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In this study, the authors compared four multimedia learning arrangements differing in instructional approach on effectiveness and efficiency for learning: (a) hypermedia learning, (b) observational learning, (c) self-explanation-based learning, and (d) inquiry learning. The approaches all advocate learners' active attitude toward the learning material but show differences in the specific learning processes they intend to foster. Learning results were measured on different types of knowledge: conceptual, intuitive, procedural, and situational. The outcomes show that the two approaches asking learners to generate (parts of) the subject matter (either by self-explanations or by conducting experiments) led to better performance on all types of knowledge. However, results also show that emphasis on generating subject matter by the learner resulted in less efficient learning. (Contains 12 tables and 2 figures.)

Corporate accelerators have become an important form of corporate-start-up collaboration. According to [1] mm1 (consultancy for Connected Business), twothirds of all DAX 30 companies in Germany engaged with start-ups via an accelerator in the year 2020. Despite the clear importance of this phenomenon, there is still a lack of understanding of the concrete factors that determine their success. Corporate accelerators can be designed in different ways but business executives are still in the dark about the consequences of these design decisions on the performance. The aim of present study is to determine success factors of a selected set of corporate accelerators based on qualitative data. A database of 109 corporate accelerators was collected from which all Germany based programs (28) were analysed in greater detail regarding their performance and program design. Hereby, the study tests the statistical relevance of 14 potential success factors identified via literature review conducted on the matter. The results show that especially five factors have a significant positive correlation to a corporate accelerators success: The existence of corporate partners. A demanding selection process that contains selection days for shortlisted start-ups. A larger amount of start-ups per batch. The obligation for start-ups to be physically present in the facilities for the time of the program (Pre Covid19). The incorporation of metrics to track the progress of participating start-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines the main assumptions underlying the reforms embedded in EMU and European Semester recommendations. We proceed in three steps. First, we question the notion that Italy and Germany embody two distinctive politico-economic models and challenge the conclusion, drawn from this assumption, that structural rigidities are the primary cause of Italy's economic woes and that its lackluster performance since the 1990s is due to its insufficient determination to implement structural reforms. Rather we show, second, that both countries have undertaken remarkably similar reforms which, however, have yielded different results both because of the different public debt levels they started with and because the interdependence created by the euro and the hyper-financialised markets rewarded those countries with low, and penalises those with high, sovereign debt. Third, we contest the assumption that the two economies would converge towards a common growth path if only Italy could adapt to the requirements of a globalised economy like Germany has apparently done, which leads us, in conclusion, to question the appropriateness of the EU's current strategy for both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces the questions that motivate this special issue: the growing divergence among Eurozone member states and the overall disappointing performance of the Eurozone as a whole. It justifies the choice of Germany and Italy as the two countries that can best exemplify what are considered, respectively, the northern and southern politico-economic models coexisting in the Eurozone and proposes an approach to these questions that deviates from the mainstream. It argues that comparing the performance of Eurozone member economies as if they were independent of one another prevents an accurate assessment of the externalities created by the common currency and claims that microeconomic solutions to macroeconomic problems have the effect of reinforcing the divergence, rather than attenuating it. Incorporating the insights drawn from the detailed analysis of the various aspects of the German and Italian models provided by the contributors to this special issue, it concludes by assessing the likely impact of the impending reform of EMU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies rural populations in the Roman frontier province of Germania inferior, employing a perspective that allocates more space to the exploitative and repressive aspects of Roman rule. We draw attention to an alternative series of topics than the ones currently presented in rural archaeology. This includes attention to situations of crisis and instability, to fundamental reordering of rural populations, to issues of migration and to the interconnectivity of rural developments and imperial power structures. While these topics are usually considered as 'historically given', they are rarely the subject of serious archaeological research. This attempt at a more historicising approach does not mean a simple return to the traditional paradigm of historische Altertumskunde. Much better equipped than our predecessors of two or three generations ago, we archaeologists of the 21st century are able to engage in a critical and creative dialogue with historical sources and