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Managers from Blue Work Sectors Have More Negative Attitudes Towards Common Mental Disorders than Managers from Other Work Sectors:Swedish Results
No full textOBJECTIVES: To investigate if stigmatizing attitudes to common mental disorders (CMDs) differ among managers in various private work sectors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among private Swedish managers (n = 2713) investigating managers' attitudes to CMD, through video vignette methodology, in four work sectors, based on industry affiliation. Binary logistic regression models were applied and adjusted for individual and organizational covariates. RESULTS: Managers in the white, pink and other work sectors were less likely to have negative attitudes towards CMDs than managers in the blue work sector. CONCLUSION: The results underline that employers in the blue work sector need to combat stigmatizing and negative attitudes towards CMDs among managers. This will improve the psychosocial work environments for all employees, specifically for those with mental health problems
Full Integer Arithmetic Online Training for Spiking Neural Networks
No full textSpiking Neural Networks (SNNs) are promising for neuromorphic computing due to their biological plausibility and energy efficiency. However, training methods like Backpropagation Through Time (BPTT) and Real Time Recurrent Learning (RTRL) remain computationally intensive. This work introduces an integer-only, online training algorithm using a mixed-precision approach to improve efficiency and reduce memory usage by over 60%. The method replaces floating-point operations with integer arithmetic to enable hardware-friendly implementation. It generalizes to Convolutional and Recurrent SNNs (CSNNs, RSNNs), showing versatility across architectures. Evaluations on MNIST and the Spiking Heidelberg Digits (SHD) dataset demonstrate that mixed-precision models achieve accuracy comparable to or better than full-precision baselines using 16-bit shadow and 8- or 12-bit inference weights. Despite some limitations in low-precision and deeper models, performance remains robust. In conclusion, the proposed integer-only online learning algorithm presents an effective solution for efficiently training SNNs, enabling deployment on resource-constrained neuromorphic hardware without sacrificing accuracy
Rasch-Built Overall Disability Scale for IgM-Associated Polyneuropathy With and Without Anti-MAG Antibodies:IgM-RODS
No full textBACKGROUND AND AIM: IgM monoclonal gammopathy-associated polyneuropathy with(out) anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (±anti-MAG) is a rare immune-mediated disease that may cause severe limitations in daily activities and quality of life. The absence of a systematic comparison between patients with/without anti-MAG IgM polyneuropathy, no disease-specific functional metric, and lack of international consensus regarding assessment and treatment of these patients are factors obstructing future clinical trials. Therefore, it was decided to develop an interval Rasch-built activity/participation scale specifically for IgM polyneuropathy ±anti-MAG (IgM-RODS) and examine its clinimetric properties. METHODS: A pre-phase IgM-RODS questionnaire containing 146 activity/participation items, based on the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, was completed by participants (= 18 years) of the IMAGiNe observational registry that fulfilled international criteria for IgM-polyneuropathy ±anti-MAG. Data was subjected to Rasch analyses, and reliability/validity studies were performed as well. RESULTS: The pre-RODS data of 259 subjects (originating from 8 different countries) underwent quality assessment, and 244 remaining records were submitted to the Rasch model, evidencing the model's expectations. Based on requirements like exceeding fit residuals, misfit statistics, item bias, local dependency, and less face validity, we systematically removed items until the final 36-item IgM-RODS fulfilled all Rasch requirements and showed acceptable test-retest reliability, cross-cultural, construct and discriminant validity, and unidimensionality. Compared to the Inflammatory-RODS, the IgM-RODS showed lower standard errors across the metric, indicating greater sensitivity. INTERPRETATION: The 36-item IgM-RODS is a disease-specific interval measure suitable for detecting functional deficits in patients with IgM-polyneuropathy ±anti-MAG. Future studies are needed to determine its responsiveness
The euro area carbon bond premium
No full textWe document a positive and significant carbon premium in euro area corporate bonds, reflecting investor demands for compensation due to climate transition risk. The premium is significant for Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions and is robust to alternative sample selection criteria and measurement methods of the emission variable. A one standard deviation increase in a firm's Scope 1 and 2 emissions raises its yield spread by 26 basis points. This premium, which systematically raises borrowing costs, arises from both preference and risk channels, with the component driven by preferences increasing rapidly from 2020 to early 2022. Firms receiving free EU ETS emission allowances face a 40% lower preference premium, highlighting the impact of carbon pricing on the cost of capital. The premium rises monotonically with bond maturity, signaling investor confidence in sustained carbon pricing
Learning asymmetry as a predictor of mood and behavior dynamics:A network analysis
No full textWhile studying appetitive and aversive conditioning is common in psychopathology research, studies that measure both types of learning simultaneously are rare. To gain insight into the role of appetitive and aversive learning in the complex interaction of positive mood, negative mood, worry, craving, avoidance and impulsive behavior, this study used a relative measure of the strength of appetitive versus aversive learning – the learning asymmetry – as a predictor of network dynamics of mood states and behavior. 100 healthy volunteers performed an appetitive and aversive conditioning task and completed an ecological momentary assessment study, where they were surveyed six times per day for 21 days. Groups were defined based on higher sensitivity to appetitive learning (positive learning asymmetry) or aversive learning (negative learning asymmetry). The positive asymmetry group was hypothesized to be more sensitive to positive mood changes, and the negative asymmetry group was hypothesized to be more sensitive to negative mood changes. Contrary to our hypothesis, results show that impulsive behavior was more likely to follow negative mood, specifically anger, in the positive but not the negative asymmetry group. These results demonstrate the potential for network analysis to elucidate complex interactions between mood and behavior associated with individual differences in learning
