North Germany Research Articles

Evaluation of a multi-component, non-pharmacological intervention to prevent and reduce sleep disturbances in people with dementia living in nursing homes (MoNoPol-sleep): study protocol for a cluster-randomized exploratory trial

BackgroundSleep problems are highly prevalent in people with dementia. Nevertheless, there is no “gold standard” intervention to prevent or reduce sleep problems in people with dementia. Existing interventions are characterized by a pronounced heterogeneity as well as insufficient knowledge about the possibilities and challenges of implementation. The aim of this study is to pilot and evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed complex intervention to prevent and reduce sleep problems in people with dementia living in nursing homes.MethodsThis study is a parallel group cluster-randomized controlled trial. The intervention consists of six components: (1) the assessment of established sleep-promoting interventions and an appropriate environment in the participating nursing homes, (2) the implementation of two “sleep nurses” as change agents per nursing home, (3) a basic education course for nursing staff: “Sleep problems in dementia”, (4) an advanced education course for nursing staff: “Tailored problem-solving” (two workshops), (5) workshops: “Development of an institutional sleep-promoting concept” (two workshops with nursing management and sleep nurses) and (6) written information and education material (e.g. brochure and “One Minute Wonder” poster). The intervention will be performed over a period of 16 weeks and compared with usual care in the control group.Overall, 24 nursing homes in North, East and West Germany will be included and randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome is the prevalence of sleep problems in people with dementia living in nursing homes. Secondary outcomes are quality of life, quality of sleep, daytime sleepiness and agitated behavior of people with dementia, as well as safety parameters like psychotropic medication, falls and physical restraints. The outcomes will be assessed using a mix of instruments based on self- and proxy-rating. A cost analysis and a process evaluation will be performed in conjunction with the study.ConclusionsIt is expected that the intervention will reduce the prevalence of sleep problems in people with dementia, thus not only improving the quality of life for people with dementia, but also relieving the burden on nursing staff caused by sleep problems.Trial registrationCurrent controlled trials: ISRCTN36015309. Date of registration: 06/11/2020.

Lake and inland dunes as interconnected Systems: The story of Lake Tresssee and an adjacent dune field (Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany)

The specific aim of the study was to investigate how four adjacent geomorphological systems – a lake, a dune field, a small alluvial fan and a slope system – responded to the same impacts. Lake Tresssee is a shallow lake in the North of Germany (Schleswig-Holstein). During the Holocene, the lake’s water surface declined drastically, predominately as a consequence of human impact. The adjacent inland dune field shows several traces of former sand drift events. Using 30 new radiocarbon ages and the results of 16 OSL samples, this study aims to create a new timeline tracing the interaction between lake and dunes, as well, as how both the lake and the dunes reacted to environmental changes. The water level of the lake is presumed to have peaked during the period before the Younger Dryas (YD; start at 10.73 ka BC). After the Boreal period (OSL age 8050 ± 690 BC) the level must have undergone fluctuations triggered by climatic events and the first human influences. The last demonstrable high water level was during the Late Bronze Age (1003–844 cal. BC). The first to the 9th century AD saw slightly shrinking water levels, and more significant ones thereafter. In the 19th century, the lake area was artificially reduced to a minimum by the human population. In the dunes, a total of seven different phases of sand drift were demonstrated for the last 13,000 years. It is one of the most precisely dated inland-dune chronologies of Central Europe. The small alluvial fan took shape mainly between the 13th and 17th centuries AD. After 1700 cal. BC (Middle Bronze Age), and again during the sixth and seventh centuries AD, we find enhanced slope activity with the formation of Holocene colluvia.

