Avoidance Of Contact Research Articles

Tangle- and contact-free path planning for a tethered mobile robot using deep reinforcement learning.

This paper presents a tangle- and contact-free path planning (TCFPP) for a mobile robot attached to a base station with a finite-length cable. This type of robot, called a tethered mobile robot, can endure long-time exploration with a continuous power supply and stable communication via its cable. However, the robot faces potential hazards that endanger its operation such as cable snagging on and cable entanglement with obstacles and the robot. To address these challenges, our approach incorporates homotopy-aware path planning into deep reinforcement learning. The proposed reward design in the learning problem penalizes the cable-obstacle and cable-robot contacts and encourages the robot to follow the homotopy-aware path toward a goal. We consider two distinct scenarios for the initial cable configuration: 1) the robot pulls the cable sequentially from the base while heading for the goal, and 2) the robot moves to the goal starting from a state where the cable has already been partially deployed. The proposed method is compared with naive approaches in terms of contact avoidance and path similarity. Simulation results revealed that the robot can successfully find a contact-minimized path under the guidance of the reference path in both scenarios.

An examination of the relationship between risk perceptions, cultural-religious beliefs and coping during COVID-19 pandemic control in South Asian countries: a systematic review

BackgroundCovid 19 was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid spread and catastrophic effects on health. It affected around 119 M people with mortality rate of 0.27% worldwide, including South-Asians. This review aims to understand the risk perceptions, cultural religious beliefs and the coping mechanisms of South Asians during the Covid 19 pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following search engines were used: Medline, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Included studies investigated perceptions and opinions of individuals on knowledge, risk and protective factors, native faith based practices, and attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThe database search produced 282 articles to screen. The final narrative synthesis included five studies comprising of 13,476 participants from Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Ten studies, comprising 7,893 participants, were eligible and included for meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence with maximum heterogeneity for correct knowledge of symptoms, hand washing or use of sanitizers, face masking use of herbal or traditional remedies and physical distancing or avoidance of contact was reported through meta-analysis.ConclusionThe review brings forth a useful comparison of individual and cultural differences in KAP, risk perceptions and coping strategies. This review highlights the need for and importance of tailored information dissemination, culturally sensitive risk communication, targeted educational interventions, community engagement and empowerment, policy, and infrastructure improvements, as well as continued research and data collection. By addressing these implications, efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 can be more effective and equitable across diverse populations.Prospero registrationCRD42021246475.

Reaching across social divides deliberately: Theoretical, political, and practical implications of intergroup contact volition for intergroup relations

AbstractThe benefits of positive intergroup contact for intergroup attitudes are well‐established. Yet individual and group self‐segregation practices demonstrate that opportunities for intergroup contact are not sufficient for contact uptake; and persistent institutionalized segregation reinforces and compounds this problem. Hence, we need to understand what drives people towards and away from intergroup contact and what consequences the capacity to deliberately engage or avoid contact has for individuals, groups, and communities. This paper formally introduces the concept of intergroup contact volition: our perceived personal control over intergroup contact engagement and avoidance. We demonstrate this concept's theoretical, political, and practical significance by highlighting its embeddedness in both old and recent literature. We document debates around volition in early intergroup contact research and note a prolonged neglect since. After discussing reasons for that neglect, we present a detailed analysis of the concept, outlining how the idea of volition itself is contested and political, as well as the ways it intersects with broader societal power and status dynamics. We then outline pathways for future research, including investigations of when taking volition away (making contact mandated) might be helpful, intersections between psychological and human geography perspectives on volition, and connections between volition and system justification. We argue that contact volition is intimately and ultimately linked to issues of social change: support of, versus resistance to, policies promoting intergroup integration. As a result, an enhanced understanding of volition is critical to developing intergroup contact research and practice into outcomes that maximize social justice.

