German Studies Research Articles

Radiological assessment of periodontal ligament space visibility on third molars for forensic age assessment — a comparison study of three different staging scales

Various staging scales have been proposed for the assessment of the visibility of the periodontal ligament space of mandibular third molars on dental panoramic radiographs (PANs) for forensic age assessment in living individuals. However, up to now, there has been no systematic comparison between these staging scales available. We directly compared the 2010 staging scale proposed by Olze et al. with the 2017 staging by Lucas et al. and the 2020 staging by Guo et al. in a German study population. We evaluated 233 PANs from 115 females and 118 males aged 20.0 to 40.9 years using three independent examiners, with one examiner conducting two assessments. We examined the correlation between age and stage, as well as the inter- and intra-rater reliabilities. While the point estimates for the correlation coefficient and the reliability measures were lowest for the Guo scale and highest for the Olze scale, confidence intervals showed a large overlap, particularly for the scales of Olze et al. and Lucas et al. The correlation coefficients between stage and age were consistently lower in females than in males across all methods. In summary, we showed that the staging scales of Olze et al. and Lucas et al. were very similar. The Olze method showed higher point estimates across all analyses, and because there are more reference data available for this method, we argue that it should be preferred as the method of choice for further studies in the field. However, Guo method could be considered for instances, in which the inter-radicular periodontal ligament is not evaluable.

Gelehrtennetzwerke an der Universität Basel und ihre Verbindungen nach Ostmitteleuropa 1460–1550. Perspektiven zu Forschungsdaten aus dem Repertorium Academicum Germanicum (RAG)

This study uses the example of data from the Repertorium Academicum Germanicum (RAG) to highlight various aspects of dealing with research data in historical research. The RAG is a project focused on scholars from the Old German Empire (1250–1550), whose lives and studies are collected and evaluated in a prosopographical database. The database combines quantitative and qualitative methods for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of research data. Using the example of scholars included in the RAG who stayed at the Basel University in 1460–1550, the author presents the basic approaches to network analysis used in the project. The example of Basel scholars in the RAG shows how students and scholars from Eastern and Central Europe can be identified in this network. Although their numbers by mid-sixteenth century were not high, a qualitative examination of their biographies shows that they had a variety of contacts in Basel prior to their arrival and that they played an important role in early relations with Eastern and Central Europe. In addition to personal encounters linked to studies and related activities, correspondence and general references in written works are also taken into account.

Protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase IIa study of the safety, tolerability, and symptomatic efficacy of the ROCK-inhibitor Fasudil in patients with Parkinson's disease (ROCK-PD).

The Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Fasudil has shown symptomatic and disease-modifying effects in Parkinson's disease (PD) models in vitro and in vivo. In Japan, Fasudil has been approved for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage since 1995 and shows a favourable safety profile. To investigate the safety, tolerability, and symptomatic efficacy of ROCK-inhibitor Fasudil in comparison to placebo in a randomized, national, multicenter, double-blind phase IIa study in patients with PD. We plan to include 75 patients with at least 'probable' PD (MDS criteria), Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3, and age 30-80 years in 13 German study sites. Patients must be non-fluctuating and their response to PD medication must have been stable for 6 weeks. Patients will be randomly allocated to treatment with the oral investigational medicinal product (IMP) containing either Fasudil in two dosages, or placebo, for a total of 22 days. As primary analysis, non-inferiority of low/high dose of Fasudil on the combined endpoint consisting of occurrence of intolerance and/or treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs) over 22 days will be assessed in a sequential order, starting with the lower dose. Secondary endpoints will include tolerability alone over 22 days and occurrence of treatment-related SAEs (SARs) over 22 and 50 days and will be compared on group level. Additional secondary endpoints include efficacy on motor and non-motor symptoms, measured on established scales, and will be assessed at several timepoints. Biomaterial will be collected to determine pharmacokinetics of Fasudil and its active metabolite, and to evaluate biomarkers of neurodegeneration. After positive evaluation by the competent authority and the ethics committee, patient recruitment started in the 3rd quarter of 2023. ROCK-PD is registered with Eudra-CT (2021-003879-34) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05931575). Results of this trial can pave way for conducting extended-duration studies assessing both symptomatic efficacy and disease-modifying properties of Fasudil.

