bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved synthesis and transient absorption spectroscopy of CuBiW2O8 with demonstration of visible-light-driven photocatalysis and mechanistic insights
Authors: Yilmaz Akkaya Ceren , Dombrowski James P. , Colin-Ulloa Erika , Titova Lyubov V. , Lawton Timothy J. , Alexander Todd E. , Brack Eric , Drew Christopher , Rao Pratap M.
Published: October 2022

CuBiW2O8 (CBTO), with a band gap of 1.9–2.0 eV, responds to a wide region of the electromagnetic spectrum has been demonstrated as a photocatalyst with high activity for Cr(vi) reduction.
An appropriate Zn2+/Mn2+concentration of the electrolyte enables superior performance of AZIBs
Authors: Dai Qihang , Li Longyan , Tu Tiancheng , Zhang Mingdao , Song Li
Published: October 2022

The superior performance of AZIBs with MnO as the cathode of 246 mA h g−1after 5000 cycles at 1 A g−1is achieved due to the beneficial effects of the optimized 0.5 M ZnSO4+ 0.5 M MnSO4electrolyte on both the anode and the cathode.
Promising nano-silicon anodes prepared using the “disperse-anchor” strategy and functional carbon nanotube interlayers for flexible lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Hong Zixin , Fang Zhenhan , Luo Yufeng , Wu Hengcai , Tian Hui , Zhao Fei , Li Qunqing , Fan Shoushan , Wang Jiaping
Published: October 2022

High-performance silicon anodes with stable cycling and favorable flexibility are achieved by surface modification and structural design.
Molecular structure-controlled synthesis of sulfur-containing polymers for rechargeable Li–S batteries
Authors: Hu Yibo , Cheng Haoyan , Chen Haiting , Dai Shuge , Song Kexing , Ma Xin , Liu Meilin , Hu Hao
Published: October 2022

Strategies for the molecular structure-controlled synthesis of sulfur polymers used in Li–S batteries are summarized, thus presenting the opportunities and challenges for the development of sulfur polymers in the future.
A co-carbonization strategy for confining ultralow-loaded Fe/Mn dual sites in hierarchically porous N-doped carbon for synergistic CO2electroreduction
Authors: Wu Meifeng , Ruan Qiaohui , Jiang Haixia , Zhang Longshuai , Wang Dengke , Zou Jianping
Published: October 2022

The first bi-atom Fe/Mn–N–C catalyst for CO2reduction was successfully developed by a co-carbonization strategy, where the synergistic effect of trace Fe/Mn dual sites boosts the entire catalytic CO2-to-CO transformation.
Local chemical origin of ferroelectric behavior in wurtzite nitrides
Authors: Yazawa Keisuke , Mangum John S. , Gorai Prashun , Brennecka Geoff L. , Zakutayev Andriy
Published: October 2022

Combinatorial Al1−xScxN library decouples composition, crystal structure, and ferroelectric properties. The local chemical bonding is the key factor to control ferroelectric properties rather than extended crystal structure.
Origin of the ultra-wide temperature dielectric stability and dynamic behavior of nanoregions in 0.6Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3–0.4Ba0.8Ca0.2(Ti0.875Zr0.125)O3
Authors: Chen Kaiyuan , Yan Tianxiang , Liu Jia , Lei Xiuyun , Fang Liang , Peng Biaolin , Lanceros-Méndez Senentxu , Wang Dawei , Liu Laijun , Zhang Qi
Published: October 2022

The model of relaxation originating from the local structure.
Non-fullerene acceptors with alkylthiothiophene side chains for efficient non-halogenated solvent processed indoor organic photovoltaics
Authors: An Na Gyeong , Lee Ji Eun , Lee Woojin , Yuk Dohun , Song Seyeong , Wang Chanjie , Kwon Soon-Ki , Kim Yun-Hi , Kim Jin Young
Published: October 2022

New non-fullerene acceptors were synthesized by alkylthiothiophene side chain engineering and the material systems based on the acceptors demonstrated non-halogenated solvent processed indoor organic photovoltaics with an efficiency of 22.38% under 500 lux LED light.
Multi-color inkless UV printing using angle-independent structural color paper
Authors: Ai Meixing , Wang Zhihao , Chen Xianmei , Chen Chong , Wang Yunlong , Ma Jun
Published: October 2022

We propose a multi-color UV printing technique based on the UV induced degradation and collapse of amorphous inverse opal structured PEGDA photonic paper, and realized chromatography printing via multi-step UV printing with patterned masks.
Environmental persistence, detection, and mitigation of endocrine disrupting contaminants in wastewater treatment plants – a review with a focus on tertiary treatment technologies
Authors: Rodríguez-Hernández Jesús Alfredo , Araújo Rafael G. , López-Pacheco Itzel Y. , Rodas-Zuluaga Laura Isabel , González-González Reyna Berenice , Parra-Arroyo Lizeth , Sosa-Hernández Juan Eduardo , Melchor-Martínez Elda M. , Martínez-Ruiz Manuel , Barceló Damià , Pastrana Lorenzo M. , Iqbal Hafiz M. N. , Parra-Saldívar Roberto
Published: October 2022

