scholarly journals Practical behavioural solutions to COVID-19: Changing the role of behavioural science in crises

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Coosje Tanis ◽  
Floor Nauta ◽  
Meier Boersma ◽  
Maya van der Steenhoven ◽  
Denny Borsboom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
Contact Network ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Total N ◽  
Shopping Cart ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Long Time

For a very long time in the COVID-19 crisis, behavioural change leading to physical distancing behaviour was the only tool at our disposal to mitigate virus spread. In this large-scale naturalistic experimental study we show how we can use behavioural science to find ways to promote the desired physical distancing behaviour. During seven days in a supermarket we implemented different behavioural interventions: (i) rewarding customers for keeping distance; (i) providing signage to guide customers; and (iii) altering shopping cart regulations. We asked customers to wear a tag that measured distances to other tags using ultra-wide band at 1Hz. In total N = 4,232 customers participated in the study. We compared the number of contacts (< 1.5 m, corresponding to Dutch regulations) between customers using state-of-the-art contact network analyses. We found that rewarding customers and providing signage increased physical distancing, whereas shopping cart regulations did not impact physical distancing. Rewarding customers moreover reduced the duration of remaining contacts between customers. These results demonstrate the feasibility to conduct large-scale behavioural experiments that can provide guidelines for policy. While the COVID-19 crisis unequivocally demonstrates the importance of behaviour and behavioural change, behaviour is integral to many crises, like the trading of mortgages in the financial crisis or the consuming of goods in the climate crisis. We argue that by acknowledging the role of behaviour in crises, and redefining this role in terms of the desired behaviour and necessary behavioural change, behavioural science can open up new solutions to crises and inform policy. We believe that we should start taking advantage of these opportunities.

The Emergence of Bone Technologies at the End of the Pleistocene in Southeast Asia: Regional and Evolutionary Implications

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J. Rabett ◽  
Philip J. Piper
Keyword(s):  
Early Modern ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Small Element ◽  
Adaptive Process ◽  
Long Time ◽  
One Step ◽  
A Minor

For many decades Palaeolithic research viewed the development of early modern human behaviour as largely one of progress down a path towards the ‘modernity’ of the present. The European Palaeolithic sequence — the most extensively studied — was for a long time the yard-stick against which records from other regions were judged. Recent work undertaken in Africa and increasingly Asia, however, now suggests that the European evidence may tell a story that is more parochial and less universal than previously thought. While tracking developments at the large scale (the grand narrative) remains important, there is growing appreciation that to achieve a comprehensive understanding of human behavioural evolution requires an archaeologically regional perspective to balance this.One of the apparent markers of human modernity that has been sought in the global Palaeolithic record, prompted by finds in the European sequence, is innovation in bonebased technologies. As one step in the process of re-evaluating and contextualizing such innovations, in this article we explore the role of prehistoric bone technologies within the Southeast Asian sequence, where they have at least comparable antiquity to Europe and other parts of Asia. We observe a shift in the technological usage of bone — from a minor component to a medium of choice — during the second half of the Last Termination and into the Holocene. We suggest that this is consistent with it becoming a focus of the kinds of inventive behaviour demanded of foraging communities as they adapted to the far-reaching environmental and demographic changes that were reshaping this region at that time. This record represents one small element of a much wider, much longerterm adaptive process, which we would argue is not confined to the earliest instances of a particular technology or behaviour, but which forms part of an on-going story of our behavioural evolution.

scholarly journals Perform or wither: role of water users' associations in municipalities of Nepal

Water Policy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. 90-106
Author(s):  
Sreoshi Singh ◽  
Krity Shrestha ◽  
Menaka Hamal ◽  
Anjal Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Long Time ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Supply Systems

Abstract In Nepal, water institutions have played a very significant role, and in Tansen and Damauli, the presence of user groups has indicated that proper management of water can help people avert critical water shortages. However, although in both Tansen and Damauli the user groups have been operating for a long time, their performances vary. In Tansen, infrastructural constraints tend to throw up challenges, although operational hazards associated with the supply systems are no less threatening. Moreover, there is large-scale corruption in the systems' upkeep and maintenance, allowing low grade vendors to operate in place of readily available efficient institutions. In Damauli, the systems have been rather perfectly managed, except for minor glitches from time to time. Funding has been good and community bonding has paid off. This paper delves into the community-managed water systems in the two cities and how the performance varies across them and the factors that play a role.