Fishing within offshore wind farms in the North Sea: Stakeholder perspectives for multi-use from Scotland and Germany

Offshore wind power generation requires large areas of sea to accommodate its activities, with increasing claims for exclusive access. As a result, pressure is placed on other established maritime uses, such as commercial fisheries. The latter sector has often been taking a back seat in the thrust to move energy production offshore, thus leading to disagreements and conflicts among the different stakeholder groups. In recognition of the latter, there has been a growing international interest in exploring the combination of multiple maritime activities in the same area (multi-use; MU), including the re-instatement of fishing activities within, or in close proximity to, offshore wind farms (OWFs). We summarise local stakeholder perspectives from two sub-national case studies (East coast of Scotland and Germany's North Sea EEZ) to scope the feasibility of combining multiple uses of the sea, such as offshore wind farms and commercial fisheries. We combined a desk-based review with 15 semi-structured qualitative interviews with key knowledge holders from both industries, regulators, and academia to aggregate key results. Drivers, barriers and resulting effects (positive and negative) for potential multi-use of fisheries and OWFs are listed and ranked (57 factors in total). Factors are of economic, social, policy, legal, and technical nature. To date, in both case study areas, the offshore wind industry has shown little interest in multi-use solutions, unless clear added value is demonstrated and no risks to their operations are involved. In contrast, the commercial fishing sector is proactive towards multi-use projects and acts as a driving force for MU developments. We provide a range of management recommendations, based on stakeholder input, to support progress towards robust decision making in relation to multi-use solutions, including required policy and regulatory framework improvements, good practice guidance, empirical studies, capacity building of stakeholders and improvements of the consultation process. Our findings represent a comprehensive depiction of the current state and key stakeholder aspirations for multi-use solutions combining fisheries and OWFs. We believe that the pathways towards robust decision making in relation to multi-use solutions suggested here are transferable to other international locations.

Międzynarodowy kontekst odzyskania ziemi sławieńskiej przez Mściwoja II w 1283 r. i zawarcia sojuszu brandenbursko­­­‑wielkopolskiego

Taking advantage of the war between the Margraves of Brandenburg and representatives of the federation of Rostock (1283–1284), in the spring­­­‑summer of 1283, Mściwój II, in collusion with Duke Przemysł II of Greater Poland, took the lands around Sławno from the Margraves of Brandenburg. Before the end of 1283, the Brandenburg House of Ascania/Anhalt, being embroiled in in a war in north Germany and in Pomerania, could not respond militarily. In December 1283, Ludgarda of Mecklenburg, the wife of Przemysł II, died in mysterious circumstances. Since just before her death the Duke turned from his policy up to then and entered into an alliance with his previous enemies the Margraves of Brandenburg (fighting in 1283–1284 with, among others, the mother, brothers, and other relatives of his dead wife), it appears that the matter of Ludgarda’s death and Przemysł political turn­­­‑about are linked. In initial peace negotiations in Vierraden (13 August 1284), Przemysł II was counted among the supporters of the Margraves of Brandenburg. Despite an agreement that was supposed to bring an end to the war with Pomerania and Rugia/Rügen and with the other members of the federation of Rostock (including the lords of Sławno and relatives of Ludgarda), the Duke was in need of a marriage­­­‑alliance that would strengthen his position in relation to the abandoned Pomeranian­­­‑Mecklenburg affiliation. It was to the Brandenburg Margraves’ Scandinavian contacts (important in the context of further relations of the House of Ascania/Anhalt with the trading cities of Połabie and Pomerania) that Przemysł II thanked the opportunity to balance the political influence of Ludgarda’s relatives and to enter into a marriage with Ryska, the daughter of Waldemar Birgersson and the ward of Magnus Birgersson Ladulås. This union also strengthened the Scandinavian influence of the Margraves. The Greater Poland-Brandenburg alliance determined the fact that for at least some time the House of Ascania/Anhalt gave up any attempt to recover the lands around Sławno.

A Method for Assessing Regional Bioenergy Potentials Based on GIS Data and a Dynamic Yield Simulation Model

The assessment of regional bioenergy potentials from different types of natural land cover is an integral part of simulation tools that aim to assess local renewable energy systems. This work introduces a new workflow, which evaluates regional bioenergy potentials and its impact on water demand based on geographical information system (GIS)-based land use data, satellite maps on local crop types and soil types, and conversion factors from biomass to bioenergy. The actual annual biomass yield of crops is assessed through an automated process considering the factors of local climate, crop type, soil, and irrigation. The crop biomass yields are validated with historic statistical data, with deviation less than 7% in most cases. Additionally, the resulting bioenergy potentials yield between 10.7 and 12.0 GWh/ha compared with 13.3 GWh/ha from other studies. The potential contribution from bioenergy on the energy demand were investigated in the two case studies, representing the agricultural-dominant rural area in North Germany and suburban region in South Germany: Simulation of the future bioenergy potential for 2050 shows only smaller effects from climate change (less than 4%) and irrigation (below 3%), but the potential to cover up to 21% of the transport fuels demand in scenario supporting biodiesel and bioethanol for transportation.

