Vielfalt der Lern- und Arbeitsplätze in München: Eine Exkursion der Gemeinsamen Baukommission von dbv und VDB

Am 18. und 19. Mai 2022 lud die gemeinsame Baukommission1 von dbv und VDB zu einer zweitägigen Veranstaltung nach München ein und organisierte rund um das Thema „Vielfalt der Lern- und Arbeitsplätze“ ein abwechslungsreiches Programm, das sich dem Fokusthema insbesondere durch die gemeinsame Besichtigung verschiedener – nicht nur bibliothekarischer – Standorte und Ausstattungsbeispiele näherte. Rahmende Vorträge beleuchteten darüber hinaus die sich immer stärker diversifizierenden, oftmals auch konkurrierenden Anforderungen an zeitgemäße und bedürfnisgerechte Bibliotheksausstattung sowie die Notwendigkeit, Bibliotheken als Ort und Raum der Begegnung, des kritischen Denkens, der Diversität und des gleichberechtigten Mit- und Nebeneinanders verschiedener Bedürfnisse und Nutzungsformen immer wieder neu zu denken und weiterzuentwickeln

A general semiparametric approach to inference with marker-dependent hazard rate models

We examine a new general class of hazard rate models for survival data, containing a parametric and a nonparametric component. Both can be a mix of a time effect and (possibly time-dependent) marker of covariate effects. A number of well-known models are special cases. In a counting process framework, a general profile likelihood estimator is developed and the parametric component of the model is shown to be asymptotically normal and efficient. The analysis improves on earlier results for special cases. Finite sample properties are investigated in simulations. The estimator is shown to work well under realistic empirical conditions. The estimator is applied to investigate the long-run relationship between birth weight and later-lite mortality using data from the Uppsala birth cohort study of individuals born in 1915-1929. The results suggest a relationship that is difficult to capture with sample parametric specifications. Moreover, its shape at higher birth weights differs across gender

Continuing decrease in coronary heart disease mortality in Sweden

BACKGROUND: Deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) have been decreasing in most Western countries over the last few decades. In contrast, a flattening of the decrease in mortality has been recently reported among younger age groups in some countries. We aimed to determine whether the decrease in CHD mortality is flattening among Swedish young adults. METHODS: We examined trends in CHD mortality in Sweden between 1987 and 2009 among persons aged 35 to 84 years using CHD mortality data from the Swedish National Register on Cause of Death. Annual percent changes in rates were examined using Joinpoint software. RESULTS: Overall, CHD mortality rates decreased by 67.4% in men and 65.1% in women. Among men aged 35–54 years, there was a modest early attenuation from a marked initial decrease. In the oldest women aged 75–84 years, an attenuation in the mortality decrease was observed from 1989 to 1992, followed by a decrease, as in all other age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In Sweden, coronary heart disease deaths are still falling. We were unable to confirm a flattening of the decline in young people. Death rates continue to decline in men and women across all age groups, albeit at a slower pace in younger men since 1991. Continued careful monitoring of CHD mortality trends in Sweden is required, particularly among young adults

Synthetic surfactants in Swiss sewage sludges: Analytical challenges, concentrations and per capita loads

Surfactants are high-production-volume chemicals that are among the most abundant organic pollutants in municipal wastewater. In this study, sewage sludge samples of 36 Swiss wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), serving 32% of the country's population, were analyzed for major surfactant classes by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The analyses required a variety of complementary approaches due to different analytical challenges, including matrix effects (which can affect adduction formation) and the lack of reference standards. The most abundant contaminants were linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS; weighted mean [WM] concentration of 3700 mu g g(-1) dry weight), followed by secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS; 190 mu g g(-1)). Alcohol polyethoxylates (AGO; 8.3 mu g g(-1)), nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEO; 16 mu g g(-1)), nonylphenol (NP; 3.1 mu g g(-1)), nonylphenol ethoxy carboxylates (NPEC; 0.35 mu g g(-1)) and ten-octylphenol (tert-OP, 1.8 mu g g(-1)) were present at much lower concentrations. This concentration pattern agrees with the production volumes of the surfactants and their fates in WWTPs. Branched AEO homologues dominated over linear homologues, probably due to higher persistence. Sludge concentrations of LAS, SAS, and NP were positively correlated with the residence time in the anaerobic digester. Derivation of the per capita loads successfully revealed potential industrial/commercial emission sources. Comparison of recent versus historic data showed a decrease in NPEO and NP levels by one or two orders of magnitude since their ban in the 1980s. By contrast, LAS still exhibit similar concentrations compared to 30 years ago

A General Semiparametric Approach to Inference with Marker-Dependent Hazard Rate Models

We examine a new general class of hazard rate models for survival data, containing a parametric and a nonparametric component. Both can be a mix of a time effect and (possibly time-dependent) marker or covariate effects. A number of well-known models are special cases. In a counting process framework, a general profile likelihood estimator is developed and the parametric component of the model is shown to be asymptotically normal and efficient. The analysis improves on earlier results for special cases. Finite sample properties are investigated in simulations. The estimator is shown to work well under realistic empirical conditions. The estimator is applied to investigate the long-run relationship between birth weight and later-life mortality using data from the Uppsala Birth Cohort Study of individuals born in 1915-1929. The results suggest a relationship that is difficult to capture with simple parametric specifications. Moreover, its shape at higher birth weights differs across gender

