Refine
Year of publication
- 2008 (768) (remove)
Document Type
- Article (301)
- Working Paper (100)
- Book (95)
- Doctoral Thesis (85)
- Part of Periodical (81)
- Conference Proceeding (31)
- Part of a Book (25)
- Preprint (18)
- Report (14)
- Other (10)
Language
- English (768) (remove)
Keywords
- Deutsch (10)
- Metapher (9)
- USA (7)
- Bank (6)
- Englisch (6)
- Phonetik (6)
- Phonologie (6)
- Bedeutung (5)
- Geldpolitik (5)
- Grammatik (5)
Institute
- Medizin (82)
- Center for Financial Studies (CFS) (59)
- Biochemie und Chemie (55)
- Physik (36)
- Geowissenschaften (35)
- Biowissenschaften (32)
- Extern (26)
- E-Finance Lab e.V. (20)
- Informatik (18)
- Wirtschaftswissenschaften (16)
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) belongs to one of the eight herpes viruses known to infect humans. While primary VZV infection (chickenpox) is generally a disease of childhood, herpes zoster occurs primarily in elderly persons (>50 years). Herpes zoster, also called shingles, is a neurocutaneous disease resulting from reactivation of latent VZV infection within dorsal root ganglia. Severe complications may occur in elderly persons and immunocompromised of any age, including severe complication of the eye, ear, skin and internal organs, and the peripheral and central nervous systems. A progressive decline of VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity and age are associated with an increased incidence and severity of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is the most common complication of herpes zoster causing chronic, debilitating pain. In cases with characteristic signs and symptoms (presence of prodromal pain, eruptions, grouped vesicles, segmental pain), the diagnosis is almost distinctive enough and no laboratory investigations are required. However, for patients lacking no characteristic pathology, a rapid laboratory diagnosis may be helpful to begin antiviral therapy as soon as possible. Antiviral therapy should be initiated immediately within 72 h after rash onset, particularly in older patients. The main aim of treatment is to control and reduce acute zoster pain, shorten virus replication, avoid dissemination of skin lesions and prevent PHN and other severe complications. The aim of the present review is to outline advantages and disadvantages of different herpes zoster laboratory methods (microscopy, direct immunofluorescence assay, detection of viral DNA, virus isolation and serological methods). A live attenuated VZV vaccine has been developed to prevent herpes zoster and PHN in individuals >60 years of age (Shingles Prevention Study). This review summarises the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical aspects, complications, therapy and prevention of varicella zoster.
In 1998 the German Universities of Kassel and Giessen organised a workshop on water and solute transport in large drainage basins. The workshop focused on analysing and summarising the state of research, existing problems and perspectives in this research area. It was the second of a series of annual workshops since 1997 that became an important discussion forum for the German-speaking research community in the field of hydrological modelling. Now the 11th Workshop on Large-scale Hydrological Modelling referred to the same questions as posed in 1998 in order to evaluate the developments and advances of the last ten years. Based on keynote presentations, the workshop focused on discussion in working groups where also posters were presented. This volume of "Advances in Geosciences" comprises seven papers referring to the poster contributions. At the end of the volume, an overview paper summarises the outcome of the workshop presentations and discussions (Doll et al.). ...
Large-scale hydrological modelling has become increasingly wide-spread during the last decade. An annual workshop series on large-scale hydrological modelling has provided, since 1997, a forum to the German-speaking community for discussing recent developments and achievements in this research area. In this paper we present the findings from the 2007 workshop which focused on advances and visions in large-scale hydrological modelling. We identify the state of the art, difficulties and research perspectives with respect to the themes "sensitivity of model results", "integrated modelling" and "coupling of processes in hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere". Some achievements in large-scale hydrological modelling during the last ten years are presented together with a selection of remaining challenges for the future.
Guidelines and core attributes for site-based vegetation surveying and mapping developed for the Northern Territory, are relevant to botanical research, forestry typing, rangeland monitoring and reporting on the extent and condition of native and non-native vegetated landscapes. These initiatives are consistent with national vegetation guidelines and the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) framework. This paper provides a synopsis of vegetation site data collection, classification and mapping in the Northern Territory, and discusses the benefits of consistency between the guidelines, core attributes and the NVIS framework; both of which has an emphasis on the NVIS hierarchical classification system for describing structural and floristic attributes of vegetation. The long-term aim of the NVIS framework is that national attributes are adopted at regional levels to enable comparability of vegetation information within survey and jurisdictional boundaries in the Northern Territory and across Australia. The guidelines and core attributes are incorporated in current and future vegetation survey and mapping programs in the Northern Territory.
We investigate methods and tools for analyzing translations between programming languages with respect to observational semantics. The behavior of programs is observed in terms of may- and mustconvergence in arbitrary contexts, and adequacy of translations, i.e., the reflection of program equivalence, is taken to be the fundamental correctness condition. For compositional translations we propose a notion of convergence equivalence as a means for proving adequacy. This technique avoids explicit reasoning about contexts, and is able to deal with the subtle role of typing in implementations of language extensions.
We investigate methods and tools for analysing translations between programming languages with respect to observational semantics. The behaviour of programs is observed in terms of may- and mustconvergence in arbitrary contexts, and adequacy of translations, i.e., the reflection of program equivalence, is taken to be the fundamental correctness condition. For compositional translations we propose a notion of convergence equivalence as a means for proving adequacy. This technique avoids explicit reasoning about contexts, and is able to deal with the subtle role of typing in implementations of language extensions.
We investigate methods and tools for analysing translations between programming languages with respect to observational semantics. The behaviour of programs is observed in terms of may- and mustconvergence in arbitrary contexts, and adequacy of translations, i.e., the reflection of program equivalence, is taken to be the fundamental correctness condition. For compositional translations we propose a notion of convergence equivalence as a means for proving adequacy. This technique avoids explicit reasoning about contexts, and is able to deal with the subtle role of typing in implementations of language extensions.
We investigate methods and tools for analysing translations between programming languages with respect to observational semantics. The behaviour of programs is observed in terms of may- and must-convergence in arbitrary contexts, and adequacy of translations, i.e., the reflection of program equivalence, is taken to be the fundamental correctness condition. For compositional translations we propose a notion of convergence equivalence as a means for proving adequacy. This technique avoids explicit reasoning about contexts, and is able to deal with the subtle role of typing in implementations of language extension.
