An axon initial segment is required for temporal precision in action potential encoding by neuronal populations

Central neurons initiate action potentials (APs) in the axon initial segment (AIS), a compartment characterized by a high concentration of voltage-dependent ion channels and specialized cytoskeletal anchoring proteins arranged in a regular nanoscale pattern. Although the AIS was a key evolutionary innovation in neurons, the functional benefits it confers are not clear. Using a mutation of the AIS cytoskeletal protein \beta IV-spectrin, we here establish an in vitro model of neurons with a perturbed AIS architecture that retains nanoscale order but loses the ability to maintain a high NaV density. Combining experiments and simulations we show that a high NaV density in the AIS is not required for axonal AP initiation; it is however crucial for a high bandwidth of information encoding and AP timing precision. Our results provide the first experimental demonstration of axonal AP initiation without high axonal channel density and suggest that increasing the bandwidth of the neuronal code and hence the computational efficiency of network function was a major benefit of the evolution of the AIS.Comment: Title adjusted, no other change

Editorial to the Issue on Legitimization of Private and Public Regulation: Past and Present

This thematic issue brings together research from political science and legal history about legitimacy discourses covering different forms of public-private co-regulation and private self-regulation, domestic and transnational, past and present. These forms of governance highlight the important role of non-state actors in exercising public authority. There has been a growing debate about the legitimacy of non-state actors setting and enforcing norms and providing public goods and services. However, the focus of this thematic issue is not on developing abstract criteria of legitimacy. Rather, the authors analyze legitimacy discourses around different cases of privatized or partly privatized forms of governance from the early 20th century until today. Legitimacy is subject to empirical and not normative analysis. Legitimacy discourses are analyzed in order to shed light on the legitimacy conceptions that actors hold, what they consider as legitimate institutions, and based on what criteria. The particular focus of this thematic issue is to examine whether the significance of democratic legitimacy is decreasing as the importance of regulation exercised by private actors is increasing

Workload patterns of fast charging stations along the German Autobahn

We analyze daily charging demand patterns of electric vehicles at DC fast charging stations along the German autobahn for an average week in 2020. For this we develop an agent based simulation tool based on current empirical mobility data. Our results show that already in 2020 about 1,000 charging processes per charging location and day might be realistic. In order to avoid long waiting times these charging locations should be equipped with about 20 charging points. A utilization rate of up to 80% makes a profitable operation of these stations highly probable. A sensitivity analysis indicates main parameters which influence the throughput of electric vehicles significantly

Monetäre Auswirkungen angepassten Reifeninnendrucks im Ackerbau unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Erbsen

A goal in ecological agriculture is to avoid and reduce soil compaction. One possibility is the use of a tire inflation system (TIS). Additionally, sowing equipment with broader working width can be used. Both technologies save working time and fuel. Furthermore, yield could increase due to less soil compaction, especially for peas as field trials show. Data from the field trials and from original farms were used to calculate the profitability for the soil protection technologies. The fuel savings are enough to cover the variable and fix costs of the TIS. The pea surplus is an extra revenue. If working time reduction is additionally valued than in total the farms can gain above 19,-€/ha arable land using a TIS. The most farms have not enough traction power for broader sowers. If it exists the gain is about 26 €/ha arable land. The gain is mostly enough for the amortization of the TIS. For sowers with broader working width the amortization is only given if there is not a combined cultivation machine or it is at least a cheap one

Nicht schwieriger, aber anders? Herausforderungen des unverpackt-Einkaufens aus Kundensicht

Angesichts wachsender Plastikverschmutzung und steigendem Verpackungsaufkommen ist die Gründung von immer mehr sogenannten unverpackt-Läden zu beobachten, die Ware lose oder ohne Einwegverpackungen anbieten. Dieses Konzept bietet viele Vorteile für Kunden, birgt aber gleichzeitig diverse Herausforderungen und ist – zumindest zu Beginn – nicht immer einfach in den Alltag zu integrieren. Eine Kundenstudie und eine Masterarbeit betrachten die Routinen hinter dem unverpackten Einkaufen sowie bestehende Hürden und Möglichkeiten, wie die Integrierung in den Alltag besser gelingen kann. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Vorbereitung und Planung des Einkaufs, das Behältermanagement und die Veränderung von Gewohnheiten die größten Herausforderungen darstellen – aber auch, dass tägliche Routinen sich tatsächlich ändern lassen und sich so nachhaltigere Konsumgewohnheiten etablieren können. Hierfür sind nicht nur Informationen und persönliche Überzeugung notwendig, vielmehr spielen die Alltagskompatibilität des Einkaufsprozesses sowie Übung und Erfahrung eine wichtige Rolle

Additive Sprachförderung im Elementarbereich: Wirksamkeit additiver Sprachförderprogramme und Diagnostik von besonderem Sprachförderbedarf

