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Evaluation of self-collected dried blood spots for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies shows low sensitivity
No full textBackground and aims: Dried blood spots (DBS) have been proposed as a cost-effective surveillance method for population-wide screening of SARS-CoV-2 immunity but sensitivity of DBS based on self-collected DBS samples is unknown. To evaluate the success of vaccination strategies, it is necessary to differentiate vaccination from natural infection. Therefore, a test for antibodies against the viral nucleocapsid protein (anti-N) is desirable.
Materials and methods: In our prospectively followed cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) in eastern Switzerland, we assessed SARS-CoV-2-anti-N-seroprevalence using DBS on a biweekly basis from March to September 2020. Phlebotomy samples were collected in March and September and tested for anti-N-seropositivity, as well as SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies for quantitative validation. Venous antibody testing was compared with DBS results for anti-N using the Roche Elecsys electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay.
Results: 792 HCW (median age 38.3 years) were included, 35 (4.4 %) were SARS-CoV-2-anti-N-seropositive. Of 43 matching DBS, 25 tested positive for anti-N, accounting for a sensitivity of 58.1 % (95 %CI 43.3–71.6 %). We found a significant correlation of anti-N from DBS with results from phlebotomy samples (r = 0.77;p < 0.0001), with higher levels being associated with a higher true-positive rate. Anti-N in DBS correlated significantly with quantitatively validated anti-S obtained from serum (r = 0.67;p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Although home DBS collection was feasible in a larger cohort and we found a high correlation between anti-N detection in DBS and phlebotomy samples, the sensitivity of self-collected DBS samples was significantly impaired for the Roche Elecsys anti-N assay. Therefore, we cannot recommend this method for DBS when testing from venous blood is possible
The effect of warmth and competence as stereotypical leadership perceptions on occupational well-being and behavioral loyalty of hospital employees : an empirical analysis
No full textBackground: The shortage of healthcare professionals and demanding working conditions have prompted healthcare organizations to implement effective retention strategies. Leadership practices largely shape the organizational climate and influence occupational well-being and related retention. Research has identified warmth and competence as the two fundamental dimensions by which leaders are evaluated.
Purpose: This study explores how perceptions of leadership-related warmth and competence translate into hospital employees’ loyalty, both directly and indirectly, through occupational well-being, that is, through the mechanisms of positive and negative work-related affect.
Research Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used.
Study Sample: The study sample consisted of N = 1907 employees from a U.S. hospital.
Data Collection and Analysis: Data were collected via a structured survey instrument assessing leadership perceptions, affective well-being at work, and employee loyalty. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the hypothesized relationships and mediating mechanisms.
Results: Both leadership-related warmth and competence perceptions directly influence employee loyalty. We identified different mechanisms underlying the indirect effects of occupational well-being on loyalty. Only leadership-related warmth perceptions had a positive indirect effect on loyalty through both positive and negative work-related affect. Leadership-related competence perceptions increased both positive and negative work-related affect.
Conclusions: An empathic leadership style that leads to favorable leadership-related warmth perceptions is an effective approach for promoting occupational well-being and loyalty among hospital employees. Leaders should foster leadership-related competence perceptions in periods with more favorable working conditions while avoiding them in stressful working conditions
ICST tool competition 2025 : UAV testing track
No full textSimulation-based testing plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); however, this area remains underexplored. The UAV Testing Competition aims to engage the software testing community by highlighting UAVs as an emerging and vital domain. This initiative offers a straightforward software platform and representative case studies to ease participants' entry into UAV testing, enabling them to develop their initial test generation tools for UAVs. In this second iteration of the competition, three tools were submitted, assessed, and thoroughly compared against each other, as well as the baseline approach. Our benchmarking framework analyzed their test generation capabilities across three distinct case studies. The resulting test suites were evaluated and ranked based on their failure detection and diversity. This paper provides an overview of the competition, detailing its context, platform, participating tools, evaluation methodology, and key findings
Personzentrierte Demenzversorgung nachhaltig implementieren : Chancen und Herausforderungen von Co-Design für die Praxisentwicklung
No full textThe influence of the menstrual cycle on the biomechanics and injuries of the ankle joint : a scoping review
No full textSummary: This scoping review synthesizes evidence on the impact of the menstrual cycle on ankle biomechanics and injury risk. In the eight identified studies, methodological variability, including inconsistent definitions of menstrual phases, complicates comparisons. While studies on ligament mechanics found no significant changes across phases, increased neuromuscular activity during ovulation and altered ankle kinematics in the luteal phase were observed. Despite the limited and inconsistent findings, there is evidence suggesting that hormonal fluctuations may influence ankle mechanics and neuromuscular control.
