Synthetic cannabinoids in "spice-like" herbal blends: First appearance of JWH-307 and recurrence of JWH-018 on the German market

Herbal smoking blends, available on the German market were analyzed and several known synthetic cannabinoids were identified (JWH-122 and JWH-018). In addition, we isolated a new active ingredient by silica gel column chromatography and elucidated the structure by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. The compound was identified as JWH-307, a synthetic cannabinoid of the phenyl-pyrrole subclass with known in vitro binding affinities for cannabinoid receptors. To date, this is the first appearance of this subclass of cannabimimetics in such products. JWH-307 has been further characterized by gas chromatography accurate mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS), electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. JWH-018 was among the first compounds banned by many countries world-wide including Germany. The identification of JWH-018 was striking, since this is the first report where JWH-018 recurred on the German market thus violating existing laws. A generic method was established to quantify synthetic cannabinoids in herbal smoking blends. Quantification was achieved using an isotopically labeled standard (JWH-018-D(3)). JWH-018 was found at a level of 150mg/g while JWH-122 and JWH-307 occurred as a mixture at a total level of 232mg/g.     

What the design of an R&;D tax incentive tells about its effectiveness: a simulation of R&;D tax incentives in the European Union

Most industrialized countries apply special tax incentives to boost the R&D expenditures of firms. This study considers the design of such R&D tax incentives as applied in the European Union and simulates its effect on the post-tax R&D expenditures of firms in different industries and different profit/loss-situations by means of the simulation model European Tax Analyzer. Any restrictions and progressive tax incentives are explicitly taken into account. Our results indicate that for designing and measuring public support to R&D it is often not sufficient to focus only on tax rate effects of R&D tax incentives and the design of a tax incentive must be in accordance with the framing tax system in order to be effective. As soon as there are any limitations in place, our results suggest a considerably lower impact of R&D tax incentives on the post-tax R&D expenditures than the commonly used B-Index by the OECD. The results clearly illustrate the beneficial impact of immediate cash refunds for unused tax incentives.     

Interpretation of the term "hydrocution"

Based on a literature study, several interpretations of the term "hydrocution" are presented and discussed. It is difficult to differentiate between hydrocution and atypical drowning. Therefore, the history, the pathogenetic mechanism and the autopsy findings must be considered to establish a clear diagnosis when assessing a sudden death in the water. Practicable diagnosis criteria are recommended.     

Exploring the temporal dimension in policy evaluation studies

This article explores the time dimension in policy evaluation studies. We argue that time has been given little attention in policy evaluation studies, despite it being very important for the occurrence and assessment of policy success or failure. We therefore propose to make time a central element of policy evaluation. First, we explore the theoretical foundations behind the concept of time. Second, we present a case study to investigate the presence of time in that specific case and the evaluation thereof. We conclude with recommendations for policy evaluation studies.     

Strong Reciprocity and the Roots of Human Morality

Human morality is a key evolutionary adaptation on which human social behavior has been based since the Pleistocene era. Ethical behavior is constitutive of human nature, we argue, and human morality is as important an adaptation as human cognition and speech. Ethical behavior, we assert, need not be a means toward personal gain. Because of our nature as moral beings, humans take pleasure in acting ethically and are pained when acting unethically. From an evolutionary viewpoint, we argue that ethical behavior was fitness-enhancing in the years marking the emergence of Homo sapiens because human groups with many altruists fared better than groups of selfish individuals, and the fitness losses sustained by altruists were more than compensated by the superior performance of the groups in which they congregated.     

Der Ersatz von Mangelfolgeschäden in Veräußerungsketten von Unternehmern

Werden zum Einbau vorgesehene Erzeugnisse nicht vom Hersteller selbst, sondern von einem H?ndler geliefert, so scheint diese Spaltung von Hersteller- und H?ndlerrolle bei den nachfolgenden Gliedern der Ver?u?erungskette zu einer gravierenden Verschlechterung ihrer Rechtsposition zu führen, wenn es wegen der vom Produzenten zu verantwortenden Mangelhaftigkeit der Erzeugnisse notwendig wird, diese auszutauschen und daher ua Kosten für den Aus- und Einbau anfallen: Die Betroffenen – typischerweise Werkunternehmer aber auch Endabnehmer – stehen mit dem Erzeuger selbst in keinem Vertragsverh?ltnis und ihr Vertragspartner, der H?ndler, ist für den Herstellungsfehler nicht verantwortlich. Nach der jüngsten Rsp des EuGH kommt es jedoch dann, wenn der betroffene Endabnehmer Verbraucher ist, trotzdem zu einer überw?lzung der Kosten auf den H?ndler; dessen Rückgriffsm?glichkeiten gegen den Erzeuger bleiben allerdings offen. In der folgenden Untersuchung er?rtern die Autoren die M?glichkeiten einer sachgerechten, den berechtigten Interessen aller Beteiligten Rechnung tragenden L?sung auf Grundlage der allgemeinen Regeln.     

Literatur

Ohne Zusammenfassung