Material In Germany Research Articles

Bumps on the back: An unusual morphology in phylogenetically distinct Peridinium aff. cinctum (= Peridinium tuberosum; Peridiniales, Dinophyceae)

To determine the intraspecific variability of microscopic organisms such as dinophytes is challenging, but can be achieved using cultured material. Unusual morphologies of Peridinium tuberosum assigned to the Peridinium cinctum species group have been described as bulges on the posterior end of the cell a hundred years ago and more, but its taxonomic significance is unclear at present. We collected field material in Germany and Poland in order to establish strains to study cell morphology using light and scanning electron microscopy. For the cultured material, DNA sequence data from the rRNA operon was gained as well and included in molecular phylogenetics (including 22 new partial rRNA sequences). Two new, closely related ribotypes were detected, and all strains showed the principle morphology of P. cinctum having an asymmetric epitheca, a large first apical plate and a sulcus extending onto the epitheca. In the single-strain GeoM*979 assigned to one of the two new ribotypes, cells with bulges appeared rarely but consistently, mostly on the hypotheca, but other variations also occurred. Overall, cells of this strain display traits not observed before while studying cultured P. cinctum, and this distinction is further supported by molecular data and additional details of epithecal opening. However, there does not remain enough information to determine strain GeoM*979 as a separate species (namely P. tuberosum) and therefore, it is identified as Peridinium aff. cinctum until further notice.

Государственная политика ресурсосбережения в Российской Федерации

The problems of sustainable development, the development of a resource-saving economy, and a closed-cycle economy are becoming increasingly relevant for the Russian Federation, as a state whose economy accounts for a significant volume of its raw materials sector. The stable state of the extractive industry enterprises, the continuing internal and external demand for natural resources of our country reinforce the need for the formation and implementation of a balanced macro- and meso-economic policy of resource conservation, financial and investment support for extractive and processing enterprises for the implementation of environmental and environmental programs, as well as further development and improvement of economic tools for managing resource conservation processes. The problem of resource conservation is complex and its solution is impossible without the participation of the state and business. The significant role of the regions of Russia and its subjects in solving issues and problems of resource conservation on the ground is also noted. The proposed relevance of the study determined its purpose and objectives, research methods and approaches to its implementation. The research methodology is a combination of general scientific research methods — analysis, synthesis of the information received, interpretation of data. The study uses data from statistical observation of current (operational) environmental protection costs in the Russian Federation, posted on the official website of the Federal Statistics Service. The article presents statistical data on the volume of extraction of raw materials in Germany. The method of economic analysis is logically defined as the main research method. In modern Russian economics, in general, the composition of economic instruments for managing resource-saving processes has been formed. The main economic tool for managing resource-saving processes on the part of the state are government subsidies to the regions of Russia. A significant contribution to protective and environmental measures is also made by business entities, primarily corporate business.

Safe cycling in winter: Results of a case study on the role of de-icing in the city of Hamburg, Germany

Introduction: In parts of Europe and North America, cycling volumes decrease in winter due to a reduction in subjective safety. To counter this, high-quality winter maintenance is required on cycle paths. At the moment, grit and sodium chloride are considered state-of-the-art gritting/de-icing materials in Germany. However, grit has to be removed after winter because it poses a serious injury risk on dry streets, and, in various German cities, using sodium chloride is prohibited on segregated bike paths due to the harmful impact on surrounding trees. Therefore, there is a need for alternative gritting/de-icing materials. Method: We used a mixed-methods approach consisting of qualitative and quantitative surveys together with laboratory investigations and a life cycle assessment to find suitable alternatives to sodium chloride and grit for use on segregated bike paths, and tested four de-icing materials (sodium chloride as a reference, sodium formate, calcium magnesium acetate or CMA, and potassium acetate) at two sites in Hamburg, Germany. The tests were accompanied by on-site cyclist surveys. Results: The results show that the use of alternative (non-sodium chloride) de-icing materials either reduces or eliminates negative impacts on the environment at a local level, for example on trees along the cycle path. However, this reduction goes hand in hand with increasing negative environmental impacts at a global level due to higher overall emissions associated with the tested alternative de-icing materials. Regarding cyclists’ safety, sodium formate was the only de-icing material which delivered comparable results to sodium chloride and should therefore be tested in extended conditions. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the large-scale application of the investigated de-icing agents on cycle paths in different cities, along with a survey of a larger number of cyclists. A final evaluation of the environmental aspects can only be made when the supply and production conditions for large-scale use are clear. Practical Applications: Basically there are two options for the practical application of de-icing materials: The usage of the costlier alternatives with better properties at a local level in the hope of fast development towards a better global GHG footprint in their manufacturing processes, or sticking to the use of grit and sodium chloride (where it is possible) while committing to improving clean-up after the snow and ice melt to prevent unsafe road conditions in spring.