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are a group of contaminants that have severe effects on humans and animals when exposed, like cancer and alterations to the nervous and reproductive systems.
Headway towards contemporary 2D MXene-based hybrid electrodes for alkali-ion batteries
Authors: Mathew Helen Treasa , Abhisek Kumar , Vhatkar Shashikant Shivaji , Oraon Ramesh
Published: October 2022

This review provides a comparative study of contemporary MXene-based hybrid electrode materials in different alkali ion batteries.
An Evaluation of the P300 Brain–Computer Interface, EyeLink Board, and Eye-Tracking Camera as Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices
Authors: Elliott Claire , Sutherland Dean , Gerhard Daniel , Theys Catherine
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems are important to support communication for individuals with complex communication needs. A recent addition to AAC system options is the brain–computer interface (BCI). This study aimed to compare the clinical application of the P300 speller BCI with two more common AAC systems, the EyeLink board, and an eye-tracking camera.

Method:

Ten participants without communication impairment (18–35 years of age) used each of the three AAC systems to spell three-letter words in one session. Accuracy and speed of letter selection were measured, and questionnaires were administered to evaluate usability, cognitive workload, and user preferences.

Results:

The results showed that the BCI was significantly less accurate, slower, and with lower usability and higher cognitive workload compared to the eye-tracking camera and EyeLink board. Participants rated the eye-tracking camera as the most favorable AAC system on all measures.

Conclusions:

The results demonstrated that while the P300 speller BCI was usable by most participants, it did not function as well as the eye-tracking camera and EyeLink board. The clinical use of the BCI is, therefore, currently difficult to justify for most individuals, particularly when considering the substantial cost and setup resourcing needed.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21291384
Exponential convergence of hp-time-stepping in space-time discretizations of parabolic PDES
Authors: Perugia Ilaria , Schwab Christoph , Zank Marco
Published: October 2022

For linear parabolic initial-boundary value problems with self-adjoint, time-homogeneous elliptic spatial operator in divergence form with Lipschitz-continuous coefficients, and for incompatible, time-analytic forcing term in polygonal/polyhedral domains D, we prove time-analyticity of solutions. Temporal analyticity is quantified in terms of weighted, analytic function classes, for data with finite, low spatial regularity and without boundary compatibility. Leveraging this result, we prove exponential convergence of a conforming, semi-discrete hp-time-stepping approach. We combine this semi-discretization in time with first-order, so-called “h-version’’ Lagrangian Finite Elements with corner-refinements in space into a tensor-product, conforming discretization of a space-time formulation. We prove that, under appropriate corner- and corner-edge mesh-refinement of D, error vs. number of degrees of freedom in space-time behaves essentially (up to logarithmic terms), to what standard FEM provide for one elliptic boundary value problem solve in D. We focus on two-dimensional spatial domains and comment on the one- and the three-dimensional case.
Un appel à volontaires en contexte de pandémie de Covid-19 en école de médecine. Rite de passage pour des étudiants de médecine de deuxième année
Authors: Pâme Patricia , Cazemajou Anne , Josset Jean-Marc
Published: October 2022

Contexte et problématique : Pendant la première vague de la pandémie de la Covid-19, des étudiants de médecine de deuxième année ont été sollicités pour aider des services de santé débordés. Bien que peu ou pas formés à ce stade, la plupart se sont engagés après un processus de décision. Objectif : Éclairer les processus implicites sous-jacents à la décision des étudiants de répondre à l’appel à volontariat. Méthodes : Six entrevues répondant aux principes de l’entretien d’explicitation ont été conduites auprès d’un échantillon de disponibilité d’étudiants de deuxième année d’une faculté de médecine française. Les verbatim des entrevues ont été analysés en lien avec le modèle conceptuel élaboré par l’ethnologue et folkloriste van Gennep concernant les « rites de passages ». Résultats : L’analyse effectuée révèle que l’appel à volontariat a suscité chez les étudiants des réactions en lien avec la construction de leur identité de (futur) médecin. À l’instar de ce qui est observé dans les processus en jeu dans les rites de passage, elle souligne la coupure avec le milieu antérieur (familial, amical), l’importance des modèles-guides et de la confraternité qui sont déjà à l’œuvre. Bien qu’il s’agisse d’une étude exploratoire, basée sur un évènement particulier et un échantillon réduit, nos observations rejoignent celles d’autres travaux plus significatifs mais portant sur une phase plus avancée de la formation des futurs médecins.
One-Pot Synthesis of 1,2-Dihydronaphthalenes by Cu-Catalyzed Reaction of 2-(Alkynyl)benzaldehydes and Alcohols
Authors: Umeda Rui , Kimura Naoki , Ishii Sayaka , Nishiyama Yutaka
Published: October 2022

The reaction of 2-(alkynyl)benzaldehydes with alcohols in the presence of copper catalyst resulted in the selective synthesis of the 1,2-dihydronaphthalene derivatives. On the reaction, it was proposed that the reaction proceeds via the intramolecular dehydration of alcohols followed by the reaction with 2-(alkynyl)benzaldehydes.
Various Intubations in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Koushik Bhavana B.S. , Singh Madhumati , Kumar Sendhil , Nagesh Sanjeev
Published: October 2022

Aim The aim of this study was to determine various routes of intubations in patients, based on the type of facio-maxillary procedures planned.

