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Background: Even now the further training in surgery faces considerable challenges. The planned hospital structural reform will result in new bureaucratic and organizational hurdles, which could lead to a considerable loss of quality in advanced surgical training across all disciplines. Objective: The aim of this position paper is to describe the current and future challenges for advanced surgical training and to identify possible approaches and opportunities for the further development against the background of the planned hospital structural reform. Material and methods: For the development of this position paper a committee of representatives of the Young Forums of the German surgical societies identified and critically discussed current problems and challenges of the present residency training system and formulated a list of demands for a sustainable residency training concept. Results: The planned shift to outpatient treatment and centralization were identified as central challenges for surgical residency training. Surgical training must be considered consistently and from the outset in all political reform efforts. In addition to a transparent and cost-appropriate financing of residency training, we call for the involvement of all German surgical societies in the reform process. Furthermore, the social framework conditions for junior surgeons should be considered. Conclusion: The structural change in the hospital landscape in Germany, which is being forced by politicians, harbors the risk of a further loss of quality and experience in surgical treatment and training. At the same time, the planned hospital reform offers a unique opportunity to address existing problems and challenges in surgical training and to consider them as a starting point for structural changes which are fit for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bündnis Junger Ärztinnen und Ärzte (BJÄ, Alliance of Young Physicians in Germany) has presented a position paper (PP) on Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) against the background of an unfolding hospital reform in Germany, and they describe existing deficits of PGME in Germany. Based on this, demands were made of legislators, employers and medical associations which could result in a sweeping reformation of PGME. Hospital reforms can only be accomplished with well trained and motivated physicians. In this respect the BJÄ regards the reform of hospitals and the health-care system as a chance for a reform of PGME, which is long overdue. Legislative competence for PGME lies with the States of the Federal Republic of Germany and this warrants an adjustment of state medical association laws to accommodate the demands of the BJÄ. Generally PGME must be taken into consideration in all health-care legislation, in analogy to the meanwhile globally adopted principle of "Health in all Politics (HiAP)". The BJÄ has made every endeavour to produce this PP. The responsible stakeholders and actors in the health-care system would be well-advised to take the position paper seriously with a dwindling physician work force in hospitals and serious quality deficits in PGME. Hence, the BJÄ must be comprehensively supported. They need congenial partners to define the scientific foundation of all their demands, to test their application under real life conditions in hospital and outpatient care, to pursue research on the impact on patient care and on the intended transformation of the health-care system. This might best be accomplished by partnering with a scientific Association for Postgraduate Medical Education as has been the case in many countries for decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explores the material imperatives of nineteenth-century statistical ambition, at a time when the nature of paper itself underwent rapid change. It expands the concept of paper technologies to include knowledge about the materials themselves, as well as the infrastructures, techniques, and agreements that made it possible for the right kind of paper to be made available for particular purposes. Taking the production of the forms for the Prussian census as a case in point, it argues that the enumeration effort of Prussian census statisticians went far beyond designing a form, collecting information, noting and compiling figures, or creating tables. Paper knowledge to define and control the material substance of the forms mattered as much as political impetus and statistical methods in getting the census right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current situation in Germany is characterised by significant differences between the two types of higher education institutions offering bachelor's degree programmes in midwifery at both universities of applied sciences and universities. These differences are noticeable in admission procedures, resource allocation, content focus and competence assessment at the respective institutions, which in turn result in heterogeneous study experiences. This article highlights the challenges currently facing bachelor degree programmes and the academic qualification of midwives, and identifies future requirements for the development of degree programmes in theory and practice as well as theory-practice transfer, and assessment formats. Furthermore, this article covers the content-related and structural-organisational requirements to develop in-depth academic skills grounded in theory teaching, the facilitation of clinical placements at an academic level, the training of qualified practical instructors and the development of applicable competence-based assessment formats, especially for the state exam. The development of a standardised, high-quality academic education for midwives in Germany requires networking of the different academic sites/locations to exchange experiences in teaching/learning and assessment formats. Furthermore, it can facilitate the development of a standardised competence-oriented model and core curriculum as well as the definition of quality criteria and standards for study programmes of midwifery science. The Midwifery Science Committee (AHW) in the DACH Assoviation for Medical Education (GMA) offers an optimal platform for cooperation between the different universities. The existing challenges for the further professional development of midwives can only be overcome by collaboration and pooled expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of academic training is to prepare midwives as independent healthcare professionals to make a substantial contribution to the healthcare of women in their reproductive years as well as to the health of their children and families. This article therefore describes the professional and educational requirements derived from the legal midwifery competencies within the new midwifery act. Furthermore, it identifies the conditions that need to be established to enable midwives in Germany to practise to their full scope in compliance with statutory responsibilities. Educational science, academic efforts, policymaking and accompanying research should work in synergy. This in turn enables midwives to achieve the maximum scope of their skills, with the objective of promoting physiological pregnancies and births. Consequently, it can strengthen early parenthood in alignment with the national health objectives of "health around childbirth". The academisation of the midwifery profession presents a profound opportunity for professional development in Germany. It is essential that midwives receive training based on the principles of educational science and care structures that are yet to be developed. This can enable them to perform within the wide range of their professional tasks to the highest standards, thereby ensuring the optimal care of their clients. Moreover, there is a chance to implement sustainable improvements in healthcare provision for women and their families during the reproductive phase and the period of parenthood in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care sonography is a precondition in acute and emergency medicine for the diagnosis and initiation of therapy for critically ill and injured patients. While emergency sonography is a mandatory part of the training for clinical acute and emergency medicine, it is not everywhere required for prehospital emergency medicine. Although some medical societies in Germany have already established their own learning concepts for emergency ultrasound, a uniform national training concept for the use of emergency sonography in the out-of-hospital setting is still lacking. Experts of several professional medical