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Abstract: The concept of “wilderness” has been intensively discussed as an approach for nature protection in Central Europe among managers of protected areas, decision makers, natural and social scientists. This paper discusses the various attempts for physical definitions for Central Europe. It examines, if “wilderness” a suitable expression for communicating different types of places designated “wilderness”, especially in the context of rising awareness and acceptance in all parts of society of the demands of the national strategies for protecting biodiversity. Literature surveys were carried out in order to find expert quotes on the physical definitions, spatial characteristics, and attributes of “wilderness”. For the analytical perception of the general public, a survey using opinion polls among visitors in the Müritz National Park in north-eastern Germany was carried out. A quantitative approach was chosen, and interviewees were selected on an objective, systematic basis. The paper demonstrates, that the wilderness discussion among experts in Central Europe lacks a common physical and spatial definition. It can be shown that there are strong ethical and religious, educational and cultural motifs in the demand for wilderness. For a broad range of laypersons interviewed in Müritz National Park, “wilderness” seems to be a suitable, positive label for wetlands, shorelines, large forests and remote mountain areas. Important key factors, aside from natural features, are few human traces, little infrastructure and few persons using an area, so that visitors experience a feeling of solitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mark the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Rheinische Naturforschende Gesellschaft in 2009 and of the centennial of the Mainz Natural History Museum in 2010, we present a short account of our present knowledge of the Eckfeld Maar after 20 years of continuous research. This paper does not attempt to include all of the detailed results on the geology of the Eckfeld site or its biota. To date, nearly 250 papers and books have been published since the start of our project An up-to-date list of these publications can be found at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The paper reports the first detection of besnoitiosis of cattle in Germany. Just 2 years after the first appearance of the African Bluetongue disease (BTD) of cattle in Central Europe, another African agent of disease has arrived in Germany. While it was proven that the BTD virus was transmitted (after its first appearance) by endemic midges of the genus Culicoides (C. obsoletus, C. pulicaris), nothing is known, how the infectious stages of Besnoitia besnoiti—a member of the so-called cyst-forming coccidia—found their way to a herd in Southern Germany. The infected animals showed all characteristic clinical symptoms of besnoitiosis such as hyposclerodermia, hyperkeratosis, alopecia, and whitish tissue cysts in subcutaneous tissues as well as in the cornea. These cysts had diameters of up to 3 mm and consisted of a dense outer layer (=secondary cyst wall), which surrounded a host cell, that had been enormously enlarged by an inner parasitophorous vacuole containing thousands of 7–9 × 2 μm sized, banana-shaped cyst merozoites (=cystozoites, bradyzoites).Their fine structure was identical to that of published stages of B. besnoiti. During cyst development, the nucleus of the host cell had been hypertrophied and had apparently undergone several divisions, since many flattened, but very large nuclei were seen in light and electron microscopy. Thus, this study proves the arrival of another serious agent of disease of ruminants in Central Europe—a fact which is especially important, since in this species, there is neither information on the way of transmission from animal to animal nor exists concrete information on an efficacious therapy or on the modalities of its import into Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Results of research on relics of cultivation in Central Europe are presented, based on the example of Malva alcea L. (hollyhock mallow). Species from this group were cultivated in the past for various purposes, but are no longer utilized. Thanks to the detailed studies conducted in Mecklenburg (NW Germany) and in Wielkopolska (W Poland), M. alcea is one of the best-studied relics of cultivation. This paper presents the available information on its former uses, general and regional distribution, and habitat preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the faunal remains from the new excavation area at the Lower Paleolithic site of Schöningen. The focus of the study is on the southern extension of the main find horizon (Spear Horizon South), which includes the layer that yielded the famous Schöningen spears (13 II-4). Taxonomic data corroborate previous studies, that hominins primarily hunted Equus mosbachensis , a large Pleistocene horse. Equid body part representation at the site suggests that the animals were hunted and butchered locally. There is no evidence for density-mediated attrition in the assemblage. Weathering damage is uncommon, though there is ample evidence that carnivores had access to the bone. Carnivore bite sizes were measured and compared to experimental data provided by previous authors. Based on