bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting fatigue during electrically stimulated non‐isometric contractions
Authors: Marion M. Susan , Wexler Anthony S. , Hull Maury L.
Published: March 2010

Mathematical prediction of power loss during electrically stimulated contractions is of value to those trying to minimize fatigue and to those trying to decipher the relative contributions of force and velocity. Our objectives were to: (1) develop a model of non‐isometric fatigue for electrical stimulation–induced, open‐chain, repeated extensions of the leg at the knee; and (2) experimentally validate the model. A computer‐controlled stimulator sent electrical pulses to surface electrodes on the thighs of 17 able‐bodied subjects. Isometric and non‐isometric non‐fatiguing and fatiguing leg extension torque and/or angle at the knee were measured. Two existing mathematical models, one of non‐isometric force and the other of isometric fatigue, were combined to develop the non‐isometric force–fatigue model. Angular velocity and 3 new parameters were added to the isometric fatigue model. The new parameters are functions of parameters within the force model, and therefore additional measurements from the subject are not needed. More than 60% of the variability in the measurements was explained by the new force–fatigue model. This model can help scientists investigate the etiology of non‐isometric fatigue and help engineers to improve the task performance of functional electrical stimulation systems. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Micro‐insurance for local adaptation
Authors: Suarez Pablo , Linnerooth‐Bayer Joanne
Published: March 2010

Insurance instruments that provide economic security against droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and other weather extremes have emerged as an opportunity for developing countries in their concurrent efforts to reduce their vulnerability to weather variability and adapt to climate change. Yet, issues remain concerning the viability of insurance systems serving the most vulnerable and their potential role in an adaptation regime. Many pilot projects are underway, that can inform debate on these issues. This discussion builds on a recent drought micro‐insurance project for subsistence farmers in Malawi, which by enabling farmers to access higher yield seeds, raises their productivity and decreases their vulnerability to climate change. Beyond this ‘developmental’ gain from insurance we show that micro‐insurance in Malawi can directly promote adaptation by actually reducing crop losses from drought. This is possible by incorporating seasonal rainfall forecasts, which are strongly related to El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), into insurance pricing. This paper describes the Malawi pilot program, its challenges after the first operational year and the potential benefits of ENSO‐based pricing. The paper concludes by discussing the outlook for micro‐insurance in the emerging climate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Development > Knowledge and Action in Development
Response surface methodology
Authors: Khuri André I. , Mukhopadhyay Siuli
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this article is to provide a survey of the various stages in the development of response surface methodology (RSM). The coverage of these stages is organized in three parts that describe the evolution of RSM since its introduction in the early 1950s. Part I covers the period, 1951–1975, during which the so‐called classical RSM was developed. This includes a review of basic experimental designs for fitting linear response surface models, in addition to a description of methods for the determination of optimum operating conditions. Part II, which covers the period, 1976–1999, discusses more recent modeling techniques in RSM, in addition to a coverage of Taguchi's robust parameter design and its response surface alternative approach. Part III provides a coverage of further extensions and research directions in modern RSM. This includes discussions concerning response surface models with random effects, generalized linear models, and graphical techniques for comparing response surface designs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Linear Models

Statistical Models > Nonlinear Models
Algorithm quasi‐optimal (AQ) learning
Authors: Cervone Guido , Franzese Pasquale , Keesee Allen P. K.
Published: March 2010

The algorithm quasi‐optimal (AQ) is a powerful machine learning methodology aimed at learning symbolic decision rules from a set of examples and counterexamples. It was first proposed in the late 1960s to solve the Boolean function satisfiability problem and further refined over the following decade to solve the general covering problem. In its newest implementations, it is a powerful but yet little explored methodology for symbolic machine learning classification. It has been applied to solve several problems from different domains, including the generation of individuals within an evolutionary computation framework. The current article introduces the main concepts of the AQ methodology and describes AQ for source detection(AQ4SD), a tailored implementation of the AQ methodology to solve the problem of finding the sources of atmospheric releases using distributed sensor measurements. The AQ4SD program is tested to find the sources of all the releases of the prairie grass field experiment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Knowledge Discovery

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Rule-Based Mining
In vivo formation of a stable pentameric (P2α/P1β)–P0–(P1α/P2β) ribosomal stalk complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Francisco‐Velilla Rosario , Remacha Miguel
Published: March 2010

