Resource
2026 EN
Tobias Mertz · Steven Lamarr Reynolds · Jorn Kohlhammer
Vulnerability verification is an important process in ensuring the security of software systems. To support users in this process, we present the design study of DaV3is, which utilizes visual event sequence analysis techniques to enable the comparison and tracing of automatically detected data flows through the software's source code, thereby allowing users to take advantage of sequence similarities to reduce the verification workload. To that end, we characterize the domain problem based on input from domain users, describe our design rationale based on best-practices from the visual analytics literature, and evaluate individual design decisions, usability, and utility in studies with three stakeholder groups. The evaluations yielded overall positive responses, showing the suitability of our design and providing valuable insight for future research.
Resource
2026 EN
Sebastian Hubenschmid · Marc Satkowski · Johannes Zagermann
+9 more
We investigate hybrid user interfaces (HUIs), aiming to establish a cohesive understanding and to adopt consistent terminology for this nascent research area. HUIs combine heterogeneous devices in complementary roles, leveraging the distinct benefits of each. Our work focuses on cross-device interaction between 2D devices and mixed reality environments, which are particularly compelling, leveraging the familiarity of traditional 2D platforms while providing spatial awareness and immersion. Although prior work has prominently explored such HUIs in the context of mixed reality, we still lack a cohesive understanding of the unique design possibilities and challenges of such combinations, resulting in a fragmented research landscape. We conducted a systematic survey and present a taxonomy of HUIs that combine conventional display technology and mixed reality environments. Based on this, we discuss past and current challenges, the evolution of definitions, and prospective opportunities to tie together the past 30 years of research with our vision of future HUIs.
Journals
2026 EN
Trepel Jonas · Atkinson Joe · Roux Elizabeth
+14 more
Abstract Large herbivores can strongly influence plant communities. However, these effects are highly variable, potentially depending on the herbivore regime, that is, herbivore diversity and density. However, the role of the herbivore regime has been challenging to evaluate across spatial scales due to widespread defaunation and a lack of data on herbivore communities and their densities. Here, we investigated the effects of large herbivores along a gradient of trophic complexity (low to high herbivore diversity) and herbivory intensity (estimated from herbivore biomass and visitation frequency) on plant taxonomic and functional diversity at different scales (plot [ n = 250], site [ n = 50] and landscape [ n = 10]) in 10 reserves in the savanna biome in South Africa. We found higher total plant species richness, driven by higher herbaceous (but not woody) plant species richness, in areas with higher herbivory intensity across multiple scales. While herbivores had no significant relationship with plant functional richness, we observed higher functional redundancy at all scales in areas more frequently visited by herbivores. Overall, herbivore–vegetation relationships were largely consistent across scales, and the strongest effects emerged at the largest scale. Our results show a positive relationship between large herbivores and both herbaceous plant species richness and plant functional redundancy, the latter suggesting higher vegetation resilience (the capacity of ecosystems to quickly recover from disturbances as different species compensate for the loss or decline of others). These effects are largely consistent across scales, indicating that the impact of herbivore regimes on plant communities is predominantly scale‐independent and that large herbivores drive vegetation dynamics at both local and large scales. However, the stronger effects observed at the landscape scale imply that herbivore impacts manifest most prominently at larger scales. Altogether, our results suggest that restoring large herbivore populations can be expected to promote herbaceous plant diversity and ecosystem resilience.
Journals
2026 EN
YiEn Zeng Kate · Preuss Lutz · Thapa Karki Shova
+1 more
Abstract Sustainability tensions in business have increasingly received attention in prior literature; yet, there is still a dearth of studies on how entrepreneurs in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises – and more specifically in sustainability‐driven enterprises – navigate these tensions. Building on the process orientation strand of the entrepreneurial cognition literature, we examine how sustainability‐driven entrepreneurs address sustainability tensions by using Weick's stages of the sensemaking process as an analytical lens. Undertaking a qualitative study of sustainability‐driven ventures, we identify two distinct strategies for managing tensions. Firstly, entrepreneurs employ linear sensemaking when dealing with straightforward sustainability tensions, utilizing clear and focussed strategies. Secondly, entrepreneurs engage in elaborate, open‐ended sensemaking for more ambiguous tensions, which requires more time and cognitive effort. These strategies consist of different patterns of scanning, interpreting and learning, highlighting the varied approaches entrepreneurs take to navigate sustainability tensions. As our theoretical contribution, we offer a finely grained process perspective to explain how the various combinations of the stages of the sensemaking process work together (or not) to create more aggregate cognitive concepts, like entrepreneurial motivation. We conclude by drawing out implications of our research for leveraging entrepreneurial decision‐making in the context of the considerable uncertainty that sustainability entails.
