What Determines Civil Servants’ Error Response? Evidence From a Conjoint Experiment

To err is human and learning from mistakes is essential for finding viable solutions to grand societal challenges through development and innovation. Yet, public organizations often exhibit a punitive zero-error culture, and public employees are stereotyped as error and risk-averse. Little is known about the underlying behavioral mechanisms that determine civil servants’ likelihood of handling errors positively, namely reporting and correcting them instead of ignoring and hiding them to avoid blame. Based on the transactional theory of stress coping, we argue that individuals’ error-handling strategies relate to both rational and emotional evaluations of error-specific and consequential contextual factors. Using a conjoint survey experiment conducted with N = 276 civil servants in Germany ( Obs. = 1,104), this study disentangles the effects of error-related, individual, and organization-cultural factors as decisive drivers of individuals’ error response. We find that error characteristics (type and harmfulness) determine error-handling behavior, which is revealed to be independent from organizational error culture and individual error orientation, providing important and novel insights for theory and practice

Critical Success Factors for Online-Shops of Drugstores

The digitalization of the every-day life also affects buying habits of customers. Changes that take place regarding these habits result in an increasing number of e-commerce retailers. Online-shops in the business-to-consumer field are especially successful with apparel and electronic products. But not every industry that goes online initially starts out as being appealing for customers. This article deals with an e-commerce field of still low frequency, online-shops of drugstores. Their success depends on two factors: the user-friendliness of the information system and the consistency of the marketing strategy. Regarding the first -user-friendliness- the focus is on the quality of the system, which includes a clear structure of and easy navigation through the online-shop. To further ensure the quality of information they need to be up to date, relevant and comprehensible. Last but not least the service quality of the information system needs to be considered by offering hotlines or FAQ-sections. Regarding the second part – consistency of the marketing strategy- it is important to initially understand consumers’ behaviour throughout all buying phases and integrate these insight in a multi-channel strategy. This should combine the advantages of buying in a retail store (products can be touched) and buying online (convenience). A comparing analysis of Schlecker’s and Rossmann’s online-shop including the success factors above shows why drugstores are successful with e-commerce – and why not.Die wachsende Digitalisierung des Alltags wirkt sich auch auf die Kaufgewohnheiten der Kunden aus. Die Veränderung der Gewohnheiten spiegelt sich in der zunehmenden Anzahl an E-Commerce-Händlern wider. Online-Shops im Business-to-Consumer-Markt sind im Bereich der Bekleidungs- und Elektronikbranche sehr erfolgreich. Doch nicht jede Branche findet von Anfang an großen Anklang bei Kunden im Online-Geschäft. Der folgende Artikel befasst sich mit einem noch wenig frequentierten E-Commerce-Bereich, den Online-Shops von Drogeriemärkten. Deren Erfolg hängt von zwei Faktoren ab: der Nutzerfreundlichkeit des Informationssystems und der Durchgängigkeit der Marketingstrategie. Bei der Nutzerfreundlichkeit wird der Fokus zunächst auf die Qualität des Systems selbst gelegt, zu der etwa eine einfache Navigation und eine klare Seitenstruktur des Shops gehören. Aktualität, Relevanz und Verständlichkeit der Informationen sind wichtige Aspekte der Informationsqualität. Schließlich entscheiden Angebote wie eine Hotline oder ein FAQ-Bereich über die Servicequalität eines Informationssystems. Aus Marketingsicht sind eine gute Kenntnis des Verbraucherverhaltens über alle Kaufphasen sowie eine Multi-Channel-Strategie wichtig, die die Vorteile des Einkaufs im Ladengeschäft (Anfassbarkeit der Produkte) und des Online-Shoppings (Bequemlichkeit) miteinander verbindet. Eine vergleichende Analyse der Webshops von Schlecker und Rossmann anhand der dargestellten Erfolgsfaktoren zeigt, warum Drogeriemärkte im E-Commerce erfolgreich sind – oder nicht

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer and Developing Precision Therapeutics

