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Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]-glycine) is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Due to health concerns about glyphosate exposure, its continued use is controversially discussed. Biomonitoring is an important tool in safety evaluation and this study aimed to determine exposure to glyphosate and its metabolite AMPA, in association with food consumption data, in participants of the cross-sectional KarMeN study (Germany). Glyphosate and AMPA levels were measured in 24-h urine samples from study participants (n = 301). For safety evaluation, the intake of glyphosate and AMPA was calculated based on urinary concentrations and checked against the EU acceptable daily intake (ADI) value for glyphosate. Urinary excretion of glyphosate and/or AMPA was correlated with food consumption data. 8.3% of the participants (n = 25) exhibited quantifiable concentrations (> 0.2 µg/L) of glyphosate and/or AMPA in their urine. In 66.5% of the samples, neither glyphosate (< 0.05 µg/L) nor AMPA (< 0.09 µg/L) was detected. The remaining subjects (n = 76) showed traces of glyphosate and/or AMPA. The calculated glyphosate and/or AMPA intake was far below the ADI of glyphosate. Significant, positive associations between urinary glyphosate excretion and consumption of pulses, or urinary AMPA excretion and mushroom intake were observed. Despite the widespread use of glyphosate, the exposure of the KarMeN population to glyphosate and AMPA was found to be very low. Based on the current risk assessment of glyphosate by EFSA, such exposure levels are not expected to pose any risk to human health. The detected associations with consuming certain foods are in line with reports on glyphosate and AMPA residues in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for chronic disease and liver degeneration. Paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (AE) are functions of the enzyme paraoxonase, which is synthesised by the liver. Paraoxonase circulates in plasma bound to HDL and hydrolyses lipid peroxides, protecting lipoproteins against oxidative modification. It has been shown that excessive alcohol consumption leads to a reduction of serum PON1 and AE activities; however, studies investigating the association with low and moderate alcohol consumption are scarce. We investigated the cross-sectional association between alcohol consumption and serum activities of PON1 and AE using data from the population-based Bavarian Food Consumption Survey II survey. PON1 and AE activities were quantified in serum samples of 566 male and female study participants (aged 18–80 years), and dietary intake including alcohol consumption was estimated from three 24-h dietary recalls. The association between alcohol consumption and PON1 and AE activities was analysed using linear regression, adjusted for age, sex and socio-economic status. There was no strong association between alcohol consumption and enzymatic activities of PON1 and AE in the Bavarian population. PON1 activity was seen to be lowest in non-drinkers (0 g/d) and highest in people who consumed 15·1–30 g of alcohol/d. AE activity increased across alcohol consumption categories, with a mean maximum difference of 14 U/ml (Pfor linear trend 0·04). These associations were attenuated after adjustment for blood concentrations of HDL. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that alcohol consumption is related to important alterations in PON1 and AE activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The effect of polyphenol-rich cloudy apple juice (CloA) consumption on plasma parameters related to the obesity phenotype and potential effects of interactions between CloA and allelic variants in obesity candidate genes were assessed in obese men. Methods: In this controlled, randomized, and parallel study, n = 68, non-smoking, non-diabetic men with a BMI ≥27 kg/m received 750 mL/day CloA (802.5 mg polyphenols) or 750 mL/day control beverage (CB, isocaloric equivalent to CloA) for 4 weeks. Further, study participants were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in PPARγ (rs1801282), UCP3 (rs1800849), IL-6 (rs1800795), FABP2 (rs1799883), INSIG2 (rs7566605), and PGC1 (rs8192678) genes. At the beginning and at the end of intervention plasma lipids, distinct adipokines and cytokines as well as anthropometric parameters were determined. Results: CloA compared to CB had no significant effect on plasma lipids, plasma adipokine and cytokine levels, BMI, and waist circumference. However, CloA consumption significantly reduced percent body fat compared to CB (∆ % body fat: CloA: −1.0 ± 1.3 vs. CB: −0.2 ± 0.9, p < 0.05). The IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism showed an interaction with body fat reduction induced by CloA. Solely in C/C, but not in G/C or G/G variants, a significant reduction in body fat after 4 weeks of CloA intervention was detectable. Conclusion: The observed diet-gene interaction might be a first indication for the impact of individual genetic background on CloA-mediated bioactivity on obesity-associated comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adipose tissue-associated chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases. Dietary fatty acids are known to influence inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether diets with regular fat contents but variable fat qualities affect adipose tissue-associated inflammation through the fatty acid composition of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT). Methods: Obese Zucker rats were fed diets containing 7 % wt:wt rapeseed oil, corn oil, or lard for 10 weeks. Fatty acid composition and endocrine function regarding adipokines and cytokines of MAT, number of total CD3 T cells, and cytokine secretion of mesenteric lymph node (MLN)-derived lymphocytes were determined. Local effects in MAT and MLN were compared to systemic effects assessed in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: Fatty acid composition of MAT reflected dietary fatty acid intake, without affecting endocrine function. Feeding the lard diet for 10 weeks increased the serum adiponectin and TNF-α secretion of blood lymphocytes, whereas CD3 T cells in blood were decreased. No effects were seen for the secretion of adipokines and cytokines from MAT, the amount of T cells in MLN, and cytokine secretion of MLN lymphocytes. Conclusions: In conclusion, feeding obese rats a diet with regular fat content but variable fat sources for 10 weeks, changed the fatty acid composition of MAT but not its secretory properties or MLN functions. Although the local immune system was not influenced, lard-feeding induced minor changes in systemic immune function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vegetables and fruit provide a significant part of human nutrition, as they are important sources of nutrients, dietary fibre, and phytochemicals. However, it is uncertain whether the risk of certain chronic diseases can be reduced by increased consumption of vegetables or fruit by the general public, and what strength of evidence has to be allocated to such an association. Methods: Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the studies available in the literature and the respective study results has been performed and evaluated regarding obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, osteoporosis, eye diseases, and dementia. For judgement, the strength of evidence for a risk association, the level of evidence, and the number of studies were considered, the quality of the studies and their estimated relevance based on study design and size. Results: For hypertension, CHD, and stroke, there is convincing evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit reduces the risk of disease. There is probable evidence that the risk of cancer in general is inversely associated with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. In addition, there is possible evidence that an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit may prevent body weight gain. As overweight is the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit therefore might indirectly reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Independent of overweight, there is probable evidence that there is no influence of increased consumption on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is possible evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit lowers the risk of certain eye diseases, dementia and the risk of osteoporosis. Likewise, current data on asthma, COPD, and RA indicate that an increase in vegetable and fruit consumption may contribute to the prevention of these diseases. For IBD, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, there was insufficient evidence regarding an association with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. Conclusions: This critical review on the associations between the intake of vegetables and fruit and the risk of several chronic diseases shows that a high daily intake of these foods promotes health. Therefore, from a scientific point of view, national campaigns to increase vegetable and fruit consumption are justified. The promotion of vegetable and fruit consumption by nutrition and health policies is a preferable strategy to decrease the burden of several chronic diseases in Western societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate whether the daily intake of red wine (RW) at a dose which inversely correlates with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk modulates immune functions in healthy men. DESIGN:: Randomized single-blind trial with four intervention periods. SETTING:: The Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany. SUBJECTS:: A total of 24 healthy males with moderate alcohol consumption patterns were recruited and all completed the study. INTERVENTION:: Participants consumed 500?ml of RW (12% ethanol (ETOH)) or 500?ml of a 12% ETOH dilution per day for a period of 2 weeks. To control the potential effects of RW polyphenols, accordingly 500?ml/day of dealcoholized red wine (DRW) and of red grape juice (RGJ) were given. The following immune parameters were measured before beverage consumption and at 1 and 2 weeks following beverage consumption: phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes, production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa), interleukin-2 and -4, transforming growth factor-ß, TNFa mRNA, lymphocyte proliferation, lytic activity of natural killer cells, and percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes. RESULTS:: Consumption of a moderate volume of alcohol with RW and with a 12% ETOH dilution had no effect on immune functions in healthy males. Consumption of polyphenol-rich beverages (DRW and RGJ) did not affect immunity-related parameters. CONCLUSIONS:: Daily moderate consumption of alcohol and of RW for 2 weeks at doses which inversely correlate with CVD risk has no adverse effects on human immune cell functions. Polyphenol-rich beverages such as RGJ and DRW further do not suppress immune responses in healthy men. SPONSORSHIP:: The Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture, Germany.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 40-45. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601742 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strong interindividual differences in the microbial conversion of some dietary polyphenols have been reported. In-depth studies of trans-resveratrol metabolism by human gut microbiota, however, are lacking, and only one bacterial metabolite, namely dihydroresveratrol, has been described. Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate interindividual differences in trans-resveratrol metabolism by human gut microbiota and to identify bacterial strains involved. Design: In the first part of the study, in vitro fermentation experiments were performed with feces samples from 7 healthy volunteers, and metabolite formation was measured by liquid chromatographyultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS detection. Microbial diversities in 3 feces samples were analyzed by high-throughput pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, trans-resveratrol conversion experiments were conducted with selected fecal bacterial strains in pure culture. The second part of the study was a controlled intervention study with 12 healthy volunteers. After a washout period, all of the subjects received a one-time oral dose of 0.5 mg trans-resveratrol/kg body weight in the form of a grapevine-shoot supplement, and 24-h urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-UV/Vis-MS/MS. Results: Besides dihydroresveratrol, 2 previously unknown bacterial trans-resveratrol metabolites were identified in vitro and in vivo: 3,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene and 3,4'-dihydroxybibenzyl (lunularin). Their formation, however, varied among the volunteers. Two strains, Slackia equolifaciens and Adlercreutzia equolifaciens, were identified as dihydroresveratrol producers. Gut bacteria able to produce dehydroxylated metabolites could, however, not be identified. Conclusions: trans-Resveratrol metabolism by human gut microbiota shows pronounced interindividual differences, which should be taken into account during investigation of health-related effects of this stilbene. This trial was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register as DRKS00004311, Universal Trial Number (WHO) UTN: U1111-1133-4621. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Germany, 24% of the forest area is owned by small-scale private forest owners, whose property is affected by a societal demand for forest-related ecosystem services. In the inhomogeneous group of small-scale private forest owners, different living conditions and lifestyles exist, which are affecting the management of the forest ownership. To support the management activities of small-scale private forest owners, institutional instruments exist, but these are only used by a small proportion of forest owners. In order to gain insights into the accessibility and activation of small-scale private forest owners for management, and to draw conclusions for appropriate support instruments, a large number of studies have analyzed the factors influencing the management activities of forest owners. Some studies identify socio-demographic and socio-economic variables as important influencing factors, but do not take into account their complex interdependencies, which have developed as a result of the pluralization of lifestyles and individualization of forest owners. For this reason, in addition to the influencing factors identified in the literature as relevant for forest management activities of small-scale private forest owners, the lifestyle segmentation approach of Sinus milieus established in German market research was applied in this study. This approach allocates forest owners based on their complex lifestyles into ten different milieu groups. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the parameters influencing the willingness to engage in eight different forest management activities. The results show that the willingness to engage in forest management activities in the future is higher compared to actions in the past. In addition to timber harvesting-related activities, the small-scale private forest owners show a high action potential for non-commodity-related activities. Non-commodity-related activities can primarily be explained by the Sinus milieu affiliation of the small-scale private forest owners. This result underlines the usefulness of a lifestyle segmentation approach such as the Sinus milieus to address small-scale private forest owners in a target group specific way in line with their willingness to engage in specific forest management activities. Institutional instruments such as the membership in a forest owners association or subsidies do not play a significant role for non-commodity-related activities and seem to be inappropriate for targeting small-scale private forest owners for these activities. Timber harvesting-related activities are primarily influenced by the presence of professional foresters, socio-demographic factors or institutional instruments. Based on these empirical findings, implications can be drawn for the target group-specific addressing of forest owners based on different management activities. In this way, forest owners can be motivated to engage in forest management and the provision of forest-related ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Adolescence is marked by rapid biological and psychosocial changes that profoundly impact parent–child communication in order to reorganize responsibilities and move toward a more egalitarian relationship. Therefore, our primary objective in the present study was to explore the influence of changing conflict frequency and intensity on the perceived level of closeness between parents and adolescents, considering the perspectives of both parties involved. Using 10-wave longitudinal data with measures of parents (n = 17,005) and their children (n = 15,841) aged seven to 16 from the German Panel "Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics" (pairfam), the present study used fixed-effects models to address the research goal. The findings indicate that, for parents and adolescents, an increase in both conflict frequency and intensity corresponds to a more pronounced decline in closeness. Higher levels of initial closeness when the participants entered the survey resulted in milder decreases in closeness when conflict intensity was higher, a pattern observed for both parents and adolescents. Regarding conflict frequency, no impact of initial closeness was discerned among parents, while an opposing effect was found among adolescents. These findings shed light on changes in parent–child communication during the