Strafprozeß, published in 1960. Morris is interested primarily in how trials were conducted. This in-depth analysis is divided into three blocks: political trials in 1922 and 1925, when Germany's war guilt and the causes of defeat were treated in libel suits and criminal prosecutions; non-political cases in which Hirschberg succeeded in having judicial errors reversed; finally, political cases linked with the rise of the Nazi party from 1926. In each case, Morris offers a clear exposition of the facts and substantial as well as legal issues in the case, a step-by-step analysis of trials and appeals processes, and an evaluation of the outcome. The main lines of argument which emerge from these analyses are, first, that some problems were peculiar to Bavaria. The main issue was the existence of people's courts, introduced during Bavaria's brief socialist phase to provide swift justice. The people's courts did not just increase judges' freedom of action by abolishing procedural safeguards, but also protected judges from professional scrutiny and criticism because there were to be no appeals. One of Hirschberg's major victories in the cases of the early 1920s was successful lobbying for their reintroduction. Second, Munich's judges may have been particularly traumatized by the brief revolutionary episode (and by the political preferences of Bavaria's ministries, which were systematically anti-Republican); moreover, they were called upon to decide a stream of political trials, some of which--notably libel trials--effectively sought the impossible, namely a definitive judicial ruling on the validity of a certain interpretation of history or a personal political position. Third, in spite of significant personal variations in style and substance, even after the reintroduction of appeals judges tended to use their freedom of maneuver in an anti-left-wing (which implicitly meant pro-National Socialist) sense. However, until 1933, this state of affairs did not challenge the ties which bound the profession. The Bavarian ministry of justice failed in its attempts to have Hirschberg disbarred in the early 1920s. Even when Hirschberg was released from so-called protective custody in 1934, most of his colleagues rallied round the decorated war veteran, allowing him to retain an access to the court building that was denied most Jewish attorneys. Finally, the problems of the justice system affected non-political cases as well, which may have deepened distrust of Republican institutions. The meticulously researched book benefits immensely from its author's experience as a practicing attorney familiar with courtroom drama and legal technicalities, which are vividly recreated and succinctly explained. The focus on Hirschberg illustrates both the immense obstacles a defense attorney faced and the victories an exceptionally gifted attorney could still win. Even though the courtroom perspective disregards some of the motivations which have their roots outside court--be it the social structure of and career perspectives in Munich's legal profession or political pressures on judges--these are not the main focus of Morris's research. Finally, one could argue about the optimist portrayal of pre-1918 German justice in politically sensitive cases. The clear focus on Weimar trials ensures that the book is no biography. Although Morris includes brief chapters on Hirschberg's youth and his years in exile, not much information is offered on Hirschberg's private life, the economics of his legal practice or his time in exile. But this decision does not diminish Morris's achievement in providing a fascinating insight into the workings of Weimar justice.
The volume consists of eight essays with a precise focus: the study of the "dynamics of social exclusion" as reflected in data available for 1994 to 1996, when a detailed survey of a sample of households in EU countries, the "European Community Households Panel," was conducted. On the basis of these data, the authors document the extent and prevalence of poverty generally and specifically in regard to particular risk groups defined in terms of age, health and personal circumstances (young adults, lone parents, people with sickness or disability and retirees).[1] The analysis was carried out for five countries: Austria, Germany, Greece, Portugal and the United Kingdom, which were taken to be representative of the extremes of EU membership: north and south; wealthy and poor; large and small. The essays discuss income poverty (measured as incomes at 40, 50 or 60 percent of median incomes) as well as housing problems, access to basic necessities like food and utilities, access to consumer durables and social interactions. The essays document not only that the extent of poverty varies between countries--a well-known fact--but also that its causes and effects continue to differ even in an increasingly united western Europe. Austria had the lowest proportion of the population in poor households (17 percent--compared to 18 percent in Germany, 21 percent in the United Kingdom and Greece, and 24 percent in Portugal). While sickness and disability were likely to impoverish individuals in all the countries studied, this was particularly true of Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom (that is, northern Europe); retirement was more likely to result in income poverty in the south. The north-south divide was less relevant for parents; single income households with children were particularly likely to suffer from income poverty in the United Kingdom, Germany and Portugal. Poverty was more likely to be persistent than merely a brief phase in the life cycle. Persistence rates of income poverty were around 80 percent in Greece and Britain, above 70 percent in Portugal and above 60 percent in Germany and Austria. But the effects were rather different. In the United Kingdom, high persistence rates of income poverty coincided with low persistence rates (34 percent) of amenities deprivation, whereas the persistence of necessities deprivation was relatively low in Greece at 39 percent. The volume was conceived as a contribution to policy decision-making in the aftermath of the 2000 Lisbon Declaration, which focused (among other things) on poverty and encouraged member states to set more concrete targets for dealing with social exclusion. Some member states did so; Britain, for example--a country where income poverty was particularly likely to result in deprivation of basic necessities--vowed to abolish "poverty" by 2020. The volume is a treasure-trove of data and empirical analysis; it makes essential, though at times rather trying, reading for anyone interested in the extent of social exclusion, and the likelihood of falling into or escaping from it. It also provides ample proof--if any were needed--that governments seeking to combat social exclusion have to set different priorities, because they are not attacking the same phenomenon. Unfortunately, the empirical as well as the more conceptual contributions reveal some of the approach's and the book's shortcomings.[2] The book's very advantage--providing a precise research agenda--is also a drawback. With its focus on three years, and on the life-cycle rather than more stable factors such as ethnicity, occupation or regional origin, the volume presents a particular image of the risk (and duration) of deprivation, which may be more or less comprehensive for different countries. The narrow temporal focus makes one wonder whether measuring poverty's "persistence" of poverty makes much sense for such a relatively short time. Such doubt is enhanced when considering some of the oddities in the results: how did households that remained poor in the United Kingdom manage to get their hands on consumer durables? (The same question could be asked for the sudden increase in access to necessities in Greek households.) Illustrating the empirical findings with more concrete examples would have been helpful, particularly when they are counterintuitive, for instance the statement that patterns of poverty in eastern and western Germany were converging in spite of the continuing divergence in unemployment patterns. Another question--admittedly suggested by events of the last several years--is whether ethnicity, regional origins or occupations are not more important in determining the extent and duration of social exclusion than life cycle. These factors were not, and partly could not be, measured on the basis of the data used, but have moved to the center of policy debates today. This matter relates to another issue the book does not address: who is to blame for poverty, and what roles have governments and the European Union assumed in determining poverty patterns and trends? Have past policy choices--for instance, cutting benefits; increasing "flexibility" in labor markets; encouraging the emigration of jobs (such things the European Union is frequently accused of doing)--made a difference? Is combating poverty a serious policy agenda, or merely window-dressing to make the "reforms" that were key to the Lisbon agenda for modernizing the EU more palatable? Europe seems to be facing an internal contradiction between the agenda of competition and privatization (which results in higher access costs to essential services for "low value" customers) and the agenda of abolishing poverty. This contradiction is partly sustained by U.K. data. Which element is and should be more important to the European Union or national governments is hotly debated, but of course serious contributions to the debate require a comprehensive review of the present state of affairs through the type of careful studies of which this volume is an excellent example.
The articles in this volume represent anthropological approaches to the study of external and internal boundaries in Europe. The authors raise fascinating methodological and empirical questions by approaching European societies from the perspective of a discipline usually working on the basis of greater cultural distance between scholars and the objects of their research. Moreover, the volume tackles a subject usually understood as a political project and a political problem, E.U. Europe, in an original non-political-science perspective. The volume's case studies are all based on bottom-up views of Europe, with fieldwork the methodology of choice. The first articles focus on institutions. Cris Shore and Daniela Baratieri's article focuses on the ambivalent results of attempts by European schools, which cater mainly to Eurocrats in Brussels and Luxemburg, to replace nationalism with a sense of European identity or nationhood, while Gregory Feldman discusses Estonian programs for the integration of Russian-speakers and Davide Però addresses the position of Italy's left-wing parties and public to the "new immigration." While these essays argue that "Europe" may not be as destructive to national (institutional) boundaries or the nation state as is often supposed, the next block of articles tackles migration across boundaries in a more conventional perspective, focusing on particular immigrant groups. Helen Kopnina discusses Russians in London and Amsterdam, while Christina Moutsou focuses upon immigrants in Brussels and Jacqueline Waldren examines Bosnians in Mallorca. To me, the case study of Turkish migrants in West Berlin by Sabine Mannitz is particularly intriguing, because it uses the peculiar experience of a lesson on Jews' fate in the Holocaust in which the teacher cast immigrants as permanent outsiders in Germany to explore pupils' sense of boundaries, and the East-German West-German divide appeared to loom much larger for immigrants than that between foreigners and Germans. The last section focuses on concrete and contested boundaries in European states and towns: William F. Kelleher, Jr. discusses Northern Ireland, Greek towns are the focus of Venetia Evergeti and Eleftheria Deltsou's article and South Tyrol is examined by Jaro Stacul. The volume makes for diverse and diversifying reading, and can only be highly recommended to anyone interested in innovative perspectives on the fate of the European project.
Mark Kopytman - Voices of Memories: Essays and Dialogues, ed. Yulia Kreinin, Israel Music Institute, Tel Aviv, 2004, 288 p. A Doctor of Medicine who is also a composer is a rarity. A composer who is also a Doctor of Medicine is even rarer. Dr. Med. Mark Kopytman, however, is above all a composer, and one of Israel´s foremost contemporary composers at that. "Mark Kopytman - Voices of Memories" is a Festschrift - a volume of collected essays edited by Yulia Kreinin, to celebrate his 70th birthday. It is a formidable literary monument to honour this outstanding personality.
Several studies have associated the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis with anuran population declines worldwide. To date, the fungus has been found in Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Europe. However, it has never been reported to occur in the Atlantic forest or Brazil. Based on morphological, histological, and molecular data, we encountered evidence of B. dendrobatidis infection in a high-altitude stream-dwelling Brazilian anuran species, Hylodes magalhaesi (Leptodactylidae). One population (Municipality of Camanducaia, State of Minas Gerais) was surveyed from 2001 to 2005. Tadpoles lacking teeth were observed and collected in 2004. Histological and molecular analyses identified infection by B. dendrobatidis. Although infected tadpoles seem nowadays to co-exist with the disease, our results are alarming due to the highly endangered situation of the Brazilian Atlantic forest and its fauna. Effects of the chytrid infection on the studied population are still unknown. Further investigations are needed to provide information on its distribution in relation to other populations of H. magalhaesi.
