bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Sexual Interests with Pupillary Responses: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Attard-Johnson Janice , Vasilev Martin R. , Ó Ciardha Caoilte , Bindemann Markus , Babchishin Kelly M.
Published: September 2021

Objective measures of sexual interest are important for research on human sexuality. There has been a resurgence in research examining pupil dilation as a potential index of sexual orientation. We carried out a meta-analytic review of studies published between 1965 and 2020 (Mdnyear = 2016) measuring pupil responses to visual stimuli of adult men and women to assess sexual interest. Separate meta-analyses were performed for six sexual orientation categories. In the final analysis, 15 studies were included for heterosexual men (N = 550), 5 studies for gay men (N = 65), 4 studies for bisexual men (N = 124), 13 studies for heterosexual women (N = 403), and 3 studies for lesbian women (N = 132). Only heterosexual and gay men demonstrated discrimination in pupillary responses that was clearly in line with their sexual orientation, with greater pupil dilation to female and male stimuli, respectively. Bisexual men showed greater pupil dilation to male stimuli. Although heterosexual women exhibited larger pupils to male stimuli compared to female stimuli, the magnitude of the effect was small and non-significant. Finally, lesbian women displayed greater pupil dilation to male stimuli. Three methodological moderators were identified—the sexual explicitness of stimulus materials, the measurement technique of pupillary response, and inclusion of self-report measures of sexual interest. These meta-analyses are based on a limited number of studies and are therefore preliminary. However, the results suggest that pupillary measurement of sexual interest is promising for men and that standardization is essential to gain a better understanding of the validity of this measurement technique for sexual interest.
Liquefaction potential for the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: a sensitivity study
Authors: Pokhrel Rama M. , Gilder Charlotte E. L. , Vardanega Paul J. , De Luca Flavia , De Risi Raffaele , Werner Maximilian J. , Sextos Anastasios
Published: September 2021

An assessment of liquefaction potential for the Kathmandu Valley considering seasonal variability of the groundwater table has been conducted. To gain deeper understanding seven historical liquefaction records located adjacent to borehole datapoints (published in SAFER/GEO-591) were used to compare two methods for the estimation of liquefaction potential. Standard Penetration Test (SPT) blowcount data from 75 boreholes inform the new liquefaction potential maps. Various scenarios were modelled, i.e., seasonal variation of the groundwater table and peak ground acceleration. Ordinary kriging, implemented in ArcGIS, was used to prepare maps at urban scale. Liquefaction potential calculations using the methodology from (Sonmez, Environ Geol 44:862–871, 2003) provided a good match to the historical liquefaction records in the region. Seasonal variation of the groundwater table is shown to have a significant effect on the spatial distribution of calculated liquefaction potential across the valley. The less than anticipated liquefaction manifestations due to the Gorkha earthquake are possibly due to the seasonal water table level.
Characterizing attitudinal network graphs through frustration cloud
Authors: Rusnak Lucas , Tešić Jelena
Published: September 2021

Attitudinal network graphs are signed graphs where edges capture an expressed opinion; two vertices connected by an edge can be agreeable (positive) or antagonistic (negative). A signed graph is called balanced if each of its cycles includes an even number of negative edges. Balance is often characterized by the frustration index or by finding a single convergent balanced state of network consensus. In this paper, we propose to expand the measures of consensus from a single balanced state associated with the frustration index to the set of nearest balanced states. We introduce thefrustration cloudas a set of all nearest balanced states and use a graph-balancing algorithm to find all nearest balanced states in a deterministic way. Computational concerns are addressed by measuring consensus probabilistically, and we introduce new vertex and edge metrics to quantifystatus,agreement, andinfluence. We also introduce a new global measure of controversy for a given signed graph and show that vertex status is a zero-sum game in the signed network. We propose an efficient scalable algorithm for calculating frustration cloud-based measures in social network and survey data of up to 80,000 vertices and half-a-million edges. We also demonstrate the power of the proposed approach to provide discriminant features for community discovery when compared to spectral clustering and to automatically identify dominant vertices and anomalous decisions in the network.
Effects of fixed cutoff filtering on dark- and light-adapted ERG components and the application of variable cutoff filter
Authors: Gao Min , Barboni Mirella Telles Salgueiro , Ventura Dora Fix , Nagy Balázs Vince
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Human oscillatory potentials (OPs) are derived from dark-adapted (DA) electroretinograms (ERGs) with fixed frequency cutoff filters while light-adapted (LA) OPs are generally not isolated from ERGs. Our purpose was to analyze the effect of cutoff frequencies on DA and LA ERG components using a series of fixed and variable filters.

Methods

DA and LA ERGs were recorded from 10 healthy eyes of 10 subjects (mean age = 20.5 ± 6.7 years) following ISCEV standards. Each signal was filtered in the Fourier domain to acquire slow (a- and b-waves; below cutoff frequency) and fast (OPs; above cutoff frequency) components. Fixed cutoff frequencies ranged from 60 to 105 Hz and a variable cutoff frequency was calculated. Results were analyzed with statistical tests and specific models.