Materials and Methods A prospective study in patients undergoing various oral and maxillofacial procedures between March 2021 and December 2021, who were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Statistical Analysis Used Descriptive statistical analysis with SPSS 26 software.

Results Total 33 cases were considered for the study among which it is seen that nasal intubation is the most commonly used route of intubation (n = 23; 69.7%) followed by oral (n = 5; 15.2%), fiberoptic (n = 3; 9.1%), submental (n = 1; 3%), and tracheostomy (n = 1; 3%). Most cases operated were of trauma (n = 19; 57.6%).

Conclusion For better surgical access and visibility, proper selection of route of intubation is necessary given its proximity to the site of surgery. Although nasal route is the most commonly used route in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral, submental, fiberoptic, and tracheostomy are some of the routes whose application needs to be further researched.
Increasing the robustness of uplift modeling using additional splits and diversified leaf select
Authors: Oechsle Frank
Published: October 2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affects the world economy in general, the crisis accelerates concurrently the rapidly growing subscription business and online purchases. This provokes a steadily increasing demand of reliable measures to prevent customer churn which unchanged is not covered. The research analyses how preventive uplift modeling approaches based on decision trees can be modified. Thereby, it aims to reduce the risk of churn increases in scenarios with systematically occurring local estimation errors. Additionally, it compares several novel spatial distance and churn likelihood respecting selection methods applied on a real-world dataset. In conclusion, it is a procedure with incorporated additional and engineered decision tree splits that dominates the results of an appropriate Monte Carlo simulation. This newly introduced method lowers probability and negative impacts of counterproductive churn prevention campaigns without substantial loss of expected churn likelihood reduction effected by those same campaigns.
Dilution of expertise in the rise and fall of collective innovation
Authors: Duran-Nebreda Salva , O’Brien Michael J. , Bentley R. Alexander , Valverde Sergi
Published: October 2022

Diversity drives both biological and artificial evolution. A prevalent assumption in cultural evolution is that the generation of novel features is an inherent property of a subset of the population (e.g., experts). In contrast, diversity—the fraction of objects in the corpus that are unique—exhibits complex collective dynamics such as oscillations that cannot be simply reduced to individual attributes. Here, we explore how a popular cultural domain can rapidly expand to the point where it exceeds the supply of subject-specific experts and the balance favours imitation over invention. At this point, we expect diversity to decrease and information redundancy to increase as ideas are increasingly copied rather than invented. We test our model predictions on three case studies: early personal computers and home consoles, social media posts, and cryptocurrencies. Each example exhibits a relatively abrupt departure from standard diffusion models during the exponential increase in the number of imitators. We attribute this transition to the “dilution of expertise.” Our model recreates observed patterns of diversity, complexity and artifact trait distributions, as well as the collective boom-and-bust dynamics of innovation.
On the “intrinsic” breakdown of thick gate oxide
Authors: Cheung Kin P.
Published: October 2022

The thick gate oxide breakdown mechanism has become an important topic again due to the rising demand for power electronics. The failure of the percolation model in explaining the observed Weibull shape factor, β, seriously hampers the establishment of thick gate oxide breakdown models and the ability to project reliability from measurement data. In this work, lifetime shortening by oxide defects is simulated to produce degraded breakdown distributions that match experimentally observed βs. The result shows that even a low density of defects with the right energy is enough to greatly degrade β for thick oxides. Strong area scaling for thin oxides counters this sensitivity to defects effectively and explains why the percolation model is successful in thin oxides but not in thick oxides. Only defects with the appropriate energy can degrade the breakdown distribution. The required energy is consistent with oxygen vacancy Eγ′ defect after capturing a hole and the concentration required is consistent with very high-quality oxide. This explains the consistent low β values for thick oxides universally reported in the literature.
Quantum mechanics of open systems: Dissipaton theories
Authors: Wang Yao , Yan YiJing
Published: October 2022

This Perspective presents a comprehensive account of the dissipaton theories developed in our group since 2014, including the physical picture of dissipatons and the phase–space dissipaton algebra. The dissipaton–equation–of–motion–space (DEOM–space) formulations cover the Schrödinger picture, the Heisenberg picture, and further the imaginary–time DEOM. Recently developed are the dissipaton theories for studying equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamic mixing processes. The Jarzynski equality and Crooks relation are accurately reproduced numerically. It is anticipated that dissipaton theories would remain essential toward a maturation of quantum mechanics of open systems.
Raising canine: Cross-species parallels in parental investment
Authors: Steiner Eric T. , Silver N. Clayton , Hall Pam , Downing Chantal , Hurton Dominic , Gray Peter B.
Published: October 2022

