About the influence of elevation model quality and small-scale damage functions on flood damage estimation

The assessment of coastal flood risks in a particular region requires the estimation of typical damages caused by storm surges of certain characteristics and annualities. Although the damage depends on a multitude of factors, including flow velocity, duration of flood, precaution, etc., the relationship between flood events and the corresponding average damages is usually described by a stage-damage function, which considers the maximum water level as the only damage influencing factor. Starting with different (microscale) building damage functions we elaborate a macroscopic damage function for the entire case study area Kalundborg (Denmark) on the basis of multiple coarse-graining methods and assumptions of the hydrological connectivity. We find that for small events, the macroscopic damage function mostly depends on the properties of the elevation model, while for large events it strongly depends on the assumed building damage function. In general, the damage in the case study increases exponentially up to a certain level and then less steep

The German version of the brief affective neuroscience personality scales including a LUST scale (BANPS-GL)

This study presents the German version of the Brief Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (BANPS), which includes an additional subscale for the dimension LUST. The BANPS represents a shortened version of the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS), a self-report instrument to assess individual dispositions toward primary emotional systems as proposed by Jaak Panksepp. MethodsIn a large sample (N = 926), the reliability and various facets of validity of the German translation of the BANPS were examined together with the newly included LUST scale. The BANPS-GL was related to the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (SSSS) and analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). ResultsOverall, the BANPS–GL exhibited reliabilities ranging from McDonald's ω = 0.70 (CARE) to α = 0.86 (SADNESS) and plausible correlations with external criteria. For CFA a correlated 7-factor model demonstrated good fit [TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.04 (90% CI: 0.04, 0.05); SRMR = 0.06]. A similar fit was demonstrated for a 2-higher-factor model [TLI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.05 (90% CI: 0.05, 0.06); SRMR = 0.07]. ConclusionIn broad agreement with the results of the original English version, the BANPS-GL showed good reliability and acceptable factorial validity, and overall improved the psychometric properties of the original long form. Finally, the inclusion of the dimension LUST allows for a complete coverage of the primary emotion dispositions as originally conceptualized by Panksepp

COSMIN systematic review and meta-analysis of the measurement properties of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

BACKGROUND: The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is the most widely used tool for assessing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite its widespread use, the psychometric properties of the PANSS have not been systematically reviewed. This study fills that gap in the scientific literature.METHODS: We utilized the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guideline for systematic reviews and meta-analytical procedures to assess the psychometric properties of the PANSS in its original three-subscale form as well as the quality level of the evidence available. On this basis we formulated recommendations for future research and use. A study protocol was registered under 10.17605/OSF.IO/5EGMD. The search period was until February 21, 2024.FINDINGS: We included 119 publications. According to COSMIN, the PANSS demonstrated sufficient reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness; but had significant shortcomings in content validity and structural validity. The original three-factor model showed poor structural validity, leading to its COSMIN classification as "not recommendable". The subscales showed overall acceptable measurement properties. However, the lack of structural validity of the three-subscale model renders its subscales less useful. Moreover, the PANSS negative subscale does not cover all domains of the National Institute of Mental Health consensus. Due to the length of the instrument (30-50 min), it is barely useable in clinical practice.INTERPRETATION: Although the PANSS is the standard scale for schizophrenia symptom severity, its shortcomings regarding fundamental psychometric domains and practical applicability warrant the development of new scales for which appropriate methods should be applied from the start.FUNDING: There was no specific funding source for this research.</p

COSMIN systematic review and meta-analysis of the measurement properties of the PANSS-6