Results

DA ERG components were slightly influenced by the filter cutoff frequency. In contrast, fixed and variable filters significantly changed LA components: the lower the cutoff frequency the smaller the b-wave and OP3 and the higher the OP2/OP4 amplitudes. Analyzing the filter frequency limits a transition range between 68.9 Hz and 83.9 Hz was observed where amplitudes vary.

Conclusions

The present report shows that DA OPs may be isolated from ERGs using filtering procedures with high-pass cutoff frequency at about 75 Hz as recommended by ISCEV. On the other hand, the spectral distribution of low-frequency and high-frequency LA ERG components may overlap. Accordingly, filtering the signal using different cutoff frequencies is not necessarily separating b-wave and OPs.
Is a Preference for Realism Really Naive After All? A Cognitive Model of Learning with Realistic Visualizations
Authors: Skulmowski Alexander , Nebel Steve , Remmele Martin , Rey Günter Daniel
Published: September 2021

The use of realistic visualizations has gained considerable interest due to the proliferation of virtual reality equipment. This review is concerned with the theoretical basis, technical implementation, cognitive effects, and educational implications of using realistic visualizations. Realism can be useful for learners, but in several studies, more abstract illustrations have resulted in higher performance. Furthermore, a preference for realistic visualization has been declared as being based on misconceptions regarding the cognitive system. However, we argue that this perspective is unable to fully explain the conflicting results found in the literature. To fill this theoretical gap, we devised a model to describe and compare the various levels of realism found in visualizations. We define realism as a combination of three dimensions: geometry, shading, and rendering. By varying these dimensions, it is possible to create a variety of realistic graphics. Thus, when comparing different visualizations, the realism of each of these three dimensions needs to be considered individually. Based on this technical definition, we introduce a cognitive model of learning with realistic visualizations that includes three different stages: perception, schema construction, and testing. At these three stages, variables such as the perceptual load generated by the visualization, learner characteristics influencing how well details are processed, and test types that demand concrete or flexible representations can affect whether realism fosters or hinders learning. Using the cognitive model presented in this paper, more accurate predictions and recommendations concerning the use of realism can be formulated.
Traits that define yield and genetic gain in East African highland banana breeding
Authors: Batte Michael , Swennen Rony , Uwimana Brigitte , Akech Violet , Brown Allan , Geleta Mulatu , Ortiz Rodomiro
Published: September 2021

East African highland bananas (Musaspp. AAA group) are an important staple in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. Their production has declined due to pests and diseases. Breeding for host plant resistance is a sustainable option for addressing this challenge. Understanding the relationships between growth parameters and bunch weight (i.e., yield) is crucial to guide breeding efforts for this crop. We investigated cause-effect relationships, through path analysis, in bunch weight of East African highland banana derived hybrids, their parents and grandparents. These family structures were planted in a 7 × 8 rectangular lattice design, replicated twice. Genetic gains for bunch weight (kg plant−1) and yield potential (t ha−1 year−1) were estimated. Significant increases of bunch weight and yield potential were noted from the landrace triploid germplasm, their derived primary tetraploid hybrids and secondary triploid bred-germplasm. Path analysis revealed that fruit length, circumference and number, number of hands and plant cycle number had a direct positive effect on the bunch weight. Days to fruit filling, days to maturity and index of non-spotted leaves had indirect effects on bunch weight. The average genetic gains for bunch weight and yield potential were 1.4% and 1.3% per year, respectively. This is the first report about genetic gains in banana breeding. Our findings may be useful for assessing progress and directing future breeding efforts in banana breeding.
Mathematical Explanations in Evolutionary Biology or Naturalism? A Challenge for the Statisticalist
Authors: Sterpetti Fabio
Published: September 2021

This article presents a challenge that those philosophers who deny the causal interpretation of explanations provided by population genetics might have to address. Indeed, some philosophers, known as statisticalists, claim that the concept of natural selection is statistical in character and cannot be construed in causal terms. On the contrary, other philosophers, known as causalists, argue against the statistical view and support the causal interpretation of natural selection. The problem I am concerned with here arises for the statisticalists because the debate on the nature of natural selection intersects the debate on whether mathematical explanations of empirical facts are genuine scientific explanations. I argue that if the explanations provided by population genetics are regarded by the statisticalists as non-causal explanations of that kind, then statisticalism risks being incompatible with a naturalist stance. The statisticalist faces a dilemma: either she maintains statisticalism but has to renounce naturalism; or she maintains naturalism but has to content herself with an account of the explanations provided by population genetics that she deems unsatisfactory. This challenge is relevant to the statisticalists because many of them see themselves as naturalists.
Spectra and eigenspaces of arbitrary lifts of graphs
Authors: Dalfó C. , Fiol M. A. , Pavlíková S. , Širáň J.
Published: September 2021

We describe, in a very explicit way, a method for determining the spectra and bases of all the corresponding eigenspaces of arbitrary lifts of graphs (regular or not).
Australian primary school teachers’ perceived barriers to and enablers for the integration of children’s literature in mathematics teaching and learning
Authors: Livy Sharyn , Muir Tracey , Trakulphadetkrai Natthapoj Vincent , Larkin Kevin
Published: September 2021

