bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of short-term memory impairment by Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken and its effect on acetylcholinesterase changes in CCl4-induced neurotoxicity in rats
Authors: Anadozie Scholastica Onyebuchi , Akinyemi Jacob Ayodele , Adewale Olusola Bolaji , Isitua Christy Chinwe
Published: September 2019

Background

Short-term memory impairment is a neurodegenerative disease associated with oxidative stress. Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken of the family Crassulaceae is traditionally used in the treatment of diseases, such as cough, wounds, and kidney diseases. This study evaluates the effect of the aqueous extract of B. pinnatum (AEBP) leaves on acetylcholinesterase activity in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced short-term memory impairment in rats.

Methods

Thirty male Wistar albino rats were used in this study and were divided into six groups (n=5). Group I served as control, group II rats were induced with CCl4, while groups III–V animals were pretreated with silymarin (25 mg/kg body weight), 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight AEBP leaves, respectively, once daily by oral gavage for 14 days prior to a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Animals in group VI received 50 mg/kg body weight AEBP only by oral gavage.

Results

Administration of carbon tetrachloride significantly increased (p<0.05) spontaneous alternation and locomotor function in rats when compared with the control group. Also, the levels of acetylcholinesterase, adenosine deaminase, and malondialdehyde were increased in CCl4-administered rats, with reduction in both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels. However, pretreatment of rats with AEBP leaves, at tested doses, prevented these changes.

Conclusions

The increased antioxidant status and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity show that AEBP leaves improve learning memory and stabilizes memory impairment caused by CCl4.
Lost Profits in Intellectual Property Cases
Authors: Stephenson Stanley P. , Prakash-Canjels Gauri
Published: September 2019

Much has been written about various remedies in litigation involving intellectual property (“IP”) infringements, some economic and other non-economic. A common remedy across different types of IP is lost profits. This paper explores similarities and differences among different types of IP infringement: patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secrets. Common elements needed in any lost profits claim, especially causality, are presented and along with damages implications for plaintiff and infringer by type of IP. These are a few of issues considered along with brief discussion of key statutes, cases, and the alternative of damages based on reasonable royalty rates.
Wound healing activity of Terminalia bellerica Roxb. and gallic acid in experimentally induced diabetic animals
Authors: Singh Manish Pal , Gupta Avneet , Sisodia Siddhraj Singh
Published: September 2019

Background

Diabetic wound are the major problem of society because of its delay healing of wound in hyperglycemia patient. The target of this study need to know the gallic acid compelling synergistically wound healing in diabetic animals as it is available in fruit extract or is more effective in given pure form in diabetic animals.

Methods

The wound healing effects of fruit extract Terminalia bellerica Roxb. and gallic acid were evaluated in experimentally induced hyperglycemic animals. In this investigation, excision and dead space wound models were used. The contraction wound %, re-epithelialization days, area of scar, histopathological examination of tissue, hydroxyproline level and weight of tissue granuloma were evaluated in this study.

Results

Terminalia bellerica fruit extract (400 mg/Kg) and gallic acid (200 mg/Kg) have been ingested by orally in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. They were founded significantly (p<0.05) improved percentage wound contraction and decreased the size of scar area and days of re-epithelialization in excision wound model. Also, they were improved the level of hydroxyproline level in diabetic rats as compared to diabetic control group in dead space wound model. Standard drug vitamin C was also founded significantly improved wound healing activity in rats. These results suggested that treated groups accelerated wound healing activity in diabetic rat.

Conclusions

The observations and results obtained in the present study indicated the wound healing efficacy of fruit ethanolic extract and gallic acid in diabetic animals. Yet, the wound healing effect was increasingly reported with gallic acid.
Large normal subgroup growth and large characteristic subgroup growth
Authors: Barnea Yiftach , Schlage-Puchta Jan-Christoph
Published: September 2019

The fastest normal subgroup growth type of a finitely generated group is

n

log
⁡
n

{n^{\log n}}

.
Very little is known about groups with this type of growth.
In particular, the following is a long standing problem: Let Γ be a group and Δ a subgroup of finite index.
Suppose Δ has normal subgroup growth of type

n

log
⁡
n

{n^{\log n}}

.
Does Γ have normal subgroup growth of type

n

log
⁡
n

{n^{\log n}}

?
We give a positive answer in some cases, generalizing a result of Müller and the second author and a result of Gerdau.
For instance, suppose G is a profinite group and H an open subgroup of G.
We show that if H is a generalized Golod–Shafarevich group, then G has normal subgroup growth of type

n

log
⁡
n

{n^{\log n}}

.
We also use our methods to show that one can find a group with characteristic subgroup growth of type

n

log
⁡
n

{n^{\log n}}

.
A Survey of Gene Prioritization Tools for Mendelian and Complex Human Diseases
Authors: Zolotareva Olga , Kleine Maren
Published: September 2019