Im Dezember 2005, gewannen Evo Morales und seine Partei, die Bewegung zum Sozialismus (MAS), mit über 50 Prozent der Stimmen die Wahlen in Bolivien. Dieses war das stärkste Wahlergebnis einer Partei seit Einführung der Demokratie 1982. Morales wurde im Januar 2006 als der zweite indigene Präsident Lateinamerikas eingeweiht. Die Einweihungszeremonie war gleichzeitig ein Triumph der anti-neoliberalen Bewegung Boliviens, welche im Wasserkrieg im Jahr 2000 und im Steuer- und Gaskrieg im Jahr 2003 ihren Höhepunkt erreichte. Morales und MAS unterstützten die sogenannten Neoliberalen Kriege. Der Sieg der MAS und von Morales in den Wahlen regt Spekulationen an, dass der Neoliberale Konsens in der Elite, der Bolivien zwei Jahrzehnte lang regierte, gebrochen ist. Die Frage nach einem Konsenswechsel ergibt sich nicht nur von Morales’ und MAS Partizipation in den Neoliberalen Kriegen, sondern auch weil die MAS viele Forderungen der Proteste 2000 und 2003 in ihr Parteiprogramm aufgenommen haben. Während sich Morales’ anti-neoliberale Denkweisen offensichtlich in der bolivianischen Bevölkerung großer Beliebtheit erfreuen, ist es nicht erwiesen, dass sich diese Popularität auf die Elite des Landes erstreckt. Der potentielle Konsensbruch bezüglich des Neoliberalismus in der Elite entstand jedoch nicht von ungefähr. Im Gegenteil: er baute sich über die gesamte Geschichte Boliviens hinweg auf und wurde von den Rahmenbedingungen im Land begünstigt. Mit Hilfe der kritischen Theorie von Antonio Gramsci und Robert W. Cox, welche in Kapitel 2 vorgestellt wird, erforscht diese Magisterarbeit ob der Neoliberale Konsens in der Bolivianischen Elite gebrochen ist. Mit Unterstützung des Konzeptes, dass Geschichte und Produktionsbeziehungen Gesellschaften und die Gegebenheiten in ihnen den hegemonialen Diskurs formen, stellt diese Arbeit in den Kapiteln 3 Boliviens Geschichte bis dato dar und bespricht in Kapitel 4 wichtige Themen der aktuellen Bolivianischen Politik und Wirtschaft. Die Umsetzung der neoliberalen Ideologie und Richtlinien in Bolivien wurde von den USA, den hegemonialen Institutionen (der Internationalen Währungsfond und der Weltbank) sowie der sich in der Regierung abwechselnden Elite propagiert und implementiert. Die neoliberalen Programme der 1980er und 1990er wurden trotz bitteren Protesten seitens der Bevölkerung beibehalten, die sich gegen die negativen Konsequenzen der Programme wehrten. Da die kritischen Theorie Konflikte als Mechanismen sieht, die Machtverhältnisse verändern und einen Hegemon/ein hegemoniales System stürzen können, werden auch die Neoliberalen Kriege Boliviens besprochen. Insbesondere im Steuer und Gaskrieg 2003 baute sich ein anti-hegemonialer Diskurs auf. Dieser Konflikt, in dem die MAS mitagierte, wird besonders begutachtet weil er den Präsidenten Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (der neoliberale Kopf Boliviens) stürzte. Auf diesen Erkenntnissen basierend, wird in Kapitel 5 die Zeitungsanalyse vorgestellt. Diese wurde in zwei Zeiträumen vorgenommen: 2. bis 19. Oktober 2003 und 22. Januar bis 19. Februar 2006 (erster Monat der MAS-Regierung). Es wurden drei Zeitungen analysiert, welche je eine politische Strömung in der Bolivianischen Elite repräsentieren (La Prensa, konservative Tageszeitung; La Epoca, moderate Wochenzeitung, El Juguete Rabioso, ein alle zwei Wochen erscheinende linke Zeitung). Die Befunde der Zeitungsanalyse zeigten, dass die Bolivianische Elite sich sowohl gegen die anti-neoliberale Politik der MAS wendet, aber auch den Neoliberalismus und die Internationalen Finanzinstitutionen den Rücken gekehrt hat. Sie bewies auch, dass die Elite im Jahr 2003 erneut die Massen zu ihrem eigenen Vorteil missbrauchten, in dem sie ihre Wut, die gegen die Privatisierung der Gas Reserven gerichtet war, auf den regierenden Präsidenten (Sanchez de Lozada) umlenkten. Insofern zeigte die Zeitungsanalyse auch, dass ohne die Zustimmung der Elite in Bolivien ein friedlicher Systemwechsel unwahrscheinlich ist. Wie im Endfazit (Kapitel 6) beschrieben wird, hofft die bolivianische Elite, dass sich die MAS und Morales in inner- bzw. zwischen-parteilichen Scharmützeln verfängt, damit sich in der Zwischenzeit eine Alternative zwischen anti-hegemonialen und hegemonialem Diskurs findet, welche den Reichtum und die Macht der Elite erhält. Dies dürfte sich als schwierig erweisen, weil die politische Mitte Boliviens leer steht.
We present a higher-order call-by-need lambda calculus enriched with constructors, case-expressions, recursive letrec-expressions, a seq-operator for sequential evaluation and a non-deterministic operator amb that is locally bottom-avoiding. We use a small-step operational semantics in form of a single-step rewriting system that defines a (nondeterministic) normal order reduction. This strategy can be made fair by adding resources for bookkeeping. As equational theory we use contextual equivalence, i.e. terms are equal if plugged into any program context their termination behaviour is the same, where we use a combination of may- as well as must-convergence, which is appropriate for non-deterministic computations. We show that we can drop the fairness condition for equational reasoning, since the valid equations w.r.t. normal order reduction are the same as for fair normal order reduction. We evolve different proof tools for proving correctness of program transformations, in particular, a context lemma for may- as well as mustconvergence is proved, which restricts the number of contexts that need to be examined for proving contextual equivalence. In combination with so-called complete sets of commuting and forking diagrams we show that all the deterministic reduction rules and also some additional transformations preserve contextual equivalence.We also prove a standardisation theorem for fair normal order reduction. The structure of the ordering <=c a is also analysed: Ω is not a least element, and <=c already implies contextual equivalence w.r.t. may-convergence.
We present a higher-order call-by-need lambda calculus enriched with constructors, case-expressions, recursive letrec-expressions, a seq-operator for sequential evaluation and a non-deterministic operator amb, which is locally bottom-avoiding. We use a small-step operational semantics in form of a normal order reduction. As equational theory we use contextual equivalence, i.e. terms are equal if plugged into an arbitrary program context their termination behaviour is the same. We use a combination of may- as well as must-convergence, which is appropriate for non-deterministic computations. We evolve different proof tools for proving correctness of program transformations. We provide a context lemma for may- as well as must- convergence which restricts the number of contexts that need to be examined for proving contextual equivalence. In combination with so-called complete sets of commuting and forking diagrams we show that all the deterministic reduction rules and also some additional transformations keep contextual equivalence. In contrast to other approaches our syntax as well as semantics does not make use of a heap for sharing expressions. Instead we represent these expressions explicitely via letrec-bindings.
In this paper, we investigate the usefulness of a wide range of features for their usefulness in the resolution of nominal coreference, both as hard constraints (i.e. completely removing elements from the list of possible candidates) as well as soft constraints (where a cumulation of violations of soft constraints will make it less likely that a candidate is chosen as the antecedent). We present a state of the art system based on such constraints and weights estimated with a maximum entropy model, using lexical information to resolve cases of coreferent bridging.
The paper presents a novel approach to explaining word order variation in the early Germanic languages. Initial observations about verb placement as a device marking types of rhetorical relations made on data from Old High German (cf. Hinterhölzl & Petrova 2005) are now reconsidered on a larger scale and compared with evidence from other early Germanic languages. The paper claims that the identification of information-structural domains in a sentence is best achieved by taking into account the interaction between the pragmatic features of discourse referents and properties of discourse organization.
Setswana distinguishes between conjunctive and disjunctive verb forms in the present positive tense. Creissels (1996) shows that this is also true of a number of other tenses (present negative, future positive and perfect positive). This work is used as a starting point to investigate the conjunctive/disjunctive distinction in my own Setswana data. Further to those presented in Creissels, there is data on the past and past progressive tenses, and environments such as relatives and subordinates. Creissels' analysis is supported by different examples, including those that do not utilise a frame intended to limit boundary effects. There are also examples not within this frame that raise questions about how flexible the conjunctive/disjunctive system can be. This paper is a work in progress.
Madeira is bryologically insofar very interesting, as it harbours (like the other Macaronesian Islands) relics of the bryoflora of the Tertiary of continental Europe. Originated in the Tertiary at various times, these volcanic islands were mainly colonized from Europe. Whereas many species got extinct in Europe during the glaciations of the Quaternary, these elements were able to survive in these islands. So we are faced there with an ancient bryoflora, especially in the laurel forests, amongst other phytogeographic elements, mainly mediterranean species.
We consider an imperfectly competitive loan market in which a local relationship lender has an information advantage vis-à-vis distant transaction lenders. Competitive pressure from the transaction lenders prevents the local lender from extracting the full surplus from projects, so that she inefficiently rejects marginally profitable projects. Collateral mitigates the inefficiency by increasing the local lender’s payoff from precisely those marginal projects that she inefficiently rejects. The model predicts that, controlling for observable borrower risk, collateralized loans are more likely to default ex post, which is consistent with the empirical evidence. The model also predicts that borrowers for whom local lenders have a relatively smaller information advantage face higher collateral requirements, and that technological innovations that narrow the information advantage of local lenders, such as small business credit scoring, lead to a greater use of collateral in lending relationships. JEL classification: D82; G21 Keywords: Collateral; Soft infomation; Loan market competition; Relationship lending
One of the dangers of harmonisation and unification processes taking place within the framework of the EU is that they may result in the codification of the lowest common denominator. This is precisely what is threatening to happen in respect of assignment. Referring the transfer of receivables by way of assignment to the law of the assignor’s residence, as article 13 of the Proposal does, would be opting for the most conservative solution and would for many Member States be a step backward rather than forward. A conflict rule referring assignment to the law of the assignor's residence is too rigid to do justice to the dynamic nature of assignments in cross-border transactions and it is unjustly one-sided. It offers no real advantages when compared to other conflict rules; it even has serious disadvantages which make the conflict rule unsuitable for efficient assignment-based cross-border transactions. It is not unconceivable that this conflict rule would even be contrary to the fundamental freedoms of the ECTreaty. The Community legislators in particular should be careful not to needlessly adopt rules which create insurmountable obstacles for cross-border business where choice-of-law by the parties would perfectly do. Community legislation has a special responsibility to create a smooth legal environment for single market transactions.
A new feature for the separation of Trochosa spinipalpis and T. terricola males (Araneae, Lycosidae)
(2006)
A new feature on the tip of the palp, which enables the separation of male Trochosa spinipalpis (F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1895) from T. terricola Thorell, 1856, is described. T. terricola exhibits a hairless strip on the tip of the palp, while T. spinipalpis lacks this feature and has long hairs on the whole palp.
Direct sampling of rodent burrows in Nebraska resulted in the collection of 16 species of Aphodius Illiger previously unknown from the state, including specimens of four undescribed species. One of these species is described here as new: Aphodius viceversus new species recorded from Nebraska and Kansas. Other Aphodius species recorded from Nebraska for the first time include A. acuminatus Cartwright, A. anomaliceps Brown, A. carri Brown, A. criddlei Brown, A. kirni Cartwright, A. kiowensis Gordon and Salsbury, A. magnificens Robinson, A. neodistinctus Brown, A. peculiosus Schmidt, A. punctissimus Brown, A. thomomysi Brown, and A. leptotarsis
Brown. Collecting information is summarized for each species.
A new SPS programme
(2006)
A new experiemntal program to study hadron production in hadron-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions at the CERN SPS has been recently proposed by the NA49-future collaboration. The physics goals of the program are: (i) search for the critical point of strongly interacting matter and a study of the properties of the onset of deconfinemnt in nucleus-nucleus collisions, (ii) measurements of correlations, fluctuations and hadron spectra at high transverse momentum in proton-nucleus collisions needed as for better understanding of nucleus-nucleus results, (iii) measurements of hadron production in hadron-nucleus interactions needed for neutrino (T2K) and cosmic-ray (Pierre Auger Observatory and KASCADE) expriments. The physics of the nucleus-nucleus program is reviewed in this presentation.
A Nose for Money
(2006)
Set in the fictional and reluctantly bilingual land of Mimbo in contemporary Africa, this story revolves around the tragedy of the haunting Prosp?re, a semi-literate Mimbolander who is searching for the finer things in life. The novel presents a graphic picture of the frustrations engendered by a society that values wealth over love.
The existence of a mean-square continuous strong solution is established for vector-valued Itö stochastic differential equations with a discontinuous drift coefficient, which is an increasing function, and with a Lipschitz continuous diffusion coefficient. A scalar stochastic differential equation with the Heaviside function as its drift coefficient is considered as an example. Upper and lower solutions are used in the proof.
