Komik, Ernst und Mise en page. Zum Problem der Farblinien in Heinrich Wittenwilers "Der Ring"

Der Aufsatz nähert sich dem Interpretationsproblem des ,Ring', eines seit Forschungsbeginn ausserordentlich konträr diskutierten Textes, aus wissenschaftsanalytischer Perspektive. Er führt die Zersplitterung und die Extremisierung der Deutungsansätze, die die breite Forschung zu Wittenwilers Werk kennzeichnet, auf einen vergleichsweise simplen Befund zurück: die ungeklärte Frage nach dem Verhältnis von Komik und Didaktik und der Ernsthaftigkeit des lehrhaften Angebots im ,Ring'. Die so auf grundlegendster Ebene offen gebliebene Erfassung des Textes führt in einen interpretatorischen Leerraum, in dem die widersprüchlichsten, oft wissenschaftsideologisch begründeten Positionen Platz finden. Ihre Analyse zeigt, dass sie sich in wiederkehrende Gruppierungen ordnen. Als Schlüsselglied sowohl der Befunddaten als auch der konträren Vernetzungen von Befund und Deutung wird die wechselnd rote und grüne Initialenlinie der Münchner Handschrift identifiziert. Als im Prolog eingeführte Markierung von Ernst auf der einen und Komik auf der anderen Seite ist sie nicht nur visueller Ausdruck des Deutungsproblems des ,Ring', sondern sie hat es wegen der scheinbaren Unstimmigkeit ihrer Zuweisungen auch wesentlich bedingt. Der Aufsatz zeigt ihren bisher übersehenen Aufschluss für das Verständnis des Werks. Nimmt man die Linie als graphisches Verfahren ernst, stellt sie sich als strukturelle Markierung zum Auffinden von Text im diskontinuierlichen Zugriff dar - nicht aber, wie man sie bisher ausnahmslos verstand, als semantische Kommentierung eines laufenden, kontinuierlich zu lesenden Textes. Die strukturierende Funktion des Farbwechsels ist auf zwei Ebenen nachzuweisen: Auf Makroebene trennen seine Zuweisungen vorwiegend narrative und vorwiegend wissensvermittelnde Grosspartien des ,Ring' durch eine jeweilige Grundfarbe. Auf Mikroebene wird diese Grundfarbe durch die jeweils andere Farbe durchbrochen, um formale Einschnitte wie etwa Sprecherwechsel, Ortswechsel, Handlungsneueinsätze, Beginn und Ende eines eingeschalteten Binnentextes oder einer Sentenz anzuzeigen. Dem Benutzer der autornahen Handschrift sollte so in einem ersten Schritt (makrostrukturell) ermöglicht werden, gezielt auf gewünschte Stellen des Textes zuzugreifen und ihn in einem zweiten Schritt (mikrostrukturell) schneller zu erfassen. Nicht in seiner Umsetzung, sehr wohl aber in seiner Funktion steht dieses ungewöhnliche Layout zeitgenössischen Techniken der Buchgliederung durchaus nahe. Auch im Profil der Zusammenstellung seiner Binnentexte rückt der ,Ring' damit in die Nähe der im Spätmittelalter beliebten Sammelhandschriften mit Ziel einer Wissenssumme, die hier narrativ verbundenen wird. Es scheint, als möchte der ,Ring' in einem ungewöhnlichen Experiment beides sein: Kompilation und Werkganzes, Wissenssammlung und Erzählwerk - Texte und Text. Als Ergebnis einer Neuuntersuchung des Münchner codex unicus des ,Ring' weist der Beitrag schliesslich darauf hin, dass auch zahlreiche Markierungszeichen am Spaltenrand formale und strukturelle Texteinschnitte anzeigen und somit die gleiche Funktion haben wie der Farbwechsel auf Mikroebene. Ein kausaler, produktionstechnischer Zusammenhang zwischen diesen Zeichen und der Verteilung des Farbwechsels ist nicht auszuschliessen, zumal beide Verfahren etwa im letzten Fünftel des Textes zunehmend zusammenfallen. Möglicherweise war nur die makrostrukturelle Funktion des Farbwechsel ursprünglich indendiert und mit der Erläuterung im Prolog bezeichnet, während seine mikrostrukturelle Funktion erst Resultat des Abschreibprozesses ist.