The Future of Synthesis Chemistry in Energetics

The Future of Synthesis Chemistry in Energetics

Group Appeals of Parties in Times of Economic and Identity Conflicts and Realignment.

Party-group relations are today characterized by various forms of alignments. These include the persistence of traditional class alignments, the realignment of economic groups due to identity politics and alignments of groups at the centre of identity politics. This study analyses the group-based messaging of parties in relation to these three groups. We argue that, contrary to the catch-all party thesis, positive and negative group appeals of parties are (still) structured by parties' support among social groups and by groups either liked or disliked by their voters. Our argument is tested through a content analysis of election materials in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, combined with survey data. The results indicate that group appeals are indeed shaped by electoral support among social groups and attitudes towards them. Results also suggest that the former effect is present for traditionally aligned economic and identity politics groups, but not for realigned economic groups.

Luxury and Modernism: Architecture and the Object in Germany 1900–1933

Luxury and Modernism: Architecture and the Object in Germany 1900–1933

Carbon-Negative Hydrogen Production (HyBECCS) from Organic Waste Materials in Germany: How to Estimate Bioenergy and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential

Hydrogen derived from biomass feedstock (biohydrogen) can play a significant role in Germany’s hydrogen economy. However, the bioenergy potential and environmental benefits of biohydrogen production are still largely unknown. Additionally, there are no uniform evaluation methods present for these emerging technologies. Therefore, this paper presents a methodological approach for the evaluation of bioenergy potentials and the attainable environmental impacts of these processes in terms of their carbon footprints. A procedure for determining bioenergy potentials is presented, which provides information on the amount of usable energy after conversion when applied. Therefore, it elaborates a four-step methodical conduct, dealing with available waste materials, uncertainties of early-stage processes, and calculation aspects. The bioenergy to be generated can result in carbon emission savings by substituting fossil energy carriers as well as in negative emissions by applying biohydrogen production with carbon capture and storage (HyBECCS). Hence, a procedure for determining the negative emissions potential is also presented. Moreover, the developed approach can also serve as a guideline for decision makers in research, industry, and politics and might also serve as a basis for further investigations such as implementation strategies or quantification of the benefits of biohydrogen production from organic waste material in Germany.

Regional rotor blade waste quantification in Germany until 2040

Worldwide, wind turbine stocks are ageing and questions of reuse and recycling particularly of rotor blades become urgent. Especially, rising rotor blade wastes face lacking good recycling options and exact quantification is difficult due to information gaps on the rotor blade size, mass and exact material composition. In a combined approach, the expected rotor blade waste is quantified and localized on a national level for Germany until 2040. Fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) from rotor blades are in focus and differentiated into two material classes: glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) and glass- and carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP/CFRP). The quantification approach is based on a national power plant stock database (Marktstammdatenregister) and regression models, combined with a power class-based estimation for missing datasets. As a result, between 325,726 and 429,525 t of waste from the GFRP material class and between 76,927 t and 211,721 t of waste from the GFRP/CFRP material class arise from obsolete rotor blades in Germany until 2040. This corresponds to a share of between 11% and 32% of wind turbines with GFRP/CFRP rotor blade material in Germany. For GFRP, waste peaks in 2021, 2035 and 2037 are expected with around 40,000 t of waste per year. For GFRP/CFRP, waste peaks in 2036 and 2037 will induce more than 20,000 t/a. Mostly affected federal states are Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. The methods are applicable and transferable to other countries, particularly with ageing wind turbines fleets.

