bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uniform Asymptotics for Discounted Aggregate Claims in Dependent Risk Models
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Kaiyong , Konstantinides Dimitrios G.
Published: September 2014

In this paper we consider some nonstandard renewal risk models with some dependent claim sizes and stochastic return, where an insurance company is allowed to invest her/his wealth in financial assets, and the price process of the investment portfolio is described as a geometric Lévy process. When the claim size distribution belongs to some classes of heavy-tailed distributions and a constraint is imposed on the Lévy process in terms of its Laplace exponent, we obtain some asymptotic formulae for the tail probability of discounted aggregate claims and ruin probabilities holding uniformly for some finite or infinite time horizons.
Comparison Results for GARCH Processes
Authors: Bellini Fabio , Pellerey Franco , Sgarra Carlo , Yasaei Sekeh Salimeh
Published: September 2014

We consider the problem of stochastic comparison of general GARCH-like processes for different parameters and different distributions of the innovations. We identify several stochastic orders that are propagated from the innovations to the GARCH process itself, and we discuss their interpretations. We focus on the convex order and show that in the case of symmetric innovations it is also propagated to the cumulated sums of the GARCH process. More generally, we discuss multivariate comparison results related to the multivariate convex and supermodular orders. Finally, we discuss ordering with respect to the parameters in the GARCH(1, 1) case.
Fractional Poisson Process: Long-Range Dependence and Applications in Ruin Theory
Authors: Biard Romain , Saussereau Bruno
Published: September 2014

We study a renewal risk model in which the surplus process of the insurance company is modelled by a compound fractional Poisson process. We establish the long-range dependence property of this nonstationary process. Some results for ruin probabilities are presented under various assumptions on the distribution of the claim sizes.
Asymptotic Bounds for the Distribution of the Sum of Dependent Random Variables
Authors: Wang Ruodu
Published: September 2014

Suppose thatX1, …,Xnare random variables with the same known marginal distributionFbut unknown dependence structure. In this paper we study the smallest possible value ofP(X1+ · · · +Xn<s) over all possible dependence structures, denoted bymn,F(s). We show thatmn,F(ns) → 0 forsno more than the mean ofFunder weak assumptions. We also derive a limit ofmn,F(ns) for anys∈Rwith an error of at mostn-1/6for general continuous distributions. An application of our result to risk management confirms that the worst-case value at risk is asymptotically equivalent to the worst-case expected shortfall for risk aggregation with dependence uncertainty. In the last part of this paper we present a dual presentation of the theory of complete mixability and give dual proofs of theorems in the literature on this concept.
Numerical Approximation of Stationary Distributions for Stochastic Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Bao Jianhai , Yuan Chenggui
Published: September 2014

In this paper we discuss an exponential integrator scheme, based on spatial discretization and time discretization, for a class of stochastic partial differential equations. We show that the scheme has a unique stationary distribution whenever the step size is sufficiently small, and that the weak limit of the stationary distribution of the scheme as the step size tends to 0 is in fact the stationary distribution of the corresponding stochastic partial differential equations.
On the De Vylder and Goovaerts Conjecture About Ruin for Equalized Claims
Authors: Robert C. Y.
Published: September 2014

In ruin theory, the conjecture given in De Vylder and Goovaerts (2000) is an open problem about the comparison of the finite time ruin probability in a homogeneous risk model and the corresponding ruin probability evaluated in the associated model with equalized claim amounts. In this paper we consider a weaker version of the conjecture and show that the integrals of the ruin probabilities with respect to the initial risk reserve are uniformly comparable.
A Note on a Lower Bound for the Multiplicative Odds Theorem of Optimal Stopping
Authors: Matsui Tomomi , Ano Katsunori
Published: September 2014

In this note we present a bound of the optimal maximum probability for the multiplicative odds theorem of optimal stopping theory. We deal with an optimal stopping problem that maximizes the probability of stopping on any of the last m successes of a sequence of independent Bernoulli trials of length N, where m and N are predetermined integers satisfying 1 ≤ m < N. This problem is an extension of Bruss' (2000) odds problem. In a previous work, Tamaki (2010) derived an optimal stopping rule. We present a lower bound of the optimal probability. Interestingly, our lower bound is attained using a variation of the well-known secretary problem, which is a special case of the odds problem.
CBX7 gene expression plays a negative role in adipocyte cell growth and differentiation
Authors: Forzati Floriana , Federico Antonella , Pallante Pierlorenzo , Colamaio Marianna , Esposito Francesco , Sepe Romina , Gargiulo Sara , Luciano Antonio , Arra Claudio , Palma Giuseppe , Bon Giulia , Bucher Stefania , Falcioni Rita , Brunetti Arturo , Battista Sabrina , Fedele Monica , Fusco Alfredo
Published: September 2014

We have recently generated knockout mice for the Cbx7 gene, coding for a polycomb group protein that is downregulated in human malignant neoplasias. These mice develop liver and lung adenomas and carcinomas, which confirms a tumour suppressor role for CBX7. The CBX7 ability to downregulate CCNE1 expression likely accounts for the phenotype of the Cbx7-null mice.

Unexpectedly, Cbx7-knockout mice had a higher fat tissue mass than wild-type, suggesting a role of CBX7 in adipogenesis. Consistently, we demonstrate that Cbx7-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts go towards adipocyte differentiation more efficiently than their wild-type counterparts, and this effect is Cbx7 dose-dependent. Similar results were obtained when Cbx7-null embryonic stem cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes. Conversely, mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human adipose-derived stem cells overexpressing CBX7 show an opposite behaviour.