‘Grandpa’ or ‘opera’? Production and perception of unstressed /a/ and /əʁ/ in German

In the description of German phonology, two distinct phonetic symbols are currently recommended for the transcription of the vowels [a] (a central low vowel, phonemically /a/) and [ɐ] (phonemically /əʁ/) in word-final, unstressed positions. The present study examines whether differences between these two vowels exist in production and perception of Standard German speakers from the north of Germany. In Experiment 1, six speakers produced a series of minimal pairs that were embedded in meaningful sentences and varied with respect to their accentuation and position within a prosodic phrase. In Experiment 2, the minimal pairs produced by the six speakers of the first experiment were extracted from their respective contexts and tested with 44 native German listeners in a forced-choice identification task. Perceptual results showed a better-than-chance performance for one male speaker of the corpus only. Phonetic analyses also confirmed that only this male speaker produced subtle, but consistent F2/F3 differences between [a] and [ɐ] while the contrast was completely neutralised in the rest of the corpus. We discuss the role of prosody in vowel neutralisation with a specific focus on unstressed vowels and make suggestions for phonetic and phonological accounts of Standard German.

Determinants of the Wish for Rehabilitation and the Intention to Apply in Persons with Back Pain

Up to now, the main focus of analysis has been on determinants of the application for and utilization of medical rehabilitation due to back pain. The prevalence and determinants of motivational and volitional preceding stages of the application have not yet been well examined. Therefore, this study analyses the prevalence and determinants of the wish for rehabilitation and the intention to apply. Data were derived from the baseline survey of a cohort study including a sample of 45,000 persons randomly drawn from the statutory pension agencies (GPI North and GPI Central Germany). The baseline data of persons aged 45-59 years with back pain within the past 3 months, neither receiving disability pension nor medical rehabilitation during the past 4 years were analysed. Determinants of the wish for rehabilitation and the intention to apply were identified using multivariate logistic regression analyses. 2,348 of the 6,549 persons with back pain (36%) wished to participate in a rehabilitation program. Of these 774 (33%) declared their intention to apply. Both dependent variables were strongly associated with the social support by family and friends. The wish for rehabilitation was also strongly determined by the previous experience with rehabilitation services. Another important determinant of the intention to apply was the support by physicians and therapists. Other factors were found to influence both dependent variables differently. In order to improve the need-based access to rehabilitation, the preceding stages (wish for rehabilitation and intention to apply) and their partly different determinants should be considered. The support by family and friends as well as physicians and therapists are important. This is a further indication that information and the involvement of these actors are key elements to ensure an acquired access to rehabilitation.

Mortality of the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Are there north-south differences?

COVID-19 disease courses are dynamic and in some cases, fatal. In this article, we aim to identify the periods where overall mortality is higher, and therefore to more precisely measure excess mortality. We analysed mortality rate development for the population aged 65 years and older in Germany as a whole, a south Germany region (comprising the federal states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria) and a north Germany region (comprising the federal states of Schleswig Holstein, Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania and Brandenburg). The article analyses the mortality rates per calendar week that have been published by Germany's Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) for the first 23 calendar weeks of 2020. We compare these figures with those for the same period 2016, the last year in which there was no influenza-related excess mortality. In calendar weeks ten to 15, mortality rates for the elder population rose exceptionally in the south compared to the north Germany region as well as compared to the 2016 figures. A peak was reached in calendar weeks 14 and 15. Mortality rates peaked around two to three weeks after incidence. Since this peak, mortality rates have decreased again, but up to calendar week 18 have remained above the 2016 rates. Overall the rise in mortality rates observed appears to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic and not the annual influenza wave.

