Nonequilibrium orbital magnetization of strongly localized electrons

The magnetic response of strongly localized electrons to a time-dependent vector potential is considered. The orbital magnetic moment of the system, away from steady-state conditions, is obtained. The expression involves the tunneling and phonon-assisted hopping currents between localized states. The frequency and temperature dependence of the orbital magnetization is analyzed as function of the admittances connecting localized levels. It is shown that quantum interference of the localized wave functions contributes to the moment a term which follows adiabatically the time-dependent perturbation.Comment: RevTeX 3.

Präventive Maßnahmen zur Belastungskompensation an der Halswirbelsäule für Piloten des Eurofighter Typhoon

Wie aus mannigfaltigen Studien hervorgehend, werden Piloten moderner Kampfflugzeuge Belastungen an den Grenzen der physiologischen Akzeptanz ausgesetzt. Im speziellen Fall des Eurofighter Typhoon ist zu untersuchen, in wie weit anhand bereits bestehender Erkenntnisse Belastungen der Halswirbelsäule durch trainingsphysiologische Interventionsmaßnahmen als kompensierbar betrachtet werden können und wie darüber hinaus im konkreten Fall derartige kompensatorische Maßnahmen aussehen könnten. Methodik: Auf dem Wege qualitativ-hermeneutischer Forschungsmethodik wurden Studien insbesondere zur konkreten Thematik der Belastung von militärischen Einsatzpiloten herangezogen, um die grundsätzliche Notwendigkeit, Effekte und konkreten Möglichkeiten einer Trainingsintervention für die Piloten des österreichischen Bundesheeres aufzeigen zu können. Dem folgend versucht der Autor, eine grundlegende Systematik der motorischen Funktionalität der muskulären Strukturen, die neurophysiologischen Mechanismen sowie die spezifischen systemischen und taktischen Umstände des Eurofighter Typhoon zu erfassen und diesen in den weiteren Überlegungen gerecht zu werden. Darüber hinaus wurde alle österreichischen Piloten, die bereits Flugerfahrung am Eurofighter Typhoon aufweisen, einem Experteninterview unterzogen. Resultate: Ein qualitativer Vergleich der herangezogenen Studien zeigt deutlich, dass aufgrund der hohen Belastungen Trainingsinterventionen für die Piloten absolut unumgänglich sind. Trainingsinterventionen wurden in den bewerteten Studien i.d.R. als moderat-intensitäres Krafttraining verstanden, detaillierte Ausführungen zu den Umfängen, Intensitäten und Übungsformen wurden zumeist nicht genannt. Die individuelle Muskelkraft wurde vorwiegend anhand des isometrischen Kraftmaximums in verschiedenen Gelenkswinkeln bestimmt bzw. indirekt über EMG-Referenzwertmessungen während realer Übungsflüge ermittelt. Conclusio: Die offensichtlich komplexe Systematik der neuronalen Ansteuerung und Realisation von Bewegung und Stabilisation der Rückenmuskulatur bedingt auch komplexe, nicht simplifizierende Trainingsinterventionen. Diese sollten jedenfalls Trainingsformen des Krafttrainings, der propriozeptiven Kontrolle, der lokalen und globalen Koordination und einen geringen Anteil der Ausdauer umfassen. Weiters kann als unumgänglich angenommen werden, dass Trainingsinterventionen unter Einbindung in die bestehende fliegermedizinische Praxis einer fachkompetenten sportwissenschaftlichen Betreuung über den gesamten Zeitraum der Intervention hinweg bedürfen. Aufgrund der speziellen Belastungsgrößen im Eurofighter Typhoon, nicht zugänglichen Datenmaterials sowie trainingsphysiologisch-fliegermedizinisch weiterführender Fragestellungen