Body: between sacrum and profanum – a report

Body: between sacrum and profanum is an international conference organized in the Department of Modern Languages and the Department of German Studies at the University of Zielona Góra, Poland on November 28-29, 2023. The conference was organized within the ninth edition of Foreign Languages Days (known in Polish as Dni Języków Obcych - DJO) held annually since 2015 in the Department of Modern Languages and the Department of German Studies at the Faculty of Humanities. The conference had the honorary patronage of the Rector of the University of Zielona Góra, Professor Wojciech Strzyżewski.

Preposition à la in Public Discourse of German Language

The functioning of the French-origin preposition à la in the modern journalistic corpus of the German language is analyzed. The relevance of the study is due to the lack of linguistic description of this preposition in domestic and foreign German studies, despite its productivity in the German language. Combinations including the preposition à la were identified through a comprehensive sampling method in the DWDS corpus. The authors consider the preposition as synonymous with German derived prepositions that denote “similarity, likeness”: nach Art von, im Stile von, in der Art von, nach dem Prinzip von. It is noted that proper names (à la Agatha Christie) and predicative units (à la “Klinsmann liebt Leipzig”) serve as the main carriers of the preposition, with fewer examples involving concrete, abstract, and animate nouns. A paradigm of variable government for this preposition is proposed. The authors conclude that the choice of case government for the preposition is influenced by the structural characteristics of prepositional constructions, namely the presence / absence of an article or accompanying word after the preposition, as well as the gender and number of the governed noun.

“Uninformed consent” in clinical trials with cancer patients: A qualitative analysis of patients’ and support persons’ communication experiences and needs

ObjectiveCancer patients are often overwhelmed when being informed about clinical trials. However, there is a lack of evidence-based strategies to improve physician-patient communication in this area. This study assessed the experiences and needs of cancer patients and their support persons (SPs) during the informed consent (IC) process prior to participation in clinical trials. Methods17 semi-structured interviews with cancer patients and their SP were conducted and analysed using a framework analysis. ResultsMost respondents reported feeling well informed about the clinical trial. However, core aspects of the study were often not understood highlighting a dissonance between perceived and actual recall and understanding. Many participants trusted that the trial recommended was the best available care and only skimmed the consent form or did not read it at all. ConclusionsThis is the first German study to analyse both cancer patients’ and SPs’ perspectives on IC processes. Although many feel well informed, our results suggest a significant gap in recall and understanding of core components of clinical trials which hinders IC. Practice implicationsFurther interventional research is required to improve the consent processes prior to clinical trials in order to provide optimal, patient-centred care.

A Gender Bias in Curriculum-Based Measurement across Content Domains: Insights from a German Study

By immediately responding to achievement progress data, teachers can improve students’ performance by using curriculum-based measurement. However, there are studies showing that teachers are prone to make biased judgments about the students providing the data. The present investigation experimentally examined whether pre-service teachers in Germany were biased by the use of gender stereotypes when judging students’ achievement derived from progress data. N = 100 pre-service teachers received graphs that depicted the development of either oral reading fluency or math achievement of girls and boys over a time interval of 11 weeks. The results obtained confirmed the hypotheses partially. The participants did not favor girls over boys on average. However, they judged achievement in reading to be higher for girls than for boys, and math achievement to be higher for boys than for girls. The results suggest that gender stereotypes (boys are good at math, girls are good at reading) are still prevalent in pre-service teachers.

