Russian German Research Articles

Zur medialen Integration russlanddeutscher (Spät-)Aussiedler nach dem Fall Lisa und ihrer Mediendarstellung bis zur Bundestagswahl 2017

Summary The majority of German Russians, who had settled in Germany in the 1990 s, were long considered conformist up to January 2016 where Russian media services and officials exploited the criminal case of Lisa F. in Berlin. A few right wing AfD party activists gathered several thousand Russian speakers to protest against the German refugee policy. Even though the activist’s mobilizing narrative can easily be deconstructed as a political myth with little consensus within the German Russian population, German mass media have since generalized this heterogeneous group as troublemakers with divided loyalties and as a potential threat to the federal elections of 2017. Although German Russian lobby organisations heavily criticised these mass media representations, they are likely to stand the chance of finally establishing their migration history as a part of general knowledge.

New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. XIII. Pansnerite, K3Na3Fe3+6(AsO4)8

AbstractThe new mineral pansnerite, ideally K3Na3Fe3+6(AsO4)8, was found in the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with aphthitalite, hematite, sanidine, badalovite, khrenovite, achyrophanite, arsenatrotitanite, ozerovaite, tilasite, calciojohillerite, johillerite, nickenichite, svabite, katiarsite, yurmarinite, anhydrite, rutile, cassiterite and pseudobrookite. Pansnerite forms tabular to lamellar (flattened on {010}), usually pseudo-hexagonal crystals up to 0.2 mm × 0.7 mm × 1 mm and crystal clusters up to 2 mm across. It is transparent to translucent, light green, pale greenish, yellowish–greenish or yellowish, with vitreous lustre. The mineral is brittle, with perfect {010} cleavage. The Mohs’ hardness is ca 3. Dcalc is 3.596 g cm–3. Pansnerite is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.702(4), β = 1.713(4), γ = 1.717(4), 2Vmeas = 45(10)° and 2Vcalc = 62°. Chemical composition (holotype, wt.%, electron microprobe data) is: Na2O 6.39, K2O 8.52, CaO 0.08, MgO 0.08, MnO 0.02, NiO 0.02, CuO 1.35, ZnO 0.34, Al2O3 7.35, Cr2O3 0.04, Fe2O3 16.72, SiO2 0.16, P2O5 0.22, V2O5 0.09, As2O5 57.76, SO3 0.04, total 99.20. The empirical formula based on 32 O apfu is K2.86Na3.26Ca0.02(Fe3+3.31Al2.28Cu0.27Zn0.07Mg0.03Cr0.01)Σ5.97(As7.95P0.05Si0.04V0.02S0.01)Σ8.06O32. Pansnerite is orthorhombic, Cmce, a = 10.7372(3), b = 20.8367(8), c = 6.47335(15) Å, V = 1448.27(7) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 10.49(100)(020), 5.380(88)(111), 4.793(65)(220), 3.105(46)(311, 002), 3.079(32)(112, 061), 2.932(35)(260), 2.783(65)(202) and 2.694(52)(400, 222). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, R1 = 2.82%. The structure is based on heteropolyhedral layers formed by MO6 octahedra (M = Fe3+ and Al) sharing common vertices and connected by AsO4 tetrahedra. Na+ and K+ cations are located in the interlayer space. The mineral is named in honour of the German–Russian mineralogist and geographer Lavrentiy Ivanovich Pansner (1777–1851). Pansnerite forms a solid-solution series with the isotypic mineral ozerovaite, ideally KNa2Al3(AsO4)4.

Keeping two languages apart: Connective processing in both languages of Russian–German bilinguals

AbstractMultilingual children are faced with the task of selectively using the linguistic systems of their languages. Previous research has shown that although bilinguals may make more errors in production and comprehension than their monolingual peers, less cognitively demanding processing experiments may reveal target-like performance. This has been attributed to several factors, among which language transfer and processing limitations. In this study we investigate the processing of additive connectives in both languages of German–Russian bilingual children using the Visual World Paradigm. Previous research has shown that bilingual children make many errors in the production of these connectives in Russian. The results show that the processing behaviour in both languages of the bilingual children does not differ from that of their monolingual peers. This finding is compatible with the view that errors in production and in more demanding comprehension tasks are due to processing limitations.

