Evaluation of Attractant Composition, Application Rate, and Trap Type for Potential Mass Trapping of Ips typographus (L.)

This study focused on elucidating the possibilities of improving current trapping methods for Ips typographus (Linnaeus, 1758). Three field experiments were conducted simultaneously in one study area in the German federal state of Saxony. A comparison of six different commercial attractants revealed a significant superiority of Typosan®, especially for adult beetles after hibernation in the phase of their first swarming. It also attracted fewer individuals of Thanasimus spp. than the other highly attractive products Pheroprax® and IT Ecolure Extra®. Increasing the Pheroprax® application rate by using four instead of one dispenser in a single trap increased the total catch of I. typographus only by 15.5%. In contrast, Thanasimus spp. catch increased by 195.5% when four dispensers were used. A test of different trap types showed a species-specific catching capability, with the 12-funnel WitaTrap® being the most effective in catching I. typographus. The quantity of Thanasimus spp. bycatch in multiple-funnel traps demonstrated the necessity of a selective mechanism to minimize impacts on predator populations. Although we were not able to identify new milestones towards mass trapping, this study contributes to necessary improvements of current trapping methods. Especially in future stands with a smaller share of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karsten, 1881) the weakened beetle population in spring could be effectively reduced by properly conducted mass trapping.

Prevalence of Alaria alata mesocercariae in wild boars from Brandenburg, Germany

Since 2002, Alaria (A.) alata mesocercariae (AM) have been found during routine Trichinella inspection of wild boars in many European countries. To date, human infection with AM through consumption of undercooked or raw AM infested wild boar meat cannot be excluded. In Germany, data on the parasite’s prevalence in wild boars are scarce. To better understand temporal and spatial fluctuations of this parasite, this study investigated the prevalence of AM in wild boars in the German federal state of Brandenburg during three hunting seasons from 2017 to 2020. In total, 28.3% (100/354, 95% CI: 23.3–33.3%) of all wild boars sampled in eight counties of Brandenburg were tested positive for AM by Alaria alata mesocercariae migration technique (AMT). AM were detected in wild boars from seven different counties. Samples from one county (Havelland) tested completely negative for AM (0/16). Prevalences of the seven AM positive counties of Brandenburg ranged from 11.5 (3/26, 95% CI: 2.5–30.1%) in Märkisch-Oderland to 64.1% (25/39, 95% CI: 47.2–78.8%) in Uckermark. An association between sex and A. alata positivity could not be determined. A statistically significant increase in frequency of older AM positive wild boars was observed (p = 0.001). For a nationwide assessment of the prevalence of A. alata in wild boars and the risk for consumers of ingesting viable AM by consumption of raw or undercooked AM infested wild boar meat, further long-term studies in different regions of Germany are needed.

Correction: Aljadeeah, S., et al. Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 519

In the original article [...]

Ballot position effects in open-list PR systems: the moderating impact of postal voting

Various studies demonstrate that candidates at the top of the party list have a strong advantage in preferential voting systems, particularly under open-list PR. Such ballot position effects can be explained by voters’ tendency to rely on easily available information shortcuts when selecting a candidate. In this paper, we argue that the strength of ballot position effects depends on the context of how voters cast their vote. Specifically, we argue that postal voters are less likely to rely on the ballot position cue compared to voters who vote on election day for two reasons. First, postal voters might be more politically interested. Second, postal voters have more time to assess additional information about the candidates. The hypothesis is tested by analyzing newly collected data from two open-list PR elections in the German federal state of Hamburg. The results confirm the theoretical expectations: Ballot position effects are substantively weaker among postal voters. Additional analyses suggest that differences in the political interest between postal voters and election day voters are unlikely to fully explain these results. These findings advance our understanding of ballot position effects and voters’ use of information shortcuts more generally.