This qualitative survey study set out to investigate in-service and pre-service primary school teachers’ perceived barriers to and enablers for the integration of children’s literature in mathematics teaching and learning in an Australian educational context. While research over the past three decades have documented pedagogical benefits of teaching mathematics using children’s literature, research into teachers’ perceptions regarding the use of such resources is virtually non-existent. The study thus filled this research gap by drawing responses from open-ended survey questions of 94 in-service and 82 pre-service teachers in Australia. A thematic analysis revealed 13 perceived barriers classified under five themes with Lack of Pedagogical Knowledge and Confidence, and Time Constraint, representing 75% of all perceived barriers. Moreover, 14 perceived enablers were identified and classified under five themes with Pedagogical Benefits and Love of Stories representing around 70% of all perceived enablers. Findings also showed that most of the teachers in the study (around 75%) never or infrequently used children’s literature in their mathematics classrooms. The study highlights the role of professional learning and teacher training in ensuring that both in- and pre-service teachers have the necessary pedagogical knowledge, experience and confidence in using children’s literature to enrich their mathematics teaching.
Avoidance Behavior in Adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder is Related to Quality of Life
Authors: Forde John Joe , Smyth Sinéad
Published: September 2021

Although it is now widely accepted that developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) persists into adolescence and adulthood, few studies have assessed the concept of Quality of Life (QOL) within the adult DCD population. This is despite a growing recognition that children and adolescents with DCD experience poorer QOL than their typically developed peers. The small body of literature which has examined QOL in adults with DCD has reported that they also report lower levels of QOL as a result of motor coordination deficits. Little research has investigated the factors that result in adults with DCD reporting lower QOL than their typically developed counterparts. The current study explored the relationships between QOL and motor coordination, and QOL and three individual subtypes of avoidance within an adult DCD sample. Eighty-five adults (27 males; 58 females) who reported a diagnosis of, or believe that they have DCD, completed an online questionnaire that consisted of three already established questionnaires in order to measure the concepts of QOL, motor coordination and avoidance, respectively. A hierarchal multiple regression revealed that all three types of avoidance behaviors were significant predictors of QOL scores, while levels of motor coordination did not significantly predict scores of QOL. These results highlight the need for clinicians to develop interventions to help reduce avoidance behavior and social impairment, in order to improve QOL within the DCD adult population.
Non-Naturalism and Reasons-Firstism: How to Solve the Discontinuity Problem by Reducing Two Queerness Worries to One
Authors: Moberger Victor
Published: September 2021

A core tenet of metanormative non-naturalism is that genuine or robust normativity—i.e., the kind of normativity that is characteristic of moral requirements, and perhaps also of prudential, epistemic and even aesthetic requirements—is metaphysically special in a way that rules out naturalist analyses or reductions; on the non-naturalist view, the normative is sui generis and metaphysicallydiscontinuouswith the natural (or descriptive or non-normative). Non-naturalists agree, however, that the normative is modally as well as explanatorilydependenton the natural. These two commitments—discontinuity and dependence—at least initially pull in opposite directions, and one of the central challenges to non-naturalism is how to reconcile them. In this paper I spell out the most pressing version of thisdiscontinuity problem, as I propose to call it, and I go on to offer a novel solution. Drawing on the ideology ofreasons-firstism, I formulate an account of normative explanation which reconciles the two commitments, and I argue that competing accounts either do not solve the problem or are implausible on independent grounds.
Nondestructive, Microwave Testing of Compression Strength and Moisture Content of Green Molding Sands
Authors: Gal Beata , Nowak Daniel
Published: September 2021

A nondestructive microwave testing method to control the green compression strength and moisture content was proposed and demonstrated. There are various green moulding sands, both qualitative (bentonite type) and quantitative (bentonite and water content), prepared. The permittivity measurements were performed by cavity perturbation technique (CPT) at 2.45 GHz. Relative complex permittivity of the bentonite bonded moulding sands is proportional to the bentonite and moisture content and is inversely proportional to green compressive strength. It was shown that the obtained permittivity value of the molding sands be used to investigate the green compression strength and moisture content.
How do human capital and R&D structure facilitate FDI knowledge spillovers to local firm innovation? a panel threshold approach
Authors: Guo Rui , Ning Lutao , Chen Kaihua
Published: September 2021

This paper examines how local firms’ structure of human capital and R&D strategies influence their absorption of FDI knowledge spillovers. Using a unique dataset of Chinese firms in Beijing Zhongguancun Science Park from 2009 to 2015, our panel endogenous threshold models confirm two thresholds for human capital diversity and one threshold for R&D diversity in facilitating FDI spillovers. When human capital diversity is below its second threshold, FDI presence positively influences local firms’ innovation performance; while above the second threshold, the FDI turns to an insignificant impact. Besides, when R&D diversity is below its single threshold, FDI spillovers are positively associated with local firms’ innovation; otherwise, the effect of FDI is insignificantly negative. Our findings highlight the importance of human capital and R&D structures in local firms’ absorptive capacity. Local organizations need to keep diversifying their human capital and R&D strategies to learn from FDI knowledge but avoid allocating their efforts evenly upon sub-categories within the two resources.
HIVE-COTE 2.0: a new meta ensemble for time series classification
Authors: Middlehurst Matthew , Large James , Flynn Michael , Lines Jason , Bostrom Aaron , Bagnall Anthony
Published: September 2021

