bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha acts as a mediator of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in acute liver failure
Authors: Zhang Li , Ren Feng , Zhang Xiangying , Wang Xinxin , Shi Hongbo , Zhou Li , Zheng Sujun , Chen Yu , Chen Dexi , Li Liying , Zhao Caiyan , Duan Zhongping
Published: May 2016

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a key regulator to ameliorate liver injury in cases of acute liver failure (ALF). However, its regulatory mechanisms remain largely undetermined. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) plays an important role in a number of liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether PPARα activation inhibit ER stress-induced hepatocyte apoptosis, thereby protecting against ALF. In a murine model of D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALF, Wy-14643 was administered to activate PPARα, and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) was administered to attenuate ER stress. PPARα activation ameliorated liver injury, because pre-administration of its specific inducer, Wy-14643, reduced the serum aminotransferase levels and preserved liver architecture compared with that of controls. The protective effect of PPARα activation resulted from the suppression of ER stress-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Indeed, (1) PPARα activation decreased the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78), Grp94 and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) in vivo; (2) the liver protection by 4-PBA was due to the induction of PPARα expression, because 4-PBA pretreatment promoted up-regulation of PPARα, and inhibition of PPARα by small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment reversed liver protection and increased hepatocyte apoptosis; (3) in vitro PPARα activation by Wy-14643 decreased the hepatocyte apoptosis induced by severe ER stress, and PPARα inhibition by siRNA treatment decreased the hepatocyte survival induced by mild ER stress. Here, we demonstrated that PPARα activation contributes to liver protection and decreases hepatocyte apoptosis in ALF, particularly through regulating ER stress. Therefore, trageting PPARα could be a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate ALF.
VEGF-A stimulates podosome-mediated collagen-IV proteolysis in microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Daubon Thomas , Spuul Pirjo , Alonso Florian , Fremaux Isabelle , Génot Elisabeth
Published: May 2016

Podosomes are dynamic cell–matrix contact structures that combine several key abilities, including adhesion, matrix degradation and mechanosensing. These actin-based cytoskeletal structures have been mostly studied in monocytic cells, but much less is known about those formed in other lineages. In this study, we characterise podosomes in capillary-derived microvascular endothelial cells. We identify two types of podosomes: constitutive podosomes that form in the absence of specific stimulation and induced podosomes that arise in response to the angiogenic factor VEGF-A. Constitutive and VEGF-A-induced podosomes share similar components but exhibit marked differences in terms of gelatinolytic activity. We also show that the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and collagen-IV are key determinants of the VEGF-A response, but neither collagen-I nor fibronectin are conducive for podosome induction. Moreover, only collagen-IV elicits the formation of proteolytically active podosomes through a mechanism involving increased Src phosphorylation, p190RhoGAP-B (also known as ARHGAP5) relocalisation and MT1-MMP (also known as MMP14) cell surface exposure at podosome sites. We hypothesise that by promoting podosome formation, VEGF-A enables endothelial cells to overcome the basement membrane barrier to allow sprouting outwards from the existing vasculature.
Effect of random component in tool profile deviations upon dynamics of external circular grinding
Authors: Новоселов Юрий , Novosyolov Yuriy , Братан С. , Bratan S. , Богуцкий Владимир , Bogutskiy Vladimir
Published: May 2016

This paper reports the estimation carried out of the state influence of a disk work surface upon output indices of external circular grinding. There are offered dependences for the computation of a mathematical expectation, correlation function and dispersion of a current radius-vector. The analysis of influence of a profile random component upon a process dynamics is carried out. The examples of spectrum characteristics of a random component of a tool profile deviations, a square of module frequency characteristics of the system and power spectrum of tool center oscillations caused by random deviations in an abrasive disk profile are shown. The interrelations established allow forecasting the behavior of an external round grinding, computing corrective control impacts, and carrying out a billet surface effective working taking into account conditions changed. The outlooks for the further development of results obtained consist in their application for the choice of project solutions, the characteristics evaluation of technological grinding systems and grinding optimization at billet working on the automated equipment.
Grinding efficiency increase through physical – chemical processes control in “tool-billet” contact
Authors: Бржозовский Борис , Brzhozovskiy Boris , Славин Андрей , Slavin Andrey
Published: May 2016

The ways to increase grinding effectiveness by means of physical –chemical process control in a “disk-billet” contact are considered. The impact of physical-chemical properties of cutting emulsion (CE) upon grinding basic indices is shown. The hierarchical threshold structure of a grinding process based on a neuronet model allowing automating the machining techniques designing is offered.
Peculiarities in technology of coal-plastic machining
Authors: Заостровский А. , Zaostrovskiy A. , Приемышев А. , Priyomyshev A. , Зубарев Ю. , Zubarev Yu.
Published: May 2016

At present polymeric composite materials (PCM) substitute more and more wider metal in various branches of mechanical engineering. But the mechanical engineering of such materials with an edge tool causes considerable difficulties, as it differs in principle from common steel and alloy machining. A significant factor in choice of cutting modes and tool application and, as a consequence of a chip forming at PCM machining is a fiber orientation taking into account a cutting direction. The paper reports the results of researches in edge working by different tools with antifriction coal-plastic.
CELLULAR RESPONSES TO TRITIUM EXPOSURE IN RAINBOW TROUT: HTO- AND OBT-SPIKED FEED EXPOSURE EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Festarini Amy , Shultz Carmen , Stuart Marilyne , Kim Sang Bog , Ferreri Carla
Published: May 2016

Biological effects were evaluated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to tritiated water (HTO) or food spiked with organically bound tritium (OBT). An HTO exposure study was conducted using a tritium activity concentration of 7000 Bq/L, and an OBT exposure study was conducted using a tritium activity concentration of 30 000 Bq/L. Following 140 days of in vivo HTO exposure, liver, heart, spleen, kidney, and brain cells did not show statistically significant differences in viability; kidney, liver, and spleen cells did not show significant differences in DNA double-strand break repair activity compared with control cells. Membrane fatty acid composition analysis was conducted on liver cells and no effects of HTO exposure could be detected. Following 140 days of in vivo OBT exposure, viability and DNA double-strand break repair activity were not statistically different from controls in liver, heart, spleen, kidney, and brain cells. Changes, however, were noted in the fatty acid composition of liver and muscle tissues.

