Mapping the jungle: A bibliometric analysis of research into construal level theory

Construal level theory (CLT) offers a valuable framework to explain the mechanisms that trigger evaluations, predictions, and behaviors by linking the degree of mental abstraction (the construal level) to psychological distance. CLT-related research has produced numerous publications in a variety of domains, impeding an ongoing overview of the research field and limiting its advancement. Addressing this concern, our paper presents the results of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CLT-related research. This analysis identifies leading authors and the networks in which they operate. We find that a well-connected, stable core of prominent authors predominantly shaped CLT research and was responsible for its expansion. In addition, we used topic modeling to identify latent topics and research trends, with the results showing that CLT research has expanded into more interdisciplinary and applied contexts. Specifically, although CLT's relevance for consumer research has amplified and applications in areas such as climate change and sustainability have surged, the classic areas of CLT research, such as planning fallacy and impulse control, have lost momentum. Building upon the results of our topic analysis, we identify future research paths and specifically call for a more comprehensive societal focus in CLT-related research

Augmented-Reality als Erweiterungs-Tool des partizipativen Austausches in Planungsprozessen zum Ziel einer integrativen städtebaulichen Entwicklung

Die von der EU ausgehende Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie (BMUB, 2013) sorgt für eine voranschreitende Innenentwicklung von Städten. Baulücken und ungenutzter städtischer Raum sollten vorzugsweise und gezielt entwickelt und bebaut werden, um die Inanspruchnahme von Flächen außerhalb und im Bereich des Stadtrandes zu reduzieren. Die Nachverdichtung und somit Innenentwicklung von Städten ist häufig mit erheblichem Widerstand seitens der Bevölkerung verbunden, besonders wenn solche Baulücken als Freiflächen empfunden oder sogar als Erholungsraum genutzt werden. Eine Forsa-Umfrage im Auftrag der Bundestiftung Baukultur im Januar 2014 (BUNDESSTIFTUNG BAUKULTUR, 2014a) ergab, dass in der Bevölkerung eine generelle Protesthaltung gegen Bauprojekte zu erkennen ist. Es ist Aufgabe von Planern und Planungsträgern, das Projekt in die Bevölkerung zu kommunizieren. Doch steht die Kommunikation zwischen den beiden Parteien in der Regel vor großen Hürden. In diesem Beitrag wird als Grundlage für das Themengebiet die Bedeutung der Bürgerbeteiligung in Planungsprozessen mit Blick auf die städtebauliche Entwicklung aufgezeigt und die aktuellen Möglichkeiten des Einsatzes von Augmented Reality Technologien anhand der bisherigen Forschungsergebnisse und -Ansätze des kooperativen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojektes Augmented-Reality als Werkzeug der Architekturkommunikation (ArchKM-AR) diskutiert. In Verbindung mit den Entwicklungen aus ArchKM-AR werden die zentralen Schwierigkeiten der Kommunikation zwischen Planungsverantwortlichen und der Bevölkerung beschrieben. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf der Effizienz der Beteiligung und der Etablierung von Akzeptanz für ein Bauprojekt in der Bevölkerung. Des Weiteren wird über Schwerpunkte der Forschungsarbeit wie die Einrichtung eines zuverlässigen Tracking-Verfahrens, die Ansprüche von Software und Nutzer an die 3D-Modelle im Sinne des Detailierungsgrades und die Integration der Anwendung in den Workflow eines Planers unter Betrachtung der Datenauf- und -verarbeitung berichtet. Im Ergebnis des Forschungsprojektes steht der Prototyp einer App, die den Dialog und die Informationsvermittlung mithilfe von Augmented Reality mit Blick auf eine gesteigerte Produktivität und Effektivität modifizieren soll. Neben der Schilderung des aktuellen Entwicklungsstandes der Softwarekomponente mit dem Schwerpunkt auf den Kommunikations- und Beteiligungsprozess wird die vielversprechende Bedeutung dieser Innovation für die Praxis anhand zweier Szenarien verdeutlicht

'Transformations towards sustainability':Emerging approaches, critical reflections, and a research agenda

Over the last two decades researchers have come to understand much about the global challenges confronting human society (e.g. climate change; biodiversity loss; water, energy and food insecurity; poverty and widening social inequality). However, the extent to which research and policy efforts are succeeding in steering human societies towards more sustainable and just futures is unclear. Attention is increasingly turning towards better understanding how to navigate processes of social and institutional transformation to bring about more desirable trajectories of change in various sectors of human society. A major knowledge gap concerns understanding how transformations towards sustainability are conceptualised, understood and analysed. Limited existing scholarship on this topic is fragmented, sometimes overly deterministic, and weak in its capacity to critically analyse transformation processes which are inherently political and contested. This paper aims to advance understanding of transformations towards sustainability, recognising it as both a normative and an analytical concept. We firstly review existing concepts of transformation in global environmental change literature, and the role of governance in relation to it. We then propose a framework for understanding and critically analysing transformations towards sustainability based on the existing ‘Earth System Governance’ framework (Biermann et al., 2009). We then outline a research agenda, and argue that transdisciplinary research approaches and a key role for early career researchers are vital for pursuing this agenda. Finally, we argue that critical reflexivity among global environmental change scholars, both individually and collectively, will be important for developing innovative research on transformations towards sustainability to meaningfully contribute to policy and action over time

Low-dose radiotherapy for greater trochanteric pain syndrome-a single-centre analysis.

