Einfache Umwandlung des Azulen-Systems in das Pentalen-System

Cycloadditionsreaktionen des Azulens 1 mit elektronenarmen sowie mit elektronenreichen Alkinen bieten einen einfachen Zugang zu Derivaten des Heptalens 2[¹] und Cyclopentacyclononens 3[²]. Jüngst konnten wir auch die Transformation von 1 in das Pentalen-System 4 verwirklichen

Simple Transformation of the Azulene System into the Pentalene System

Cycloaddition reactions of the azulene system 1 with electron-poor and electron-rich alkynes provide a simple entry to derivatives of heptalene 2[¹] and cyclopentacyclononene 3[²]. We have recently also been able to accomplish the transformation of 1 into the pentalene system 4

Enhancing regulatory compliance by using artificial intelligence text mining to identify penalty clauses in legislation

As regulatory compliance (or compliance governance) becomes ever more challenging, attempts to engage IT solutions and especially artificial intelligence (AI) are on the rise. This paper suggest that regulatory compliance can be enhanced by employing an AI model trained to identify penalty clauses in the regulations. The paper provides the theoretical basis of machine learning for text classification and presents a two stage experiment of (1) training multiple models and selecting the best one; and (2) employing a sliding window detection in order to identify penalty clauses in regulation. Results benchmarked using an algorithm based penalties API suggests further development is needed

Political fragmentation, decentralization and development cooperation: Ecuador in the Latin American context

"Decentralization reforms have been among the most important aspects of state modernization in developing countries. From a normative perspective, such reforms are expected to promote economic development and democratization. Unfortunately, however, the course of real decentralization processes has often been incoherent and defective. In this context, this study analyses the challenges for successful decentralization in fragmented polities focusing on Latin America and the special case of Ecuador. Based on a political economy perspective on decentralization, we attempt to show, how political fragmentation has affected decentralization. From there, we develop criteria on how development assistance can at least partly counter the negative effects of political fragmentation. Finally, we analyse to which extend donor agencies have been pursuing such strategies in Ecuador. This study is the result of a research project, which has been carried out at the German Development Institute (DIE) in 2004 and 2005 as part of the DIE Post-Graduate Training Course for young professionals. Field research was conducted from February to April 2004. The research project was carried out in close cooperation with the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) in Quito Ecuador, which supported the project from its early stages. Among many FLACSO members, who gave advice and valuable comments on different part of the study's content, the authors especially thank Santiago Ortiz, who has intellectually and logistically supported the project from its beginning. Many thanks also go to the GTZ program on decentralization in Ecuador. Janos Zimmermann and his team provided us with many valuable insights about the decentralization process in Ecuador and development cooperation’s attempts to foster subsidiarity oriented state structures. We also profited much from different presentations of the study’s preliminary results at FLACSO in Quito and at the Interamerican Development Bank and the World Bank in Washington, where the respective staff members constructively commented our findings. In Bonn, our colleagues at the DIE also offered useful comments and constructive criticism. Special thanks go to Matthias Krause, Tilman Altenburg and Oliver Schlumberger. Finally, we would like to thank Gisela Kuhlmann, without whose skills and patience, the technical process of editing this study would never have come to an end." [author's abstract

Statement on Spectroscopic Imaging in Art Conservation: A New Tool for Materials Investigations

http://leoalmanac.org/journal/Vol_10/lea_v10_n09.tx

Suppression of the magnetic order in CeFeAsO: non-equivalence of hydrostatic and chemical pressure

We present a detailed investigation of the electronic properties of CeFeAsO under chemical (As by P substitution) and hydrostatic pressure by means of in-house and synchrotron M\"ossbauer spectroscopy. The Fe magnetism is suppressed due to both pressures and no magnetic order was observed above a P-substitution level of 40% or 5.2 GPa hydrostatic pressure. We compared both pressures and found that the isovalent As by P substitution change the crystallographic and electronic properties differently than hydrostatic pressure.Comment: supplement is included in the pdf fil

Spectroscopic approaches for studying faint text on a wooden tally from Invincible (1758)

In this study we describe the application of X-ray fluorescence, variable pressure scanning electron microscopy and visible (420-720 nm) hyperspectral imaging to assess the surface properties of a wood tally stick that was recovered from the 3rd rate Invincible. The Invincible was a wooden warship that sunk in 1758. The main objective of this work was to improve the legibility of very faint text that was detected on the surface of one of the three tally sticks used in this project. For imaging, an ultraviolet light source was used to achieve reasonable contrast between the text and the wood and the optimal wavelength was found to be 365nm. Single band images at 550 nm gave the best contrast, particularly if flat fielding was used to compensate for uneven lighting of the wooden surface. Finally, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and SEM were used to assess the wood and possibly identify the material used to write on the tally stick. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images did not reveal the presence of any graphite particles or ink deposits, but the XRF indicated that there were higher levels of Fe where text was detected, which may indicate that an iron containing writing material was used to write on these tally sticks.Funding for this research was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The University of Winnipeg is also acknowledged for its support of this research.http://ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-13-01-Goltz.pd

Staatskrise in Ecuador: die erneute Amtsenthebung eines Präsidenten offenbart ungelöste Defizite des demokratischen Staates und zugleich neue Formen politischen Protests

"Am 20. April wurde Staatspräsident Lucio Gutiérrez als Konsequenz einer sich seit Ende 2004 zuspitzenden Staatskrise des Amtes enthoben. Damit beendete der dritte Präsident in Folge seine Amtszeit vor deren regulärem Ablauf. Die direkten Ursachen für den Fall des Präsidenten lagen vornehmlich in einer Kombination aus verfassungswidriger und klientelistischer Politik sowie in der Unfähigkeit der Regierung, tragfähige Koalitionen zu schmieden. Die strukturellen Hintergründe für die anhaltende Instabilität auf nationaler Ebene liegen in der Unfähigkeit des hochgradig fragmentierten Partei- ensystems, die drängenden ethnischen, regionalen und sozioökonomischen Herausforderungen des Landes zu bewältigen. Die Proteste im Vorfeld der Amtsenthebung haben sich jedoch inhaltlich wie organisatorisch deutlich von denen der Vorjahre unterschieden. Sie waren nicht ethnisch und kaum wirtschaftspolitisch begründet, sondern wurden vornehmlich von lediglich rudimentär organisierten Mitgliedern der Mittelschichten Quitos getragen, die ihren Unmut über die dominierenden Praktiken der Regierung und der politischen Elite insgesamt zum Ausdruck brachten. Die These, dass diese Proteste Ausdruck einer reiferen Zivilgesellschaft sind, die eine Reform des Parteiensystems nach sich ziehen werde, muss jedoch noch mit Vorsicht bewertet werden. (Autorenreferat

Spectroscopic Imaging in Art Conservation: A New Tool for Materials Investigations

https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/10.1162/00240940332225873