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Religion and Development: Alternative Visions, Credibility, and Networks as Religious Assets for Sustainable Development?
No full textReligious organizations have become crucial actors in international development. However, scholarly discussions have largely ignored the dynamics that shape their impact on the ground. This article examines these dynamics by assessing three claims about the specific developmental assets of religious organizations: (a) their credibility in the eyes of their beneficiaries; (b) their control over far-flung social networks; and (c) the idea that religious organizations pursue alternative visions of development. Drawing on existing research, we study these claims in two development sectors: healthcare and environmental sustainability. The results complicate linear narratives of the positive impact of religions on development. Dynamics internal to the religious field sometimes lead to practices that run counter to the Sustainable Development Goals, while institutional pressures in the field of international development push religious organizations to become more similar to their secular counterparts. We suggest the need for alternative frameworks that go beyond prevailing secularization and de-secularization narratives to pay attention to the institutional field dynamics that shape religious development initiatives
Prädiktion des strukturellen Gewebeoutcomes bei Schlaganfallpatienten mit Verschluss der proximalen hirnversorgenden Arterien und mechanischer Thrombektomie mittels multipler logistischer Regression
No full textWir implementierten ein massenunivariates logistisches Modell zur Vorhersage des Gewebeoutcomes eines Hirninfarktes in Abhängigkeit vom Thrombektomieerfolg im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Schwellenwertmethode. Basierend auf Daten von insgesamt 405 Schlaganfallpatienten trainierten, optimierten und evaluierten wir das Modell auf unabhängigen internen sowie externen Datensätzen und verglichen die Ergebnisse der beiden Methoden.
Nach den Optimierungsschritten blieben nur die Perfusionsparameterkarten und der Rekanalisierungsstatus sowie deren Interaktionen als Prädiktoren übrig. Dieses Ergebnis stützt den Stellenwert der Perfusionsbildgebung als Surrogatparameter für den Gewebsuntergang und weist darauf hin, dass weder die native oder angiographische Bildgebung noch die weiteren analysierten Prädiktoren, insbesondere die Zeit seit Symptombeginn und der NIHSS Score, eine darüber hinausgehende Erklärung der Varianz liefern.
Es zeigte sich eine Überlegenheit des logistischen Modells gegenüber der schwellenwertbasierten Methode in der topologischen Genauigkeit sowie, hinsichtlich der internen Validierungskohorte, in der räumlichen Genauigkeit. Die fehlende Übertragbarkeit der räumlichen Genauigkeit auf die externe Testkohorte dürfte auf die durchschnittlich häufiger im späten erweiterten Zeitfenster durchgeführte Thrombektomie im Dresdener Datensatz zurückzuführen sein.
Eine Verbesserung der topographischen und räumlichen Genauigkeit könnte in Zukunft insbesondere in Kombination mit Modellen zur Vorhersage der funktionellen Erholung von Bedeutung sein. Zudem handelt es sich beim generalisierten linearen Modell im Vergleich zu neueren Algorithmen aus dem Bereich des maschinellen Lernens um ein gut verstandenes und mathematisch nachvollziehbares Modell, sodass es als potentielles Basismodell zum Vergleich mit neueren Methoden einen wichtigen Stellenwert einnimmt.:1. Einführung
1.1. Der ischämische Schlaganfall
1.2. Bildgebung
1.3. Mismatch Konzept
1.4. Therapie
1.5. Herleitung der Fragestellung
1.6. Hypothesen
2. Publikation
3. Zusammenfassung
4. Literaturverzeichnis
5. Anlagen
5.1. Darstellung des eigenen Beitrages
5.2 Erklärung über die eigenständige Abfassung der Arbeit
5.3 Lebenslauf
5.4 Publikationen
5.5 Danksagunge
Prioritizing the reassessment of data-deficient species on the IUCN Red List
No full textDespite being central to the implementation of conservation policies, the usefulness of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is hampered by the 14% of species classified as data-deficient (DD) because information to evaluate these species’ extinction risk was lacking when they were last assessed or because assessors did not appropriately account for uncertainty. Robust methods are needed to identify which DD species are more likely to be reclassified in one of the data-sufficient IUCN Red List categories. We devised a reproducible method to help red-list assessors prioritize reassessment of DD species and tested it with 6887 DD species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). For each DD species in these groups, we calculated its probability of being classified in a data-sufficient category if reassessed today from covariates measuring available knowledge (e.g., number of occurrence records or published articles available), knowledge proxies (e.g., remoteness of the range), and species characteristics (e.g., nocturnality); calculated change in such probability since last assessment from the increase in available knowledge (e.g., new occurrence records); and determined whether the species might qualify as threatened based on recent rate of habitat loss determined from global land-cover maps. We identified 1907 species with a probability of being reassessed in a data-sufficient category of >0.5; 624 species for which this probability increased by >0.25 since last assessment; and 77 species that could be reassessed as near threatened or threatened based on habitat loss. Combining these 3 elements, our results provided a list of species likely to be data-sufficient such that the comprehensiveness and representativeness of the IUCN Red List can be improved
Parental support in esports through the lens of the theory of planned behaviour
No full textEsports have grown substantially in the last decade and may be an effective way
of engaging and exposing the youth, who is not actively participating in
traditional sports, to the benefits of sports related performance environments.
