Day care study showed no differences in long-term symptoms in children who were and were not infected during COVID-19 outbreaks

Peer Reviewe

Laser scored machining of fiber reinforced plastics to prevent delamination

Delamination is a major problem in contour milling of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) causing scrap or rework. Today, delamination avoidance limits overall productivity and tool life. Damage of the top layer of a composite structure is initiated if fibers are not cut during first engagement of the cutting edge, but deflected. Generated cracks propagate due to recurrent contact of fibers with the rotating tool. In contrast, when laser cutting FRP, the heat input often leads to an extensive heat-affected zone (HAZ), particularly in case of large laminate thickness and high energy input. Combination of both processes is a promising approach to overcome the mentioned disadvantages. Experiments indicate that pre-scoring of the top layer is possible with negligible HAZ for FRP materials using proper laser parameters, especially low energy input per unit length. Positioning of the laser scored kerf along the contour to be manufactured by the subsequent milling tool prevents crack propagation along the fiber direction even with a heavily worn milling tool at increased feed rate. Furthermore, laser pre-scoring eliminates protruding fibers and allows for edge chamfering. The process understanding is enhanced using simulation of the laser pre-scoring, particularly considering heat conduction and forced convection, as well as by presenting a model for the mechanism of delamination prevention.The project on which this paper is based is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics Affairs and Energy under funding code 20W1509C

Health in Germany: Establishment of a population-based health panel

Background: The panel infrastructure Health in Germany, which is currently being set up, is geared towards the needs of public health research in Germany. The panel will consist of extensive probability and non-probability samples. This infrastructure will be used to collect survey data, measurement data and laboratory data to describe the health situation on an ongoing basis and make them available promptly. Methods: For the initial drawing of the probability sample, the sampling frame of the residents’ registration offices (EMA) established in Germany is used. The study design follows a mixed-mode approach in which the invited persons can choose whether to participate in the survey online or in paper form. Four surveys per year are planned for the regular operation of the panel (regular annual wave). Ad-hoc studies on specific topics or acute issues are also possible. Conclusions: The panel provides a new infrastructure for continuous epidemiological studies to monitor the health of the population in Germany. This data basis strengthens the health monitoring and health reporting of the federal government, enabling a prompt and adaptable response to emerging data needs

Health in Germany: Establishment of a population-based health panel

Background: The panel infrastructure Health in Germany, which is currently being set up, is geared towards the needs of public health research in Germany. The panel will consist of extensive probability and non-probability samples. This infrastructure will be used to collect survey data, measurement data and laboratory data to describe the health situation on an ongoing basis and make them available promptly. Methods: For the initial drawing of the probability sample, the sampling frame of the residents’ registration offices (EMA) established in Germany is used. The study design follows a mixed-mode approach in which the invited persons can choose whether to participate in the survey online or in paper form. Four surveys per year are planned for the regular operation of the panel (regular annual wave). Ad-hoc studies on specific topics or acute issues are also possible. Conclusions: The panel provides a new infrastructure for continuous epidemiological studies to monitor the health of the population in Germany. This data basis strengthens the health monitoring and health reporting of the federal government, enabling a prompt and adaptable response to emerging data needs

Gesundheit in Deutschland: Etablierung eines bevölkerungsbezogenen Gesundheitspanels

Hintergrund: Die im Aufbau befindliche Panelinfrastruktur Gesundheit in Deutschland ist auf die Bedarfe der Public- Health-Forschung in Deutschland ausgerichtet. Das Panel wird sich aus umfangreichen probabilistischen sowie nicht-probabilistischen Stichproben zusammensetzen. Mittels dieser Infrastruktur sollen Befragungsdaten, Messdaten und Labordaten zur Beschreibung der gesundheitlichen Lage fortlaufend erhoben werden und zeitnah verfügbar sein. Methode: Für die initiale Ziehung der probabilistischen Stichprobe wird der in Deutschland etablierte Auswahlrahmen der Einwohnermeldeämter (EMA) genutzt. Das Studiendesign verfolgt einen Mixed-Mode-Ansatz, bei dem die eingeladenen Personen wählen können, ob sie online oder schriftlich an der Befragung teilnehmen. Der Regelbetrieb des Panels sieht vier Befragungen pro Jahr (regelhaft durchgeführte Jahreswelle) vor. Zusätzlich sind sog. Ad-hoc-Studien zu spezifischen Themen oder akut auftretenden Fragestellungen möglich. Schlussfolgerungen: Mit dem Panel wird eine neue Infrastruktur für kontinuierliche epidemiologische Studien zur Beobachtung der Gesundheit der Bevölkerung in Deutschland bereitgestellt. Diese Datengrundlage stärkt das Gesundheitsmonitoring und die Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes und ermöglicht es, rasch und flexibel auf neu auftretende Datenbedarfe zu reagieren

