bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POTENTIAL MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING STRESS CORROSION CRACKING FAILURES IN HIGH-BURNUP CANDU FUEL
Authors: Piro Markus , Sunderland Dion , Revie Winston , Livingstone Steve , Dimayuga Ike , Douchant Alain , Wright Michael
Published: September 2016

Potential mitigation strategies for preventing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) failures in CANDU fuel cladding that are based on lessons learned on both domestic and international fronts are discussed in this paper. Although SCC failures have not been a major concern in CANDU reactors in recent decades, they may resurface at higher burnup for conventional fuels or with nonconventional fuels that are currently being investigated, such as MOX or thoria-based fuels. The motivation of this work is to provide the foundation for considering possible remedies for SCC failures. Three candidate remedies are discussed, namely improved fabrication methods for fuel appendages, barrier-liner cladding, and fuel doping. In support of this effort, recent advances in experimental characterization methods are described—methods that have been successfully used in non-nuclear materials that can be used to further elucidate SCC behaviour in CANDU fuel. The overall objective is to outline a path forward for characterizing material behaviour as an essential part of investigating remedies to SCC failure. This will allow increased fuel discharge burnup, maximum linear power, and plant manoeuvrability, while maintaining a high degree of reliability.
Impact of surgical wound dehiscence on health-related quality of life and mental health
Authors: Corrêa N.F.M. , de Brito M.J.A , de Carvalho Resende M.M. , Duarte M.F.P. , Santos F.S. , Salomé G.M. , Ferreira L.M.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

To assess the impact of surgical wound dehiscence on health-related quality of life and mental health. Dehiscence of surgical wounds is a serious postoperative complication associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Method:

Sixty-one adult patients, who had undergone neurological, general, colorectal, orthopaedic, gynaecological, plastic, cardiovascular, urological or neurological surgery in a university hospital in Brazil, were assessed between 30 and 180 days after surgery. Twenty participants who achieved complete wound healing were allocated to the control group and 41 participants who developed surgical wound dehiscence were allocated to the dehiscence group. Patients unable to complete the questionnaires because of cognitive impairment and those who declined to participate or died were excluded from the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of participants; the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results:

Surgical wound dehiscences were 0.5-30 cm in length, 0.5-7 cm in depth, and located in the arms, legs or trunk. There were significant between-group differences in mean scores on the physical functioning (p<0.01), role physical (p<0.01), social functioning (p=0.01), and bodily pain (p=0.01) dimensions of the SF-36. Participants with wound dehiscence reported significantly higher BDI scores (more depressive symptoms) than controls (p=0.01).

Conclusion:

Surgical wound dehiscence had a negative impact on the physical functioning, role physical, social functioning, and bodily pain dimensions of health-related quality of life and on mental health.

Declaration of interest:

No conflict of interest to declare.
Effectiveness of hyaluronic acid and its derivatives on chronic wounds: a systematic review
Authors: Shaharudin A. , Aziz Z.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) and its derivatives are used for chronic wounds, but evidence of their effectiveness remains unclear. The aim of this study was to provide more updated evidence for the effectiveness of HA (or its derivatives) compared with placebo or other agents for promoting healing in chronic wounds.

Method:

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE via Ovid Online, CINAHL and the EMBASE via EBSCO host databases were searched. Drug companies and experts in wounds were also contacted. Randomised controlled trials of HA (or its derivatives) compared with control were eligible for inclusion.

Results:

We identified nine randomised controlled trials involving 865 participants with chronic wounds were included in the review. The reporting for mixed arterial and venous ulcers seems to be better quality than that for venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Studies provided little evidence regarding the claimed effects of HA or its derivaties on healing of chronic wounds. However, there is some evidence on their effectiveness for reducing pain intensity for mixed arterial and venous ulcers, which involved 255 patients (MD=−6.78 [95% CI: –11.10 to –2.46]).

Conclusion:

Evidence to guide decisions regarding the use of HA or its derivatives to promote wound healing is still limited. More good-quality randomised controlled trials are warranted.
Microbiota is a primary cause of pathogenesis of chronic wounds
Authors: Wolcott R. , Sanford N. , Gabrilska R. , Oates J.L. , Wilkinson J.E. , Rumbaugh K.P.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Diverse microorganisms present on the surface of chronic wounds have been established to constitute wound microbiota. The aims of this study were to quantify the viability of wound microbiota, classify dispersal of viable microbes from the wound, and determine if human wound microbiota can produce a chronic wound in an animal model.

Method:

Wound microbiotas as units (multiple microbial species acting as one infectious agent) were obtained from well-defined human chronic wounds and seeded onto mouse surgical excision wounds to produce chronically infected wounds that closely resembled the chronic wounds observed in the original hosts.

Results:

We found the wound microbiota harvested from 35 out of 43 (81%) patients could produce similar chronic wounds (producing slough and exudate) in a murine chronic wound model. The top 30 species present in patient wounds were identified in the mouse wounds by molecular sequencing. Koch's postulates could therefore be applied to establish wound microbiota as the cause of the original human chronic wound infections. Evidence-based medicine criteria such as Hill's criteria for causation can all be satisfied by what is currently known about wound microbiota.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that wound microbiota actively disseminates from the chronic wound by forces and mechanisms intrinsic to the wound. Koch's postulates and Hill's criteria for causation together suggest chronic wound microbiota to be the main cause underlying the pathogenesis of chronic wounds.

