Current Developments In Germany Research Articles

Guideline on NDT‐supported reliability assessment of existing structures ‐ Current developments in Germany

AbstractInformation about an existing structure can be collected at certain costs to evaluate the reliability and condition as realistically as necessary. This information can be relevant or irrelevant, true or biased, precise or imprecise. The incorporation of relevant and quality‐assessed measured information into reliability reassessment offers the chance to extend remaining lifetimes and support decision making about optimal actions or maintenance strategies. This paper shows recent developments in a national research project that aims to produce a guideline on the NDT‐based, structure‐specific modification of partial safety factors. The general methodology, results from recalculations according to the Eurocodes and metrologically solvable testing tasks relevant in the recalculation of the concrete bridges are shown and compared with the non‐destructive testing methods applicable to concrete bridges. A case study is used to demonstrate that as‐built drawings, in this case of the positions of tendons and shear reinforcement, can be verified using the radar method.

Dealing with Collections from Colonial Contexts: Current Developments in Germany

The debate on the return and restitution of cultural property is by no means a new one. In recent years, however, the debate – stimulated by French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech in 2017 – extended to include the question of how to deal with collections from colonial contexts. Whereas international law provides a legal framework for how to deal with war-time looting (the 1954 Hague Convention) and the present-day trafficking in cultural property (the 1970 UNESCO Convention), no such legal regime exists for cultural objects removed during colonial times. Nevertheless, as this article illustrates – with a focus on recent examples in Germany – current developments indicate a movement towards new political and ethical schemes on how to deal with collections from colonial contexts and, in a broader sense, how to come to terms with the colonial past. In Germany, this includes the return of cultural objects and human remains to Namibia as well as the transfer of ownership of all Benin Bronzes held by German institutions to Nigeria.

Net zero emission buildings: next generation of benchmarks and calculation rules

The definition of ambitious life cycle-based benchmarks and target values to limit the GHG emissions of buildings is seen as one of the most important steps in pushing the construction and real estate sector in significantly reducing its contribution to global warming. Especially target values are no longer only developed from a bottom-up perspective. There is now an interest by governments and sustainability assessment system providers in supplementing bottom-up approaches with science-based top-down approaches as part of their responsibility to respect planetary boundaries. The creation of GHG emission budgets in combination with target values, as well as the introduction of strict enough legal binding requirements already today is critical for achieving a climate-neutral building stock. Achieving these tasks requires tackling still open methodological issues. Following the work of IEA EBC Annex 72 and current developments in Germany, the paper presents main questions, key steps, modelling aspects that can cause variation and uncertainties, as well as clarifies key terms and definitions. It is highlighted that although a net zero emission requirement is a universal benchmark, information on system boundaries and calculation rules are still necessary to provide evidence of its fulfilment.

Prenatal care

Durch eine sinnvolle Schwangerenvorsorge können mögliche Risiken für Mutter und Kind während der Schwangerschaft frühzeitig erkannt werden. Diese Risiken, die sich aus Anamnese und Befunden ergeben, dienen als Grundlage für die weitere, an Risiken angepasste medizinische Betreuung in der Schwangerschaft und während der Geburt. Durch ein strukturiertes und flächendeckendes nationales Schwangerenvorsorgekonzept lassen sich mütterliche und fetale Mortalität und Morbidität senken. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) empfiehlt mindestens 8 Vorsorgetermine. Für die gute Nachvollziehbarkeit der Untersuchungen und erhobenen Befunde soll gemäß den Vorgaben der WHO ein der Frau mitgegebenes Dokument genutzt werden. In Deutschland wird Schwangerenvorsorge seit mehr als 50 Jahren standardisiert, klar strukturiert und flächendeckend angeboten auf der Basis des etablierten Mutterpasses und regelmäßiger Adaptation der gesetzlichen Vorgaben der Mutterschafts-Richtlinien. Der Beitrag stellt internationale Empfehlungen und Veröffentlichungen, aktuelle Entwicklungen in Deutschland und Kontroversen zur Versorgung von Schwangeren vor.

Öffentliche Bibliotheken als dritte Orte und Bildungsgerechtigkeit in Zeiten von Covid-19

Zusammenfassung Die Corona-Krise hat weitreichende Konsequenzen für den Betrieb kommunaler Einrichtungen in ganz Europa. Besonders die freiwilligen Einrichtungen der kulturellen Bildung wie Öffentliche Bibliotheken, die jenseits der formalen Bildung einen Beitrag zur Bildungsgerechtigkeit leisten, wurden geschlossen. Öffentliche Bibliotheken mussten ihre Dienstleistungen und Angebote anpassen und neue Formate entwickeln. Der Beitrag zeigt die aktuellen Entwicklungen in Deutschland und Europa auf und beleuchtet die Folgen für die Bildungsgerechtigkeit in Städten und Kommunen.

