IAB-Haushaltspanel Lebensqualität und soziale Sicherung : Interviewerhandbuch Welle 5 - 2011

"Im Zeitraum von Februar bis Juni 2011 werden ca. 12.000 Haushalte und etwa 20.000 Personen in Deutschland zu ihrer sozialen Sicherung und Lebensqualität befragt. Es handelt sich hierbei um die fünfte Befragungswelle der IAB-Panelstudie PASS. Der größte Teil der Haushalte wurde bereits viermal befragt und hat das Einverständnis für ein weiteres Interview gegeben. Daneben wurden in jeder Welle auch neue Haushalte für die Langzeitstudie ausgewählt. Diese ca. 1.000 Haushalte werden jeweils zum ersten Mal befragt." Der Methodenreport gibt den Interviewern Hinweise zu den Hintergründen der Studie, zur Durchführung der Befragung, zur Kontaktaufnahme mit den Befragungshaushalten und zum Interviewer-Verhalten. Weiterhin werden Informationen zum Fragebogen gegeben. (IAB2)IAB-Haushaltspanel, Befragung - Handbuch, Durchführungsanweisung, Datengewinnung

An automated pipeline for high-throughput label-free quantitative proteomics

We present a computational pipeline for the quantification of peptides and proteins in label-free LC-MS/MS data sets. The pipeline is composed of tools from the OpenMS software framework and is applicable to the processing of large experiments (50+ samples). We describe several enhancements that we have introduced to OpenMS to realize the implementation of this pipeline. They include new algorithms for centroiding of raw data, for feature detection, for the alignment of multiple related measurements, and a new tool for the calculation of peptide and protein abundances. Where possible, we compare the performance of the new algorithms to that of their established counterparts in OpenMS. We validate the pipeline on the basis of two small data sets that provide ground truths for the quantification. There, we also compare our results to those of MaxQuant and Progenesis LC-MS, two popular alternatives for the analysis of label-free data. We then show how our software can be applied to a large heterogeneous data set of 58 LC-MS/MS runs

Ionic Combisomes: A New Class of Biomimetic Vesicles to Fuse with Life

The construction of biomembranes that faithfully capture the properties and dynamic functions of cell membranes remains a challenge in the development of synthetic cells and their application. Here a new concept for synthetic cell membranes based on the self‐assembly of amphiphilic comb polymers into vesicles, termed ionic combisomes (i‐combisomes) is introduced. These combs consist of a polyzwitterionic backbone to which hydrophobic tails are linked by electrostatic interactions. Using a range of microscopies and molecular simulations, the self‐assembly of a library of combs in water is screened. It is discovered that the hydrophobic tails form the membrane's core and force the backbone into a rod conformation with nematic‐like ordering confined to the interface with water. This particular organization resulted in membranes that combine the stability of classic polymersomes with the biomimetic thickness, flexibility, and lateral mobility of liposomes. Such unparalleled matching of biophysical properties and the ability to locally reconfigure the molecular topology of its constituents enable the harboring of functional components of natural membranes and fusion with living bacteria to “hijack” their periphery. This provides an almost inexhaustible palette to design the chemical and biological makeup of the i‐combisomes membrane resulting in a powerful platform for fundamental studies and technological applications

An Automated Pipeline for High-Throughput Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics

We present a computational pipeline for the quantification of peptides and proteins in label-free LC–MS/MS data sets. The pipeline is composed of tools from the OpenMS software framework and is applicable to the processing of large experiments (50+ samples). We describe several enhancements that we have introduced to OpenMS to realize the implementation of this pipeline. They include new algorithms for centroiding of raw data, for feature detection, for the alignment of multiple related measurements, and a new tool for the calculation of peptide and protein abundances. Where possible, we compare the performance of the new algorithms to that of their established counterparts in OpenMS. We validate the pipeline on the basis of two small data sets that provide ground truths for the quantification. There, we also compare our results to those of MaxQuant and Progenesis LC–MS, two popular alternatives for the analysis of label-free data. We then show how our software can be applied to a large heterogeneous data set of 58 LC–MS/MS runs

How to tackle the molecular species inventory for an industrialized nation – lessons from the first phase of the German Barcode of Life initiative GBOL (2012-2015)

Biodiversity loss is mainly driven by human activity. While concern grows over the fate of hot spots of biodiversity, contemporary species losses still prevail in industrialized nations. Therefore, strategies were formulated to halt or reverse the loss, driven by evidence for its value for ecosystem services. Maintenance of the latter through conservation depends on correctly identified species. To this aim, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the GBOL project, a consortium of natural history collections, botanic gardens, and universities working on a barcode reference database for the country’s fauna and flora. Several noticeable findings could be useful for future campaigns: (i) validating taxon lists to serve as a taxonomic backbone is time-consuming, but without alternative; (ii) offering financial incentives to taxonomic experts, often citizen scientists, is indispensable; (iii) completion of the libraries for widespread species enables analyses of environmental samples, but the process may not hold pace with technological advancements; (iv) discoveries of new species are among the best stories for the media; (v) a commitment to common data standards and repositories is needed, as well as transboundary cooperation between nations; (vi) after validation, all data should be published online via the BOLD to make them searchable for external users and to allow cross-checking with data from other countries