societies have therefore joined forces and developed a structured training concept for emergency sonography in the prehospital setting. The consensus paper serves as quality assurance in prehospital emergency sonography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound practice is a longstanding tradition for radiology departments, being part of the family of imaging techniques. Ultrasound is widely practiced by non-radiologists but becoming less popular within radiology. The position of ultrasound in radiology is reviewed, and a possible long-term solution to manage radiologist expectations is proposed. An international group of experts in the practice of ultrasound was invited to describe the current organisation of ultrasound within the radiology departments in their own countries and comment on the interaction with non-radiologists and training arrangements. Issues related to regulation, non-medical practitioners, and training principles are detailed. A consensus view was sought from the experts regarding the position of ultrasound within radiology, with the vision of the best scenario for the continuing dominance of radiologists practising ultrasound. Comments were collated from nine different countries. Variable levels of training, practice, and interaction with non-radiologist were reported, with some countries relying on non-physician input to manage the service. All experts recognised there was a diminished desire to practice ultrasound by radiologists. Models varied from practising solely ultrasound and no other imaging techniques to radiology departments being central to the practice of ultrasound by radiologists and non-radiologist, housed within radiology. The consensus view was that the model favoured in select hospitals in Germany would be the most likely setup for ultrasound radiologist to develop and maintain practice. The vision for 20 years hence is for a central ultrasound section within radiology, headed by a trained expert radiologist, with non-radiologist using the facilities. Critical relevance statement The future of ultrasound within the radiology department should encompass all ultrasound users, with radiologists expert in ultrasound, managing the ultrasound section within the radiology department. The current radiology trainees must learn of the importance of ultrasound as a component of the 'holistic' imaging of the patient. Key points: 1. Ultrasound imaging within radiology departments precedes the introduction of CT and MR imaging and was first used over 50 years ago. 2. Non-radiology practitioners deploy ultrasound examinations to either 'problem solve' or perform a comprehensive ultrasound examination; radiologists provide comprehensive examinations or use ultrasound to direct interventional procedures. 3. Radiology does not 'own' ultrasound, but radiologists are best placed to offer a comprehensive patient-focused imaging assessment. 4. A vision of the future of ultrasound within the radiology department is encompassing all ultrasound users under radiologists who are experts in ultrasound, positioned within the radiology department. 5. The current radiology trainee must be aware of the importance of ultrasound as a component of the 'holistic' imaging of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discussion paper "Institutionalization of Teacher Education" was developed within the framework of the QLB-Camp and aims to establish institutional standards for teacher education in central scientific institutions. There are no institutional standards for teacher education in Germany, and the diversity of teacher education leads to problems and challenges. The Quality Initiative for Teacher Education has brought about positive changes, but there is uncertainty about how the created structures can be sustained and legally secured. The text describes various key points for the institutionalization of teacher education, including anchoring it in state higher education laws and promoting scholars in subject didactics and educational sciences. Teacher education institutions should regularly evaluate their measures and the development of teacher education students. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Aims: In the scientific community no consensus exists regarding the question whether excessive smartphone use (ESU) should be considered as a behavioral addiction. This position paper summarizes relevant aspects of previous research on ESU with respect to content and methodology. From this, recommendations are derived as to which approaches should be given greater consideration in future research work. Conclusions: Our recommendations include the following points: 1. Development and consistent use of smartphone-based measuring instruments that allow the collection of real-time usage data and the submission of time-controlled questionnaire, 2. Validation of these instruments in large representative samples in Germany, 3. Using real-time smartphone user data to address the question whether ESU can become addictive in nature, 4. Clarification of the central question of the extent to which ESN is specific (i. e., use of specific smartphone functions such as social networks) or generalized (in terms of a behavioral pattern of general smartphone overuse). In the long term, further studies on the neurobiology and long-term stability of ESN should be carried out before the classification of ESN as a behavioral addiction can be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A corrigendum has been issued for an article titled "Observational study on the neonatal outcome during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany" published in Acta Paediatrica. The corrigendum addresses typing errors in Table 1, specifically related to the numbers of live births, stillbirths, and perinatal complications. The errors have been rectified in the updated version of the table, and the calculations and scientific conclusions of the article remain unchanged. The authors have provided their contributions to the study, and a graph (Table S1) is included. [Extracted from the article]

The German school system employs centrally organized performance assessments (some of which are called "VERA") as a way of promoting lesson development. In recent years, several German federal states introduced a computer-based performance testing system which will replace the paper-pencil testing system in the future. Scores from computer-based testing are required to be equivalent to paper-pencil testing scores so that the new testing medium does not lead to disadvantages for students. Therefore, the current study aimed at investigating the size of the mode effect and the moderating impact of students' gender, academic achievement and mainly spoken language in everyday life. In addition, the variance of the mode effect across tasks was investigated. The study was conducted in four German federal states in 2019 using a field experimental design. The test scores of 5140 eighth-graders from 165 schools in the subject German were analysed. The results of multi-level modelling revealed that students' test scores in the computerized version of the VERA test were significantly lower than in the paper-pencil version. Students with a lower academic achievement were more disadvantaged by the VERA computerized test. The results were inconsistent regarding the interactions between testing mode and students' gender and mainly spoken language in everyday life. The variance of the mode effect across tasks was high. Research into different subjects and in other federal states and countries under different testing conditions might yield further evidence about the generalizability of these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seemingly mundane bureaucratic papers – such as birth and marriage certificates – are official proof of legal identities and relations to kin, usually issued by the state of origin. For Syrians who have sought asylum in Germany, these documents are necessary during the asylum procedure and beyond, for certain bureaucratic procedures and the recording of crucial life events. Retracing the crafting of these documents in Syria, and their encounter with German bureaucracy, captures the depth of the entanglement between the Syrian and German citizenship regimes, as well as their discrepancies in relation to paperwork and legality. Drawing on ethnographic research with Syrians in Lebanon and in Germany, this article argues that the legal production of legality in Germany can only be achieved through legally ambiguous, if not so-called illegal, practices in Syria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of local initiatives and developmental funding programs, interprofessionality is now included in national curricula in the German-speaking countries. Based on the 3P model (presage, process, product), this position paper presents the development of interprofessional education in recent years in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and places it in an international context. Core aspects as legal frameworks, including amendments to occupational regulations as well as the formation of networks and faculty development are basic requirements for interprofessional education. New topics and educational settings take shape in the process of interprofessional education: patient perspectives and teaching formats, such as online courses, become more important or are newly established. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on interprofessional education is explored as well. Among many new interprofessional courses, particularly the implementation of interprofessional training wards in Germany and Switzerland are positive examples of successful interprofessional education. The objective of interprofessional education continues to be the acquisition of interprofessional competencies. The main focus is now centered on evaluating this educational format and testing for the corresponding competencies. In the future, more capacities will be required for interprofessional continuing education and post-graduate education. Structured research programs are essential to ascertain the effects of interprofessional education in the German-speaking countries. In this position paper the GMA committee on interprofessional education encourages further advancement of this topic and expresses the aim to continue cooperating with other networks to strengthen and intensify interprofessional education and collaboration in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A large part of the population in Germany makes use of naturopathic, complementary and integrative medical treatments. There are now numerous scientific studies that provide evidence of efficacy for certain indications. At German medical faculties, selected procedures and their application are taught within the cross-sectoral unit called QB 12 and some elective courses, with a focus on specific aspects are offered. So far, however, there has been no structured curriculum that longitudinally anchors teaching across medical studies and enables all students to consider naturopathic and complementary medical options for patient care later on and to integrate them effectively into the diagnostic and treatment process. Objective: The aim of this position paper is to show the relevance of this topic for medical education, to clarify terminology and to present core competencies and possible implementation options for training. Method: The Integrative Medicine and Perspective Pluralism Committee of the German Association for Medical Education developed this position paper in a multi-stage consensual process, in cooperation with the Forum of University Work Groups on Naturopathic Treatment and Complementary Medicine. Results: First, different umbrella terms were discussed and an existing definition of integrative medicine and health was chosen for subsequent use. Building on this step, the status of education and its scientific foundation in Germany was considered in an international context. In the next step, a competency profile for medical training, consisting of seven areas of competency, was developed and described in detail with regard to naturopathic, complementary and integrative medicine. Implementation options were identified using possible starting points in the curriculum and using established examples of best practice. Conclusion: Despite different priorities at each faculty, it was possible to find an agreement on the development of competencies and anchoring them in medical education on the basis of a common definition of terms. Currently, the implementation in the mandatory and elective areas is very heterogeneous. As part of the current revision of the Medical Licensure Act, there are many possible starting points for the integration of naturopathic and complementary medical teaching content, especially in interprofessional and general practice courses. The implementation and accompanying research of targeted teaching settings should lay the foundations for a long-term and binding integration into medical education. Overall, it is clear that medical education in the field of naturopathy and complementary and integrative medicine has the potential to develop comprehensive core medical competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the first statement of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is meanwhile an established treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). There are three HNS systems available in Germany which differ in their technical details of the underlying comparable basic principle. For the unilateral HNS with respiratory sensing, several comparative studies, high-volume register analysis and long-term reports exist. The continuous HNS without respiratory sensing does not require a sleep endoscopy for indication. For the bilateral continuous HNS as the single partially implantable device, a feasibility study exists. For indication, the assessment of positive airway pressure failure by sleep medicine is crucial, and the decision for HNS should be made in discussion of other treatment options for at least moderate OSA. The implantation center holds primarily responsibility among the interdisciplinary sleep team and is primary contact for the patient in problems. This depicts why structural processes are required to secure outcome quality and minimize the complications. The aftercare of HNS patients can be provided interdisciplinary and by different medical institutions, whereat, minimal reporting standards to document outcome and usage are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterinarians have to face many communicative challenges in their professional capacity. Successful professional communication increases satisfaction among pet owners, staff members and colleagues, and ultimately also the veterinarians' own satisfaction. On the other hand, unsuccessful communication can easily lead to rejection, distrust and dissatisfaction. However, communicative skills are not explicitly taught as part of the compulsory courses in veterinary medicine in Germany. The position paper of the GMA Veterinary Medicine Committee and the DVG work group Didactics and Communication Competence describes the importance of successful communication for working veterinarians as well as the training situation in Germany and addresses topics that are often discussed in connection with the implementation. The authors come to the conclusion that there is both a necessity and a possibility for the introduction of communicative training contentand provide recommendations thatare intended to support the sustainable introduction of courses and exams to develop the communicative skills of veterinary students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief introduction summarizes and gives the biographical context of Roger Money-Kyrle's 1934 paper "A psychological analysis of the causes of war". It also contextualizes his interest in the interplay between the psychological mechanisms operating within the individual, the society and groups and his personal experience with Germany in between and after two catastrophic wars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the subjective inclusion experiences of visually impaired (VI) adult tennis players from an ableism-critical perspective. The primary focus of this research is the inclusive potential of blind tennis from the perspective of VI individuals. Episodic interviews were conducted to capture subjective perspectives. A qualitative text analysis revealed that the interviewees were confronted with multiple ability assumptions by sighted people in their everyday lives. Deficit notions on the performance of VI people included sports, work, and general activities. Participation in blind tennis helped the interviewees build a "competent identity" and acquire various skills useful for their everyday lives as participation in blind tennis was a pathway for competence in sports. Further research is needed to identify exclusion experiences from the perspective of disabled people to recognize the potential of different sports in reducing barriers to participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports follow-up findings for an Mentalization based treatment (MBT) parenting intervention delivered to a community mental health