Under which conditions are changes in the treatment of people under involuntary commitment justified during the COVID-19 pandemic? An ethical evaluation of current developments in Germany

The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges in psychiatric hospitals, particularly in the context of the treatment of people under involuntary commitment. The question arises at various points in the procedure for and process of involuntary commitment whether procedural modifications or further restrictive measures are necessary to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and protect all people involved from infection.In the light of current developments in Germany, this article examines under which conditions changes in the treatment of people under involuntary commitment are ethically justified in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among others, we discuss ethical arguments for and against involuntary commitments with reference to COVID-19, the use of different coercive interventions, the introduction of video hearings, an increased use of video surveillance and interventions based on the German Infection Protection Act.We argue that strict hygiene concepts, the provision of sufficient personal protective equipment and frequent testing for COVID-19 should be the central strategies to ensure the best possible protection against infection. Any further restrictions of the liberty of people under involuntary commitment require a sound ethical justification based on the criteria of suitability, necessity and proportionality. A strict compliance with these criteria and the continued oversight by external and independent control mechanisms are important to prevent ethically unjustified restrictions and discrimination against people with the diagnosis of a mental disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New technologies. Political, legal, economic and factual impact in Germany

New technologies influence the insurance sector in Germany in many ways. This is also reflected in changes in the legal framework. For example, the German legislator has introduced new rules for highly and fully automated driving. In the future, autonomous driving will raise the question of the effects of the fact that there is no longer a driver on liability and insurance. The article shows that the German system of owner (“holder” or “keeper”) liability in combination with compulsory liability insurance also offers a convincing solution for this challenge, especially with regard to an effective protection of traffic victims. Another field is cyber risks. They have led to the development of a new insurance cover. Digitalisation presents new opportunities for the contract conclusion process and the regulation of insurance claims, but there are also some legal challenges to be addressed. Last but not least, the use of robots and nanotechnology is leading to new types of risks and to modified coverage concepts. This article deals with current developments in Germany.

Developments in Germany concerning the Taxation of Trusts

Abstract Based on recent court decisions and rulings from the German revenue services, the article highlights the current developments in Germany regarding trusts. The number of court cases and revenue rulings dealing with trusts has substantially increased in the last two years. Nevertheless, they show that using trusts for wealth planning raises complicated and complex tax questions for German-based beneficiaries.

DYNAMICS OF UKRAINIAN-GERMAN RELATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF CHANGES IN GERMAN POLITICS

The article analyzes the current foreign policy of Germany and how it is influenced by domestic political developments as well as changes in the international arena. Germany, as a key player in Europe, remains declaratively consistent in its support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russian revisionism. However, a deeper analysis of the geopolitical and domestic position of Germany demonstrates certain risks to the stability of Ukraine-Germany relations.Attention is given to the dependence of Ukraine-Germany relations of Russia-Germany relations. Traditionally active economic ties between Berlin and Moscow have been increasing despite European and American sanctions against Russia. This leads to the strengthening of the pro-Russian lobby in German political circles. It is highlighted that the planned completion of the construction of Nord Stream-2, the dependence of Germany on the supplies of Russian hydrocarbons and the augmentation of net direct investments of German companies in Russian economy illustrates German endeavor, primarily in its geopolitical interests, to normalize relations with Russian Federation. Moreover, the article emphasizes the crisis of German political leadership which is connected with the end of the 4th mandate of the chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021 and the rise of anti-system and populist movements in Germany that may shatter political support of Ukraine. The changes in the Euro-Atlantic region are mentioned separately, namely the issue of defence spending of Germany in the framework of NATO and the consequences of Brexit.In the context of the mentioned elements of German politics, several challenges for Ukraine, that may significantly weaken its position in the international arena, are determined. A complex foreign and domestic situation can remove Ukrainian issue from the agenda and encourage Berlin to take quick «comfortable» measures in the context of the war in the East of Ukraine. On this basis, the article suggests recommendations on ways of reacting to the current developments in Germany from the side of Ukraine as well as on adjusting foreign policy towards this state with due regard to the mentioned tendencies.

Notes About Comparing Long-term Care Expenditures Across Countries Comment on "Financing Long-term Care: Lessons From Japan".

The comparison of long-term care (LTC) expenditures is a difficult task. National LTC systems differ widely in terms of eligibility criteria, level of benefits, institutional variety and regional heterogeneity. In this commentary I will first give some general remarks on cross country comparisons. Then I discuss the role of the informal sector which is the most important pillar of all LTC systems. I conclude with some background on current developments in Germany. Different from Japan Germany is extending its LTC insurance instead of containing costs.

Social Service Provision in the US and Germany: Convergence or Path Dependency?

