Showing papers by "University of Applied Sciences, Mainz published in 2009"

Crime, Deterrence and Unemployment in Greece: A Panel Data Approach

Abstract: This study empirically examines the relationship between crime, deterrence and unemployment in Greece. A regional dataset over the period 1991-1998 was collected and analyzed. Our econometric methodology follows the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator applied to dynamic models of panel data. The results show that property crimes are significantly deterred by higher clear-up rates. Also for property crime rates, the results indicate that unemployment increases crime. For violent crimes, however, the effect of the clear-up rate and unemployment are found to be insignificant.

The Erlangen Test of Activities of Daily Living: first results on reliability and validity of a short performance test to measure fundamental activities of daily living in dementia patients.

Abstract: Background: In the absence of an easily applicable performance test for making valid measurements of fundamental activities of daily living (ADL) in dementia patients, this study reports the development of an ADL performance test which constitutes both a reliable and a valid measurement of the relevant autonomous areas of everyday activities for dementia patients Methods: The Erlangen Test of Activities of Daily Living (E-ADL-Test) consists of five items: pouring a drink, cutting a piece of bread, opening a small cupboard, washing hands and tying a bow Each test item undetwent standardized evaluation on a scale of 0 to 6 To determine retest reliability each assessment was repeated at two-weekly intervals The Global Deterioration Scale, Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Nurses' Observations Scale for Geriatric Patients (NOSGER) were used to assess construct validity Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was applied Forty-six patients ( 42 women and 4 men) with clinically diagnosed dementia, who were resident in nursing homes, took part in the validation study Their average age was 86 Results: The E-ADL-Test revealed good inter-individual differentiation ability, particularly in cases of moderate to severe dementia Cronbach's a was 077, retest reliability 073 The correlation coefficients were -047 with GDS, 060 with NOSGER and 072 with MMSE Conclusions: The E-ADL-Test is a suitable performance test for measuring activities of daily living as it is easy to use, reliable, valid and well accepted

Evaluation of Spatial Information Technology Applications for Mega City Management

Abstract: Administrations of mega cities face multiple challenges including informal settlements and air and water pollution control. Adequate mega city management requires a wellfunctioning spatial data infrastructure (SDI). The objective of this article is to evaluate the results of a comprehensive internet search concerning the use of spatial information technology in currently existing mega cities. The search starts from a nationwide view on the execution and the progress status of SDIs in the home countries of mega cities and zooms in to the specific aspects of spatial data management in the metropolitan areas of special interest. We conclude that current SDI development in mega cities covers the whole range from first stage conceptual ideas up to an almost complete operational SDI availability.

Selbsttragende und aussteifende Sandwichbauteile – Möglichkeiten für kleinere und mittlere Gebäude

Abstract: Die zur Zeit verwendeten Sandwichbauteile werden fast ausschlieslich als raumabschliesende Elemente fur Wandverkleidungen und Dacheindeckungen eingesetzt. Dabei werden die Elemente stets auf eine tragende Unterkonstruktion montiert. Diese Elemente werden infolge auserer Lasten sowie Temperatur- und Kriecheffekte ausschlieslich durch Biegemomente und Querkrafte beansprucht. Zur Erweiterung der Marktchancen drangt sich die Frage auf, inwieweit Sandwichbauteile auch fur lastabtragende Wande und aussteifende Scheiben ohne tragende Unterkonstruktion geeignet sind. Zur Beantwortung dieser Frage werden an drei unterschiedlichen Haustypen die maximalen Beanspruchungen von Wandpaneelen mit vertikalen Lasten (Normalkraften) und horizontalen Lasten (Scheibenkraften) ermittelt und den zu erwartenden Beanspruchbarkeiten gegenubergestellt. Dadurch kann gezeigt werden, dass die Verwendung von ublichen Sandwichbauteilen fur lastabtragende und aussteifende Bauteile fur kleinere bis mittlere Gebaude durchaus moglich ist. Self bearing and racking sandwich panels – possibilities for small and middle sized buildings. At the moment virtual all sandwich panels are used either as wall claddings or roof coverings. For this purpose the elements are mounted on a load-bearing substructure. Due to external loads and effects from temperature and creep these elements are subjected to bending moments and shear forces only. The market for sandwich panels would be broadened if they could be used as load-transferring walls and bracing diaphragms without load-bearing substructure. Three different types of houses will be investigated in order to find out if sandwich panels are suitable for these applications. First maximum vertical (axial) loads of wall panels and horizontal loads (bracing) will be determined and then the values will be compared to expected load capacities. Thus it can be shown that commonly used sandwich panels are suitable for load-transferring and bracing elements in small and medium-sized buildings.

Crime, Deterrence and Unemployment in Greece: A Panel Data Approach

Abstract: This study empirically examines the relationship between crime, deterrence and unemployment in Greece. A regional dataset over the period 1991-1998 was collected and analyzed. Our econometric methodology follows the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator applied to dynamic models of panel data. The results show that property crimes are significantly deterred by higher clear-up rates. Also for property crime rates, the results indicate that unemployment increases crime. For violent crimes, however, the effect of the clear-up rate and unemployment are found to be insignificant.

Interaction typologies : traditional music instruments versus digital music instruments

Abstract: In this paper we discuss some interaction aspects deduced from the relation between musical creation and musical performance. In particular, we observe the triangulation effect in the interactive processes between traditional music instruments and digital music instruments. As a result, we propose a typology of interaction for the musical performance. The deduced classes are based upon the observation and systematization of the author work as a composer The model we propose aims to contribute towards an unifying terminology and systematization of some of the major questions that arise from the coexistence between two different paradigms (traditional and digital music instruments) in the universe of live electronic music. 1. FROM OBSERVATION TO

Current Use of Spatial Information Technology in Mega City Management

Abstract: Summary One objective of FIG Commission 3 focuses on promoting the use of Spatial Infrastructure Management (SIM)‑tools at dif‑ ferent administrative levels for decision makers and citizens to support the goals of participatory democracy. In this con‑ text FIG Commission 3 has set up the Working Group WG3.2 Spatial Data Infrastructures in Megacities, which aims at identifying relevant spatial tools to support development and use of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) by city authorities in the world’s largest cities. The strategy of the work program emphasizes key problems of megacities by reviewing SDI de‑ velopments in existing megacities, documenting case studies, including lessons learned about solutions for problems and should finally lead to a toolkit for use of best practices in SDI for managing megacities. To complement the results of direct correspondence with administrations of megacities one important part of this project concentrates on a background research on existing sources about overall use of SDI in mega‑ cities. The objective of this paper is to discuss the results of an internet search concerning the use of spatial informa‑ tion technology in the world’s currently existing megacities. The search starts from a nationwide view on the execution and the progression status of SDI’s in the home countries of mega cities and zooms into the specific aspects of spatial data management in the metropolitan areas of special interest. As a result we come to the conclusion, that current SDI develop‑ ment in megacities covers the whole range from first stage conceptual ideas up to an almost complete operational SDI availability.

Digital music instruments and sound expression

Abstract: The main goal of this paper is to describe certain aspects of the construction of a prototype, while introducing generally some of the key issues resulting of the design of its interface. The word LeinKlang (from the German) means sound (Klang) screen (Leinwand). This project consists in the construction of a digital music instrument. Physically, it appears as a screen, against which users interact, by shadow or video projection, and behind it, intentionally out of view, a set of 24 small loudspeakers.