The first record of Chthonius (C.) alpicola (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) in Germany and new localities in Austria are presented

Die biogeographische Sonderstellung der Berchtesgadener Alpen im deutschen Alpenraum ist hinlänglich bekannt. Zahlreiche Endemiten der (Nord-)Ostalpen erreichen an der Saalach ihre (nord-)westliche Verbreitungsgrenze (MERXMULLER 1952, HUBL 2001). Unter den Arachniden konnten solche Arten bereits bei Weberknechten (HAMMELBACHER 1987, BLICK & HAMMELBACHER 1994) und Spinnen (MUSTER 2000, 2001) nachgewiesen werden. Mit Chthonius (C.) alpicola wird erstmals ein Pseudoskorpion dieses Arealtyps vorgestellt

La survie religieuse des communautés protestantes du centre de la France et du Bassin parisien de la Révocation de l’édit de Nantes à l’édit de tolérance (1685-1787)

Le protestantisme du Nord de la France aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles se caractérise par sa grande dispersion ainsi que par sa très faible importance numérique. Pourtant, malgré le choc de la Révocation, les conversions et les départs, des communautés vivantes traversent le dernier siècle de l\u27Ancien Régime. Du point de vue religieux, des signes montrent que, tout au long de cette période, les protestants conservent une foi vivante: des assemblées se tiennent dès les premiers mois de l\u27édit de Fontainebleau, des «nouveaux convertis» attaquent le dogme et la discipline de l\u27Église catholique, ou refusent l\u27intervention du curé dans les grands moments de leur vie. Les formes de résistance et les rythmes de persécution sont cependant variables d\u27une communauté, voire d\u27une époque à l\u27autre. Certaines églises, en particulier celles de Picardie, profitent de la proximité de la frontière avec les Pays-Bas autrichiens, ainsi que de la présence des pasteurs qui accompagnent les garnisons de la Barrière. D\u27autres, plus isolées, trouvent dans la capitale un lieu d\u27accueil et leurs membres fréquentent les chapelles d\u27ambassades des pays protestants. Ce n\u27est pourtant que tardivement, et non sans mal, que les structures ecclésiastiques se réorganisent, à partir du milieu des années 1760. L\u27édit de tolérance permet à ces communautés affaiblies démographiquement de reparaître au grand jour, là où elles ont survécu

Zur Kenntnis der Pseudoskorpion-Fauna von Ostdeutschland (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones)

On the knowledge of the pseudoscorpion fauna of East Germany. Based on the examination of over 23. 000 specimens, distribution, frequency/dominance, morphometric data and ecology of the East German false scorpions are presented. Most samples were collected by the authors, the rest are from museums and other persons. 38 species were recorded The preferred habitats and strata of the most species are described. Phoresy was observed for Allochernes peregrinus, Lamprochernes chyzeri, L. nodosus and Pselaphochernes scorpioides. Nine species live in ants nests. Zoogeographic aspects of the species assemblage are discussed in the world wide context. Distribution limits of four species run across the area of investigation

U.S. and Soviet strategic command and control: implications for a protracted nuclear war

This thesis will address the relative ability of the command and control systems of the United States and Soviet Union to support a protracted nuclear war. It will address the organizations as well as the various systems used to support the respective National Command Authorities. This includes the threat warning and attack assessment equipment used to determine strategic and tactical warning, the communications equipment used to alert forces of increased readiness and the contribution of these systems in the conduct of nuclear strikes, if required. It also includes a review of the technical factors associated with the performance of C 3 in a nuclear environment. The result is a net assessment of the two command and control systems that highlights the strengths and weaknesses inherent in each. Specific recommendations, such as better aircraft support schemes and more robust command and control systems, are developed to help enhance the United States' position regarding this vital national security issue.http://archive.org/details/ussovietstrategi00lippLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Situationsanalyse und Maßnahmen zur Prävention von Verkehrsunfällen bei Kindern in Deutschland: Evidenzbasierte Verkehrspolitik in Deutschland?

