bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can We Really (All) Work Longer?
Trends in Healthy Life Expectancy According to Social Stratum in Germany

Authors: Unger Rainer , Schulze Alexander
Published: November 2020

Against the background of raising the retirement age to 67 years and the associated lengthening of working lifetimes in higher age groups, this article examines the question of the extent to which this political objective is covered by the health assets of the population. Here, we will first trace trends in “healthy” life expectancy among the total population for different points in time 1989, 1999 and 2009 on the basis of the data from the Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) and analyse these against the background of social strata indicators such as income and educational levels. Among others, one significant result is the fact that social differences have a far greater effect on healthy life expectancy than on general life expectancy and that these differences increase further over the course of time. This effect can be found particularly in men. One mandatory uniform working lifetime for all persons would however not do justice to these findings of socially highly unequally distributed life opportunities. Instead, the findings support a flexible arrangement of retirement age limits.
The Two Dimensions of Housing Inequality in Europe
Are High Home Ownership Rates an Indicator of Low Housing Values?

Authors: Kolb Kathrin , Skopek Nora , Blossfeld Hans-Peter
Published: November 2020

Exploring inequalities in home ownership as an important component of household wealth contributes to the understanding of social stratification in modern societies. We argue that inequalities in housing are not only manifested by differential access to home ownership, but also by differences in housing values, a somewhat neglected aspect in research hitherto. Applying data from the “Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe” (SHARE), we compare home ownership rates and housing values between 13 European countries. Our results suggest that housing inequality is indeed a two-dimensional phenomenon. Most surprisingly, migration status has a negative impact on the probability of home ownership in European countries, but not on the mean housing value. In addition, we exploratively study the relationship between these two dimensions of housing inequality. Our analyses show a negative though not significant relationship between home ownership rates and housing values.
The Pluralisation of Living Arrangements – A Continuous Trend?
Authors: Wagner Michael , Valdés Cifuentes Isabel
Published: November 2020

This paper investigates to what extent a pluralisation of living arrangements can be observed in Germany up to the present day – both on the household level as well as the individual level. The analyses are based on data from the microcensus and the German General Social Survey (ALLBUS) from the last decades.On the household level, eight different living arrangements are distinguished depending on the marital status and the number of generations living in the household. The results show that pluralisation mainly occurred between 1972 and 1996. In contrast, the diversity of living arrangements in West Germany has remained unchanged during the last 20 years, and it even slightly decreased in East Germany. A different picture emerges when separately looking at one-generation and two-generation households. Living arrangements with children have also diversified in recent years, which is mainly the result of less married couples with children.On the individual level, the classification of living arrangements was extended by the characteristic gender-specific division of labour, since the changed role of women is seen as the crucial factor for the changes in the familial sector. The results indicate a continuous pluralisation of living arrangements. This pluralisation of the familial sector is mainly caused by the male breadwinner model losing importance. This trend is more pronounced in East Germany than in West Germany.A cohort analysis reveals a bimodal distribution of diversity on the age-axis: entropy is highest around the ages of 30 and 60, since living arrangements often change at these points. Individuals often marry around the age of 30, and the transition to an “empty nest” mostly occurs around the age of 60. The cohort analysis for different age groups shows that the diversity of living arrangements is generally higher amongst younger cohorts than amongst older cohorts.
Nationalism and Declining Population in Bulgaria after 1990
Authors: Kotzeva Tatyana , Dimitrova Elitsa
Published: November 2020

This paper aims to illuminate and provide a critical assessment of the nationalist discourse on declining population in Bulgaria. Nationalist discourse is one of the mainstream approaches in Bulgaria and is widely spread through mass media having been voiced by renowned intellectuals, policy experts, scholars and media celebrities. It can be recognised in the political programmes of left-wing and nationalist parties, but also in governmental documents at both national as well as regional levels. The nationalistically oriented advocates articulate current concerns regarding the declining birth rates and declining population in the country labelling the demographic situation as “Bulgarian national catastrophe” and “Bulgaria’s collapse”. They place an emphasis on the decreasing proportion of ethnic Bulgarians and the growth of the ethnic minorities, especially Roma. The latter trend was labelled by the derogatory term “gypsyisation”, i.e. a distortion of the Bulgarian nation and shrinkage of its core ethnicity – ethnic Bulgarians. The threat of the “gypsyisation” of the Bulgarian nation has not only been viewed in quantitative terms, but also through the lens of an alleged worsening of the national human capital (e.g. level of education, professional skills and civic culture of the population). Another set of arguments exploited in the nationalist discourse is the diminishing size of the Bulgarian nation as a threat to national sovereignty, territorial unity and economic stability. We use a qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis of media textual materials in order to reconstruct the main ideas, arguments and strategies of the proponents of the nationalist discourse regarding the consequences of the declining population in Bulgaria, its social policy implications and future demographic prospects.
Consequences of Enduring Low Fertility – A German Case Study. Demographic Projections and Implications for Different Policy Fields
Authors: Bujard Martin
Published: November 2020