Heterodimers of acidic proteins P1α/P2β and P1β/P2α bind to P0 and are fundamental for the assembly of the ribosomal stalk. However, different inconsistencies are found in the literature regarding additional P protein heterodimer formations and their individual interactions with P0. Using the two‐hybrid approach, we have found results that help to clarify these interactions. Thus, we have found that neither P1 nor P2 directly interact with P0 unless the endogenous heterodimer partner is being expressed in the cell. In addition, a P2‐free amino end is a requisite in these heterodimers for binding to P0. With regard to the two‐hybrid interactions between P1 and P2, the known canonical P1α–P2β and P1β–P2α interactions do not depend on either a free amino end or the presence of endogenous P0, P1 or P2 proteins. Furthermore, the non‐canonical P1β–P2β pair also behaves similarly, although this interaction is weaker. Interestingly, P1α–P2α, P1α–P1β and P2α–P2β two‐hybrid interactions were also detected, although in these cases the endogenous P proteins were involved. Thus, these positive interactions are the consequence of the interaction between two canonical heterodimers. As the ribosome anchorage protein P0 is also necessary, the results suggest that, in vivo, all five P proteins form a complex, independent of the ribosome, containing the two canonical heterodimers and P0. This complex has been isolated in cells expressing a P0 protein unable to bind to the ribosome. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zwischen Effizienz und Ausgleich
Authors: Thierstein Alain , Scherer Roland
Published: March 2010

Regional policy in Switzerland is in the throes of upheaval. Within the context of regional development policy, this article attempts to outline the arguments in favour of the strict allocation perspective in respect of scarce resources. However, empirical reality tells a different story. Fiscal federalism is not able to deploy its full argument because of the existence of various spatial externalities; this provides justification for politics to provide redistribution measures to assist disadvantaged regions. However, redistribution should be organised efficiently. The multitude of interdependencies and spillovers between urban and rural spaces makes it almost impossible to make a clear-cut distinction in cost-benefit terms between favoured and disadvantaged areas and regions.
Die Angleichung der Verkehrsinfrastruktur im vereinigten Deutschland zwischen 1990 und 1999
Authors: Eckey Hans-Friedrich , Horn Klaus
Published: March 2010

The quality of transport infrastructure has a major impact on the economic development of regions. Where it is inadequate — as it was in the former GDR at the time of reunification — it can act as a factor stifling growth. For politics, the goal therefore was at that time — and still remains — to improve on the situation found. This article attempts to provide an appraisal of the success to date of attempts to bring about this improvement. As far as rail transport is concerned, counties in the “newLänder” (of the former East Germany) now on average have better connections to the network than counties in western Germany. However, disparities between urban and rural areas have increased considerably. By contrast, relatively little progress has been made so far in up-grading and adding to the road network.
Erfassung und Bewertung von Gefährdungspotenzialen von Altlastenverdachtsflächen
Authors: Fischer Bernhard
Published: March 2010

In order to facilitate initial risk assessment on a large number of sites, a system of assessment was tested which concentrates solely on the key factors, such as sources of contamination, the carritage of harmful substances into the ground water and effects on human beings. The factors were subdivided into gradable groups or classes according to scientific criteria, thus establishing a system and a rule for computation. Determinants proved to be both the scale of investigation and the availability of data. The numerical score provides a (limited) basis for comparing and classifiying the differing degrees of hazard posed by a large number of sites.
Die Bevölkerungsentwicklung verändert die Anforderungen an die Siedlungsplanung
Authors: Winkel Rainer
Published: March 2010

Die Bevölkerungsentwicklung dürfte in diesem Jahrhundert größten Einfluss auf die Siedlungsentwicklung ausüben, durchaus vergleichbar mit dem Gewicht der Umweltaspekte. Das lässt in vielen Bereichen neue Anforderungen erwarten, auf die sich die Planung einstellen muss.
Der Wert der Landschaft
Authors: Job Hubert , Knies Stefan
Published: March 2010

Our cultural landscape is more and more endangered by anthropogenic influences. Therefore concepts are necessary which help to preserve such areas. Basic information is needed, in order to quantify the monetary value of cultural landscapes. Valuing the landscape two special problems appear. First the collective-good-problem, caused by the public character of the environment, and second the existence of external costs. The results of two empirical studies which ascertain the monetary value of cultural landscapes by the Contingent Valuation Method are discussed. The main question is how much additional money local people and tourists are willing to pay in order to preserve the terraced wine growing landscape of the Moselle valley. Results which were gained show that there is a remarkable willingness to pay for the preservation of this cultural landscape among all questioned persons, especially among the locals. The findings of the Contingent Valuation Method should not be conceived as precise figures. Nevertheless is the benefit of the examined terraced wine growing landscape of approximately the same hight as the estimated costs for the agricultural support measures ruled by governmental programmes. The conclusion is that there is a cost-benefit ratio.
Regionales Arbeitsmarktmanagement
Authors: Hilpert Markus , Huber Andreas
Published: March 2010