These findings support a negative role of CBX7 in the control of adipocyte cell growth and differentiation.
Bällchen participates in proliferation control and prevents the differentiation of Drosophila melanogaster neuronal stem cells
Authors: Yakulov Toma , Günesdogan Ufuk , Jäckle Herbert , Herzig Alf
Published: September 2014

Stem cells continuously generate differentiating daughter cells and are essential for tissue homeostasis and development. Their capacity to self-renew as undifferentiated and actively dividing cells is controlled by either external signals from a cellular environment, the stem cell niche, or asymmetric distribution of cell fate determinants during cell division. Here we report that the protein kinase Bällchen (BALL) is required to prevent differentiation as well as to maintain normal proliferation of neuronal stem cells of Drosophila melanogaster, called neuroblasts. Our results show that the brains of ball mutant larvae are severely reduced in size, which is caused by a reduced proliferation rate of the neuroblasts. Moreover, ball mutant neuroblasts gradually lose the expression of the neuroblast determinants Miranda and aPKC, suggesting their premature differentiation. Our results indicate that BALL represents a novel cell intrinsic factor with a dual function regulating the proliferative capacity and the differentiation status of neuronal stem cells during development.
Suction-feeding across fish life stages: Flow dynamics from larvae to adults and implications for prey capture
Authors: Yaniv Sarit , Elad David , Holzman Roi
Published: September 2014

Suction-feeding is thought to be the primary mode of prey capture in most larval fishes. Similar to adult suction-feeders, larvae swim towards their prey while rapidly expanding their mouth cavity to generate an inward flow of water that draws the prey into the mouth. Although larvae are known to experience flows with lower Reynolds numbers than adults, it is unclear how the suction-induced flow field changes throughout ontogeny, and how such changes relate to prey capture performance. To address these questions, we determined mouth dimensions and opening speeds in Sparus aurata from first-feeding larvae to adults. We proceeded to develop a computational model of mouth expansion in order to analyze the scaling of suction flows under the observed parameters. Larval fish produced suction flows that were ~2 orders of magnitude slower than those of adults. Compared to adult fish, in which flow speed decays steeply with distance in front of the mouth, flow speed decayed more gradually in larval fish. This difference indicates that viscous forces in low Reynolds number flows modify the spatial distribution flow speed in front of the mouth. Consequently, simulated predator-prey encounters showed that larval fish could capture inert prey from a greater distance compared to adults. If prey attempted to escape, however, larval fish performed poorly: simulations inferred capture success in only weakly escaping prey immediately in front of the mouth. These ontogenetic changes in Reynolds number, suction-induced flow field, and feeding performance may explain a widespread ontogenetic diet shift from passive prey at early life stages to evasive prey as larvae mature.
Where Chemical Sensors May Assist in Clinical Diagnosis Exploring “Big Data”
Authors: Oliveira, Jr. Osvaldo N , Neves Tácito T A T , Paulovich Fernando V , de Oliveira Maria Cristina F
Published: September 2014

An overview is presented of the many opportunities and challenges for using “Big Data” concepts to treat data from chemical sensors. Issues discussed include the need to make data machine readable and how to integrate distinct types of data that can be acquired and stored in different places. As a concrete example of possible applications, we propose a framework for an expert system dedicated to clinical diagnosis, where data from various types of sensors can be combined with text to provide better-informed diagnostics.
Unique Heme Environmental Structures in Heme-regulated Proteins Using Heme as the Signaling Molecule
Authors: Ishimori Koichiro , Watanabe Yuta
Published: September 2014

Heme is a typical and common prosthetic group for various types of proteins and is utilized for active centers in many biologically important processes in vivo. However, heme has also been shown to function as a signaling molecule that regulates the functions of proteins, suggesting that novel signaling cascades are mediated by heme. We focused on the spectroscopic characterization of such “heme-regulated” proteins, showing unique heme environmental structures.
VenaSeal™ closure treatment of saphenous varicosis
Authors: Alm J.
Published: September 2014

Einführung: Zur Behandlung der Stammvarikose mit dem VenaSeal™ Closure-System ist eine Narkoseform oder Tumeszenzanästhesie nicht erforderlich. Ebenfalls kann auf das Tragen von Kompressionsstrümpfen verzichtet werden. Über die Anwendung, erste Erfahrungen und 2 Jahresergebnisse wird berichtet.

Material und Methode: In der Zeit von März 2012 bis Mai 2014 wurden 218 Patienten an 274 Stammvenen mit dem VenaSeal™ Closure-System therapiert. Doppler und Duplexuntersuchungen erfolgten nach 7 Tagen, 6 Wochen, 1 Jahr und 2 Jahren. Erhoben wurde die Verschluss- und Komplikationsrate, der visuelle analoge Schmerz-Score und der Venous Clinical Severity Score(VCSS).

