Die Bedeutung von Säumen im großflächigen Ökologischen Landbau

Establishing a system of field margins for enhancing the floristic and faunistic biodiversity on a Demeter farm in north-east Germany is part of the project “Nature conservation farm Brodowin”, which analyses potential conflicts between nature conservation demands and large-scale organic agriculture. In cooperation with the Demeter farm Ökodorf Brodowin several possibilities for the special management of field margins are tested, which meet the demands of target species as well as fit in the agricultural process. Field margins from 3 to 20m are excluded from ploughing, partly set aside and partly mown once or twice a year. First results show that these field margins serve as habitat and source-area for a large variety of species. For example, density and reproduction of grasshoppers is high, especially on margins with poor soils. From the agricultural point of view, unploughed field margins can facilitate farming procedures. Depending on the quantity and quality of the fodder, it can be integrated into animal nutrition

Unmet care needs in the oldest old with social loss experiences: results of a representative survey

Background: Loss experiences such as the loss of a spouse, a close relative or significant others become more likely in old age and may be strongly related to specific unmet health care needs. These unmet needs may often remain undetected and undertreated followed by a negative impact on well-being and social role functioning. The present study aims at exploring the relationship between loss experiences and specific unmet care needs in old age. Methods: As part of the study „Need assessment in the oldest old: application, psychometric examination and establishment of the German version of the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE)”, the adapted German version of the CANE was used in a population-representative telephone survey in a sample of 988 individuals aged 75+ years. Loss experiences within the last 12 months were assessed within the structured telephone survey. Descriptive and interferential statistical analyses were run in order to examine the association between loss experiences and occurring unmet care needs. Results: Overall, 29.7% of the oldest old reported at least one social loss with other relatives losses being the most frequent (12.5%), followed by non-family losses (10.7%). A significant relationship between loss experiences and a higher number of unmet care needs was observed, especially for close family losses. Other risk factors for unmet care needs were age, marital status, depression, social support and morbidity. Conclusions: This study provides, for the first time in Germany, data on the association between loss experiences and unmet needs. These findings may substantially contribute to the development of loss-specific interventions, effective treatment and health care planning for the bereaved elderly

Hindered Aluminum Plating and Stripping in Urea/NMA/Al(OTF)3_3 as a Cl-Free Electrolyte for Aluminum Batteries

Conventional electrolytes for aluminum metal batteries are highly corrosive because they must remove the Al$_2$O$_3$ layer to enable plating and stripping. However, such corrosiveness impacts the stability of all cell parts, thus hampering the real application of aluminum-metal batteries. The urea/NMA/Al(OTF)$_3$ electrolyte is a non-corrosive alternative to the conventional [EMImCl]: AlCl$_3$ ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE). Unfortunately, this electrolyte demonstrates poor Al plating/stripping, probably because (being not corrosive) it cannot remove the Al$_2$O$_3$ passivation layer. This work proves that no plating/stripping occurs on the Al electrode despite modifying the Al surface. We highlight how urea/NMA/Al(OTF)$_3$ electrolyte and the state of the Al electrode surface impact the interphase layer formation and, consequently, the likelihood and reversibility of Al plating/stripping. We point up the requirement for carefully drying electrolyte mixture and components, as water results in hydrogen evolution reaction and creation of an insulating interphase layer containing Al(OH)$_3$, AlF$_3$, and re-passivated Al oxide, which finally blocks the path for the possible Al plating/stripping

Microstructure Evolution of a New Precipitation-Strengthened Fe–Al–Ni–Ti Alloy down to Atomic Scale

Ferritic materials consisting of a disordered matrix and a significant volume fraction of ordered intermetallic precipitates have recently gained attention due to their favorable properties regarding high-temperature applicability. Alloys strengthened by Heusler-type precipitates turned out to show promising properties at elevated temperatures, e.g., creep resistance. The present work aims at developing a fundamental understanding of the microstructure of an alloy with a nominal composition of 60Fe–20Al–10Ni–10Ti (in at. %). In order to determine the microstructural evolution, prevailing phases and corresponding phase transformation temperatures are investigated. Differential thermal analysis, high-temperature X-ray diffraction, and special heat treatments were performed. The final microstructures are characterized by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy along with hardness measurements. Atom probe tomography conducted on alloys of selected heat-treated conditions allows for evaluating the chemical composition and spatial arrangement of the constituent phases. All investigated sample conditions showed microstructures consisting of two phases with crystal structures A2 and L21. The L21 precipitates grew within a continuous A2 matrix. Due to a rather small lattice mismatch, matrix–precipitate interfaces are either coherent or semicoherent depending on the cooling condition after heat treatment

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy Only for the Young? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Depression Treatment

Background: Late-life depression is a major public health concern, driving the development of complementary treatment options. This study investigates the effectiveness and acceptability of internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) in older individuals (60+ years) compared to younger age groups. Materials and Methods: Secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 647 (18–82 years; mean 43.9) mild to moderately severe depressed primary care patients receiving either iCBT + treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Severity of depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) at baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months. Intention-to-treat analysis in three age groups (18–39 years, n = 264; 40–59 years, n = 300; 60+ years, n = 83) was performed, using mixed-effects regression models to quantify treatment effect. Results: No age differences in the effectiveness of iCBT were found. Patients in the intervention group consistently showed a greater reduction in depression severity than controls in all three age groups and at both follow-ups. Effect sizes ranged from d = 0.30 (40–59 years, 6 weeks) to d = 1.91 (60+ years, 6 months). Uptake of the intervention was banded around 70% with no differences between age groups (c² = 0.18, p = .915). The mean number of completed modules increased with age (c² = 18.99, p = .040). Discussion: iCBT is equally effective in both younger and older individuals, thus providing a valuable complementary element of routine late-life depression care. Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS-ID: DRKS00005075 https://www.drks.de/drks_web/ navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS0000507