Newly designed gel-integrated nanostructured gold-based interconnected microelectrode arrays for continuous in situ arsenite monitoring in aquatic systems

This work presents the development, characterization and field validation of newly designed gel-integrated nanostructured gold-basedmicroelectrode arrays (Au-GIMEs) enabling the direct detection of inorganic arsenite (As(III)) in fresh and marine aquatic systems. They consist of renewable Au nanoparticles (AuNP) or Au nanofilaments (AuNF) electroplated on 100- to 500- interconnected iridium (Ir)-based microdisk arrays and covered with a gel. The gel protects the sensor surface from fouling and ensures that mass transport of analytes toward the sensor surface is by diffusion only, and therefore independent of the ill-controlled hydrodynamic conditions of the media. The responses of these sensors to direct Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (SWASV) quantification of As(III) at pH 7.6 were investigated first in 0.1 M NaNO3, then in fresh and marine water samples. The analytical responses were found to be correlated to the number of interconnected microelectrodes and the morphology of the nanostructured Au deposits but independent of the media composition. The new interconnected AuNF-GIME have sub-nanomolar detection and quantification limits fulfilling the requirement for direct monitoring of As(III) in fresh and marine aquatic systems. The AuNF-GIME were incorporated in a submersible multi-channel trace metal sensing probe for remote high-resolution monitoring. Field evaluation and validation was performed during a one-week field study in the Elbe Estuary (North Germany), from which environmental data are presented.

Diffusion of Practice: The Curious Case of the Sino-German Technical Standardization Partnership

At a time of deepening divisions between China and Global North countries, Germany and China are swimming against the tide by cooperating closely in the highly sensitive area of technical standardization. We offer an explanation of this puzzling partnership that combines insights from the IR policy diffusion and “practice turn” literatures. Based on interviews with participants and close observers of this partnership, we argue that that a diffusion of practice logic underpins China’s partnership with Germany. Despite the competitiveness of China’s high-tech sectors, this latecomer faces both formal and informal barriers to entry in global standardization processes. By partnering with Germany, one of the globe’s leading standards powers, China hopes to both cultivate a powerful ally in an increasingly contentious arena and also master the subtleties of standardization practice by working with an insider. For their part, German participants view the diffusion of standardization know-how as consistent with their interests as a status quo standard power and also vital to supporting German industry in China. Our analysis illustrates the utility of extending the diffusion framework to the study of transnational flows of practical knowledge. For the practice turn, our analysis highlights the exclusivity of “communities of practice” and draws attention to latecomers’ strategies for gaining entry to such clubs.

The Empirical Study of International Risk Factor on the Korean Stock Market: Cross-Sectional Analysis through Intertemporal and International Capital Asset Pricing Model

본 연구는 기간 준거 자본자산 가격결정모형(Intertemporal capital asset pricing model)과 국제 준거 자본자산 가격결정모형(International capital asset pricing model)을 근거로 한국 주식시장의 국제 위험요인(risk factor)을 도출하였다. 국내 금융시장은 물론 다른 국가들의 금융시장들의 대외개방도가 높아지면서 금융시장간 연계성이 매우 밀접해졌다. 하지만 한국 주식시장에 대한 실증연구에서는 아직 국내 금융시장으로부터 도출된 위험요인만을 고려하고 있는 상황이다. 본 연구는 기간 준거 자본자산 가격결정모형과 국제 준거 자본자산 가격결정모형을 통해 한국 주식시장에서 국제 위험요인이 위험프리미엄을 생성하는지 실증분석 하였다. 기간 준거 자본자산 가격결정모형과 국제 준거 자본자산 가격결정모형에 따르면 이론적으로 국제 전체 및 다른 국가의 종합주가지수에 대한 수익률과 변동성을 통해 한국 주식시장의 횡단면을 설명하는 위험요인을 도출할 수 있다. 실증분석 결과, 수익률의 경우에는 국제 전체, 북아메리카, 아시아, 미국 및 독일 시장이 한국 주식시장의 위험요인으로 작용하였다. 변동성의 경우에는 북아메리카, 미국, 중국 및 독일 시장이 위험요인으로 작용하였다. 이처럼 한국주식시장은 해외 위험요인에 의해 설명될 수 있음을 알 수 있다. 또한 해외의 변동성을 통해 도출된 위험요인은 한국 고유의 위험요인인 기업규모 요인(SMB)를 대용하고 있는 것으로 나타났다.This study uncovers the international risk factor for the cross-section of stock returns in Korea through the Intertemproal and International capital asset pricing model. The degree of financial openness of the Korean financial market and international financial markets have been growing so that interconnectedness of financial markets are also increased. The research, however, related to the cross-section of stock returns in Korea has not discussed the international risk factors, but local risk factors. This study sheds light on the priceness of international risk factors through the intertemporal and international capital asset pricing model. These two models theoretically command that stock market return and its variance of global financial market and each foreign country can be the good sufficient statistics for the domestic investment opportunity set. The empirical results show that the stock market returns of Global, North America, Asia, USA, Germany are the sufficient statistics for the investment opportunity set domestic investors care. In the case of stock market variance, the variances of North America, USA, China and Germany are the sufficient statistics for the investment opportunity set investors are concerned about for hedging their marginal utility. For the further study, size factor, one of the pricing risk factor in the Korean stock market, can be subsumed by the risk factor from the intertemporal and international capital asset pricing model.