relationships between bite size and carnivore behavior and body size, we conclude that the primary modifying agents were large carnivores (i.e., wolves or saber-toothed cats). Previous studies show that carnivores often had secondary access to the remains, after hominins. Cut marks are commonly arranged haphazardly on the bones. This may indicate that multiple hominins participated in the butchery of horse skeletons, or that they were butchered over the course of hours or days. Cut marks on axial elements are more “orderly,” which probably reflects the physical logistics of orienting one's body in relation to a large carcass. These data differ from sites formed by Middle and Upper Paleolithic hominins, which might suggest that in later times, a system of organized meat provisioning was already in place. Taken together, the faunal evidence from the Spear Horizon South indicates that late Lower Paleolithic hominins using the site understood the behaviors of different prey species, hunted socially to take down large game, and successfully competed with large carnivores on the landscape for primary access to ungulate remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pleistocene sequence of Schöningen provides a key link between unglaciated and glaciated areas in western Central Europe and is an important point of reference for the subdivision of the glaciated late Middle Pleistocene. This locality yields paleoecological and geological evidence of at least four interglacial periods prior to the Holocene and younger than the Elsterian glaciation. The Pleistocene deposits at Schöningen are valuable archives of climate, landscape, and human evolution, containing outstanding information on past environmental changes and human adaptation. This paper presents paleoenvironmental and biostratigraphical results from the Middle Pleistocene archaeological lakeshore site of Schöningen, focusing on the so-called reference profile Schöningen 13 II of 2003. We discuss the lithological, palynological, and macrobotanical evidence and present a revised subdivision and reinterpretation of late phases of the Reinsdorf Interglacial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 6-year analysis (including data of 36 million strokes) of the spatial and temporal occurrence of lightning strokes in Germany and neighbouring areas is presented. The analysis on a high-resolution grid with spatial resolution of 1 km allows assessing the local risk of lightning and studying local effects, e.g. the influence of orography on the occurrence of thunderstorms. The analysis reveals spatial and temporal patterns: the highest number of lightning strokes occurs in the pre-alpine region of southern Germany, further local maxima exists in low mountain ranges. The lowest number of lightning strokes is present in areas of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Despite a high year-to-year variability of lightning rates, on average a clear annual cycle (maximum June to August) and diurnal cycle (maximum in the afternoon) are present. In addition to this well-known annual and diurnal pattern, the analysis shows that those are intertwined: the diurnal cycle has an annual cycle, visible in the time of daily maximum which occurs later in the afternoon in summer compared to spring and autumn. Furthermore, the annual cycle of lightning is varying geographically, e.g. offshore and coastal regions show a lower amplitude of the annual cycle and a later maximum (autumn) compared to inland (mountainous) regions. In addition, the annual and diurnal cycles of lightning attributes are analysed. The analysis reveals rising height of inner-cloud lightning during the year with a maximum in late summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alder wood peat is regularly found in central Europe, but palaeoecological studies of alder wood peat are rare, mainly because of lack of identifiable pollen and macrofossils. One central question is whether alder wood peat accumulates under alder carr vegetation (primary) or as displacement peat with alder roots growing into existing peat formed under open fen vegetation (secondary). Standard palaeoecological methods have proven unsuited to solve this question. This paper presents a surface sample study testing whether non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) can be used for identifying various types of fen vegetation, especially alder carrs, and for reconstructing the formation of wood peat. Different substrate types (litter, moss, dead wood, water and exposed peat surface) were sampled in 10 alder carrs, one birch carr and three sites with open fen vegetation in NE-Germany and analysed for pollen and NPPs. Vegetation relevees were recorded and water and soil conditions were measured. We overall recorded 412 NPP types, including 36 known EMA types (recorded in alder carr) and 51 HDV types (recorded in other ecosystems). For present publication we selected the 96 most abundant and characteristic NPPs (including 14 HDV types and 36 known EMA types). 