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Background: Internalizing symptoms are among the most common psychological symptoms in childhood and adolescence, are highly stable and can cause severe impairment. Current research discusses lower capacities of self-regulation (SR) as risk factors for the development of internalizing symptoms. The present study identifies trajectories of internalizing symptoms in the transition phase from middle childhood to adolescence and examines multiple SR facets as predictors of potentially unfavorable trajectories, also in the presence of other established risk factors. Methods: The study utilized a community sample of N = 1453 (52.2% female) German children, who provided data at up to three measurement points (t1: 6–11 years, t2: 7–11 years, t3: 9–13 years). Trajectories of internalizing symptoms were based on parents' ratings of the emotional problems scale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. SR facets were assessed using multiple methods and informants. Two multinomial regression analyses were conducted to predict class membership by (1) SR facets and gender and (2) SR facets, gender, and other established risk factors (education status, family adversity, peer problems). Results: Using growth mixture modelling, we identified three trajectory classes with stable low (n = 1200), increasing (n = 124), and early high decreasing internalizing symptoms (n = 129). In the regression analysis controlling for risk factors, membership in the increasing trajectory was significantly predicted by higher emotional reactivity (OR = 2.65, p <.001), higher cognitive flexibility/set-shifting (OR = 1.48, p =.032), and higher family adversity (OR = 1.38, p =.046). Membership in the early high decreasing trajectory was significantly predicted by higher emotional reactivity (OR = 4.15, p <.001), higher inhibitory control (OR = 1.47, p =.045), lower working-memory updating (OR = 0.69, p =.016), lower delay of gratification (OR = 0.75, p =.028), and higher family adversity (OR = 1.63, p =.001). Conclusions: SR facets incrementally and differentially predict potentially unfavorable trajectories of internalizing symptoms from age 6 to 13, surpassing the predictive value of gender or education status. Higher emotional reactivity emerged as the most influential factor, which could therefore be addressed in future prevention and intervention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare autoimmune disorder occurring after a latency period following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The therapeutic regime of MIS-C is adapted to the therapy of the Kawasaki disease, as clinical symptoms are similar. Since the Kawasaki disease can potentially result in severe symptoms, which may even affect long-term health, it is essential to gain further knowledge about MIS-C. Thus, we aimed to investigate the incidence, symptoms, therapeutical procedure and outcome of MIS-C patients in the metropolitan area of Nuremberg-Erlangen during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical charts of MIS-C patients was carried out at three children's hospitals covering the medical care of the metropolitan area of Nuremberg-Erlangen in Germany. Demographic characteristics and symptoms at first visit, their clinical course, therapeutic regime and outcome were recorded within the time period January 2021–December 2022. Results: Analysis of 10 patients (5 male, 5 female) with MIS-C resulting in an incidence of 2.14/100.000 children. The median time between COVID-19 infection and admission to hospital was 5 weeks. The median age was 7 years. Symptoms comprised fever (100%), rash (70%), bilateral non-purulent conjunctivitis (70%) and urticaria (20%). At the time of presentation, diagnosis-defining inflammation parameters were increased and the range for C-reactive protein was 4.13 mg/dL to 28 mg/dL, with a median of 24.7 mg/dL. Procalcitonin was initially determined in six patients (1.92 ng/mL to 21.5 ng/mL) with a median value of 5.5 pg/mL. Two patients displayed leukocytosis and two displayed leukopenia. None of the patients presented coronary pathologies. Nine of the ten patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. In addition, patients received intravenous steroids (80%) and acetylsalicylic acid (80%). Conclusion: SARS-CoV virus may rarely exert multiorgan manifestations due to hyperinflammatory immunological processes. Within two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we identified ten patients with COVID-induced MIS-C in the metropolitan area Nuremberg-Erlangen. In the description of the patient collective, we can confirm that MIS-C is distinguished from the Kawasaki disease by the lack of coronary manifestations. Interestingly, although having monitored all pediatric facilities in the investigated area, we find lower incidences of MIS-C compared to findings in the literature. In conclusion, an overestimation of incidences in the upcoming MIS-C during the pandemic needs to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) have been around since 1960 but have only become major players in housing markets in the last twenty years. The current and ongoing wave of residential REIT (R-REIT) expansion has attracted significant scholarly and broader public interest. This article examines how real estate, finance, and the state are configured in relation to each other through R-REITs. While much of the housing financialization literature has focused on the real estate/state axis of this relationship, we explore the underexamined connections between the real estate/finance axis and the finance/state axis of the real estate–finance–state triangle. We analyze the financial accounts of the world's fifteen largest publicly traded R-REITs and R-REIT–like funds in the two largest markets: the