Classification of higher level vegetation units (orders and alliances) based on numerical methods often yields different results than traditional plant community classification concepts. We performed a numerical cluster analysis of phytosociological relevés from the class Festuco-Brometea in Slovakia with the aim of identifying areas of overlap between the two classification approaches. The research was carried out using a database of approximately 1500 phytosociological relevés sampled in the period between 1927 and 2004. The outputs of the numerical classification form six clusters. Diagnostic taxa of individual clusters were determined using species constancy and fidelity. The cluster analysis enabled us to differentiate the alliances Seslerio-Festucion pallentis, Diantho lumnitzeri-Seslerion albicantis, Festucion valesiacae, Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati and Asplenio septentrionalis-Festucion pallentis (inch Festucenion pseudodalmaticae). However, it did not permit the differentiation of the alliances Koelerio-Phleion phleoidis and Bromion erecti. It also did not allow us to differentiate the orders Brometalia erecti and Festucetalia valesiacae. The reason for this may be the peripheral occurrence of plant communities of Brometalia erecti in Slovakia.
The leaf beetle Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), (D.v.v.), also called the western corn rootworm, is endemic to the New World and ranks among the top ten insect pests in worldwide grain production. D.v.v. causes annual damages of 1 billion US Dollars and is a notoriously difficult insect pest to control and manage, as entomological history of the past 50 years amply demonstrates (METCALF 1986). Considering recent emphasis on environmentally compatible and sustainable management strategies, entomologists and practitioners are encouraged to pay increased attention to novel approaches such as biotechnial methods which today are characterized by preferential use of signal compounds. Fortunately, both insect and plants provide a wide variety of such natural resources. In the case of D.v.v., sex pheromonesand plant kairomones as specific attractants and management tools are relatively well investigated through numerous contributions by GUSS et al. (1982), METCALF & METCALF (1992), METCALF (1994) and many recent publications on the advance and spread of D.v.v. within Europe (BERGER 1995-2004, HUMMEL 2003). Principle of MSD method: In this paper, the plant kairomone 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (MCA), a specific attractant for D.v.v., is being used as a tool within the newly proposed "MSD" strategy. It combines a two pronge approach consisting as the well known mass trapping with the novel shielding and deflecting, called in short "diversion" and introduced here for the first time. An invisible “curtain” or “fence” of MCA vapor released from a MCA trap line establishes a behavioral barrier which the flying beetles cannot easily pass without being 1. either caught in one of the high capacity traps or 2. being diverted elsewhere. The net effect is a significant reduction in adult population density and oviposition within the MCA treated field as compared to an untreated control field. These effects can be experimentally measured by 1. adult beetle counts on maize plants, 2. by counts in independent monitoring traps baited with the D.v.v. sex pheromone, and 3. by egg counts taken in soil samples.
Background Anti-angiogenic treatment is believed to have at least cystostatic effects in highly vascularized tumours like pancreatic cancer. In this study, the treatment effects of the angiogenesis inhibitor Cilengitide and gemcitabine were compared with gemcitabine alone in patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. Methods A multi-national, open-label, controlled, randomized, parallel-group, phase II pilot study was conducted in 20 centers in 7 countries. Cilengitide was administered at 600 mg/m2 twice weekly for 4 weeks per cycle and gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2 for 3 weeks followed by a week of rest per cycle. The planned treatment period was 6 four-week cycles. The primary endpoint of the study was overall survival and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), response rate, quality of life (QoL), effects on biological markers of disease (CA 19.9) and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor), and safety. An ancillary study investigated the pharmacokinetics of both drugs in a subset of patients. Results Eighty-nine patients were randomized. The median overall survival was 6.7 months for Cilengitide and gemcitabine and 7.7 months for gemcitabine alone. The median PFS times were 3.6 months and 3.8 months, respectively. The overall response rates were 17% and 14%, and the tumor growth control rates were 54% and 56%, respectively. Changes in the levels of CA 19.9 went in line with the clinical course of the disease, but no apparent relationships were seen with the biological markers of angiogenesis. QoL and safety evaluations were comparable between treatment groups. Pharmacokinetic studies showed no influence of gemcitabine on the pharmacokinetic parameters of Cilengitide and vice versa. Conclusion There were no clinically important differences observed regarding efficacy, safety and QoL between the groups. The observations lay in the range of other clinical studies in this setting. The combination regimen was well tolerated with no adverse effects on the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of either agent.
The genus Geopsammodius Gordon and Pittino is revised. Eight new species are described: G. atlantida (Honduras: Atlantida), G. fuscus (Martin Co. and Palm Beach Co., Florida), G. morrisi (eastern Polk Co., Florida), G. ohoopee (Tattnall Co., Georgia), G. rileyi (coastal Louisiana and Texas), G. subpedalis (northern coastal Gulf of Mexico), G. unsidensis (inland Texas), and G. withlacoochee (Citrus Co. and Hernando Co., Florida), bringing the number of described species to 11. A key and illustrations are provided to aid in identification of taxa.
The palaeotropic moss genus Radulina W.R.Buck & B.C.Tan is revised, resulting in the genus being reduced to four species and one variety. The following 14 names become synonyms of the oldest name in the genus, Radulina borbonica (Bél.) W.R.Buck: Hypnum hamatum Dozy & Molk., Sematophyllum subinstratum Besch., Hypnum trachyamphorum Müll.Hal., Sigmatella hamicuspis Müll.Hal. in Paris, nom. nud., Trichosteleum borbonicum var. brachycarpum Renauld & Cardot, Trichosteleum subtile Broth. & Watts, Trichosteleum aequoreum M.Fleisch. ex Dixon, Trichosteleum elegantissimum M.Fleisch., Trichosteleum elegantissima var. scabriseta M.Fleisch., Trichosteleum hamatum var. glabriseta M.Fleisch., Trichosteleum hamatum var. tuberculisetum M.Fleisch., Trichosteleum carolinarum Dixon, Trichosteleum neocaledonicum Thér, Trichosteleum flexuosa-hamatum Dixon. In addition, three of these taxa are lectotypified: Trichosteleum subtile Broth. & Watts, Trichosteleum aequoreum M.Fleisch. ex Dixon and Trichosteleum hamatum var. tuberculisetum M.Fleisch. The following are new combinations: Radulina borbonica var. ferriei (Cardot & Thér. in Thér.) O’Shea (= Radulina hamata var. ferriei (Cardot & Thér. in Thér.) B.C.Tan & Y.Jia), Radulina sematophylloides (Dixon) O’Shea (= Trichosteleum sematophylloides Dixon) and Trichosteleum koghiense (Thér.) O’Shea (= Trichosteleum neocaledonicum var. koghiense Thér.).
The Japanese micropterigid moths are revised. Seventeen species in five genera are recognized from Japan, described or redescribed with the male and female genital figures. Of these, two genera, Issikiomartyria HASHIMOTO and Kurolkopteryx HASHIMOTO, and seven species, Issikiomartyria akemiae HASHIMOTO, Issikiomartylia plicata HASHIMOTO, Issihiomartyria distincta HASHIMOTO, Issihiomartyria bisegmentata HASHIMOTO, Kurokopteryx dolichocerata HASHIMOTO, Neomicropteryx hiwana HASHIMOTO, and Neomicropteryx redacta HASHIMOTO, are new to science. A new combination is given: Issikiomartyria nudata (Issuu). Biology and immature structures of the Japanese species are also described together with the keys to genera and to species provided on the basis of the adult characters. Phylogenetic relationships among the Northern Hemisphere genera are analyzed by the cladistic analysis using PAUP* (SWOFFORD, 2002) based on the morphological characters of adults. A monophyly of the Northern Hemisphere genera except for Micropterix is supported by nine apomorphies, but their immediate sister taxon remains unresolved.
No other country is influenced in its political, social and cultural structures by both western and eastern mentality such as Lebanon, and hardly any other country has such a pivotal function. In this mediator function it can be compared with a literary work, that merits its role in world literature as hardly any other piece of literature in regard to the co-operation of Orient and Occident. I am thinking of the collection of "A Thousand and One Nights", or with its original title "Alf Laila wa-Laila".
In this article, an account is given of the planning of a trilingual dictionary Yilumbu– French–English. The focus is on the target user, the purpose, nature and typology of the planned dictionary. Attention is also paid to some macro- and microstructural issues. For example, all types of lexical items, including multiword lexical items, are given lemma status. Moreover all items are included according to the word tradition and on account of their usage frequency in the corpus. Apart from these aspects, types of dialectal forms as well as the type of special-field lexical items are also discussed. From a microstructural point of view, this article investigates different kinds of data types to be considered for inclusion in complex articles in particular. User-friendliness parameters and innovative access structure procedures also come into play.
Starting from the basic observation that, across languages, the anticausative variant of an alternating verb systematically involves morphological marking that is shared by passive verbs, the goal of this paper is to provide a uniform and formal account of these arguably two different construction types. The central claim that I put forward is that passives and anticausatives differ only with respect to the event-type features of the verb but both arise through the same operation, namely suppression by special morphology of a feature in v that encodes the ontological event type of the verb. Crucially, I argue for two syntactic primitives, namely act and cause, whereto I trace the passive/anticausative distinction. Passive constructions across languages are made compatible by relegating the differences to simple combinatorial properties of verb and prepositional types and their interactions with other event functors, which are in turn encoded differently morphologically across languages. New arguments are brought forward for a causative analysis of anticausatives. Agentive adverbials are examined, and doubt is cast on the usefulness of by-phrases as a diagnostic for argumenthood.
This paper discusses a semantic analysis of three syntactic types of English each, namely, floated each, binominal each, and prenominal each. It is argued that floated each consists of two parts, a quantifier and an inaudible element which functions as its restrictor, which together form a tripartite quantificational structure when they compose with the predicate. Binominal each and an associated NP such as two topics (which is generally called the 'distributive share') are syntactically analyzed as forming a subject-predicate relation within a DP in which the NP undergoes so-called 'predicate inversion'. Semantically, binominal each is analyzed as having the same semantic value as floated each, while prenominal each is shown to have a different logical type from floated and binominal each. As can be seen from analogous constructions in some Romance languages, it does not lexically contain its restrictor.
A resampling method based on the bootstrap and a bias-correction step is developed for improving the Value-at-Risk (VaR) forecasting ability of the normal-GARCH model. Compared to the use of more sophisticated GARCH models, the new method is fast, easy to implement, numerically reliable, and, except for having to choose a window length L for the bias-correction step, fully data driven. The results for several different financial asset returns over a long out-of-sample forecasting period, as well as use of simulated data, strongly support use of the new method, and the performance is not sensitive to the choice of L. Klassifizierung: C22, C53, C63, G12
The Arp2/3 complex nucleates and cross-links actin filaments at the leading edge of motile cells, and its activity is stimulated by C-terminal regions of WASP/Scar proteins, called VCA domains. VCA domains contain a verprolin homology sequence (V) that binds monomeric actin and central (C) and acidic sequences (A) that bind the Arp2/3 complex. Here we show that the C domain binds to monomeric actin with higher affinity (K(d) = 10 microm) than to the Arp2/3 complex (K(d) > 200 microm). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that actin binds to the N-terminal half of the C domain and that both the V and C domains can bind actin independently and simultaneously, indicating that they interact with different sites. Mutation of conserved hydrophobic residues in the actin-binding interface of the C domain disrupts activation of the Arp2/3 complex but does not alter affinity for the complex. By chemical cross-linking the C domain interacts with the p40 subunit of the Arp2/3 complex and, by fluorescence polarization anisotropy, the binding of actin and the Arp2/3 complex are mutually exclusive. Our results indicate that both actin and Arp2/3 binding are important for C domain function but that the C domain does not form a static bridge between the two. We propose a model for activation of the Arp2/3 complex in which the C domain first primes the complex by inducing a necessary conformational change and then initiates nucleus assembly by bringing an actin monomer into proximity of the primed complex.
