Regional Perspectives on Eco-Innovation: Actors, Specialisations and Transition Trajectories

Tackling human-caused global warming and ecological degradation requires rapid transformative change in production and consumption patterns. In this regard, eco-innovations represent a cornerstone for reducing environmental burdens and strengthening sustainability. However, recent global efforts to scale up eco-innovations are confronted with strong spatial differences in their development and application. Against this background, the growing literature on the geography of innovation-based transformative change particularly emphasises the importance of regional specificities emanating mainly from institutions, technologies and actors. While many studies have explored eco-innovations’ enabling and constraining conditions at the regional level, scholarly debates lack insights into the extent to which eco-innovation activities in regions are carried out by incumbents or start-ups. Put differently, little is known about regional specialisations, i.e. regional comparative advantages, with regard to these two types of eco-innovation actors. This dissertation therefore sets out to gain a regionally nuanced understanding of the contribution of incumbents and start-ups to eco-innovation activities and its development over time. To ensure a broad and comparative perspective on green regional development, this research focuses on both sector-specific and general eco-innovation activities in German regions. By systematically reviewing the extensive yet fragmented body of research that revolves around the geography of eco-innovations, this dissertation first reveals complementarities that harbour promising avenues for future research. These conceptual elaborations are then followed by empirical investigations on regional eco-innovation specialisations using a novel data set on green patents and green start-ups. The findings suggest heterogeneous and persistent specialisation patterns of regions, while it is rather the exception that eco-innovation activities in regions are driven by both established actors and start-ups. In order to foster eco-innovations, a sustainability-oriented innovation policy should take greater account of the heterogeneity and path dependency of regional actor specialisations

Exploring Central Platform Types and Related Concepts in Service Research – A Systematic Literature Review

Service exchange is considered as an integral component of digital platforms. Academic research differentiates between technical, economic, and social platforms, yet scholars face a multitude of diverse platform sub-types being inconsistently utilized. To address that issue and to provide a lexical platform definition overview, this study conducts a systematic scoping literature review on platform types and related concepts in the service domain. The systematic analysis of 49 high-quality service journal articles reveals that numerous digital platform sub-types exist in service research with overlapping definitions. Moreover, several relationship marketing constructs are investigated as central related concepts. This article is the first to explore divergent platform term definitions in the service domain and thus contributes a complementary service science lens on digital platforms alongside IS research

Effect of Root Coverage on Oral Health Impact Profile (G49): A Pilot Study

Purpose. The aim of this prospective longitudinal clinical pilot study was the evaluation of the effect on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and patient-centered results of the envelope technique for Connective Tissue Graft (CTG). Methods. Sixteen patients (11 females) 24 to 71 years of age (42.6 ± 11.1) received CTG that had been harvested from the palate and grafted using the envelope technique. Prior to and 3 months after surgery, all patients were examined clinically, completed the OHIP-G49 questionnaire, and were asked to judge the results of surgery. Results. Mean baseline recession depth of 2.5 ± 0.8 mm was reduced by 1.2 ± 0.9 mm (P < .001). Root coverage amounted to 48 ± 39%. In 5 of 16 defects complete root coverage was achieved. Pain at the donor site was more pronounced than at recipient site regarding prevalence (8/6; P = .007), intensity (2.1 ± 2.3/1.1 ± 1.9 [visual analogue scale]; P = .016), and duration (1.4 ± 2.3/0.8 ± 1.4 days; P = .042). Baseline OHIP (15.7 ± 12.1) was decreased by 3.6 ± 8.5 three months after surgery (P = .139). Thirteen patients (81%) would undergo CTG surgery for similar reasons again. Conclusions. Root coverage using CTG according to the envelope technique provided improvement of OHIP as early as 3 months after surgery. Over all, patients were reasonably satisfied with the surgical technique and its results

Impact of ROS-Induced Damage of TCA Cycle Enzymes on Metabolism and Virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Noster J, Persicke M, Chao T-C, et al. Impact of ROS-Induced Damage of TCA Cycle Enzymes on Metabolism and Virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY. 2019;10: 762.Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STM) is exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) originating from aerobic respiration, antibiotic treatment, and the oxidative burst occurring inside the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) within host cells. ROS damage cellular compounds, thereby impairing bacterial viability and inducing cell death. Proteins containing iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are particularly sensitive and become non-functional upon oxidation. Comprising five enzymes with Fe-S clusters, the TCA cycle is a pathway most sensitive toward ROS. To test the impact of ROS-mediated metabolic perturbations on bacterial physiology, we analyzed the proteomic and metabolic profile of STM deficient in both cytosolic superoxide dismutases (Delta sodAB). Incapable of detoxifying superoxide anions (SOA), endogenously generated SOA accumulate during growth. Delta sodAB showed reduced abundance of aconitases, leading to a metabolic profile similar to that of an aconitase-deficient strain (Delta acnAB). Furthermore, we determined a decreased expression of acnA in STM Delta sodAB. While intracellular proliferation in RAW264.7 macrophages and survival of methyl viologen treatment were not reduced for STM Delta acnAB, proteomic profiling revealed enhanced stress response. We conclude that ROS-mediated reduced expression and damage of aconitase does not impair bacterial viability or virulence, but might increase ROS amounts in STM, which reinforces the bactericidal effects of antibiotic treatment and immune responses of the host

