Awareness and Learning in Participatory Noise Sensing

The development of ICT infrastructures has facilitated the emergence of new paradigms for looking at society and the environment over the last few years. Participatory environmental sensing, i.e. directly involving citizens in environmental monitoring, is one example, which is hoped to encourage learning and enhance awareness of environmental issues. In this paper, an analysis of the behaviour of individuals involved in noise sensing is presented. Citizens have been involved in noise measuring activities through the WideNoise smartphone application. This application has been designed to record both objective (noise samples) and subjective (opinions, feelings) data. The application has been open to be used freely by anyone and has been widely employed worldwide. In addition, several test cases have been organised in European countries. Based on the information submitted by users, an analysis of emerging awareness and learning is performed. The data show that changes in the way the environment is perceived after repeated usage of the application do appear. Specifically, users learn how to recognise different noise levels they are exposed to. Additionally, the subjective data collected indicate an increased user involvement in time and a categorisation effect between pleasant and less pleasant environments.

Jens Oliver Krüger: Pädagogische Ironie – Ironische Pädagogik, Diskursanalytische Untersuchungen. Paderborn: Schöningh 2011 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Jens Oliver Krüger: Pädagogische Ironie – Ironische Pädagogik, Diskursanalytische Untersuchungen, Paderborn: Schöningh 2011 (227 S.; ISBN 978-3-506-77062-2)

How Psychiatry Journals Support the Unbiased Translation of Clinical Research. A Cross-Sectional Study of Editorial Policies

Introduction: Reporting guidelines (e. g. CONSORT) have been developed as tools to improve quality and reduce bias in reporting research findings. Trial registration has been recommended for countering selective publication. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) encourages the implementation of reporting guidelines and trial registration as uniform requirements (URM). For the last two decades, however, biased reporting and insufficient registration of clinical trials has been identified in several literature reviews and other investigations. No study has so far investigated the extent to which author instructions in psychiatry journals encourage following reporting guidelines and trial registration. Method: Psychiatry Journals were identified from the 2011 Journal Citation Report. Information given in the author instructions and during the submission procedure of all journals was assessed on whether major reporting guidelines, trial registration and the ICMJE's URM in general were mentioned and adherence recommended. Results: We included 123 psychiatry journals (English and German language) in our analysis. A minority recommend or require 1) following the URM (21%), 2) adherence to reporting guidelines such as CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE (23%, 7%, 4%), or 3) registration of clinical trials (34%). The subsample of the top-10 psychiatry journals (ranked by impact factor) provided much better but still improvable rates. For example, 70% of the top-10 psychiatry journals do not ask for the specific trial registration number. Discussion: Under the assumption that better reported and better registered clinical research that does not lack substantial information will improve the understanding, credibility, and unbiased translation of clinical research findings, several stakeholders including readers (physicians, patients), authors, reviewers, and editors might benefit from improved author instructions in psychiatry journals. A first step of improvement would consist in requiring adherence to the broadly accepted reporting guidelines and to trial registration.

Rebecca Lazarides / Angela Ittel (Hrsg.): Differenzierung im mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht, Implikationen für Theorie und Praxis. Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2012 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Rebecca Lazarides / Angela Ittel (Hrsg.): Differenzierung im mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht, Implikationen für Theorie und Praxis, Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2012 (232 S.; ISBN 978-3-7815-1845-2)

Lisa Pfahl: Techniken der Behinderung, Der deutsche Lernbehindertendiskurs, die Sonderschule und ihre Auswirkungen auf Bildungsbiografien. Bielefeld: transcript 2011 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Lisa Pfahl: Techniken der Behinderung, Der deutsche Lernbehindertendiskurs, die Sonderschule und ihre Auswirkungen auf Bildungsbiografien, Bielefeld: transcript 2011 (276 S.; ISBN 978-3-8376-1532-6)

Future Bloom and Blossom Frost Risk for Malus domestica Considering Climate Model and Impact Model Uncertainties

The future bloom and risk of blossom frosts for Malus domestica were projected using regional climate realizations and phenological (= impact) models. As climate impact projections are susceptible to uncertainties of climate and impact models and model concatenation, the significant horizon of the climate impact signal was analyzed by applying 7 impact models, including two new developments, on 13 climate realizations of the IPCC emission scenario A1B. Advancement of phenophases and a decrease in blossom frost risk for Lower Saxony (Germany) for early and late ripeners was determined by six out of seven phenological models. Single model/single grid point time series of bloom showed significant trends by 2021-2050 compared to 1971-2000, whereas the joint signal of all climate and impact models did not stabilize until 2043. Regarding blossom frost risk, joint projection variability exceeded the projected signal. Thus, blossom frost risk cannot be stated to be lower by the end of the 21st century despite a negative trend. As a consequence it is however unlikely to increase. Uncertainty of temperature, blooming date and blossom frost risk projection reached a minimum at 2078-2087. The projected phenophases advanced by 5.5 d K-1, showing partial compensation of delayed fulfillment of the winter chill requirement and faster completion of the following forcing phase in spring. Finally, phenological model performance was improved by considering the length of day.

