German State Of Bavaria Research Articles

Complementary Medicine in Acute Care Hospitals: Questionnaire Survey with Heads of Bavarian Hospitals

Introduction: The demand for complementary medicine (CM) is well studied in the outpatient sector, but representative data on type and extent of inpatient care using CM are missing. Therefore, our aim was to examine the range of CM treatments offered and the types of indications for using CM in acute care hospitals in the German state of Bavaria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey by contacting the medical heads of all 388 Bavarian acute care hospitals between November 2020 and April 2021. The questionnaire included a wide range of CM to assessed availability of CM supply, most frequent indications, and medical specialities. Furthermore, we assessed basic information about the hospital and the participating medical staff. Results: A total of 101 (26%) hospitals participated in the survey. At least one CM treatment was offered by 92% of the responding hospitals and 75% offered at least 5 therapy modalities (mean of 10 treatments, range: 0–25). These were most commonly massage therapies (68%), relaxation techniques (63%), phytotherapy (60%), mindfulness-based treatments (53%), art, diet, and exercise therapies (each 48%), aromatherapy (46%), acupuncture, and compresses/poultices (both 42%). The most reported medical conditions for CM treatments (in descending order) were chronic pain, mental disorders, degenerative affections, sleep disorders, fatigue syndrome, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and acute pain. Conclusion: According to the Bavarian acute care hospitals that participated in our postal survey, a considerable part offered CM. Further research should include personal interviews and more detailed assessments of indications and attitudes for the use of CM in acute care hospital settings.

Responding to uncertainty in the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from Bavaria, Germany

Abstract The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for policymakers and scientific experts charged with preventing the spread of the virus. In upending the usual mechanisms for political deliberation, the pandemic offers a window into the co-production of governmental policy decisions and scientific evidence. Taking the German state of Bavaria as a case study, this article draws on expert interviews with individuals directly involved in high-level pandemic decision-making to explore the changing relationships between policymakers and scientific experts. The challenges that emerged in the Bavarian context illustrate that while uncertainty has long been understood as constitutive of scientific knowledge, it became a stumbling block for policymakers due to newfound degrees of urgency and implications of decision-making in relation to the pandemic. In order to better address the emergent, evolving problems posed by public health crises, uncertainty must also be understood as formative in the work of policy.

Higher turnout increases incumbency advantages: Evidence from mayoral elections

AbstractWe analyze the effect of electoral turnout on incumbency advantages by exploring mayoral elections in the German state of Bavaria. Mayors are elected by majority rule in two‐round (runoff) elections. Between the first and second ballot of the mayoral election in March 2020, the state government announced an official state of emergency. In the second ballot, voting in person was prohibited and only postal voting was possible. To construct an instrument for electoral turnout, we use a difference‐in‐differences strategy by contrasting turnout in the first and second ballot in 2020 with the first and second ballots from previous elections. We use this instrument to analyze the causal effect of turnout on incumbent vote shares. A 10‐percentage point increase in turnout leads to a statistically robust 3.4 percentage point higher vote share for incumbent mayors highlighting the relevance of turnout‐related incumbency advantages.

Copper and Zinc as Roofing Materials—A Review on the Occurrence and Mitigation Measures of Runoff Pollution

Stormwater runoff from metal roofs has been a significant subject of discussion, especially when it comes to its treatment and the target concentrations that need to be achieved prior to discharge into the aquatic environment. To raise further awareness on this issue, occurrence, characterization, and also mitigation measures for metal roof runoff were analyzed using the example of copper and zinc roofs. These stormwater runoffs were found to contain metals in significant concentrations, mainly due to the wash-off of corrosion products by precipitation. Factors influencing metal corrosion and runoff concentrations were compiled. As Cu and Zn mainly occur in dissolved and thus bioavailable forms in roof runoff, harmful effects on the environment were detected. Therefore, adequate treatment of the runoff before discharge to groundwater or surface water is necessary to protect the aquatic environment. Vegetated infiltration swales as an sustainable urban drainage system enable a reduction in pollution loads. However, especially in densely built-up urban areas, stormwater quality improvement devices (SQIDs) offer an attractive alternative for pre-treating metal roof runoff, as they are mostly located underground. There is not yet a uniform legal approval system for SQIDs in Germany, but the German state of Bavaria has approved four types of SQIDs according to its own developed test criteria.