46 NPP types are newly described and illustrated. Our study shows that, opposed to pollen, NPP types clearly reflect the different fen vegetation types making NPPs a valuable tool in palaeoecological studies of fen peat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current paper reports on the faunal assemblage from Structure 1 at the German Magdalenian site of Oelknitz. The composition of the fauna is characterised by a dominance of horse. The horses were exploited for meat and marrow. A strict spatial separation of carcass parts is obvious, also observed at other Magdalenian sites, where the evidence was interpreted in terms of social interaction and food sharing. This is discussed against the contextual background of the site of Oelknitz. It is suggested that the way in which Magdalenians interacted socially is independent of site function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the environmental history of Central European countries that acceded to the European Union in 2004, noting changes they have realized in all respects since the fall of Germany's Berlin Wall in 1989. The paper focuses on environmental management in the Czech Republic, Poland, and other Central European countries. Topics include the histories of these countries following World War II, the emergence of environmental interests after removal of the Berlin Wall, and the closing gap between Western countries and Central European countries in environmental management.

Abstract: Results and perspectives of charcoal research in Central Europe are highlighted, with special regard to the dependence of past fuel economy on the tree species composition of the natural forest vegetation. The main topic is how analyses of archaeological macrocharcoals from sites of historical mining, archaeo-metallurgical processes and charcoal burning (kiln site anthracology) can provide answers to questions on vegetation history, geography and ecology at the landscape level. This paper primarily focusses on the spatial differentiation at the regional scale. A synoptic overview is given for a diversified pilot area in the western part of Central Europe, with special regard to the natural diversity of growth conditions, forest vegetation and tree species composition at the regional scale. It includes results of 876 historical sites in the Black Forest, the Vosges and neighbouring regions. The material analysed spreads over a time scale of 7000years from the Neolithic period to Modern Times. Most samples have been selected from postmedieval charcoal burning in the Black Forest and the Vosges as well as from medieval mining in the western part of the Black Forest. Generally, no selection of distinct species for fuel wood use was made in the past. All of the tree taxa to be expected for the natural conditions were exploited. Moreover, their frequencies also reflect a natural situation. The tree species of the climax vegetation were mainly used and all other species were quantitatively unimportant. The individual sample sites show considerable differences in tree taxa composition and frequency, from which regular spatial patterns of the past tree species distribution have been deduced on local and regional scales. Linking the results of charcoal analyses with those of recent site ecology and vegetation science, these patterns can be explained by regional and local differences in the ecological conditions of the exploited forests in the vicinity of the sites studied. A pronounced dependence of the fuel wood use on the natural site specific distribution of the tree species is discernible. Moreover, taxa composition and the diameter of the wood used often indicate the exploitation of close-to-nature non-degraded forest stands in the past. The local natural availability of wood and the restricted possibilities of wood transport were important criteria for past fuel wood exploitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Microlithic industries of lower Palaeolithic central Europe have been speculated to be a result of raw material availability and therefore natural constraints. However, on some sites such as Bilzingsleben and Vertesszőllős, raw material constraints do not apply. Clearly here has been a positive selection for small-scale tools that must have different explanations. The seemingly stable pattern of forms unrelated to raw material properties, leads to the inference that early hominin societies possessed and transmitted over generations, a defined set of behavioural norms. The paper argues that patterns of choice can be isolated within lower Palaeolithic stone tool assemblages that are distinct from patterns of ecological restraint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The city of Wrocław in Poland represents one of Central Europeans oldest capitals of science with numerous Nobel laureates. Due to a long history of political suppressions with Nazi Germany and Communism from 1933 until 1989, its scientific community was suppressed for more than half a century. Methods: The present study assessed scientific activities in the field of social and neighbouring sciences using density equalizing mapping. On the basis of the NewQIS (New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science) platform and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) of the Web of Science database, a total of 1787 articles originating from Wrocław were identified between 1966 and 2017. Results: In total, 549 research collaborations of Wrocław with 96 different countries were present (30.7%). Among the 107 research areas the highest activity was found for the field of Business and Economics with n = 272 articles (average citation rate (AVR) of 12.54), followed by Psychology (n = 252 articles, AVR = 