Die Struktur kollektiver Lohnverhandlungen und Auslandsdirektinvestitionen in der OECD

In diesem Beitrag wird der Einfluß der Struktur kollektiver Lohnverhandlungen auf ausfließende Direktinvestitionen analysiert. Verwendet werden Daten von 19 OECD-Ländern für die Jahre 1980, 1990 und 1994. Der Zentralisations- und der Koordinationsgrad der Lohnverhandlungen haben einen signifikanten Einfluß auf die Höhe der Auslandsdirektinvestitionen. Je dezentraler bzw. unkoordinierter die Lohnverhandlungen sind, desto höher sind die Direktinvestitionen im Ausland. Das Ergebnis verwirft die These, daß Lohnverhandlungen auf Firmenebene ausfließende Direktinvestitionen reduzieren. Die Studie zeigt außerdem, daß die Gewerkschaftsdichte, der Tarifbindungsgrad sowie die Lohnkosten keinen signifikanten Einfluß auf Auslandsdirektinvestitionen haben

Behavior and Genomics of Nicotine-Seeking Larval Zebrafish

Nicotine-use behavior is one of the main causes of preventable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Helping people quit nicotine products is a main goal of our projects. Developing a zebrafish model for nicotine use behavior could provide a tool for studying the underlying genetic, environmental and neuronal elements of nicotine use behavior. The high reproductive rate and short generation time of zebrafish as well as available genetic tools represent major advantages for studying potential links between behavior and genes in zebrafish. In our experiments, we use a behavioral assay for studying nicotine-choice behavior in larval zebrafish. By analyzing the swimming path using the tracking software EthovisionXT (Noldus) we can group larval zebrafish into nicotine-seekers, nicotineavoiders and nicotine-neutrals. As previously shown, about 20% of tested larval zebrafish can be identified as nicotine seekers. By selected breeding we aim to generate a zebrafish line with a higher percentage of nicotine-seekers. However, the results of breeding nicotine-seekers with each other resulted in a smaller percentage of nicotineseeking larval zebrafish in the third generation. Consistently, the percentage of nicotineavoiders is higher in each generation. To explore if nicotine-seeking and avoidance behavior can be linked to gene variants similar to those in humans, we have developed a protocol for detecting variants of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes in nicotineseekers and avoiders and found only weak correlation of certain variants with nicotineseeking behavior

The HR 4796A Debris System: Discovery of Extensive Exo-Ring Dust Material

The optically and IR bright, and starlight-scattering, HR 4796A ring-like debris disk is one of the most (and best) studied exoplanetary debris systems. The presence of a yet-undetected planet has been inferred (or suggested) from the narrow width and inner/outer truncation radii of its r = 1.05" (77 au) debris ring. We present new, highly sensitive, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) visible-light images of the HR 4796A circumstellar debris system and its environment over a very wide range of stellocentric angles from 0.32" (23 au) to ~ 15" (1100 au). These very high contrast images were obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) using 6-roll PSF-template subtracted coronagraphy suppressing the primary light of HR 4796A and using three image plane occulters and simultaneously subtracting the background light from its close angular proximity M2.5V companion. The resulting images unambiguously reveal the debris ring embedded within a much larger, morphologically complex, and bi-axially asymmetric exoring scattering structure. These images at visible wavelengths are sensitive to, and map, the spatial distribution, brightness, and radial surface density of micron size particles over 5 dex in surface brightness. These particles in the exo-ring environment may be unbound from the system and interacting with the local ISM. Herein we present a new morphological and photometric view of the larger than prior seen HR 4796A exoplanetary debris system with sensitivity to small particles at stellocentric distances an order of magnitude greater than has previously been observed.Comment: 28 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal 21 December 201

Olfactory dysfunction after autoimmune encephalitis depending on the antibody type and limbic MRI pathologies

Objective: Patients’ olfactory function after autoimmune encephalitis (AE) involving limbic structures may be impaired. This study aimed to characterize olfactory function in patients after autoimmune encephalitides. Methods: A case–control study was performed including 11 AE patients with antibodies against NMDAR (n = 4), GAD (n = 3), VGKC (n = 3) and antibody-negative AE (n = 1) and a control group of 12 patients with pneumococcal meningo-encephalitis (PC). In subgroup analyses, AE patients with and without NMDAR-antibodies were compared. Olfactory function was assessed using the Sniffin Sticks test and the resulting TDI-score (threshold, discrimination, identification). Involvement of limbic structures was evaluated on imaging data (MRI). Statistical analyses were performed to test for correlations of TDI-score and MRI results. Results: The overall olfactory function of the AE-group and the PC-group was comparable (mean TDI 32.0 [CI 27.3–36.7], 32.3 [CI 28.5–36.0)]. The proportions of hyposmic patients were similar compared to the general population. However, AE patients of the non-NMDAR group had significantly lower TDI-scores (28.9 ± 6,8) than NMDAR patients (37.4 ± 3.5) (p = 0.046) and a significantly lower discrimination capability than the NMDAR patients (9.9 ± 2.0 vs. 14.5 ± 0.6) (p = 0.002). The non-NMDAR patients had significantly more limbic MRI pathologies (6/7) compared to the NMDAR patients (0/4) (p = 0.015). Furthermore, a correlation between limbic MRI pathologies and worse capability of smelling discrimination was found (p = 0.016, r = −0.704, n = 11). Conclusion: Our results indicate that patients with NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis have normal long term olfactory function. However, patients with non-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis appear to have a persistently impaired olfactory function, probably mediated by encephalitic damage to limbic structures