Advantageous fragmentation? : reimagining metropolitan governance and spatial planning in Rhine-Main
(2006)
This paper traces the latest round of debates about appropriate scales and scopes of government and governance in Rhine-Main - an economically highly integrated but politically, territorially and emotionally divided region. We identify a downscaling of political power from the regional to the municipal level, and an upscaling of informal networking and image building to an extended regional scale. These countertrends are signs of a more complex geographical rearrangement in municipal and institutional relations. The inherent contradictions in the rescaling and reimagining of Rhine-Main are evident in the Strategic Vision for Frankfurt/Rhein-Main 2020. Its new conceptualization of Rhine-Main postulates complementary polycentricity as a competitive asset but remains firmly grounded in an institutional territorial logic that contravenes its own economically-driven agenda.
The paper investigates the interaction of focus and adverbial quantification in Hausa, a Chadic tone language spoken in West Africa. The discussion focuses on similarities and differences between intonation and tone languages concerning the way in which adverbial quantifiers (AQs) and focus particles (FPs) associate with focus constituents. It is shown that the association of AQs with focused elements does not differ fundamentally in intonation and tone languages such as Hausa, despite the fact that focus marking in Hausa works quite differently. This may hint at the existence of a universal mechanism behind the interpretation of adverbial quantifiers across languages. From a theoretical perspective, the Hausa data can be taken as evidence in favour of pragmatic approaches to the focus-sensitivity of AQs, such as e.g. Beaver & Clark (2003).
African Olive, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G.Don) Cif. (family Oleaceae) is a dense-crowned tree introduced into Australia for horticulture in the mid 19th century. In recent decades, African Olive has become an aggressive woody weed, capable of forming a dense and permanent canopy in a wide range of vegetation types in south-west Sydney and beyond. Characteristics of African Olive invasion in south-west Sydney, and its seed dispersal by frugivorous birds are consistent with experience from Norfolk Island and Hawaii. We use records and aerial photographs from Mount Annan Botanic Garden and other bushland areas in south-west Sydney to describe the invasion stages and impacts of African Olive. The capacity for African Olive to establish in both temperate and subtropical zones, underlie the potential for spread well beyond current distribution in New South Wales. Research is now required to further develop control techniques and ecological restoration strategies for areas of heavy African Olive infestation. Mapping of current locations and a coordinated control strategy for African Olive is required to prevent future permanent loss of native plant diversity.
The paper will provide a brief background to the history of the organization and cooperative efforts of African studies librarians in the United States including their efforts at international cooperation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the current opportunities for improved cooperation as digitization activities increase. Examples will include the DISA and Aluka initiatives and well as the Timbuktu manuscript digitization project at the Center for Research Libraries. Particular emphasis will placed on the possibilities for German-North American cooperation in the area of digital projects of historical photographs given the extensive collections held at Northwestern and Frankfurt.
Agreement is traditionally viewed as a cross-referencing device for core arguments such as subjects and (primary) objects.1 In this paper, I discuss data from Bantu languages that lead to a radical departure from this generally accepted position: agreement in a subset of Bantu languages cross-references a (sentential) topic rather than the subject. The crucial evidence for topic agreement comes from a construction known as subject-object (S-O) reversal, where the fronted patient agrees with what has uniformly been taken to be a `subject marker'. The correct analysis of S-O reversal as a topic construction with `topic agreement' explains a range of known facts in the languages in question. Furthermore, synchronic variation across Bantu in the presence/absence of S-O reversal and in the properties of the (topic/subject) agreement marker suggests a diachronic path from topic to subject marking. The systematic variation and covariation in the syntax of Bantu languages and the historical picture that it offers would be missed altogether if we continue to reject the idea that the notion of topic can be deeply grammaticized in the form of agreement.
A new technique for precision ion implantation has been developed. A scanning probe has been equipped with a small aperture and incorporated into an ion beamline, so that ions can be implanted through the aperture into a sample. By using a scanning probe the target can be imaged in a non-destructive way prior to implantation and the probe together with the aperture can be placed at the desired location with nanometer precision. In this work first results of a scanning probe integrated into an ion beamline are presented. A placement resolution of about 120 nm is reported. The final placement accuracy is determined by the size of the aperture hole and by the straggle of the implanted ion inside the target material. The limits of this technology are expected to be set by the latter, which is of the order of 10 nm for low energy ions. This research has been carried out in the context of a larger program concerned with the development of quantum computer test structures. For that the placement accuracy needs to be increased and a detector for single ion detection has to be integrated into the setup. Both issues are discussed in this thesis. To achieve single ion detection highly charged ions are used for the implantation, as in addition to their kinetic energy they also deposit their potential energy in the target material, therefore making detection easier. A special ion source for producing these highly charged ions was used and their creation and interactions with solids of are discussed in detail.
The material reported on in this paper is part of a set of experiments in which the role of Information Structure on L2 processing of words is tested. Pitch and duration of 4 sets of experimental material in German and English are measured and analyzed in this paper. The well-known finding that accent boosts duration and pitch is confirmed. Syntactic and lexical means of marking focus, however, do not give the duration and the pitch of a word an extra boost.
A survey of Wisconsin Nitidulidae and Kateretidae yielded 78 species through analysis of literature records, museum and private collections, and three years of field research (2000-2002). Twenty-seven species (35% of the Wisconsin fauna) represent new state records, having never been previously recorded from the state. Wisconsin distribution, along with relevant collecting techniques and natural history information, are summarized. The Wisconsin nitidulid and kateretid faunae are compared to reconstructed and updated faunal lists for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and south-central Canada. Literature and distributional records suggest at least 11 additional nitidulid species may occur in Wisconsin.
Previous studies suggest that the application of Controlled Language (CL) rules can significantly improve the readability, consistency, and machine-translatability of source text. One of the justifications for the application of CL rules is that they can have a similar impact on several target languages by reducing the post-editing effort required to bring Machine Translation (Ml’) output to acceptable quality. In certain situations, however, post-editing services may not always be a viable solution. Web-based information is often expected to be made available in real-time to ensure that its access is not restricted to certain users based on their locale. Uncertainties remain with regard to the actual usefulness of MT output for such users, as no empirical study has examined the impact of CL rules on the usefulness, comprehensibility, and acceptability of MT technical documents from a Web user's perspective. In this study, a two-phase approach is used to determine whether Controlled English rules can have a significant impact on these three variables. First, individual CL rules are evaluated within an experimental environment, which is loosely based on a test suite.Two documents are then published and subject to a randomised evaluation within the framework of an online experiment using a customer satisfaction questionnaire. The findings indicate that a limited number of CL rules have a similar impact on the comprehensibility of French and German output at the segment level. The results of the online experiment show that the application of certain CL rules has the potential to significantly improve the comprehensibility of German MT technical documentation. Our findings also show that the introduction of CL rules did not lead to any significant improvement of the comprehensibility, usefulness, and acceptability of French MT technical documentation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis Liste der wissenschaftlichen Beiträge .................................................................................. III Inhaltsverzeichnis ..............................................................................................................IV Abbildungsverzeichnis I List of Figures ................................................................................ VII Tabellenverzeichnis I List of Tables ..................................................................................... VIII Abkürzungsverzeichnis .......................................................................................................... IX 1 Einleitung 1.1 Problemstellung .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Einordnung und Ergebnisse der wissenschaftlichen Beiträge ....................................... 3 Literaturverzeichnis ................................................................................................................ 9 2 Langes Leben und Wohlstand im Alter: Ein Überblick über die finanzwirtschaftlichen Alternativen zur Ausgestaltung des Ruhestandes ... 10 2.1 Einführung .................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Produktalternativen fiir die Ausgestaltung der Entnahmephase .................................. 12 2.2.1 Leibrenten .......................................................................................................... 12 2.2.1.1 Charakteristika von Leibrenten und deren historische Entwicklung .... 12 2.2.1.2 Leibrentenmarkt und -produkte in Deutschland ................................... 15 2.2.1.3 Determinanten von Leibrentenprämien ................................................ 22 2.2.2 Entnahmepläne ................................................................................................... 28 2.2.2.1 Charakteristika von Entnahmeplänen ................................................... 28 2.2.2.2 Entnahmepläne als Instrument der Ruhestandsplanung ....................... 31 2.2.2.3 Leibrenten vs. Entnahmepläne .............................................................. 33 2.3 Forschungsergebnisse zur Ausgestaltung der Entnahmephase .................................... 36 2.3.1 Einleitende Bemerkungen .................................................................................. 36 2.3.2 Positive Literatur ................................................................................................ 37 2.3.2.1 Theoretische Arbeiten zur Bedeutung von Leibrenten ......................... 37 2.3.2.2 Vererbungsmotive als Erklärungsansatz fiir geringe Nachfrage nach Leibrenten ... 39 2.3.2.3 Kosten als Erklärungsansatz fiir geringe Nachfrage nach Leibrenten .. 42 2.3.2.4 Weitere Erklärungsansätze rur geringe Nachfrage nach Leibrenten .... 44 2.3.3 Normative Literatur ............................................................................................ 47 2.3.3.1 Untersuchungen zu reinen Entnahmeplänen ......................................... 47 2.3.3.2 Untersuchung von Entnahmeplänen unter Berücksichtigung von Leibrenten ..... 50 2.3.4 Sonstige Arbeiten ............................................................................................... 56 2.4 Schlussbetrachtung ....................................................................................................... 57 Anhang A: Berechnung von Leibrentenprämien ................................................................. 59 Anhang B: Abbildung der Biometrie ................................................................................... 62 Literaturverzeichnis .............................................................................................................. 67 3 Betting on Death and Capital Markets in Retirement: A Shortfall Risk Analysis of Life Annuities versus Phased Withdrawal Plans... 76 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 76 3.2 The Case of Phased Withdrawal .................................................................................. 79 3.2.1 Withdrawal Plans with Fixed Benefits ............................................................... 80 3.2.2 Phased Withdrawal Rules with Variable Benefits ............ : ................................ 80 3.3 Risk and Reward Analysis of Phased Withdrawal Plans Conditional on Survival... ... 82 3.3.1 Research Design ................................................................................................. 82 3.3.2 Analysis of Expected Benefits ........................................................................... 84 3.3.3 Shortfall Risk Analysis ...................................................................................... 86 3.3.4 Analysis of Expected Bequests .......................................................................... 89 3.4 Risk-Minimizing Phased Withdrawal Strategies ......................................................... 90 3.4.1 Optimized Withdrawal Rules in a Risk-Return Context... ................................. 90 3.4.2 Comparative Results: Annuity versus Phased Withdrawal Plans ...................... 92 3.4.3 Phased Withdrawal Plans with Mandatory Deferred Annuities ........................ 97 3.4.4 Comparative Results ........................................................................................ 100 3.5 Summary and concluding remarks ............................................................................. 101 Appendix A: Determining Annuity Benefits ..................................................................... 104 Appendix B: Determining Expected Benefits, Expected Bequest and the Risk of a Consumption Shortfall for Phased Withdrawal Plans with given Benefit-to-Wealth Ratios .......................................................................................................................... 105 References .......................................................................................................................... 107 4 Leistungsgarantien in der Auszahlphase von investmentbasierten Altersvorsorgeverträgen: Entwicklung eines konditionalen Eigenkapitalsystems und Analyse seiner ökonomischen Implikationen ... 111 4.1 Einführung .................................................................................................................. 111 4.2 Altersvorsorgeverträge in der Auszahlphase ............................................................. 114 4.2.1 Gesetzliche Regelungen ................................................................................... 114 4.2.2 Entnahmepläne vs. Leibrenten ......................................................................... 115 4.3 Konditionales Eigenkapitalsystem fiir Altersvorsorgeverträge ................................. 117 4.3.1 Einleitende Vorbemerkungen ........................................................................... 117 4.3.2 Konzeptionelle Grundlagen eines konditionalen EK-Systems ........................ 119 4.3.3 Deduktion eines Eigenkapitalsystems fiir die Entnahmephase ........................ 121 4.4 Eigenkapitalanforderungen in der Entnahmephase .................................................... 126 4.4.1 Vorbemerkungen zur empirischen Untersuchung ............................................ 126 4.4.2 Ex post Analyse von Altersvorsorge-Entnahmeplänen ................................... 128 4.4.3 Untersuchung der Eigenkapitalanforderungen im ex ante Kontext ................. 132 4.4.3.1 Untersuchungsansatz und Modellannahmen ....................................... 132 4.4.3.2 Analysen auf Einzelvertragsbasis ....................................................... 135 4.4.3.3 Analysen im Rahmen eines Geschäfts- und Absatzmodells ............... 140 4.4.3.4 Robustheitsanalysen ............................................................................ 145 4.5 Schlussbetrachtung ..................................................................................................... 147 Literaturverzeichnis ............................................................................................................ 149 Lebenslauf ............................................................................................................................. 151 Ehrenwörtliche Erklärung: ................................................................................................. 154
Hypersecretion and chronic phlegm are major symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but animal models of COPD with a defined functional hypersecretion have not been established so far. To identify an animal model of combined morphological signs of airway inflammation and functional hypersecretion, rats were continuously exposed to different levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2, 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 20 ppm, 40 ppm, 80 ppm) for 3 (short-term) or 20–25 (long-term) days. Histology revealed a dose-dependent increase in edema formation and inflammatory cell infiltration in short-term-exposed animals. The submucosal edema was replaced by fibrosis after long-term-exposure. The basal secretory activity was only significantly increased in the 20 ppm group. Also, stimulated secretion was significantly increased only after exposure to 20 ppm. BrdU-assays and AgNOR-analysis demonstrated cellular metaplasia and glandular hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia as the underlying morphological correlate of the hypersecretion.