Recent developments in the labour market have led to a good many regions currently finding themselves in a critical situation in which they need to explore new avenues of implementation. Regional labour-market management represents one possible strategy for moving incrementally towards a new practice of implementation-oriented local labourmarket policy. Clearly, no form of „bottom-up” employment policy can replace the labourmarket policies of the Federal or of Land governments. However, the regions do have an important contribution to make and can add vital impulses both to labour-market policy and to the general development of economic competitiveness within their region. Over the foreseeable future there is every reason to expect a continuation of the need for an implementation-oriented, regionalised labour-market policy. Finally, such a policy needs to be organised as a learning process and to be regularly reviewed, refined and improved.
Auswirkungen städtischer Verkehrswegenetze auf Flächenversiegelung, Flächenproduktivität und Bodenpreis
Authors: Arlt Günter , Schöppe Ernst , Klipphahn Thomas
Published: March 2010

A relationship exists between transport infrastructures and the economic productivity of urban centres. Empirical studies have identified partial effects on the take of land for development, on land exploitation (i.e. the productive use of land) and on land prices — the key indicators of the economic and ecological role played by municipal land — as being attributable to the transport infrastructure and have rendered them quantifiable in terms of selected relationships. Within the framework of anaytical studies on cause and effect, computational models have been developed for the western and eastern parts of Germany, and for Germany as a whole. The key measures of transport infrastructure of direct relevance to planning practice are identified as the density and coverage of the road and rail networks.
Organising Capacity — Regionale Handlungsfähigkeit von Regionen im demographischen Wandel
Authors: Bieker Susanne , Othengrafen Frank
Published: March 2010

Demographic change is currently posing major challenges for regions and facing them with conflicts (especially regarding the distribution of infrastructure) which call increasingly for co-operative solutions involving other territorial authorities as well as the involvement of the private sector and civil society. This broadening of the range of actors involved in turn requires a form of network-based regional governance geared increasingly to promoting cooperation. Against the background of demographic change, Regional Governance aims to initiate processes of self-organisation, i.e. to create the capacity to act autonomously at regional level, and to improve the self-organising capacity to both sub-regions and of a region in its entirety. In order to show how this capacity to act at regional level might be established, the following article takes the Braunschweig region as a case in point to illustrate the development of this type of „organising capacity”.
Konvergenz der Wirtschaftsstrukturen bundesdeutscher Großstädte
Authors: Niermann Stefan
Published: March 2010

This paper tests whether the economic structures of german cities converged to a representative structure within the time period from 1990 to 1998. To do this, data describing the economic structure of german cities is used. It can be shown that the economic structures of German cities converged statistically significant to a representative structure. From the perspective of an individual city this means that those sectors with a below average number of employees will on the average perform better — grow more or shrink less — than other sectors.
Zwischen Eigensinn und Fremdbild: Regionales Binnenmarketing am Beispiel der metropolitanen Region Brandenburg/Berlin
Authors: Mahnken Gerhard
Published: March 2010

Although intra-regional images play a key role in competition between locations and in marketing regions as a socio-economic and a cultural asset, little attention has hitherto been paid to intra-regional marketing. Yet ideas for the marketing of regions can only be implemented successfully in the long term if the internal image by groups of people native to a region and the external image of potential costumers correspond. Based on the Brandenburg/Berlin region, this contribution examines the issue of how problems and suggested solutions begin to emerge.
Mehr Mobilität, weniger Verkehr bei Innen- vor Außenentwicklung
Authors: Topp Hartmut
Published: March 2010

Inner-city development uses available infrastructure: The capacities suffice in case of a small-scale development or if other traffic-intensive uses are replaced—especially if the population decreases. They are not sufficient in case of large-scale inner-city developments. Following an „intermediary peak” in the last decade, new urban districts in the surrounding areas are not cosistent anymore with the emerging demographic development. Traffic remains a problem for intermediate city and suburbia: it is too dispersive for local public transport, the distances are too large to go by bicycle and foot. The dependence on the car binds a considerable part of budgets. Inner-city development benefits from the proximity to already available uses. The way in which mixed land use is individually handled, determines traffic-related effects. The related (controversial) discussion will be presented in the following.
Entwicklung der Erreichbarkeit der Schweizer Gemeinden: 1950 bis 2000
Authors: Fröhlich Philipp , Tschopp Martin , Axhausen Kay W.
Published: March 2010

The accessibility of the Swiss municipalities has changed substantially in the last 50 years due to the extension of the road network, improvements of the public transport and population growth. The paper deals with the first two variables and the resulting changes. The ratio of road-based to public transport-based accessibility has changed little over the time period from 1950 to 2000 in Switzerland.
Regional Governance und integrierte ländliche Entwicklung — Begleitforschung zum Bundesmodellvorhaben Regionen Aktiv
Authors: Tränkner Sebastian
Published: March 2010

Policy and practice perspective
Weiterbildung und „regionale Lernprozesse”
Authors: Nuissl Henning
Published: March 2010

