Hybrid suburbia: New research perspectives in France and Southern California

Geographical research on French and US suburbia has concentrated in recent decades on urban sprawl and concomitant processes of devaluation and exclusion. In the case of the French banlieues, with their much-publicised urban riots, this particular analytic focus has become overwhelming, with resultant loss to other developments and perspectives. However, certain districts in the first (or inner) ring of both French and US suburbia are currently showing distinct urbanisation tendencies in planning and architecture, evident in the new usage of brownfield sites and the ongoing demolition, replacement, and rededication of the older building core. Such processes induce population changes, e.g. the displacement of lower in favour of higher income groups. Overall, they result in an architectonic, social and cultural heterogeneity that escapes the specificity of received categories and merits the term hybridisation. The article describes and compares these processes as exemplified in Greater Paris and San Diego (Southern California)

Effectiveness of proximal tibial tubercle transfer in patients with patella baja after total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE Patella baja after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common problem that is usually treated via proximal transfer of the tibial tubercle. As the long-term outcomes of this procedure are unclarified, this study aimed to investigate the changes in clinical function and radiographic patellar height during five years of follow-up. METHODS Sixty patients with patella baja after TKA who underwent proximalisation of the tibial tubercle were followed up for a mean of 71 months (range 21-153 months). The pre- and postoperative range of motion (ROM) and clinical scores (Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)) were compared. The radiographic patellar height was measured with the Caton-Deschamps index (CDI), Blackburne-Peel ratio (BP), and modified Insall-Salvati index (MIS). RESULTS Proximalisation of the tibial tubercle resulted in a significant improvement in the ROM from 80° to 88°. The KSS and WOMAC did not improve or even worsened after the intervention. The radiographic patellar height immediately after tibial tubercle transfer was not better than prior to the intervention (CDI 0.72 vs. 0.63, p = 0.72; BP 0.66 vs. 0.61, p = 0.72; MIS 1.59 vs. 1.55, p = 1.00) and further decreased significantly so that the mean final values were worse than the values in the native joint (CDI 0.59 vs. 0.78, p = 0.001; BP 0.58 vs. 0.74, p = 0.001; MIS 1.39 vs. 1.81, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Proximalisation of the tibial tubercle in patients with patella baja after TKA does neither lead to significant improvements in the clinical outcome nor in the radiographic patellar height during long-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

Certification Labels for Trustworthy AI: Insights From an Empirical Mixed-Method Study

Auditing plays a pivotal role in the development of trustworthy AI. However, current research primarily focuses on creating auditable AI documentation, which is intended for regulators and experts rather than end-users affected by AI decisions. How to communicate to members of the public that an AI has been audited and considered trustworthy remains an open challenge. This study empirically investigated certification labels as a promising solution. Through interviews (N = 12) and a census-representative survey (N = 302), we investigated end-users' attitudes toward certification labels and their effectiveness in communicating trustworthiness in low- and high-stakes AI scenarios. Based on the survey results, we demonstrate that labels can significantly increase end-users' trust and willingness to use AI in both low- and high-stakes scenarios. However, end-users' preferences for certification labels and their effect on trust and willingness to use AI were more pronounced in high-stake scenarios. Qualitative content analysis of the interviews revealed opportunities and limitations of certification labels, as well as facilitators and inhibitors for the effective use of labels in the context of AI. For example, while certification labels can mitigate data-related concerns expressed by end-users (e.g., privacy and data protection), other concerns (e.g., model performance) are more challenging to address. Our study provides valuable insights and recommendations for designing and implementing certification labels as a promising constituent within the trustworthy AI ecosystem

The productive potential and limits of landscape conflicts in light of Ralf Dahrendorf’s conflict theory

Ralf Dahrendorf’s conflict theory posits social conflict as, under certain circumstances, productive. Working from a constructivist view of language, we ask to what extent this applies to the conflicts currently arising around the social construct of «landscape», either from different interpretations of that concept or from different evaluations of the physical manifestations of human activity to which it refers. Are such conflicts socially productive? How can they become so? Our theoretical premises are clarified in a review of recent empirical inquiries into the German energy transition, a national undertaking which – following the political decision to exit nuclear-powered energy production by 2022 – has turned into a central field of social conflict, due to the ensuing massive growth not only of alternative power plants but also of electricity transmission networks. Regarding controversy in this context as normal, and eschewing simple solutions, we argue for the importance of recognizing opposing interests as legitimate, not categorizing opposition as per se immoral, agreeing rules of procedure, and accepting decisions that abide by those rules. Conclusions are drawn for both theory and practice

Micro-embossing of micro-structures in RSA-501 as mold inserts for the replication of micro-lens arrays

The production of mold inserts for the replication of micro-lens arrays through micro-embossing could be an alternative process route compared to diamond turning or milling in order to reduce time and costs. The rapidly solidified aluminum alloy RSA-501 is expected to form micro-structures with low surface roughness because of its ultra-fine grain structure. In micro-embossing challenges like elastic spring back effect, pile-ups, and forming accuracy depend on the material behavior. Therefore, RSA-501 was further characterized and the influence of polishing or flycutting on the material behavior was investigated. To further understand the grain and microstructure samples were sectioned along their cross and longitudinal directions. The grain structure of RSA-501 was oriented along the extrusion direction and the mean grain sizes were <1.00 μm. Furthermore, RSA-501 was micro-embossed to investigate the influence of the material behavior and surface preparation on the forming of micro-structures. The induced surface integrity through flycutting was not deep enough to influence the forming of micro-structures. Therefore, the workpiece surface can be prepared either by polishing or flycutting. When micro-embossing RSA-501, cross and longitudinal sections can be used. However, it is recommended to process the cross section because of its isotropic grain structure. It was shown that the curvature radius of micro-embossed concave structures differs from the tool radius. This is due to the elastic spring back effect. Since the embossed structure remains spherical, the spring back effect can be compensated by adjusting the tool radius