transition from early to middle adolescence, underscoring the need for further exploration of the closeness–conflict association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Bibliotheksdienst is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bibliotheksdienst is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Feathers have to be moulted to repair sustained damage. Our objective is to understand the relationship between the frequency of feather damage, feather sturdiness and moult sequence. Damage was recorded in five flight feather tracts for over 2000 Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis ispida captured during a population study in northwestern Germany. We found that, of the feather tracts studied before the first moult, the tail feathers sustained most wear and damage, especially the more sturdily built outermost ones. Nevertheless, the probability of moulting a rectrix decreased from the central pair to the outside, while the damage risk increased. The sturdy distal primaries and the more lightly built innermost secondaries were the remiges with the highest frequency of damage, but not the most severe damage, while a row of midwing secondaries and primaries had the lowest damage risk. Where remiges had been retained when moult was suspended at the beginning of winter, about 75% of unmoulted feathers belonged to this low-risk group. The distal alula feather and the outermost primary covert had damage rates comparable to the low-risk row of remiges. Feather damage in the wings does not accumulate evenly over time, but increased markedly from March to April, coinciding with courtship and nest excavation, especially in females. Ultraviolet light seems to be an important factor for the observed feather deterioration, but is not the only one. The Kingfisher's unusual moult sequence of remiges and primary coverts matches the distribution pattern of feather damage, but the sequence of the first tail-feather moult does not. Very few previous studies have investigated the relationship between patterns of feather damage and moult sequence. We hope this work encourages more investigation of this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 (EUBDS) aims to preserve and restore biodiversity by protecting large areas in the EU. An extensive part of these protected areas will presumably be covered by forests. This study analyses the economic effects of EUBDS implementation on German forestry in two scenarios, based on different possible interpretations of the EUBDS' key commitments, using a forest economic simulation model. A special focus is placed on the opportunity costs of coarse wood debris (CWD). Over a simulated 200-year period, a decrease in timber harvest of 13% and 44% is estimated under the respective scenario assumptions. This leads to a reduction in the silvicultural contribution margin (SCM) of on average 0.25 B EUR a−1 (14%) and 0.79 B EUR a−1 (45%). In terms of the total SCM, protected forests contribute 35% and 15% in the two scenarios. The accumulation and preservation of CWD incurs a substantial loss of utility, as 15% and 19% of annual logging is required for conservation purposes. However, the EUBDS may also provide economically tangible benefits. A rational decision would be to implement a scenario if the "net benefit" from the protected status exceeds the losses from set-aside and conservation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt Zukunftsbilder Öffentlicher Bibliotheken in Deutschland im Jahr 2040 in Form von explorativen Szenarien vor. Diese werfen den Blick in mögliche Zukünfte. Szenarien dienen als Denkwerkzeuge, die helfen, in Alternativen zu denken. Sie sind aber weder Vorhersagen noch Prognosen, sondern bestehen aus plausiblen Annahmen und Trends, die kombiniert werden. Die Entwicklung der vier Szenarien folgt einem mehrstufigen methodischen Vorgehen, das auf einer qualitativen Erhebung von Trends unter den Leitungspersonen deutscher Bibliotheken basiert. Ziel der hier vorgestellten Szenarien ist es, zur Diskussion anzuregen und dazu einzuladen, die eigene Perspektive durch das Denken in Alternativen zu erweitern. This article presents future scenarios for public libraries in Germany in the year 2040 which look at possible futures. Scenarios serve as thinking tools that help to think in alternatives and think ahead. However, they are neither predictions nor forecasts, but consist of plausible assumptions and trends that are combined. The development of the four scenarios follows a multi-stage methodological procedure based on a qualitative survey of trends among the management staff of German libraries. The goal of the scenarios presented here is to stimulate discussion and invite people to broaden their own perspectives by thinking in terms of alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intracellular bacteria Anaplasma spp. and Coxiella burnetii and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are tick-transmitted pathogens circulating in the southern German sheep population. Knowledge of interaction among Anaplasma spp., C. burnetii and TBEV in sheep is lacking, but together they might promote and reinforce disease progression. The current study aimed to identify co-exposure of sheep to Anaplasma spp., C. burnetii and TBEV. For this purpose, 1,406 serum samples from 36 sheep flocks located in both southern German federal states, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria, were analysed by ELISAs to determine the antibody levels of the three pathogens. Inconclusive and positive results from the TBEV ELISA were additionally confirmed by a serum neutralisation assay. The proportion of sheep with antibodies against Anaplasma spp. (47.2%), C. burnetii (3.7%) and TBEV (4.7%) differed significantly. Significantly more flocks with Anaplasma spp. seropositive sheep (91.7%) were detected than flocks with antibodies against TBEV (58.3%) and C. burnetii (41.7%), but there was no significant difference between the number