Parental investment tends to vary as a function of parental status, i.e., biological/adoptive parents tend to invest more in their children than stepparents. Given the similarities in some of the ways humans interact with children versus pet dogs, the current study investigated whether dog keepers’ “parental” status predicts parental response toward their dogs. More specifically, differences in parental response were examined in 863 participants who were grouped as follows: 701 who chose to acquire a dog (i.e., “adoptive” dog keepers), 89 whose dog was acquired by a relative such as a parent or sibling (i.e., “relative” dog keepers), and 73 whose dog was acquired by a significant other (i.e., “stepparent” dog keepers). Pen-and-paper and online surveys were administered to measure four dimensions of parental response: attachment, investment, abuse, and anthropomorphism with respect to individuals’ pet dogs. In addition, attitudes towards dogs in general were assessed. Results indicated that adoptive dog keepers exhibit significantly greater attachment and investment in their dogs than stepparent dog keepers. No differences in abuse or anthropomorphism appeared among groups. The findings have implications for the welfare of dogs and further our understanding of human-dog interactions by highlighting a similarity between parental investment in children versus dogs.
When do psychologists pay attention to children harming animals?
Authors: Signal T. , Ghea V. , Taylor N. , Acutt D.
Published: October 2022

Intentional cruelty to animals (CTA) by children and the implications thereof have been examined theoretically and empirically for many years, and there is now a well-developed literature base suggesting that this type of aberrant behavior warrants close (and immediate) attention, especially from clinicians, for a number of reasons. Research suggests there may be links between CTA and later aggression and/or violence towards humans as well as other problematic behaviors. Despite this the main diagnostic tool for most practising psychologists in Australia, the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-TR
(
American Psychological Association (APA), 2000
), only includes CTA as a diagnostic feature in Conduct Disorder (CD). One implication of this limited inclusion may be that psychologists overlook disclosures of CTA in cases where CD is not indicated, thereby missing an important ‘red flag’ for other behavioral and emotional disturbances and/or abuse. The current study presents the findings from a survey completed by a sample of practicing psychologists in Queensland, Australia (n=69) that uses two vignettes (drawn from real case studies) to investigate the attention paid, and importance ascribed, to disclosures of intentional animal harm and the psychologists’ intentions to treat CTA. While there was a high level of agreement across the sample regarding the key clinical indicators (and suggested diagnosis) for each vignette, most of the participants endorsed CTA as a key indicator only within the vignette that met the criteria for a CD diagnosis. Even when CTA was acknowledged as a significant indicator, few listed it as a primary area for intervention. The implications of this along with the differing patterns of endorsement across regional/rural and metropolitan-based psychologists are discussed.
Becoming relationally effective: High-risk boys in animal-assisted therapy
Authors: Schneider Abbey Ann , Rosenberg Josie , Baker Megan , Melia Nate , Granger Ben , Biringen Zeynep
Published: October 2022

This study was conducted to formally evaluate the effectiveness of the Human Animal Bond in Colorado (HABIC, 2010), a well-developed animal-assisted therapy (AAT) intervention based in 23 elementary schools in the Front Range. Previous research on the benefits of human and dog relationships, otherwise called the human-animal bond, has provided support for using measures of attachment to rate the quality of connection within this dyad (
Kurdek, 2008
;
Melson, 2003
;
Triebenbacher, 1998
). The Emotional Availability (EA) Scales 4
th
Edition (
Biringen, 2008
), an attachment-derived system, were used to objectively evaluate the interactions in the human-animal team, representing the first use of the EA system to assess the quality of the human-animal bond. In addition, the Bonding Scale (
Angle, Blumentritt, & Swank, 1994
) was used to assess the child’s report of bonding to the dog; the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher Report Form (
Achenbach, 1991
) were used to assess behavior problems; and school records yielded information about attendance and disciplinary referrals. All of the participants in this study were boys considered to be at high-risk for internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Paired-sample t-tests revealed that EA (child-dog and child-adult) significantly increased from pre- to post-test. (Child-adult EA scores apply to the child’s display of EA towards both the adult dog trainer and the school professional on the HABIC team.) In addition, a significant decrease was seen in student disciplinary referrals from pre- to post-test.
Equine assisted social work as a mean for authentic relations between clients and staff
Authors: Carlsson Catharina , Nilsson Ranta Daniel , Traeen Bente
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore, by qualitative methods, the meaning of equine-assisted social work (EASW) both to young women with self-harm problems and their staff in residential treatment. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with eight staff members and nine clients. Human-horse interaction was observed subsequently in three of the staff and four of the clients. Based on the narratives of the staff members and the clients, who agreed, the horse’s ability to read human emotions made the staff and clients aware of their own emotions. In order not to alienate the horse or make the situation dangerous, which intensified their sense of being in the present, both the clients and staff had to regulate their emotions. As a result the resistance for change decreased, made the participants more likely to regulate their emotions and change behavior rather than avoid the situation or the information. The horse seemed to set the framework for the interaction between the staff and young women. The fact that even the staff could fail in the interaction with the horse, affected the interaction between staff and clients making it more informal and dynamic. A relationship based on empathy, trust, respect and negotiation, where clients shared private matters, resulted in the perception of a more authentic relationship. Further research is needed to see which conditions are favourable for achieving an authentic relationship and which conditions possibly fail.
Effect of Animal-Assisted Play Therapy on Facilitating Social Behavior for Children with Autism: A Preliminary Comparison Study
Authors: Fung Suk Chun
Published: October 2022