9.06), Psychiatry (n = 205 articles, AVR = 4.74) and Public, Environmental and Occupational Health (n = 145 articles, AVR = 7.96). The highest AVR was found for Operations Research (25.36 with n = 87 articles). Density equalizing mapping procedures revealed a global pattern of social sciences research collaborations with scientists from Germany, the UK and the US as the primary cooperating partner of Wrocław. The different countries had major differences in the area of research collaborations. Conclusions: This is the first study that depicts the global network of Wrocław scientific activities in the field of social sciences. The exorbitant increase in research activity from 2006 onwards can lead to the assumption that Wrocław social sciences encounter a fruitful future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of the severe flooding in Central Europe in August 2002, a number of changes in flood policies were launched in Germany and other European countries, aiming at improved risk management. The question arises as to whether these changes have already had an impact on the residents' ability to cope with floods, and whether flood-affected private households are now better prepared than they were in 2002. Therefore, computer-aided telephone interviews with private households in Germany that suffered from property damage due to flooding in 2005, 2006, 2010 or 2011 were performed and analysed with respect to flood awareness, precaution, preparedness and recovery. The data were compared to a similar investigation conducted after the flood in 2002. After the flood in 2002, the level of private precautions taken increased considerably. One contributing factor is the fact that, in general, a larger proportion of people knew that they were at risk of flooding. The best level of precaution was found before the flood events in 2006 and 2011. The main reason for this might be that residents had more experience with flooding than residents affected in 2005 or 2010. Yet, overall, flood experience and knowledge did not necessarily result in building retrofitting or flood-proofing measures, which are considered as mitigating damages most effectively. Hence, investments still need to be stimulated in order to reduce future damage more efficiently. Early warning and emergency responses were substantially influenced by flood characteristics. In contrast to flood-affected people in 2006 or 2011, people affected by flooding in 2005 or 2010 had to deal with shorter lead times and therefore had less time to take emergency measures. Yet, the lower level of emergency measures taken also resulted from the people's lack of flood experience and insufficient knowledge of how to protect themselves. Overall, it was noticeable that these residents suffered from higher losses. Therefore, it is important to further improve early warning systems and communication channels, particularly in hilly areas with rapid-onset flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term environmental changes in some areas of Central Europe are still poorly documented due to the lack of archives suitable for well-established paleoecological approaches. However, paleorecords of such areas would provide important insights into the Holocene vegetation history of Central Europe. To contribute to fill this gap, we conducted soil charcoal analyses to investigate fire and forest history for the eastern Harz Mountains (Germany). Soil from 15 sequences at three investigation sites was analyzed, and charcoal assemblages were extracted. The taxonomic analysis shows Holocene woodland composition changes, from post-glacial pioneer woodland, dominated by pine, to broad-leaf closed forests, dominated by oak, and succeeded by beech. The temporal distribution of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)-14C datings of single charcoal pieces indicates that fire events occurred regionally synchronous, mainly in the late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene and late-Holocene periods. The radiocarbon dating is supported by the description of the sampled soil sequences, which permits the identification of late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene in situ formed soil horizons, as well as evidences late-Holocene erosion-sedimentation processes. Climate seems to have triggered late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene fire events. In contrast, the increase of fires, at both local and regional scales, during the late Holocene in low flammable broad-leaf forests is interpreted as related to human activities. Finally, it is highlighted that the species spectrum of the extracted charcoal assemblages and the radiocarbon ages obtained fits regional and over-regional data, also concerning the soil charcoal concentrations that appear to be included in regional and global ranges of soil charcoal pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study regarding the establishment chain's concept for the market entry in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The study evaluates the impact of market entry timing for its manufacturing success in the foreign industry among German firms. It mentions that marketing entry pattern involves incremental internalization which are more common for the pioneers than late entrants and early followers. It adds that the pattern contributes to the increasing foreign competition.

