Usage and health perception of cannabidiol-containing products among the population in Germany: a descriptive study conducted in 2020 and 2021.

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating substance of Cannabis sativa L., is gaining consumer attention. Yet, legal regulations in the EU are complex and questions of potential health risks remain partly unanswered.

Does uptake of specialty care affect HRQoL development in COPD patients beneficially? A difference-in-difference analysis linking claims and survey data.

Background: There is an evidence gap on whether the choice of specialty care beneficially affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study analyzes how newly initiated pulmonologist care affects the generic and disease-specific HRQoL in COPD patients over a period of 1 year.

Methods: We linked claims data with data from two survey waves to investigate the longitudinal effect of specialty care on HRQoL using linear Difference-in-Difference models based on 1:3 propensity score matched data.

Effects of as-if risk framing of hazards on risk perception and its rebuttal.

Background: The difference between hazard and risk is crucial in risk assessment but rather unknown by non-experts. Hyper-partisan activists could use this knowledge gap to amplify risk perception by framing hazards as as-if risks, i.e.

Personal Protective Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany.

Objectives: The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and can only be contained if the majority of the population takes measures to protect themselves against infection. The present study aimed to investigate personal protective measures, their development over the course of the pandemic in Germany, and potential differences in behavior in terms of sex, age, and education.

Methods: Data from 20 waves of the serial cross-sectional study "BfR-Corona-Monitor" were analyzed.

Laser Structuring and DLC Coating of Elastomers for High Performance Applications.

Even though hard, low friction coatings such as diamond like carbon (DLC) would be beneficial for the performance and longevity of rubber seals, a crucial challenge remains. The elastic mismatch of rubber substrate and DLC coating prevents a fracture free coating application. In this work, a nature inspired approach is applied to render the stiff coating flexible and resilient to delamination at the same time by direct patterning.