Despite evidence that Animal-Assisted Play Therapy increases the positive social behavior of children with autism, little is known about the mechanism of this treatment effect. In the present study, ten children with autism, aged 7-10, were randomized into two groups. One group attended 14 individual sessions of structured Animal-Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT) with a therapy dog, while the comparison group attended 14 individual sessions with a doll as the dog surrogate. Nonparametric tests showed that overall, children’s social behaviors were similar in the two treatments, with a trend toward more positive verbal behavior with AAPT. However, the AAPT group showed significantly less negative behavior toward the social object (the therapy dog) compared with the comparison group’s behavior toward the doll. The therapy dog’s unambiguous response to the children’s behavior and the dog’s role in modeling social behaviors are possible explanations for the more positive outcomes seen in AAPT.
Earliest Memories of Pets Predict Adult Attitudes: Phenomenological, Structural, and Textual Analyses
Authors: Marshall Philip H. , Ireland Molly E. , Dalton Audrey A.
Published: October 2022

The human-animal interaction literature has many examples of how early childhood experiences affect adult pet attitudes, social development, and empathy; however, there have been no specific studies of the memories that are the bases of these attitudes and dispositions. In this study, adults described their earliest childhood memories of a pet, friend, or automobile in their own words, rated each memory on several phenomenological dimensions, and reported their current attitudes towards pets. Participants rated pet memories as being more emotionally intense and accessible and having more sensory detail than friend memories. Earliest memories of a friend were more positive than earliest memories of pets, largely due to early pet memories focusing more on death and loss. There was a modest positive correlation between assessed pet memory valence and attitudes towards pets. Participants who recalled memories of their own pet and described more interactive pet memories had more positive adult attitudes towards pets. Results of the linguistic analysis of the recorded memories converged with the valence and pet attitude measures, and further showed that negative emotion words and impersonal pronouns used in pet and friend memories were more similar for those with more positive attitudes toward pets. The study reveals the complexities of the relationship between the earliest childhood memories of pets and adult attitudes towards pets. Future research should investigate how pets are represented and processed in the full range of human cognition.
Exploring Risk Propensity through Pet-Attachment Diversity in Natural Hazard Contexts
Authors: Trigg Joshua , Thompson Kirrilly , Smith Bradley , Bennett Pauleen
Published: October 2022

This review examines the perceptual and behavioural influences that pet-attachment has on the ways in which owners view risk, appraise threat, and respond to environmental hazards. Understanding how human-companion animal relationships function in this context has profound implications for the welfare of both people and their animals. Despite originating from human-attachment models, current perspectives on relationships with companion animals commonly adopt a unidimensional view of pet-attachment as a singular bond. This bypasses important aspects of attachment, ignoring the diversity evident in these relationships and, consequently, differences in risk processes. We argue that by adopting a pet-attachment ‘communities’ model that more closely approximates human-attachment theory, a nuanced understanding of perceptual and behavioural risk propensities that distinguishes between different types of ‘stronger’ and ‘weaker’ or insecure attachments can be achieved. We consider how research regarding pet- and human-attachment can be used to identify potential communities of the pet-attached. A community perspective upon pet-owner risk propensity will contribute to a social-ecological understanding of these relationships as potential protective factors when confronting environmental threats. Finally, we propose that future research relating to pet-attachment can benefit from current human-attachment findings regarding the wider social nature of attachment relationships.
Who Do Parrots Talk To? Agreeableness and a Serious Approach Increase the Production of Word-like Utterances by African Grey Parrots
Authors: Lindová Jitka
Published: October 2022