While the adaptor SKAP-55 mediates LFA-1 adhesion on T-cells, it is not known whether the adaptor regulates other aspects of signaling. SKAP-55 could potentially act as a node to coordinate the modulation of adhesion with downstream signaling. In this regard, the GTPase p21ras and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway play central roles in T-cell function. In this study, we report that SKAP-55 has opposing effects on adhesion and the activation of the p21ras -ERK pathway in T-cells. SKAP-55 deficient primary T-cells showed a defect in LFA-1 adhesion concurrent with the hyper-activation of the ERK pathway relative to wild-type cells. RNAi knock down (KD) of SKAP-55 in T-cell lines also showed an increase in p21ras activation, while over-expression of SKAP-55 inhibited activation of ERK and its transcriptional target ELK. Three observations implicated the p21ras activating exchange factor RasGRP1 in the process. Firstly, SKAP-55 bound to RasGRP1 via its C-terminus, while secondly, the loss of binding abrogated SKAP-55 inhibition of ERK and ELK activation. Thirdly, SKAP-55−/− primary T-cells showed an increased presence of RasGRP1 in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) following TCR activation, the site where p21ras becomes activated. Our findings indicate that SKAP-55 has a dual role in regulating p21ras-ERK pathway via RasGRP1, as a possible mechanism to restrict activation during T-cell adhesion.
ADAM15 belongs to a family of transmembrane multi-domain proteins implicated in proteolysis, cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions in various disease conditions. In osteoarthritis (OA), ADAM15 is up-regulated in the chondrocytes already at early stages of cartilage degeneration where it seems to exert homeostatic effects likely associated with its ability to enhance integrin-mediated chondrocyte adhesion to the surrounding collagen matrix. The aim of our present study was, therefore, to characterize functional domains of ADAM15 involved in collagen II (CII) interaction and to analyse associated outside-in signalling events. Accordingly, ADAM15 and respective deletion mutants were stably transfected into the chondrocyte cell line T/C28a4. Transfected cells were adhered to CII and phosphoproteins analysed by Western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation served to identify protein binding to ADAM15. Our results elucidate the prodomain as critical for the capacity of ADAM15 to enhance CII adhesion, thereby identifying for the first time a cell-adhesive role of a metalloproteinase prodomain. Moreover, the cytoplasmic tail of ADAM15 confers a modulatory effect on the autophosphorylation site Y397 of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) during chondrocyte–collagen interaction. In conclusion, the newly uncovered impact of ADAM15 on signalling events that arise from chondrocyte interactions with its collagen matrix might contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism underlying its proposed chondroprotective role in degenerative cartilage disease.
Two hypotheses have been proposed in order to account for velar softening, i.e., a process through which /k/ changes to an affricate. Whereas one hypothesis states that for the process to apply the velar stop has to be realized as an (alveolo) palatal stop (articulation-based hypothesis), the other claims that velar softening is triggered by acoustic similarity between the input and output segments (acoustic equivalence hypothesis). The present paper investigates the acoustic equivalence hypothesis by comparing several acoustic properties of /k/ in various vowel contexts with those of /ts , ts , tc / for three languages differing in stop burst aspiration, i.e., German, Polish and Catalan. Results suggest that the acoustic equivalence hypothesis could account for velar softening in aspirated velar stops but not in unaspirated velar stops. The results also provide an explanation as to why aspirated velar stops are prone to undergo softening more easily when followed by front vocalic segments than in other contexts and positions
When the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of Academics came up in the early 1990s, African higher-education systems were in a serious, multi-dimensional and long-standing crisis. Hand-in-hand with the imbalances and troubles that rocked and ruined African economies, the crisis in the academia was characterised by the collapse of infrastructures, inadequate teaching personnel and poor staff development and motivation. It was against this background that the questions of academic freedom and the responsibilities and autonomy of institutions of higher-learning were raised in the Dar es Salaam Declaration. In February 2005, the University of Dar es Salaam Staff Association (UDASA), in cooperation with CODESRIA, organised a workshop to bring together the staff associations of some public and private universities in Tanzania, in order to renew their commitment to the basic principles of the Dar es Salaam Declaration and its sister document - the Kampala Declaration on Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility. The workshop was also aimed at re-invigorating the social commitment of African intellectuals. The papers included in this volume reflect the depth and potentials of the debates that took place during the workshop. The volume is published in honour of Chachage Seithy L. Chachage, who was an active part of the workshop but unfortunately passed away in 2006.
Ancient coins are among the most widely collected and demanded objects among American collectors of antiquities. A vocal lobby of ancient coin dealers/collectors has arisen to protect the importation of undocumented material into the United States and also seeks to make a distinction between antiquities trafficking and that in ancient coins. Coins are an equally important historical source and are no less important 'antiquities' than a Greek painted vase. I examine the scale of the trade in ancient coins in North America and address some points made by proponents of a continued unfettered ancient coin trade.
A small-world network has been suggested to be an efficient solution for achieving both modular and global processing-a property highly desirable for brain computations. Here, we investigated functional networks of cortical neurons using correlation analysis to identify functional connectivity. To reconstruct the interaction network, we applied the Ising model based on the principle of maximum entropy. This allowed us to assess the interactions by measuring pairwise correlations and to assess the strength of coupling from the degree of synchrony. Visual responses were recorded in visual cortex of anesthetized cats, simultaneously from up to 24 neurons. First, pairwise correlations captured most of the patterns in the population´s activity and, therefore, provided a reliable basis for the reconstruction of the interaction networks. Second, and most importantly, the resulting networks had small-world properties; the average path lengths were as short as in simulated random networks, but the clustering coefficients were larger. Neurons differed considerably with respect to the number and strength of interactions, suggesting the existence of "hubs" in the network. Notably, there was no evidence for scale-free properties. These results suggest that cortical networks are optimized for the coexistence of local and global computations: feature detection and feature integration or binding.
A remarkable new species of Zethus Fabricius (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) from Costa Rica
(2008)
Porter, new species, is described from Costa Rica. It forms a species group of its own, unique in its grotesquely enlarged male mandibles and reduced clypeus, single mid tibial spur, and in having a medio-apical bulge on the second sternite. It was previously identified as Z. magretti Zavattari but reexamination of the type of this species shows that it actually belongs to the coeruleopennis species group.