Ergebnisse: Nachuntersucht wurden 227 Stammvenen der Vena saphena magna (VSM) und 24 Stammvenen der Vena saphena parva (VSP). Die Verschlussrate der VSM betrug 99,5 % (n= 227) nach 7 Tagen, 96,5 % nach 6 Wochen (n= 172), 93,4 % nach 1 Jahr (n= 61) und 100 % nach 2 Jahren (n= 20). Die Verschlussrate der VSP betrug jeweils 100 % nach 7 Tagen (n= 24), 6 Wochen (n= 12) und nach 1 Jahr (n=4). Majorkomplikationen traten nicht auf. Als Minorkomplikationen traten nach Behandlung der Vena saphena magna inflammatorische Reaktionen bei 44 Beinen und Phlebitiden bei 32 Beinen auf. Der Pain Score entwickelte sich unter der Behandlung von 1,4 auf 1,5 (3. Tag), 2,1 (5. Tag), 1,6 (10. Tag), 0,2 (4 Wochen) auf 0,1 (6 Wochen). Der VCSS betrug präoperativ 4,4 und sank auf 2,9 (7. Tag), 2,1 (6 Wochen) auf 1,8 (1 und 2 Jahr)

Diskussion: Die VenaSeal™ Closure-Behand-lung der Stammvarikose ist sicher und effektiv. Die Ergebnisse sind vergleichbar denen der thermischen Ablationsverfahren. Ohne die Anwendung der Tumeszenz-Anästhesie haben die Patientin deutlich weniger Beschwerden im Vergleich zu den thermischen Ablationsverfahren, sowohl während der Behandlung, als auch postoperativ.
Measuring diameters of great saphenous vein and common femoral vein using duplex ultrasound
Authors: Mendoza E.
Published: September 2014

For years, measurement of the diameter of the great saphenous vein and, occasionally, the common femoral vein has been a component of many clinical studies on varicose vein treatment. There is consensus that the measurements should be conducted with the patient in the standing position and with a transverse view through the vein, but no standardised site of measurement of the venous diameter has yet been established. The shape of the great saphenous vein varies greatly at the saphenofemoral junction. Due to the curvature of the great saphenous vein, it is difficult to find a point at which the transverse view measured is at right angles to the course of the vein. According to the available data, the optimal site for measuring the great saphenous vein diameter is the proximal thigh. When measuring the common femoral vein, a transverse view immediately distal to the junction of the great saphenous vein is suggested and studies have also confirmed this.
Foam sclerotherapy: Positioning within non-thermal ablation treatment
Authors: Sommer A.
Published: September 2014

Die ultraschallgestützte Schaumsklerosierung hat sich in den letzten Jahren fest in der Behandlung der Varikose etabliert und bietet viele Vorteile im Vergleich zu anderen Ablationsverfahren. Sie wird ohne jegliche Form von Anästhesie angewandt, da das Verfahren für den Patienten schmerzlos ist. Im Gegensatz hierzu benötigen die thermischen Ablationsverfahren eine Tumeszenzanästhesie, um umliegende Strukturen zu schützen und ungewollte Nervenschädigungen zu verhindern. Dies ist bei der Schaumverödung nicht nötig. Die Schaumsklerosierung bietet eine schnelle und einfache Behandlungsmethode für kleine und große Varizen, die im phlebologischen Untersuchungsraum durchgeführt werden kann. Der Patient kann nach Duplexdiagnostik und ausführlicher Besprechung der Behandlung noch in derselben Sitzung behandelt werden. Des Weiteren können neben den Standardindikationen auch Rezidive und geschlängelte Gefäßabschnitte mittels der Schaumverödung behandelt werden. In den letzten Jahren sind neben der Schaumsklerosierung auch andere non-thermale Techniken entwickelt worden.

Es wird ein Überblick gegeben über die Position der Schaumsklerosierung und der verschiedenen nicht-thermischen Ablationstechniken im Hinblick auf ihre Wirkung, Sicherheit und Nebenwirkungen.
Anterior and posterior subareas of the dorsolateral frontal cortex in socially relevant decisions based on masked affect expressions
Authors: Prochnow Denise , Brunheim Sascha , Kossack Hannes , Eickhoff Simon B. , Markowitsch Hans J. , Seitz Rüdiger J.
Published: September 2014

Socially-relevant decisions are based on clearly recognizable but also not consciously accessible affective stimuli. We studied the role of the dorsolateral frontal cortex (DLFC) in decision-making on masked affect expressions using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our paradigm permitted us to capture brain activity during a pre-decision phase when the subjects viewed emotional expressions below the threshold of subjective awareness, and during the decision phase, which was based on verbal descriptions as the choice criterion. Using meta-analytic connectivity modeling, we found that the preparatory phase of the decision was associated with activity in a right-posterior portion of the DLFC featuring co-activations in the left-inferior frontal cortex. During the subsequent decision a right-anterior and more dorsal portion of the DLFC became activated, exhibiting a different co-activation pattern. These results provide evidence for partially independent sub-regions within the DLFC, supporting the notion of dual associative processes in intuitive judgments.
Prospects of Development of Personnel Capacity of the Udmurt Republic
Authors: Наговицина  , Nagovitsina E.
Published: September 2014

The paper presents such concepts, as «potential capacity», «personnel/workforce», «workforce capacity». Statistics are provided on unemployment rate at the

territory of Udmurt Republic as of the beginning of 2014. The author proposes recommendations on further reducing the numbers of unemployed and outlines

specialties in demand, considers, how workforce capacity is formed and used; how inner and outer conditions, under which workforce capacity is developed,

are formed; describes ways to enhance effectiveness of workforce capacity use; considers the important attributes to be taken into account when forming

workforce capacity, the way to assess present workforce capacity. The author also proposes a number of regional-level problems to be solved in coming years

and a set of activities, conducive to improving and developing workforce capacity of Udmurt Republic.
Historical Transformation of the «Labour Efficiency» Scientific Category
Authors: Гречникова  , Grechnikova S.
Published: September 2014

The paper takes an effort to review evolution of scientific views on the “labor efficiency” category. Based on the analysis of studies determining the core and essence of this notion, the author specifies three distinctive approaches: productive, effective, and qualitative. Further pros and cons of their implementation under contemporary conditions are evaluated. The author suggests treating labor efficiency as a multifaceted notion embracing the whole summation of productive, economic, social and psychological, environmental and physical relations, which are developed between people in the course of such working practice, which provides high-quality marketable product with minimum labor cost and ensures manufacturers’ income.
Innovative Development of Personality in the Course of Training for Managerial Specialties
Authors: Виниченко  , Vinichenko M.
Published: September 2014

