Anerkennung oder komplexe Verhältnisse? Interpretative Mitbestimmungsforschung jenseits von Macht und Partizipation

"Methodische und methodologische Ansätze der interpretativen Mitbestimmungsforschung begreifen ihren Gegenstand in der Regel in Kategorien von Macht und Anerkennung: Sie fragen danach, welche Interaktionsbeziehungen sich unter Maßgabe einer Machtasymmetrie ausbilden können. Dabei übersehen sie die unterschiedlichen sachlichen Rationalitäten, in die die Mitbestimmung eingebettet ist: Wirtschaftliche Erwägungen treffen auf Machtkalküle, Gewerkschaftspolitiken kollidieren mit Perspektiven von Betriebsräten, Finanzmarktperspektiven mit produktionsfokussierten Strategien. Um Mitbestimmungspraxen angemessen fassen zu können, müssen die unterschiedlichen sozialen Rationalitäten daher angemessen rekonstruiert und in ihrer wechselseitigen Bezugnahme verstanden werden. Anhand der mehrwertigen Logik Gotthard Günthers wird in diesem Artikel eine Metatheorie der Mitbestimmungsforschung vorgestellt, deren Ziel die Rekonstruktion sozialer Komplexität ist. Die Implikationen dieser Perspektive werden anhand der Analyse eines mitbestimmten Aufsichtsrats demonstriert." (Autorenreferat)"Interpretative qualitative research in codetermination usually conceptualizes its subject along the theoretical trajectories of power and recognition: The question is usually, which interactional patterns and cultures emerge under the given asymmetries of power. However, co-determination is not only a question of power but also deals with a plentiful of other societal rationales: Economic calculations meet micropolitics, labour unions struggle with work council, perspectives on financial markets clash with strategies based on production. We have to reconstruct this complexity involved, in order to get a grasp of the situation. This paper proposes to use the many-valued logic of Gotthard Günther as a metatheoretical framework for such cases. The implications are discussed using the case of a co-determined supervisory board." (author's abstract

"Logische Kondensation" - Zur Interpretation von Mehrdeutigkeit in der Kontexturanalyse am Beispiel eines schizophrenen Patienten in der forensischen Psychiatrie

Die Mehrdeutigkeit von Sinn und die Indexikalität von Aussagen stellt eine der zentralen Herausforderungen für die qualitative Forschung dar. Im vorliegenden Artikel machen wir einen Vorschlag, wie Mehrdeutigkeit methodisch kontrolliert erschlossen werden kann, indem propositionale Gehalte eruiert und systematisch zueinander in Beziehung gesetzt werden. Im Zentrum steht dabei eine Methode der "logischen Kondensation", bei der im Anschluss an WITTGENSTEIN (2003 [1922]) ein Text aussagenlogisch verdichtet wird. In der Folge werden logische Brüche sichtbar, die als Grundlage für eine systematische Rekonstruktion der Mehrdeutigkeit eines Textes dienen. Die logische Kondensation als Technik der Interpretation bietet so eine Grundlage für ein konsequent polykontexturales Textverständnis. Die vorgeschlagene Herangehensweise wird am Beispiel eines schizophrenen Patienten aus der forensischen Psychiatrie demonstriert.Ambiguity and indexicality of utterances are key challenges in qualitative research. In this article we propose "logical condensation" as a novel approach to this challenge. Logical condensation reduces a text to its propositional structure. This technique is based upon ideas of WITTGENSTEIN (2003 [1922]) and aims at getting to the (onto-)logical core of a text. As each text always is ambiguous, this attempt will undoubtedly fail. Consequently, we can learn from the fractures within the logical structure of a text about the different layers of meaning involved. Therefore, logical condensation can be the key to a polycontextural understanding of texts and the basis for a thorough contextual analysis. We demonstrate this using the example of a schizophrenic patient in forensic psychiatry

Wirkmächtigkeit therapeutischer Arrangements im Zwangskontext - eine kontexturanalytische Untersuchung zur Therapie eines pädophilen Mannes im Maßregelvollzug

