“Energy WITH Spirit” Facing Nowadays Challenges by Generating Sustainbale Energy in Solidary Energy Communities: First Project Insights

Our world faces multiple challenges: The energy crisis is one of them and must be addressed at a local and regional as well as national and global level. In this transformation process of phasing out fossil energy sources, technical and social innovation must work closely together to foster long-term and sustainable changes. Generating energy from solar sources is one of the key sustainable and resource-efficient options we presently have . As stipulated in the European Green Deal, the goal is to phase out fossil fuels by 2050 with no net greenhouse gas emissions (European Commission, 2019). Sun and renewable energy sources are therefore key drivers for resilient and livable cities, societies, and economies. Just as the challenges of global change processes are unevenly distributed across the world, so are financial resources. People who are threatened or affected by poverty are more likely to be affected by energy poverty. According to a study from 2021, low-income households are significantly more affected by the rising energy prices (Maier- Kubala, 2021). Measures for energy transition and climate change adaptation are often associated with high costs and are therefore more likely to be implemented by people with higher incomes. To include vulnerable groups in the process of energy transition, the project "Energy WITH Spirit," solidarity-social energy communities, was established. The main aim of the project is for socially disadvantaged and poverty-affected households, as well as people in basic services and low-income earners , to benefit from the sustainable and solidary produced energy. 10 % of the energy produced in kWh or 10% of the profit generated in Euro will be donated to vulnerable groups. How this goal is implemented technically (e.g., smart metre rollout; photovoltaic systems and storage, optimal consumer mix), economically (e.g., billing modalities, digital billing), and organisationally (e.g., proof of household income and expenditure; selection of recipients of energy quotas) will be explored within the project. • The following target groups are involved in the solidarity-social energy communities: producers invest in sustainable energy generation through photovoltaic systems and set them up on their own properties, prosumers produce and consume part of their produced energy themselves (production and use under one roof) and consumers receive part of the energy produced by photovoltaic systems in the form of electricity. As consumers only, the project addresses the following groups: Socially disadvantaged and/or low-income households, people in basic services and the in-work impoverished who do not receive any government grants. • To better involve the target groups, knowledge-transfer and awareness-raising workshops are held to address and sensitise them to urban energy, environmental, and climate issues. According to the solidary approach, "Energy WITH Spirit" aims to overcome the challenges of the energy crisis by generating sustainable energy in a solidarity energy community by actively involving vulnerable groups in the energy transition process. The next steps of the project are the technical construction of the photovoltaic plants as well as the economic preparation of the solidary energy community. This process is accompanied by target group orientated and simple energy education workshops for the vulnerable groups

Mit Menschen mit Demenz forschen – ethische Reflexionen einer qualitativen Forschungspraxis zur Mobilität im öffentlichen Raum

In diesem Beitrag reflektieren wir ethische Fragen der qualitativen Forschung mit Menschen mit Demenz anhand konkreter Projekterfahrungen und stellen theoretische Bezüge her. In dem Forschungsprojekt "Demenz in Bewegung: Studie und Handlungsempfehlungen für demenzfreundliches Unterwegssein im öffentlichen Verkehrssystem" partizipieren Menschen mit Demenz am Forschungsprozess. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes wurden narrative Interviews zu Alltagserfahrungen und Mobilitätsbedürfnissen, eine Begehungsstudie mit Spaziergängen sowie eine Machbarkeitstestung von bestehenden technischen Hilfsmitteln durchgeführt. Zentrale ethische Herausforderungen zeigten sich sowohl in der theoretischen Fundierung als auch bei Vorbereitung und Durchführung der Untersuchung. Wir diskutieren den Grundsatz des informierten Einverständnisses als prozessorientierte Einwilligung (process consent) vor dem Hintergrund von Anforderungen institutionalisierter Prüfverfahren durch Ethikkommissionen. Darüber hinaus zeigen wir, dass unsere Entscheidung, "Demenz" im Gespräch mit betroffenen Menschen offen anzusprechen, im Spannungsfeld zwischen transparenter Information, dem Risiko zu verletzen und der Chance, ermächtigend zu wirken, steht

Combined antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures to contain the spread of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in an intensive care unit