For both studies, all measurements were performed on each tissue and on a fraction of the same tissue that was exposed to a gamma 4 Gy dose in vitro to test for adaptive responses, and no effects were observed except for fatty acid composition. The findings demonstrated that membrane fatty acid composition is a sensitive marker and that microscopic evaluation of gamma-H2AX foci is more sensitive than the flow cytometric approach. These studies are the first to correlate uptake and depuration with biological health indicators in edible fish for tritium exposures within worldwide drinking water guidelines.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF ISOLATED POCKETS OF HYDROGEN-AIR MIXTURES
Authors: Manoubi Maha , LaFlèche Maxime , Liang Zhe , Radulescu Matei
Published: May 2016

This paper examines the dynamics of unconfined hydrogen–air flames and the criterion for flame propagation between neighbouring pockets of reactive gas separated by air using the soap bubble technique. The combustion events were visualized using high-speed schlieren or large-scale shadowgraph systems. It was revealed that for sufficiently lean hydrogen–air mixtures characterized by low flame speeds, buoyancy effects become important at small scales. The critical radius of hemispherical flame that will rise due to buoyancy is highly sensitive to the hydrogen concentration. The test results demonstrate that for transition of a flame between neighbouring pockets, the separation distance between the bubbles is mainly determined by the expansion ratio for near stoichiometric mixture, but it becomes much smaller for leaner mixtures because the flame kernel rises due to buoyant effects before the flame can reach the second bubble, thus the separation distance is no longer governed by the expansion ratio.
The use of scalp cooling for chemotherapy-induced hair loss
Authors: Young Annie , Arif Azra
Published: May 2016

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common and distressing side effect of cancer therapy and is one of the major unmet challenges in cancer management. Scalp cooling can prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss in some cancer patients with solid tumours receiving certain chemotherapy regimens. Recent evidence indicates that this technique does not increase the risk of scalp metastasis. A reduction in post-chemotherapy infusion duration of scalp cooling and the advancement in cool cap technology may assist clinicians in promoting scalp cooling to cancer patients. This article discusses recent research, scalp cooling guidelines, products available and implications for nurses and their organisations in providing scalp cooling. It also considers recent advancements in identifying genes associated with chemotherapy-induced hair loss and international research collaborations including a registry and a ‘chemotherapy-induced hair loss action group’–all striving to improve the patient experience of chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
The influence of body mass index on functional outcome and quality of life after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Chen J. Y. , Lo N. N. , Chong H. C. , Bin Abd Razak H. R. , Pang H. N. , Tay D. K. J. , Chia S. L. , Yeo S. J.
Published: May 2016

Aims

This study investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the post-operative fall in the level of haemoglobin (Hb), length of hospital stay (LOS), 30-day re-admission rate, functional outcome and quality of life, two years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and Methods

A total of 7733 patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA between 2001 and 2010 were included. The mean age was 67 years (30 to 90). There were 1421 males and 6312 females. The patients were categorised into three groups: BMI < 25.0 kg/m2(normal); BMI between 25.0 and 39.9 kg/m2(obese); and BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2(morbidly obese).

Results

Compared with the normal and obese groups, the mean LOS was longer by one day (95% confidence interval (CI) 0 to 2) in the morbidly obese group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001 respectively). The 30-day re-admisison rate was also higher in the morbidly obese group compared to the obese group (OR 2.323, 95% CI 1.101 to 4.900, p = 0.024); and showed a higher trend compared to the normal group (OR 1.850, 95% CI 0.893 to 3.831, p = 0.100). However, the morbidly obese group had a smaller drop in post-operative Hb level by a mean of 0.5 g/dl (0.3 to 0.6) and 0.3 g/dl (0.1 to 0.5), when compared with the normal and obese groups respectively (both p < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean improvement in Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) at two years follow-up was three points (two to four) and five points (two to seven) more in the morbidly obese group than in the normal group (both p < 0.001). The mean improvement in Knee Society Function Score, and Physical and Mental Component Scores of Short Form-36 were comparable between the three BMI groups (p = 0.736, p = 0.739 and p = 0.731 respectively). The ten-year rate of survival was 98.8% (98.0 to 99.3), 98.9% (98.5 to 99.2) and 98.0% (95.8 to 100), for the normal, obese and morbidly obese groups, respectively (p = 0.703).

Conclusion

Although morbidly obese patients have a longer LOS and higher 30-day re-admission rate after TKA, they have a smaller drop in post-operative Hb level and larger improvement in OKS and KSKS at two years follow-up. The ten-year rate of survival of TKA was also comparable with those with a normal BMI. Take home message: Morbidly obese patients should not be excluded from the benefits of TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:780–5.
The administration of intermittent parathyroid hormone affects functional recovery from trochanteric fractured neck of femur
Authors: Chesser T. J. S. , Fox R. , Harding K. , Halliday R. , Barnfield S. , Willett K. , Lamb S. , Yau C. , Javaid M. K. , Gray A. C. , Young J. , Taylor H. , Shah K. , Greenwood R.
Published: May 2016

Aims

We wished to assess the feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial of parathyroid hormone (PTH) supplements to aid healing of trochanteric fractures of the hip, by an open label prospective feasibility and pilot study with a nested qualitative sub study. This aimed to inform the design of a future powered study comparing the functional recovery after trochanteric hip fracture in patients undergoing standard care, versus those who undergo administration of subcutaneous injection of PTH for six weeks.