Cost-effectiveness of targeted screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis among asylum-seekers: A modelling study with screening data from a German federal state (2002-2015)

Screening asylum-seekers for active pulmonary tuberculosis is common practice among many European countries with low incidence of tuberculosis. The reported yields vary substantially, partly due to the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of asylum-seeking populations. Rather than screening all new arrivals (indiscriminate screening), a few countries apply targeted screening based on incidence of tuberculosis in asylum-seekers’ country of origin. However, evaluations of its cost-effectiveness have been scarce. The aim of this modelling study was to assess whether the introduction of a screening threshold based on the tuberculosis incidence in the country of origin is sensible from an economic perspective. To this end, we compare the current, indiscriminate screening policy for pulmonary tuberculosis in Germany with a hypothetical targeted screening programme using several potential screening thresholds based on WHO-reported incidence of tuberculosis in countries of origin. Screening data is taken from a large German federal state over 14 years (2002–2015). Incremental cost-effectiveness is measured as cost per case found and cost per case prevented. Our analysis shows that incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of screening asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence of 50 to 250/100,000 range between 15,000€ and 17,000€ per additional case found when compared to lower thresholds. The ICER for screening asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence <50/100,000 is 112,000€ per additional case found. Costs per case prevented show a similar increase in costs. The high cost per case found and per case prevented at the <50/100,000 threshold scenario suggests this threshold to be a sensible cut-off for targeted screening. Acknowledging that no screening measure can find all cases of tuberculosis, and that reactivation of latent infections makes up a large proportion of foreign-born cases, targeting asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence above 50/100,000 is likely to be a more reasonable screening measure for the prevention and control of tuberculosis than indiscriminate screening measures.

The impact of anti-establishment parties on the electoral success of independent local lists: Evidence from Germany

Independent local lists (ILL) have become an important non-partisan actor in many local elections. However, little is known about which factors explain their electoral success. Drawing on recent contributions regarding the anti-establishment attitudes of many ILL, we argue that the rise of anti-establishment parties, especially the rise of populist radical-right parties, potentially harms the electoral success of ILL. Our main argument is that both actors attract voters that are dissatisfied with established parties. To test this hypothesis, we draw on the case of municipal elections in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. In the election of 2016, the populist radical-right party AfD competed in only a subset of all municipalities, meaning that some voters could cast their vote for the AfD in only some of the municipalities. We use a difference-in-differences approach to estimate the effect of the AfD on independent local list’s vote share and demonstrate that ILL suffered strongly from the entrance of the AfD to the electoral arena. More specifically, our findings demonstrate that the increase in the success of ILL was halted in municipalities in which the AfD competed, while it continued to increase in regions where the AfD was absent. These findings suggest that the increasing success of ILL is due to voters’ dissatisfaction with the established parties and not necessarily due to an increasing interest in local issues.

Misperception of entrepreneurship and its consequences for the perception of entrepreneurial failure – the German case

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how Germans' misperceptions of the nature of entrepreneurship influence their attitudes towards entrepreneurial failure.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a multivariate regression analysis, the study used data collected from a commercial online market research panel (N = 2,027) reflecting the overall German working population. Attitudinal items on business failure were used to measure the study variables. The study controlled for age, education, employment status, gender, income, whether the respondent knows a failed entrepreneur and the German federal state in which the respondent resides.FindingsThe findings suggest that reservations about failed entrepreneurs become stronger as misperceptions of the nature of entrepreneurship worsen. The results also show that failure reservations vary regionally over the 16 German federal states.Practical implicationsNationwide efforts regarding the stimulation of entrepreneurship and the acceptance of entrepreneurial failure are insufficient for removing failure reservations, as they neglect regional cultural differences. The results suggest that it is not enough just to invest in efforts to create a failure-friendly culture, and that a better general education about the realities of entrepreneurship is a prerequisite.Originality/valueThe study generates insights into how the overall population in an innovation-driven economy perceives entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial failure. Moreover, the work delves into the reasons why parts of German society reject failed entrepreneurs. Hence, this study can aid the drafting of effective policy initiatives at the regional and national levels.