The Man-Made Environment in Post-Stalinist Europe 1953-1968

This project looked at the various responses, both political and aesthetic, to the end of socialist realism and the return of pre-war modernism as a desirable ideal. It considered both the built environment and objects of daily use (furniture, radios, TV sets, etc.) in several countries of the region, including Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Romania, also comparing developments there with corresponding ones in the west. Among particular aspects considered were the effects of Kruschev's speech in December 1954 to workers in construction, machine-building and design industries, in which he argued against monumentalism and criticised both "classical architecture" and socialist realism. The team see the real issue in interpreting Eastern European architecture as its lack of a critical edge, since official discourses took the place of any form of criticism and architects sought to implement the "official line". Megastructures became increasingly popular from the 1960s onwards and in Romania, for instance, came to dominate the city in the late 1980s. Such structures proved an efficient way to control the environment in countries plagued by prefabrication and social housing, and the group see the exhibition of inflated concrete grids as perhaps the most important feature of Eastern European architecture in the 1960s and 1970s. They also point out the rarity of glass and steel architecture in the east, where the preferred material was concrete, a material seen as "revolutionary" as it was the product of heavy industry and was grey, i.e. the workers' colour. Tactile elements were more important here than the visual elements favoured in the west, and a solidity more in line with the dominant ideology than the ephemeral qualities of glass.

Does the educational success of children growing up in stepfamilies differ from children growing up in single parent households?

Within the framework of research into educational inequality, this paper focuses on the educational success of children who experience parental separation prior to the transition from primary into secondary education. Related to this, the first education passage following primary school is observed. The question arises as to whether children growing up in single parent households after parental separation and whether children in this category who in addition experienced the formation of a stepfamily differ from one another and from children growing up in “nuclear families” in regard to their scholastic performance and transition success. For that reason, not only scholastic performance (grades) but also the type of school attended following primary school are of particular interest. Furthermore, differences regarding parental educational decision-making are examined (vgl. Stocké 2007). The analyses are based on data from the longitudinal study "BIKS 8-14" (educational processes, competence development and selection decisions in preschool- and school age) that has been undertaken at the Otto Friedrich University in Bamberg.

The Crystal Chemistry of Holtite

Holtite, approximately (Al,Ta,square)Al(6)(BO(3))(Si,Sb(3+),As(3+))(Sigma 3)O(12)(O,OH,square)(Sigma 3), is a member of the dumortierite group that has been found in pegmatite, or alluvial deposits derived from pegmatite, at three localities: Greenbushes, Western Australia; Voron'i Tundry, Kola Peninsula, Russia; and Szklary, Lower Silesia, Poland. Holtite can contain >30 wt.% Sb(2)O(3), As(2)O(3), Ta(2)O(5), Nb(2)O(5), and TiO(2) (taken together), but none of these constituents is dominant at a crystallographic site, which raises the question whether this mineral is distinct from dumortierite. The crystal structures of four samples from the three localities have been refined to R(1) = 0.02-0.05. The results show dominantly: Al, Ta, and vacancies at the Al(1) position; Al and vacancies at the Al(2), (3) and (4) sites; Si and vacancies at the Si positions; and Sb, As and vacancies at the Sb sites for both Sb-poor (holtite I) and Sb-rich (holtite II) specimens. Although charge-balance calculations based on our single-crystal structure refinements suggest that essentially no water is present, Fourier transform infrared spectra confirm that some OH is present in the three samples that could be measured. By analogy with dumortierite, the largest peak at 3505-3490 cm(-1) is identified with OH at the O(2) and O(7) positions. The single-crystal X-ray refinements and FTIR results suggest the following general formula for holtite: Al(7-[5x+y+z]/3)(Ta,Nb)(x)square([2x+y+z]/3)BSi(3-y)(Sb,As)(y)O(18-y-z)(OH)(z), where x is the total number of pentavalent cations, y is the total amount of Sb + As, and z <= y is the total amount of OH. Comparison with the electron microprobe compositions suggests the following approximate general formulae Al(5.83)(Ta,Nb)(0.50)square(0.67)BSi(2.50)(Sb,As)(0.50)O(17.00)(OH)(0.50) and Al(5.92)(Ta,Nb)(0.25)square(0.83)BSi(2.00)(Sb,As)(1.00) O(16.00)(OH)(1.00) for holtite I and holtite II respectively. However, the crystal structure refinements do not indicate a fundamental difference in cation ordering that might serve as a criterion for recognizing the two holtites as distinct species, and anion compositions are also not sufficiently different. Moreover, available analyses suggest the possibility of a continuum in the Si/(Sb + As) ratio between holtite I and dumortierite, and at least a partial continuum between holtite I and holtite II. We recommend that use of the terms holtite I and holtite II be discontinued.

