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Conceptualizing responsibility in world politics
No full textMoral responsibility is a prominent concept used in political discourses and theoretical debates. Yet disagreement remains on how it could work in practice. When attempting to address global challenges such as global poverty, combating atrocities, or artificial intelligence, approaches often revert to retrospective accounts of responsibility that focus on non-compliance with regulatory frameworks. As a result, cases where prospective responsibility would be required often go unaddressed. In this article, we introduce an analytical conceptualization of responsibility that should help to guide the application of moral responsibility in such situations. In the first step, we develop a typology that distinguishes between four types of responsibility: 'obligatory', 'structural', 'prescribed', and 'discursive'. Second, we identify responsibility gaps for each responsibility type. Third, we introduce different ethical principles from political theory that help to identify potential responsibility relations. We illustrate the utility of this framework with the example of climate change, where ethical principles beyond the contribution principle have already been applied. The paper facilitates new perspectives in political debates about how to allocate responsibility in light of global challenges and enhances theoretical debates in International Relations scholarship
Conductivity of Filled Diblock Copolymer Systems: Identifying the Main Influencing Factors
No full textBy developing and making use of the multi-scale theoretical approach, we identify the main factors that affect the conductivity of a composite composed of a diblock copolymer (DBC) system and conductive particles. This approach relies on the consistent phase-field model of DBC, Monte-Carlo simulations of the filler localization in DBC, and the resistor network model that mimics the conductive filler network formed in DBC. Based on the described approach, we thoroughly explore the relation among the morphological state of the microphase-separated DBC, localization of fillers in DBC, and the electrical response of the composite. Good agreement with experimental results confirms the accuracy of our theoretical predictions regarding the localization of fillers in the DBC microphases. The main factors affecting the composite conductivity are found to be: (i) affinities of fillers for copolymer blocks; (ii) degree of the segregation of a host DBC system, driven by external stimuli; (iii) geometry of the microphases formed in the microphase-separated DBC; and (iv) interactions between fillers. The conductor-insulator transition in the filler network is found to be caused by the order-disorder transition in the symmetric DBC. The order-order transition between the ordered lamellae and cylindrical microphases of asymmetric DBC causes a spike in the composite conductivity
Diagnostic criteria to differentiate pathological procrastinators from common delayers: a re-analysis
No full textDetection and treatment of clinically relevant forms of procrastination would be greatly facilitated by diagnostic criteria as formulated for psychological disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). In the present article, the steps for deriving and validating diagnostic criteria for pathological procrastination are described. In an online survey of a random sample of N = 10,000 German university students, 990 answered 13 items derived from the attempts in the literature to define procrastination, the Aitken Procrastination Inventory (API) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A subset of six items related to the first factor 'onset delay' of the API was selected by Best Subset Multiple Regression (BSMR). A latent class analysis (LCA) of these six items sorted the students into six clusters. A cluster of 'pathological procrastinators' (10%) was separated from the clusters of less impaired 'habitual, average, and occasional delayers'. In addition, a cluster of 'unconcerned delayers' (10%), with strong procrastination tendencies but little personal disadvantages, and a small cluster of 'fast performers' (2%) emerged. The 'pathological procrastinators' differed from all other clusters significantly on nine of the 13 items. They were older, had studied longer but had fulfilled less of their study obligations and were more depressed. The answer options of the six questions were collapsed into two categories '(procrastination feature present for at least half a year or absent)'. These criteria were used for the clinical diagnosis of pathological procrastination. For a diagnosis, two fixed criteria '(delaying important tasks needlessly and strong interference with personal goals)' plus at least two of four additional criteria '(time spent procrastinating, time pressure, physical and psychological complaints, below performance potential)' must be met. This diagnostic rule captured 92% from the cluster of 'pathological procrastinators' and 10% of the 'habitual delayers', but no one from the remaining clusters. Using these diagnostic criteria for clinical diagnosis and intervention decisions will facilitate the comparison and integration of the results from future studies of procrastination
Einfluss des Geschlechts auf die explizite Reduktion der Stereotype „Threat“ bei der mentalen Rotation – eine MR-Bildgebungsstudie
No full textDie vorliegende Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss des Geschlechts auf die explizite Reduktion der Stereotype Threat im Kontext der mentalen Rotation, sowie die Hirnaktivierung. Als Rotationsstimuli wurden 3D-Würfel und Körperformen verwendet und die Leistung der ProbandInnen anhand der Reaktionszeit und der Fehlerrate bewertet. Männer und Frauen zeigten keinen signifikanten Leistungsunterschied. Die explizite Stereotype Threat Reduktion ergab niedrigere Reaktionszeiten der weiblichen Probandinnen der Versuchsgruppe im Vergleich zu der Kontrollgruppe. Zudem fanden wir für ProbandInnen eines MINT-Studienfaches niedrigere Fehlerraten. Die Whole-Brain-Analyse ergab keinen signifikanten Geschlechterunterschied in der Hirnaktivität. In der ROI-Analyse konnte insbesondere der anteriore prämotorische Cortex als relevante Struktur für die mentale Rotation von Körperformen identifiziert und eine negative Korrelation des rechten PMa mit der Fehlerrate der männlichen Probanden beobachtet werden
