Wie wichtig ist "wichtig"?

Ausgehend von dem Problem, daß bei fast jeder Umfrage die Befragten gebeten werden, die 'Wichtigkeit' verschiedener Dinge (Einkommen, Freizeit, Familie usw.) zu beurteilen und die Deutung solcher Wichtigkeitsurteile im allgemeinen 'bemerkenswert naiv' erfolge, wird eine Repräsentativbefragung zu der Zufriedenheit am Arbeitsplatz und der Wichtigkeit des Arbeitsplatzes analysiert. Als Ergebnis wird festgehalten, daß es sich bei Wichtigkeits-Ratings nicht - wie vielfach unterstellt - um Angaben zu Grundeinstellungen handelt, die weitgehend losgelöst von anderen Einstellungen sind. Sie sind vielmehr in vorhersagbarer Weise mit Zufriedenheitsurteilen und Persönlichkeitsdispositionen verbunden. (psz

Transition to the quantum hall regime in InAs nanowire cross-junctions

We present a low-temperature electrical transport study on four-terminal ballistic InAs nanowire cross-junctions in magnetic fields aligned perpendicular to the cross-plane. Two-terminal longitudinal conductance measurements between opposing contact terminals reveal typical 1D conductance quantization at zero magnetic field. As the magnetic field is applied, the 1D bands evolve into hybrid magneto-electric sub-levels that eventually transform into Landau levels for the widest nanowire devices investigated (width = 100 nm). Hall measurements in a four-terminal configuration on these devices show plateaus in the transverse Hall resistance at high magnetic fields that scale with (ve 2 /h) -1 . e is the elementary charge, h denotes Planck's constant and v is an integer that coincides with the Landau level index determined from the longitudinal conductance measurements. While the 1D conductance quantization in zero magnetic field is fragile against disorder at the NW surface, the plateaus in the Hall resistance at high fields remain robust as expected for a topologically protected Quantum Hall phase. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd

Implementation of preventive strength training in residential geriatric care: a multi-centre study protocol with one year of interventions on multiple levels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is scientific evidence that preventive physical exercise is effective even in high age. In contrast, there are few opportunities of preventive exercise for highly aged people endangered by or actually in need of care. For example, they would not be able to easily go to training facilities; standard exercises may be too intensive and therefore be harmful to them; orientation disorders like dementia would exacerbate individuals and groups in following instructions and keeping exercises going. In order to develop appropriate interventions, these and other issues were assigned to different levels: the individual-social level (ISL), the organisational-institutional level (OIL) and the political-cultural level (PCL). Consequently, this conceptional framework was utilised for development, implementation and evaluation of a new strength and balance exercise programme for old people endangered by or actually in need of daily care. The present paper contains the development of this programme labeled "fit for 100", and a study protocol of an interventional single-arm multi-centre trial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The intervention consisted of (a) two group training sessions every week over one year, mainly resistance exercises, accompanied by sensorimotor and communicative group exercises and games (ISL), (b) a sustainable implementation concept, starting new groups by instructors belonging to the project, followed by training and supervision of local staff, who stepwise take over the group (OIL), (c) informing and convincing activities in professional, administrative and governmental contexts, public relation activities, and establishing an advisory council with renowned experts and public figures (PCL). Participating institutions of geriatric care were selected through several steps of quality criteria assessment. Primary outcome measures were continuous documentation of individual participation (ISL), number of groups continued without external financial support (at the end of the project, and after one year) (OIL). Secondary outcome was measured by sensorimotor tests and care-related assessments in the beginning and every 16 weeks (ISL), by qualitative outcome descriptions 12 months after group implementation (OIL) and by analysis of media response and structured interviews with stakeholders, also after 12 months (PCL).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Exemplarily, preventive exercise has been established for a neglected target population. The multi-level approach used here seems to be helpful to overcome institutional and individual (attitude) barriers.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN55213782</p

