Wittenberg University

Unless underlying data are corrected, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in organizational hiring processes holds the potential to perpetuate longstanding gender biases. This study investigated the risk of gender biases resident in a potential data source which could be used to train AI used for organizational recruitment. As AI proliferates and becomes increasingly integrated into organizational hiring practices, it is crucial to understand how historical data, often laden with gender biases, influences AI-system outcomes. This study utilized Google Books Ngram Viewer to analyze the prevalence of gender-coded words and phrases over the past century, the years 1922 to 2022 inclusive, highlighting the dominance of masculine terms and traits. Hypothesis testing revealed that the average percentage of occurrence of masculine pronouns were significantly greater than that of feminine pronouns, when tested using a t-test for two samples assuming unequal variances (α = 0.05). Masculine pronouns were approximately 2.7 times greater than feminine pronouns. Further, there was a greater number of female counts associated with feminine traits, when tested using the chi-square test (α = 0.05). When AFINN sentiment was considered, these disparities resulted in a one-point semantic advantage for males over females, with an average male sentiment value of 0.4 (slightly positive), and an average female sentiment value of −0.4 (slightly negative). Collectively, these findings suggest that AI systems trained on biased data may perpetuate gender inequality by favoring male candidates and reinforcing patriarchal stereotypes, privilege, and power. The paper calls for employing bias detection tools, enhancing transparency, and fostering governance to mitigate these biases. Further, this work emphasized a need for more inclusive data practices and active female participation in AI development to ensure fairness and equity in hiring. This research underscores the importance of critically examining AI’s role in shaping modern workforce dynamics, and is of potential interest to those engaged in AI development, organizational management, and Human Resources (HR).

Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are at increased risk for long-term physical and psychosocial complications, making physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) key modifiable lifestyle factors. Although increasingly acknowledged as relevant, data on the daily distribution of these behaviours in JIA remain scarce. This study aimed to (1) describe the time-use composition of SB and PA intensities in young people with JIA, (2) identify correlates of greater relative time spent in SB, and (3) compare movement behaviour patterns to matched population controls using a compositional data analysis (CoDA) approach. Patients aged 10–20 years with JIA and individually matched population controls wore hip-worn accelerometers (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) for eight consecutive days. Movement behaviours were categorized into SB, light-intensity PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) using validated, age-specific cut-points. CoDA with log-ratio transformations was used to model associations and compare groups. Diifferences in movement composition were assessed using adjusted multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Data from 126 matched pairs (mean age: 15.0 ± 2.1 years; 67% female) were analysed. Patients spent, on average, 86% of waking time in SB, 8% in light-intensity PA, and 6% in MVPA. Overall, 76% did not meet the WHO recommendation of an average of ≥ 60 min of MVPA per day. Among those who did, 87% still spent ≥ 75% of their wear time sedentary. A greater proportion of SB relative to PA was associated with female gender (B = 0.13; p = 0.042), higher age (B = 0.06; p < 0.001), and higher BMI (B = 0.01; p = 0.049). Compared to controls, patients spent more time in SB, less in light-intensity PA, and slightly more in vigorous PA (all p < 0.001). Group differences remained significant after adjustment and were consistent across weekdays and weekends. Young people with well-controlled JIA show a distinctly unbalanced movement behaviour composition compared to controls, marked by a predominance of sedentary behaviour—even among those meeting PA guidelines. This highlights the limitations of threshold-based definitions and underscores the importance of assessing full daily movement patterns. Promoting light-intensity PA may offer a feasible strategy to reduce sedentary time, particularly in girls, older adolescents, and individuals with higher BMI. The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00022258).