The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-30) is the standard instrument for assessing symptoms of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. However, its long administration time and structural issues have prompted the development of shorter versions. The PANSS-6, derived through Item Response Theory and Rasch analysis of the PANSS-8, emerged as a potential alternative. Comprising three positive and three negative symptom items, the PANSS-6 offers a more feasible assessment tool. However, its measurement properties have never been systematically reviewed. We applied the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guideline for systematic reviews and meta-analytical procedures to assess the psychometric properties of the PANSS-6. COSMIN comprises several steps: literature search, risk-of-bias assessments, assessing the updated criteria for good measurement properties, grading the quality of the evidence and feasibility aspects. We included 13 publications. The PANSS-6 showed sufficient content validity, structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability, criterion validity, construct validity and responsiveness according to COSMIN. On some of them only a small body of evidence is currently available. For internal consistency, cross-cultural validity and measurement error there was not enough evidence for a definite rating. Its short administration time of only 15-20 mins renders feasibility good. The PANSS-6 does not cover all schizophrenia symptoms but focuses on the core symptoms in favor of a feasible administration time. The evidence available on its measurement properties yields sufficient results for its purpose - the assessment of symptom severity and its change. According to COSMIN it can potentially be recommended for use.</p

Catalyst-Free, Scalable, Green-Light-Mediated Iodoamination, and Further Transformation of Olefins Under Continuous Flow Conditions

We report the iodoamination of alkenes in continuous flow under metal-free, visible-light-mediated conditions with commercially available N-iodosuccinimide and protected amines. Unactivated and activated alkenes as well as Michael acceptors are amenable substrate classes for this process, allowing the synthesis of 1,2-iodoamines with a broad scope and in high yields (59–94%). The steadiness of the protocol is demonstrated in a continuous flow experiment over 4.5 h for the coupling of styrene, NIS, and N-tosyl-amine, which gave rise to 14 g (91%) of the iodoaminated product, corresponding to a productivity of 3.1 g h–1. Additionally, the direct conversion of the products without prior isolation into aziridines, enamines, amino alcohols, or azidoamines is possible, underscoring the synthetic value of this approach. Variation of the reaction conditions by adding typical impurities in reagents or solvents or changing the irradiation from green to blue light had a minimal effect on the yield, giving credit to the robustness of the process

Vergleichende Analyse von Fallbeispielen Regionaler Integrierter Vulnerabilitätsassessments: WP2 Synthesebericht

Dieser Bericht enthält die Ergebnisse der im Projekt RIVAS durchgeführten vergleichenden Analyse von 14 internationalen Fallbeispielen regionaler integrierter Vulnerabilitätsassessments. Konzept und Methodik der Projektanalyse werden in Kapitel 2 erläutert. Kapitel 3 enthält die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der projektspezifischen Analyse in Form von projektbezogenen Zusammenfassungen, während in Kapitel 4 Ergebnisse des projektübergreifenden Vergleichs für wichtige Vergleichsdimensionen dargestellt und diskutiert werden. Am Ende der Sub-Kapitel zu jeder Vergleichsdimension findet sich eine Zusammenfassung und kurze Bewertung der Analysebefunde. In Kapitel 5 werden wesentliche Herausforderungen bei der Planung und Durchführung von partizipativen regionalen Vulnerabilitätsanalysen sowie Einsichten und Lösungsansätze zu deren Überwindung im Sinne einer Materialsammlung zusammengestellt. Im weiteren Projektverlauf dienen diese Inhalte als Basis zur weiteren Entwicklung der abschließenden Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen. Mit Ausnahme der projektspezifischen Zusammenfassungen in Kapitel 3 ist dieser Bericht in deutscher Sprache verfasst, weil sich das Projekt RIVAS vorrangig an österreichische Zielgruppen wendet. Die "Executive Summaries" wurden auf Englisch verfasst, weil ein beträchtlicher Teil der herangezogenen Literatur in englischer Sprache vorliegt. Für die AutorInnen sollte diese Vorgangsweise in weiterer Folge die wissenschaftliche Publikationstätigkeit erleichtern

Does adult attachment mediate the relationship between primary emotion traits and eating disorder symptoms?

