Emergence Of Concept Research Articles

How to raise consumer awareness of the environmental impact of vehicle attributes? A big data analysis

The introduction of the Euro 7 emission standard is expected to significantly change the typology of the European passenger car. This study analyzes the environmental impact resulting from future trends in fleet composition and proposes an innovative vehicle classification system focused on raising consumer awareness of the importance of their choices with regard to key attributes such as body type, engine power and vehicle weight. A sensitivity analysis of the fleet's greenhouse gas emissions to deviations in their composition is carried out, considering the preferences expressed by the consumers in 2022 and the vehicle's specifications reported by the automotive industry on European digital platforms embodying Industry 4.0 principles. The findings show that internal combustion fleet emissions are expected to rise 0.30% per 1% increase in engine power and 0.44% to 0.69% per 1% increase in weight, according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) segment is the fastest growing in terms of market share. This trend will continue in the future, as this is the segment best suited to comply with the emissions targets imposed on manufacturers. Another relevant conclusion is that the environmental impact of PHEV vehicles is potentially very negative if the drivers' charging habits do not reflect the manufacturer's design intention. Thus, the development of consumer environmental awareness tools is urgent. This is the study's main motivation: to develop a tool in the scope of the Industry 4.0 while promoting the emergent concept of Industry 5.0, sustainability based and human-centered.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of ART1 and its Potential Value in Gastric Cancer.

Objective: To comprehensively explore the impact of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression on both prognosis and the intricate landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment across diverse cancer types, our study seeks to delve into the multifaceted interplay between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression levels and their implications for clinical outcomes and the dynamic milieu of immune responses within tumors. Methods: Genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical datasets spanning diverse cancer types were meticulously curated from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotypic Tissue Expression repositories. Initially, our inquiry focused on discerning the prognostic significance and immunological implications of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression across this heterogeneous spectrum of malignancies. Subsequently, we scrutinized the relationships between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression levels and a spectrum of factors including RNA modification genes, genetic mutations, and the emergent concept of tumor stemness. Employing functional enrichment analyses, we endeavored to unravel the underlying mechanistic pathways modulated by Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1. Leveraging Bayesian co-localization analysis, we sought to discern the spatial convergence of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression particularly within the context of digestive tract tumors. Lastly, to corroborate our findings, we conducted in vitro experiments, specifically focusing on Gastric Cancer, thus corroborating the putative oncogenic role attributed to Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in this malignancy. Results: Across diverse tumor types, Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression exhibits distinctive patterns compared to normal and adjacent tissues, thereby intertwining with the prognostic outcomes of numerous cancer patients. Noteworthy findings from our immune role identification underscore the pivotal involvement of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in the landscape of tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis elucidates the enrichment of Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1-associated genes predominantly within the NF-kB, Foxo, and PI3K-Akt signaling cascades, shedding light on potential mechanistic pathways underlying its influence. Bayesian co-localization analysis unveils a compelling genetic correlation between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 and digestive tract tumors, accentuating its relevance within this specific oncological domain. Importantly, experimental validation attests to the therapeutic promise of targeting Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in the treatment paradigm of gastric cancer, thereby underscoring its potential as a viable therapeutic target deserving of further exploration and clinical translation. Conclusion: This comprehensive pan-cancer analysis unveils crucial insights into the intricate role played by Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 in the tumorigenesis of diverse malignancies, thereby establishing a robust theoretical framework for subsequent in-depth investigations. Leveraging these insights, targeting Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1-related signaling pathways within the dynamic tumor microenvironment emerges as a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions in the realm of tumor immunotherapy. By delineating the interplay between Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases-1 expression and tumorigenic processes across various cancer types, this study paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting oncogenic signaling cascades and bolstering immune-mediated antitumor responses.

The blockchain conundrum: An in‐depth examination of challenges, contributing technologies, and alternatives

SummaryThe accelerated development of information and communication technologies has generated a demand for data storage that is effective, transparent, immutable, and secure. Distributed ledger technology and encryption techniques such as hashing and blockchain technology revolutionised the landscape by meeting these requirements. However, blockchain must overcome obstacles such as low latency, throughput, and scalability for its full potential. Investigating blockchain's structure, types, challenges, promises, and variants is necessary to understand blockchain and its capabilities comprehensively. This paper overviews various aspects, such as emergent blockchain protocols, models, concepts, and trends. We classify blockchain variants into five essential categories, DAG, TDAG, Sharding, Consensus, and Combining methods, based on the structure each follows, and conduct a comparative analysis. In addition, we explore current research tendencies. As technology progresses, it is essential to comprehend the fundamental requirements for blockchain development.