Natural and anthropogenic compaction in North Germany (Schleswig‐Holstein): Verification of harmful subsoil compactions

AbstractMany soil types in the federal state of Schleswig‐Holstein (North Germany) are naturally compacted in the subsoil due to pedo‐ or geogenic processes (42% of the area) but, due to anthropogenic impacts, the percentage of subsoil compaction has increased further. To determine the overall subsoil compaction status of seven representative soil types in Schleswig‐Holstein (≤ 60 cm depth), air capacity (AC), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and effective bulk density (ρBeff) of 342 soil profiles from the database of the State Agency for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Areas of Schleswig‐Holstein (LLUR) were evaluated with respect to critical threshold values (AC < 5 Vol.‐%, Ks < 10 cm day−1, ρBeff > 1.7 g cm−3). The compaction status was classified into Classes I–IV, where a harmful subsoil compaction was assumed if both values of AC and Ks simultaneously exceeded (are smaller than) their threshold value (Class IV). Subsoils of (Stagnic) Luvisols and Stagnosols derived from glacial till, as well as those of Fluvic Gleyic Stagnosols of the marshlands, showed a high degree of natural compaction (46%–65% in Class IV). In contrast, sandy subsoil horizons of Podzols and Brunic Arenosols derived from glacifluvial sediments were rarely compacted (< 13% in Class IV), and possessed the lowest ρBeff, which were similar to Anthrosols. Only 5%–18% of their subsoil horizons exceeded the critical value of 1.7 g cm−3. Additionally, anthropogenic subsoil compaction of at least 6%–10% was verified for (Stagnic) Luvisols and Stagnosols.

Impact of tourism on habitat use of black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)in an isolated population in northern Germany.

As many other wild living species, black grouse Tetrao tetrix has to cope with anthropogenic disturbances in many habitats. Impacts of tourism and outdoor recreation on grouse species Tetraoninae have been subject to several studies in mountainous habitats in Central Europe and the United Kingdom. The geographically isolated and critically endangered black grouse population of Lower Saxony (North Germany) has been consistently monitored but beyond that poorly studied. This also applies to the key habitats of the nature reserve Lüneburg Heath (Lüneburger Heide) which, in turn, serves as a recreational area as well. In this study, the impact of tourism activity on habitat use of black grouse was investigated using data of GPS-tracked individuals. Additionally, visitor numbers on public and (usually undisturbed) closed routes were monitored using infrared light barriers. The spatio-temporal distribution of locations and the recreational activity were evaluated by linear mixed-effects models. Tagged individuals avoided the vicinity of public routes and avoiding distances were directly related to intensity of human activity. There was no seasonal change of black grouse habitat use alongside public routes. However, towards closed routes, significantly higher distances appeared during peak phases of visitor numbers (August and September), implying temporary increased disturbance levels within a key refuge area. Diurnal adaptation of habitat use was strongly dependent on the route density within the home range. Individuals used the vicinity of public trails at night and dawn but evaded these habitats during peak human activity around noon and afternoon. Recreational disturbances appeared to significantly affect the effective habitat availability for black grouse in the nature reserve. Visual cover by vegetation, however, seemed to diminish negative effects emerging from hiking trails. This provides an effective protective measure which requires minimal effort for the local conservation management.

