Das letzte Mittel staatlicher Gewalt: Juristische Rahmenbedingungen, Prävalenz und Forschungsstand zum polizeilichen Schusswaffengebrauch

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen, die vorhandene Datengrundlage sowie den aktuellen Forschungsstand zum polizeilichen Schusswaffengebrauch. Zunächst werden die in Deutschland geltenden rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen analysiert, unter denen Polizeikräfte von ihrer Schusswaffe Gebrauch machen dürfen, wobei sowohl die öffentlich-rechtliche Ermächtigung als auch die strafrechtliche Rechtfertigung betrachtet werden. Bei der Auswertung des Ausmaßes des Schusswaffengebrauchs werden sowohl die offiziellen Statistiken, beauftragt durch die Innenministerkonferenz, als auch zivilgesellschaftlich gesammelte Medienberichte herangezogen. Dabei zeigt sich, dass insbesondere die offizielle Dokumentation bislang unzureichend ist. Darüber hinaus wird innerhalb des Beitrags der gegenwärtige Forschungsstand referiert, wobei deutlich wird, dass die empirische Forschung in Deutschland noch am Anfang steht. Internationale Studien, insbesondere aus den USA, geben Hinweise auf relevante Forschungsperspektiven, etwa zu ethnischen Disparitäten oder der Rolle psychischer Erkrankungen im Zusammenhang mit polizeilichem Schusswaffengebrauch. Diese Erkenntnisse sind aufgrund unterschiedlicher rechtlicher und gesellschaftlicher Kontexte jedoch nur begrenzt übertragbar. Der Beitrag macht deutlich, dass mehr empirische Forschung zum polizeilichen Schusswaffengebrauch in Deutschland erforderlich ist – sowohl für den wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisgewinn als auch zum Schutz aller in entsprechende Situationen involvierten Personen.This article examines the legal framework, empirical evidence, and current research on police firearm use. The analysis begins with a comprehensive review of German legal provisions governing police firearm deployment, encompassing both public law authorizations and criminal law justifications. To assess the prevalence of firearm use, the study synthesizes official statistics from the Standing Conference of Interior Ministers with media reports documented by civil society organizations in Germany. This comparative analysis reveals significant deficiencies in official documentation practices. The article then evaluates the current state of research, highlighting the nascent nature of empirical studies in Germany. While international research, particularly from the United States, offers valuable insights into crucial aspects such as ethnic disparities and the role of mental illness in police firearm incidents, the transferability of these findings is constrained by distinct legal and sociocultural contexts. This analysis underlines the urgent need for expanded empirical research on police firearm use in Germany, both to advance scholarly understanding and to enhance safety protocols for all parties involved

Ethylene Production in the Petrochemical Industry: Competitive Risks and Impacts of the EU Emission Trading Scheme

The European petrochemical industry is facing significant challenges that threaten its global competitiveness. Key challenges are the rising energy costs and a global increase in overcapacity for critical petrochemical building blocks, including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, mixed xylol, and toluene (Berry C., 2024). The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), established with the aim to facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the face of climate change, also imposes further economic burdens on the industry. European emitters must purchase CO2 allowances (EUAs), while the Carbon Boarder Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) does not provide full compensation for imports of chemicals from non-EU countries, exacerbating competitive disadvantages. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the competitiveness between the EU and the US in 2023, focusing on naphtha- and ethane-based steam cracking. The calculation of variable production costs for 2023 shows a competitive disadvantage for EU producers, with variable production costs in Europe being $200–$380 higher per ton compared to the US. The situation is further exacerbated by the cost of EUAs, which could increase production costs by up to 11.5% by 2030. The introduction of the EUAs for European CO2 emitters without cost compensation by considering imports via the CBAM leads to a further deterioration of the competitive situation. EUAs costs could represent up to 11.5% of variable production costs by 2030, depending on the technology and forecast. This study highlights the compounded impact of rising production costs and environmental regulations on the competitiveness of European ethylene production

