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The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with online coupled chemistry (WRF-Chem) is applied to study an intense Saharan dust outbreak event affecting the Italian peninsula in 15 and 16 April 2018. According to the MODIS retrievals, this intrusion was characterized by an intense aerosol optical depth (AOD) peak value in the southern Mediterranean. Measurements within the Dry Deposition Network Across the Mediterranean (XMed-Dry) are compared with the output of the WRF-Chem model. XMed-Dry samples from Lecce (Italy), Athens (Greece) and San Lawrenz/Gozo (Malta) were analysed with respect to aerosol particle size distribution, relative dust contribution, and composition. The discrepancy between the model and measured deposition indicate the need to formulate in WRF-Chem more sophisticated deposition schemes, this will need to evaluate the sensitivity of the results to the precise particle size limits chosen for the aerosol model. Moreover, satellite retrievals from MODIS sensors elaborated with the MAIAC algorithm, Aeronet stations, and measurements of PM10 at the selected sites were also considered. In a numerical domain that spans the Mediterranean and the northern Saharan desert, two different dust emission schemes, namely Gocart-AFWA and the Shao-2001, were tested and compared with multiplatform observations for simulation period covering the dust outbreak. Actual results indicate that both emission schemes would benefit from replacing the static erodibility map and soil particle distribution with remote sensed and in-situ observational data.

Abstract The Draf Ⅲ procedure involves the creation of a common frontal sinus cavity. The most common indication for the Draf Ⅲ procedure is chronic rhinosinusitis of the frontal sinuses despite the failure of more conservative interventions such as bilateral Draf Ⅱa procedures. Primary Draf Ⅲ may be indicated in patients with a high risk of failures such as those with severe polyposis and those with a frontal sinus opening less than 4 mm on computed tomography imaging. Other indications for the Draf Ⅲ include access for tumor removal and repair of traumatic fractures of the frontal sinus. The “inside‐out” Draf Ⅲ procedure is the standard approach when the frontal recess anterior–posterior diameter is wide enough for instrument access, usually larger than 4–5 mm. The “outside‐in” Draf Ⅲ procedure can be done when the frontal recess is too narrow to safely accommodate instruments. Regular follow‐up with debridement should be done to prevent neo‐ostium stenosis.

In der religionssoziologischen Konversionsforschung steht derzeit der Islam im Vordergrund. Das rührt daher, dass muslimische KonvertitInnen im Islamic State-Dschihadismus übervertreten sind. So wird häufig argumentiert, dass KonvertitInnen mehr als native MuslimInnen eine gewaltsame Realisierung ihrer theokratischen Utopie befürworten. Allerdings unterstützt nur eine kleine Minderheit den bewaffneten Dschihad gegen Andersgläubige und Abtrünnige. Für die Entscheidung zugunsten des Dschihad scheint die Phase unmittelbar nach der Konversion ausschlaggebend. In dieser Phase erfolgt die Internalisierung fundamentalistischer Ansichten und emotionale Einbettung in militante salafistische Netzwerke. Narrative, Lebensläufe und Publikationen dschihadistischer KonvertitInnen belegen in der Tat, dass deren Biografien im Unterschied zu jenen konformer KonvertitInnen häufig von kritischen Lebenserfahrungen und -ereignissen, Sinnkrisen und freund-schaftlichen Kontakten zu extremistischen MuslimInnen geprägt sind.

Editorial of the focus issue “Extremism”

At least three traditions in sociological thought address the question of social inclusion. In the systems theory proposed by Luhmann, inclusion means that individuals are able to adapt and gain access to functional subsystems, such as the labor market or the welfare state. In the tradition of Simmel, social inclusion is seen as an outcome of “cross-cutting social circles”. Both perspectives are addressed in Lockwood’s distinction between social integration and system integration. Building on these theoretical traditions, the study proposes a typology of migrant integration in which inclusion requires a realization of both social and system integration. Against this theoretical background, the paper deals with the question of which kind of integration the Swiss Muslims strive for through civic engagement. Drawing on narrative autobiographical interviews, the study reveals two main tendencies among the studied Muslims. While some seek an opportunity to engage with people of other worldviews through civic engagement (social integration), others limit their civic engagement only to those religious communities that cultivate a strong collective Muslim identity, and reduce their contact with non-Muslims to a peaceful co-existence (system integration). The study also shows that these two attitudes are associated with two views on outgroup tolerance. While the advocates of social integration are for liberal tolerance, the supporters of system integration show tendency towards multicultural tolerance.

In general, corporations are not isolated actors in an economic war of all against all but members of corporate networks of global reach. Although the literature on globalization emphasizes the increasing economic power of these networks and postulates the formation of a transnational capitalist class, there is still a lack of empirical findings. The article starts with a review of theoretical perspectives (resource dependence, social capital, coordination of markets, financial hegemony, class hegemony, inner circle, and transnational capitalist class) which focuses on the functions and structures of corporate interlocks at the national and the transnational level. The subsequent section offers an outline of empirical studies concerning transnational corporate networks. These analyses of corporate ties (interlocking directorates, financial participations and policy group affiliations) suggest the emergence of transnational economic elites whose members, however, have not lost their national identity. In the final section, the theoretical perspectives will be assessed and some prospects are sketched out. Finally, it will be argued that the disintegration of the world society, which is considerably driven by rent-seeking corporate networks, can only be restrained if a potential global regulatory agency will be anchored in a post-Washington consensus.

How can we conceptually grasp social policies on the macro level in sub-Saharan Africa? Decommodification and defamilialisation, two key concepts of Esping-Andersen’s seminal typology, are not very helpful to distinguish welfare regimes in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, typologies that have been developed for the Global South hardly consider social stratification. In conclusion, there is no typology including African states that covers all relevant dimensions of welfare and includes education, agricultural, and housing policies. There is also more need for compara-tive research on the drivers of social policies and especially policies that are more likely to reduce inequality.

Menschen sind vor dem Tod ungleich, und zwar nicht nur hinsichtlich sozialem Status, sondern auch im Hinblick auf ihre Lebenszeitchancen. Menschen mit geringen Lebenschancen verfügen über weniger Bildung, Einkommen, Vermögen und sterben früher als Menschen mit grösserer Ressourcenausstattung. Dieser Zusammenhang lässt sich sowohl global als auch innerhalb von reichen Ländern wie etwa der Schweiz nachweisen. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt zunächst einen Überblick über die Ursachen ungleicher Lebenszeitchancen. Danach folgt ein Überblick über ausgewählte empirische Analysen. Abschliessend wird auf sozialpolitische Aspekte fokussiert. So liegt es auf der Hand, dass ein fixes Rentenalter, sei das 65 oder 67 Jahre, vor allem jene Menschen benachteiligt, die über ein hohes Risiko verfügen, unterdurchschnittlich früh zu sterben.

Editorial zum Schwerpunktheft "Sterben und Tod"