scholarly journals Powerful Moderator Variables in Behavioral Science? Don’t Bet on Them (Version 3)

Author(s):  
Ryne A. Sherman ◽  
Harold Pashler

The current upsurge of interest in research replicability (and the exposure of many failures of reproducibility) has led to a much discussion about the possible role of statistical moderation (i.e., variable × variable interactions) in behavioral and social science. These interactions are so widespread and powerful, it is often argued, that we should hardly be surprised when attempts to reproduce important findings frequently lead to failure. Prior literature provides little empirical evidence about how common powerful moderation is. Using five large-scale behavioral research datasets we sought to shed light on the issue. The data reflected several thousand people engaging in a variety of behaviors over considerable periods of time, and included hundreds of demographic and psychological independent variables (IVs). For each outcome variable, we measured the interaction of every pair of IVs. Many IVs had sizable main effects on behavior, but interactions were usually very small in magnitude. While there is no doubt that interactions can occur in behavioral science contexts, the priors revealed here suggest that this should be postulated as a last, not a first resort.

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (11) ◽  
pp. 2827-2832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Ronceray ◽  
Chase P. Broedersz ◽  
Martin Lenz

Large-scale force generation is essential for biological functions such as cell motility, embryonic development, and muscle contraction. In these processes, forces generated at the molecular level by motor proteins are transmitted by disordered fiber networks, resulting in large-scale active stresses. Although these fiber networks are well characterized macroscopically, this stress generation by microscopic active units is not well understood. Here we theoretically study force transmission in these networks. We find that collective fiber buckling in the vicinity of a local active unit results in a rectification of stress towards strongly amplified isotropic contraction. This stress amplification is reinforced by the networks’ disordered nature, but saturates for high densities of active units. Our predictions are quantitatively consistent with experiments on reconstituted tissues and actomyosin networks and shed light on the role of the network microstructure in shaping active stresses in cells and tissue.


Author(s):  
Jaafar Abdulmahdi Saheeb

Hundreds of books were written in the Arab world during the Bosnia and Kosovo wars, overwhelmed with rhetoric aimed at arousing a sense of Islamic solidarity. However, they have no scientifi c basis and are, therefore, of no scientifi c value. They were either along the lines of the West’s Balkan political campaign or were intended to elicit voluntary donations that were, more often than not, followed by large-scale fi nancial scandals. For this reason, it is also necessary to shed light on the insincerity of some fundamentalist structures in the Arab world that have raised their voice in support of Kosovo Albanian Muslims, irrespective of the fact that their claims are illegitimate. At the same time, these structures turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the claims of other Muslims, despite the fact that their claims are legitimate. In order to answer these questions, one should realistically and honestly say that NATO was only keen, exclusively and solely, to remove the obstacle to its further conquests, obstacle called Yugoslavia, particularly Serbia. That country was such obstacle to Western world–lords that they attributed to her, through their powerful political and media machinery, every single evil and villainy. West spared no money and means to dismantle and destroy Yugoslavia and particularly Serbia. So we faced such paradox that separatist movements were described as ‘revolutionary’ and ‘liberation armies’. Yet, if these things are natural for America and Europe, what is then natural for fundamentalists in Arab and Islamic world? There is no convincing answer but to describe our fundamentalists loyal to West as unionists loyal to their Vatican. Fundamentalists in Arab and Moslem world use our faith in a very bad manner, abusing it in the interest of politics. They mortify their faith in accordance to the needs of those forces in the world that are interested only for egoistic increase of their own power.


2013 ◽  
Vol 631-632 ◽  
pp. 545-549
Author(s):  
Ya Ling Xu ◽  
Wei Wei Sui ◽  
Jun Jian Qiao

In order to explore the effect of application of J-4 micro ecological preparation, based on the data from the experiment in the farm of Yixian County, Hebei Province, the research group established a linear mixed effects model , with time as independent variables, age and different formulations as the fixed effects, using spss software for analysis and solving, the results indicate that the model has the extremely good fitting and forecasting effect and method1 is the optimal ratio. The results will shed light on the further study of the role of probiotics .


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Gajdosova ◽  
O Orosova ◽  
A Janovska

Abstract Background While there is consistent evidence that an early initiation of smoking and alcohol consumption is associated with a whole range of future negative outcomes, relatively little attention has been directed at a specific population of very young adolescents (10-12 years old). This study aimed to explore the relationships between alcohol use, smoking and intra/interpersonal factors among primary school pupils. Methods In this study (APVV-0253-11, APVV-15-0662) a representative sample of 572 early adolescents from a stratified random sample of 12 primary Slovak schools (50.1% boys, Mean age=12.49; SD = 0.59) was used. The respondents indicated their lifetime prevalence of smoking SM and alcohol use AU (dichotomized: 0-not used, 1-used) which was used as an outcome variable. Expectations of the effect of smoking and alcohol use (positive or negative), self-control and cigarette and alcohol refusal were used as the independent variables. Binary logistic regressions were performed and carried out separately for boys and girls. Results All 4 models were statistically significant for males (AU = 15.318, p < 0.01, 9.8%, SM = 17.807, p < 0.01, 9.8%) and also for females (AU = 25.204, p < 0.001, 16%, SM = 47.05, p < 0.001, 24.7%). The models showed that for boys there were significant associations between smoking refusal and smoking cigarettes 95%CI=0.845-0.97 and alcohol refusal and alcohol prevalence 95%CI=0.78-0.95. For girls, significant associations were found between smoking refusal and smoking cigarettes 95%CI=0.75-0.92, alcohol refusal and alcohol prevalence 95%CI=0.72-0.95, positive expectations 95%CI=1.04-1.20, negative expectations 95%CI=0.78-0.94, self-control 95%CI=0.91-1.00 and alcohol prevalence. Conclusions This study supports the importance of the specific role of refusal skills for both genders as well as the importance of the role of expectations and self-control with respect to gender differences. Key messages Implementation of the findings regarding the importance of specific refusal skills towards alcohol use and smoking among both genders might be important for effective targeting of prevention programs. The results show a similar trend regarding smoking which was observed among both genders but this was not seen in alcohol use.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Kroencke ◽  
Katharina Geukes ◽  
Till Utesch ◽  
Niclas Kuper ◽  
Mitja Back