Based on pedagogical experiments the paper considers disputable issues of personality innovative development while training higher education students for

managerial specialties. Ways to enhance learners’ creative potential and innovative thinking are identified as a result of research conducted. The author also

outlines certain areas and methods for improving learners’ competitiveness both in professional activities and in the everyday life. The paper suggests that the

students should be divided into two categories: “learnables” and “learners”. Further experimental data is explored to evidence that students insufficiently use

time management, which is one of the basic tools for personal enhancement through all the stages of this process. Individual development plans, shift to educating

based on individual plan, practical occupational working while studying and other activities collectively are meant the concept of students’ time

management, conducive to purposeful goal-directed personal development.

The paper considers how to reach the highest possible effectiveness in developing students’ personal potential, in revealing leadership gifts of students, training

for managerial specialties in order to form effective teams by means of coaching and team coaching. The author also reveals the trend that the increasing

number of students, mastering the undergraduate program of personnel management, are firmly oriented to get theoretic knowledge and practical skills and

competencies.
Business Modeling as a Tool for Development of Human Resources Management System
Authors: Путинцева  , Putintseva K.
Published: September 2014

Changes in various social contexts, anyhow connected with organizational activities, set rapid dynamics . Organizations should ensure the harmonious development

of all the system elements, based on internal needs and external market challenges. The organizational core element and the main competitive advantage

is its staff, whose efficiency depends on many factors. Systems of personnel selection, training, motivation and stimulation, appraisal and others, are

composed by business processes that also affect overall organizational performance. Interconnectedness of business processes as a subject of change management

allows both to respond timely to the need for innovations, and to shape the subjects’ activities based on objective indicators, rather than on spontaneously

emerged patterns of interaction and modes of operation. The paper discusses business modeling process as a tool for ensuring cohesiveness of the

human resources management system, its wholeness and timely updates, enabled through adjustment of functional subsystems contents.
Strategic Assessment of How Investments in Intellectual Property Assets Perform
Authors: Левкина  , Levkina Nataliya
Published: September 2014

The paper considers specific issues to be encountered while carrying out

strategic assessment of performance of capital invested in the intellectual

property assets. Intellectual property items gain value in the context of a certain

strategy, which defines, how these items contribute to the strategic goals of a

particular enterprise. Thus, the author concludes, additional while obligatory

stage of strategic assessment of investment projects concerned should be

incorporated in the procedure of evaluating economic efficiency of investments

in the intellectual property assets. The essential part of strategic assessment of

investments in the intellectual property assets/items is to ensure that the

projects under consideration are aligned with the mission, goals and strategy of

a given business unit. To make the strategic assessment efficient one should

embrace the specifics of different strategies employed by the given business

unit, strategic goals of investment activities, employed strategies of innovation,

established procedures for using the technique of strategic goals decomposition

and for creating the balanced scorecard.
ECG of the month
Authors: Regan Claire , Regan Martin
Published: September 2014

Claire Regan and Martin Regan present an ECG for you to analyse
Coronary angioplasty: Patient management and nursing care
Authors: Young Sarah
Published: September 2014

Coronary angioplasty is an invasive procedure used in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Nurses need to understand the rationale for this treatment option as well as the risks so that they can prepare a patient psychologically for their procedure, look after them safely afterwards and facilitate ongoing secondary prevention. This article reviews coronary angioplasty as a treatment option, presents the complications of angioplasty and discusses key aspects of nursing care. The use of vascular access devices and different types of stents is discussed, along with pharmacology, discharge advice and cardiac rehabilitation, all of which are key aspects of this patient pathway.
Enhancing student nurses’ experience through cardiac research placements
Authors: Harrison Mary
Published: September 2014

Introduction:

The importance of clinical research and evidence-based practice is well known, yet there is anecdotal evidence that clinical research is poorly perceived. A cardiovascular research placement for pre-registration student nurses was piloted to provide students with access to this important area of cutting edge clinical practice.

Methods:

University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust's standardised placement feedback forms were audited for service evaluation, judging responses against the placement aims and NMC domains. A web-based survey was disseminated to all pre-registration student nurses in De Montfort University, Leicester, to support the pilot programme.

Results:

The research placement scheme has achieved its aims, with glowing endorsement from students, research staff, CCU staff and the PLLs. The students benefitted from exposure to the wide and varied world of cardiac research, gaining first-hand experience of the contribution clinical research plays in providing the evidence base for practice.

Discussion:

The data shows that there is a perceived value to students completing a clinical research placement. The suggestions from the feedback have recommended more coherent working between De Montfort University and UHL for the research education and exposure to clinical research throughout their degree programme.
How heart failure changed my life
Authors: Hartshorne-Evans Nick
Published: September 2014

After being diagnosed with heart failure at 39 years old, Nick Hartshorne-Evans was spurred on by his experiences to set up a patient-led support and information service for fellow patients and their families
2: How to engage better with patients
Authors: Hulme Kieth
Published: September 2014

Part of holistic wound care is excellent communication with patients. Health and Social Care Trainer, Kieth Hulme, indicates some useful tools and approaches. Patient-centred care, he believes, can improve concordance and therefore improve clinical outcomes. This article is designed to give hints and tips on how to maximise the value of the often limited amount of time you have with patients
Multidisciplinary magic
Authors: Evans Julie , Jones Philip , Thomas Martin
Published: September 2014

Effective manual-handling strategies will not only help prevent vulnerable skin from becoming exposed to pressure, shear and friction, but also safeguard nurses from injury. Despite this, manual handling advisers and tissue viability nurses generally have very little contact with each other. This supplement describes how such a collaboration in a NHS trust improved pressure-care outcomes
Use of ThermaCare heat wraps as an adjunct to physical therapy
Authors: Petrofsky Jerrold , Laymon Michael , Alshammari Faris , Khowailed Iman Akef , Lee Haneul
Published: September 2014

Aims:

To find out if the use of heat at home between physical therapy sessions results in better therapy outcomes in people with acute, non-specific back pain.

