Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

While adapting to future sea-level rise (SLR) and its hazards and impacts is a multidisciplinary challenge, the interaction of scientists across different research fields, and with practitioners, is limited. To stimulate collaboration and develop a common research agenda, a workshop held in June 2024 gathered 22 scientists and policymakers working in the Netherlands. Participants discussed the interacting uncertainties across three different research fields: sea-level projections, hazards and impacts, and adaptation. Here, we present our view on the most important uncertainties within each field and the feasibility of managing and reducing those uncertainties. We find that enhanced collaboration is urgently needed to prioritize uncertainty reductions, manage expectations and increase the relevance of science to adaptation planning. Furthermore, we argue that in the coming decades, significant uncertainties will remain or newly arise in each research field and that rapidly accelerating SLR will remain a possibility. Therefore, we recommend investigating the extent to which early warning systems can help policymakers as a tool to make timely decisions under remaining uncertainties, in both the Netherlands and other coastal areas. Crucially, this will require viewing SLR, its hazards and impacts, and adaptation as a whole.

Importance Tau positron emission tomography (PET) allows in vivo detection of neurofibrillary tangles, a core neuropathologic feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). Objective To provide estimates of the frequency of tau PET positivity and its associated risk of clinical outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants Longitudinal study using data pooled from 21 cohorts, comprising a convenience sample of 6514 participants from 13 countries, collected between January 2013 and June 2024. Cognitively unimpaired individuals and patients with a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders were included. Exposures Tau PET with flortaucipir F 18, amyloid-β (Aβ) PET, and clinical examinations. Tau PET scans were visually rated as positive according to a US Food and Drug Administration– and European Medicines Agency–approved method, designed to indicate the presence of advanced neurofibrillary tangle pathology (Braak stages V-VI). Main Outcomes and Measures Frequency of tau PET positivity and absolute risk of clinical progression (eg, progression to MCI or dementia). Results Among the 6514 participants (mean age, 69.5 years; 50.5% female), median follow-up time ranged from 1.5 to 4.0 years. Of 3487 cognitively unimpaired participants, 349 (9.8%) were tau PET positive; the estimated frequency of tau PET positivity was less than 1% in those aged younger than 50 years, and increased from 3% (95% CI, 2%-4%) at 60 years to 19% (95% CI, 16%-24%) at 90 years. Tau PET positivity frequency estimates increased across MCI and AD dementia clinical diagnoses (43% [95% CI, 41%-46%] and 79% [95% CI, 77%-82%] at 75 years, respectively). Most tau PET–positive individuals (92%) were also Aβ PET positive. Cognitively unimpaired participants who were positive for both Aβ PET and tau PET had a higher absolute risk of progression to MCI or dementia over the following 5 years (57% [95% CI, 45%-71%]) compared with both Aβ PET–positive/tau PET–negative (17% [95% CI, 13%-22%]) and Aβ PET–negative/tau PET–negative (6% [95% CI, 5%-8%]) individuals. Among participants with MCI at the time of the tau PET scan, an Aβ PET–positive/tau PET–positive profile was associated with a 5-year absolute risk of progression to dementia of 70% (95% CI, 59%-81%). Conclusions and Relevance In a large convenience sample, a positive tau PET scan occurred at a nonnegligible rate among cognitively unimpaired individuals, and the combination of Aβ PET positivity and tau PET positivity was associated with a high risk of clinical progression in both preclinical and symptomatic stages of AD. These findings underscore the potential of tau PET as a biomarker for staging AD pathology.

The radiative effects of black carbon depend critically on its atmospheric lifetime, which is controlled by the rate at which freshly emitted combustion particles become internally mixed with other aerosol components. Global aerosol models strive to represent this process, but the timescale for aerosol mixing is not easily constrained using observations. In this study, we apply a timescale parameterization derived from particle‐resolved simulations to quantify, in a global aerosol model, the timescale for internal mixing. We show that, while highly variable, the average timescale for internal mixing is approximately 3 hr, which is much shorter than the 24‐hr aging timescale traditionally applied in bulk aerosol models. We then use the mixing timescale to constrain the aging criterion in the Modal Aerosol Module. Our analysis reveals that, to best reflect timescales for internal mixing, modal models should assume that particles transition from the hydrophobic (fresh) to the hydrophilic (aged) class once they accumulate a coating thickness equal to four monolayers of sulfuric acid, as opposed to the model's current aging criterion of eight monolayers. We show that, in remote regions like the Arctic and Antarctic, predictions of black carbon loading and its seasonal variation are particularly sensitive to the model representation of aging. By constraining aging in global models to reflect mixing timescales simulated by the particle‐resolved model, we eliminate one of the free parameters governing black carbon's long‐range transport and spatiotemporal distribution.

