Level Of Polarization Research Articles

Fostering Critical Thinking About the Critique of Religion: An Empirical Multi-Case Analysis

Having the right to criticize religion is important for healthy democracies. However, much critique of religion has led to increased levels of polarization. This article explores how religious education can help facilitate critical thinking regarding the critique of religion. By analyzing actual teaching practices about the critique of religion, this article contributes to the field of religious education research in three ways. First, it contributes empirically to the field of religious education, which to a limited degree has studied authentic classroom practices through observations. Second, it contributes theoretically to the field by analyzing which contextual dependencies of teaching facilitate critical thinking about the critique of religion. Third, this study builds on and adds to the prior research about the critique of religion within religious education, which has mainly been theoretical.

How Social Identities Facilitate the Growth of Affective Political Polarization

This study explored the relationships between a selection of social identity factors and affective political polarization among adults in the United States. A broad selection of literature was reviewed and employed in informing a descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of 2008 and 2020 American National Election Studies (ANES) survey data. Multiple regression was used to describe and quantify the relationships between selected variables and affective polarization within the datasets. These methods were paired with tests for differences in means in a comparative analysis of the 2008 and 2020 demographic and political environments, which revealed a statistically significant difference in the levels of affective polarization between the two years. Ideological polarization and ageing stood out as the factors that contributed most heavily to this this growth in affective polarization. Broadly, these findings suggested that demographic and psychographic shifts may have played a role in facilitating growth of affective political polarization across the years. Finally, a post-hoc analysis identified the growth of affective polarization as originating from increased hostility for political out-groups, highlighting the need for further research into other political, social, and economic events that may have triggered the growth of affective polarization.

Measuring the circular polarization of gravitational waves with pulsar timing arrays

The circular polarization of the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) is a key observable for characterizing the origin of the signal detected by Pulsar Timing Array (PTA) collaborations. Both the astrophysical and the cosmological SGWB can have a sizeable amount of circular polarization, due to Poisson fluctuations in the source properties for the former, and to parity violating processes in the early universe for the latter. Its measurement is challenging since PTA are blind to the circular polarization monopole, forcing us to turn to anisotropies for detection. We study the sensitivity of current and future PTA datasets to circular polarization anisotropies, focusing on realistic modelling of intrinsic and kinematic anisotropies for astrophysical and cosmological scenarios respectively. Our results indicate that the expected level of circular polarization for the astrophysical SGWB should be within the reach of near future datasets, while for cosmological SGWB circular polarization is a viable target for more advanced SKA-type experiments. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Regularized Regression Can Reintroduce Backdoor Confounding: The Case of Mass Polarization

Regularization can improve statistical estimates made with highly correlated data. However, any regularization procedure embeds assumptions about the data generating process that can have counterintuitive consequences when those assumptions are untenable. We show that rather than simply shrinking estimates, regularization can reopen backdoor causal paths, inflating the estimates of some effects, and in the wrong circumstances, even reversing their direction. Recently, Cavari and Freedman (2023), argued that declining cooperation rates in surveys have inflated measures of mass polarization. We show that this finding is driven by large penalty terms in their regularized regressions, which leads to the estimates being confounded with time. Alternative methods do not show a clear positive or negative effect of declining cooperation on estimated levels of mass polarization.

Partisan Politics in Finland

Abstract Traditionally, the Finnish party system has involved a high level of fragmentation yet remarkable stability, consensual decision-making, ideologically broad government coalitions, and mostly modest levels of polarization between parties or voters. These features suggest a limited effect of the party composition of government on economic policy. However, based on studies on close local elections, parliamentary speech, and party manifestos, we argue that the link between party politics and policy outcomes likely plays a role in Finland. Most analyses have examined the extent to which the characteristics of local politicians within the parties affect policy outcomes. These studies show that occupation, education, experience, competence, and residential location of local politicians strongly affect local policies, indicating that, in general, politics matters for policy. We also discuss how consensual national politics may have contributed to the recent success of the populist challenger Finns Party. As a new major player, the party has emphasized the role of sociocultural issues and especially affective polarization, which represents a considerable paradigm shift from the catch-all party policies typical of Finland for many decades. It is thus possible that the link between politics and policy will become more pronounced in the future, motivating further research.

Do Affective Polarization and Populism Affect the Support for Holding Referendums?

