How and why humans trust: A meta-analysis and elaborated model.

Trust exerts an impact on essentially all forms of social relationships. It affects individuals in deciding whether and how they will or will not interact with other people. Equally, trust also influences the stance of entire nations in their mutual dealings. In consequence, understanding the factors that influence the decision to trust, or not to trust, is crucial to the full spectrum of social dealings. Here, we report the most comprehensive extant meta-analysis of experimental findings relating to such human-to-human trust. Our analysis provides a quantitative evaluation of the factors that influence interpersonal trust, the initial propensity to trust, as well as an assessment of the general trusting of others. Over 2,000 relevant studies were initially identified for potential inclusion in the meta-analysis. Of these, (n = 338) passed all screening criteria and provided therefrom a total of (n = 2,185) effect sizes for analysis. The identified dependent variables were trustworthiness, propensity to trust, general trust, and the trust that supervisors and subordinates express in each other. Correlational results demonstrated that a large range of trustor, trustee, and shared, contextual factors impact each of trustworthiness, the propensity to trust, and trust within working relationships. The emphasis in the present work on contextual factors being one of several trust dimensions herein originated. Experimental results established that the reputation of the trustee and the shared closeness of trustor and trustee were the most predictive factors of trustworthiness outcome. From these collective findings, we propose an elaborated, overarching descriptive theory of trust in which special note is taken of the theory's application to the growing human need to trust in non-human entities. The latter include diverse forms of automation, robots, artificially intelligent entities, as well as specific implementations such as driverless vehicles to name but a few. Future directions as to the momentary dynamics of trust development, its sustenance and its dissipation are also evaluated.

The impact of delayed wound healing on patient-reported outcomes after breast cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: Postoperative complications after breast cancer surgery may be associated with decreased quality of life. It remains unclear whether oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with reconstruction lead to more postoperative complications than conventional breast surgery (CBS). As delayed wound healing (DWH) is one of the most frequent minor complications, we sought to investigate the significance of DWH for patient-reported outcomes after oncoplastic, reconstructive, and CBS. METHODS: Our study is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with stage I-II breast cancer who underwent oncoplastic or CBS performed by three breast surgeons at a single tertiary referral hospital from June 2011 until May 2019. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated postoperatively using the BREAST-Q questionnaire. Comparisons were made between patients with and without DWH. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients who met the inclusion criteria and 28 (12%) of them developed DWH, 27/158 (17%) in the oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery and reconstruction group and 1/71 (1%) in the CBS group. The mean time from surgery to BREAST-Q assessment was comparable in both groups (29 months in the DWH vs. 33 months in the normal wound healing group). No statistically significant difference for any BREAST-Q scale was detected between patients with and without DWH. This includes physical (p = 0.183), psychosocial (p = 0.489), sexual well-being (p = 0.895), and satisfaction with breasts (p = 0.068). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy with reconstruction lead to significantly more DWH than CBS. However, neither quality of life nor patient-reported outcomes following state-of-the-art reconstructive or oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery at a specialized center seem to be compromised.

Brustrekonstruktion ­ der Einfluss des Verfahrens auf die Lebensqualität.

English Breast cancer and the surgical procedures associated with it have a major impact on the quality of life of affected patients. Research shows that the loss of the breast and the associated change in body image have a major impact on the female self-image for many women. This has a strong negative impact on the quality of life of those affected. With modern clinical outcome research including treatment results from the patient's perspective in the form of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), the satisfaction and quality of life of those affected can be measured, analysed and compared. This review examines the extent to which breast reconstruction improves the quality of life for many women and how the different reconstruction methods vary in their impact on quality of life and satisfaction. In addition, the review discusses the importance of standardised recording and analysis of PROMs in combination with objective clinical data and their integration into the treatment process, and it demonstrates implementation options. Such systematic recording of PROMs enables the creation of databases and registers, the evaluation of which provides information that can be used for scientific and clinical purposes. Based on these research results, prognostic models can be created and treatment results can be examined in comparative studies facilitating clinical decision-making and quality controls.

Comparison of patient-reported outcomes among different types of oncoplastic breast surgery procedures.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after different types of oncoplastic surgery (OPS) procedures and correlate the results with previously published normative data from women with no prior history of breast cancer (BC) and breast surgery. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients with stage I-II BC undergoing a specific selection of OPS procedures from 04/2012 to 12/2018 by three breast surgeons at a single tertiary referral hospital in Switzerland. PROs were evaluated using the postoperative BREAST-Q questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria and were surveyed. All OPS techniques achieved comparably elevated scores in satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial, and sexual well-being. Compared to normative data of healthy women, all OPS groups postoperatively achieved significantly better satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial, and sexual well-being. CONCLUSION: This study shows high PROs across all types of OPS, which were superior to normative data from healthy women. Our findings confirm that OPS is associated with high quality of life and patient satisfaction.