The concise measurement of clinical communication skills: Validation of a short scale

Objective There is a lack of brief rating scales for the reliable assessment of psychotherapeutic skills, which do not require intensive rater training and/or a high level of expertise. Thus, the objective is to validate a 14-item version of the Clinical Communication Skills Scale (CCSS-S). Methods Using a sample of N = 690 video-based ratings of role-plays with simulated patients, we calculated a confirmatory factor analysis and an exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), assessed convergent validities, determined inter-rater reliabilities and compared these with those who were either psychology students, advanced psychotherapy trainees, or experts. Results Correlations with other competence rating scales were high (rs > 0.86–0.89). The intraclass correlations ranged between moderate and good [ICC(2,2) = 0.65–0.80], with student raters yielding the lowest scores. The one-factor model only marginally replicated the data, but the internal consistencies were excellent (α = 0.91–95). The ESEM yielded a two-factor solution (Collaboration and Structuring and Exploration Skills). Conclusion The CCSS-S is a brief and valid rating scale that reliably assesses basic communication skills, which is particularly useful for psychotherapy training using standardized role-plays. To ensure good inter-rater reliabilities, it is still advisable to employ raters with at least some clinical experience. Future studies should further investigate the one- or two-factor structure of the instrument.Peer Reviewe

Prävention und Hilfe bei stoffgebundenen und stoffungebundenen Suchterkrankungen in Niedersachsen. Abschlussbericht für das Niedersächsische Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Gleichstellung

Zweitveröffentlichung. Download von https://kfn.de/publikationen/kfn-forschungsbericht

Mobilfunk ja – aber Masten und Antennen bitte nicht hier! Diskursive Aushandlungsprozesse um die Standortwahl von Sendeanlagen in Deutschland

A stable and nationwide mobile network coverage is increasingly regarded as essential. This requires an expansion of mobile networks throughout the country. However, the installation of masts and antennas has often been the subject of conflict in Germany, especially due to fears about potential health effects of electromagnetic fields. Transmitters become both a trigger and a target of social protests. From a discourse-theoretical perspective, we identify central lines of argumentation in the German cellular network conflicts. A triangulation of quantitatively oriented and qualitative analysis components forms the methodological basis. Regional case studies provide an opportunity to identify local differences. A comparison of past and recent conflicts reveals discursive shifts over time. Debates about the possible health effects of mobile radio were particularly contentious in the context of UMTS mobile phone expansion at the turn of the millennium. The (planned) installation of transmitters at the local level often sparked this discussion. During the expansion of the 5G network, in addition to the debate about the health risks of the technology, questions are now being raised about whether and to whom the expansion is necessary. Compared to the previous period of investigation, local conflicts about transmitters now appear to be less virulent and can be found primarily in southern and southwestern Germany

Das Biosphärenreservat Bliesgau: Einschätzungen durch die Bevölkerung

Im Jahr 2007 wurde die 'Biosphäre Bliesgau' (Saarland) per Rechtsverordnung nach deutschem Recht eingerichtet und 2009 durch die UNESCO als Biosphärenreservat anerkannt, womit auf ein rund zehnjähriges Bestehen zurückgeblickt werden kann. Vor diesem Hintergrund befassen sich die Autoren mit der derzeitigen Einschätzung der Bevölkerung (Jahr 2016) zur Entwicklung des Biosphärenreservates als einer Modellregion für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Die hier präsentierten Ergebnisse einer quantitativen Onlinebefragung beleuchten unter anderem, was die Befragten am Bliesgau schätzen, was sie mit dem Biosphärenreservat verbinden und welche Angebote die Befragten nutzen, also wie die Menschen die regionale Entwicklung im Kontext der Biosphärenreservatausweisung einschätzen. Es zeigt sich, dass die Institution des Biosphärenreservates durch die Befragten insgesamt positiv bewertet wird. Diese Einschätzung bezieht sich (in noch stärkerem Maße) auf die Landschaft des Bliesgaus, die durch die Einrichtung des Biosphärenreservates geschützt und entwickelt werden soll. Knapp zusammengefasst bedeutet das Biosphärenreservat für die Befragten die gesteigerte Verfügbarkeit regionaler Produkte in Kombination mit Landschafts- und Naturschutz.In 2007 the ‘Biosphere Bliesgau‘ (Saarland) was established through an enactment in accordance with German law, and in 2009 the area was given UNESCO biosphere reserve status. The reserve thus looks back on ten years of existence. This is the context in which the authors investigate current public perceptions (in 2016) of the development of the biosphere reserve as a model region for sustainable development. The findings presented here are drawn from an online questionnaire and shed light on what those surveyed value about Bliesgau, what they associate with the biosphere reserve, what offerings they use, and thus how people assess the development of Bliesgau in the context of its designation as a biosphere reserve. It can be seen that the institution of the biosphere reserve is viewed overall positively by those questioned. This assessment applies (even more strongly) to the Bliesgau landscape, which should be protected and developed by the establishment of the biosphere reserve. Briefly summarised, for those surveyed the biosphere reserve represents increased availability of regional products in combination with landscape and nature protection