Poststratification as a suitable approach to generalize findings of two cross-sectional studies along the Bavarian compulsory school entrance examination: An exemplary poststratified analysis for asthma, hay fever and wheezing.

A compulsory school entrance examination of pre-school children (SEU) is administered in the German state of Bavaria. Every second year since 2004, the examinations are expanded in six study regions using a cross-sectional survey design (GME). However, the extent to which the results of the GME surveys are generalizable to the SEU population is unknown. Therefore, this study carried out a poststratification of two different GME surveys. The aim was to observe the impact of poststratification on an exemplary analysis of influencing factors for three allergy and asthma related outcomes (hay fever, asthma, wheezing) and thus to better understand this important question. First, poststratification was applied to correct for deviances of the GME sample in comparison to the SEU population. Logistic regression was used to determine the auxiliary variables for the poststratification. Following this, a composite variable as a linear combination was created to calculate weighting factors. Next, logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze possible influencing factors for three allergy and asthma related outcomes (hay fever, asthma and wheezing) in two GME surveys (2005/2006 and 2012/2013). Subsequently, the differences arising from poststratification were examined in more detail. This study supports the hypothesis that the GME sample deviates from the SEU population. Mother tongue other than German of at least one parent, complete vaccination status and conspicuous visuomotor test results were positively associated with participation in both GME surveys. The prevalence for hay fever, asthma and frequent wheeze did not change statistically significant from 2005/2006 to 2012/2013. In the twelve analyses before and after poststratification, male sex was statistically significant associated with the three allergy and asthma related outcomes (e.g. asthma 2005/2006 after poststratification, aOR: 2.06, 95%-CI: 1.56-2.71). A high body mass index was positively associated with asthma (e.g. 2005/2006 after poststratification, aOR: 1.12, 95%-CI: 1.05-1.20). Poststratification caused a significant change in the sample composition. It might be suggested that a poststratification should be performed for each GME survey. Poststratification tended to make results more comparable with previous research. In accordance with previous research, this study confirmed that male sex and high BMI are associated with asthma.

Key Aroma Compounds in Two Bavarian Gins

The characteristic, dominant flavor of gin is juniper, often within a complex aroma of other botanicals. The present study examined two gins from a distillery in the German state of Bavaria; one produced with 50 individual botanicals, the other with 15. The study focused on characterizing the aroma profiles and identifying the key aroma-active compounds of the gins. Comparative sensory evaluations of the gins revealed marked differences in their aroma profiles, with the botanical-rich gin exhibiting more citrusy, orangey and fruity notes than the gin containing fewer botanicals. Instrumental analyses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O) using aroma extract dilution assays (AEDA) identified terpenes as the dominant key aroma compounds, specifically limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, estragole and trans-anethole, with additional contributions from aldehydes, such as nonanal, and phenylpropanoids, such as eugenol and estragole. Selected compounds were quantified using stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and stabile isotope dilution analysis (SIDA) with GC-MS analysis. Further, odor thresholds and corresponding odor activity values (OAVs) of these compounds were calculated, with linalool exhibiting the highest OAV in both gins. The present analyses revealed how different botanicals alter the concentrations of key aroma compound constituents and elicit a shift in the overall aroma profile of the final spirit.

Elections and unemployment benefits for families: Did the Family Benefit Dispute affect election outcomes in Germany?

Underlying reasons for certain voting outcomes are subject to a vivid debate – especially in times of landslide changes in voting outcomes of long-established parties in many European countries including Germany. The linkages between these voting outcomes and economic indicators are rather elusive since many confounding and unobservable aspects determine voting decisions. Exploiting a quasi-natural experiment resulting from a legislation change in the German state of Bavaria that effectively increased family benefits for unemployment benefit recipients in certain districts, we try to identify the effect of this legislation on voting outcomes in the Bavarian state election of 2018. While we do not find a significant effect on general election outcomes in the affected districts, our results imply that the general debate seems to have affected the voting behavior of families with unemployment benefits and children under the age of three.