Die Verkehrssicherheit von Kindern ist ein Kernpunkt des Sicherheitsberichts der Organisation für ökonomische Kooperation und Entwicklung (OECD). In ihrem Bericht Keeping Children Safe in Traffic wird auf erfolgreiche Programme für mehr Sicherheit für Kinder im Straßenverkehr verwiesen. In-wieweit die Empfehlungen in den Mitgliedsstaaten erfolgreich umgesetzt werden, bleibt im Bericht jedoch offen. Ziel der Arbeit ist, eine Basis für die Überprüfung der Evidenz der Verkehrspolitik in Deutschland zu legen. Die vorliegende Situationsanalyse zur Datenlage von Verkehrssicherheitsmaßnahmen für Kinder überprüfte die Daten zwischen 1990 und 2005 zu Verkehrsunfällen von Kindern in Deutschland. Zusätzlich wurden Studien zu ausgewählten Bereichen Verkehrserziehung, Schutzausrüstung, Bau und Raum, Überwachung und Regulation sowie psychologische und soziale Aspekte recherchiert und dem aktuellen Unfallverhütungsbericht der Bundesregierung gegenübergestellt. Alle bearbeiteten Studien wurden tabellarisch zusammengefasst. Darüber hinaus werden Beispiele für eine evidenzbasierte und erfolgreiche Umsetzung von Maßnahmen der Verkehrssicherheit für Kinder auf lokaler Ebene aufgezeigt. Die Analysen der Daten ergaben, dass das Risiko für Kinder zu verunglücken in Deutschland in den vergangenen Jahren eher gestiegen ist. Jedoch wer-den diese Daten in den Bericht der Bundesregierung gegenteilig dargestellt. Dies hängt vor allem von den gewählten Bezugszahlen der Berechnungen ab. Eine erfolgreiche Reduzierung von Unfällen mit Kinderbeteiligung wurde am Beispiel der Stadt Hamm aufgezeigt. In Deutschland bleiben nach dem derzeitigen Kenntnisstand der Arbeit, evi-denzbasierte Verkehrsicherheitsmaßnahmen Einzelmaßnahmen. Um eine evidenzbasierte Verkehrspolitik zu erreichen, bedarf es als Voraussetzung mehr Transparenz der Daten und Studien. Ebenso sollten Forschungsergeb-nisse besser strukturiert und den politischen Entscheidungsträgern in einer leicht zugänglichen und verständlichen Form zur Verfügung stehen. Darüber hinaus sollten die Erfahrungen anderer Länder in der nationalen Verkehrspolitik Berücksichtigung finden. Das in Schweden, Großbritannien und den Niederlanden bereits erklärte Ziel einer Verkehrspolitik mit null Verkehrstoten (Vision Zero) sollte auch in Deutschland selbstverständlich sein. -- Road traffic safety for children is a priority for the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). Successful interventions to increase the safety of children were highlighted in their report Keeping children safe in traffic. However, to what extent the successful interventions have been implemented in member states is not reported. The aim of this study is to lay the basis for the analysis of the evidence base of road traffic policy in Germany. This encompasses both an analysis of the current epidemiological situation of road traffic safety for children between 1990 and 2005. In addition, research studies which address topics of traffic education, individual protective measures, urban and traffic design, monitoring and regulation as well as psychological and social factors were reviewed and compared with the most recent Federal Report on Injury Prevention. Best practice examples for the successful implementation of road safety measures for children on the local level are highlighted. The analysis of the available epidemiological data demonstrated that the risk of a child getting injured in traffic has increased during recent years. This is in stark contrast with the most recent report by the Federal Government which stated the contrary. The main reason for this discrepancy is the choice of denominators. A successful example on how to reduce road traffic accidents with injuries of children is given using the city of Hamm. Evidence-based policies to increase road safety for children in Germany are largely missing and are limited to single interventions at the local level. As prerequisites to a comprehensive road safety policy, there is a need for more data transparency and research. Also existing research should be analysed and made available to policy decision-makers in an easy-to-use format. Experiences from other countries should also be used to improve national road safety policies. The objective of reducing road traffic deaths to zero - vision zero adopted by Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands should also guide German road safety policies.

Psychological profile and self-administered relaxation in patients with craniofacial pain: a prospective in-office study

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychological profile of craniofacial pain sufferers and the impact of patient subtype classification on the short-time effectiveness of a self-administered relaxation training. Methods: One hundred unselected in-office patients (67% females) suffering from chronic facial pain and/or headache with the presumptive diagnose of temporo-mandibular disorder (TMD) completed a questionnaire battery comprising craniofacial pain perception, somatic complaints, irrational beliefs, and pain behavior and were classified into subtypes using cluster analysis. They underwent a self-administered progressive relaxation training and were re-evaluated for pain perception after 3 months. Results: Pain was mild to moderate in the majority of patients. Symptom domains comprised parafunctional activities, temporo-mandibular pain and dysfunction, fronto-temporal headache, head/neck and neck/back pain. Three patient subtypes were identified regarding symptom/dysfunction level: (i) low burden (mild/moderate), (ii) psychosocial dysfunction (moderate/high), (iii) adaptive coping (moderate/mild). Self-rated adherence to the recommended relaxation training was moderate throughout the sample, but self-rated relief was significantly different between clusters. At follow-up, pain intensity was significantly decreased in all patients, whereas pain-related interference was improved only in dysfunctional and adaptive patients. Improvement of symptom domains varied between clusters and was most comprehensive in adaptive patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, craniofacial pain sufferers can be divided in meaningful subtypes based on their pain perception, irrational beliefs, and pain behaviour. A self-administered relaxation training generally yielded positive effects on pain perception, however the benefit may be greater in patients with more marked symptom impact (both dysfunctional and adaptive).<br

