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Urban brownfields are found in all parts of the world. They suffer from a negative image, generally being viewed as problem areas. However, urban brownfields also offer potentials for new uses as well as for the ecological regeneration of cities. Especially urban brownfields with spontaneous vegetation can contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem services in dense urban environments. Whether and how this potential is exploited depends on the perception and preferred uses of brownfields by local residents. Through surveys undertaken in Dresden and Leipzig, this paper examines the perception and use of brownfields and their spontaneous vegetation by the urban population. Results show a range of views on brownfields with spontaneous vegetation from negative to positive evaluations. Many residents make use of brownfields, have concrete ideas about how such areas should be utilized or designed and are even prepared to take part in the transformation. The paper suggests that the use and design of green space should be rethought in unconventional ways, and discusses how the ecological and social potential of brownfields with spontaneous vegetation can be best exploited for urban residents.

Introduction: The relationships within the Pyrrhura species complex are partly unresolved. In this study, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Pyrrhura picta-leucotis complex was carried out, covering all species except P. subandina. Material and Methods: We made a morphological analysis of 745 preserved specimens of all the taxa in different museums. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome gene were generated and used to reconstruct a molecular phylogeny of Pyrrhura. Results and Discussion: Our results show that the complex is divided into 6 main groups comprising 15 species. P. dilutissima, regarded up to now as a subspecies of P. peruviana, acquires species status and three new subspecies are described. We also provide evidence that P. roseifrons is a paraphyletic group, indicating the existence of probably 3 lineages of which 2 deserve species status.

Background Schizophrenia is one of the most common, burdensome, and costly psychiatric disorders in adults worldwide. Antipsychotic drugs are its treatment of choice, but there is controversy about which agent should be used. We aimed to compare and rank antipsychotics by quantifying information from randomised controlled trials. Methods We did a network meta-analysis of placebo-controlled and head-to-head randomised controlled trials and compared 32 antipsychotics. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, BIOSIS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov from database inception to Jan 8, 2019. Two authors independently selected studies and extracted data. We included randomised controlled trials in adults with acute symptoms of schizophrenia or related disorders. We excluded studies in patients with treatment resistance, first episode, predominant negative or depressive symptoms, concomitant medical illnesses, and relapse-prevention studies. Our primary outcome was change in overall symptoms measured with standardised rating scales. We also extracted data for eight efficacy and eight safety outcomes. Differences in the findings of the studies were explored in metaregressions and sensitivity analyses. Effect size measures were standardised mean differences, mean differences, or risk ratios with 95% credible intervals (CrIs). Confidence in the evidence was assessed using CINeMA (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis). The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42014014919. Findings We identified 54 417 citations and included 402 studies with data for 53 463 participants. Effect size estimates suggested all antipsychotics reduced overall symptoms more than placebo (although not statistically significant for six drugs), with standardised mean differences ranging from −0·89 (95% CrI −1·08 to −0·71) for clozapine to −0·03 (−0·59 to 0·52) for levomepromazine (40 815 participants). Standardised mean differences compared with placebo for reduction of positive symptoms (31 179 participants) varied from −0·69 (95% CrI −0·86 to −0·52) for amisulpride to −0·17 (−0·31 to −0·04) for brexpiprazole, for negative symptoms (32 015 participants) from −0·62 (−0·84 to −0·39; clozapine) to −0·10 (−0·45 to 0·25; flupentixol), for depressive symptoms (19 683 participants) from −0·90 (−1·36 to −0·44; sulpiride) to 0·04 (−0·39 to 0·47; flupentixol). Risk ratios compared with placebo for all-cause discontinuation (42 672 participants) ranged from 0·52 (0·12 to 0·95; clopenthixol) to 1·15 (0·36 to 1·47; pimozide), for sedation (30 770 participants) from 0·92 (0·17 to 2·03; pimozide) to 10·20 (4·72 to 29·41; zuclopenthixol), for use of antiparkinson medication (24 911 participants) from 0·46 (0·19 to 0·88; clozapine) to 6·14 (4·81 to 6·55; pimozide). Mean differences compared to placebo for weight gain (28 317 participants) ranged from −0·16 kg (−0·73 to 0·40; ziprasidone) to 3·21 kg (2·10 to 4·31; zotepine), for prolactin elevation (21 569 participants) from −77·05 ng/mL (−120·23 to −33·54; clozapine) to 48·51 ng/mL (43·52 to 53·51; paliperidone) and for QTc prolongation (15 467 participants) from −2·21 ms (−4·54 to 0·15; lurasidone) to 23·90 ms (20·56 to 27·33; sertindole). Conclusions for the primary outcome did not substantially change after adjusting for possible effect moderators or in sensitivity analyses (eg, when excluding placebo-controlled studies). The confidence in evidence was often low or very low. Interpretation There are some efficacy differences between antipsychotics, but most of them are gradual rather than discrete. Differences in side-effects are more marked. These findings will aid clinicians in balancing risks versus benefits of those drugs available in their countries. They should consider the importance of each outcome, the patients' medical problems, and preferences.