Russian German immigrants

Russian German immigrants

В фокусе: русско-немецкие контакты в детской литературе (обзор конференции)

Larissa Rudova provides the highlights of the conference “Russian German Cultural Ties in Children’s Literature”, June 2018, The Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkin House). DOI 10.31860/2304-5817-2018-2-14-302-306

Russian–German Astroparticle Data Life Cycle Initiative

Modern large-scale astroparticle setups measure high-energy particles, gamma rays, neutrinos, radio waves, and the recently discovered gravitational waves. Ongoing and future experiments are located worldwide. The data acquired have different formats, storage concepts, and publication policies. Such differences are a crucial point in the era of Big Data and of multi-messenger analysis in astroparticle physics. We propose an open science web platform called ASTROPARTICLE.ONLINE which enables us to publish, store, search, select, and analyze astroparticle data. In the first stage of the project, the following components of a full data life cycle concept are under development: describing, storing, and reusing astroparticle data; software to perform multi-messenger analysis using deep learning; and outreach for students, post-graduate students, and others who are interested in astroparticle physics. Here we describe the concepts of the web platform and the first obtained results, including the meta data structure for astroparticle data, data analysis by using convolution neural networks, description of the binary data, and the outreach platform for those interested in astroparticle physics. The KASCADE-Grande and TAIGA cosmic-ray experiments were chosen as pilot examples.

Germany’s Eastern Challenge and the Russia–Ukraine Crisis: A New Ostpolitik in the Making?

Since the Russia–Ukraine crisis in 2014, Germany's foreign policy has been subject to international pressures to engage more actively in restoring the peace and security order in Europe. Particularly in its eastern policy, Berlin has had to redefine its traditional foreign policy, towards what could be termed a ‘hybrid Ostpolitik’. The introduction sets the context of German–Russian relations before 2014, and discusses the elements of continuity and change regarding Germany's role in Europe and transatlantic relations thereafter. It then presents an overview of the contributions to the special issue which are grouped around three themes: the question of the nature of German power and leadership; the effects of the Ukraine crisis on the Euro-Atlantic order and its impact on German foreign policy; and Germany's changing bilateral relations with the United States and its eastern neighbours in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.

На пути к возрождению метафизики: С.Л. Франк и Э. Корет

На пути к возрождению метафизики: С.Л. Франк и Э. Корет

The Salisbury Poisoning Case and German–Russian Relations: Ambiguity and Ambivalence

AbstractGovernments of Western democracies responded quickly to the poisoning—allegedly by agents of the Russian state—of former Soviet spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter in Salisbury, UK in March 2018. Germany's response was not as categorically reproachful and drew attention to its relationship with Vladimir Putin's Russia more generally. It expelled four Russian diplomats and has applied sanctions since Russia's annexation of Crimea, yet continues with other bilateral trade and investment, significantly in the energy sector, and it has been hesitant about unconditionally rebuking aggressive Russian behaviour. A complex mix of domestic politics and international relations, historical memory, economic incentives, and political psychology in the age of the internet and ‘fake news’ serve to influence German attitudes toward Russia. A contest between Putin critics and sympathisers sharpens in a polity in which the majority are ambivalent. In the aftermath of the Skripal affair, some rethinking of an ambiguous policy is occurring at high levels.

The Russian–German Customs War and Trade Agreements of 1893 and 1904. Part 2

The Russian–German Customs War and Trade Agreements of 1893 and 1904. Part 2

The Russian–German customs war and trade agreements of 1893 and 1904. Part One

The Russian–German customs war and trade agreements of 1893 and 1904. Part One

DNAJC13 mutation screening in patients with Parkinson's disease from South Italy

BackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the most common neurodegenerative form of parkinsonism. Recently, a pathogenic mutation (p.N855S) in DNAJC13 was linked to autosomal dominant Lewy body PD in a Dutch–German–Russian Mennonite multi-incident kindred, and was found in five additional patients. In this study, we performed a comprehensive screening of the DNAJC13 gene in familial PD and sporadic PD to assess the frequency of known and novel rare nonsynonymous variants. MethodsWe screened 563 sporadic and 168 familial PD patients and a control series (n = 1000) for the coding region of DNAJC13. ResultsOur sequencing analysis identified two carriers of the c.2708G > A (p.R903K) variant in exon 24 of DNAJC13. One of these carriers is a familial PD. ConclusionThe p. R903K variant was not found in 1000 healthy controls and it is localized in a functional domain of the DNAJC13 protein. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the role of DNAJC13 variants in PD.