Declaration of interest:

RW has an equity interest in PathoGenius Labs. No funding was received for this study.
Thoracoabdominal necrotising soft tissue infection secondary to enterocutaneous fistulae: a case report
Authors: Lassiter R.L. , Simmerman E.L. , Sol Oh J. , Mentzer C.J. , Burkart N.E. , Holsten S.B.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Necrotising soft tissue infection is a rare surgical emergency, which requires immediate and aggressive surgical debridement. Following control of the infection, patients are often left with large defects, with wound reconstruction and closure creating significant challenges. Here we describe a case of extensive thoracoabdominal necrotising soft tissue infection and provide a discussion on the standard of care and treatment based on a current literature review.

Method:

A 53-year-old female presented with bilious and feculent discharge from her surgical incision two weeks after a total abdominal hysterectomy. She was found to have two enterocutaneous fistulae and an extensive abdominal wall necrotising soft tissue infection extending to the lower thorax. Wide excision and debridement were performed, leaving a large triangular defect. Following serial washouts and debridements, a biologic mesh with openings for the enterocutaneous fistulae was used to cover the fascial defect

Results:

Postoperatively, the patient was discharged to a nursing facility where she remained on total parenteral nutrition due to high fistula output. She subsequently underwent fistulectomy nine months later followed by skin grafting. To date, she has not had any recurrent fistulae or infection.

Conclusion:

Necrotising soft tissue infection resulting in a large abdominal wall defect secondary to enterocutaneous fistulae poses a significant challenge for source control and abdominal wall reconstruction. After serial debridements, use of biologic mesh for temporary closure followed by staged resection of the bowel with abdominal wall reconstruction can be performed.

Declaration of interest:

The authors have no personal financial or institutional interest in any of the drugs, materials, or devices used.
A comparative analysis of skin substitutes used in the management of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Martinson M. , Martinson N.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

To compare the relative product cost and clinical outcomes of four skin substitutes used as adjunctive treatments for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

Method:

Medicare claims data from 2011 to 2014 were used to identify beneficiaries with diabetes and foot ulcers. Patients treated with one of four types of skin substitute (Apligraf, Dermagraft, OASIS, and MatriStem) were identified. The skin substitutes were compared on episode length; amputation rate; skin substitute utilisation; and skin substitute costs.

Results:

There were 13,193 skin substitute treatment episodes: Apligraf (HML) was used in 4926 (37.3%), Dermagraft (HSL) in 5530 (41.9%), OASIS (SIS) in 2458 (18.6%) and MatriStem (UBM) in 279 (2.1%). The percentage of DFUs that healed at 90 days were: UBM 62%; SIS 63%; HML 58%; and HSL 58%. Over the entire time, UBM was non-inferior to SIS (p<0.001), and either was significantly better than HML or HSL (p<0.005 in all four tests). HML was marginally superior to HSL (p=0.025 unadjusted for multiple testing). Medicare reimbursements for skin substitutes per DFU episode for UBM ($1435 in skin substitutes per episode) and SIS ($1901) appeared to be equivalent to each other, although non-inferiority tests were not significant. Both were less than HML ($5364) or HSL ($14,424) (p<0.0005 in all four tests). HML was less costly than HSL (p<0.0005).

Conclusion:

Various types of skin substitutes appear to be able to confer important benefits to both patients with DFUs and payers. Analysis of the four skin-substitute types resulted in a demonstration that UBM and SIS were associated with both shorter DFU episode lengths and lower payer reimbursements than HML and HSL, while HML was less costly than HSL but equivalent in healing.

Declaration of interest:

MM and NM are health economic consultants who completed and authored this analysis. They have no financial interest in ACell, Inc. Their fees were not contingent on the outcome of this analysis.
Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin eluted from a regenerating bone graft substitute
Authors: Stravinskas M. , Horstmann P. , Ferguson J. , Hettwer W. , Nilsson M. , Tarasevicius S. , Petersen M. M. , McNally M. A. , Lidgren L.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Deep bone and joint infections (DBJI) are directly intertwined with health, demographic change towards an elderly population, and wellbeing. The elderly human population is more prone to acquire infections, and the consequences such as pain, reduced quality of life, morbidity, absence from work and premature retirement due to disability place significant burdens on already strained healthcare systems and societal budgets. DBJIs are less responsive to systemic antibiotics because of poor vascular perfusion in necrotic bone, large bone defects and persistent biofilm-based infection. Emerging bacterial resistance poses a major threat and new innovative treatment modalities are urgently needed to curb its current trajectory.

Materials and Methods

We present a new biphasic ceramic bone substitute consisting of hydroxyapatite and calcium sulphate for local antibiotic delivery in combination with bone regeneration. Gentamicin release was measured in four setups: 1) in vitro elution in Ringer’s solution; 2) local elution in patients treated for trochanteric hip fractures or uncemented hip revisions; 3) local elution in patients treated with a bone tumour resection; and 4) local elution in patients treated surgically for chronic corticomedullary osteomyelitis.

Results

The release pattern in vitro was comparable with the obtained release in the patient studies. No recurrence was detected in the osteomyelitis group at latest follow-up (minimum 1.5 years).