PURPOSE To determine predictive factors associated with a good response (GR) to and efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). METHODS Patients with GTPS were irradiated on a linear accelerator with 0.5-1.0 Gy per fraction to a total dose of 3.0-4.0 Gy per series. The endpoint was subjective good response (GR) to treatment 2 months after completion of the last LDRT series, defined as complete pain relief or marked improvement assessed using the von Pannewitz score. A positive response to steroid injection (SI) was defined as pain relief of at least 7 days. Patient and treatment-related characteristics were evaluated with respect to LDRT outcomes. RESULTS Outcomes were assessed for 71 peritrochanteric spaces (PTSs; 65 patients, 48 females, with mean age of 63 [44-91] years). Prior SI had been given to 55 (77%) PTSs and 40 PTSs received two series of LDRT. Two months after completion of LDRT, GR was reported in 42 PTSs (59%). Two series of LDRT provided a significantly higher rate of GR than one series (72.5 vs. 42% PTSs, p = 0.015). Temporary pain relief after prior SI predicted GR to LDRT compared with PTSs which had not responded to SI (73 vs. 28% PTSs, p = 0.001). A regional structural abnormality, present in 34 PTSs (48%), was associated with a reduction of GR to LDRT (44 vs. 73% PTSs, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION LDRT is an effective treatment for GTPS. Administration of two LDRT series, prior response to SI, and absence of structural abnormalities may predict significantly better treatment outcomes

Perturbation of Lytic and Latent Gammaherpesvirus Infection in the Absence of the Inhibitory Receptor CEACAM1

Control of gammaherpesvirus infections requires a complex, well orchestrated immune response regulated by positive and negative co-signaling molecules. While the impact of co-stimulatory molecules has been addressed in various studies, the role of co-inhibitory receptors has not been tested. The ITIM-bearing CEACAM1 is an inhibitory receptor expressed by a variety of immune cells, including B, T and NK cells. Using Ceacam1−/− mice, we analyzed the in vivo function of CEACAM1 during acute and latent murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) infection. During acute lytic replication, we observed lower virus titers in the lungs of Ceacam1−/− mice than in WT mice. In contrast, during latency amplification, Ceacam1−/− mice displayed increased splenomegaly and a higher latent viral load in the spleen. Analysis of the immune response revealed increased virus-specific antibody levels in Ceacam1−/− mice, while the magnitude of the T cell-mediated antiviral immune response was reduced. These findings suggest that inhibitory receptors can modulate the efficacy of immune responses against gammaherpesvirus infections

Challenges and opportunities in assessing sustainable mountain development using the UN Sustainable Development Goals

A report compiled by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), in collaboration with the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)

The International Mountain Conference, Innsbruck, Austria, September 2019 (IMC2019): A Synthesis with Recommendations for Research

This paper presents a synthesis of the outcomes of sessions and recommendations for future research in mountain areas from the International Mountain Conference (IMC), held in Innsbruck, Austria, in September 2019. The thematic sections of the paper consider: first, the paleosciences, particularly archaeology; second, (bio)physical systems—the climate system, the cryo- and hydrosphere, and the biosphere—and their relationships with human systems; third, natural hazards and risks; and fourth, demographic and sociocultural trends, globalization (energy and transport networks, tourism, food supplies), policymaking, development, and research. Each section includes key literature relating to its theme, together with recommendations from the respective sessions. The paper concludes with a discussion and conclusions on the process of producing the synthesis, and its value for preparation and synthesis strategies for future conferences

Laboratory Diagnostics of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infections in Denmark 2008–2015

Rickettsiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by bacterial species in the genus Rickettsia. Ticks in Scandinavia are reported to be infected with Rickettsia, yet only a few Scandinavian human cases are described, and rickettsiosis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rickettsiosis in Denmark based on laboratory findings. We found that in the Danish individuals who tested positive for Rickettsia by serology, the majority (86%; 484/561) of the infections belonged to the spotted fever group. In contrast, we could confirm 13 of 41 (32%) PCR-positive individuals by sequencing and identified all of these as R. africae, indicating infections after travel exposure. These 13 samples were collected from wound/skin material. In Denmark, approximately 85 individuals test positive for Rickettsia spp. annually, giving an estimated 26% (561/2147) annual prevalence among those suspected of rickettsiosis after tick bites. However, without clinical data and a history of travel exposure, a true estimation of rickettsiosis acquired endemically by tick bites cannot be made. Therefore, we recommend that both clinical data and specific travel exposure be included in a surveillance system of Rickettsia infections