210Pb dating of the Miaoergou ice core from the eastern Tien Shan, China

In 2005, two ice cores with lengths of 58.7 and 57.6 m respectively to bedrock were recovered from the Miaoergou flat-topped glacier (43 degrees 03 ' 19 '' N, 94 degrees 19 ' 21 '' E; 4512 m a.s.l.), eastern Tien Shan. Pb-210 dating of one of the ice cores (57.6 m) was performed, and an age of AD 1851 +/- 6 at a depth of 35.2 m w.e. was determined. For the period AD 1851-2005, a mean annual net accumulation of 229 +/- 7 mm w.e. a(-1) was calculated. At the nearby oasis city of Hami (similar to 80 km from the Miaoergou flat-topped glacier) the annual precipitation rate is 38 mm w.e. a(-1), hence glacial meltwater is a major water supply for local residents. The surface activity concentration of Pb-210(ex) was found to be similar to 400 mBq kg(-1), which is higher than observed at other continental sites such as Belukha, Russia, and Tsambagarav, Mongolia, which have surface activity concentrations of 280 mBq kg(-1). The Pb-210 dating agrees well with the chronological sequence deduced from the annual-layer counting resulting from the seasonalities of delta O-18 and trace metals for the period AD 1953-2005, and beta-activity horizons resulting from atmospheric nuclear testing during the period AD 1962-63. We conclude that Pb-210 analysis is a suitable method for obtaining a continuous dating of the Miaoergou ice core for similar to 160 years, which can also be applied to other ice cores recovered from the mountains of western China.

Eculizumab hepatotoxicity in pediatric aHUS.

BACKGROUND Eculizumab is a humanized anti-C5 antibody approved for the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Its use is increasing in children following reports of its safety and efficacy. METHODS We reviewed biochemical and clinical data related to possible drug-induced liver injury in 11 children treated with eculizumab for aHUS in a single center. RESULTS Elevated aminotransferases were observed in 7 children aged 6 to 11 years following eculizumab treatment for aHUS. Internationally accepted liver enzyme thresholds for drug-induced liver injury were exceeded in 5 cases. In all cases, liver injury was classified as mixed hepatocellular and cholestatic. Infectious and other causes were excluded in each case. One patient with no pre-existing liver disease developed tender hepatomegaly and liver enzyme derangement exceeding 20 times the upper limit of normal following initiation of eculizumab. Recurrent liver injury following re-challenge with eculizumab necessitated its discontinuation and transition to plasma therapy. CONCLUSIONS Hepatotoxicity in association with eculizumab is a potentially important yet previously unreported adverse event. We recommend monitoring liver enzymes in all patients receiving eculizumab. Further research is required to clarify the impact of this adverse event, to characterize the mechanism of potential hepatotoxicity, and to identify which patients are most at risk.

Sex differences in heart rate variability: a longitudinal study in international elite cross-country skiers

PURPOSE: Exercise-related sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) occur with a striking male predominance. A higher sympathetic tone in men has been suggested as risk factor for SCD. Elite athletes have the highest risk for exercise-related SCD. We aimed to analyze the autonomic nervous system of elite cross-country skiers from Norway, Russia and Switzerland in supine position and after orthostatic challenge in various training periods (TP). METHOD: Measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) were performed on a weekly basis over 1 year using an orthostatic challenge test with controlled breathing. Main outcome parameters were the high-frequency power in supine position (HFsupine) as marker of cardiac parasympathetic activity and the low-frequency/high-frequency power ratio after orthostatic challenge (LF/HFstand) as marker of cardiac sympathetic activation. Training intensity and duration were recorded daily and expressed as training strain. The training year was divided into three TPs. An average of weekly HRV measurements was calculated for each TP. RESULT: Female (n = 19, VO2max 62.0 +/- 4.6 ml kg(-1) min(-1), age 25.8 +/- 4.3 years) and male (n = 16, VO2max 74.3 +/- 6.3 ml kg(-1) min(-1), age 24.4 +/- 4.2 years) athletes were included. Training strain was comparable between sexes (all p > 0.05) and changed between TPs (all p < 0.05) while no HRV parameters changed over time. There were no sex differences in HFsupine while the LF/HFstand was significantly higher in male athletes in all TPs. CONCLUSION: For a comparable amount of training, male athletes showed constantly higher markers of sympathetic activity after a provocation maneuver. This may explain part of the male predominance in sports-related SCD.

