Wie ernst meint es die EU mit der Demokratie? Standardsetzung am Beispiel der EU-Beitrittsvorbereitungen mit Bulgarien und Rumänien

'Die große Beitrittsrunde im Mai 2004 mit zehn neuen Mitgliedsländern hat gezeigt, dass die Europäische Union gewillt ist, Demokratie und Rechtsstaatlichkeit, verbunden mit Menschenrechten und Minderheitenschutz im Beitrittsprozess einzumahnen. Gerade deshalb stellt sich die Frage, welche Standards die EU diesbezüglich aufgestellt hat. Nachdem nun eine weitere Erweiterungsrunde abgeschlossen ist (Bulgarien und Rumänien) und die nächste verhandelt wird, gilt es zu überprüfen, wie sich diese auf den Beitrittsprozess auswirken. Bei der Analyse anhand der Fortschrittsberichte der EU-Kommission für Bulgarien und Rumänien kristallisiert sich ein unvollständiges Demokratiebild heraus: (1) zentrale demokratietheoretische Aspekte wie etwa umfassende Partizipation der BürgerInnen und Schutz vor staatlicher Willkür finden keine bzw. wenig Beachtung. (2) Zudem zeigt sich, dass in den Berichten genannte gravierende Defizite keine Auswirkung auf den Beitrittsprozess haben, da die zu allgemein gehaltenen politischen Kriterien von Kopenhagen seit 1998 als erfüllt gelten. (3) Es bleibt festzustellen, dass eine Überarbeitung dieser Kriterien unumgänglich für die folgenden Beitrittsprozesse ist.' (Autorenreferat)'After the accession round in May 2004 with ten new EU-member states, it has been obvious that the European Union is very willing to demand democracy and the rule of law, combined with human rights and minority protection from potential new members. Following these requirements laid out in the Copenhagen criteria, the questions have to be raised 'Which standards the EU has established in detail' and 'How they influenced the accession procedure of Bulgaria and Romania' bearing in mind that another enlargement round is in sight. Following analysis of the monitoring reports of the EU commission for Bulgaria and Romania, it becomes clear that a very fragmented pattern of democratic standards has been employed during the accession process: (1) Essential aspects of democracy, e.g. the political participation of citizens or the protection of state arbitrariness do not receive enough thoughtfulness or no attention at all by the EU. (2) An aggravating fact, is that severe democratic problems that are even listed in the monitoring reports do not have effects on the accession process. This is due to the fact that the political criteria of Copenhagen are considered to be fulfilled since 1998. (3) For further accession procedures it has to be made clear that the requirements in regard to democratic standards as well as the consequences of the violation of these standards have to be revised.' (author's abstract)

Numerical modeling in timber engineering – moisture transport and quasi-brittle failure

With the rising popularity of timber structures and the increasing complexity of timber engineering projects, the need for numerical simulation tools specific to this building material is gaining rapidly in importance. in particular, moisture transport processes and the quasi-brittle failure behavior, both difficult to describe, present major challenges and are of great relevance in practical construction. For these reasons, this article presents numerical modeling concepts for predicting moisture gradients, estimating effective stiffness and strength, and numerically identifying potential cracking mechanisms in wooden components. These concepts are validated through experimental test programs, and the associated challenges are addressed. selected results ultimately demonstrate the capabilities and relevance of such methods for timber engineering

Preventing carbon nanoparticle-induced lung inflammation reduces antigen-specific sensitization and subsequent allergic reactions in a mouse model

Background Exposure of the airways to carbonaceous nanoparticles can contribute to the development of immune diseases both via the aggravation of the allergic immune response in sensitized individuals and by adjuvant mechanisms during the sensitization against allergens. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in these adverse pathways are not completely understood. We recently described that the reduction of carbon nanoparticle-induced lung inflammation by the application of the compatible solute ectoine reduced the aggravation of the allergic response in an animal system. In the current study we investigated the influence of carbon nanoparticles on the sensitization of animals to ovalbumin via the airways. Ectoine was used as a preventive strategy against nanoparticle-induced neutrophilic lung inflammation. Methods Balb/c mice were repetitively exposed to the antigen ovalbumin after induction of airway inflammation by carbon nanoparticles, either in the presence or in the absence of ectoine. Allergic sensitization was monitored by measurement of immunoglobulin levels and immune responses in lung and lung draining lymph nodes after challenge. Furthermore the role of dendritic cells in the effect of carbon nanoparticles was studied in vivo in the lymph nodes but also in vitro using bone marrow derived dendritic cells. Results Animals exposed to antigen in the presence of carbon nanoparticles showed increased effects with respect to ovalbumin sensitization, to the allergic airway inflammation after challenge, and to the specific TH2 response in the lymph nodes. The presence of ectoine during the sensitization significantly reduced these parameters. The number of antigen-loaded dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes was identified as a possible cause for the adjuvant effect of the nanoparticles. In vitro assays indicate that the direct interaction of the particles with dendritic cells is not able to trigger CCR7 expression, while this endpoint is achieved by lung lavage fluid from nanoparticle-exposed animals. Conclusions Using the intervention strategy of applying ectoine into the airways of animals we were able to demonstrate the relevance of neutrophilic lung inflammation for the adjuvant effect of carbon nanoparticles on allergic sensitization.n