Prevalence of KIG-grades 3–5 in an orthodontic practice in North Rhine Westphalia compared with results of the DMS•6 and with KZBV data

Background and aimThe prevalence of tooth and jaw malocclusions in 8- to 9-year-olds was surveyed in a nationwide setting as part of the orthodontic module of the Sixth German Study on Oral Health (DMS•6), using the orthodontic indication groups (KIG) as index. Aim of this study was the detection of the prevalence of malocclusions requiring treatment according to the KIG index in statutorily insured patients of an orthodontic practice in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, and to compare results with corresponding DMS•6 and KZBV data.Patients and methodsBetween 2017–2021, n = 953 statutorily insured patients called for an initial consultation and subsequent determination of the KIG-classification and -grades. The malocclusions were classified and graded in the highest possible KIG-grade according to valid SHI guidelines. Multiple classifications were not recorded. KIG-grade > 3 according to the valid guidelines was detected in n = 815 patients. Since the DMS•6 does not contain information on KIG classifications "U" and "S", their inclusion was waived despite evaluation, leaving data from n = 683 patients for analysis and comparison.ResultsDuring the study period, n = 235 patients (34.4%) had KIG-classification "D". More than 10% were classified as "K" (120 patients, 17.6%), "P" (98 patients, 14.2%), "M" (89 patients, 13.0%), and "E" (81 patients, 11.9%). Of 16 possible classifications with KIG-grade > 3, "D4" was the most common with 26.6% (182 patients). The results confirm the findings from the multicentric DMS•6 from2021 and corresponding KZBV data from 2020.ConclusionsSagittal deviations described by classifications "D" and "M" represent with 47.4% almost half of the malocclusions with treatment need. KIG-grade D4 is the most frequent classification. There were no regional deviations of the prevalence of KIG-grades 3–5 in the district of Viersen / North Rhine compared with the national average, not even when scrutinizing a five-year-period.

Sources and Methods: Theory of Canon and the Possibilities of Disciplinary Practice in German Studies

Starting from interdisciplinary theories of canon, this essay zooms in on literary canons and the canon of the field of German Studies in particular. In comparison to many kinds of canons, academic canons, it is argued, are structured based on different and frequently opposing assumptions. On this basis, a distinction is made between the adjective “canonical,” which refers to the supposedly stable functions of legitimate or illegitimate authority, and the adjective “canonic,” which evokes the specific forms of critical self-reflexivity required in academic contexts. The concluding discussion addresses the specific challenges of the canonic design of German Studies in the North American context. As an interdisciplinary discipline operating at a distance from Europe, the canonics of global German Studies are relatively undefined. This can be interpreted positively as a source of freedom and flexibility but also as a challenge of self-definition in relation to various disciplinary-canonic architectures.

Moodle Platform in The Study of German as a Second Foreign Language

The article considers the methodological principles of the organization of blended learning in the study of German as a second foreign language at the Department of Applied Linguistics of the National University “Lviv Polytechnic”. The authors summarize the experience of domestic and foreign researchers on the implementation of blended learning and technology for distance learning in the virtual learning environment Moodle.It is noted that the German language courses developed and posted on the e-learning platform contribute to the formation of communicative competence, readiness to communicate in various spheres of public life. This exploration demonstrates the possibility of using the Moodle platform to develop a foreign language course by students, because there is the possibility of online presentation of educational material in a group, at the student’s workplace, as well as sufficient methodological assistance in the form of audio and video materials. Simultaneously with full-time learning, tests are used in a distance format, the learning process is the result of cooperation between teachers and students in the network by means of information technology such as video conferencing, chats, forums, e-mail. With the help of this platform, a system of automated control and self-control of acquired knowledge, initial and final control and an available electronic journal with assessments has been developed, which improves learning efficiency and increases motivation of participants in this type of learning. This study proves that the electronic platform for learning a foreign language is effective for both parties to the initial process: not only students but also for teachers.

Możliwość orzeczenia zakazu zajmowania stanowiska (stanowisk), wykonywania zawodu (zawodów) lub prowadzenia działalności związanej z wychowaniem, leczeniem, edukacją małoletnich lub opieką nad nimi za przechowywanie lub posiadanie treści pornograficznych z udziałem małoletniego – analiza empiryczna i formalno-dogmatyczna