A Clinical Guide to the Psychosocial Issues Related to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries

Children and adolescents who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) demonstrate changes in personality, such as mood swings, irritability, impulsivity, argumentative behaviors, decreased frustration tolerance, and difficulty cooperating (Prigatano & Gray, 2007; Prigatano & Gray, 2008; Souza, Braga, Filho, & Dellatolas, 2007). These clients also have an increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, later in the lifespan as physical and cognitive demands increase (Koponen et al., 2002; Luis & Mittenberg, 2002; Viguier, Dellatolas, Gasquet, Martin, & Choquet, 2001). Despite these substantial risk factors, a significant number of children and adolescents continue to have unrecognized or unmet behavioral, emotional, and social needs as a result of inadequate mental health services (Greenspan & MacKenzie, 2000; Hawley, 2004; Slomine, McCarthy, Ding, MacKenzie, Jaffe, Aitken, et al., 2006; Souza et al., 2007). Therefore, the purpose of this scholarly project was the development of a clinical guide for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners in pediatric rehabilitation settings that provides a framework to address psychosocial issues experienced by pediatric clients with TBIs. An extensive review of developmental, educational, medical, psychological, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation literature was conducted to examine the psychosocial symptoms associated with pediatric TBI. Subsequently, the impact depression and mood disorders, personality and cognitive-behavioral changes, impaired social skills, and decreased self-esteem/self-efficacy have on occupational functioning was considered. The need for OT programs to address psychosocial impairments with pediatric clients who have sustained a TBI was supported by findings that there is a high unmet need for services that address mental health issues following a head injury (Greenspan & MacKenzie, 2000; Hawley, 2004). As a result of the literature findings, a clinical guide for OT practitioners was created to help practitioners incorporate psychosocial issues into the evaluation, intervention planning, and intervention implementation processes. The clinical guide encompasses information regarding relevant background information on TBI, psychosocial symptoms, OT practitioner’s holistic role in addressing psychosocial symptoms, pediatric psychosocial assessments, sample goals, and interventions that address psychosocial deficits. The OT Practice Framework, 2nd ed. (2008), Occupational Adaptation frame of reference, and the adult learning theory were used to help structure the clinical guide in a manner that is meant to assist OT practitioners through the clinical reasoning process in providing holistic, client-centered care to the pediatric client and his or her family. Reproducible handouts, including educational materials for family members and school professionals, were also provided in a workbook format

Die Bedeutung von Metakognitionen bei Zwangsstörungen

Nach kognitiven Modellen der Zwangsstörung tragen dysfunktionale kognitive Annahmen (z.B. erhöhtes Verantwortungsgefühl) ausschlaggebend zu der Entwicklung und Aufrechterhaltung dieser Erkrankung bei, während nach der metakognitiven Theorie nach Wells (1997) dysfunktionale metakognitive Annahmen (z.B. Annahmen über die Macht von Gedanken) die wichtigste Rolle bei der Entwicklung dieser Störung spielen. Ziel dieser Dissertation war es, die Relevanz von metakognitiven Annahmen für Zwangssymptome sowie damit verbundener Beeinträchtigungen zu untersuchen, um die Bedeutung des metakognitiven Ansatzes weiterführend zu klären. Eine wichtige Voraussetzung für die Erforschung der Rolle von Metakognitionen ist eine valide und reliable Erfassung dieser Konstrukte. Die metakognitiven Annahmen der Gedanken-Handlungs-Fusionen werden mit der „Thought Action Fusion - Skala“ (TAF-Skala) erfasst. Struktur und psychometrische Eigenschaften der deutschen Version dieses Messinstruments wurden untersucht (Studie 1). Dabei konnte die Originalstruktur in explorativen und konfirmatorischen Faktoranalysen bestätigt werden, Reliabilitäten waren zufriedenstellend bis sehr gut und Validitäten bedingt zufriedenstellend. Die TAF-Skala konnte zwischen klinischen und nicht-klinischen Probanden unterscheiden, allerdings nicht zwischen verschiedenen klinischen Stichproben. Ziel einer weiteren Studie war es, die Relevanz von zwangsspezifischen Metakognitionen wie Gedanken-Fusions-Annahmen, positive Annahmen über Rituale und ungeeignete Stoppsignale für Zwangssymptome zu untersuchen (Studie 2). Nach den Ergebnissen wies eine Gruppe von Personen mit Zwangsstörung mehr positive Annahmen über Rituale und Stoppsignale als drei (nicht-) klinische Gruppen auf, während sich keine Unterschiede in Gedanken-Fusions-Annahmen zeigten. Bei den Personen mit Zwangsstörung erklärte in Regressionsanalysen jede zwangsspezifische Metakognition zusätzliche Varianz in Zwangssymptomen, auch wenn für kognitive Annahmen und allgemeine, nicht-zwangsspezifische Metakognitionen kontrolliert wurde. Ziel einer dritten Studie war es, mit Emotionen verbundene Effekte und den Einfluss von metakognitiven Annahmen auf die verbal-episodische Gedächtnisleistung bei erhöhtem Kontrollzwang zu untersuchen (Studie 3). Höherer Kontrollzwang war mit einer verbesserten Gedächtnisleistung einer Kontrollzwang-Geschichte im Vergleich zu zwei neutralen Geschichten verbunden, aber auch mit einer höheren Vergessensrate von zwangsspezifischem Gedächtnismaterial über ein Verzögerungsintervall assoziiert. Die erhöhte Vergessensrate in Verbindung mit Kontrollzwang wurde über die metakognitive Annahme des kognitiven Vertrauens mediiert. Zusammengefasst legen die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit die Relevanz von (zwangsspezifischen) Metakognition für Zwangsstörungen nahe. Methoden der metakognitiven Therapie könnten diese Annahmen verändern und darüber zu einer Reduktion von Zwangssymptomen und auch kognitiver Beeinträchtigung führen