Conclusions

This new biphasic bone substitute containing antibiotics provides safe prevention of bone infections in a range of clinical situations. The in vitro test method predicts the in vivo performance and makes it a reliable tool in the development of future antibiotic-eluting bone-regenerating materials. Cite this article: M. Stravinskas, P. Horstmann, J. Ferguson, W. Hettwer, M. Nilsson, S. Tarasevicius, M. M. Petersen, M. A. McNally, L. Lidgren. Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin eluted from a regenerating bone graft substitute: In vitro and clinical release studies. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:427–435. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.59.BJR-2016-0108.R1.
Impact of Mean Cell Hemoglobin on Hb A1c–Defined Glycemia Status
Authors: Rodriguez-Segade Santiago , Garcia Javier Rodriguez , García-López José M , Gude Francisco , Casanueva Felipe F , RS-Alonso Santiago , Camiña Félix
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Several hematological alterations are associated with altered hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c). However, there have been no reports of their influence on the rates of exceeding standard Hb A1c thresholds by patients for whom Hb A1c determination is requested in clinical practice.

METHODS

The initial data set included the first profiles (complete blood counts, Hb A1c, fasting glucose, and renal and hepatic parameters) of all adult patients for whom such a profile was requested between 2008 and 2013 inclusive. After appropriate exclusions, 21844 patients remained in the study. Linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for demographic, hematological, and biochemical variables excluded from the predictors.

RESULTS

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) correlated negatively with Hb A1c. Fasting glucose, MCH, and age emerged as predictors of Hb A1c in a stepwise regression that discarded sex, hemoglobin, MCV, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum creatinine, and liver disease. Mean Hb A1c in MCH interdecile intervals fell from 6.8% (51 mmol/mol) in the lowest (≤27.5 pg) to 6.0% (43 mmol/mol) in the highest (>32.5 pg), with similar results for MCV. After adjustment for fasting glucose and other correlates of Hb A1c, a 1 pg increase in MCH reduced the odds of Hb A1c–defined dysglycemia, diabetes and poor glycemia control by 10%–14%.

CONCLUSIONS

For at least 25% of patients, low or high MCH or MCV levels are associated with increased risk of an erroneous Hb A1c–based identification of glycemia status. Although causality has not been demonstrated, these parameters should be taken into account in interpreting Hb A1c levels in clinical practice.
La religión como identidad colectiva: las relaciones sociológicas entre religión e identidad
Authors: Pérez-Agote Alfonso
Published: September 2016

El presente artículo sociológico trata de establecer la relación entre dos nociones que provienen de ámbitos diferentes: el psicológico y el sociológico. Desde el punto de vista psicológico, se toman como referencia dos niveles de la identidad individual: el personal y el social, aunque éste último se presenta como más relevante para el sociólogo. Desde la llamada sociología histórica el artículo trata de establecer las cambiantes relaciones entre religión, identidad, cultura y política. En primer lugar, durante el periodo histórico de modernización; y, en segundo lugar, en nuestros días, cuando el proceso de globalización difumina los límites precisos de nuestras sociedades.
De la reconnaissance à la mise en forme rituelle des unions de même sexe en France. Enquête auprès de catholiques gays et lesbiennes
Authors: Béraud Celine
Published: September 2016

Entre los años 2012 y 2013, los debates en torno al derecho al matrimonio y a la adopción para parejas del mismo sexo han estado revestidos de una importante controversia en Francia, controversia mucho más intensa que en España siete años antes en relación al mismo tema. Entre los opositores a la ley, los católicos aparecen como actores clave. A pesar de los discursos no confesionales, la condena tradicional de la homosexualidad por parte del magisterio católico se ha visto reforzada: las prácticas homosexuales son calificadas de “desórdenes intrínsecos” y condenadas por no respetar “el orden de la naturaleza”. La movilización ha constituido un reto para los católicos gays y lesbianas altamente integrados en la Iglesia; grupo sobre el que he realizado una investigación sociológica cualitativa. La investigación muestra que ellos y ellas consiguen, no obstante, hacer cohabitar estas dos dimensiones de su identidad obteniendo, incluso, un acompañamiento a través de una ritualización de su unión por parte de un cura.
Korelasi Kadar Timbal dalam Darah dengan Kadar Hemoglobin pada Anak Usia 1-6 tahun
Authors: Bagaswoto Hendra Purnasidha , Sutaryo Sutaryo , Nugroho Sasmito
Published: September 2016

Latar belakang. Anak yang berusia kurang dari 6 tahun lebih rentan terpapar timbal. Timbal menghambat proses pembentukan hemoglobin dengan cara menghambat aktivitas enzim amino levulinic acid synthetase (ALAS), amino levulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) dan ferrochelatase serta menghasilkan reactive oxygen substance (ROS) yang dapat menyebabkan hemolisis.Tujuan. Menentukan korelasi kadar timbal dalam darah dengan kadar hemoglobin pada anak usia 1-6 tahun.Metode. Penelitian cross-sectional dilaksanakan bulan Oktober-November 2012. Subjek, anak berusia 1-6 tahun yang bertempat tinggal di sekitar perempatan padat lalu lintas di daerah Gedongtengen, Pingit, dan Juminahan Yogyakarta. Kadar timbal dalam darah dianalisis dengan metode atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) dan kadar hemoglobin dengan metode spektrofotometer. Analisis korelasi Spearman digunakan untuk menentukan korelasi antara kadar timbal dalam darah dengan kadar hemoglobin.Hasil. Sebanyak 65 anak diikutsertakan dalam penelitian dengan rerata usia 3 tahun 10 bulan. Kadar timbal dalam darah di dalam kisaran 0,01-10,67 μg/dL, dengan rerata 3,73 μg/dL. Enam anak (9%) mempunyai kadar timbal dalam darah tinggi menurut kriteria CDC dan AAP. Tidak ditemukan korelasi yang bermakna antara kadar timbal dalam darah dengan kadar hemoglobin (r=0,05; p=0,67).Kesimpulan. Kadar timbal dalam darah tidak memiliki korelasi dengan kadar hemoglobin pada anak usia 1-6 tahun.
Klimapolitik und ökonomische Entwicklung: Kein Widerspruch zwischen Klimapolitik und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit
Authors: Elmer Carl-Friedrich , Bradke Harald , Faulstich Martin , Nabitz Lisa
Published: September 2016