The objective of this study is to answer the question whether adjudicating a ban on holding a position (or positions), practicing a profession (or professions) or conducting activities related to the upbringing, treatment, education or care of minors for storing or possessing pornographic content with the participation of a minor child is legally justified de lege lata. The authors present their standpoint on the basis of a detailed analysis of the elements of penal measures under Articles 39(2) and 39(2a) of the Polish Criminal Code and the conditions for adjudicating these measures provided for in Articles 41(§1) and 41(§1a) of the Criminal Code. For this purpose, a review of Canadian, American, Swiss, German and Czech studies on the correlation between crimes involving child pornography and physical sexual abuse of minors has been conducted. At a later stage, a formal-dogmatic exegesis of rights protected by the types of prohibited acts criminalizing the possession or storage of child pornography, the concept of ‘damage to a minor’ and the collision arising from the application of Article 41(§1) and Article 41(§1a, sentence 2) of the Criminal Code has been undertaken. The conclusion that emerges from both the hitherto achievements of empirical research and the appropriately made formal-dogmatic analysis indicates that at present there are no legal grounds to adjudicate the said criminal ban in the case of possessed or stored, and not self-created, child pornography. Nonetheless, a possible social unrest arising from the fact of a professional contact with children by persons having or storing such materials may be accommodated by a simple amendment to the Article 41(§1a, sentence 2) of the Criminal Code, as proposed by the authors.

German language studies: main research trends in Russia and Germany

The article is devoted to a review of current trends in modern research in Russian and foreign German studies. The purpose of the article is to describe existing trends in Russian and German studies and current research based on the material of the German language. In the article, German studies is understood in its narrow definition, as a subject area whose sphere of interests exclusively includes research in German language and literature. The material for the analysis was scientific articles in leading Russian and German publications, associations of government agencies, as well as publications of Russian and German research organizations. The rationale for this is the significant advances in scientific research of Russian (Soviet) and German Germanists in the twentieth century. During the study, methods of analysis, synthesis and observation were used. The development trends of Russian and German German studies are determined by the cultural, historical, socio-political, and informational features of the development of modern society. Text, corpus and translation are considered as the main sources of promising trends in German studies for the description and interpretation of the facts of the modern German language in diachrony and synchrony. Text models and text types are substantiated from the perspective of modern discursive practices of the German language community (migration discourse, multimodal discourse, political and populist discourse, valeological discourse, etc.). The results of corpus research are considered as an empirical basis for research in German studies and for the strategy of inductive generalization. Research in the field of translation studies is aimed at fixing and systematizing established translation techniques based on innovative digital technologies.

A genome-wide association study meta-analysis in a European sample of stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients ≤35 years of age identifies new risk loci.

Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been conducted for severe forms of periodontitis (stage III/IV grade C), and the number of known risk genes is scarce. To identify further genetic risk variants to improve the understanding of the disease aetiology, a GWAS meta-analysis in cases with a diagnosis at ≤35 years of age was performed. Genotypes from German, Dutch and Spanish GWAS studies of III/IV-C periodontitis diagnosed at age ≤35 years were imputed using TopMed. After quality control, a meta-analysis was conducted on 8,666,460 variants in 1306 cases and 7817 controls with METAL. Variants were prioritized using FUMA for gene-based tests, functional annotation and a transcriptome-wide association study integrating eQTL data. The study identified a novel genome-wide significant association in the FCER1G gene (p = 1.0 × 10-9 ), which was previously suggestively associated with III/IV-C periodontitis. Six additional genes showed suggestive association with p < 10-5 , including the known risk gene SIGLEC5. HMCN2 showed the second strongest association in this study (p = 6.1 × 10-8 ). This study expands the set of known genetic loci for severe periodontitis with an age of onset ≤35 years. The putative functions ascribed to the associated genes highlight the significance of oral barrier tissue stability, wound healing and tissue regeneration in the aetiology of these periodontitis forms and suggest the importance of tissue regeneration in maintaining oral health.