Cleaner Fish Do Not Impact the Pigmentation of Salmon Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in Commercial Aquaculture Cages

Salmon lice are one of the biggest challenges to sustainable salmonid aquaculture. The species display high evolutionary potential, which is evident by its development of resistance to numerous chemical compounds used for delousing. In response to this, salmon farms now use non-chemical delousing methods to minimize the damage done by salmon lice, including heavy reliance on cleaner fish. Anecdotal reports from farmers and fish health personnel in areas where cleaner fish are used have suggested that salmon lice are becoming less pigmented, potentially making them harder for cleaner fish to visually detect. This experiment investigated changes in the pigmentation of salmon lice in relation to the use of cleaner fish, louse stage and sex, temperature, preferred salmon swimming depth, daylength, and salinity. Salmon lice were sampled from snorkel cages on a commercial salmon farm where three cages were stocked with farmed lumpfish and ballan wrasse, and three cages were without cleaner fish. Water temperature, salinity, and depth were recorded using a conductivity, temperature, and depth recorder. Pigmentation was measured via photographic analysis of individual lice. Although louse pigmentation varied considerably throughout the experiment, using cleaner fish throughout a single production cycle did not reduce average louse pigmentation compared to control cages. On average, male lice were significantly darker pigmented than females, but otherwise there were no patterns in louse pigmentation in relation to life stage, salinity, temperature, or daylength. Salmon lice exhibit a high degree of evolvability and have become resistant to every chemical removal treatment developed thus far. The present data suggest that, with the densities and species of cleaner fish commonly used in commercial salmon production, there is not strong directional selection on louse pigmentation. Lice, at least with regard to visual appearance, are not likely to adapt in a way which reduces cleaner fish efficacy anytime soon.publishedVersio

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone lowers serum Lp(a) and LDL cholesterol concentrations in hemodialysis patients

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone lowers serum Lp(a) and LDL cholesterol concentrations in hemodialysis patients. Previously, we have shown that short-term administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) results in reduced concentrations of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, including lipoprotein(a), and reduced activities of hepatic lipase. These effects were observed in steroid-treated patients suffering from iatrogenic ACTH deficiency and in healthy individuals. The direct nature of the influence of ACTH on hepatic lipoprotein metabolism was confirmed by in vitro experiments. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of ACTH treatment on uremic patients, who exhibit disturbed lipoprotein pattern due to the slow removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and who probably are ACTH resistant. Eight patients on chronic hemodialysis were studied. After one intramuscular injection of Synacthen Depot (a synthetic ACTH1–24 preparation from Ciba Geigy AG, Basel, Switzerland) 1 mg, the only change noted was a significant reduction of 26% in median lipoprotein(a) concentration. After five injections, a further decrease (65%) was found in the lipoprotein(a) concentration. Also, reductions in median concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were observed. The magnitude of these changes was 15 to 30%. In contrast to previously studied groups, no changes were observed regarding triglyceride metabolism. Significantly increased median concentration of apolipoprotein CIII was found. However, the excess apolipoprotein CIII was confined to the fraction that was not associated with apolipoprotein B. Thus, administration of ACTH to uremic patients improved their atherogenic lipoprotein profile, a fact that may have future therapeutic implications. In comparison to previously studied groups, the uremic patients responded rather slowly and not at all regarding triglyceride metabolism

Reconstructing Racially Polarized Voting

Racially polarized voting makes minorities more vulnerable to discriminatory changes in election laws and therefore implicates nearly every voting rights doctrine. In Thornburg v. Gingles , the Supreme Court held that racially polarized voting is a necessary—but not a sufficient—condition for a vote dilution claim under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The Court, however, has recently questioned the propriety of recognizing the existence of racially polarized voting. This colorblind approach threatens not only the Gingles factors but also Section 2’s constitutionality. The Court treats racially polarized voting as a modern phenomenon. But the relevant starting point is the 1860s, not the 1960s. Prior to the Fifteenth Amendment’s passage, Republicans received overwhelming support from newly enfranchised Black voters in the former Confederate States and expected that support to continue. The Reconstruction Framers were thus attentive to the realities of racially polarized voting and openly recognized that extending the franchise would empower Black voters to mobilize politically and protect their own interests. Racially polarized voting was a feature—not a bug—in the passage and ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment. Accordingly, this Article argues that the Court’s treatment of racially polarized voting as a constitutional taboo is historically unfounded and doctrinally incoherent. There are significant implications for acknowledging the role of racially polarized voting during Reconstruction. This historical insight moves vote dilution claims—and their predicate finding of racially polarized voting—far closer to the heart of the Reconstruction Amendments and challenges the Court’s hostility to race-based redistricting. It is powerful evidence that Congress is well within its enforcement authority to remedy and deter dilutive measures that exploit racially polarized voting. Finally, reconstructing racially polarized voting helps reorient voting rights doctrine toward a Fifteenth Amendment framework