Two steps forward, one step back? Party competition, cooperative federalism, and transport policy reforms in Germany

Background Transport policy has regained political relevance in Germany. The successful realization of the Verkehrswende,—the extensive transition toward sustainable transport and mobility—is central to reaching climate neutrality. In 2020, the Federal Government proposed the reform of two key ordinances that have regulated road traffic so far. The amendment was aimed at implementing several provisions at the expense of car drivers and, at the same time, in favor of cyclists and pedestrians. Due to cooperative federalism, the governments of the 16 constituent units (Länder) had to adopt the amendment in the Bundesrat, Germany’s second chamber. In the legislative process, however, the reform ultimately failed in its original scope. Using it as a particularly instructive case study, we show how and why party competition and cooperative federalism hamper comprehensive transport policy reforms in Germany. Results In the German political system, political interests interact within a complex web of cooperative federalism. To understand partisan encroachment on the federal decision-making processes, this paper uses a process-tracing approach. To investigate decision-making in the Bundesrat and its outcomes, the empirical analysis combines qualitative analyses of several publicly available sources. We can empirically demonstrate that political parties influenced legislative procedures. The reform failed in its original scope because the three political parties with veto power in the Bundesrat insisted on their positions and were not willing to agree on a compromise. Conclusions For the implementation of the Verkehrswende, the German federal system proves to be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, the institutional design of the Bundesrat constrains extreme positions and helps promote decisions most citizens may agree with. The Länder governments and administrations can also contribute their expertise and local experience to federal legislation via the Bundesrat. On the other hand, veto powers are ubiquitous in the German system of cooperative federalism. Therefore, it is prone to blockades. The actions of the political parties in the Bundesrat have hampered the comprehensive reform of road traffic regulations that was originally envisaged. Policymaking took two steps forward toward implementing the Verkehrswende, only to immediately take one step back again

Acceptability of different lipid-based nutrient supplements for adults with HIV

Despite the increased access to antiretroviral therapy, undernutrition is associated with an increased risk of early mortality among HIV-infected adults living in resource-limited settings. Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (LNS) can provide nutritional support and can be adapted to the needs of adults infected with HIV. However, consumption of these products may be limited by monotony or by an unacceptably strong taste of highly concentrated micronutrients. This study investigated the acceptability of several new flavours of LNS for HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Forty HIV-infected adults on ART completed acceptability tests with one of four sets of LNS products: LNS-30 g sweet, LNS-30 g non-sweet, LNS-250 g sweet and LNS-250 g non-sweet. Each set was composed ofthree flavours and was tasted with and without food during a single session of sensory evaluation. The supplements were block-randomised and the patients were blinded to the type of product. LNS acceptability was assessed based on descriptive, hedonic and food-action rating tests using 5-point rating scales as well as preference tests. All the flavours got a median rate of 3-Just about right for the intensity of sugar, salt, oil,thickness and 4-Good for the taste. Regarding the overall liking, the supplements were positively evaluated with median of 4-I like a little or 5-I like a lot. The LNS-30 g non-sweet formulation was significantly less appreciated when tasted without food compared to all the other sets of LNS (P = 0.0005). Mixing LNS with local food had no effect on the acceptability. In terms of consumption pattern, all the products got a median rate of 1-Will eat it at all opportunity or 2-Will eat it very often. Finally, in terms of preference there was no significant difference between the flavours. In LNS-30 g the overall liking was positively correlated with the taste and the intensity of sugar but the prospective consumption factor was negatively correlated with thickness. In LNS-250 g, only the intensity of salty taste was correlated with the overall liking. As the flavours were well accepted, all of them can be used, providing choice and variety to HIV-infected adults consuming them for prolonged periods. There is no need to modify the products’ formulation. Further research on the acceptability of these supplements over the longer term and in settings where food insecurity and dietary patterns are different is warranted

Grün regieren

GRÜN REGIEREN Grün regieren / Jungjohann, Arne (Rights reserved) ( -

Einstellung, Bedenken und Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung von Lehramtsstudierenden zur schulischen Inklusion

In diesem technischen Bericht werden die Trennschärfe und der Cronbach‘s alpha der Skalen AIS, ITICS, CIES, TEIP und IPRS von zwei Erhebungen an der Technischen Universität Dortmund und der Technischen Universität München dargestellt. Die Reliabilitätsanalysen ergeben zufriedenstellende Werte für die einzelnen Skalen. Zu Beginn des Berichts werden die Stichproben und Datenerhebungen beschrieben. Anschließend folgen die technischen Daten der Skalen und die deutsche Fassung der Items sowie die englischen Originalversionen. Nach der Analyse der Skalen folgt der Originalfragebogen, der zur Datenerfassung an der TU Dortmund verwendet wurde

Effect of Environment on Microstructure Evolution and Friction of Au–Ni Multilayers