The Diasystematic Status of the Diatopic Axis

This paper is anchored in the tradition of variationist linguistics of Germanic and Romance studies in Europe. In variationist linguistics, the dimension of ‘space’ is essential. According to Flydal (1952:245) this dimension is one of the “extrastructuralismes” which, together with the structures of language, forms the “architecture de langue”. The other important extrastructural dimension mentioned by Flydal is diastratic, i.e. social variation. Coseriu takes over these two notions from Flydal, adding a third dimension: the diaphasic variation (1969:148 ss.). A fourth dimension proposed by Koch &amp; Oesterreicher (1990), opposing the spoken vs written conception, implying the distinction between communicative immediacy or distance (the diamesic variation), was, however, not included by Coseriu. A number of publications and articles have recently questioned the theoretical basis of the three or four dimensions taken over from Flydal by Coseriu and further elaborated in the tradition of variationist linguistics in Romance and Germanic studies. My contribution focuses on the diatopic level, but intends to show, by means of a number of case studies, that this level cannot be considered independently of other variation factors.

Assessing the potential of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for contributing to conservation targets: A global scoping review protocol

This scoping review (ScR) protocol aims to establish the methodological approach for identifying and mapping the evidence regarding the actual contribution of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to spatial conservation targets. Emphasis will be placed on examining the research conducted, including the methodologies applied. OECMs, introduced by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2010, refer to areas outside of protected areas, such as fisheries restricted areas, archaeological sites, and military areas, that effectively conserve biodiversity in-situ over the long term. OECMs are recognized rather than designated. Many countries currently endeavor to identify, recognize and report OECMs to the CBD for formal acceptance to support the implementation of spatial conservation targets. Studies that assess the contribution of OECMs to spatial conservation targets will be considered. Potential OECMs with primary, secondary or ancillary conservation objectives established by all sectors in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine realm worldwide will be considered. Peer-reviewed and grey literature will be considered without imposing limitations based on publication year, stage, subject area and source type. Both experimental and observational studies in English, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Spanish will be reviewed. The ScR will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The protocol will be guided by the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension for scoping reviews. The search will encompass bibliographic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Grey literature sources will include databases, pre-print archives and organizational websites. The Covidence platform will be utilized for data management and extraction.

Juraj Dolník – enlightened Slovak linguist of the 20th and 21st centuries

Abstract Juraj Dolník belongs to the most notable Slovak linguists, next to Ján Horecký (1920 – 2006) or Jozef Mistrík (1921 – 2000). His research areas comprise mainly general linguistics, Slovak studies and German studies. In the synchronic Slovak studies, he has devoted himself thoroughly to the study of lexicology, as well as to individual aspects of cultural stylistics, sociolinguistics and linguistic pragmatics. His ideas about the linguistic culture have become significant stimuli for the Slovak linguistic and cultural theory and language counseling practice. He has also laid the theoretical foundations for studies of linguistic otherness in the Slovak linguistic environment. As a distinguished professor emeritus, he authored a modern trilogy about language and society (2017 – 2021), thus providing further conspicuous methodological and theoretical inspirations for Slovak linguistics, and, in a wider context, also for Slavic linguistics of the 21st century.

Performance of Alzheimer’s disease plasma biomarkers in primary care: results from the AgeCoDe study

AbstractBackgroundBlood‐based biomarkers offer a major benefit to Alzheimer’s disease screening because they are less invasive and costly than cerebrospinal fluid or imaging biomarkers, but they have been mainly studied in individuals from memory clinics often exhibiting only mild comorbidities. Therefore, it is necessary to validate plasma biomarkers in more heterogeneous population‐based studies to transfer these results to the general population.MethodPlasma levels of Aβ42/Aβ40, P‐tau181, NfL, and GFAP were measured using Single molecule array (Simoa) technology in samples from 1007 non‐demented participants from the longitudinal population‐based German Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe). Participants had a median age of 83 years old and were followed for up to 8 years. We evaluated the association of plasma biomarkers with risk of progression to dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT) and cognitive decline using Cox regressions and linear mixed‐effects models, and their capacity to discriminate between non‐converters and DAT‐converters with logistic regressions.ResultCox regressions adjusted for age and sex in non‐demented participants indicated that higher levels of P‐tau181 (HR = 1.32, p = 2.14×10−5), NfL (HR = 1.15, p = 0.03), and GFAP (HR = 1.33, p = 2.55×10−7), and a lower Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio (HR = 0.83, p = 0.02) were associated with a higher risk of progression to DAT. In addition, higher plasma levels of P‐tau181 (p = 3.05×10−4), NfL (p = 0.04), and GFAP (p = 2.78×10−7) were associated with faster cognitive decline, but no association was found with plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio (p = 0.24). When evaluated separately, plasma biomarkers displayed a rather low AUC at different time points (2, 4, 6, 8 years from baseline; AUC &lt; 0.7) to discriminate between non‐converters and DAT‐converters. However, when combined into a single prediction model, plasma biomarkers substantially improved the discrimination capacity beyond demographics and APOE genotype within a 6‐year period (AUC base model = 0.66, AUC biomarkers model = 0.72, DeLong’s test: p = 0.01).ConclusionPlasma biomarkers are associated with progression to DAT in non‐demented participants. Assessing multiple plasma biomarkers will considerably improve risk assessment for progressing to DAT in primary care.