sample. Parents completed the 12-week version of the Lighthouse Parenting Program (LPP) and were evaluated on parenting practices, parent-child relationships, parental mental health indicators, and child problem behaviour levels. We evaluated the extent to which improvements in mentalizing at follow-up mediated changes in parenting, parental adjustment, mental health, and child outcomes. Results included a reduction in parental coercive behaviours and child problems, improved parent-child relationship, and better parental psychological adjustment and mental health. Improvement in self-focused mentalizing were observed. Self-focused mentalizing mediated the changes in most outcomes from baseline to 3-month follow-up. These results provide strong preliminary evidence that the LPP improves parent and child outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having teaching staff with didactic qualifications in university teaching leads to a measurable improvement in academic skills among students. Previous recommendations on the type and scope of medical didactic qualification measures primarily apply to teaching staff at university and in-patient settings. The situation of primary care medicine, which often employs external lecturers and whose teaching takes place to a considerable extent in decentralized training facilities (teaching practices) is not adequately addressed. Taking into account a survey on the status quo at higher education institutions for General Practice in Germany, recommendations for min- imum standards are made, based on national and international recom- mendations on the content and scope of medical didactic qualification measures. These recommendations include preliminary work by the Personnel and Organizational Development in Teaching (POiL) Committee of the Society for Medical Education (GMA), the MedicalTeachingNetwork (MDN), the Society of University Teaching Staff in General Medicine (GHA) as well as the experiences of the committee members, who hail from the field of general medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics amongst others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports findings from an exploratory study on multilingual speakers conducted in Germany. Data were collected using a questionnaire instrument launched in 2021. To our knowledge, this is the first enquiry into multilinguals' own perception of their spoken languages in Germany. The core research questions addressed in this paper are (1) whether some languages are perceived as more valuable or prestigious than others by their speakers and (2) whether speakers of certain languages experience discrimination more often than speakers of other languages. In the data exploration it was assumed that (a) all languages other than English, French, Italian, and Spanish (besides Latin the standard foreign languages in schools) will be valued 'lower'; and (b) speakers will report experiences of discrimination with respect to their use of those languages other than German or the foreign languages mentioned above. The results indeed demonstrate differences in the perceived value and prestige of certain languages. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that L1 speakers of languages with perceived lower value (e.g. Turkish) experience discrimination significantly more often than L1 speakers of other home languages (e.g. English). Additionally, qualitative data analyses exemplify levels of discrimination and lived experience of languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociolinguistics has seen an emergence of new theoretical perspectives that somehow cater for the, according to Li, 'complex linguistic realities of the twenty-first century' (2017, p.14). Thus 'overwriting' conventional ways of understanding language/language use and its relation to identity construction. Taking these changes as a starting point, this paper expands research into complex identity construction of students attending a complementary language school and investigation of linguistic repertoires of German language learners through language portrait work. The motivation for the research presented in this paper is to explore the relationship between linguistic repertoires and complex identities of young people attending a complementary language school in a multilingual city. It suggests an organic approach to investigating the relationship between young people as social beings, that are more than 'just' language learners per se, and the ways they use organic linguistic repertoires (OLRs) to construct their complex linguistic identities. The findings presented in this paper highlight the complexities of young people's identities in relation to their OLR. The term OLR points towards the dynamic nature of 'languages'. Although these terms point toward a dynamic understanding of language and identity the term OLR seems to foreground the changing nature of these, pointing toward their 'aliveness'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a critical analysis of the multifaceted intermediary role played by ed-tech (educational technology) consulting providers in the realm of educational governance. The study draws on multidisciplinary research and uses illustrative examples from Germany to outline their impact on the integration of digital technologies in schools. By employing an analytical framework that encompasses three key perspectives—policy, pedagogy, and economics—the paper explores the complexities of consultancy between governance actors, sectors, and fields of knowledge. Considering these dimensions together, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of ed-tech consulting, shedding light on its influence on policy enactment, educational practices, and economic value chains. It underscores the challenges and tensions that consultants must navigate, while raising concerns about their potential to pre-empt pedagogical decisions and diffuse commercial interests into educational settings. As such, this paper aims to provide a conceptual foundation for investigating these ambiguities, with the goal of stimulating further research into the growing field of ed-tech consulting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to the other papers in this special issue, this paper reflects a specific case of co-agency between states and individual migrants, particularly students and alumni networks. Based on a qualitative case study with 29 Georgian students and 14 institutions and organizations, this paper explores the impact of Georgian alumni on polity building in Georgia. Here we can observe two phases: Firstly, the states of Georgia and of Germany act as co-agents by facilitating migration to young Georgian students by financing their studies in Germany (student scholarships) with the objective that the students return and transfer their knowledge to the country of origin. Subsequently, the Georgian alumni who studied law in Germany act as co-agents between different institutions in both countries. In doing so, they transform state institutions by themselves and contribute to the development of the legal and political system in Georgia. They do that particularly in such important legal fields like constitutional law, civic law, and criminal law, but also in the creation of parliamentarism based on a bicameral system or the promotion of separation of church and state in Georgia. That takes place after return migration as well as from Germany through transnational networks and mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How political speech is regulated has changed, with online spaces presenting new challenges. Private platforms now play a significant role in providing spaces for political speech with their own rules and algorithms. This paper examines the current state of legal regulation for political speech, both online and offline, and identifies gaps in governance. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of online political speech, it is essential to consider the changing and stricter rules that are being put in place. Private actors have played a crucial role in providing space for this speech. It is worth examining the similarities and differences between offline and online political speech and advertising regulation to ensure everyone's voices are heard and respected. Analyzing applicable public and private law, we investigate how different compliance pulls from national and EU law (existing and upcoming) influence the commitments made by the parties, using the most recent federal elections in Germany as an example. Thus, we assess the German legislative framework, which is also influenced by EU legislation. These investigations reflect new European rules, including the Digital Services Act. After analyzing how parties engage with national law and (self-regulatory) commitments, the paper provides suggestions for improving online speech governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a remarkable gap in research regarding principal‐centred analyses of control means towards—in a formal sense—rather weak independent administrative actors as agents. Therefore, the paper develops a theoretical notion to link means of ex ante and ex post control and applies it to the (re‐)actions of ministries vis à vis hardship commissions in the German Länder by asking: How does the super‐ordinated ministry (principal) try to control the hardship commission (agent) and with what effect? The theoretical framework is based on principal‐agent theory and argues that the respective relationship is best understood by a notion of control pliers which interlinks the principal's preferences, its means of ex ante and ex post control and the agent's output. We hereby draw on partisan and organization theory. The overall research design of the paper is confirmatory and the focus on the federal states allows to control most of the external variance. We use descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling for path analysis to investigate the ex ante and ex post elements of the control pliers. Our empirical analysis is based on the output of 12 hardship commissions for the period of 2005–2017. Our results show that ex post control seems to matter more than ex ante control, but also that the effects of both may be characterized as interdependent. Furthermore, we show that partisan influence seems to matter more than organizational factors considering the output of the agent but that most can be won by combining the two approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial compounds with targeted activities that are produced by a variety of bacterial species. Different aspects of bacteriocins were intensively studied and highlighted in previous research publications. Developments in this field are best demonstrated through analysis of the most cited scientific literature concerning bacteriocins. The objective of this report was to identify and establish main characteristics of the 100 top-cited papers presenting research on bacteriocins. Publications regarding bacteriocins between 1970 and 12th May 2017 were retrieved from the Web of Knowledge database of the Institute of Scientific Information. From this list, the top-cited 100 papers in the field of bacteriocins were established. The top-cited papers in this field were published from 1991 to 2013 and, as of this date, they have received from 85 to 1097 citations. The average citation rate of the 100 top-cited papers was 166.23 times (SD 136.87). The most common fields of study were microbiology (45%), biochemistry and molecular biology (35%), and biotechnology and applied microbiology (26%). Among the top-cited papers, 24 and 17 papers originated from the United States and Germany, respectively. Among these top-cited papers close to 80% concerned mainly bacteriocins from Gram-positive bacteria, whereas, only nine of the top-cited papers described bacteriocins of Gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In France and Germany, significant networks of local initiatives have developed around energy issues. This article brings practitioners' viewpoints into discussion. It presents the way in which two of these networks – the CLER-network for the energy transition (France) and the 100% – Regions network (Germany) – each identifies itself, describes its action and build-up process in relation to government action, and conceives of justice issues in the field of climate energy policy. The analysis shows that these two networks share a lot, including political ends (localisation of energy production, empowerment of rural territories), but practice quite differently as intermediaries for local initiatives. This suggests overcoming the transition management vs grassroots divide present in the literature and paying more attention to hybrids. It also brings emphasis on a type of intermediary's work, which has not been covered by the academic literature, namely that of tinkering with multiple supports and embedding action in local-national-supranational networking in order to maintain continuity. In discussing justice dimensions, we emphasize that motives or ends of action are only reflectively related to ideas of justice: justice issues seem bound up with a politics of assembling, either as a marker of federative action (all fighting for justice) or as a potentially divisive issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 5th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions was held in Cologne, Germany, April 23–25, 2018. It featured one of the largest concentrations of papers on pornography and sexual research presented in a single venue to date. Several key themes emerged from the conference. The theoretical basis for developing pornography and sexuality studies as components within the behavioral addiction research landscape is beginning to mature. Core components are the I-PACE theory and the development, validation, and employment in field studies of a steadily growing set of assessment tools including the Problematic Pornography Use Scale, the Brief Pornography Screener, and the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory. The field also benefitted from a keynote speech and a formal pro/con debate. The other principal debate was around the imminent release of ICD-11 by the World Health Organization and the way that Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) would be handled. There was a selection of papers looking at the debate from a variety of theoretical and practical points of view. Fieldwork from Poland suggested that well over 80% of people seeking treatment for CSBD had a problem with pornography use, rather than issues from acting out with real sexual partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp is a primary substance for papermaking, having been used for 2,000 years in this capacity. In the 20th century wood pulp came to replace hemp and other long fibres, and this has been an environmental disaster. Recent efforts to re-introduce hemp fibres into paper pulp are under way, with a number of writing papers having been manufactured in Europe and North America. However, most of these were done in small batches. Most papermills in southeast Asia produce 500,000 tons or more annually, whilst mills in the West tend to be small, specialty paper mills. Hemp is used rather consistently for fine papers, including cigarette paper and cosmetic tissue paper, but writing paper may continue to be made from trees until we run out and are forced to use other material. One large papermill in Germany, Gmund (which is distributed in the UK by The Hemp Shop) is starting to catch up, with a number of different papers including writing paper now being made in increasingly larger batches. A number of other companies are also offering hemp papers, ranging from writing paper to wallpaper. Part of the issue is the fact that the hurd, which is lower in cellulose content that the bast, can be used for paper, as demonstrated by the US government in the early 20th century. doi:10.1300/J237v12n02_08 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Describes lung function in correlation with information on exposure to dust and fibers in soft tissue paper-producing factories in Germany. Ambient monitoring for inhalable, respirable dust and fibers; Indication of high ambient dust concentrations; Observed adverse effects on lung function; Recommendation for the reduction of dust exposure and secondary preventive measures.