Setting:

Longitudinal, single-blind study at physical therapy outpatient rehabilitation centres.

Methods:

A total of 144 people with acute, non-specific back pain underwent 45 minutes to 1 hour of therapy, twice a week for 2 weeks. Participants were instructed to accomplish 30 minutes of therapeutic exercise at home daily. Half of the participants used ThermaCare heat wraps for 6 hours before home therapy. The measures were the OSWESTRY, Roland-Morris and Visual Analogue Pain scales, range of motion of the lower back, strength of the lower back and home exercise compliance.

Results:

In the heat group, compared to the non-heat group, the OSWESTRY reduced (3 times), strength increased (twice), range of motion increased (3 times), pain reduced (twice) and compliance for home exercise doubled. All differences were significant (p=<0.01).

Conclusions:

Using heat at home before home exercise sessions and between therapy sessions was associated with faster recovery from acute, non-specific back pain and better home exercise compliance than was seen in the non-heat group.
Selective case study describing the use of Apligraf on necrobiosis lipoidica associated with diabetes
Authors: Penny H.L. , Faretta M. , Rifkah M. , Weaver A. , Swires A. , Spinazzola J.
Published: September 2014

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare skin disease characterised by large, well-demarcated, symmetrical plaques with overlying telangiectasias and atrophic, fibrotic features. The disease is associated with diabetes mellitus (1 in 300 cases), but can also be linked to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Women are three times more likely to develop necrobiosis lipoidica compared to men. Ulcerations are the most serious type of complications in necrobiosis lipoidica, and they occur most frequently on the legs of patients. However, the aetiology of necrobiosis lipoidica still remains unclear. Although many studies have been conducted in order to determine necrobiosis lipoidica's pathophysiology, a clear and definite path to disease has not been recorded. In this case study, a patient with necrobiosis lipoidica that had been refractory to conventional therapy received treatment with Apligraf® bioengineered wound dressings. Apligraf was shown to be effective in managing the patient's multiple hard-to-heal wounds. It was more successful than previous therapies in achieving granulation tissue formation and wound volume reduction, in addition to being a more rapid form of treatment.
FSRH opens its sexual health training to nurses
Authors: Raine Shelley Mehigan
Published: September 2014

Nurses can now access a national qualification in sexual health care from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare
Can talking relieve illness caused by loneliness?
Authors: Forsythe Nicky , Forsythe Elizabeth
Published: September 2014

Nicky and Elizabeth Forsythe explore the rationale of Talk for Health, a mental health programme running in a general practice in North London
The Power of Economics vs the Economics of Power: Introduction
Authors: Michael Perelman
Published: September 2014

This article analyzes the systematic absence of power in economic analysis, beginning with early economist's almost universal denial of the process of primitive accumulation.
Microeconomics also excludes considerations of power, except for what it considers to be abuse of power by government and labor unions. Monetary theory also avoids the application
of Federal Reserve power to create unemployment in order to reduce wages. Businesses also employ power in competing with other businesses. Economists ignore such use of power,
emphasizing the benign consequences of competition: lower prices, improved quality, and even entirely new products. Business wields power against workers, the power that might be
limited by labor unions, which themselves are limited because of business' application of political power. Not only can business use monopolistic power in order to increase
prices, as buyers, business can use monopsonistic power to reduce the prices it pays. Business can also apply power in order to hamper competitors. The final form of power is the
power of economists to exclude power from their theory, except for the two exceptions mentioned.
Whither Sraffa's Theory of Price?
Authors: Howard Nicholas
Published: September 2014

The article looks critically at Piero Sraffa's theory of price and implied theory of money against a backdrop of renewed interest in the great economist's work. The focus is the theory of price in his Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities. It is argued that for all its apparent logical (read mathematical) rigor, Sraffa's explanation of prices (and implied theory of money) is (are) essentially flawed. The flaws are traced to his concern to eliminate the labor theory of value from this explanation. It is this concern that causes Sraffa to make the numerous dubious assumptions and constructs which underpin his explanation of prices and that ultimately brings into question its validity as an explanation of actual price magnitudes and their movement.
The Development Process, Functional Evaluation, and Implications of World Free Trade Zones
Authors: Xia Lu
Published: September 2014

The Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in the modern sense is one of the important forms of the realization of economic globalization. The purpose of this article is to explore the nature and characteristics of the FTZ and its significance by studying its development from free ports and export processing zones up to the new FTZs with integrated functions. Through the comparative analysis of the Irish Shannon Free Zone, the Taiwan Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone, and the US Foreign Trade Zone, this article focuses on the pros and cons of FTZs for a country or region and points out their five strengths and four weaknesses. For the construction of the Shanghai Pilot FTZ and other potential zones, this article puts forward several proposals that may provide useful reference material.
Aspects of the Political Economy of Crop Incomes in India
Authors: Biplab Sarkar  , V. K. Ramachandran  , Madhura Swaminathan
Published: September 2014