Compared to all other countries in the world, Germany has been a “low-fertility country” for a longer period: the total fertility rate has been below 1.5 for four decades. Being the first to experience this development, a case study of Germany allows analysing the consequences of an enduring birth decline. In Germany, low fertility is also an increasingly big issue in politics as well as science, especially due to its extensive consequences on several policy fields that already become visible. However, the assessment of the consequences differs tremendously when it comes either to its intensity or to the question whether ageing or rather population decline is the more severe problem. Differentiated by these two processes, this article combines demographic analysis with the assessment of the consequences for different policy fields such as pensions, health, the economy, the labour market, culture, the EU, international relations and the party system.

For all these policy fields, the consequences are serious, and partly ambivalent but overall negative. The occurrence of the consequences and the different policy options how to deal with these consequences differ considerably between the policy fields. Ageing is a more severe problem than shrinking, because the severe changes in the age structure in the social security system that will take place until 2040 apply to most Germans and are inevitable. On the other hand, the population decline can still be avoided demographically and does not affect all inhabitants negatively. Regarding the consequences of a declining population, one has to differentiate between an individual and a national perspective. National consequences are rather negative due to a decline of international influence and power, especially within the European Union. The study also demonstrates that the long-term consequences of enduring low fertility are not necessarily negative for political competition, the culture, the labour market and the economy, if appropriate political action is taken. The analysis also identifies possible future demographic and political parameters. Thus, this case study is relevant for other low-fertility countries, which will have to face similar demographic processes in the future.
Folgen der dauerhaft niedrigen Fertilität in Deutschland. Demografische Projektionen und Konsequenzen für unterschiedliche Politikfelder
Authors: Bujard Martin
Published: November 2020

The English translation of this article is available in Vol 40, No 2 (2015).

Deutschland ist länger als alle anderen Länder der Welt ein „Low-Fertility“-Land, seit vier Jahrzehnten liegt die Total Fertility Rate unterhalb von 1,5. Als „Pionier“ in dieser Entwicklung lassen sich anhand einer Fallstudie Deutschlands die Folgen eines langfristigen Geburtenrückgangs analysieren. Dieser Rückgang ist in Deutschland zunehmend auch ein Megathema in Politik und Wissenschaft, da die Folgen sich auf mehrere Politikbereiche auswirken und teilweise bereits deutlich sichtbar sind. Allerdings werden diese Folgen völlig unterschiedlich eingeschätzt – zum einen in ihrer Vehemenz und danach, ob die Alterung oder die Schrumpfung das größere Problem ist. Nach beiden Prozessen differenziert, verbindet der Beitrag die demografische Analyse mit der politikwissenschaftlichen Bewertung der Folgen für die Politikfelder Rente, Gesundheit, Wirtschaft, Arbeitsmarkt, Kultur, Europäische Union, Internationale Beziehungen sowie den Parteienwettbewerb.

Die Folgen sind für alle diese Politikfelder gravierend, teilweise ambivalent, aber in der Summe negativ. Der Zeitpunkt der Folgen und die politischen Möglichkeiten damit umzugehen unterscheiden sich zwischen den Politikfeldern erheblich. Alterung ist ein größeres Problem als die Schrumpfung, da die vehementen Altersstruktureffekte für die Sozialversicherungen bis 2040 die meisten Deutschen betreffen und unabwendbar sind. Anders die Folgen der Schrumpfung, denn sie sind demografisch noch abwendbar und beträfen nicht alle Einwohner negativ. Bei einem Bevölkerungsrückgang muss man zwischen individueller und staatlicher Ebene differenzieren: Die Auswirkungen auf den Staat sind durch einen Rückgang an internationalem Einfluss und Macht, insbesondere in der Europäischen Union, negativ. Die Studie zeigt aber auch, dass die langfristigen Folgen des Geburtenrückgangs für den politischen Wettbewerb, die Kultur, den Arbeitsmarkt und die Wirtschaft nicht negativ sein müssen, wenn entsprechende Politikmaßnahmen erfolgen. Die Analyse identifiziert demografische und politische Stellschrauben für die Zukunft. Die Befunde dieser Fallstudie sind auch für andere Low-Fertility-Länder relevant, die einige Jahre später mit ähnlichen Prozessen konfrontiert sind.
Partner Market Opportunities and Relationship Stability
Authors: Rapp Ingmar , Klein Thomas , Fronk Sebastian , Stauder Johannes
Published: November 2020