Protocol CHARIS study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal den Daas ◽  
Gill Hubbard ◽  
Marie Johnston ◽  
Diane Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
General Health ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Detailed Measurement ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Core ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Core Survey

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedented consequences on population health, with governments worldwide issuing public health directives which have major impacts on normal living. In the absence of a vaccine, a key way to control the pandemic is through behavioural change: people adhering to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs), such as physical distancing, regular hand washing, and wearing face covering, especially when physical distancing is difficult. The application of behavioural science is central to understanding factors that influence adherence to TRBs. Non-adherence may be explained by theories of how people think about the illness (the common-sense model of self-regulation) and/or how they think about the TRBs (social cognition theory and protection motivation theory). In addition, outbreaks of infectious diseases and the measures employed to curb them are likely to have detrimental effects on people’s mental and general health. Therefore, in representative repeated surveys we will apply behavioural theories to model adherence to TRBs, explain variations in adherence, and the effects on mental and general health in the Scottish population from June to November 2020, following the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsRepeated 20-minute structured telephone surveys will be conducted with nationally representative random samples of 500 adults from throughout Scotland. The first 6 weeks the survey will be conducted weekly, thereafter fortnightly, for a total of 14 waves (total n=7000). Ipsos MORI will recruit participants through random digit dialling. The core survey will measure adherence to TRBs, mental and general health, and explanatory variables from the theories. Further questions will be added, enabling more detailed measurement of constructs in the core survey, additional themes, and questions that align with the evolving pandemic. DiscussionThis study will provide insights into the link between (changes in) adherence to TRBs and explanatory factors, and their effects on mental and general health, including event-related changes (e.g., when government directives change). Governments and other decision-makers may use these findings to tailor public health promotion, target specific population groups, and develop behaviourally informed interventions over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (along with any subsequent equivalent events) to protect health and limit the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Non-hormonal options for the relief of menopausal disorders

2022 ◽  
pp. 190-196
Author(s):  
O. V. Yakushevskaya
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Estrogen Deficiency ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Long Time

Woman’s nature is unique. Taking into account some historical milestones, it can be noted that the role of women in society has undergone large-scale changes. The woman took a confident position in society. Its main function remains unchanged and it consists in procreation and procreation. A woman’s activity is consistent with the work of her reproductive system (RS). The gradual decrease, and then the cessation of the work of the ovaries, contributes to the life order and health of the fair sex. Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, which corresponds to the peak of social self-realization. However, in some cases, hormonal changes characteristic of this period can serve as a favorable background for the formation of a number of pathological changes. The growing estrogen deficiency is becoming a pathogenetic impetus for the development of a wide range of climacteric disorders. Vasomotor symptoms and hyperhidrosis are the most frequent companions of women during the perimenopausal transition and early postmenopause. Maintaining optimal activity and the full quality of life of patients should be the goal of correcting the negative manifestations of estrogen deficiency and the complications associated with it. Compensating for estrogen deficiency with menopausal hormone therapy (HRT) is the benchmark for menopausal problems. However, there are a number of patients who have contraindications to prescribing HRT or who refuse to receive it for some reason. For this category of patients, alternative methods of diet correction. Combinations of plant extracts with vitamins and minerals have been successfully used in clinical practice for a long time. The article will provide information on the most studied phytoestrogens contained in soy.

scholarly journals Variability and stability of large-scale cortical oscillation patterns