Adaptive group behavior of Fragile X mice in unfamiliar environments

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) stands out as a prominent cause of inherited intellectual disability and a prevalent disorder closely linked to autism. FXS is characterized by substantial alterations in social behavior, encompassing social withdrawal, avoidance of eye contact, heightened social anxiety, increased arousal levels, language deficits, and challenges in regulating emotions. Conventional behavioral assessments primarily focus on short-term interactions within controlled settings. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive examination of the adaptive group behavior of Fmr1 KO male mice over a three-day period, without introducing experimental interventions or task-based evaluations. The data unveiled intricate behavioral anomalies, with the most significant changes manifesting during the initial adaptation to unfamiliar environments. Notably, certain behaviors exhibited a gradual return to typical patterns over time. This dynamic Fmr1 KO phenotype exhibited heightened activity, featuring increased exploration, amplified social interest, and an unconventional approach to social interactions characterized by a higher frequency of shorter engagements. These findings contribute to the growing understanding of social behavior in individuals with FXS and underscore the significance of comprehending their adaptive responses in various environmental contexts.

Sexual health beliefs and prevention of sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia.

The stigma and social discrimination against cisgender women sex workers lead many of them to live in conditions characterized by social inequality, marginalization, persecution, and limited opportunities for sexual health literacy. Consequently, they are often compelled to establish a framework of preventive beliefs with little scientific validity, which they use to identify, mitigate, or avoid sexual health risks arising from their interactions with clients. This study investigates the sexual health beliefs that influence self-care practices aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia. We conducted a qualitative study framed in Hermeneutic Phenomenology. In-depth interviews and discussion groups were conducted with 34 cisgender women sex workers over 18 years of age in the center of the cities of Bogotá and Barranquilla in Colombia. Seven themes emerged from the reflective and inductive thematic analysis of the narratives: (1) popular habits for the prevention of contagion, (2) ocular assessment of genitals, (3) condom lubrication, (4) suspicion of a hidden infection in the client, (5) saliva and oral contact as a source of contagion, (6) avoidance of semen contact, (7) and trust in God as protection. The findings reflect the need for health and social professionals to promote participatory and inclusive cooperation with sex workers to update the framework of preventive beliefs that help them guide sexual health self-care with autonomy and self-efficacy, strengthening favorable beliefs and negotiating unfavorable ones. It is also essential to have a sex worker-informed sexual health policy that guides the promotion of sexual health that is sensitive to the needs and consistent with the risks of sex work and ensures friendly and non-oppressive preventive care environments for sex workers.

General and healthcare-related HIV stigma among cisgender Brazilian women: the role of socioeconomic vulnerability

Background HIV-related stigma is associated with worse health outcomes and lower adherence to antiretroviral therapy. There is limited data on the stigma faced by Latin American cisgender women, although they are among the populations most affected by HIV. This study aims to provide insight into the Stigma Index Brazil, with the objective of estimating the prevalence of HIV-related stigma among cisgender women in Brazil and to investigate the role of low socioeconomic status in stigma experience. Methods This is a cross-sectional community-based study. A total of 30 people with HIV were trained to recruit participants from their peer networks; 1,768 people with HIV from all regions of Brazil participated in the study, of which 566 participants were cisgender women. We used the Stigma Index, an instrument that assesses global trends in HIV-related stigma from the perspective of people with HIV. Results Approximately 70% of participants reported some form of HIV-related stigma. The most prevalent forms were discriminatory comments or gossiping (51.26%) and verbal harassment (30.99%). More than 20% experienced any health care related HIV-stigma in the last 12 months, the most frequent being the avoidance of physical contact (10.02%). Women in social vulnerability faced more stigma compared to the group without social vulnerability, both in general contexts (75.79% vs 64.32%; χ2 = 8.67, p < 0.05) and in healthcare contexts (24.12% vs 16.02%; χ2 = 4.06, p < 0.05). Conclusion We found a high prevalence of stigma associated with HIV faced by Brazilian women from all regions of the country, both in everyday life and in healthcare contexts. Evidence-based interventions to reduce stigma in the general population, and specific mental health care aimed at women with HIV in Brazil, especially among those with greater socioeconomic vulnerability, are urgent.