Patients and Methods

We undertook a pilot study comparing the functional recovery after trochanteric hip fracture in patients 60 years or older, admitted with a trochanteric hip fracture, and potentially eligible to be randomised to either standard care or the administration of subcutaneous PTH for six weeks. Our desired outcomes were functional testing and measures to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the study.

Results

A total of 724 patients were screened, of whom 143 (20%) were eligible for recruitment. Of these, 123 were approached and 29 (4%) elected to take part. However, seven patients did not complete the study. Compliance with the injections was 11 out of 15 (73%) showing the intervention to be acceptable and feasible in this patient population. Take home message: Only 4% of patients who met the inclusion criteria were both eligible and willing to consent to a study involving injections of PTH, so delivering this study on a large scale would carry challenges in recruitment and retention. Methodological and sample size planning would have to take this into account. PTH administration to patients to enhance fracture healing should still be considered experimental. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:840–5.
The impact of frailty on outcomes and healthcare resource usage after total joint arthroplasty
Authors: McIsaac D. I. , Beaulé P. E. , Bryson G. L. , Van Walraven C.
Published: May 2016

Aims

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is commonly performed in elderly patients. Frailty, an aggregate expression of vulnerability, becomes increasingly common with advanced age, and independently predicts adverse outcomes and the use of resources after a variety of non-cardiac surgical procedures. Our aim was to assess the impact of frailty on outcomes after TJA.

Patients and Methods

We analysed the impact of pre-operative frailty on death and the use of resources after elective TJA in a population-based cohort study using linked administrative data from Ontario, Canada.

Results

Of 125 163 patients aged > 65 years having elective TJA, 3023 (2.4%) were frail according to the Johns Hopkins ACG frailty-defining diagnoses indicator. One year follow-up was complete for all patients. Frail patients had a higher adjusted one year risk of mortality (hazard ratio 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.62 to 3.51), a higher rate of admission to intensive care (odds ratio (OR) 2.52, 95% CI 2.21 to 2.89), increased length of stay (incidence rate ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.59 to 1.65), a higher rate of discharge to institutional care (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.93 to 2.25), a higher rate of re-admission (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.66) and increased costs at 30, 90 and 365 days post-operatively. Frailty affected outcomes after total hip arthroplasty more than after total knee arthroplasty. Take home message: Frailty is an important risk factor for death after elective TJA, and increases post-operative resource utilisation across many metrics. Processes to optimise the outcomes and efficiency of TJA in frail patients are needed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:799–805.
Simplicity, Language-Dependency and the Best System Account of Laws
Authors: Wheeler Billy
Published: May 2016

It is often said that the best system account of laws (BSA) needs supplementing with a theory of perfectly natural properties. The ‘strength’ and ‘simplicity’ of a system is language-relative and without a fixed vocabulary it is impossible to compare rival systems. Recently a number of philosophers have attempted to reformulate the BSA in an effort to avoid commitment to natural properties. I assess these proposals and argue that they are problematic as they stand. Nonetheless, I agree with their aim, and show that if simplicity is interpreted as ‘compression’, algorithmic information theory provides a framework for system comparison without the need for natural properties.
La crítica de Leibniz a los números infinitos y su repercusión en la metafísica de los cuerpos.
Authors: Fazio Rodolfo Emilio
Published: May 2016

En el trabajo evaluamos el impacto que la crítica de Leibniz a los números infinitos tiene en el desarrollo de su metafísica de los cuerpos. Luego de exponer el vínculo que el filósofo alemán traza entre el cuerpo, la extensión y las cantidades infinitas en su período juvenil (1663-1672), analizamos sus reflexiones del período parisino sobre las paradojas de los números infinitos (1672-1676) y argumentamos que la defensa de la inconsistencia de tales números constituye un punto de inflexión en su comprensión de los cuerpos y, asimismo, marca el inicio de su ofensiva contra lares extensa.
Phytochemical analysis, mineral composition and in vitro antioxidant activities of Solanum macrocarpon leaves
Authors: Usunobun Usunomena , V. Chinwe Igwe
Published: May 2016

Background: The aim of this study is to determine phytochemicals and mineral composition as well as in vitro antioxidant activities of Solanum macrocarpon leaves.Methods: Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures while Mineral analysis was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Solanum macrocarpon leaves were also subjected for measurement of reducing power and antioxidant/radical scavenging activity (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity).Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids etc. Mineral analysis showed calcium (256.60mg/100g) to be higher in concentration and copper (0.62mg/100g) least in concentration while manganese was absent. Other minerals includes magnesium (81.69mg/100g), potassium (87.22mg/100g), sodium (32.51mg/100g), iron (31.41mg/100g), zinc (1.41mg/100g). Solanum macrocarpon leaves showed maximum antioxidant activity (DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power capacity) as the higher the concentration, the higher the antioxidant activity, thus the better the free radical scavenging potentials.Conclusion: The data from this study revealed that Solanum macrocarpon has a rich content of phytochemicals, namely, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids as well as minerals, bioactive components that are associated with health impacts. This study also revealed that Solanum macrocarpon leaves exhibit antioxidant activity. These findings thus suggest that Solanum macrocarpon leaves could act as potent source of antioxidants.
‘Ā’isha, Mother of the Faithful: The Prototype of Muslim Women Ulama
Authors: Harpci Fatih
Published: May 2016