This article intends to evaluate at the farm level, the nature of variation of output prices and input costs in agriculture through the lenses of socio-economic class differentiation. Official systems of the calculation of agricultural costs in India have evolved—with respect to their methodological sophistication and complexity—continuously since the early years of India's Independence. At present, there is a three-tiered system of calculation of input costs for crops, ranging from a base calculation of paid-out costs to a calculation that takes into account the shadow prices of family labor and supervision costs as well as other categories of imputed costs. The study uses detailed information from a unique dataset on agricultural outputs, prices and cost of cultivation for paddy and wheat in five villages of three states of India to (1) estimate actual costs of cultivation and the extent to which minimum support price as declared by the Government of India cover these costs and (2) examine costs of cultivation across socio-economic classes of cultivators. Official statistics deal only with averages across states and all classes, thus ignoring the sharp socio-economic differentiation and inequality prevalent in the Indian countryside.
Die Überwindung des Ikonischen
Authors: Bisanz Elize
Published: September 2014

Entstanden im methodologischen Kontext der angewandten Kulturwissenschaft, nähert sich das Buch bildhaften Kodierungen mittels dreier Disziplinen an: Kulturwissenschaft/Symbolforschung, Ästhetik sowie Bildlogik. Mit ausgewählten Bildformaten - wie digitales Bild, Photographie, Videoinstallation, Malerei, Kino - sowie mit Bildtheorien aus den Bereichen der kultur- und naturwissenschaftlichen Forschung überwinden die Analysen den ikonischen Charakter von Bildern und erklären sie als symbolische Zeichen und als Dokumente kultureller Prozesse.
Freiheit als Norm?
Authors: Schönwälder-Kuntze Tatjana
Published: September 2014

Wie wirkmächtig ist die kritische Moralphilosophie Kants heute? Im Foucault'schen Sinne einer kritischen Ontologie fragt Tatjana Schönwälder-Kuntze nach dem für unsere Gegenwart so bedeutenden Konstrukt und zeigt, dass in der modernen Bestimmung von Freiheit und Subjektivität der Denkraum aufgespannt worden ist, innerhalb dessen nicht nur die Praktische Philosophie bis heute gedacht wird (und gedacht werden darf). Zudem bietet die Studie eine umfassende Konstruktionsanalyse der Kantischen Moralphilosophie, die den Fokus auf deren durch die Problemstellung bedingte Genese sowie auf die so entstandene Architektur legt.
Mobile Medien
Authors: Völker Clara
Published: September 2014

Mobile Medientechnologien wie Handys und Laptops sind allgegenwärtig geworden. Zugleich werden digitale Medien verdächtigt, als Virtualitätstechnologien die »Realität« zu bedrohen. Das wirft Fragen auf: Was hat es mit »Virtualität« auf sich? Und in welchem Zusammenhang stehen mobile Medientechnologien und ihre Informationsräume hierzu? Clara Völker betrachtet Ideen des Virtuellen aus der Antike, der Neuzeit und dem 20. Jahrhundert. Damit verbunden rekonstruiert sie, wie mobile Medien als Folgetechnologien von optischer Telegrafie, elektrischer Telefonie und Radiotechnologie entstanden sind. Es zeigt sich, dass Wirklichkeit schon immer von Vorstellungen des abwesenden Anwesenden geprägt wurde und mobile Medien als Potentialitäten diese Form weiter wandeln.
Die politische Ordnung des Flüchtlingslagers
Authors: Inhetveen Katharina
Published: September 2014

Weltweit werden Flüchtlinge langfristig in Flüchtlingslagern untergebracht. Heterogene Akteure - UNO, NGOs, Regierungsvertreter, aber auch die Flüchtlinge selbst - bringen ihre Perspektiven, Interessen, Ressourcen und Außenbeziehungen in die Flüchtlingslager ein. Deren politische Ordnung konstituiert sich zwischen interner Machtdynamik und institutioneller Einbettung in das internationale Flüchtlingsregime. Ausgehend von Neo-Institutionalismus und Theorien der Kasernierung rekonstruiert Katharina Inhetveen diese Ordnung am Fall zweier Lager in Sambia. Ein innovativer, empirisch fundierter Beitrag zur politischen Soziologie des Flüchtlingslagers.
Konsum und Modernisierung
Authors: Lenz Thomas
Published: September 2014

Warenhäuser waren von Beginn an Orte, an denen moderne Konsum- und Weltverhältnisse ausgestellt und erfahrbar wurden. Damit wurden sie auch zu Kristallisationspunkten einer moralisch aufgeladenen, mit antisemitischen und misogynen Stereotypen durchsetzten Auseinandersetzung um den beginnenden Massenkonsum und die Modernisierung des Kaiserreichs. Thomas Lenz analysiert den Diskurs um Warenhaus und (Massen-)Konsum in den Wissenschaften, der Öffentlichkeit und in den Literaturen zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts. Der soziologische Blick auf den Konsum um 1900 wird hierbei - am Beispiel der Positionen von Weber, Simmel, Sombart und Veblen - mit der Debatte um die »unerwünschte Betriebsform« Warenhaus verknüpft.
Urbane Klänge
Authors: Friedrich Malte
Published: September 2014