The Hierarchical Vote Collective of Transformation-based Ensembles (HIVE-COTE) is a heterogeneous meta ensemble for time series classification. HIVE-COTE forms its ensemble from classifiers of multiple domains, including phase-independent shapelets, bag-of-words based dictionaries and phase-dependent intervals. Since it was first proposed in 2016, the algorithm has remained state of the art for accuracy on the UCR time series classification archive. Over time it has been incrementally updated, culminating in its current state, HIVE-COTE 1.0. During this time a number of algorithms have been proposed which match the accuracy of HIVE-COTE. We propose comprehensive changes to the HIVE-COTE algorithm which significantly improve its accuracy and usability, presenting this upgrade as HIVE-COTE 2.0. We introduce two novel classifiers, the Temporal Dictionary Ensemble and Diverse Representation Canonical Interval Forest, which replace existing ensemble members. Additionally, we introduce the Arsenal, an ensemble of ROCKET classifiers as a new HIVE-COTE 2.0 constituent. We demonstrate that HIVE-COTE 2.0 is significantly more accurate on average than the current state of the art on 112 univariate UCR archive datasets and 26 multivariate UEA archive datasets.
What do audit committees do? Transparency and impression management
Authors: Al-Shaer Habiba , Malik Muhammad Farhan , Zaman Mahbub
Published: September 2021

Marking a significant step aimed at making governance more transparent the UK requires audit committees (ACs) to publish a report on their activities. Although regulators continue to emphasise the roles of ACs, there is limited evidence on what the AC does in practice. This paper provides evidence on the nature of AC actions as reported in AC reports relating to external audit, internal audit and financial reporting. We use summative content analysis to analyze AC reports of UK FTSE 350 firms and find that AC actions mainly entail reviewing processes and reports and there is limited incidence of them reporting that they have undertaken investigations into auditing and reporting issues. Moreover, what is reported is mainly general and descriptive of process. Our findings highlight the importance of AC reports providing meaningful information rather than engaging in symbolism. ACs can use their reports to signal their substantive monitoring and how they have contributed to improving auditing and reporting quality. The findings also suggest that future research examining the reviewing, investigating and outsourcing activities of boards and ACs can contribute to a better understanding of the governance process and outcomes.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) Inhibition Impairs Retinoic Acid-Induced Differentiation in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells, Leading to Reduced Neurite Length and Diminished Gene Expression Related to Cell Differentiation
Authors: Brum Pedro Ozorio , Viola Guilherme Danielski , Saibro-Girardi Carolina , Tiefensee-Ribeiro Camila , Brum Matheus Ozorio , Gasparotto Juciano , Krolow Rachel , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca , Gelain Daniel Pens
Published: September 2021

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood, originated from cells of the neural crest during the development of the Sympathetic Nervous System. Retinoids are vitamin-A derived differentiating agents utilised to avoid disease resurgence in high-risk neuroblastoma treatment. Several studies indicate that hypoxia—a common feature of the tumoural environment—is a key player in cell differentiation and proliferation. Hypoxia leads to the accumulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). This work aims to investigate the effects of the selective inhibition of HIF-1α on the differentiation induced by retinoic acid in human neuroblastoma cells from the SH-SY5Y lineage to clarify its role in cell differentiation. Our results indicate that HIF-1α inhibition impairs RA-induced differentiation by reducing neuron-like phenotype and diminished immunolabeling and expression of differentiation markers.

Graphic Abstract

HIF1A is involved in Retinoic Acid (RA) induced differentiation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. siRNA HIF1A gene silencing leads to a weaker response to RA, demonstrated by changes in the neuro-like phenotype and diminished expression of differentiation markers.
Trajectories of a ball moving inside a spherical cavity using first integrals of the governing nonlinear system
Authors: Náprstek Jiří , Fischer Cyril
Published: September 2021

