Analyzing factors influencing dairy farmers’ intention to implement animal welfare practices: a case study of Germany

In context of the growing focus on animal welfare in dairy farming, this study explores the behavioral intention to implement animal welfare (AW) practices among dairy farmers in Germany. Within this investigation, AW practices are defined as targeted practices to enhance dairy cows’ well-being. A quantitative survey of 682 farmers was conducted. The results of a regression analysis revealed that striving for continuous enhancement, along with intrinsic motivation, significantly drives the intention to implement AW practices. Additional efforts and costs do not influence dairy farmers’ intention. A collective, sector-wide effort is essential to ensure that farmers have the necessary freedom to navigate respective changes by providing the necessary structural backing to sustain meaningful improvements in animal welfare

Partizipation in der Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie

Participation in a Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: What are the Connections Between the Participatory Attitude of Employees and their Personality Factors? Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated a great desire for participation among underage patients. The implementation of participative elements in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy is influenced by the staff's attitude. The present study investigated the attitude toward the participation of the clinical staff working in a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital department via a questionnaire survey and assessed personality traits that may potentially affect their attitude toward participation. All respondents (N = 54) indicated a positive attitude toward participation, independent of the participants' age and professional background. Participants scoring higher on the personality trait "agreeableness" considered "trust" a more important factor of participation. More research is needed to identify factors that hinder and promote participation in child and adolescent psychiatric treatment and to implement participation in clinical practice

Evolution of Syngenite, K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O over a Wide Range of Temperatures and Pressures

The crystal chemistry of syngenite K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O and its lattice dynamics under low and high temperatures and high pressure were studied. The research facilities used include in situ temperature variable single-crystal (SCXRD) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), in situ PXRD under high pressure (HP), thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), and Raman spectroscopy. For the first time, a detailed study of syngenite in the range of negative temperatures down to −180 °C was performed. It indicates the absence of phase transitions in the range from −180 °C to 240 °C. The largest expansion of the structure is observed along the α11, which is consistent with the layered architecture. The minor thermal expansion along the α22 is observed in the plane of the [Ca(SO4)2]2− layer, formed by the bassanite-type chains. The study of powder samples at HP up to 20 GPa was carried out using synchrotron radiation and a diamond anvil cell. The phase transition is registered at 10 GPa. After the decompression, the syngenite post-phase becomes partially amorphized

The Interaction Between the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and Its Coexisting Fungal Microbiome Member Barnettozyma californica

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is known to feed on and interact with bacteria in its environment and has become a model organism for microbiome studies. However, whether and how C. elegans interacts with co-occurring fungi remains largely unknown, despite the presence of many fungal species in its natural habitat. Here, we isolate the yeast Barnettozyma californica from a mesocosm experiment with C. elegans and characterise its genome and interaction with the nematode. We find that, like bacterial microbiota, B. californica can colonise the intestine of C. elegans and can serve as a sole, albeit poor, food source for adult nematodes. Yet, when present together with Escherichia coli OP50, the fungus can lead to higher population growth and altered foraging behaviour, suggesting a context-dependent benefit. This effect varied between different natural C. elegans strains, suggesting a genomic basis for the nematode's interaction with B. californica. On the fungal side, we could not identify any obvious candidate genes for its interaction with C. elegans and/or E. coli OP50, despite obtaining a fully assembled and annotated genome of the isolated B. californica strain. Overall, our results provide an intriguing example of the complexity and multi-level relationship between naturally interacting fungi, bacteria and animals

Grassland restoration practice in Central Europe: drivers of success across a broad moisture gradient

Ongoing ecosystem degradation and loss demand restoration efforts worldwide. In Central Europe, semi-natural grasslands are in focus, and better understanding of restoration success and its drivers is needed. For practical projects, systematic screening remains lacking. We compared plant species composition of 41 recipient sites 3–18 years after restoration via plant material transfer with composition of their donor sites. Further, we analyzed establishment of habitat-typical and endangered species. Spanning a gradient of moisture conditions, sites were located in Germany and Luxembourg. Soil characteristics, biomass productivity, and restoration setup (e.g. previous site state, age) were investigated as potential drivers of success. In dry grasslands, success was highest, likely due to the creation of raw soils at several sites before plant material application. While raw soils generally favored the establishment of endangered species, the resulting low-productive and dry conditions sometimes posed challenges for mesic grassland restoration. In mesic grasslands, elevated soil pH of some recipient sites further contributed to divergence in species composition compared to donor sites. In alluvial grasslands, high nutrient and productivity levels of recipient sites impeded restoration success. Wet grasslands were successfully restored when soil moisture was sufficient. Across grassland types, species richness decreased with time since restoration, yet the number and cover of habitat-typical and endangered species remained stable. Introducing typical species in addition to plant material transfer supported restoration. We advocate for large-scale, systematic investigations of practical grassland restoration projects combined with well-defined monitoring guidelines across different regions to address this complex challenge in the coming decades