Post-stroke spasticity (PSS) affects up to 48% of stroke survivors, with disabling forms in about 18%. In the upper limb, 95% of cases show a flexor-dominant pattern. Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) is the treatment of choice, but adjunctive strategies such as serial casting may be used to enhance outcomes. To evaluate whether serial casting prior to abobotulinumtoxinA (AboBoNT-A) injections improves the reduction of wrist and finger flexor spasticity in subacute stroke survivors. In this prospective, randomized, two-center trial, 27 stroke patients with moderate wrist and finger flexor spasticity were allocated to one of two groups: SC + BoNT-A group (Group 1): serial casting for two weeks prior to AboBoNT-A injection (n = 14). BoNT-A group (Group 2): standard treatment with AboBoNT-A alone (n = 13). Both groups participated in an eight-week inpatient neurorehabilitation program. Spasticity and joint stiffness were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS). Additional validated outcome measures for stroke rehabilitation were also employed, including the passive Range of Motion (PROM), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Grip Strength, Barthel Index, Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Both groups showed improvements after BoNT-A. In the SC + BoNT-A group, MAS scores decreased and remained stable during follow-up. In the BoNT-A group, a recurrence of muscle stiffness was observed at week 6. Serial casting prior to BoNT-A was associated with a trend toward more sustained reduction of spasticity, but superiority over BoNT-A alone was not statistically confirmed.

Counselling regarding a planned provision of medical aids is currently neither reimbursed nor regulated in Germany. It is offered by a range of providers with employees with varying levels of qualification and may be provided in a personal conversation, by phone, or remotely. In many cases, counselling is omitted entirely between the prescription and trial use or delivery of the product. The quality of medical aids counselling, which plays a key role in temporary, supportive or palliative care for urinary incontinence, is therefore considered problematic.In 2019, the working group "Geriatric Urology" of the German Society for Urology published the first guideline on the counselling process related to the provision of medical aids. An updated version is currently available and has been listed by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies. The underlying idea was to define quality standard in Germany for the individual components of the counselling process - from identifying the type of incontinence and its severity to product trial use, the counselling setting, the counselling itself, the qualification of the counselling personnel, and the communication between prescribing physicians, service providers, and patients.This article presents the published guideline sections regarding the content of the medical aids prescription, the characteristics of the counselling setting, and the quality of counselling and product trial use.As medical aids counselling is expected to be financed from the low reimbursement rates provided by statutory health insurers for what is defined as an "appropriate and sufficient" supply - typically amounting to less than EUR 15 a month - more and more providers are withdrawing entirely from the sector of medical aids provision. Others continue to supply medical aids but offer no counselling at all or only to a very limited extent. The guideline "Medical Aids Counselling for Urinary Incontinence" developed by the working group "Geriatric Urology" of the German Society for Urology is meant to define quality standards, also with a view to a political discussion on reimbursement rates.

Here we present and validate an open-source motorized swivel which allows simultaneous neural and behavioral recording from rodents during drug infusion experiments. Cable and drug line tangling represents a limiting factor for neural recordings in freely moving rodents. This limits the scope of experiments that can be carried out using currently available commutators. The proposed device offers a cost-effective solution to the problem of cable twisting and line tangling during experiments in freely moving rodents, enabling in vivo recordings for new experimental paradigms such as drug self-administration. Additionally, it requires minimal human supervision, simplifying the experimental design pipeline and facilitating scalability. To demonstrate the usefulness and functionality of the device, we performed in vivo miniscope imaging in rat during a drug self-administration task, showing individual neurons' response to drug seeking and consumption.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics continues to be a major threat to human health. Agencies, such as the World Health Organization, have called for a multistep response, including increased educational training, both for professionals and the public at large, on this complex problem. Toward that end, we created a laboratory experience, ideally suited for undergraduates, where students observe the development of bacterial resistance over the course of a week. The procedure is conducted in a single container for simplicity and reliably generates resistant strains. Eight-fold increases in resistance levels were commonly observed. Multiple variations to the standard method are included and explore the effects of antibiotic concentration and additivity. In performing the activity, students learn basic microbiology techniques, including growing bacterial cultures and determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Students are able to witness the relative ease with which bacteria can become resistant and then connect this concept to natural selection. The activity itself was created in partnership with undergraduate student researchers, a practice that is becoming more prevalent. Overall, the activity promotes understanding and awareness on antibiotic resistance, which is critically needed to combat this global threat.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics continues to be a major threat to human health. Agencies, such as the World Health Organization, have called for a multistep response, including increased educational training, both for professionals and the public at large, on this complex problem. Toward that end, we created a laboratory experience, ideally suited for undergraduates, where students observe the development of bacterial resistance over the course of a week. The procedure is conducted in a single container for simplicity and reliably generates resistant strains. Eight-fold increases in resistance levels were commonly observed. Multiple variations to the standard method are included and explore the effects of antibiotic concentration and additivity. In performing the activity, students learn basic microbiology techniques, including growing bacterial cultures and determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Students are able to witness the relative ease with which bacteria can become resistant and then connect this concept to natural selection. The activity itself was created in partnership with undergraduate student researchers, a practice that is becoming more prevalent. Overall, the activity promotes understanding and awareness on antibiotic resistance, which is critically needed to combat this global threat.