Journals
2026 EN
Canby Marc E. · Evans Steven N. · Ringe Donald
+1 more
Abstract In Canby et al. 2024, TPS 122(2), 199–222, we provided a new model of linguistic evolution that addressed polymorphism, a simulation study comparing several phylogeny estimation methods under this model showing that a maximum parsimony method (MP4) had the best accuracy, and a phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony of an updated Ringe & Taylor IE dataset with polymorphic characters included. We recently discovered that the way we estimated phylogenetic trees for the simulation study used an incorrect script for performing binary encodings of multi‐state characters (originally developed for a different question) that did not produce a binary encoding for any monomorphic character. Here, we provide the updated figures and table that have correct values for the methods that employ the binary encoding in the simulation studies we performed.
Journals
2026 EN
Verberckmoes Bo · Wessel Steffi · Hamerlynck Tjalina
+3 more
ABSTRACT Objective This study investigates whether total laparoscopic hysterectomy in trans men can be safely performed as an ambulatory procedure without negatively impacting patient satisfaction with length of stay compared to inpatient surgery. Design Single‐centre non‐inferiority randomised controlled trial. Setting Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Population Trans men scheduled for total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods Participants were randomly allocated to ambulatory surgery (intervention) or overnight stay (comparator). Main Outcome Measures The main outcome was satisfaction with the length of hospital stay, measured on Day 7 postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, analgesics use, quality of recovery, hospital anxiety and depression, complications, and readmission. Results One hundred trans men gave informed consent. Ninety‐four underwent surgery (50 allocated inpatient and 44 ambulatory). The non‐inferiority margin for the primary outcome was −20 on a 100‐point VAS. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy as an ambulatory procedure was non‐inferior to the inpatient setting regarding satisfaction with length of hospital stay after 1 week (mean difference 1.45; 95% CI: −6.71 to 9.61). There were lower pain scores in the ambulatory group, along with significantly more use of moderate analgesics on Days 1, 2, and 3 (resp. risk difference 0.35 (95% CI: 0.17–0.53), 0.32 (95% CI: 0.10–0.54), 0.31 (95% CI: 0.10–0.52)). The quality of recovery and hospital anxiety and depression scores were comparable between both groups. The readmission and postoperative complication rates were higher in the inpatient group. Conclusions This study shows non‐inferiority for patient satisfaction with length of hospital stay after hysterectomy in the ambulatory versus inpatient setting in a transgender population. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT05393583
Journals
2026 EN
Boom Marije A. · Genderen Margot · Verheijen Paul M.
+3 more
ABSTRACT Background Biological grafts are proposed as an alternative to synthetic grafts in sacrocolpopexy (SC) to reduce complications such as graft exposure and immunologic reactions. However, concerns remain long‐term durability. This systematic review and meta‐analysis assess recurrence rates and graft‐related complications (GRC) in minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISC) using biological grafts. Objectives To evaluate the recurrence and GRC following MISC with biological grafts and to compare outcomes across different materials. Search Strategy PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched up to August 2024. Selection Criteria Studies with ≥ 10 patients undergoing MISC with biological grafts, reporting recurrence or GRC with ≥ 6 months follow‐up, were included. Data Collection and Analysis Two independent reviewers assessed study quality using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). A random‐effects meta‐analysis estimated pooled recurrence and GRC with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main Results Five studies (353 patients) met inclusion criteria. Recurrence rates ranged from 2.4% to 52.6% (pooled: 25.6% [95% CI: 8.1%–48.2%]). Graft exposure occurred in 0.8% (95% CI: 0.0%–4.2%). ADM had the lowest recurrence (2.4%) with no reported exposures, whereas Tutoplast cadaveric fascia lata showed the highest recurrence (52.6%) and exposure (5.3%). The pooled reoperation rate for recurrence was 16.8% (95% CI: 0.0%–51.7%). Conclusion This systematic review identified a higher recurrence rate with biological grafts in MISC than typically reported for synthetic grafts in other literature, while exposure rates appeared to be comparable. Given study heterogeneity, further research is required to determine the optimal graft choice balancing durability and complication risk.