Wie klingt die Stadt? In »Urbane Klänge« untersucht Malte Friedrich, was die Stadt mit der Popmusik macht und umgekehrt die Popmusik mit der Stadt. In einem innovativen Ansatz führt das Buch drei divergierende Diskurse zusammen: die Diskussion über die wachsende Bedeutung der urbanen Konsumkultur, die Debatte über die soziale und politische Bedeutung der Popkultur und die Frage der Repräsentation von Musik. Anhand der Musikszenen Punk, HipHop und Techno wird gezeigt, wie die Stadt die Produktion von populärer Musik beeinflusst und welche Praktiken und Vergemeinschaftungsformen sich im öffentlichen Raum ausbilden. Imagination erweist sich als konstitutiv für die urbane Kultur. Und die Musik erweist sich als ein zentrales Medium zur Imagination der Stadt.
Telenovelas und kulturelle Zäsur
Authors: Michael Joachim
Published: September 2014

Die Telenovela ist im Zuge der Globalisierung in den verschiedensten Ländern beheimatet. Doch um was für ein TV-Genre handelt es sich? Jenseits von Kulturkritik und Rechtfertigungsrhetorik untersucht Joachim Michael die Telenovela als Ergebnis des medialen Umbruchs der lateinamerikanischen Kulturen. Er zeigt, dass die Telenovela mehr als nur ein Format ist - sie markiert eine spezifische Kultur, deren eigentümliche Faszination sich aus dem televisionären Blickregime des Genres speist. Zudem ist sie in der lateinamerikanischen Moderne und ihrem Begehren nach nationaler Emanzipation verwurzelt. Hierin finden sich die Voraussetzungen für die allabendliche ›Tele-ImagiNation‹ der Gattung.
Die Ideenmacher
Authors: Rohrberg Andrea , Schug Alexander
Published: September 2014

Die Ideenmacher: Andrea Rohrberg und Alexander Schug präsentieren einen praxisorientierten Ansatz für lustvolles Gründen und eine erfolgreiche SelbstständigÝ keit in der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft. Dialogisch, direkt und empathisch, begleitet von vielen Beispielen und konkreten Handlungsvorschlägen, gibt der praktische Gründungsratgeber Antworten auf grundsätzliche FraÝ gen: Wie wird aus einer kreativen Idee eine erfolgreiche Gründung? Wieso gründen Kreative anders und was benötigen sie dafür? Wie findet die Idee in den Markt? Wie viel Glück und Erfüllung bringt das Gründen den Ideenmachern?
Theater und Fiktion
Authors: Metzger Stephanie
Published: September 2014

Das Wechselverhältnis von Wahrnehmung, Körper und Sprache ist konstitutiv für das Theater - und ebenso für theatrale Fiktion. Die Konsequenzen dieses Zusammenhangs sind für die theoretische Beschreibung von theatralen Fiktionalisierungsprozessen und deren Anwendung am konkreten Gegenstand bisher kaum ausgeschöpft worden. Stephanie Metzger entwickelt eine Theorie der theatralen Fiktion, indem sie theatrale Spielräume des Fiktiven auffächert und als Prozesse des Intermedialen konzipiert. Anhand von vier Beispielen der aktuellen Theaterpraxis, Inszenierungen von Jossi Wieler, Guy Cassiers, Johan Simons und Rimini Protokoll, erfolgt eine Analyse dezidiert theatraler Fiktionalisierungsprozesse, die das historisch gewachsene und unterschiedlich bewertete Verhältnis von Fiktion des literarischen Textes und fiktionaler Komponenten der Aufführung in neue Perspektiven rückt.
Unternehmen Wissenschaft
Authors: Braun-Thürmann Holger , Knie Andreas , Simon Dagmar
Published: September 2014

Forschungsinstitute vermehren nicht nur das Wissen der Gesellschaft - sie können auch einen Beitrag zur volkswirtschaftlichen Wertschöpfung leisten. Akademische Ausgründungen gelten in diesem Zusammenhang als die Paradeform der Verwertung wissenschaftlichen Wissens. Die Studien in diesem Buch führen vor, wie das Aufeinandertreffen von wissenschaftlicher und wirtschaftlicher Rationalität in den Praktiken von Spin-offs organisatorisch, pragmatisch und lebensbiographisch gelingt - oder misslingt. Indem er wissenschaftsbasierte Unternehmungen zum Gegenstand der (wissenschafts-)soziologischen Reflexion macht, trägt der Band zu einer Diskussion bei, die bislang von wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Ansätzen dominiert war.
kreativ prekär
Authors: Loacker Bernadette
Published: September 2014

In der Arbeits- und Organisationsforschung wird seit einigen Jahren ein Leitbild diskutiert, das Künstler als flexible, autonome und selbstverantwortliche Subjekte der »Projektpolis« »anruft« und bestimmt. An diese Diskussion anknüpfend und vor dem Hintergrund poststrukturalistischer Philosophien weist Bernadette Loacker auf die prekären Effekte hin, die mit der Heroisierung fragmentierter und unsicherer, aber dafür »kreativer und spielerischer« Arbeits- und Lebensformen einhergehen können. Am Beispiel von Theaterarbeit verdeutlicht sie zugleich, dass Subjektivität diskursiv nicht determiniert werden kann, sondern Individuen normative Erwartungen und Subjektideale auf unterschiedlichste Weise rekreieren.
Partei ergreifen im Interesse der Welt
Authors: Meints-Stender Waltraud
Published: September 2014