Although partner market opportunities are generally considered to be important for relationship stability, they have never been measured accurately. In order to be able to test the anticipated effects of partner market opportunities, this study conceptualises them as individual opportunities for contact and interaction in concrete social contexts, like the neighbourhood, the workplace, leisure activities, etc. Using data from the German Marriage Market Survey, we first examine the impact of individual partner market opportunities on the risk of separation. Second, we examine to what extend the most frequently studied determinants of divorce and separation depend on partner market opportunities. Our results show that the number of opposite sex contacts increases the probability of separation. Sharing the same contacts with one’s partner decreases the risk of separation. Our results indicate further that reducing opposite sex contacts in the course of the relationship is partly responsible for the higher stability of longer-lasting relationships. Having a migration background is associated with fewer opposite sex contacts. This means that having a migration background would be more destabilising if these individuals did not have less opposite sex contacts than individuals without a migration background. In contrast, joint home ownership, church attendance, higher education and residing in western Germany would generally be more stabilising if these factors were not connected with more opposite sex contacts.
On the Relationship between Development and Fertility: The Case of the United States
Authors: Ryabov Igor
Published: November 2020

The present article addresses the question of whether there is a link between the spatial patterns of human development and period fertility in the United States at the county level. Using cross-sectional analyses of the relationship between Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and an array of human development indicators (pertaining to three components of the Human Development Index (HDI) – wealth, health, and education), this study sheds light on the relationship between fertility and human development. The analyses were conducted separately for urban, suburban and rural counties. According to the multivariate results, a negative association between selected human development indicators and TFR exists in suburban and rural counties, as well as in the United States as a whole. However, this is not the case for urban counties, where the results were inconclusive. Some indicators (e.g., median income per capita) were found to be positively, and some (e.g., the share of adults with at least bachelor’s degree) negatively, associated with TFR in urban counties. All in all, our results provide evidence of a negative relationship between human development indicators and period fertility in the United States at the county level, a finding which is consistent with the basic tenets of classic demographic transition theory.
Fertility in Germany before and after the 2011 Census: Still no Trend Reversal in Sight
Authors: Pötzsch Olga
Published: November 2020

The population projections by the German Federal Statistical Office show a likely decrease in the number of births in the 2020s. This development will be the result of a declining number of prospective mothers combined with an assumed continued low fertility rate. Given the available empirical findings prior to the 2011 census, there was no indication that a possible distinct rise in the fertility rate in the next decade would compensate for the declining number of potential mothers. However, the 2011 census led to revisions in the population size, age structure and consequently in relative fertility measures such as period and cohort fertility rates.The objective of this article is to quantify the effects of the 2011 census on these fertility statistics and to check the validity of previous findings for fertility trends on the census-adjusted data basis. A special focus is laid on analyses of the cohort fertility and the consequences of ever-later entry into motherhood on the completed fertility and on parity distribution. Using numerous findings, we will show that a continuous rise in the completed fertility in the coming two decades cannot be realised without a reversal of fertility behaviour. A greater increase in fertility from the age of 30 onwards would be necessary to offset the decrease in fertility for ages under 30 – a trend which intensified with cohort 1974 – and thereby stabilise the total cohort fertility rate at a relatively low level between 1.5 and 1.6 births per woman. A rise and subsequent stabilisation of the total cohort fertility rate at the level of at least 1.6 births per woman would, additionally, necessitate a trend reversal in the development of childlessness and distinct changes in birth timing.
Demografisches Bild der Fertilität in Deutschland vor und nach dem Zensus 2011: Noch keine Trendwende in Sicht
Authors: Pötzsch Olga
Published: November 2020

Die Bevölkerungsvorausberechnungen des Statistischen Bundesamtes zeigen einen voraussichtlichen Rückgang der Geborenenzahl in den 2020er Jahren. Zu dieser Entwicklung wird eine tendenziell rückläufige Anzahl der potenziellen Mütter in Kombination mit einer angenommenen weiterhin niedrigen Geburtenrate führen. Angesichts der vor dem Zensus 2011 vorliegenden empirischen Befunde gab es keine Hinweise darauf, dass eine im nächsten Jahrzehnt eventuell deutlich steigende Geburtenhäufigkeit die sinkende Anzahl potenzieller Mütter kompensieren würde. Der Zensus 2011 hat aber zu Korrekturen in der Bevölkerungsgröße, in der Altersstruktur und folglich in den relativen Maßzahlen der Fertilität wie z.B. der zusammengefassten Geburtenziffer und der endgültigen Kinderzahl je Frau geführt.Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, die Auswirkungen des Zensus 2011 auf die Maßzahlen der Fertilität zu quantifizieren und bisherige Befunde zu den Fertilitätstrends auf der zensusjustierten Datengrundlage auf ihre Gültigkeit zu prüfen. Ein besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf den Analysen zur Kohortenfertilität und den Folgen der immer späteren Familiengründung für die endgültige Kinderzahl und die Paritätsverteilung. Anhand von zahlreichen Befunden wird gezeigt, dass ein kontinuierlicher Wiederanstieg der endgültigen Kinderzahl je Frau in den kommenden zwei Jahrzehnten ohne Trendwende im Geburtenverhalten nicht realisierbar ist. Allein um den zunehmenden Rückgang der Fertilität im Alter unter 30 Jahren ab Jahrgang 1974 zu kompensieren und dadurch eine Stabilisierung der endgültigen Kinderzahl auf dem relativ niedrigen Niveau zwischen 1,5 und 1,6 Kindern je Frau zu erreichen, wäre eine verstärkte Zunahme der Fertilität im Alter ab 30 Jahren erforderlich. Ein Anstieg und eine anschließende Stabilisierung der endgültigen Kinderzahl auf dem Niveau von mindestens 1,6 Kindern je Frau würde darüber hinaus eine Trendumkehr in der Entwicklung der Kinderlosenquote und deutliche Veränderungen im Geburtentiming voraussetzen
Peripheralisation: The Missing Link in Dealing with Demographic Change?
Authors: Leibert Tim , Golinski Sophie
Published: November 2020