In order to quantitatively analyse the chemical and dynamical evolution of the polar vortex it has proven extremely useful to work with coordinate systems that follow the vortex flow. We propose here a two-dimensional quasi-Lagrangian coordinate system {X i, delta X i}, based on the mixing ratio of a long-lived stratospheric trace gas i, and its systematic use with i = N2O, in order to describe the structure of a well-developed Antarctic polar vortex. In the coordinate system {X i, delta X i} the mixing ratio X i is the vertical coordinate and delta X i = X i(theta) - X i vort(theta) is the meridional coordinate (X i vort(theta) being a vertical reference profile in the vortex core). The quasi-Lagrangian coordinates {X i, delta X i} persist for much longer time than standard isentropic coordinates, potential temperature theta and equivalent latitude Phi e, do not require explicit reference to geographic space, and can be derived directly from high-resolution in situ measurements. They are therefore well-suited for studying the evolution of the Antarctic polar vortex throughout the polar winter with respect to the relevant chemical and microphysical processes. By using the introduced coordinate system {X N2O, delta X N2O} we analyze the well-developed Antarctic vortex investigated during the APE-GAIA (Airborne Polar Experiment – Geophysica Aircraft in Antarctica – 1999) campaign (Carli et al., 2000). A criterion, which uses the local in-situ measurements of X i=X i(theta) and attributes the inner vortex edge to a rapid change (delta-step) in the meridional profile of the mixing ratio X i, is developed to determine the (Antarctic) inner vortex edge. In turn, we suggest that the outer vortex edge of a well-developed Antarctic vortex can be attributed to the position of a local minimum of the X H2O gradient in the polar vortex area. For a well-developed Antarctic vortex, the delta X N2O-parametrization of tracer-tracer relationships allows to distinguish the tracer inter-relationships in the vortex core, vortex boundary region and surf zone and to examine their meridional variation throughout these regions. This is illustrated by analyzing the tracer-tracer relationships X i : X N2O obtained from the in-situ data of the APE-GAIA campaign for i = CFC-11, CFC-12, H-1211 and SF6. A number of solitary anomalous points in the CFC-11 : N2O correlation, observed in the Antarctic vortex core, are interpreted in terms of small-scale cross-isentropic dispersion.
Appropriate precautions in the case of flood occurrence often require long lead times (several days) in hydrological forecasting. This in turn implies large uncertainties that are mainly inherited from the meteorological precipitation forecast. Here we present a case study of the extreme flood event of August 2005 in the Swiss part of the Rhine catchment (total area 34 550 km2). This event caused tremendous damage and was associated with precipitation amounts and flood peaks with return periods beyond 10 to 100 years. To deal with the underlying intrinsic predictability limitations, a probabilistic forecasting system is tested, which is based on a hydrological-meteorological ensemble prediction system. The meteorological component of the system is the operational limited-area COSMO-LEPS that downscales the ECMWF ensemble prediction system to a horizontal resolution of 10 km, while the hydrological component is based on the semi-distributed hydrological model PREVAH with a spatial resolution of 500 m. We document the setup of the coupled system and assess its performance for the flood event under consideration. We show that the probabilistic meteorological-hydrological ensemble prediction chain is quite effective and provides additional guidance for extreme event forecasting, in comparison to a purely deterministic forecasting system. For the case studied, it is also shown that most of the benefits of the probabilistic approach may be realized with a comparatively small ensemble size of 10 members.
A mild synthetic method for N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-OH (1) is described. After Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis, on-bead formylation and HPLC purification, more than 30 mg of the fully 13C/15N-labelled tripeptide 1 could be isolated in a typical batch. This peptide can be easily crystallised and is therefore well suited as a standard sample for setting up solid-state NMR experiments.
In this paper we consider the dynamics of spot and futures prices in the presence of arbitrage. We propose a partially linear error correction model where the adjustment coefficient is allowed to depend non-linearly on the lagged price difference. We estimate our model using data on the DAX index and the DAX futures contract. We find that the adjustment is indeed nonlinear. The linear alternative is rejected. The speed of price adjustment is increasing almost monotonically with the magnitude of the price difference.
The Late Tertiary to Quaternary evolution of the Ntem interior delta in SW Cameroon shall be modelled. A step fault was formed along neotectonically remobilized Precambrian structures. Uncalibrated 14C-datations in this ‘sediment trap’ show Pleistocene to Holocene ages. Both within and below the interior delta pebbles and clasts which are cemented in an iron and manganese matrix were found. These ‘fanglomerates’ are used to discuss different processes of the younger evolution also concerning climatic fluctuations in the study area.
A high-precision pressure probe is described which allows non-invasive online-monitoring of the water relations of intact leaves. Real-time recording of the leaf water status occurred by data transfer to an Internet server. The leaf patch clamp pressure probe measures the attenuated pressure, Pp, of a leaf patch in response to a constant clamp pressure, Pclamp. Pp is sensed by a miniaturized silicone pressure sensor integrated into the device. The magnitude of Pp is dictated by the transfer function of the leaf, Tf, which is a function of leaf patch volume and ultimately of cell turgor pressure, Pc, as shown theoretically. The power function Tf=f(Pc) theoretically derived was experimentally confirmed by concomitant Pp and Pc measurements on intact leaflets of the liana Tetrastigma voinierianum under greenhouse conditions. Simultaneous Pp recordings on leaflets up to 10 m height above ground demonstrated that changes in Tf induced by Pc changes due to changes of microclimate and/or of the irrigation regime were sensitively reflected in corresponding changes of Pp. Analysis of the data show that transpirational water loss during the morning hours was associated with a transient rise in turgor pressure gradients within the leaflets. Subsequent recovery of turgescence during the afternoon was much faster than the preceding transpiration-induced water loss if the plants were well irrigated. Our data show the enormous potential of the leaf patch clamp pressure probe for leaf water studies including unravelling of the hydraulic communication between neighbouring leaves and over long distances within tall plants (trees).
A new species, Aiolopus obariensis sp. n., is described and illustrated from Fezzan Province, Libya. Besides other differentiating characters, the new species is characterized by having a conspicuously short and club-shaped left antenna. A description and a key to Libyan species of Aiolopus Fieber is provided. Some additional characters of male and female genitalia have also been incorporated.
