Trends of Children’s Height and Parental Unemployment: A Large-Scale Anthropometric Study on Eastern Germany, 1994 – 2006

The average height of children is an indicator for the quality of nutrition and health care. Heights have never declined over longer time spans in Eastern Germany since 1880 – except for the most recent period 1997-2006. In the Eastern German Land of Brandenburg, a data set of 253,050 pre-school height measurements was compiled and complemented with information on parents’ schooling and employment status. Unemployment might have negative psychological effects, with impact on health care. Both a panel analysis of districts and an assessment at the individual level yield the result that increasing unemployment was in fact the major driving force.height, unemployment, Eastern Germany, welfare measurement

The nutritive value of lupins in sole cropping systems and mixed intercropping with spring cereals for grain production

In total 572 experimental plots were established at two sites during three years with different grain legume species, such as lupins, field beans and peas as well as mixed intercropping of different legumes or legumes with spring cereals for grain production. From all plots yield as well as quality and energy parameters of grains were analysed and the feed values calculated. Compared to soy bean meal yellow lupins have higher protein content but a low yield. While the energy content of lupins as feed for pigs, cattle and milking cows was only slightly higher than of soy bean meal, its feed energy for poultry was nearly comparable. In the case of mixed intercropping with spring cereals the feed energy content for pigs and cattle by using spring wheat or- barley as partner was higher than a comparable mixture of wheat and soy bean meal. The lowest feed energy contents were achieved with mixtures of legumes and oats. From the view of animal nutrition the parts of lupins in the mixed intercropping grains should be higher in the relation to spring cereals to increase especially the protein content

Characterisation of cyclic variability in an optically accessible IC Engine by means of phase-independent POD

Investigation of cyclic variability in engine operation has recently received new impulse with the widespread application of advanced numerical and experimental techniques. The present work attempts to shed some light on the existence and nature of correlations between coherent structures dynamics and cyclic variability in IC engines by means of phase-independent Proper Orthogonal Decomposition applied to highly-resolved PIV measurements obtained in an optically accessible, motored engine. Analysis of the conditional means and variances of the reconstruction coefficients reveal interesting patterns in the break-up of coherent structures which are also confirmed by experimental observation and leave room for speculation on the true nature of the flow field at different crank angles. A first attempt has also been carried out to reconstruct missing information from available measurements, with encouraging results: the development of such interpolation/reconstruction technique could obviously have a great impact on the reduction of the cost normally involved in experimental and computational campaigns

Yield and predicted feed quality of different German cultivars of blue lupins (Lupinus angustifolius)

In the present work different cultivars of blue lupins were tested at two sites, the experimental farm of the Institute of Organic Farming (IOF-site) at Trenthorst near Hamburg and the experimental station of the Institute of Plant and Soil Science (ICSS-site) at Braunschweig (conventional farming). The field experiments were conducted from 2003 – 2005 at the IOF-site and in 2006 and 2007 at the ICSS-site. At the IOF-site yield was 2,95 t ha-1 on average, whereas the mean yield at the ICSS-site was lower with 2.0 t ha-1. However, a significant interaction between cultivar and year was observed for yield (P<0.001 and P<0.01 for IOF-site and ICSS-site, respectively). At the ICSS-site the cultivars Vitabor, Boltensia, Borlu and Sonet showed the lowest yield. Yield was similar between the branched and determinate cultivars at both sites, but the crude protein content (CP) was in the majority of the cases higher in the branched cultivars. The CP content ranged between 28.2% and 37.8% DM at the IOF-site and between 34.7 and 39.2% DM at the ICSS-site, respectively. The newer cultivars Idefix and Probor, which were tested at ICSS-site in 2006 and 2007, had the highest CP content (39.2 and 38.8% DM). Additionally, the predicted Net Energy for Lactation (NEL) in dairy cow and the predicted Metabolized Energy for pigs (ME) showed interactions between year and cultivar with the exception of ME at the ICSS-site. Cultivars with a high NEL respectively ME were Bora, Boruta, Bolivio and Borlu at the IOF-site and Probor, Borlu, Idefix, Boregine and Boltensia at the ICSS-site

Effect of different sowing densities in mixed cultivation of blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) with spring crops on yield and quality