Demographic change is an uneven spatial process in Germany. Depopulation and ageing have become pressing issues in most rural regions. In connection with low population densities and the financial difficulties of municipalities and service providers in rural regions, these demographic trends have led to a discussion about the future provision of services of general interest and – more broadly – the postulate of equal living conditions which was for a long time the basic principle of spatial development in Germany. In this paper, we argue that the peripheralisation approach is a helpful tool to better understand how interaction of out-migration, dependence, disconnection and stigmatisation shape the future of rural regions. We also discuss the impact of peripheralisation on the development and implementation of adaptation strategies. Based on the 3R-model (retrenchment, repositioning, reorganisation), we argue that adaptation strategies can reinforce (retrenchment) peripheralisation processes, but also serve as groundwork for the formulation of policies aiming at de-peripheralisation.
Variation by Geographic Scale in the Migration-Environment Association: Evidence from Rural South Africa
Authors: Hunter Lori M. , Leyk Stefan , Maclaurin Galen J. , Nawrotzki Raphael , Twine Wayne , Erasmus Barend F.N. , Collinson Mark
Published: November 2020

Scholarly understanding of human migration’s environmental dimensions has greatly advanced in the past several years, motivated in large part by public and policy dialogue around “climate migrants”. The research presented here advances current demographic scholarship both through its substantive interpretations and conclusions, as well as its methodological approach. We examine temporary rural South African outmigration as related to household-level availability of proximate natural resources. Such “natural capital” is central to livelihoods in the region, both for sustenance and as materials for market-bound products. The results demonstrate that the association between local environmental resource availability and outmigration is, in general, positive: households with higher levels of proximate natural capital are more likely to engage in temporary migration. In this way, the general findings support the “environmental surplus” hypothesis that resource security provides a foundation from which households can invest in migration as a livelihood strategy. Such insight stands in contrast to popular dialogue, which tends to view migration as a last resort undertaken only by the most vulnerable households. As another important insight, our findings demonstrate important spatial variation, complicating attempts to generalize migration-environment findings across spatial scales. In our rural South African study site, the positive association between migration and proximate resources is actually highly localized, varying from strongly positive in some villages to strongly negative in others. We explore the socio-demographic factors underlying this “operational scale sensitivity”. The cross-scale methodologies applied here offer nuance unavailable within more commonly used global regression models, although also introducing complexity that complicates story-telling and inhibits generalizability.
When Paid Work Matters for Fertility Intentions and Subsequent Behavior: Evidence from Two Waves of the Austrian Gender and Generation Survey
Authors: Hanappi Doris , Buber-Ennser Isabella
Published: November 2020

The anticipated risk of job loss and material insecurity are related to fertility postponement in the same way as unemployment is. Given the sequential nature of fertility and occupational decisions, unfavorable working conditions should be resolved before having children, and result in an increase in people’s assignment of importance to paid work when developing their childbearing plans. We aim to demonstrate this link, focusing on perceived employment and material insecurity, the importance assigned to paid work in forming fertility intentions, the construction of fertility intentions, and their realization. Using two waves of the Austrian Generations and Gender Survey, we apply probit regressions to analyze gender variations in the associations between uncertainty conditions, the importance of paid work, fertility intentions and behavior. Results reveal that work and related benefits become salient when they are insecure, and that material insecurity among men discourages childbearing. For women, we find support for the hypothesis that the anticipated risk of job loss inhibits the realization of fertility intentions – intentions which are less likely to be constructed under such conditions from the onset of family planning processes.
Marital Status, Partnership and Health Behaviour: Findings from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS)
Authors: Hilz Regina , Wagner Michael
Published: November 2020