Gesundheit in Deutschland: Etablierung eines bevölkerungsbezogenen Gesundheitspanels

Hintergrund: Die im Aufbau befindliche Panelinfrastruktur Gesundheit in Deutschland ist auf die Bedarfe der Public- Health-Forschung in Deutschland ausgerichtet. Das Panel wird sich aus umfangreichen probabilistischen sowie nicht-probabilistischen Stichproben zusammensetzen. Mittels dieser Infrastruktur sollen Befragungsdaten, Messdaten und Labordaten zur Beschreibung der gesundheitlichen Lage fortlaufend erhoben werden und zeitnah verfügbar sein. Methode: Für die initiale Ziehung der probabilistischen Stichprobe wird der in Deutschland etablierte Auswahlrahmen der Einwohnermeldeämter (EMA) genutzt. Das Studiendesign verfolgt einen Mixed-Mode-Ansatz, bei dem die eingeladenen Personen wählen können, ob sie online oder schriftlich an der Befragung teilnehmen. Der Regelbetrieb des Panels sieht vier Befragungen pro Jahr (regelhaft durchgeführte Jahreswelle) vor. Zusätzlich sind sog. Ad-hoc-Studien zu spezifischen Themen oder akut auftretenden Fragestellungen möglich. Schlussfolgerungen: Mit dem Panel wird eine neue Infrastruktur für kontinuierliche epidemiologische Studien zur Beobachtung der Gesundheit der Bevölkerung in Deutschland bereitgestellt. Diese Datengrundlage stärkt das Gesundheitsmonitoring und die Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes und ermöglicht es, rasch und flexibel auf neu auftretende Datenbedarfe zu reagieren

German Health Update Fokus (GEDA Fokus) among Residents with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian, or Turkish Citizenship in Germany: Protocol for a Multilingual Mixed-Mode Interview Survey

BackgroundGermany has a long history of migration. In 2020, more than 1 person in every 4 people had a statistically defined, so-called migration background in Germany, meaning that the person or at least one of their parents was born with a citizenship other than German citizenship. People with a history of migration are not represented proportionately to the population within public health monitoring at the Robert Koch Institute, thus impeding differentiated analyses of migration and health. To develop strategies for improving the inclusion of people with a history of migration in health surveys, we conducted a feasibility study in 2018. The lessons learned were implemented in the health interview survey German Health Update (Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell [GEDA]) Fokus, which was conducted among people with selected citizenships representing the major migrant groups in Germany. ObjectiveGEDA Fokus aimed to collect comprehensive data on the health status and social, migration-related, and structural factors among people with selected citizenships to enable differentiated explanations of the associations between migration-related aspects and their impact on migrant health. MethodsGEDA Fokus is an interview survey among people with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian, or Turkish citizenship living in Germany aged 18-79 years, with a targeted sample size of 1200 participants per group. The gross sample of 33,436 people was drawn from the residents’ registration offices of 99 German municipalities based on citizenship. Sequentially, multiple modes of administration were offered. The questionnaire was available for self-administration (web-based and paper-based); in larger municipalities, personal or phone interviews were possible later on. Study documents and the questionnaire were bilingual—in German and the respective translation language depending on the citizenship. Data were collected from November 2021 to May 2022. ResultsOverall, 6038 respondents participated in the survey, of whom 2983 (49.4%) were female. The median age was 39 years; the median duration of residence in Germany was 10 years, with 19.69% (1189/6038) of the sample being born in Germany. The overall response rate was 18.4% (American Association for Public Opinion Research [AAPOR] response rate 1) and was 6.8% higher in the municipalities where personal interviews were offered (19.3% vs 12.5%). Overall, 78.12% (4717/6038) of the participants self-administered the questionnaire, whereas 21.88% (1321/6038) took part in personal interviews. In total, 41.85% (2527/6038) of the participants answered the questionnaire in the German language only, 16.69% (1008/6038) exclusively used the translation. ConclusionsOffering different modes of administration, as well as multiple study languages, enabled us to recruit a heterogeneous sample of people with a history of migration. The data collected will allow differentiated analyses of the role and interplay of migration-related and social determinants of health and their impact on the health status of people with selected citizenships. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/4350

Locally Resolved Membrane Binding Affinity of the N-Terminus of α-Synuclein

α-Synuclein is abundantly present in Lewy bodies, characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. Its exact physiological role has yet to be determined, but mitochondrial membrane binding is suspected to be a key aspect of its function. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with site-directed spin labeling allowed for a locally resolved analysis of the protein–membrane binding affinity for artificial phospholipid membranes, supported by a study of binding to isolated mitochondria. The data reveal that the binding affinity of the N-terminus is nonuniform