Public opinion polls have become vital and increasingly visible parts of election campaigns. Previous research has frequently demonstrated that polls can influence both citizens' voting intentions and political parties' campaign strategies. However, they are also fraught with uncertainty. Margins of error can reflect (parts of) this uncertainty. This paper investigates how citizens' voting intentions change due to whether polling estimates are presented with or without margins of error. Using a vignette experiment (N=3224), we examine this question based on a real‐world example in which different election polls were shown to nationally representative respondents ahead of the 2021 federal election in Germany. We manipulated the display of the margins of error, the interpretation of polls and the closeness of the electoral race. The results indicate that margins of error can influence citizens' voting intentions. This effect is dependent on the actual closeness of the race and additional interpretative guidance provided to voters. More concretely, the results consistently show that margins of error increase citizens' inclination to vote for one of the two largest contesting parties if the polling gap between these parties is small, and an interpretation underlines this closeness. The findings of this study are important for three reasons. First, they help to determine whether margins of error can assist citizens in making more informed (strategic) vote decisions. They shed light on whether depicting opinion‐poll uncertainty affects the key features of representative democracy, such as democratic accountability. Second, the results stress the responsibility of the media. The way polls are interpreted and contextualized influences the effect of margins of error on voting behaviour. Third, the findings of this paper underscore the significance of including methodological details when communicating scientific research findings to the broader public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many authors argue that candidates are more popular among voters from their own region. Two potential explanations have been suggested: voters' identification with their home region, and the representation of regional interests. The information on candidates' residence can be transmitted to voters in different ways, the most easily accessible way being information printed on the ballot paper. However, most studies on "friends and neighbour voting" use aggregate data. Studies that rely on individual level data usually put respondents in hypothetical situations and confront them with synthetic candidates, reducing their realism. To bridge this gap and to test the effect of providing information on the candidates' residence, we use data from a survey experiment to analyze voters' responses to ballot paper information on the regional background of real candidates in the 2014 European election in Germany. We find that voters in an open list PR election are more likely to support regional candidates if ballot paper information on the candidates' geographic background helps them to do so. The appeal of personal ties is a stronger explanation for vote preference than the one based on regional interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating demand for renewable energy solutions and the imperative for efficient energy storage mechanisms have catalyzed the evolution of Power-to-X (PtX) technologies. Germany has the most PtX projects, accounting for 44% of all projects that have been reported. PtX encompasses a spectrum of processes engineered to convert surplus renewable energy into versatile energy carriers or chemical commodities, such as hydrogen, methane, or synthetic fuels. The Paramount to this domain is to synergistically harness renewable energy sources and hydrogen carriers to curtail waste and bolster sustainability. Central to achieving this synergy is the effective control of PtX processes, ensuring optimal performance, cost efficiency, and seamless integration within existing energy frameworks. This paper delves into the control processes and environmental prerequisites within the PtX landscape, elucidating key challenges, and strategies within this dynamic realm. While providing an initial overview of fundamental PtX process chains, this paper accentuates the critical role of geographical considerations. Subsequently, it conducts a thorough analysis of equipment modeling challenges, addressing performance metrics, operational requisites, and capital investments, particularly focusing on methanol and hydrogen production and storage. Through holistic examination, this paper endeavors to delineate the evolving landscape of PtX control processes and conditions, advancing our understanding of this expanding field. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive overview of PtX control process, challenges, strategies, and advancements. • Overview of PtX process chains and geographical conditions. • Analysis of equipment modeling challenges for methanol and hydrogen. • Addressing crucial storage challenges in PtX system. • Exploration of diverse influences on PtX control processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alevi movement, originating more than three decades ago in Turkey and the Western European diaspora, has led to significant social and cultural shifts within Alevi communities. This movement witnessed the emergence of Alevi associations, increased religio‐political activities, and a fervent search for a redefined Alevi identity. The quest for a comprehensive understanding of Alevi identity remains a contested debate, prominently reflected within Alevi youth, who navigate complex socio‐cultural landscapes and encounter challenges in defining their identity amidst competing narratives and associations. This paper examines the identity formation strategies of young Alevis in Berlin, drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted between 2021 and 2023. Contrary to mainstream portrayals of Alevi youth experiencing a loss of identity, this study argues for the presence of continuity dynamics, emphasising inherited Alevi mindsets and emotions. Through interviews and analysis of a documentary produced by Berlin Alevi youth, the paper explores new narratives about Alevi history, sociology, and theology constructed by young Alevis, highlighting their role in shaping contemporary Alevism in Germany. This research contributes original data and discussions to the existing literature on Alevi youth, shedding light on their evolving identities and the dynamics of Alevi discourse in diasporic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the influence of class on migrants' social positioning strategies in transnational spaces. It contributes to debates about the processes of transnational class‐making and class formation. Going beyond an analysis of class in socio‐economic terms, the paper focuses on peoples' (changing) subjective understandings of middle‐class membership as a relevant factor in migrants' transnational social positioning strategies. Based on qualitative interview data with middle‐class migrants in Germany, the presentation relates their experiences with downward social mobility before and after migration to their subjective perspectives on middle‐class membership over time and in different places. The findings show that middle‐class performance is shaped by migration experiences but also shapes peoples' mobility trajectories and therefore influences and promotes different transnational lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the career development of postdocs in academia, universities in Germany are offering mentoring programs to postdocs. They aim to encourage, support and mentor the postdocs toward professorship via face-to-face mentoring, workshops, and networking support. The mentoring programs are carefully designed; however, their success is dependent on multiple factors. The study explores the communication patterns in mentoring between professors and postdocs, and its impact on their professional development. Data was collected and analyzed using Grounded Theory. The data was collected from twenty-five semi-structured in-depth interviews with professors and postdocs across Germany. Classicand Constructivist Grounded Theory was used for data analysis. The paper presents a Communication in Mentoring Model for the professional development of postdocs. The model can be used as a tool to ensure successful communication for better professional relationships in mentoring as well as in professional environments. The paper recommends a longitudinal study to further explore Communication in Mentoring and its impact on postdocs over a period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research in economics and sociology demonstrates the existence of significant occupational segregation by sexual orientation and gender identity and differences in a range of labor market outcomes, such as hiring chances, earnings, and leadership positions. In this paper, we examine one possible cause of these differences that is associated with the disadvantaged position of sexual and gender minorities in the labor market: LGBTQ* individuals' choices aimed at avoiding possible discrimination. This paper examines LGBTQ* people's relative importance of income, time, promotion prospects, an LGBTQ*-friendly work environment, and diversity management in the decision for or against a job. Based on a discrete choice experiment conducted in a large online sample recruited through social media in