Natural Building Materials for Interior Fitting and Refurbishment-What about Indoor Emissions?

Indoor air quality can be adversely affected by emissions from building materials, consequently having a negative impact on human health and well-being. In this study, more than 30 natural building materials (earth dry boards and plasters, bio-based insulation materials, and boards made of wood, flax, reed, straw, etc.) used for interior works were investigated as to their emissions of (semi-)volatile organic compounds ((S)VOC), formaldehyde, and radon. The study focused on the emissions from complete wall build-ups as they can be used for internal partition walls and the internal insulation of external walls. Test chambers were designed, allowing the compounds to release only from the surface of the material facing indoors under testing parameters that were chosen to simulate model room conditions. The emission test results were evaluated using the AgBB evaluation scheme, a procedure for the health-related evaluation of construction products and currently applied for the approval of specific groups of building materials in Germany. Seventeen out of 19 sample build-ups tested in this study would have passed this scheme since they generally proved to be low-emitting and although the combined emissions of multiple materials were tested, 50% of the measurements could be terminated before half of the total testing time.

Systematic evaluation of written health information on PSA based screening in Germany.

BackgroundProstate-specific antigen (PSA) based screening for early detection of prostate cancer is common although it is associated with both benefits and potential harms (e.g., the risk of overdiagnosis). Evidence-based health information could help individuals make informed decisions about whether to undergo PSA testing or not. This evaluation aimed to determine whether the written health information materials available in Germany provide appropriate information for informed decision-making on PSA based screening.MethodsA list of criteria was developed and used to systematically assess the quality of information on the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening included in written health information materials. Fourteen information materials identified by information requests and online searches were evaluated independently by two of three reviewers. Consensus was achieved with a third reviewer.ResultsOf the 14 information materials evaluated, 10 (71%) list the ability to reduce the absolute risk of death from prostate cancer as a benefit of PSA testing, 9 (64%) point out the risks of follow-up diagnostics, 13 (93%) describe the risks of the available prostate cancer treatments, and all 14 specify the risk of overdiagnosis. The minority provide numerical data on benefits and risks. Partially mismatched framing was identified in four cases: two information materials report only the relative frequencies of benefits, and two report only the absolute frequencies of harms. Half of the materials encouraged participation using downplaying or frightening language.ConclusionsThe majority of health information materials in Germany describe the benefits and harms of PSA based screening, including overdiagnosis, but often lack adequate balance, neutrality and numbers.

Ten years of telepathology for amission hospital in Tanzania

Acollaboration between ahospital in Tanzania and aGerman institute for pathology was initiated in 2007 with the aim of establishing aworking telepathological connection using the internet-based platform iPath to transmit static histological images. This study aimed to describe the diagnostic spectrum evaluated in the course of an aid project in adeveloping country in Africa. A total of 5230 diagnoses were analyzed, including cases that could only be definitively concluded after asecond analysis of the paraffin-embedded material in Germany. The most frequent diagnoses in the fivelargest diagnostic groups from 17different anatomical locations were surveyed. In addition, cases sampled from children/young adults and rare diagnoses were assessed separately. Altogether we diagnosed 2934 (56.1%) benign and 2134 (40.8%) malignant diseases. The number of cases sent to Germany for asecond opinion was 734 (14%). The fivemost common anatomical locations were the uterine cervix (n = 1211), the prostate (n = 728), skin (n = 626), breast (n = 524), and lymph nodes (n = 340). Children comprised 504 cases (9.6%). Typical tropical diseases were only rarely seen in the whole collective of cases. By means of telepathology histopathological diagnoses can be supplied in ashort period of time. Difficulties occurred mainly due to the unstable staff situation on site and because the quality of sampled biopsy material was not always sufficient for further investigations. Furthermore, it became clear in the course of this aid project that apredominance of standard diagnostic findings routinely seen in the pathology of tumors and infections can be anticipated rather than exotic diseases.