Having a unique intelligence and assertiveness, ‘Ā’isha has been regarded Islam’s ideal woman scholar. She was not only as one of the earliest reporters of the authentic sayings of the Prophet Muḥammad, but also a great source for conveying his private family life. The article seeks to show that ‘Ā’isha’s life in the 7th century Arabia is especially remarkable when examined through the lenses of contemporary times. Her main characteristic was her critical, ever-inquisitive, and curious mind. Through the questions she was able to ask, ‘Ā’isha became a bridge between the time of the Prophet and the contemporary Muslim life. The important role she played in the scholarly efforts of Muslim men and women in learning and teaching knowledge needs to be examined and properly emphasized. Her sound scholarship in Islamic disciplines include but was not necessarily be limited to hadith, tafsīr, fiqh, literature, and poetry. Today Muslim women may take ‘Ā’isha not only as a pious example, but follow her intelligence, curiosity, and reasoning.[Dengan kecerdasan dan kepercayaan diri yang khas, Ā’isha terkenal sebagai seorang ulama perempuan yang ideal. Tidak hanya dikenal sebagai perawi hadis, dia juga merupakan rujukan yang hebat mengenai masalah-masalah pribadi dan keluarga. Artikel ini menunjukkan bahwa kehidupa seorang Ā’isha pada abad ke-7 di Arabia sangatlah luar biasa pada masanya, dengan karakternya yang kritis, penuh rasa ingin tahu, dan bersemangat untuk mempelajari apa saja. Melalui pertanyaan yang dapat diajukan, Ā’isha mampu menjadi jembatan antara Nabi dan kehidupan umat masa itu. Peran penting yang dia mainkan dalam dunia keilmuan serta pembelajaran dan pengajaran sangat perlu diteliti dan digarisbawahi. Pandangan-pandangannya mencakup --tetapi tidak sebatas-- hadis, tafsir, fikih, sastra, dan puisi. Perempuan Islam saat ini tidak hanya dapat mengikuti Ā’isha sebagai teladan kesalihan, tetapi juga mesti mengikuti kecerdasan, keingintahuan, dan penalarannya.]
Teatro de temática científica: uma proposta pedagógica lúdica possível na educação não formal de alunos do ensino fundamental
Authors: Assis Davison Marcio Silva de , Silva Aline Lohana Silva da , Lima Aldaiane Brasil de , Serra Mauricio Ferreira , Silva Wellitom Silva da
Published: May 2016

O professor de ciências naturais ao trabalhar os conteúdos científicos em sala de aula nem sempre tem sucesso, em grande parte dos casos, devido aos modelos de aulas utilizados. Na tentativa de contornar essa ocorrência, a atuação do docente necessita estar voltada a práticas pedagógicas que viabilizem um melhor ensino e aprendizagem. Dentre os inúmeros recursos didáticos que o professor pode se valer em sala de aula, para tornar suas aulas mais atrativas e dinâmicas, apresentamos neste trabalho o teatro de temática cientifica, que teve como objetivo promover a conscientização acerca do problema de saúde, dengue, através da encenação de uma peça teatral, intitulada: “corram que a dengue vem aí”. O trabalho foi desenvolvido com alunos do 5° ao 7º ano do ensino fundamental de duas escolas públicas da rede municipal de ensino, no município de Salvaterra, Pará. Ao final da encenação foi aplicado um questionário nas turmas para verificar se ocorreu aprendizagem do tema em questão, e com base em análises das respostas obtidas foi possível concluir que, os alunos tiveram uma melhor compreensão do conteúdo através da encenação teatral, os mesmos despertaram o interesse e ficaram entusiasmados com a forma que foi apresentado o conteúdo. Assim, o teatro configurou-se como um veículo transmissor de conhecimentos científicos, pois o seu uso facilitou a compressão dos alunos acerca do tema abordado.
Metrology for the production process of aspheric lenses
Authors: Beutler Andreas
Published: May 2016

Metrology revealing the form deviation of an aspheric surface is a fundamental part of all different production processes of aspheric lenses. Different processing steps have different requirements for the production. A selection of measuring instruments commonly applied in these processes is presented. This contains tactile and optical pointwise measuring instruments and laser interferometer systems. The principle functionality and the properties are presented. An overview of the application of these systems in different production processes is given. In order to show comparability, measuring results of the different types of systems are presented.
The role of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress in pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Korfei Martina , Ruppert Clemens , Loeh Benjamin , Mahavadi Poornima , Guenther Andreas
Published: May 2016

The activation of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress and Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) was first observed in patients with familial interstitial pneumonia (FIP) carrying mutations in the C-terminal BRICHOS domain of surfactant protein C (SFTPC). Here, aggresome formation and severe ER stress was demonstrated in type-II alveolar epithelial cells (AECII), which specifically express this very hydrophobic surfactant protein. In subsequent studies, FIP-patients with mutations in the gene encoding surfactant protein A2 (SFTPA2) were discovered, whose overexpression in epithelial cells in vitro also resulted in significant induction of ER stress. Moreover, prominent ER stress in AECII was also observed in FIP-patients not carrying the SFTPC/SFTPA2 mutations, as well as in patients with the more common sporadic forms of IP. Additionally, cases of adult-onset FIP with mutations in Telomerase genes and other telomereassociated components were reported. These mutations were associated with telomere shortening, which is a potential cause for triggering a persistent DNA damage response and replicative senescence in affected cells. Moreover, shortened telomeres were observed directly in the AECII of FIP-patients, and even sporadic IP cases, in the absence of any gene mutations. Here, we try to figure out the possible origins of ER stress in sporadic IP cases and non-SFTPC/SFTPA2-associated FIP.
Finite groups have more conjugacy classes
Authors: Baumeister Barbara , Maróti Attila , Tong-Viet Hung P.
Published: May 2016