What populism and polarization have in common is that their relationship with democracy is an ambiguous one. Studies have found that certain degrees of polarization can be helpful for citizens to make up their minds about their choices and because of that encourage them to democratic participation. Similarly, populism can help increase participation by, for example, presenting policies in a simpler language. Citizens with less political interest and political knowledge might be incited to participate in elections and democratic politics in general. However, high levels of polarization lead to the irreconcilability of factions and thereby to gridlock. Democracy can be regarded as incapable of solving citizens’ problems. Likewise, populism can be destructive to democracy when occurring in certain forms and degrees. While populism is not per se antidemocratic, populist parties and leaders, when in power, repeatedly challenge democratic elements. To disentangle how polarization and populism affect democracy, I focus on certain specifics of these three concepts (democracy, populism, and polarization). Namely, I analyze how affective polarization and individual-level populism affect the support for the direct democratic instrument of holding referendums. Drawing on survey data from Austria and Germany, I find that being affectively polarized has a positive effect on the support for holding referendums. However, this effect is moderated by citizens’ individual-level populism. Thus, this study provides insights into citizens’ preferences for democratic decision-making, dependent on their levels of affective polarization and populism.

Peptide programming of supramolecular vinylidene fluoride ferroelectric phases.

Ferroelectric structures have spontaneous macroscopic polarization that can be inverted using external electric fields and have potential applications including information storage, energy transduction, ultralow-power nanoelectronics1,2 and biomedical devices3. These functions would benefit from nanoscale control of ferroelectric structure, the ability to switch polarization with lower applied fields (low coercive field) and biocompatibility. Soft ferroelectrics based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)4-6 have a thermodynamically unstable ferroelectric phase in the homopolymer, complex semi-crystalline structures, and high coercive fields. Here we report on ferroelectric materials formed by water-soluble molecules containing only six VDF repeating units covalently conjugated to a tetrapeptide, with the propensity to assemble into the β-sheet structures that are ubiquitous in proteins. This led to the discovery of ribbon-shaped ferroelectric supramolecular assemblies that are thermodynamically stable with their long axes parallel to both the preferred hydrogen-bonding direction of β-sheets and the bistable polar axes of VDF hexamers. Relative to a commonly used ferroelectric copolymer, the biomolecular assemblies exhibit a coercive field that is two orders of magnitude lower, as the result of supramolecular dynamics, and a similar level of remnant polarization, despite having a peptide content of 49 wt%. Furthermore, the Curie temperature of the assemblies is about 40 °C higher than that of a copolymer containing a similar amount of VDF. This supramolecular system was created using a biologically inspired strategy that is attractive in terms of sustainability and that could lead to new functions for soft ferroelectrics.

Mengurai Polarisasi Politik di Kalangan Milenial Peran Komunikasi dalam Pemilu

Abstract Political polarization among millennials has become an increasingly prominent challenge in recent years. This generation, which is a significant potential voter in the 2024 Election, is vulnerable to misleading political campaigns, hate speech and false information spread through social media and digital platforms. High levels of polarization can threaten social cohesion and hinder constructive dialogue in the democratic process. This research aims to explore the role of effective political communication and media literacy in unraveling political polarization among millennials in the 2024 elections. By using a mixed method, this research combines quantitative survey methods, qualitative studies with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, as well as media content analysis to provide a comprehensive picture of this issue. It is hoped that the research results can provide insight into effective political communication strategies, the importance of cross-group dialogue, and the role of media literacy and political education in reducing polarization among millennials. It is hoped that these findings can contribute to efforts to create a healthier and more constructive political environment in the 2024 elections and the democratic process as a whole. Keywords: Political Polarization, Political Communication, Media Literacy, Millennials, 2024 Election

Breaking free from linear assumptions: Unravelling the relationship between affective polarization and democratic support

AbstractScholars increasingly raise concerns about the alleged detrimental impact of affective polarization on citizens’ democratic attitudes. Yet, prior studies on the relationship between affective polarization and democratic support have yielded mixed results: Whereas some scholars report evidence that affective polarization erodes citizens’ support for democracy, others report null findings. In this research note, we posit that one relevant explanation for these mixed results is that the relationship between affective polarization and democratic support is not linear, but rather negatively curvilinear (i.e., an inverted U‐shape). Though extreme levels of affective polarization may harm citizens’ democratic commitments, a moderate amount of affective polarization can strengthen democratic support by heightening the political stakes and stimulating democratic involvement. Employing generalized additive modelling on data from the CNEP collected in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we show strong and robust support for this negatively curvilinear pattern. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the dynamics between affective polarization and democratic support, as well as for the recommended estimation strategies of future studies that aim to explore this relationship.

Facebook increases political knowledge, reduces well-being and informational treatments do little to help.