Modern high-throughput experiments provide us with numerous potential associations between genes and diseases. Experimental validation of all the discovered associations, let alone all the possible interactions between them, is time-consuming and expensive. To facilitate the discovery of causative genes, various approaches for prioritization of genes according to their relevance for a given disease have been developed. In this article, we explain the gene prioritization problem and provide an overview of computational tools for gene prioritization. Among about a hundred of published gene prioritization tools, we select and briefly describe 14 most up-to-date and user-friendly. Also, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of existing tools, challenges of their validation, and the directions for future research.
License Plate Recognition in Urban Road Based on Vehicle Tracking and Result Integration
Authors: Zhu Liping , Wang Shang , Li Chengyang , Yang Zhongguo
Published: September 2019

Multiple surveillance cameras provide huge video resources that need further mining to collect traffic stream data such as license plate recognition (LPR). However, these surveillance cameras have limited spatial resolution, which may not always suffice to precisely recognize license plates by existing LPR systems. This work is focused on the LPR method in low-quality images from surveillance video screenshots on urban road. The methodology we proposed is based on vehicle tracking and result integration, and we recognize the plate with an end-to-end method without character segmentation. First, we track each vehicle to get vehicle tracking sequence. Moreover, a plate detector based on an object detection framework is trained to detect license plates of each vehicle from the sequence and a license plate sequence is formed. In addition, an end-to-end convolutional neural network architecture is applied to recognize license plates from the sequence. Finally, we integrate the recognition result of continuous frames to get the final result. Evaluation results on multiple datasets show that our method significantly outperforms others without segmentation or integration in real traffic scene.
Families of interior penalty hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin methods for second order elliptic problems
Authors: Fabien Maurice S. , Knepley Matthew G. , Riviere Beatrice M.
Published: September 2019

The focus of this paper is the analysis of families of hybridizable interior penalty discontinuous Galerkin methods for second order elliptic problems. We derive a priori error estimates in the energy norm that are optimal with respect to the mesh size. Suboptimal L2-norm error estimates are proven. These results are valid in two and three dimensions. Numerical results support our theoretical findings, and we illustrate the computational cost of the method.
Enhancement of Signals Characteristics with Least Effect of Optical Communication Losses for Dense Optical Communication Systems
Authors: Kumar Chakresh , Kumar Ghanendra
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the major aim is to enhance the bandwidth and therefore increase the capacity of the optical fibre communication system by reducing the dispersion in the fibre. Dispersion compensation is necessary to reduce losses and cost of the system. In this paper, we are basically focusing on reducing or decreasing chromatic dispersion. Chromatic dispersion is a type of dispersion in which pulse broadening occurs due to delay in different spectral components. We here make use of dispersion compensated fibre (DCF) for reducing the dispersion in the WDM system. Here, we basically use three dispersion compensated techniques (pre-compensation, post-compensation and mix compensation). The comparison in the three models of dispersion compensated technique is made in terms of transmission power vs. Q factor and also transmission power vs. Bit Error Rate.
A 17-years analysis of terminations of pregnancy ≥14 weeks of gestation in a German level 1 perinatal center
Authors: Kiver Verena I.I. , Altmann Judith , Kamhieh-Milz Julian , Weichert Alexander
Published: September 2019

Background

When discussing termination of pregnancy (TOP) after the first trimester, the main foci are the ethics and psychological reasoning/consequences. In daily clinical practice, physicians are often faced with affected women querying the frequency of their condition(s) and decisions made by women in similar situations. The present study aimed to provide an overview of a representable number of such cases.

Methods

Cases of TOP beyond 14 + 0 weeks of gestation were collected between January 2000 and December 2017 in the Department of Obstetrics. Fetal and/or maternal medical causes leading to TOP were extracted and presented.

Results

A total of 1746 TOPs ≥14 + 0 weeks were performed. Reasons leading to TOP were subcategorized into 23 groups. The main medical diagnoses were trisomy 21 (15.5%), neurological malformations (11.0%), and cardiac and major vessel malformations (7.9%). There was no statistical difference concerning maternal age or gravida/para between the groups. The average gestational age (GA) was 21.0 weeks, varying between 16.2 and 24.2 weeks in the 23 subgroups, with an average of 23.6% per year of TOPs after viability.

Conclusion

An overview of the various causes of TOP and their frequency within a large dataset are shown here. According to data provided by the German Federal Statistical Office, the overall number of TOPs has declined over the past two decades; however, the number and percentage of TOPs beyond viability have increased continuously in Germany. Only early detection of maternal and fetal constitution can prevent a portion of TOP after viability.
Academic tweeting in #ObGyn. Where do we stand?
Authors: Yadav Ghanshyam S. , Nagarkatti Nupur R. , Rohondia Sagar O. , Erfani Hadi , Kilpatrick Charles C. , Turrentine Mark A.
Published: September 2019

Objective

To describe the scenario of academic tweeting and utilization of Twitter by editorial board members of the leading journal in obstetrics and gynecology.

Methods

The Twitter presence of an editorial board members of obstetrics and gynecology journal with an impact factor greater than 4 was determined. Details of their Twitter activity, year of graduation from medical school and gender were analyzed. Median SparkScore™, an online influence measure, of journals was compared to the highest impact factor journals in medicine (New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, The British Medical Journal and Journal of the American Medical Association).