Introduction: Sex hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, influencing physiological processes and mechanical properties of ligaments. Receptors for sex hormones have been identified in various musculoskeletal structures; but their presence in ankle ligaments remains unclear. One study suggests that women with high general joint laxity might be more sensitive to the effects of estrogen, resulting in changes to the anterior talofibular ligament during the ovulation phase. Consequently, the occurrence of ligamentous injuries may depend on the levels of sex hormones circulating in the female body. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing evidence on the influence of the menstrual cycle on the biomechanics and injuries of the ankle joint.
Methods: The literature search was performed in Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Scopus using the following search string: (“menstrual cycle” or “menstruation” or “hormone”) AND (“ankle” or “ankle joint”) AND (“biomechanic*” or “injur*). Title/abstract screening was done by one author, full-text screening by two authors using Covidence (Covidence, Australia). The results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews.
Results and Discussion: A total of 477 articles were found, after removing duplicates and full-text review, eight were included in the review. Only three studies reported measurements of hormonal concentrations of estrogen and progesterone while the others used phases of the menstrual cycle based on reports of onset of menstruation or positive ovulation tests. The definition of the timepoints for measurement varied widely between studies. Some studies scheduled specific measurements based on a positive ovulation test. The three studies measuring mechanical properties of ankle structures (laxity, tendon stiffness, Young’s modulus) found neither changes related to different phases of the menstrual cycle nor strong correlations between the changes of mechanical properties and hormonal concentrations. The cocontraction of M. peroneus longus (PL) and M. tibialis anterior (TA) during balancing tasks was assessed by two studies. They found increased TA/PL-ratio during challenging balance tasks during ovulation compared to early follicular phase indicating an increased activity of TA when estrogen is increased. One study measuring ankle kinematic during a single leg drop landing found increased adduction and eversion during the luteal phase compared to menstruation and the follicular phase. Further, dorsiflexion was reduced in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. Together with a shorter time to peak in the luteal phase, this could indicate reduced shock absorbance and consequently increased risk of (ankle) injury in this phase.
Conclusions: This scoping review highlights the limited and inconsistent evidence regarding the influence of the menstrual cycle on ankle biomechanics and injuries. The variability in study methodologies complicates direct comparisons and may introduce bias. Despite these limitations, there are indications that hormonal fluctuations may influence ankle joint mechanics and neuromuscular control. To clarify this potential link, further research with consistent hormonal concentration measurements is needed
Die Bedeutung von Agilität im öffentlichen Sektor
No full textWenn in Praxis und Wissenschaft über Innovation im öffentlichen Sektor diskutiert wird, fällt meist, früher oder später, der Begriff Agilität. Mit Agilität wird dabei die Hoffnung auf mehr Flexibilität, Nutzerorientierung und die Vermeidung von negativen Auswirkungen von Hierarchie und starrer Bürokratie verbunden. In den letzten zehn Jahren hat der öffentliche Sektor vielfältige Erfahrungen mit verschiedenen agilen Methoden und Organisationsformen gesammelt und experimentiert. Ziel dieses Sammelbands ist es, diese Erfahrungen zu dokumentieren und analysieren und eine empirische Bestandsaufnahme zu liefern um zum Wissens- und Erfahrungsaustausch zwischen öffentlichen Organisationen, aber auch zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis beizutragen. Damit leistet der Band einen Beitrag zu Wissenschaft und Forschung – indem der aktuelle Wissensstand systematisch dokumentiert und analysiert wird –, zur Praxis des öffentlichen Sektors – indem Erfahrungen, Good Practices und Lessons Learned transparent gemacht werden – und zur gesellschaftlichen Diskussion rund um einen modernen, responsiven und agilen öffentlichen Sektor. In diesem Kapitel wird der Begriff der Agilität definiert und konzeptualisiert und ein analytischen Rahmen entwickelt, den die folgenden Beiträge in diesem Band mit Erkenntnissen und Fallbeispielen füllen werden