The aim of this investigation was to optimise the yield percentage of blue lupins in mixed cropping systems. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Northern Germany (Institute of Organic Farming near Hamburg and Institute of Plant and Soil Science at Braunschweig). Two types of blue lupins, the determinate and branched type were cultivated together with spring barley, spring wheat or fodder peas in different seeding ratios (SR): 50% : 50%, 62,5% : 37,5 % and 75% : 25% of the respective pure cropping seeding rate. We present data on total grain yield, yield of blue lupins, yield percentage of blue lupins, protein content, and protein yield. Total grain yield decreased with increasing SR of blue lupins whereas, in contrast, the yield of blue lupins, protein content and protein yield increased. This shows the low competitive ability of blue lupins against the mixed cropping partners, particularly cereals. Therefore, the yield percentage of blue lupins in mixed cropping with cereals did not reach more than 25%. From the view of plant production and the purpose of animal nutrition the percentage of grain legumes should be higher and comparable to those of other crop mixtures like peas with spring barley or beans with oat

Bewertung ausgewählter Leguminosen- und Leguminosen-Getreide-Gemenge im Ökologischen Landbau hinsichtlich der Ertragsleistung und des Futterwertes

Die Erzeugung von betriebseigenen, proteinreichen Futtermitteln im Ökologischen Landbau ist für eine ernährungsphysiologische ausgewogene und leistungsgerechte Fütterung vor allem durch heimische Körnerleguminosen zu erreichen. Der Anbau von Gemengen kann hier im Hinblick auf die Unkrautunterdrückung (Bilau et al. 2006, in diesem Band) oder der Ertragssicherheit Vorteile bieten. Bisher liegen nur wenige Erfahrungen zum Gemengeanbau mit Blauen Lupinen vor

Rohprotein- und Aminosäurengehalte in Körnerleguminosen und Getreide

In organic farming, the use of synthetically produced amino acids is not permitted and as of the year 2011, EU-Reg. 2092/91 requires the exclusive use of organically pro-duced animal feedstuffs. The amino acids requirements must be satisfied with the protein rich feed components. Therefore, the content of protein and amino acids was determined in different grain legumes such as peas, field beans, white and blue lu-pines and some cereals (oat, barley and wheat). The well-defined material from the years 2002-2005 came from field trials at the experimental farm of the Institute of Organic Farming (FAL) in Trenthorst. The data were compared with standard values from the literature. The deviations of data on protein and amino acids for conven¬tionally and the organically grown feedstuffs were clear. For the calculation of the feed rations in the organic livestock husbandry the standard tabular values are not suffi-cient. But there are also clear deviations to the tabular values of organically produced feedstuffs. The contents of protein and amino acids in the analysed materials were significantly different between the years. A satisfying calculation of feed rations de-mands an exact knowledge of the contents of the feed components. Due to the almost total renunciation of external inputs, it is difficult to reduce the variations between the years, which result from weather conditions, crop rotation or variety

Морфологическая стратификация облаков электрическим полем атмосферы в периоды активного и спокойного солнца