Quantitative systems toxicology:modelling to mechanistically understand and predict drug safety
No full textReliable prediction and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains a key challenge in the development of new medicines. Advanced mathematical and computational modelling approaches, which incorporate cutting-edge mechanistic understanding of ADRs in concert with systematically collected data addressing knowledge gaps, are integral components of model-informed drug discovery and development (MID3). These approaches provide a precise, quantitative framework for predicting and mitigating safety risks in the earliest phases of drug development. Here, we highlight recent developments in the burgeoning field of quantitative systems toxicology (QST), including insights into the current state-of-the-art, as well as outcomes from the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) 2 TransQST project. QST models that describe the disruption of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal physiological functions following drug exposure are presented, along with recommendations for their application in drug discovery and development
The role of systemic and nervous system factors in patients with shoulder pain:a perspective review
No full textBackgroundPersistent shoulder pain is often driven by inflammatory conditions, including tendinopathy, bursitis, and frozen shoulder. Treatment remains uncertain, but targeting underlying mechanisms like inflammation, metabolic factors, and nervous system disturbances may be more effective.ObjectiveThis perspective review summarizes these underlying mechanisms' roles in patients with inflammatory-driven shoulder pain and potential effective treatments for these mechanisms.ResultsLiterature links inflammatory-driven shoulder pain to low-grade inflammation, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and/or autonomic and central nervous system disturbances, which are interconnected. Both acute and chronic inflammation are evident in tissue around the shoulder joint, potentially compromising treatment outcomes and predisposing tissue to hyperresponsiveness. Persistent inflammation can disrupt endocrine and nervous system functions, leading to additional health issues. Metabolic factors, characterized by low-grade inflammation, increase the risk for developing inflammatory-driven shoulder pain. Patients with inflammatory-driven shoulder pain often exhibit autonomic and somatosensory dysregulation. The autonomic nervous system's involvement in the inflammatory pathway can be influenced by or influence inflammation when dysregulation precedes shoulder pain development. Its pathways overlap with pain processing, potentially affecting each other. Prolonged stress (mental or biological) can lead to a maladaptive state and trigger somatosensory dysregulation. Interventions targeting these mechanisms go beyond the joint and include pain neuroscience education, exercise therapy, graded motor imagery, stress management, lifestyle interventions, and combinations of these. However, evidence specific to shoulder pain is limited.ConclusionFuture research should prioritize understanding these underlying mechanisms in patients with inflammatory-driven musculoskeletal shoulder pain and evaluating targeted interventions' effects on shoulder disabilities
Placenta accreta spectrum disorders using standardised magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) descriptors; interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy
No full textAIM: Accurate antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders is essential for improving maternal outcomes. To address variability in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interpretation for suspected PAS, the International Society for Placenta Accreta Spectrum (IS-PAS) proposed nine standardised PAS-MRI descriptors. This study evaluates their interobserver agreement and diagnostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using MRI scans of pregnancies suspected of PAS at Maastricht University Medical Center (2010-2024). Two radiologists independently assessed the MRI scans for IS-PAS descriptors, and interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of each descriptor were evaluated. Ultrasound (US) reports leading to MRI referral were analysed for US PAS descriptors. Histopathological or intraoperative findings served as the reference standard. RESULTS: Among 32 cases, 53% had no PAS, 37% had placenta accreta/increta, and 10% had placenta percreta. Interobserver agreement was highest for MRI descriptors 'bladder wall interruption' (kappa = 0.52) and 'focal exophytic mass' (kappa = 0.46), while 'heterogeneous placenta' (kappa = 0.12) and 'dark intraplacental bands' (kappa =-0.09) showed the lowest agreement. Sensitivity was highest for MRI descriptors 'loss of retroplacental dark zone' (100%) and 'myometrial thinning' (93%), while specificity was highest for 'bladder wall interruption' (94%) and 'focal exophytic mass' (10 0%). There were no significant differences in sensitivity and specificity between US and MRI for diagnosing PAS. CONCLUSION: IS-PAS MRI descriptors show suboptimal interobserver agreement and limited diagnostic value. Prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta/increta remains especially challenging. Future studies should focus on validating current MRI descriptors and investigate the use of newer imaging modalities. (c) 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal College of Radiologists. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/)