A test of Jessor's problem behavior theory in a Eurasian and a Western European developmental context.

PURPOSE: The current study tested the applicability of Jessor's problem behavior theory (PBT) in national probability samples from Georgia and Switzerland. Comparisons focused on (1) the applicability of the problem behavior syndrome (PBS) in both developmental contexts, and (2) on the applicability of employing a set of theory-driven risk and protective factors in the prediction of problem behaviors. METHODS: School-based questionnaire data were collected from n = 18,239 adolescents in Georgia (n = 9499) and Switzerland (n = 8740) following the same protocol. Participants rated five measures of problem behaviors (alcohol and drug use, problems because of alcohol and drug use, and deviance), three risk factors (future uncertainty, depression, and stress), and three protective factors (family, peer, and school attachment). Final study samples included n = 9043 Georgian youth (mean age = 15.57; 58.8% females) and n = 8348 Swiss youth (mean age = 17.95; 48.5% females). Data analyses were completed using structural equation modeling, path analyses, and post hoc z-tests for comparisons of regression coefficients. RESULTS: Findings indicated that the PBS replicated in both samples, and that theory-driven risk and protective factors accounted for 13% and 10% in Georgian and Swiss samples, respectively in the PBS, net the effects by demographic variables. Follow-up z-tests provided evidence of some differences in the magnitude, but not direction, in five of six individual paths by country. CONCLUSION: PBT and the PBS find empirical support in these Eurasian and Western European samples; thus, Jessor's theory holds value and promise in understanding the etiology of adolescent problem behaviors outside of the United States.

Reply to Comment on 'Two-finger selection theory in the Saffman-Taylor problem

We clarify the meaning of the results of Phys. Rev. E 60, R5013 (1999). We discuss the use and implications of periodic boundary conditions, as opposed to rigid-wall ones. We briefly argue that the solutions of the paper above are physically relevant as part of a more general issue, namely the possible generalization to dynamics, of the microscopic solvability scenario of selection.

New experimental apparatus for the study of the Bénard-Rayleigh problem

A new experimental system to measure the equivalent thermal conductivity of a liquid with regard to the Bénard-Rayleigh problem was constructed. The liquid is enclosed within walls of polymethylmethacrylate between two copper plates in which there are thermocouples to measure the difference in temperature between the lower and upper surfaces of the layer of liquid. Heat flux is measured by means of a linear heat fluxmeter consisting of 204 thermocouples in series. The fluxmeter was calibrated and the linear relationship that exists between the heat flux and the emf generated was verified. The thermal conductivity of the polymethylmethacrylate employed was measured and measurements of the equivalent conductivity in cylindrical boundaries of two silicone oils were made. The critical value of the temperature difference and the contribution of the convective process to the transmission of heat were determined.

Involvement of gap junctional intercellular communication in the pathophysiology of inflammation

SUMMARY Inflammation has evolved as a mechanism to defend the body against invading microorganisms and to respond to injury. It requires the coordinated response of a large number of cell types from the whole organism in a time- and space-dependent fashion. This coordination involves several cell-cell communication mechanisms. Exchange of humoral mediators such as cytokines is a major one. Moreover, direct contact between cells happens and plays a primordial role, for example when macrophages present antigens to lymphocytes. Contact between endothelial cells and leucocytes occurs when the latter cross the blood vessel barrier and transmigrate to the inflammatory site. A particular way by which cells communicate with each other in the course of inflammation, which at this time starts to gain attention, is the intercellular communication mediated by gap junctions. Gap junctions are channels providing a direct pathway (i.e. without transit through the extracellular space) for the diffusion of small molecules between adjacent cells. This process is known as gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). The general aim of this thesis was to study a possible involvement of GJIC in the pathophysiology of inflammation. A first part of the work was dedicated to study the implication of GJIC in the modification of vascular endothelial function by inflammation. In a second part, we were interested in the possible role of GJIC in the transmigration of neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes through the endothelium. The main positive finding of this work is that acute inflammation preferentially modulates the expression of connexin 40 (Cx40), a gap junction protein specifically expressed in vascular endothelium. The modulation could be towards overexpression (aortic endothelium of septic rats) or towards downregulation (acutely inflamed mouse lung). We put a lot of efforts in search of possible functions of these modulations, in two directions: a potential protective role of Cx40 increased expression against sepsis-induced endothelial dysfunction, and a facilitating role of Cx40 decreased expression in neutrophil transmigration. To pursue both directions, it seemed logical to study the impact of Cx40 deletion using knock-out mice. Concerning the potential protective role of Cx40 overexpression we encountered a roadblock as we observed, in the aorta, a Cx40 downregulation in wild type mouse whereas Cx40 was upregulated in the rat. Regarding the second direction and using an in vivo approach, we observed that pulmonary neutrophil transmigration was not affected by the genetic deletion of Cx40. In spite of their negative nature, these results are the very first ones regarding the potential implication of GJIC concerning leucocyte transmigration in vivo. Because this process involves such tight cell-cell physical contacts, the hypothesis for a role of GJIC remains attractive.