Motion analysis in terms of wireless video capsule endoscopy

El treball presentat suposa una visió general de l'"Endoscopia amb Càpsula de Vídeo Wireless" i la inspecció de sequències de contraccions intestinals amb les últimes tecnologies de visió per computador. Després de la observació preliminar dels fonaments mèdics requerits, la aplicació de visió per computador es presenta en aquestos termes. En essència, aquest treball proveïx una exhaustiva selecció, descripció i avaluació de cert conjunt de mètodes de processament d'imatges respecte a l'anàlisi de moviment, en el entorn de seqüències d'imatges preses amb una càpsula endoscòpica. Finalment, es presenta una aplicació de software per configurar i emprar de forma ràpida i fàcil un entorn experimental.El trabajo presentado supone una visión general de la "Endoscopia con Cápsula de Video Wireless" y la inspección de secuencias de contracciones intestinales con las últimas tecnologías en visión por computador. Tras la observación preliminar de los fundamentos médicos requeridos, la aplicación de visión por computador se presenta en éstos términos. En sustancia, este trabajo provee una exhaustiva selección, descripción y evaluación de cierto conjunto de métodos de procesamiento de imágenes con respecto al análisis de movimiento, en el entorno de secuencias de imágenes tomadas con una cápsula endoscópica. Finalmente, se presenta una aplicación de software para configurar y usar de forma rápida y fácil un entorno experimental.The presented work yields a survey of Wireless Video Capsule Endoscopy and the examination of intestinal contraction sequences by the use of state-of-the-art computer vision technologies. After an introductory observation of required medical foundations, the application of computer vision within these terms is pointed out. In essence, this paper provides a comprehensive selection, description and evaluation of a certain set of image processing methods and algorithms with respect to the analysis of motion in an environment of capsule endoscopy image sequences. Finally, a software application for setting up a fast and easy to use experimental environment is presented

Zn Diffusion and α-Fe(Zn) Layer Growth During Annealing of Zn-Coated B Steel

Direct hot press forming of Zn-coated 22MnB5 steels is impeded by micro-cracks that occur in the substrate due to the presence of Zn during the forming process. A study was therefore undertaken to quantify concentration of Zn across the α-Fe(Zn) coating and on grain boundaries in the α-Fe(Zn) layer and the underlying γ-Fe(Zn) substrate after isothermal annealing of Zn-coated 22MnB5 at 1173 K (900 °C) and to link the Zn distribution to the amount and type of micro-cracks observed in deformed samples. Finite difference model was developed to describe Zn diffusion and the growth of the α-Fe(Zn) layer. The penetration of Zn into the γ-Fe(Zn) substrate after 600 seconds annealing at 1173 K (900 °C) through bulk diffusion is estimated to be 3 μm, and the diffusion depth of Zn on the γ-Fe(Zn) grain boundaries is estimated to be 6 μm, which is significantly shorter than the maximum length (15 to 50 μm) of the micro-cracks formed in the severely stressed conditions, indicating that the Zn diffusion into the γ-Fe(Zn) from the α-Fe(Zn) during annealing is not correlated to the depth of micro-cracks. On the other hand, the maximum amount of Zn present in α-Fe(Zn) layer decreases with annealing time as the layer grows and Zn oxidizes, and the amount of Zn-enriched areas inside the α-Fe(Zn) layer is reduced leading to reduced length of cracking. Solid-Metal-Induced Embrittlement mechanism is proposed to explain the benefit of extended annealing on reduced depth of micro-crack penetration into the γ-Fe(Zn) substrate

Preventing carbon nanoparticle-induced lung inflammation reduces antigen-specific sensitization and subsequent allergic reactions in a mouse model

