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The Human Affectome
Full text linkOver the last decades, the interdisciplinary field of the affective sciences has seen proliferation rather than integration of theoretical perspectives. This is due to differences in metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions about human affective phenomena (what they are and how they work) which, shaped by academic motivations and values, have determined the affective constructs and operationalizations. An assumption on the purpose of affective phenomena can be used as a teleological principle to guide the construction of a common set of metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions—a framework for human affective research. In this capstone paper for the special issue “Towards an Integrated Understanding of the Human Affectome”, we gather the tiered purpose of human affective phenomena to synthesize assumptions that account for human affective phenomena collectively. This teleologically-grounded framework offers a principled agenda and launchpad for both organizing existing perspectives and generating new ones. Ultimately, we hope Human Affectome brings us a step closer to not only an integrated understanding of human affective phenomena, but an integrated field for affective research
Mapping the link between socio-economic factors, autistic traits and mental health across different settings
Full text linkAutistic individuals experience higher rates of externalising and internalising symptoms that may vary with environmental factors. However, there is limited research on variation across settings that may highlight common factors with globally generalisable effects. Data were taken from two cohorts: a multinational European sample ( = 764; 453 autistic; 311 non-autistic; 6–30 years), and a South African sample ( = 100 non-autistic; 3–11 years). An exploratory factor analysis aggregated clinical (Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Index), adaptive traits (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale) and socio-economic variables (parental employment and education, home and family characteristics) in each cohort separately. With regression, we investigated the effect of these factors and autistic traits on internalising and externalising scores (measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Cohorts showed similar four-factor structures (Person Characteristics, Family System, Parental and Material Resources). The ‘Family System’ factor captured family size and maternal factors and was associated with lower internalising and externalising symptoms in both cohorts. In the European cohort, high autistic traits reduced this effect; the opposite was found in the South Africa cohort. Our exploratory findings from two separate analyses represent consistent evidence that Family System is associated with internalising and externalising symptoms, with a context-specific impact in persons with high autism traits
Privileged Spaces: Academic Libraries in University Estates Strategy
No full textPrivileged Spaces draws on the knowledge and experience of library leaders, estates directors, space managers and researchers to examine how the demands on library space change due to evolving university estates strategy. It highlights the impact this can have on space retention, service delivery and user satisfaction, demonstrating the importance of library, estates and facilities leaders working in partnership to deliver spaces in alignment with university planning.As universities continually change their strategy and teaching spaces to meet market demands, library spaces are increasingly in scope for estates development plans in the same way as any university building. Drawing on years of professional experience, the authors provide guidance on fostering an effective working relationship with a range of university departments, making the case for investment in libraries, engaging stakeholders to support library development, and influencing university estates strategy. This book features case studies to illustrate the successes and challenges of delivering small to large library space projects. This is an ideal reference for library directors, staff, and planning professionals who want to ensure their library space meets the needs of its users and the wider university
Sexual health and fertility in Duchenne muscular dystrophy—An exploratory study
Full text linkIntroduction/AimsRecent clinical guidelines recommend that adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who are on daily glucocorticoid treatment should be offered pubertal induction in order to ensure adult levels of sex hormones as they reach adulthood. However, it remains unclear how gonadal status, including androgen concentrations, impacts physical function and future fertility. The aim of this study was to give a voice to adults with DMD, exploring their perspectives around sexual health, hormone treatment, and fertility.MethodsQualitative data was collected from six adults with DMD through two online focus groups. Participants were recruited through Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and Duchenne UK and invited to take part if they had DMD and were 18 years of age or older. Conversations were transcribed verbatim and an interpretivist paradigm was used with thematic analysis.ResultsThe main themes identified were (1) the need for communication and information about sexual health, (2) dealing with the potential fear of rejection, (3) physical barriers to relationships including sex, (4) testosterone supplementation in DMD, and (5) parenthood and fertility.DiscussionWe recommend that clinicians work with young people with DMD individually, to explore the benefits of testosterone treatment for them and their personal sexual health needs. If they are offered treatment, this should always be accompanied by the opportunity for psychological support. This work highlights the need for further research to establish the role of testosterone supplementation in adults with DMD and its effects on fertility and the value of specific emotional and practical support for sexual health
Gender inequality in Japan: analyzing preliminary findings from a US investment bank
Full text linkInequality occurs in every labor market, and in most nations, males expect to be paid more for producing the same work as females. This is a widely held belief in high, low context,and sophisticated cultures. This paper aims to determine the level of gender inequality at a Japanese subsidiary of a U.S. investment bank based in Japan. The research seeks to discover how women are seen and whether they are constrained in terms of equality and advancement. Semi structured interviews are used to interpret qualitative data transcribed and categorized 23 female Japanese workers’ comments. Inequality has been revealed. Despite having greater education and experience, women were seen negatively by male co-workers. The investigation also revealed a ‘glassceiling.’ The study included 23 female interviews, not limiting generalization and transferability. Change in Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) should concentrate on increasing workplace equity and inclusion. MNEs might use dual-role women as role models. This study’s conclusions benefit researchers, employers, and Japanese employees seeking jobs in U.S. investment banks
Original Scientific Research Study: An Investigation into the Physiological Profiles of Muay Thai and the Relationships to Striking Performances