Desmosine as a biomarker for the emergent properties of pulmonary emphysema.

Developing an effective treatment for pulmonary emphysema will require a better understanding of the molecular changes responsible for distention and rupture of alveolar walls. A potentially useful approach to studying this process involves the concept of emergence in which interactions at different levels of scale induce a phase transition comprising a spontaneous reorganization of chemical and physical systems. Recent studies in our laboratory provide evidence of this phenomenon in pulmonary emphysema by relating the emergence of airspace enlargement to the release of elastin-specific desmosine and isodesmosine (DID) crosslinks from damaged elastic fibers. When the mean alveolar diameter exceeded 400 μm, the level of peptide-free DID in human lungs was greatly increased, reflecting rapid acceleration of elastin breakdown, alveolar wall rupture, and a phase transition to an active disease state that is less responsive to treatment. Based on this finding, it is hypothesized that free DID in urine and other body fluids may serve as a biomarker for early detection of airspace enlargement, thereby facilitating timely therapeutic intervention and reducing the risk of respiratory failure.

Which energy citizenship in positive energy districts? A governmentality social psychological analysis of participatory governance

ABSTRACT Towards low carbon energy transitions, the EU is developing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) which produce more renewable energy than they consume. This implies more participatory governance which decentralises and democratises energy decisions to citizens, as captured in the emergent concept of ‘energy citizenship’. However, it has been argued that these governmental strategies and the energy citizens they create have been co-opted by a neoliberal governmentality. This may limit citizens’ rights and responsibilities as only consumers/prosumers in the private sphere. However, the neoliberal form of energy citizenship as well as potential alternative forms have seldom been empirically examined, so the main aim of this paper is to analyse which representations of energy citizenship are fostered in PED policies at EU, national, and local levels in a case study of Torres Vedras, Portugal. The analysis, which combines a governmentality approach with the critical social psychology of citizenship, unveils neoliberal energy citizenship as the hegemonic representation in these policies, and identifies emancipated representations of energy citizenship based on entrepreneurial energy activism and energy localism.

"O" no: a Reddit analysis of orgasmic dysfunction.

Female Reddit users frequently discussed potential causes of orgasm difficulties and its implications on mental health and relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of women discussing orgasms on the Internet site Reddit. We sought to qualitatively analyze the topics that arose in users' discussions to better understand the potential causes of orgasm difficulties and its implications on quality of life. Posts on the subreddit r/TwoXChromosomes containing the keywords "orgasm" and "climax" were included in the dataset. Posts and their associated comments were qualitatively analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Two independent researchers coded each thread to identify dominant themes and emergent concepts. The most frequently coded primary topics included: (1) orgasm (32.2% [n = 337]), (2) psychological (17.8% [n = 186]), (3) relationships (15.4% [n = 161]), and (4) treatment (10.7% [n = 112]). Qualitative analysis of 107 threads and approximately 6300 comments resulted in 5 major categories: psychological aspect of orgasms, difficulty orgasming with partners, partners' responses to orgasmic dysfunction, types of orgasms, and treatments for orgasmic dysfunction. Preliminary themes included (1) the presence of an emotional component or history of trauma related to orgasmic difficulty, (2) difficulty orgasming with a partner regardless of ability to orgasm during masturbation and a variety of stimulation required to orgasm, (3) mixed partner responses to orgasmic dysfunction, (4) the definition of a normal orgasm, and (5) self-motivated treatment for orgasmic dysfunction, including clitoral stimulation devices and masturbation techniques. Notably, few posters discussed their orgasmic dysfunction with healthcare providers. The study reveals insights into the possible causes, psychosocial implications, and treatment of orgasm difficulties from a patient perspective, and can guide future research on female orgasms in a more precise, patient-oriented direction. The anonymous nature of the forum allowed for insight into sensitive topics related to female orgasms and sexual trauma. Limitations include the demographic distribution of Reddit users, which was primarily younger women in their 20s and 30s, which restricts generalizability. Reddit provides a medium for individuals with orgasm difficulties to discuss their experiences. Posts addressed users' inability to orgasm, their mental health and relationships, the stimulation required for orgasm, and treatments for orgasmic dysfunction. Interestingly, very few posts discussed healthcare, potentially suggesting that women do not classify their orgasmic dysfunction as a health issue.