Large-scale health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may evoke negative affective responses, which are linked to psychological maladjustment and psychopathology. Here, we shed light on the role of the personality trait neuroticism in predicting who experiences negative affective responses. In a large-scale experience-sampling study (N = 1,609; 38,120 momentary reports), we showed that individuals high in neuroticism experienced more negative affect and higher affective variability in their daily lives. Individuals high in neuroticism also (a) paid more attention to COVID-19-related information and worried more about the consequences of the pandemic (crisis preoccupation), and (b) experienced more negative affect during this preoccupation (affective reactivity). These findings offer new insights into the consequences and dynamics of neuroticism in extreme environmental contexts.


Author(s):  
Anas Mathath ◽  
Yudi Fernando

The role of robots is becoming substantial for industrial applications and business competitiveness. The robot transformation in food industry has increased business productivity, reduced cost and enhanced customer experiences. The usage scale of robots has an increasing trend globally when industries modernize and increase the production capacities with ability in handling complex tasks. The objective of this chapter is to explore robotic transformation in literature and to investigate its business applications in food industry. There are two points raised in the discussion, would the robot technology which has been developed only capable owned by large scale food companies and the experiences gained in the restaurant which serves by robots can replace the human touch. At the end of this chapter, some solutions are given to shed light on the application of robot in food industry and deepen critical analysis for researchers, technocrats and business practitioners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 80-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Soares Severo ◽  
Jennifer Beatriz Silva Morais ◽  
Taynáh Emannuelle Coelho de Freitas ◽  
Ana Letícia Pereira Andrade ◽  
Mayara Monte Feitosa ◽  
...  

Abstract. Thyroid hormones play an important role in body homeostasis by facilitating metabolism of lipids and glucose, regulating metabolic adaptations, responding to changes in energy intake, and controlling thermogenesis. Proper metabolism and action of these hormones requires the participation of various nutrients. Among them is zinc, whose interaction with thyroid hormones is complex. It is known to regulate both the synthesis and mechanism of action of these hormones. In the present review, we aim to shed light on the regulatory effects of zinc on thyroid hormones. Scientific evidence shows that zinc plays a key role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, specifically by regulating deiodinases enzymes activity, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) synthesis, as well as by modulating the structures of essential transcription factors involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Serum concentrations of zinc also appear to influence the levels of serum T3, T4 and TSH. In addition, studies have shown that Zinc transporters (ZnTs) are present in the hypothalamus, pituitary and thyroid, but their functions remain unknown. Therefore, it is important to further investigate the roles of zinc in regulation of thyroid hormones metabolism, and their importance in the treatment of several diseases associated with thyroid gland dysfunction.


2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Eschen ◽  
Franzisca Zehnder ◽  
Mike Martin

This article introduces Cognitive Health Counseling 40+ (CH.CO40+), an individualized intervention that is conceptually based on the orchestration model of quality-of-life management ( Martin & Kliegel, 2010 ) and aims at improving satisfaction with cognitive health in adults aged 40 years and older. We describe the theoretically deduced characteristics of CH.CO40+, its target group, its multifactorial nature, its individualization, the application of subjective and objective measures, the role of participants as agents of change, and the rationale for choosing participants’ satisfaction with their cognitive health as main outcome variable. A pilot phase with 15 middle-aged and six older adults suggests that CH.CO40+ attracts, and may be particularly suitable for, subjective memory complainers. Implications of the pilot data for the further development of the intervention are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Hofmann ◽  
Carl-Walter Kohlmann

Abstract. Positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) are basic traits that affect work-related perceptions and behaviors and should be considered in any assessment of these variables. A quite common method to assess healthy or unhealthy types of work-related perceptions and behaviors is the questionnaire on Work-Related Coping Behavior and Experience Patterns (WCEP). However, the association of PA and NA with WCEP remained unclear. In a sample of teachers, physiotherapists, and teacher students ( N = 745; Mage = 35.07, SD = 12.49; 78% females), we aimed to identify the relevance of these basic traits. After controlling for age, gender, and type of occupation, we found main effects of PA and NA, with the specific combination of PA and NA being decisive for predicting the assignment to a WCEP type. The results highlight the need to include PA and NA in future assessments with the WCEP questionnaire.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth J. Ploran ◽  
Ericka Rovira ◽  
James C. Thompson ◽  
Raja Parasuraman

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