Electron, light, and matter interactions beyond nonrecoil approximations

This thesis investigates quantum-coherent interactions between slow electrons and optical fields beyond the conventional nonrecoil approximation. While high-energy electron–photon interactions are well described within this approximation, slow electrons experience significant momentum exchange and recoil when interacting with intense near-fields. The first part focuses on spontaneous light emission studied through cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. In WSe2, combined experiments and simulations reveal that thin flakes exhibit strong coupling between Cherenkov radiation and the A-exciton, whereas in thicker samples, deceleration-induced emission becomes dominant. Furthermore, in GaN/AlGaN heterostructures, the excitation of secondary electrons leads to depth-dependent luminescence, enabling selective probing of defect and interface states. The second part of this thesis explores stimulated interactions using a Maxwell–Schrödinger framework to simulate the dynamics of slow-electron wavepackets near laser-excited gold nanorods. By tuning the laser polarization, near-field geometry, and excitation configuration, both amplitude and phase modulation of the electron wavefunction are achieved, extending beyond the conventional PINEM description. Furthermore, rotating plasmonic fields generated by two counterpropagating laser pulses with a controlled temporal delay are shown to transfer angular momentum, direction-dependent recoil, and energy exchange within the electron wavepacket, introducing the concept of plasmonic rotors for coherent electron control. Finally, custom-designed components a diverging electrostatic lens and a gridless retarding field energy analyzer are developed for integration into SEM. This work establishes slow electrons as powerful quantum probes for nanophotonics, ultrafast spectroscopy, and quantum information science

Ein Jahr DeepGreen an der CAU: Eine Zwischenbilanz

After one year of participation in the second test phase of the DeepGreen project, the University Library (UB) of Kiel has conducted an interim evaluation of its implementation at Christian‑Albrechts‑University (CAU). As of September 2020, approximately 600 scholarly articles or contributions by CAU authors, mostly published in 2019‑2020, have been identified as eligible for Open‑Access secondary publication. These works come from participating publishers including MDPI, Frontiers, Sage, De Gruyter, Karger, and more recently Wiley. To support the process, UB Kiel introduced the DeepGreen Publications Router, a data hub that continuously displays publications suitable for second publication and maps institutional affiliation via an affiliation file. Moreover, the OA publication server MACAU was established to serve as a permanent archive and freely accessible platform. MACAU ensures discoverability via search engines like Google and Google Scholar, library catalogs, and aggregators such as OpenAIRE, and supports metadata formats (BibTeX, RIS), persistent identifiers, cataloging workflows, and mirroring by the German National Library. So far (by December 2020), 273 publications from MDPI and Frontiers have been secondarily published via MACAU and entered into library and union catalogs. Particular strength is evident in the life, marine, and medical sciences, nutrition, and engineering, reflecting the disciplinary distribution among CAU’s faculties and research centers. While DeepGreen has demonstrably enhanced visibility, archiving, and reduced the effort involved in secondary Open Access publication, challenges remain—especially with embargo periods, license conditions, and fully automating workflows. Continued institutional support is deemed essential for deeper transformation in publication culture.Zur Unterstützung des Geschäftsganges Zweitveröffentlichungen im Open Access hat die UB Kiel den DeepGreen Publications Router eingeführt, einen Datenhub, der kontinuierlich für eine Zweitveröffentlichung geeignete Publikationen anzeigt und die institutionelle Zugehörigkeit über eine Zugehörigkeitsdatei abbildet. Darüber hinaus wurde der OA-Publikationsserver MACAU eingerichtet, der als permanentes Archiv und frei zugängliche Plattform dient. MACAU gewährleistet die Auffindbarkeit über Suchmaschinen wie Google und Google Scholar, Bibliothekskataloge und Aggregatoren wie OpenAIRE und unterstützt Metadatenformate (BibTeX, RIS), persistente Identifikatoren, Katalogisierungsworkflows und die Spiegelung durch die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek. Bis jetzt (Stand Dezember 2020) wurden 273 Publikationen von MDPI und Frontiers über MACAU sekundär veröffentlicht und in Bibliotheks- und Verbundkataloge aufgenommen. Besondere Stärken zeigen sich in den Bereichen Biowissenschaften, Meereswissenschaften, Medizin, Ernährungswissenschaften und Ingenieurwissenschaften, was die fachliche Verteilung unter den Fakultäten und Forschungszentren der CAU widerspiegelt. Während DeepGreen nachweislich die Sichtbarkeit und Archivierung verbessert und den Aufwand für sekundäre Open-Access-Veröffentlichungen reduziert hat, bleiben Herausforderungen bestehen – insbesondere in Bezug auf Sperrfristen, Lizenzbedingungen und die vollständige Automatisierung von Arbeitsabläufen. Eine kontinuierliche institutionelle Unterstützung wird als unerlässlich für eine tiefgreifende Transformation der Publikationskultur angesehen

Die Anfänge der Partnerschaft zwischen der Adam-Mickiewicz-Universität in Posen und der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (1973–1984)