Nearly three billion people actively use Facebook, making it the largest social media platform in the world. Previous research shows that the social media platform reduces users' happiness, while increasing political knowledge. It also may increase partisan polarization. Working to build a scientific consensus, we test whether the potential negative effects of Facebook use can be overcome with the help of minimalist informational interventions that a parallel line of research has shown to be effective at inducing people to be more accurate and civil. We conducted a pre-registered well-powered Facebook deactivation experiment during the 2022 French presidential election. In line with previous research, we find that deactivating Facebook increases subjective well-being and reduces political knowledge. However, deactivating Facebook had no overall effect on the level of political or social polarization during the election. Moreover, we find little evidence that minimalist informational interventions in a field setting helped individuals who deactivated Facebook to become better informed.

Unraveling polarization: insights into individual and collective dynamics.

Polarization poses a critical threat to the stability of nations around the world, as it impacts climate change, populism, democracy, and global health. This perspective examines the conceptual understanding, measurement challenges, and potential interventions for polarization. Our analysis highlights the distinction and interactions between the individual and collective levels of polarization, conceptually, methodologically, and in terms of interventions. We conclude by pointing out future directions for understanding polarization and highlighting the interrelations between polarization and other social phenomena.

Evaluation of directionality in physics-based ground motion simulations of strike-slip earthquakes

Recent advances in engineering seismology and computing power have led to the development of realistic physics-based ground motion simulations. The use of these simulations for engineering applications requires that the ground motions exhibit characteristics consistent with those of recorded ground motions. While several studies have evaluated the intensity, frequency content, duration, and other characteristics of ground motion simulations for their possible use in engineering applications, few have focused on directionality. This article evaluates directionality in the response of single-degree-of-freedom oscillators when subjected to CyberShake Study 15.12 simulated ground motions from strike-slip earthquakes, by carefully comparing it to the directionality in recorded ground motions having the same style of faulting. Physics-based ground motion simulations at 334 stations from 5 different rupture variations in two large-magnitude earthquake scenarios on the Elsinore fault are evaluated. The orientation of maximum oscillator response and its spatial distribution are studied for each rupture. The orientation of maximum oscillator response is found to occur systematically close to the epicentral transverse orientation at all rupture distances, consistent with recent findings for ground motions recorded during strike-slip earthquakes. In addition, the orientation-specific spectral accelerations, when computed as a function of angular distance from the epicentral transverse orientation, are found to exhibit a variation consistent with the overall trend observed in records from the next-generation attenuation (NGA)-West2 database. However, the level of polarization at short periods in the simulated hybrid broadband waveforms used in this study is larger than that in recorded ground motions.

Building Political Agreements: Pragmatic and Responsive Decision-Makers

Are politicians willing to betray their ideology, party, voters, and/or own principles to reach agreements with rivals? Focusing on the case of Spain, this article shows that there are two types of parliamentarians: those who are purely practical when making decisions (pragmatic) and those who consider their voters and electoral program in that process (responsive). We use latent class analyses to identify such profiles and conduct multinomial regression analyses to examine who are the most likely to be responsive or pragmatic parliamentarians. Our findings suggest that the former tend to have populist attitudes, support citizen involvement in decision-making, reject expert involvement in the political process, and show high levels of affective polarization. In the concluding section, we discuss how the profile of decision-makers exposes tensions in the functioning of democracy.

Network Analysis of Gut Microbial Communities Reveals Key Reason for Quercetin Protects against Colitis

As one of the most representative natural products among flavonoids, quercetin (QUE) has been reported to exhibit beneficial effects on gut health in recent years. In this study, we utilized a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice model to explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of QUE on colitis. Our data demonstrated that QUE oral gavage administration significantly ameliorates the symptoms and histopathological changes associated with colitis. Additionally, the concentration of mucin-2, the number of goblet cells, and the expression of tight junction proteins (such as ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1) were all found to be increased. Furthermore, QUE treatment regulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage polarization, as well as the oxidative stress-related pathway (Nrf2/HO-1) and associated enzymes. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that QUE treatment rebalances the alterations in colon microbiota composition (inlcuding Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides, and Odoribacter) in DSS-induced colitis mice. The analysis of network dynamics reveals a significant correlation between gut microbial communities and microenvironmental factors associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, in conjunction with the previously mentioned findings. Collectively, our results suggest that QUE has the potential to treat colitis by maintaining the mucosal barrier, modulating inflammation, and reducing oxidation stress, which may depend on the reversal of gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Unveiling political polarization on Twitter: Machine learning and sentiment analysis in presidential elections