Germany (N = 4,507), an LGBTQ*-friendly work climate accounted, on average, for 33.8 percent of respondents' decisions which is comparable with the relative importance of income. Overtime, a diversity management on company level and promotion prospects are less important in the job decision process of LGBTQ* people. While the results show only small differences by sexual orientation, they show group-specific preferences by gender identity. An LGBTQ*-friendly work climate is more important for cisgender women of the LGBTQ* community and gender minorities than for cisgender men of the LGBTQ* community. In contrast, income is less important for gender minorities and cisgender women of the LGBTQ* community than for cisgender men of the LGBTQ* community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Field experiment in mandatory recycling scheme tests effectiveness of door stepping. • Majority of households in mandatory recycling schemes separates waste correctly. • Minority of households is responsible for most miss sorting. • Door stepping does not influence behavior of households in mandatory schemes. • Door stepping can improve recycling behavior in voluntary recycling schemes. Household organic waste has great potential for closing nutrient cycles in agriculture. This requires proper waste separation by households. Personal communication at the doorstep potentially improves household waste separation behaviour but it is expensive and findings from existing research are mixed. Based on results of previous studies and from a quasi-experiment with non-equivalent groups design in two German municipalities, this paper argues that efficiency of personal communication depends on its context. It can positively influence behaviour when recycling is voluntary and participation rates are low. However, it has no significant effects if recycling is mandatory. One explanation could be different perceptions of recycling in mandatory and voluntary schemes. In voluntary schemes door stepping can activate the intrinsic motivation of households. In mandatory schemes, all households need to participate irrespective of intrinsic motivation. This research shows that this creates a situation in which a small share of households is responsible for almost all contamination. This can be overcome by considering extrinsic factors that affect recycling behaviour. The paper recommends further research to understand which combination of incentives, sanctions and information is efficient in affecting behaviour change in mandatory recycling schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crisis management is a challenging and interdisciplinary task in which various information must be acquired and fused. In Germany, Civil Crisis Management is usually organized into two parts: the organizational‐administrative division and the operative‐tactical division, which are subordinate to the authorities (political) leadership. To organize an efficient and interdisciplinary response, crisis staffs can be called up. In these administrative crisis staffs, information sources are bundled, responsible experts collaborate and exchange information. To achieve a common understanding of the crisis, situational displays are created. Situational displays present the extend of the crisis and offer high‐level information required by the staff members. They can show the extent of the crisis area on maps or integrate other, for example numeric, information. This paper presents both state of the art in situational display creation and the most recent requirements in administrative crisis management. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and workshops regarding the tools for the creation of situational displays. For both data gathering methods, we were able to acquire active crisis management experts as participants. To determine the state of the art for situational displays for administrative crisis management staff we utilized structured questionnaires, which were answered by 14 crisis management authorities. Through two expert workshops with each nine participants, the requirements for situational display were collected. This paper compares the two datasets to evaluate the recent state of situational displays for administrative crisis staff in practice. The article summarizes usage of situational displays by practitioners and compiles lessons from the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance and urgency of IPLE (intellectual property literacy education) are increasingly prominent. This paper aims to build an IPLE mode to provide support for the talent cultivation in university libraries facing opportunities and challenges in the service transformation period. The IPLE mode and content of the Regional Patent Information Centers (PIZ Regional Centers) in German universities and university libraries are studied through network research, literature research, and comparative analysis. Based on the practical experience, educational characteristics and advantages, this paper constructs an IPLE mode of university library that includes six modules. Building the IPLE mode of university libraries can provide reference for university libraries in the work of IPLE, and gradually form an IPLE system that meets the needs of users' training, conforms to the university's talent training objectives, and improves the development plan of the university libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the investigation and analysis of speech accommodation effects in data obtained from Spanish learners of German with varying proficiency levels. The production data were recorded during a collaborative map task of the Spanish learners of German among each other and with a native speaker of German. The map task was designed to target words and phrases with specific segmental and suprasegmental characteristics. These characteristics were derived from contrastive analyses of Spanish and German. The main objectives of the paper were to investigate whether segmental and suprasegmental characteristics of the target language German are affected by phonetic accommodation to varying degrees and whether these differences depend on the proficiency level of the speaker or the interlocutor. The statistical analysis, using regression analyses, revealed inconsistent accommodation effects across learners of different proficiency levels as well as different linguistic phenomena. In line with previous findings the results can best be accounted for by an adaptation of a dynamic system approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic as a global crisis had numerous impacts on the food system. As the pandemic proceeded, this topic was broadly taken up by local and national newspapers in Germany. Questions of (global) food supply chains, expected food shortages, and food security were raised, as well as questions on how the pandemic would and did change consumers food choices and eating habits. This paper analyzes the media coverage of how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced narratives on food, diets, and nutrition in Germany. It provides a general overview of the food related topics addressed during the two lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 using the concept of framing to structure the data. As most of the analyzed articles centered around the fragilities of the food system and the various effects the pandemic and the associated lockdowns had on people's consumption choices or options respectively, the paper takes class-related stratification into account. The media narratives regarding food and COVID-19 are presented alongside the different stages of the food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of the Hilfsschule (special school) is contested and multifaceted. For the German context, most research to date has focused on institutions or professional pioneers in special education. This paper, through a "New Historicism" perspective, asks how a group of pupils, described as "retarded", could become a new pedagogical object within a discourse among teachers, psychiatrists, school doctors and local administrations at the end of the nineteenth century. Linking national and local discourses, this paper analyses the emergence of the special school pupil (Hilfsschulkind) in Germany within a broader discourse of educability as well as through knowledge practices, namely record-keeping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the price ambivalence of low quality waste paper (grades 1.02 and 1.04) on the German market. Since 1990 the price of these grades is at times positive and at times negative. The underlying reason is the combination of three