The Darkside of Online Social Networks: Measuring the Negative Effects of Social Influence in Online Social Networks

This research conceptualizes and develops a scale of Susceptibility to Social Influence in the context of Online Social Networks such as Facebook or Instagram. Three studies find support for the conceptualization and for a valid and reliable scale. Next steps for scale development and its future application are discussed

Dose–response relationship between physical activity and mortality in people with non-communicable diseases: a study protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Introduction This study protocol outlines our planned systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of postdiagnosis physical activity and mortality in people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods and analysis This study is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis for Protocols. A systematic literature search will be conducted in various databases—namely, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science—by two researchers in order to identify prospective observational studies that investigate postdiagnosis physical activity or activity-related energy expenditure and mortality in individuals with NCDs. The target population is adults (≥18 years of age) with one of the following nine NCDs: low back pain, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, depressive disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke or ischaemic heart disease. We will focus on all-cause mortality as the primary outcome and investigate indication-specific mortality as the secondary outcome. For each study identified as a result of the literature search, we will conduct graphical dose-response analyses of mortality as a function of activity-related energy consumption. If more than two studies are available for one disease, we will perform linear and non-linear dose-response meta-analyses for said disease using random-effects models. We will investigate the heterogeneity of the studies and publication bias. To assess the risk of bias and the quality of the included studies, we will use the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions tool, which is a Cochrane tool

Prognostic scores in brain metastases from breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prognostic scores might be useful tools both in clinical practice and clinical trials, where they can be used as stratification parameter. The available scores for patients with brain metastases have never been tested specifically in patients with primary breast cancer. It is therefore unknown which score is most appropriate for these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five previously published prognostic scores were evaluated in a group of 83 patients with brain metastases from breast cancer. All patients had been treated with whole-brain radiotherapy with or without radiosurgery or surgical resection. In addition, it was tested whether the parameters that form the basis of these scores actually have a prognostic impact in this biologically distinct group of brain metastases patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The scores that performed best were the recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classes and the score index for radiosurgery (SIR). However, disagreement between the parameters that form the basis of these scores and those that determine survival in the present group of patients and many reported data from the literature on brain metastases from breast cancer was found. With the four statistically significant prognostic factors identified here, a 3-tiered score can be created that performs slightly better than RPA and SIR. In addition, a 4-tiered score is also possible, which performs better than the three previous 4-tiered scores, incl. graded prognostic assessment (GPA) score and basic score for brain metastases (BSBM).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A variety of prognostic models describe the survival of patients with brain metastases from breast cancer to a more or less satisfactory degree. However, the standard brain metastases scores might not fully appreciate the unique biology and time course of this disease, e.g., compared to lung cancer. It appears possible that inclusion of emerging prognostic factors will improve the results and allow for development and validation of a consensus score for broad clinical application. The model that is based on the authors own patient group, which is not large enough to fully evaluate a large number of potential prognostic factors, is meant to illustrate this point rather than to provide the definitive score.</p

Untersuchung von Opfern nach interpersoneller Gewalt

Interpersonal violence represents a widespread phenomenon with a high prevalence. Consequences of these acts of violence are serious and extensive to the victims and from a socio-economic point of view. Physical examination of the victims is a key aspect in the medic- legal expertise. This article describes the basic principles and the standard procedures in conjunction with the examination of violent crime victims

A Novel G-Quadruplex Binding Protein in Yeast—Slx9

G-quadruplex (G4) structures are highly stable four-stranded DNA and RNA secondary structures held together by non-canonical guanine base pairs. G4 sequence motifs are enriched at specific sites in eukaryotic genomes, suggesting regulatory functions of G4 structures during different biological processes. Considering the high thermodynamic stability of G4 structures, various proteins are necessary for G4 structure formation and unwinding. In a yeast one-hybrid screen, we identified Slx9 as a novel G4-binding protein. We confirmed that Slx9 binds to G4 DNA structures in vitro. Despite these findings, Slx9 binds only insignificantly to G-rich/G4 regions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as demonstrated by genome-wide ChIP-seq analysis. However, Slx9 binding to G4s is significantly increased in the absence of Sgs1, a RecQ helicase that regulates G4 structures. Different genetic and molecular analyses allowed us to propose a model in which Slx9 recognizes and protects stabilized G4 structures in vivo