In meinem Dissertationsprojekt habe ich an zwei Ansätzen gearbeitet, um unser Verständnis der Krebsentwicklung weiter voranzutreiben: Identifizierung attraktiver pharmazeutischer Targets und erste Schritte zur Entwicklung neuer Medikamente. Die akute myeloische Leukämie (AML) ist eine hämatologische Erkrankung, die sich durch eine abnorme Vermehrung und Akkumulation von unreifen myeloischen Zellen im Knochenmark auszeichnet. In diesem Zusammenhang spielt Inflammation eine zentrale Rolle beim Fortschreiten von AML. Eine Überaktivierung kann jedoch auch den Zelltod herbeiführen. IRF2BP2 ist ein Chromatin-Regulator, der mit der AML-Pathogenese in Verbindung gebracht wird, dessen Funktion jedoch noch nicht untersucht wurde. Wir konnten zeigen, dass IRF2BP2 bei AML mit dem AP-1-Heterodimer ATF7/JDP2 interagiert, das ebenfalls an der Regulierung von Entzündungsprozessen beteiligt ist. Wir haben nachgewiesen, dass das ATF/JDP2-Dimer IRF2BP2 an Chromatin rekrutiert, wo IRF2BP2 seine genaktivierende Rolle unterdrückt. Ein Fehlen von IRF2BP2 löst eine Überaktivierung der Entzündungswege aus, was zu einer stark reduzierten Proliferation führt. Unsere Forschung zeigt, dass ein fein abgestimmtes Gleichgewicht zwischen aktivierenden und repressiven Transkriptionsmechanismen zur Entwicklung eines pro-onkogenen Entzündungsmilieus in AML-Zellen beiträgt. Die regulatorische Schnittstelle, an der ATF7/JDP2 und IRF2BP2 beteiligt sind, erweist sich als möglicher zentraler Akteur bei der Steuerung dieses Phänomens. Unsere Studie gibt Aufschluss über mögliche Mechanismen, die zur AML beitragen, und zeigt einen möglichen Lösungsansatz für künftige AML-Behandlungsstrategien auf. Im zweiten Projekt wählten wir einen umfassenderen Ansatz, indem wir einen Inhibitor für ELOB/C entwickelten und dessen Erfolg bei der Reduzierung des Wachstums von Krebszellen testeten. Wir haben eine neue Methode entwickelt, die darauf abzielt, Protein-Protein-Interaktionen (PPIs) zu unterbinden, indem wir speziell entwickelte Peptide einsetzen, die auf die biologischen Funktionen von Proteinen abzielen. Im Mittelpunkt dieses Ansatzes steht das Elongin-BC-Heterodimer (ELOB/C), das aufgrund seiner Interaktion mit BC-Box-Motiv-haltigen Proteinen zum Wachstum von Krebszellen maßgeblich beiträgt. Wir haben ein Peptid synthetisiert, das die hochaffine BC-Box des PRC2-assoziierten Proteins EPOP genau nachahmt. Bemerkenswerterweise zeigt dieses synthetische Peptid eine starke Bindungsfähigkeit an das ELOB/C-Dimer (kD: 0,46 ± 0,02 nM), was zur Blockade der Assoziation zwischen ELOB/C und seinen Partnerproteinen in vitro und in der zellulären Umgebung führt. Weitere Experimente zeigten die signifikante Wirkung des Peptidinhibitors auf Krebszellen. Zu den auffälligen Ergebnissen der Behandlung gehören eine verringerte Zellviabilität, eine gesteigerte Apoptose und eine Störung der Genexpressionsmuster. Diese Beobachtungen deuten darauf hin, dass die Blockierung der BC-Box-Bindungsstelle auf ELOB/C ein gangbarer Weg sein könnte, um die Funktionalität des Proteins zu beeinträchtigen und so die Ausbreitung von Krebszellen zu verhindern. Entscheidend ist, dass unser Peptid-Inhibitor nicht nur unser Verständnis der Funktion des ELOB/C-Dimers vertieft, sondern auch eine vielversprechende Grundlage für die Entwicklung potenzieller Therapien bietet, die auf die ELOB/C-Dysfunktion abzielen

Development of the chick wing and leg neuromuscular systems and their plasticity in response to changes in digit numbers

The tetrapod limb has long served as a paradigm to study vertebrate pattern formation. During limb morphogenesis, a number of distinct tissue types are patterned and subsequently must be integrated to form coherent functional units. For example, the musculoskeletal apparatus of the limb requires the coordinated development of the skeletal elements, connective tissues, muscles and nerves. Here, using light-sheet microscopy and 3D-reconstructions, we concomitantly follow the developmental emergence of nerve and muscle patterns in chicken wings and legs, two appendages with highly specialized locomotor outputs. Despite a comparable flexor/extensor-arrangement of their embryonic muscles, wings and legs show a rotated innervation pattern for their three main motor nerve branches. To test the functional implications of these distinct neuromuscular topologies, we challenge their ability to adapt and connect to an experimentally altered skeletal pattern in the distal limb, the autopod. Our results show that, unlike autopod muscle groups, motor nerves are unable to fully adjust to a changed peripheral organisation, potentially constrained by their original projection routes. As the autopod has undergone substantial morphological diversifications over the course of tetrapod evolution, our results have implications for the coordinated modification of the distal limb musculoskeletal apparatus, as well as for our understanding of the varying degrees of motor functionality associated with human hand and foot malformations