The long-tailed parakeets of the genus Psittacula Cuvier, 1800 have thus far been regarded as a homogeneous and monophyletic group of parrots. We used nucleotide sequences of two genetic markers (mitochondrial CYTB, nuclear RAG-1) to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Psittacula and closely related species. We found that the Asian genus Psittacula is apparently paraphyletic because two genera of short-tailed parrots, Psittinus Blyth, 1842 and Tanygnathus Wagler, 1832, cluster within Psittacula, as does †Mascarinus Lesson, 1830. To create monophyletic genera, we propose recognition of the following genera: Himalayapsitta Braun, 2016 for P. himalayana, P. finschii, P. roseata, and P. cyanocephala; Nicopsitta Braun, 2016 for P. columboides and P. calthrapae; Belocercus S. Müller, 1847 for P. longicauda; Psittacula Cuvier, 1800 for P. alexandri and P. derbiana; Palaeornis Vigors, 1825 for †P. wardi and P. eupatria; and Alexandrinus Braun, 2016 for P. krameri, †P. exsul, and P. (eques) echo. Additionally, Psittacula krameri and P. alexandri are paraphyletic species, which should be split to form monophyletic species.

The first edition of the Technical Specification (TS) on Primary Optics for Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) Systems, IEC TS 62989:2018, has been published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), on March 8th, 2018. TS 62989 covers aspects related to the primary optics including: product identification, optical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, materials, (design) geometry, and visual appearance. This paper focuses on the key aspects of the norm, including optical performance, in order to promote the awareness and use of the standard. We describe the three methods intended to measure the key optical characteristics of the primary elements, i.e. focal spot size and optical efficiency, by using the encircled energy. The three methods are using different light sources, optical components and receiver sensors, but yielded very similar results in a round robin test. This justifies the continued use of all three methods. The use of a website (opticstests.pbworks.com) for documentation of discussions and references was novel to the standard development. The website proved to be useful for the introduction of new members of the group. The website helped to keep track of changes to the document as well as the required actions of the project team.The first edition of the Technical Specification (TS) on Primary Optics for Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) Systems, IEC TS 62989:2018, has been published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), on March 8th, 2018. TS 62989 covers aspects related to the primary optics including: product identification, optical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, materials, (design) geometry, and visual appearance. This paper focuses on the key aspects of the norm, including optical performance, in order to promote the awareness and use of the standard. We describe the three methods intended to measure the key optical characteristics of the primary elements, i.e. focal spot size and optical efficiency, by using the encircled energy. The three methods are using different light sources, optical components and receiver sensors, but yielded very similar results in a round robin test. This justifies the continued use of all three methods. The use of a website (opticstests.pbworks.com) for documentation ...

