Suchmaschinenoptimierung und Wettbewerbsrecht

Die vorliegende Betrachtung aus Sicht des UWG zeigt auf, welche Maßnahmen der Suchmaschinenoptimierung (SEO) wettbewerbsrechtlich zulässig oder unzulässig sind. Die Untersuchung widmet sich zunächst einer Darstellung der SEO, sowie der Einordnung derselben im Hinblick auf das UWG und zeigt grundsätzliche Probleme einer lauterkeitsrechtlichen Betrachtung von SEO auf. Anschließend subsumiert der Verfasser vielfältige Fallkonstellationen der SEO unter Tatbestände des UWG. Es folgt eine Auseinandersetzung mit der bisherigen Rechtsprechung zum UWG und SEO. Die Arbeit liefert konkrete Anweisungen für die lauterkeitsrechtliche Rechtsanwendung, die sich mit Fällen der SEO konfrontiert sieht

A Jackknife Approach to Examine Uncertainty and Temporal Change in the Spatial Correlation of a VOC Plume

The application of geostatistics to spatial interpolation of time-invariant properties in ground-water studies (such as transmissivity or aquifer thickness) is well documented. The use of geostatistics on time-variant conditions such as ground-water quality is also becoming more commonplace. Unfortunately, the detection of temporal changes in spatial correlation through direct comparison of experimental semivariograms is difficult due to the uncertainty in sample semivariograms constructed from field data. This paper discusses the use of the jackknife approach to estimate confidence limits of semivariograms of trichloroethane (TC) and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) in contaminated ground-water in northern Illinois. Examination of the ‘spread’ of the confidence limits about the semivariograms created from two types of sampling networks are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42695/1/10661_2004_Article_182073.pd

Sulfur cycling in an iron oxide-dominated, dynamic marine depositional system: The Argentine continental margin

The interplay between sediment deposition patterns, organic matter type and the quantity and quality of reactive mineral phases determines the accumulation, speciation, and isotope composition of pore water and solid phase sulfur constituents in marine sediments. Here, we present the sulfur geochemistry of siliciclastic sediments from two sites along the Argentine continental slope—a system characterized by dynamic deposition and reworking, which result in non-steady state conditions. The two investigated sites have different depositional histories but have in common that reactive iron phases are abundant and that organic matter is refractory—conditions that result in low organoclastic sulfate reduction rates (SRR). Deposition of reworked, isotopically light pyrite and sulfurized organic matter appear to be important contributors to the sulfur inventory, with only minor addition of pyrite from organoclastic sulfate reduction above the sulfate-methane transition (SMT). Pore-water sulfide is limited to a narrow zone at the SMT. The core of that zone is dominated by pyrite accumulation. Iron monosulfide and elemental sulfur accumulate above and below this zone. Iron monosulfide precipitation is driven by the reaction of low amounts of hydrogen sulfide with ferrous iron and is in competition with the oxidation of sulfide by iron (oxyhydr)oxides to form elemental sulfur. The intervals marked by precipitation of intermediate sulfur phases at the margin of the zone with free sulfide are bordered by two distinct peaks in total organic sulfur (TOS). Organic matter sulfurization appears to precede pyrite formation in the iron-dominated margins of the sulfide zone, potentially linked to the presence of polysulfides formed by reaction between dissolved sulfide and elemental sulfur. Thus, SMTs can be hotspots for organic matter sulfurization in sulfide-limited, reactive iron-rich marine sedimentary systems. Furthermore, existence of elemental sulfur and iron monosulfide phases meters below the SMT demonstrates that in sulfide-limited systems metastable sulfur constituents are not readily converted to pyrite but can be buried to deeper sediment depths. Our data show that in non-steady state systems, redox zones do not occur in sequence but can reappear or proceed in inverse sequence throughout the sediment column, causing similar mineral alteration processes to occur at the same time at different sediment depths

Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion Associates with Acute Kidney Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery significantly associates with morbidity and mortality. Despite not requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients have an incidence of post-procedural acute kidney injury similar to patients who undergo open surgical aortic valve replacement. Packed red blood cell transfusion has been associated with morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. We hypothesized that packed red blood cell transfusion independently associates with acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement, after accounting for other risk factors. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of 116 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement acute kidney injury was defined by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes serum creatinine-based criteria. Univariate comparisons between patients with and without post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement acute kidney injury were made for clinical characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess independent association of packed red blood cell transfusion with post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement acute kidney injury (adjusting for pre-procedural renal function and other important clinical parameters). Results: Acute kidney injury occurred in 20 (17.2%) subjects. Total number of packed red blood cells transfused independently associated with post-procedure acute kidney injury (OR = 1.67 per unit, 95% CI 1.13–2.47, P = 0.01) after adjusting for pre-procedure estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR = 0.97 per ml/min/1.73m2, 95% CI 0.94–1.00, P = 0.05), nadir hemoglobin (OR = 0.88 per g/dL increase, CI 0.61–1.27, P = 0.50), and post-procedure maximum number of concurrent inotropes and vasopressors (OR = 2.09 per inotrope or vasopressor, 95% CI 1.19–3.67, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Packed red blood cell transfusion, along with post-procedure use of inotropes and vasopressors, independently associate with acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathobiology underlying these associations