of flocks which contained TBEV and C. burnetii seropositive sheep. Seropositivity against at least two pathogens was detected in 4.7% of sheep from 20 flocks. Most co-exposed sheep had antibodies against Anaplasma spp./TBEV (n = 36), followed by Anaplasma spp./C. burnetii (n = 27) and Anaplasma spp./C. burnetii/TBEV (n = 2). Only one sheep showed an immune response against C. burnetii and TBEV. Flocks with sheep being positive against more than one pathogen were widely distributed throughout southern Germany. The descriptive analysis revealed no association between the antibody response of the three pathogens at animal level. Taking the flocks as a cluster variable into account, the exposure to TBEV reduced the probability of identifying C. burnetii antibodies in sheep significantly (odds ratio 0.46; 95% confidence interval 0.24–0.85), but the reason for this is unknown. The presence of Anaplasma spp. antibodies did not influence the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii and TBEV. Studies under controlled conditions are necessary to evaluate any possible adverse impact of co-exposure to tick-borne pathogens on sheep health. This can help to clarify rare disease patterns. Research in this field may also support the One Health approach due to the zoonotic potential of Anaplasma spp., C. burnetii and TBEV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Selenium is important for human health. However, the selenium status and selenium intake of the German population has not been recorded in a representative study so far. Material and Methods: Thus, literature from the last 50 years was screened in a systematic way and the results of various studies were pulled together to shed light on the selenium status of the German population. Moreover, the selenium content of selected food items that were either found on the German market or grown in Germany was researched and evaluated. Results: Of 3542 articles identified, 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. These 37 studies comprised a total of 8,010 healthy adults living in Germany with a weighted arithmetic mean of 82 μg/l selenium in plasma or serum. The results will form a basis for interpreting upcoming results from national food consumption surveys. Furthermore, 363 selenium values for 199 food items were identified out of 20 data sources—published or analysed between 2002 and 2019. An estimation of the selenium intake of the German population will be possible with this data in future nutrition surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Aufsatz skizziert grob die Entwicklung der Spartentrennung zwischen Öffentlichen und wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert Er beschreibt die strukturelle Konvergenz der Sparten ab Mitte der 1960er Jahre. Auf der Basis einer Diskursstrukturanalyse lässt sich feststellen, dass sich seit Mitte der 2000er Jahre der Abstand zwischen den Sparten wieder vergrößert. Es wird vorgeschlagen, die Unterschiede zwischen den Sparten unter dem Paradigma der Diversität umzuwerten und dann auf der Basis der Diskursanalyse nach Themen gesucht, die die Sparten im Dialog verbinden können. The paper illustrates how the relationship between the sectors of public and academic libraries in Germany developed in the 20th and 21st centuries. Following an initial period of strict separation in almost all respects and institutional structures, the two library sectors had started to gradually converge in the mid-1960s. On the institutional level, this process seemed to have come to an end by the year 2000, but quantitative discourse analyses show that the communication gap between the two library segments has been widening yet again since the mid-2000s. We propose a change in paradigm to capture the fact that the differences are indicators for an ever-expanding and more differentiated field. Discourse analysis will be used to identify topics and subjects that could serve as either 'boundary objects' or 'translatable objects' in the dialogue between the different library sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The important role of early self-regulation skills has been repeatedly demonstrated in research. However, there is a lack of studies that have simultaneously examined the influence of hot and cool self-regulation skills on school performance and behavior problems in a longitudinal design from preschool to elementary school and controlling intelligence. Our study was conducted in Germany with a total sample of N = 434 preschool-age children (age range from 5 to 7 years). In the German education system, children in the last year before starting school are considered preschool children. Relying on structural equation modeling, we found that children's intelligence and cool self-regulation skills are important for their school success. In addition, cool self-regulation skills in preschool are associated with behavior problems in elementary school. Since cool self-regulation predicts academic success even when controlling for intelligence, early intervention methods promoting cool self-regulation skills can positively affect subsequent school development. Likewise, a reduction of problem behavior patterns can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to dynamically model and quantify expected health effects of four scenarios: (i) a reference scenario with an unchanged fruit and vegetable intake, (ii) the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on fruits and vegetables, (iii) the implementation of a 20 % subsidy on fruits and vegetables and (iv) a guideline scenario with a population-wide fruit and vegetable intake of five portions per day.Design: Baseline fruit and vegetable intake data was derived from the GEDA 2012 study. We used price elasticities for Germany to calculate the change in fruit and vegetable consumption under the zero VAT and the 20 % subsidy scenario. All scenarios were modelled over a 10-year projection period using DYNAMO-HIA.Setting: Germany.Participants: A projected real-life population.Results: Cumulated over the 10-year projection period, an estimated 4450 incident ischaemic heart disease (IHD) cases, 7010 stroke cases and 13 960 deaths would be prevented under the zero VAT scenario. Under the 20 % subsidy scenario, 17 990 incident IHD cases, 27 390 stroke cases and 54 880 deaths would be averted. Although this corresponds to only a fraction of the incidents that would occur under the reference scenario, the averted cases translate to 2 % (for the zero VAT scenario) and 9 % (for the 20 % subsidy scenario) of IHD, stroke and death cases that would be prevented if the whole population consumed the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day.Conclusions: Fiscal policies on fruits and vegetables provide a non-negligible step towards the removal of the health burden induced by low fruit and vegetable intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We investigate the relationship between preschoolers' self-regulation and their mathematical competence and its development over the first two years of primary school using data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). Our results imply a positive association between self-regulation and mathematical competence levels, even when holding basic cognitive abilities constant. Self-regulation is, however, generally not related to competence development over the first two years of primary school. Children with low initial mathematical competence and, to some extent, children with migration background benefit from self-regulation at the transition to primary school but not between grades 1 and 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fact that the Geneva Convention of 1929 placed prisoners of war (POWs) under the laws in effect in the army of the detaining state meant that western POWs in Nazi Germany were exposed to the extremely repressive Nazi wartime legislation. Hundreds of western POWs had to appear in front of German court martials as a result of a joke on Hitler, a critical comment on the conditions of captivity or the behavior of German soldiers. They were judged under the Nazi anti-subversion laws, which led to thousands of death sentences for civilians and German soldiers (although none for a western POW). Even private remarks in a letter to family could lead to several years in military prison. German judicial practice against POWs became more repressive as cases multiplied and as the judges and civilian witnesses became more nervous toward the end of the war, leading to rapid and harsh judgments based on dubious evidence and frivolous denunciations. The court martials sometimes reflected the attitudes and subversive thoughts of German witnesses. The fact that the sentences were legal according to the Geneva Convention of 1929 prompted the drafters of the 1949 Geneva Convention to revise the provisions for trials of POWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study examined how quantity and quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC) are related to the socio-emotional adjustment of children born in Germany (30–48 months old, N = 395). Previous research focused on a small set of ECEC features, used broad measures, and yielded inconclusive results. We assessed ECEC quantity (age at entry, hours per week), process quality (CLASS Pre-K), structural quality (child-teacher ratio), and classroom composition (percentage of immigrant children). Controlling for child, family, and teacher characteristics, we tested main and interaction effects in regression analyses. Research Findings: More hours per week predicted lower adjustment only on specific indicators (hyperactivity, conduct problems) and only in classrooms with a high percentage of immigrant children or a high child-teacher ratio. In addition, a higher child-teacher ratio predicted more conduct problems, but only for children who entered ECEC at a very young age. Process quality did not predict adjustment. Practice or policy: In sum, this implies that German ECEC does not pose a major risk for children's socio-emotional adjustment, as only certain aspects of quantity and structural quality are linked to very specific socio-emotional outcomes under very specific circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Environmental heterogeneity among sites can generate phenotypic and genetic variation facilitating differentiation and microevolution of plant populations. Badlands are desert‐like, predominantly vegetation‐poor habitats often embedded in (semi‐)dry grasslands. The desert‐like conditions of badlands demand extreme adaptation of plants, that is, phenotypic modifications in short‐term and/or natural adaptation in long‐term. However, detailed knowledge is missing about both plant phenotypic and genetic differentiation in this unique and widely occurring habitat type. The present study focused on the largest known badlands systems in Central Europe located in the "Drei Gleichen" region, a designated nature conservation area in Central Germany. Locations were suitable for this study in terms of having co‐occurring badlands and (semi‐)dry grassland habitats (sites) occupied by the pioneer plant Thymus praecox. Here, we studied the environmental preferences, morphological and functional trait variation, and genetic variation using microsatellite markers of T. praecox. Results revealed significant, mainly site‐dependent environmental, phenotypic, and genetic differentiation. In general, individuals in badlands are shorter in height and have lower patch sizes (length × width), relative growth rates, and smaller stomata. The PCA additionally unveiled slightly increased leaf robustness, trichome density, decreased stomatal conductance, fewer females, and earlier phenology in badlands. We interpret differentiation patterns as adaptive responses to light, temperature, drought, and nutrient stress conditions supported by reviewed literature. Genetic differentiation was strongest between