Hannah Arendt hat in ihrem Versuch, das Beispiellose der Ereignisse des 20. Jahrhunderts zu begreifen, eine Form des Denkens praktiziert, in der sie zugleich die Möglichkeit eines gelingenden Welt- und Selbstverhältnisses entdeckt: die Kraft des reflektierenden Urteilens. Und genau hier liegt eine unverminderte Aktualität ihres Werkes. Wie arbeitet die reflektierende Urteilskraft? Wie muss sie arbeiten, um das Neue in der Gegenwart zu erkennen? Waltraud Meints liest Arendts Schriften als kritische Theorie des Politischen, die zeigen, wie Gegenwartsanalyse, Kritik und Handlungsorientierung bei kritischem Bezug auf die abendländische Tradition politischen Denkens ineinandergreifen.
Screening Nostalgia
Authors: Ludewig Alexandra
Published: September 2014

The Heimat film genre, assumed to be outdated by so many, is very much alive. Who would have thought that this genre - which has been almost unanimously denounced within academic circles, but which seems to resonate so deeply with the general public - would experience a renaissance in the 21st century? The genre's recent resurgence is perhaps due less to an obsession with generic storylines and stereotyped figures than to a basic human need for grounding that has resulted in a passionate debate about issues of past and present. This book traces the history of the Heimat film genre from the early mountain films to Fatih Akin's contemporary interpretations of Heimat.
Literatur und Fotografie
Authors: Hillenbach Anne-Kathrin
Published: September 2014

Was geschieht mit einem literarischen Text, der sein mediales Spektrum durch die Einbettung von Fotografien erweitert? Und was passiert mit einer Fotografie, die einen literarischen Text auf ihrer Bildfläche integriert? Durch Gegenüberstellungen literatur- und fototheoretischer Positionen sowie mittels fundierter Analysen zeitgenössischer Romane, Fotobücher, Comics und Kunstwerke liefert Anne-Kathrin Hillenbach Antworten auf die Fragen nach dem Verhältnis von Literatur und Fotografie. Neben bekannten Autoren wie W.G. Sebald kommen auch unbekanntere Werke, etwa ein Fotobuch von Michael Lesy, zur Sprache.
Rating-Agenturen
Authors: Rügemer Werner
Published: September 2014

Wer steckt eigentlich hinter den Rating-Agenturen, von denen im Zuge der Finanzkrise so oft die Rede ist? Und nach welchen Kriterien arbeiten sie? In diesem Buch wird zum ersten Mal die Eigentümerstruktur der drei großen Agenturen offengelegt: Es handelt sich dabei um die größten Hedge- und Investmentfonds, die aus der hohen und dauerhaften Verschuldung von Unternehmen, Staaten und Konsumenten Gewinn ziehen. Ein Blick auf die Praxis der Rating-Agenturen zeigt: Ihre Macht gewinnen sie durch ihre Eigentümer, aber auch durch die staatlich und überstaatlich erteilte Wächterfunktion. Sie sind mit Fonds, Banken, Staaten, Zentralbanken, Europäischer Union und Internationalem Währungsfonds Teil der gegenwärtigen Kapitalmacht. Als vermeintlich unabhängige und objektive Wächter des Marktes helfen sie ihren Eigentümern dabei, Unternehmen, Staaten und ganze Volkswirtschaften zu enteignen. Dabei schrecken sie vor suggestiven Ratings ebenso wenig zurück wie vor der Inszenierung von Krisen.
Die Straße, die Dinge und die Zeichen
Authors: Reblin Eva
Published: September 2014

Wann werden die materiellen Dinge einer Großstadtstraße zu »Bedeutungsdingen« und wie konstruieren wir aus ihnen unsere Straßeninterpretationen? Anhand von Interviews zur Potsdamer Straße in Berlin untersucht Eva Reblin die Bedeutungskonstitution eines Stadtraumes und entwirft dabei eine Semiotik des Konkreten. Sie zeigt, dass unsere Bilder von urbanen Räumen besonders von jenen Materialitäten geprägt sind, die über multiple Bedeutungslinien mit dem spezifischen Stadtumfeld verknüpft sind. Die Studie verbindet semiotische Modellierungen mit Ansätzen der Umweltpsychologie, um die Netze der urbanen »Objekt-Zeichen« präzise zu beschreiben.
Unreine Bilder
Authors: Grzeszyk André
Published: September 2014

Wie lässt sich das Bild eines Massakers an das befriedete Bild einer Kleinstadtschule anschließen? Jenseits soziologischer und psychologischer Argumentationen stellt der School Shooter in medienwissenschaftlicher Perspektive ein Montageproblem dar. André Grzeszyk entwickelt das Phänomen Amok als Frage zeitgenössischer Sichtbarkeitsverhältnisse und Bildökonomien. In historischer Perspektive zeigt er auf, wie sich ein Schüler in einen School Shooter verwandelt und welche entscheidende Rolle mediale Formen der (Selbst-)Inszenierung in diesem Prozess spielen. Das Buch bietet profunde Einblicke in ein hochkomplexes Phänomen an der Grenze zwischen Fiktion und Realität.
»Shopping for Freedom« in der Islamischen Republik
Authors: Sadjed Ariane
Published: September 2014

Welche Auswirkungen haben die Globalisierung und eine wachsende Konsumgesellschaft auf Prozesse der Demokratisierung im Iran? In diesem Buch werden Konsum als Merkmal »freier« Gesellschaften und seine Vermarktung als eine Form der Rebellion gegen den »Gottesstaat« in den politisch-historischen und ökonomischen Kontext des zeitgenössischen Iran eingebettet. Ariane Sadjed zeigt, wie die Verbindung von globalem Kapitalismus mit Praktiken des offiziellen Islam eine moderne islamische Subjektivität begründet. Vor diesem Hintergrund erlaubt die fundierte Analyse des Konsumverhaltens der iranischen Mittelschicht neue und unkonventionelle Einblicke in das Verhältnis zwischen privater Alltagskultur und dem Staat.