In summary, SO2-exposure can lead to characteristic airway remodeling and changes in mucus secretion in rats. As only long-term exposure to 20 ppm leads to a combination of hypersecretion and airway inflammation, only this mode of exposure should be used to mimic human COPD. Concentrations less or higher than 20 ppm or short term exposure do not induce the respiratory symptom of hypersecretion. The present model may be used to characterize the effects of new compounds on mucus secretion in the background of experimental COPD.
The transverse momentum dependence of the anisotropic flow v_2 for pi, K, nucleon, Lambda, Xi and Omega is studied for Au+Au collisions at sqrt s_NN = 200 GeV within two independent string-hadron transport approaches (RQMD and UrQMD). Although both models reach only 60% of the absolute magnitude of the measured v_2, they both predict the particle type dependence of v_2, as observed by the RHIC experiments: v_2 exhibits a hadron-mass hierarchy (HMH) in the low p_T region and a number-of-constituent-quark (NCQ) dependence in the intermediate p_T region. The failure of the hadronic models to reproduce the absolute magnitude of the observed v_2 indicates that transport calculations of heavy ion collisions at RHIC must incorporate interactions among quarks and gluons in the early, hot and dense phase. The presence of an NCQ scaling in the string-hadron model results suggests that the particle-type dependencies observed in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate p_T are related to the hadronic cross sections in vacuum rather than to the hadronization process itself, as suggested by quark recombination models.
The elliptic flow for Lambda hyperons and K0s mesons was measured by the NA49 experiment in semicentral Pb+Pb collisions at 158A GeV. The standard method of correlating particles with an event plane has been used. Measurements of v2 near mid-rapidity are reported as a function of centrality, rapidity and transverse momentum. Elliptic flow of Lambda and K0s particles increases both with the impact parameter and with the transverse momentum. It is compared with v2 for pions and protons as well as with various model predictions. The NA49 results are compared with data from NA45/CERES and STAR experiments.
This report explores the question of compatibility between annotation projects including translating annotation formalisms to each other or to common forms. Compatibility issues are crucial for systems that use the results of multiple annotation projects. We hope that this report will begin a concerted effort in the field to track the compatibility of annotation schemes for part of speech tagging, time annotation, treebanking, role labeling and other phenomena.
Approximating Perpetuities
(2006)
A perpetuity is a real valued random variable which is characterised by a distributional fixed-point equation of the form X=AX+b, where (A,b) is a vector of random variables independent of X, whereas dependencies between A and b are allowed. Conditions for existence and uniqueness of solutions of such fixed-point equations are known, as is the tail behaviour for most cases. In this work, we look at the central area and develop an algorithm to approximate the distribution function and possibly density of a large class of such perpetuities. For one specific example from the probabilistic analysis of algorithms, the algorithm is implemented and explicit error bounds for this approximation are given. At last, we look at some examples, where the densities or at least some properties are known to compare the theoretical error bounds to the actual error of the approximation. The algorithm used here is based on a method which was developed for another class of fixed-point equations. While adapting to this case, a considerable improvement was found, which can be translated to the original method.
Cockchafers of the genus Melolontha (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) can be severe pests in forestry, agriculture and horticulture. Gradation of the two most important species, the forest cockchafer M. hippocastani FABR. and the European cockchafer M. melolontha L., occurs currently in several parts of central Europe. Orientation behaviour of the adult beetles has been the focus of recent studies (REINECKE et al. 2002 a, b, 2005). However, especially the larvae are dreaded because their belowground damage is not visible directly after feeding. There are a lot of speculations about belowground living insects and their way of living, but until now there were not that many experimental investigations. A rather unknown topic is the orientation behaviour of soil living organisms, which is also subject of some publications (HORBER 1954, HAUSS & SCHÜTTE 1976, HASLER 1986, HIBBARD et al. 1994, JEWETT & BJOSTAD 1996, BERNKLAU & BJOSTAD 1998A, BERNKLAU & BJOSTAD 1998B, BERNKLAU et al. 2005).
It is no secret that Gerhard Doerfer has argued strongly against a genetic relationship between the Mongolic and Tungusic languages. Ten years ago he presented a detailed analysis of the Mongolo-Tungusic vocabulary (1985). In the following I intend to show that his material allows of a quite different conclusion.
Focus theories distinguish different types of focus according to the pragmatic conditions or communicative point on the one side and different scopes of focus on the other side. The assertion in term focus constructions (Dik 1989), called by others argument focus constructions or identificational sentences (Lambrecht 1994), has the purpose of establishing a relation between an argument and an open proposition. Kar, a north-eastern Senufo language of Burkina Faso, which has the basic word order S-Aux-O-V-other, has at its disposal different strategies to mark argument focus, among them fronting of the focused item. In many West African languages the displacement of the focused argument involves other devices, such as the use of special verb forms. In Kar fronting of a focused argument requires the use of special pronouns in the out-of-focus part of the sentence, called background subject pronouns. They are used in other backgrounded contexts, too, for example in relative clauses, adverbial clauses and constituent questions. Their inconsistent use is attributed to a particular sociolinguistic situation in which the data has been collected. The use of the same focus strategies for completive and contrastive focus suggests that Kar does not distinguish pragmatic conditions on the level of sentence grammar.
Research on a variety of structurally different languages suggests that information is assigned to grammatical form in way of preferred representations of arguments. These preferences can be captured by four interacting constraints which are based on the analysis of spoken and written discourse. These constraints represent measurable discourse preferences: pragmatically unmarked utterances seem to follow them blindly and widely. Consequently, the preferences motivating these constraints seem to represent the default structuring of discourse in immediate relation to elementary grammatical form. Discourse is no longer viewed as acting upon grammatical form, but as being ‘grammatical’ itself.
Cardiovascular diseases account for more than half of total mortality before the age of 75 in industrialized countries. To develop therapies promoting the compensatory growth of blood vessels could be superior to palliative surgical surgical interventions. Therefore, much effort has been put into investigating underlying mechanisms. Depending on the initial trigger, growth of blood vessels in adult organisms proceeds via two major processes, angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. While angiogenesis is induced by hypoxia and results in new capillaries, arteriogenesis is induced by physical forces, most importantly fluid shear stress. Consequently, chronically elevated fluid shear stress was found to be the strongest trigger under experimental conditions. Arteriogenesis describes the remodelling of pre-existing arterio-arteriolar anastomoses to completely developed and functional arteries. In both growth processes, enlargement of vascular wall structures was proposed to be covered by proliferation of existing wall cells. Recently, increasing evidence emerges, implicating a pivotal role for circulating cells, above all blood monocytes, in vascular growth processes. Since it has been shown that monocytes/macrophage release a cocktail of chemokines, growth factors and proteases involved in vascular growth, their contribution seems to be of a paracrine fashion. A similar role is currently discussed for various populations of bone-marrow derived stem cells and endothelial progenitors. In contrast, the initial hypothesis that these cells -after undergoing a (trans-)differentiation- contribute by a structural integration into the growing vessel wall, is increasingly challenged.
This paper analyzes the relation between demographic structure and real asset returns on treasury bills, bonds and stocks for the G7-countries (United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany). A macroeconomic multifactor model is used to examine a variety of different demographic factors from 1951 to 2002. There was no robust relationship found between shocks in demographic variables and asset returns in the framework of these models, which suggests that Asset Meltdown is rather fiction than fact.
The mitochondrial respiratory chain consists of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex-I), succinate:ubiquinone reductase (Complex-II), ubiquinol:cytochrome c reductase (Complex-III), cytochrome c oxidase (Complex-IV) and cytochrome c as an electron mediator between Complex-III and Complex-IV. Paracoccus denitrificans membranes were used as a model system for the association of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. More than 50 years ago, a model was given for a supercomplex assembly formed by stable associations between these complexes. This model gradually shifted by the model of random diffusion given by Hackenbrock et al. 1986 Different independent approaches were used to further analyze this situation in a native membrane environment, thus avoiding any perturbation caused by detergent solubilization: (a) measuring the distance and orientation of the different complexes by multi-frequency EPR Spectroscopy we started to analyze simple system, the interaction between CuA fragment derived from P. denitrificans and various c type cytochrome by Pulsed X band and G band (180 GHz) EPR. Partner proteins for the CuA (excess negative surface charge) were (i) horse heart cytochrome c which contain a large number of positive charges in heme crevice,(ii) the cytochrome c552 soluble fragment (physiological electron donor and have positive charges), and as a control (iii) the cytochrome c1 soluble fragment (negative surface potential, derived from bc1 complex) The measurements were performed at several magnetic field positions varying temperature between 5 to 30 K. Both the X band and the high-field measurements show the existence of a strong relaxation enhancement of the CuA by the specific binding of the P. denitrificans cytochrome c552 and horse heart cytochrome c. This relaxation enhancement is dependent on temperature and provides information about the distance and relative orientation of the two interacting spins within this protein-protein complex. (b) For quantitative information about lateral diffusion of cytochrome c oxidase in the native membrane Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) was used. In this experiment, diffusion coefficients for oxidase differ in the case of supercomplex for wild type membrane and for two deletion mutants lacking either Complex-I or Complex-III. (c) The optical absorption spectroscopy at microsecond level resolution was tried for the translational mobility of oxidase in membrane vesicles. Due to the presence of different hemes in the native membrane, carbon monoxide (CO) used as a probe for the experiment. The optimization of the experimental conditions were carried out to get the optimal signal.
Again, this issue is a bit late
(September instead of August) but I hope
the diverse and exciting contents will
make up for the delay. As per usual, the
Australian Arachnological Society is
grateful to all who contributed to this
issue! More excitingly, I already have
articles for the December issue. Stay
tuned for an update on the taxonomy of
Australian jumping spiders by Marek
Zabka.