local badlands and grassland sites, and clearly weaker among locations and between sites (in total) as indicated by GST, AMOVA, PCoA, and population structure. Our study supports the importance of small‐scale microhabitat conditions as a driver of microevolutionary processes, and the population's need for sufficient phenotypic variation and genetic resources to deal with environmental changes. We demonstrated that badlands are an appropriate model system for testing plant response to extreme habitats and that more research is needed on these fascinating landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wichtigster Forschungsförderpreis in Deutschland geht an zwei Wissenschaftlerinnen und acht Wissenschaftler / Verleihung am 16. März 2020 in Berlin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Bibliothekswesen und Bibliographie is the property of Vittorio Klostermann and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Worldwide, food banks offer foods for free (e.g. USA) or at nominal costs (e.g. Germany), to people in need, but nothing is known about their impact on fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Study aims were to examine whether (1) German male food bank users have a higher FV intake (variety and amount) compared to non-food bank users and whether (2) providing fresh FV for free, which participants personally selected, can increase FV intake among men in dependence of their food bank use. For the first question, a cross-sectional design and for the second, a longitudinal design (randomized intervention study) were chosen. Sociodemographic variables and dietary patterns (Food Frequency questionnaire and FV variety questionnaire) were assessed at baseline and dietary patterns were evaluated again after the intervention. The intervention consisted of providing two daily portions of fresh FV each week for 4 weeks. In total, 52 men participated. Men using a food bank regularly consumed a significantly larger FV variety than non-food bank or infrequent food bank users. The provision of free FV improved intake among social disadvantaged men, whereby particularly non-food bank users benefited from the intervention. Using a food bank that offers fresh produce might be a promising public health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aufgrund der derzeitigen Gesetzeslage dürfen öffentliche Bibliotheken an Sonntagen nicht öffnen. Ein Gesetzesentwurf der nordrhein-westfälischen Landesregierung, der die Sonntagsöffnung ermöglichen soll, hat das Thema nun erneut auf die Agenda gebracht. Der Aufsatz beschäftigt sich mit den Veränderungen in der Nutzung der öffentlichen Bibliotheken und was diese mit der Sonntagsöffnung zu tun haben. Daraus folgt, dass die Sonntagsöffnung einer der nächsten logischen Schritte bei der Weiterentwicklung der öffentlichen Bibliotheken in der digitalen Gesellschaft sein wird. The current legal situation prohibits Sunday opening hours for public libraries. A new draft bill by the North Rhine-Westphalian government proposing to allow Sunday openings has placed the issue on the agenda again. The article addresses changes in the use of public libraries and how they are related to Sunday openings. This implies that Sunday openings are the next logical step in the further development of public libraries in a digital society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Diskussion über die Sonntagsöffnung in deutschen kommunalen Bibliotheken dauert seit 2007 an. In Nordrhein-Westfalen ist nun durch eine politische Entscheidung weitere Bewegung in die Diskussion gekommen. Ein kurzer zusammenfassender Rückblick auf die Diskussion und das Aufzeigen neuer Hürden, die je nach Bundesland und Einrichtung anders ausfallen können. Und die Hypothese: Haben wir nicht wichtigere Themen? Eine kritische Anmerkung. The debate on Sunday opening hours in public libraries in Germany has been ongoing since 2007. Due to a recent political decision in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, it has been fuelled further. After a brief summary of the debate, I shall indicate how new obstacles are created by this legislation, which vary widely depending on the federal state and/or kind of institution. One may ask - aren't there more important topics and issues to be solved? A critical comment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Will man eine Sonntagsöffnung öffentlicher Bibliotheken ermöglichen, so ist dies ohne gesetzgeberische Maßnahmen nicht möglich. Soll neben der bloßen Öffnung des Gebäudes auch Bibliothekspersonal am Sonntag beschäftigt werden, kann auf eine arbeitszeitrechtliche Regelung nicht verzichtet werden. Solange der Bund hier keine Neubestimmung der Ausnahmen in § 10 ArbZG vornimmt, bleibt für die Länder nur der Weg über eine Regelung in eigenen Bedarfsgewerbeverordnungen. Nordrhein-Westfalen wird diesen Weg nach Hessen als zweites Bundesland beschreiten. Im Gegensatz zu Hessen wurde die geplante Regelung aber sorgfältiger ausgearbeitet und begründet. Ob dies einen Rechtsstreit wie im Fall Hessens verhindern wird, bleibt abzuwarten. Nicht unrealistisch ist allerdings die Überlegung, dass die Neuregelung in Nordrhein-Westfalen nach Jahren des Stillstandes endlich auch auf der Bundesebene zu einer überfälligen Novelle des Arbeitszeitgesetzes führt. Without further legislative action, Sunday opening in public libraries is impossible. Regulating opening hours of the library building is not in itself sufficient, it will be necessary to ensure that library staff can work on Sundays as well. This requires a new legislation on working hours. With the legal reorganisation of the exemption clause in § 10 ArbZG by the German federal government still pending, the federal states will have to regulate Sunday working hours through their own commercial state laws. The second federal state after Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia is prepared to embark on this process. The planned regulation will be further specified and