Kinder aus sozial schwachen oder zugewanderten Familien weisen bereits beim Eintritt in die Kita geringere sprachliche Kompetenzen auf als Kinder aus privilegierten Familien ohne Zuwanderungshintergrund. Diese Entwicklungsverzögerungen wirken sich nachteilig auf die weitere Sprachentwicklung sowie den Schriftspracherwerb und die weitere Bildungsbiografie aus. Insbesondere motiviert durch die ersten PISA-Befunde wurden in Deutschland daher additive Sprachfördermaßnahmen implementiert, die Kinder mit besonderem Sprachförderbedarf besser auf die sprachlichen Anforderungen im Unterricht vorbereiten sollen. Die Effektivität additiver Fördermaßnahmen konnte bislang jedoch nicht belegt werden. Zudem stehen bislang keine adäquaten Instrumente zur Diagnostik eines besonderen Sprachförderbedarfs durch die pädagogischen Fachkräfte zur Verfügung. Mit der vorliegenden Untersuchung soll der Kenntnisstand zur Effektivität additiver Sprachförderprogramme sowie zur Validität verschiedener diagnostischer Instrumente erweitert werden. Die externe, quasi-experimentelle Evaluation des Sprachförderprogramms „Handlung und Sprache“ mit einem Prä-Post-Follow up-Design ergab keine positiven Effekte der Förderung auf die sprachlichen und frühen schriftsprachlichen Kompetenzen der geförderten Kinder. Eine Metaanalyse von Befunden deutscher Studien zur Wirksamkeit von phonologischen Fördermaßnahmen vor der Einschulung demonstrierte moderate Effekte auf die phonologische Bewusstheit. Allerdings konnten keine Effekte auf die Dekodierfähigkeit und nur geringe Effekte auf die Rechtschreibkompetenzen nachgewiesen werden. In einer dritten Untersuchung wurde die Klassifikationsgüte eines Sprachscreenings, eines Beobachtungsinstruments sowie eines informellen Urteils von pädagogischen Fachkräften zum Vorliegen eines Sprachförderbedarfs verglichen. Es zeigte sich, dass die einfacheren, aber auch unstandardisierteren Verfahren Beobachtung und informelles Urteil dem standardiserten Sprachscreening unterlegen sind. Die frühe Identifikation und Förderung von Kindern mit besonderem Sprachförderbedarf hat in Anbetracht der bestehenden Bildungsungleichheiten weiterhin eine große Bedeutung in Deutschland. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen werden daher eingehend hinsichtlich ihrer Implikationen für die pädagogische Praxis und die Forschung diskutiert.Children from socially disadvantaged or immigrant families exhibit lesser language skills when entering daycare than children from privileged families without immigration background. These delays in language development have detrimental effects on further language development as well as the acquisition of reading and writing, and the further education biography. Motivated in particular by the first PISA findings, therefore, additive language support programs have been implemented in Germany, which are designed to better prepare children with special needs for language support for the language requirements in the classroom. However, the effectiveness of additive support measures has so far not been proven. In addition, there are currently no adequate instruments for diagnosing special needs for language support by the pedagogical staff. The aim of the present study is to expand the knowledge about the effectiveness of additive language promotion programs and the validity of various diagnostic instruments. The external, quasi-experimental evaluation of the language promotion program "Handlung und Sprache" with a pre-post follow-up design showed no positive effects on the linguistic and early literacy skills. A meta-analysis of findings from German studies on the effectiveness of phonological promotion programs before school enrollment demonstrated moderate effects on phonological awareness. However, no effects on the decoding ability and only minor effects on the spelling competences have been found. A third study compared the classification quality of a language screening, an observational instrument, and an informal judgment of educational professionals on the special needs for language support. The study showed that the simpler, but also less standardized, methods of observation and informal judgment are inferior to a standardized language screening. The early identification and promotion of children with special needs for language support continues to be of great importance in Germany, given the existing educational inequalities. The results of the investigations are therefore discussed in detail with regard to their implications for pedagogical practice and research

Predictors of Occupational Competence in People Hospitalized with Chronic Conditions

Background: Chronic diseases limit participation in meaningful daily activities, roles, and routines, which can negatively impact occupational competence, a sense of self, and life satisfaction, especially when hospitalization is required to manage disease symptoms. Standardized measures of occupational competence and related functional, cognitive, and environmental factors may enhance occupational therapists’ ability to identify potential barriers to and make targeted recommendations for self- and health management in the community. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated occupational competence in patients hospitalized with chronic conditions. The participants completed measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, environmental impact, and functional cognition while hospitalized. Results: The participants (n = 51) reported moderate to high levels of occupational competence. The overall regression model was significant. Values, self-care function, and environmental impact were significant predictors of occupational competence. Conclusion: Values, self-care function, and environmental impact predict occupational competence in people hospitalized with chronic conditions. Occupational therapists should incorporate standardized measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, and environmental impact into current evaluation practices to support recommendations for follow-up care and community supports. Future research should include a larger sample that is more representative of an occupational therapy caseload and incorporate alternative measures of functional cognition to better measure this construct