Basanites from the Tertiary Siebengebirge area of Germany (part of the Central European Volcanic Province; CEVP) have high Mg# (>0·60), moderate to high Cr (>300 ppm) and Ni (>200 ppm) contents and strong light rare earth element enrichment, but systematic depletion in Rb and K relative to trace elements of similar compatibility in anhydrous mantle. Rare earth element melting models can explain the petrogenesis of these basanites in terms of partial melting of a spinel peridotite source containing residual amphibole. It is inferred that amphibole, indicated by the relative K and Rb depletion and the melting model, was precipitated in the spinel peridotite lithospheric mantle beneath the Siebengebirge, by metasomatic fluids or melts from a rising mantle diapir or plume. Alkali basalts and more differentiated rocks have lower Mg# and lower abundances of Ni and Cr, and have undergone fractionation of mainly olivine, clinopyroxene, Fe–Ti oxides, amphibole and plagioclase. Most of the basanites and alkali basalts approach the Sr–Nd–Pb isotope compositions inferred for the European Asthenospheric Reservoir component. Trace element constraints (i.e. low Nb/U and Ce/Pb ratios) and the Sr–Nd–Pb isotope composition of the differentiated rocks indicate that assimilation of lower crustal material has modified the composition of the primary mantle-derived magmas. High 207Pb/204Pb ratios in the differentiated lavas point to assimilation of ancient lower crustal components having high U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios. Relatively shallow melting of inferred amphibole-bearing spinel peridotite sources may suggest an origin from the metasomatized part of the thermal boundary layer. Application of new thermobarometric equations for the basaltic magmas indicates relatively normal mantle potential temperatures (1300–1400°C); thus the inferred mantle ‘baby plume’ or ‘hot finger’ is not thermally anomalous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change models for Central Europe predict hydrological drought with fragmentation into pools during periods of high litter input in numerous lowland streams, presumably affecting in-stream leaf decay processes. To investigate this assumption, we measured physicochemical parameters, macro-invertebrate colonization, microbial activity, and decay rates of exposed leaves during and after a supra-seasonal drought in a German lowland stream. Microbial activity, shredder colonization and leaf decay rates during fragmentation were low, presumably caused by drought-related environmental conditions. Microbial activity and temperature-corrected decay rates increased after the flow resumption but not leaf mass loss and shredder colonization. During both periods, exposed leaves appeared physically unaffected suggesting strongly reduced shredder-mediated leaf decay despite shredder presence. Our results indicate that hydrological drought can affect organisms and processes in temperate lowland streams even after flow resumption, and should be considered in climate change scenarios. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Central Europe several plant species of dry grasslands are particularly rare. Here I investigate whether habitat requirements, reproduction, and dispersal potential can contribute to the rarity of Astragalus exscapus (Fabaceae) growing in dry grassland habitats in dry regions of Europe. In addition, I question whether historic events might have contributed to the present-day rarity of A. exscapus. To assess habitat requirements of A. exscapus, vegetation composition and soil characteristics were studied in 37 populations in central Germany. Production and dispersal potential of seeds were investigated in 10 populations, and germination and recruitment were assessed in experimental plots in three populations. Vegetation of the habitats included most dry grassland community types occurring in the central German dry region indicating a broad ecological niche of the species within dry subcontinental grasslands. Soil characteristics of the habitats also spanned a wide range. Seed production was moderate. 98% of the seeds sown in the laboratory germinated whereas under natural conditions 20% of the seeds developed seedlings. Half of these seedlings survived for one year but only 4.5% for two years. 