The retreat of BE as perfect auxiliary in the history of English is examined. Corpus data are presented showing that the initial advance of HAVE was most closely connected to a restriction against BE in past counterfactuals. Other factors which have been reported to favor the spread of HAVE are either dependent on the counterfactual effect, or significantly weaker in comparison. It is argued that the effect can be traced to the semantics of the BE perfect, which denoted resultativity rather than anteriority proper. Related data from other older Germanic and Romance languages are presented, and finally implications for existing theories of auxiliary selection stemming from the findings presented are discussed.
Nuclear matter, that takes the form of protons and neutrons under normal conditions, is subject to a phase transition at high temperatures and densities, liberating the quarks and gluons that are usually confined in nucleons and creating a medium of free partons: the Quark-Gluon-Plasma. It is generally believed that this state of matter can be created in relativistic collisions of heavy nuclei. The study of the medium created in these collisions is the subject of heavy-ion physics. One topic within this field are particles with high transverse momentum, that are created in initial hard collisions between partons of the incoming nuclei. The energetic partons lose energy due to interactions with the medium before they fragment into a jet of hadrons. Due to momentum conservation, these jets are usually created as back-to-back pairs, or less commonly as three-jet or photon-jet events, where a single jet is balanced by a hard photon. The energy loss can be measured using correlations between particles with high transverse momenta. A trigger particle is selected with very high transversemomentum and the distribution of the azimuthal angle of associated particles in the same event is studied, relative to the azimuth of the trigger particle.These azimuthal correlations show a peak for opening angles around 0 from particles selected from the same jet, and a second peak at opening angles around 180 degrees from back-to-back di-jets. Random combinations with the underlying event generate a flat background, extending over the full range of opening angles. The STAR experiment observed a modification of these correlations in central Au+Au collisions, where trigger particles with 4GeV < pT(trigger) < 6GeV and associated particles with 2GeV < pT(trigger) < 4GeV were selected. A strong suppression has been observed for away-side correlations in central Au+Au collisions, relative to p+p, d+Au and peripheral Au+Au data. This can be explained by assuming two partons going in opposite directions, where at least one has to travel a large distance through the medium, causing energy loss and effectively removing the event from the analysis. For near-side correlations, no significant modification has been observed, which can be explained by surface emission, assuming that the observed jets have travelled only a short distance in themedium, not leaving enough time for interactions with the medium. Both trigger- and associated particles in a correlation analysis with charged hadrons are subject to modifications due to the medium. This can be avoided by using photon-jet events instead of di-jets, because the photon does not interact with the medium and therefore provides the best available measure of the properties of the opposite jet in the presence of the underlying event. This thesis studies azimuthal correlations between regions of high energy deposition in the electro-magnetic calorimeter as trigger- and charged tracks as associated particles. The data sample had been enriched by online event selection, allowing for the selection of trigger particles with a transverse energy of more than 10GeV and associated particles with more than 2,3 or 4 GeV. The away-side yield per trigger particle is strongly suppressed like in correlations between charged particles. The near-side yield is also reduced by about a factor two, clearly different from charged correlations. The trigger particles are a mixture of photon pairs from the decays of neutral pions and single photons, mainly from photon-jet events, with small contributions from other hadron decays and fragmentation photons. Pythia simulations predict a ratio of neutral pions to prompt photons of 3.5:1 in p+p collisions with the same cuts as in the presented analysis. Single particle suppression further reduces this ratio in central Au_Au collisions, down to about 0.8:1, indicating that the majority of trigger particles in central Au+Au collisions are prompt photons. The increasing fraction of prompt photon triggers without an accompanying jet and therefore zero associated yield reduces the average yield per trigger particle. The magnitude of the observed effect agrees well with the expectation from Pythia simulations and the assumption of a single particle suppression by a factor 4-5. An analysis of away-side correlations is more difficult, because both photon-jet and di-jet events contribute. The aim is the separation of these two contributions. As a clear separation is not possible with the available dataset, a comparison with two different scenarios is given, where a surprisingly small suppression by only a factor of about 5 is favoured for both dijet- and photon-jet-correlations. A separate measurement of both contributions will be possible by a shower-shape analysis with the EM calorimeter or a comparison with charged correlations in the same kinematic region.
Baby boomer retirement security: the roles of planning, financial literacy and housing wealth
(2006)
We compare wealth holdings across two cohorts of the Health and Retirement Study: the early Baby Boomers in 2004, and individuals in the same age group in 1992. Levels and patterns of total net worth have changed relatively little over time, though Boomers rely more on housing equity than their predecessors. Most important, planners in both cohorts arrive close to retirement with much higher wealth levels and display higher financial literacy than non-planners. Instrumental variables estimates show that planning behavior can explain the differences in savings and why some people arrive close to retirement with very little or no wealth. Klassifizierung: D91, E21
Balloon-borne stratospheric BrO measurements: comparison with Envisat/SCIAMACHY BrO limb profiles
(2006)
For the first time, results of all four existing stratospheric BrO profiling instruments, are presented and compared with reference to the SLIMCAT 3-dimensional chemical transport model (3-D CTM). Model calculations are used to infer a BrO profile validation set, measured by 3 different balloon sensors, for the new Envisat/SCIAMACHY (ENVIronment SATellite/SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) satellite instrument. The balloon observations include (a) balloon-borne in situ resonance fluorescence detection of BrO, (b) balloon-borne solar occultation DOAS measurements (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) of BrO in the UV, and (c) BrO profiling from the solar occultation SAOZ (Systeme d'Analyse par Observation Zenithale) balloon instrument. Since stratospheric BrO is subject to considerable diurnal variation and none of the measurements are performed close enough in time and space for a direct comparison, all balloon observations are considered with reference to outputs from the 3-D CTM. The referencing is performed by forward and backward air mass trajectory calculations to match the balloon with the satellite observations. The diurnal variation of BrO is considered by 1-D photochemical model calculation along the trajectories. The 1-D photochemical model is initialised with output data of the 3-D model with additional constraints on the vertical transport, the total amount and photochemistry of stratospheric bromine as given by the various balloon observations. Total [Bry]=(20.1±2.8)pptv obtained from DOAS BrO observations at mid-latitudes in 2003, serves as an upper limit of the comparison. Most of the balloon observations agree with the photochemical model predictions within their given error estimates. First retrieval exercises of BrO limb profiling from the SCIAMACHY satellite instrument agree to <±50% with the photochemically-corrected balloon observations, and tend to show less agreement below 20 km.
We model the impact of bank mergers on loan competition, reserve holdings and aggregate liquidity. A merger changes the distribution of liquidity shocks and creates an internal money market, leading to financial cost efficiencies and more precise estimates of liquidity needs. The merged banks may increase their reserve holdings through an internalization effect or decrease them because of a diversification effect. The merger also affects loan market competition, which in turn modifies the distribution of bank sizes and aggregate liquidity needs. Mergers among large banks tend to increase aggregate liquidity needs and thus the public provision of liquidity through monetary operations of the central bank. Klassifikation: D43, G21, G28, L13
In this paper I discuss four type of bare nominal, and note that, in some sense, all of them appear to imply stereotypicality. I consider an account in terms of Bidirectional Optimality Theory: unmarked (bare) forms give rise to unmarked (stereotypical) interpretations. However, it turns out that, while the form of bare numerals is unmarked, the interpretation sometimes is not. I suggest that the crucial notion is not unmarkedness, but optimal inference: unmarked forms give rise to interpretations that are best used for drawing inferences. I propose a revision of Bidirectional Optimality Theory to reflect this.
Event-by-event fluctuations of the net baryon number and electric charge in nucleus-nucleus collisions are studied in Pb+Pb at SPS energies within the HSD transport model. We reveal an important role of the fluctuations in the number of target nucleon participants. They strongly influence all measured fluctuations even in the samples of events with rather rigid centrality trigger. This fact can be used to check different scenarios of nucleus-nucleus collisions by measuring the multiplicity fluctuations as a function of collision centrality in fixed kinematical regions of the projectile and target hemispheres. The HSD results for the event-by-event fluctuations of electric charge in central Pb+Pb collisions at 20, 30, 40, 80 and 158 A GeV are in a good agreement with the NA49 experimental data and considerably larger than expected in a quark-gluon plasma. This demonstrate that the distortions of the initial fluctuations by the hadronization phase and, in particular, by the final resonance decays dominate the observable fluctuations.
We study the problem of a policymaker who seeks to set policy optimally in an economy where the true economic structure is unobserved, and policymakers optimally learn from their observations of the economy. This is a classic problem of learning and control, variants of which have been studied in the past, but little with forward-looking variables which are a key component of modern policy-relevant models. As in most Bayesian learning problems, the optimal policy typically includes an experimentation component reflecting the endogeneity of information. We develop algorithms to solve numerically for the Bayesian optimal policy (BOP). However the BOP is only feasible in relatively small models, and thus we also consider a simpler specification we term adaptive optimal policy (AOP) which allows policymakers to update their beliefs but shortcuts the experimentation motive. In our setting, the AOP is significantly easier to compute, and in many cases provides a good approximation to the BOP. We provide a simple example to illustrate the role of learning and experimentation in an MJLQ framework. JEL Classification: E42, E52, E58
Background The reciprocal (9;22) translocation fuses the bcr (breakpoint cluster region) gene on chromosome 22 to the abl (Abelson-leukemia-virus) gene on chromosome 9. Depending on the breakpoint on chromosome 22 (the Philadelphia chromosome – Ph+) the derivative 9+ encodes either the p40(ABL/BCR) fusion transcript, detectable in about 65% patients suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia, or the p96(ABL/BCR) fusion transcript, detectable in 100% of Ph+ acute lymphatic leukemia patients. The ABL/BCRs are N-terminally truncated BCR mutants. The fact that BCR contains Rho-GEF and Rac-GAP functions strongly suggest an important role in cytoskeleton modeling by regulating the activity of Rho-like GTPases, such as Rho, Rac and cdc42. We, therefore, compared the function of the ABL/BCR proteins with that of wild-type BCR. Methods We investigated the effects of BCR and ABL/BCRs i.) on the activation status of Rho, Rac and cdc42 in GTPase-activation assays; ii.) on the actin cytoskeleton by direct immunofluorescence; and iii) on cell motility by studying migration into a three-dimensional stroma spheroid model, adhesion on an endothelial cell layer under shear stress in a flow chamber model, and chemotaxis and endothelial transmigration in a transwell model with an SDF-1α gradient. Results Here we show that both ABL/BCRs lost fundamental functional features of BCR regarding the regulation of small Rho-like GTPases with negative consequences on cell motility, in particular on the capacity to adhere to endothelial cells. Conclusion Our data presented here describe for the first time an analysis of the biological function of the reciprocal t(9;22) ABL/BCR fusion proteins in comparison to their physiological counterpart BCR.
As editor of the next iteration of the Köchel Catalogue, I have to deal with the current (sixth) edition’s Appendix C, devoted to "Doubtful and Misattributed Works." My goal is to reduce the potentially vast dimensions of that appendix to only those works for which some connection to Mozart cannot be ruled out. In the decades since 1964, when the current edition of Köchel was published, many of the works listed in Appendix C have been convincingly attributed to other composers. Other works therein can confidently be dismissed as never having had any meaningful connection to Mozart. Yet even after removing the reattributed and trivially misattributed works from the appendix, we are left with a handful of works that may possibly have had something to do with Mozart, even if clear evidence one way or the other remains elusive. One must, of course, be cautious in removing questionable and doubtful works from the catalogue, as the present case-study will illustrate. The work under consideration, catalogued as K6 Anh. C 9.07, is an unaccompanied piece for three or four voices with the text "Venerabilis barba capucinorum." ...