Dermatitis Secondary to Exposure to Nickel and Fragrance at Workplace: A Case Report

Allergic contact dermatitis may be caused by exposure to chemicals. The skin usually develops type IV sensitivity where the initial sensitization may occur a few days but it may take years to develop in low grade exposure to these allergens. In the present study, the patient sustained the disorder through exposure to nickel sulfate, balsam of Peru and a fragrance mix which was confirmed by conducting a Patch test. The initial patient’s Investigator’s Global Assessment, Eczema Area and Severity Index, Dermatology Life Quality Index and Patient-oriented Eczema Measure scores were 3, 9.6, 6 and 14, respectively and improved to 1, 0.6, 1 and 1, respectively after two months of intervention. Good occupational hygiene is vital such as wearing polyvinyl chloride gloves to avoid nickel contact and effective handwashing practices to prevent nickel buildup on the hands. Avoidance of contact of fragrances in cleaning products averts contact dermatitis.

(056) The Association Between Disgust Sensitivity, Sexual Desire, Relationship Satisfaction in Finland

Abstract Introduction Disgust is a basic emotion directed towards certain objects to avoid harm (Angyal, 1941), mainly pathogens. Research, however, has proposed a heterogeneity of disgust beyond pathogen avoidance to generate the functional model, which proposed the functionally distinct domains of disgust: moral, pathogen, and sexual. This model proposes that sexual disgust is an avoidance of sexual contact with unfit partners that may yield unfit offspring (Tybur &amp; de Vries, 2013), this may be due to other anxiety related disorders (Davey, 2011 and Troop et al., 2002) Objective This study focuses on the association between disgust sensitivity with sexual desire, and relationships satisfaction. Hypothesis: elevated levels of disgust sensitivity are negatively associated with sexual desire and relationship satisfaction. Methods Invitation letters were sent out to the registered Finnish population in the Finnish Central Population Registry to participate in a(n) (online) survey, 9,319 individuals responded to the invitation and completed the survey and agreed to participate in the research. The tools used in this study were Perceived Relationship Quality Component (PRQC), Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI), and the Three-Disgust Domain Scale (TDDS). Results The results indicate that the sexual desire and sexual disgust sensitivity, are negatively correlated, the relationship satisfaction correlations are positive except the men pathogen disgust which is a negative correlation between pathogen disgust sensitivity and relationship satisfaction. The correlation between the study variables indicated that among men and women sexual disgust is negatively correlated with sexual desire, and the correlation of relationship satisfaction and sexual disgust was positively correlated. Conclusions The results show the negative association of sexual disgust with sexual desire, but there is a positive relationship between sexual disgust and relationship satisfaction. Disclosure No.

Bio-Based PLA Membranes for Ion Transport and Ion Filtration

Lithium-ion batteries require battery separators for both safety and electrochemical performance. Due to that, they have received a lot of attention. In order to prevent any electronic current from moving within the negative and positive electrodes and allow ions to flow through while avoidance of electric contact between them, a porous membrane used as a separator is positioned between the electrodes with opposing polarities. Accordingly, the objective of the present work is to build a biodegradable PLA based battery separator, which has exceptional thermal capabilities and can endure temperatures of up to 300°C. They also seem to serve as the least degree of barrier for the flow of an ionic current. In this study bio-polymer battery separator membranes were developed using PLA as matrix material and fillers such as Copper slag (CS) and Cardanol resin (CNSL). CS and CNSL were preferred for the reason to realize the concept of a wealth reclaimed from wastes that act as toughening and pore forming agent for PLA matrix. It is found that at PLA-CS film has more brittleness when compared to neat PLA and PLA-CNSL resin. On the other hand, PLA-CNSL films are the toughest ones. Overall, it has been demonstrated that obtaining more sustainable and high-performance is possible by the usage of such sustainable materials for futuristic developments.