In diesem Beitrag betrachten wir die Wirkmächtigkeit therapeutischer Arrangements in Zwangskontexten am Beispiel eines pädophilen Mannes im Maßregelvollzug. Die Analyse erfolgte auf Basis der Kontexturanalyse, einer systemischen Methodologie, bei der das Bedingungsgeflecht therapeutischer Arbeit in den Blick genommen wird. Die Rekonstruktion lässt deutlich werden, wie voraussetzungsreich es ist, dass therapeutische Gespräche und Interventionen in diesem Spannungsfeld von Macht, Lust und Sanktionierung wirksam werden. In der Diskussion werden Anschlüsse an die FOUCAULTsche Diskursanalyse gesucht. Dabei wird insbesondere darauf hingewiesen, dass hegemoniale Diskurse nicht per se eine Machtwirkung ausüben, sondern im Sinne einer rekonstruktiven Methodologie genau geschaut werden sollte, ob und wie Selbst- und Weltverhältnisse in konkreten institutionellen Arrangements formatiert werden, unter Druck geraten oder in bestimmten Konstellationen gar neu arrangiert werden. In methodologischer Hinsicht zeigen sich dabei einige Parallelen zwischen der analytischen Haltung von FOUCAULT und dem systemisch-praxeologischen Vorgehen der Kontexturanalyse.In this article we look at the power of therapeutical arrangements using the example of a pedophile inmate in a forensic psychiatric clinic. We used contextural analysis to examine the relations emerging in therapeutical work. Our reconstruction shows the multitude of prerequisites for therapeutical conversation and interventions to become efficacious in a situation marked by power, lust, and sanctions. In our work, we utilize discourse analysis, stressing that hegemonic discourse does not exert power on its own. Rather, it is necessary to reconstruct how the relations to oneself and to the world are shaped within specific institutional settings, how they become pressurized, and how they change in certain constellations. Methodologically, we stress the parallels between the analytic stance of FOUCAULT and the systemic-praxeological approach of contextural analysis

Greenland Ice Sheet - Higher non-linearity of ice flow significantly reduces estimated basal motion

In times of warming in polar regions, the prediction of ice sheet discharge is of utmost importance to society, because of its impact on sea level rise. In simulations the flow rate of ice is usually implemented as proportional to the differential stress to the power of the exponent n=3. This exponent influences the softness of the modeled ice, as higher values would produce faster flow under equal stress. We show that the stress exponent, which best fits the observed state of the Greenland Ice Sheet, equals n=4. Our results, which are not dependent on a possible basal sliding component of flow, indicate that most of the interior northern ice sheet is currently frozen to bedrock, except for the large ice streams and marginal ice. Ice in the polar ice sheets flows towards the oceans under its own weight. Knowing how fast the ice flows is of crucial importance to predict future sea level rise. The flow has two components: (1) internal shearing flow of ice and (2) basal motion, which is sliding along the base of ice sheets, especially when the ice melts at this base. To determine the first component we need to know how "soft" the ice is. By considering the flow velocities at the surface of the northern Greenland Ice Sheet and calculating the stresses that cause the flow, we determined that the ice is effectively softer than is usually assumed. Previous studies indicated that the base of the ice is thawed in large parts (up to about 50%) of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Our study shows that that is probably overestimated, because these studies assumed ice to be harder than it actually is. Our new assessment reduces the area with basal motion and thus melting to about 6-13% in the Greenland study area

A nonsynonymous mutation in PLCG2 reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia, and increases the likelihood of longevity

The genetic variant rs72824905-G (minor allele) in the PLCG2 gene was previously associated with a reduced Alzheimer's disease risk (AD). The role of PLCG2 in immune system signaling suggests it may also protect against other neurodegenerative diseases and possibly associates with longevity. We studied the effect of the rs72824905-G on seven neurodegenerative diseases and longevity, using 53,627 patients, 3,516 long-lived individuals and 149,290 study-matched controls. We replicated the association of rs72824905-G with reduced AD risk and we found an association with reduced risk of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We did not find evidence for an effect on Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) risks, despite adequate sample sizes. Conversely, the rs72824905-G allele was associated with increased likelihood of longevity. By-proxy analyses in the UK Biobank supported the associations with both dementia and longevity. Concluding, rs72824905-G has a protective effect against multiple neurodegenerative diseases indicating shared aspects of disease etiology. Our findings merit studying the PLC?2 pathway as drug-target

Morphology of the toe flexor muscles in older people with toe deformities

Objective: Despite suggestions that atrophied, or weak toe flexor muscles are associated with the formation of toe deformities, there has been little evidence to support this theory. This study aimed to determine whether the size of the toe flexor muscles differed in older people with and without toe deformities. Methods: Forty-four older adults (>60 years) were recruited for the study. Each participant had their feet assessed for the presence of hallux valgus or lesser toe deformities. Intrinsic and extrinsic toe flexor muscles were imaged with an ultrasound system using a standardised protocol. Assessor blinded muscle thickness and cross-sectional area was measured using Image J software. Results: Participants with lesser toe deformities (n=20) were found to have significantly smaller quadratus plantae (p=0.003), flexor digitorum brevis (p=0.013), abductor halluces (p=0.004) and flexor halluces brevis (p=0.005) muscles than the participants without any toe deformities (n=19). Female participants with hallux valgus (n=10) were found to have significantly smaller abductor hallucis (p=0.048) and flexor halluces brevis (p=0.013) muscles than the female participants without any toe deformities (n=10; p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to use ultrasound to investigate the size of the toe flexor muscles in older people with hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities compared to otherwise healthy older adults. The size of the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles were decreased in participants with hallux valgus whereas the quadratus plantae, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis and flexor halluces brevis muscles were smaller in those participants with lesser toe deformities