Results

In the six highest impact factor journals in obstetrics and gynecology, 92 of 240 (38.3%) editorial board members had an active Twitter account. The Twitter presence of editorial members of Obstetrics and Gynecology was statistically less when compared to all other journals (P < 0.01). The median number of tweets in the last 24 h and 7 days were 0. Median SparkScore™ for the highest impact factor obstetrics and gynecology journals (24) were lower compared to the highest impact journals in medicine (66) (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Editorial board members of the six highest impact factor journals in obstetrics and gynecology are not capitalizing on the dynamic nature of Twitter and its instant convenient access from our smartphones to further academia, when compared to specialties in medicine. There is a need for increased adoption of Twitter among physician leaders in the specialty.
The role of complement in preterm birth and prematurity
Authors: Galindo-Sevilla Norma , Reyes-Arroyo Frida , Mancilla-Ramírez Javier
Published: September 2019

Complications of preterm birth (PTB) are the global leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years of age. Almost 15 million children are born prematurely in the world each year. Increasing evidence suggests that labor and delivery have many hallmarks of an inflammatory reaction, where complement activation has an active participation. As one of the most important components of inflammation, the role of complement during labor and PTB is becoming an attractive research target. The complement components C1q and C5b-9 are deposited on fetal membranes and release inflammatory mediators that contribute to uterine contractions, cervical ripening, cell chemotaxis, metalloproteinases production, membrane awaking and rupture, and it participates as a co-adjuvant in the onset and progress of labor. This article reviews a basic description of the complement system, its role in preterm birth and current concepts regarding its contribution in novel therapy strategies and new biomarkers.
Simulation of an impacted fetal head extraction during cesarean section: description of the creation and evaluation of a new training program
Authors: Monod Cécile , Buechel Johanna , Gisin Stefan , Abo El Ela Aisha , Vogt Deborah R. , Hoesli Irene
Published: September 2019

Background

Although cesarean sections at full dilatation are increasing, training in delivering a deeply impacted fetal head is lacking among obstetricians. The purpose of the study was to implement and evaluate a theoretical and simulation-based training program for this obstetrical emergency.

Methods

We developed a training program consisting of a theoretical introduction presenting a clinical algorithm, developed on the basis of the available literature, followed by a simulation session. We used the Kirkpatrick’s framework to evaluate the program. A questionnaire was distributed, directly before, immediately and 6 weeks after the training. Self-perceived competencies were evaluated on a 6-point Likert scale. Pre- and post-test differences in the Likert scale were measured with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Additionally, the training sessions were video recorded and rated with a checklist in relation to how well the algorithm was followed.

Results

Eleven residents and eight senior physicians took part to the training. More than 40% of participants experienced a comparable situation after the course during clinical work. Their knowledge and self-perceived competencies improved immediately after the training program and 6 weeks later. Major improvements were seen in the awareness of the algorithm and in the confidence in performing the reverse breech extraction (14.3% of the participants felt confident with the maneuver in the pre-training assessment compared with 66.7% 6 week post-training).

Conclusion

Our theoretical and simulation-based training program was successful in improving knowledge and confidence of the participants in delivering a deeply impacted fetal head during a cesarean section performed at full dilation.
Fetal heart examination at the time of 13 weeks scan: a 5 years’ prospective study
Authors: Ebrashy Alaa , Aboulghar Mona , Elhodiby Mohamed , El-Dessouky Sara H. , Elsirgany Sherif , Gaafar Hassan M. , Sheta Sahar S. , Kamal Rasha , Negm Sherif , El Sheikhah Ahmed , Idris Omaima , Abd-el-Kader Mohamed , Ehab Mohamed , Momtaz Mohamed
Published: September 2019

Objective

To evaluate our ability in classifying the fetal heart as normal or abnormal during the 1st trimester scan through fetal cardiac examination and determining the best time for this examination.

Methods

This was a prospective study performed on 3240 pregnant women to examine the fetal heart. Four chambers view and ventricular outflow tracts were mainly examined during the scan. We used grayscale and color mapping in the diagnosis. Color Doppler was used if additional information was needed, and all patients were rescanned during the 2nd trimester to confirm or negate our diagnosis.

Results

The cardiac findings were normal at both scans in 3108 pregnancies. The same cardiac abnormality was detected at both scans in 79 cases. In 36 cases there was false-positive diagnosis at the early scan; in 20 of these cases, there were mildly abnormal functional findings early in pregnancy with no abnormality found later. In 17 fetuses, there was discordance between the early and later diagnosis due to missed or incorrect diagnoses. The best time to do fetal heart examination during 1st trimester is between 13 and 13 + 6 weeks.

Conclusion

A high degree of accuracy in the identification of congenital heart disease (CHD) can be achieved by a 1st trimester fetal echocardiography.
Variation in C-reactive protein at 1 month post-partum by etiology of preterm birth: selective identification of those at risk for both poor pregnancy outcome and future health complications
Authors: Denney Jeffrey M. , Waters Thaddeus P. , Mathew Leny , Goldenberg Robert , Culhane Jennifer
Published: September 2019

Objective

To assess post-partum inflammation for patients delivering prior to 34 6/7 weeks by birth etiology.

Methods

This was an observational study of early preterm birth (PTB) occurring between 20 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks of gestation. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured 1 month post-partum. CRP measurements were compared by birth etiology.