Research activities at GRS on fuel rod behaviour during extended dry storage

Abstract As a common part of nuclear waste management strategies, used nuclear fuel is dry stored in casks. After a sufficient time of wet cooling in fuel pools, the fuel assemblies in Germany are dry stored in dual purpose casks mostly on-site until a deep geological repository will be available in the future. In the light of the extended and preliminary not foreseen timescales of up to 100 years of dry storage, open questions arise concerning the long term fuel rod behaviour. Most of these questions are linked to safety criteria e.g. the integrity and fuel encapsulation. Due to the variety of used nuclear fuels and cladding materials in Germany and the additional use of MOX fuels and very high burn-up values of 65 GWd/tHM averaged over a fuel assembly, some of the boundary conditions are unique and specific to the German situation. The GRS has a strong research program to investigate the long term behaviour of fuel assemblies under the German specific conditions of dry storage. Some aspects are presented in the following article.

Evaluating the capability of the Sentinel 2 data for soil organic carbon prediction in croplands

The short revisit time of the Sentinel-2 (S2) constellation entails a large availability of remote sensing data, but S2 data have been rarely used to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Thus, this study aims at comparing the capability of multispectral S2 and airborne hyperspectral remote sensing data for SOC prediction, and at the same time, we investigated the importance of spectral and spatial resolution through the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the variable importance in the prediction (VIP) models and the spatial variability of the SOC maps at field and regional scales. We tested the capability of the S2 data to predict SOC in croplands with quite different soil types and parent materials in Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium, using multivariate statistics and local ground calibration with soil samples. We split the calibration dataset into sub-regions according to soil maps and built a multivariate regression model within each sub-region. The prediction accuracy obtained by S2 data is generally slightly lower than that retrieved by airborne hyperspectral data. The ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) is higher than 2 in Luxembourg (2.6) and German (2.2) site, while it is 1.1 in the Belgian area. After the spectral resampling of the airborne data according to S2 band, the prediction accuracy did not change for four out of five of the sub-regions. The variable importance values obtained by S2 data showed the same trend as the airborne VIP values, while the importance of SWIR bands decreased using airborne data resampled according the S2 bands. These differences of VIP values can be explained by the loss of spectral resolution as compared to APEX data and the strong difference in terms of SNR between the SWIR region and other spectral regions. The investigation on the spatial variability of the SOC maps derived by S2 data has shown that the spatial resolution of S2 is adequate to describe SOC variability both within field and at regional scale.

Investigation of properties influencing the impact resistance of calcium silicate masonry units

AbstractCalcium silicate masonry is characterized by a high loadbearing capacity. Despite the widespread use of calcium silicate masonry units as a building material in Germany, there have been no studies to specifically improve its resistance to bullet impact, which would result in a new, very specialized market segment for threatened infrastructure. Within the scope of a research project, fundamental knowledge was gained about the influence of manufacturing parameters on the impact resistance of calcium silicate masonry units. The investigations showed that both the type and proportion of coarse aggregate and the forming pressure play a decisive role. Based on these findings, calcium silicate masonry units can now be specifically optimized with regard to high impact resistance.

MAPPING THE LITHOCERAMIC CLADDINGS CONSERVATION STATUS IN A BIM ENVIRONMENT

Italian Modern Movement architecture is characterized above all by the research and use of innovative, experimental and autarkic materials. Lithoceramics is one of the most interesting and widespread cladding materials and represents the Italian reinterpretation of klinker, a very popular ceramic material in Germany and in the Netherlands. Despite the excellent technical performances of the ceramic cladding, increasingly frequent detachment episodes make maintenance interventions necessary on this building stock. Starting from a brief illustration of the characteristics of lithoceramics and of the most significant applications, the paper intends to present a BIM-based digitization methodology for mapping the conservation status of this façade cladding technology, through exemplification on a significant case study. The BIM model contains all the information necessary for the mapping of the state of conservation, for the recovery and maintenance activities of the ceramic elements. The proposed methodology allows a faster and more efficient visualization of the present faults and proposes a targeted intervention system, in relation to the detected fault. This approach contributes to protecting the historical connotation of this building heritage, favoring restoration and cleaning, reducing the time and, consequently, costs of maintenance.