We prove that for every

ϵ
>
0

${\epsilon>0}$

there exists a

δ
>
0

${\delta>0}$

such that every group of order

n
≥
3

${n\geq 3}$

has at least

δ
⁢

log
2

⁡
n

/

(

log
2

⁡

log
2

⁡
n

)

3
+
ϵ

${\delta\log_{2}n/{(\log_{2}\log_{2}n)}^{3+\epsilon}}$

conjugacy classes. This sharpens earlier results of Pyber and Keller. Bertram speculates whether it is true that every finite group of order n has more than

log
3

⁡
n

${\log_{3}n}$

conjugacy classes. We answer Bertram’s question in the affirmative for groups with a trivial solvable radical.
Dada-Ikone in New York. Die Performance- Künstlerin Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven
Authors: Gammel Irene
Published: May 2016

An innovator in cross-disciplinary art forms and the use of found objects, Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven (1874–1927) was America’s earliest performance artist. She was best known for her sexually charged, often controversial performances. A poet, sculptor, and model, she literally embodied the avant-garde dada movement in New York from 1913-1923. During her sojourns in Berlin, Munich, New York, and Paris, she shocked viewers with her performances and adornments such as a tomato can bra, teaspoon earrings, and black lipstick. She erased the boundaries between life and art, the everyday and the outrageous, and the creative and the dangerous. Her performances prefigured feminist body art and performance art by nearly half a century. In the 21st century she has come into her own with an international come-back.
Content and distribution of lignans in Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata
Authors: Tsao Nai-Wen , Sun Ying-Hsuan , Chien Shih-Chang , Chu Fang-Hua , Chang Shang-Tzen , Kuo Yueh-Hsiung , Wang Sheng-Yang
Published: May 2016

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is one of the economically important tree species indigenous to Taiwan. Hundreds of secondary metabolites have been identified from its wood, bark, root, and needles with lignans as the dominant ones. This substance group contributes a lot to the color, durability, and bioactivities of Taiwaniana. The present paper is dedicated to the quantification of radial and longitudinal lignan distribution. The extractives begin to accumulate largely in the transition zone (TZ), and reach a maximum after finishing the heartwood (hW) formation. Both dibenzyl-γ-butyrolactone type and arylnaphthalide type lignans were found in sapwood (sW) except for the compound taiwanin A. Clearly, the heartwood formation of Taiwania differs from the hitherto known hW formation types and it is suggested to be denominated as Taiwania-type hW formation, where the biosynthesis of extractives begins in the sW and where their accumulation is clearly elevated in the TZ. A generalized biosynthesis scheme of Taiwanin is presented showing the putative relationships among the most important dimeric lignans that lead to the formation of taiwanin type lignans.
Network Externalities and Efficient Capacity Commitment / Netzwerkexternalitäten und effiziente Kapazitätsbindung
Authors: Thum Marcel
Published: May 2016

This paper shows - in contrast to the literature on excess capacity - that capacity commitment can improve market allocations, if network externalities are present. Intertemporal network externalities can lead to a large degree of misallocation in simple markets. However, the attempt of firms to appropriate the potential surplus from standardization generates new market strategies as e.g. capacity commitment that can mitigate the standardization problem. In this context, capacity does not incorporate the detrimental effects stated in the excess capacity literature, but guarantees the functioning of markets in the interest of collective rationality. The relevance of this strategy in markets with network externalities is illustrated by the emergence of VCR standards.
The Suitability of the European Merger Control System: An Analysis of Five Years of Application / Die Eignung des europäischen Fusionskontrollsystems zur Erfassung wettbewerbswidriger Zusammenschlüsse: Eine Analyse von fünf Jahren Anwendungspraxis
Authors: Schmidt Ingo L. O.
Published: May 2016

On September 21, 1990 the European Merger Control System became effective. The author discusses three problems that have arisen in the European debate on establishing a supra-national merger control, namely, the question of:

- turnover thresholds to institute control proceedings,

- purely competitive or a mixed competitive-industrial policy criterion a la France to take action against anti-competitive mergers, and

- residual national jurisdiction should a national market dominant position be created rather than a Community-wide restraint of trade.

Finally, the author tries to evaluate the decisions taken by the European Commission up to the end of 1995 and proposes institutional changes in the merger control system, as the workability of the existing system can only be improved by making use of institutional economics.
Testing Wagner’s Law for Germany: An Exercise in Applied Time Series Analysis / Gilt das Wagner’sehe Gesetz für Deutschland? Eine Übung in angewandter Zeitreihenanalyse
Authors: Hayo Bernd
Published: May 2016

This paper tests for Wagner’s Law in Germany over the period 1960 to 1993, using quarterly data. The hypothesis is specified as the elasticity of the share of the state sector in GNP with respect to real GNP per capita. After testing for integration and cointegration, the elasticity has been estimated alternatively under the assumption of stationarity (ADL-model) and nonstationarity (single equation and system methods for estimating the cointegrating vector) of the series. The elasticity appears to be significantly greater than zero, its size being between 0.35 and 1.57, with some indication that it is around unity. Thus, this study shows evidence of Wagner’s Law for Germany over the investigated period.
Können Produzenten Interesse an einer Verbrauchsteuer auf ihr Produkt haben? / Can Producers Benefit from an Excise Tax on their Product?
Authors: Feuerstein Switgard
Published: May 2016