Der Beitrag untersucht die Anfänge der Partnerschaft zwischen der Adam-Mickiewicz-Universität in Posen (UAM) und der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU) in den Jahren 1973 bis 1984. Auf Grundlage umfangreicher Archivquellen wird rekonstruiert, wie die ersten Kontakte geknüpft, gemeinsame wissenschaftliche Projekte wie die Kieler Universitätstage organisiert und der Studierenden- und Forschendenaustausch etabliert wurden. Die Analyse verdeutlicht, dass die Kooperation nicht nur auf universitärer Ebene, sondern auch durch die Unterstützung der Stadt Kiel und des Landes Schleswig-Holstein ermöglicht wurde. Politisch eingebettet in die Ostpolitik Willy Brandts und den deutsch-polnischen Verständigungsprozess, erscheint die Partnerschaft als Modellfall für akademische Zusammenarbeit über ideologische Grenzen hinweg. Trotz bürokratischer Hürden und des langen Wartens auf einen offiziellen Vertrag entwickelte sich eine enge Zusammenarbeit, die den wissenschaftlichen Austausch förderte, zum Brückenbau zwischen den Gesellschaften beitrug und den Grundstein für eine bis heute andauernde Partnerschaft legte.This article examines the early phase of the partnership between Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (UAM) and Kiel University (CAU) from 1973 to 1984. Drawing on extensive archival sources, it reconstructs how initial contacts were established, joint academic projects such as the Kiel University Days organized, and student as well as faculty exchanges initiated. The study highlights that the collaboration was not only fostered by the universities themselves but also actively supported by the city of Kiel and the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Situated within the context of Willy Brandt’s Ostpolitik and the broader German-Polish reconciliation process, the partnership represents a model of academic cooperation across ideological divides. Despite bureaucratic obstacles and the delayed signing of an official agreement, the cooperation flourished, promoting scholarly exchange, fostering mutual understanding, and laying the foundation for a partnership that has endured for over fifty years

Nordelbingen 91.2025

In Nordelbingen werden neue Forschungen zur Geschichte der Kunst, Kultur, Architektur, Literatur und Musik in Schleswig-Holstein im Open Access veröffentlicht. Das Jahrbuch richtet sich an Fachwissenschaftlerinnen und Fachwissenschaftler sowie an Interessierte der verschiedenen Disziplinen. Publiziert werden Aufsätze und Rezensionen, die sich auf das Gebiet nördlich der Elbe einschließlich Lübeck und Hamburg beziehen. Band 91 enthält acht thematisch vielfältige Beiträge, die von den Aufnahmeriten im Kloster Preetz über infrarotreflektografische Neufunde im dortigen Chorgestühl, den Streit um die Eiderstedter Täufer als Beispiel innerchristlicher Toleranz, eine neuentdeckte Entwurfszeichnung von Jürgen Ovens, die 1755 entstandenen Embleme am Kieler Rathaus, Aspekte einer Musikästhetik Carl Friedrich Cramers, die jüdischen Friedhöfe in Schleswig-Holstein bis hin zur Entdeckung eines kleinen Teils des Bayeux-Teppichs im Landesarchiv. Überdies beinhaltet die Ausgabe einen Überblick über die Schleswig-Holsteinische Literatur des Jahres 2024 sowie einen umfangreichen Rezensionsteil.In Nordelbingen, new research on the history of art, culture, architecture, literature and music in Schleswig-Holstein is published in open access. The yearbook is aimed at specialised scholars as well as those interested in the various disciplines. It publishes essays and reviews relating to the area north of the Elbe, including Lübeck and Hamburg. Volume 91 contains eight thematically diverse contributions, ranging from the admission rites at Preetz Convent and new infrared-reflectographic findings in its choir stalls, to the dispute over the Anabaptists of Eiderstedt as an example of intra-Christian tolerance, a newly discovered draft drawing by Jürgen Ovens, the emblems created for Kiel Town Hall in 1755, aspects of Carl Friedrich Cramer’s musical aesthetics, the Jewish cemeteries in Schleswig-Holstein, and finally the discovery of a small portion of the Bayeux Tapestry in the State Archive. In addition, the issue includes an overview of Schleswig-Holstein literature published in 2024 as well as an extensive review section

Digital lifestyle management application (levidex) for empowerment and health behaviour change in early multiple sclerosis - Results of the randomised controlled POWER@MS1 trial

Background This randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of a personalised digital lifestyle management application ('levidex') on inflammatory disease activity in newly diagnosed people with MS (pwMS), compared to a non-personalised application ('dexilev') that covered similar lifestyle-related content. Methods Participants (N = 234) were recruited from July 2019 to April 2022 in 20 study centres in Germany and randomised to levidex (intervention group (IG), n = 115) or 'dexilev' (control group (CG), n = 119). Follow-up data was collected over 1-2 years. The combined primary endpoint (new T2 lesion and/or relapse) was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Key secondary endpoints included self-reported quality of life and health behaviour. Results There was no difference in the time to the first relapse and/or new T2 lesion between IG and CG (Hazard Ratio: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.66, 1.27], p = 0.596). After 3 months, self-reported diet quality was higher in the IG (0.43; 95% CI: [0.14, 0.72], p = 0.0037). There was no difference in other secondary endpoints between IG and CG after 3 and 12 months. Conclusions This study failed to meet its primary endpoint and usage of levidex did not differ from dexilev in its effects on inflammatory disease activity or behaviour change in this cohort of pwMS