Holistic wild bee management in urban spaces

Projects promoting bees in urban areas are initiated in cities around the world but evidence-based conservation concepts at a city-wide scale are scarce. We developed a holistic approach for assessment of bee and flowering plant diversity in a medium-sized city. In addition to standard mapping approaches in bee hotspots, we initiated citizen science projects for participative urban bee research to be able to collect comprehensive bee data across the entire city. We identified 22 hotspots of bee diversity, analyzed connectivity between those hotspots and evaluated the impact of flower patches planted in collaboration with the municipal gardens department as stepping stones for oligolectic bee species throughout the city. Participation by urban citizens in bee identification trainings was high (c. 630 persons) but their subsequent contribution through observation reports was relatively low (1,165 records by 140 observers). However, we identified a total of 139 bee taxa, seven of them only discovered by citizen scientists. Total species richness was higher in extensively managed orchards than in semi-natural and wasteland areas. Half of the stepping stone flower patches were occupied by the target oligolectic bee species in the year of planting. After 3 years, all but two species could be confirmed. We suggest a 5-step concept for bee management in cities: (1) identification of bee hotspots combined with standardized surveys, especially of rare species; (2) training of citizen scientists at two different levels for comprehensive surveys in all parts of the city: (a) half-day introductions to wild bee diversity, ecology and conservation in order to create more awareness and (b) 2-weeks workshops for in-depth training of a small number of dedicated citizen scientists; (3) extensive management of existing habitats and special conservation programs for very rare species; (4) creation of high-value habitats which take into account the varied resource needs of bees within flight ranges of only a few hundred meters; (5) creation of stepping stone habitats as floral and nesting resources, integrating educative and participative aspects

Parameterized optimized effective potential for atoms

The optimized effective potential equations for atoms have been solved by parameterizing the potential. The expansion is tailored to fulfill the known asymptotic behavior of the effective potential at both short and long distances. Both single configuration and multi configuration trial wave functions are implemented. Applications to several atomic systems are presented improving previous works. The results here obtained are very close to those calculated in either the Hartree-Fock and the multi configurational Hartree-Fock framework.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

A Self-Consistent Model for Positronium Formation from Helium Atoms

The differential and total cross sections for electron capture by positrons from helium atoms are calculated using a first-order distorted wave theory satisfying the Coulomb boundary conditions. In this formalism a parametric potential is used to describe the electron screening in a consistent and realistic manner. The present procedure is self consistent because (i) it satisfies the correct boundary conditions and post-prior symmetry, and (ii) the potential and the electron binding energies appearing in the transition amplitude are consistent with the wave functions describing the collision system. The results are compared with the other theories and with the available experimental measurements. At the considered range of collision energies, the results agree reasonably well with recent experiments and theories. [Note: This paper will be published on volume 42 of the Brazilian Journal of Physics

Evolution in intergenerational exchanges between elderly people and their grandchildren in Taiwan; data from a multiple round cross-sectional study from 1993 to 2007

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to evaluate social evolution in Taiwan in recent decades using the changing pattern of care provided by grandparents for their grandchildren as an indicator.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from the second, fourth and sixth wave surveys of the <it>Study of Health and Living Status of the Middle-Aged and Elderly in Taiwan </it>were used for the analysis. This survey collected individual characteristics, including age, gender, education, ethnicity, dwelling place, living with partners, co-resident with children, employment status, self-reported health status and their provision of care for their grandchildren. Information about the attitudes toward National Health Insurance (NHI) was further collected in a questionnaire of 1999 following the implementation of NHI in 1995. By elders, we mean persons 60 or more years old. By grandchildren, we mean persons under 16 years of age. First, changes in individual characteristics were compared during these study periods (chi-square test). Then the logistic regression was performed to determine how significantly elders' grandchild-care behavior was associated with their individual characteristics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of elders providing grandchild care increased from 7.7% in 1993 to 13.6% in 1999, and then to 19.4% in 2007. By analysis, significant association was found between behavior in taking care of grandchildren and individuals of lower age, grandmothers, those living with partners or co-residing with children, those unemployed and those with better self-reported health status. And the effect of year was confirmed in the multivariable analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study pointed out the changing pattern of elders' behavior in taking care of their grandchildren as the main indicator and their related individual characteristics. We argue the need for improving social security policies in an ageing society. We suggest that the interaction between population policies and those of social welfare, including policies for health care and childcare, should be carefully evaluated.</p

Teaching and Learning of Calculus

This survey focuses on the main trends in the field of calculus education. Despite their variety, the findings reveal a cornerstone issue that is strongly linked to the formalism of calculus concepts and to the difficulties it generates in the learning and teaching process. As a complement to the main text, an extended bibliography with some of the most important references on this topic is included. Since the diversity of the research in the field makes it difficult to produce an exhaustive state-of-the-art summary, the authors discuss recent developments that go beyond this survey and put forward new research questions

Intergenerational Transfers and Wealth in the Euro-Area: The Relevance of Inheritances and Gifts in Absolute and Relative Terms

Private wealth is a crucial factor for the economic well-being of households. Key determinants of private wealth include intergenerational wealth transfers (gifts and inheritances), which are gaining importance since 1990, as research suggests. We conduct a detailed investigation of the distribution of wealth transfers in eight Euro-area countries. First, we investigate the patterns of prevalence and level of past wealth transfers in the individual countries: Who received transfers, and what is their present value in absolute terms? We find that in most countries the percentages of households with a transfer as well as the mean present value of those transfers is increasing along the distribution of net wealth. Using a series of country-specific multivariate regressions, we find that households with higher income and education levels have both a higher probability of receiving transfers and higher absolute transfer value. We then analyze the present value of transfers as a percent of current net worth. Here, in relative terms, some of the results are reversed, as the relative importance of intergenerational transfers does not increase with the level of wealth or income. Using a fractional logit regression we conclude that for higher income quintiles the share of current net worth due to past intergenerational transfers tends to be decreasing