According to the theory of language of the young Benjamin, the primary task of language isn't the communication of contents, but to express itself as a "spiritual essence" in which also men take part. That conception according to which language would be a medium to signification of something outside it leads to a necessary decrease of its original strength and is thus denominated by Benjamin bürgerlich. The names of human language are remainders of an archaic state, in which things weren't yet mute and had their own language. Benjamin suggests also that all the arts remind the original language of things, as they make objects "speak" in form of sounds, colors, shapes etc. That relationship between arts as reminders of the "language of things" and the possible reconciliation of mankind with itself and with nature has been developed by Theodor Adorno in several of his writings, specially in the Aesthetic Theory, where the artwork is ultimately conceived as a construct pervaded by "language" in the widest meaning - not in the "bourgeois" sense.
Today the structure of photosystem II, which is the enzyme responsible for the evolution of molecular oxygen by plants, algae and cyanobacteria, is known up to a resolution of about 3.0 Å in cyanobacteria (Loll et al., 2005). Photosystem II of higher plants, which shows some differences compared to the photosystem II of cyanobacteria, is not resolved in such high detail, yet (8-10 Å) (Rhee et al., 1998; Hankamer et al., 2001a). Therefore, the molecular structure of PSII of higher plants and its adjacent antenna complexes remains in the focus of the current research. One of the major problems when working with photosystem II is its relative instability during isolation. Together with the antenna proteins and several other proteins, some of which still have an unclear function, PSII forms a huge multi-protein-complex, which tends to fall apart during classical preparation methods. In order to achieve a faster and milder method of purification for PSII, four different His-tags have been added to one of the subunits of PSII. The gene targeted in this study is called psbE and codes for the α-chain of cytochrome b559, an integral part of PSII. The gene for PsbE is encoded in the chloroplast genome. The His-tags, which were employed in this work, consist of six or ten consecutive histidine aminoacid residues, which were fused to the N-terminus of the protein, either with or without a cleavage site for the protease “Factor Xa”. The N-terminus of PsbE is located on the more accessible stromal side of the thylakoid membrane. After inserting the psbE gene in a vector plasmid, in which the recognition site for the restriction endonuclease SacI had been eliminated, the different His-tags were generated by PCR with purposefully altered primers. In a final cloning step, a gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotics spectinomycin and streptomycin, was added to the DNA construct. Subsequently, the so-called biolistic transformation method (“gene gun”) was applied to introduce this genetically engineered plasmid DNA to Nicotiana tabacum chloroplasts (Bock & Hagemann, 2000). Through the processes of homologous recombination that take place in the chloroplast, the plastid encoded wildtype psbE gene was replaced by its His-tag containing counterparts. After several rounds of regenerating plants on antibiotic-containing medium, successful transformation was confirmed through PCR methods. By self fertilisation of fully regenerated plants, seeds were produced from tobacco strains, which carried only the mutated psbE gene. Plants cultivated from these seeds showed no distinctive phenotype under the chosen growth conditions, in respect to wildtype plants. The presence of the His-tag in this F1 generation was again confirmed with PCR methods. Measurements of oxygen evolution and pulse amplitude modulated fluorescence (PAM), carried out with preparations of wildtype and transgenic tobacco strains, revealed no differences for photochemical or non-photochemical quenching between both types. However, the oxygen evolution capacity of transgenic tobacco thylakoids compared to the wildtype was significantly reduced, although the chlorophyll content in relation to the leaf area was almost identical. This hints at a reduced amount of photosystem II complexes in the thylakoid membranes of transgenic tobacco. This alteration could be related to the mutation of cytochrome b559, because, amongst other functions, this subunit was shown to be important for the assembly of photosystem II (Morais et al., 1998). If solubilised thylakoid preparations of His-tagged plant strains were applied to a Ni-NTA column, photosystem II was selectively bound to the matrix. After washing away most of the contaminations, photosystem II core complexes could be eluted with imidazole-containing buffer. Photosystem II prepared in this way, displayed a drastic reduction of the peripheral light-harvesting complexes (LHCI & LHCII) and photo-system I reaction centres. This could be demonstrated by the loss of chlorophyll b and xanthophyll bands (LHCs) in absorption spectra, a small blue-shift of the chlorophyll a Qy absorption (PSI) and the respective band patterns in polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis. The photosystem II complexes prepared in this way can now be put to use in different structural studies, like two-dimensional or three-dimensional crystallisation and spectroscopic measurements. Another photosynthetic pigment-protein complex of interest is the fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c-binding protein of diatoms, because eukaryotic algae, like diatoms, are important factors of oceanic ecosystems and account for a large part of marine biomass production. In order to facilitate ultra-fast time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and subsequent modelling of the kinetic traces, FCPs were prepared by sucrose-gradient ultra-centrifugation and their pigment stoichiometries determined by HPLC. Combining the spectroscopic data (Papagiannakis et al., 2005) with protein sequence alignments (Eppard & Rhiel, 1998) and the structure of the homologous higher plant LHCIIb (Kühlbrandt et al., 1994), a hypothetical model for the structure of FCP could be proposed (Fig. IV.3)
Our recent surveys of the herpetological diversity of the West African Togo Hills documented a total of 65 reptile and amphibian species, making Kyabobo National Park one of the most diverse sites surveyed in Ghana. We provide accounts for all species recorded along with photographs to aid in identification. We recorded 26 amphibians, including six new records for Kyabobo N. P., one of which is a record for the Togo Hills. Our collection of reptile species (22 lizards, 16 snakes, and one crocodile) also provides new records and range extensions for Kyabobo N. P., such as the first observation of the dwarf crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis. Amphibian species still lacking from our surveys in the Togo Hills include several species that are adapted to fast running water or large closed forests, like the Togo toad, Bufo togoensis and the slippery frog, Conraua derooi. Appropriate habitat for such species still remains in Kyabobo, highlighting the need for additional survey work. We draw attention to the importance of conserving forest stream habitats, which will in turn help ensure the persistence of forest-restricted species. We also highlight those species that may prove most useful for evolutionary studies of West African rain forest biogeography.
The freeze out of the expanding systems, created in relativistic heavy ion collisions, is discussed. We combine kinetic freeze out equations with Bjorken type system expansion into a unified model. The important feature of the proposed scenario is that physical freeze out is completely finished in a finite time, which can be varied from 0 (freeze out hypersurface) to infinit. The dependence of the post freeze out distribution function on the freeze out time will be studied. Model allows analytical analyses for the simplest systems such as pion gas. We shall see that the basic freeze out features, pointed out in the earlier works, are not smeared out by the expansion of the system. The entropy evolution in such a scenario is also studied.
We analyze the effect of committee formation on how corporate boards perform two main functions: setting CEO pay and overseeing the financial reporting process. The use of performance-based pay schemes induces the CEO to manipulate earnings, which leads to an increased need for board oversight. If the whole board is responsible for both functions, it is inclined to provide the CEO with a compensation scheme that is relatively insensitive to performance in order to reduce the burden of subsequent monitoring. When the functions are separated through the formation of committees, the compensation committee is willing to choose a higher pay-performance sensitivity as the increased cost of oversight is borne by the audit committee. Our model generates predictions relating the board committee structure to the pay-performance sensitivity of CEO compensation, the quality of board oversight, and the level of earnings management.
Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa) have been declining for decades in The Netherlands and so far this has not been slowed by conservation measures. A new form of agri-environment scheme was tried out in 2003-2005 at 6 sites where a ‘grassland mosaic’ (200-300 ha) was created by collectives of farmers through a diverse use of fields including postponed and staggered mowing, (early) grazing, creating ‘refuge strips’ during mowing, and active nest protection. We measured breeding success of godwits in each of the experimental sites and nearby, paired controls. Breeding success was higher (0.28 chicks fledged / pair) in mosaics than in controls, but due to lower agricultural nest losses only. Chick survival was 11 % in both mosaics and controls. The amount of late-mown and other grassland suitable for chicks hardly differed between treatments during the fledging period, mainly due to rainfall delaying postponed mowing in all sites. Chick survival was however positively correlated with site variation in the amount of high grass (>18 cm). Breeding success was high enough to compensate for adult mortality (ca. 0.6) in only one mosaic site. Chick survival was lower than in previous Godwit studies, indicating that additional loss factors have increased. Predation (50-80 % of chicks, mostly by birds) is a candidate, but changes in the suitability of late-mown grassland (insect abundance and sward density in grass monocultures) may also play a role. Consequently a higher management investment is needed to achieve a self-sustaining population.
97 species of bryophytes are reported as new for the island of Bioko, 89 of them are new for whole Equatorial Guinea, a remarkable amount is new for tropical West Africa and Micromitrium tenerum is new for sub-Saharan Africa. The bryoflora of the highest mountain of Bioko, the Pico Basile, shoes strongly phytogeographic affinities with Mt Cameroon on the African mainland. Rhabdoweisia lineata P.W. Richards & Argent, which was made a synonym of R. fugax (Hedw.) Bruch, Schimp. & W. Gümbel by Frahm & al. (2000) is regarded as a clear distinct species.
We demonstrate the occurrence of canonical suppression associated with the conservation of an U(1)-charge in current transport models. For this study a pion gas is simulated within two different transport approaches by incorporating inelastic and volume-limited collisions pi pi leftrightarrow K bar-K for the production of kaon pairs. Both descriptions can dynamically account for the suppression in the yields of rare strange particles in a limited box, being in full accordance with a canonical statistical description.
Introduction: Intoxications with carbachol, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist are rare. We report an interesting case investigating a (near) fatal poisoning. Methods: The son of an 84-year-old male discovered a newspaper report stating clinical success with plant extracts in Alzheimer's disease. The mode of action was said to be comparable to that of the synthetic compound 'carbamylcholin'; that is, carbachol. He bought 25 g of carbachol as pure substance in a pharmacy, and the father was administered 400 to 500 mg. Carbachol concentrations in serum and urine on day 1 and 2 of hospital admission were analysed by HPLC-mass spectrometry. Results: Minutes after oral administration, the patient developed nausea, sweating and hypotension, and finally collapsed. Bradycardia, cholinergic symptoms and asystole occurred. Initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation and immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine), atropine and furosemide was successful. On hospital admission, blood pressure of the intubated, bradyarrhythmic patient was 100/65 mmHg. Further signs were hyperhidrosis, hypersalivation, bronchorrhoea, and severe miosis; the electrocardiographic finding was atrio-ventricular dissociation. High doses of atropine (up to 50 mg per 24 hours), adrenaline and dopamine were necessary. The patient was extubated 1 week later. However, increased dyspnoea and bronchospasm necessitated reintubation. Respiratory insufficiency was further worsened by Proteus mirabilis infection and severe bronchoconstriction. One week later, the patient was again extubated and 3 days later was transferred to a peripheral ward. On the next day he died, probably as a result of heart failure. Serum samples from the first and second days contained 3.6 and 1.9 mg/l carbachol, respectively. The corresponding urine concentrations amounted to 374 and 554 mg/l. Conclusion: This case started with a media report in a popular newspaper, initiated by published, peer-reviewed research on herbals, and involved human failure in a case history, medical examination and clinical treatment. For the first time, an analytical method for the determination of carbachol in plasma and urine has been developed. The analysed carbachol concentration exceeded the supposed serum level resulting from a therapeutic dose by a factor of 130 to 260. Especially in old patients, intensivists should consider intoxications (with cholinergics) as a cause of acute cardiovascular failure.