Feasibility Analysis of Pret a Voter for German Federal Elections

Abstract. Prêt a ̀ Voter is one of the most well-known and most extensively analysed electronic voting systems for polling stations. However, an analysis from a legal point of view has not yet been conducted. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the readiness of Prêt a ̀ Voter for legally binding federal elections in Germany. This case is of particular interest as Germany has with the Constitutional Court Decision from 2009 probably the most restrictive requirements on electronic voting in particular regarding the public nature of elections and verifiability respectively. While many aspects are analysed, some remain open for further legal and technical discussions. Thus, a final decision is not yet possible. Aspects analysed are the ballot paper layout, different processes from ballot printing through to the publishing of results, as well as verifiability, and the overall election management.

Tools for Genotyping of Nicotine-Seeking Zebrafish

Smoking is one of the main causes of preventable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Helping people quit using nicotine products is a main goal of our projects. Developing a zebrafish model for nicotine use behavior could provide a tool for studying the underlying genetic risks and neuronal elements of nicotine use behavior. The availability of large numbers of larval zebrafish, relatively short generation time and genetic tools present a major advantage for studying the genetic causes of nicotine use behavior. Here, we present our approach to test whether identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with smoking behavior in humans have SNP homologs in nicotine-seeking zebrafish. Our major focus has been on genes that appear to increase the risk for nicotine-use behavior in humans. A zebrafish behavioral test allows us to separate nicotine-seeking from non-seeking larval zebrafish. Fin or scale tissue can be used to isolate genomic DNA. We have developed tools and protocols to detect SNPs in zebrafish genes for acetylcholine receptors type alpha 3, alpha 5, as well as nol4b2, opiate receptor oprm1 and the zebrafish homolog to human cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6). The genetic analysis of nicotine-seeking zebrafish could lead to the identification of genes and gene modifications that facilitate nicotine-use behavior

The Rigidity of the (BH4)-Anion Dispersed in Halides AX, A = Na, K; X = Cl, Br, I, and in MBH4 with M = Na, K, Rb, Cs

The B–H bond length of the borohydride anion (BH4−) in alkali metal borohydrides MBH4 with M = Na, K, Rb, Cs, and diluted in different alkali halide matrices, was investigated experimentally by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and theoretically using first principles calculations. The peak positions in IR absorption spectra of NaBH4 pressed at 754 MPa in halides NaX and KX with X = Cl, Br, I show significant variations indicating ion exchange effects between the halide and NaBH4. For NaBH4 in NaBr, NaI, KBr and KI pellets, the peak positions indicate that BH4− could be highly diluted in the AX matrix, which renders an isolation of BH4− in AX (i-BH4−). For NaBH4 in NaCl and KCl pellets, a solution of BH4− in AX occurred only after a further thermal treatment up to 450◦C. The observed peak positions are discussed with respect to the lattice parameter (a0), anion to cation ratio (R = rA/rX), standard enthalpy of formation (∆fH) and ionic character (Ic ) of the halides. A linear relation is obtained between ν3 (i-BH4−) and the short-range lattice energies of AX. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at generalized gradient approximation (GGA) level were used to calculate the IR vibrational frequencies ν4, ν3 and ν2 + ν4 for series of compositions Na(BH4)0.25X0.75 with X = Cl, Br, I, and MBH4. The theoretical and experimental results show the same trends, indicating the rigidity of the B–H bond length and the failure of Badger’s rule. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Molecular Principles of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Plasmodium Falciparum Infection

Malaria in pregnancy still constitutes a particular medical challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. Of the five Plasmodium species that are pathogenic to humans, infection with Plasmodium falciparum leads to fulminant progression of the disease with massive impact on pregnancy. Severe anemia of the mother, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with reduced birth weight are frequent complications that lead to more than 10,000 maternal and 200,000 perinatal deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa alone. P. falciparum can adhere to the placenta via the expression of the surface antigen VAR2CSA, which leads to sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the intervillous space. This process induces a placental inflammation with involvement of immune cells and humoral factors. Especially, monocytes get activated and change the release of soluble mediators, including a variety of cytokines. This proinflammatory environment contributes to disorders of angiogenesis, blood flow, autophagy, and nutrient transport in the placenta and erythropoiesis. Collectively, they impair placental functions and, consequently, fetal growth. The discovery that women in endemic regions develop a certain immunity against VAR2CSA-expressing parasites with increasing number of pregnancies has redefined the understanding of malaria in pregnancy and offers strategies for the development of vaccines. The following review gives an overview of molecular processes in P. falciparum infection in pregnancy which may be involved in the development of IUGR