Numerous empirical studies have confirmed that married people have a lower risk of morbidity and mortality than unmarried people. However, there is relatively little existing research on the impact of marital status and partnerships on the health behaviour of elderly people in Europe. This study examines the association between partnership status and health-related behaviour among the German population in the second half of life (aged 40-85). We focus on four indicators of health behaviour: smoking, physical activity, body weight, and health check-ups. The data used in the analysis come from the 2008 (n=6,205) and 2014 (n=6,002) waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS). We applied logistic regression models with average marginal effects (AME).The results of our analysis are in line with the findings of previous studies, which indicated that being married has a protective effect on smoking and a negative effect on body weight. Crisis effects are found to be limited primarily to smoking by recently widowed people. Our study provides new empirical insights into the extent to which being married has protective effects on the use of health care, as people who are separated, divorced, or never married are found to be less likely to have regular health check-ups compared to married people. Furthermore, our results for physical activity are contrary to previous findings for younger adults, according to which being married is associated with a lower likelihood of participating in physical activities. The results of the data analyses show that at ages 40 and older, unmarried individuals, especially those who are not in a partnership, are at higher risk of physical inactivity than their married counterparts. Our findings on marital status and partnership status therefore demonstrate that being married is strongly associated with positive health behaviours. The results may be useful for designing health programmes or prevention measures.
Unequal Neighbours? A French-German Comparison of Family Size Intentions
Authors: Ruckdeschel Kerstin , Salles Anne , Diabaté Sabine , Toulemon Laurent , Régnier-Loilier Arnaud
Published: November 2020

The neighbouring countries France and Germany show very different levels of fertility. Differences also exist between the two regions of East and West Germany. The aim of this paper is to help close a remaining gap in explaining these differences by applying a cultural concept of role models. Data is based on the German survey “Family-related role models” (2012) and the French survey “Situation de couple, intentions de fécondité et opinions sur la famille”, ELIPSS (2013) offering a new approach to measuring the impact of social norms. The analysis uses multinomial logistic regression. We identified role models regarding the acceptance of childlessness on the one hand and large families on the other, as well as regarding the link between marriage and parenthood and the importance of financial security, suggesting different fertility-related cultures in France and Germany. There is a strong predominance of one general role model in France – that of having at least two children. In Germany, in contrast, there is a dominant role model – the two child family – but there are also several less central role models. The dominant model in France even leads to a sort of self-stigmatisation of individuals who want to stay childless, whereas childlessness is generally accepted in Germany. Role model differences between East and West Germany show a lower acceptance of large families and a higher acceptance of single-child families in the East. Our results highlight the importance of role models for fertility intentions as well as the relevance of cultural dimensions when studying the impact of the institutional framework on fertility.
Fertility Postponement and Regional Patterns of Dispersion in Age at First Birth: Descriptive Findings and Interpretations
Authors: Nathan Mathías , Pardo Ignacio
Published: November 2020

Previous studies have documented an increasing heterogeneity in first-birth timing in countries experiencing the postponement transition. Sobotka (2004), for instance, showed a rising dispersion in age at first birth in developed countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States, where the timing polarisation between more and less advantaged women is most evident. However, these studies have included few countries outside Europe and North America, and lack a thorough interpretation of the rising dispersion in first births. Our aim is to compare the evolution of dispersion in age at first birth in countries in Europe, East Asia, North America and South America. Using data from the Human Fertility Database and the Human Fertility Collection, we describe the evolution of the period mean age at first birth and its variance for 21 countries since 1970. In line with previous studies, our results show a widespread pattern of increasing heterogeneity in age at first birth after the onset of the postponement transition, although with marked differences among regions and countries. The greatest heterogeneity can be found in countries where timing of family formation varies greatly among women with different socioeconomic status. Chile and Uruguay, in particular, exhibit the highest heterogeneity even though they are at the beginning of the postponement transition. There is no general explanation of why dispersion increased as the mean age at first birth rose. Further studies in this area should investigate causes and interpretations of this trend, and develop measures for studying heterogeneity in fertility timing.
Residential Location Choices of Couples Considering both Partners’ Residential Biographies and Family Ties
Authors: Albrecht Janna , Döring Lisa , Holz-Rau Christian , Scheiner Joachim
Published: November 2020