Mit Beginn des Europäischen Binnenmarktes 1993 wurden in Deutschland alle sogenannten kleinen Verbrauchsteuern außer der Kaffeesteuer abgeschafft. Bemerkenswert ist, daß sich die deutsche Kaffeeindustrie ausdrücklich für die Beibehaltung der Kaffeesteuer ausgesprochen hat. In dem vorliegenden Aufsatz wird zunächst die Diskussion um die Kaffeesteuer skizziert. Anschließend wird die Möglichkeit, daß eine spezielle Verbrauchsteuer die Gewinne der Produzenten erhöhen kann, anhand eines Oligopolmodells mit differenzierten Produkten aufgezeigt.
Die politische Rolle der amtlichen Statistik in der ehemaligen DDR / The Political Role of the Central Statistical Office of the Former GDR
Authors: Lippe Peter von der
Published: May 2016

Der Beitrag berichtet über die Ergebnisse eines Gutachtens, das der Verfasser im Herbst 1993 für die Enquete Kommission „Aufarbeitung von Geschichte und Folgen der SED-Diktatur in Deutschland“ des Deutschen Bundestages geschrieben hatte. Mit bisher nicht zugänglichen Akten im Archiv der Staatlichen Zentralverwaltung für Statistik (SZS) konnte erstmals dokumentiert werden, wie stark, und ins Detail gehend, die SZS dirigiert wurde vom ZK der SED. Sie spielte danach auch eine wichtige Rolle als Propagandainstrument. Anders als bisher meist angenommen, sind vermutlich sogar Fälschungen vorgekommen. So wurden zumindest die an internationale Organisationen zu liefernden Daten über den Außenhandel mit dem Westen nachträglich zum Vorteil der DDR „korrigiert“. Westdeutsche DDR-Experten hatten dies meist nicht durchschaut. Es wäre zu begrüßen, wenn man infolge dieser Erfahrungen den Wert unabhängiger statistischer Ämter höher schätzen würde.
Evaluation beschäftigungspolitischer Maßnahmen in Ostdeutschland / An Evaluation of Employment Measures in Eastern Germany
Authors: Hübler Olaf
Published: May 2016

Untersucht werden die Beschäftigungseffekte von in Ostdeutschland angewandten Maßnahmen. Gebrauch gemacht wird von ökonometrischen Methoden, die Korrelationen berücksichtigen zwischen Bestimmungsgründen für die Teilnahme an Beschäftigungsmaßnahmen und Determinanten, die die Beschäftigungswahrscheinlichkeit beeinflussen, d.h. lineare Kontrollfunktionen, Instrumentalvariablenschätzer, Random-effects-Schätzer, Pre-Programm-Tests, und Matched-sampling-Methoden sowie eine Kombination finden Berücksichtigung. Die Ergebnisse, die auf Daten des Arbeitsmarkt-Monitors basieren, zeigen, daß die traditionellen Instrumente nach AFG wenig erfolgreich waren. Positive Beschäftigungseffekte lassen sich von Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen, die von Betrieben veranlaßt wurden, identifizieren. Fortbildung und Umschulung, die von den Arbeitsämtern finanziert wird, führt zu keinen einheitlichen Resultaten. Es zeigen sich zunächst negative und später positive Beschäftigungseffekte. Bei Trennung zwischen Frauen und Männern läßt sich dieses Muster nur für letztere feststellen. Auch bei betriebsinterner Fortbildung treten geschlechtspezifische Unterschiede auf. Innerhalb von drei Jahren nach der Maßnahme nehmen bei Männern die positiven Effekte tendenziell zu. Bei Frauen ist der Einfluß am Ende des Zeitraums statistisch nicht mehr gesichert.
Sozialstaatlichkeit in der Konzeption der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft / Social Aspects of the Concept of Soziale Marktwirtschaft
Authors: Kleinhenz Gerhard D.
Published: May 2016

In dem Beitrag wird eine wissenschaftlich-ordnungspolitische Fundierung für den Umbau des Sozialstaates gesucht. Als entscheidende Elemente der Konzeption der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft werden die soziale Qualität der Wettbewerbsordnung, eine konforme Politik sozialer Sicherheit und sozialen Ausgleichs sowie der Förderung gleicher Startchancen angesehen. Die theoretische Begründung der Rolle des Sozialstaates folgt Walter Eucken, der Sozialpolitik als Ordnungsaufgabe in der Gesamtheit der konstituierenden und regulierenden Prinzipien berücksichtigt und darüber hinaus noch „spezielle Sozialpolitik“ für erforderlich hält. Für die Diskussion um die Reform des Sozialstaates ergibt sich daraus die Forderung nach Rückkehr zu einer ordnungspolitischen Ausrichtung der Sozialpolitik am Subsidiaritätsprinzip, nach Ausloten der Spielräume für mehr Eigenverantwortung und Wettbewerb sowie nach Vorrang für Chancen-und Leistungsgerechtigkeit im Verhältnis zu Gleichheit durch interpersonelle Umverteilung.
Armut, Armutsgefährdung und Armutsbekämpfung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland / Poverty, Poverty Risk and Anti-Poverty Policy in Germany
Authors: Hauser Richard
Published: May 2016

