Right-Wing Extremist Framing on YouTube: Forms of Representation and Aesthetics of Influencers of the German Far-Right Movement ‹Identitäre Bewegung›

Die deutschsprachige rechtsextreme Szene ist auf YouTube aktiv. Rechtsextreme Influencerinnen und Influencer veröffentlichen regelmässig Videos, in denen sie politische Themen aufgreifen. Mit ihren Inhalten erreichen sie zum Teil hunderttausende Menschen. Dieser Beitrag analysiert anhand der Erkenntnisse der Framing-Theorie, die davon ausgeht, dass die Art, wie ein Ereignis beschrieben und dargestellt wird, Auswirkungen auf dessen Interpretation durch die Rezipierenden hat, fünf Videos von Produzierenden der rechtsextremen Identitären Bewegung mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Dabei wird deutlich, dass sich die Produzierenden der gängigen Ästhetik der Plattform anpassen und dass die sich humoristischer Stilmittel bedienen, um ihre Inhalte weniger radikal wirken zu lassen. Ausserdem nutzen sie teilweise Ästhetiken und Strategien, die aus Nachrichtenformaten bekannt sind. So bedienen sie bekannte Sehgewohnheiten der Rezipierenden. Ausserdem erhalten die Videos so den Anschein, journalistisch recherchiert und belegt zu sein, obwohl dies nicht der Fall ist. Diese Ergebnisse bieten nicht nur einen Einblick in die Kommunikationsstrategien rechtsextremer Gruppierungen, sondern auch wichtige Anknüpfungspunkte für die praktische Arbeit gegen Rechts.The German-speaking right-wing extremist scene is active on YouTube. Right-wing extremist influencers regularly publish videos in which they address political issues. Some of them reach hundreds of thousands of people with their content. Based on the findings of the framing theory, which assumes that the way an event is described and presented has an impact on the interpretation of the event by the recipients, this study analyses five videos by influencers of the far-right movement ‹Identiäre Bewegung›, using qualitative content analysis. It is evident that the YouTubers adapt to the common aesthetics of the platform and that they use humorous stylistic devices to make their content seem less radical. In addition, they partly use aesthetics and strategies that are familiar from news formats. This way, they serve familiar viewing habits of the recipients. In addition, the videos appear to be journalistically researched and verified, although this is not the case. These results not only offer an insight into the communication strategies of right-wing extremist groups, but also important starting points for practical work against the far right

MOSGA: Modular Open-Source Genome Annotator

The generation of high-quality assemblies, even for large eukaryotic genomes, has become a routine task for many biologists thanks to recent advances in sequencing technologies. However, the annotation of these assemblies - a crucial step towards unlocking the biology of the organism of interest - has remained a complex challenge that often requires advanced bioinformatics expertise. Here we present MOSGA, a genome annotation framework for eukaryotic genomes with a user-friendly web-interface that generates and integrates annotations from various tools. The aggregated results can be analyzed with a fully integrated genome browser and are provided in a format ready for submission to NCBI. MOSGA is built on a portable, customizable, and easily extendible Snakemake backend, and thus, can be tailored to a wide range of users and projects. We provide MOSGA as a publicly free available web service at https://mosga.mathematik.uni-marburg.de and as a docker container at registry.gitlab.com/mosga/mosga:latest. Source code can be found at https://gitlab.com/mosga/mosg

IncP ‐type plasmids carrying genes for antibiotic resistance or for aromatic compound degradation are prevalent in sequenced Aromatoleum and Thauera strains

Self-transferable plasmids of the incompatibility group P-1 (IncP-1) are considered important carriers of genes for antibiotic resistance and other adaptive functions. In the laboratory, these plasmids have a broad host range; however, little is known about their in situ host profile. In this study, we discovered that Thauera aromatica K172T, a facultative denitrifying microorganism capable of degrading various aromatic compounds, contains a plasmid highly similar to the IncP-1 ε archetype pKJK5. The plasmid harbours multiple antibiotic resistance genes and is maintained in strain K172T for at least 1000 generations without selection pressure from antibiotics. In a subsequent search, we found additional nine IncP-type plasmids in a total of 40 sequenced genomes of the closely related genera Aromatoleum and Thauera. Six of these plasmids form a novel IncP-1 subgroup designated θ, four of which carry genes for anaerobic or aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. Pentanucleotide sequence analyses (k-mer profiling) indicated that Aromatoleum spp. and Thauera spp. are among the most suitable hosts for the θ plasmids. Our results highlight the importance of IncP-1 plasmids for the genetic adaptation of these common facultative denitrifying bacteria, and provide novel insights into the in situ host profile of these plasmids