Contact allergy to acrylate-containing nail cosmetics: A retrospective 8-year study.

Over the last 10 years, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from acrylate-containing nail cosmetics (acrylic nails, gel nails, gel nail polish) has been reported repeatedly. To investigate the frequency and clinical features of ACD in nail cosmetics in a university hospital in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A retrospective study in patients diagnosed with ACD from acrylate-containing nail cosmetics at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers between January 2015 and August 2023. Sixty-seven patients, all women, were diagnosed with ACD from nail cosmetics, representing 1.6% of all individuals and 2.3% of all women patch tested in this period. Sixty-five of sixty-seven (97%) subjects had a positive patch test to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Forty-nine patients (73%) were consumers and 18 (27%) were professional nail stylists. The sites most frequently affected with dermatitis were the fingers (79%), hands (40%) and the head and/or neck. Avoidance of contact with acrylate-containing products resulted in complete clearing of dermatitis in 80% of patients. ACD from acrylate-containing nail cosmetics is frequent in women patch tested in Amsterdam. Nearly all were identified by a positive patch test to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the (meth)acrylate series or the European baseline series.

Examining the Impact of Digital Human Gaze Expressions on Engagement Induction.

With advancements in technology, digital humans are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with their application scope widening to include interactions with real people. However, research on expressions that facilitate natural engagement in interactions between real people and digital humans is scarce. With this study, we aimed to examine the differences in user engagement as measured by subjective evaluations, eye tracking, and electroencephalogram (EEG) responses relative to different gaze expressions in various conversational contexts. Conversational situations were categorized as face-to-face, face-to-video, and digital human interactions, with gaze expressions segmented into eye contact and gaze avoidance. Story stimuli incorporating twelve sentences verified to elicit positive and negative emotional responses were employed in the experiments after validation. A total of 45 participants (31 females and 14 males) underwent stimulation through positive and negative stories while exhibiting eye contact or gaze avoidance under each of the three conversational conditions. Engagement was assessed using subjective evaluation metrics in conjunction with measures of the subjects' gaze and brainwave activity. The findings revealed engagement disparities between the face-to-face and digital-human conversation conditions. Notably, only positive stimuli elicited variations in engagement based on gaze expression across different conversation conditions. Gaze analysis corroborated the engagement differences, aligning with prior research on social sensitivity, but only in response to positive stimuli. This research departs from traditional studies of un-natural interactions with digital humans, focusing instead on interactions with digital humans designed to mimic the appearance of real humans. This study demonstrates the potential for gaze expression to induce engagement, regardless of the human or digital nature of the conversational dyads.

Does vaccination elicit risk compensation? Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic in France

ABSTRACT Vaccination has played a key role in reducing the health burden of COVID-19, however, concern has been raised worldwide regarding risk compensation, a process whereby feelings of security arising from being vaccinated may lead people to reduce their engagement in other protective behaviours. We investigated whether vaccination led to risk compensation and whether this changed over time by conducting a repeated cross-sectional study at seven intervals over the initial months (February to September 2021) of the vaccine rollout in France. Participants (N = 14,003) completed an online survey measuring vaccination status, vaccination intention and engagement in four preventive behaviours: mask wearing, avoidance of physical contact, hand hygiene, and avoiding social gatherings. Risk compensation was measured indirectly by comparing levels of engagement in protective behaviours according to vaccination status, with those unvaccinated but intending to vaccinate serving as a baseline. Risk compensation did not occur systematically and was mostly observed towards the end of the vaccine rollout for two of the four protective behaviours: avoiding social gatherings (in July and September for fully-vaccinated participants (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = .72, p = .045; AOR = .54, p = .022, respectively) and wearing a mask (those vaccinated with one dose, in September: AOR = .48, p = .029)). Our findings suggest that whilst unlikely to impede the overall effectiveness of public health campaigns, risk compensation nonetheless merits attention when designing informed, targeted public health messages and policy.