Pilz, Matthias / Berger, Susanne / Canning, Roy (Hrsg.): Fit for business, Pre vocational education in European Schools. Heidelberg: Springer 2012 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Pilz, Matthias / Berger, Susanne / Canning, Roy (Hrsg.): Fit for business, Pre vocational education in European Schools, Heidelberg: Springer 2012 (211 S.; ISBN 978-3-531-18383-1)

Coffee Berry Borer Joins Bark Beetles in Coffee Klatch

Unanswered key questions in bark beetle-plant interactions concern host finding in species attacking angiosperms in tropical zones and whether management strategies based on chemical signaling used for their conifer-attacking temperate relatives may also be applied in the tropics. We hypothesized that there should be a common link in chemical signaling mediating host location by these Scolytids. Using laboratory behavioral assays and chemical analysis we demonstrate that the yellow-orange exocarp stage of coffee berries, which attracts the coffee berry borer, releases relatively high amounts of volatiles including conophthorin, chalcogran, frontalin and sulcatone that are typically associated with Scolytinae chemical ecology. The green stage of the berry produces a much less complex bouquet containing small amounts of conophthorin but no other compounds known as bark beetle semiochemicals. In behavioral assays, the coffee berry borer was attracted to the spiroacetals conophthorin and chalcogran, but avoided the monoterpenes verbenone and a-pinene, demonstrating that, as in their conifer-attacking relatives in temperate zones, the use of host and non-host volatiles is also critical in host finding by tropical species. We speculate that microorganisms formed a common basis for the establishment of crucial chemical signals comprising inter-and intraspecific communication systems in both temperate-and tropical-occurring bark beetles attacking gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Ilka Quindeau / Micha Brumlik (Hrsg.): Kindliche Sexualität. Weinheim / Basel: Juventa 2012 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Ilka Quindeau / Micha Brumlik (Hrsg.): Kindliche Sexualität, Weinheim / Basel: Juventa 2012 (224 S.; ISBN 978-3-7799-1552-2)

Estimating Bat and Bird Mortality Occurring at Wind Energy Turbines from Covariates and Carcass Searches Using Mixture Models

Environmental impacts of wind energy facilities increasingly cause concern, a central issue being bats and birds killed by rotor blades. Two approaches have been employed to assess collision rates: carcass searches and surveys of animals prone to collisions. Carcass searches can provide an estimate for the actual number of animals being killed but they offer little information on the relation between collision rates and, for example, weather parameters due to the time of death not being precisely known. In contrast, a density index of animals exposed to collision is sufficient to analyse the parameters influencing the collision rate. However, quantification of the collision rate from animal density indices (e.g. acoustic bat activity or bird migration traffic rates) remains difficult. We combine carcass search data with animal density indices in a mixture model to investigate collision rates. In a simulation study we show that the collision rates estimated by our model were at least as precise as conventional estimates based solely on carcass search data. Furthermore, if certain conditions are met, the model can be used to predict the collision rate from density indices alone, without data from carcass searches. This can reduce the time and effort required to estimate collision rates. We applied the model to bat carcass search data obtained at 30 wind turbines in 15 wind facilities in Germany. We used acoustic bat activity and wind speed as predictors for the collision rate. The model estimates correlated well with conventional estimators. Our model can be used to predict the average collision rate. It enables an analysis of the effect of parameters such as rotor diameter or turbine type on the collision rate. The model can also be used in turbine-specific curtailment algorithms that predict the collision rate and reduce this rate with a minimal loss of energy production.