The widespread adoption of consumer wearable devices has enabled continuous biometric data collection at an unprecedented scale, raising important questions about data privacy, security, and user rights. In this study, we systematically evaluated the privacy policies of 17 leading wearable technology manufacturers using a novel rubric comprising 24 criteria across seven dimensions: transparency, data collection purposes, data minimization, user control and rights, third-party data sharing, data security, and breach notification. High Risk ratings were most frequent for transparency reporting (76%) and vulnerability disclosure (65%), while Low Risk ratings were common for identity policy (94%) and data access (71%). Xiaomi, Wyze, and Huawei had the highest cumulative risk scores, whereas Google, Apple, and Polar ranked lowest. Our findings highlight inconsistencies in data governance across the industry and underscore the need for stronger, sector-specific privacy standards. This living review will track ongoing policy changes and promote accountability in this rapidly evolving domain.

Introduction Faecal amino acids are promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, but stability remains unclear. Objectives This study examined whether storage conditions, sampling site within the sample, freeze-thaw cycles, and the OMNImet®·GUT device affect faecal amino acid concentrations. Methods Faecal samples from three donors underwent various pre-analytical conditions. Amino acids were analysed through targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results Most amino acids remained stable across sampling sites and freeze-thaw cycles. Storage at -20 °C preserved integrity, whereas 4 °C and 20 °C storage led to variations. The OMNImet®·GUT device stabilised some amino acids but showed inconsistencies. Conclusion Pre-analytical conditions influence faecal amino acid concentrations. Standardisation is essential for biomarker reliability.

Objectives The EQ-5D-5L and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) preference score (PROPr) are preference-based measures. This study compares mapping and linking approaches to align the PROPr and the PROMIS domains included in PROPr plus Anxiety with EQ-5D-5L item responses and preference scores. Methods A general population sample of 983 adults completed the online survey. Regression-based mapping methods and item response theory (IRT) linking methods were used to align scores. Mapping was used to predict EQ-5D-5L item responses or preference scores using PROMIS domain scores. Equating strategies were applied to address regression to the mean. The linking approach estimated item parameters of EQ-5D-5L based on the PROMIS score metric and generated bidirectional crosswalks between EQ-5D-5L item responses and relevant PROMIS domain scores. Results EQ-5D-5L item responses were significantly accounted for by PROMIS domains of Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Pain Interference, Physical Function, Social Roles, and Sleep Disturbance. EQ-5D-5L preference scores were accounted for by the same PROMIS domains, excluding Anxiety and Fatigue, and by the PROPr preference scores. IRT-linking crosswalks were generated between EQ-5D-5L item responses and PROMIS domains of Physical Function, Pain, and Depression. Small differences were found between observed and predicted scores for all 3 methods. The direct mapping approach (directly predicting EQ-5D-5L scores) with the equipercentile equating strategy proved superior to the linking method due to improved prediction accuracy and comparable score range coverage. Conclusions The PROPr and the PROMIS domains included in the PROMIS-29+2 predict EQ-5D-5L preference scores or item responses. Both methods can generate acceptably precise EQ-5D-5L preference scores, with the direct mapping approach using the equating strategy offering better precision. We summarized recommended score conversion tables based on available and desired scores. Highlights This study compares mapping (score prediction) and IRT-based linking approaches to align the PROPr and the PROMIS domains with EQ-5D-5L item responses and preference scores. Researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders can use this study’s regression formulas and score crosswalks to convert scores between PROMIS and EQ-5D-5L. Mapping can generate more precise scores, while linking offers greater flexibility in score estimation when fewer PROMIS domain scores are collected.

Simple games in partition function form are used to model voting situations where a coalition being winning or losing might depend on the way players outside that coalition organize themselves. Such a game is called a plurality voting game if in every partition there is at least one winning coalition. In the present paper, we introduce an equal impact power index for this class of voting games and provide an axiomatic characterization. This power index is based on equal weight for every partition, equal weight for every winning coalition in a partition, and equal weight for each player in a winning coalition. Since some of the axioms we develop are conditioned on the power impact of losing coalitions becoming winning in a partition, our characterization heavily depends on a new result showing the existence of such elementary transitions between plurality voting games in terms of single embedded winning coalitions. The axioms restrict then the impact of such elementary transitions on the power of different types of players.

Background Cardio-metabolic disorders like diabetes and hypertension are increasingly common in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana, straining healthcare systems. Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer potential for improving remote monitoring, patient engagement, and communication with providers. However, their implementation in Ghana remains limited and complex. This study explored user experiences with an mHealth app for self-managing diabetes and hypertension, and its perceived impact on care quality. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with 20 participants from two healthcare facilities in Ghana using an mHealth app to manage diabetes or hypertension. In-depth interviews, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Participants reported that the app improved self-management, care coordination, and communication with providers. Valued features included medication reminders, appointment scheduling, and health monitoring, which fostered empowerment and engagement. The app also promoted healthier lifestyle choices. However, challenges such as data security concerns, mobile phone literacy, poor internet access, and data costs were noted. Conclusion mHealth apps can enhance self-management and perceived care quality by supporting patient engagement and provider communication. To maximize their impact, challenges around digital literacy, connectivity, and data security must be addressed. Policymakers should promote secure, equitable, and sustainable integration of mHealth technologies into the healthcare system.