Background The unrestricted use of linezolid has been linked to the emergence of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (LRSE). We report the effects of combined antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures on the spread of LRSE in an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods Microbiological data were reviewed to identify all LRSE detected in clinical samples at an ICU in southwest Germany. Quantitative data on the use of antibiotics with Gram-positive coverage were obtained in defined daily doses (DDD) per 100 patient-days (PD). In addition to infection control measures, an antibiotic stewardship intervention was started in May 2019, focusing on linezolid restriction and promoting vancomycin, wherever needed. We compared data from the pre-intervention period (May 2018–April 2019) to the post-intervention period (May 2019–April 2020). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to determine the genetic relatedness of LRSE isolates. Results In the pre-intervention period, LRSE were isolated from 31 patients (17 in blood cultures). The average consumption of linezolid and daptomycin decreased from 7.5 DDD/100 PD and 12.3 DDD/100 PD per month in the pre-intervention period to 2.5 DDD/100 PD and 5.7 DDD/100 PD per month in the post-intervention period (p = 0.0022 and 0.0205), respectively. Conversely, vancomycin consumption increased from 0.2 DDD/100 PD per month to 4.7 DDD/100 PD per month (p < 0.0001). In the post-intervention period, LRSE were detected in 6 patients (4 in blood cultures) (p = 0.0065). WGS revealed the predominance of one single clone. Conclusions Complementing infection control measures by targeted antibiotic stewardship interventions was beneficial in containing the spread of LRSE in an ICU

Tutoring in adult-child-interaction: On the loop of the tutor's action modification and the recipient's gaze

Pitsch K, Vollmer A-L, Rohlfing K, Fritsch J, Wrede B. Tutoring in adult-child-interaction: On the loop of the tutor's action modification and the recipient's gaze. Interaction Studies. 2014;15(1):55-98.Research of tutoring in parent-infant interaction has shown that tutors - when presenting some action - modify both their verbal and manual performance for the learner (‘motherese’, ‘motionese’). Investigating the sources and effects of the tutors’ action modifications, we suggest an interactional account of ‘motionese’. Using video-data from a semi-experimental study in which parents taught their 8 to 11 month old infants how to nest a set of differently sized cups, we found that the tutors’ action modifications (in particular: high arches) functioned as an orienting device to guide the infant’s visual attention (gaze). Action modification and the recipient’s gaze can be seen to have a reciprocal sequential relationship and to constitute a constant loop of mutual adjustments. Implications are discussed for developmental research and for robotic ‘Social Learning’. We argue that a robot system could use on-line feedback strategies (e.g. gaze) to pro-actively shape a tutor’s action presentation as it emerges

Comparison of the oncolytic activity of a replication‐competent and a replication‐deficient herpes simplex virus 1

In 2015, the oncolytic herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) T-VEC (talimogene laherparepvec) was approved for intratumoral injection in non-resectable malignant melanoma. To determine whether viral replication is required for oncolytic activity, we compared replication-deficient HSV-1 d106S with replication-competent T-VEC. High infectious doses of HSV-1 d106S killed melanoma (n = 10), head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (n = 11), and chondrosarcoma cell lines (n = 2) significantly faster than T-VEC as measured by MTT metabolic activity, while low doses of T-VEC were more effective over time. HSV-1 d106S and, to a lesser extent T-VEC, triggered caspase-dependent early apoptosis as shown by pan-caspase inhibition and specific induction of caspases 3/7, 8, and 9. HSV-1 d106S induced a higher ratio of apoptosis-inducing infected cell protein (ICP) 0 to apoptosis-blocking ICP6 than T-VEC. T-VEC was oncolytic for an extended period of time as viral replication continued, which could be partially blocked by the antiviral drug aciclovir. High doses of T-VEC, but not HSV-1 d106S, increased interferon-β mRNA as part of the intrinsic immune response. When markers of immunogenic cell death were assessed, ATP was released more efficiently in the context of T-VEC than HSV-1 d106S infection, whereas HMGB1 was induced comparatively well. Overall, the early oncolytic effect on three different tumour entities was stronger with the non-replicative strain, while the replication-competent virus elicited a stronger innate immune response and more pronounced immunogenic cell death

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Immobilienmärkte westlicher Industrienationen in historischer Perspektive