We investigate couples’ residential decisions by considering variables capturing elements of both partners’ residential biographies and family ties. We focus on the family formation stage because decisions made in this stage are rather long-term. We are particularly interested in the hometown as individuals have spent a great amount of time and an important life phase there. Our research questions are: (1) To what extent do people live in their hometown at family formation? (2) Which factors influence this choice? We consider previous residential experiences, social ties, socio-demographic and spatial variables in binary logit regressions. The data was collected from a sample of students at TU Dortmund University, their parents, and grandparents. In this paper, the parent couples’ residential location choices are analysed considering family ties to the grandparents. We apply a rigorous split half method for internal model validation. Recent research on residential decisions mostly considers either the partners or the life-course or social ties. Due to our unique dataset, we include all these factors. This allows us to draw conclusions on gendered residential choice. We find the length of residence to be positively and number of moves negatively associated with living at the hometown, two factors that have not been disentangled in previous research. We could not confirm the often proven male dominance. On the contrary, we found that the female’s family ties were more relevant. The hometown has not received the attention it deserves to date and has the potential to enrich demographic research and related fields. The rigorous split half method for internal validation has rarely been undertaken previously. The results point to the importance of model validation and thus present an innovative approach.
Linked Lives across Borders: Economic Remittances to Ageing Parents in Romania
Authors: Földes Ionuț
Published: November 2020

Economic support is widespread among multigenerational Romanian family units separated by national borders and plays an important role for non-migrating family members. From a political economy perspective, remittances are characteristic of such long-term kin networks, which in turn are shaped by socio-structural contexts. This study aims to analyse transfers of remittances in cash and in kind from emigrant Romanian adult children to elderly parents back home. Both forms of upward support are investigated under the lens of family practices across distance. Data from a survey (Intergenerational solidarity in the context of work migration abroad. The situation of elderly left at home) are used to examine the influence on remittances of family commitments over time and of needs and opportunities. The sample includes 2109 parent-child dyads with data provided by elderly parents from all regions of Romania. Results of the logistic regression models show that stronger familial commitments increase the likelihood of remittances in cash and remittances in kind. Findings indicate the importance of filial support before migration and of various forms of intergenerational reciprocity. Our results stress that remittances in cash are more likely to be variable compared with remittances in kind. Both forms of support are part of a much broader set of family practices and intergenerational relationships but express different understandings of filial responsibility.
The Impact of Internal Migration on the Spatial Distribution of Population in Germany over the Period 1991-2017
Authors: Stawarz Nico , Sander Nikola
Published: November 2020

In 1885 and 1889 Ravenstein published two seminal papers on the role of migration in changing population distribution. This article analyses the importance of internal migration for shaping the spatial population distribution of Germany in the last three decades. We use a time-series dataset of annual inter-county migration flows from the German population register for the years 1991 to 2017. Population density is used as proxy measure for settlement type as an alternative to the commonly used BBSR typology. Our findings show that around 3 percent of the population moves between counties each year, and that the efficacy of internal migration in redistributing population has declined since the 1990s. Our results are in line with other recent work stating that the re-urbanisation phase, which was prevalent during the 2000s, has ended and sub-urbanisation patterns have become more prominent since 2011. We show that internal migration indeed plays an important role in shaping the distribution of population, especially the movements of young adults and families along the rural-urban continuum. In the 1990s and 2000s, internal migration tended to be more important for shaping regional populations than international migration and natural population change. Notably, this ranking reversed in the last few years and natural population change even became positive for densely settled regions.

* This article belongs to a special issue on “Internal Migration as a Driver of Regional Population Change in Europe: Updating Ravenstein”.
Unregistered Births of Adolescent Mothers in Turkey: Invisible Children
Authors: Keskin Faruk , Çavlin Alanur
Published: November 2020

This study examines birth registration for children of adolescent mothers based on family and citizenship concepts, and discusses the negotiation of registration practices between state and family in Turkey. The study is based on two data sources: official Turkish birth statistics from January 2009 to December 2015, and the Turkish Demographic and Health Survey from 2013 (TDHS-2013). We used TDHS-2013 to estimate birth registration completeness and timeliness in Turkey as of 2015. The results show 99 percent completion for birth registration of children under 5 years for the 2011-2015 period. For the same period, 98 percent of births to adolescent mothers were registered, but only 78 percent of all births to adolescent mothers were registered on time – within 30 days. Results indicate that the birth registration system is complete for Turkey in general, even for adolescent mothers, since their offspring are eventually registered, however the timeliness of registration is low for adolescent births. Late registration periods are shortening with time but the rights of unregistered children of adolescent mothers are slow to be recognized in cases where modern regulations of birth registration and traditional family practices collide.
Age-specific Migration in Regional Centres and Peripheral Areas of Russia
Authors: Karachurina Liliya , Mkrtchyan Nikita
Published: November 2020

Ravenstein, writing in 19th century papers, observed that migration varied with the life course. However, he did not investigate this variation in detail, as the necessary data were not then available. Age-specific migration has been a focus for researchers of migration in the 20th and 21st centuries. Building on this research, the current paper explores age-specific migration in Russia focussing on its spatial diversity. We compare age-specific migration patterns found in Russia and those observed in other developed countries. For this investigation, we mainly use Russian administrative data on residence registration for 2012-2016, together with information on populations by age in the latest census in 2010. The data are analysed using a classification of local administrative units classified by degree of remoteness from Russia’s principal cities (regional centres).