Obeticholic acid for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: interim analysis from a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Background Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common type of chronic liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis. Obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, has been shown to improve the histological features of NASH. Here we report results from a planned interim analysis of an ongoing, phase 3 study of obeticholic acid for NASH. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adult patients with definite NASH,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score of at least 4, and fibrosis stages F2–F3, or F1 with at least oneaccompanying comorbidity, were randomly assigned using an interactive web response system in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive oral placebo, obeticholic acid 10 mg, or obeticholic acid 25 mg daily. Patients were excluded if cirrhosis, other chronic liver disease, elevated alcohol consumption, or confounding conditions were present. The primary endpointsfor the month-18 interim analysis were fibrosis improvement (≥1 stage) with no worsening of NASH, or NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis, with the study considered successful if either primary endpoint was met. Primary analyses were done by intention to treat, in patients with fibrosis stage F2–F3 who received at least one dose of treatment and reached, or would have reached, the month 18 visit by the prespecified interim analysis cutoff date. The study also evaluated other histological and biochemical markers of NASH and fibrosis, and safety. This study is ongoing, and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02548351, and EudraCT, 20150-025601-6. Findings Between Dec 9, 2015, and Oct 26, 2018, 1968 patients with stage F1–F3 fibrosis were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment; 931 patients with stage F2–F3 fibrosis were included in the primary analysis (311 in the placebo group, 312 in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 308 in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group). The fibrosis improvement endpoint was achieved by 37 (12%) patients in the placebo group, 55 (18%) in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group (p=0·045), and 71 (23%) in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group (p=0·0002). The NASH resolution endpoint was not met (25 [8%] patients in the placebo group, 35 [11%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group [p=0·18], and 36 [12%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group [p=0·13]). In the safety population (1968 patients with fibrosis stages F1–F3), the most common adverse event was pruritus (123 [19%] in the placebo group, 183 [28%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 336 [51%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group); incidence was generally mild to moderate in severity. The overall safety profile was similar to that in previous studies, and incidence of serious adverse events was similar across treatment groups (75 [11%] patients in the placebo group, 72 [11%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 93 [14%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group). Interpretation Obeticholic acid 25 mg significantly improved fibrosis and key components of NASH disease activity among patients with NASH. The results from this planned interim analysis show clinically significant histological improvement that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. This study is ongoing to assess clinical outcomes

Zero to eight : young children and their internet use

EU Kids Online has spent seven years investigating 9-16 year olds’ engagement with the internet, focusing on the benefits and risks of children’s internet use. While this meant examining the experiences of much younger children than had been researched before EU Kids Online began its work in 2006, there is now a critical need for information about the internet-related behaviours of 0-8 year olds. EU Kids Online’s research shows that children are now going online at a younger and younger age, and that young children’s “lack of technical, critical and social skills may pose [a greater] risk” (Livingstone et al, 2011, p. 3).peer-reviewe

Ist das Klima von Halle (Saale) noch „normal“? Betrachtungen anhand der Temperatur- und Niederschlagsreihe von 1851 bis heute

Döring, J.; Borg, H.: Is the climate of Halle (Saale) still “normal”? A review based on the temperature and precipitation data from 1851 until today. – Hercynia N.F. 41 (2008): 3 –21.The world-wide discussion about climate change and man-made contributions to it, which is presently going on among scientists and in the general public, raises interest in climate information on a regional scale. This is addressed here for the Halle (Saale) region. Based on local temperature and precipitation data from 1851 until today, variations and trends in these climate factors are analysed to assess, if there are signs for a change in the regional climate. As in comparable records from other parts of central Europe, the Halle data from 1851 to 2000 show a slight tendency for an increase in the mean annual air temperature and a slight tendency for a decrease in the annual precipitation. However, the coefficient of determination for both tendencies is very small, which rules them out as an indicator of future developments. For individual months, even within the same season, there is no uniform trend in air temperature or precipitation: some show a slight increase, others a slight decrease, in some there is no tendency at all. In general, the temperature and precipitation data are characterised by cyclic variations around a mean, with the cycles typically lasting several decades. Until the last year of the data considered here (2006), temperature and precipitation remained within the bounds of variation observed since 1851. This indicates that the climate in Halle shows no sign of being anything but “normal”. The 30-year periods, which are generally used to compute long-term means to which data from individual years are then compared, are unsuitable to assess variations in climate. Due to the aforementioned cyclic temperature and precipitation variations, a given 30-year reference period may fall into a relatively cold or warm and/or into a relatively dry or moist period. This is the case for the presently used reference period (1961 - 1990), which represents a comparatively cool and dry period.Die Hercynia publiziert Originalbeiträge mit dem Schwerpunkt Ökologie (mit ihren vielseitigen Aspekten der Biodiversität), Botanik, Zoologie, Geologie und Geografie, den anwendungsorientierten Bereichen des Natur- und Umweltschutzes, sowie der Land- und Forstwirtschaft

Überprüfung der Datenreihe der Jahresmitteltemperaturen für Halle (Saale) von 1851 bis 2015 auf Homogenität

