Contextual risks, child problem-solving profiles, and socioemotional functioning: Testing the specialization hypothesis

Guided by the evolutionary perspective and specialization hypothesis, this multi-method (behavioral observation, questionnaire) longitudinal study adopted a person-centered approach to explore children’s problem-solving skills within different contexts. Participants were 235 young children (M age = 2.97 years at the first measurement occasion) and their parents assessed in two measurement occasions spaced one year apart. Latent profile analyses revealed four unique problem-solving profiles, capturing variability in children’s performance, and observed engagement in abstract vs. reward-oriented (RO) problem-solving tasks at wave one. The four profiles included: (a) a high-abstract-high-RO, (b) a high-abstract-low-RO, (c) a low-abstract-high-RO, and (d) a low-abstract-low-RO classes. Contextual risks within and outside families during wave one, including greater neighborhood crime, impoverishment, and observed lower maternal sensitivity were linked to the elevated likelihood for children from the two profiles with low-abstract problem-solving, particularly those from the low-abstract-high-RO problem-solving profile. Furthermore, child problem-solving profiles were linked to meaningful differences in their socioemotional functioning one year later. The present finding has important implications in revealing the heterogeneity in child problem-solving within different contexts that responded differently to contextual risks. In addition, this study advanced the understanding of the developmental implications of child problem-solving capacity.

Developing an Observation Tool to Measure Preschool Children’s Problem-Solving Skills

In the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), problem-solving skills are part of science and engineering practices for K–12 students in the United States. Evaluating these skills for the youngest learners is difficult due to the lack of established measures. This paper reports on our process of developing an observation instrument to measure preschool children’s learning and their application of problem-solving skills, namely, the steps of the engineering design process (EDP). The instrument, Engineering Preschool Children Observation Tool (EPCOT), was intended to evaluate the frequencies of problem-solving behaviors and use of EDP-related vocabulary by observing preschoolers engaged with the Seeds of STEM eight-unit curriculum in the classroom. In this paper, we describe the development process and revision of EPCOT, its current constructs, and present descriptive findings from using the tool in a pilot study with sixteen classrooms: eight intervention classrooms who received the entire curriculum, and eight comparison classrooms who received only the eighth unit of the curriculum (to enable comparison). We found that, out of 34 possible behaviors across the problem-solving process, children in all classrooms engaged in 31 unique problem-solving behaviors, suggesting that preschool children are indeed capable of meaningfully engaging in solving problems. We also observed a trend that children who were exposed to more of the curriculum (the intervention group) produced more novel vocabulary words than those in the comparison group, who tended to repeat vocabulary words. Since EPCOT was developed in alignment with state and national standards, we believe it has the potential to be used with other early childhood engineering/problem-solving curricula.

Factors and consumer attitudes that affect the sustainable management of used mobile phones: A repertory grid analysis

<p>Used mobile phones with their small size but vast numbers, create a unique problem when it comes to managing the part they play in the creation of electronic waste (E-waste). Whilst previous studies have identified what consumers appear to be doing with their used mobile phones, there is also a need to better understand why they are doing it. This study investigated what factors appear to influence consumer attitudes towards adopting a more sustainable approach when dealing with their used mobile phones. A reuse, refurbish and recycle strategy was used as a lens to examine the current literature from which an initial model was developed. Using the repertory grid interview technique a group of participants was interviewed to try to determine their core beliefs when it came to managing their used mobile phones. Analysis of the interviews was completed using several analysis techniques including word clouds, percentage similarity analysis, and Honey’s content analysis. The results of the study indicate that consumers care about the effect of used mobile phones on the environment although the degree of concern appears to vary across individuals. In addition, it was identified that in general, consumers perceive reuse, refurbishing, and recycling all as positive ways to sustainably manage used mobile phones, whilst environmental awareness appears to play a significant role in engaging people with recycling and being a rational for storing used mobile phones. Finally, the study suggests that telecommunication providers when trying to improve engagement with takeback schemes should focus more on consumers’ environmental concerns and social norms, rather than financial incentives or promoting easy engagement.</p>