The year 2024 stands out as a pivotal year marked by significant political transformations across the globe. Some countries, such as Mexico and the United States, could be deeply affected by political polarization and echo chambers. This study employed sentiment analysis and machine learning techniques to investigate political polarization on Twitter during the 2018 Mexican presidential election. The findings reveal that the winning candidate exhibited the highest level of polarization. This underscores the pivotal role of social media in elections. For some time now, social media platforms like Twitter have contributed to intensified political polarization and the creation of echo chambers. Further research is essential to understand the influence of polarization on voter decision-making and democratic procedures. Establishing ethical guidelines for using machine learning in policy analysis is critical to preserving the integrity of democratic processes while reaping the potential benefits of new technologies.

Prophylactic Effects of Betaine on Depression and Anxiety Behaviors in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a typical type of inflammatory bowl disease, which is accompanied by an increased risk of depression and anxiety-related psychological symptoms. Betaine is a naturally derived compound that can function as an anti-inflammatory drug and a neuromodulator. In-depth exploration of the potential role of betaine in treating UC-related depression and anxiety is crucial. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of betaine on UC-related depression and anxiety and clarify the underlying mechanisms. A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice model was established by 4% DSS drinking ad libitum for 7 days. The colonic injury was measured using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Depression and anxiety-like behaviors were separately evaluated using a forced swimming test (FST), a tail suspension test (TST), a light-dark box test (LDBT), and an open field test (OFT). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect DNA damage and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Western blotting was applied to detect the protein levels of macrophage polarization in mice colons and the alteration of mitochondrial dysfunction and the cGAS-STING pathway in the hippocampus. Betaine strongly alleviated mucosal structural disorder and mucin secretion reduction and promoted M2-macrophage polarization in the colon of DSS-treated mice. In addition, betaine could mitigate depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in DSS-treated mice, reduce the DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibit the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Our study reveals the antidepression/anxiety effects of betaine and further demonstrates the potential mechanism by which betaine inhibits DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction to block the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby repairing neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Mechanistic study of fructus aurantii (Quzhou origin) in regulating ileal reg3g in the treatment for NASH

BackgroundNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a critical stage in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by obvious inflammation and fibrosis. Because of its high incidence rate and serious consequences, NASH is becoming a global health problem. The influence of endotoxin translocation on NASH is receiving attention. As a traditional Chinese herb that effectively improves hepatic inflammation, Fructus Aurantii (Quzhou origin, FAQ) is widely used in the clinical treatment of NASH. However, the intervention mechanism of FAQ on reg3g and related endotoxin translocation remains unclear. AimTo study the mechanism of the impact by which ileal regenerating family member 3 gamma (reg3g) deficiency and subsequent endotoxin translocation impact the progression of NASH; To elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of FAQ in the treatment of NASH. MethodsClinical serum, ileal tissue, and dynamic NASH model-related analyses collectively confirmed that reg3g is a pivotal gene associated with NASH. Reg3g−/− mice were used to assess the impact of reg3g on liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis, as well as the underlying mechanism involved. In vitro studies elucidated the regulatory effects of FAQ on reg3g, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal permeability. Subsequently, the efficacy of FAQ was investigated in NASH mouse models. Pathological examinations combined with Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and multiplex immunohistochemical (mIHC) analyses were used to evaluate the effects of FAQ on mucosal repair and barrier function. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 (FD-4) experiments, coupled with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chromogenic LAL endotoxin assay were used to confirm intestinal permeability and endotoxin translocation. The results of WB and mIHC reflected the levels of endotoxin recruitment and M1 macrophage polarization in the liver. Parameters such as body weight, transaminases, and cholesterol were utilized to assess the metabolic effects of FAQ. ResultsDecreased expression of reg3g was associated with the progression of NASH. Ileal deficiency in reg3g resulted in damage to the intestinal barrier and permeability, leading to the recruitment of endotoxins via the 'gut-liver' axis to the liver, causing the polarization of M1 macrophages, release of inflammatory factors, excessive inflammation, and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), leading to fibrosis. FAQ significantly upregulated ileal reg3g expression and the expression of intestinal barrier-related proteins tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) and occludin (OLCN) in mice (p < 0.05), thereby improving intestinal barrier function and permeability. Reduced intestinal permeability led to decreases in endotoxins entering the bloodstream and accumulating in the liver (p < 0.05). The expression of CD68 suggested reduced polarization of M1 macrophages. Expression levels of actin alpha 2, smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins also decreased, indicating improved liver fibrosis. ConclusionFAQ ameliorates NASH by upregulating the expression of reg3g. The upregulation of reg3g contributes to the repair of the intestinal barrier and permeability, reducing the recruitment of endotoxins and subsequent polarization of M1 macrophages, excessive inflammation, and fibrosis.