Analytical study of ball vibration absorber behavior is presented in the paper. The dynamics of trajectories of a heavy ball moving without slipping inside a spherical cavity are analyzed. Following our previous work, where a similar system was investigated through various numerical simulations, research of the dynamic properties of a sphere moving in a spherical cavity was carried out by methods of analytical dynamics. The strategy of analytical investigation enabled definition of a set of special and limit cases which designate individual domains of regular trajectories. In order to avoid any mutual interaction between the domains along a particular trajectory movement, energy dissipation at the contact of the ball and the cavity has been ignored, as has any kinematic excitation due to cavity movement. A governing system was derived using the Lagrangian formalism and complemented by appropriate non-holonomic constraints of the Pfaff type. The three first integrals are defined, enabling the evaluation of trajectory types with respect to system parameters, the initial amount of total energy, the angular momentum of the ball and its initial spin velocity. The neighborhoods of the limit trajectories and their dynamic stability are assessed. Limit and transition special cases are investigated along with their individual elements. The analytical means of investigation enabled the performance of broad parametric studies. Good agreement was found when comparing the results achieved by the analytical procedures in this paper with those obtained by means of numerical simulations, as they followed from the Lagrangian approach and the Appell–Gibbs function presented in previous papers.
The Regularity Problem for Uniformly Elliptic Operators in Weighted Spaces
Authors: Chen Li , Martell José María , Prisuelos-Arribas Cruz
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the regularity problem for block uniformly elliptic operators in divergence form with complex bounded measurable coefficients. We consider the case where the boundary data belongs to Lebesgue spaces with weights in the Muckenhoupt classes. Our results generalize those of S. Mayboroda (and those of P. Auscher and S. Stahlhut employing the first order method) who considered the unweighted case. To obtain our main results we use the weighted Hardy space theory associated with elliptic operators recently developed by the last two named authors. One of the novel contributions of this paper is the use of an “inhomogeneous” vertical square function which is shown to be controlled by the gradient of the function to which is applied in weighted Lebesgue spaces.
Neochloris oleoabundans from nature to industry: a comprehensive review
Authors: Safi Carl , Pollio Antonino , Olivieri Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Microalgae technology has been extensively studied during the last two decades. Thousands of species were isolated, and few are currently used in the market for multiple purposes. The current comprehensive review focuses on a promising species named Neochloris oleoabundans. It encompasses a historical overview of the species followed by a detailed description of its taxonomy, ecophysiology and morphology. Furthermore, a thorough screening is conducted to outline the production conditions employed to grow the microalga. In addition, multiple cell disruption and fractionation methods previously applied on N. oleoabundans are described and discussed together with the value chain creation after applying all the unit operations.
A Numerical Model for Solving Three-Dimensional Rolling Contact Problems with Elastic Coating Layers
Authors: Xi Yinhu , Björling Marcus , Almqvist Andreas
Published: September 2021

In this work, a numerical model is proposed for three-dimensional rolling contact problems with one or two elastic layers, and the tangential contact solution is emphasized. Previous works on this topic have mostly been two-dimensional, in which only longitudinal creepage has been considered. With the three-dimensional model presented in this work, all possible creepages, such as the longitudinal, lateral and spin creepages are taken into account. In order to improve the calculation efficiency, the conjugate gradient method and the FFT technique are employed. The influence coefficients for displacement and stress are obtained from the corresponding frequency response functions. The numerical results are validated against existing results and good agreement can be found. The effects of the different layers’ thicknesses and elastic moduli under different creepage combinations on the traction distribution and stick/slip results are investigated. It can be seen that by adjusting the layer parameters the traction and stick/slip results can be modified significantly, and it may, therefore, be very useful information for improving the rolling contact fatigue and mitigating wear problems in various mechanical systems.

Graphical Abstract
How Many CPU Cores is an FPGA Worth? Lessons Learned from Accelerating String Sorting on a CPU-FPGA System
Authors: Asiatici Mikhail , Maiorano Damian , Ienne Paolo
Published: September 2021

String sorting is a fundamental kernel of string matching and database index construction; yet, it has not been studied as extensively as fixed-length keys sorting. Because processing variable-length keys in hardware is challenging, it is no surprise that no hardware-accelerated string sorters have been proposed yet. In this paper, we present Parallel Hybrid Super Scalar String Sample Sort (pHS5) on Intel HARPv2, a heterogeneous CPU-FPGA system with a server-grade CPU. Our pHS5 extends pS5, the state-of-the-art string sorting algorithm for multi-core shared memory CPUs, by adding multiple processing elements (PEs) on the FPGA. Each PE accelerates one instance of the most effectively parallelizable among the dominant kernels of pS5 by up to 33% compared to a single Intel Xeon Broadwell core despite a clock frequency that is 17 times slower. Furthermore, we extended the job scheduling mechanism of pS5 to schedule the accelerable kernel not only among available CPU cores but also on our PEs, while retaining the complex high-level control flow and the sorting of the smaller data sets on the CPU. Overall, we accelerate the entire algorithm by up to 10% with respect to the 28-thread software baseline running on the Xeon processor and by up to 36% at lower thread counts. Finally, we generalize our results assuming pS5 as representative of software that is heavily optimized for modern multi-core CPUs and investigate the performance and energy advantage that an FPGA in a datacenter setting can offer to regular RTL users compared to additional CPU cores.
Social robots and digital well-being: how to design future artificial agents
Authors: Dennis Matthew J.
Published: September 2021

Value-sensitive design theorists propose that a range of values that should inform how future social robots are engineered. This article explores a new value: digital well-being, and proposes that the next generation of social robots should be designed to facilitate this value in those who use or come into contact with these machines. To do this, I explore how the morphology of social robots is closely connected to digital well-being. I argue that a key decision is whether social robots are designed as embodied or disembodied. After exploring the merits of both approaches, I conclude that, on balance, there are persuasive reasons why disembodied social robots may well fare better with respect to the value of digital well-being.
Influence of Positive Parenting Styles on Self-Regulated Learning in Chinese Adolescents Testing the Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem
Authors: Du Wenbin , Jian Mengyan , Hua Fengrui , Qi Shaojie
Published: September 2021