sind bisherige Messmethoden in weiterführenden Untersuchungen zu hinterfragen und mögliche andere Methodenkomplexe zu überdenken.As various studies show, fighter pilots are put on different physical strain mainly caused by the G forces effecting them. Because of extreme narrow banking turns which the most recent generation of fighter planes - and especially the Eurofighter Typhoon type - are able to manage, it seems to be inevitable to find preventive training procedures for the cervical spine, motoring and surrounding muscle structures. The main question in the study is whether there are realistic and practical ways to compose and implement a training program that can be used by the Austrian Eurofighter pilots to eliminate or reduce neck pain and tactical lack caused by premature muscle fatigue. Methods: By hermeneutical methods, different studies where researched in order to show the necessity, effects and possibilities of special training interventions for fighter pilots. Therefore, the main attention was directed towards a systematic view of the muscular motion functions, the neurophysiological mechanisms and the special systemic and tactical demands in the Eurofighter Typhoon plane. In addition to that, the Austrian pilots who have already performed flights in the Eurofighter Typhoon and those who will fly it in near future (and have long-term experience in other fighter planes) were interviewed by the autor about the main topics “biometrical facts”, “tactical and physiological demands”, “individual troubles and types of pain” and “individual training habits at the moment”. These interviews where important for the analysis of systemic and physiological facts which otherwise could not have been extracted from empirical studies, due to the absolute new quality of strain parameters Eurofighter Typhoon is able to realize as well as due to military secrecy. Results: Drawing a comparison between the studies revealed that training intervention programs are absolutely necessary for the Eurofighter Typhoon pilots. Training interventions for pilots of different plane types and countries have shown significant effects, resulting in less neck pain and fewer lost work days. Training methods are mostly understood as muscle force training. For the most parts of the studies there where no details of the training program represented presumable put down on military interests. The muscular capacity in the studies is mostly determinated by measuring the maximum isometric force in different angels and evaluating in-flight EMGs. Conclusion: The complex control of the primary and secondary functional system of the human cervical spine column demands a complex intervention program. This requires [] muscle force training, training of proprioceptive control, coordinative training and a smaller share of endurance training. Further it is obvious that general training principles can be applied to the specific muscular and neurological system of the cervical area. At the very least training programs need to be introduced and supervised by exercise science professionals for the whole time of intervention because of the individual status and improvement regarding single types of pain, training effects and training motivation of each individual pilot. Because little is known about typical strain for this type, the neuromuscular symptoms and functions in pilots as well as the evaluation of training and therefor the validity and objectivity of the formerly used measuring methods have to be discussed later