John Addington Symonds. A Problem in Greek Ethics. Plutarch's Eroticus quoted only in some footnotes? Why?

It is certainly astonishing that an innovating study about the Greek pederasty in England like the one by John Addington Symonds does not quote Plutarch's Eroticus -in fact, it is only cited in some footnotes-, if one bears in mind that this dialogue is an accurate philosophical reflection on Greek eros, in which very often significant ethical themes are approached. The aim of this article is just to reveal the different reasons for such an omission.

John Addington Symonds. A Problem in Greek Ethics. ¿El Erótico de Plutarco reducido a algunas notas a pie de página? ¿Por qué?

Resulta sorprendente que un estudio pionero en Inglaterra sobre la pederastia griega como el de John Addington Symonds no cite el Erótico de Plutarco, excepción hecha de en algunas notas a pie de página, siendo como es este dialogo una seria reflexión filosófica sobre el eros griego, en que a menudo se abordan cuestiones éticas. El objetivo de este artículo es revelar justamente las razones de índole diversa para una tal omisión.

John Addington Symonds. A Problem in Greek Ethics. ¿L'Eròtic de Plutarc reduït a algunes notes a peu de pàgina? Per què?

Resulta sorprenent que un estudi pioner a Anglaterra sobre la pederàstia grega como el de John Addington Symonds no citi l'Eròtic de Plutarc, llevat de en algunes notes a peu de pàgina, essent com és aquest diàleg una seriosa reflexió filosòfica sobre l'eros grec, en què sovint s'aborden qüestions ètiques. L'objectiu d'aquest article és revelar justament les raons d'índole diversa per a una tal omissió.

Science, practice and patient needs: the work of the Plinius Maior Society.

The Plinius Maior Society is a European multinational, multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers in the alcoholism field, which strives for a comprehensive care concept in the management of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The Society, using evidence-based medicine, has developed a set of protocols, in the forms of guidelines, flow-charts, leaflets and booklets, for use as tools in research on and treatment of alcohol dependence, with a view to standardize clinical research procedures and to bridge the gap between the alcoholism researcher, practitioner and patient. These protocols or tools have been subjected to a review process during their preparation, and further comments on their validity will be integrated in their updates. Seven protocols have so far been developed, two of which, 'Guidelines on Evaluation of Treatment of Alcohol Dependence' and 'Detection and Management of Patients with Psychiatric and Alcohol Use Disorders', are aimed at the clinical researcher and specialists, whereas three others [in the form of decision trees (flow-charts)] are aimed at the general practitioner and other primary health care providers. These are entitled 'Alcohol Risk Assessment and Intervention in Primary Care', 'Withdrawal from Alcohol at Home' and 'Brief Intervention in Patients with Alcohol-Related Problems'. The remaining two tools are booklets aimed at the patient, one to support initiatives for detection of drinking problems and primary intervention, namely 'Do you have this Problem? Discuss it with your Doctor!', and the other to assist the patient in relapse prevention after the early stages of treatment, namely 'On the Way to Recovery'. The protocols for the general practitioners and patients have so far been produced in seven European languages, and, as with the Guidelines, feedback from target users will be collected and incorporated in future updates. The Society continually seeks to consider areas of clinical importance for its work and, as it enters the new millennium, it hopes to address and make a significant contribution to the most pressing problem in the management of alcohol dependence, namely relapse.