Journals
2026 EN
Strombotne Kiersten L. · Lipsey Daniel · Mattar Fernando
+4 more
ABSTRACT Objective To examine the relationship between mental health provider productivity, staffing levels, and suicide‐related events (SREs) among U.S. Veterans receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), focusing on therapy and medication management providers. Data Sources/Setting We analyzed administrative data from the Department of Defense and VHA (2014–2018), encompassing 109,376 Veterans who separated from active duty between 2010 and 2017. Design A longitudinal design estimated the effects of facility‐level provider work rate and staffing on SREs, adjusting for patient and facility characteristics. An instrumental variables (IV) approach addressed potential endogeneity. Data Collection/Extraction Methods Data were obtained from the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse and the VHA Survey of Enrollees. Principal Findings A 1% increase in therapy provider work rate led to a 12.1% increase in SRE probability, regardless of staffing levels. Conversely, a 1% increase in staffing levels led to a 1.6% reduction in SREs, with the largest effect in low‐staffed facilities. For medication management providers, work rate had no overall impact on SREs, except in medium‐staffed facilities. A 1% increase in staffing levels for medication management providers led to a 1.7% reduction in SREs. Conclusions Increased work rates, particularly in low‐staffed VHA facilities, may elevate suicide‐related risks. In contrast, staffing increases simultaneously improve access and reduce adverse outcomes. Where possible, policymakers should prioritize staffing growth over productivity gains to improve access to mental health clinics and ensure Veteran safety and care quality.
Journals
2026 EN
Ma Alyson · Campbell Jason · Sanchez Alison
+2 more
ABSTRACT Objective To examine the impact of patient‐provider racial/ethnic concordance on adherence to a prescribed medication regimen in marginalized populations with a focus on health issues related to hypertension, heart condition/disease, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. Study Setting and Design Applying the Andersen‐Newman Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, we estimate multivariate linear models to analyze the number of prescriptions filled by patients within a calendar year using publicly available data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a set of large‐scale surveys of families and individuals, their medical providers, and employers across the United States. Data Sources and Analytic Sample Data from MEPS on patient race/ethnicity and provider race/ethnicity were collected from survey years 2007 to 2017 as well as data to control for demographic, socioeconomic, and health factors. Our sample includes 238,355 observations, including 46.1% White respondents, 27.1% Hispanic respondents, 19.3% Black respondents, and 7.5% Asian respondents. There are 52,069 (about 22%) cases of patient‐provider concordance. Principal Findings We find a positive association between adherence to a prescribed medication regime and racial/ethnic patient‐provider concordance. Patients identifying as non‐White fill their prescriptions approximately three times less often than White patients. Relative to White patients in racial/ethnic concordance with their providers, there is an increase in the number of filled prescriptions for Black patients in racial/ethnic concordance with their providers (coef = 0.715; p = 0.02). For patients with hypertension, being in a racial/ethnic concordant relationship with their providers increases the number of prescription refills (White: coef = 1.884, p < 0.001; Black: coef = 2.360, p < 0.001; Hispanic: 1.925, p < 0.001; Asian: 1.461, p = 0.003). The number of prescription refills also increases for White (coef = 1.665, p < 0.001), Hispanic (coef = 3.469, p < 0.001), and Asian (3.796, p < 0.001) patients with heart condition/disease and in racial/ethnic concordance with their providers. Conclusions The results provide evidence supporting that patients in racial/ethnic concordant relationships with their providers have a greater predisposition to medication adherence even after controlling for enabling, need, and other predisposing factors, particularly for patients with certain chronic medical diseases. Health policy implications are discussed.
Journals
2026 EN
Dorneo Allison · Shen YiJung · Kabdiyeva Aigerim
+5 more
ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the relationship between community care (CC) treatment, surgical complexity, and postoperative surgical outcomes in spine surgeries among Veterans. Data Sources and Study Setting Veterans Health Administration (VHA) sample with data sourced from the Corporate Data Warehouse and CC claims. Study Design To evaluate differences in VHA and CC spine surgical complexity and outcomes, we first characterized VHA patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who received spine surgery in the VHA or CC. Then, we estimated adjusted naïve logistic regression models to calculate the effect of CC on the probability of having a complex spine surgery, 30‐day readmission, 30‐day complication, and 1‐year reoperation. Finally, we estimated adjusted 2‐stage models using an instrument for primary care provider's historical CC referral rates and imaging rates as a semi‐parametric Newey correction for sample selection. Analytic Sample LSS‐diagnosed patients living ≤ 80 miles from a VHA facility that performed at least one spine surgery between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2022. Principal Findings Of the 41,726 LSS‐diagnosed patients, 7496 (18.0%) had spine surgery within 1 year of diagnosis. 2920 (39.0%) were VHA surgeries and 4576 (61.0%) were in CC. In the naïve model, CC surgery was associated with a 26.61 percentage point (pp) increase in the probability of having a complex surgery (95% CI 24.17, 29.05), a 4.31 pp increase in readmission (95% CI 2.76, 5.85), and a 6.80 pp increase in reoperation (95% CI 5.21, 8.40). After accounting for characteristics associated with the likelihood of surgery, CC, and outcomes, only the effect of CC use on the probability of a complex surgery was significant (36.48; 95% CI 22.69, 50.27). Conclusions We found no difference in surgical outcomes between VHA and CC patients. Since CC patients were more likely to receive complex spine surgeries, the VHA paid for more costly, resource‐intensive procedures with no improvements in quality.