The notion of the „Learning Region” refers to the question whether „life long learning” could foster regional development. This is, however, seldom acknowledged in recent literature. Hence, the presented paper summarises different arguments that could he put forward to prove how important adult education is for the Performance of regions. Consequently, the „Learning Region” will beneflt from adult education as well, because the latter is not only a means for the distribution of knowledge but does also help to create a capacity for learning on the regional level.
Gemeinsam Indikatoren entwickeln! Ein neuer Baustein für erfolgreiche regionale Agenda-21-Prozesse
Authors: Koitka Heike
Published: March 2010

The report on indicators published towards the end of 2000 by the Märkischer Kreis model region represents the first report on indicators in Germany produced within the framework of an AGENDA process to be developed and fleshed out with data by the very protagonists actively involved in the process. This co-operative and hands-on approach to developing indicators is seen as an instrument to support regional partnerships. Not only does it help to provide an internal structure for such partnerships, but it also serves as a source of information for others outside the region.
Die föderale Finanzverfassung — grundlegend reformbedürftig?
Authors: Döring Thomas , Stahl Dieter
Published: March 2010

The ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court of 11 November 1999 oblige the legislature to review the current structures of fiscal equalisation between the German Länder in the near future. If efficiency and autonomy are to be granted greater weight compared to equalisation and uniformity, from an economic point of view complementary institutional reforms will have to be carried out. They concern the vertical assignment of public functions, expenditures and revenues between the federal level, the regional level (Länder) and the local authorities. Against this background the paper analyses the development and the reform needs of the federal assignment of functions, expenditures and taxes. It will be pointed out that reforms within the existing structures could well bring out more efficiency and competition in Germany's fiscal federalism.
Akteure, Beweggründe und Triebkräfte der Suburbanisierung
Authors: Adam Brigitte , Driessen Kathrin , Münter Angelika
Published: March 2010

Policy and practice perspective
Die „Wissensregion” als Chance der Neukonzeption eines zukunftsfähigen Leitbilds der Regionalentwicklung
Authors: Fromhold-Eisebith Martina
Published: March 2010

A growing number of regions in German speaking countries currently refer to the label of the ‘knowledge region’ in order to put into terms their strengths and development objectives. Besides the marketing value of the notion, however, ideas on which concrete substance may expediently fill this shell seem to be lacking. This paper calls for taking up the ‘knowledge region’ as a chance for newly reflecting on goals and approaches of regional development. The notion offers options to include tasks that have insufficiently been regarded before. The author suggests the heuristic concept of the ‘hexagon model of the knowledge region’, which captures a revised set of goals in structured ways with an applied perspective.
Sustainable growth, competitiveness and employment: Will EU cohesion policy deliver on the lisbon strategy?
Authors: Bachtler John , McMaster Irene
Published: March 2010

The relaunched “growth and jobs” agenda of the EU is reflected in the Community Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion. These have influenced the content of the new Structural Funds programmes, with increased importance accorded to innovation, knowledge and entrepre-neurship. There is evidence of a more strategic approach to economic development and a stronger prioritisation of support. Whether this makes a difference to the Lisbon agenda depends on how the programme objectives are implemented as well as the broader regulatory and other changes required in National Reform Programmes. Convincing Member States of the importance of Cohesion policy also depends on the impact of the Funds being identifiable.
Die EU-Regionalpolitik im Spannungsfeld von Integration, regionaler Konvergenz und wirtschaftlichem Wachstum
Authors: Lammers Konrad
Published: March 2010

EU regional policy — as it exists today — was established in the course of the southern enlargement, the completion of the internal market and the introduction of the monetary union. It had been expected that poor and peripheral countries and regions could hardly draw benefits from these steps of EU integration or less than those which were already rich and located in the core of the community. Contrary to these expectations the poor countries and regions were able to catch up, in most cases considerably. It is true that presumably EU regional policy has contributed to their catching-up processes. But decisive for these processes have been the market forces which were the result of EU integration and the economic policy within the catching-up countries. Economic growth in the EU has probably not been stimulated by regional policy. Also in the current period regional policy will presumably not contribute positively to economic growth in the EU.
Räumliche Disparitäten des Sozialhilfebezugs in Deutschland: ein Überblick
Authors: Klagge Britta
Published: March 2010

Economic and social structural change over the last 30 years have had a decisive impact on the development and the structure of the poor population in Germany. Rising unemployment has been accompanied by growing poverty, which in the contribution is defined by reference to welfare recipiency rates. Apart from the unemployed, foreigners and children have also become special groups with a high risk of poverty, partly as a consequence of deep structural changes in the demographic make-up of Germany’s population. The main focus of the article is the description and analysis of spatial disparities in Germany in respect of poverty, especially the west-east and the north-south divide, as well as urban-rural differences and inner-city segregation. Important determinants of these disparities are the relative size of risk groups in the respective populations., but also policies (especially labour-market policies in eastern Germany) and behavioural differences. The observed disparity patterns are quite stable over time. The most dynamic development is taking place in eastern (formerly East) Germany, where over the 1990s the urban-rural disparity pattern has become more and more similar to that found in western Germany.
Bevölkerungsentwicklung in Südwestsachsen und daraus resultierende Konsequenzen
Authors: Jurczek Peter
Published: March 2010