The positive parenting styles and the self-esteem of the parents are two factors that affect Self-regulated learning (SRL). Moreover, the variable of self-esteem is influenced by the positive parenting styles. However, previous studies have investigated only the cross-sectional relationship between positive parenting styles and SRL and that between positive parenting styles and self-esteem. This study explored the relationship between positive parenting styles and self-regulated learning in Chinese adolescents and verified the mediating role of self-esteem in this relationship. The study used the panel data of 1180 1 adolescents (age, 10–15 years) from the 2014 China Family Panel Studies. The main variables were positive parenting styles, self-esteem, and SRL. The results showed that self-esteem plays a partial, but significant, mediating role in the relationship between parents’ positive parenting styles and adolescents’ SRL ability. This study emphasised that self-esteem is a variable that influences the SRL ability. The more active the parents are, the better the SRL ability of the adolescents is. Positive parenting styles have been proven to promote self-esteem development and can affect the SRL ability of adolescents.
Online-Elterntraining für die Behandlung von Kindern mit externalisierenden Verhaltensproblemen und affektiver Dysregulation
Authors: Ritschel Anne , Döpfner Manfred , Schürmann Stephanie , Plück Julia , Meyer Hanna , Schottel Marie , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike , Roessner Veit , Banaschewski Tobias , Görtz-Dorten Anja , Kölch Michael , Treier Anne-Katrin , Hanisch Charlotte
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit‑/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) oder oppositionelle Verhaltensstörung (OPP) gehen mit unruhigem, oppositionellem und aggressivem Verhalten, negativen Interaktionen zwischen Kind und Eltern und langfristig häufig mit belasteten Eltern-Kind-Beziehungen einher. Kognitiv-behaviorale Elterntrainings, die für die Behandlung externaler Störungen als evidenzbasiert gelten, versuchen problematische situative und Verstärkerbedingungen sowie negative Interaktionen zwischen Eltern und Kindern zu verändern.

Ziel

Es sollen Online-Selbsthilfetrainings für Eltern von Kindern mit externalisierenden Verhaltensproblemen entwickelt werden.

Methode

Bestehende Face-to-face-Elterntrainings wurden in Online-Formate überführt und inhaltlich erweitert. Eine Wirksamkeitsuntersuchung erfolgt im Rahmen von randomisierten Kontrollstudien.

Ergebnisse

Der ADHS-Elterntrainer richtet sich an Eltern von Kindern mit subklinischen sowie klinisch relevanten ADHS-Symptomen sowie ggf. komorbid weiteren externalen Symptomen. Er zielt darauf ab, Störungsverständnis aufzubauen, die elterliche Steuerung zu erhöhen und die Eltern-Kind-Beziehung zu verbessern. Bei Kindern mit Emotionsregulationsstörungen, sog. affektiver Dysregulation, ist darüber hinaus die elterliche Unterstützung beim Erwerb funktionaler Emotionsregulationsstrategien nötig. Für das ADOPT-Online-Elterntraining (affektive Dysregulation – Optimierung von Prävention und Therapie), das sich an Eltern von Kindern mit affektiver Dysregulation richtet, wurde das Konzept des ADHS-Elterntrainers um Interventionen zum Umgang mit negativen Gefühlen des Kindes und der Eltern erweitert.

Diskussion

Bei entsprechend positiven Effekten auf die kindliche Symptomatik innerhalb der Evaluationsstudien könnte das ADOPT-Online-Elterntraining wie bereits beim ADHS-Elterntrainer geschehen im präventiven oder therapeutischen Setting eingesetzt werden.
Irrigated trap crops impact key hemipteran pests in organic pistachio orchard
Authors: Stahl Judith M. , Wilson Houston , Straser Robert K. , Maccaro Jessica J. , Daane Kent M.
Published: September 2021

Using sown groundcovers as trap crops to protect a cash crop is a traditional pest management tool. Pistachio is a major crop in California’s Central Valley, where high summer temperatures and little to no precipitation between May and November lead to summer dry-down of annual groundcover. Hemipteran pests that consist of ‘small bugs’ and ‘large bugs’ are a major contributor to nut damage, especially in organic production. In this 2-year field study, we tested the use of irrigated trap crop mixtures, sown between tree rows, to reduce those hemipteran pests’ abundance or damage. Biweekly beat samples of the tree canopy and sweep samples of the sown groundcovers in trap crop plots and resident weedy vegetation in control plots were taken over two consecutive growing seasons. Arthropod richness and abundance were highest in the groundcover and tree canopy in the trap crop plots. Small and large bug pest populations were higher and lower, respectively, in the tree canopy in trap crop plots, indicating a mixed response of these hemipterans to the presence of the trap crops. Additionally, natural enemy populations were more abundant in the tree canopy in trap crop plots than in control plots. There was no difference in nut damage between plots with and without the trap crop. These findings suggest that populations of hemipteran pests and beneficials can be manipulated successfully with irrigated trap crops, but future studies will need to focus on doing so in a way that decreases hemipteran pistachio damage.
Different management of adrenocortical carcinoma in children compared to adults: is it time to share guidelines?
Authors: Grisanti Salvatore , Cosentini Deborah , Laganà Marta , Turla Antonella , Berruti Alfredo
Published: September 2021