Health status of the advanced elderly in six european countries: results from a representative survey using EQ-5D and SF-12

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Due to demographic change, the advanced elderly represent the fastest growing population group in Europe. Health problems tend to be frequent and increasing with age within this cohort.</p> <p>Aims of the study</p> <p>To describe and compare health status of the elderly population in six European countries and to analyze the impact of socio-demographic variables on health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), representative non-institutionalized population samples completed the EQ-5D and Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaires as part of personal computer-based home interviews in 2001-2003. This study is based on a subsample of 1659 respondents aged ≥ 75 years from Belgium (n = 194), France (n = 168), Germany (n = 244), Italy (n = 317), the Netherlands (n = 164) and Spain (n = 572). Descriptive statistics, bivariate- (chi-square tests) and multivariate methods (linear regressions) were used to examine differences in population health.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>68.8% of respondents reported problems in one or more EQ-5D dimensions, most frequently pain/discomfort (55.2%), followed by mobility (50.0%), usual activities (36.6%), self-care (18.1%) and anxiety/depression (11.6%). The proportion of respondents reporting any problems increased significantly with age in bivariate analyses (age 75-79: 65.4%; age 80-84: 69.2%; age ≥ 85: 81.1%) and differed between countries, ranging from 58.7% in the Netherlands to 72.3% in Italy. The mean EQ VAS score was 61.9, decreasing with age (age 75-79: 64.1; age 80-84: 59.8; age ≥ 85: 56.7) and ranging from 60.0 in Italy to 72.9 in the Netherlands. SF-12 derived Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores varied little by age and country. Age and low educational level were associated with lower EQ VAS and PCS scores. After controlling for socio-demographic variables and reported EQ-5D health states, mean EQ VAS scores were significantly higher in the Netherlands and Belgium, and lower in Germany than the grand mean.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>More than two thirds of the advanced elderly report impairment of health status. Impairment increases rapidly with age but differs considerably between countries. In all countries, health status is significantly associated with socio-demographic variables.</p

Anaerobic Microbial Degradation of Hydrocarbons: From Enzymatic Reactions to the Environment

Hydrocarbons are abundant in anoxic environments and pose biochemical challenges to their anaerobic degradation by microorganisms. Within the framework of the Priority Program 1319, investigations funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft on the anaerobic microbial degradation of hydrocarbons ranged from isolation and enrichment of hitherto unknown hydrocarbon-degrading anaerobic microorganisms, discovery of novel reactions, detailed studies of enzyme mechanisms and structures to process-oriented in situ studies. Selected highlights from this program are collected in this synopsis, with more detailed information provided by theme-focused reviews of the special topic issue on 'Anaerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons' [this issue, pp. 1-244]. The interdisciplinary character of the program, involving microbiologists, biochemists, organic chemists and environmental scientists, is best exemplified by the studies on alkyl-/arylalkylsuccinate synthases. Here, research topics ranged from in-depth mechanistic studies of archetypical toluene-activating benzylsuccinate synthase, substrate-specific phylogenetic clustering of alkyl-/arylalkylsuccinate synthases (toluene plus xylenes, p-cymene, p-cresol, 2-methylnaphthalene, n-alkanes), stereochemical and co-metabolic insights into n-alkane-activating (methylalkyl) succinate synthases to the discovery of bacterial groups previously unknown to possess alkyl-/arylalkylsuccinate synthases by means of functional gene markers and in situ field studies enabled by state-of-the-art stable isotope probing and fractionation approaches. Other topics are Mo-cofactor-dependent dehydrogenases performing O-2-independent hydroxylation of hydrocarbons and alkyl side chains (ethylbenzene, p-cymene, cholesterol, n-hexadecane), degradation of p-alkylated benzoates and toluenes, glycyl radical-bearing 4-hydroxyphenylacetate decarboxylase, novel types of carboxylation reactions (for acetophenone, acetone, and potentially also benzene and naphthalene), W-cofactor-containing enzymes for reductive dearomatization of benzoyl-CoA (class II benzoyl-CoA reductase) in obligate anaerobes and addition of water to acetylene, fermentative formation of cyclohexanecarboxylate from benzoate, and methanogenic degradation of hydrocarbons