Label acquisition projects with the grey parrot(Psittacus erithacus)demonstrated cognitive and communicative skills of this species comparable to great apes. However, results differ profoundly between individuals and laboratories. Two studies investigated the relationship between the characteristics, behaviors and attitudes of human trainers and caregivers, and the word-like sound production of grey parrots. In Study 1, 78 student subjects, who had trained two parrots for five years in our laboratory with the model/rival technique (used to teach animals to use vocal labels in a symbolic way), filled out the personality questionnaire NEO-Five Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and answered additional questions about motivation, approach to animals etc. Parrots’ communication during sessions with individual trainers was associated with higher agreeableness, a more serious approach to training, and a shorter period of time serving as a trainer. In Study 2, 29 pet owners and their respective parrots were tested using analogous questions used in Study 1. Results confirmed the effect of agreeableness and a serious approach to training on the production of human words uttered by parrots. In addition, pet owners with higher interest in bird communication had parrots that produced more words. Both studies indicate that the success of communication projects with grey parrots or other species might have been influenced by the characteristics of trainers/caregivers and their relationships with the trained animals.
Animal-assisted therapy in the view of staff members before and after implementation in a rehabilitation clinic.
Authors: Hediger Karin , Hund-Georgiadis Margret
Published: October 2022

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a method that is used with increasing frequency for patients with various problems in many rehabilitation programs. The success of such programs often depends on staff members’ attitudes. However, there is little data investigating staff concerns about animal-assisted interventions and change of staff attitudes over time in a healthcare setting. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of staff working in a Swiss rehabilitation center before and after the implementation of animal-assisted therapy. Before implementing animal-assisted therapy at a rehabilitation clinic in Basel, Switzerland, the expectations and concerns of the entire staff were assessed using a questionnaire with Likert scales and open questions. One year after the start of the program, staff members completed an analog questionnaire to assess actual experiences with including animals at the facility. Questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric correlations, and comparisons of means. Prior to implementation of animal-assisted therapy, most of the clinic staff had positive expectations (91.1% positive feelings). However, a substantial number of staff anticipated problems with hygiene (30.0%) and injuries (37.9%). After implementation, significant less problems were noted (p < .001). The positive attitudes remained stable in the context of practical experiences (p = .680). Moreover, staff members were positively influenced by the presence of the animals. Staff members in healthcare settings have high acceptance of animal-assisted therapy. Actual experiences of the staff with animal-assisted therapy were more positive than their expectations. Anticipated problems were not reported after implementation and staff members expressed a positive influence from the presence of the animals, viewing it as enrichment to their job. Further research should investigate the effects of animal-assisted interventions to determine the potential for prevention of burnout in healthcare staff.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Traditional Psychosocial and Canine-Assisted Interventions for Children with ADHD
Authors: Schuck Sabrina E.B. , Emmerson Natasha A. , Abdullah Maryam M. , Fine Aubrey H. , Stehli Annamarie , Lakes Kimberley D.
Published: October 2022

This study provides findings on the final main outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of psychosocial intervention with and without canine assisted intervention (CAI) for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Eighty-eight children, ages 7-9 with ADHD, combined subtype were randomly assigned to 12-week intervention groups (CAI or Non-CAI). Outcome measures were collected across multiple domains and time points. Main effects of group were revealed for total ADHD symptoms (
p
<.05), inattention (
p
=.01) and social skills (
p
=.04), indicating that the CAI group fared better than the non-CAI group. A significant interaction of group by time on ratings of problem behaviors (
p
=.02) and social initiation (
p
=.03), indicated the CAI group demonstrated a modest benefit over the non-CAI group in these domains. This manuscript describes the results and discusses the benefits and limitations of this intervention for children with ADHD.
The Knowledge of Animals as Food Scale
Authors: Feltz Silke , Feltz Adam
Published: October 2022

There have been extensive outreach programs to educate people about the realities of animal food production. However, there has been relatively little attention to measuring what people actually know about the production of animal food products and the conditions in which those animals exist. A reliable measure of knowledge of animal products is required to determine if making people more knowledgeable about the condition of animals reduces animal product consumption. In four studies, we developed an objective measure of knowledge of animal consumption — the Knowledge of Animals as Food Scale (KAFS). Study 1 (N = 265) used Item Response Theory to analyze 35 knowledge-based items. Based on Study 1, Study 2 (N = 243) tested the 11 best knowledge-based items and demonstrated that the scale had convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. The KAFS successfully predicted fewer numbers of days per the average week one consumes meat. Study 3 (N = 289) refined the instrument to nine items and replicated the results of Study 2. Study 4 (N = 201) replicated the results and provided causal evidence that a very brief educational intervention can increase knowledge measured by the scale (d = .28). In Studies 2, 3, and 4, the KAFS was often a unique or best predictor of consumption of animal products compared to other values concerning animals. Having a valid, reliable measure of knowledge of animals used as food has important psychological and ethical implications including providing insight on whether education works and ways to help promote individual autonomy.
Examining the Effect of an Animal-Assisted Intervention on Patient Distress in Outpatient Cystoscopy
Authors: Barker Sandra , Krzastek Sarah , Vokes Rebecca , Schubert Christine , Cooley Lauren Folgosa , Hampton Lance J.
Published: October 2022