Celiac disease
(2006)
Celiac disease is a chronic intestinal disease caused by intolerance to gluten. It is characterized by immune-mediated enteropathy, associated with maldigestion and malabsorption of most nutrients and vitamins. In predisposed individuals, the ingestion of gluten-containing food such as wheat and rye induces a flat jejunal mucosa with infiltration of lymphocytes. The main symptoms are: stomach pain, gas, and bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, edema, bone or joint pain. Prevalence for clinically overt celiac disease varies from 1:270 in Finland to 1:5000 in North America. Since celiac disease can be asymptomatic, most subjects are not diagnosed or they can present with atypical symptoms. Furthermore, severe inflammation of the small bowel can be present without any gastrointestinal symptoms. The diagnosis should be made early since celiac disease causes growth retardation in untreated children and atypical symptoms like infertility or neurological symptoms. Diagnosis requires endoscopy with jejunal biopsy. In addition, tissue-transglutaminase antibodies are important to confirm the diagnosis since there are other diseases which can mimic celiac disease. The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown but is thought to be primarily immune mediated (tissue-transglutaminase autoantigen); often the disease is inherited. Management consists in life long withdrawal of dietary gluten, which leads to significant clinical and histological improvement. However, complete normalization of histology can take years.
Challenging and confirming touristic representations of the Mediterranean : migrant workers in Crete
(2006)
From the perspective of Western Europe the Mediterranean is shaped by the imagery of tourism and migration. During the time of the “guest worker”-migration in the 1960s and 70s the notion of the hopelessly underdeveloped South of Europe which pushes “guest workers” towards the rich North became prevalent here. It offered a contrast which let the beginning prosperity in the North appear even clearer. (see von Osten 2006) Besides the attractions “sea, sun and sand” it was exactly this conception of backwardness which – reinterpreted in authentic and traditional Mediterranean lifestyle – made the area attractive for tourist consumption. Today it is again pictures of the Mediterranean, which represent migration dynamics in Europe. In the meantime, however, the countries of origin of the “guest workers” have become countries of immigration and European Union member states or candidates for accession. The representation of the Mediterranean as an area of migration is dominated now by pictures of desperate refugees and illegal immigrants, who risk their life by crossing the sea, in order to enter the “fortress Europe”. In these current representations the “colonial narrative of migrants as members of a territory of underdeveloped” is continued (ibid.). A translation of the migrant area into the tourist area seems, however, more difficult than at the times of the “guest worker”-migration. What constitutes the Mediterranean as a tourist destination seems to have no longer anything in common with the Mediterranean as an area of migration.....
In this study, we report the results of a long-term investigation on changes in population size and fledging success of Northern Lapwing on Wangerooge, a German Wadden Sea island. This population is increasing over a period of 34 years in contrast to numerous populations in North-western Europe. The reproductive success however declines over time and also with population density. Both effects cannot be considered separately due to autocorrelation. However, it is noted that the population on Wangerooge is not sustained by local recruitment only. This outcome is even more alarming as coastal areas and islands are considered as rare high quality meadow bird habitats. According to the present results Wangerooge cannot be considered as a source habitat for Northern Lapwings in North-western Germany.
P2X receptors are ligand (ATP)-gated ion channels that open an intrinsic cation permeable pathway in response to extracellular ATP released from both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. P2X receptors are abundantly distributed and mediate a wide variety of physiological functions, ranging from fast synaptic transmission in the central, peripheral, and enteric nervous system, to proinflammatory cytokine release from immune cells. The primary aim of this work was to elucidate the pathway that leads to the finally assembled trimeric P2X receptors, including the assessment of a possible role of ER chaperones and folding factors in this process. Additionally, the study was conducted to investigate the various ER quality control processes involved in the selection of “properly folded and assembled” P2X receptors that are suitable for the surface expression.
Characterisation of cytosolic prion protein-mediated putative cytotoxicity in neuronal cell lines
(2006)
Prion diseases are a complex group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders with a broad host spectrum, which are characterised by strong neuronal cell loss, spongiform vacuolation and astrocytic proliferation. The molecular mechanisms of prion-mediated neurodegeneration are not yet fully understood. Recently, it has been proposed that neuronal cell death might be triggered by cytosolic accumulation of misfolded cellular prion protein (PrPC) due to impairment of proteasomal degradation. Cytosolic PrPC could result from either retro-translocation via the endoplasmatic reticulum-associated degradation system (ERAD) or abortive translocation of PrPC into the ER. Indeed, expression of cytosolic PrP (Cy-PrP) was shown to be neurotoxic both in vivo and in vitro. However, contradicting results on cytosolic PrP-mediated neurotoxicity in cultured cells have been reported. Cytosolic PrP–mediated cytotoxicity may play a central role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms of this process, a detailed analysis of N2a cells conditionally expressing cytosolic PrP (Cy-PrP) was performed in this study. The following results were obtained: First, Cy-PrP expression is not per se sufficient to trigger cytotoxicity in N2a cells independently of proteasome inhibition. Second, Cy-PrP is degraded with kinetics resembling the degradation of cell membrane-anchored full-length PM-PrP. In this process, the 20/26S proteasome was responsible for Cy-PrP degradation while the proteolysis of matured full length PM-PrP is not affected by the proteasomal system. Third, Cy-PrP accumulates in fine foci when expressed at high levels and co-localises with the cytosolic chaperone Hsc70 in EEA-1 positive endocytic vesicles. From these data it was proposed that the chaperone Hsc70 acts as a regulator for the controlled formation of amorphous Cy-PrP aggregates and their transport to endosomal vesicles. This Hsc70-dependent mechanism may confer protection to N2a cells against toxic accumulation of Cy-PrP in the cytosol.
Die Ursache von Adipositas liegt im übermäßigen Wachstum von Fettgewebe, welches hauptsächlich aus Fettzellen, den Adipozyten, besteht. Die Zellen der stroma-vaskulären Fraktion, welche Vorläuferzellen, Makrophagen und Zellen des lokalen Gefäßnetzwerks enthält, sind außerdem an der Homöostase des Fettgewebes beteiligt. Insbesondere spielt das Gefäßsystem des Fettgewebes in Nagetieren eine wichtige Rolle im Fettgewebewachstum, da die Hemmung der Angiogenese in genetisch- und diät-induzierten fettleibigen Mäusen die Entstehung von Adipositas verhindert. Dennoch wurde das Gefäßsystem des menschlichen Fettgewebes bis heute nicht erforscht. Durch immuno-histochemische Analysen am subkutanen menschlichen Fettgewebe konnten wir zwei verschiedene Gefäßsysteme identifizieren: das vaskuläre Netzwerk des Bluts und das lymphatische vaskuläre Netzwerk. Während die Endothelzellen von beiden Gefäßsystemen die gemeinsamen Endothelzellmarker von Willebrand factor (vWf) und CD31 (PECAM, Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule) exprimierten, konnten die Endothelzellen der Blutgefäße an der Expression des Markers CD34 (Stamm/Blutgefäß-Endothel-Zell-Marker) und die Endothelzellen der Lymphgefäße an der Expression der beiden lymphatischen Marker Podoplanin und VEGFR3 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3) spezifisch erkannt werden. Ausschließlich für den Marker CD34-positive Zellen und in Rosetten angeordnete CD31-positive Zellen, welche als residente Makrophagen wurden auch charakterisiert. Um die beiden Gefäßsystemen des menschlichen Fettgewebes weiterhin zu erforschen, haben wir ein auf Immunoselektion basiertes Protokoll entwickelt. Es ermöglicht, Blut- (BEC) und lymphatische (LEC) Endothelzellen aber auch Makrophagen und CD34-positive Zellen spezifisch zu isolieren. Sowohl BEC als auch LEC exprimierten VEGFR1, VEGFR2, vWf und Notch4 und nehmen acetyliertes LDL auf. Darüber hinaus konnte in LEC die Expression von Genen, welche spezifisch für das Lymphgefäßsystem sind, wie Podoplanin, Reelin, VEGFR3, Desmoplakin, LYVE-1 nachgewiesen werden. Durch fluss-cytometrischen Analysen des Anzahls von BEC und LEC im Fettgewebe von Patienten mit unterschiedlichen Body Mass Indices (BMI) wurde entdeckt, dass Fettleibigkeit von einer Erweiterung des vaskulären Netzwerks des Bluts im Fettgewebe begleitet wird, jedoch nicht von einer Erweiterung des lymphatischen vaskulären Systems. Flusscytometrische Analysen belegen, dass es in der CD34-positive Stroma-Zellpopulation Zellen gibt, die den endothelialen Progenitor-Zellmarker CD133 und den primitiven Stammzellmarker ABCG2 exprimieren. Außerdem zeigten die CD34-positive Zellen eine signifikant stärkere Proliferation und Expression von Endothelzellmarkern wie CD31 und vWf, wenn dem Kulturmedium zuvor die Faktoren Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF A) und Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 zugefügt worden waren. Wurden Mäusen mit Hinterbeinischämie CD34-positive Zellen in vivo injiziert, beteiligten sich diese Zellen an der Neovaskularisation des ischämischen Hinterbeins. Eine signifikante Zunahme des Blutflusses im ischämischen Bein, gekoppelt an einer erhöhten Kapillardichte im ischämischen Muskel und einer Integration der menschlichen Zellen in die Vaskulatur der Maus waren erkennbar. Diese Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass es unter den CD34-positive Zellen eine Population von endothelialen Progenitorzellen gibt, die -bei geeigneter Stimulation- zu Endothelzellen differenzieren. Parallel dazu wurden die lokalen Faktoren untersucht, die potentiell an der Wachstumskontrolle, der Migration und der Organisation der ruhenden, aus dem Fettgewebe stammenden, BEC und LEC beteiligt waren. Sekrete der Adipozyten, jedoch nicht der CD34-positive Zellen, induzierten eine signifikante BEC- und LEC-Proliferation. Außerdem induzierte die Kombination von Leptin und VEGF A oder des basic Fibroblast Growth Factor eine signifikante Zunahme der BrdU-Inkorporation in BEC während Adiponectin, VEGF C und VEGF D bereits alleine konzentrationsabhängig die Proliferation von LEC induzierten. Leptin, und nicht Adiponectin, führte zu signifikant höherer BEC-Migration und Röhrenformung, während Adiponectin, und nicht Leptin, die LEC-Migration und -Organisation förderte. Dabei führte Leptin in BEC und Adiponectin in LEC zeitabhängig zu einer signifikanten Zunahme der Phosphorylierung der Kinase Akt. Diese Ergebnisse belegen, dass die beiden aus Adipozyten stammenden Adipokine Leptin und Adiponectin eine tragende Rolle in der Umverteilung von BEC bzw. LEC spielen. Im Rahmen der Adipositas steigt die Plasmakonzentration von Leptin an während die Plasmakonzentration von Adiponectin sinkt. Unsere Ergebnisse deuten daraufhin, dass Leptin als lokaler pro-angiogenetischer Faktor identifizieren und Adiponectin als neuer lymphangiogenetischer Faktor im menschlichen Fettgewebe beschreiben konnte. Demnach könnten Veränderungen, in der Adipositas, der Adipokinfreisetzung durch Adipozyten am Umbau des vaskulären Netzwerks des Bluts und am ausbleibenden Wachstum des lymphatischen vaskulären Systems innerhalb des Fettgewebes beteiligt sein. Schließlich belegen die vorliegenden Ergebnisse das Vorhandensein einer Progenitor-Zell-Population in der Stroma-Fraktion des menschlichen Fettgewebes. Diese Progenitor-Zellen sind in der Lage sich an der Neovaskularisation ischämischen Gewebes zu beteiligen. Diese Population könnte im Hinblick auf zelltherapeutische Strategien eine interessante Alternative zu Stammzellen aus dem Knochenmark darstellen.
At nonzero temperature, it is expected that QCD undergoes a phase transition to a deconfined, chirally symmetric phase, the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). I review what we expect theoretically about this possible transition, and what we have learned from heavy ion experiments at RHIC. I argue that while there are unambiguous signals for qualitatively new behavior at RHIC, versus experiments at lower energies, that in detail, no simple theoretical model can explain all salient features of the data.