However, due to negative stereotypes about gamers and concerns about
esports, parents might be hesitant to support their children’s esports
participation and may instead actively discourage it. The purpose of this
perspective article was to discuss the determinants of parental support based
on the theory of planned behaviour. Parents attitudes seem to be mostly
negative and their perceived behavioral control is likely low due to a lack of
knowledge about esports. The subjective norms are mixed and seem to be
growing progressively more positive. Based on the theory of planned
behaviour, parents seem unlikely to support their children’s esport
participation, however, more research is needed. Recommendations on how
to increase the likelihood of parental support are discussed
Pharmacological Studies in Eating Disorders: A Historical Review
No full textEating disorders (EDs) are serious mental health conditions characterised by impaired
eating behaviours and nutrition as well as disturbed body image, entailing considerable mortality
and morbidity. Psychopharmacological medication is an important component in the treatment of
EDs. In this review, we performed a historic analysis of pharmacotherapeutic research in EDs based
on the scientific studies included in the recently published World Federation of Societies for Biological
Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for ED treatment. This analysis focuses on early approaches and
trends in the methods of clinical pharmacological research in EDs, for example, the sample sizes of
randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We found the development of psychopharmacological treat-
ments for EDs followed advancements in psychiatric pharmacotherapy. However, the application of
RCTs to the study of pharmacotherapy for EDs may be an impediment as limited participant numbers
and inadequate research funding impede generalisability and statistical power. Moreover, current
medication usage often deviates from guideline recommendations. In conclusion, the RCT model
may not effectively capture the complexities of ED treatment, and funding limitations hinder research
activity. Novel genetically/biologically based treatments are warranted. A more comprehensive
understanding of EDs and individualised approaches should guide research and drug development
for improved treatment outcomes
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Land Subsidence and Sinkhole Occurrence in the Konya Endorheic Basin, Turkey
No full textThe endorheic Konya Basin is a vast aggradational plain in Central Anatolia, Türkiye. It
occupies a significant portion of Konya Province, covering approximately 50,000 km2. The basin is
subjected to intense groundwater withdrawal and extensive agricultural activities with excessive
irrigation. These activities have led to human-induced hazards, such as sinkholes and regional land
subsidence. Although sinkhole occurrence mainly occurs in the Karapınar area, land subsidence
is primarily observed in the central sector of Konya city, with 2 million inhabitants, as well as in
various parts of the basin. This study focuses on determining the extent and rate of land subsidence
throughout the basin, understanding sinkhole formation, and unraveling their relationship with
anthropogenic activities. For this purpose, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis
of Sentinel-1 data from 2014 to 2022 was conducted to identify and assess land subsidence. We also
used the land cover data and groundwater-level information to better understand the spatial and
temporal patterns of land subsidence and sinkhole occurrence. Additionally, the land cover data
were used to resolve spatial–temporal variations in the cultivated area and urbanization, which are
the main factors governing groundwater exploitation in the region. Our study identified widespread
subsidence zones with rates as high as 90 mm/y. Groundwater overexploitation to sustain extensive
agricultural operations is the main cause of the high rate of land subsidence. Additionally, it was
discovered that the number of sinkholes has substantially increased due to anthropogenic influences,
currently amounting to as many as 660
Sports Diet and Oral Health in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review
No full textFood and fluid supply is fundamental for optimal athletic performance but can also be
a risk factor for caries, dental erosion, and periodontal diseases, which in turn can impair athletic
performance. Many studies have reported a high prevalence of oral diseases in elite athletes, notably
dental caries 20–84%, dental erosion 42–59%, gingivitis 58–77%, and periodontal disease 15–41%,
caused by frequent consumption of sugars/carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats, or deficient protein
intake. There are three possible major reasons for poor oral health in athletes which are addressed
in this review: oxidative stress, sports diet, and oral hygiene. This update particularly summarizes
potential sports nutritional effects on athletes’ dental health. Overall, sports diet appropriately
applied to deliver benefits for performance associated with oral hygiene requirements is necessary
to ensure athletes’ health. The overall aim is to help athletes, dentists, and nutritionists understand
the tangled connections between sports diet, oral health, and oral healthcare to develop mitigation
strategies to reduce the risk of dental diseases due to nutrition
TP53 co-mutations in advanced lung adenocarcinoma: comparative bioinformatic analyses suggest ambivalent character on overall survival alongside KRAS, STK11 and KEAP1 mutations
No full textBackground: Recently, we could show that the co-mutations of KRAS + KEAP1, STK11 + KEAP1 and KRAS + STK11 + KEAP1 lead to a significantly shorter median overall survival (mOS) in patients with lung cancer across treatments by analyzing multiple dataset. TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, plays a crucial role in regulating cell cycle progression. Its mutations occur in approximately 40-50% of non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). Co-occurrence of all four mentioned mutations has been a matter of debate for years. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of these four mutations and the influence of the different co-mutational patterns on survival.
