Federal Network Agency

The health of primary care professionals is crucial for the health of populations. A lower number of general practitioners per 1000 patients correlates with higher patient mortality. Challenging work demands, work-privacy conflict, and poor leadership quality are associated with higher perceived chronic stress and/or burnout in physician populations. However, studies investigating the influence of all three factors in a single quantitative model are lacking. This study analysed the associations between the mentioned parameters and perceived chronic stress among general practice personnel based on baseline data of the cluster-randomized IMPROVEjob study. It comprised 60 German general practices with 366 participants (84 general practice leaders, 28 employed physicians, 254 practice assistants). Perceived chronic stress (TICS-SSCS), leadership quality (LMX-7, FIF), work-privacy conflict (COPSOQ), and quantitative and emotional work demands (COPSOQ) were measured with validated questionnaires. The factors associated with lower perceived chronic stress were identified using a multilevel regression model approach. The model showed a significant association with less work-privacy conflict (p < 0.001, β = 0.31), lower quantitative work demands (p < 0.001, β = 0.28), and good leadership quality (p < 0.001, β = -0.22). Especially transformational leadership with the dimension 'innovation of the leader' was associated with lower perceived chronic stress. The data support the importance of high-quality leadership as a protective factor for perceived chronic stress among general practice personnel, which needs to be considered in future leadership interventions in this setting.

This paper proposes a Reinforcement Learning (RL) formulation of the Train Timetable Rescheduling problem at a microscopic scale under unexpected events, particularly track blockages, with the goal of minimizing the overall delay of trains. We represent the operational timetable by means of Timed Event Graphs accounting for operational constraints and interdependencies among trains. We combine RL with Graph Neural Networks to make rescheduling decisions, such as re-ordering and re-routing of trains. The approach is evaluated on a medium-scale corridor of the German railway network, which includes multiple stations, tracks, and trains subject to various disruptions. The experiments validate the effectiveness of our RL formulation offering improved solution quality, practical applicability, and notable time efficiency compared to baselines, including First-In-First-Out and Branch-and-Cut.

This paper discusses the introduction of the antenna height scan in CISPR 32 Ed. 2.1 from technical and economical point of view. An artificial equipment under test (EUT) has been examined in an absorber-lined semi-anechoic chamber and a fully anechoic room. The influence of insufficient floor absorber layout and antenna tilting on the height scan is presented by measurements and calculations. The paper closes with a description of the relation between the measurement method, the measurand and the definition of limits with respect to the disturbance scenario (CISPR 16-4-4) and the challenges of EMC measurements with modern electric systems.

Abstract The gas storage regulations are intended to increase security of supply in winter. Tenders and direct procurement by the Market Area Coordinator should ensure that gas storage facilities are filled. Both instruments can lead to a displacement of other storage volumes. Since direct procurement potentially leads to less displacement and allows for better control of strategic behavior, it may be more effective. Tender design can be improved by setting a reserve price and allowing storage obligation trading in a secondary market. Furthermore, separate tenders for withdrawal options, the elimination of the commodity price surcharge, and further adjustments can be beneficial.

Zusammenfassung Die Herausgeber*innen des Themenschwerpunkts reflektieren die aktuelle klimapolitische Debatte und erörtern insbesondere den Beitrag zivilgesellschaftlicher Akteure. Dabei wird besonderes Augenmerk auf thematische Verknüpfungen, Vernetzungspotentiale und mögliche neue Akteurskoalitionen gelegt. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser klimapolitischen Zwischenbilanz gibt der Beitrag einen Überblick über Konzeption und Beiträge des vorliegenden Themenschwerpunkts.

Abstract Affordable living space has become one of the main talking points in Germany next to the threat of climate change. The SMEs of the German lightweight concrete industry offer regional masonry solutions for detached, semi‐detached, and terraced houses as well as multi‐storey apartment buildings.Particularly in densely populated urban centres, the need for multi‐storey apartment buildings arises constantly. In the following the performance of monolithic lightweight concrete masonry will be described and compared with the relevant requirements for multi‐storey apartment buildings. It will be demonstrated that masonry with supposedly low compressive strength can still fulfil all requirements. Of particular significance here are the external wall‐slab junctions.

Abstract The German associations Verband für Dämmsysteme, Putz und Mörtel (VDPM), Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mauerziegel and Bundesverband Leichtbeton have published a new leaflet „Mauerwerk mit Dünnbettmörtel” [Masonry with thin‐layer mortar] [1]. This compact guide offers 8 pages of helpful tips and important information concerning the application of thin‐layer mortar with high‐precision masonry units or high‐precision blocks of lightweight concrete or clay. The leaflet contains terms and definitions, requirements for the thin‐layer mortar, the units and the masonry and the different forms of delivery of thin‐layer mortar. The main parts of the leaflet are the explanations of laying (levelling layer, blocklaying with thin‐layer mortar, working time, methods of application, head joints…). Notes regarding occupational health and safety protection complete the leaflet. The following article describes the essential content of the leaflet with further information.

Abstract The contribution explains the financing system of the German railway sector. Market players like infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, the federal and the regional level (“Länder”) and the Bundesnetzagentur are interrelated due to the institutional setting, especially due to the control- and supervision duties of Bundesnetzagentur. This also concerns the financial flows related interconnections of market players and the government level. Bundesnetzagentur is under the new rail regulation law in charge of controlling the charging system of infrastructure managers. The new legal framework allows for the first time an incentive regulation related to infrastructure charges and sets incentives for the infrastructure manager to decrease costs and increase the traffic on the network.