models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2017 glyphosate reauthorisation process has exposed key weaknesses of the EU's institutional system. First, the role of Germany as Member State rapporteur and the subsequent decision to appoint a group of Member States to form the Assessment Group on Glyphosate (AGG) suggest that the nature of scientific assessments become blurred. These assessments are apparently not just purely objective, science-based and procedural elements of the authorization procedure, but require support from a significant number of Member States as well. Second, the arduous comitology trajectory in the glyphosate reauthorisation process has caused the Commission to initiate questionable changes to comitology. These changes would corrupt the coherence of the EU's legislative system in general and the constitutional distinction between delegated and implementing acts in particular. Moreover, they would overlook the more obvious solution of relying more on discretion on the part of the Commission. Lastly, the glyphosate reauthorisation has questioned the dichotomy between legislation and executive rule-making, an equally central element of the EU's constitutional order. This dichotomy is based on a distinction between essential elements that belong to the legislative domain and non-essential element which are more technical in nature. It has been claimed that weighing the economic benefits of pesticides against the health and environmental costs associated with their use is in essence a legislative choice. This claim highlights not so much the practical problem of how to draw the line between political and technical decision-making, but rather denies the very meaning of the dichotomy altogether. Yet, the current system on the placing on the market of plant protection products - based on the legislation providing the general framework and the executive applying this in concrete cases - is certainly not devoid of coherence and logic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Workers exposed to epoxy products are at risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis. Objectives To compare workers throughout the German construction industry with and without skin allergy to epoxy resins, hardeners, and/or reactive diluents, and to investigate which determinants are related to the development of epoxy allergy. Methods A questionnaire was completed by 179 epoxy allergy cases, and 151 epoxy workers as controls. Crude and adjusted odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were estimated by the use of backwards stepwise logistic regression analysis. A multiple imputation approach was used to deal with missing data. Results Epoxy allergy was associated with an unusually high level of exposure to epoxy products [ OR 2.13 (95% CI: 1.01-4.51)], wearing short sleeves or short trousers [ OR 2.38 (95% CI: 1.03-5.52)], and not always using the correct type of gloves [ OR 2.12 (95% CI: 1.12-4.01)]. A monotonic increasing risk was found with increasing exposure hours per week [ OR 1.72 (95% CI: 1.39-2.14)]. Not using skin cream was inversely associated with epoxy allergy [ OR 0.22 (95% CI: 0.08-0.59)]. Years working with epoxy products were inversely associated with epoxy allergy [ OR 0.41 (95% CI: 0.27-0.61) per 10-year increase], suggesting a healthy worker survivor effect. Conclusions Occupational epoxy allergy may be prevented by improving occupational hygiene behaviour and personal protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about William Shakespeare in exile at the Ruhleben Camp, a civil internment camp for British males from 1914-1918. Ruhleben is the only civilian detention camp in Germany and was soon turned into the Great War much like Guantanamo Bay. It looks into the myths, the lives of detainees and the rich cultural life that prevailed in Ruhleben. It cites the effects of Shakespeare's works on people in exile and how they can relate to the feelings of despair and trying to escape.

The aim of the research reported in this paper is to assess national differences between the Netherlands, Germany and Australia on the relative value of the 2000 version of the ISO 9000 series of quality management system standards in comparison to the 1994 version. A total number of 5606 organisations (the Netherlands, 3606; Germany, 1000; Australia, 1000), which have all been certified to the ISO 9000 standard, responded to a questionnaire survey. Amongst the major findings are overall positive perceptions of the value of the ISO 9000 (2000) quality system standard and a consistently higher appreciation of the 2000 version compared to the 1994 version. Regarding the differences between the three countries, the major issues are: Today, Australian respondents are the least interested in the ISO 9000 quality system standard. The response rate is the lowest of the three countries involved in the study; the percentage of (general) managers within the response group is low; they perceive the least changes they had to make in relation to the conversion; and the conversion took less time. Dutch respondents still have a high level of interest in the ISO 9000 quality system standard. They show a high response rate. In addition, the level of general managers within the response group is high and they seem to perceive the quality system more as a general management system. German respondents are the most positive about the ISO 9000 quality system standard and expect more positive effects on various business aspects. These differences lead to the conclusion that the diffusion of the ISO 9000 standard follows its own routes in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objectives of the EU project CO2ReMoVe are to undertake the research and development necessary to establish scientifically