This dissertation consists of three essays that empirically analyze different aspects of housing markets in historical perspective. The first two essays seek to broaden our understanding about long-run trends and fluctuations in housing markets of advanced economies. The third focuses on the interplay of mortgage debt and macroeconomic fluctuations. Chapter 2; No Price Like Home: House Prices in Advanced Economies, 1870–2012, studies how house prices have evolved over the long run. Based on extensive historical research, the essay presents annual house price series for 14 advanced economies since 1870. The historical journey into long-run house price trends yields two important new insights. First, it shows that real house prices stayed constant from the 19th to the mid-20th century, but rose strongly in the second half of the 20th century. Second, a decomposition of house prices into the replacement cost of the structure and land prices reveals that rising land prices have been the driving force behind this hockey-stick pattern of real house prices. They explain about 80 percent of the global house price boom that has taken place after World War 2. These findings have a number of important implications. They suggest that higher land prices likely played a critical role in the recent increase of housing wealth and hence in the rise of wealth-to-income ratios in Western economies. In addition to these distributional consequences, land prices may also impact economic growth directly through agglomeration effects. Finally, the findings contradict the popular notion that the long-run price elasticity of housing supply is high, because new land for additional construction is still in ample supply and available at constant prices. Chapter 3, As Volatile As Houses: Return Predictability in International Housing Markets, 1870–2015, examines house price fluctuations and their sources over the past 140 years to answer the following question: Are house prices excessively volatile relative to fundamentals? To capture changes in fundamentals, macroeconomists typically focus on variables that might shift supply and demand. In this essay, I borrow from the finance literature to take a different approach. Assuming that any asset’s fundamental value equals the present value of its future cash flows, rents are one of the most important fundamental determinant of housing value and the rent-price ratio summarizes market expectations of future housing returns and/or rent growth. In this setting, the question about excess volatility translates into asking whether the rent-price ratio predicts returns or rent growth. Most studies examining the rent-price ratio’s predictive power for housing returns and rents have focused on relatively recent U.S. data and produced mixed evidence. To conduct a comprehensive study of return pre-dictability in international housing markets, I combine the long-run house price data from Chapter 2 with a novel dataset covering data on housing rents since the late 19th century. I start by providing a comprehensive characterization of house price cycles and show that house prices have deviated from rents for extended periods of time. House price growth in advanced economies particularly outpaced rent growth in the second half of the 20th century resulting in strongly decreasing rent-price ratios. Based on the dynamic Gordon growth model and using a restricted vector-autoregressive framework, I find that return predictability and thus the excess volatility puzzle have been a pervasive feature of modern housing markets. In this way, housing markets appear to be remarkably similar to stock and bond markets. The last essay in Chapter 4, Household Debt and Economic Recovery: Evidence from the U.S. Great Depression, investigates the link between the accumulation of debt and the se-verity and duration of recessions. In the wake of the Great Recession, household debt over-hang and the ensuing process of deleveraging have often been cited as factors holding back economic recovery. In this chapter, I zoom in on the years of the Great Depression and use cross-sectional data for U.S. states to examine the connection between state-level variation in household indebtedness and the strength of recovery. The years preceding the Great De-pression were a time of great economic prosperity and credit expansion that fostered a sig-nificant increase in household debt in general, and mortgage debt in particular. The level of mortgage debt varied substantially across states at the onset of the Depression. I present ev-idence that the level of indebtedness is an important aspect in explaining the severity and du-ration of the Great Depression. This relationship is mostly driven by a slower pace of eco-nomic recovery, rather than a more severe recession. U.S. states with higher initial debt-to-income ratios recovered considerably slower between 