Pediatric and adult adrenocortical carcinomas differ in many respects but treatment is often similar in both age groups. The Journal of Clinical Oncology recently published the results of a risk-stratified single-arm interventional trial conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group in which 77 patients were treated in three different interventional cohorts. In this Point of View paper we comment on the treatment strategies adopted within the ARAR0332 trial in terms of surgery approach, duration of adjuvant therapies, and palliative chemotherapy. We focus on the differences in the treatment of pediatric ACC patients compared to the ESE/ENSAT and ESMO guidelines released in 2018 for adult patients. For example, patients in stratum 3 and 4 received 8 (instead of 6) cycles of EDP chemotherapy but 8 months (instead of 24) of mitotane adjuvant therapy. Bearing clearly in the mind that pediatric and adult ACC patients represent different settings, we wonder whether there could be some areas of intervention overlapping to constitute a continuum of disease across ages. Thus, pediatric and adult cohoperative groups should be encouraged to collaborate in order to reach common guidelines for the treatment of such a rare disease.
Green criminological perspectives on dog-fighting as organised masculinities -based animal harm
Authors: Nurse Angus
Published: September 2021

Dog-fighting was historically a working-class pursuit within predominantly white, working-class subcultures, representing a distinct type of organised animal exploitation. However, contemporary dog-fighting has moved way from its organised pit-based origins to encompass varied forms of organised activity including street dog-fighting in the form of chain fighting or chain rolling, the use of dogs as status or weapon dogs. This paper examines dog-fighting from a green criminological perspective as a distinct form of organised and subcultural crime. Analysis of UK legislation identifies that the specific offence of ‘dog-fighting’ does not exist. Instead, dog-fighting is contained within the ‘animal fighting’ offence, prohibited by provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. However, beyond the actual fight activities (pitting dogs against each other or attacking humans), a range of other offences are associated with dog-fighting including: illegal gambling; attending dog-fighting events; animal welfare harms; and the breeding and selling of dogs for fighting. This paper’s analysis examines contemporary legal perspectives on such activities; also discussing how illegal fieldsports (e.g. dog-fighting and cock-fighting) are dominated by organised crime elements of gambling and distinctly masculine subcultures through which a hierarchy of offending is established and developed. Commensurate with previous research that identifies different offender behaviours and offending within animal crime, this paper concludes that variation exists in the nature of dog-fighting to the extent that a single approach to offenders and offending behaviour is unlikely to be successful.
Moral sensitivity in business: A revised measure
Authors: Schmocker David , Tanner Carmen , Katsarov Johannes , Christen Markus
Published: September 2021

In order to manage ethical challenges in organizations and the workplace, moral sensitivity (MS)—the ability to identify and ascribe importance to moral issues when they arise in the workplace—is seen as the key prerequisite by researchers and professionals. However, despite the importance of MS, satisfactory reliable and valid measures to assess this competence are to date lacking. The present research tests the psychometric qualities of a revised MS measure for the business domain (R-MSB) that is designed to assess individual differences in moral and business-related value sensitivity. We present three different analyses with two heterogeneous samples of Swiss and German employees (total N = 1168). The first two studies provide good evidence of the measures’ factorial structure, its construct, and criteria-related validity. The third study examines how affective and empathic responses are associated with MS and business sensitivity (BS). The results support the view that empathic responsiveness enhances MS. The instrument’s theoretical and practical strengths, limitations, and avenues for future research are discussed.
Ameloblastoma and Intracranial Involvement: The Current Challenge of the Radical Surgical Treatment. Comprehensive Review of the Literature and Institution experience
Authors: Armocida Daniele , Berra Luigi Valentino , Pucci Resi , Battisti Andrea , Della Monaca Marco , Valentini Valentino , Santoro Antonio
Published: September 2021

Background

Ameloblastoma (AMBL) is an odontogenic tumor, considered to be benign, but aggressive, whose principal risk is a recurrence. The growth can be enormous, and it can extend into the intracranial compartment with serious consequences.

Purpose

The intracranial involvement of AMBL is rare, and it may require an extensive surgery. Although it is a rare condition for the neurosurgeon to treat, knowing this condition can lead to a significant increase in survival for these patients.

Methods

A case of a 56-year-old woman presented with a history of recurrent left maxilla AMBL with intracranial extension and dural involvement of the anterior and medial cranial fossa is reported, followed by a systematic review of the literature with the aim to identify the best surgical treatment.

Results

A total of 32 cases were included in the qualitative analysis. Management is varied and often not described, resulting in an almost complete lack of information and indications for treatment. Radical surgery tends to yield the best outcomes, and it is recommended to have adequate surgical margins when possible.