Results

A total of 399 women were analyzed. Distribution of birth etiology was 35% (n = 138) preterm labor (PTL), 28% (n = 115) preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), and 37% (n = 141) indicated preterm birth (IPTB). Serum CRP varied by birth etiology (P = 0.036). Women with pPROM had elevated median CRP levels compared to women with PTL (P = 0.037). IPTB demonstrated elevated CRP levels when compared to PTL (P = 0.019). Pre-eclamptic/eclamptic subjects exhibited increased median CRP levels compared to PTL (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Post-partum inflammation varies by birth etiology. Such variation may serve as identification of subjects whose future pregnancies and, ultimately, overall health status may benefit from inter-pregnancy interventions aimed at reducing inflammatory-associated risk factors.
The Judicial Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights in South Korea
Authors: Cha Wonil
Published: September 2019

Socio-economic rights are regarded as an indispensable foundation of substantial freedom. At the same time, the embodiment of socio-economic rights in the Constitution is generally associated with concerns about their quality as a fundamental right and their judicial enforcement. The South Korean Constitution upholds the principle of the welfare state in the preamble, the fundamental social rights of Articles 31 to 36 and Article 119 (2), providing the legal basis for the regulation and coordination of economic affairs by the State. The implementation of these constitutional norms and ideals was left largely to the political process beyond judicial review for many decades. As a result of the rapid economic development, the democratization process and the introduction of constitutional review in the last 30 years, the normative discussion of basic social rights, both on societal and legal level, has taken on a new life. This article examines the South Korean Constitutional Court’s approach to judicial review in the socio-economic field with due regard to this changing reality.
South Korean Economy at the Crossroads: Structure Issues under External Pressure – An Essay from a Law and Development Perspective
Authors: Lee Yong-Shik
Published: September 2019

South Korea is one of the most successful economic development cases in history. This country, stricken with crushing poverty and torn by a disastrous war two generations ago, rose from the ashes of the war and underwent unprecedented economic development for over three decades. By the mid-1990s, South Korea had built an advanced economy with world-class industries and also achieved a liberal democracy based on the rule of law. Since its 1997 financial crisis, however, Korea’s economic growth has been continually slowing down with widening income gaps among its populations. The Korean economy has also faced increasing external pressure, which has recently been dramatized by Japan’s export restraint measures on some of the key materials used to produce semiconductors, one of the most important export products for the Korean economy. This note discusses structural issues in the Korean economy, such as its over-dependency on a small number of conglomerates (“chaebols”) and the weakness of its SMEs, which cause the Korean economy to slow down and render the economy vulnerable to external pressure. This note examines these issues from a legal and institutional perspective and offers proposals to remedy some of the problems in the Korean economy.
Crystal structure of ethyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methylcarbamoyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate, C15H17N3O4
Authors: Rashid Fatin Nur Ain Abdul , Mohammat Mohd Fazli , Arshad Suhana , Shaameri Zurina , Hamzah Ahmad Sazali
Published: September 2019

C15H17N3O4, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 10.5986(5) Å, b = 11.5298(5) Å, c = 13.5386(6) Å, α = 102.694(1)°, β = 102.999(1)°, γ = 108.918(1)°, V = 1446.03(11) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0525, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1526, T = 100(1) K.
Crystal structure of 4-methoxyphenyl-3-phenylpropiolate, C16H12O3
Authors: Pan Jun , Jia Guo-Kai , Liu Fang , Chen Xiao-Ming , Zhang Xing-Yu
Published: September 2019

C16H12O3, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 19), a = 3.9935(16) Å, b = 16.629(7) Å, c = 19.406(8) Å, V = 1288.7(9) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0387, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1084, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-(3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9H-xanthen-9-yl)-N′-(quinoxalin-2-ylmethylene)benzohydrazide, C37H36N6O2
Authors: Song Jun-Ying , Wang Zi-Chuang , Zhang Zhen-Qiang
Published: September 2019

C37H36N6O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.18664(12) Å, b = 14.50209(16) Å, c = 23.1787(3) Å, β = 94.0829(12)°, Z = 4, V = 3080.16(7) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0398, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1041, T = 113.5(4) K.
Crystal structure of (3E,5E)-1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-3,5-bis(3-nitrobenzylidene)piperidin-4-one — dichloromethane (2/1), C51H38Cl2F2N6O14S2
Authors: Zhao Qin , Lin Dong , Hou Yun , Hou Gui-Ge
Published: September 2019

C51H38Cl2F2N6O14S2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 11.8987(6) Å, b = 14.0939(8) Å, c = 16.1915(9) Å, α = 67.590(5)°, β = 75.402(5)°, γ = 77.522(4)°, V = 2407.3(2) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0584, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1645, T = 100.0(1) K.
Crystal structure of 1-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethan-1-one, C17H14N2OFCl
Authors: Liu E. , Li Zhuang-Yu , Jian Fang-Fang , Liang Tongling
Published: September 2019