Jonctions communicantes et sécrétion [Gap junctions and secretion]

The emergence of multicellular organisms has necessitated the development of mechanisms for interactions between adjacent and distant cells. A consistent feature of this network is the expression of gap junction channels between the secretory cells of all glands so far investigated in vertebrates. Here, we reviewed the distribution of the gap junctions proteins, named connexins, in a few mammalian glands, and discussed the recent evidence pointing to the participation of these proteins in the functioning of endocrine and exocrine cells. Specifically, available data indicate the importance of gap junctions for the proper control of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Understanding the functions of beta-cell connexins are crucial for the engineering of surrogate cells, which is necessary for implementation of a replacement cell therapy in diabetic patients.

Equilibrium and nonequilibrium gap-state distribution in amorphous silicon

A general and straightforward analytical expression for the defect-state-energy distribution of a-Si:H is obtained through a statistical-mechanical treatment of the hydrogen occupation for different sites. Broadening of available defect energy levels (defect pool) and their charge state, both in electronic equilibrium and nonequilibrium steady-state situations, are considered. The model gives quantitative results that reproduce different defect phenomena, such as the thermally activated spin density, the gap-state dependence on the Fermi level, and the intensity and temperature dependence of light-induced spin density. An interpretation of the Staebler-Wronski effect is proposed, based on the ''conversion'' of shallow charged centers to neutrals near the middle of the gap as a consequence of hydrogen redistribution.

Spatial planning to the test of property rights in Switzerland : an innovative land management approach to coordinate spatial planning goals with property rights interests

In Switzerland, the land management regime is characterized by a liberal attitude towards the institution of property rights, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. Under the present Swiss constitutional arrangement, authorities (municipalities) are required to take into account landowners' interests when implementing their spatial planning policy. In other words, the institution of property rights cannot be restricted easily in order to implement zoning plans and planning projects. This situation causes many problems. One of them is the gap between the way land is really used by the landowners and the way land should be used based on zoning plans. In fact, zoning plans only describe how landowners should use their property. There is no sufficient provision for handling cases where the use is not in accordance with zoning plans. In particular, landowners may not be expropriated for a non-conforming use of the land. This situation often leads to the opening of new building areas in greenfields and urban sprawl, which is in contradiction with the goals set into the Federal Law on Spatial Planning. In order to identify legal strategies of intervention to solve the problem, our paper is structured into three main parts. Firstly, we make a short description of the Swiss land management regime. Then, we focus on an innovative land management approach designed to implement zoning plans in accordance with property rights. Finally, we present a case study that shows the usefulness of the presented land management approach in practice. We develop three main results. Firstly, the land management approach brings a mechanism to involve landowners in planning projects. Coordination principle between spatial planning goals and landowners' interests is the cornerstone of all the process. Secondly, the land use is improved both in terms of space and time. Finally, the institution of property rights is not challenged, since there is no expropriation and the market stays free.

The database search problem: a question of rational decision making

This paper applies probability and decision theory in the graphical interface of an influence diagram to study the formal requirements of rationality which justify the individualization of a person found through a database search. The decision-theoretic part of the analysis studies the parameters that a rational decision maker would use to individualize the selected person. The modeling part (in the form of an influence diagram) clarifies the relationships between this decision and the ingredients that make up the database search problem, i.e., the results of the database search and the different pairs of propositions describing whether an individual is at the source of the crime stain. These analyses evaluate the desirability associated with the decision of 'individualizing' (and 'not individualizing'). They point out that this decision is a function of (i) the probability that the individual in question is, in fact, at the source of the crime stain (i.e., the state of nature), and (ii) the decision maker's preferences among the possible consequences of the decision (i.e., the decision maker's loss function). We discuss the relevance and argumentative implications of these insights with respect to recent comments in specialized literature, which suggest points of view that are opposed to the results of our study.