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Small RNA Alignment Techniques in Transcriptomic Analysis by Examining Different Sources of Variability Through a Multi-Alignment Approach
No full textDNA and RNA nucleotide sequences are ubiquitous in all biological cells, serving as both a comprehensive library of capabilities for the cells and as an impressive regulatory system to control cellular function. The multi-alignment framework (MAF) provided in this study offers a user-friendly platform for sequence alignment and quantification. It is adaptable to various research needs and can incorporate different tools and parameters for in-depth analysis, especially in low read rate scenarios. This framework can be used to compare results from different alignment programs and algorithms on the same dataset, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of subtle to significant differences. This concept is demonstrated in a small RNA case study. MAF is specifically designed for the Linux platform, commonly used in bioinformatics. Its script structure streamlines processing steps, saving time when repeating procedures with various datasets. While the focus is on microRNA analysis, the templates provided can be adapted for all transcriptomic and genomic analyses. The template structure allows for flexible integration of pre- and post-processing steps. MicroRNA analysis indicates that STAR and Bowtie2 alignment programs are more effective than BBMap. Combining STAR with the Salmon quantifier or, with some limitations, the Samtools quantification, appears to be the most reliable approach. This method is ideal for scientists who want to thoroughly analyze their alignment results to ensure quality. The detailed microRNA analysis demonstrates the quality of three alignment and two quantification methods, offering guidance on assessing result quality and reducing false positives
Evaluation of the interhospital patient transfer after implementation of a regionalized trauma care system (TraumaNetzwerk DGU®) in Germany
No full textPurpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate how many patients are being transferred between trauma centers and and their characteristics in the 2006 initiated TraumaNetzwerk DGU® (TNW). We further investigated the time point of transfer and differences in outcome, compared to patients not being transferred. We wanted to know how trauma centers judged the performance of the TNW in transfer. Method: (1) We analyzed the data of the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) from 2014–2018. Included were patients that were treated in German trauma centers, maximum AIS (MAIS) >2 and MAIS 2 only in case of admission on ICU or death of the patient. Patients being transferred were compared to patients who were not. Characteristics were compared, and a logistic regression analysis performed to identify predictive factors. (2) We performed a survey in the TNW focussing on frequency, timing and communication between hospitals and improvement through TNW. Results: Study I analyzed 143,195 patients from the TR-DGU. Their mean ISS was 17.8 points (SD 11.5). 56.4% were admitted primarily to a Level-I, 32.2% to a Level-II and 11.4% to a Level-III Trauma Center. 10,450 patients (7.9%) were transferred. 3,667 patients (22.7%) of the admitted patients of Level-III Center and 5,610 (12.6%) of Level-II Center were transferred, these patients showed a higher ISS (Level-III: 18.1 vs. 12.9; Level-II: 20.1 vs. 15.8) with more often a severe brain injury (AIS 3+) (Level-III: 43.6% vs. 13.1%; Level-II: 53.2% vs. 23.8%). Regression analysis showed ISS 25+ and severe brain injury AIS 3+ are predictive factors for patients needing a rapid transfer. Study II: 215 complete questionnaires (34%) of the 632 trauma centers. Transfers were executed within 2 h after the accident (Level-III: 55.3%; Level-II: 25.0%) and between 2–6 h (Level-III: 39.5%; Level-II: 51.3%). Most trauma centers judged that implementation of TNW improved trauma care significantly (Level III: 65.0%; Level-II: 61.4%, Level-I: 56.7%). Conclusion: The implementation of TNW has improved the communication and quality of comprehensive trauma care of severely injured patients within Germany. Transfer is mostly organized efficient. Predictors such as higher level of head injury reveal that preclinical algorithm present a potential of further improvement
Flexible Syndesmotic Reconstruction with Two Suture Buttons Provides Equal Stability Compared to Syndesmotic Screws: A Biomechanical Study
No full textBackground: This study investigated syndesmotic stability after transection and the effects of stabilization using rigid and dynamic reconstruction techniques. Methods: Syndesmotic stability was analyzed using a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm on 14 human specimens. Stability was analyzed in the neutral position and during dorsiflexion and plantar flexion using an external rotation stress test under an axial load of 200 Newtons. The examination was performed on intact and sequentially transected syndesmosis in the following order: (1) anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL); (2) interosseous ligament (IOL); and (3) posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL). Then, reconstruction was performed using different syndesmotic screw techniques or a dynamic Suture Button system (Arthrex TightRope; n = 7). Results: A syndesmotic transection mainly caused sagittal instability of the fibula. While both static and dynamic reconstruction provided stabilization, screw fixation, particularly with two screws and a plate, demonstrated superior control of the fibular movement, especially in the sagittal and transverse planes, compared to one Suture Button. Conclusions: The results suggest that syndesmotic stabilization with one Suture Button may be insufficient for cases involving three-ligamentous injuries, whereas two Suture Buttons may offer comparable biomechanical stability to syndesmotic screws. Additionally, the study suggests that lateral radiographs may provide additional clinical value in assessing syndesmotic stability