The afforestation of urban brownfields represents a new urban redevelopment strategy that is currently being used by various shrinking or shrunken cities like Detroit (U.S.), Halle, Leipzig, Schwedt or Weiswasser (Germany). This paper deals with the perception of both, successional brownfields and their afforestation, they were compared to one another with respect to their acceptance, possibilities for use and potential dangers. The study used visual methods: photo montages were produced that presented several stages of afforestation and succession. Both sets of photo montages were linked to questions about perception, acceptance, and usability. The household-based questionnaire survey was embedded in a real urban redevelopment project in the city of Leipzig, Germany, and had the goal of delivering concrete recommendations for the planning and design of urban forest sites in the inner-city. In a direct comparison, afforestation on brownfields is accepted more than natural succession. However, residents really wanted park-related green structures and traditionally designed urban nature areas.

In this article, we contribute to a better understanding of contextual differences related to residential segregation. We illuminate one specific contextual factor—housing oversupply—and how it intersects with historically inherited patterns of socio-spatial differentiation and other drivers of residential segregation. The study is based on an analysis of how segregation has developed over the last 20 years in the city of Leipzig, Germany. This case offers the rare possibility of studying the impact of city-wide housing oversupply on residential segregation, rather than concentrating on decline or decay in specific areas. We examine how oversupply emerged at the meeting point of changes in market structures, housing preferences, welfare state interventions, and migration trends in the post-socialist transition. Using existing statistical data, we demonstrate how oversupply has fostered a fast and thorough reshuffling of residential patterns. After a period of resolving segregation patterns from the social...

Urban brownfields have been an international phenomenon for decades and are part of most industrialised countries worldwide (de Sousa 2008). Brownfields are understood as previously used land that has been abandoned and may suffer from contamination. They occur in shrinking cities as well as in growing cities. In particular, urban locations that changed from agglomerations with heavy industry to service centres transformed these urban spaces into brownfields. Several international institutions and expert networks deal with concerted actions for brownfields, to develop such valuable urban areas (CABERNET; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Environmental Agency (EEA), etc.). Despite substantial efforts, many of these previously used industrial sites could not be assigned to new functions and, therefore, no further use was made available. Re-using brownfields can help to reduce the amount of newly sealed land (e.g., Rink and Banzhaf 2011). Land recycling, in particular, is considered a solution because it offers potential sites for residential and commercial constructions (EEA 2015). For the process of reurbanisation, brownfields play a particularly important role in recycling former industrial sites into land that meets the needs of today’s cities. In urban areas, land is subjected to strong dynamics and is a tenuous and competing resource, in view of ongoing global urbanisation. Therefore, the development of commercial brownfields is an important municipal task for sustainable land management. Their potential redevelopment is vital with regard to resource-efficient land management, on the one hand, and the newly developed land-use type as an option for increased urban resilience against natural hazards on the other. Consequently, redevelopment can have marked effects on the quality of life and sustainable urban development (Martinat et al. 2016; Norrman et al. 2016; Bartke et al. 2016).

Prompted by field observations in 2001 in the Utcubamba Valley, Peru, a study was undertaken of 130 specimens in the Aratinga mitrata complex. As a result, the traditional arrangement of Aratinga mitrata (A. m. mitrata Tschudi 1844 and A. m. alticola Chapman 1921) as one species, is replaced with a new classification where Aratinga mitrata is divided into five taxa, A. m. mitrata Tschudi 1844, Aratinga mitrata chlorogenys ssp. nov and Aratinga mitrata tucumana ssp. nov, Aratinga hockingi sp. nov, and A. alticola Chapman 1921.

Zusammenfassung Das obstruktive Schlafapnoesyndrom (OSAS) ist mit einem erhohten Risiko fur kardiovaskulare Erkrankungen vergesellschaftet.