Relationship of Internalized Transnegativity and Protective Factors With Depression, Anxiety, Non-suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidal Tendency in Trans Populations: A Systematic Review.

Discrimination heavily impacts the lives of trans populations and causes adverse mental health outcomes. As stated by the Gender Minority Stress Model self-stigmatization could play an important role in this process. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate whether there is a positive association between self-stigmatization and mental health and to identify mediation factors. Studies which quantitatively investigated the association between internalized transnegativity and selected mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal tendency) in self-identified trans populations were included. Comprehensive search of 5 large databases in June 2020 and the following screening and selection procedure, performed by two researchers separately, identified 14 studies which met criteria. The relationship to be studied was reported with correlation and/or mediation analysis of cross-sectional data. IT was directly positively associated with depression, anxiety and suicidal tendency in most of the reviewed studies. Data indicates links between self-stigmatization and other general mental health stressors such as rumination and thwarted belongingness. Community connectedness showed to be the strongest protective factor for mental health impairments. These results should be considered in transition counseling. More research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the GMSM and to address unsolved operationalization and measurement issues.

Capturing Plastic Surgery on Film-Making Reconstruction Visible.

The Swiss Plastic Surgery Association (https://plasticsurgery.ch/en/) decided to produce a corporate video to illustrate the concept of "plastic surgery of confidence" to the public. We show the diversity of specializations and the vast range of tasks that surgeons passionately handle day in and day out. We wanted to convey 2 main messages: first, that plastic surgery is more than just cosmetic surgery, and second, that plastic surgery in Switzerland is synonymous with quality and confidence. We selected 17 topics that we felt had good filmic potential and would best explain to the public what plastic surgery is about. This included the selection of appropriate patients, experts, and locations from all over the country. We thought it crucial to show the initial preoperative situation, as only in this case would the achievement of reconstruction be evident and comprehensive to the layman audience. The actual production was filmed in 5 different locations and took 5 days of shooting. We recorded 17 surgeons, 9 patients, and about 30 voluntary background actors. From 23 hours of footage, we created a 7 minute, 22 second corporate video, recorded in 3 of the Swiss national languages. The video was presented to the public online in June 2016, on the same day as the National Open Day of Plastic Surgery in Switzerland. The video is available online. We evaluated the impact of the video using a questionnaire for lay people and observed that it could substantially improve the perception of our specialty, especially regarding the reconstructive aspect. We feel that a freely available corporate video is a very useful means to promote plastic surgery and help patients better understand what it is all about.

A Meta-Analysis of Factors Influencing the Development of Trust in Automation: Implications for Understanding Autonomy in Future Systems.

OBJECTIVE: We used meta-analysis to assess research concerning human trust in automation to understand the foundation upon which future autonomous systems can be built. BACKGROUND: Trust is increasingly important in the growing need for synergistic human-machine teaming. Thus, we expand on our previous meta-analytic foundation in the field of human-robot interaction to include all of automation interaction. METHOD: We used meta-analysis to assess trust in automation. Thirty studies provided 164 pairwise effect sizes, and 16 studies provided 63 correlational effect sizes. RESULTS: The overall effect size of all factors on trust development was g = +0.48, and the correlational effect was [Formula: see text] = +0.34, each of which represented medium effects. Moderator effects were observed for the human-related (g = +0.49; [Formula: see text] = +0.16) and automation-related (g = +0.53; [Formula: see text] = +0.41) factors. Moderator effects specific to environmental factors proved insufficient in number to calculate at this time. CONCLUSION: Findings provide a quantitative representation of factors influencing the development of trust in automation as well as identify additional areas of needed empirical research. APPLICATION: This work has important implications to the enhancement of current and future human-automation interaction, especially in high-risk or extreme performance environments.

A meta-analysis of factors affecting trust in human-robot interaction.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluate and quantify the effects of human, robot, and environmental factors on perceived trust in human-robot interaction (HRI). BACKGROUND: To date, reviews of trust in HRI have been qualitative or descriptive. Our quantitative review provides a fundamental empirical foundation to advance both theory and practice. METHOD: Meta-analytic methods were applied to the available literature on trust and HRI. A total of 29 empirical studies were collected, of which 10 met the selection criteria for correlational analysis and 11 for experimental analysis. These studies provided 69 correlational and 47 experimental effect sizes. RESULTS: The overall correlational effect size for trust was r = +0.26,with an experimental effect size of d = +0.71. The effects of human, robot, and environmental characteristics were examined with an especial evaluation of the robot dimensions of performance and attribute-based factors. The robot performance and attributes were the largest contributors to the development of trust in HRI. Environmental factors played only a moderate role. CONCLUSION: Factors related to the robot itself, specifically, its performance, had the greatest current association with trust, and environmental factors were moderately associated. There was little evidence for effects of human-related factors. APPLICATION: The findings provide quantitative estimates of human, robot, and environmental factors influencing HRI trust. Specifically, the current summary provides effect size estimates that are useful in establishing design and training guidelines with reference to robot-related factors of HRI trust. Furthermore, results indicate that improper trust calibration may be mitigated by the manipulation of robot design. However, many future research needs are identified.