Актуальность. В последнее десятилетие наблюдается стремительный рост регионального и глобального изменения климата в связи с хозяйственной деятельностью человека, которая в своих масштабах стала соизмерима с природными процессами. В качестве индикатора техногенной нагрузки может выступать электрическое поле атмосферы, так как техноэкономическая среда городов приводит к глобальным отклонениям и модификации естественных физических полей. Поэтому необходимость изучения влияния электрического поля атмосферы на распределение метеорологических параметров не вызывает сомнения, так как позволяет на качественном уровне проявить «тонкую» структуру стратификации атмосферы электрическим полем и ее изменение за счет антропогенного воздействия. Цель исследования: рассмотреть морфологическую стратификацию облачных образований электрическим полем атмосферы в период активного и спокойного солнца. Данный подход позволяет на качественном уровне прояснить механизм изменения процессов конденсации водяного пара (на примере облаков) сменой солнечной активности, как уменьшение количества возбужденных молекул за счет разной ионизации атмосферы, а также построить физическую теорию антропогенной нагрузки от промышленных предприятий на атмосферу и климат. Объект исследования: электрическое поле атмосферы, облака. Методика исследования построена на детальном статистическом анализе по данным самолетного зондирования в период международного геофизического года и международного геофизического сотрудничества 1958-1964 гг. Результаты исследования. Получены оценки радиационных сечений для молекул стандартной атмосферы и конденсированной фазы (облачные аэрозоли) в геометрическом приближении, которые показывают, что при характерном радиусе капель r-10[-3]см ионизация от конденсированной фазы соизмерима с фононовой ионизацией атмосферы. Приведена корреляционная зависимость средней водности облака и вертикального электрического поля. Анализ результатов показал, что среднегодовое распределение водности имеет высокую корреляцию со среднегодовым вертикальным распределением напряженности электрического поля для данного региона. Методами детального статистического анализа найдена взаимосвязь высоты образования облаков с электрическим полем атмосферы. Показано, что частота повторяемости нижней границы облаков совпадает с локальными точками равновесия плотности объемного заряда для этой же широты.Relevance of the research. In recent decade, regional and global climate has changed significantly due to human activities, which became comparable with natural processes. The electric field of atmosphere can serve as an indicator of anthropogenic impact, as the technical and economic environment of cities results in global deviations and modification of natural physical fields. Therefore, there is no doubt in the necessity to study the influence of the atmospheric electric field on distribution of meteorological parameters, since it allows us to reveal qualitatively the «thin» atmospheric stratification structure of the electric field and its change owing to anthropogenic impact. The aim of the research is to consider the morphological stratification of cloud formations by the atmospheric electric field in the period of the active and quiet sun. This approach allows us to clarify qualitatively the mechanism of change in water vapor condensation (on the example of clouds) by the solar activity change as the decrease in the number of excited molecules owing to different ionization of the atmosphere, as well as to build a physical theory of anthropogenic load from industrial plants on the atmosphere and climate. Research subject: the electric field of the atmosphere, clouds. Research technique: detailed statistical analysis of the data on an aircraft sounding during the International Geophysical Year and the International Geophysical Cooperation in 1958-1964. Results. The author has obtained the estimations of radiation cross-sections for the molecules of the standard atmosphere and the condensed phase (cloud aerosols) in geometric approximation. They show that when the characteristic radius is equal to r-10[-3] cm the ionization of the condensed phase is commensurate with the background ionization. The paper introduces the correlative relationship between average water content of clouds and vertical electric field. The analysis of the results demonstrates that the average annual distribution of water content is strongly correlated with the average vertical distribution of the electric field in this region. Using the methods of the detailed statistical analysis the author revealed the relationship between the height of cloud formation and the electric field of the atmosphere. It is shown that the repetition frequency of a cloud lower boundary demonstrates the high coincidence with local sites of neutrality of a bulk charge density for the same latitude

Magnetic excitations and amplitude fluctuations in insulating cuprates

We present results from light scattering experiments on three insulating antiferromagnetic cuprates, YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.05}$, Bi$_2$Sr$_2$YCu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$, and La$_2$CuO$_4$ as a function of polarization and excitation energy {using samples of the latest generation. From the raw data we derive symmetry-resolved spectra.} The spectral shape in $B_{1g}$ symmetry is found to be nearly universal and independent of the excitation energy. The spectra agree quantitatively with predictions by field theory [\onlinecite{Weidinger:2015}] facilitating the precise extraction of the Heisenberg coupling $J$. {In addition, the asymmetric line shape on the high-energy side is found to be related to amplitude fluctuations of the magnetization. In La$_2$CuO$_4$ alone minor contributions from resonance effects may be identified.} The spectra in the other symmetries are not universal. The variations may be traced back to weak resonance effects and extrinsic contributions. For all three compounds we find support for the existence of chiral excitations appearing as a continuum in $A_{2g}$ symmetry having an onset slightly below $3J$. In La$_2$CuO$_4$ an additional isolated excitation appears on top of the $A_{2g}$ continuum.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Ligandenbindung und -dynamik bei Oxidasen : IR-spektroskopische Untersuchungen kinetischer und thermodynamischer Eigenschaften