Teaching Visually Impaired Translators and Interpreters in Romania: Available Tools and Inclusive Teaching Methods

Abstract This article explores the teaching methods used in university classes of Translation and Interpreting with visually impaired students. It is the first essay on this topic applied to the context of Romania. Therefore, it offers basic suggestions of implementing international teaching methods for visually impaired students in Translation and Interpreting in Romanian universities, while also raising awareness about the challenges they face. The literature review is divided into two categories: digital skills and professional skills. In presenting the most essential digital skills a visually impaired translator and interpreter must acquire, the article makes reference to Kornacki’s model which groups technologies according to the necessary skills. The professional skills are discussed in three articles from two different universities, namely the University of Trieste in Italy and the University of Mainz/Germersheim in Germany. The German study described in two articles – one in German and its shorter version in English – gives a detailed perspective on the topic, being the core of the theoretical ideas mentioned in this article. The knowledge acquired by reading this article will most certainly lead Romanian professors to using the optimal approach when teaching emerging visually impaired translators and interpreters. The teaching methods can be put into practice if the right equipment is available and accessibility is implemented in all aspects regarding translation and interpreting.

On the Principle of Non-Self-Incrimination and the Duties of Concertation in Non-Criminal Law Areas: A Case Study of German and Mainland China’s Legal Systems

On the Principle of Non-Self-Incrimination and the Duties of Concertation in Non-Criminal Law Areas: A Case Study of German and Mainland China’s Legal Systems

Preclinical loading in patients with acute chest pain and acute coronary syndrome - PRELOAD survey

Guidelines on myocardial infarction (MI) recommend antithrombotic and anticoagulatory treatment at time of diagnosis. MI with ST segment elevation (STEMI) is mostly acertain diagnosis. Acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation (NSTE-ACS) has diagnostic uncertainty and remains aworking diagnosis in the prehospital setting. Assessment of prehospital loading with aspirin and heparin depending on ACS subtype and pretreatment with oral anticoagulants. The PRELOAD survey was anationwide German study. STEMI/NSTE-ACS scenarios were designed and varied in pretreatment: I)no pretreatment, II)new oral anticoagulants (NOAC), III)vitaminK antagonist (VKA). Loading strategy was assessed and included: a)aspirin (ASA), b)unfractionated heparin (UFH), c)ASA + UFH, d)no loading. A total of 708 emergency physicians were included. In NSTE-ACS without pretreatment, 79% chose loading (p < 0.001). ASA + UFH (71.4%) was the preferred option. In corresponding STEMI scenario, 100% chose loading and 98.6% preferred ASA + UFH (p < 0.001). In NSTE-ACS with NOAC pretreatment, 69.8% favored loading (p < 0.001); in VKA pretreatment the corresponding rate was 72.3% (p < 0.001). In each scenario, ASA was the preferred option. In STEMI with NOAC pretreatment, 97.5% chose loading (p < 0.001); analogous rate was 96.8% in STEMI with VKA pretreatment (p < 0.001). ASA was the preferred option again. Prehospital loading was the preferred treatment strategy despite the diagnostic uncertainty in NSTE-ACS and guidelines recommending loading at time of diagnosis. Pretreatment with oral anticoagulants resulted in astrategy shift to loading with only aspirin. In STEMI patients, this indicates potential undertreatment.