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Cox ◽  
Anna C Schapiro ◽  
Robert Stickgold
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractIndividual differences in brain organization exist at many spatial and temporal scales, contributing to the substantial heterogeneity underlying human thought and behavior. Oscillatory neural activity is crucial for these behaviors, but how such rhythms are expressed across the cortex within and across individuals has not been thoroughly characterized. Combining electroencephalography (EEG) with representational similarity and multivariate classification techniques, we provide a systematic characterization of brain-wide activity across frequency bands and oscillatory features during rest and task performance. Results indicate that oscillatory profiles exhibit sizable group-level correspondences, indicating the presence of common templates of oscillatory organization. At the same time, we observed well-defined subject-specific network profiles that were discernible above and beyond the structure shared across individuals. These individualized patterns were sufficiently stable over time to allow successful classification of individuals several months later. Finally, our findings indicate that the network structure of rhythmic activity varies considerably across distinct oscillatory frequencies and features, suggesting the existence of multiple, parallel information processing streams embedded in distributed electrophysiological activity. Together, these findings affirm the richness of spatiotemporal EEG signals and emphasize the utility of multivariate network analyses for understanding the role of brain oscillations in physiology and behavior.

scholarly journals Philosophical aspects of the modern geopolitical realities of the world in context of the Soviet Union's victory over nazi Germany

KANT ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-159
Author(s):  
Irina Lukinova ◽  
Svetlana Paletskaya
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Historical Event ◽  
Key Indicator ◽  
The World ◽  
Long Time

This article proposes the author's concept of a key indicator for assessing the adequacy of geopolitics in the modern world; as such an indicator, the most key, largely unconditional and absolute, historical event of the last century was chosen - the USSR's Victory over fascist Germany and its allies, the result of which was the geopolitical system of the world, fixed by the documents of the Yalta Conference, which allowed for a relatively long time to ensure the relatively peaceful existence of countries and peoples. At present, Western countries led by the United States are making large-scale efforts aimed at dismantling this global geopolitical structure in order to establish completely different orders and realities in the world. For the complete destruction of the former world, established after the end of World War II, the West seeks to completely falsify its main results, especially the decisive role of the USSR in defeating fascist Germany, its allies and satellites. For this, an unprecedented attack was launched precisely on the Victory of the USSR; under these conditions, this key historical event becomes the main measure, a key indicator of the assessment of modern geopolitical realities of the world as a whole, as well as individual phenomena and processes of the modern historical era. Two main and interconnected features of the modern historical era (called by the author as the "1984 era") are revealed and justified: 1) its geopolitical-destructive nature; 2) its intentional design essence.

scholarly journals Dynamics of the Thermal Uplifting in the Atmosphere Under a Continuous Supply of Heat: Practical Application Examples

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
Leonid Chernogor
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Acoustic Emissions ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
Excess Temperature ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Precursors Of Earthquakes ◽  
Peat Fires ◽  
Instantaneous Energy

The author has earlier considered the dynamics of an isolated thermic arising from an instant heat release. The rigorous analytical, as well as simplified, solutions describing the dynamics of the uplifting of a spherical thermic have been obtained. Such a thermic appears during a short-term release of heat, e.g., during an explosion. The uplifting of a meteoroid thermic has also been studied. The theory of the thermic has found applications in the magnetic precursors of earthquakes. At the same time, the heat can be supplied during many hours or even days when big forest fires occur, peat fires burn, volcano eruptions occur for a long time, and during the release of heat before earthquakes. The dynamics of the uplifting of a thermal under these circumstances is considerably different from an instantaneous energy release. Employing the cylindrical model of a thermic, the dynamics of the thermic has been studied in the case of the continuous supply of heat. Within the model, the analytical solutions to the set of equations governing the temporal dependences of the velocity of a parcel of the heated air and the position of the upper bound of the thermic, as well as the excess temperature in the heated parcel have been obtained. The upper thermal boundary speed and location has been shown to increase with uplifting, while the excess temperature to gradually decrease. The numerical estimation has been performed for characteristic situations. The ecological consequences of large-scale fires, as well as the mechanisms for generating gravity waves by the thermals, are discussed. The physics-based mechanisms for generating acoustic wide-band emissions by the thermals have been analyzed; the wave periods have been estimated to be 1–103 s. The energy of acoustic emissions from a big fire has been estimated to be approximately 1014 J. At the same time, the energy of acoustic emissions from all fires that occurred in the Russian Federation in 2020 amounts to 7∙1016 J, while in Ukraine it is three orders of magnitude lower.