BACKGROUND: Exposure of the airways to carbonaceous nanoparticles can contribute to the development of immune diseases both via the aggravation of the allergic immune response in sensitized individuals and by adjuvant mechanisms during the sensitization against allergens. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in these adverse pathways are not completely understood. We recently described that the reduction of carbon nanoparticle-induced lung inflammation by the application of the compatible solute ectoine reduced the aggravation of the allergic response in an animal system. In the current study we investigated the influence of carbon nanoparticles on the sensitization of animals to ovalbumin via the airways. Ectoine was used as a preventive strategy against nanoparticle-induced neutrophilic lung inflammation. METHODS: Balb/c mice were repetitively exposed to the antigen ovalbumin after induction of airway inflammation by carbon nanoparticles, either in the presence or in the absence of ectoine. Allergic sensitization was monitored by measurement of immunoglobulin levels and immune responses in lung and lung draining lymph nodes after challenge. Furthermore the role of dendritic cells in the effect of carbon nanoparticles was studied in vivo in the lymph nodes but also in vitro using bone marrow derived dendritic cells. RESULTS: Animals exposed to antigen in the presence of carbon nanoparticles showed increased effects with respect to ovalbumin sensitization, to the allergic airway inflammation after challenge, and to the specific T(H)2 response in the lymph nodes. The presence of ectoine during the sensitization significantly reduced these parameters. The number of antigen-loaded dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes was identified as a possible cause for the adjuvant effect of the nanoparticles. In vitro assays indicate that the direct interaction of the particles with dendritic cells is not able to trigger CCR7 expression, while this endpoint is achieved by lung lavage fluid from nanoparticle-exposed animals. CONCLUSIONS: Using the intervention strategy of applying ectoine into the airways of animals we were able to demonstrate the relevance of neutrophilic lung inflammation for the adjuvant effect of carbon nanoparticles on allergic sensitization. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12989-015-0093-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Motion analysis in terms of wireless video capsule endoscopy

El treball presentat suposa una visió general de l'"Endoscopia amb Càpsula de Vídeo Wireless" i la inspecció de sequències de contraccions intestinals amb les últimes tecnologies de visió per computador. Després de la observació preliminar dels fonaments mèdics requerits, la aplicació de visió per computador es presenta en aquestos termes. En essència, aquest treball proveïx una exhaustiva selecció, descripció i avaluació de cert conjunt de mètodes de processament d'imatges respecte a l'anàlisi de moviment, en el entorn de seqüències d'imatges preses amb una càpsula endoscòpica. Finalment, es presenta una aplicació de software per configurar i emprar de forma ràpida i fàcil un entorn experimental.El trabajo presentado supone una visión general de la "Endoscopia con Cápsula de Video Wireless" y la inspección de secuencias de contracciones intestinales con las últimas tecnologías en visión por computador. Tras la observación preliminar de los fundamentos médicos requeridos, la aplicación de visión por computador se presenta en éstos términos. En sustancia, este trabajo provee una exhaustiva selección, descripción y evaluación de cierto conjunto de métodos de procesamiento de imágenes con respecto al análisis de movimiento, en el entorno de secuencias de imágenes tomadas con una cápsula endoscópica. Finalmente, se presenta una aplicación de software para configurar y usar de forma rápida y fácil un entorno experimental.The presented work yields a survey of Wireless Video Capsule Endoscopy and the examination of intestinal contraction sequences by the use of state-of-the-art computer vision technologies. After an introductory observation of required medical foundations, the application of computer vision within these terms is pointed out. In essence, this paper provides a comprehensive selection, description and evaluation of a certain set of image processing methods and algorithms with respect to the analysis of motion in an environment of capsule endoscopy image sequences. Finally, a software application for setting up a fast and easy to use experimental environment is presented

Straßennamen in Wien. Unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Namen mit geographischem Bezug. Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft|Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft - Band 155 155|

Der Beitrag beleuchtet am Beispiel der Stadt Wien Struktur und Bedeutung der Namen von Verkehrsflächen (Straßen, Gassen, Wegen, Alleen, Plätzen, Brücken, Stegen) und beschreibt die konkreten Vorgänge und Prinzipien bei Benennung und Umbenennung. Er kehrt auch besonders die politische Symbolkraft dieser Namen hervor, die sich zum Beispiel in vielen Umbenennungen in Zeiten politischer Umbrüche äußert. Er geht dann auch besonders auf Namen mit starkem geographischen Bezug ein wie auf Namen, die an heute nicht mehr selbstständige Orte im Wiener Stadtgebiet erinnern; an Orte im Stadtgebiet, die es heute nicht mehr gibt; auf Namen, die auf Orte in der Umgebung hinweisen; auf Namen, welche die Verbindung mit den österreichischen Ländern oder auch mit Orten und Gebieten der Österreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie zum Ausdruck bringen; auf Namen von Ländern und Städten zur Erinnerung an deren Hilfe für Wien und Österreich nach den beiden Weltkriegen. Der Artikel streicht ferner auch Namen hervor, die sich auf wichtige österreichische Expeditionen, österreichische Polarforscher, Kartographen und Geographen beziehen. Schließlich werden als Namen „mit besonderem geographischen Bezug“ auch noch Straßennamen explizit angesprochen, die sich auf die Donau und andere Gewässer im Wiener Stadtgebiet beziehen