In der Diskussion um eine ambitionierte Klimapolitik wird oftmals vorgebracht, diese gefährde die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der heimischen Industrie. Diese Befürchtungen erweisen sich bei genauer Analyse jedoch als weithin unbegründet. Vielmehr bietet eine klug ausgestaltete Klimapolitik vielfältige Chancen.
Zusammenarbeit unter Unbekannten
Authors: Zimmermann Lars
Published: September 2016

Wie wird eine Kreislaufwirtschaft möglich? Mehr Techniken der Zusammenarbeit mit Unbekannten sind dafür notwendig. Dazu gehören der Einsatz von Standards, vollständige Recyclingfähigkeit und Open Source. Open Source sorgt für um fassende Transparenz, einen freien Zugang zur Information und für alle offenliegende Lösungsansätze.
The economic impacts of international student mobility in the globalization process
Authors: Levent Faruk
Published: September 2016

Globalization, which has various effects on economic, financial, political, sociological and cultural developments, also influences the field of education. One of the outcomes that arise due to the effects of globalization is related to the increase in international student mobility. This has paved the way for the emergence of a new market area in which international students are regarded as a source of income. Purpose of this study is to examine the economic impacts of international student mobility in the globalization process. The document analysis is used in the study. In this study, the data analysis consists of three parts. The first part is about the cost of international education while the second part explicates the economic impacts of international student mobility. Finally, the third part reviews policies aimed at increasing the number of international students. According to the information obtained from this study international students provide significant revenue to the economy of their host country by bearing the cost of tuition fees and non-educational expenses as well as by contributing to the production of knowledge and technology.
How Does Local–Global Identity Affect Price Sensitivity?
Authors: Gao Huachao , Zhang Yinlong , Mittal Vikas
Published: September 2016

The authors propose that when consumers’ local identity is accessible, they are less likely to be price sensitive because of a sacrifice mindset. Six studies using divergent measures of the independent and dependent variables as well as diverse samples (students and nonstudents, U.S. and Chinese residents, primary and secondary data) produce consistent results. Furthermore, the authors demonstrate the mediating role of a sacrifice mindset by both measuring and manipulating this construct; they also identify boundary conditions of the association between a consumer's local identity and price sensitivity. Previous research has shown that consumers with a local identity display lower price sensitivity to brands with a local origin. In contrast, the results from this research show that consumers with a local identity display lower price sensitivity even to products with an ambiguous origin. Firms using a globalization strategy can try to activate consumers’ local identity to make them less price sensitive to their brands, without having to position the brands as local.
A trace problem for associate Morrey potentials
Authors: Xiao Jie
Published: September 2016

As a solution to the restriction question for associate Morrey potentials (Question 1.1), this paper characterizes a Radon measure μ on

ℝ
n

{\mathbb{R}^{n}}

such that the Riesz operator

I
α

{I_{\alpha}}

maps the associate Morrey spaces

H
1

p
,
κ

⊂

H

p
,
κ

{H^{p,\kappa}_{1}\subset H^{p,\kappa}}

to the μ-induced Morrey spaces

L
μ

q
,
λ

⊂

L

μ
,
∞

q
,
λ

{L^{q,\lambda}_{\mu}\subset L^{q,\lambda}_{\mu,\infty}}

continuously. The discovered restriction/trace principle (Theorem 1.2) is brand-new, and its demonstration is non-trivial.
Identification of drought, cadmium and root-lesion nematode infection stress-responsive transcription factors in ramie
Authors: Zheng Xia , Zhu Siyuan , Tang Shouwei , Liu Touming
Published: September 2016

Drought, cadmium (Cd) stress, and root lesion nematode (RLN) infection are three of the most important stresses affecting ramie growth and development; therefore, ramie breeding programs focus on their management more than on any other abiotic or biotic stresses. The fact that only a small number of stress-responsive transcription factors (TFs) have been identified so far is a major obstacle in the elucidation of mechanisms regulating the response to these three stresses in ramie. In this study, in order to uncover more stress-responsive TFs, a total of 179 nonredundant genes with full-length open reading frames from the MYB, AP2/ERF, bZIP, HD-ZIP, and COL families were obtained by searching for against the ramie transcriptome. Expression pattern analysis demonstrated that most of these genes showed relatively higher expression in the stem xylem and bast than in other tissues. Among these genes, 96 genes were found to be involved in responses to drought, Cd exposure, or RLN-infection. The expression of 54 of these genes was regulated by at least two stresses. These stress-responsive TFs probably have roles in the regulation of stress tolerance. The discovery of these stress-responsive TFs will be helpful for furthering our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate stress responses in ramie.
ZnO nanoflowers-based photoanodes: aqueous chemical synthesis, microstructure and optical properties
Authors: Wahyuono Ruri Agung , Schmidt Christa , Dellith Andrea , Dellith Jan , Schulz Martin , Seyring Martin , Rettenmayr Markus , Plentz Jonathan , Dietzek Benjamin
Published: September 2016