The durability of poly(methyl methacrylate) is examined using veteran lenses obtained from CPV modules fielded for 27 years in Phoenix. The lens facets were milled from the lens interior, followed by depth-specific toming to characterize variation at four depths through the thickness. Optical transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer, both with and without an integrating sphere. Diffuse transmittance (the optical haze) and yellowness index were determined from the transmittance. Molecular weight was characterized using size exclusion chromatography, also in conjunction with the toming. The veteran lens material is compared to contemporary PMMA formulations, aged in an indoor chamber. The modest reductions in transmittance and molecular weight for the lenses were generally similar to those of the contemporary materials, suggesting an indoor accelerated aging test might be used; additional tests must, however, be applied to invoke the haze, uniquely observed for the lens specimen.

Flat samples from various poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) formulations were subjected to outdoor weathering in Arizona and Florida, EMMAQUA® accelerated outdoor weathering, and two accelerated laboratory weathering procedures at 3 Sun irradiance which, imitate dry (Arizona) and wet (Florida) conditions. The main mode of degradation is yellowing and not the generation of haze for any weathering procedure within the investigated radiant exposure. Higher UV absorber concentrations lead to smaller changes in optical properties and in the resulting relative concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module efficiencies. Comparison of sample properties after various weathering procedures reveals that the influence of weathering factors other than radiant exposure depends on the sample as well.

Sozialraumliche Segregation – die Frage nach der ungleichen Verteilung sozialer Gruppen im Stadtraum – ist ein klassisches Thema der Stadtsoziologie. Die umfangreiche Literatur dazu entstand vor dem Hintergrund wachsender Stadte: von der Einwandererstadt Chicago, vor deren Hintergrund die sozialokologische Chicago School entstand, bis hin zu den immer weiter wachsenden Metropolen der jungeren Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, welche die Inspiration zu den „dual cities“ (Mollenkop und Castells 1991) bzw. „quartered cities“ (Marcuse und van Kempen 2000, 2002) lieferten. Wenig ist jedoch uber die Dynamik und Auspragung sozialraumlicher Segregation in schrumpfenden Stadten bekannt: Stadte, die Bevolkerung verlieren durch Wellen von Suburbanisierung, wirtschaftlichen Strukturwandel, politische Umbruche, Naturkatastrophen und bzw. oder durch den demographischen Wandel (Haase et al. 2013; Couch et al. 2012).

Commercial grade PMMA samples designed for CPV primary lens applications were subjected to sand impact in a wind tunnel. Defects caused by the impinging sand particles led to a decrease of direct transmittance and increase of haze. The observed changes increased with increasing mass and velocity of the sand deposited. Using a cotton buffing wheel it was possible to restore the PMMA surface almost back to its initial state and direct transmittance and haze back to their original values. Structural data from surface roughness measurements and SEM micrographs correlated well with the optical quantities.

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) mono- and multilayers of preformed atactic and isotactic poly(octadecyl methacrylate)s were studied on gold surfaces and silicon wafers. The average orientation of the carbonyl bond of the ester group was found to be about 50° with respect to the normal to the substrate, and the side chains were concluded to be oriented perpendicular to the substrate. Furthermore, the degree of side chain orientation increased on going from a single monolayer to a multilayer. This is explained by an interdigitation of the side chains during or after the transfer process. A peculiar transfer behavior of the atactic samples is discussed in terms of the effect of disorder of the first layer on the transfer process. On heating multilayers of the polymers, melting of the crystalline domains formed by the side chains was observed at temperatures of about 35 °C to 40 °C. However, the layer structure appeared to be stable up to 100 °C. The oriented structure was completely recovered after cooling down to room temperature.