Richtung –Innen

In der deutschen Sprache existiert eine Asymmetrie in der Repräsentation der natürlichen Geschlechter innerhalb des Genussystems: Das Maskulinum kann sowohl als Referenz auf das biologische männliche Geschlecht als auch als Default-Geschlecht für geschlechtsunspezifizierte Entitäten verwendet werden; wann welche auftritt, ist nicht geregelt. Dies wurde von der feministischen Sprachkritik seit den 1970er Jahren stark kritisiert. Seit den 1980er Jahren treten daraus abgeleitete Lösungsvorschläge vermehrt in die Alltagssprache. Den Hauptteil der Arbeit bildet nach einer Beschreibung der synchronen Situation die Beschreibung der Faktoren in der historischen Entwicklung, die sie herbeigeführt haben: phonologische, morphologische, und soziale. Ausgangspunkt ist die Situation des Indogermanischen als Grundlage für die seit dem Althochdeutschen eintretenden Morphologisierungen, die zu einer weitgehenden Unterspezifizierung des Sexus am Substantiv führen, was durch eine Ausbildung der Gruppenflexion ausgeglichen wird, die aber bei weiter spezifizierten Substantiven uneindeutig ist. Parallel dazu erhält sich die Femininmovierung als eindeutige Darstellungsmöglichkeit für das Femininum. So kann das Maskulinum nicht vollkommen zum unmarkierten Geschlecht werden, da es immer auch im Kontrast zum Femininum stehen kann. Ferner ist die Movierung, da sie Regeln unterliegt, die sie vor allem auf Tätigkeits- und Berufsbezeichnungen anwendbar macht, durch soziale Faktoren beeinflusst. Die Zahl der Frauen in der Gesellschaft offenstehenden Tätigkeiten beeinflusst den Benennungsbedarf für diese und damit die Produktivität der Movierung. Auch die von Grammatikern erstellten Vorschriften können die Produktivität beeinflussen, wenn sie auf androzentrischer Weltsicht beruhen. Abschließend behandelt die Arbeit die Lösungsvorschläge feministischer Sprachkritik, um die Asymmetrie auszugleichen, und unterschiedliche Strategien. Fokus liegt auf dem Binnen-I, da es Genussystem und Phonologie beeinflusst.The German language features an asymmetry in the representation of biological Genders within its Gender system: The Masculine can refer to the biological Gender and be used as default-gender for unspecified entities. There are no clear rules when which case applies. Feminist language critics have pointed this out since the 1970ies, and since the 1980ies suggestions for a solution to this problem have entered the language. Based on a synchronic description, the main part attempts to describe the diachronic factors that lead to this situation: phonological, morphological and social factors. The starting point is the situation of Indoeuropean as basis for Old High German, in which language state, morphologisations lead to an underspecification of sex on the noun. This is partially alleviated by group flexion, which can however not cover non-specified nouns. Parallel to this, feminine motion continues to exist as unarbitrary representation of feminine. Due to this, the masculine form can not fully become the unmarked gender, for there is always a contrast to feminine. Furthermore, motion is influenced by social factors: It follows rules that restrict it to nouns for types of work or actions. Therefore, the productivity of feminine motion is dependent on how many such actions are open to women in a society. Also, the work of grammarians can influence productivity if it is influenced by androcentic views. Finally, the thesis describes solutions as suggested by feminist language critics, and varying strategies. The “Binnen-I” receives the main focus due to its extraordinary influences on gender system and phonology

Patients with chronic three-vessel disease in a 15-year follow-up study: genetic and non-genetic predictors of survival.

Genetic and non-genetic predictors of 15-year survival in patients with chronic three-vessel disease (3VD) were investigated. Coronary angiography was performed on 810 subjects with symptoms of stable ischemic heart disease in 1998. The patients with 3VD were genotyped for 23 candidate polymorphisms covering the PPAR-RXR pathway, matrix metalloproteinase-2, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelin-1, cytokine genes, MTHFR and APO E variants. Fifteen-year survival data were obtained from the national insurance registry. All data were available in the case of 150 patients with 3VD. Statistical analysis used stepwise Cox regression with dominant, recessive, or additive mode of genetic expression. Involved variables included age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, ejection fraction, left main stenosis, previously diagnosed coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction in personal history, and coronary bypass along with polymorphisms pre-selected by log-rank tests. Out of the 23 polymorphisms, four were included in the model construction. SNP in the IL-6 gene rs1800795 (-174 G/C) has been found to be a significant predictor of survival. This SNP was in a linkage disequilibrium with rs1800797 (-597 G/A) in the same gene (D=1.0), which was also found to constitute a significant predictor of survival when rs1800795 was not included in the model construction. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low EF, and left main stenosis were also significant predictors in all models. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low ejection fraction, left main stenosis, and genetic variation in the IL-6 promoter were established as significant independent risk factors for the survival of patients with three-vessel disease.Genetic and non-genetic predictors of 15-year survival in patients with chronic three-vessel disease (3VD) were investigated. Coronary angiography was performed on 810 subjects with symptoms of stable ischemic heart disease in 1998. The patients with 3VD were genotyped for 23 candidate polymorphisms covering the PPAR-RXR pathway, matrix metalloproteinase-2, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelin-1, cytokine genes, MTHFR and APO E variants. Fifteen-year survival data were obtained from the national insurance registry. All data were available in the case of 150 patients with 3VD. Statistical analysis used stepwise Cox regression with dominant, recessive, or additive mode of genetic expression. Involved variables included age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, ejection fraction, left main stenosis, previously diagnosed coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction in personal history, and coronary bypass along with polymorphisms pre-selected by log-rank tests. Out of the 23 polymorphisms, four were included in the model construction. SNP in the IL-6 gene rs1800795 (-174 G/C) has been found to be a significant predictor of survival. This SNP was in a linkage disequilibrium with rs1800797 (-597 G/A) in the same gene (D=1.0), which was also found to constitute a significant predictor of survival when rs1800795 was not included in the model construction. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low EF, and left main stenosis were also significant predictors in all models. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low ejection fraction, left main stenosis, and genetic variation in the IL-6 promoter were established as significant independent risk factors for the survival of patients with three-vessel disease