Der Beitrag behandelt Ausmaß und Veränderung der Armut in Deutschland von 1962 bis 1995 und skizziert die in den kommenden Jahren zu erwartende Entwicklung. Es wird gezeigt, daß die Armut, gemessen an mehreren relativen Einkommensgrenzen sowie an der Sozialhilfeschwelle, seit Mitte der 70er Jahre allmählich zunimmt. In den neuen Bundesländern fand seit 1990 ein schneller Anstieg statt. Dieser Anstieg ist korreliert mit der sich stufenweise erhöhenden Arbeitslosigkeit, aber auch mit Veränderungen der Familienstruktur und Einschränkungen bei den Sozialversicherungen. Zwischen den Generationen hat sich eine tiefgreifende Verschiebung in der Armutsbetroffenheit ergeben. Waren in den 60er und 70er Jahren noch die Alten am stärksten betroffen, so sind es nunmehr Kinder und junge Erwachsene. Ausländer weisen seit Beginn der 80er Jahre höhere Armutsquoten als Deutsche auf. Selbst unter institutionellen Status- quo-Bedingungen kann eine weitere Zunahme der Armut keineswegs ausgeschlossen werden. Sollen absehbare Einschnitte in das der Sozialhilfe vorgelagerte System der sozialen Sicherung nicht zusätzlich armutserhöhend wirken, so muß das unterste Auffangnetz zur Sicherung eines sozio-kulturellen Existenzminimums gestärkt werden. Der Verfasser präferiert hierzu den Einbau von bedarfsorientierten und steuerfinanzierten Mindestsicherungselementen in vorgelagerte Sicherungssysteme.
Korrigierte Schätzgleichungen für allgemeine Regressionsmodelle mit Fehlern in den Variablen / Corrected Estimating Equations for General Regression Models with Errors in the Variables
Authors: Schneeweiß Hans
Published: May 2016

Nach einer kurzen Einführung in die Theorie der erwartungstreuen Schätzgleichungen für allgemeine Regressionsmodelle und der korrigierten Schätzgleichungen für Regressionsmodelle mit fehlerbehafteten Kovariablen wird die Approximationsgüte eines auf Reihenentwicklung basierenden Ansatzes von Stefanski diskutiert.
Zur Gegenwart und Zukunft der amtlichen Statistik in Deutschland / About Official Statistics in Germany Today and Tomorrow
Authors: Wiegert Rolf
Published: May 2016

Überlegungen zu einem Scenario, das die Entwicklung und mögliche Probleme der amtlichen Statistik in den Jahren bis zur Jahrtausendwende und weiterhinaus vorausschauend darstellt. Dies gesehen vor der heutigen Umbruchsituation, hinsichtlich knapper öffentlicher Finanzen und Anforderungen der sich institutionalisierenden europäischen amtlichen Statistik sowie der Möglichkeiten elektronischer Medien und der Fortschritte in der EDV.
Bestimmungsgründe internationaler Firmentätigkeit / Determinants of International Trade, Production, and Licensing
Authors: Wagner Joachim
Published: May 2016

Dieser Beitrag stellt Ergebnisse ökonometrischer Untersuchungen zu den Bestimmungsgründen von verschiedenen Formen internationaler Firmentätigkeit vor. Der verwendete Datensatz wurde 1994/95 im Hannoveraner Firmenpanel bei 849 Betrieben des Verarbeitenden Gewerbes in Niedersachsen erhoben. Zentrale Ergebnisse dieser ersten empirischen Studie mit umfangreichen deutschen Mikrodaten zu Exporten, Direktinvestitionen und Lizenzvergabe an einen Betrieb im Ausland lauten: (1) Die Exportquote eines Betriebes ist um so höher, je größer, je humankapitalintensiver und je technologieintensiver er ist. (2) Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, daß ein Betrieb eine horizontal integrierte Direktinvestition vornimmt, ist höher, wenn dieser Betrieb Produktinnovator ist, größer ist und über Auslandsmarkterfahrung aufgrund von Exporten verfügt. (3) Eine Lizenzvergabe an eine Firma im Ausland durch einen deutschen Betrieb ist mit höherer Wahrscheinlichkeit zu erwarten, wenn dieser Betrieb groß ist, Forschung und Entwicklung betreibt, über Patente verfügt und ein horizontal integrierter Direktinvestor ist. Diese Ergebnisse stehen im Einklang mit theoretischen Überlegungen zur Bedeutung von Betriebsgröße, Humankapital- und Technologieintensität für die Auslandsaktivitäten von Betrieben.
Allokation der Verteidigungsausgaben in der NATO / Allocation of Defence Expenditures in NATO
Authors: Maneval Helmut , Park Byeungkwan , Kaindl Stefan
Published: May 2016

In einem allianztheoretischen Modell werden zur Erklärung der Verteidigungsausgaben der Mitglieder einer Allianz alternativ zwei Verhaltenshypothesen unterstellt: Cournot-Nash und Lindahl. Die Nachfrage nach äußerer Sicherheit wird am Beispiel der NATO für beide Annahmen geschätzt. Ein Vergleich mit Hilfe des j-Tests zeigt, daß die Hypothesen in ihrer einfachen Form für die NATO-Länder nur beschränkte Aussagekraft haben.
Distorting Environmental Taxes: The Role of the Market Structure / Zweitbeste Umweltabgaben: Die Rolle der Marktstruktur bei internationalem Handel
Authors: Althammer Wilhelm , Buchholz Wolfgang
Published: May 2016