United States and Germany. Our findings demonstrate how the ownership of R-REIT stock is remarkably homogeneous: the largest shareholders in each of the studied R-REITs are the three largest index exchange-traded funds, which are heavily backed by pension fund capital. For these investors, it is important that R-REITs provide a healthy return on investment at the lowest possible risk. The investors require the state, in its various guises, to guarantee attractive risk-adjusted returns on R-REITs investments. We identify six dimensions of state de-risking in this context, deepening our understanding of the role of the state in housing financialization. It is the state that creates the trust in real estate investment trusts, and it thus is what generates the investment in real estate investment trusts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflated responsibility is ascribed a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of the study was to assess interpersonal attitudes and behaviors contributing to enhanced responsibility in OCD. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that individuals diagnosed with OCD share stronger latent aggression toward others, resulting in a high degree of interpersonal ambivalence. A total of 176 participants with OCD, 42 participants with anxiety or depression as well as 42 healthy controls completed the "Responsibility and Interpersonal Behaviors and Attitudes Questionnaire" (RIBAQ). The factor analysis confirmed three factors: (1) inflated worry/responsibility, (2) latent aggression/calculating behavior and (3) suspiciousness/distrust. Whereas the psychiatric group displayed enhanced scores relative to healthy participants regarding responsibility and suspiciousness, OCD patients achieved significantly higher scores on the latent aggression dimension relative to both control groups. Results are consistent with the notion that participants with OCD show both inflated levels of (authentic) responsibility and latent aggression. (Contains 3 tables.)

Monitoring of the Theodor‐Heuss‐bridge in Düsseldorf – part 1: motivation, monitoring concept and structural behavior findings The Theodor‐Heuss‐bridge in Düsseldorf is Germany's oldest cable‐stayed bridge and the world's first bridge with harp‐shaped cables. Since its opening in 1957, the traffic load has increased progressively. As with many other bridges with orthotropic deck slabs, this led to deterioration over time – for instance in the form of cracks. A recalculation of the structure shows significant deficits – especially with regard to fatigue in the orthotropic deck. Therefore, a monitoring system consisting of more than 80 sensors was installed on the structure in 2019 and operated for more than one year. This paper shows the development of the monitoring concept, its implementation and evaluation. Findings on the load‐bearing behavior are derived from the measurement data. A significant correlation between the fatigue loads and the temperature is found. On the one hand, the stiff asphalt layer contributes to the load transfer, on the other hand, it has a greater load distribution effect. The monitoring also shows that the influence of wheel loads dominates and that a reduction in the permissible gross vehicle weight has only a small benefit. Rather, the wheel loads must be limited in order to relieve the components of the orthotropic deck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become the most challenging global health pandemic since the 1918 flu. In Germany, more than 3.4 million cases are confirmed so far, including 83,000 deaths. Increased fatality rates among patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent this group at particular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in health perception among patients with aortic diseases during the first (w1) and second wave (w2) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Material and Methods: Patients (n = 262) diagnosed with aortic disease participated in telephone interviews during w1 and w2. The perception of COVID-19 as a threat was examined using relevant items of the Brief Illness Perception (BIP) questionnaire. Results: The BIP score increased from 9.18 (SD = 7.132) to 14.58 (SD = 6.956) between w1 and w2 (p < 0.001). Although this population is at high risk their overall perception of COVID-19 as a threat was low in the beginning, but surged during w2. Main reasons were increased effects on personal life and elevated concerns about the pandemic, but did not include the educational aspect of COVID-19. Conclusions: Tailored risk communication strengthens the mental health of people in a public health crisis and ensures the success of governmental guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The usual approach in hernia surgery is to select the ideal repair method independent of the patient's characteristics. In the present study, we change the approach to ask which technique is best for the individual patient`s risk profile. For this, two criteria are important: does the patient need reconstruction of the abdominal wall? or does he or she need treatment of symptoms without being exposed to unnecessarily high perioperative risks?Methods: In a heuristic selection procedure, 486 consecutive patients were classified according to their characteristics as low-risk or high-risk for postoperative complications. Low-risk patients preferentially underwent open abdominal wall reconstruction with mesh (MFR + mesh), high-risk patients mainly a bridging-mesh procedure, either by laparoscopic (Lap.