The miscanthus mealybug, Miscanthicoccus miscanthi (Takahashi) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is newly reported as prey for the lady beetle Hyperaspis paludicola Schwarz (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at the Regan National Airport, Washington, DC (northern range extension). A new armored scale prey, Diaspidiotus ancyclus (Putnam) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), for the lady beetle Microweisea misella (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is recorded. A range extension for Hyperaspis paludicola is reported.
Australophanus, new genus, is described and illustrated for Cryptamorpha redtenbacheri (Reitter). Platamus Erichson is synonymized under Telephanus Erichson, new synonymy. Euplatamus Sharp, new status, replaces Platamus Erichson as the genus name. Type species are designated for Aplatamus Grouvelle and Euplatamus Sharp. Telephanus velox (Haldeman) is synonymized under Telephanus atricapillus Erichson. A diagnosis of the tribe Telephanini, a key to the described telephanine genera of the world is presented, and a phylogeny of the family Silvanidae is proposed.
Synchronized neural activity in the visual cortex is associated with small time delays (up to ~10 ms). The magnitude and direction of these delays depend on stimulus properties. Thus, synchronized neurons produce fast sequences of action potentials, and the order in which units tend to fire within these sequences is stimulusdependent, but not stimulus-locked. In the present thesis, I investigated whether such preferred firing sequences repeat with sufficient accuracy to serve as a neuronal code. To this end, I developed a method for extracting the preferred sequence of firing in a group of neurons from their pair-wise preferred delays, as measured by the offsets of the centre peaks in their cross-correlation histograms. This analysis method was then applied to highly parallel recordings of neuronal spiking activity made in area 17 of anaesthetized cats in response to simple visual stimuli, like drifting gratings and moving bars. Using a measure of effect size, I then analyzed the accuracy with which preferred firing sequences reflected stimulus properties, and found that in the presence of gamma oscillations, the time at which a unit fired in the firing sequence conveyed stimulus information almost as precisely as the firing rate of the same unit. Moreover, the stimulus-dependent changes in firing rates and firing times were largely unrelated, suggesting that the information they carry is not redundant. Thus, despite operating at a time scale of only a few milliseconds, firing sequences have the strong potential to provide a precise neural code that can complement firing rates in the cortical processing of stimulus information.
This is a story about a house with a history and about the people who lived or worked there. It captures something of the spirit of the times in the worlds of politics and development, and it discusses the links which were established between Oxfam GB in Zambia and the African National Congress of South Africa.
A graph theoretical approach to the analysis, comparison, and enumeration of crystal structures
(2008)
As an alternative approach to lattices and space groups, this work explores graph theory as a means to model crystal structures. The approach uses quotient graphs and nets - the graph theoretical equivalent of cells and lattices - to represent crystal structures. After a short review of related work, new classes of cycles in nets are introduced and their ability to distinguish between non-isomorphic nets and their computational complexity are evaluated. Then, two methods to estimate a structure’s density from the corresponding net are proposed. The first uses coordination sequences to estimate the number of nodes in a sphere, whereas the second method determines the maximal volume of a unit cell. Based on the quotient graph only, methods are proposed to determine whether nets consist of islands, chains, planes, or penetrating, disconnected sub-nets. An algorithm for the enumeration of crystal structures is revised and extended to a search for structures possessing certain properties. Particular attention is given to the exclusion of redundant nets and those, which, by the nature of their connectivity, cannot correspond to a crystal structure. Nets with four four-coordinated nodes, corresponding to sp3 hybridised carbon polymorphs with four atoms per unit cell, are completely enumerated in order to demonstrate the approach. In order to render quotient graphs and nets independent from crystal structures, they are reintroduced in a purely graph-theoretical way. Based on this, the issue of iso- and automorphism of nets is reexamined. It is shown that the topology of a net (that is the bonds in a crystal) constrains severely the symmetry of the embedding (that is the crystal), and in the case of connected nets the space group except for the setting. Several examples are studied and conclusions on phases are drawn (pseudo-cubic FeS2 versus pyrite; α- versus β- quartz; marcasite- versus rutile-like phases). As the automorphisms of certain quotient graphs stipulate a translational symmetry higher than an arbitrary embedding of the corresponding net would show, they are examined in more detail and a method to reduce the size of such quotient graphs is proposed. Besides two instructional examples with 2-dimensional graphs, the halite, calcite, magnesite, barytocalcite, and a strontium feldspar structures are discussed. For some of the structures it is shown that the quotient graph which is equivalent to a centred cell is reduced to a quotient graph equivalent to the primitive cell. For the partially disordered strontium feldspar, it is shown that even if it could be annealed to an ordered structure, the unit cell would likely remain unchanged. For the calcite and barytocalcite structures it is shown that the equivalent nets are not isomorphic.
A glimpse of the tropics : spiders (Araneae) in the greenhouses of the Botanic Garden Berlin-Dahlem
(2008)
In a survey of the spider fauna in greenhouses of the Botanic Garden Berlin-Dahlem, 30 spider species were recorded. Two species are new to Europe: Theotima minutissima (Petrunkevitch, 1929) and Heteroonops spinimanus (Simon, 1891). T. minutissima is the first member of the family Ochyroceratidae reported from Europe. Oecobius navus Blackwall, 1859 is new to Central Europe. Triaeris stenaspis Simon, 1891, is recorded from Germany for the first time. Zodarion italicum (Canestrini, 1868) is new to eastern Germany. Despite the discovery of some species previously unknown to Germany, the spider fauna in the Botanic Garden consisted mainly of wellknown synanthropic species and common inhabitants of greenhouses. Several alien spiders recently found in greenhouses, garden centers and houses were not recorded in the Botanic Garden. The species composition of the exotic spider fauna in greenhouses seems to depend chiefly on the specific modes of acquisition of plants and plant substrate.
The distribution of linguistic structures in the world is the joint product of universal principles, inheritance from ancestor languages, language contact, social structures, and random fluctuation. This paper proposes a method for evaluating the relative significance of each factor — and in particular, of universal principles — via regression modeling: statistical evidence for universal principles is found if the odds for families to have skewed responses (e.g. all or most members have postnominal relative clauses) as opposed to having an opposite response skewing or no skewing at all, is significantly higher for some condition (e.g. VO order) than for another condition, independently of other factors.