Wind-Solar-Wärmepumpenquartiere: Praxiserfahrungen und Planungshilfen für den erneuerbaren Betrieb von Wärmepumpenquartieren mit minimiertem Primärenergiebedarf

Wärmepumpen (WP) bieten großes Potenzial zur Reduzierung des Primärenergiebedarfs und der CO2-Emissionen im Wärmesektor. Besonders hoch fallen diese Reduzierungen aus, wenn der Strom für die Wärmepumpen aus erneuerbaren Energiequellen wie Windenergie oder Photovoltaikanlagen stammt. Bei der Planung und Umsetzung der Wärmeversorgung von einzelnen Gebäuden und ganzen Quartieren mittels Wärmepumpe ergeben sich auf verschiedenen Ebenen allgemeine und technische Fragestellungen. Diese Fragestellungen wurden im Rahmen des Forschungsprojekts Wind-Solar-Wärmepumpenquartier an Hand von Messungen in realen Wärmepumpen-Quartieren und mittels Simulationsstudien untersucht. Die Ergebnisse sind in diesem Bericht zusammengefasst und sollen Hilfestellungen sowie Anregungen zur Planung und Umsetzung von regenerativ betriebenen Wärmepumpenquartieren geben. Dabei gliedert sich der Bericht in die drei folgenden Themenbereiche: Lernen aus der Praxis: Im Rahmen des Projekts wurden zwei Wärmepumpenquartiere untersucht, die sich im Wesentlichen in der Art der Wärmequelle und in ihrem Baujahr unterscheiden. Die bis zu 20-jährigen Betriebserfahrungen und Messdaten aus den Wärmepumpenquartieren liefern umfangreiche Erkenntnisse. Diese lassen eine Bewertung zu, ob innovative Konzepte auch langfristig effizient betrieben werden können und wo noch Handlungsbedarf besteht. Wie können Wärmepumpenquartiere mit erneuerbaren Energien versorgt und Primärenergie (PE) eingespart werden? Bei der Planung von Wärmepumpenquartieren ergeben sich viele Fragestellungen: Welche Wärmequelle ist die beste für die Wärmeversorgung im Quartier? Wie kann der Strombedarf der Wärmepumpen aus erneuerbaren Energieanlagen wie Windenergie und Photovoltaik gedeckt werden? Was sind die relevanten Parameter für eine optimale Auslegung der Windenergie- und Photovoltaik-Anlagen? Welchen Beitrag können Betriebsstrategien und thermische oder elektrische Speicher für einen erneuerbaren Betrieb leisten? Auf Basis von Simulationsstudien werden diese Fragestellungen hinsichtlich der Primärenergieeinsparung untersucht und anhand ihrer Wirksamkeit bewertet. Welche Anforderungen stellen erneuerbar betriebene Wärmepumpenquartiere an die elektrischen Verteilnetze? Wie wirkt sich der Wärmepumpenbetrieb auf die Netzauslastung aus? Welchen Einfluss haben Photovoltaikanlagen auf den Netzbetrieb? Welche weiteren Belastungsfaktoren lassen sich identifizieren? An Hand von verschiedenen Belastungsszenarien wird aufgezeigt, welche Verbraucher und Erzeuger wichtig für die Auslegung der Netze sind und welchen Einfluss die Wahl der Wärmequelle und der Betriebsstrategien der Wärmepumpen auf die Auslastung des Netzes haben

Vulnerability of Illinois nature preserves to potential ground-water contamination volume I: methodology and initial assessment