Phenomenological assessment of the features of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

The purpose of the study is to assess the severity of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this category of patients.Material and methods. 252 patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia (main group) and 79 patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia (comparison group) were examined. A total of 331 patients with schizophrenia took part in the study. A comprehensive approach was used in the study, consisting of a combination of clinical-psychopathological, psychometric (SANS scale) and statistical research methods.Research results. Clinical-psychopathological characteristics of patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia have been established, which consisted of the predominance of the residual form of schizophrenia; continuously progradient and episodic with an increasing defect of flow types; the onset of negative symptoms in the initial period. Specific features of the manifestation of negative symptoms in patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia have been determined, which consisted of the severity of attention disorders, anhedonia, abulia, and alogia. It has been detected that the phenomenology of negative symptoms in schizophrenia has a complex structure and is described by the presence of components of affective flattening (reduced expressiveness of speech, avoidance of eye contact), alogia (delayed responses, interrupted thoughts), abulia and apathy (reduced productivity and energy potential), anhedonia and antisociality (reduced activity in free time, sexual interests, the ability to feel intimacy and closeness) and the sphere of attention (reduced attentiveness in contact with others and during testing). Conclusions. As a result of the study, the peculiarities of the manifestation of negative symptoms in patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia have been determined, which can act as diagnostic criteria and predictors of the formation of negative symptoms during the differential diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia and can be taken into account when creating treatment and psycho-corrective programs aimed at reducing negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Vaccination and risk compensation during the COVID-19 pandemic in France

Abstract Vaccination has played a key role in reducing the health burden of COVID-19 (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2022), however, concern has been raised worldwide that risk compensation, a process whereby feelings of security arising from being vaccinated may lead people to reduce their engagement in other protective behaviours (Hedlund, 2000), could detract from the overall health benefit of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign (WHO, 2020). We explored whether COVID-19 vaccination elicited risk compensation and whether this changed over time by conducting a repeated cross-sectional study at seven intervals over the initial months of the vaccine rollout in France (February–September, 2021). Participants (N = 14,003) completed an online survey measuring vaccination status, vaccination intention and engagement in four preventive behaviours: mask wearing, avoidance of physical contact, hand hygiene, and avoiding social gatherings. Risk compensation was measured indirectly by comparing levels of engagement in protective behaviours according to vaccination status, with those unvaccinated but intending to vaccinate serving as a baseline. Risk compensation did not occur systematically and was mostly observed towards the end of the vaccine rollout for two of the four protective behaviours: avoiding social gatherings and wearing a mask. Fully-vaccinated participants reported avoiding social gatherings less often than those intending to vaccinate in July (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = .72, p = .045), and in September (AOR = .54, p = .022). A similar trend was observed in September among participants vaccinated with one dose who reported wearing a mask less often than their unvaccinated-but-intending-to-vaccinate counterparts (AOR = .48, p = .029). Our findings suggest that whilst unlikely to impede the overall effectiveness of public health campaigns, risk compensation, particularly among certain groups, nonetheless merits attention when designing informed, targeted public health messages and policy. Key messages • Limited evidence of risk compensation was observed towards the end of the vaccination campaign in France. • Risk compensation may not negate overall health benefit of a vaccination campaign, however from a public health perspective, nonetheless merits attention.

Is the Familiar Human Approach Test a valid method for evaluating the quality of human-goat relationship in pasture-based systems?