For several years, Germany has been characterised by a declining population development. Regions in eastern Germany are especially affected by this as the example of South-western Saxony will show. Main cause of this development is the constantly declining birth rate which effects are strengthened by a negative migration rate. Statistic prognoses for the year 2015 do now show an improving situation but rather forecast an intensification of population losses, although with regional differences. The tendentiously further declining number of population causes numerous and diverse effects that influence social life in general but also induce special consequences. Therefore, action-oriented strategies have to be developed and implemented to secure the number and structure of population. They include several fields of special measures.
20 Jahre Suburbanisierung der Bevölkerung
Authors: Schönert Matthias
Published: March 2010

Every year the major German cities are losing inhabitants through the suburbanisation of their urban fringe. The study of seven major cities reveals an annual negative migration balance of about 0.5% of the total population between 1981 and 2000. Thus approximately 10% of the urban population migrated to the surrounding countryside in 20 years. Suburbanisation is an essential reason for the ratio of population-related housing completions, in which the inner city brings considerably fewer dwellings onto the market — with a ratio of 1∶1.7 — in comparison with the urban fringe. The building type of so-called “single-family” and “two-family” houses plays a special role in the process of suburbanisation. The study illustrates the greater attractiveness of the urban fringe and the scarce availability of building sites in the inner cities for the construction of single-family and two-family houses: as a result, the population-related housing completions in urban fringe areas are four to five times higher than in the city centre.
Regionale Strategien für eine dauerhaft-umweltgerechte Siedlungsflächenentwicklung
Authors: Weith Thomas
Published: March 2010

Although various negative impacts of current trends in land use have been obvious for years in Germany, change in this trend cannot be recognised seen. One option for increasing the effectiveness of public regulatory policies is to make use of so — called “regional development strategies”, an integrated political approach to reshape land use policy. After defining basic terms and fundamental types of such “strategies” the text indicates different possibilities for changing land use policies. The International Building Exhibition “Fürst-Pückler-Land” in the Lusatia region (German state of Brandenburg) is used as an example to demonstrate the usefulness of such strategies.
Projekte und Innovation
Authors: Ibert Oliver
Published: March 2010

Projects have gained importance for town and regional planning. The question is, in how far can the emerging new task for public planning, the organisation of innovations, explain the rise of the importance of project-oriented planning. It is argued that projects are well suited for the creation of innovation, since they provide an apt organisational framework in which planning is capable to combine creative processes with strong implementation practices. This new mode of planning is not only a sign for the decline of public planning, it also offers some chances.
Regionalentwicklung unter Schrumpfungsbedingungen
Authors: Müller Bernhard
Published: March 2010

Demographic shrinkage is a fact of life both in Germany and in Europe. In both eastern and western Germany it is leading to dramatic changes in spatial structures and throwing up new challenges for spatial planning. It is, however, important to note that shrinkage and growth can often be found side by side and in extremely close proximity to each other. It is against this background that the author explores the changes which need to be made to spatial planning and possible perspectives for steering development. The combination of “top-down” framework steering and “bottom-up” co-ordination — i.e. an incentive-oriented, multi-tiered form of steering — could, it is argued, be a helpful approach to facilitate more differentiated reactions than have previously been possible to the local particularities of development processes.
Der „Ausnahmezustand” als Entwicklungsstrategie
Authors: Leimbrock Holger , Lintz Gerd
Published: March 2010

Old industrialised regions which are characterised by small and medium-sized towns are amongst the most deprived areas in eastern Germany. This article investigates the extent to which large-scale, environmentally focused co-operation projects may offer a stimulus for the development of these regions. Analysis of case studies shows that the projects investigated have indeed had a considerable positive impact on regional development. The effects achieved go far beyond the projects themselves. This success can be primarily put down to the exceptional situation in the regions under review, effectively a “state of emergency”, brought about by such large-scale, environmentally focused co-operation projects and acting as the driving force for regional action. Recommendations concerning regional development and policy are made on the basis of findings from the case studies.
FFH-Verträglichkeitsprüfung und Raumordnungsverfahren
Authors: Berg Gunhild
Published: March 2010