-IPOM) or open approach (Open-IPOM). Primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications. Secondary outcome was the recurrence-free interval. The propensity score was used for covariate adjustment analyzing recurrence rate as well as postoperative complications using Cox regression and logistic regression, respectively.Results: Comparison of all surgical procedures showed risk factors had no independent influence on occurrence of complications (p = 0.110). Hernial gap width was an independent factor for occurrence of complications (p = 0.002). Propensity score adjustment revealed Lap.-IPOM to have a significantly higher recurrence rate than MFR + mesh (HR 2.367, 95% CI 1.123-4.957, p = 0.024). Three or more risk factors were protective against recurrence (HR 0.454, 95% CI 0.221-0.924, p = 0.030). In the univariate Cox regression analysis for recurrence, age >50 years was a protective prognostic factor (HR 0.412, 95% CI 0.245-0.702, p = 0.002).Conclusions: The classification criteria applied were internally validated. The heuristic algorithm ensured that patients at high-risk of complications did not have a higher perioperative complication rate than patients at low-risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lavish 1616 Stuttgart Triumph ostensibly celebrated the christening of the Duke of Württemberg's third son, but its principal function was to serve as a gathering of the main leaders of the Protestant Union. The ten-day celebrations included a sumptuous masque invented by Georg Rudolf Weckherlin, who also produced full accounts of the christening celebrations in both German and English. This article analyses the portrayal of German and English national identity in these parallel texts, and argues that the English text was not, as previously believed, simply intended as a courtesy to Princess Elizabeth, but rather that it was designed to serve as propaganda among English readers for the cause of the Protestant Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original Pfannenstiel incision is discussed including the technique, history, current indications, advantages, and disadvantages. Excellent cosmetic results, principles of less traumatic surgery, and a rare incisional hernia complication rate of about 0-2%, as well as long-time use characterise this access path to the pelvic organs first described by the German gynaecologist in 1900. Complications of nerve damage, however, should be recognised, especially when extending the incision too far laterally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismicity in the Vogtland/NW-Bohemia region is mainly characterized by the occurrence of earthquake swarms. A key to a better understanding of the reasons of earthquake swarms can be provided by focal mechanism investigations. Here we present focal mechanisms for 12 of the strongest events (ML&ges;3.0) for the new swarm of 2000. With more than 10,000 events and magnitudes up to 3.7 the new swarm is the most prominent one since the big swarm in 1985/1986. The focal mechanisms of the swarm 2000 show different styles of faulting, namely strike-slip, normal and reverse faulting. There are indications for systematic temporal variations in the dislocation type. A comparison with the mechanisms of the preceding swarms of 1985/1986, 1994 and 1997 which all took place at the same location shows similarities in the faulting types and orientations of the nodal planes for the swarms of 1985/1986, 1994 and 2000. However, the focal mechanisms of 1997 do not fit into the scheme of the others. The focal mechanisms have also been used to determine the regional stress field. It turned out that the stress field in the Vogtland/NW-Bohemia region does not substantially differ from the known stress field in West and Central Europe. It is a strike slip regime with a SE–NW directed σ1-axis and a NE–SW directed σ3-axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The last strong earthquake swarm in the region Vogtland/NW-Bohemia occurred between August and November 2000 with about 10000 micro-earthquakes at magnitudes up to 3.7. On the territory of Germany the seismic activity was monitored both by means of permanent and mobile stations. Mobile stations were installed by the Seismological Central Observatory at Erlangen (SZGRF) in co-operation with the “Geo-Forschungs-Zentrum”-(GFZ)-Potsdam and the University of Potsdam. The objects of this paper are: (1) the presentation of seismic stations on the German side of the earthquake region during the swarm 2000, (2) the comparison of the frequency–time and magnitude–time distribution of the recent swarm 2000 with previous swarms in the 20th century. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Indoor air quality can be adversely affected by emissions from building materials, consequently having a negative impact on human health and well-being. In this study, more than 30 natural building materials (earth dry boards and plasters, bio-based insulation materials, and boards made of wood, flax, reed, straw, etc.) used for interior works were investigated as to their emissions of (semi-)volatile organic compounds ((S)VOC), formaldehyde, and radon. The study focused on the emissions from complete wall build-ups as they can be used for internal partition walls and the internal insulation of external walls. Test chambers were designed, allowing the compounds to release only from the surface of the material facing indoors under testing parameters that were chosen to simulate model room conditions. The emission test results were evaluated using the AgBB evaluation scheme, a procedure for the health-related evaluation of construction products and currently applied for the approval of specific groups of building materials in Germany. Seventeen out of 19 sample build-ups tested in this study would have passed this scheme since they generally proved to be low-emitting and although the combined emissions of multiple materials were tested, 50% of the measurements could be terminated before half of the total testing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]