The paper proposes a variation of simulation for checking and proving contextual equivalence in a non-deterministic call-by-need lambda-calculus with constructors, case, seq, and a letrec with cyclic dependencies. It also proposes a novel method to prove its correctness. The calculus' semantics is based on a small-step rewrite semantics and on may-convergence. The cyclic nature of letrec bindings, as well as non-determinism, makes known approaches to prove that simulation implies contextual equivalence, such as Howe's proof technique, inapplicable in this setting. The basic technique for the simulation as well as the correctness proof is called pre-evaluation, which computes a set of answers for every closed expression. If simulation succeeds in finite computation depth, then it is guaranteed to show contextual preorder of expressions.
This paper considers a trading game in which sequentially arriving liquidity traders either opt for a market order or for a limit order. One class of traders is considered to have an extended trading horizon, implying their impatience is linked to their trading orientation. More specifically, sellers are considered to have a trading horizon of two periods, whereas buyers only have a single-period trading scope (the extended buyer-horizon case is completely symmetric). Clearly, as the life span of their submitted limit orders is longer, this setting implies sellers are granted a natural advantage in supplying liquidity. This benefit is hampered, however, by the direct competition arising between consecutively arriving sellers. Closed-form characterizations for the order submission strategies are obtained when solving for the equilibrium of this dynamic game. These allow to examine how these forces affect traders´ order placement decisions. Further, the analysis yields insight into the dynamic process of price formation and into the market clearing process of a non-intermediated, order driven market.
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.
Dry rainforests are those communities that have floristic and structural affinities to mesic rainforests and occur in parts of eastern and northern Australia where rainfall is comparatively low and often highly seasonal. The dry rainforests of the western slopes of New South Wales are poorly-understood compared to other dry rainforests in Australia, due to a lack of regional scale studies. This paper attempts to redress this by deriving a broad floristic and structural typology for this vegetation type. Phytogeographical analysis followed full floristic surveys conducted on 400 m2 plots located within dry rainforest across the western slopes of NSW. Cluster analysis and ordination of 208 plots identified six floristic groups. Unlike in some other regional studies of dry rainforest these groups were readily assigned to Webb structural types, based on leaf size classes, leaf retention classes and canopy height. Five community types were described using both floristic and structural data: 1) Ficus rubiginosa–Notelaea microcarpa notophyll vine thicket, 2) Ficus rubiginosa–Alectryon subcinereus–Notelaea microcarpa notophyll vine forest, 3) Elaeodendron australe–Notelaea microcarpa–Geijera parviflora notophyll vine thicket, 4) Notelaea microcarpa– Geijera parviflora–Ehretia membranifolia semi-evergreen vine thicket, and 5) Cadellia pentastylis low microphyll vine forest. Floristic groupings were consistent with those described by previous quantitative studies which examined smaller portions of this study area. There was also general agreement between the present analytical study and a previous intuitive classification of dry rainforest vegetation throughout the study area, but little concurrence with a continental scale floristic classification of rainforest.
The title compound, [Re2(OH)(C10H8N2)2(CO)6][ReO4], is a mixed-valence rhenium compound containing discrete anions and cations. The ReI atoms are in a slightly distorted octahedral environment, whereas the ReVII atoms show the typical tetrahedral coordination mode. The dihedral angle between the two bipyridine groups is 34.3 (7)°. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.044 Å; R factor = 0.093; wR factor = 0.262; data-to-parameter ratio = 13.9.
The title compound, [Fe2(C5H5)2(C24H22BP2)(CO)4][FeCl4]·CHCl3, is an oxidation product of CpFe(CO)2PPh2BH3. One pair of phenyl rings attached to the two different P atoms are almost parallel, as are the other pair [dihedral angles = 8.7 (5) and 8.9 (5)°]. The planes of the two cyclopentadienyl rings are inclined by 26.8 (7)° with respect to each other. The carbonyl groups at each Fe atom are almost perpendicular [C-Fe-C = 92.6 (6) and 94.3 (5)°]. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.019 Å; R factor = 0.112; wR factor = 0.177; data-to-parameter ratio = 16.8.
The partial faunal reserve of Pama is situated in the province of Kompienga, in the South-East of Burkina Faso, with typical Sudanian savanna vegetation. Adjacent to the Arli National Park and the Pendjari National Park, it is part of the so-called WAP complex, one of the largest wildlife areas in West Africa. Up to now, only little has been known about its flora. The present study aimed at reducing this gap in knowledge, and represents an important tool for conservation and research. The list of species was compiled from the surveys carried out from 2001 to 2004, additional relevé data, and herbarium specimens. We found 450 species, which belong to 244 genera and 73 families. The most species-rich family is Poaceae (83 species), followed by Fabaceae (64), Cyperaceae (24), Rubiaceae (22), Euphor- biaceae (20), Combretaceae (15), Asteraceae (14), Caesalpiniaceae (14), Mimosaceae (12), and Convolvulaceae (11).
The German Working Group on Vegetation Databanks has held annual meetings since 2002 with financial support by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. Ca. 215 members are regularly informed through a mailing-list. The 2008 meeting was hosted by University of Oldenburg’s Landscape Ecology Group and was attended by 72 participants from 15 countries. Software demonstrations of vegetation databanks Turboveg and VegetWeb as well as plant trait databanks LEDA and BiolFlor opened the workshop. There were lecture sessions on trait databanks, recalibration of ecological indicator values and new developments in the field of vegetation databanks. Working groups were devoted to an initiative to build a meta-databank of existing vegetation databanks in Germany and to mathematical modelling of species habitats. In 2009 the 8th workshop will be held on "Vegetation Databanks and Biodindication" at the University of Greifswald.
In the title compound, C12H14N22+·2Cl-, the 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridinium cation is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation for all non-H atoms = 0.004 Å) and is located on a crystallographic inversion centre. The cations and chloride anions lie in planes parallel to (111) and are connected by N-H...Cl and C-H...Cl hydrogen bonds. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.003 Å; R factor = 0.036; wR factor = 0.080; data-to-parameter ratio = 14.7.
Purpose of the study: There is a clinical need for antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens that simplify dosing and make adherence easier for specific patient groups such as former intravenous drug users (IVDU) receiving opiate substitution. Availability of tenofovir DF (TDF) and other once-daily (OD) agents could offer a viable OD regimen. The 3OD study was designed to evaluate the use of OD HAART in IVDU patients.