Psychosocial exposome and double precarity as emergent concepts for an old story

Psychosocial exposome is presented as a novel integrative concept, stressing out the relevance of individual unique physical and psychological caracteristics and how these interact with a multitude of global (e.g., pandemics, climate change, war, etc.) and proximal (e.g., family, individuals' health conditions, socio-economic status, etc.) challenges, at different moments of the life cycle. Double precarity (precarious housing and employment) is highlighted as a highly relevant marker of psychosocial exposome due to its close relationship with decision making and mental health. Despite not being a new phenomenon, double precarity has been recently recognized also as a main health-related determinant, especially when considering the Portuguese (and international) economical crises, associated with global threats. Evidence-based science addressing individual and plublic health is crucial for mitigating the negative effects of enduring scenarios of double precarity as a relevant component of the psychosocial exposome.

SDG commentary: service ecosystems with the planet - weaving the environmental SDGs with human services

PurposeHumanity and all life depend on the natural environment of Planet Earth, and that environment is in acute crisis across land, sea and air. One of a set of commentaries on how service can address the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), the authors focus on environmental goals SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land). This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework that incorporates the natural environment into transformative services.Design/methodology/approachThe authors trace the evolution of service thinking about the natural environment, from a stewardship perspective of the environment as a set of resources to be managed, through an acknowledgement of nonhuman organisms as actors that can participate in service exchange, towards an emergent concept of ecosystems as integrating human social actors and other biological actors who engage fully in value co-creation.FindingsThe authors derive a framework integrating human and other life forms as co-creating actors, drawing on shared natural resources to achieve mutualism, where each actor can have a net benefit from the relationship. Future research questions are posited that may help services research address SDGs 13–15.Originality/valueThe framework integrates ideas from environmental ecosystem literature to inform the nature of ecosystems. By integrating environmental actors and ecological insights into the understanding of service ecosystems, service scholars are well placed to make unique contributions to the global challenge of creating a sustainable future.

Evaluating the Circular Economy Potential of Modular Construction in Developing Economies—A Life Cycle Assessment

Circular economy (CE) is an emergent concept that promotes resource circularity in multiple product systems. Modular construction (MC), an evolving construction technique, which includes an off-site manufacturing environment, increasingly supports CE strategies such as reuse due to the elevated potential for design for disassembly (DfD). Design-stage environmental assessments are paramount in aiding the early decision making of modular construction projects to successfully plan and implement DfD strategies. Research on synergising modular construction, circular economy and environmental sustainability is rare in developing economies. Thus, the current study aims to conduct a design-stage life cycle assessment of a DfD and linear versions of a modular building unit in Sri Lanka to evaluate the potential environmental benefits. The life cycle assessment results highlight that the DfD strategy has the lowest environmental impacts in all categories, with a 63% reduction in global warming potential and an approximately 90% reduction in terms of human toxicity compared to the linear version. Further, it showed the elevated potential of reuse compared to recycling practices in improving the environmental performance. Sensitivity assessment revealed that steel was the most sensitive to the change in reuse percentage among main building materials. The analysis outcomes highlight the importance of long-term thinking, architectural design creativity and industrial and technology development to uptake the CE-driven MC in the Sri Lankan context. Finally, strategies are proposed to support the CE approach in MC in developing regions. Both quantitative and qualitative outcomes provide a basis for construction industry stakeholders, academia, and policy makers to explore further and promote modular construction practices to enhance the circularity of building materials and components in developing regions.

A philosophical analysis of the emergence of language

AbstractThere is a research programme in linguistics that is founded on describing language as an emergent phenomenon. This paper clarifies how the core concept of emergence is deployed in this emergentist programme. We show that if one adopts the weak understandings of the concept of language emergence, the emergentist programme is not fundamentally different from the other non‐emergentist research programmes in linguistics. On the other hand, if one adopts the stronger understandings of emergence then the programme would have a unique character, but at the cost of some corollaries (philosophical, but not only) which the emergentist linguists would seemingly want to avoid. We show that if the emergentists accept those corollaries, the resulting hypothetical emergentist programme would be totally different from the emergentist programme in its present shape. We conclude that the emergentist programme, as it stands, should be either abandoned or reshaped in both theory and methodology.