Chewing simulation of zirconia implant supported restorations

PURPOSE To test three potential prosthetic material options for zirconia implants in regard to their mechanical properties, loading and retention capacity as well as to record abrasion after chewing simulation followed by thermocyclic aging. METHODS Molar crowns (n = 96) of three different computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials were produced and cemented on zirconia implants (ceramic.implant, Vita) with a diameter of 4.5 mm. Monolithic zirconia (Vita YZ [YZ] with RelyX Unicem 2 Automix [RUN], polymer-infiltrated ceramic (Vita Enamic [VE]) with Vita Adiva F-Cem [VAF] and acrylate polymer (CAD Temp [CT]) with RelyX Ultimate [RUL]. Fracture load and retentive force of the crowns were measured after 24 h water storage at 37 °C and after a chewing simulation followed by thermocyclic aging. Abrasion was recorded by matching stereolithography-data of the crowns obtained before and after chewing simulation. Additionally, the mechanical properties and bonding capabilities of the crown and cement materials were assessed. RESULTS Fracture load values were significantly highest for YZ > VE = CT. Retention force values did not differ significantly between the materials. The aging procedure did not affect the fracture load values nor the retention force significantly. Abrasion depth of the crowns was lowest for YZ followed by VE and CT. On unpolished crowns, abrasion of YZ and VE tended to be higher than on polished specimens. CONCLUSIONS Based on the obtained in-vitro results, all tested materials can be recommended for the use on zirconia implants, although CT is only approved for temporary crowns. The loading and retention capacity of the materials were not significantly affected by aging

Temperature stability of the sky quality meter

The stability of radiance measurements taken by the Sky Quality Meter (SQM)was tested under rapidly changing temperature conditions during exposure to a stable light field in the laboratory. The reported radiance was found to be negatively correlated with temperature, but remained within 7% of the initial reported radiance over a temperature range of -15 °C to 35 °C, and during temperature changes of -33 °C/h and +70 °C/h.This is smaller than the manufacturer’s quoted unit-to-unit systematic uncertainty of 10%,indicating that the temperature compensation of the SQM is adequate under expected outdoor operating conditions

Cationic microporous polymer networks by polymerisation of weakly coordinating cations with CO2-storage ability

Microporous organic polymer networks with weakly coordinating cations in their backbone have been synthesised by metal catalysed C–C bond forming reactions. A functionalised tetraphenylphosphonium ion was synthesised and successfully used as a tecton in a co-polymerisation with tetrakis(4-bromophenyl) methane using nickel catalysed Yamamoto coupling and with triethynylbenzene in a palladium catalysed Songashira–Hagihara reaction. The microporous materials showed an apparent BET surface area of 1455 m2 g−1 and 540 m2 g−1, respectively. The Yamamoto product provide a CO2 uptake of 2.49 mmol g−1 at 273 K and 1 bar. After ion exchange with chloride CO2 uptake is further increased to 2.85 mmol g−1.EC/FP7/278593/EU/Organic Zeolites/ORGZEOEC/FP7/300534/EU/Functional Microporous Organic Polymers/FunMOP

Possibilidades de Uso do ChatGPT nas Práticas Pedagógicas da Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (EPT): uma Revisão Sistemática de Literatura

A recente introdução da inteligência artificial generativa do ChatGPT gerou especulação sobre o uso dessa tecnologia em vários segmentos e, em particular, na Educação. Para investigar as potencialidades nesse contexto, realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre o uso de recursos nas práticas pedagógicas para identificar as possibilidades de aplicação da tecnologia na Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (EPT). Para tanto, foram identificados 26 estudos primários nos periódicos Capes, Science Direct e Scopus. A análise revelou que a maioria das práticas foi conduida no ensino superior, em abordagens multidisciplinares e para avaliar a percepção dos usuários sobre o desempenho do ChatGPT em tarefas acadêmicas. As metodologias empregadas nas práticas sinalizam o potencial da ferramenta no apoio à aprendizagem, mas destacam cautela para seu uso responsável. As características identificadas, além disso, mostraram aderência aos pressupostos da Educação Profissional, embora apontem para a necessidade de novos estudos para compreender melhor a aplicabilidade da intelligência artificial nesse contexto

Self-organized BMP signaling dynamics underlie the development and evolution of digit segmentation patterns in birds and mammals

We wish to thank C. J. Tabin, E. Clark, and J. C. Scoones for a critical reading of the manuscript, M. Luxey, A. Zuniga, and R. Zeller for providing wild-type mouse embryos, M. Wang for help with R, D. Barac for conceptual input on the developmental digit growth series, and D. Ebert, D. Berner, and all members of our groups for useful discussions. Calculations for scRNA-seq analyses were performed at sciCORE (http://scicore.unibas.ch/), scientific computing center at the University of Basel. This work was supported by research funds from UK Research and Innovation [Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, grant numbers BB/W003619/1 and BB/X511973/1] to T.W.H. and from the Swiss National Science Foundation [SNSF project grant number 310030_189242] and the University of Basel to P.T.Peer reviewedPublisher PD