1933 and 1939. The similarity of the results for very different historical episodes suggests a close link between the accumulation of household indebtedness and recovery paths.Die vorliegende kumulative Dissertationsschrift setzt sich aus drei wissenschaftlichen Einzelbeiträgen zusammen. Der gemeinsame Forschungsschwerpunkt ist die empirische Analyse von Immobilienmärkten westlicher Industrienationen aus wirtschaftshistorischer Perspektive. Der erste Beitrag analysiert die langfristige Preisentwicklung von Wohnimmobilien. Auf Grundlage umfassender historischer Quellenarbeit werden in diesem Kapitel lange Zeitreihen für Wohnimmobilienpreise in 14 westlichen Industrieländern konstruiert. Die Analyse der aufbereiteten Daten zeigt, dass sich die Preise für Wohneigentum seit dem Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts im Durchschnitt etwa verdreifacht haben. Jedoch war dieser Anstieg im Zeitverlauf nicht kontinuierlich. In den meisten untersuchten Ländern blieben die inflationsberei-nigten Häuserpreise zwischen dem späten 19. Jahrhundert und der Mitte des 20. Jahrhun-derts nahezu konstant. Seit dem Ende des zweiten Weltkriegs ist hingegen ein erheblicher Preisanstieg zu beobachten. Eine Zerlegung der Wohnimmobilienpreise in Landpreise und Wiederherstellungswerte für Wohngebäude ermittelt den Landpreis als die vorrangige Triebkraft dieser spezifischen Entwicklung. Diese Erkenntnis hat eine Reihe von bedeutenden Implikationen für die langfristige Entwicklung des Verhältnisses von Privatvermögen zu Natio-naleinkommen (wealth-to-income ratio), Wachstumseffekte durch Agglomeration, und die langfristigen Preiselastizität des Wohnungsangebotes. Der zweite Beitrag untersucht die Volatilität der Wohnimmobilienpreise in 16 Industrienationen während der vergangenen 140 Jahre. Im Zentrum steht dabei die Frage, ob die historisch zu beobachtenden Preisdynamiken durch Schwankungen im Fundamentalwert begründbar sind oder ob die Preise relativ zu diesen Fundamentalwertschwankungen eine zu hohe Volatilität aufweisen. Das Kapitel bedient sich eines Ansatzes aus der Finanzwissenschaft, demzufolge der fundamentale Wert eines Hauses der Summe der zukünftig erwarteten, diskontierten Mieteinnahmen entspricht. Im Verhältnis von Miete und Hauspreis, der rent-price ratio, spiegeln sich demnach die Markterwartungen künftiger Renditen und künftiger Mietveränderungen. Die Frage nach exzessiver Volatilität wird in diesem Kontext zur Frage nach der Prognostizierbarkeit von Renditen oder/und von Mietveränderungen durch die rent-price ratio. Bisher existierende Studien untersuchten diese Frage in der Regel lediglich auf Basis von Daten für den U.S. amerikanischen Markt bzw. für die Jahre nach 1970. Um eine umfassendere empirische Untersuchung durchzuführen, wird daher in diesem Beitrag der Datensatz aus dem vorangegangen Kapitel um lange Zeitreihen für Mieten erweitert. Eine umfassende Charakterisierung von Immobilienpreiszyklen auf Basis dieser Daten zeigt, dass es historisch wiederholt zu ausgeprägten Preisdynamiken kam, wobei die Preise über längere Zeiträume von Mieten abwichen. Vor allem in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts überstieg die Verteuerung von Wohnimmobilien systematisch den Anstieg der Mieten. Die nachfolgende Analyse unter Verwendung eines vektorautoregressiven Modells legt nahe, dass die Prognostizierbarkeit von Renditen ein wesentliches Merkmal von Immobilienmärkten ist. Der dritte Beitrag untersucht am Beispiel der Großen Depression in den USA den Zusammenhang zwischen Hypothekarverschuldung und der Dauer und Schwere von Rezessionen. Die goldenen zwanziger Jahre waren in den Vereinigten Staaten nicht nur durch wirtschaftliche Prosperität, sondern auch maßgeblich durch eine fortschreitende Verschuldung der pri-vaten Haushalte geprägt. Die Ergebnisse einer Analyse von Querschnittsdaten für 49 US- Bundesstaaten weisen darauf hin, dass der daraus resultierende Verschuldungsgrad das Ausmaß der Großen Depression nachhaltig beeinflusste. Dabei bedingte dieser nicht die Intensität des Abschwungs, sondern vorrangig die Dynamik der wirtschaftlichen Erholung. In US-Bundesstaaten, in denen die privaten Haushalte eine vergleichbar höhere Relation von Hypothekarverschuldung zu Einkommen (mortgage debt-to-income ratio) aufwiesen, war die Wirtschaftsentwicklung zwischen 1933 und 1939 signifikant schwächer als in US-Bundestaaten mit niedrigerem Verschuldungsniveau. Auch andere historische Episoden pri-vater Schuldenüberhänge zeigen, dass die Anpassungsprozesse bei deren Rückführung grundsätzlich mit einer gedämpften Wirtschaftsdynamik verbunden sind. Die Ähnlichkeit der in diesem Kapitel vorgestellten Ergebnisse zu Studien anderer Krisenepisoden legt nahe, dass es einen engen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Verlauf wirtschaftlicher Erholung und dem Grad der vorangegangen Schuldenakkumulation gibt