The Role of VET in a Green Transition of Industry: A Literature Review

Purpose: This article examines the role of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in a green transition of industry. In the world of industry, battling climate change is often treated as a technical issue, but recent research on VET has tried to balance the technological paradigm with more human-centric approaches. The literature review addresses emergent VET research that presents various and partially competing perspectives on the purpose of VET in relation to climate change. Methods: We use an integrative literature review to investigate this complex topic. This technique is particularly useful for making sense of emergent research concepts, as well as various, and partially competing, theoretical and methodological approaches. It also allows us to incorporate literature from different countries and VET systems. The main search was performed in Scopus during March 2023, and included studies published within a timespan of eight years (2016–2023). Findings: Through a qualitative content analysis, we have identified five cross-cutting themes in the literature: Conceptualising ill-defined concepts of green jobs and skills; high-tech solutions in the movement towards a fourth industrial revolution versus inclusive growth for VET greening; towards sustainable work-based learning for green skills in VET; radical transformative approaches to a just green transition; and the co-creation of skill-formation ecosystems. The analysis has highlighted the ways in which VET can take on different roles in the green transition, and that these roles can be developed successively in parallel with a green transition in industry. In the development of the role of VET, it is also relevant to consider the contrast between transitional approaches and transformative approaches in VET research. While transitional approaches are recurrently marked by empirical research in specialised areas and subsystems within society, transformative approaches are characterised by a stronger focus on societal transformation (large-scale changes), power dynamics, and social justice. Conclusion: In conclusion, we suggest an analytical model that synthesises research on what role VET can play in a green transition of industry. The development model highlights that VET can take on different roles in a green transition and can gradually develop in parallel with a green transition in industry.

Patient perspectives on treatment and prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections: a focus group study.

We sought to understand factors that are important to patients for the management of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) during both an acute episode and for the prevention of future episodes. This was a qualitative study with focus groups in women with recurrent UTIs. Participants filled out information about prior recurrent UTI treatment and the Belief about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). Each 90-minute focus group was moderated by a nonphysician psychologist. Line-by-line coding of each transcript by three independent physicians was used to develop emergent concepts and themes using Grounded Theory methodology. Twenty-six women participated in six focus groups. The average age of participants was 62 years and 77% were post-menopausal. All women had already tried multiple prevention strategies for their recurrent UTIs. The average BMQ-specific scores indicated a net positive attitude toward medicines specifically prescribed for recurrent UTI prevention. Several themes emerged from the focus groups. First, patients wanted providers to acknowledge the high burden imposed by frequent interactions with the health care system for the management of recurrent UTI. Second, patients wanted earlier access to providers knowledgeable in the management of this condition. Third, patients wanted to self-manage their condition through a structured treatment plan with support from their providers. Finally, patients wanted greater emphasis on education and prevention strategies to reduce their antibiotic intake. Patients with recurrent UTI want more efficient workflows, a framework that promotes self-management in partnership with their providers, and a greater emphasis on prevention.

How does aggregation‐induced emission aggregate interdisciplinary research?

AbstractIt is a matter of debate whether the discipline independence in discipline formation narrows its interdisciplinarity. It is also less well understood how disruptive works emerge in investigative practice rather than a theory‐driven approach. Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) is an atypical photophysical phenomenon, in which the whole (aggregate) is brighter than the sum of its parts (single molecule). Through measuring and computing the cognitive extent and evolution of research on AIE, including topics, epistemic‐social collaborative networks, interdisciplinarity, emergent concepts, core concept networks and knowledge flow, this study shows that a cross‐research scales concept and its practice can establish new bridges in the sciences and promote disruptive work. Focusing on mesoscale entities, scientists from many different branches of science are involved in theoretical research on mechanisms, as well as developing different AIE systems for applications. The data analysis in this study provides details showing how non‐reductionist concepts based on new scientific discoveries cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and aggregate interdisciplinary research. The emergence and evolution of the AIE field implies that scientists may be motivated to embrace nonreductionist ideas at different research scales, leading to a more permeable field boundary.