institutional and technical characteristics of the market: (i) As a result of waste management legislation the supply of waste paper is mostly independent of its price and its demand. Supply is bounded from below by collection and utilization quotas fixed by the Regulation on Packaging Waste enacted in 1991. (ii) The only alternative to costly disposal of waste paper by dumping or incineration is its use as a secondary resource in the production of new paper, as only the paper industry is capable of using waste paper in a productive manner in significant amount. (iii) Yet, its use as a substitute for primary inputs is technically limited. In this article, we describe the technical and institutional conditions leading to price ambivalence and discuss the consequences for supply, demand and trade of waste paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Construct: In this study, we examine the differences in test performance between the paper-based and the computer-based version of the Berlin formative Progress Test. In this context it is the first study that allows controlling for students’ prior performance.Background: Computer-based tests make possible a more efficient examination procedure for test administration and review. Although university staff will benefit largely from computer-based tests, the question arises if computer-based tests influence students’ test performance.Approach: A total of 266 German students from the 9th and 10th semester of medicine (comparable with the 4th-year North American medical school schedule) participated in the study (paper = 132, computer = 134). The allocation of the test format was conducted as a randomized matched-pair design in which students were first sorted according to their prior test results. The organizational procedure, the examination conditions, the room, and seating arrangements, as well as the order of questions and answers, were identical in both groups.Results: The sociodemographic variables and pretest scores of both groups were comparable. The test results from the paper and computer versions did not differ. The groups remained within the allotted time, but students using the computer version (particularly the high performers) needed significantly less time to complete the test. In addition, we found significant differences in guessing behavior. Low performers using the computer version guess significantly more than low-performing students in the paper-pencil version.Conclusions: Participants in computer-based tests are not at a disadvantage in terms of their test results. The computer-based test required less processing time. The reason for the longer processing time when using the paper-pencil version might be due to the time needed to write the answer down, controlling for transferring the answer correctly. It is still not known why students using the computer version (particularly low-performing students) guess at a higher rate. Further studies are necessary to understand this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines new forms of study-abroad expertise on social media and their role in mediating Indian student mobility to Germany. Firstly, it explores how mutual-support Facebook and WhatsApp groups—used by prospective international students in India to support each other through the process of applying to German universities—have contributed to the emergence of new forms of education consultancy, offered by Indian students or graduates of German universities, whom I call 'Student Guides'. In addition, it shows how some Indians studying in Germany have started 'Study in Germany' YouTube channels, aimed at aspirant student migrants, and have become important 'study-abroad influencers'. The paper analyses how these new forms of study-abroad expertise offer prospective international students social and cultural capital important for successful student migration, apart from shaping their imaginative geographies of Germany, and embedding them in cultures of mobility. Furthermore, the paper highlights how these new forms of study-abroad expertise intersect with, and critique, a more 'traditional' study-abroad expert: the professional education consultant. The paper draws on a digital ethnography of 'Study in Germany' Facebook and WhatsApp groups and YouTube channels, as well as interviews with the YouTubers, Student Guides, and Indian students in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do media discourses on German national identity differ before and after the arrival of refugees in 2015/16? National identity discourses are often closely linked to immigration dynamics, inter alia due to boundary making through the othering of immigrants. While this relation is well documented in the case of Germany, scholars have yet to study how the arrival of refugees in 2015/16 has been integrated in discourses on national identity in more detail. In this paper, we conduct an inductive qualitative content analysis of Die ZEIT, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Bild am Sonntag in 2014 and 2019 and find an important shift within the media representation of German national identity. While in 2014, a self-understanding of Germany as an immigration country dominated the media landscape, by 2019, national identity discourses became more fragmented and neither the idea of a tolerant Germany nor the idea of an anti-immigration Germany clearly dominated. Based on this analysis, we argue that 2015/16 can be understood as a turning point for discourses on German national identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Students within a cohort might employ unique subsets of learning strategies (LS) to study. However, little research has aimed to elucidate subgroup‐specific LS usage among medical students. Recent methodological developments, particularly person‐centred approaches such as latent profile analysis (LPA), offer ways to identify relevant subgroups with dissimilar patterns of LS use. In this paper, we apply LPA to explore subgroups of medical students during preclinical training in anatomy and examine how these patterns are linked with learning outcomes. Methods: We analysed the LS used by 689 undergraduate, 1st and 2nd‐year medical students across 6 German universities who completed the short version of the Learning Strategies of University Students (LIST‐K) questionnaire, and answered questions towards external criteria such as learning resources and performance. We used the thirteen different LS facets of the LIST‐K (four cognitive, three metacognitive, three management of internal and three management of external resources) as LPA indicators. Results: Based on LPA, students can be grouped into four distinct learning profiles: Active learners (45% of the cohort), collaborative learners (17%), structured learners (29%) and passive learners (9%). Students in each of those latent profiles combine the 13 LS facets in a unique way to study anatomy. The profiles differ in both, the overall level of LS usage, and unique combinations of LS used for learning. Importantly, we find that the facets of LS show heterogeneous and subgroup‐specific correlations with relevant outcome criteria, which partly overlap but mostly diverge from effects observed on the population level. Conclusions: The effects observed by LPA expand results from variable‐centered efforts and challenge the notion that LS operate on a linear continuum. These results highlight the heterogeneity between subgroups of learners and help generate a more nuanced interpretation of learning behaviour. Lastly, our analysis offers practical implications for educators seeking to tailor learning experiences to meet individual student needs. Darici et al. explore medical students' learning strategies, identifying four distinct profiles that help to highlight how learning is rarely a linear journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature argues that linguistic enclaves negatively affect immigrants' language proficiency by reducing their exposure and incentives to learn destination language. This negative association may, however, be spurious, arising due to the self-selection of immigrants into regions with larger enclaves. Exploiting the natural experiment of the German residential policy, this paper analyses the influence of linguistic enclaves on refugees' language proficiency. We find no evidence that enclaves hamper German language learning among refugees. Our results are robust to various measurements and model specifications. We conclude that the negative relationship reported in previous research is mainly driven by immigrant's residential sorting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]