At the latest since the passage of the EU’s Conservation of Wild Birds Directive and the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive, it has been impossible for spatial planning law in Germany to remain aloof from the influence of European nature-protection legislation. These two directives provide for the creation of a Europe-wide network of nature reserves — termed “Natura 2000”; this network is to be protected from any destructive influences, firstly by means on a prohibition on impairment and disturbance, and secondly by requiring FFH impact assessment. Comparatively little attention has been given so far to one question of particular importance in planning practice, namely whether FFH impact assessment is also to be mandatory within comprehensive spatial-planning procedures. Consequently, this article attempts to shed light on the areas where European nature-protection law and German spatial-planning procedures come into contact with each other.
Das raumordnerische Konzept der Städteverbünde und seine Umsetzung in der landesplanerischen Praxis
Authors: Greiving Stefan
Published: March 2010

The paper focuses on city alliances, designated recently by federal state’s regional planning in order to create combined central-places. The effectiveness of this concept has been reduced in the past due to the missing binding designation of shared functions. Contractual agreements have been identified here as an appropriate instrument in the last years. The planning practise of these alliances triggered by new, more concrete objectives laid down by regional planning will be evaluated by examples from Saxony, Thuringia and Bavaria.
Innovative Projekte zur Regionalentwicklung
Authors: Gatzweiler Hans-Peter , Mensing Klaus
Published: March 2010

Policy and practice perspective
60 Jahre Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung
Authors: Borchard Klaus , Scholich Dietmar
Published: March 2010

Policy and practice perspective
Die Zeitschrift „Raumforschung und Raumordnung” 1936–2006
Authors: Becker Klaus
Published: March 2010

Policy and practice perspective
Stadtentwicklung durch die EU: Europäische Stadtpolitik und URBAN-Ansatz im Spannungsfeld von Lissabon-Strategie und Leipzig Charta
Authors: Frank Susanne
Published: March 2010

This paper discusses recent developments and the current state of EU urban policy against the backdrop of the Lisbon strategy and the Leipzig Charter, drawing for purposes of illustration on the URBAN initiative to revitalise disadvantaged urban areas. In contrast to the Lisbon process, which shifted the focus unmistakably to “strengthening competitiveness”, the Leipzig Charter — hatched during Germany’s presidency of the EU — stresses the need to promote socially integrative urban development. Notwithstanding this conflict, the author argues that the real key to understanding European urban policy is “governance”, i.e. changes in forms of municipal steering and control.
Schweizer Unternehmen — Quo vaditis?
Authors: Bodenmann Balz R. , Axhausen Kay W.
Published: March 2010

This paper explores the business demographics of the Swiss cantons of St. Gallen and the two Appenzells between the years of 1991 and 2006 using entries to the business registers of the these three cantons. Of particular interest are the influences of age, size, industry branch and location on company migration behaviour. In addition, the central spatial distribution of business formations and closures is observed. In a first step, the interrelations are described for the observed business demographic results. Then, the individual effects are tested and quantified with a logit-loglinear model. The model selected makes it possible to explore and quantify the interaction effects between the variables on business demographic behaviour. The results prove that all four factors influence the demographic behaviour of companies. The comparison between the influence of age and size show that age is the predominant variable on migration behaviour whereas the size of a business has a noticeable effect on the exit rate.
Abgrenzung von Wohnungsmarktregionen mithilfe von Wanderungsverflechtungen: eine vergleichende Fallstudie
Authors: Rusche Karsten
Published: March 2010

For an accurate and consistent evaluation of regional developments it is misleading to concentrate on administrative units. The use of functional economic areas is an essential step towards an efficient analysis when working with spatial data. The theory of spatial arbitrage suggests migration patterns as the best fitting data for the delineation of housing market areas. This article uses an algorithm to delineate housing market areas based on the county level. It combines the calculation of a migration interaction indicator with the AMOEBA clustering procedure. The example regions examined show a strong spatial relationship between housing and labour market areas.
Die Bologna Beschlüsse und die möglichen Konsequenzen für die Ausbildung von Raumplanern in Deutschland
Authors: Kunzmann Klaus R.
Published: March 2010

The decision of the European Union, to harmonize higher education in Europe and to do this on the basis of the Anglo-American system of BA/MA structures (the so-called Bologna process) has caused considerable turmoil at German universities. This has been particularly a concern of Technical Universities which were forced to abandon a long tradition of engineering degrees. With the reform, full time (five years) planning education in Germany, exclusively established at Technical Universities is under scrutiny. By now all German schools of planning have restructured their programmes and introduced BA/BSc and MAI MSc degrees, substituting the traditional Dipl. Ing. in planning. This transformation will have considerable repercussions on the established programmes, on teaching and on practice orientation, as well as on student admission and international mobility. The article raises the respective issues for the programmes and discusses the likely implications for planning schools.
Dezentrale Regenwasserbewirtschaftung als Baustein einer nachhaltigen Siedlungsentwicklung
Authors: Kaiser Mathias
Published: March 2010

Policy and practice perspective
Raumplanung — ihr politischer Stellenwert in einer veränderten Welt
Authors: Lendi Martin
Published: March 2010