Potential of Large-Scale Inland Water Body Mapping from Sentinel-1/2 Data on the Example of Bavaria\u2019s Lakes and Rivers

The mapping of water bodies is an important application area of satellite-based remote sensing. In this contribution, a simple framework based on supervised learning and automatic training data annotation is shown, which allows to map inland water bodies from Sentinel satellite data on large scale, i.e. on state level. Using the German state of Bavaria as an example and different combinations of Sentinel-1 SAR and Sentinel-2 multi-spectral imagery as inputs, potentials and limits for the automatic detection of water surfaces for rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are investigated. Both quantitative and qualitative results confirm that fully automatic large-scale inland water body mapping is generally possible from Sentinel data; whereas, the best result is achieved when all available surface-related bands of both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 are fused on a pixel level. The main limitation arises from missed smaller water bodies, which are not observed in bands with a resolution of about 20 m. Given the simplicity of the proposed approach and the open availability of the Sentinel data, the study confirms the potential for a fully automatic large-scale mapping of inland water with cloud-based remote sensing techniques.

Pandemics and the great evolutionary mismatch.

Dezecache et al. argue that affiliation and contact-seeking are key responses to danger. These natural social tendencies are likely to hinder the observance of physical distancing during the current pandemic. We need internet access at this time, not only to promote freedom of expression, but also to promote public health.

How new airport infrastructure promotes tourism: evidence from a synthetic control approach in German regions

ABSTRACT The paper examines how new airport infrastructure influences regional tourism. Identification is based on the conversion of a military airbase into a regional commercial airport in the German state of Bavaria. The new airport opened in 2007 and promotes travelling to the touristic region of Allgäu in the Bavarian Alps. A synthetic control approach is used to show that the new commercial airport increased tourism in the Allgäu region over the period 2008–16. The positive effect is especially pronounced in the county in which the airport is located. The results suggest that new transportation infrastructure promotes regional economic development.

Foodie traffic fixes

A German gherkin experiment When winter comes, streets crunch underfoot with salt and grit, laid down to lower the freezing point of water. But while most road salt is mined especially for that purpose, the German state of Bavaria has found an unusual source for some of its salt: Gurkenwasser, the brine from pickling gherkins. The Bavarian transport ministry is responsible for treating a total of 23,000 km of autobahns and streets. This creates a bit of a pickle—treating the streets in winter uses a lot of salt, which has both an economic and an environmental cost. Excess salt may run off into groundwater and surface water, so the ministry uses blends of brine and granular salt to reduce waste. At warmer temperatures, wet mixes help the salt stick to where it’s needed. This year, a pilot project will source some of that brine from a local company that makes

Does state aid for broadband deployment in rural areas close the digital and economic divide?

We evaluate the impact of a major European state aid programme for speed upgrades in broadband internet availability applied to rural areas in the German state of Bavaria throughout 2010 and 2011. We use a matched difference-in-differences estimation strategy that compares treated and untreated municipalities that are balanced with respect to funding criteria. We find that aided municipalities have a significantly higher broadband coverage at higher speed than non-aided municipalities. This increase in broadband coverage does not, on average, benefit the local population in terms of increase in local jobs per resident or wages. However, these effects are heterogeneous across skill groups. Furthermore, we find positive effects on the employment rate among residents. Taking these results together suggests that an increase in broadband coverage through state aid protects rural areas from depopulation (while residents work at other locations), but does not contribute to a further closing of the economic divide in the form of creating new jobs.

How New Airport Infrastructure Promotes Tourism: Evidence from a Synthetic Control Approach in German Regions

We examine how new airport infrastructure influences regional tourism. Identification is based on the conversion of a military air base into a regional commercial airport in the German state of Bavaria. The new airport opened in 2007 and promotes travelling to the touristic region Allgau in the Bavarian Alps. We use a synthetic control approach and show that the new commercial airport increased tourism in the Allgau region over the period 2008-2016. The positive effect is especially pronounced in the county where the airport is located. Our results suggest that new transportation infrastructure promotes regional economic development.

Potentials of preparation for reuse: A case study at collection points in the German state of Bavaria

This research addresses the second priority of the waste management hierarchy and the demand for a circular economy. First, we develop a methodology for the quantitative assessment of potentially reusable wastes. Second, based on empirically retrieved primary data following the developed methodology, this study quantifies a theoretical potential for the preparation for reuse of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), used furniture, and used leisure goods in the German state of Bavaria. We find that between 13% and 16% of these waste streams could immediately be prepared for reuse, depending on the type of waste. A further potential of 13%–29% could be unlocked through changes to the mode of collection, storage and the overall treatment of wastes at Bavaria collection points. Most notably, 86% of identifiable damage causes of WEEE are attributed to a lack of sufficient weatherproof roofing. Conclusively, we derive four key action recommendation for unlocking existing potentials.