ObjectivesPrimary emotion traits and attachment patterns, have been linked to various mental disorders. This study aims to shed more light on the less studied relationship with eating disorder (ED) symptoms.MethodsA total of 921 non-clinical subjects (69.9% females) were assessed for primary emotions traits (B-ANPS-GL), attachment insecurity (ECR-RD8), and eating disorder pathology (EDE-Q8). A theoretically derived model was evaluated by means of a path analysis with attachment anxiety as assumed mediator variable.ResultsGlobal problematic eating behavior showed negative correlations with the positive emotions PLAY, CARE, and LUST (r = −0.10 to −0.24), positive correlations with the negative primary emotions ANGER, FEAR, and SADNESS (r = 0.12–0.27), as well as with attachment anxiety (r = 0.22, all p &lt; 0.01). Path analyses revealed direct effects between eating behavior pathology with LUST (β = −0.07 to −0.15) and FEAR (β = 0.12–0.19; all p &lt; 0.05). The association of SADNESS and Weight (β = 0.05) and Shape Concern (β = 0.06, p &lt; 0.001) was fully mediated by attachment anxiety. Overall, the path model explained 17% of the variance for attachment anxiety and 6% of the Restraint, 13% for Eating, 10% for Weight and 14% for Shape Concern Subscales.DiscussionThe findings shed light on the multifactorial relationship between affective traits, attachment security, and eating disorder pathology. In line with previous research, the results emphasize the role of attachment and affective functioning in ED symptoms

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the vulva, an underrecognized entity? Case report with a single inguinal micrometastasis detected by sentinel node technique

This report describes an unusual EBV-negative lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the vulva in a 73-year-old patient. The lesion was localised at the right minor labium and was resected by partial vulvectomy. A synchronous sentinel lymph node biopsy revealed a single micrometastasis in the right inguinal region, which prompted local radiotherapy. Follow-up nine months later showed only slight vulvar atrophy, without signs of local recurrence or distant metastases

Is there an affective neuroscience of spirituality? The development and validation of the OCEANic feelings scale

BackgroundOceanic feelings represent a phenomenological structure of affective sensations that characteristically involve feelings of self-dissolution and feelings of unity and transcendence. This study presents the preliminary version of a self-report instrument to measure individual dispositions toward oceanic feelings in order to enable further research within the concept of primary emotions postulated by Jaak Panksepp.MethodsA first version of the questionnaire was applied to a total sample of 926 German-speaking adults of the general population. After performing item analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) in a first study (N = 300), the questionnaire was shortened. In a second study (N = 626), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and emerged scales were related to the already established instruments for the assessment of primary emotions (BANPS-GL) and Big Five personality traits (BFI-44).ResultsThe OCEANic scale exhibited reliabilities ranging from Cronbach’s α = 0.82 (positive) to α = 0.88 (negative) and plausible correlations with behavioral traits related to the seven affective neurobiological systems (ANGER, FEAR, CARE, SEEK, PLAY, SADNESS, and LUST) as well as with personality factors measured by the Big Five Inventory. For CFA, a bifactorial model with an overall factor demonstrated good fit: RMSEA = 0.00 (90% CI:0.00, 0.03); TLI = 1.00; CFI = 1.00; NFI = 0.99.DiscussionThe OCEANic scale enables the operationalization of oceanic feelings comprising two subscales and one total scale. The results indicate good reliability and acceptable factorial validity. Establishment and further validation of the OCEANic scale within future research will be needed to fully understand the role of oceanic feelings within the human affective life, especially the personality trait of spirituality

Influence of anxious attachment on the relationship between primary emotions and substance-related addictive behaviors

ObjectivesTo date there is no universally accepted model that describes the development of substance related addictive behavior. In order to address this gap, the study sought to examine whether the association between primary emotions and the inclination toward addictive behavior is mediated by an anxious attachment style.MethodsThe total sample consisted of 900 German speaking non-clinical adults (age: M = 27; SD = 9.60; 71.6% female). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to examine the connection between the primary emotions (SADNESS and ANGER), and the latent variables attachment anxiety and symptoms of addictive behavior.ResultsSubstance use symptomatology was correlated with higher attachment anxiety (r = 0.15), SADNESS (r = 0.15), and ANGER (r = 0.11). The effect of SADNESS on addictive behavior is mediated by attachment anxiety (p &lt; 0.01) whereas ANGER had a direct effect on addictive behavior (p &lt; 0.01). The final SEM explains 4% of the variance of addictive behaviors and 22% of attachment anxiety.ConclusionOur findings suggest that both SADNESS and ANGER, along with attachment anxiety, are dispositions that contribute to the risk of engaging in addictive behavior. However, while ANGER directly influences addictive behavior, SADNESS acts through its impact on attachment anxiety