Tetra(methoxy)tetra(octyloxy)phthalocyaninatopolysiloxane forms macroscopically oriented LB films with the long axes of the rigid-rod polymer molecules oriented parallel to the direction of film tranfer. The dichroic ratio of the absorption of the phthalocyanine chromophore which is 2.3 is used as the order parameter to quantity this orientation. The polarization of vibration modes with respect to the chain axis is evaluated from polarized transmission and “grazing-incidence reflection” (GIR) IR spectra. The analysis of the transmission spectra with respect to their linear dichroism gives a mean deviation of the polymer chain axis from the direction of film transfer in terms of a mean deviation angle of 〈sin 2 ψ〉, ψ = 35°. Quantitative analysis of the GIR spectra shows that the side-chain segments are randomly distributed around their polymer chain axes. Polarized resonance Raman spectra confirm the orientational order found by the other methods. Futhermore, the comparison with data on copper phthalocyanine allows more detailed analysis of the resonance Raman features. A two-dimensional order parameter is defined to quantify the in-plane orientation distribution of the polymer molecules. Its value can be derived from dichroism measurements.

For large scale applications in power engineering like transmission cables, transformers and motors different Bi-2223 tapes in long length are required. With respect to this applications we produce 55-filament tapes with a high strengthed matrix of lengths up to 600 m carrying currents up to 80 A (overall current density up to 10 kA/cm2). In short-samples critical current densities over 40 kA/cm2 were measured. An overview of the fabrication process and the optimization of different process parameters of the multifilamentary tapes are given. Besides the mechanical and microstructural properties of different Ag-, Ag-alloy-and coated tapes we present the current carrying capability in different magnetic fields and at different temperatures as well as the Ac loss characteristics of these tapes.

The micromechanical deformation behavior of transparent rubber-toughened poly(methylmethacrylate) (RTPMMA) was investigated by electron microscopy. With increasing volume fraction of particles (from 4 vol% to 35 vol%) RTPMMA showed a transition of deformation mode from brittle to ductile. In both cases the particles deform through fibrillized cavitation processes. The dominant toughening mechanism in the specimen containing 4 vol% particles was multiple crazing triggered by fibrillized cavitated particles, whereas in the specimen with 35 vol% particles the specimen deformed by shear flow of matrix material between the fibrillized particles. From the results of an in situ deformation test in high-voltage electron microscopy it can be deduced that interparticle distance plays decisive role on the transition of deformation mode. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Complex harmonic susceptibility of Y-Ba-Cu-O films has been investigated with a dc magnetic field, ranging from 10-4 to 5 T, applied parallel to the c-axis. Harmonic susceptibility profiles are explained by the Kim critical-state model of magnetization. We propose a novel criterion to determine the irreversibility line in terms of complex third-harmonic susceptibility. The irreversibility line of Y-Ba-Cu-O films is not described simply by a single power law, but rather two steep transitions.

The grazing incidence reflection IR spectra of protonated cadmium arachidate monolayers and bilayers at different positions in a deuterated multilayer on a gold surface were studied. In this way the degree of disorder in a single layer can be determined qualitatively as a function of distance from the substrate surface. The characteristic ratios of the CH stretching band intensities are interpreted in terms of increased disorder or tilt of the first monolayer on the substrate and the uppermost layers of the stack.

United States anthropologists scattered in villages across Asia have been joined in recent years by a companion cohort working in Asian AID Missions. Eleven Ph.D. anthropologists are now working in AID's nine Asian Missions. Two more anthropologists serve in the Asia Bureau in Washington backing up the field workers. Anthropologists have replaced economists as the dominant social scientists in AID's development work.

In an attempt to study which factors determine the transferability of monolayers of preformed polymers from the air-water interface onto substrates we investigated flexible polymers (poly(octadecylmethacrylates) (PODMAs)) and α-helical polymers (polyglutamates). Pressure-area isotherms show the formation of a liquid-analogous state which depends on temperature and side chain “impurity”. Y-mode Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers of these polymers can be formed with a constant transfer ratio under conditions at which a more or less liquid-analogous state exists. Polarized IR spectra suggest that the polyglutamate α helices in the multilayer are oriented with the main axis parallel to the transfer direction and that carbon side chains are practically randomly oriented around the α-helical cylinder. In PODMA multilayers the side chains are perpendicular to the film. In both cases the side chains seem to interdigitate.