Factors and consumer attitudes that affect the sustainable management of used mobile phones: A repertory grid analysis

<p>Used mobile phones with their small size but vast numbers, create a unique problem when it comes to managing the part they play in the creation of electronic waste (E-waste). Whilst previous studies have identified what consumers appear to be doing with their used mobile phones, there is also a need to better understand why they are doing it. This study investigated what factors appear to influence consumer attitudes towards adopting a more sustainable approach when dealing with their used mobile phones. A reuse, refurbish and recycle strategy was used as a lens to examine the current literature from which an initial model was developed. Using the repertory grid interview technique a group of participants was interviewed to try to determine their core beliefs when it came to managing their used mobile phones. Analysis of the interviews was completed using several analysis techniques including word clouds, percentage similarity analysis, and Honey’s content analysis. The results of the study indicate that consumers care about the effect of used mobile phones on the environment although the degree of concern appears to vary across individuals. In addition, it was identified that in general, consumers perceive reuse, refurbishing, and recycling all as positive ways to sustainably manage used mobile phones, whilst environmental awareness appears to play a significant role in engaging people with recycling and being a rational for storing used mobile phones. Finally, the study suggests that telecommunication providers when trying to improve engagement with takeback schemes should focus more on consumers’ environmental concerns and social norms, rather than financial incentives or promoting easy engagement.</p>

How to Project a Socially Constructed Sexual Orientation

Was bisexuality a widespread feature of ancient Greek society? This question is an instance of cross-cultural projection -- of taking the means through which people are categorized in one culture and applying it to members of another. It’s widely held by those who think that sexual orientation is socially constructed that its projection poses a problem. In this paper, I offer a more careful analysis of this alleged problem. To analyze projection, I adapt Iris Einheuser’s substratum-carving model of conventionalism to fit the specific needs of social construction (and social metaphysics more broadly). Using this model, I show that projection is conceptually coherent, and so does not for that reason pose any problem. Along the way, I identify some of the epistemic difficulties facing projection. While these difficulties are formidable, they are not substantially affected by the constructivist claim. I therefore conclude that there is no unique problem facing the projection of a socially constructed sexual orientation.

Polypropylene suture as a seton in recurrent fistula-in-ano in lower socioeconomic class-a good option

Background: Recurrent anal fistulas after previous fistula surgery are a unique problem that typically necessitates more anal surgical experience to address the cause of recurrence. The present study was planned with the objective to determine the outcomes of the polypropylene suture as a seton placement for the treatment of recurrent anal fistula.Methods: Patients between the ages of 20-80 years with recurrent fistula-in-ano with single external opening and with history of previous surgery. Patients with preoperative incontinence, patients with difficult follow-up and who were not ready to participate in the study, patients with fistulas caused by inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, tuberculosis, or trauma, patients with a horseshoe or multiple fistulas, patients with recurrent fistula-in-ano with multiple external opening, or recurrent fistula-in-ano with diseases like Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis, actinomycosis, malignancy, or high level fistula-in-ano without internal opening, and patients with synchronous anorectal problems such as haemorrhoids were excluded.Results: Post-operative pain was observed in all patients while discharge, bleeding and inflammation were observed in 27, 10 and 8 patients, respectively on day 0. Majority of post-operative symptoms were resolves in almost all patients except, pain and discharge were observed in 2 and 1 patients, respectively on day 7. At 6 months follow-up, incontinence of flatus was found out in 2 patients while no patient had incontinence of faeces.Conclusions: Polypropylene suture as a seton in recurrent fistula-in-ano, in previously operated patient is safe and most acceptable treatment. Ksharsutra is not easily available but polypropylene suture is easily available.