The main results are as follows: In Russia, young people participate strongly in migration flows between peripheral territories and regional centres. The net migration surplus in regional centres is mostly produced by the migration of 15-19 year-olds starting further and higher education courses. Peak migration occurs in this age group. This type of migration represents upward mobility in the spatial hierarchy because institutions of higher education are located in the large cities. People aged 20-29 and 30-39 migrate in much smaller numbers, but they also replenish the population of regional centres. The inflow of middle-aged migrants and families with children was directed to the areas located closest to the regional centres, the suburbs. This type of migration is observed in regions with a well-developed middle class with high purchasing power, for example, in the city of Moscow and in the Moscow Region.

Peripheral territories have similar profiles of age-specific migration, but of loss rather than gain. The farther they are from regional centres, the more significant the outflow of young people and the stronger the impact of migration on population ageing. The rural periphery and small cities attract only elderly migrants, but this inflow is far smaller than the outflow of young people. The directions and age selectivity of migration observed in other countries are thus also found in Russia, although there are important differences associated with the nature of housing in Russian cities and regions.

* This article belongs to a special issue on “Internal Migration as a Driver of Regional Population Change in Europe: Updating Ravenstein”.
Critical care nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a story of resilience
Authors: Thusini S'thembile
Published: November 2020

In this article, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse provides some reflections on caring for patients with COVID-19 and relates her lived experience to the concept of resilience. Similarities and differences to pre-pandemic understandings of resilience are drawn out and factors that mediate acute stress, resilience and psychological recovery during a pandemic are considered. Resources to support ICU nurses and other healthcare staff to manage stress and promote wellbeing are signposted, and important research directions that warrant attention are recommended. The story is one of learning and hope and, importantly, it captures key lessons that can equip healthcare staff with positive coping strategies in a time of unprecedented pressure.
Adaptation of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) to high and low altitudes in Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Astarini Ida Ayu , Defiani Made Ria , Suriani Ni Luh , Griffiths Phillip , Stefanova Katia , Siddique Kadambot
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Astarini IA, Defiani MR, Suriani NL, Griffiths PD, Stefanova K, Siddique KHM. 2020. Adaptation of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) to high and low altitudes in Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5263-5269. Broccoli is an important vegetable worldwide, with expanding markets and opportunities in Asia. In Indonesia, there is demand from high-end hotels, restaurants, and export markets, but the local supply is low quality and low yielding. Crown cuts are typically small and misshapen as the varieties are grown are not adapted to local environments. This study targeted new broccoli varieties to identify those best adapted to environmental stresses in Bali, Indonesia, using two-site replicated field experiments. Experiments were undertaken in two regions in Bali (Bedugul and Tabanan) using 13 commercial varieties that included heat-sensitive varieties and others identified as heat-tolerant in trials on the East Coast of the USA. The trials evaluated the varieties for crown initiation, days to maturity, crown size at harvest, crown diameter, and overall performance. The study demonstrated that all 13 varieties could be used for broccoli production in the Bedugul region (1200 m a.s.l. altitude), with Castle Dome being the best performer due to its earlier maturity and large high-quality crown. The varieties Bay Meadows, Belstar, Imperial, and Sarasota could be used in the Tabanan region.
Analysis of codon usage bias reveals optimal codons in Elaeis guineensis
Authors: Aditama Redi , Tanjung Zulfikar Achmad , Sudania Widyartini Made , Nugroho Yogo Adhi , Utomo Condro , Liwang Tony
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Aditama R, Tanjung ZA, Sudania WM, Nugroho YA, Utomo C, Liwang T. 2020. Analysis of codon usage bias reveals optimal codons in Elaeis guineensis. Biodiversitas 21: 5331-5337. Codon usage bias of oil palm genome was reported employing several indices, including GC content, relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), the effective number of codons (ENC), and codon adaptation index (CAI). Unimodal distribution of GC content was observed and matched with non-grass monocots characteristics. Correspondence analysis (COA) on synonymous codon usage bias showed that the main axis was strongly driven by GC content. The ENC and neutrality plot of oil palm genes indicating that natural selection played more vital role compared to mutational bias on shaping codon usage bias. A positive correlation between calculated CAI and experimental data of oil palm gene expression was detected indicating good ability of this index. Finally, eighteen codons were defined as “optimal codons” that may provide a useful reference for heterogeneous expression and genome editing studies.
Electromagnetically induced transparency in Raman gain for realizing a superluminal ring laser
Authors: Sternfeld Yael , Zhou Zifan , Scheuer Jacob , Shahriar S. M.
Published: November 2020