C17H14N2OFCl, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 8.2387(19) Å, b = 9.764(2) Å, c = 10.644(3) Å, α = 72.023(4)°, β = 72.770(4)°, γ = 78.581(4)°, V = 772.5(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0444, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1099, T = 294.15 K.
The crystal structure of 13-ethoxycarbonyl-9-methyl-4-chlor-11-thioxo-8-oxa-10,12-diazatricyclo[7.3.1.02,7]trideca-2,4,6-triene, C14H15ClN2O3S
Authors: Cui Chuansheng , Zhang Haichao , Gu Xiaoyu
Published: September 2019

C14H15ClN2O3S, monoclinic C2/c (no. 15), a = 17.0104(15) Å, b = 8.6786(7) Å, c = 20.4283(18) Å, β = 93.977(1)°, V = 3008.5(4) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0363, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0937, T = 298(2) K.
Crystal structure of chlorido-dimethyl-(phenylpiperazine-1-carbodithioato-κ2
S,S′)tin(IV), C13H19ClN2S2Sn
Authors: Lo Kong Mun , Lee See Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: September 2019

C13H19ClN2S2Sn, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 6.5837(2) Å, b = 9.9458(2) Å, c = 12.8720(3) Å, α = 85.344(2)°, β = 79.508(2)°, γ = 83.832(2)°, V = 822.33(4) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0176, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0461, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of (2,2′-bipyridyl)bis(4-bromobenzyl)dibromidotin(IV), C24H20Br4N2Sn
Authors: Lee See Mun , Lo Kong Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: September 2019

C24H20Br4N2Sn, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.3186(1) Å, b = 16.2615(1) Å, c = 16.8482(1) Å, β = 100.748(1)°, V = 2508.29(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0254, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0688, T = 100(2) K.
Crystal structure of (2,2′-bipyridyl)bis(4-chlorobenzyl)dichloridotin(IV), C24H20Cl4N2Sn
Authors: Lee See Mun , Lo Kong Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: September 2019

C24H20Cl4N2Sn, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.7944(1) Å, b = 21.1245(2) Å, c = 14.7611(1) Å, β = 95.077(1)°, V = 2420.92(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0229, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0603, T = 100(2) K.
Crystal structure of (dibenzyl sulphoxide-κO)dibromido-bis(4-bromobenzyl-κC)tin(IV), C28H26Br4OSSn
Authors: Lee See Mun , Lo Kong Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: September 2019

C28H26Br4OSSn, monoclinic, Cm (no. 8), a = 8.4055(1) Å, b = 26.9988(3) Å, c = 6.4207(1) Å, β = 98.164(1)°, V = 1442.34(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0174, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0454, T = 100(2) K.
Crystal structure of (4-chloro-N-[(2-oxido-5-chlorophenyl)methylidene] benzene-carbohydrazonato-κ3
N,O,O′)bis(2-fluorobenzyl)tin(IV), C28H20Cl2F2N2O2Sn
Authors: Lee See Mun , Lo Kong Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: September 2019

C28H20Cl2F2N2O2Sn, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 27.8125(4) Å, b = 8.4443(2) Å, c = 10.7891(1) Å, β = 91.074(1)° V = 2533.45(7) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0600, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1608, T = 100(2) K.
Redetermination of the crystal structure of N′-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-fluorobenzohydrazide monohydrate, C16H17FN2O4
Authors: Lo Kong Mun , Lee See Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: September 2019

C16H17FN2O4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.23280(10) Å, b = 12.9330(2) Å, c = 12.3477(2) Å, β = 97.383(1)°, V = 1462.19(4) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0318, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0861, T = 100(2) K.
TiO2 microrods with stacked 3D nanovoids for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Mamon Filip , Fajgar Radek , Jandova Vera , Koci Eva , Jakubec Ivo , Zhigunov Alexander , Brovdyova Tatjana , Bakardjieva Snejana
Published: September 2019

This paper reports an original nonstandard green concept to obtain TiO2 microrods with polyhedral densely stacked 3D nanovoids prepared via the heat treatment of a hydrogen titanate. The intermediate hydrogen titanate was synthesized by a solid-liquid-solid (SLS) route from an ammonia-saturated aqueous solution of TiOSO4 at 0 °C. The effect of the postgrowth thermal annealing procedure to remove ice (water) and the proposed mechanism to explain the underlying transitions from the intermediate precursor to nanostructured TiO2 microrods with stacked 3D nanovoids were investigated. The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis indicates that at temperatures above 500 °C, the release of confined ice (water) takes place, which leads to the creation of self-assembled polyhedral nanovoids open to the surface. Their size ranges from 5 to 78 nm in both length and width, with a depth of ~3.88 nm. The first use of these stacked 1D TiO2 microrods as the working electrode in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for water splitting is demonstrated. The estimated value of ζ-potential depends on both annealing temperature and crystallite size. Anatase sample 1D TiO/800 with ζ-potential (−29.1) mV and average crystallite size ~68 nm was observed to be highly stable in aqueous suspension. The SLS method yields low-cost 1D TiO2 materials possessing high photoreactivity with water. The PEC measurements indicate that three-dimensional hollow structures with a controlled geometry via patterned 1D TiO2 surface are promising materials for hydrogen generation from water splitting.
Building science approaches for vapor intrusion studies
Authors: Shirazi Elham , Ojha Sweta , Pennell Kelly G.
Published: September 2019