Methods: 3OD was a single-arm, multicentre, 48-weeks trial to assess efficacy, tolerability and adherence to a OD TDF-containing HAART regimen in former IVDU patients receiving opiate substitution. Of 67 patients enrolled, 27 were antiretroviral treatment naïve, 10 were virologically suppressed (<400 copies/mL), and 30 were re-starting HAART without prior virological failure. Opiate substitution was adjusted according to subject symptoms of opiate overdosing or withdrawal. Various methods were used to assess adherence: besides pill count, patients were asked to fill in a MASRI (Medication Adherence Self-Report Inventory) questionnaire and an electronic log pad diary. Calculation of adherence by pill count assumed that unreturned pills had been taken by the subjects.
Summary of results: Overall, 55% (n = 37, ITT, M = F) of patients had viral load <400 copies/mL at week 48. Using an ITT, M = E analysis, 90% (37/41) of patients reached undetectable VL (<400 copies/mL), 56% (23/41 patients) had plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations <50 copies/mL at week 48. Only 30 patients (45%) completed the full study and the follow-up period. In 51% of patients, TDF adherence was >100% using pill count. MASRI showed adherence rates of 80–100% in 83–85% of patients; however, 15 patients never entered any data. Diary data were entered by 57 patients; diary data were entered for fewer days than patients received treatment (mean difference 113 days, calculated from treatment start and stop dates).
Conclusion: TDF in combination with other OD antiretrovirals in former IVDU patients showed comparable efficacy to that seen in the average HIV-1 infected population. However, measurement of adherence to self-administered HAART via pill count, MASRI or diary may be misleading in this population.
The title compound, C16H14N2O2, was derived from 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione. The molecule is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation for all non-H atoms = 0.089 Å). Two intramolecular hydrogen bonds stabilize the molecular conformation and one N-H...O hydrogen bond stabilizes the crystal structure. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.003 Å; R factor = 0.035; wR factor = 0.091; data-to-parameter ratio = 9.3.
3.11.2008 - 4.11.2008 fand in Frankfurt am Main folgende Tagung statt: 21st Century Libraries: Changing Forms, Changing Challenges, Changing Objectives = 8th Frankfurt Scientific Symposium: 3.11.2008 - 4.11.2008. Sie wurde von der Universitätsbiblithek Johann Christian Senckenberg in Zusammanarbeit mit dem Deutschem Architektur Museum (Frankfurt am Main) und der Akademie der Architekten- und Stadtplanerkammer Hessen (Wiesbaden) organisiert Das 8. Frankfurt Symposium stellt den zeitgenössischen Bibliotheksbau, die Entwicklungen und die Probleme des gegenwärtigen Bibliotheksbaus zur Diskussion. Einige theoretische und technische Beiträge runden das Programm ab. Zwei zentrale Schwerpunkte des Symposiums werden die Einbindung von Bibliotheksbauten in das Stadtumfeld und die Auswirkungen gesellschaftspolitischer und technischer Entwicklungen auf die Architektur von Bibliotheken sein.
2-Aminopyrimidinium picrate
(2008)
The geometric parameters of the title compound, C4H6N3+·C6H2N3O7-, are in the usual ranges. While two nitro groups are almost coplanar with the aromatic picrate ring [dihedral angles 3.0 (2) and 4.4 (3)°], the third is significantly twisted out of this plane [dihedral angle 46.47 (8)°]. Anions and cations are connected via N-H...O hydrogen bonds. The molecules crystallize in planes parallel to (1\overline{2}1). Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.002 Å; R factor = 0.036; wR factor = 0.099; data-to-parameter ratio = 10.9.
100 Papers
(2008)
Liesl Jobson's collection is aptly termed 'flash fiction' or 'prose poems'. It comprises 100 short pieces that are beautifully impressionistic - the literary equivalent of a well-times photograph. Jobson was born in Durban, South Africa. Her poetry and prose has been published in journals and anthologies in South Africa and abroad. She won the People Opposing Women Abuse women's writing poetry competition in 2005. She as also awarded a community publishing project great from the Centre for the Book under the auspices of the National Library of South Africa in 2007. This is her debut collection which won the Ernst van Heerden creative writing award for 2006 from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is a freelance writer, photographer ad bassoonist.
The geometric parameters of the molecule of the title compound, C14H16O2P2, are in the usual ranges. It is a meso compound with the two chiral P atoms having opposite configurations. The P-CH2-CH2-P chain adopts a trans conformation [torsion angle -178.59 (17)°]. The P=O bonds are almost coplanar with the adjacent phenyl ring [torsion angles = 3.8 (3) and 0.3 (3)°]. Whereas one of them is synclinal [torsion angle = -59.0 (2)°] to the central C-C bond, the other is anticlinal [torsion angle = 56.6 (2)°] to the central C-C bond. The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 5.2 (3)°. The molecules are linked by weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds. They crystallize in rows running along the c axis. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.005 Å; R factor = 0.038; wR factor = 0.093; data-to-parameter ratio = 15.2.
The molecule of the title compound, C14H16N2O2, is located on a crystallographic twofold rotation axis. The central O-C-C-O bridge adopts a gauche conformation. One of the amine H atoms is disordered over two equally occupied positions. The crystal structure is stabilized by N-H...O and N-H...N hydrogen bonds. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.002 Å; disorder in main residue; R factor = 0.049; wR factor = 0.119; data-to-parameter ratio = 17.9.
In the title compound, C27H16F6N2O6, the nitro groups are almost coplanar with the aromatic rings to which they are attached [dihedral angles = 3.5 (5) and 6.2 (3)°]. The dihedral angles between adjacent aromatic rings are 78.07 (8) and 71.11 (8)° for nitrophenyl/phenyl and 69.50 (8)° for phenyl/phenyl. An intermolecular C-H...[pi] interaction seems to be effective in the stabilization of the structure. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.004 Å; R factor = 0.045; wR factor = 0.092; data-to-parameter ratio = 12.5.
The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C10H20I2Si2, contains two half-molecules. Both complete molecules are generated by crystallographic inversion centers located at the mid-points of the central C-C single bonds; the butadiene groups are planar, with a trans conformation about the central C-C bond. The molecules show short intramolecular H...I contacts of 2.89 and 2.92 Å. The crystal packing shows no short intermolecular contacts. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 155 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.002 Å ; R factor = 0.021; wR factor = 0.059; data-to-parameter ratio = 43.6.