Implications of the sustainable development paradigm for Switzerland

The sustainable development paradigm raises issues of global, intra- and intergenerational social equity as well as respect for nature, and economic welfare. Switzerland is confronted by these issues within its own country, and has a moral responsibility vis-a-vis the rest of the world. Syndromes of global change are affecting many eco-regions, not only in developing and transition countries, but to a lesser extent also the affluent countries. Switzerland as a nation has an impact on syndromes through its far-reaching economic activities, which are non-sustainable. At the global level, more modest consumption patterns, a considerably slowed demographic change, a nonconsumptive but sustainable use of natural resources, and conflict transformation are the main prerequisites for improving sustainability. Switzerland's current contribution to sustainability is much less than what it could be, hence the need for additional action along general principles in,accordance with Swiss traditions and innovative potentials. A number of concrete actions could be taken immediately. These are: labelling the socially and ecologically sustainable production of goods and services, and their negotiation at WTO level; enhancing international cooperation and research; strengthening education and research for sustainability, and emphasizing energy and material flux efficiency at home and abroad.

THE EVALUATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH COMPONENTS OF INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF OPERATIONS: INDOCHINESE REFUGEES IN THAILAND, 1979-1982

Refugee populations suffer poor health status and yet the activities of refugee relief agencies in the public health sector have not been subjected previously to comprehensive evaluation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and cost of the major public health service inputs of the international relief operation for Indochinese refugees in Thailand coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The investigator collected data from surveillance reports and agency records pertaining to 11 old refugee camps administered by the Government of Thailand Ministry of Interior (MOI) since an earlier refugee influx, and five new Khmer holding centers administered directly by UNHCR, from November, 1979, to March, 1982.^ Generous international funding permitted UNHCR to maintain a higher level of public health service inputs than refugees usually enjoyed in their countries of origin or than Thais around them enjoyed. Annual per capita expenditure for public health inputs averaged approximately US$151. Indochinese refugees in Thailand, for the most part, had access to adequate general food rations, to supplementary feeding programs, and to preventive health measures, and enjoyed high-quality medical services. Old refugee camps administered by MOI consistently received public health inputs of lower quantity and quality compared with new UNHCR-administered holding centers, despite comparable per capita expenditure after both types of camps had stabilized (static phase).^ Mortality and morbidity rates among new Khmer refugees were catastrophic during the emergency and transition phases of camp development. Health status in the refugee population during the static phase, however, was similar to, or better than, health status in the refugees' countries of origin or the Thai communities surrounding the camps. During the static phase, mortality and morbidity generally remained stable at roughly the same low levels in both types of camps.^ Furthermore, the results of multiple regression analyses demonstrated that combined public health inputs accounted for from one to 23 per cent of the variation in refugee mortality and morbidity. The direction of associations between some public health inputs and specific health outcome variables demonstrated no clear pattern. ^

Reconstructed glaciation limits in Eurasia (digitized from map Fig.1)

Based on field investigations in northern Russia and interpretation of offshore seismic data, we have made a preliminary reconstruction of the maximum ice-sheet extent in the Barents and Kara Sea region during the Early/Middle Weichselian and the Late Weichselian. Our investigations indicate that the Barents and Kara ice sheets attained their maximum Weichselian positions in northern Russia prior to 50 000 yr BP, whereas the northeastern flank of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet advanced to a maximum position shortly after 17000 calendar years ago. During the Late Weichselian (25 000-10000 yr BP), much of the Russian Arctic remained ice-free. According to our reconstruction, the extent of the ice sheets in the Barents and Kara Sea region during the Late Weichselian glacial maximum was less than half that of the maximum model which, up to now, has been widely used as a boundary condition for testing and refining General Circulation Models (GCMs). Preliminary numerical-modelling experiments predict Late Weichselian ice sheets which are larger than the ice extent implied for the Kara Sea region from dated geological evidence, suggesting very low precipitation.