Indoor air concentrations are susceptible to temporal and spatial variations and have long posed a challenge to characterize for vapor intrusion scientists, in part, because there was a lack of evidence to draw conclusions about the role that building and weather conditions played in altering vapor intrusion exposure risks. Importantly, a large body of evidence is available within the building science discipline that provides information to support vapor intrusion scientists in drawing connections about fate and transport processes that influence exposure risks. Modeling tools developed within the building sciences provide evidence of reported temporal and spatial variation of indoor air contaminant concentrations. In addition, these modeling tools can be useful by calculating building air exchange rates (AERs) using building specific features. Combining building science models with vapor intrusion models, new insight to facilitate decision-making by estimating indoor air concentrations and building ventilation conditions under various conditions can be gained. This review highlights existing building science research and summarizes the utility of building science models to improve vapor intrusion exposure risk assessments.
Community resilience and critical transformations: the case of St. Gabriel, Louisiana
Authors: Irving Jennifer K. , Reams Margaret
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Community resilience, the ability of a community to respond positively to adverse situations, is an increasingly important topic in public health. Many resilience frameworks are grounded in concepts initially developed by ecologists to describe and explain the capacity of complex systems, such as a community, to persist or return to its original state following disturbances. As a result, much of the research on resilience is concerned with maintaining systems in their current form, preventing degradation, or promoting recovery. However, for a system that is stuck in a trap, or an unfavorable state, deliberate efforts to build the components that contribute to resilience, called adaptive capacities, may enable that system to reorganize after a disturbance to reach a more favorable state.

Objective

The purpose of this research was to apply a resilience framework to analyze how the community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana adapted in response to environmental change.

Methods

We used qualitative case-study methodologies to systematically collect newspaper articles, which served as primary data sources to examine how resilience and adaptive capacity evolved in the community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana.

Results

Key events in the recent history of St. Gabriel include industrial development, growing concern about environmental health and pollution, the environmental justice (EJ) movement, and the incorporation of the community as a self-governing municipality. Two events, the community’s organized resistance to a large hazardous waste facility and the change in government structure, represent critical transformations, or fundamental changes in how the community functions.

Conclusion

The incorporation of St. Gabriel gave community members more input in planning and development decisions. As a result, the community has taken steps to improve public health in the form of zoning ordinances to prevent new exposure risks and building community infrastructure, such as a new sewer system and a recreation center.
Reason and Dreaming inRepublic IX and theTimaeus
Authors: Thein Karel
Published: September 2019

The article discusses two passages,Republic IX 571d6–572b1, andTimaeus71a3–72b5, where Plato does not use dream as a metaphor for the soul’s deficit in knowledge but, instead, focuses on the actual process of dreaming during sleep, and the origin and nature of the images involved. In both texts, Plato’s account is closely connected to the soul’s tripartition, with the resulting emphasis on reason’s capacity to control, and even to create, the dream images that influence the lower parts of the soul. While taking a closer look at the differences between the two accounts (and, therefore, at the physiology of dreaming described only in theTimaeus), the article concludes that, despite these differences, both dialogues agree on the possible alliance between reason and dreaming, an alliance that presupposes a virtuous character and further reinforces the reason’s dominance over appetite.Republic IX and theTimaeusthus converge on the idea that dreams, in virtue of their continuity with waking thoughts, can convey and fortify a certain kind of knowledge, and especially self-knowledge, which is of an ethical rather than strictly epistemic relevance. This is also why Plato’s two accounts of rational dreaming anticipate the issue of our moral responsibility for the content of our dreams.
Aristotle on Self-Change in Plants
Authors: Coren Daniel
Published: September 2019

A lot of scholarly attention has been given to Aristotle’s account of how and why animals are capable of moving themselves. But no one has focused on the question, whether self-change is possible in plants on Aristotle’s account. I first give some context and explain why this topic is worth exploring. I then turn to Aristotle’s conditions for self-change given in Physics VIII.4, where he argues that the natural motion of the elements does not count as self-motion. I apply those conditions to natural change in plants. Then I explore the reasons for and consequences of Aristotle’s argument that plants are incapable of sensation. I argue that for Aristotle plants cannot possess the directing faculties for self-change, namely, desire and phantasia. My goal is to show why growth, metabolism, and reproduction in plants would not count as self-change for Aristotle, despite many of these natural changes appearing as autonomous as the analogous changes in animals. This sheds light on how, for Aristotle, self-change differs from natural change.
Aristotle’s Biological Justification of Slavery inPolitics I
Authors: Fritsche Johannes
Published: September 2019

In this paper it is argued that, inPolitics I, Aristotle uses the method of his biological investigations and nine principles regarding causation and the working of nature known from his physics, psychology, and biology to demonstrate that the barbarians are natural slaves. His procedure is in line with his general way of thinking.
The Stages of Moral Education in Aristotle’sEthicsandPolitics
Authors: Chen Siyi
Published: September 2019