Fourier-Transform Infrarot Differenz Spektroskopie ist eine Methode. die es erlaubt, selbst kleinste konformelle Änderungen in der Umgebung der katalytischen Zentren in Enzymen selektiv und mit hoher Zeitauflösung zu messen. Diese Technik wurde an Oxidasen von Paracoccus denitrificans, Thermus thermophilus und Escherichia coli angewandt, um einen Einblick in strukturelle und molekulare Prozesse der Bindung und Dynamik von Liganden am binuklearen Zentrum zu erhalten. Die pH- und Temperatur-Abhängigkeit von CO Schwingungsmoden sowie deren Verhalten nach der Photolyse konnten zeitaufgelöst untersucht und miteinander verglichen werden. Bei Temperaturen >180K war die Bestimmung von thermodynamischen Parametern wie Enthalpie-Barrieren und Arrhenius-Vorfaktoren möglich. Aus dem Verlauf der Rückbindungskinetiken ließen sich ferner Rückschlüsse über die konformelle Heterogenität der Bindung ziehen. Für Temperaturen um 140K konnte das Protein im "quasistationären" Zustand vermessen werden, da Rückreaktionen des Liganden an die Bindungsstelle des Häm a3 unterbunden waren. Trotz der strukturellen Ähnlichkeit und analoger Funktion zeigten diese typischen Oxidasen große Unterschiede sowohl im Reaktionszentrum als auch im kinetischen Verhalten des Liganden. Die kinetischen Parameter für alle untersuchten Oxidasen weichen deutlich voneinander ab und spiegeln unter anderem die Stärke der Bindung am CUB wider. Die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Populationen der CO-Konformere und die äquivalente Rückbindungs-Kinetik der unterschiedlichen Konformere in den Oxidasen aus dem thermophilen System weisen auf ein strukturelles Merkmal in der Nähe des binuklearen Zentrums hin, das den Populations-Austausch in anderen Oxidasen unterbindet. Aufgrund der pH-Abhängigkeit der entsprechenden Oxidasen kann man schließen, daß diese Eigenschaft durch eine oder mehrere protonierbare Gruppen bewirkt wird, die die unterschiedlichen Konformere in bestimmten Positionen fixiert hält. Die Rückbindungsraten des Liganden zeigen für die T. thermophilus Oxidasen eine Rückbindung erster Ordnung. was auf eine homogene Verteilung der zwei Konformer-Populationen im Enzym deutet. Hingegen zeigte die Oxidase aus P. denitrificans für die Rückbindung eine Verteilung der Reaktionsraten. Ursache dafür ist ein sehr heterogenes Ensemble an Proteinen, das minimale strukturelle Unterschiede im Konformationsraum des Reaktionszentrums aufweist. Ein weiterer Aspekt der Arbeit war die Beobachtung von Absorptionsbanden der Hämpropionate an Cytochrome c Oxidase von Paracoccus denitrificans nach CO Rückbindung. Sowohl über 13C-isotopenmarkierte Hämpropionate als auch über ortsgerichtete Mutagenese in deren unmittelbarer Umgebung konnten definierte Banden-Zuordnungen im IR-Differenzspektrum erhalten werden. Experimente am Enzym mit Mutationen an der Stelle Asp 399 zeigten, daß die strukturellen Eigenschaften des Häm a3-CuB Zentrums im wesentlichen von dieser Veränderung nicht beeinflußt werden. Jedoch war die pH-Abhängigkeit der CO Konformere hier unterbunden, was auf deren Einfluß auf eine Protonierbarkeit im Wildtyp-Enzym hinweist. Rückschlüsse anhand der Mutante Asp399Asn zeigten (über den Verlust der pH-Abhängigkeit) ganz klar, daß alle unterschiedlichen CO-Konformere funktionell intakt sind. FT-IR Messungen an einem weiteren Enzym, der isolierten Cytochrom bd Oxidase aus E. coli, zeigten bei einer Untersuchung der CO Rückbindungs-Eigenschaften bei 84K die ausschließliche Rückbindung an das Häm d. der möglichen Sauerstoff-Bindungsstelle. Die Bindungsstelle an Häm b, die zu ca. 5% ebenfalls CO bindet, kann bei diesen Temperaturen nicht wiederbesetzt werden. Im typischen Spektralbereich von 1680 bis 1760 cm hoch minus 1 konnten eindeutig die Absorptionsbanden von Asparagin- oder Glutaminsäure-Seitenketten identifiziert werden. Über einen direkten Vergleich der Spektren, die über Redox-Reaktion und CO Rückbindung erhalten wurden, konnten diese Signale als klar in der direkten Umgebung des binuklearen Zentrums lokalisiert zugeordnet werden. Eine Rolle als vorübergehender Protonen-Akzeptor/Donor auf dem Weg zur Sauerstoff-Bindungsstelle ist naheliegend