As a public responsibility, spatial planning is in competition with other public functions. If, in what way and with which level of persuasive power it can actively act, depends, among other things, on the degree of attention it gets from public, parliament, government, and administration, and in a federal republic, from states, regions and communities. In addition to the attention it manages to attract, other factors also play a major role in its effectiveness, mainly democratic legitimation, but also its usefulness to other public functions. Its political status is an outcome of all relevant factors. If the status is low, spatial planning will have difficult times, if it is high, it can count on favourable conditions. Because the term has not been scientifically defined, a phenomenon has emerged that is illustrated by the history of Swiss spatial planning: its political standing must be constantly and diligently reattained.
Wie Städte dem Umland Paroli bieten können
Authors: Adam Brigitte , Driessen Kathrin , Münter Angelika
Published: March 2010

The growing attractiveness of residential locations in urban areas compared with peripheral areas is strongly discussed. Nevertheless, migrations from cities to surrounding areas continue both in growing and shrinking cities. Interviews executed among migrants in two West and two East German regions moving from cities to the surrounding area have provided comparative regional results on household structures, mobility patterns, the process of deciding to migrate but also on later reflections upon this decision. The results also include the analysis of the financial calculation of private households. The article furthermore deals with the future framework conditions for the choice of the residence and shows strategies how to limit urban-rural migrations which might strengthen central cities as residential locations and at the same time help to reduce the traffic in metropolitan regions.
Patentanmeldungen im Ruhrgebiet — Stärken und Schwächen im Vergleich von Agglomerationen
Authors: Kampmann Ricarda
Published: March 2010

Patent applications — a result of innovation activities and a leading indicator for technical developments — are concentrated in agglomerations. Therefore, patent applications from the Ruhr Area are compared with those in other urban centres. Their level and development within the Ruhr area are below average. Nevertheless, they possess certain strengths: in some technical fields such as chemistry an above-average proportion and development can be observed. In addition, there is a bigger variability of patent applications within the Ruhr area than in other regions. Additionally, there are other nearby areas with a high level of researching activities in NRW. Consequently, networking seems to be more promising than in other federal states in Germany.
Serum Oxidized‐LDL is Associated with Diabetes Duration Independent of Maintaining Optimized Levels of LDL‐Cholesterol
Authors: Nakhjavani Manouchehr , Khalilzadeh Omid , Khajeali Leila , Esteghamati Alireza , Morteza Afsaneh , Jamali Arsia , Dadkhahipour Sheida
Published: March 2010

Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis and diabetes complications. The aim of this study was first, to evaluate the association between ox‐LDL and diabetes duration, and second, to examine serum level of ox‐LDL in patients with prolonged diabetes and a desirable LDL‐cholesterol level. A total of 36 type‐2 diabetic patients with a diabetes duration of more than 5 years, 36 newly diagnosed diabetic patients, and 36 age‐, sex‐ and BMI‐matched healthy participants were recruited. Healthy participants and newly diagnosed patients were not receiving any treatment. All patients with prolonged diabetes had desirable LDL‐cholesterol levels (<100 mg/dL), according to the adult treatment panel‐III guidelines. While LDL‐cholesterol was significantly lower in patients with diabetes duration >5 years, in comparison to newly diagnosed patients (P < 0.01), ox‐LDL was significantly higher in patients with prolonged diabetes (P < 0.001). The ox‐LDL‐to‐LDL ratio was dramatically higher in patients with diabetes duration >5 years in comparison to newly diagnosed patients and healthy participants (P < 0.001). Ox‐LDL was significantly associated with diabetes duration (r = 0.519, P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, this association remained significant (β = 0.501, P = 0.003) after adjustment for potential confounders. In conclusion, this study showed that the serum ox‐LDL level increases with the length of diabetes, even though the patients' LDL‐cholesterol level is maintained at a desirable level. Our findings highlight that possibly more attention should be focused on markers of oxidative stress in the management of lipids in diabetic patients.
Two decades with dimorphic Chloride Intracellular Channels (CLICs)
Authors: Singh Harpreet
Published: March 2010

Plasma membrane channels have been extensively studied, and their physiological roles are well established. In contrast, relatively little information is available about intracellular ion channels. Chloride Intracellular Channel (CLICs) proteins are a novel class of putative intracellular ion channels. They are widely expressed in different intracellular compartments, and possess distinct properties such as the presence of a single transmembrane domain, and a dimorphic existence as either a soluble or membranous form. How these soluble proteins unfold, target to, and auto‐insert into the intracellular membranes to form functional integral ion channels is a complex biological question. Recent information from studies of their crystal structures, biophysical characterization and functional roles has provoked interest in these unusual channels.
Furuncular myiasis caused by the human bot-fly Dermatobia hominis in a domestic cat from Brazil
Authors: Verocai Guilherme G. , Fernandes Julio I. , Correia Thais R. , de Souza Clarissa P. , Melo Raquel M.P.S. , Scott Fabio B.
Published: March 2010