substantiated than in the Hessian case. It remains to be seen whether a legal dispute like the one caused in Hesse can thus be prevented. However, it is not unrealistic to think that a new regulation on working hours in North Rhine-Westphalia could also lead to the long overdue amendment of the Working Hours Act at federal level after years of deadlock in the matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children in immigrant families tend to face more challenges and can often call upon fewer resources than their native‐born peers. This situation adversely affects their social–emotional development. In this study, the development of emotion knowledge of 576 immigrant and native‐born German children, aged 3–6 years, was compared at three time points over a 12‐month period by means of a latent growth curve analysis. Language abilities and behavioural self‐regulation were examined as mediators of the relation between immigration background and emotion knowledge. The immigrant children showed less emotion knowledge than did their native‐born peers at each point of measurement. These effects were partially mediated by their behavioural self‐regulation and their language abilities. How behavioural self‐regulation and language abilities affect the development of emotion knowledge and what this effect means for interventions are discussed. Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Emotion knowledge develops rapidly between the ages of three and six.Emotion knowledge develops similarly in different cultures.What does this study adds?This study compares the development of emotion knowledge between immigrant children and native‐born children.It includes language skills as mediator on the development of emotion knowledge.It also includes behavioural self‐regulation as mediator on the development of emotion knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: The Black Forest is considered to be a rather unfavorable area, having a short vegetation period, low mean annual temperatures, high precipitation, and a pronounced relief. These conditions do not favor agricultural land use and thus it is widely accepted that people only began using the land intensively during the Middle Ages. In this integrated study 17 soil profiles, two peat bogs and a database of archaeological finds were used to reconstruct past land use impacts on the environment. AMS–14C datings of charcoals, luminescence datings of colluvial deposits, archaeological finds and pollen records indicate land use already during the Neolithic. This pre‐medieval land use might be related to seasonal settlements dominated by pastoralism and the use of wood or bedrock to build settlements and infrastructure or as energy supply. There is new evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze and Iron Age, which is a discrepancy to the absence of archaeological finds in the direct vicinity of the studied sites. With the beginning of the Middle Ages land use practices changed, most likely with the expansion and intensification of agricultural land use, which coincides with the increasing use of natural resources in the Black Forest. Hence, the main phases of colluvial deposition date to the Middle Ages and Modern Times. Increased contents of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, or Zn in medieval colluvial deposits might indicate smelting or mining, even though there are no known archeological sites pointing to such activities nearby. Whereas the pattern of colluvial deposition in the southeastern Black Forest points to distinct, but local land use in pre‐medieval times and to intensified and widespread land use since the Middle Ages, thick and multi‐layered colluvial deposits indicate intensive land use in the neighboring Baar region since the Neolithic. The different land use patterns of these two regions originate from the rather favorable conditions for agriculture in terms of soils, climate, and topography in the Baar region compared to the unfavorable conditions in the Black Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In American society, as elsewhere, social change has brought about a shift from the traditional nuclear family to more diverse forms of family, fatherhood and motherhood. But the much-cited change in family values and gender roles has not been linear - new research reveals a picture with light and dark sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the 2015 Annual Report of the International Librarian Associations and National Library Committee of Germany for the period February 2015 to January 2016.

The article presents Activity Report of the Federal Association of German Library Associations for the period from April 2015 to March 2016.

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Copyright of Bibliotheksdienst is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Die Musiksammlung der ZLB ist mit ihrem Bestand von ca. 270.000 Medieneinheiten eine der größten Öffentlichen Musikbibliotheken Deutschlands. Schon ihre Vorläufereinrichtungen, die Musikabteilungen der Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek und der Berliner Stadtbibliothek, waren für eine vielfältige Öffentlichkeitsarbeit bekannt, eine Tradition, die seit der Fusion zur ZLB fortgeführt wurde. Der Artikel portraitiert die Musikbibliothek der ZLB und stellt aktuelle Beispiele ihrer Öffentlichkeitsarbeit vor, bei denen Kooperationen im Vordergrund stehen. The ZLB's musical collection is one of the largest public music libraries in Germany, considering its collections of about 270,000 media units. Already its predecessors, the music departments of the American Memorial Library and of the Berliner Stadtbibliothek (Berlin city library), were known for their public relations work, a tradition kept up since they were merged to form the ZLB. The article portrays the ZLB's music library and presents current examples of its public relation work focussing on co-operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]