Retrospective Evaluation of GEC-ESTRO Constraints for Definitive Radiochemotherapy with Brachytherapy and Correlation with Oncologic Outcome in Cervical Cancer: A Monocenter Study

Background: This study aims to evaluate patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who underwent definitive radiochemotherapy, including brachytherapy, at the University Hospital of Muenster (UKM), focusing on target volume coverage, oncologic outcome parameters, and organs at risk (OAR) toxicities. Results are compared with the Gyn GEC-ESTRO (GGE) recommendations. Methods: Of a cohort of 48 patients, treated between 2013 and 2023, the physical radiation treatment planning with application of CT and MRI and oncologic follow-up data was analyzed. Target volume structures, comprising the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV), intermediate-risk clinical target volume (IR-CTV), Point A, and corresponding EQD2(α/β=10) doses were determined. Endpoints included local tumor control, overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Total OAR (D2cc) EQD2(α/β=3) doses were correlated with adverse events defined by CTCAE v5.0 and LENT-SOMA criteria. Results: Median follow-up was 58.0 months (95% CI [27.6, 88.4]). FIGO stage I was present in 7 (15%) patients, II in 13 (27%), and III in 28 (58%) patients. A total of 38 (79%) patients showed a complete remission 3 months after treatment. The 5-year event-free rate was 67.4% (95% CI [49.3, 80.3]) for OS, 77.0% (95% CI [56.7, 88.6]) for RFS and 68.1% (95% CI [49.7, 80.9]) for PFS. Incomplete radiation treatment and advanced tumor stages led to worse outcomes. Meeting Point A GGE recommendations increased chances for complete remission and could decrease chances of an event occurring for OS, PFS, and RFS. Compliance with GGE recommendations lowered the chances of OAR toxicity occurring. Conclusions: MRI-based target volume definition for brachytherapy in cervical cancer may improve patients' OS, PFS, and RFS. Time-to-event endpoints are consistent with comparable studies, and adherence to current ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines is endorsed

Vascular response patterns to targeted therapies in murine breast cancer models with divergent degrees of malignancy

Background: Response assessment of targeted cancer therapies is becoming increasingly challenging, as it is not adequately assessable with conventional morphological and volumetric analyses of tumor lesions. The tumor microenvironment is particularly constituted by tumor vasculature which is altered by various targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to noninvasively assess changes in tumor perfusion and vessel permeability after targeted therapy in murine models of breast cancer with divergent degrees of malignancy. Methods: Low malignant 67NR or highly malignant 4T1 tumor-bearing mice were treated with either the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI, combination of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4). Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with i.v. injection of albumin-binding gadofosveset was conducted on a 9.4 T small animal MRI. Ex vivo validation of MRI results was achieved by transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: Therapy-induced changes in tumor vasculature differed between low and highly malignant tumors. Sorafenib treatment led to decreased tumor perfusion and endothelial permeability in low malignant 67NR tumors. In contrast, highly malignant 4T1 tumors demonstrated characteristics of a transient window of vascular normalization with an increase in tumor perfusion and permeability early after therapy initiation, followed by decreased perfusion and permeability parameters. In the low malignant 67NR model, ICI treatment also mediated vessel-stabilizing effects with decreased tumor perfusion and permeability, while ICI-treated 4T1 tumors exhibited increasing tumor perfusion with excessive vascular leakage. Conclusion: DCE-MRI enables noninvasive assessment of early changes in tumor vasculature after targeted therapies, revealing different response patterns between tumors with divergent degrees of malignancy. DCE-derived tumor perfusion and permeability parameters may serve as vascular biomarkers that allow for repetitive examination of response to antiangiogenic treatment or immunotherapy

In the Enchanted Forest of Play:Flow Consciousness and the Present Moment in Musical Improvisation with Children