Embracing ambiguity in management control and decision-making processes:On how to design data visualizations to prompt wise judgement

Making decisions when managing organizations always involves the constant management of ambiguity and a great deal of complexity due to uncertainties and the intrinsic political nature of every decision-making processes. This paper argues that in order for management accounting to deal effectively with this ambiguity and uncertainty, both must be embraced, not suppressed, by the design of data visualizations produced by management controls as aids to the decision-making processes. Drawing on studies in rhetoric, alongside others on the rhetorical and communicative power of images and visualizations, this paper identifies a series of principles that can contribute to the development of a visual rhetorical framework to inform the design of data visualization (e.g. dashboards, business reports). The need to conceive of data visualisations beyond their representational function, and the principles that are identified, are then illustrated through the visual rhetorical analysis of a complex dashboard utilised in the programme management of the construction of a large airport terminal. The paper ends with an outline of a research agenda for the future design of data visualization in accounting, and beyond

Discrepancy between short-term and long-term effects of bone marrow-derived cell therapy in acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Bone marrow-derived cell therapy has been used to treat acute myocardial infarction. However, the therapeutic efficacy of this approach remains controversial. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate short-term and long-term effectiveness of bone marrow-derived therapy. Methods We searched eight databases (Ovid-Medline, Ovid-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, KMBASE, KISS, RISS, and KisTi) up to December 2014. Demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, and adverse events were analyzed. We identified 5534 potentially relevant studies; 405 were subjected to a full-text review. Forty-three studies with 2635 patients were included in this review. Results No safety issues related to cell injection were reported during follow-up. At 6 months, cell-injected patients showed modest improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) compared with the control group. However, there were no differences between groups at other time points. In the cardiac MRI analysis, there were no significant differences in infarct size reduction between groups. Interestingly, mortality tended to be reduced at the 3-year follow-up, and at the 5-year follow-up, cell injection significantly decreased all-cause mortality. Conclusions This meta-analysis demonstrated discrepancies between short-term LV functional improvement and long-term all-cause mortality. Future clinical trials should include long-term follow-up outcomes to validate the therapeutic efficacy of cell therapy

A family of implicit Chebyshev methods for the numerical integration of second-order differential equations

AbstractA family of implicit methods based on intra-step Chebyshev interpolation is developed for the solution of initial-value problems whose differential equations are of the special second-order form y″ = f(y(x); x). The general procedure allows stepsizes which are considerably larger than commonly used in conventional methods. Computation overhead is comparable to that required by high-order single or multistep procedures. In addition, the iterative nature of the method substantially reduces local errors while maintaining a low rate of global error growth

Trajectory Propagation Using Information on Periodicity

Families of methods to integrate first and second order ordinary differential equations whose solution known to be periodic will be discussed. The methods can be tuned to a possibly a-priori knowledge of the user on the location of the frequencies, that are dominant in the exact solution. On the basis of such extra information the truncation error can considerably be reduced in magnitude. The paper compares these methods to well known in integrators and discusses a simple mechanism to estimate the frequency during the integration process