Long term outcome and elasticity of a polyester mesh used for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

Background Repair of a ventral hernia is increasingly being performed by a laparoscopic approach despite lack of good long term follow up data on outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the long term performance of a polyester mesh and to assess its elastic properties in patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Methods All patients being assessed for a ventral hernia repair between August 2011 and November 2013 were placed on a prospective database. Those undergoing laparoscopic repair with a polyester mesh were seen at clinic at one month and one year, while their electronic records were assessed at 34 months (range 24–48 months) and 104 months (range 92–116 months). In addition, CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis performed for any reason on these patients during the follow up period were reviewed by a consultant gastrointestinal radiologist. Mechanical failure testing of the mesh was also performed. Results Thirty-two of the 100 patients assessed for ventral hernia repair had a laparoscopic repair with a polyester mesh. Nineteen (59%) had CT scans performed during the follow-up period. No recurrence was recorded at 34 months, while three (9.4%) had a recurrence at 104 months. Two had central breakdown of the mesh at 81 and 90 months, while 1 presented acutely at 116 months after operation. Mesh had stretched across the defect by an average of 21% (range 5.7–40%) in nine patients. Mechanical testing showed that this mesh lost its elasticity at low forces ranging between 1.8 and 3.2 N/cm. Conclusion This study shows that late recurrence is a problem following laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with polyester mesh. The mesh loses it elasticity at a low force. This combined with degradation of mesh seems the most likely cause of failure. This is unlikely to be a unique problem of polyester mesh and further long-term studies are required to better assess this operative approach to ventral hernia repair.

First Report on the Diversity and Distribution of Parasitic Monogenoids (Platyhelminthes) From Catfishes (Siluriformes) in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Monogenoidea (Platyhelminthes), one of the largest groups of ectoparasitic metazoans worldwide, comprises over 10,000 nominal species distributed globally, many of which may represent a serious threat to their fish hosts in aquaculture conditions. The fish fauna of Arunachal Pradesh, India– a global hotspot of biodiversity– is reasonably well-documented, with at least 213 known species (including 69 Siluriformes). These faunas are an essential resource for this tribal state’s economy. In sharp contrast, information on parasitic monogenoids of fish from the region is extremely limited, with only nine species described to date. In this study, 21 species of catfishes were collected and examined with the aim of expanding the current knowledge of the diversity and distribution of monogenoid species from Arunachal Pradesh. 15 (62.5%) of the 21 catfish species studied were infected with a total of 25 monogenoid species (11 previously described and 14 newly discovered in this study). Ten species of catfish were the first host records for new parasite species, while two species of catfish were new host records for previously known monogenoids. Arunachal Pradesh represents new geographic locality records for all 11 previously described parasite species, thus significantly expanding their distribution area from North and South India to extreme Northeast India. The patterns of parasite species richness in relation to three ecological traits (fish habitat, body size, and elevation) as well as host specificity across the 21 examined species of catfishes, the unique problem of too many parasite species in Wallago attu, and the future of parasitology in Arunachal Pradesh, India are discussed.

The Perceptual Belief Problem

The explainability of robotic systems depends on people’s ability to reliably attribute perceptual beliefs to robots, i.e., what robots know (or believe) about objects and events in the world based on their perception. However, the perceptual systems of robots are not necessarily well understood by the majority of people interacting with them. In this article, we explain why this is a significant, difficult, and unique problem in social robotics. The inability to judge what a robot knows (and does not know) about the physical environment it shares with people gives rise to a host of communicative and interactive issues, including difficulties to communicate about objects or adapt to events in the environment. The challenge faced by social robotics researchers or designers who want to facilitate appropriate attributions of perceptual beliefs to robots is to shape human–robot interactions so that people understand what robots know about objects and events in the environment. To meet this challenge, we argue, it is necessary to advance our knowledge of when and why people form incorrect or inadequate mental models of robots’ perceptual and cognitive mechanisms. We outline a general approach to studying this empirically and discuss potential solutions to the problem.