Digitalisierung und Polarisierung: eine Literaturstudie zu den Auswirkungen des digitalen Wandels auf Sozialstruktur und Betriebe

In jüngerer Vergangenheit ist eine vitale Debatte um den Zusammenhang zwischen der Digitalisierung der Arbeit und der Polarisierung der Sozialstruktur entstanden. Dabei stehen sich Studien zu Makroentwicklungen sozialer Ungleichheit und Befunde zu Veränderungen betrieblicher Sozialstrukturen (Mikroebene) bisher unverbunden gegenüber. Die vorliegende Metastudie versucht daher, die Brücke zwischen diesen beiden Forschungsfeldern zu schlagen. Über eine umfassende Literaturauswertung kommen wir zu dem Schluss, dass die soziale Polarisierungsbewegung, die im Zeichen der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung in der Öffentlichkeit befürchtet wird, bereits seit Jahrzehnten real und ihre Fortsetzung mit oder ohne fortschreitende Digitalisierung wahrscheinlich ist. Von einer beschleunigten Digitalisierung könnten gleichwohl Impulse für eine weitere Verschärfung dieser Dynamik ausgehen.In recent past a vital debate on the connection of the digitalization of work and the polarization of the social structure has emerged. Up to now studies on the development of social inequality on the societal macro level on one hand and those that look into the changes of social structure on the micro level of companies on the other hand have not been systematically linked. Therefore, this meta study tries to lay a bridge across these two fields of research. By means of an extensive analysis of the available literature we conclude that social polarization has been a reality for decades and will continue to progress with or without digital change. Nonetheless a digitalization that accelerates could lead to worsening of this dynamic

Digitalisierung und Polarisierung: Kurzfassung einer Metastudie zu den Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung auf Sozialstruktur und Betriebe

Die soziale Polarisierung, die infolge der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung in der Öffentlichkeit befürchtet wird, ist bereits seit Jahrzehnten real. Dass sich diese Polarisierung fortsetzen wird, ist mit oder ohne fortschreitende Digitalisierung wahrscheinlich. Darauf deuten die Dynamiken von Globalisierung und vorherrschender Finanzökonomie, das stete Wachstum des Dienstleistungsbereichs im Arbeitsmarkt sowie institutionelle Filtermechanismen, die allesamt zu einer steten Polarisierungsbewegung beitragen. Bei beschleunigter Digitalisierung wäre davon auszugehen, dass sich diese Dynamik durch die Veränderungen des Arbeitsmarktes, die schneller eintreten, als sie bewältigt werden können, weiter verschärfen würde. Die betriebliche Ebene erscheint uns in diesem Prozess als entscheidende Vermittlungsinstanz zwischen Sozialverträglichkeit und beschleunigtem digitalem Wandel

Neuroprotection in neurodegenerative disease:from basic science to clinical applications

Editoria

Does regional loss of bone density explain low trauma distal forearm fractures in men (The Mr F study)?

Summary The pathogenesis of low trauma wrist fractures in men is not fully understood. This study found that these men have lower bone mineral density at the forearm itself, as well as the hip and spine, and has shown that forearm bone mineral density is the best predictor of wrist fracture. Introduction Men with distal forearm fractures have reduced bone density at the lumbar spine and hip sites, an increased risk of osteoporosis and a higher incidence of further fractures. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate whether or not there is a regional loss of bone mineral density (BMD) at the forearm between men with and without distal forearm fractures. Methods Sixty-one men with low trauma distal forearm fracture and 59 age-matched bone healthy control subjects were recruited. All subjects underwent a DXA scan of forearm, hip and spine, biochemical investigations, health questionnaires, SF-36v2 and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). The non-fractured arm was investigated in subjects with fracture and both forearms in control subjects. Results BMD was significantly lower at the ultradistal forearm in men with fracture compared to control subjects, in both the dominant (mean (SD) 0.386 g/cm2 (0.049) versus 0.436 g/cm2 (0.054), p < 0.001) and non-dominant arm (mean (SD) 0.387 g/cm2 (0.060) versus 0.432 g/cm2 (0.061), p = 0.001). Fracture subjects also had a significantly lower BMD at hip and spine sites compared with control subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that the best predictor of forearm fracture was ultradistal forearm BMD (OR = 0.871 (0.805–0.943), p = 0.001), with the likelihood of fracture decreasing by 12.9% for every 0.01 g/cm2 increase in ultradistal forearm BMD. Conclusions Men with low trauma distal forearm fracture have significantly lower regional BMD at the ultradistal forearm, which contributes to an increased forearm fracture risk. They also have generalised reduction in BMD, so that low trauma forearm fractures in men should be considered as indicator fractures for osteoporosis