No full textThe purpose of this study was to observe and identify the physiological profiles of competitive Muay Thai athletes, to further understand what is required to be successful. Muay Thai bouts are set in differing formats, with timings of 3 x 2 minutes, 3 x 3 minutes or 3 x 5 minutes in duration dependant on weight category, fighter experience and tournament rules, with a 1-minute restorative period in between rounds. 24 Muay Thai fighters (21 males, 3 females; age: 26 years ± 6; stature: 1.75m ± 0.11; body mass: 76.30kg ± 16.22; body fat %: 12.88 ± 3.35), with a minimum of five years Muay Thai training and two years competitive experience (20 bouts ± 5) participated in the study. Participants completed a battery of physiological measurements, along with a series of strike performance measures. Correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between strike performance and physiological test performance. All striking performances apart from front hand Jab had a large correlation to pull ups, with back squats demonstrating both large and very large correlations with all strikes performed. Jab, rear hand cross and roundhouse strikes identified large correlations with reactive strength index. Right hook predictor variables are able to predict performance, F(6,17) = 4.754, p=0.005. The R² value (.792) suggests the model can explain 63% of the variance in right hook performance. Analysis of the coefficients showed the predictor variable of relative-bench press had a positive and significant influence on right hook impact power (B=2123.15, t = 2.402, p=0.028). Within the fight camp, fighters should be trained with a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, with emphasis on strength and explosive strength
Human Activity and Behavior Analysis: Advances in Computer Vision and Sensors: Volume 2
No full textHuman Activity and Behavior Analysis relates to the field of vision and sensor-based human action or activity and behavior analysis and recognition. The book includes a series of methodologies, surveys, relevant datasets, challenging applications, ideas, and future prospects.The book discusses topics such as action recognition, action understanding, gait analysis, gesture recognition, behavior analysis, emotion and affective computing, and related areas. This volume focuses on two main subject areas: Movement and Sensors, and Sports Activity Analysis.The editors are experts in these arenas, and the contributing authors are drawn from high-impact research groups around the world. This book will be of great interest to academics, students, and professionals working and researching in the field of human activity and behavior analysis
A port consolidation model for data center network infrastructure energy efficiency.
No full textTechnological advancements have increased the energy consumption of data center network infrastructure causing an increase in global carbon footprints. Consolidation of hardware is considered to be one of the acceptable techniques for reducing energy consumption in data centers. However, consolidation of hardware may result in scarce fault tolerance which consequently leads to performance degradation. Therefore, a technique is required that performs consolidation while data center performance remains unaffected. In this work, a port consolidation model has been proposed. The proposed model diverts the traffic of the ports in a switch to other ports so that the number of active ports can be reduced. The reduction of active ports will result in the energy-efficient utilization of the switch. The proposed model diverts the traffic by evaluating the Arrival Rate of packets and the Forwarding Rate of the switch. The proposed algorithm used in the model has been examined through a case study. The proposed model is implemented in integration with our previously proposed network refresh model
Annual Research Review: ‘There, the dance is – at the still point of the turning world’ – dynamic systems perspectives on coregulation and dysregulation during early development
Full text linkDuring development we transition from coregulation (where regulatory processes are shared between child and caregiver) to self-regulation. Most early coregulatory interactions aim to manage fluctuations in the infant's arousal and alertness; but over time, coregulatory processes become progressively elaborated to encompass other functions such as sociocommunicative development, attention and executive control. The fundamental aim of coregulation is to help maintain an optimal ‘critical state’ between hypo- and hyperactivity. Here, we present a dynamic framework for understanding child–caregiver coregulatory interactions in the context of psychopathology. Early coregulatory processes involve both passive entrainment, through which a child's state entrains to the caregiver's, and active contingent responsiveness, through which the caregiver changes their behaviour in response to behaviours from the child. Similar principles, of interactive but asymmetric contingency, drive joint attention and the maintenance of epistemic states as well as arousal/alertness, emotion regulation and sociocommunicative development. We describe three ways in which active child–caregiver regulation can develop atypically, in conditions such as Autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression. The most well-known of these is insufficient contingent responsiveness, leading to reduced synchrony, which has been shown across a range of modalities in different disorders, and which is the target of most current interventions. We also present evidence that excessive contingent responsiveness and excessive synchrony can develop in some circumstances. And we show that positive feedback interactions can develop, which are contingent but mutually amplificatory child–caregiver interactions that drive the child further from their critical state. We discuss implications of these findings for future intervention research, and directions for future work
Blanket bogs exhibit significant alterations to physical properties as a result of temporary track removal or abandonment
Full text linkTemporarily consented tracks made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) mesh have been used to mitigate both the physical and ecological impacts on peatlands from low-frequency vehicle usage. However, the impacts of mesh track removal or abandonment at the end of the consented period remain poorly understood. Over a 2-year period, we studied replicate sections of abandoned mesh track which, at the start of the experiment, had been unused for approximately 5 years, on a UK blanket bog. Some sections were removed (using two treatment methods – vegetation mown and unprepared), whereas others were left in situ. Metrics were compared both between treatments and to undisturbed reference areas. Significant differences in surface soil moisture were found between abandoned and removed tracks depending on season. Control areas had higher volumetric soil moisture than track locations. Compaction was significantly higher across all track locations in comparison to controls (p < 0.001), but rarefaction was not recorded post-removal, suggesting long-term deformation. Overland flow events were recorded in rut sections for a mean of 16% of the time, compared to <1% in control areas. Sediment traps on the tracks collected 0.406 kg compared to 0.0048 kg from the control traps, equating to a per trap value of 7.3 g from track samplers and 0.17 g from control samplers. Erosion and desiccation features occurred on both removed and abandoned track sections. Both abandonment and removal of mesh tracks have a wide range of impacts on the physical properties of peatlands, suggesting that only where access is a necessity should such a track be installed