Performance Measurement in the Dutch Social Rented Sector

The contributions in 'Performance Measurement in the Dutch Social Rented Sector' address the societal and practical needs of housing associations, in order to develop better instruments for performance measurement. The provision of useful instruments allows for more transparency and thus improved external control over housing associations. At the same time these instruments should benefit the internal control and planning processes of the housing associations. The identification of Key Performance Indicators, as well as the input, throughput and output indicators that are bound up with it, facilitates the choice, implementation and (re-)shaping of policy alternatives and the justification for choosing among these alternatives. The contributions in this work do not address the overall scope of performance measurement and performance indicators reflecting the impact of housing. The range of examples covered in the book is related to the public tasks of Dutch housing association. As well as offering practical instruments for performance measurement for specific public tasks, the book ascertains a general guideline for performance management by housing associations. For this purpose the tools that are provided by the conceptual systems approach have been used as a framework. Most of the chapters are a mixture of theoretical or conceptual ideas and practical techniques

Multisystem proteinopathy due to a homozygous p.Arg159His VCP mutation : a tale of the unexpected

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical, radiologic, myopathologic, and proteomic findings in a patient manifesting a multisystem proteinopathy due to a homozygous valosin-containing protein gene (VCP) mutation previously reported to be pathogenic in the heterozygous state.MethodsWe studied a 36-year-old male index patient and his father, both presenting with progressive limb-girdle weakness. Muscle involvement was assessed by MRI and muscle biopsies. We performed whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing for segregation analysis of the identified p.Arg159His VCP mutation. To dissect biological disease signatures, we applied state-of-the-art quantitative proteomics on muscle tissue of the index case, his father, 3 additional patients with VCP-related myopathy, and 3 control individuals.ResultsThe index patient, homozygous for the known p.Arg159His mutation in VCP, manifested a typical VCP-related myopathy phenotype, although with a markedly high creatine kinase value and a relatively early disease onset, and Paget disease of bone. The father exhibited a myopathy phenotype and discrete parkinsonism, and multiple deceased family members on the maternal side of the pedigree displayed a dementia, parkinsonism, or myopathy phenotype. Bioinformatic analysis of quantitative proteomic data revealed the degenerative nature of the disease, with evidence suggesting selective failure of muscle regeneration and stress granule dyshomeostasis.ConclusionWe report a patient showing a multisystem proteinopathy due to a homozygous VCP mutation. The patient manifests a severe phenotype, yet fundamental disease characteristics are preserved. Proteomic findings provide further insights into VCP-related pathomechanisms

TecCOMFrame:Developing prototype technical communication curricula

In Europe, the number of academic programs in technical communication is limited, and the academic profile of the field remains low as a result. The three-year TecCOMFrame project, designed to address the shortage of academic programs, began in October 2015. The project involves academic partners from eight European countries and is coordinated by Tekom Europe, the European Association for Technical Communication. The project deliverables include an academic competence framework and several prototype curricula developed from the competence framework. The process of developing the prototypes was iterative and collaborative. The purpose of the prototypes is to provide inspiration and guidance for academics planning to develop a technical communication program. The prototypes follow European norms as outlined by the Bologna process: Each curriculum corresponds to a level within the European Qualifications Framework, specifies European credits, and includes modules, subjects and learning goals. The prototypes include a three-semester master's program and a master's-level specialization in a language studies program.</p

Verbesserung der Netzwerkstrukturen im inklusiven Sport von Menschen mit Behinderung: Expertise

Die vorliegende Studie "Verbesserung der Netzwerkstrukturen im inklusiven Sport von Menschen mit Behinderung" stellt ein selbsthilfeorientiertes Konzept einer interaktiven Informations- und Kommunikationsplattform zum Thema "Inklusion und Sport" von Menschen mit Behinderungen vor. Das Konzept basiert u.a. auf einer durchgeführten Analyse der aktuellen Online-Informationsmöglichkeiten zum Thema Sport von Menschen mit Behinderungen. Dabei wurde festgestellt, dass unstrukturierte und defizitäre Informations- und Kommunikationsmöglichkeiten für Menschen mit Behinderungen zum Thema Sport bestehen. Im vorliegend entwickelten Ansatz einer interaktiven Informations- und Kommunikationsplattform wird mit überwiegend zentralen und durch den Nutzer generierten Inhalten gearbeitet. Durch diese kollektive Intelligenz und Mitarbeit bzw. Zusammenarbeit der gesamten Nutzerschaft kann der Einzelnutzer auf ein breiteres Angebot zugreifen. Die Schaffung und zentrale Verortung einer Plattform mit einem selbsthilfeorientierten Ansatz birgt somit ein großes Potential zur Verbesserung der Situation von Menschen mit und ohne Behinderung im Bereich des Sports und kann starke Impulse für die Verbesserung der allgemeinen inklusiven Kommunikation und Information liefern

Peer feedback content and sender’s competence level in academic writing revision tasks: Are they critical for feedback perceptions and efficiency?