Methods: We present a comparative bioinformatic analysis and refer to data of 4,109 patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).
Results: Most of the mutations within the LUAD belong to TP53-only (29.0%), quadruple-negative (25.9%) and KRAS-only (13.4%). Whereas TP53-mutations seem to have protective effects in the context of further KEAP1- and KRAS + KEAP1-alterations (improved mOS), their role seems contrary if acquired in an already existing combination of mutations as KRAS + STK11, KRAS + STK11 + KEAP1 and STK11 + KEAP1. TP53 co-mutations had a negative influence on KRAS-only mutated LUAD (mOS reduced significantly by more than 30%).
Discussion: These data underline the need for complex mutational testing to estimate prognosis more accurately in patients with advanced LUAD
The effects of diachronous surface uplift of the European Alps on regional climate and the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation
No full textThis study presents the simulated response of regional climate and the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation (δ18Op) to different along-strike topographic evolution scenarios. These simulations are conducted to determine if the previously hypothesized diachronous surface uplift in the Western and Eastern Alps would produce δ18Op signals in the geologic record that are sufficiently large and distinct to be detected using stable isotope paleoaltimetry. We present a series of topographic sensitivity experiments conducted with the water-isotope-tracking atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) ECHAM5-wiso. The topographic scenarios are created from the variation of two free parameters, (1) the elevation of the Western–Central Alps and (2) the elevation of the Eastern Alps. The results indicate Δδ18Op values (i.e., the difference between δ18Op values at the low- and high-elevation sites) of up to −8 ‰ along the strike of the Alps for the diachronous uplift scenarios, primarily due to changes in orographic precipitation and adiabatic lapse rate driven localized changes in near-surface variables. These simulated magnitudes of Δδ18Op values suggest that the expected isotopic signal would be significant enough to be preserved and measured in geologic archives. Moreover, the simulated slight δ18Op differences of 1 ‰–2 ‰ across the low-elevation sites support the use of the δ–δ paleoaltimetry approach and highlight the importance of sampling far-field low-elevation sites to differentiate between the different surface uplift scenarios. The elevation-dependent rate of change in δ18Op (“isotopic lapse rate”) varies depending on the topographic configuration and the extent of the surface uplift. Most of the changes are significant (e.g., −1.04 ‰ km−1 change with slope error of ±0.09 ‰ km−1), while others were within the range of the statistical uncertainties (e.g., −0.15 ‰ km−1 change with slope error of ±0.13 ‰ km−1). The results also highlight the plausible changes in atmospheric circulation patterns and associated changes in moisture transport pathways in response to changes in the topography of the Alps. These large-scale atmospheric dynamics changes can complicate the underlying assumption of stable isotope paleoaltimetry and therefore require integration with paleoclimate modeling to ensure accurate reconstruction of the paleoelevation of the Alps
Impact of Home-Based Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental and Physical Health in a German Population-Based Sample
No full textBackground: The COVID-19 outbreak necessitated physical distancing, as part of secondary prevention, at a personal and professional level. Working from home (WFH) became increasingly important. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical and mental health is investigated, compared with pre-pandemic data, and with employees who WFH and are on-site. Methods: Data from the German Saxon longitudinal study population were used. Attitudes towards WFH as well as mental and physical health assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Comparisons were made with corresponding pre-pandemic scores and between employees WFH and on-site in 2022. Results: In total, 319 participants with equal gender distribution were included. Of those, 86 worked from home stating better organizability of their work, more time for partnership, less stress, and greater work satisfaction. Compared to pre-pandemic data, the D-score, PHQ-4, G-Score, and PHQ-SSS-8 showed a significant increase. No difference in physical or mental health between employees WFH and on-site was observed. Conclusion: In general, COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on mental and physical health. Although WFH is well accepted, it did not show significant health benefits