The OTUD6B-LIN28B-MYC axis determines the proliferative state in multiple myeloma

Deubiquitylases (DUBs) are therapeutically amenable components of the ubiquitin machinery that stabilize substrate proteins. Their inhibition can destabilize oncoproteins that may otherwise be undruggable. Here, we screened for DUB vulnerabilities in multiple myeloma, an incurable malignancy with dependency on the ubiquitin proteasome system and identified OTUD6B as an oncogene that drives the G1/S-transition. LIN28B, a suppressor of microRNA biogenesis, is specified as a bona fide cell cycle-specific substrate of OTUD6B. Stabilization of LIN28B drives MYC expression at G1/S, which in turn allows for rapid S-phase entry. Silencing OTUD6B or LIN28B inhibits multiple myeloma outgrowth in vivo and high OTUD6B expression evolves in patients that progress to symptomatic multiple myeloma and results in an adverse outcome of the disease. Thus, we link proteolytic ubiquitylation with post-transcriptional regulation and nominate OTUD6B as a potential mediator of the MGUS-multiple myeloma transition, a central regulator of MYC, and an actionable vulnerability in multiple myeloma and other tumors with an activated OTUD6B-LIN28B axis.</p

Symptoms and Needs of Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer: Early Prevalence Assessment

Background: Little is known on symptom burden, psychosocial needs, and perception of prognosis in advanced lung cancer patients at the time of diagnosis, although early assessment is strongly recommended within the setting of daily routine care. Methods: Twelve study sites cross-sectionally assessed symptoms and psychosocial needs of patients suffering from newly diagnosed incurable lung cancer. Assessment comprised NCCN distress thermometer, FACT-L, SEIQoL-Q, PHQ-4, and shortened and modified SCNS-SF-34 questionnaires. Additional prognostic information from both patients and physicians were collected. Results: A total of 208 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 63.6 years, 58% were male, 84% suffered from stage IV lung cancer, and 71% had an ECOG performance status of 0–1. Mean distress level was 5.4 (SD 2.5), FACT-L total score was 86 (21.5), and TOI 50.5 (14.9). PHQ-4 was 4.6 (3.3), and shortened and modified SCNS-SF-34 showed 9 (8.7) unmet needs per patient. According to their physicians’ perspective, 98.1% of patients were reflecting on and 85.2% were accepting incurability, while 26.5% of patients considered the treatment to be of curative intent. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize substantial domains of symptom burden seen in newly diagnosed, incurable lung cancer patients. Oncologists should be aware of these features and address prognostic issues early in the disease trajectory to facilitate opportunities to improve coping, advance care planning, and appropriate integration of palliative care, thus improving quality of life

Quantitative Comparison of Different Approaches for Reconstructing the Carbon-Binder Domain from Tomographic Image Data of Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries and Its Influence on Electrochemical Properties

It is well known that the spatial distribution of the carbon binder domain CBD offers a large potential to further optimize lithium ion batteries. However, it is challenging to reconstruct the CBD from tomographic image data obtained by synchrotron tomography. Herein, several approaches are considered to segment 3D image data of two different cathodes into three phases, namely, active material, CBD, and pores. More precisely, it is focused on global thresholding, a local closing approach based on energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy data, a k means clustering method, and a procedure based on a neural network that has been trained by correlative microscopy, i.e., based on data gained by synchrotron tomography and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy data representing the same electrode. The impact of the considered segmentation approaches on morphological characteristics as well as on the resulting performance by spatially resolved transport simulations is quantified. Furthermore, experimentally determined electrochemical properties are used to identify an appropriate range for the effective transport parameter of the CBD. The developed methodology is applied to two differently manufactured cathodes, namely, an ultrathick unstructured cathode and a two layer cathode with varying CBD content in both layers. This comparison elucidates the impact of a specific structuring concept on the 3D microstructure of cathode