90% of the seeds were dispersed less than 50 cm distance indicating a low dispersal potential. I conclude that A. exscapus is mainly limited in dispersal but recruitment limitation might also be important in explaining its rarity. Furthermore, former climate change and postglacial reforestation of the area very likely contribute to the rarity of A. exscapus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This historiographical review discusses recent literature on cities in modern Central Europe - mainly on Berlin and Vienna - which reflects the great variety of approaches to urban history and underlines the importance of urban history for the study of modernity. The history of urbanization was a central event in the history of modernity. Especially in the Central European capitals of Berlin and Vienna, where modernization and urban growth started later and then advanced more quickly than in West European cities, all aspects of social, political, economic, and cultural modernity and its consequences can be observed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The outbreak of bluetongue disease in Central Europe necessitates new approaches in the identification of vectors to follow-up changes of populations of species and not of complexes. Since females of species of the complex of Culicoides obsoletus are difficult to be identified according to morphological criteria, we applied a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I to differentiate between the species Culicoides obsoletus s.s. and Culicoides scoticus. Catches of culicoids obtained from May to November 2007 in an ultraviolet lamp trap at a cattle farm in Rhineland-Palatinate, Southern Germany were surveyed for changes of the abundance of both species. Only in May 2007, the samples contained similar proportions of both species. Afterwards, C. scoticus dominated with up to 88%. Calculating the number of specimens of both species within the total catches of culicoids, the numbers of C. obsoletus s.s. slightly decreased from May to July and increased to a little maximum in August. C. scoticus seemed to have three maxima in this period of time, the strongest one in August, presumably due to different generations and not to climatic conditions. These results indicate that the applied PCR strategy can be used for a detailed analysis of culicoids as basis for the estimation of the transmission risk of the bluetongue virus by different species of the Obsoletus complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much has been written about the persecution of the Roma in Nazi-dominated central Europe, but less attention has been devoted to anti-Roma policy in the occupied territories of the Soviet Union. Using a variety of sources, including testimonies, this study sheds new light on how specific features of the culture of the Chingené—the Roma in the Crimea—as well as German political and military considerations affected German practice on the peninsula. The author compares and contrasts the Nazis' treatment of the Crimea's Jews to their treatment of the Roma, providing an answer to the question: "Were the Chingene also victims of genocide?" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relocations within an enlarged Europe are often portrayed as an unavoidable destiny or irresistible threat for workers. The article outlines a number of contingent factors which determine how serious are the threats and how feasible is an effective union response. Such factors are then tested through in-depth case studies of twelve plants in the automotive component sector (where cross-border competition is particularly strong), showing how varied can be the scenarios for industrial relations in multinational companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When eight countries from Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU in 2004, unions in some countries argued that significant wage differentials between the old and the new member states necessitated transitional restrictions on free movement, but others insisted that employment standards should be protected by the enforcement of rights, not by restrictions. This article explores variations in union policies in comparative perspective, examining Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen saturation is currently one of the most important environmental issues in forests of Central Europe. In this study, a nested model design at different spatial scales is presented to predict the risk of elevated nitrate concentrations. The model was developed from a state-wide inventory at about 400 stands and a complementary regional survey of 64 stands in the forests around Munich. High deposition of ammonium and low precipitation were significantly associated with high nitrate concentrations. Especially site properties and forest type influenced the risk of nitrate leaching significantly. At the regional scale the forest coverage and the stand age contribute considerably to explain the variance of the nitrate concentrations. The results suggest that forestry policy and practice could contribute to mitigate nitrogen saturation and nitrate leaching by conversion of spruce stands into mixed stands with a high percentage of deciduous trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the