El empleo informal y la estructura del mercado laboral en las regiones argentinas

El proceso de informalización del sector formal que se ha observado en América Latina durante los últimos años implica la coexistencia de trabajadores formales e informales que desarrollan sus actividades bajo diferentes condiciones laborales en el mismo sector. Sin embargo, la literatura, tanto empírica como teórica, le asignó tradicionalmente una estructura homogénea. No obstante, la segmentación del mercado laboral, particularmente del sector formal, tiene importantes consecuencias para el ingreso de los trabajadores y la movilidad ocupacional. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar, desde una perspectiva dinámica, el impacto de la informalidad en la estructura del mercado laboral argentino, investigando especialmente la hipótesis de segmentación del sector formal en las distintas regiones del país. Con ese fin, a partir de microdatos obtenidos de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares (EPH), se estiman brechas salariales individuales y matrices de transición que permiten analizar los movimientos entre categorías ocupacionales definidas a partir de la condición de informalidad del trabajador y del sector en el que se desempeña. El resultado más relevante es la evidencia encontrada a favor de la segmentación del sector formal. La importancia de este hallazgo radica en sus implicaciones respecto de un grupo de trabajadores 'los asalariados no registrados' que no solo sufren una penalización en términos salariales sino que permanecen bajo condiciones laborales desfavorables asociadas con la informalidad

El empleo informal y la estructura del mercado laboral en las regiones argentinas

El proceso de informalización del sector formal que se ha observado en América Latina durante los últimos años implica la coexistencia de trabajadores formales e informales que desarrollan sus actividades bajo diferentes condiciones laborales en el mismo sector. Sin embargo, la literatura, tanto empírica como teórica, le asignó tradicionalmente una estructura homogénea. No obstante, la segmentación del mercado laboral, particularmente del sector formal, tiene importantes consecuencias para el ingreso de los trabajadores y la movilidad ocupacional. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar, desde una perspectiva dinámica, el impacto de la informalidad en la estructura del mercado laboral argentino, investigando especialmente la hipótesis de segmentación del sector formal en las distintas regiones del país. Con ese fin, a partir de microdatos obtenidos de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares (EPH), se estiman brechas salariales individuales y matrices de transición que permiten analizar los movimientos entre categorías ocupacionales definidas a partir de la condición de informalidad del trabajador y del sector en el que se desempeña. El resultado más relevante es la evidencia encontrada a favor de la segmentación del sector formal. La importancia de este hallazgo radica en sus implicaciones respecto de un grupo de trabajadores 'los asalariados no registrados' que no solo sufren una penalización en términos salariales sino que permanecen bajo condiciones laborales desfavorables asociadas con la informalidad

El empleo informal y la estructura del mercado laboral en las regiones argentinas

El proceso de informalización del sector formal que se ha observado en América Latina durante los últimos años implica la coexistencia de trabajadores formales e informales que desarrollan sus actividades bajo diferentes condiciones laborales en el mismo sector. Sin embargo, la literatura, tanto empírica como teórica, le asignó tradicionalmente una estructura homogénea. No obstante, la segmentación del mercado laboral, particularmente del sector formal, tiene importantes consecuencias para el ingreso de los trabajadores y la movilidad ocupacional. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar, desde una perspectiva dinámica, el impacto de la informalidad en la estructura del mercado laboral argentino, investigando especialmente la hipótesis de segmentación del sector formal en las distintas regiones del país. Con ese fin, a partir de microdatos obtenidos de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares (EPH), se estiman brechas salariales individuales y matrices de transición que permiten analizar los movimientos entre categorías ocupacionales definidas a partir de la condición de informalidad del trabajador y del sector en el que se desempeña. El resultado más relevante es la evidencia encontrada a favor de la segmentación del sector formal. La importancia de este hallazgo radica en sus implicaciones respecto de un grupo de trabajadores 'los asalariados no registrados' que no solo sufren una penalización en términos salariales sino que permanecen bajo condiciones laborales desfavorables asociadas con la informalidad

Chemical composition of bottom sediments along the Transpacific section

Distribution of Fe, Mn, Ti, Cu, Ni, Co, V, Cr, Mo, As in bottom sediments of a section from the Hawaiian Islands to the coast of Mexico. In the surface layer and isochronic layers of sediments from biogenic-terrigenous sediments of the Mexico coast to pelagic red clays of the Northeast Basin contents of all studied elements increase, and more sharply for mobile ones - Mn, Mo, Cu, Ni, Co, As. In near Hawaii sediments rich in coarsely fragmented volcanic-terrigenous and pyroclastic material of basalt composition enriched in Ti, Fe, Cr, V, P contents of these elements in surface sediments and in sediment mass increase and contents of Mn, Mo, Ni, Co, Cu, As (for the same reason) decrease compared to red clays. An area of hemipelagic and transition sediments is identified; these sediments have much higher contents of Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Mo, As, (Ba) than red clays and similar sediments of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. This is due to hydrothermal activity in the tectonically active zone at the northern extension of the East Pacific Rise. Similar character of distribution of the elements in the surface layer and in the isochrone layers of bottom sediments along the most part of the section is shown. Similarity between distribution of the elements in sediments of the western and the eastern parts of the Transpacific section is established.