Wealth of Knowledge and Passion: Patient Perspectives on Vaginal Estrogen as Expressed on Reddit

To qualitatively analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women regarding genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and vaginal estrogen therapy as expressed on Reddit, a public, anonymous internet forum for discussion and information sharing. "r/menopause," a Subreddit with >30,000 subscribers, was queried for "vaginal estrogen" to collect postings related to vaginal estrogen in October 2022. Posts were analyzed qualitatively by 2 independent researchers. The principles of grounded theory were applied, and preliminary themes were generated. These themes were used to derive emergent concepts. Sixty-seven unique posts with 1101 responses were analyzed. Qualitative analysis revealed 5 preliminary themes: (1) questions regarding medication usage, (2) medication side effects, (3) medication alternatives, (4) frustration with the medical system, and (5) seeking validation for symptoms and experiences. Three emergent concepts were derived: (1) women experience bothersome side effects from menopause, and they desire compassionate and effective medical treatment; (2) women are engaged and active participants in their health and health care decisions; and (3) women perceive that their concerns are not taken seriously and seek validation for their medical conditions. Peri- and post-menopausal women have many questions and concerns about the condition of GSM and vaginal estrogen as treatment. They also have a broad range of frustrations including access to health care and questions about the usage of vaginal estrogen. By better understanding patient perspectives, physicians can better meet women's needs and improve care for GSM.

Institutionalization of the Outcomes of Purposive and Intuitive Decision – Making in Crisis Situations

Abstract Objective The aim of this paper is to determine the role of the mode of crisis situation solving in the process of institutionalization of new practice Achieving this goal required attempting to answer two research questions: 1) How can a crisis situation in an organization lead to change? 2) Does purposive and intuitive decision making differentiate the process of new practice emergence? Methodology Based on the literature review, the considerations of selected authors regarding crisis situations in organizations, the concept of institutionalization and managerial decision-making (purposive and intuitive) were presented. The empirical section presents the results of qualitative research. A comparative case study, illustrating the thesis that intuitive and purposive decision-making stand as important categories that differentiate the outcomes of emergent practice, was carried out. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers in the area of decision-making in problematic situations in the logistics industry (with analysis and sub-summary of the results). Findings The research shows how managers (leaders) respond differently to crisis situations. It was registered that even though decisions can be made in apparently opposite modes, they can initiate the emergence of new practice and its institutionalization. Value Added Elaborating on the notion of institutionalization, the concept of new practice emergence offers a promising approach within crisis management. Recommendations Perceiving crisis management through the processes of decision making and new practice institutionalization offers a new opportunity to understand crisis outcomes.

Enhancing Early Systems R&D Capabilities with Systems —Theoretic Process Analysis

ABSTRACTSystems engineering today faces a wide array of challenges, ranging from new operational environments to disruptive technological — necessitating approaches to improve research and development (R&D) efforts. Yet, emphasizing the Aristotelian argument that the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” seems to offer a conceptual foundation creating new R&D solutions. Invoking systems theoretic concepts of emergence and hierarchy and analytic characteristics of traceability, rigor, and comprehensiveness is potentially beneficial for guiding R&D strategy and development to bridge the gap between theoretical problem spaces and engineering‐based solutions. In response, this article describes systems–theoretic process analysis (STPA) as an example of one such approach to aid in early‐systems R&D discussions. STPA—a ‘top‐down’ process that abstracts real complex system operations into hierarchical control structures, functional control loops, and control actions—uses control loop logic to analyze how control actions (designed for desired system behaviors) may become violated and drive the complex system toward states of higher risk. By analyzing how needed controls are not provided (or out of sequence or stopped too soon) and unneeded controls are provided (or engaged too long), STPA can help early‐system R&D discussions by exploring how requirements and desired actions interact to either mitigate or potentially increase states of risk that can lead to unacceptable losses. This article will demonstrate STPA's benefit for early‐system R&D strategy and development discussion by describing such diverse use cases as cyber security, nuclear fuel transportation, and US electric grid performance. Together, the traceability, rigor, and comprehensiveness of STPA serve as useful tools for improving R&D strategy and development discussions. Leveraging STPA as well as related systems engineering techniques can be helpful in early R&D planning and strategy development to better triangulate deeper theoretical meaning or evaluate empirical results to better inform systems engineering solutions.

Whistleblower as activist and exile: The case of Edward Snowden

Whistleblowing is an important form of radical political activism, influencing social reform by fundamentally changing the way we see our world. This article contributes to understandings of whistleblower-activism in cases of wrongdoing on the part of state institutions. Extant theorizations of organizational whistleblowing fall short in explaining such instances. In contrast, this article develops four key dynamics of state whistleblower-activism: disclosures radically outside both organization and state, extreme dependence on supporters, democratic activism through alternative loyalties, and parrhesia revealing a crisis in Western democracy. These insights are elaborated through in-depth exploration of the exemplar case of U.S. national security whistleblower Edward Snowden. We argue that the emergent concept of “exilic whistleblowing,” inspired by Hannah Arendt’s work on exile, offers novel insights. Contributions extend understandings of whistleblowing theory and practice highlighting critical aspects of exilic whistleblowing as activist resistance: how it can be used strategically as part of activist critique aimed at changing the status quo, and how the exiled whistleblower acts as a vanguard helping to bring about a new political consciousness concerning the state of modern democracy and its capacity to uphold constitutional and international human rights.