Die Dissertation „Im Zauberwald des Spiels: Flowbewusstsein und Gegenwartsmoment in der musikalischen Improvisation mit Kindern“ untersucht die Rolle der Musiktherapie für die seelische Entwicklung von Kindern im schulischen Kontext. Die zentrale Forschungsfrage lautet, wie musikalisches Spiel eine seelische Verwandlung ermöglicht. Der theoretische Rahmen basiert auf der morphologischen Annahme von Rosemarie Tüpker, dass musikalische Prozesse seelische Prozesse abbilden. Die vier Behandlungsschritte Leiden-Können, Methodisch-Werden, Anders-Werden und Bewerkstelligen beschreiben diese Transformation. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, den Zusammenhang zwischen Spielprozessen (Winnicott), Flow (Csikszentmihalyi), Gegenwartsmoment (Stern), Assimilation und Akkommodation (Piaget) und dem seelischen Wandel zu erörtern. In sechs Fallbeispielen wird gezeigt, wie Musiktherapie in der Schule als Raum für Selbstbildung und seelische Transformation therapeutisch genutzt werden kann.The dissertation “Im Zauberwald des Spiels: Flowbewusstsein und Gegenwartsmoment in der musikalischen Improvisation mit Kindern” examines the role of music therapy for the emotional development of children in a school context. The central research question is how musical play enables psychological transformation. The theoretical framework is based on Rosemarie Tüpker's morphological assumption that musical processes map mental processes. The four treatment steps of being able to suffer, becoming methodical, becoming different and accomplishing describe this transformation. The aim of the work is to discuss the connection between play processes (Winnicott), flow (Csikszentmihalyi), present moment (Stern), assimilation and accommodation (Piaget) and mental transformation. Six case studies show how music therapy can be used therapeutically in schools as a space for self-education and mental transformation

How organisations regulate Muslim body practices: a comparison of schools, hospitals, and swimming pools

In a comparison of three human service organisations in which the human body plays a key role, we examine how organisations regulate religious body practices. We concentrate on Muslim norms of dressing and undressing as a potential focal point of cultural and religious diversity. Inspired by Ray’s (2019) idea of racialized organizations, we assume that state-run organizations in Germany are characterized by a strong commitment to religious tolerance and non-discrimination but also marked by anti-Muslim sentiment prevalent among the German population. Our study looks for mechanism that explain how Human Service Organizations accommodate Muslim body practices. It draws on qualitative empirical data collected in state-run hospitals, schools and swimming pools in Germany. Our analyses show that the organizations draw on formal and informal rules at the organizational level to accommodate Islam. We identify five general organizational mechanisms that may hinder Muslim accommodation in human service organizations. In particular, we see a risk of decoupling between the expectation of religious tolerance and processes that lead to informal discrimination, driven mainly by the difficulty of controlling group dynamics among users

Financial Parliament

Ein Finanzparlament oder vergleichbares Gremium anderen Namens würde finanzielle Entscheidungen treffen oder zumindest kontrollieren für seine jeweilige Organisation, sei diese ein Staat, eine internationale Vereinigung oder ein Verein. Stimmrechte für ein Finanzparlament würden nicht nach Köpfen vergeben, sondern nach den Zahlungen an die Organisation, z. B. Steuern, Beiträge oder Spenden. Dies würde die Geldgeber stärker einbinden, könnte die Einnahmen steigern und die finanziellen Entscheidungen verbessern.A financial parliament or a similar body by another name would make or at least supervise financial decisions for its respective organisation, be it a state, an international association or a club. Voting rights for a financial parliament would not be awarded per capita, but according to payments to the organisation, e.g. taxes, contributions or donations. This would involve payers more, could increase revenue and improve financial decisions