We present results from a systematic investigation of environmental effects on the frictional behavior of Au–Ni multilayer films of varying interlayer spacing. The current results, sliding against ruby spheres in a dry N2 atmosphere, are compared to prior work on the tribological behavior of these materials under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) (Cihan et al. in Sci Rep 9:1–10, 2019). Under both conditions, there is a regime of high friction when the interlayer spacing is large and a regime of low friction when the spacing is small. The low friction regime is associated with a critical grain size below which grain bound-ary sliding is expected to be the dominant mechanism of deformation. A shear-induced alloy formation (60–65 at.% Ni in Au) and a concomitant low friction coefficient was observed with multilayer spacings of 20 nm and lower under UHV. A distinct microstructure was found in dry N2, and is attributed to different interfacial characteristics due to adsorbed species; rather than mixing between Au and Ni layers, only the uppermost Au layers were affected by shearing. These observations are coupled with the friction and wear behavior of multilayer samples sliding under different environments

Dimensions of Classroom-Based Assessments in Inclusive Education

Inclusive education aims to provide learning progress for all. It requires assessments to identify learning levels and progress and to adapt and evaluate instruction. We extend the classroom-based assessment (CBA) approach and argue that CBA in inclusive schools consists of the four dimensions of Instructional Decision-Making, Educational Assessment, Identification of Students with Special Educational Needs, and Progress Monitoring. For this paper, we developed both a framework of CBA for research interests and individual scales for each dimension (6 to 9 items per scale) in order to identify the four dimensions in which teachers need further training. To create a more manageable instrument for education and training practice, we tested a combined model as a questionnaire. In a survey of 110 teachers and 152 pre-service special education teachers (N = 252), the individual scales had good internal consistency (α = .92, .82, .92, .93). Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, an initial combined model, consisting of the revised individual scales, showed acceptable fit values (CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.89, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.06) almost everywhere. The further development of the questionnaire and its significance and relevance for inclusive educational practice will be discussed

Questionnaire on teachers' diagnostic competence related to classroom-based assessment in inclusive schools (DaCI)- English Translation of the Version 0.2

This questionnaire is designed to assess the diagnostic competencies related to classroom-based assessments as a crucial component of data-based instructions. The target groups of the questionnaire are student teachers, trainee and pre-service teachers as well as teachers in the field of inclusive education. The questionnaire consists of four dimensions: (1) Instructional Decision-Making, (2) Educational Assessments, (3) Identification of Special Educational Needs, and (4) Progress Monitoring. The third dimension, Identification of Special Educational Needs, is specifically designed for special education teachers, while all other dimensions are applicable to all teachers. It is assumed that lessons in all types of schools are planned and designed in a differentiated and individually appropriate way for all students. A basic knowledge of the subject matter as well as diagnostic competencies are necessary in this respect, especially in inclu-sive and special schools, in order to make data-based instructions. The questionnaire provides a basis for assessing the diagnostic competence of teachers to plan further trainings and skill enhancement courses in diagnostics

Testbeschreibung zur skillbasierten Lernverlaufsdiagnostik „Dehnungs-h“ (Dh-LVD) zur Messung des Rechtschreibphänomens Regel der Dehnung durch „h“

In diesem Testbericht wird die Testkonstruktion der skillbasierten Lernverlaufsdiagnostik Dehnungs-h sowie der dazugehörige Itempool vorgestellt. Dieser Test erweitert das allgemeine Testrepertoire der Lernverlaufsdiagnostik im Bereich der Skilltests (Gebhardt et al., 2021; Jungjohann & Hüninghake, 2022a), indem das Rechtschreibphänomen der Dehnung durch „h“ isoliert berücksichtigt wird. Es wurde analog zu den beiden Levumi-Tests Doppelte Mitlaute (Test zur Messung des phonographisch-silbischen Rechtschreibprinzips der Doppelkonsonantenschreibung; Jungjohann & Hüninghake, 2022b) und Auslaute (zur Messung des morphologischen Rechtschreibprinzips der Auslautverhärtung; Jungjohann & Barwasser, 2022) konstruiert. Der Test ist als webbasierte Testversion in der Onlineplattform www.levumi.de (Gebhardt et al., 2016) implementiert und kann dort kostenfrei durchgeführt werden. Der Test Dehnungs-h ist als schülerzentrierter Speedtest (Rost, 2004) mit einer Durchführungszeit von fünf Minuten konstruiert. Für die Konstruktion der Items wurden in den Grundwortschätzen mehrerer Bundesländer vorkommende Wörter mit Dehnungs-h sowie weitere altersgerechte Wörter ohne Verschriftlichung einer Dehnung berücksichtigt. Jedes Item besteht aus einem Wort, welches nach dem Vokal eine Auslassung aufweist. Die Aufgabe für die Schüler:innen besteht darin, zu entscheiden, ob die Lücke mit einem Dehnungs-h gefüllt werden muss. Um das Wortverständnis zu sichern, wird zu jedem Wort ein passendes Bild präsentiert