I wish to prove in this article that Aristotle divides the ideal scheme of moral education into three stages: first, preliminary education, the most important part of which is the young’s musical-poetic education presented in Politics VIII.5–7; second, moral habituation, in the strict sense explained in Nicomachean Ethics II.1–4, which corresponds to the adult citizens’ military and subordinate political life, in which they learn how to rule through being ruled; finally, theoretical moral education, which means the learning of Nicomachean Ethics and Politics by those mature statesmen who wish to become excellent public educators.
The contribution of narrative semiotics of experiential imaginary to the ideation of new digital customer experiences
Authors: Taupin Philippe
Published: September 2019

Innovating new experiences is an innovation strategy that increases product differentiation and the perceived value of offers for future autonomous cars. Young Chinese customers are a relevant target group of lead users to co-create those experiences. We address the co-creation of memorable and engaging experiences with targeted potential users and the building of the meaning of experiential imaginary that results from innovations (based on digital media) echoing the need for sensory atmospherics while strolling in the city. We aim at understanding how customers can co-create meaningful experiences. We analyze the narrative structures of the experiential imaginaries, considering the narratives as a major component of ambiance experiences and imaginary. With an empirical approach that associates projective techniques to semiotic analysis of the corresponding narratives, we describe the structural system of the experiential imaginary of young Chinese customers when imagining driving in the city in tomorrow’s cars. Semiotics offers a novel contribution to innovation marketing and idea generation of experiential innovations. This theoretical stance valorizes the outside-in paradigm of future lead-users as co-creators of innovative experiences, whose imaginary narratives are raw materials for creativity. This approach is an alternative to brainstorming and its limits for creating disruptive innovations.
Strategische Herausforderungen und Handlungsoptionen westlicher Politik im nördlichen Atlantik
Authors: Stöhs Jeremy , Pawlak Julian
Published: September 2019

Entlang seiner nördlichen Küsten und Meere sieht sich der Westen erneut mit altbekannten, aber nicht weniger besorgniserregenden sicherheitspolitischen Herausforderungen konfrontiert. Die Wiederkehr der militärischen Konkurrenz zwischen Russland auf der einen und der nordatlantischen Verteidigungsallianz sowie ihrer Partner auf der anderen Seite hat strategische Myopien aufgedeckt, welche die westliche Verteidigungsplanung im letzten Vierteljahrhundert kennzeichneten. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist es notwendig, die Reduktionen der Seestreitkräfte in Nordeuropa und den damit einhergehenden Verlust wichtiger maritimer Fähigkeiten aufzuarbeiten. Militärische Kapazitäten zur Landes-und Bündnisverteidigung müssen verbessert werden, um aktuelle und künftige Risiken im Nordatlantik und den europäischen Randmeeren effektiv bewältigen zu können. Diese Herausforderungen beschränken sich nicht länger nur auf das untere Ende des Intensitätsspektrums, schließen es jedoch mit ein. Daher ist es für die Seestreitkräfte der NATO-Mitgliederstaaten und ihrer Partner von Bedeutung, sich auf ein breites Spektrum von Einsatzszenarien vorzubereiten und eine ähnlich kurzsichtige Politik und strategische Planung der vergangenen drei Jahrzehnte zu vermeiden.
A comparison of shape-based matching with deep-learning-based object detection
Authors: Ulrich Markus , Follmann Patrick , Neudeck Jan-Hendrik
Published: September 2019

Matching, i. e. determining the exact 2D pose (e. g., position and orientation) of objects, is still one of the key tasks in machine vision applications like robot navigation, measuring, or grasping an object. There are many classic approaches for matching, based on edges or on the pure gray values of the template. In recent years, deep learning has been utilized mainly for more difficult tasks where the objects of interest are from many different categories with high intra-class variations and classic algorithms are failing. In this work, we compare one of the latest deep-learning-based object detectors with classic shape-based matching. We evaluate the methods both on a matching dataset as well as an object detection dataset that contains rigid objects and is thus also suitable for shape-based matching. We show that for datasets of this type, where rigid objects appear with rigid transformations, shape-based matching still outperforms recent object detectors regarding runtime, robustness, and precision if only a single template image per object is used. On the other hand, we show that for the application of object detection, the deep-learning-based approach outperforms the classic approach if annotated data is used for training. Ultimately, the choice of the best suited approach depends on the conditions and requirements of the application.
Sozialer Status, Altruistisches Geben und Reziprozität: Befunde aus einem Quasi-Experiment mit Probanden aus den USA
Authors: Tutić Andreas , Liebe Ulf
Published: September 2019

Der Zusammenhang zwischen sozialem Status und prosozialen Handeln ist in der empirischen Sozialforschung umstritten. In der Sozialpsychologie dominiert, gestützt auf einer Vielzahl an Untersuchungen mit Probanden aus den USA und kleinen Fallzahlen, die Ansicht, dass statushohe Akteure weniger prosozial und unethischer handeln als statusniedrige Akteure. Soziologische Studien mit europäischen Probanden kommen im Allgemeinen zum konträren Befund. In unserer Studie haben 1003 Probanden aus den USA drei Arten von Diktatorspielen absolviert, die drei unterschiedliche Formen prosozialen Handelns – altruistisches Geben, direkte und indirekte Reziprozität – abbilden. Es zeigt sich durchweg, dass Akteure mit hohem Status mehr abgeben als Akteure mit geringem Status. Zugleich finden sich Anzeichen dafür, dass statushohe Akteure eher zu direkter Reziprozität und statusniedrige Akteure eher zu indirekter Reziprozität tendieren.
Zwischen Pflichten und Fiktionen
Authors: Sahr Aaron
Published: September 2019