Zellselektives aktives Targeting mit proteinbasierten Nanopartikeln

In dieser Arbeit wurden die Eigenschaften von Albumin-basierten Nanopartikeln mit kovalent gebundenem Trastuzumab zum aktiven Targeting an HER2/neu-überexprimierende Zellen unter verschiedenen Aspekten untersucht. Hierbei wurden fluoreszenzmarkierte Nanopartikel im Co-Kulturmodell und an dreidimensionalen Tumorsphäroiden untersucht und durchflusszytometrisch ausgewertet. Um die Effektivität des Nanopartikelsystems als selektives Drug-Delivery-System zu bewerten, wurde das zelltoxische Puromycin über einen Cathepsin B-spaltbaren Linker an die Albumin-Matrix der Nanopartikel gebunden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass diese wirkstoffbeladenen Nanopartikel die Zellviabilität von nur HER2/neu-positiven Zellen reduzierten, während HER2/neu-negative Zellen geschützt wurden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit belegen die erfolgreichen aktiven Targeting-Eigenschaften des beschriebenen Partikelsystems

Assessment of the Ferroptosis Regulators: Glutathione Peroxidase 4, Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member 4, and Transferrin Receptor 1 in Patient-Derived Endometriosis Tissue

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death, plays a pivotal role in various diseases and is gaining considerable attention in the realm of endometriosis. Considering the classical pathomechanism theories, we hypothesized that ferroptosis, potentially driven by increased iron content at ectopic sites, may contribute to the progression of endometriosis. This retrospective case–control study provides a comprehensive immunohistochemical assessment of the expression and tissue distribution of established ferroptosis markers: GPX4, ACSL4, and TfR1 in endometriosis patients. The case group consisted of 38 women with laparoscopically and histologically confirmed endometriosis and the control group consisted of 18 women with other gynecological conditions. Our study revealed a significant downregulation of GPX4 in stromal cells of endometriosis patients (M = 59.7% ± 42.4 versus 90.0% ± 17.5 in the control group, t (54) = −2.90, p = 0.005). This finding aligned with slightly, but not significantly, higher iron levels detected in the blood of endometriosis patients, using hemoglobin as an indirect predictor (Hb 12.8 (12.2–13.5) g/dL versus 12.5 (12.2–13.4) g/dL in the control group; t (54) = −0.897, p = 0.374). Interestingly, there was no concurrent upregulation of TfR1 (M = 0.7 ± 1.2 versus 0.2 ± 0.4 for EM, t (54) = 2.552, p = 0.014), responsible for iron uptake into cells. Our empirical findings provide support for the involvement of ferroptosis in the context of endometriosis. However, variances in expression patterns within stromal and epithelial cellular subsets call for further in-depth investigations

Effect of Prior Transurethral Prostate Resection (TURP) or Laser Enucleation (ThuLEP) on Radiotherapy-Induced Toxicity and Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Definitive Radiotherapy

In our study, the post-radiotherapy quality of life of prostate cancer patients who previously underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is compared to those who had thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) and those who had no prior surgery. It also aims to identify and assess risk factors affecting therapy tolerance in this patient group. We analyzed 132 patients with localized prostate cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT), including 23 who had prior TURP and 19 who previously underwent ThuLEP. A total of 62% of patients underwent irradiation within 12 months after surgery. We included only patients treated with radiotherapy using the IMRT technique. Changes in patient-reported urinary toxicity were evaluated using the International Prostate Syndrome Score (IPSS) and the quality of life index of the World Health Organization (QoL/WHO-PSS) over a three-year post-radiotherapy period. Patients with prior TURP experienced significant deterioration in QoL and IPSS immediately after irradiation (p < 0.001), whereas those without previous surgery showed both less significant differences in IPSS and QoL scores. In conclusion, patients with previous TURP/ThuLEP differ from those without previous surgery in urinary quality of life and acute and chronic urinary symptom profiles after RT. The surgical technique (ThuLEP vs. TURP) and the time interval to irradiation are crucial factors affecting RT tolerance in acute and late settings. The previously operated patient group reported a significantly longer period of increased symptom burden