We have developed an efficient, low temperature, synthetic route for ZnO nanoflowers (NFs) as photoanode material. This alternative route yields small flowerlike nanostructures, built from densely self-assembled tip-ended rod structures. The obtained ZnO NFs possess a large bandgap of 3.27 - 3.39 eV, enabling the generation of an average open current voltage of 0.56 V. Additionally, they show a high internal light harvesting of 14.6•10-7A-mol-1. The growth mechanism and self-assembly of ZnO NFs were studied in detail by joint spectroscopic-TEM investigations. It is shown that the ZnO crystallite size increases with increasing annealing temperatures and that the stress and the improved crystallinity are induced by annealing and reduce the lattice strain and the dislocation density. The bandgaps of ZnO are affected by the lattice strain revealing an optimal region of lattice strain to gain high bandgap energies. The properties of the synthesized ZnO NFs are compared with other morphologies, i.e. ZnO spherical aggregates (SPs) and ZnO nanorods (NRs), and are tested as electrode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Enhancing lithium–sulphur battery performance by copper oxide@graphene oxide nanocomposite-modified cathode
Authors: Seyyedin Seyyed Taher , Sovizi Mohammad Reza , Yaftian Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2016

Nanosheet structures of copper oxide@graphene oxide (CuO@GO) composite were developed as a host material to embed sulphur nanoparticles for use as cathodes in lithium–sulphur (Li-S) batteries. The homogeneous immobilisation of sulphur in the conductive matrix of CuO@GO within a strong chemical bond between carbon and polysulphide intermediates through the Lewis acid function of CuO provides a high specific discharge capacity of the CuO@GO/S electrode in comparison with the GO/S nanocomposite. The CuO@GO/S cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 1048.95 mA h g
Clustering analysis of different hop varieties according to their essential oil composition measured by GC/MS
Authors: Kaškonas Paulius , Stanius Žydrūnas , Kaškonienė Vilma , Obelevičius Kȩestutis , Ragažinskienė Ona , Žilinskas Antanas , Maruška Audrius
Published: September 2016

This study describes the analysis of total hops essential oils from 18 cultivated varieties of hops, five of which were bred in Lithuania, and 7 wild hop forms using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The study sought to organise the samples of hops into clusters, according to 72 semi-volatile compounds, by applying a well-known method,
Sulphur and peroxide vulcanisation of rubber compounds – overview
Authors: Kruželák Ján , Sýkora Richard , Hudec Ivan
Published: September 2016

Vulcanisation is a process of transforming a plastic rubber compound into a highly elastic product by forming a three-dimensional cross-linked network structure in the rubber matrix. Many systems have been developed to vulcanise rubber compounds, among which sulphur and peroxide curing systems remain the most desirable. The application of sulphur systems leads to the forming of sulphidic cross-links between elastomer chains, while carbon–carbon bonds are formed in peroxide-curing. Both vulcanisation systems provide certain benefits to the cross-linked rubber articles, but also some disadvantages. The present work seeks to provide an overview on both vulcanisation systems; their composition, possibilities of their application, reaction mechanisms, structure of the cross-links formed and the main feature of the final cross-linked materials – vulcanisates.
Preparation and artificial ageing tests in stone conservation of fluorosilicone vinyl acetate/acrylic/epoxy polymers
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ying , Wen Wen-Ya , Yu Han-Qiang , Chen Qian , Xu Ji-Cheng , Yang Dong-Ya , Qiu Feng-Xian
Published: September 2016

In this work, a series of fluorosilicone vinyl acetate/acrylic/epoxy (FVAE) polymers for protection of stone relics were prepared with different content of hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFBMA) by the seed emulsion polymerization process. Properties and structure of FVAE materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Viscosity, particle size, surface tension, gel content, adhesion and surface hardness of polymer materials were also determined. Surface morphology of the stone sample was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compared with a commercial copolymer, ethyl methacrylate/methyl acrylate (EM/MA, Paraloid B72), protection ability of the prepared FVAE polymer was investigated using artificial ageing tests such as the freeze-thaw aging test, acid aging test and the soluble salts aging test. It was found that the FVAE polymers prepared can effectively prevent corrosion caused by H
Magnetic fluids’ stability improved by oleic acid bilayer-coated structure via one-pot synthesis
Authors: Chen Ming-Jie , Shen Hui , Li Xin , Ruan Jin , Yuan Wei-Qin
Published: September 2016

To improve the magnetic fluids’ stability and demonstrate the relationships between the bilayer-coated structure and the stability, a simple method was proposed for preparingoleic acid bilayer-coated Fe
Isolation of sporopollenin-like biopolymer from Aspergillus niger and its characterisation
Authors: Soni Murari Lal , Gupta Manish , Namdeo Kamta Prasad
Published: September 2016

The study sought to isolate asporopollenin-like biopolymer from
Die Großen Zwei – Wettbewerb im Kreditkartenmarkt? / The Big Two – How Competitive is the Market for Credit Cards
Authors: Dulleck Uwe , Friederiszick Hans W.
Published: September 2016