Management factors influencing the occurrence of cellulitis in broiler chickens

One of the main reasons for condemning fattening broiler chickens during meat inspection is cellulitis, which demonstrates the great economic issue concerning this topic. The aim of this epidemiological study was therefore to identify risk factors in order to draw conclusions on how to prevent the occurrence of cellulitis in broilers by implementing management changes. The data were collected between April and November 2018 on conventional broiler farms (n = 100) in the north of Germany with one to fourteen poultry houses per farm. In total, data were collected from 199 broiler flocks with a total of 5,332,767 broilers. Data on the type of management (feeding- and drinking management, housing, lighting management, litter type and animal health) were collected via a questionnaire, with additional data on condemnation rates being provided by the abattoirs. It was found that litter additives like fennel, eucalyptus and probiotics as well as a moist litter quality were associated with lower cellulitis condemnation rates. Flocks fattened in windowless barns, but with relatively higher lux-values as well as those broilers examined in a lower number of housing inspections had significantly lower cellulitis condemnation rates compared to other husbandry systems. In addition, lower cellulitis rates were seen when housing capacities were smaller, regardless of stocking density. The source of the breeders and hatchery also had a significant influence on the occurrence of cellulitis. No correlation was found between the condemnation rates due to cellulitis and the performance of thinning, the water source used, the use of drinking additives, observational skills and number of herd managers monitoring the broilers, participation in an animal welfare programme, the technique of heating and ventilation systems used, the feed supplier, litter material, the broiler breed, the length of darkness periods and chick losses during the first seven days. We concluded that management decisions that lead to stress reduction in the broiler flocks are beneficial in terms of chicken welfare and occurrence of cellulitis.

Spatial Distribution of Integrated Nitrate Reduction across the Unsaturated Zone and the Groundwater Body in Germany

Nitrate pollution in groundwater and its mitigation strategies is currently a topic of controversial debate in Germany, and the demand for harmonised approaches for the implementation of regulations is increasing. Important factors that need to be considered when planning mitigation measures are the nitrogen inputs into water bodies and the natural nitrate reduction capacity. The present study introduces a nationwide, harmonised and simplified approach for estimating nitrate reduction as an integral quantity across the unsaturated zone and the groundwater body. The nitrate reduction rates vary from 0% to 100%, and are on average 57%, with high values in the north of Germany and low values in the south. Hydrogeological characteristics are associated with the estimated nitrate reduction rates, whereby the influence of aquifer type and redox conditions are particularly relevant. The nitrate reduction rates are substantially higher in porous aquifers and under anaerobic conditions than in fractured, consolidated aquifers and under aerobic conditions. This contribution presents a harmonised conceptual approach to derive the nitrate reduction rate at a 1 km × 1 km resolution. This information can be used when planning and designing mitigation measures to meet the groundwater nitrate limits.

Age-appropriate healthy living - research examples from German and Italy

Abstract Housing and social participation have a significant influence on the quality of life and independence of elderly people. The importance of the living situation increases with age, because spend more time in the immediate living environment. Age-appropriate housing and life situations are therefore a prerequisite for reducing social and health inequalities in older life. Two research projects in the field of healthy ageing will be presented and some of the joint results will be discussed. The project HOME Housing Opportunities & Mobility in the Elderly (North Germany) examines willingness to move in favor of age-appropriate living environments versus Aging in Place. The majority of the respondents were stayers. Age, gender, education and income are predictors for the willingness to move. In data analisis movers show a lower health-related quality of life than stayers. As a second project a participative research project with elderly people, the 'young old', in South Tyrol (North Italy) will be presented. Elderly people are often associated with need for help, which does not correspond to the current diversity, especially for the 'young old'. The research results show the necessity of sensitization for health promotion and health (in)equity and the importance of professional community work for healthy ageing. Participatory research with elderly people seems to be a promising approach to ensure sustainability, to increase the quality of research and to stimulate transformation in science, politics, practice and the population. Key messages Housing and social participation have a significant influence on healthy aging. Health promotion with the young old in rural areas should become more attention.