Geld wird zumeist als besonderer Tauschwert untersucht. Die politische Soziologie des Geldes konzentriert sich folgerichtig auf Wertkonflikte. Bisher hat auch die Theoriedebatte zwischen traditionellen Waren- und heterodoxen Kredittheorien des Geldes daran kaum etwas geändert. Die soziologische Relevanz der Kredittheorien bleibt umstritten, auch weil das empirische Erkenntnispotential konzeptueller Umstellungen unzureichend untersucht ist. Am Beispiel des TARGET2-Systems der Eurozone bietet dieser Beitrag erstens eine soziologische Übersetzung der Kredittheorien alsbeziehungstheoretische Forschungsperspektivean. Diese untersucht Geld als Geflecht durch Gläubiger-Schuldner-Beziehungen verbundener Bilanzen. Zweitens wird geprüft, inwiefern diese Übersetzung Erkenntnisgewinne im Hinblick auf die politische Dimensionalität des europäischen Geldes generiert. TARGET2 wird als Versuch der unvollständigen Kopplung nationaler Geldgeflechte analysiert und die politische Auseinandersetzung um die Deutung der Salden damit als Beziehungskonflikt rekonstruiert.
Shoppen, Surfen, Socializen – Aktuelle Konsumtrends hybrider Konsumenten in der Innenstadt
Authors: Hilpert Markus , Völkening Niklas
Published: September 2019

In the recent past, a change in consumer behavior has accelerated the change in inner cities: Hybrid consumption is characterized by an “as well as” behavior when shopping. This phenomenon can be researched using the example of an annual passer-by survey in the test city of Augsburg. It turns out that increasingly different motives than shopping are crucial for the inner city visit. Correspondingly, consumer spending is also declining. This is why retail sales are coming under increasing pressure despite the increasing number of visitors.
Gleicher Lohn für gleiche Arbeit im öffentlichen Dienst?
Authors: Mudrack Tony , Stoffels Mario
Published: September 2019

The individual pay level is an emotionally discussed subject. Some pay differentials evince significant characteristics which are analysed in scientific literature. There are three significant pay gaps of particular significance to Germany: the gender pay gap between women and men of more than 20 percent, the regional pay gap especially between West and East Germany caused by differences in productivity and the pay gap between the private and public sector.

This article investigates a previously unobserved pay gap within the public sector. By analysing a data collection, specific pay differentials in municipal administrations are determined. These differentials exist despite identical labour output in administration services in German municipalities and are caused by specific regional and economic determinants. So, the municipalities of East German Federal States and financially weak West German Federal States evince a pay level of municipal employees below average. Generally, there is a significant pay gap between East and West German municipalities.

In addition, this article analyses the structure of the identified pay differences by separating the municipal employees according to their specific pay and qualification categories. As a result, East German municipalities have a smaller number of staff in the higher grade of the civil service and their pay level is below average. This effect is compensated by a higher number of staff in the middle grade of the civil service. The pay level of municipal employees in the middle grade of the civil service does not indicate significant difference among German municipalities. There are similar results in municipalities of financially weak West German Federal States.

Despite identical administration services in municipalities, the pay level and pay structure evince interjurisdictional differentials. The results suggest that equal pay for equal work is not even in public service.
Asymmetrische Information auf dem Handwerksmarkt – eine qualitative Analyse
Authors: Proeger Till , Rupieper Li Kathrin
Published: September 2019

The code of craft regulation constitutes the legal base for craft and trade occupations in Germany. Resulting from a deregulation in 2004, the requirement to obtain a degree of higher occupational training, which used to be obligatory for founding a business, was dropped for about half of the occupations regulated by this code. While this deregulation has been frequently analyzed from a competition economics’ perspective, evidence regarding the information economics’ aspect of this deregulation is lacking. It is of particular relevance whether the deregulation fostered market failures due to “market-for-lemons” issues or, to the contrary, whether market-endogenous information instruments have emerged – a question located at the pivot of the economic discussion of the craft regulation. This study uses a qualitative research approach and analyzes 268 interviews with firms and customers on craft fairs to examine informational asymmetries on the market for craft services as well as market instruments for their compensation. We find evidence that strong informational asymmetries exist and are compensated by regional reputation building of firms. Further, we show that no formal informational mechanisms have emerged that could determine service quality ex ante. Based upon those results, suggestions for the further study of the informational properties of the craft market are presented.
Der Fiskalpakt: Schlüssel für dauerhaft solide Finanzen in der Eurozone?
Authors: Afflatet Nicolas
Published: September 2019

The Fiscal Compact had seemed to be one of the lessons learned from the Euro crisis. It was supposed to ensure that member states follow more ambitious fiscal targets. First results however show that fiscal indicators have not substantially improved. Public debt is higher than at the beginning of the crisis and consolidation efforts were limited. The outook for European public debt and the stability of the Eurozone is thereby not promising.