MoRe – Mobile Research: App-basierte Studien nach dem Baukastenprinzip

Die Erfassung der Effektivität von Behandlungsmethoden sowie von Therapieergebnissen steht in einer ergebnisorientierten medizinischen Versorgung immer mehr im Vordergrund klinischen und wissenschaftlichen Interesses. Daher erwarten Experten von mobilen Gesundheitslösungen (mHealth) unter anderem Verbesserungen in der Gesundheitsvorsorge und Krankheitsfrüherkennung, Kosteneinsparungen und/oder Qualitätsverbesserungen in der Leistungserbringung. Ziel des Projektes ist die Etablierung einer universellen Applikation, die es dem Anwender ermöglicht - entsprechend aktueller Standards in Bezug auf Patientensicherheit und Datenschutz und guter klinischer Praxis - ohne individuelle Programmierkenntnisse ein eigenes Forschungsprojekt zur systematischen und hochwertigen Datenerfassung von Patienten mit unterschiedlichsten Pathologien zusammenzustellen. Dabei werden, gemäß der immer wichtiger werdenden Versorgungsforschung, Patient-reported Outcome Parameter als wertvolles und zunehmend etabliertes Instrument zur Untersuchung von Therapieergebnissen eingesetzt. Lebensqualität als wichtiger messbarer Parameter bei nicht-vitalen Indikationen sei hier nur als Beispiel genannt. Zusammengestellte Studien werden über eine Smartphone-App für den Patienten zugänglich. Die hierdurch erfassten Daten kann der Wissenschaftler über eine webbasierte Oberfläche analysieren und zur weiteren Auswertung herunterladen. Öffentliche Studien können weltweit innerhalb der App gesucht werden. Geschlossene Studien sind privat

Tailored Charge Transfer Kinetics in Precursors for Organic Radical Batteries: A Joint Synthetic‐Theoretical Approach **

Abstract The development of sustainable energy storage devices is crucial for the transformation of our energy management. In this scope, organic batteries attracted considerable attention. To overcome the shortcomings of typically applied materials from the classes of redox‐active conjugated polymers (i. e., unstable cell voltages) and soft matter‐embedded stable organic radicals (i. e., low conductivity), a novel design concept was introduced, integrating such stable radicals within a conductive polymer backbone. In the present theory‐driven design approach, redox‐active (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyls (TEMPOs) were incorporated in thiophene‐based polymer model systems, while structure‐property relationships governing the thermodynamic properties as well as the charge transfer kinetics underlying the charging and discharging processes were investigated in a systematical approach. Thereby, the impact of the substitution pattern, the length as well as the nature of the chemical linker, and the ratio of TEMPO and thiophene units was studied using state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical and quantum dynamical simulations for a set of six molecular model systems. Finally, two promising candidates were synthesized and electrochemically characterized, paving the way to applications in the frame of novel organic radical batteries.Radical approach : Molecular models of stable organic radicals incorporated in a conjugated backbone, with application in the field of organic radical batteries, are investigated by means of multiconfigurational methods. The theory‐guided design allows to tune the charge transfer kinetics as well as the underlying thermodynamics. Auspicious systems are synthesized and characterized electrochemically. imag

Re-thinking the southern British oppida: networks, kingdoms and material culture

Copyright © 2010 SAGE Publications. Open access article.This article examines the role of a range of large settlements in late Iron Age and early Roman southern Britain (c. 100 BC–AD 70) conventionally described as oppida. After reviewing current perspectives on the function and chronology of British oppida, new insights are provided through the statistical analysis of assemblages of brooches and imported ceramics at a broad sample of sites. Analysis of material culture reveals distinct similarities and differences between several groups of sites, often transcending regional traditions and supposed tribal boundaries. This patterning is primarily explained by the emergence of new forms of political organization prior to Roman annexation, particularly the creation of the Southern and Eastern Kingdoms