What is sex journalism or, rather, how does it become? Interviews with news workers on the risk and precarity of a gendered news niche

Numerous studies have found the reporting of sex is sensationalized and intended to create controversy while journalists have little regard for the topic. Such matters are important given the #MeToo movement has broadened public debate about sexual issues, practices and behaviors. However, there is scant research on the professional identities of journalists who specialize in sex news and the industrial, social and individual-level factors shaping their reportage. Extending an earlier qualitative study comprising interviews with female freelance journalists in North America, Canada, Germany and Australia, this article conceptualizes sex journalism as a specialism in flux and, using the concept of ‘biodigital vulnerability’, argues that sex journalists are exposed to gendered experiences of risk in their news work. The results suggest greater consideration for the professional and gendered identities of sex journalists may improve sex news coverage and optimize sexual health outcomes given the importance of sex news as a public information source.

Depression screening using patient-targeted feedback in general practices: study protocol of the German multicentre GET.FEEDBACK.GP randomised controlled trial

IntroductionApproximately one out of six patients in primary care suffers from depression, which often remains undetected. Evidence regarding the efficacy of depression screening in primary care, however, is inconsistent. A...

Gender equality in marine sciences in Kiel, Germany: how project-funded measures can urge institutions to act

Abstract. In Kiel, in the north of Germany, marine research is rooted in a lively research community hosted mainly at Kiel University and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre. While the ratio of women and men is more or less balanced on all qualification levels with mainly nonpermanent junior positions, women are generally underrepresented in leading research positions. The problem of gender imbalance and inequality has been well-known for a long time. Especially in the last decade, however, manifold efforts were initiated to improve gender equality on a political and institutional level as well as within the research community itself. In our article we focus on the gender equality activities of the two large externally funded marine sciences research alliances: the Cluster of Excellence “The Future Ocean” and the Collaborative Research Centre 754 “Climate–Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean”. For about a decade they offered both financial provisions and a structural framework to tackle the problem of women's underrepresentation in science and came up with innovative measures. In the following case study, we not only introduce the situation of women in marine sciences in Kiel and the structural arrangement to improve gender equality in general, but we also discuss three specific measures developed within the two collaborative research projects in detail: (i) the mentoring program via:mento_ocean for female postdocs, (ii) hiring policies integrating a gender quota for recruiting postdoctoral researchers and (iii) a code of conduct. Based on these best-practice examples we can show that progress towards gender equality has been made despite some obstacles faced when implementing the measures. This was especially the case for attracting female researchers to work in Kiel marine sciences and bringing the relevance of the topic to the surface of debates within the community. Looking at gender equality activities from a managerial point of view, we conclude from the situation in Kiel, where external funding for both research alliances ended in 2019, that even time-bound activities can initiate change. Initiatives developed by the marine sciences community were taken up by other research groups and inspired new activities at the level of the institutions involved.

Investigative Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Modelling Approach for Geothermal Heat Extraction through Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing from Hot Geothermal Sedimentary Systems

The meaningful utilization of artificially created multiple fractures in tight formations is associated with the performance behavior of such flow channels, especially in the case of thermal energy extraction from sedimentary geothermal system. In this study, an innovative idea is presented to develop a numerical model for geothermal energy production based on concrete physical performance of an artificially created tensile multi-fracture system in a simplified manner. The state-of-the-art software FLAC3Dplus-TOUGH2MP-TMVOC are integrated to develop a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) fictive model for constructing a multi-fracture scheme and estimating heat extraction performance. By incorporating the actual fracture width of newly created subsequent fracture under the effect of stress shadow, cubic law is implemented for fluid flow and geothermal energy production. The results depict that fracture spacing plays a vital role in the energy contribution through multiple fractures. Afterwards, a field case study to design huge multiple hydraulic fractures was performed in the geothermal well GB X1 in North Germany. The attenuation of fracture propagation becomes more significant when massive multiple fracturing operation is performed especially in the case of lower fracture spacing. The fictive model results will be extended to study the geothermal utilization of the North German basin through massive multiple fractures in our future work.