ZIF-8@Pt Nanozyme Used for Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

To formulate a ZIF-8 nano mimetic enzyme conjugated with platinum metal (ZIF-8@Pt) that can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to explore its potential applications in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The ZIF-8@Pt nanozyme was created by in situ reduction. Characterization of the nanozyme was then performed and its ability to mimic enzymes was investigated. Cell experiments were conducted using RAW264.7 cells, which were divided into three groups, including the untreated group (UT), the positive control group receiving lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which was designated as the LPS group, and the ZIF-8@Pt group receiving ZIF-8@Pt and LPS treatment. The cell experiments were conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of ZIF-8@Pt through scavenging intracellular ROS. On the other hand, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was induced in rats. Similar to the group designations in the cell experiments, the rats were assigned to three groups, including a healthy control group (the UT group), a positive control group receiving a local injection of PBS solution in the knee joint, which was referred to as the control group, and a treatment group receiving a local injection of ZIF-8@Pt solution in the knee joint, which was referred to as the ZIF-8@Pt group. General evaluation, imaging observation, assessment of inflammatory factors, and pathological evaluation were performed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of ZIF-8@Pt against RA. The in vitro experiment revealed significant difference in the levels of intracellular ROS and LPS-induced M1-type macrophage polarization between the LPS group and the ZIF-8@Pt group (P<0.05). The in vivo experiment showed that significant difference in the levels of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and arginase-1 (Arg-1) in the knee joints of the CIA rats between the LPS group and the ZIF-8@Pt group (P<0.05). Comparing the findings for the ZIF-8@Pt group and the control group, pathology assessment revealed that ZIF-8@Pt reduced local hypoxia and suppressed osteoclastic activity, neovascularization, and M1-type macrophage polarization (P<0.05). The ZIF-8@Pt enzyme mimetic inhibits macrophage inflammatory polarization by ROS scavenging, thereby improving inflammation in RA. Furthermore, the ZIF-8@Pt nanozyme improves the hypoxic environment and inhibits angiogenesis and bone destruction, demonstrating promising therapeutic efficacy for RA.

Correlation between bioluminescent blinks and swimming behavior in the splitfin flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron

BackgroundThe light organs of the splitfin flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron are necessary for schooling behavior, to determine nearest neighbor distance, and to feed on zooplankton under dim light conditions. Each behavior is coupled to context-dependent blink frequencies and can be regulated via mechanical occlusion of light organs. During shoaling in the laboratory individuals show moderate blink frequencies around 100 blinks per minute. In this study, we correlated bioluminescent blinks with the spatio-temporal dynamics of swimming profiles in three dimensions, using a stereoscopic, infrared camera system.ResultsGroups of flashlight fish showed intermediate levels of polarization and distances to the group centroid. Individuals showed higher swimming speeds and curved swimming profiles during light organ occlusion. The largest changes in swimming direction occurred when darkening the light organs. Before A. katoptron exposed light organs again, they adapted a nearly straight movement direction.ConclusionsWe conclude that a change in movement direction coupled to light organ occlusion in A. katoptron is an important behavioral trait in shoaling of flashlight fish.

How Do Consumers React to Ads That Meddle in Out-Party Primaries?

Abstract In 2022, Democrats spent $53 million on ads helping far-right candidates win Republican primaries. Paying for ads that support far-right candidates, the reasoning went, could help Democrats win in the general elections because it is easier to beat extreme than moderate candidates. In the current research, we ask: how do consumers react to the use of “meddle ads”? On the one hand, because of rising levels of polarization, consumers might be accepting, or even supportive, of meddle ads. On the other hand, because meddle ads might come across as unethical and risky, consumers might be averse to their use. Across 7 main studies and 10 supplemental studies (N = 7,740) using multiple empirical approaches—including conjoint analysis, vignette studies, incentive-compatible donation studies, and analysis of online comments using human coders and NLP tools—we find that consumers are averse to the use of meddle ads. This aversion is driven by three factors: concerns about the character of the candidate, outcome-related risk (losing elections), and system-related risk (losing trust in democracy). These findings contribute to research on political marketing, provide practical guidance for marketers around meddle ads, and identify a novel type of risk perceptions with implications for consumer behavior research.