Sovereignty between Effectiveness and Legitimacy : Dimensions and Actual Relevance of Sovereignty in Bodin, Hobbes and Rousseau

According to a widespread understanding, the idea and the reality of state-sovereignty are in crisis, and may even have come to an end. The state is becoming a “cooperative” state which is no longer capable of imposing its will, and is thus but one social actor among others. This diagnosis relies on a concept of sovereignty which is basically defined by the capacity of the state to organize and rule society. The present article inquires into the conceptual basis of this kind of description, analysis and critique. Are we dealing with an appropriate analysis of current developments? Are the dimensions of state sovereignty, associated in historical and systematic perspective, adequately described? In order to answer these questions the article goes back to the foundations of modern sovereignty, its practical dimensions and its concomitant problems as outlined in Bodin, Hobbes and Rousseau.Selon une idée largement répandue, l’idée et la réalité de l’État souverain sont aujourd’hui en crise et seraient même sur le point de connaître leur fin. L’État se fait „coopératif“ parce qu’il se voit incapable d’imposer sa volonté. Il se révèle seulement un acteur social parmi d’autres. Ces diagnostics se basent sur une conception de la souveraineté définie principalement par la capacité de l’État à organiser et à diriger la société. Le présent article s’interroge sur les bases conceptuelles sur lesquelles s’appuient ces formes de description, d’analyse et de critique. S’agit-il ici d’une conceptualisation appropriée pour penser l’évolution contemporaine ? Est-ce que les dimensions liées de façon historique et systématique au concept de souveraineté de l’État, sont décrites de manière adéquate ? Dans le but de répondre à ces questions, l’article revient sur la dimension pratique et les problèmes inhérents au concept moderne de la souveraineté, en relation avec la façon dont elle a d’abord été élaborée par Bodin, Hobbes et Rousseau.Nach einer weithin verbreiteten Auffassung durchlaufen der Begriff wie die Realität des souveränen Staates gegenwärtig eine Krise, sind vielleicht sogar an ihr Ende gelangt. Der Staat wandle sich zum „kooperativen“ Staat, der nicht mehr in der Lage sei, seinen Willen einseitig durchzusetzen, vielmehr zu einem sozialen Akteur unter anderen geworden sei. Diese Diagnosen stützen sich auf einen Begriff von Souveränität, der im Wesentlichen durch die Fähigkeit des Staates definiert ist, die Gesellschaft zu organisieren und zu lenken. Der vorliegende Artikel untersucht die konzeptuellen Grundlagen dieser Art von Beschreibung, Analyse und Kritik. Handelt es sich dabei um eine zutreffende Analyse der gegenwärtigen Entwicklungen? Sind die der Souveränität des Staates in historischer wie systematischer Perspektive zugeschriebenen Dimensionen in angemessener Weise erfasst? Zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen geht der Artikel zurück auf die Grundlagen der Souveränität, die praktische Dimension des modernen Konzepts der Souveränität und die damit verbundenen Probleme, so wie sie bei Bodin, Hobbes und Rousseau reflektiert wurden

Quantification of the Individual Characterstics of the Human Dentition: Methodology

This study provides a method for comparing six individual human dentition characteristics using the standard measuring tool in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as compared to measuring individual characteristics with an automated software program under development at Marquette University, which has been adapted for bitemark analysis. The algorithm identifies color-specific pixels and automatically calculates the measurements

Emission measurement and safety assessment for the production process of silicon nanoparticles in a pilot-scale facility

Emission into the workplace was measured for the production process of silicon nanoparticles in a pilot-scale facility at the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology e.V. (IUTA). The silicon nanoparticles were produced in a hot-wall reactor and consisted of primary particles around 60nm in diameter. We employed real-time aerosol instruments to measure particle number and lung-deposited surface area concentrations and size distribution; airborne particles were also collected for off-line electron microscopic analysis. Emission of silicon nanoparticles was not detected during the processes of synthesis, collection, and bagging. This was attributed to the completely closed production system and other safety measures against particle release which will be discussed briefly. Emission of silicon nanoparticles significantly above the detection limit was only observed during the cleaning process when the production system was open and manually cleaned. The majority of the detected particles was in the size range of 100-400nm and were silicon nanoparticle agglomerates first deposited in the tubing then re-suspended during the cleaning process. Appropriate personal protection equipment is recommended for safety protection of the workers during cleanin

How can nanobiotechnology oversight advance science and industry: examples from environmental, health, and safety studies of nanoparticles (nano-EHS)