Unusually diverse, abundant and endemic deep–sea sponge fauna revealed in the Sea of Okhotsk (NW Pacific Ocean)

The deep–sea sponge fauna of the NW (North–West) Pacific has been re–examined with new and previously collected specimens. In total, 555 new sponge specimens were collected in the under–explored deep Kuril Basin (Sea of Okhotsk), Bussol Strait and adjacent NW Pacific Ocean sites during the Russian–German expedition SokhoBio (Sea of Okhotsk Biodiversity Studies) in 2015. Our knowledge of Sea of Okhotsk deep–sea sponge species has nearly tripled (additional 19 spp.) as a result of this expedition, taking the total of known deep–sea species to 32 for this region. Close to half of species collected were either new to science or new to this region, and two–thirds of species were only found at one site during this study. The Sea of Okhotsk is unlikely to be a sink population, and could be considered a source population for several species due to the large numbers of individuals found. The NE Kuril Basin (Sea of Okhotsk) harboured nearly half of all sponge individuals found during this expedition, and is more species diverse than other Kuril Basin sectors, highlighting the variability in abundance and diversity found in this basin; and is also far richer than the Bussol Strait and NW Pacific sites explored. These differences are potentially due to the presence of productive currents, variable substrates, and niche differences in throughout this region. The semi–enclosed abyssal sector of the Sea of Okhotsk is partially connected with the adjacent NW Pacific abyssal plains through the Bussol and Krusenstern straits, and these straits have enabled faunal connectivity. The long–term partial isolation of the Sea of Okhotsk, low population density of deep–sea sponges, high productivity, and its unusual marine environment, could be key to understanding the exceptional levels of regional deep–sea sponge endemism and diversity.

States and standardisation: constructing the co-ethnic migrant story in Germany

ABSTRACTThis article addresses the standardisation of stories about diaspora return (also called ‘co-ethnic migration’ or ‘repatriation’). Using the concept of ‘standards’, the author analyses how the German state distributes certain texts about diaspora history over others, forming a legible and homogenous narrative of co-ethnic migrant identity. The article is based on a critical discourse analysis of texts relating to Russian–German history and analysis of biographical narratives of co-ethnic Germans residing in Germany. The study identifies mechanisms by which states homogenise narratives, and to understand which co-ethnic history and identity constructions are reproduced by the state, and which are silenced. This approach enriches the study of diasporas in two ways: first, it sheds light on how states govern diaspora members who have migrated ‘back’ to their ‘origin’ countries; second, it departs from the state-centric approach prevalent in the study of diaspora governance by focusing on stories told by diaspora members.

Self-attribution and identity of ethnic-GermanSpätAussiedlerrepatriates from the former USSR: an example of fast-track assimilation?

Repatriates – so-called SpatAussiedler – from republics of the former Soviet Union are one of the most important groups of immigrants in the Federal Republic of Germany. Granted German citizenship based on ethnicity, German policy supposed fast and smooth assimilation. Despite the fact that SpatAussiedler had advantages for structural and social integration into German society compared to immigrants of non-German descent and indications of rather smooth integration, the initial hopes for fast assimilation prove to be exaggerated. Instead, as revealed by a survey and interviews on the ethnic self-identification, cultural habits, and linguistic behavior of SpatAussiedler, a hybrid “Russian–German” identity has emerged amongst many repatriates.

