Search

Advances in social norm research indicated the potential benefit of utilizing social referents, who are highly connected to others and have outstanding positions in social networks, and therefore may effectively provide normative cues for other group members. Addressing the need to increase intergroup tolerance among adolescents, we developed an intervention for secondary schools focusing on network-identified social referents, who were encouraged to spread "Equality-Based Respect" norms to increase peer-to-peer tolerant relationships. We examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of "Together for Tolerance" in a waitlist-controlled trial (N= 1,339). Implementation was largely as planned, with high acceptability among randomly selected social referents. However, we observed no increase in perceived respect norms or tolerant behaviors, apart from a potential short-term benefit in tolerance among students exposed to peer-led actions. We address conceptual (e.g., the role of norms) and methodological (e.g., positive initial attitudes) limitations, and suggestions for future implementation and evaluation.

Background: The sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1)/PlGF (placental growth factor) ratio serves as a clinical biomarker to predict the hypertensive, placenta-derived pregnancy disorder pre-eclampsia which is often associated with placental dysfunction and fetal growth restriction. Additionally elevated levels also indicate an increased risk for prematurity. However, its predictive value for subsequent neonatal neurological outcome has not been studied. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of maternal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio with early motor outcome of preterm infants. Design/Methods: 88 preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 34 + 0) born between February 2017 and August 2020 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Essen in Germany, were included, when the following variables were available: maternal sFlt-1/PlGF levels at parturition and general movement assessment of the infant at the corrected age of 3 to 5 months. The infants were stratified into high and low ratio groups according to maternal sFlt-1/PlGF cut-off values of 85. To investigate the early motor repertoire and quality of spontaneous movements of the infant, the Motor Optimality Score (MOS-R) based on antigravity movements and posture patterns, was applied. In the given age, special attention was paid to the presence of fidgety movements. Linear regressions were run to test differences in infants motor repertoire according to the maternal sFlt-1/PIGF ratio. Results: Linear regression analysis showed that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio does not predict the MOS-R score (β=≤0.001; p =0.282). However, children with birth weight below the 10th percentile scored significantly lower (mean 20.7 vs 22.7; p =0.035). These children were 91% in the group with an increased ratio, which in turn is a known predictor of low birth weight (β= -0.315; p < 0.001). In the group with a high sFlt-1/PLGF ratio above 85 the mothers of female infants had a lower average sFlt-1/PlGF ratio compared to a male infant (median: 438 in female vs. 603 in male infant, p =0.145). Conclusions: In our cohort, especially low birth weight, which correlated with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, had a negative effect on the outcome in the MOS-R. A direct correlation between an increased ratio and a worse motor outcome was not demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the recent rise of a "new history of capitalism", studies of both the Weimar Republic and the Nazi regime have been surprisingly absent. The Weberian juxtaposition of "rational capitalism" and "political capitalism" discussed by Geyer resonates with findings in several other chapters, but is not taken up again explicitly. Reshaping Capitalism in Weimar and Nazi Germany. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the history of the Imperial Ministry of Finance (Reichsfinanzministerium) which operated in Germany from 1919 to 1945 and attempts to position the institution as a counterworld within 20th-century public finance. German budgetary policy is analyzed and the impact of the shift from bureaucracy to dictatorship on the ministry is described, the history of German state-building is examined, and information is offered on structural changes in the ministry wrought by the National Socialist party of Germany.

Owing to its long building history, different types of building stones comprised the construction of the Cologne Cathedral. Severe damage is observed on the different stones, e.g., sandstones, carbonate, and volcanic rocks, especially when the different stone materials neighbor the medieval 'Drachenfels trachyte' from the 'Siebengebirge'. The question arises, 'Is the insufficient compatibility of the implemented building materials causatively related to the strong decay of the Drachenfels trachyte?' The present investigations focus on the petrography and mineralogical composition of eight different stones from the Cologne Cathedral. Petrophysical data, i.e., phase content, moisture and thermal characteristics as well as strength properties are determined and discussed in correlation to each other, showing that not only in terms of lithology great differences exist, but also the petrophysical properties strongly diverge. The ascertained parameters are discussed in view of the deterioration behavior and decay mechanisms of the different stones. To evaluate the compatibility of original, replacement and modern building materials, the properties of the investigated stones are compared to those of Drachenfels trachyte by means of constraints given in the literature. Besides optical properties, petrophysical criteria are also defined as well as strength values. It could be shown that primarily moisture properties, i.e., capillary and sorptive water uptake, water saturation, drying processes and moisture dilatation can be addressed to the deterioration processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on issues related to rehabilitation which were discussed at a study group in Germany. A starting point for these arguments were the questions of name recognition and the present claim of the service places as well as one of intensification of public relations. The study also observed that the introduction of the common service places by the legislation SGB IX was and is sensible. The use of the service places needs to become recognizable. This counts to the potential "customers" of the service places; only if it becomes clear that it is worthwhile to switch on the service places will the customers come. Also the "pathological cases" should not be looked as a case of services place. The employees of the service places must be qualified extensively. This should be not only in legal areas foreign to them, but also concerning: interlinking competence; conversation guidance competence; knowledge of clients and female clients; and contacts between service places and disabled persons' federations. Self-help groups for other affected persons are necessary. Baden-Wüttemberg is a good example of organization of a service place.