Yvonne Rechter: Bedeutung individueller Lernförderung als Unterstützung schulischen Lernens, Einfluss auf die Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, die Einschätzung der Lernfreude und die fachliche Leistung von Schülerinnen und Schülern in der Grundschule. Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2011 [Rezension]

Rezension von: Yvonne Rechter: Bedeutung individueller Lernförderung als Unterstützung schulischen Lernens, Einfluss auf die Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, die Einschätzung der Lernfreude und die fachliche Leistung von Schülerinnen und Schülern in der Grundschule, Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2011 (288 S.; ISBN 978-3-7815-1816-2)

The Phosphate Source Influences Gene Expression and Quality of Mineralization during In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

For in vitro differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells/mesenchymal stromal cells into osteoblasts by 2-dimensional cell culture a variety of protocols have been used and evaluated in the past. Especially the external phosphate source used to induce mineralization varies considerably both in respect to chemical composition and concentration. In light of the recent findings that inorganic phosphate directs gene expression of genes crucial for bone development, the need for a standardized phosphate source in in vitro differentiation becomes apparent. We show that chemical composition (inorganic versus organic phosphate origin) and concentration of phosphate supplementation exert a severe impact on the results of gene expression for the genes commonly used as markers for osteoblast formation as well as on the composition of the mineral formed. Specifically, the intensity of gene expression does not necessarily correlate with a high quality mineralized matrix. Our study demonstrates advantages of using inorganic phosphate instead of beta-glycerophosphate and propose colorimetric quantification methods for calcium and phosphate ions as cost-and time-effective alternatives to X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for determination of the calcium phosphate ratio and concentration of mineral matrix formed under in vitro-conditions. We critically discuss the different assays used to assess in vitro bone formation in respect to specificity and provide a detailed in vitro protocol that could help to avoid contradictory results due to variances in experimental design.

Kiel, Ewald / Kahlert, Joachim / Haag, Ludwig / Eberle, Thomas (Hrsg.): Herausfordernde Situationen in der Schule, Ein fallbasiertes Arbeitsbuch. Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2011 [...] [Sammelrezension]

Sammelrezension von: 1. Kiel, Ewald / Kahlert, Joachim / Haag, Ludwig / Eberle, Thomas (Hrsg.): Herausfordernde Situationen in der Schule, Ein fallbasiertes Arbeitsbuch, Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2011 (224 S.; ISBN 978-3-7815-1799-8) 2. Kiel, Ewald / Pollak, Guido (Hrsg.): Kritische Situationen im Referendariat bewältigen, Ein Arbeitsbuch für angehende Lehrkräfte, Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt 2011 (271 S.; ISBN 978-3-8252-3544-4)

Climate Change or Urbanization? Impacts on a Traditional Coffee Production System in East Africa over the Last 80 Years

Global environmental changes (GEC) such as climate change (CC) and climate variability have serious impacts in the tropics, particularly in Africa. These are compounded by changes in land use/land cover, which in turn are driven mainly by economic and population growth, and urbanization. These factors create a feedback loop, which affects ecosystems and particularly ecosystem services, for example plant-insect interactions, and by consequence agricultural productivity. We studied effects of GEC at a local level, using a traditional coffee production area in greater Nairobi, Kenya. We chose coffee, the most valuable agricultural commodity worldwide, as it generates income for 100 million people, mainly in the developing world. Using the coffee berry borer, the most serious biotic threat to global coffee production, we show how environmental changes and different production systems (shaded and sun-grown coffee) can affect the crop. We combined detailed entomological assessments with historic climate records (from 1929-2011), and spatial and demographic data, to assess GEC's impact on coffee at a local scale. Additionally, we tested the utility of an adaptation strategy that is simple and easy to implement. Our results show that while interactions between CC and migration/urbanization, with its resultant landscape modifications, create a feedback loop whereby agroecosystems such as coffee are adversely affected, bio-diverse shaded coffee proved far more resilient and productive than coffee grown in monoculture, and was significantly less harmed by its insect pest. Thus, a relatively simple strategy such as shading coffee can tremendously improve resilience of agro-ecosystems, providing small-scale farmers in Africa with an easily implemented tool to safeguard their livelihoods in a changing climate.

Nina Meister: Wie beginnt der Unterricht? Hermeneutische Rekonstruktionen von Unterrichtsanfängen in Frankreich und Deutschland. Opladen / Berlin / Toronto: Budrich UniPress Ltd. 2012 [...] [Sammelrezension]

Sammelrezension von: 1.Nina Meister: Wie beginnt der Unterricht? Hermeneutische Rekonstruktionen von Unterrichtsanfängen in Frankreich und Deutschland, Opladen / Berlin / Toronto: Budrich UniPress Ltd. 2012 (218 S.; ISBN 978-3-86388-008-8) 2.Carla Schelle / Oliver Holstein / Nina Meister (Hrsg.): Schule und Unterricht in Frankreich, Ein Beitrag zur Empirie, Theorie und Praxis, Münster / New York / München / Berlin: Waxmann 2012 (300 S.; ISBN 978-3-8309-2652-8)