Abyssal gastropods in the Sea of Okhotsk (Vetigastropoda and Caenogastropoda)

The joint Russian–German expedition SokhoBio in 2015, on the research vessel Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev, provided the first opportunity to investigate the richness and composition of the abyssal gastropod fauna in the Kuril Basin of the Sea of Okhotsk, from which only a single species has been recorded in the literature. During the expedition, sampling of benthic animals was conducted at eight stations in the Sea of Okhotsk and at three stations in the Pacific (landward slope of the Kuril–Kamchatka Trench) using an Agassiz trawl, an epibentic sledge, and a giant box corer. A total of 417 specimens of ‘prosobranch’ gastropods were taken alive and were classified into 15 families and 70 species of Vetigastropoda and Caenogastropoda. Both abundance and richness were lower than expected in the Kuril Basin compared to the Pacific: 97 specimens belonging to 27 species (11 families) were collected at seven stations in the Kuril Basin, while 286 specimens in 43 species were found from two abyssal stations on the Pacific side of the Kuril Islands. Only six species occurred at abyssal depths on both sides. Familial composition also differed: large-sized buccinids were common only on the Pacific side. The very low levels of dissolved oxygen might explain the low abundance and richness, as well as the scarcity of large species, of Gastropoda in the Kuril Basin.

Germany's Nuclear Education: Why a Few Elites Are Testing a Taboo

The tectonic plates of geopolitics in Europe began to shift a decade ago as the United States pivoted away from the region amid the rise of Russian aggression and German political-economic power. R...

EROSITA on SRG

eROSITA (extended ROentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array) is the core instrument on the Russian–German Spectrum‐Roentgen‐Gamma (SRG) mission, which is currently scheduled for launch in late 2017. eROSITA will perform a deep survey of the entire X‐ray sky. In the soft band (0.5–2 keV), it will be about 30 times more sensitive than ROSAT, while in the hard band (2–8 keV) it will provide the first ever true imaging survey of the sky. The design driving science is the detection of large samples of galaxy clusters up to redshifts z > 1 in order to study the large‐scale structure in the universe and test cosmological models including dark energy. In addition, eROSITA is expected to yield a sample of a few million active galactic nuclei, including obscured objects, revolutionizing our view of the evolution of supermassive black holes. The survey will also provide new insights into a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, including X‐ray binaries, active stars, and diffuse emission within the galaxy. The eROSITA flight model has passed calibration and integration and is currently (September 2016) in end‐to‐end testing just prior to its shipment to Russia.

Evaluator, Choreographer, Ideologue, Catalyst: The Disparate Reception Histories of Alexander Klein's Graphical Method

The graphical method propounded by Russian German Israeli architect Alexander Klein during the late 1920s evaluates the qualities of architectural plans through a process of diagrammatic analysis following purportedly objective criteria. In Evaluator, Choreographer, Ideologue, Catalyst: The Disparate Reception Histories of Alexander Klein's Graphical Method, Christoph Lueder examines the reception and adaptation of Klein's method. Ernst Löwitsch reinterpreted Klein's analytical notation as choreography of domestic life. Following Klein's forced emigration from Nazi Germany, Frank Gloor rediscovered Klein's graphical method and transformed and adapted it into a scientific method classifying degrees of flexibility. Catherine Bauer disseminated the method to the English-speaking world under a new title, “Functional Housing for Frictionless Living,” which led to Robin Evans's enduring indictment of Klein's diagrams as emblematic of reductive functionalism. Throughout its reception, the graphical method has been viewed at various times as a methodology of scientific evaluation, a choreography of everyday life, an indictment of functionalist ideology, and a catalyst for new working methodologies.

Dialogues, Trialogues and Triangles: The Geometry of Germany's Foreign Policy of Trust-Building

This article explores three formats for interstate relations developed by, or at least significantly influenced by Germany in the post-Cold War period: the Petersburg Dialogue, the German–Russian–Polish Trialogue and the Weimar Triangle. An examination of the form and function of each of these formats is followed by a discussion of what these formats have in common and why they are worthy of further study. The paper addresses whether this ‘variable geometry’ of Germany's foreign policy of trust-building is likely to survive a period of turbulent relations or changes in leadership and, furthermore, how the effectiveness of dialogues, trialogues and triangles might be evaluated.