relevance and necessity to account for the effects of population substructure on association studies under a case-control design in central Europe, we analysed three samples drawn from different geographic areas of Germany. Two of the three samples, POPGEN (n = 720) and SHIP (n = 709), are from north and north-east Germany, respectively, and one sample, KORA (n = 730), is from southern Germany. Methods: Population genetic differentiation was measured by classical F-statistics for different marker sets, either consisting of genome-wide selected coding SNPs located in functional genes, or consisting of selectively neutral SNPs from ‘genomic deserts’. Quantitative estimates of the degree of stratification were performed comparing the genomic control approach [Devlin B, Roeder K: Biometrics 1999;55:997–1004], structured association [Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donnelly P: Genetics 2000;155:945–959] and sophisticated methods like random forests [Breiman L: Machine Learning 2001;45:5–32]. Results: F-statistics showed that there exists a low genetic differentiation between the samples along a north-south gradient within Germany (FST(KORA/POPGEN): 1.7 · 10–4; FST(KORA/SHIP): 5.4 · 10–4; FST(POPGEN/SHIP): –1.3 · 10–5). Conclusion: Although the FST -values are very small, indicating a minor degree of population structure, and are too low to be detectable from methods without using prior information of subpopulation membership, such as STRUCTURE [Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donnelly P: Genetics 2000;155:945–959], they may be a possible source for confounding due to population stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late May 2005 unusual high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation were observed over central Europe. In Northern Germany the measured irradiance of erythemally effective radiation exceeded the climatological mean by more than about 20%. An extreme low ozone event for the season coincided with high solar elevation angles and high pressure induced clear sky conditions leading to the highest value of erythemal UV-radiation ever observed over this location in May since 1994. This hereafter called "ozone mini-hole" was caused by an elevation of tropopause height accompanied with a poleward advection of ozone-poor air from the tropics. The resultant increase in UV-radiation is of particular significance for human health. Dynamically induced low ozone episodes that happen in late spring can considerably enhance the solar UV-radiation in mid latitudes and therefore contribute to the UV-burden of people living in these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces a series of articles about museums of Germany and Central Europe.

This article examines the high-resolution track horizon stratigraphy at the outcrop Obernkirchen. Massive sandstones, products of marine sand bar and fluviatile environments are present at the tracksite. Recently two track beds were examined in the outcrop. One new track slab of the lower track bed is described exposing well-preserved quadrupedal iguanodontid tracktypes of Iguanodontipus Sarjeant, Delair, and Lockley, 1998, and bipedal theropod tracks Megalosauropus Kaever and Lapparent, 1974. The ichnogenus Iguanodontipus is discussed and the diagnosis extended. The tracksite Obernkirchen belongs to a megatracksite of the ancient coastline of the marginal marine Hercynic Basin of the Lower Cretaceous of Europe, including the four well-known sites Obernkirchen, Bad Rehburg, Münchehagen, and Bückeburg of Northwest Germany. Three different tracktypes of huge sauropods, theropods, and ornithopods are abundant at basal Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic coastlines in different regions in Spain, Portugal, England, Germany, and Switzerland. Dinosaur tracks are also present in carbonate platform environments of northern Italy and Istria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis in this article addresses the resurfacing of Mitteleuropa in the populist discourse or, more precisely, the use of Mitteleuropa-ideas in the political strategies of the Austrian FPÖ (Austria's right-wing 'Freedom Party'). The plans of the future European assessment spread by the European right-wing populism have an ambiguous character, which partly reproduces the ambiguity of the traditional definitions of Mitteleuropa in the debate at the beginning of the twentieth century. The article shows that the FPÖ's use of the concept of Mitteleuropa must be analysed with regard to the problem of the Austrian identity, because the ambiguous status of an 'Austrian identity between Mitteleuropa and German re-union' is the most important condition underpinning the emergence of the FPÖ. Secondly, the choice of a particular idea of Mitteleuropa — the Mitteleuropa defined by principles of exclusion, by a strong German culture and identity (Kulturnation), and strict reference to a Volksgemeinschaft with a territory and a culture that are juxtaposed to a cosmopolitan and liberal idea of Mitteleuropa — reveals the FPÖ's historical legacy and its opposition towards democracy and the representative institutions. Finally, the question is raised as to whether Haider should be considered not only an Austrian phenomenon, but an Austrian reaction to political and economic transformations, which evoke other protest movements in Europe. On the one hand, Haider is an Austrian phenomenon. On the other hand, he represents an Austrian reaction to political and economic transformations. In this sense, Haider's populism can be compared to France's Le Pen or Belgium's Vlaams Blok if we look at the form of popular legitimacy that they invoke, the request for a re-territorialisation of politics and for the defence of a national/European identity, and the opposition to constitutional patriotism and to all forms of "thin" European identities. KEY WORDS: Austrian nationalism; conservative revolution; FPÖ; geopolitics; Mitteleuropa; populism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There are empirical and theoretical reasons to doubt whether German firms wholly transfer their ‘high-road’ employment practices and industrial relations when shifting production to countries in central and eastern Europe. Yet neither are they likely radically to abandon these patterns. This article examines German subsidiaries in Poland and the Czech Republic, highlighting three important labour practices (working-time accounts, vocational training and approaches to industrial relations). The empirical findings reveal that highly internationalized firms, namely the large multinational corporations, appear most inclined to retain the German pattern, since they are still firmly embedded in the German institutional system of industrial relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates three museums in Central Europe. Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany; Technisches Museum in Vienna, Austria; Narodni Technicke Muzeum in Prague, Czech Republic.

Offers a look at a study which determined the effects of commercial displacer vessels on artificial canals in the waterway system of Germany. High speed navigation in artificial canals in central Europe; High speed cargo ships for inland navigation; Laboratory tests; Conclusion.

Attempts at conclusions about migration patterns that may result from the eastward movement of labor in the European Union (EU). Accession negotiations between the European Union and the Central and Eastern European Countries; Fear of Germany about entrants into its labor market; Migration determinants; Previous experience of integrating countries into the EU.

Clinopyroxenes in protogranular, spinel–pyroxene-cluster bearing perdotite xenoliths from the Rhön (Germany) display (1) extremely depleted REE patterns inconsistent with their relatively primitive modal composition and (2) peculiarly high Nd isotopic signatures (143Nd/144Nd=0.5148) and Sm/Nd ratios (147Sm/144Nd=0.82−0.92), which have not been reported for clinopyroxene before. The high 143Nd/144Nd ratios require long-term high Sm/Nd ratios found, so far, only in garnet. Therefore, it is suggested that the isotopic signature reflects the former existence of a precursor garnet. When the clinopyroxene-hosting peridotites entered the spinel stability field, as a consequence of mantle uplift, the garnet crystals broke down, forming spinel–pyroxene clusters and forced their geochemical and isotopic signature upon the clinopyroxenes. A polybaric fractional melting model (beginning in the garnet and continuing into the spinel stability field), calculated from REE abundances, implies formation of partial melts during mantle upwelling. The P–T conditions, derived from equilibrated mineral phases, indicate that the peridotites were finally transported into the upper lithosphere (30–40 km) where they cooled from a minimum temperature of 1030°C to 850–950°C. In this new position, parts of the upper mantle were affected by a cryptic, chromatographic fractionation controlled metasomatism that eliminated to variable degrees the geochemical fingerprint of the precursor garnet with respect to trace elements. If the linear correlation observed in a 143Nd/144Nd vs 147Sm/144Nd plot for different clinopyroxene specimens, all affected by these processes, has an age significance and is not a mixing line, then the last isotopic homogenization occurred during Hercynian times. This implies that the last stage of melt extraction and the metasomatic event are of Hercynia age or may be older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]