Der Kreditkartenmarkt wird von zwei Firmen bestimmt: VISA und Mastercard/Eurocard. Der Einfluss der „Großen Zwei“ hat sowohl in den USA als auch in Europa wettbewerbsrechtliche Bedenken ausgelöst und den bisher kaum wirtschaftswissenschaftlich analysierten Kreditkartenmarkt in den Mittelpunkt mikroökonomischer Analysen gesetzt. Die vorliegende Arbeit führt in die wesentlichen Rahmen- und Wettbewerbsbedingungen des Kreditkartenmarktes ein und stellt die im wettbewerbsrechtlichen Diskurs hergeleiteten Ergebnisse in einem breiteren ordnungspolitischen Rahmen vor. Die wettbewerbsrechtlich entscheidende Hypothese faktischer Marktmacht der „Großen Zwei“ wird anhand von Preis/Kosten-Vergleichen für die europäischen Länder analysiert: Eine Analyse der Preise und verschiedener Kostenindikatoren (Internetkosten, Zinsniveau, Kreditausfallrisiko) zeigt, dass die variablen Kosten nicht entscheidend für die Marktpreise im Kreditkartenmarkt sind. Dieses Ergebnis deutet auf eine faktische Marktmacht der Marken VISA und Mastercard/Eurocard in Europa hin. Die Bedeutung dieser Marktmacht wird anhand von Sonderverträgen dokumentiert.
Innovationen und Dienstleistungen: Dimensionen der Außenwirtschaftstheorie und -politik / Innovation and Services: Dimensions in Theory and Policy of Foreign Trade
Authors: Hasse Rolf
Published: September 2016

Die Theorie und Politik der Außenwirtschaft unterliegt seit geraumer Zeit einem Wandel und einer Annäherung an die Realität. Sie wurde im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert für den Güterhandel und auf der Grundlage der Produktionstheorie (Faktorverfügbarkeit, Faktorintensität, Produktivität) entwickelt. Die Struktur des internationalen Handels wandelt sich – erst war es eine langsame, nunmehr ist es jedoch eine rasante Strukturveränderung. Die Theorie folgte als erste diesem Umbruch, die Politik hat erst in der Uruguay-Runde diese neue Handelsstruktur entschiedener aufgegriffen.

Die Abhandlung umreißt die beiden Dimensionen des Wandels. Die Wirkungen von Innovation und Dienstleistungen auf den Außenhandel werden kurz dargestellt – ihre theoretischen Ansätze, ihre politischen Rückwirkungen und die veränderte Struktur des internationalen Austauschs. Es wird die Erweiterung der Außenhandelstheorie durch Innovationen aufgezeigt (traditioneller Ansatz, Produktzyklen-Ansatz, „neue“ Theorie des Außenhandels, „neue“ Wachstumstheorie und Außenhandel). Anschließend wird geprüft, inwieweit die Außenhandelspolitik aus den teilweise sehr subtilen Theorien Handlungsoptionen ableiten kann bzw. sollte.

Die rasche Zunahme des internationalen Austauschs an Dienstleistungen und die dadurch bewirkte Veränderung der internationalen Austauschstruktur kann durchaus als revolutionär eingeschätzt werden. Insofern ist es verständlich, dass dieser Tatbestand neue Aktivitäten in der Außenhandelspolitik hervorgerufen hat – Forderungen nach Liberalisierung, Protektionismen, neue Formationen politischer Koalitionen und einen neuen Nord-Süd-Gegensatz. Theorie und Politik entwickeln neue Erklärungs- und Handlungsoptionen, die skizziert werden.
Bevölkerung und Wachstum / Declining in Population and Growth
Authors: Kleinhenz Gerhard D.
Published: September 2016

Die Entwicklung der Bevölkerung geriet in Deutschland infolge der gegenwärtigen Finanzkrise der öffentlichen Haushalte und der Systeme sozialer Sicherung in den Focus des öffentlichen Interesses. Die in den meisten hochentwickelten Ländern sich abzeichnende Alterung und Schrumpfung der Bevölkerung lässt in Deutschland bis zur Mitte des 21. Jahrhunderts einen „Zusammenbruch“ insbesondere der durch langanhaltende hohe Arbeitslosigkeit und durch die Vereinigungslasten ausgezehrten gesetzlichen Alterssicherung befürchten. Gegenstand dieses Beitrages ist die auch von Ökonomen formulierte These einer mit der Bevölkerung schrumpfenden Wirtschaft.

Bei der Analyse der Auswirkungen der Bevölkerungsentwicklung ist zu beachten, dass sich die insgesamt gesehen tektonischen Verschiebungen doch in eher bescheidenen jährlichen Anderungsraten vollziehen und durch differenzierte Entwicklungen einzelner Alterskohorten überlagert werden. Auf die langen Zeitspannen bezogen wird dabei die Anpassungsflexibilität der Wirtschaft unterschätzt. Die bevölkerungsbedingte Minderung des Erwerbspersonenpotenzials kann durch Mobilisierung von inländischen Arbeitskraftreserven verringert und eine bewusste arbeitsmarkt- und wachstumsorientierte Zuwanderungspolitik betrieben werden. Mit der Erschließung von Erwerbspersonen können auch Verbesserungen der Qualität, der Produktivität und der Wachstumsdynamik verbunden sein. Das Risiko eines Schrumpfens der Wirtschaft kann durch eine langfristig angelegte Erschließung von Erwerbspersonen und eine Potenzialentwicklung im Sinne der Wirtschaftsgrundlagenpolitik (nach H. J. Seraphim) bewältigt werden.
Zur Messung und Aussagekraft regionalstatistischer Daten / Quantification and Informative Value of Regional Data
Authors: Lange Klaus , Zischeck Christian
Published: September 2016

Die gesellschaftliche und wirtschaftliche Entwicklung von Regionen erlangt in der Gegenwart, insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der europäischen Integration, eine wachsende Bedeutung. Damit geht die Forderung nach einer ständigen Verbesserung der Informationsbasis über die Regionen einher. Der Artikel befasst sich mit den Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der regionalisierten Betrachtung wirtschaftlichen Geschehens.