Abstract. Aerosol acidity has importance for the chemical and physical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles and for many processes that affect their transformation and fate. Here, we characterize trends in PM10 pH and its controlling factors during the period of 2010–2019 at the Melpitz research station in eastern Germany, a continental background site in Central Europe. Aerosol liquid water content associated with inorganic species decreased by 3.4 µgm-3a-1, corresponding to a 50 % decrease during the analysed time period, in response to decreasing sulfate and nitrate. Aerosol pH exhibited an increase of 0.06 units per year, a trend that was distinct from other regions. The factors controlling aerosol pH varied by season. Temperature, the most important factor driving pH variability overall, was most important in summer (responsible for 51 % of pH variability) and less important during spring and fall (22 % and 27 %, respectively). NH3, the second-most important factor contributing to pH variability overall (29 %), was most important during winter (38 %) and far less important during summer (15 %). Aerosol chemistry in Melpitz is influenced by the high buffering capacity contributed by NH4+/NH3 and, to a lesser degree, NO3-/HNO3. Thermodynamic analysis of the aerosol system shows that secondary inorganic aerosol formation is most frequently HNO3-limited, suggesting that factors that control NOx would be more effective than NH3 controls in reducing PM mass concentrations. However, the non-linear response of gas-phase HNO3 and aerosol NO3- to NOx emissions in the region, likely due to VOC controls on oxidant formation and subsequent impacts on NOx conversion to HNO3, highlights the challenge associated with the PM reductions needed to attain new air quality standards in this region.

Objectives To summarise the best available evidence on tertiary prevention interventions for patients with stroke conducted in African countries, identify the gaps in stroke prevention research and augment efforts to establish stroke rehabilitation guidelines in African countries.DesignWe performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement on the basis of a published protocol.Data sourcesWe conducted a systematic search of nine electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library and African Index Medicus, published until August 2023 and additionally contacted authors and screened reference lists.Eligibility criteriaWe included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies on African adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke. The primary outcome was global disability, and secondary outcomes were neurologic function scales.Data extraction and synthesisTwo authors independently screened the search results, with data extracted by one author and verified by a second author. The data were narratively synthesised. A meta-analysis was done using a random-effects model for metric data using standardised mean differences. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.ResultsOf 3305 publications, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria involving cumulatively 973 patients with subacute and chronic stroke. Two-thirds of the trials were conducted in Nigeria and Egypt. The interventions covered physiotherapeutic, electrophysiologic, psychotherapeutic and transitional care domains with mostly beneficial outcomes. All included studies were RCTs with some concerns about methodologic quality.ConclusionThis systematic review comprises heterogeneous effective interventions for tertiary stroke prevention mostly conducted in small productive research clusters. There is a growing body of research from African countries covering important fields of stroke rehabilitation, including local adaptations of the rehabilitation process and new knowledge concerning transcranial magnetic stimulation. There remains an urgent need to implement interventions aimed at overcoming barriers to stroke rehabilitation.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020159125.