Geostatistical and multivariate statistical analysis of heavily and manifoldly contaminated soil samples.

The surroundings of the former Kremikovtzi steel mill near Sofia (Bulgaria) are influenced by various emissions from the factory. In addition to steel and alloys, they produce different products based on inorganic compounds in different smelters. Soil in this region is multiply contaminated. We collected 65 soil samples and analyzed 15 elements by different methods of atomic spectroscopy for a survey of this field site. Here we present a novel hybrid approach for environmental risk assessment of polluted soil combining geostatistical methods and source apportionment modeling. We could distinguish areas with heavily and slightly polluted soils in the vicinity of the iron smelter by applying unsupervised pattern recognition methods. This result was supported by geostatistical methods such as semivariogram analysis and kriging. The modes of action of the metals examined differ significantly in such a way that iron and lead account for the main pollutants of the iron smelter, whereas, e.g., arsenic shows a haphazard distribution. The application of factor analysis and source-apportionment modeling on absolute principal component scores revealed novel information about the composition of the emissions from the different stacks. It is possible to estimate the impact of every element examined on the pollution due to their emission source. This investigation allows an objective assessment of the different spatial distributions of the elements examined in the soil of the Kremikovtzi region. The geostatistical analysis illustrates this distribution and is supported by multivariate statistical analysis revealing relations between the elements.

Analytical and chemometric characterization of the Cruces River in South Chile.

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: The Cruces River, which is located in southwest Chile, suffered from dramatic changes after the opening of a large pulp mill in 2004. A large mass mortality of the vegetation occurred. In particular, the Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa), which is the main food source of many water birds in this ecosystem, disappeared. Because of this damage, different investigations took place and the goal of this research was a description of the water quality, including filtrate, suspended matter, and sediment. In this research, inorganic parameters were the main point of interest. Furthermore, finding relations between the sampling sites and the measured parameters by applying chemometric methods was another aim of this investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Water and sediment samples were collected from 19 sampling sites at the Cruces River in summer (February) 2007. Fifteen elements were analyzed by atomic spectroscopic methods in filtrate, suspended matter, and sediment. Furthermore, the dissolved organic carbon, humic acids, and microbiological parameters were examined. RESULTS: The quantitative description of the three different compartments indicates little influence of the pulp mill on the Cruces River. The comparison of the results with the Databank for Ecotoxicological Effect Data and Quality Targets illustrates the good quality of the water in the sanctuary. All quality targets, except for copper, are achieved. The amount of suspended matter increases with the beginning of the wetland. The multivariate statistical data analysis classifies the relations between the objects and variables. DISCUSSION: The influence of the sewage, which is blamed to be the reason for increased amount of suspended matter, cannot be evaluated by this investigation. The slight increase of the concentrations of the earth alkaline and alkaline metals might cause changes in the chemical equilibrium and, therefore, the amount of suspended matter increases. Applying cluster analysis separates sampling sites by the determination of similarities between these sampling sites by means of the variables. Space-time factor analysis revealed relations between the examined parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The sewage of the pulp mill is not significantly polluted by the analyzed parameters and a negative influence to the ecosystem cannot be proved. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The impact of copper should be examined in further investigations. The Pichoy River, with high concentrations of iron in the filtrate, should be examined as well. Studies about the chemical equilibrium of iron and manganese oxides in relation to the alkaline and earth alkaline elements should take place.

Chemometric tools for identification of volatile aroma-active compounds in oregano.

One of the purposes of chemical analysis is to find quick and efficient methods to answer complex analytical questions in the life sciences. New analytical methods, in particular, produce a flood of data which are often very badly arranged. An effective way to overcome this problem is to apply chemometric methods. As part of the following investigations, three brands of oregano were analysed to identify their volatile aroma-active compounds. Two techniques were applied--gas chromatograpy-olfactometry (GC-O) and human sensory evaluation. Aroma-impact compounds could be identified in the main brands of oregano with the aid of chemometric methods (principal-components analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis, partial least-squares regression). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the analysis of sensory and olfactometry to relevant attributes. This makes classifying new species easier, much faster, and less expensive and is the premise for quick and more economic identification of new potential genotypes for oregano plant breeding. A comprehensive list of oregano key odourants, determined by GC-O and human sensory evaluation using different methods of supervised and unsupervised pattern cognition, has not previously been published.