Association of dentoskeletal morphology with incisor inclination in angle class II patients: a retrospective cephalometric study

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify possible dentoskeletal parameters associated with variation of anterior tooth inclination in Angle Class II subdivisions. Methods: Pre-treatment lateral radiographs of 144 Class II patients (68 males, 76 females) aged 9 to 17 years were classified for upper incisor inclination into three groups (proclined, normally inclined, retroclined) homogeneous for gender and skeletal jaw relationship. The effect of age on the 22 cephalometric variables was controlled by covariance analysis. Results: Multivariate analysis of the cephalometric parameters indicated significant inter-group differences. Systematic associations with incisor inclination were revealed using rank correlation: Lower incisor proclination, Wits appraisal and gonial angle significantly decreased (0.04 ≥ p ≥ 0.002), while intercisal angle, mandibular total and corpus length and nasolabial angle increased (0.04 ≥ p ≥ 0.001) with decreasing incisor proclination. Conclusions: Clear-cut classification criteria and control of confounding effects may clarify conflicting previous findings on dentoskeletal differences between Class II subdivisions in the mixed dentition. Only minor dentoskeletal differences appear to be associated with incisor inclination. The increased interincisal and nasolabial angle in Class II division 2 subjects are due to reclination of both upper and lower incisors. Jaw positions and chin prominence are not significantly different between the subdivisions. However, Wits appraisal is decreased in Class II division 2. The increased mandibular length observed in Class II division 2 requires further scrutinization.<br

The effect of e-learning on the quality of orthodontic appliances

Purpose: The effect of e-learning on practical skills in medicine has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Today’s multimedia learning environment and access to e-books provide students with more knowledge than ever before. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of online demonstrations concerning the quality of orthodontic appliances manufactured by undergraduate dental students. Materials and methods: The study design was a parallel-group randomized clinical trial. Fifty-four participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) conventional lectures, 2) conventional lectures plus written online material, and 3) access to resources of groups one and two plus access to online video material. Three orthodontic appliances (Schwarz Plate, U-Bow Activator, and Fränkel Regulator) were manufactured during the course and scored by two independent raters blinded to the participants. A 15-point scale index was used to evaluate the outcome quality of the appliances. Results: In general, no significant differences were found between the groups. Concerning the appliances, the Schwarz Plate obtained the highest scores, whereas the Fränkel Regulator had the lowest scores; however, these results were independent of the groups. Females showed better outcome scores than males in groups two and three, but the difference was insignificant. Age of the participants also had no significant effect. Conclusion: The offer that students could use additional time and course-independent e-learning resources did not increase the outcome quality of the orthodontic appliances. The advantages of e-learning observed in the theoretical fields of medicine were not achieved in the educational procedures for manual skills. Factors other than e-learning may have a higher impact on manual skills, and this should be investigated in further studies

Tracing the first steps of American sturgeon pioneers in Europe

Background: A Baltic population of Atlantic sturgeon was founded ~1,200 years ago by migrants from North America, but after centuries of persistence, the population was extirpated in the 1960s, mainly as a result of over-harvest and habitat alterations. As there are four genetically distinct groups of Atlantic sturgeon inhabiting North American rivers today, we investigated the genetic provenance of the historic Baltic population by ancient DNA analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Results: The phylogeographic signal obtained from multilocus microsatellite DNA genotypes and mitochondrial DNA control region haplotypes, when compared to existing baseline datasets from extant populations, allowed for the identification of the region-of-origin of the North American Atlantic sturgeon founders. Moreover, statistical and simulation analyses of the multilocus genotypes allowed for the calculation of the effective number of individuals that originally founded the European population of Atlantic sturgeon. Our findings suggest that the Baltic population of A. oxyrinchus descended from a relatively small number of founders originating from the northern extent of the species' range in North America. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the most northerly distributed North American A. oxyrinchus colonized the Baltic Sea ~1,200 years ago, suggesting that Canadian specimens should be the primary source of broodstock used for restoration in Baltic rivers. This study illustrates the great potential of patterns obtained from ancient DNA to identify population-of-origin to investigate historic genotype structure of extinct populations