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DThis paper presents an additive index on climate policy engagement at the municipal level, based on the three dimensions awareness, conception and implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation. The distortion of the index is based on the self-perception and personal assessment of municipal decision-makers, which were collected and evaluated as part of a primary survey (postal survey). The index shows how strongly a municipality is committed to climate policy. Thus, it represents an extension of previous indices that either only consider climate mitigation or adaptation or are only based exclusively on secondary statistics. The second part of the paper describes the application of the index in three counties or 51 municipalities in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The interpretation takes place in the context of structural characteristics of the municipalities concerned (number of inhabitants, share of votes of different parties, geographical location). The distribution of the index values shows a similar awareness in climate protection and climate change adaptation, but an increasing discrepancy in the implementation of adaptation-specific measures.

Research on perceptions of climate change impacts contributes to understanding motivations for adaptation action and increases the legitimacy of climate adaptation research and policy. The body of literature on climate change perception (CCP) is extensive. Given that the perception of climate change is commonly presented as being dependent on an individual's sociocultural and spatial contexts and that climate change is an abstract concept with different dimensions of meaning, this paper systematizes the research in an actor-centered manner. Using a systematic literature review, the abstracts from 821 interdisciplinary studies on CCP were coded and statistically analyzed. The results show that predominantly knowledge about the CCP of vulnerable groups of actors and regions was generated using quantitative methods. Impacts at the collective and institutional levels of CCP were rarely explored. This indicates an individualizing perspective of research on climate adaptation of vulnerable actors. Conclusions for future research are drawn.

Objectives: By now, many long-term symptoms after COVID-19 are described, mostly concerning hospitalized patients. Our aim was to investigate the long-term effect of COVID-19 on the lung function with focus on the diffusion capacity of athletes. Methods: 99 athletes (34.1711.94 years, 56% female) after COVID-19 and 36 athletes (25.806.70 years, 65% female) without COVID-19 as controls were included. Symptom severity and lung function were assessed. Lung function of controls were compared with athletes after COVID-19 and changes in patients with dyspnea (during infection and at time of appointment) and changes over time between infection and examination on lung function were examined. Results: Exertional dyspnea during the infection was reported by 51% of athletes after COVID-19, respectively 27% at the time of examination (158137 days after infection). 30% of athletes after COVID-19 showed a reduced Diffusion Capacity of the Lungs for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO

The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) has proven successful, however challenges in implementing IPM strategies remain. Furthermore, detailed investigations are needed to elucidate the performance and tradeoffs of combined practices along entire crop rotations. In the framework of efforts to reduce the use of pesticides in Swiss agriculture, IPM in arable crops will be further developed in an on-farm project starting in autumn 2019. The overall aim of the project is to reduce pesticide use by 75% with a maximum yield loss of 10%. Preventive and alternative practices supporting natural control of noxious organisms (pathogens, pests, weeds) such as cover crops, intercropping, flower strips and biological control agents will be implemented and investigated in different 6-year crop rotations in a network involving 75 farms. The project involves scientists, farmers and extension services in a co-innovation process in five regions of the Swiss plateau. Effectiveness of the practices on weeds, diseases, pests and beneficials will be closely monitored and evaluated along the entire crop rotation.

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In a project supported by funds of the German government (PT BLE), we test a mobile camera system, scanning surfaces in storage warehouses or food processing industry. If insects are detected they are compared with morphological data in store to decide if the detected individual is a target pest. In case a target pest is determined with high probability, a laser beam is directed to the target to eliminate the insect by heat. The concept is to develop a system that is able to learn and identify more and more different species over time. First aims of the project are to improve reliability of species detection and identification in contrast to the grain with different light spectra and camera parameters. Reaction tests under different light conditions of the two exemplary insects grain weevil Sitophilus granarius (Col., Curculionidae) and Indianmeal moth Plodia interpunctella (Lepid., Pyralidae) will be carried out. Further the project will investigate laser beam wavelengths and intensities not damaging surfaces and items beneath or next to targets. The system could be utilized to support IPM in well-sealed structures for storage or processing of food and feed stuffs.