This paper reports a case of furuncular myiasis caused by the human bot-fly Dermatobia hominis in a domestic cat from Brazil. A crossbred shorthaired female cat of approximately 3 years old, presented with three boil-like cutaneous lesions at the left cranioventral region of the neck. These were diagnosed as furuncular myiasis. The animal was sedated, and after shaving the fur, bot-fly larvae were removed from the lesion by digital compression. Afterwards, the wounds were treated with 10% iodine solution and also with wound-healing cream containing sulfanilamide, urea and beeswax. Maggots were identified as third-stage larvae of D hominis. Clinical case reports of human bot-fly myiasis in cats are relevant due to its scarce occurrence in feline veterinary practice in some countries.
Spinal epidural empyema in a cat
Authors: Maeta Noritaka , Kanda Teppei , Sasaki Takanori , Morita Takehito , Furukawa Toshinori
Published: March 2010

The diagnosis and surgical treatment of spinal epidural empyema (SEE) in a 2-year-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat is described. SEE was diagnosed by computed tomographic myelography (CT myelography) and surgical exploration. The lesion was missed on both non-enhanced CT and conventional myelography. SEE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progressive myelopathy in cats, and CT myelography should be undertaken when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot be performed.
Competitive conditions in Islamic and conventional banking: A global perspective
Authors: Ariss Rima Turk
Published: March 2010

I analyze the competitive conditions prevailing in Islamic and conventional global banking markets, and investigate the possible differences in profitability between these markets, using a sample of banks across 13 countries during 2000–2006. The results suggest that Islamic banks allocate a greater share of their assets to financing activities compared to conventional banks, and they are also better capitalized. Different computed measures of competition indicate that Islamic banking is less competitive compared to conventional banking. A second‐stage analysis shows that profitability significantly increases with market power, but this does not warrant higher profitability levels for Islamic banks.
IV Epigram in the Second Sophistic and After
Authors: Livingstone Niall , Nisbet Gideon
Published: March 2010

‘After [the Alexandrian era] comes nothing new but the jokes of Rome’, ‘corrupted by the lusts of Rome and the decadence of the East’. These and similar reactions to post-Hellenistic epigram – explicitly teleological and, from a twenty-first-century perspective, often startlingly racist – are typical of the late nineteenth century and much of the twentieth. Scholars felt almost as strongly about Greek epigrammatists under Rome as they did about Rome's own major epigrammatist, Martial (discussed in the previous chapter). His fellow travellers in genre came too late in epigram's history: they could not possibly be any good, and the public were advised to remain at a safe distance to avoid aesthetic and even sexual contamination. The interloper Martial had wrecked ancient epigram's manners and morals, and the Greeks who came after him could only sport grimly in the ruins: ‘The brothel and the grave are all that is left for Rufinus and his contemporaries. This revealingly overwrought response is essentially late Victorian, but its echoes are still felt; our final chapter will follow the trail of panic quotes back to John Addington Symonds and Uranian Love, laying bare the contingency and special pleading that lie behind any modern account of ancient epigram.
Formation of dipolar vortices and vortex streets due to nonlinearly interacting ion-temperature-gradient-driven modes in dense magnetoplasmas
Authors: BATOOL NAZIA , MIRZA ARSHAD M.
Published: March 2010

Nonlinear equations which govern the dynamics of low-frequency (ω ⪡ ωci, where ω is the perturbation frequency of the wave and ωci is the ion gyro-frequency), ion-temperature-gradient-driven modes in the presence of equilibrium density, temperature and magnetic field gradients are derived. New set of nonlinear equations are derived. In the nonlinear case, new types of solutions in the form of dipolar vortices and vortex streets are found to exist in dense quantum plasma. These structures are found to be formed on very short spatial scales.
Disease burden of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome in The Netherlands
Authors: HAAGSMA J. A. , SIERSEMA P. D. , DE WIT N. J. , HAVELAAR A. H.
Published: March 2010

Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) has been established as a sequel of infectious intestinal disease (IID). The aim of this study was to estimate the burden of PI-IBS caused by the pathogens Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella, and to compare this with other outcomes associated with these pathogens. The attributable risk of PI-IBS due to bacterial pathogens was calculated and linked to national data on gastroenteritis incidence and measures for severity and duration of illness in order to estimate the burden of PI-IBS. One year post-infection, IBS developed in 9% of patients with bacterial IID. The burden of PI-IBS adds over 2300 disability adjusted life years to the total annual disease burden for the selected pathogens. PI-IBS is a frequent sequel of IID, resulting in a considerable disease burden compared to other outcomes. If this relationship is not considered, this will result in an underestimation of the disease burden of IID.