We describe an approach for realizing a superluminal ring laser using a single isotope of Rb vapor by producing electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in Raman gain. We show that by modifying the detuning and the intensity of the optical pump field used for generating the two-photon population inversion needed for generating Raman gain, it is possible to generate a dip in the center of the gain profile that can be tuned to produce a vanishingly small group index, as needed for making the Raman laser superluminal. We show that two such lasers, employing two different vapor cells, can be realized simultaneously, operating in counter-propagating directions in the same cavity, as needed for realizing a superluminal ring laser gyroscope. This technique, employing only one isotope, is much simpler than the earlier, alternative approach for realizing a superluminal Raman laser based on Raman gain and Raman dip in two isotopes [Zhou et. al, Opt. Express 27, 29738 (2019)10.1364/OE.27.029738]. We present both an approximate theoretical model based on four levels as well as the results of a model that takes into account all relevant hyperfine states corresponding to the D1 and D2 transitions in 85Rb atom. We also present experimental results, in good agreement with the theoretical model, to validate the approach.
Few-mode random fiber laser with a switchable oscillating spatial mode
Authors: Lv Jialiang , Li Hongxun , Zhang Yimin , Tao Runxia , Dong Zhipeng , Gu Chun , Yao Peijun , Zhu Yonggang , Chen Wei , Zhan Qiwen , Xu Lixin
Published: November 2020

Random fiber lasers are of tremendous interest to diverse applications for optical fiber sensing, speckle-free imaging. To date, random fiber lasers with fundamental mode oscillation have been well developed. However, controllable oscillating spatial mode in random fiber lasers have not been reported yet. Here, we propose and demonstrate a few-mode random fiber laser with a switchable oscillating spatial mode based on mode injection locking. An external signal light is injected to realize the locking of transverse mode in this random fiber laser and the direct oscillations of the fundamental mode, hybrid mode, and high order mode can be realized, respectively. This random fiber laser operates in the high-order LP11 mode stably with a threshold of as low as 88 mW. High efficiency and high purity cylindrical vector beams can be obtained by removing the degeneracy of the LP11 mode. This work may pave a path towards random fiber lasers with controllable spatial modes for specific applications in mode division multiplexing, imaging, and laser material processing.
Dynamic computational optical fringe mitigation in tunable laser absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Teng Chu C. , Zhang Eric J. , Xiong Chi , Green William M. J. , Wysocki Gerard
Published: November 2020

In optical spectroscopic systems where unwanted optical scattering cannot be eliminated, Fabry-Pérot etalons cause unpredictable changes in the spectral background. Frequent system calibration is then required to maintain the desired measurement accuracy, which presents a major limitation to the spectrometer. We introduce a computational approach to mitigate the adverse effects of optical fringing without hardware modifications. Motivated by experimental observations of complicated fringe behaviors, we simplify the problem by decomposing the fringe background into component etalons that can be addressed according to their individual characteristics. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on a silicon photonic methane sensor, where accurate measurements of methane concentration are obtained from spectral data strongly affected by optical fringes.
Utilizing a fully optical and reconfigurable PUF as a quantum authentication mechanism
Authors: Jacinto H. Shelton , Smith A. Matthew , Rafla Nader I.
Published: November 2020

In this work, the novel usage of a physically unclonable function composed of a network of Mach-Zehnder interferometers for authentication tasks is described. The physically unclonable function hardware is completely reconfigurable, allowing for a large number of seemingly independent devices to be utilized, thus imitating a large array of single-response physically unclonable functions. It is proposed that any reconfigurable array of Mach-Zehnder interferometers can be used as an authentication mechanism, not only for physical objects, but for information transmitted both classically and quantumly. The proposed use-case for a fully-optical physically unclonable function, designed with reconfigurable hardware, is to authenticate messages between a trusted and possibly untrusted party; verifying that the messages received are generated by the holder of the authentic device.
Comparing the reduction of poverty rate between China and Gabon through One Belt and Road Project
Authors: Nguembi Ines Pamela , Zhang Yanrong , Abdalla Haider Salaheldeen
Published: November 2020

The value of economic development and reduction of poverty has been at the forefront of research in many countries. However, little is thought about both China-Gabon. Data were collected employing a survey questionnaire approach to a sample of 210 financial sectors in China and Gabon. The results regarding Gabon show that governance reform can bring significant macro-financial benefits. Additionally, the results proposed that financial development significantly influence poverty reduction. Similarly, the results regarding china show development of the monetary sector significantly and positively impact poverty reduction during which, has been implemented for many years long term. This paper seeks to analyze causality between Gabon. There's an urgent need to enhance administration curb corruption order to increase domestic income, strengthen public management quality expenditure, business environment, promote investment both private sectors