A nonsynonymous mutation in PLCG2 reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia, and increases the likelihood of longevity

The genetic variant rs72824905-G (minor allele) in the PLCG2 gene was previously associated with a reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk (AD). The role of PLCG2 in immune system signaling suggests it may also protect against other neurodegenerative diseases and possibly associates with longevity. We studied the effect of the rs72824905-G on seven neurodegenerative diseases and longevity, using 53,627 patients, 3,516 long-lived individuals and 149,290 study-matched controls. We replicated the association of rs72824905-G with reduced AD risk and we found an association with reduced risk of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We did not find evidence for an effect on Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) risks, despite adequate sample sizes. Conversely, the rs72824905-G allele was associated with increased likelihood of longevity. By-proxy analyses in the UK Biobank supported the associations with both dementia and longevity. Concluding, rs72824905-G has a protective effect against multiple neurodegenerative diseases indicating shared aspects of disease etiology. Our findings merit studying the PLCγ2 pathway as drug-target.Fil:  van der Lee, Sven J.. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Conway, Olivia J.. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center; Estados UnidosFil: Jansen, Iris. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Carrasquillo, Minerva M.. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center; Estados UnidosFil: Kleineidam, Luca. Universitat Bonn; Alemania. German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Alemania. University Hospital Cologne; AlemaniaFil: van den Akker, Erik. Leiden University. Leiden University Medical Center; Países Bajos. Delft University of Technology; Países BajosFil: Hernández, Isabel. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya; España. Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas ; EspañaFil: van Eijk, Kristel R.. University of Utrecht; Países BajosFil: Stringa, Najada. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Chen, Jason A.. University of California at Los Angeles; Estados UnidosFil: Zettergren, Anna. University of Gothenburg; SueciaFil: Andlauer, Till F. M.. Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry; Alemania. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; Alemania. German Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis; AlemaniaFil: Diez Fairen, Monica. University Hospital Mutua de Terrassa; España. Fundacio per la Recerca Biomedica I Social Mutua Terrassa; EspañaFil: Simon Sanchez, Javier. Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen; Alemania. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; AlemaniaFil: Lleó, Alberto. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; España. Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas ; EspañaFil: Zetterberg, Henrik. Sahlgrenska University Hospital; Suecia. University of Gothenburg; Suecia. University College London; Estados UnidosFil: Nygaard, Marianne. University of Southern Denmark; DinamarcaFil: Blauwendraat, Cornelis. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Estados UnidosFil: Savage, Jeanne E.. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Mengel From, Jonas. University of Southern Denmark; DinamarcaFil: Moreno Grau, Sonia. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya; EspañaFil: Wagner, Michael. Universitat Bonn; Alemania. Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen; AlemaniaFil: Fortea, Juan. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; España. Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas ; EspañaFil: Keogh, Michael J.. University of Newcastle; Reino Unido. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Blennow, Kaj. Sahlgrenska University Hospital; Suecia. University of Gothenburg; SueciaFil: Skoog, Ingmar. University of Gothenburg; SueciaFil: Friese, Manuel A.. German Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis; Alemania. Universitätsklinikum Hamburg‐Eppendorf; AlemaniaFil: Pletnikova, Olga. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Zulaica, Miren. Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas ; España. Instituto Biodonostia; EspañaFil: Dalmasso, Maria Carolina. University Hospital Cologne; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin

A genome-wide association study of the longitudinal course of executive functions

Executive functions are metacognitive capabilities that control and coordinate mental processes. In the transdiagnostic PsyCourse Study, comprising patients of the affective-to-psychotic spectrum and controls, we investigated the genetic basis of the time course of two core executive subfunctions: set-shifting (Trail Making Test, part B (TMT-B)) and updating (Verbal Digit Span backwards) in 1338 genotyped individuals. Time course was assessed with four measurement points, each 6 months apart. Compared to the initial assessment, executive performance improved across diagnostic groups. We performed a genome-wide association study to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with performance change over time by testing for SNP-by-time interactions using linear mixed models. We identified nine genome-wide significant SNPs for TMT-B in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other on chromosome 5. These were associated with decreased performance on the continuous TMT-B score across time. Variant rs150547358 had the lowest P value = 7.2 × 10(−10) with effect estimate beta = 1.16 (95% c.i.: 1.11, 1.22). Implementing data of the FOR2107 consortium (1795 individuals), we replicated these findings for the SNP rs150547358 (P value = 0.015), analyzing the difference of the two available measurement points two years apart. In the replication study, rs150547358 exhibited a similar effect estimate beta = 0.85 (95% c.i.: 0.74, 0.97). Our study demonstrates that longitudinally measured phenotypes have the potential to unmask novel associations, adding time as a dimension to the effects of genomics