Schadwill, H., Döring, J., Wolter, M., Borg, H.: Examination of the annual mean air temperaturesfor Halle (Saale) from 1851 to 2015 for homogeneity. - Hercynia N. F (2017): 115 –133. Sound statements about past and future developments of our climate require long data records. In longrecords it is not uncommon that the data are distorted by factors such as relocation of the measurementsite, changes in the instrumentation, or urbanisation. This must be examined to preclude wrong interpretationsof the data. To recognize inhomogeneities in a record the data of interest must be compared todata from other sites which are not too far away and free of the aforementioned distortions.In this study the record of the annual mean temperatures for Halle (Saale) which dates back to 1851 wasexamined. Since then the measurement site was relocated twice (at the end of 1900 and 1953) and theinstrumentation was changed several times. Two weather stations were selected for comparison: Theone in Potsdam which was never moved since data collection began in 1893, and the one in Lindenbergwhich was moved twice, but only by a few metres, and whose record commenced in 1907.The record for these two stations is much shorter than for Halle. To be able to go back until 1851 the dataseries for Berlin which starts 1851, too, was utilized as well. However, the recording site in Berlin wasmoved in March 1908 and thrice thereafter. Berlin is therefore not a good choice as a reference for theyears from 1908 onwards and is only fully considered here for the period from 1851 to 1907.To examine the data for Halle the differences in the annual mean temperatures between Halle and thereference stations Berlin, Potsdam und Lindenberg were computed. There was no hint that the relocationof the station in Halle at the end of 1900 had any effect on the data. This would have been visible in thecomparison of the Halle data to those from Berlin or Potsdam. In contrast, with respect to all three referencestations there was a sudden drop in the temperature differences from 1953 to 1954. This occurreddue to the relocation of the station in Halle from the city to Kröllwitz, a moderately built-up suburbwith lots of green areas, and the continued registration of the measured temperatures without taking thedifferent surroundings of the new location into account. Before and after this drop the data record forHalle is alright.To get a consistent data record the annual mean air temperatures for Halle prior until 1954 were adjustedbased on the data for Potsdam. First, a representative mean of the temperature differences betweenHalle and Potsdam for the periods 1893 to 1953 and 1954 to 2015 was calculated. Then, the differencebetween these two means was determined (0.4 K) and subtracted from the data measured in Halle from1851 to 1953. This eliminated the aforementioned inhomogeneity. The resulting annual mean air temperaturesfor Halle prior to 1954 are now 0.4 K lower than before. Due to this adjustment a consistentdata record is now available for Halle from 1851 to 2015.According to the original data four of the ten warmest years occurred since 1990, and six before 1954with 1934 as the warmest year overall. In the corrected data eight of the ten warmest years appear since1990, and 1934 is now only the second-warmest year, together with the year 2000. This demonstratesthat it is absolutely necessary to examine data records for homogeneity and correct them if necessary to avoid a misinterpretation of the climatic development.avoid a misinterpretation of the climatic development.Schadwill, H., Döring, J., Wolter, M., Borg, H.: Examination of the annual mean air temperaturesfor Halle (Saale) from 1851 to 2015 for homogeneity. - Hercynia N. F (2017): 115 –133. Sound statements about past and future developments of our climate require long data records. In longrecords it is not uncommon that the data are distorted by factors such as relocation of the measurementsite, changes in the instrumentation, or urbanisation. This must be examined to preclude wrong interpretationsof the data. To recognize inhomogeneities in a record the data of interest must be compared todata from other sites which are not too far away and free of the aforementioned distortions.In this study the record of the annual mean temperatures for Halle (Saale) which dates back to 1851 wasexamined. Since then the measurement site was relocated twice (at the end of 1900 and 1953) and theinstrumentation was changed several times. Two weather stations were selected for comparison: Theone in Potsdam which was never moved since data collection began in 1893, and the one in Lindenbergwhich was moved twice, but only by a few metres, and whose record commenced in 1907.The record for these two stations is much shorter than for Halle. To be able to go back until 1851 the dataseries for Berlin which starts 1851, too, was utilized as well. However, the recording site in Berlin wasmoved in March 1908 and thrice thereafter. Berlin is therefore not a good choice as a reference for theyears from 1908 onwards and is only fully considered here for the period from 1851 to 1907.To examine the data for Halle the differences in the annual mean temperatures between Halle and thereference stations Berlin, Potsdam und Lindenberg were computed. There was no hint that the relocationof the station in Halle at the end of 1900 had any effect on the data. This would have been visible in thecomparison of the Halle data to those from Berlin or Potsdam. In contrast, with respect to all three referencestations there was a sudden drop in the temperature differences from 1953 to 1954. This occurreddue to the relocation of the station in Halle from the city to Kröllwitz, a moderately built-up suburbwith lots of green areas, and the continued registration of the measured temperatures without taking thedifferent surroundings of the new location into account. Before and after this drop the data record forHalle is alright.To get a consistent data record the annual mean air temperatures for Halle prior until 1954 were adjustedbased on the data for Potsdam. First, a representative mean of the temperature differences betweenHalle and Potsdam for the periods 1893 to 1953 and 1954 to 2015 was calculated. Then, the differencebetween these two means was determined (0.4 K) and subtracted from the data measured in Halle from1851 to 1953. This eliminated the aforementioned inhomogeneity. The resulting annual mean air temperaturesfor Halle prior to 1954 are now 0.4 K lower than before. Due to this adjustment a consistentdata record is now available for Halle from 1851 to 2015.According to the original data four of the ten warmest years occurred since 1990, and six before 1954with 1934 as the warmest year overall. In the corrected data eight of the ten warmest years appear since1990, and 1934 is now only the second-warmest year, together with the year 2000. This demonstratesthat it is absolutely necessary to examine data records for homogeneity and correct them if necessary to avoid a misinterpretation of the climatic development.Die Hercynia publiziert Originalbeiträge mit dem Schwerpunkt Ökologie (mit ihren vielseitigen Aspekten der Biodiversität), Botanik, Zoologie, Geologie und Geografie, den anwendungsorientierten Bereichen des Natur- und Umweltschutzes, sowie der Land- und Forstwirtschaft