This commentary examines Wolf and Stock-Homburg’s (2025) timely study on robotic management through the lens of human capital resource (HCR) theory. This perspective holds that human capital is more than an individual trait; it is a collective, unit-level resource that emerges through organizational and social processes. HCR theory thus shifts the focus beyond the dyadic dynamics of individual-level acceptance of robot-managers. In particular, I explore three specific dimensions of robotic management: (1) how robot-managers may influence the behavioral, cognitive, and affective processes that drive HCR emergence; (2) how robot-managers may shape the relational dynamics crucial for HCR emergence; and (3) how substituting entry-level managers with robots may disrupt the firm’s managerial HCR developmental pipeline. These insights reframe the challenge of deploying robot-managers in subtle but important ways by bringing into sharp focus the collective-level implications of their use in organizations. Ultimately, effective and relational robotic management is not simply about short-term employee acceptance: robot-managers will reshape how HCRs emerge and create value in the (coming) age of intelligent machines.

Early-life abilities involved in perceiving, producing and engaging with music (musicality) may shape later (social) communication and language abilities. Here, we investigate phenotypic and genetic relationships linking musicality and communication abilities by studying information from preschool and school-aged children of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (N = 4169–6737 per measure, age 0.5–17 years). Using structural models, we identified relationships between latent musicality and speech- and cognition-related variables (r > 0.30). Consistently, polygenic scores for rhythmicity in adulthood (PGSrhythmicity) showed associations with preschool and school-age musicality (incremental-Nagelkerke-R² = 0.006-0.011, p < 0.0025), as well as school-age communication and cognition-related measures (incremental-R² = 0.04–1%, p < 0.0025). Studying the directionality of genetic effects using a mediation framework, we found evidence supporting a developmental pathway linking preschool musicality to school-age speech-/syntax-related abilities, as captured by PGSrhythmicity (shared effect: β = 0.0051(SE = 0.0021), p = 0.015). Associations were found conditional on general cognition and genetically unrelated to educational attainment, suggesting robust developmental links between early musicality and later speech-related communication performance.

Carbohydrates serve as key recognition elements in cellular communication. Lectins are important protein elements in this communication, recognizing specific extracellular glycosylation patterns and translating this into an intracellular signal. For example, the macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL) on dendritic cells recognizes terminal GalNAc sugars and stimulates anti-inflammatory pathways. These proteins thus represent a potential means to steer immune activation, if suitably precise and potent ligands can be found. In this work we attempt to address this challenge using mRNA display of peptides generated under a reprogrammed genetic code and chemically post-translationally modified with a monosaccharide. A library of macrocyclic glycopeptides was built and its screening for binding to MGL optimized, resulting in a hit that is able to bind MGL at sub-micromolar concentrations and stimulate IL-10 production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

This chapter provides a background answer to the question: Why did open theism (OT) start, and what does it present? The chapter summarises the views of classical theism (CT), Molinism (M) and process theism (PT) on divine control in relation to human freedom, in particular, to do evil things. This is relevant because OT is a reaction against these other views. This study revolves around three key elements: God is in control, humans are free and evil exists. The question that naturally follows is, if God is in control, why is there evil? The standard freewill theism’s response to the problem of evil is that humans are free. However, the question of what constitutes a free action raises a further question on the extent of divine omniscience, just as human libertarian freedom raises some questions on the extent of divine omnipotence. The relationship between providence, foreknowledge and human freedom forms a trilemma worth examining together. The aim of bringing CT, M and PT together is to discover how they have wrestled separately to overcome the seeming paradox of divine sovereignty and human freedom and how these attempts seem implausible in the estimation of OT. This will result in sorting out how, from OT’s critique, the current study may attempt to eliminate the so-called trilemma or paradox that seems to exist therein.

This is the last chapter in Part II. The presence of evil has rendered the belief in the existence of a good, loving and omnipotent God difficult. Despite being almighty, all-knowing and completely good, God has not eradicated evil. Evil is real and, therefore, calls for an interpretation of the Bible and the development of Christian doctrines that take this reality into account. In reading the Bible and applying its message, Christian philosophers and theologians need to consider the relevance of their interpretation to humans amidst suffering. They also need to consider the tensions between God’s goodness and power, human freedom and the existence of evil. Various philosophers and Christian theologians have done their best to answer the question: Is God good? Is He all-knowing? Is He all-powerful? Why has He not been able to eradicate evil? The problem of evil raises one of the most challenging questions in all human existence, especially when asked: Why do bad things happen to good people? This difficulty has evoked the formulation of various responses from theists known as theodicies and defences. Some theists believe evil has the purpose of refining souls. Others think it does not exist. Still, others feel that there is always some good at the end of every evil.