Stroke risk management in carotid atherosclerotic disease: A Clinical Consensus Statement of the ESC Council on Stroke and the ESC Working Group on Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Diseases.

Carotid atherosclerotic disease continues to be an important cause of stroke, often disabling or fatal. Such strokes could be largely prevented through optimal medical therapy and carotid revascularization. Advancements in discovery research and imaging along with evidence from recent pharmacology and interventional clinical trials and registries and the progress in acute stroke management have markedly expanded knowledge base for clinical decisions in carotid stenosis. Nevertheless, there is variability in carotid-related stroke prevention and management strategies across medical specialities. Optimal patient care can be achieved by (1) establishing a unified knowledge foundation and (2) fostering multi-specialty collaborative guidelines. The emergent Neuro-Vascular Team concept, mirroring the multi-disciplinary Heart Team, embraces diverse specializations, tailores personalized, stratified medicine approaches to individual patient needs, and integrates innovative imaging and risk-assessment biomarkers. Proposed approach integrates collaboration of multiple specialists central to carotid artery stenosis management such as neurology, stroke medicine, cardiology, angiology, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, endovascular interventions, neuroradiology and neurosurgery. Moreover, patient education regarding current treatment options, their risks and advantages, is pivotal, promting patient's active role in clinical care decisions. This enables optimization of interventions ranging from lifestyle modification, carotid revascularization by stenting or endarterectomy, as well as pharmacological management encompassing statins, novel lipid-lowering and antithrombotic strategies and targeting inflammation and vascular dysfunction. This consensus document provides a harmonized multi-specialty approach to multimorbidity prevention in carotid stenosis patients, based on comprehensive knowledge review, pinpointing research gaps in an evidence-based medicine approach. It aims to be a foundational tool for interdisciplinary collaboration and prioritized patient-centric decision-making.

On Emergence, Again

AbstractThe aim of the present paper is twofold. First, we are interested in assessing the validity of one version of Kim’s argument against genuine higher level causation. Second, we discuss Wilson’s proposal to consider a weaker notion of emergence as genuinely metaphysical and compatible with Non-Reductive Physicalism. Our conclusion is that both proposals fail: the first in preempting genuine (strong) emergent causation, whereas the second in ensuring a genuinely metaphysical status to weak emergence. After all, Wilson’s proposal strongly depends on the success of Kim’s, not only because it takes it as valid but, also, because in pursuing its own weaker model it shares the presuppositions that led Kim’s to failure. At the end of the day, Wilson’s conception of genuine weak emergence either breaks causal closure or is merely stipulative, namely confined at the descriptive level.

Emotions as emergent properties

In recent decades, affective scientists have begun using concepts and tools from dynamical systems theory (DST) to characterise emotional processes. This article considers how the concept of emergence might be used to develop this approach. Emotions are explicated as ‘emergent products’ that diachronically constrain the operations of their parts in virtue of feedback loops (a classical feature of nonlinear dynamical systems). The explication is shown to be broadly consistent with what is sometimes called ‘pattern’ emergence. Casting emotions as emergent patterns is shown to shed light on a major conceptual and empirical challenge emotion theorists have faced over the past century: identifying and measuring the presence of emotional episodes (Lindquist et al., 2012; Hollenstein & Lanteigne, 2014), dubbed here the ‘boundary problem’ (following Colombetti, 2014). In particular, the explication suggests seeing the emotional ‘signatures’ thought to accompany emotional episodes as fragile and context-bound: likely to hold under a relevant class of interventions (Woodward, 2005), but not without exception beyond that class. This in turn may suggest a need to significantly revise the statistical methods currently used to measure the presence of emotional ‘signatures’. The casting of emotions as emergent patterns also functions as a further case study supporting the value of ‘pattern emergence’ (Winning & Bechtel, 2019) as a powerful vehicle for characterising the objects of investigation — compound and context-sensitive — ubiquitous in the biological sciences.