"Prepared for Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.""March 1997."The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) was created by the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act in 1963 (ch. 105, para. 701 et. seq.), with the mission to "assist...landowners in protecting high quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species in perpetuity, through voluntary dedication of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System." Dedication as a nature preserve provides strong legal protection. For example, penalties for damaging a nature preserve range from a Class A misdemeanor to $10,000 per day in civil penalties. As of December 1996, the Illinois Nature Preserve System consisted of 261 nature preserves that encompass more than 35,000 acres (14,200 hectares) in 73 of the 102 Illinois counties. A significant threat to nature preserves (and other areas with high quality natural communities) is adjacent land use. Variability in adjacent land use generally depends on preserve size and location. Frequently, many different land uses surround a single nature preserve. Potential ground-water contaminant sources include: dumping within or near a preserve, residential septic systems, roads where deicers are used, agricultural fields or feedlots, leaking impoundments or storage tanks, and certain industrial and commercial activities. Unfortunately, the lack of baseline data at most preserves prevents the detection of water quality degradation from off-site activities. During this study, methods were developed and utilized to assess nature preserve sensitivity and vulnerability to potential ground-water contamination. First, a shallow ground-water sensitivity map of the state (1:500,000) was prepared using GIS techniques. It predicts the potential for movement of contaminants from the surface into shallow ground water based on soil leaching characteristics and depth to the uppermost aquifer. Two hundred seven nature preserves were screened, and nearly half of them were categorized as having high or very high sensitivity to ground-water contamination. Second, site surveys were conducted at the 85 nature preserves, which were expected to be most sensitive to ground-water contamination. Hydrologic, geologic, and land-use information was collected for the sites and surrounding areas prior to the surveys. These data were used during the surveys and can be used for future interpretations and comparisons. Roughly 30% of the sites were classified as having moderate-to-high or high vulnerability. The development and use of a field evaluation form facilitated site surveys and the subsequent entry of field data into an electronic database. These types of surveys should be conducted at all nature preserves to provide a standard set of background information for future decision making. Third, the geology and hydrology of Spring Grove Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County were characterized in greater detail. Test drilling was conducted and 10 observation wells were installed. A total of 64 sets of ground-water and surface water samples were collected between August 1995 and October 1996 and analyzed for a minimum of 35 constituents. Increased chloride concentrations (up to 121 mg/L) were observed in and upgradient of the preserve. Use of deicers on nearby roads may be responsible for an increase in chloride of over 500% at well SG-1a. Low concentrations of alachlor metabolites (< 3 &#956;g/L) were seen in observation wells and in Nippersink Creek. Low concentrations of triazine residues (< 1 &#956;g/L) were also seen in Nippersink Creek. Chemical data at Spring Grove Fen supports the assessment of the site being highly vulnerable to contamination. This type of chemical sampling is important to establish existing water quality at preserves for comparison to future conditions. Information collected during this study is intended to facilitate petitions for state designation of ground water associated with a nature preserve as a Special Resource Ground Water. As stated in the Illinois Administrative Code (Title 35, Part 620.230), Special Resource Ground Water is: a) "demonstrably unique...," or b) "vital for a particularly sensitive ecological system...," or c) "groundwater that contributes to a dedicated nature preserve...." Such a designation may then provide an additional level of protection against destruction or degradation of nature preserves

Afferent arteriolopathy and glomerular collapse but not segmental sclerosis induce tubular atrophy in old spontaneously hypertensive rats

In chronic renal disease, the temporal and spatial relationship between vascular, glomerular and tubular changes is still unclear. Hypertension, an important cause of chronic renal failure, leads to afferent arteriolopathy, segmental glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy in the juxtamedullary cortex. We investigated the pathological changes of hypertensive renal disease in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats using a large number of serial sections, where we traced and analyzed afferent arteriole, glomerulus and proximal tubule of single nephrons. Our major finding was that both afferent arteriolopathy and glomerular capillary collapse were linked to tubular atrophy. Only nephrons with glomerular collapse (n = 13) showed tubules with reduced diameter indicating atrophy [21.66 ± 2.56 μm vs. tubules in normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) 38.56 ± 0.56 μm, p < 0.05], as well as afferent arteriolar wall hypertrophy (diameter 32.74 ± 4.72 μm vs. afferent arterioles in WKY 19.24 ± 0.98 μm, p < 0.05). Nephrons with segmental sclerosis (n = 10) did not show tubular atrophy and tubular diameters were unchanged (35.60 ± 1.43 μm). Afferent arteriolar diameter negatively correlated with glomerular capillary volume fraction (r = −0.36) and proximal tubular diameter (r = −0.46) implying reduced glomerular and tubular flow. In line with this, chronically damaged tubules showed reduced staining for the ciliary protein inversin indicating changed ciliary signalling due to reduced urinary flow. This is the first morphological study on hypertensive renal disease making correlations between vascular, glomerular and tubular components of individual nephron units. Our data suggest that afferent arteriolopathy leads to glomerular collapse and reduced urinary flow with subsequent tubular atrophy

The 1988-1989 Drought in Illinois: causes, dimensions, and impacts

The 1988-1989 drought was one of the most disastrous droughts in the history of the state. Hydrologic, meteorological, and climatological aspects of the 1988-1989 drought in Illinois are addressed. The drought is evaluated in terms of precipitation, streamflow, lakes and reservoirs, and ground-water resources of the state. The meteorological conditions that produced the drought also are addressed. Impacts and problems resulting from the drought are discussed along with various actions taken to ameliorate the problems. Although the primary goal of the study was to quantify the drought, primarily in a physical sense, an important secondary goal was to assess the impacts and the actions employed in order to derive information needed in future planning and handling of Illinois droughts. The report thus ends with a set of recommendations for coping with future droughts.Ope