Animal assisted interventions (AAI) have been shown to improve patient outcomes in some healthcare settings. Flexible cystoscopy, while minimally invasive, is associated with patient-reported pain, fear, and anxiety. Few techniques have been found to improve these adverse effects associated with cystoscopy. The purpose of this study was to extend existing research on AAI in outpatient settings to investigate the effectiveness of AAI in reducing patient distress associated with outpatient cystoscopy. Ninety-five patients (average age 55.5 years) were prospectively enrolled and randomized to receive one 15-minute AAI prior to cystoscopy (n=46), or cystoscopy performed per standard protocol (n=49). Distress was measured by Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for fear, anxiety, and stress, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate at 3 time points: prior to intervention/prior to cystoscopy, following intervention/prior to cystoscopy, and following intervention/following cystoscopy. Pain was assessed by VAS post-cystoscopy. There were no significant differences between the AAI and control groups in changes in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, fear, and pain between any time points. There were significant between-group differences in changes in anxiety and stress prior to cystoscopy with greater reductions found in anxiety and stress following AAI. The greater reductions in stress associated with AAI were maintained after cystoscopy. This is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of AAI in reducing distress associated with cystoscopy. More research is needed to determine if AAI is a viable method for improving patient outcomes associated with this and other outpatient procedures.
Human-Animal-Environment Interactions and Self-Regulation in Youth with Psychosocial Challenges: Initial Assessment of the Green Chimneys Model
Authors: Flynn Erin , Mueller Megan K. , Luft Denise , Geldhof G. John , Klee Steve , Tedeschi Philip , Morris Kevin N.
Published: October 2022

As animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) become increasingly popular in youth-based settings, there is a significant need for robust, theoretically-predicated programs and assessment frameworks. Ample evidence suggests that AAIs and nature-based interventions have broad emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes. Because these interventions are associated with the regulation of stress, distress, and arousal, it is clear that self-regulatory processes are an important mechanism associated with these interventions. We hypothesize that human-animal-environment interventions (HAEI), such as those delivered within the Green Chimneys model, contribute to the development of self-regulation skills. Green Chimneys is a New York State private school serving students with psychosocial challenges and special educational needs. This study explored the hypothesis that Green Chimneys’ use of a wide variety of HAEIs (e.g., equine, farm animal, wildlife and canine programs) may be linked to self-regulatory processes. We used student restraint data as an indicator of self-regulation, comparing the prevalence of restraint incidents in the HAEI-settings compared to other contexts on campus. Results indicated that the rates of restraint were considerably lower for the farm as compared to the school/classroom, structured/non-academic activities (e.g., gym), and unstructured non-academic (e.g., cafeteria) activities. These results provide support for the hypothesis that the HAEI settings may assist in promoting positive self-regulatory behaviors.
Stress Reduction in Law Enforcement Officers and Staff through a Canine-Assisted Intervention
Authors: Binfet John-Tyler , Draper Zakary A. , Green Freya L. L.
Published: October 2022

Law enforcement officers and staff are known to experience elevated workplace stress, largely due to their increased exposure to traumatic incidents. This results in individuals experiencing trauma themselves and resultant compromised physical and mental health. Law enforcement officers are also known to be reluctant help-seekers and to increase participation in programs to promote employee well-being, initiatives are increasingly integrated into the day-to-day work routine of employees. An intervention showing promise with health care providers and college students but not yet used with law enforcement officers and staff has been to provide individuals access to therapy dogs to reduce stress. Seven therapy dogs along with their handlers were brought to an urban police precinct for 90-minutes each week for 8 weeks. A total of 251 visits (56% staff, 43% officers, < 1% unidentified) to the dog station were made with the average duration of visits being 11 minutes. A visual analogue scale was used to assess participants pre-to-post differences in stress and a paired Wilcoxon signed-ranked test indicated a significant effect of the intervention with mean stress decreasing from pre-to-post visit. Findings are discussed within the context of canine-assisted intervention and law enforcement well-being.
Spanish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Animal Attitude Scale and the Speciesism Scale
Authors: Suárez-Yera Claudia , Ordóñez-Carrasco Jorge L. , Sánchez-Castelló María , Rojas Tejada Antonio J.
Published: October 2022

This study analyzes the psychometric properties of a Spanish adaptation of two of the most widely used instruments for the measurement of the general attitudes toward animals:
Animal Attitude Scale
(AAS; there are three versions of 20, 10, and 5 items) and
Speciesism Scale
(SS). The Spanish adaptation of both scales followed the guidelines of the
International Tests Commission
and was administered to a sample of 470 participants. The purpose was to estimate the reliability and provide evidence of validity based on the internal structure of the tests and based on the relationship with other variables (type of diet). The estimated reliability revealed good scores, except for the 5 items version of the AAS. For the AAS-10 and SS, the factorial structure agreed with the author’s proposal, but not for the 20 and 5 items version of the AAS. Validity analysis showed favorable evidence in the expected direction. The Spanish adaptation of SS and AAS (for tree versions) shows good psychometric properties. The results pointed out a better performance in the 10 items version of the AAS based on test length and psychometric properties (reliability and validity).
Effectiveness of Animal-assisted Interventions (AAIs) in Treatment of Adults with Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review
Authors: McFalls-Steger Chris , Patterson David , Thompson Phyllis
Published: October 2022