Conciliatory proceedings of a German mediation center after breast augmentations

Introduction The requested by the "Norddeutsche Schlichtungsstelle ["North German Mediation Centre"] reveal the complications and problems of breast augmentation. The North German Mediation Centre is responsible for ten federal states in Germany (Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia) and is thus the largest mediation centre in Germany Material and Methods We analysed requests from patients, expert reports ordered by the North German Mediation Centre and the final verdicts of mediations after breast augmentations between 2000 and 2007. This approach has the advantage that it addresses the topic from different viewpoints. Furthermore we analysed the statistical data provided by the mediation centre. Results In 44 % of the patient´s requests, a causal relationship was confirmed between the damage caused to the patient's health and malpractice. This is much greater than the overall figure for the mediation centre, which is that a causal relationship was confirmed in only 24 % of cases. The 66 patient requests after breast augmentations included 29 cases with liability. In 86 % of the cases, the expert opinions concluded that mistakes were made during planning (72 %). Most frequently, surgical incisions were incorrect (45 %), followed by the preparation of the pocket (28 %), the surgical approach (31 %) and the implant size (17 %). The patients mainly complained about asymmetry (79 %) and the position of the implants (62 %) or the size of the breasts after surgery (38 %). Discussion The greater frequency of a causal relationship between the damage caused to patient health and malpractice - in comparison to the general statistics - may be due to the greater complexity of breast augmentation than generally expected. Not only the surgery itself, but - to an even greater extent - adequate planning and aftercare are of predominant importance in satisfying the patient. All these factors and the high expectations of the patients lead to a higher request rate.

Geo-System competency and its learning material in Germany.

Geo-System competency and its learning material in Germany.

Remediation of TENORM residues: risk communication in practice

Despite several decades of studies on the risk assessment and risk perception of ionising radiation, risk management of radioactive materials remains a challenging issue. This is also true for wastes containing technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials. The present work focuses on the underlying reasons for communication problems between experts and affected members of the public. Exploring the case of a German remediation site with residual radioactive contamination in a residential area, the experts’ as well as the residents’ perspectives were studied by conducting qualitative interviews. Our results indicate a variety of reasons for communication problems on different levels of risk management and risk communication: the regulatory, the communicative and the moral levels. In the observed case, four salient causes for problems in risk communication and risk management emerged: the mismatch in understanding the residents’ values, the issue of risk communication in an unforeseen situation, the problem of the regulatory gap between radiation protection and soil protection in regard to legacies with naturally occurring radioactive material in Germany, and the challenge of communicating a highly complex scientific issue to non-scientists. Moreover, one (at least partial) solution could be seen: the introduction of an external mediator. The results indicate that coordination of different health and environment protection disciplines—in this case radiation protection relating to soil protection—is possible and urgently needed. The opportunity to put, at least natural, radioactive material in line with other conventional industrial materials should be taken.

The Best Economy in Europe and Why is it the Best

Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the fourth largest relating to GDP in the world Germany is comparatively piteous in raw materials. The two main raw materials in Germany are lignite and potash salts that are available in significant quantities and play quite significant roll in Germany’s economy. It is the world’s second largest exporter with $1.120 trillion exported in 2009. Exports account for more than one-third of Germany’s economic production.Focuses on Germany economy, exporter of machinery, vehicles and chemicals, household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force.

Thermal Use of Biomass and Residual Materials in Germany

AbstractEin Überblick zum Stand der Technik wird gegeben und neue Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der thermischen Nutzung der Biomasse vorgestellt. Die thermische Nutzung von Biomasse in Deutschland ist eine wesentliche Säule der Bereitstellung von erneuerbaren Energien. Der Primärenergiebedarf und die Potenziale der Biomasse in Deutschland werden dargestellt und mit anderen Regionen verglichen. Es ist ersichtlich, dass eine deutliche Steigerung der Biomassenutzung durch begrenzte Ressourcen limitiert ist. Mit neuen Verfahren zur Biomasseaufbereitung, wie der Torrefizierung und der Hydrothermalen Karbonisierung können weitere biogene Reststoffe zur Nutzung durch Verbrennung und Vergasung erschlossen werden. Dargestellt werden daher der Stand der Verbrennungs‐ und Vergasungsverfahren und aktuelle Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der Synthesegasherstellung.