A method for measuring grazing incidence reflection spectra of monomolecular organic layers is presented which involves the use of a stepmotor-driven translation stage to alternately measure the covered and uncovered part of a metal substrate and averaging of the spectra from several such cycles. The method is applied to Langmuir-Blodgett films of poly(octadecylmethacrylate).

Some new concepts for the preparation of ultrathin polymer films with controlled lateral orientation are briefly reviewed. Rigid rod polymers such as phthalocyaninato polysiloxanes or polyglutamates that are substituted with alkyl chains can be used to built up multilayers with good transfer properties from the air-water interface to solid substrates. During the film transfer the long axes of the rigid rods are oriented parallel to the dipping direction. Investigations of nonlinear optical properties of substituted phthalocyaninato-polysiloxane films are presented.

The Australasian region is a centre of biodiversity and endemism, mainly based on the tropical climate in combination with the large amount of islands. During the Pleistocene, islands of the Sahul Shelf (Australia, New Guinea, Aru Islands) had been part of the same land mass, while islands within the Wallacea (Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Sulawesi etc.) remained isolated. We investigated biogeographical avian diversification patterns of two species complexes across the Wallacea and the Sahul Shelf: the Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus Wagler, 1832, and the Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Linnaeus, 1771. Both species are represented by a large number of described geographical subspecies. We used mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences for phylogenetic and network analysis to detect biogeographic roles of islands and avian diversification patterns. The number of threatened taxa in this region is increasing rapidly and there is an urgent need for (sub-)species conservation in this region. Our study provides first genetic evidence for treating several island taxa as distinct species. In both species complexes similar genetic patterns were detected. Genetic diversification was higher across the islands of the Wallacea than across the islands of the Sahul Shelf. Divergence in E. roratus can be dated back about 1.38 million years ago, whereas in the younger T. haematodus it was 0.80 million years ago. Long distance dispersal was the most likely event for distribution patterns across the Wallacea and Sahul Shelf. The geographic origin of the species-complex Eclectus roratus spp. is supposed to be Wallacean, but for the species-complex Trichoglossus haematodus spp. it is supposed to be non-Wallacean. Trichoglossus euteles, so far considered a distinct species, clearly belongs to the Trichoglossus-haematodus-complex. The only case of sympatry in the complex is the distribution of T. (h.) euteles and T. h. capistratus on Timor, which means a rapid evolution from one ancestor into two distinct species within only 800,000 years. For all other taxa a Checkerboard distribution pattern is present. In this complex, 8 taxa are already treated as separate species (del Hoyo et al. 2014). Based on genetic evidence, the following populations are supported to represent phylogenetic units: (1) N New Guinea (haematodus) incl. Biak (rosenbergii), Bismarck Archipelago (massena), and New Caledonia (deplanchii); (2) Flores (weberi); (3) E Australia (moluccanus) incl. Aru Islands (nigrogularis) and S New Guinea (caeruleiceps); (4) N Australia (rubritorquis); (5) Timor 1st lineage (capistratus) incl. Sumba (fortis); (6) Bali and Lombok (mitchellii); (7) Sumbawa (forsteni); (8) Timor 2nd lineage (euteles). Those 8 phylogenetic units are not identical to the 8 species listed by del Hoyo et al. (2014). Several populations on smaller islands are under decline, a separate species status may lead to a higher conservation status in both species complexes, which are currently listed as “Least Concern”. Eclectus roratus is currently treated as monospecific. Based on genetic evidence, the following populations are suggested being treated as valid species: (1) Sumba (Eclectus cornelia), (2) Tanimbar Islands (E. riedeli), (3) Moluccas (E. roratus), and (4) New Guinea (E. polychloros incl. Aru Islands (E. aruensis), and Solomon Island (E. solomonensis).