Vergleich von Trockenheitsindizes zur Nutzung in der Landwirtschaft unter den klimatischen Bedingungen Mitteldeutschlands

Döring, S., Döring, J., Borg, H., Böttcher, F.: Comparison of drought indices for use in agricultureunder the climatic conditions of central Germany. - Hercynia N.F. 44 (2011): 145 – 168.Droughts may lead to lower agricultural yields. To quantify such conditions so-called drought indicesare used in agricultural consulting. There is a large number of drought indices of which eight were chosenfor this work to be checked for their suitability to quantify agricultural drought in central Germany.Artern was used as a representative site. It is typical for the dry region of central Germany and, due toits (for Germany) very low annual rainfall, ideal for the investigation of drought indices. To assess thesuitability of the eight indices various criteria were considered.The “Harlfinger-Knees-Index” came out best overall. The other indices are comparable for the actualassessment of drought, but must be inverted to improve their sensitivity or require data which are moredifficult to obtain. This study revealed that all indices have major weaknesses and are not a good tool todescribe drought. None could reflect the effect of drought on the time course of the soil moisture statusor, ultimately, on yield. The reason for this failure is that none properly considers the amount of waterstored in a soil. This is important, however, since stored water can buffer a temporary rainfall deficit. Acertain period without rain therefore need not lead to drought stress in a plant, if there is enough water inthe soil. For that reason any drought index which does not or not correctly consider the amount of waterstored in the soil is inadequate.For central Germany a drier climate is predicted for the future, especially during the growing season.Hence, in the coming years drought will become an ever more important issue in agricultural consulting.Consequently, a tool is needed to assess agricultural drought properly. There are various computer modelsof different complexity, which can simulate the soil moisture status and its effect on plant growthand yield. Hence, in a further study it should be investigated, if and at what level of complexity suchmodels are better in the description of drought than drought indices.Die Hercynia publiziert Originalbeiträge mit dem Schwerpunkt Ökologie (mit ihren vielseitigen Aspekten der Biodiversität), Botanik, Zoologie, Geologie und Geografie, den anwendungsorientierten Bereichen des Natur- und Umweltschutzes, sowie der Land- und Forstwirtschaft

Agreement of Four Equations for Computing Dewfall in Northern Germany

The energy balance (EB), turbulent vapour transport (TVT), Penman-Monteith (PM) and Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB) equation were used to estimate dewfall based on meteorological data. Initially there were big disagreements between the estimates from these four equations. However, after multiplying the heat and vapour conductance terms by 0.33 the agreement was much better. This implies that the disagreements derived from improper conductance values. Initially we did not consider the effect of atmospheric stability on the conductances. With stability correction the conductances were on average 0.5 times the values without stability correction. To arrive at the aforementioned 0.33, the conductances with stability correction still need to be lower by a factor of 0.66. The value of the von Karman constant and the relationships for the zero plane displacement and the roughness length we used in our conductance computations are widely used, but not the only possible ones. With different values and relationships also suggested in the literature one can reach this factor. However, it is also possible that our wind speed data contributed to the fact that the conductances we computed were too high. Their computation for a given canopy—atmosphere system requires wind speeds from a wind profile in equilibrium with the vegetation. This in turn requires an adequate fetch around the investigated surface. The highly varied vegetation in and around the site where the study was conducted makes adequate fetch rather doubtful. To obtain valid conductance values the atmospheric stability conditions must be considered, the appropriate values for the von Karman constant, the zero plane displacement and roughness length must be used, and there must be adequate fetch. The BREB equation does not contain a conductance term and therefore does not suffer from the problems just stated. The other three equations do. However, the BREB, like the EB and TVT equations, need the surface temperature which is not routinely measured. This then leaves the PM equation from which this temperature has been eliminated as the only option. Hence, in a future study dewfall estimates from the PM equation should be compared with direct measurements with a high precision weighing lysimeter