Conclusions

Intracranial involvement from AMBL compartment is an uncommon manifestation of this rare pathology, but which deserves to be treated in a multidisciplinary way in order to ensure maximum surgical radicality. Recurrence reflects failure of the primary surgical resection. If recurrence is the major consideration, surgeons are encouraged to select radical surgery. Whenever a follicular-type maxillary AMBL is diagnosed, it is advisable to check for intracranial spreading and distant metastases during follow-up.
Establishment of a Modular Hemodynamic Simulator for Accurate In Vitro Simulation of Physiological and Pathological Pressure Waveforms in Native and Bioartificial Blood Vessels
Authors: Helms Florian , Haverich Axel , Wilhelmi Mathias , Böer Ulrike
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In vitro stimulation of native and bioartificial vessels in perfusable systems simulating natural mechanical environments of the human vasculature represents an emerging approach in cardiovascular research. Promising results have been achieved for applications in both regenerative medicine and etiopathogenetic investigations. However, accurate and reliable simulation of the wide variety of physiological and pathological pressure environments observed in different vessels still remains an unmet challenge.

Methods

We established a modular hemodynamic simulator (MHS) with interchangeable and modifiable components suitable for the perfusion of native porcine—(i.e. the aorta, brachial and radial arteries and the inferior vena cava) and bioartificial fibrin-based vessels with anatomical site specific pressure curves. Additionally, different pathological pressure waveforms associated with cardiovascular diseases including hyper- and hypotension, tachy- and bradycardia, aortic valve stenosis and insufficiency, heart failure, obstructive cardiomyopathy and arterial stiffening were simulated. Pressure curves, cyclic distension and shear stress were measured for each vessel and compared to ideal clinical pressure waveforms.

Results

The pressure waveforms obtained in the MHS showed high similarity to the ideal anatomical site specific pressure curves of different vessel types. Moreover, the system facilitated accurate emulation of physiological and different pathological pressure conditions in small diameter fibrin-based vessels.

Conclusion

The MHS serves as a variable in vitro platform for accurate emulation of physiological and pathological pressure environments in biological probes. Potential applications of the system include bioartificial vessel maturation in cardiovascular tissue engineering approaches as well as etiopathogenetic investigations of various cardiovascular pathologies.
Links between food trade, climate change and food security in developed countries: A case study of Sweden
Authors: Horn Blaze , Ferreira Carla , Kalantari Zahra
Published: September 2021

Food security is a global concern affecting even highly developed countries. Ongoing globalisation of food systems, characterised by trading interdependencies, means that agricultural production can be disrupted by climate change, affecting food availability. This study investigated Sweden’s food security by identifying major food import categories and associated trade partners (using the World Integrated Trade System database) and vulnerability to frictions in trade deriving from climate change. Vulnerability was assessed through three indicators: exposure based on diversity of sources, dominance and direct trade from supplying countries; sensitivity, assessed using the Climate Risk Index, and adaptive capacity, assessed using the Fragile State Index. The results revealed that Sweden’s grain imports may be most vulnerable, and animal products least vulnerable, to climate change. Management strategies based on this preliminary assessment can be developed by integrating climate vulnerability deriving from food trading into the ‘Gravity’ model, to improve prediction of trade flows.
Cultural Backlash? How (Not) to Explain the Rise of Authoritarian Populism
Authors: Schäfer Armin
Published: September 2021

This book review examines the theory of populism advanced by Pippa Norris and Ronald Inglehart in Cultural Backlash. The authors offer a distinct explanation of the rise of authoritarian populism in advanced democracies. As societies become more liberal over time, older, more conservative cohorts feel under threat of losing majority status and allegedly turn towards authoritarian-populist parties that promise to stop the tide of liberalism. However, this theory of populism finds little empirical support. In contrast to what the authors argue, there is no polarization of attitudes between younger and older cohorts, and younger cohorts are more likely to vote for authoritarian-populist parties. To substantiate this claim, I replicate many of the analyses in Cultural Backlash and add additional ones with the newest wave of the European Social Survey and the Chapel Hill Expert Survey. I conclude by observing that while the cultural backlash theory of populism does not hold, this does not invalidate cultural approaches more generally.
Kinderwunsch in der menopausalen Übergangszeit
Authors: Imthurn Bruno
Published: September 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die menopausale Übergangszeit ist gekennzeichnet durch den Verlust der Eizellreserve, das heisst der Zahl und Qualität der Oozyten. Diese Beeinträchtigung führt zu einer schnellen und massiven Abnahme der Fertilität. Die Eizellreserve lässt sich mit der Messung von FSH und AMH im Serum bestimmen sowie mit der Zählung der ultrasonografisch sichtbaren Follikel, dem sogenannten «antral follicle count» (AFC). Therapeutisch können zur Erfüllung des Kinderwunsches homologe Behandlungen wie monofollikuläre Hormonstimulationen und die In-Vitro-Fertilisation eingesetzt werden. Wesentlich aussichtsreicher ist jedoch meist die heterologe Eizellspendenbehandlung. Präventiv wird zunehmend die Methode des «Social Egg Freezing» angewendet.