Modification of Al Surface via Acidic Treatment and its Impact on Plating and Stripping

Amorphous Al$_2$O$_3$ film that naturally exists on any Al substrate is a critical bottleneck for the cyclic performance of metallic Al in rechargeable Al batteries. The so-called electron/ion insulator Al oxide slows down the anode\u27s activation and hinders Al plating/stripping. The Al$_2$O$_3$ film induces different surface properties (roughness and microstructure) on the metal. Al foils present two optically different sides (shiny and non-shiny), but their surface properties and influence on plating and stripping have not been studied so far. Compared to the shiny side, the non-shiny one has a higher (~28 %) surface roughness, and its greater concentration of active sites (for Al plating and stripping) yields higher current densities. Immersion pretreatments in Ionic-Liquid/AlCl$_3$-based electrolyte with various durations modify the surface properties of each side, forming an electrode-electrolyte interphase layer rich in Al, Cl, and N. The created interphase layer provides more tunneling paths for better Al diffusion upon plating and stripping. After 500 cycles, dendritic Al deposition, generated active sites, and the continuous removal of the Al metal and oxide cause accelerated local corrosion and electrode pulverization. We highlight the mechanical surface properties of cycled Al foil, considering the role of immersion pretreatment and the differences between the two sides

Basel II: Führen die neuen Anforderungen an die Kreditinstitute zu einer Benachteiligung des Mittelstands?

In der Öffentlichkeit wurden Befürchtungen geäußert, dass Basel II den Mittelstand benachteilige, indem die Kreditverfügbarkeit für die Unternehmen eingeschränkt und ihre Zinskosten steigen würden. Für Dr. Werner Müller, Bundeswirtschaftsminister, ist diese Frage »derzeit noch nicht endgültig zu beantworten. Zwar werden zu vielen der für uns noch kritischen Punkte erfolgversprechende Lösungsansätze diskutiert, eine abschließende Einigung in Basel steht aber noch aus.« Dr. Helmut Krämer-Eis und Dr. Gregor Taistra, KfW, sehen in dem Konsultationspapier von Basel »gute Ansätze«, so dass »Basel II nicht pauschal zur Benachteiligung des Mittelstands und auch nicht zu dem vielfach befürchteten Credit Crunch führen (muss)«. Für Gerhard Hofmann, Deutsche Bundesbank, ist »unter dem Gesichtspunkt der Stabilität der einzelnen Bank und unseres Bankensystems ... Basel II unverzichtbar.« Nach Ansicht von Prof. Dr. Thomas Heidron, Hochschule für Bankwirtschaft Frankfurt/Main, wird Basel II die Situation im Mittelstand nicht grundsätzlich verändern, während laut Prof. Dr. Stephan Paul, Dr. Stefan Stein, Universität Bochum, und Dr. Michael Paul, Simon, Kucher & Partners, Basel II sogar mehr Chancen als Risiken für den Mittelstand bringt.Kreditgeschäft, Eigenkapitalvorschriften, Mittelstand, Mittelstandspolitik, Kredit, Kreditrisiko

Determinants of Willingness to Pay for Health Insurance in Germany—Results of the Population-Based Health Study of the Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE-Adult-Study)

Objective: To investigate which factors are associated with the willingness to pay (WTP) for health insurance. Methods: The analysis (n = 1,248 individuals) is based on data of a large population-based study—the Health Study of the Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE-Adult-Study). With regard to WTP for health insurance, a contingent valuation method with a payment card was used. Several explanatory variables were included. For example, personality factors (in terms of agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience) were assessed using the NEO-16 Adjective Measure. Results: Average WTP for health insurance per month equaled about e240 which corresponds to ∼14% of household net equivalent income. Multiple regressions showed that an increased WTP was associated with lower age (β = −1.7, p < 0.001), higher (log) household net equivalent income (β = 153.6, p < 0.001), higher social support (β = 2.0, p < 0.05), and private health insurance (β = 131.1, p < 0.001). Furthermore, an increased WTP for health insurance was associated with higher openness to experience (β = 10.1, p < 0.05), whereas it was not associated with agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Conclusion: The quite large amount of average WTP for health insurance may suggest that individuals accept current contributions to health insurances and would probably accept higher contributions. While previous studies mainly focused on individuals in late life, we identified a link between socioeconomic, health-related factors, and personality factors (in terms of openness to experience) and WTP in the general adult population

Insektenvielfalt auf Kleegrasflächen: Was tragen Milchviehbeweidung versus Schnittnutzung bei?

Livestock-free crop rotations and soil fertility needs shift organic arable farmers to a more intense and mechanized management of grass-clover leys. .....

Dungkäfergemeinschaften beweideter Kleegrasflächen zweier Öko-Milchviehbetriebe

Kuhfladen stellen ein sehr wichtiges Habitat für die Insektenvielfalt in agrarisch genutzten Regionen dar. Untersucht wurde das Dungkäfervorkommen auf beweideten Kleegrasflächen in zwei ökologisch bewirtschafteten Milchviehbetrieben. In beiden Betrieben wurde ....