Nanotechnology has great potential to transform science and industry in the fields of energy, material, environment, and medicine. At the same time, more concerns are being raised about the occupational health and safety of nanomaterials in the workplace and the implications of nanotechnology on the environment and living systems. Studies on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues of nanomaterials have a strong influence on public acceptance of nanotechnology and, eventually, affect its sustainability. Oversight and regulation by government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play significant roles in ensuring responsible and environmentally friendly development of nanotechnology. The EHS studies of nanomaterials can provide data and information to help the development of regulations and guidelines. We present research results on three aspects of EHS studies: physico-chemical characterization and measurement of nanomaterials; emission, exposure, and toxicity of nanomaterials; and control and abatement of nanomaterial releases using filtration technology. Measurement of nanoparticle agglomerates using a newly developed instrument, the Universal NanoParticle Analyzer (UNPA), is discussed. Exposure measurement results for silicon nanoparticles in a pilot scale production plant are presented, as well as exposure measurement and toxicity study of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Filtration studies of nanoparticle agglomerates are also presented as an example of emission control method

The addition of a sagittal image fusion improves the prostate cancer detection in a sensor-based MRI /ultrasound fusion guided targeted biopsy

Background To explore the diagnostic benefit of an additional image fusion of the sagittal plane in addition to the standard axial image fusion, using a sensor-based MRI/US fusion platform. Methods During July 2013 and September 2015, 251 patients with at least one suspicious lesion on mpMRI (rated by PI- RADS) were included into the analysis. All patients underwent MRI/US targeted biopsy (TB) in combination with a 10 core systematic prostate biopsy (SB). All biopsies were performed on a sensor-based fusion system. Group A included 162 men who received TB by an axial MRI/US image fusion. Group B comprised 89 men in whom the TB was performed with an additional sagittal image fusion. Results The median age in group A was 67 years (IQR 61–72) and in group B 68 years (IQR 60–71). The median PSA level in group A was 8.10 ng/ml (IQR 6.05–14) and in group B 8.59 ng/ml (IQR 5.65–12.32). In group A the proportion of patients with a suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE) (14 vs. 29%, p = 0.007) and the proportion of primary biopsies (33 vs 46%, p = 0.046) were significantly lower. The rate of PI-RADS 3 lesions were overrepresented in group A compared to group B (19 vs. 9%; p = 0.044). Classified according to PI-RADS 3, 4 and 5, the detection rates of TB were 42, 48, 75% in group A and 25, 74, 90% in group B. The rate of PCa with a Gleason score ≥7 missed by TB was 33% (18 cases) in group A and 9% (5 cases) in group B; p-value 0.072. An explorative multivariate binary logistic regression analysis revealed that PI-RADS, a suspicious DRE and performing an additional sagittal image fusion were significant predictors for PCa detection in TB. 9 PCa were only detected by TB with sagittal fusion (sTB) and sTB identified 10 additional clinically significant PCa (Gleason ≥7). Conclusion Performing an additional sagittal image fusion besides the standard axial fusion appears to improve the accuracy of the sensor-based MRI/US fusion platform

Detection of Facial Features in Scale-Space

This paper presents a new approach to the detection of facial features. A scale adapted Harris Corner detector is used to find interest points in scale-space. These points are described by the SIFT descriptor. Thus invariance with respect to image scale, rotation and illumination is obtained. Applying a Karhunen-Loeve transform reduces the dimensionality of the feature space. In the training process these features are clustered by the k-means algorithm, followed by a cluster analysis to find the most distinctive clusters, which represent facial features in feature space. Finally, a classifier based on the nearest neighbor approach is used to decide whether the features obtained from the interest points are facial features or not.

Generating Test Cases from Real Field Data to Ensure C2X Interoperability

Der Beitrag beschreibt ein Vorgehen um V2X Nachrichten für die automatisierte Erstellung von funktionalen Testfällen zu nutzen

Analysis of multivariate stochastic signals sampled by on-line particle analyzers: Application to the quantitative assessment of occupational exposure to NOAA in multisource industrial scenarios (MSIS)

In multisource industrial scenarios (MSIS) coexist NOAA generating activities with other productive sources of airborne particles, such as parallel processes of manufacturing or electrical and diesel machinery. A distinctive characteristic of MSIS is the spatially complex distribution of aerosol sources, as well as their potential differences in dynamics, due to the feasibility of multi-task configuration at a given time. Thus, the background signal is expected to challenge the aerosol analyzers at a probably wide range of concentrations and size distributions, depending of the multisource configuration at a given time. Monitoring and prediction by using statistical analysis of time series captured by on-line particle analyzersin industrial scenarios, have been proven to be feasible in predicting PNC evolution provided a given quality of net signals (difference between signal at source and background). However the analysis and modelling of non-consistent time series, influenced by low levels of SNR (Signal-Noise Ratio) could build a misleading basis for decision making. In this context, this work explores the use of stochastic models based on ARIMA methodology to monitor and predict exposure values (PNC). The study was carried out in a MSIS where an case study focused on the manufacture of perforated tablets of nano-TiO2 by cold pressing was performed.Research carried out by projects SCAFFOLD and EHS Advance were made possible thanks to funding from European Commission through FP7 (GA 319092) and Basque Country Government through ETORTEK Programme