based standards for monitoring future CCS operations and to develop the performance assessment methodologies necessary to demonstrate the long-term reliability of geological storage of CO2. This could in turn lead to guidelines for the certification of sites suitable for CCS on a wide scale. Crucial to the project portfolio are the continuing large-scale CO2 injection operation at Sleipner, the injection operation at In Salah (Algeria) and the recently started injection project at Snøhvit (Norway). Two pilot sites are also currently in the project portfolio, Ketzin in Germany and K12-B in the offshore continental shelf of the Netherlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to compare health-related quality of life of 12- to 16-year-old adolescents born at an extremely low birth weight in regional cohorts from Ontario (Canada), Bavaria (Germany), and the Netherlands. METHODS. Patients were extremely low birth weight survivors from Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Health-related quality of life was assessed with Health Utilities Index 3. Missing data were substituted by proxy reports. Differences in mean Health Utilities Index 3 scores were tested by using analysis of variance. Differences in the numbers of children with affected attributes were tested by using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS. Survival rates were similar; response rates varied between 71% and 90%. Significant differences in health-related quality of life were found between the cohorts, with Dutch children scoring highest on Health Utilities Index 3 and German children scoring lowest, independent of birth weight, gestational age, and cerebral palsy. Differences in mean utility scores were mainly attributable to differences in the cognition health attribute. Most of the results were corroborated by logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS. There were significant differences between the 3 cohorts in health-related quality of life, not related to differences in birth weight, gestational age, or cerebral palsy. Survival and response rates alone cannot explain these differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native speakers of Dutch and German reliably know how to combine the person features of a coordination of two singular elements into a new plural person feature. For example, a phrase like jij en de jongen (you [2nd singular] and the boy) becomes jullie (you [2nd plural]). However, anecdotal evidence suggests that despite this knowledge, speakers of Dutch and German have a strong tendency to treat the whole compound subject as 3rd person plural when computing person agreement between such a compound subject and a verb. In two language production experiments, we obtained results confirming this anecdotal evidence. Furthermore, the results show that the use of 3rd person plural verbs does not depend on the order in which the 2nd and 3rd person elements occur in the compound subject (e.g.jij en de jongen vs.de jongen en jij ).The results are interpreted in a framework assuming two alternative computational procedures for person agreement, a purely syntactic procedure and a conceptual-semantic procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of the Ninth International Symposium on Marek's Disease and Avian Herpesviruses held in Berlin, Germany from June 24 to June 28, 2013. The conference was attended by over 120 people representing 22 countries from six continents. It featured a total of 56 research paper and 25 posters. The symposia was done to advance future research directions in the field of avian herpesvirology.

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate whether the incidence of pressure ulcers in nursing homes in the Netherlands and Germany differs and, if so, to identify resident-related risk factors, nursing-related interventions, and structural factors associated with pressure ulcer development in nursing home residents. Design: A prospective multicenter cohort study. Setting: Ten nursing homes in the Netherlands and 11 nursing homes in Germany (around Berlin and Brandenburg). Participants: A total of 547 newly admitted nursing home residents, of which 240 were Dutch and 307 were German. Residents had an expected length of stay of 12 weeks or longer. Measurements: Data were collected for each resident over a 12-week period and included resident characteristics (eg, demographics, medical history, Braden scale scores, nutritional factors), pressure ulcer prevention and treatment characteristics, staffing ratios and other structural nursing home characteristics, and outcome (pressure ulcer development during the study). Data were obtained by trained research assistants. Results: A significantly higher pressure ulcer incidence rate was found for the Dutch nursing homes (33.3%) compared with the German nursing homes (14.3%). Six factors that explain the difference in pressure ulcer incidence rates were identified: dementia, analgesics use, the use of transfer aids, repositioning the residents, the availability of a tissue viability nurse on the ward, and regular internal quality controls in the nursing home. Conclusion: The pressure ulcer incidence was significantly higher in Dutch nursing homes than in German nursing homes. Factors related to residents, nursing care and structure explain this difference in incidence rates. Continuous attention to pressure ulcer care is important for all health care settings and countries, but Dutch nursing homes especially should pay more attention to repositioning residents, the necessity and correct use of transfer aids, the necessity of analgesics use, the tasks of the tissue viability nurse, and the performance of regular internal quality controls. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]