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The most important price for short-term electricity trading in Germany is the day-ahead auction price, which is provided by EPEX SPOT. Basically, short-term fluctuating electricity prices allow cost-optimized production planning by shifting electricity-intensive processes to times of favorable electricity prices. However, the day-ahead price as the outcome of an auction is not directly tradeable afterwards. We propose short-term flexible electricity certificates that pass on the day-ahead auction prices plus a premium for the supplier, enabling users to plan electricity consumption based on realized day-ahead auction prices. We analyze the supplier's problem of delivering electricity based on such certificates. The supplier can adjust the required electricity volume after the close of the day-ahead auction on the continuous intraday market. We analyze the price fluctuations in this market in relation to the day-ahead price and propose different trading strategies. Using the order book history of EPEX SPOT, we analyze the trading success and risk of these strategies. Furthermore, we investigate to what extent trading success can be explained by changes in market conditions, and, in particular, we identify renewable forecast errors as a driver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess current opinions, applied techniques, and materials for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) in a nationwide survey in Germany. Material and methods: Completed questionnaires from 1,648 dentists were returned (response rate 63 %). Results: In general, posts were reported to be used more frequently (51 %) for indirect restorations than for direct restorations (21 %). Dentists restored anterior teeth (65 %) more frequently with direct restorations than posterior teeth (48 %). Compared to an earlier survey, fewer dentists stated that posttreatment stabilizes the remaining tooth structure. The ferrule effect as a key success factor was held by the vast majority of dentists (88 %). A trend towards adhesive techniques both for post placement and core build-up was observed. Composite resins (49 %) were reported to be used twice as much as zinc phosphate cement (24 %) for the luting of posts; composite resins were the core build-up material of choice (75 %). Amalgam was rarely used (0.2 %). Irrespective of the final restoration, fiber posts were the most popular post material (46 % for telescopic crowns vs. 69 % for single crowns). Conclusion: Adhesive composite core build-ups with and without fiber posts were the predominant treatment approach to restore ETT in Germany. There was widespread agreement with the ferrule effect as a key restorative success factor for indirect restorations. Clinical significance: Today, it is general accepted that ferrule preparation is key. Glass-fiber posts appear to be most popular. Still different systems are used depending on type of final restoration, while the reasons to do so remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study presents the first optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating application of young Holocene sediments from the coastal environment along the German Baltic Sea at the barrier-spit Darss–Zingst (NE Germany). Fifteen samples were taken in Zingst–Osterwald and Windwatt from beach ridges to reconstruct the development of the Zingst spit system and separate phases of sediment mobilisation. The single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol was applied to coarse grain quartz for OSL dating. The reliability of OSL data was tested with laboratory experiments including dose recovery, recycling ratio and recuperation as well as the stratigraphy. We conclude that the sediment is suitable for OSL measurements and the derived ages are internally consistent as well as in agreement with the existing stratigraphy and the geological models of sediment aggradation. The beach ridges at Zingst–Osterwald aggregated ∼1900 to ∼1600years ago before the alteration of the sediment system related to the late Subatlantic transgression and the closing of the coastal inlets. The sediment of Windwatt area was deposited after the transgression and the ages can be subdivided into four groups ∼900, ∼500, 260–320, and ∼40years ago. It is assumed that the ages of ∼500years (1500AD) and between 260 and 320years ago (1680–1750AD) represent the phases of sediment mobilisation related to colder and stormier climatic conditions as well as regressive sea level conditions during the Little Ice Age (1350–1900AD). The subrecent age estimate of ∼40years demonstrates that the sedimentation processes in the Windwatt area are still active and might be related to a storm surge and sediment overwash in the 1960s. This study confirms prior chronological investigations in other coastal regions (e.g. North Sea) that OSL has a great potential to provide a reliable chronological frame in coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Validation of a previously derived prediction rule for periodontitis in an external population sample. Materials and Methods: Age, smoking and self-reported tooth mobility were used in logistic models to predict moderate and severe periodontitis as diagnosed from panoramic radiographs of 246 patients attending private practices in Germany. Coefficients derived from these models were used to predict periodontitis in a representative population-based sample of 3297 residents of the region of Pomerania, Germany. Results: In the full derivation sample, the predictive power of the logistic model as measured by the c-statistic was 0.82 and 0.84 for moderate and severe periodontitis, respectively. In the validation set, these models yielded c-statistics of 0.82 for both moderate and severe periodontitis. Lower c-statistics were obtained among subjects aged 40 years and older in the derivation set ( c=0.74 and 0.77), and the performance was poorer in the validation set with c-statistics of 0.69 and 0.72, respectively. Conclusions: A prediction rule based on age, smoking and self-reported tooth mobility can yield a moderately useful external validity. Validity may be dependent on specific population characteristics, and derivation of a prediction rule based on a clinical subsample of the target population with a larger set of predictors may provide better results in an application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recalls the events through the historical consciousness in Germany after the World War II genocide. Description of the event; Information on the writing of Grundgesetz, the constitution in the late 1940s; Political implications of the genocide.

Interviews Michael Naumann, minister of propaganda and people's enlightenment in Germany. Views on the return of capital to Berlin, Germany; Intervention in the disputes in Kosovo, Serbia; Discussion on the Holocaust memorial.

Background: Polymorphisms of interleukin-1 beta gene (IL1B-511C>T) are considered as risk factor for gastric carcinogenesis, but conflicting data have been reported recently., Patients and Methods: The distribution of the four major IL1B variants (IL1B-3737C>T, -1464G>C, - 511C>T, -31T>C) were analyzed in 116 and 142 patients with gastric cancer and 'high risk gastritis', respectively, as well as 94 healthy controls., Results: While identified frequencies of genotypes, haplotypes and haplotype pairs corresponded to those of other studies in Caucasians, none were significantly associated with the presence of gastric cancer or premalignant alterations., Conclusion: None of the four major polymorphisms is individually or in its haplotype configuration linked to the development of GC in this Caucasian population in Germany.

Statement of Problem: Opinions concerning proper restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) vary. A variety of techniques and materials for post-and-core restorations are available. The rationale for post placement performed by German dentists was unknown., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine current opinions, applied techniques, and materials for the restoration of ETT in Germany., Material and Methods: A nationwide questionnaire-based survey containing 18 multiple choice questions regarding treatment philosophies, favored post type, and materials for core foundations was mailed to 36,500 German general dentists. A total of 6029 questionnaires (16.5%) were returned. Data were evaluated in terms of the dentists' occupational experience and the frequency of post placement. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data., Results: Irrespective of their occupational experience, 52% of the surveyed dentists consider post placement for almost every postendodontic restoration of ETT. The majority of dentists (54%) believe that a post reinforces ETT. Cast posts and cores are used by 55% of all dentists, whereas 34% use prefabricated posts exclusively. Screw posts are the most popular prefabricated post type (47%). Composite resin (51%) is preferred for core foundation, followed by glass ionomer cements (GICs) (26%). Amalgam is seldom used (0.5%). Posts are placed primarily with zinc phosphate cement (51%), followed by GIC (38%)., Conclusion: The treatment philosophy of German dentists is not in complete agreement with recommendations found in the literature. The belief that a post would reinforce an ETT might explain the high frequency of post placements. Due to the partially inconsistent responses, it is difficult to derive a generalized treatment concept.