25 Waves of the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP): An Asset to Inter-disciplinary Research

The German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) has been providing representative data records on the population in Germany in annual surveys since 1984, i.e., for almost 25 years. With the 2008's fieldwork, 25 waves have been completed. The SOEP expanded to include a sample from East Germany in 1990 as well as to include special samples on immigration and high-income households. Looking back over 25 years of scientific activity is, for an institution, which is what SOEP has become, also an opportunity to examine its original purpose and resources, the development steps and results that followed, and its current aims.

Über die Qualitätsbeurteilung von Fisch

Auszug aus einem Referat, gehalten auf der WEFTA-Tagung in Hambur

Introduction to the main topic

Einführung zum Themenschwerpunkt "Generationenbeziehungen im sozialen Wandel und im Kulturvergleich" Heft 4/2002. (DIPF/Orig.

Semiclassical model of ultrafast photoisomerization reactions

In this letter we propose a model which explains ultrafast and efficient photoisomerization reactions as driven by transitions between quasistationary states of one dimensional (1D) double well potential of an excited electronic state. This adiabatic potential is formed as a result of doubly crossing of a decay diabatic potential of the ground electronic state and a bound diabatic potential of the excited state. We calculate the eigenstates and eigenfunctions using the semiclassical connection matrices at the turning and crossing points and the shift matrices between these points. The transitions between the localized in the wells below the adiabatic barrier states are realized by the tunneling and by the double non-adiabatic transitions via the crossing points processes. Surprisingly the behavior with the maximum transition rate keeps going even for the states relatively far above the barrier (2 -4 times the barrier height). Even though a specific toy model is investigated here, when properly interpreted it yields quite reasonable values for a variety of measured quantities, such as a reaction quantum yield, and conversion time.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. accepted to Chem. Phys. Letters (2005

Competing tunneling trajectories in a 2D potential with variable topology as a model for quantum bifurcations

We present a path - integral approach to treat a 2D model of a quantum bifurcation. The model potential has two equivalent minima separated by one or two saddle points, depending on the value of a continuous parameter. Tunneling is therefore realized either along one trajectory or along two equivalent paths. Zero point fluctuations smear out the sharp transition between these two regimes and lead to a certain crossover behavior. When the two saddle points are inequivalent one can also have a first order transition related to the fact that one of the two trajectories becomes unstable. We illustrate these results by numerical investigations. Even though a specific model is investigated here, the approach is quite general and has potential applicability for various systems in physics and chemistry exhibiting multi-stability and tunneling phenomena.Comment: 11 pages, 8 eps figures, Revtex-

Future orientation and planning in forestry: a comparison of forest managers' planning horizons in Germany and the Netherlands

Long range (or strategic) planning is an important tool for forest management to deal with the complex and unpredictable future. However, it is the ability to make meaningful predictions about the rapidly changing future that is questioned. What appears to be particularly neglected is the question of the length of time horizons and the limits (if any) to these horizons, despite being considered one of the most critical factors in strategic planning. As the future creation of values lies within individual responsibility, this research empirically explored the limits (if any) of individual foresters¿ time horizons. To draw comparisons between countries with different traditions in forest management planning, data were collected through telephone surveys of forest managers in the state/national forest services of the Netherlands and Germany. In order to minimize other cultural differences, the research in Germany concentrated on the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, which has considerable similarities with the Netherlands, e.g. in topography, forest types and forest functions. The results show that, in practice, 15 years appears to be the most distant horizon that foresters can identify with. This is in sharp contrast to the time horizons spanning decades and even generations that are always said to exist in forestry. The ¿doctrine of the long run¿¿the faith in the capacity of foresters to overcome the barriers of the uncertain future and look ahead and plan for long-range goals¿which in many countries still underlies traditional forest management, can therefore be rejected

The Development of Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis in Flow

Visible‐light photoredox catalysis has recently emerged as a viable alternative for radical reactions otherwise carried out with tin and boron reagents. It has been recognized that by merging photoredox catalysis with flow chemistry, slow reaction times, lower yields, and safety concerns may be obviated. While flow reactors have been successfully applied to reactions carried out with UV light, only recent developments have demonstrated the same potential of flow reactors for the improvement of visible‐light‐mediated reactions. This review examines the initial and continuing development of visible‐light‐mediated photoredox flow chemistry by exemplifying the benefits of flow chemistry compared with conventional batch techniques.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106928/1/351_ftp.pd

New Legal Framework of Agrivoltaics in Germany

In Germany, numerous amendments have been made in the last year which are intended to take into account the special features of agrivoltaic systems. This is very welcome. Nevertheless, some legal challenges remain. In order to advance the technology and contribute to the energy transition and sustainable food production, the comprehensive embedding of this technology in the legal framework is crucial. Because ultimately, the way is only paved when all uncertainties have been removed. Agrivoltaics offers a solution to the conflict of interest between the sealing of land on the one hand and the need to increase the use of photovoltaic systems on the other. An analysis of the four sectors of public law, energy law, EU agricultural subsidies and tax law will present the current state of the legal framework for agrivoltaics in Germany, following-up the authors’ contribution “Legal framework of agrivoltaics in Germany” in previous proceedings of the AgriVoltaics conference series [1]. Agrivoltaic systems are usually erected outside settlement areas without a development plan. In many cases it is difficult to obtain permission for these areas, as it is not always possible to classify them as privileged projects. In the area of a development plan, the designated use may collide with an installation of the photovoltaic system. Regarding the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), it is to be noted that separate financial support schemes have now been introduced for certain agrivoltaic installations. A crucial question for farmers remains whether their land loses its eligibility for EU direct payments through the use of this technology. Here, too, the legislator has set an important course for agrivoltaics. This also applies in the area of inheritance-, gift-, land- and real estate transfer-tax law

Longitudinal associations of neuroticism with life satisfaction and social adaptation in a nationally representative adult sample

Objective: Correlational studies have frequently linked neuroticism to lower well-being and poorer social adaptation. In this study, we examined the longitudinal associations of neuroticism with life satisfaction and aspects of social adaptation (i.e., loneliness, number of close friends, and interpersonal trust). Method: Cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) and random intercepts cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs) were used to analyze the prospective associations between variables in a nationally representative adult sample from Germany (N = 5,663 to 11,079 per analysis; 2-4 measurement waves with lags of 4-5 years). Results: CLPMs indicated that higher neuroticism was related to lower life satisfaction, higher loneliness, fewer friends, and lower interpersonal trust, but not vice versa. At the within-person level, RI-CLPMs revealed similar findings with increased neuroticism predicting decreases in life satisfaction, increases in loneliness, and decreases in interpersonal trust. Indices of social adaptation partially mediated the link between neuroticism and life satisfaction at the between-person but not at the within-person level. Exploratory multigroup analyses support the generalization of the cross-lagged effects of neuroticism on life satisfaction and social adaptation across age, gender, and geographical regions (East versus West Germany). Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of neuroticism in shaping psychosocial outcomes over time