With a special focus on social services, the article discusses the topic of convergence versus path dependency of state welfare arrangements in the US and Germany. In both countries, social services cover a broad spectrum of activities. In the US as well as in Germany, these services are to a large extent provided by non-profit organisations, although the two countries belong to very different welfare regimes. With a special eye on social services, the article provides an overview of the history of the two welfare states; it refers to current developments, of which the shift towards private commercial social service provision is most prominent. Against this background, the article comes to the conclusion that there is no simple answer to the question of path-dependency versus convergence. Indeed, in both countries commercial provision of social services is on the increase; however, current developments in Germany and the US do not reflect thoroughly the path-dependent or the convergence approach of depicting change.

Christian pedagogy? A research report on the Christian profile of an educational institution in Germany

The article reports about an empirical study among the educational staff of one of Germany’s biggest Christian educational institutions, the ‘Christliche Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands e.V.’ (Christian Youth Work of Germany, CJD). It tried to find out what ideas and attitudes the respondents had concerning the Christian profile of the institution and their own educational work. To this end, a questionnaire with mainly closed-ended and some open-ended questions was administered to the 6000 educational staff. The 934 responses are not representative but still give illuminating insights into the chances and problems of a ‘Christian pedagogy’ as proclaimed by the CJD. They show that a Christian profile of education is approved of by most of the CJD staff, even by many of those who do not believe in God. The results are interpreted and discussed in the context of current developments in Germany’s denominational private school sector, but imply perspectives for an international context as well.

Patient-reported outcomes in rehabilitation research: instruments and current developments in Germany

Monitoring the health status of patients has become a major activity in rehabilitation research in recent years. As a result, various self-assessment instruments have been developed, adapted or improved with the aim of measuring patient-reported outcomes and predictors. Among these are international instruments, such as the NHP or the SF-36, as well as those developed in Germany, such as the IRES, the FREM-17 or the SPE-scale. Some of the widely used international instruments, such as the NHP and SF-36, have been translated into German for application in Germany. All of these instruments have been thoroughly tested and validated in several studies. Current trends in statistical methods (e.g. responsiveness, Rasch scaling) as well as classical test-theoretical standards were taken into consideration in the development of these instruments. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of five important assessment fields of rehabilitation research in Germany: health-related quality of life (generic, disease-specific, children and adolescents, preference-based), evaluation of specific therapy and education programs, motivation, screening for vocational problems and screening for comorbid disorders. The questionnaires are critically discussed, and perspectives for further research are specified. Although assessment instruments as the IRES or the SF-36 are well-established in rehabilitation research studies, there is still a need for further research to determine the best choice of instruments for a given purpose. The limitations of the questionnaires with respect to health care studies are also discussed.

A national traceability system for chemical measurements

Current developments in Germany for establishing a traceability system for chemical measurements are reported. The focus is on a dissemination mechanism which employs chemical calibration laboratories accredited within the framework of the German Calibration Service (DKD) and acting as "multipliers" between the national standards level and the user level by providing the user with calibration means which are traceable to the SI via national standards. At the national standards level, a network of high-level chemistry institutes coordinated by the national metrology institute, PTB, provides the primary references for chemical measurements.

ACCOUNTING FOR PRICE CHANGES: AN ANALYSIS OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN GERMANY

Journal of Business Finance & AccountingVolume 3, Issue 1 p. 53-68 ACCOUNTING FOR PRICE CHANGES: AN ANALYSIS OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN GERMANY ADOLF G. COENENBERG, ADOLF G. COENENBERG Adolf G. Coenenberg is Professor of Business Administration, The University of Augsburg, Federal Republic of Germany. At the time of the preparation of this paper he was Visiting Professor of Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England. Klaus Macharzina is Professor of International Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England.Search for more papers by this authorKLAUS MACHARZINA, KLAUS MACHARZINA Adolf G. Coenenberg is Professor of Business Administration, The University of Augsburg, Federal Republic of Germany. At the time of the preparation of this paper he was Visiting Professor of Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England. Klaus Macharzina is Professor of International Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England.Search for more papers by this author ADOLF G. COENENBERG, ADOLF G. COENENBERG Adolf G. Coenenberg is Professor of Business Administration, The University of Augsburg, Federal Republic of Germany. At the time of the preparation of this paper he was Visiting Professor of Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England. Klaus Macharzina is Professor of International Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England.Search for more papers by this authorKLAUS MACHARZINA, KLAUS MACHARZINA Adolf G. Coenenberg is Professor of Business Administration, The University of Augsburg, Federal Republic of Germany. At the time of the preparation of this paper he was Visiting Professor of Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England. Klaus Macharzina is Professor of International Accounting, The University of Lancaster, England.Search for more papers by this author First published: March 1976 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5957.1976.tb00471.xCitations: 8 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume3, Issue1March 1976Pages 53-68 RelatedInformation