Geometric parameters of the title compound, C24H20N2O2S, are in the usual ranges. The central heterocycle makes dihedral angles of 41.29 (4) and 72.94 (5)° with the phenyl ring and the methoxyphenyl ring, respectively. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.002 Å; R factor = 0.038; wR factor = 0.103; data-to-parameter ratio = 14.1.
The absolute configuration of the title compound, [Fe(C5H5)(C36H29OP2)], is Sp at the ferrocene group and S at the asymmetric C atom. Both P atoms have a trigonal-pyramidal conformation. There is a short intramolecular C-H...P contact with an H...P distance of 2.56 Å. The hydroxy group is involved in an intramolecular O-H...[pi]phenyl interaction. The crystal packing shows five very weak intermolecular C-H...[pi] contacts, with H...Cg distances between 3.26 and 3.39 Å (Cg is the centroid of a phenyl or cyclopentadienyl ring). Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 162 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.004 Å; R factor = 0.038; wR factor = 0.083; data-to-parameter ratio = 22.3.
The absolute configuration of the title molecule, [Fe(C5H5)(C38H34NP2)]·CHCl3, is R,Rp. The molecular structure is similar to the structure of the solvent-free compound [Fukuzawa, Yamamoto & Kikuchi (2007). J. Org. Chem. 72, 1514-1517], but some torsion angles about the P-Cphenyl bonds differ by up to 25°. The P atoms and the N atom have a distorted trigonal-pyramidal geometry. The chloroform solvate group donates a C-H...[pi] bond to the central benzene ring and is also involved in six intermolecular C-H...Cl contacts with H...Cl distances between 2.96 and 3.13 Å. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 163 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.003 Å; R factor = 0.039; wR factor = 0.088; data-to-parameter ratio = 24.2.
Die vorliegende Arbeit diskutiert Auffassungen über Authentizität und Nationale Identität in Julian Barnes’ England, England und Brian Moore’s The Great Victorian Collection. Julian Barnes und Brian Moore bearbeiten postmoderne Themen in ihrer Auseinandersetzung mit Realität und Authentizität. Brian Moore diskutiert die Möglichkeit der Ununterscheidbarkeit zwischen Original und Replika, Julian Barnes verdeutlicht die Konsequenzen eines Nationalgefühls, das sich auf die Vorstellung einer verklärten Vergangenheit stützt anstatt sich den Problemen der Gegenwart zu stellen.
Die postmoderne Diskussion hinterfragt Theorien der Moderne. In der Moderne entwickelten sich Nationalstaaten zur grundlegenden politischen Struktur, die eine für den aufkommenden Kapitalismus unabdingbare Einheit und Gleichheit ermöglichte. Die postmoderne Kritik unterstreicht, dass diese Ordnung nicht natürlich ist, sondern auf ein tatsächliches Chaos von Fragmenten aufgezwungen wurde. Theorien der Postmoderne betonen die Uneinigkeit und Künstlichkeit von Nationalstaaten. Es wird aufgezeigt, dass ein Nationalstaat aus vielen verschiedenen und sogar untereinander gegensätzlichen Gruppierungen besteht. Die einheitliche Identifikation der Bürger mit einem Nationalstaat basiert auf der Vorstellung einer andauernden, geteilten Geschichte, und einer Betonung von Gemeinsamkeiten und vermeintlichen Unterschieden gegenüber Anderen. Diese Vorstellung von Einigkeit und Gemeinsamkeit wird in der Postmoderne als Konstrukt enthüllt.
In ähnlicher Weise betonen postmoderne Theorien die Konstruiertheit der Vorstellung eines einheitlichen, wahren Selbst. Das Selbst wird empfunden als eine Ansammlung von zahlreichen, untereinander teilweise widerstreitenden, Teilen.
Die Entwicklung der Industrialisierung im Kapitalismus der Moderne führte zur Auflösung bestehender lokaler Strukturen, und somit zu einer Entwurzelung der Individuen. Am Ende des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts verlangt der Konsumkapitalismus von den Menschen Mobilität und Wandelbarkeit. In dieser Phase der Globalisierung verlieren Nationalstaaten an Bedeutung. Persönliche Qualitäten wie Charakterstärke und Authentizität geraten in den Hintergrund, während die Fähigkeit zur Verstellung und ein hohes Maß an Flexibilität geachtet werden und Erfolg versprechen.
Diese Entwicklung bringt ein Gefühl des Verlustes mit sich, ein Gefühl von Heimatlosigkeit, Wurzellosigkeit, und Uneinigkeit mit sich selbst.
Die postmoderne nostalgische Sehnsucht nach einer idealisierten Vergangenheit basiert auf diesem Gefühl des Verlustes einer ehemaligen Einigkeit.
Die Besucher von Themenparks und heritage sites sehnen sich nach dem Erlebnis einer glorifizierten Vergangenheit, wobei die Authentizität der dargestellten Geschichte zweitrangig ist.
Julian Barnes und Brian Moore beschreiben die Errichtung und den Erfolg von Themenparks. Ungeachtet der Künstlichkeit der dargebotenen Shows und so mancher Ausstellungsstücke genießen postmoderne Besucher von Themenparks deren Hyperrealität, die ein Gefühl von Ganzheit und Einheit vermittelt.
Das erste Kapitel der Arbeit stellt zunächst die Gedankenwelt der Postmoderne dar. Die postmoderne Welt am Ende des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts verlangt Mobilität, Anpassung, und Verstellung. Hierin gründet das Gefühl der Nostalgie nach Ganzheit und Zugehörigkeit, welches im zweiten Kapitel untersucht wird. Das dritte Kapitel ist der Struktur des Nationalstaates gewidmet, die in einem komplexen Zusammenspiel von Politik, Geschichte, und den Bedürfnissen der Gegenwart eine Möglichkeit der Identifikation darstellt, welche Ganzheit und Zugehörigkeit verspricht. Das vierte Kapitel zeigt, dass die Identifikation mit einem Nationalstaat auf der Vorstellung einer gemeinsamen Geschichte basiert, wie sie in Museen und heritage sites bewahrt und bestimmt wird, und wie sie durch die Ausübung – oder Einführung – von Traditionen gelebt wird.