Effects of acoustic neurostimulation in healthy adults on symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and sleep quality: a randomized clinical study

Aim: To evaluate the application of an acoustic neurostimulation program with binaural beats and isochronic tones isolated or in association, and its effects on sleep, depression, anxiety, and stress in healthy workers. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial, using acoustic neurostimulation with binaural beats, isochronic tones, or a combination of these in the 10 Hz range (alpha) performed with daily 20-minute sessions for 21 days. Changes in brainwave patterns were assessed by electroencephalogram (EEG). Psycho-emotional state was assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 Items (DASS-21), and sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, salivary cortisol levels were evaluated as a biomarker of stress. Results: The data revealed distinct patterns of brainwave modulation via brainwave entrainment (BWE) techniques. Binaural beats and isochronic tones, alone and in combination, effectively increased alpha brainwaves in the temporoparietal region. However, when assessing theta brainwave frequencies in the same region, only binaural beats showed a significant effect. Furthermore, in the prefrontal cortex, an elevation in beta waves was exclusively observed with the use of binaural beats. These findings underscore the specificity of BWE techniques on different brainwave frequencies and regions. The study demonstrated marked improvements in several symptoms related to stress, depression, anxiety, assessed by psychometry with DASS-21 and related to sleep quality assessed by the PSQI. Conclusions: These results indicate that 10 Hz acoustic neurostimulation in the alpha range, whether through binaural beats, isochronic tones, or a combination of both, can significantly influence brainwave patterns and intensity. Notably, participants exhibited decrease in symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, coupled with improved sleep quality. These data suggest that alpha acoustic neurostimulation holds promise as an effective intervention for bolstering mood, mental health, and overall emotional well-being [Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec, ensaiosclinicos.gov.br) identifier: RBR-10yj42dj]

Mapping medical careers: Questionnaire assessment of career preferences in medical school applicants and final-year students

BACKGROUND: The medical specialities chosen by doctors for their careers play an important part in the workforce planning of health-care services. However, there is little theoretical understanding of how different medical specialities are perceived or how choices are made, despite there being much work in general on this topic in occupational psychology, which is influenced by Holland's RIASEC (Realistic-Investigative-Artistic-Social-Enterprising-Conventional) typology of careers, and Gottfredson's model of circumscription and compromise. In this study, we use three large-scale cohorts of medical students to produce maps of medical careers. METHODS: Information on between 24 and 28 specialities was collected in three UK cohorts of medical students (1981, 1986 and 1991 entry), in applicants (1981 and 1986 cohorts, N = 1135 and 2032) or entrants (1991 cohort, N = 2973) and in final-year students (N = 330, 376, and 1437). Mapping used Individual Differences Scaling (INDSCAL) on sub-groups broken down by age and sex. The method was validated in a population sample using a full range of careers, and demonstrating that the RIASEC structure could be extracted. RESULTS: Medical specialities in each cohort, at application and in the final-year, were well represented by a two-dimensional space. The representations showed a close similarity to Holland's RIASEC typology, with the main orthogonal dimensions appearing similar to Prediger's derived orthogonal dimensions of 'Things-People' and 'Data-Ideas'. CONCLUSIONS: There are close parallels between Holland's general typology of careers, and the structure we have found in medical careers. Medical specialities typical of Holland's six RIASEC categories are Surgery (Realistic), Hospital Medicine (Investigative), Psychiatry (Artistic), Public Health (Social), Administrative Medicine (Enterprising), and Laboratory Medicine (Conventional). The homology between medical careers and RIASEC may mean that the map can be used as the basis for understanding career choice, and for providing career counselling

Evaluating Behavioral Health Service Need for Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Community-Based Qualitative Study

The LGBTQ community experiences mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, at rates higher than heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Given these disparities in mental health, it is crucial that the LGBTQ population has access to mental health services. However, LGBTQ individuals face barriers to accessing mental health care due to service affordability, availability, and/or lack of LGBT-inclusivity. A Place to Nourish your Health (APNH), formerly known as AIDS Project New Haven, has historically provided care to those in New Haven who live with HIV and AIDS. APNH is now seeking to re-define itself as an organization by expanding services to support those experiencing stigma related to gender identity, sexual orientation, addiction, and mental health. Thus, to aid APNH in their service expansion to stigmatized populations, we performed a qualitative community needs assessment in the greater New Haven area to inform where APNH’s priorities should lie in their expansion of services. Findings provided insight into the current mental health landscape of New Haven’s LGBTQ community and led to reccomendatios regarding APNH\u27s expanion of behavoral health services.https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysph_pbchrr/1024/thumbnail.jp