Künstlersozialversicherungsgesetz: Hintergründe und aktuelle Anforderungen

"Die Autoren informieren in diesem Buch über die Entwicklung der Künstlersozialversicherung. Die Grundsätze der Künstlersozialversicherung und die einzelnen Reformschritte werden skizziert. Die Autoren stellen den Arbeitsmarkt Kultur vor und bereiten aktuelle Daten zur wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Lage von Künstlern und Publizisten auf. Die Sonderstellung der Künstlersozialversicherung im Sozialversicherungssystem wird geschildert und die Autoren gehen auch auf die künftigen Herausforderungen zur Sicherung der Künstlersozialversicherung ein. Besonderen Raum nehmen die Maßnahmen zur Reform des Künstlersozialversicherungsgesetzes im Jahr 2007 ein." (Autorenreferat

Generating green to red light with semiconductor lasers

Diode lasers enable one to continuously cover the 730 to 1100 nm range as well as the 370 to 550 nm range by frequency doubling, but a large part of the electro-magnetic spectrum spanning from green to red remains accessible only through expensive and unpractical optically pumped dye lasers. Here we devise a method to multiply the frequency of optical waves by a factor 3/2 with a conversion that is phase-coherent and highly efficient. Together with harmonic generation, it will enable one to cover the visible spectrum with semiconductor lasers, opening new avenues in important fields such as laser spectroscopy and optical metrology.Comment: to be published on Optics Expres

Excessive femoral torsion is not associated with patellofemoral pain or instability if TKA is functionally aligned and the patella denervated

PURPOSE Recent data suggest that individual morphologic factors should be respected to restore preoperative patellofemoral alignment and thus reduce the likelihood of anterior knee pain. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of excessive femoral torsion (FT) on clinical outcome of TKA. METHODS Patients who underwent TKA and complete preoperative radiographic evaluation including a long-leg radiograph and CT scan were included. 51 patients showed increased FT of > 20° and were matched for age/sex to 51 controls (FT < 20°). Thirteen patients were lost to follow-up. Thirty-eight matched pairs were compared after a 2 year follow-up clinically (Kujala and patellofemoral score for TKA) and radiographically (FT, frontal leg axis, TT-TG, patellar thickness, patellar tilt, and lateral displacement of patella). Functional alignment of TKA was performed (hybrid-technique). All patellae were denervated but no patella was resurfaced. RESULTS There was no significant difference between clinical scores two years after surgery between patients with normal and excessive FT (n.s.). Kujala score was 64.3 ± 16.7 versus 64.8 ± 14.4 (n.s.), and patellofemoral score for TKA was 74.3 ± 21 versus 78.5 ± 20.7 (n.s.) for increased FT group and control group, respectively. There was no correlation between preoperative FT and clinical scores. Other radiographic parameters were similar between both groups. No correlations between clinical outcomes and preoperative/postoperative frontal leg axis or total leg axis correction were found (n.s.). CONCLUSION If the leg axis deformity is corrected to a roughly neutral alignment during cemented TKA, including patellar denervation, then excessive FT was not associated with patellofemoral pain or instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prospective comparative study, level II

Transfer of single farm payment entitlements to farm successors: impact on structural change and rental prices in Switzerland

This paper analyses the impact of tradable and non-tradable single farm payment (SFP) entitlements for farm successors on structural change and the lease market. Using the example of Swiss agriculture, the effects on rental-price trends and farm-exit rates are investigated. An ex-ante normative impact analysis is performed with the agent-based agricultural-sector model SWISSland, which simulates structural change processes and income trends in Swiss agriculture over a period of up to 15 years. A land market implemented at municipality level simulates the plot-by-plot leasing of land to surrounding neighbouring agents that is common in Switzerland. Allocation of plots to tenants as well as lease pricing is modelled taking into account the farm-specific land rents. The results show that personalised SFP entitlements which could not be transferred to a farm successor not only cause an intensification of structural change, but would also thus lead to a substantial reduction in rental prices. SFP entitlements which were successfully transferred to farm successors have only a slight impact on structural change and the rental prices of arable land. Only for grassland in the mountain region does a stronger shift result in a significant reduction in rental prices

On the distribution and establishment of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Germany

Die invasive Marmorierte Baumwanze, Halyomorpha halys, verursacht weltweit wirtschaftliche Schäden in Obst- und Gemüsekulturen. Darüber hinaus ist sie ein Lästling, der gerne in großer Anzahl in menschlichen Behausungen überwintert. In den Ursprungsgebieten Ostasiens wird diese Schadwanze durch natürliche Gegenspieler reguliert. Die Schlupfwespe Trissolcus japonicus ist durch sehr hohe Parasitierungsraten der Eigelege ein dominanter Antagonist von H. halys. Adventive Populationen von T. japonicus wurden bereits in Nordamerika und mehreren Ländern Europas nachgewiesen, wo sie sich im Ausbreitungsgebiet von H. halys erfolgreich etabliert haben. In dieser Studie werden die Ergebnisse eines Monitorings von H. halys-Eigelegen zur Ausbreitung und Etablierung der Schlupfwespe dargestellt. In Deutschland erfolgte der Erstfund von T. japonicus im Jahr 2020 an drei Standorten in Baden-Württemberg. Seither haben sich weitere Fundorte innerhalb Baden-Württembergs sowie in Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Bayern und Nordrhein-Westfalen ergeben. T. japonicus kann nachweislich erfolgreich unter den klimatischen Bedingungen in Baden-Württemberg überwintern, sich fortpflanzen und innerhalb des Verbreitungsgebietes von H. halys ausbreiten. Der aktuelle Status von T. japonicus wird dargestellt.The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an economically important pest of fruit and vegetable crops. It is also a nuisance pest overwintering in large numbers in man-made structures. In its native range, natural biological control plays a key role in regulating this pest. The egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is a dominant natural enemy showing high parasitism rates on H. halys eggs. Adventive populations of T. japonicus have been reported from North America and several European countries with successful establishment within the new distribution areas of H. halys. The object of this study was to monitor H. halys egg masses to assess the distribution and establishment of T. japonicus. In Germany, T. japonicus was first reported in 2020 at three sites in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Since then, additional locations have been confirmed in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Thus, T. japonicus has been able to successfully overwinter, reproduce, and spread within H. halys’ distribution range in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Here, the current status of presence and establishment of T. japonicus in Germany is reported