Peer feedback content is a core component of peer assessment, but the impact of various contents of feedback is hardly studied. Participants in the study were 89 graduate students who were assigned to four experimental and a control group. Experimental groups received a scenario with Concise General (CGF) or Elaborated Specific (ESF) feedback by a high or low competent peer. ESF by a high competent peer was perceived as more adequate, but led to more negative affect. Students in CGF groups outperformed ESF groups during treatment. Groups with a low competent peer outperformed groups with a high competent peer during the posttest. Feedback perceptions and performance were uncorrelated

The Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) - Small Animal Model for Hepacivirus Infection

Many people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is frequently persistent. The lack of efficient vaccines against HCV and the unavailability of or limited compliance with existing antiviral therapies is problematic for health care systems worldwide. Improved small animal models would support further hepacivirus research, including development of vaccines and novel antivirals. The recent discovery of several mammalian hepaciviruses may facilitate such research. In this study, we demonstrated that bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were susceptible to bank vole-associated Hepacivirus F and Hepacivirus J strains, based on the detection of hepaciviral RNA in 52 of 55 experimentally inoculated voles. In contrast, interferon α/β receptor deficient C57/Bl6 mice were resistant to infection with both bank vole hepaciviruses (BvHVs). The highest viral genome loads in infected voles were detected in the liver, and viral RNA was visualized by in situ hybridization in hepatocytes, confirming a marked hepatotropism. Furthermore, liver lesions in infected voles resembled those of HCV infection in humans. In conclusion, infection with both BvHVs in their natural hosts shares striking similarities to HCV infection in humans and may represent promising small animal models for this important human disease

Injury Pattern and Current Early Clinical Care of Pediatric Polytrauma Comparing Different Age Groups in a Level I Trauma Center

Introduction: Pediatric polytrauma is a complex condition with unique characteristics and requirements for early clinical care. This study aimed to analyze the injury patterns, early clinical care, and outcomes of pediatric polytrauma patients in a Level I trauma center. The focus was on evaluation between different age groups and the recognition of injuries as potential factors influencing outcomes. Methods: A prospective cohort study model of pediatric polytrauma patients (ISS ≥ 16) was conducted over a 13-year period, stratified by age groups (Group A: 0–5 years; Group B: 6–10 years; Group C: 11–15 years; and Group D: 16–18 years). A comparison of the groups was conducted to examine variations in early clinical care, trauma mechanisms, distribution of affected body regions (as per AIS and ISS criteria), and trauma-related mortality. Additionally, factors contributing to mortality were evaluated. Results: The median age of patients was 16 years, with a male predominance (64.7%). The Injury Severity Score (ISS) varied across age groups, with no significant difference. The 30-day mortality rate was 19.0%, with no significant age-related differences. Trauma mechanisms varied across age groups, with motor vehicle accidents being the most common mechanism in all age groups except 0–5 years, where falls were prevalent. Analysis of injury patterns by AIS body regions indicated that head trauma was a significant predictor of mortality (Hazard Ratio 2.894, p < 0.001), while chest, abdominal, and extremity trauma showed no significant association with mortality. Multiple regression analysis identified the ISS and preclinical GCS as valid predictors of mortality (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: While age-related differences in injury severity and clinical interventions were limited, head trauma emerged as a critical predictor of mortality. Early recognition and management of head injuries are crucial in improving outcomes. Additionally, the ISS and preclinical GCS were identified as valid predictors of mortality, emphasizing the importance of early assessment and resuscitation. A tailored approach to pediatric polytrauma care, considering both age and injury patterns, might contribute to survival benefits in this vulnerable populatio

The BrainScaleS-2 Neuromorphic Platform — A Report on the Integration and Operation of an Open Science Hardware Platform within EBRAINS

This report presents the challenges encountered and the solutions created for the operation of the BrainScaleS neuromorphic platform, and the overall progress leading to this state at the end of the Human Brain Project (HBP)