A review of survival estimates for raptors and owls

This paper reviews the literature on survival estimates for different species of raptors and owls, examines the methods used to obtain the estimates, and draws out some general patterns arising. Estimating survival usually involves the marking of birds so that they can be recognized as individuals on subsequent encounters. Annual survival can then be estimated from: (1) birds ringed at known age (usually as nestlings) and subsequently reported by members of the public (usually as found dead), the ratio of recoveries at different ages being used to calculate annual survival; (2) marked breeding adults, trapped or re-sighted in subsequent years in particular study areas, with the proportion re-trapped (or re-sighted) in each year being taken as the minimum annual survival; (3) live encounter (trapped or re-sighted) of birds marked either as nestlings or breeding adults analysed using the capture–mark–recapture (or re-sighting) methods to estimate annual survival; (4) a combination of reports of known-age dead birds and re-trapping/re-sighting of live birds; (5) use of radio- or satellite-tracking to follow the fates of individuals; and (6) the integration of these methods with other information, such as change in numbers between years, to derive estimates of survival and other demographic parameters. Studies confined to particular areas usually give estimates of ‘apparent annual survival’, because they take no account of birds that leave the area. However, radio- or satellite-tracking makes it possible to estimate true survival, including survival of prebreeders that have low natal-site fidelity (this usually requires satellite telemetry). As in other birds, the preferred method for estimating survival has changed over time, as new and more robust methods of estimation have been developed. Methods 1 and 2 were the first to be developed, but without statistical underpinning, while methods 3–6 were developed later on the basis of formal statistical models. This difference has to be borne in mind in comparing older with newer estimates for particular species. Published survival estimates were found for three species of Cathartidae, one of Pandionidae, 29 of Accipitridae, 12 of Falconidae, one of Tytonidae and nine of Strigidae, almost all from temperate Northern Hemisphere species. In most of these species more than one estimate was available, and in some separate estimates for different age or sex groups. The main patterns to emerge included: (1) a significant tendency for annual adult survival to increase with body weight, smaller species having annual survival rates mainly of 60–70%, medium-sized species having rates mainly in the range 70–90% and the largest having rates of > 90%, in the absence of obvious human-caused losses; (2) a lower survival in the first or prebreeding years of life than in subsequent years; (3) a lack of obvious or consistent differences in survival between the sexes, where these could be distinguished; and (4) in the few species for which enough data were available, a decline in annual survival rates in the later years of life

Land and poverty: the role of soil fertility and vegetation quality in poverty reduction

The debate on the land-poverty nexus is inconclusive, with past research unable to identify the causal dynamics. We use a unique global panel dataset that links survey and census derived poverty data with measures of land ecosystems at the subnational level. Rainfall is used to overcome the endogeneity in the land-poverty relationship in an instrumental variable approach. This is the first global study using quasi-experimental methods to uncover the degree to which land improvements matter for poverty reduction. We draw three main conclusions. First, land improvements are important for poverty reduction in rural areas and particularly so for Sub-Saharan Africa. Second, land improvements are pro-poor: poorer areas see larger poverty alleviation effects due to improvements in land. Finally, irrigation plays a major role in breaking the link between bad weather and negative impacts on the poor through reduced vegetation growth and soil fertility

Evaluation of a measles vaccination campaign at the universities in the city of Zurich, 2019

OBJECTIVES: In 2019, there were 29 reported cases of measles in the Canton of Zurich, with two cases occurring among university students. In collaboration with the University of Zurich Travel Clinic, the Health Department of the Canton of Zurich offered free measles vaccination to all employees and students at the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). This short communication shares the results of this large measles vaccination campaign. STUDY DESIGN: Vaccination intervention campaign. METHODS: All employees and students at the UZH and ETH were informed via an email distribution list that they were eligible for cost-free consultation and measles vaccination (when indicated). Consultations and immunizations took place over the course of 3 days in June 2019 at the UZH Travel Clinic. All those who were missing one or two doses of measles vaccination, and had no contraindications, were vaccinated. Booster immunizations were offered until December 2019. RESULTS: A total of 411 individuals participated in the campaign. Thirty-five individuals (8.5%) were found to have sufficient measles vaccination on consultation and received no additional vaccination. A total of 376 individuals (91.5%) met the eligibility criteria and were vaccinated; 83 individuals (20.2% of all participants and 22.1% of those vaccinated) returned for a second vaccination. In total, the campaign saw 494 visits (including consultations without immunization and visits for second immunization). Demographic data were collected for 439 visits where measles vaccination was administered. From these, 51.7% were for an individual's first measles vaccine dose, 27.3% for a second dose, 18.9% for a booster immunization and 2.1% were unknown. 54.7% of campaign visits were made by females; and 45.0% of visits were made by those aged 18-29 years, 27.9% by those 30-39 years, 14.6% by those 40-49 years, and 12.6% by those 50+ years. 49.8% of visits were made by students and 48.5% by employees. More students needed the first dose (54.2% of first-dose visits), whereas more employees received booster immunization (57.8% of booster visits). CONCLUSIONS: The measles vaccination campaign was well attended, particularly by the younger age group 18-29 years and females. Coupled with intense media attention, such a campaign immediately following an outbreak may be an effective method to increase vaccination coverage

Motor Vehicle Density and Air Pollution in Greater Cairo : Fuel Subsidy Removal and Metro Line Extension and Their Effect on Congestion and Pollution

This report answers two questions: What is the statistical relationship between vehicle density in the streets of Greater Cairo and ambient air pollution in the city? And what are the effects of—one, the opening in recent years of another metro line and an extension to it, and two, the recent increases in fuel prices—on vehicle density and ambient air pollution