Als regionale Beobachtungsebene ist für diese Zwecke der Kreis ein problemadäquater Bezugsraum. Dies ergibt sich aus Gründen der funktionalen Abgrenzung der Kreise und der Datenverfügbarkeit auf dieser Ebene. Unter dem Aspekt der Analyse der wirtschaftlichen Leistungsfähigkeit von Kreisen werden verschiedene Indikatoren hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung für diesen Zweck diskutiert.

Für einzelne Kennzahlen wird nachgewiesen, dass sich Einschränkungen bezüglich ihrer Aussagekraft ergeben. Dies gilt im besonderen für diejenigen Kennzahlen, die nicht originär in den Regionen erhoben werden bzw. dann, wenn die statistischen Berichtseinheiten ein Betätigungsfeld haben, das sich über mehr als eine Region erstreckt.
Neuere Ansätze in der Konjunkturforschung durch die Verwendung von Konjunkturindikatoren / New Approaches in Business Cycle Research: The Application of Business Cycle Indicators
Authors: Oppenländer Karl Heinrich
Published: September 2016

Die Konjunkturforschung ist in ihren Untersuchungsfeldern Theorie, Empirie, Prognose in unterschiedlichem Maße vorangekommen. Eine Konjunktur-Dichotomie hat sich aufgetan. Die Frage ist zu stellen, ob der Einsatz von Konjunkturindikatoren (aus Befragungen oder aus der Statistik gewonnen) in der Konjunkturforschung Fortschritte einleiten kann. Hier wird diskutiert, ob eine Hypothesengenerierung über Daten von unternehmerischen Erwartungsbildungen möglich ist. Die Umsetzung ist schwierig und bislang nicht gelungen. Die Messung von Zyklus und Trend ließe sich über den Einsatz von Daten, die aus Befragungen über die jeweilige Kapazitätsauslastung von Unternehmen hervorgehen, bewerkstelligen. Eine so gewonnene Konjunkturkurve dient als Referenzzyklus. Seine Prognose kann durch Frühindikatoren (leading indicators) und durch neue Methoden in der ökonometrischen Forschung (Regimewechsel-Analysen) unterstützt werden. Der Aufsatz ist Adolf Wagner gewidmet, der sich in seinen Arbeiten zur Konjunkturforschung besonders für einen breiten Einsatz von Daten ausspricht, um damit das Erkenntnisspektrum anzureichern.
Ein Prognose- und Simulationswerkzeug zur Unterstützung der kurzfristigen Personalbedarfsplanung in einem Call Center / A Forecasting and Simulation Tool for Personnel Requirement in a Call Center
Authors: Schuhr Roland
Published: September 2016

Aufgrund der arbeitsintensiven Dienstleistungen eines Call Centers ist die auf die Optimierung der Personalkosten zielende Personalbedarfs- und Personaleinsatzplanung eine wichtige Aufgabe des Call Center-Managements. In diesem Beitrag wird die Grundkonzeption eines Prognose- und Simulationssystems zur Unterstützung der kurzfristigen Personalbedarfsplanung vorgestellt.
German Register Data for Regression Estimation in Survey Sampling – A Study on the German Microcensus Respecting for Data Protection / Stichproben-Regressionsschätzungen im deutschen Mikrozensus mit Registerdaten unter Berücksichtigung des Datenschutzes
Authors: Wiegert Rolf , Münnich Ralf
Published: September 2016

Modern survey sampling methods generally deal with improving estimators with respect to available prior information. An increasingly important source of prior information is data from registers.

In some countries, e.g. Canada, The Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries, personal identification numbers in registers generally make it possible to improve estimation processes mainly due to the exact match of units between register and estimation variable. In many other countries, this exact matching of information is not possible, e.g. for legal reasons. In the German Microcensus, however, the variable unemployed refers to the register data of the Bundesanstalt fur Arbeit in Nuremberg which are not permitted to be matched to each other for legal reasons.

This article deals with an improvement of estimators with respect to available auxiliary information within the survey to enable an appropriate use of aggregated register information. A Monte Carlo simulation study will allow for the comparison of the estimators with different information or matching levels. This will be achieved in a practical environment using the data of the German Microcensus which is a 1 % survey sample of the German population.

The given example yields recommendations on applying the methodology to similar cases that are influenced by data protection in order to allow for improved estimates in practice.
Prediction of Business Cycle Turning Points in Germany / Prognose konjunktureller Wendepunkte in Deutschland
Authors: Fritsche Ulrich , Kuzin Vladimir
Published: September 2016

Using a binary reference series based on the dating procedure of Artis, Kontolemis and Osborn (1997) different procedures for predicting turning points of the German business cycles were tested. Specifically, a probit model as proposed by Estrella and Mishkin (1997) as well as Markov-switching models were taken into consideration. The overall results indicate that the interest rate spread, the real effective exchange rate as well as some monetary indicators and some survey indicators can help to predict turning points of the German business cycle. The models were estimated for the in-sample period 1978 to 1997 and the reliability of the results was tested out of that sample (1998 to 2002).
Capital Budgeting with Taxes under Uncertainty and Irreversibility / Investitionsplanung mit Steuern bei Unsicherheit und Irreversibilität
Authors: Niemann Rainer , Sureth Caren
Published: September 2016