Who is Overeducated and Why? Probit and Dynamic Mixed Multinomial Logit Analyses of Vertical Mismatch in East and West Germany

Overeducation is an often overlooked facet of untapped human resources. But who is overeducated and why? Relying on SOEP data 1984-2011, we use probit models for estimating the likelihood of entering overeducation and dynamic mixed multinomial logit models with random effects addressing state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity. As further robustness checks we use three specifications of the target variable, i.e. realized matches, self-assessment and twofold overeducation. We run separate analyses for men and women, East and West Germans and medium and highly educated persons. We find that overeducation is mainly state dependent. Nonetheless, even in the dynamic context staying employed proves to be risk-decreasing. By contrast, scars of past unemployment show up in a higher mismatch risk. Moreover, an employer change does not serve as a suitable exit strategy, and a dual qualification does not show up as a valid insurance against graduates' job mismatch. Overall, effects largely depend on the operationalization of overeducation. We conclude that to combat overeducation, focusing on continuous employment careers and circumventing unintentional withdrawals from the current job is crucial. Moreover, institutional impediments that restrain job match quality for certain groups (migrants, mothers) have to be tackled.Überqualifikation ist ein zuweilen übersehener Aspekt in der Debatte um ungenutzte Fachkräftepotenziale. Aber wer ist überqualifiziert, und warum? Basierend auf Daten des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) der Wellen 1984-2011 schätzen wir mit Probitmodellen die Wahrscheinlichkeit für neue Überqualifikation sowie mit dynamischen Multinomialen Mixed Logit-Modellen mit zufälligen Effekten die Wahrscheinlichkeit für Überqualifikation unter Berücksichtigung von Pfadabhängigkeit und unbeobachteter Populationsheterogenität. Das Messfehlerproblem kontrollieren wir durch drei verschiedene Spezifikationen der abhängigen Variable, die selbsteingeschätzte Überqualifikation, die statistische Überqualifikation (Realized Matches) sowie eine Kombination aus beidem. Wir führen die Schätzungen getrennt für Männer und Frauen, Ost- und Westdeutsche sowie Personen mittlerer und hoher Bildung durch. Unsere Analysen zeigen, dass Überqualifikation ein hohes Beharrungsvermögen hat. Allerdings vermindert Erwerbserfahrung das Risiko der Überqualifikation auch im dynamischen Modell unter Kontrolle unbeobachteter Heterogenität. Narbeneffekte früherer Arbeitslosigkeit hingegen zeigen sich in einem höheren Überqualifikationsrisiko. Weder ein Arbeitgeberwechsel noch (bei Akademiker/innen) eine Doppelqualifikation in Form von Lehre plus Studium taugen als wirksame Ausweichstrategien. Um Überqualifikation im Job zu vermindern, scheinen Strategien, die konti-nuierliche Erwerbskarrieren fördern, vielversprechend zu sein. Für bestimmte Gruppen am Arbeitsmarkt (Migranten, Mütter) erschweren zudem institutionelle Barrieren ein gutes Jobmatch, die es gezielt anzugehen gilt

Soziale Dienste und Hilfe zwischen Generationen in Europa

Private Hilfen zwischen erwachsenen Generationen bei der Haushaltsführung (z. B. bei Haus- und Gartenarbeiten oder Formalitäten) variieren in Europa stark von Nord nach Süd. Während die Hilfehäufigkeit in nördlichen Ländern wie Schweden oder Dänemark mit ausgebauten sozialen Dienstleistungen bei über einem Drittel der Kind-Eltern-Dyaden liegt, helfen erwachsene Kinder in den Mittelmeerländern nur in ungefähr fünfzehn Prozent der Fälle ihren Eltern. Dagegen verteilt sich die Intensität dieser Hilfeleistungen in umgekehrter Richtung: In den südlichen Ländern unterstützen die relativ wenigen Helfer ihre Eltern zeitintensiver als im Norden. Die Ergebnisse logistischer und linearer Mehrebenenmodelle auf Basis der SHARE-Daten legen nahe, dass neben individuellen Bedürfnissen und Möglichkeiten sowie Familienfaktoren auch kulturell-kontextuelle Strukturen eine entscheidende Rolle für die Wahrscheinlichkeit und Intensität intergenerationaler Hilfe spielen. Die Spezialisierungsthese im Sinne der spezifischen Aufgabenteilung von sozialen Diensten und Familie kann auf die Hilfe für die Eltern in Europa übertragen werden: Je mehr die Familie durch soziale Dienstleistungen bei der Betreuung Bedürftiger entlastet wird, desto eher erbringen die Kinder kurzfristige Unterstützungen – während der öffentliche Sektor eher die besser planbaren, stetigen und zeitintensiven Aufgaben übernimmt

Intergenerational solidarity and conflict

The article deals with intergenerational solidarity as well as the problematic aspects of intergenerational relations, focusing on conflicts. It analyzes interconnection between intergenerational solidarity and conflict. The determinants of solidarity and conflict were identified based on the proposed theoretical model. This model indicates intergenerational relations are not only within family sociology. It added that societal conditions establish a structure for intergenerational relations within the family