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have become widespread, with programs targeting various populations and mental health conditions. Despite its popularity, AAI’s operational definition and its efficacy are unclear. This systematic review aims to assess the utility of AAIs in decreasing depressive symptoms in adults based upon results of empirically validated depression assessment scales used by researchers. A systematic published literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PsychInfo, PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Social Work Abstracts, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed research articles on the effectiveness of AAIs on depressive symptoms in adults using empirically validated depression scales published from 2010 through October 2020 were chosen for this systematic review. Search results were filtered to include only quantitative, peer-reviewed articles for adults 18 and over; those were reviewed, and only journal articles using an empirically established depression evaluation tool were chosen. A total of 10 quantitative articles met these inclusion criteria. Overall, research design quality was low, but AAI had a statistically significant effect on outcomes in most studies. Results are moderately favorable but more thorough, standardized, and controlled research is needed.
What’s in a Dog? Children Learn and Apply Mindfulness Similarly With and Without a Dog
Authors: Nikcevic Jovana , Oliva Jessica Lee
Published: October 2022

Offering early interventions to address mental health disorders in school settings may minimize long-term consequences and increase accessibility for a non-clinical sample. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore children’s experiences of learning mindfulness in school, with and without a dog. Forty-four primary school students aged 8 to 12 years were cluster randomised into one of two conditions: Mindfulness Only (
n
= 18) or Dog Assisted Mindfulness (n = 26) and participated in an in-school 20-minute guided mindfulness session once a week for 6 weeks. Thematic content analysis revealed that both groups experienced
positive emotions
and feelings of
relaxion or calm
during and after the sessions.
Dog related activity
was the most frequently noted favorite aspect of the sessions for the dog-assisted group, and participants from both groups favoured
mindfulness activity, quiet and stillness,
and
breathing
at approximately equal frequencies. Students also experienced
increased attention and mindfulness, quiet or stillness
and
increased agency of own feelings,
with both groups commonly using mindfulness techniques outside of sessions to aid the onset of sleep and for emotion regulation. Overall, the participants in both intervention groups shared similar positive experiences, learnings, and applications, suggesting that learning mindfulness with and without a dog may have similar benefits.
Compatibility of riders’ personality traits and the perceived personality of their horse
Authors: Træen Bente , Røysamb Espen
Published: October 2022

This study addresses the relationship between competition riders’ personality traits and the perception of their horse’s personality, and it assesses whether a match in personality is associated with aspects of the riders’ self-esteem, general self-efficacy, satisfaction with life, anxiety and depression. An invitation to participate in the study and a link to an online questionnaire were distributed via e-mail to members of the Norwegian Equestrian Federation (NEF). In total, 662 riders (95.5% female) accessed the survey site and completed the questionnaire. Most riders perceived of themselves as planned and systematic, extraverted and sociable, open to new experiences and non-neurotic. They tended to perceive of their favourite horse in a similar manner. Based on the riders’ perceptions, three dimensions of personality in the horses were identified: ‘neuroticism’, ‘agreeableness’ and ‘extraversion’. To study the match and discrepancy in human and horse personality, new variables were constructed to measure the differences between human personality and horse personality. Positive self-esteem and higher subjective well-being in the rider correlated with a match in both agreeableness and extraversion. On the other hand, riders who had a discrepancy with their horse in agreeableness and extraversion reported more depression. Riders who experienced a match in extraversion with their horse had higher self-efficacy. Lastly, riders who had a discrepancy with their horse in neuroticism and extraversion reported more anxiety.
The Effect of a Dog Assisted Reading Program on the Reading Ability and Motivation of Children with Dyslexia
Authors: Goodmon Leilani B. , Burnett Pippa R. , Pack Renee , Powell Rebecca
Published: October 2022

Dog assisted reading programs have been shown to improve children’s reading skills and attitudes toward reading (
Kirnan et al., 2016
;
Levinson et al., 2017
;
Linder et al., 2018
) and on-task behavior in children who struggle with reading (
Bassette & Taber-Doughty, 2013
). The purpose of this study was to determine if the benefits of reading to a therapy dog would generalize to a sample of 38 children (8-11 years of age) with dyslexia. We found that the children exhibited significant improvements in reading fluency from baseline to post-treatment. Teacher opinions of students’ reading attitude - motivation also improved from baseline to post-treatment. They also reported greater reading motivation and mood when they read to the dog (i.e., experimental condition) compared to when they read to the experimenter (i.e., control condition). Inconsistent with the hypotheses, there was no significant increase in comprehension scores or trait reading motivation from baseline to post-treatment, nor was there a significance increase in reading fluency between when they read to the dog compared to when they read to the experimenter. Some of these aforementioned results (i.e., teacher reports and reading mood and motivation) were age / grade dependent. The results imply that dog assisted reading programs may benefit the number of words read per minute, reading motivation, and mood of children with dyslexia, but not reading comprehension.