Turnout and Closeness: Evidence from 60 Years of Bavarian Mayoral Elections

One prediction of the calculus of voting is that electoral closeness positively affects turnout via a higher probability of one vote being decisive. I test this theory with data on all mayoral elections in the German state of Bavaria between 1946 and 2009. Importantly, I use constitutionally prescribed two-round elections to measure electoral closeness and thereby improve on existing work that mostly uses ex-post measures that are prone to endogeneity. The results suggest that electoral closeness matters: A one standard deviation increase in closeness increases turnout by 1.68 percentage points, which corresponds to 1 6 of a standard deviation in this variable. I also evaluate how other factors like electorate size or rain on election day affect turnout differentially depending on the closeness of the race.

Turnout and Closeness: Evidence from 60 Years of Bavarian Mayoral Elections

AbstractOne prediction of the calculus of voting is that electoral closeness positively affects turnout via a higher probability of one vote being decisive. I test this theory with data on all mayoral elections in the German state of Bavaria between 1946 and 2009. Importantly, I use constitutionally prescribed two‐round elections to measure electoral closeness and thereby improve on existing work that mostly uses ex post measures that are prone to endogeneity. The results suggest that electoral closeness matters: a one standard deviation increase in closeness increases turnout by 1.27 percentage points, which corresponds to 1/7 of a standard deviation in this variable. I also evaluate how other factors such as electorate size or rain on election day affect turnout differentially depending on the closeness of the race. While rain decreases turnout on average, this effect is mitigated in close elections, as indicated by a positive interaction effect of the two variables.

Does State Aid for Broadband Deployment in Rural Areas Close the Digital and Economic Divide?

We evaluate the impact of a major European state aid program for broadband deployment applied to rural areas in the German State of Bavaria in the years 2010 and 2011. Using difference-in-differences estimation strategies, we find that aided municipalities have - depending on broadband quality - a between 16.8 and 23.2 percent higher broadband coverage than non-aided municipalities. This increase in broadband coverage - closing the digital divide - results in an increase of on average seven employed individuals living in the respective aid-receiving municipalities while leaving the number of employed or selfemployed individuals or wages unaffected. We therefore conclude that an increase in broadband coverage through state aid prevents rural areas from depopulation, but does not contribute to a further closing of the economic divide in the form of creating new jobs.

Direct Democracy and Local Public Finances under Cooperative Federalism

AbstractIn this paper, we exploit the introduction of the right of local initiatives in the German state of Bavaria in 1995 in order to study the fiscal effects of direct democracy. Our identification strategy combines difference‐in‐differences and regression discontinuity methods: we compare municipal expenditure and revenue between pre‐ and post‐reform periods at population thresholds where the signatures needed to launch initiatives and minimum quorum requirements decrease discontinuously (difference‐in‐discontinuities design). The results suggest that stronger direct democratic institutions lead to an expansion of local government size.

Does State Aid for Broadband Deployment in Rural Areas Close the Digital and Economic Divide?

We evaluate the impact of a major European state aid program for broadband deployment applied to rural areas in the German State of Bavaria in the years 2010 and 2011. Using difference-in-differences estimation strategies, we find that aided municipalities have – depending on broadband quality – a between 16.8 and 23.2 percent higher broadband coverage than non-aided municipalities. This increase in broadband coverage – closing the digital divide – results in an increase of on average seven employed individuals living in the respective aid-receiving municipalities while leaving the number of employed or selfemployed individuals or wages unaffected. We therefore conclude that an increase in broadband coverage through state aid prevents rural areas from depopulation, but does not contribute to a further closing of the economic divide in the form of creating new jobs.

Direct democracy and local government efficiency

This paper studies the role of direct democracy in ensuring efficient and cost-effective provision of goods and services in the public sector. The sample consists of the population of municipalities in the German State of Bavaria, where in the mid-1990s considerable direct democratic reforms granted citizens wide opportunities to directly participate in local affairs through binding initiatives. Using information on the municipal resources and the municipal provision of public goods, and applying a fully non-parametric approach to estimate local government overall efficiency, the analysis shows that more direct democratic activity is associated with higher government efficiency. This result suggests that more inclusive governance through direct decision-making mechanisms may induce more accountable and less inefficient governments.