In economies with perfect competition, environmental tax rates should be set equal to the equilibrium marginal damage. There are two basic reasons to depart from this first best rule: incomplete competition and the possibility of using environmental policy as a strategic trade instrument in open economies. In the first part of this paper, a general model is developed to analyse the interaction between these motives and the sign and size of the resulting distortion. Using this model, the cases typically treated in the literature can be described as special cases of a general formula. The second part of the analysis shows how the industry structure affects the second best choice of the environmental tax.
Estimating the Effect of Vocational Training on Unemployment Duration in West Germany / Auswirkungen beruflicher Weiterbildung auf die Arbeitslosigkeitsdauer in Westdeutschland
Authors: Hujer Reinhard , Maurer Kai-Oliver , Wellner Marc
Published: May 2016

This paper is concerned with the effect of vocational training on individual unemployment duration in West Germany. The data base used in this study is the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) for West Germany for the period from 1984 to 1994. The econometric model is a semi-parametric single risk discrete time duration model. To take into account a possible selection bias, an instrumental variable for actual participation in vocational training is used. This instrumental variable is the predicted participation propensity obtained by estimating a probit model for the participation in vocational training measures. The main results show that prior participation does have a significant effect on the reduction of unemployment duration in the short run. However, this effect does not persist in the long run.
Demand and Supply Shocks in the IS-LM Model: Empirical Findings for Five Countries / Nachfrage- und Angebotsschocks im IS-LM Modell: Empirische Ergebnisse für fünf Länder
Authors: Jordan Thomas J. , Lenz Carlos
Published: May 2016

This paper analyzes whether the short-run behavior of output, the interest rate, and the price level in the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., and Italy follows the qualitative predictions of the IS-LM model augmented by a long-run aggregate supply schedule. The use of the structural vector auto-regression methodology allows to identify three different shocks under the long-run neutrality assumptions implied by the vertical aggregate supply curve. An impulse response analysis shows that, for all countries considered, the dynamic adjustment of the variables in response to supply, monetary, and fiscal shocks is consistent with the considered version of the IS-LM model. In addition, the variance decompositions show that demand shocks explain a substantial part of output fluctuations at short horizons. This result stands in contrast to simple Real Business Cycle models which explain business cycles exclusively in terms of productivity shocks.
6 × 20 Gbps Hybrid WDM–PI Inter-satellite System under the Influence of Transmitting Pointing Errors
Authors: Chaudhary Sushank , Sharma Abhishek , Chaudhary Neha
Published: May 2016

Inter-satellite communication is a revolutionary technique used to establish communication between satellites in space. One of the major challenges in inter-satellite link is transmitting pointing errors, which causes turbulences in the link. This work is focussed on successful transmission of 120 Gbps high-speed data over 1,000 km by adopting hybrid wavelength division multiplexing scheme and polarization interleaving scheme under the influence of transmitting pointing error.
Myths, traditions, and rituals of food in Spanish cinema
Authors: Navarro Martínez Eva , Buitrago Alonso Alejandro
Published: May 2016

This paper analyses how food is represented in cinema, using as its main examples Spanish films from 1970 to the current day. It will focus on how food and eating become semiotic objects and how these semiotic objects are used as a cinematographic tool. To undertake this analysis it is important to differentiate between three food-related aspects: (1) The act of eating, (2) Places for eating, and (3) food itself. The methodological approach in the paper is based on the study of the functions that these distinct food-related aspects have in movies and as indicators of national identity. These functions span a large range of narrative, aesthetic, ideological, metaphorical or symbolic, structural or referential dimensions. They contribute to the development of characters as well as framing other stories and critical representations. They also criticize habits, social groups, ideologies, and gender roles, etc.
The Regime of Shareholders: End of the Regime of Managers?
Authors: Deutschmann Christoph
Published: May 2016

Der Aufsatz setzt sich kritisch mit der verbreiteten Auffassung auseinander, daß die zunehmend bedeutende Rolle institutioneller Anteilseigner die Macht der Manager einschränken und die »managerial revolution« rückgängig machen wird. Auf der Grundlage zum Teil eigener Untersuchungen und zum Teil einer Diskussion der Literatur wird gezeigt, daß die Möglichkeiten der Anteilseigner, auf ein »unternehmerischeres« Verhalten der Manager Einfluß zu nehmen, sehr begrenzt sind. Ergebnis der jüngeren Entwicklungen wird weder ein Regime der Anteilseigner noch eine einfache Fortsetzung des Managementkapitalismus sein, sondern die Herausbildung einer Konstellation, die starke Anreize für Manager enthält, »talk« und »action« zu entkoppeln, das heißt »Heuchelei« im Sinne von Nils Brunsson zu entwickeln. Wir schlagen den Begriff des Mimikrykapitalismus vor, um diese neue Konstellation zu beschreiben.
Lenin’s Void: Towards a Kenogrammar of Management
Authors: Baecker Dirk
Published: May 2016

Es gibt keine allgemein akzeptierte Soziologie des Managements. Der kognitive Fokus der Soziologie tut sich schwer mit den volitiven Aspekten des Managements. Der Aufsatz stellt einen Versuch vor, Management als einen evolutionären Mechanismus zu verstehen, der kognitive und volitive Aspekte miteinander integriert. Der Aufsatz führt die allgemeine Idee einer Kenogrammatik ein, mit deren Hilfe die Leere beschrieben werden kann, die von einem Management bearbeitet wird, das einen Zweck einführt. Es wird ein Modell vorgestellt, das das Management der russischen Revolution durch Lenin als eine »strategy of access« (Philip Selznick) beschreibt. Der Bolschewismus verwandelt Parteimitglieder in Parteiagenten, die sich darum bemühen, Stellen in verschiedenen relevanten Organisationen zu besetzen und in ihrem Vorgehen sowohl von einer passenden »Theorie« als auch von einer den Alltag der Revolution definierenden »Praxis« unterstützt werden.