A study was carried out to validate the Familiar Human Approach Test (FHAT) for the evaluation of the human-animal relationship (HAR) in goats at pasture. The FHAT originally proposed for sheep (AWIN Welfare Assessment Protocol) was modified to be adapted to goats. The validation of this modified version of FHAT was carried out by checking its convergent validity with the Latency to the First Contact Test (Latency; expressed in seconds), which was already developed, validated, and included in the AWIN Welfare Assessment Protocol for Goats to evaluate HAR for dairy goats kept indoors. Eighteen dairy goat farms were included in this study. The FHAT was performed during the grazing season at pasture by familiar assessors (i.e., farmers), while external assessors evaluated the reaction of goats to the routine gathering of animals by the farmer. The Latency was performed both by unfamiliar and familiar assessors during autumn-winter indoor housing. Farms were classified into four classes, based on goats' reactions to farmers at pasture: 1. Avoidance (withdrawal of the whole flock from the farmer, n= 4); 2. Approach (at least one goat allows the farmer to approach and/or follows the farmer; no physical interaction, n= 7); 3. Contact (at least one goat voluntarily approaches the farmer; contact lasts ≤3 seconds, n= 3); and 4. Acceptance (at least one goat accepts to be touched by the farmer; contact lasts >3 seconds, n= 4). Latency time was compared among the four classes. Latency was higher in the classes without contact (Avoidance and Approach) when compared to the classes with contact (Contact and Acceptance) between humans and goats. However, the differences among the classes were significant in response to the presence of the familiar assessor only [familiar assessor (P=0.016): Avoidance: 164.3 ± 114.83 s, Approach: 115.6 ± 127.04 s, Contact: 48.0 ± 40.95 s, Acceptance: 7.8 ± 5.44 s; unfamiliar assessor (P=0.631): Avoidance: 161.5 ± 159.96 s, Approach: 144.6 ± 122.35 s, Contact: 77.3 ± 39.88 s, Acceptance: 61.0 ± 67.38 s]. The four classes were then merged depending on the absence (Avoidance+Approach) or presence (Contact+Acceptance) of physical interaction between goats and farmers. Again, Latency time was significantly (133.3 ± 119.34 s vs 25.0 ± 32.20 s; P=0.006) and not significantly (150.7 ± 129.34 s vs 68.0 ± 53.63 s; P=0.328) different when performed by the familiar and unfamiliar assessors, respectively. The strong correlation between Latency to the familiar and unfamiliar assessors suggests that goats generalize their response to humans based on HAR quality. Results support the use of FHAT for the evaluation of HAR in goats raised in pasture-based systems.

The competition dynamics of approach and avoidance motivations following interpersonal transgression

Two behavioral motivations coexist in transgressors following an interpersonal transgression-approaching and compensating the victim and avoiding the victim. Little is known about how these motivations arise, compete, and drive transgressors' decisions. The present study adopted a social interaction task to manipulate participants' (i.e., the transgressor) responsibility for another's (i.e., the victim) monetary loss and measure the participants' tradeoff between compensating the victim and avoiding face-to-face interactions with the victim. Following each transgression, participants used a computer mouse to choose between two options differing in the amount of compensation to the victim and the probability of face-to-face contact with the victim. Results showed that as participants' responsibility increased, 1) the decision weights on contact avoidance relative to compensation increased, and 2) the onset of the contact-avoidance attribute was expedited and that of the compensation attribute was delayed. These results demonstrate how competing social motivations following transgression evolve and determine social decision-making and shed light on how social-affective state modulates the dynamics of decision-making in general.

Emotion Recognition in Multiple System Atrophy: An Exploratory Eye-Tracking Study.

Emotional processing is a core feature of social interactions and has been well studied in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), albeit with contradictory. . However, these studies excluded patients with atypical parkinsonism, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA). The objective of this exploratory study was to provide better insights into emotion processing in patients with MSA using eye tracking data. We included 21 MSA patients, 15 PD patients and 19 matched controls in this study. Participants performed a dynamic and a static emotion recognition task, and gaze fixations were analyzed in different areas of interest. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing and assessment of depression and alexithymia. MSA patients were less accurate in recognizing anger than controls (p = 0.02) and had overall fewer fixations than controls (p = 0.001). In the static task, MSA patients had fewer fixations (p < 0.001) and a longer time to first fixation (p = 0.026) on the eye region. Furthermore, MSA patients had a longer fixation duration overall than PD patients (p = 0.004) and longer fixations on the nose than controls (p = 0.005). Alexithymia scores were higher in MSA patients compared to controls (p = 0.038). This study demonstrated impaired recognition of anger in MSA patients compared to HCs. Fewer and later fixations on the eyes along with a center bias suggest avoidance of eye contact, which may be a characteristic gaze behavior in MSA patients.