Why we need postmortem analysis of cardiac implantable electronic devices

The prevalence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is increasing. However, postmortem analysis of CIEDs is not performed routinely. Fourteen consecutive CIEDs were analyzed. The indication for and date of implantation, technical data, CIED reprogramming, heart rhythm disturbances, patient demographics and medical consultations were investigated. Death during the first year after implantation was seen in 54%, whereof 71% consulted a physician within 10 days before death. The time of death was attributed to a particular day in 29%. There was a relationship between CIEDs and cause/manner of death in 50%. Although limited by a small sample size, this study advocates the routine postmortem CIED analysis for forensic and clinical purposes in selected cases. Patients with CIEDs seem to show an increased risk of death during the first year after implantation. The analysis of CIEDs can be helpful in evaluating the time/cause/manner of death

Im Dialog mit der Umwelt und der Praxis

Die Broschüre bietet Einblick in unterschiedliche FiBL Forschungsprojekte – von Analysen im Labor bis hin zu Versuchen auf Praxisbetrieben. Darüber hinaus werden die sechs Standorte der FiBL Gruppe innerhalb Europas vorgestellt. Neben dem Standort Schweiz ist das FiBL in Deutschland, Österreich, Frankreich, Ungarn und Brüssel mit einem Team engagierter Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter vertreten

Multi-Payload Integration Lessons Learned from Space Test Program Mission S26

Space Test Program Mission S26 (STP-S26) was a complex multi-payload mission launched from Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska on November 20, 2010. A Minotaur-IV launch vehicle placed ten objects into two different orbits. The Stage 4 rocket motor placed four Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA)-class satellites and two CubeSats into the primary orbit. A Hydrazine Auxiliary Propulsion System (HAPS) then delivered two test ballast masses into a secondary orbit as a technology demonstration to prove dual-orbit capability of the Minotaur-IV. In addition, a CubeSat, ejected from one of the free-flying ESPA-class satellites on January 20, 2011, and one of the ESPA-class satellites (FASTRAC) separated into two satellites on March 22, 2011. Multi-payload missions always present unique challenges and STP-S26 was no exception. Through the use of a “lessons learned” database, the STP-S26 program office was able to leverage the experiences gained from previous multi-payload missions. One previous mission in particular was the STP-1 mission launched on an Atlas V in March 2007. STP-1 separated four ESPA-class satellites and a larger satellite pair into two orbits. This paper will review the key challenges and lessons learned from the STP-S26 mission pertaining to multi-payload integration and launch. Lessons were derived from requirements and interface management, technical, logistical, and managerial aspects of the mission. Some of the areas reviewed in the paper include: Unique requirements for multi-payload missions and verification of those requirements; Mechanical fit checks; Procedures for integrated operations such as multi-satellite mate; Integrated tip off and separation analysis; Multi-payload coupled loads analysis; Meeting environmental, debris, and de-orbit requirements; Logistic scheduling of payload arrival and pre-launch checkout in a shared processing facility; Efficient & timely communication across teams; Finite Element Model and mass properties early requirement definition; Risk Management Process; Interface Control Document verifications; and Space Debris Assessment Report (SDAR), Launch Conjunction Assessment Support Package (LCASP), and policy exception processes. The number of multi-payload missions is expected to grow with the trend toward smaller spacecraft. Multi-payload enablers such as ESPA Standard Service, Minotaur-IV Multi-payload Adaptor, and Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) CubeSat capabilities will continue to create rideshare opportunities in the future for the small satellite community. The DoD Space Test Program has been at the center of developing and demonstrating the utility of launching multiple payloads from a single launch vehicle. Applying the lessons learned from STP-S26 andprevious multi-payload missions will reduce the technical risk and help maximize success for future multi-payload missions