About the Growing Role of Green Finance in Providing Financial Stability

2020 ◽  
pp. 83-95
Author(s):  
Mikhail V. Ershov ◽  
Anna S. Tanasova ◽  
Elena Yu. Sokolova
Keyword(s):  
Financial Stability ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Financial Risks ◽  
Green Finance ◽  
Long Time

The number of natural disasters which negatively influence the economy has increased in recent years. The solution of the problems linked to the climatic factors for a long time had been put to international level and different regulators implement numerous initiatives, work out international standards, etc. Changes in the production which affect all countries and all spheres of economy require large scale financing which has significant risks. That’s why 36 central banks and supervisors acknowledged climate-related risks are a source of financial risks and which falls within the mandates of central banks and supervisors to ensure the financial system is resilient to these risks. The article revises the international initiatives in which central banks and supervisors participate for better interaction of financial sphere and green economic. The challenges evolve are analyzed. Adequate estimation of financial risks is hampered by many difficulties (shortage of comparable information, lack of financial instruments, etc.). The financial aspects of green economic in Russia are analyzed. Russian regulators are inactive in international initiatives that form regulatory approaches with allowances of climate factor. The investment in green economic is insignificant. Taking ecologic factor in processing is necessary to enhance competitiveness. It is made the conclusion about the importance of taking more active role of Russian regulators in international initiatives at the starting stage when the functioning of green economic and green finance is shaping. It’s obvious that such participation should promote the interests of Russia that will lay basis of its important role in this growing sphere for many years to come.

scholarly journals Reconciliation Versus Justice? It Depends on the Context: The Role of Symmetric and Asymmetric Violence in Predicting Postconflict Attitudes

2020 ◽  
pp. 194855062091506
Author(s):  
Sandra Penić ◽  
Johanna Ray Vollhardt ◽  
Stephen Reicher
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Former Yugoslavia ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Intergroup Attitudes ◽  
Multilevel Analyses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Context Dependent

Whether attitudes toward postconflict justice and reconciliation are complementary or contradictory has been long debated. We posit that the answer to this question is context-dependent. Multilevel analyses of two large-scale surveys among war-affected communities in the former Yugoslavia (total N = 11,843), combined with geo-coded data on conflict events, demonstrate that a crucial contextual determinant is the prevalence of asymmetric violence in communities: The more a community was exposed to events of asymmetric violence, which disproportionately affect one group, the more the support for justice was linked to rejecting reconciliation. These findings were conceptually replicated with two different data sets and different operationalizations of justice and reconciliation attitudes. Conversely, in one study, the more a community was exposed to symmetric violence, which affects members of all adversary groups, the more the justice and reconciliation were perceived as compatible. This study shows the importance of a contextualized approach to understanding intergroup attitudes in postconflict settings.

scholarly journals Vujović, Ramscar & Wonnacott (pre-print). Language learning as uncertainty reduction: The role of prediction error in linguistic generalization and item learning

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maša Vujović ◽  
Michael Ramscar ◽  
Elizabeth Wonnacott
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Prediction Error ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Total N ◽  
Artificial Language Learning ◽  
Type Frequency ◽  
Learning As A Process

Discriminative theories frame language learning as a process whereby prediction error reduces uncertainty about the meaning of an utterance. Previous work proposed that learning a suffixing language promotes prediction error, and thus generalization, to a greater extent than prefixing, which in turn tended to promote item-learning. We explored this in two large-scale web-based artificial language learning experiments with adult learners (total N = 434). Although we found no overall benefit of suffixing on generalization, participants in the prefix condition were more affected by feature frequency, and were more likely to incorrectly overgeneralize a high frequency, but non-discriminating (in terms of affix use) feature than those in the suffix condition. We demonstrate computationally that this behaviour is in-line with the predictions of a naïve discriminative learning model which treats affixes as cues to nouns under prefixing, and nouns as cues to affixes under suffixing. For item learning, we did not see the predicted benefit of prefixing, although there was overall better item-learning of low type-frequency items, which we discuss in terms of differences in the entropy of individual items. The results demonstrate the crucial role of prediction error in linguistic generalization, and have implications for how generalization interacts with item-learning.

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