Der Einfluss unterschiedlicher Intensitäten beim Indoor-Cycling auf gesundheitsrelevante Parameter

Diese Arbeit soll mit Hilfe von spirometrischen, metabolischen, isometrischen und isokinetischen Messungen zeigen, dass ein Indoor-Cycling-Training angepasst an das individuelle Trainingsziel und an den individuellen Leistungs- und Gesundheitszustand des Trainierenden sowohl ein effektives Kraft- und Ausdauertraining darstellt, als auch zur Prävention und Rehabilitation diverser Krankheiten dient. Ebenso soll erläutert werden, wie sich die unterschiedlichen Intensitäten auf den Körper auswirken. 30 Probanden nahmen an einem 2monatigen Indoor-Cycling-Training teil. Je 15 Teilnehmer wurden einem Fatburner und einem Power-Cycling-Kurs zugeteilt. Der Fatburner-Kurs lag während des gesamten Trainings im aeroben Bereich, der Power-Cycling-Kurs im anaeroben Bereich. Der Power-Cycling-Kurs zeigte höchst signifikante Verbesserungen in der Leistung und eine Steigerung der Maximalkraft. Eine Steuerung allein anhand des subjektiven Belastungsempfindens ist nicht optimal. Bei richtiger Durchführung und Anleitung des Indoor-Cycling und unter Kontrolle der HF beinhaltet das Indoor-Cycling viele positive Effekte

Decoding the Impact of Obesity Long Noncoding RNAs on Murine Liver Energy Homeostasis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been recognised as multifaceted regulators of gene expression across multiple cellular and developmental contexts, yet their contribution to liver energy homeostasis remains poorly understood. Using global transcriptome profiling we demonstrate that both chronic and acute nutrient challenges elicit global anticorrelative transcriptional responses of protein-coding mRNAs and lncRNAs in liver. To address if lncRNAs functionally contribute to the control of liver metabolism, we performed in vitro characterisation of regulated hepatic lncRNAs and selected metabolically-responsive lncRNAs Gm15441 and lincIRS2 for further characterisations in vivo. Through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering we generated deletion alleles of both selected lncRNAs and verified that expression of the respective transcripts were successfully abrogated in in vivo mouse models. Finally, we show that lincIRS2 deficiency causes hyperglycemia and impaired insulin tolerance in in vivo mouse models and provide evidence that lncIRS2 is essential for proper glucose homeostasis and insulin-evoked suppression of hepatic glucose production by impacting on AKT phosphorylation and gluconeogenic and lipogenic gene expression. Collectively, we propose the concept that nutrient-sensitive lncRNA lincIRS2 is transcriptionally coupled to alterations of systemic nutrient states and functions as molecular relay controlling liver energy homeostasis

The Behavior Avoidance Test: Association With Symptom Severity and Treatment Outcome in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Behavior therapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) aims to reduce avoidance, rituals, and discomfort in OCD-relevant situations. The Behavioral Avoidance Test (BAT) measures these behavior-related outcomes in individually challenging OCD-related situations. The association of the BAT with OCD severity measures and its relevance for treatment outcome is, however, still unclear. The current study investigates with a retrospective analysis of a subsample of a pilot study, (1) if reactions on the BAT are related to OCD severity measures in an OCD sample (n = 28), (2) if treatment with two variants of cognitive-behavior therapy (exposure and response prevention vs. metacognitive therapy) changes the BAT scores and (3) if these changes as well as pretreatment BAT avoidance are relevant for OCD treatment outcome as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Participants rated avoidance, ritual, and discomfort in three individually challenging OCD-related situations before and after therapy. For one of these situations, BAT dimensions were rated by the therapist and an independent rater in addition to the patients’ ratings. Correlational analyses found significant correlations between BAT discomfort and OCD severity measures like the Y-BOCS. A repeated measures ANOVA with pre- and posttest scores showed that all three BAT dimensions significantly decreased during both treatments. Hierarchical regression analyses (controlling for Y-BOCS pretest scores) revealed that changes in BAT discomfort as well as pretreatment BAT avoidance scores predicted the Y-BOCS posttest score. These findings suggest that the BAT is a distinct measure of behavior-related outcomes partly being relevant for OCD treatment outcome