Additive multiple predator effects increase prey mortality under experimental warming in a rocky intertidal food web

Climate warming is expected to alter species interactions, which are shaped by components of individual foraging behavior. Yet few studies examine species' behavioral responses to inform predictions about how species interactions will be affected by warming. Multiple predator effects (MPEs) may be mediated by climatic warming, especially in highly diverse coastal ecosystems that are prone to extreme warming events. In a laboratory experiment, we quantified the effects of elevated sea water temperature on mortality rates of mussels (Mytilus californianus, Conrad, 1837), and the behavioral responses of their predators: crabs (Romaleon antennarium, Stimpson, 1856) and sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus, Brandt, 1835), to understand how warming affects MPEs and if predators' behavioral responses to warming are indicative of the outcome of MPEs. Sea star effects on mussel mortality did not vary with temperature, but declined threefold in the presence of crabs, due to behavioral avoidance of physical contact with crabs. In contrast, the effect of crabs on mussel mortality was ten times higher under elevated temperature, but was unaffected by sea stars. In mixed predator treatments, crabs caused significant mussel mortality, but sea stars had weaker impacts, regardless of temperature. Consequently, multiple predators had effects that did not differ from those of the more effective crab predator. Increasing temperature in the eastern North Pacific may create locations where crabs become the dominant predator of mussels, with warming increasing predation risk for mussels in this region. Field studies should examine the effects of warming on crab predation on mussels in this system.

A Study on Body Language in Oncology Patients: Eyes are the Mirror of the Feelings

Background/Objectives: For centuries, patients and doctors have been interacting face to face. Eye contact is paramount for communication for everyone and especially so for oncology patients. Eye contact activates the subconscious mind during this encounter. The aim of this study is to contribute to the correct reading of eye expressions, which is the most important component of body language. Methods: As part of the study, portrait photographs of the patients who gave consent for the study were taken during the outpatient clinic checks while taking their medical history. The photographed patients were assigned into four groups based on their diagnosis and treatment status and their eye expressions were interpreted. Results: Group I consisted of patients in remission and the main eye expression was pupil dilatation and eye contact avoidance. In Group II, we observed that the patients avoided eye contact (glancing sideways and away). Group III patients, who were newly diagnosed or were to receive their first radiotherapy session, were characterized by challenging gaze and looking away. The eye expressions of Group IV patients with progression included closed eyes, strong gaze, and raised eyebrows. Conclusions: Body language adds depth and nuance to the intended message. Today, body language is valuable to various professional groups such as intelligence organizations, lawyers, marketers, and politicians. There is no doubt that health professionals constitute one of these groups. This study aims to help health professionals improve their understanding of body language by drawing attention to the emotions conveyed by the eyes.

An intervention approach to reducing threat appraisal and avoidance associated with intergroup interactions

ABSTRACT Although intergroup contact is effective at reducing prejudice, avoidance of intergroup contact often creates a barrier to prejudice reduction. The present study aimed to reduce majority members’ desire to avoid intergroup interactions by devising an intervention aimed at altering cognitive appraisals. Majority group participants (156 Anglo Australians) were assigned to either the intervention or one of two control conditions. The intervention educated majority members about evidence-based techniques to improve interactions with minority members. Participants were provided with two interaction scenarios, one involving an outgroup minority and one involving an ingroup majority member. As predicted, the intervention reduced threat appraisal for the scenario involving outgroup minority member, but not for one involving ingroup majority member. The intervention similarly reduced avoidance desire, but this reduction was not restricted to the minority partner scenario; it was independent of the partner group. The importance of cognitive appraisals in improving intergroup relations is discussed.