This article investigates the derivation of post-tax investment rules and neutral tax systems under risk neutrality and risk aversion for irreversible investment projects. Integrating taxes into real option theory, it can be shown that the possible approaches dynamic programming and contingent claims analysis yield identical investment rules under risk neutrality. Under risk aversion, contingent claims analysis requires a sophisticated capital market model which is still missing. In contrast, dynamic programming as an individual approach permits explicit investment rules at least in the pre-tax case. After taxes, both approaches fail to reach general solutions. Nevertheless, we succeed in proving neutral tax systems for the first time under risk aversion in the real option context using dynamic programming.
Reservationslöhne und Arbeitslosigkeitsdauer/ Reservation Wages and Unemployment Duration
Authors: Christensen Björn
Published: September 2016

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht den Einfluss erfragter Reservationslöhne auf die Dauer der Arbeitslosigkeit auf Basis des GSOEP (2000) für Westdeutschland. Dabei findet die Selektivität im Vorliegen von Reservationslohnbeobachtungen, die aufgrund der nur einmal im Jahr stattfindenden Befragung im GSOEP entsteht, durch eine Heckman-Korrektur Eingang in das Modell und die Möglichkeit zensierter Spells wird über einen Hazardrate-Ansatz mit semiparametrischer unbeobachteter Heterogenitätsschätzung berücksichtigt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass erst bei Verwendung der Selektivitätskorrektur der nach der Theorie erwartete positive Effekt des Reservationslohns auf die Arbeitslosigkeitsdauer zu beobachten ist, wobei er dann auch in erheblicher Höhe vorliegt.
Market Structure and Innovation Races / Marktstruktur und Innovationsrennen
Authors: Kukuk Martin , Stadler Manfred
Published: September 2016

Based on an extended game-theoretic innovation-race model, we derive some Schumpeterian hypotheses of the impact of technological rivalry, market power, technological opportunities and demand expectations on the timing of product and process innovations. Using innovation data at the firm level in the German industrial sector, we estimate various versions of an econometric specification of the model with dichotomous innovation data by using a univariate binary probit model with qualitative regressor variables estimated applying indirect inference. Our empirical results are consistent with the derived hypotheses that intense rivalry, favorable technological opportunities and high demand expectations spur innovative activity, while the effect of market power is ambiguous.
Sind betriebliche Bündnisse für Arbeit erfolgreich? / Are ln-plant Alliances for Job Security Successful?
Authors: Hübler Olaf
Published: September 2016

This paper uses data from the WSI works council survey in 2003 where detailed information on agreements between employers and employees to secure jobs are available. Firm size and profit effects of company-level agreements are investigated. A major result is that the development of firm size is less favourable in companies with in-plant alliances than in other firms. Interestingly, this result is stronger within the group of successful firms. If we distinguish between several measures our estimation shows that training on-the-job and prolongation of working hours are positively correlated with the objective of job security while pay cuts, reduction of working hours and reorganisation of firms lead to further lay-offs. More ambiguous is the impact of working hours accounts. Our investigations demonstrate that the agreements are more successful if employers or the management suggest an in-plant alliance than works councils or unions. Usually, we observe only short run positive employment effects but in the medium term the effects are negative. Only in the long run the development turns around and in-plant alliances are really successful. Sometimes, renegotiations can help to improve the situation.
Training, Mobility, and Wages: Specific Versus General Human Capital
Authors: Garloff Alfred , Kuckulenz Anja
Published: September 2016

This paper considers training, mobility decisions and wages together to test for the specificity of human capital contained in continuing training courses. We empirically analyse the relationship between training, mobility and wages in two ways. First, we examine the correlation between training and mobility. In a second step, we consider wage effects of mobility taking training participation into account. First, we find that training participation is negatively correlated with the mobility decision and that training participation decreases the probability of individuals to change the job. Second, we find that wages are lower for job changers for the group of training participants, so wages decrease when trained individuals are mobile. Finally, training participation negatively affects the individuals’s subjective valuation of the quality of their last job change. Taken together, these results suggest that there is some specific human capital, which is incorporated into training and lost when moving between jobs.
Sectoral Heterogeneity in the Employment Effects of Job Creation Schemes in Germany
Authors: Caliendo Marco , Hujer Reinhard , Thomsen Stephan L.
Published: September 2016

Job creation schemes (JCS) have been one important programme of active labour market policy (ALMP) in Germany for a long time. They aim at the re-integration of hard-to-place unemployed individuals into regular employment. A thorough microeconometric evaluation of these programmes was hindered by the fact, that available survey datasets have been too small to account for a possible occurrence of effect heterogeneity. However, identifying effect heterogeneity can help to improve the design and implementation of future programmes. Hence, we use administrative data of the Federal Employment Agency, containing over 11,000 participants to analyse the employment effects of JCS on an individual level. We focus explicitly on effect heterogeneity caused by differences in the implementation of programmes, whereas we analysed these effects with respect to group-specific and regional heterogeneity in a previous paper. At first, we evaluate the effects with respect to the economic sector in which the JCS are accomplished. Second, we analyse if different types of support lead to different effects. Finally, we examine if there are varying effects which can be attributed to different implementing institutions. The results are rather discouraging and show that JCS are in general not able to improve the re-integration chances of participants into regular employment.