Das fünfte Kapitel diskutiert den Zusammenhang zwischen Authentizität und Erschaffung, und zeigt, dass die Grenzen fließend sind, da seit jeher Traditionen und Gepflogenheiten zugunsten der Bedürfnisse der Gegenwart abgewandelt wurden. Julian Barnes und Brian Moore demonstrieren, dass in der Tourismusindustrie Authentizität an Wert verloren hat, da postmoderne Reisende, die an Simulationen gewöhnt sind, sich mit leichter erreichbaren Nachbildungen begnügen. Abschließend lässt sich feststellen, dass die Vorstellung einer ehemaligen Vollkommenheit und Heimat in der Vergangenheit der Auseinandersetzung mit den Bedürfnissen der Gegenwart im Wege steht. Dies äußert sich letztlich politisch, wie das gegenwärtig vorherrschende Misstrauen gegenüber supranationalen Strukturen wie der Europäischen Union zeigt.
Rawang [...] is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by people who live in the far north of Kachin State in Myanmar (Burma), particularly along the Mae Hka ('Nmai Hka) and Maeli Hka (Mali Hka) river valleys; population unknown, although Ethnologue gives 100,000. In the past they had been called ‘Nung’, or (mistakenly) ‘Hkanung’, and are considered to be a sub-group of the Kachin by the Myanmar government. They are closely related to people on the other side of the Chinese border in Yunnan classified as either Dulong or Nu (see LaPolla 2001, 2003 on the Dulong language and Sun 1988, Sun & Liu 2005 on the Anong language). In this paper, I will be discussing a particular morphological phenomenon found in Rawang, using data of the Mvtwang (Mvt River) dialect of Rawang, which is considered the most central of those dialects in Myanmar and so has become something of a standard for writing and inter-group communication.
Twentieth-century scholars have thought little about the attractions of Descartes’ thinking. Especially in feminist theory, he has a bad press as the ‘instigator’ of the body-mind-split – seen as one of the theoretical bases for the subordination of women in Western culture. Seen from within seventeenth-century discourse it is the dictum that can be inferred from his writings that ‘the mind has no sex’ and which can be seen as an appeal to think about rational capacities in the utopian perspective of a gender neutral discourse. My work analyses this “face” of Cartesianism as it was adapted in favour of English seventeenth-century women. How were the specific tenets of Descartes’ philosophy employed on behalf of English women in the second half of the seventeenth century in England? My focus is on Descartes as a thinker, who – whatever his real or imagined intention might have been – provided women in seventeenth-century England with tools with which to change their status, in other words: with instruments of empowerment. So why were Descartes’ arguments so attractive for women? Descartes had argued for equal rational abilities among individuals in a gender neutral way. He had further critiqued generally accepted truth with his universal doubt. I believe this specific combination of ideas, affirming their rational capabilities, was seen by a number of women as an invitation to become involved in spheres of activity from which they were previously excluded. Moreover, a specific set of Descartes’ arguments provided a number of English women with a strategy to extend female agency. Not only did Descartes’ views legitimate female rationality, they also allowed an acknowledgement that this female intellect was equally connected to “truth” as that of their male contemporaries. As a consequence, women developed an increased self-esteem and inspiration to pursue their own independent study (and in some cases publishing). These ideas eventually helped to bring forward a demand for female education, as girls and women were still excluded from formal education in seventeenth-century England. My general thesis is that Cartesianism, as one of the earliest universalist theories on the nature of human reason, introduced new possibilities into the English debate over the nature and, hence, social position of women. It brought a radical twist to the already existing discussion on women by offering new critical tools which were taken up to argue on behalf of English women. In my work I examine the specific historical conditions of the reception of Descartes’ thought in England, the philosophical appeal of his ideas for women and analyse the writings of two English ‘disciples’ of Descartes: Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle and Mary Astell.
This article presents linguistic features of and educational approaches to a new variety of German that has emerged in multi-ethnic urban areas in Germany: Kiezdeutsch (‘Hood German’). From a linguistic point of view, Kiezdeutsch is very interesting, as it is a multi-ethnolect that combines features of a youth language with those of a contact language. We will present examples that illustrate the grammatical productivity and innovative potential of this variety. From an educational perspective, Kiezdeutsch has also a high potential in many respects: school projects can help enrich intercultural communication and weaken derogatory attitudes. In grammar lessons, Kiezdeutsch can be a means to enhance linguistic competence by having the adolescents analyse their own language. Keywords: German, Kiezdeutsch, multi-ethnolect, migrants’ language, language change, educational proposals
"Ich mag so Wasserpfeifeladen" : the interaction of grammar and information structure in Kiezdeutsch
(2008)
In a letter to Scholem, dated 22 December, 1924, Benjamin famously writes of the manuscript that was to become his 'Trauerspiel' book: "[I]ndessen überrascht mich nun vor allem, daß, wenn man so will, das Geschriebene fast ganz aus Zitaten besteht" (GS I.3, 881). Much has been made of the mosaic-like citational technique to which Benjamin refers here; his "Zitatbegriff" is said, for example, to subtend the theory of a "mikrologische Verarbeitung" of "Denkbruchstücken" into "Ideen" that Benjamin develops as his theory of representation in the "Erkenntniskritische Vorrede", which in turn figures the relation between individual phenomena and their "ideas" in astral terms. Because, however, the 'Trauerspiel' book is so often understood only on this theoretical level, e.g. as either an early articulation of Benjamin’s "avant garde" and "messianic" philosophy of history (Jäger, Kany, and Pizer) or as a performance of his systems of allegory (Menninghaus) and "constructivism" (Schöttker), his "Zitierpraxis" and the actual citations that form large parts of 'Der Ursprung des deutschen Trauerspiel' have seldom been read for the purchase they provide on the vexed status of the period and concept that was the book’s direct subject, namely, the German Baroque.
Romantic comedies are not renowned for intricate storytelling and have rarely been deemed worthy of the sustained scholarly attention of analytic ‘close readings’. What applies to the genre as a whole applies no less to its music, which has yet to be discovered by film musicology as a field of enquiry. But genre films such as romcoms can be highly self-conscious and self-reflexive, and can show a playfulness in their use of cinematic techniques that may be as much fun for the analyst as for the audience.