College Student Utilizing Dating Apps During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The following study explores the effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the initiation and development of human relationships. During the early days of the pandemic, governments forced shutdowns of businesses and workplaces, and public health officials created social-distancing and facial covering mandates to protect the health of citizens. However, long periods of isolation can foster negative emotions and feelings, such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, humans have an innate need for love and belonging, but the health risks of contracting the virus and social-distancing enforcements significantly threatened the “normal” methods of satisfying this necessary motivation. At this time, dating apps experienced a surge in activity and achieved the most users the platforms had ever seen in history. While online dating is nothing new, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the dual-modality aspect of the relational process. Thus, the processes of virtual dating are new to society with adapted concepts of computer-mediated communication. An online survey was conducted to collect qualitative data offering user insights into these innovative methods of relationship formation, such as any differences in self-presentation, impression management, and self-disclosure strategies. The survey also sought to discover new tactics in risk negotiation, as switching to face-to-face communication was paired with the possibility of contracting the virus. At the time this survey was conducted, the number of positive Covid-19 cases significantly decreased, and mandates had been lifted, so questions also explored the possibility of the continuation of virtual dating despite public spaces reopening and the ability to build relationships in person again

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

College Student Utilizing Dating Apps During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The following study explores the effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the initiation and development of human relationships. During the early days of the pandemic, governments forced shutdowns of businesses and workplaces, and public health officials created social-distancing and facial covering mandates to protect the health of citizens. However, long periods of isolation can foster negative emotions and feelings, such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, humans have an innate need for love and belonging, but the health risks of contracting the virus and social-distancing enforcements significantly threatened the “normal” methods of satisfying this necessary motivation. At this time, dating apps experienced a surge in activity and achieved the most users the platforms had ever seen in history. While online dating is nothing new, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the dual-modality aspect of the relational process. Thus, the processes of virtual dating are new to society with adapted concepts of computer-mediated communication. An online survey was conducted to collect qualitative data offering user insights into these innovative methods of relationship formation, such as any differences in self-presentation, impression management, and self-disclosure strategies. The survey also sought to discover new tactics in risk negotiation, as switching to face-to-face communication was paired with the possibility of contracting the virus. At the time this survey was conducted, the number of positive Covid-19 cases significantly decreased, and mandates had been lifted, so questions also explored the possibility of the continuation of virtual dating despite public spaces reopening and the ability to build relationships in person again

How to Tackle Key Challenges in the Promotion of Physical Activity among Older Adults (65+): The AEQUIPA Network Approach

The paper introduces the theoretical framework and methods/instruments used by the Physical Activity and Health Equity: Primary Prevention for Healthy Ageing (AEQUIPA) prevention research network as an interdisciplinary approach to tackle key challenges in the promotion of physical activity among older people (65+). Drawing on the social-ecological model, the AEQUIPA network developed an interdisciplinary methodological design including quantitative/qualitative studies and systematic reviews, while combining expertise from diverse fields: public health, psychology, urban planning, sports sciences, health technology and geriatrics. AEQUIPA tackles key challenges when promoting physical activity (PA) in older adults: tailoring of interventions, fostering community readiness and participation, strengthening intersectoral collaboration, using new technological devices and evaluating intervention generated inequalities. AEQUIPA aims to strengthen the evidence base for age-specific preventive PA interventions and to yield new insights into the explanatory power of individual and contextual factors. Currently, the empirical work is still underway. First experiences indicate that the network has achieved a strong regional linkage with communities, local stakeholders and individuals. However, involving inactive persons and individuals from minority groups remained challenging. A review of existing PA intervention studies among the elderly revealed the potential to assess equity effects. The results will add to the theoretical and methodological discussion on evidence-based age-specific PA interventions and will contribute to the discussion about European and national health targets

Wie groß ist der Gender Gap? Anspruch und Wirklichkeit der Gleichstellungspolitik

Andreas Peichl und Britta Rude, ifo Institut, stellen die Entwicklung des geschlechtsspezifischen Einkommensgefälles in Deutschland dar. So sei die geschlechtsspezifische Einkommenskluft zwischen 2001 und 2016 leicht gestiegen. Besonders signifikant seien Einkommensunterschiede zwischen Männern und Frauen am oberen und unteren Ende der Einkommensverteilung sowie bei den Selbständigen. Strukturelle Maßnahmen, wie Investitionen in die geschlechterneutrale Pädagogik, vor allem während der frühkindlichen Bildung, könnten helfen, die Einkommenskluft zwischen den Geschlechtern zu schließen. Die Arbeitsmarktergebnisse von Frauen und Männern unterscheiden sich immer noch erheblich. Michael Oberfichtner, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Nürnberg, zeigt, dass die Unterschiede in den Erwerbsverläufen von Frauen und Männern direkt nach dem Eintritt in den Arbeitsmarkt deutlich abgenommen haben. Über das Erwerbsleben nehmen die Unterschiede jedoch stark zu, wobei Familiengründungen eine entscheidende Rolle spielen. Luise Görges, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, sieht in der Arbeitsteilung in Familien die entscheidende Hürde auf dem Weg zur Gleichberechtigung. Noch immer liege die Hauptverantwortung der sogenannten Sorgearbeit bei den Frauen. Nötig seien Maßnahmen, die die Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie für beide Geschlechter erhöhen und Anreize zu einer egalitären Arbeitsteilung setzen. Auch eine Ausweitung der Quotenregelung in Erwerbs- und Sorgearbeit könnte helfen, traditionelle Rollen und Zuständigkeiten aufzubrechen. Sarah Gust und Lavinia Kinne, ifo Institut, untersuchen, inwieweit Lohntransparenz den Gender Pay Gap verringern konnte. Während in einigen Ländern, beispielsweise in Kanada oder Dänemark, transparentere Lohniveaus Einkommensunterschiede reduzierten, treffe dies weder für Österreich noch für Deutschland zu. Ein Grund könnte sein, dass viele Mitarbeitende nicht wissen, dass die Einkommensberichte in ihrem Unternehmen existieren. Nach Ansicht von Holger Rau, Universität Duisburg-Essen, spielt bei der Entstehung des Gender Pay Gap neben einer zu kleinen Bewerbungsrate von Frauen auch diskriminierendes Verhalten eine Rolle. Zudem unterscheiden sich Frauen und Männer in ihren ökonomischen Präferenzen. Frauen seien im Vergleich zu Männern risikoabgeneigter und meiden eher Wettbewerbssituationen. Deshalb sei ein Erfolg von politischen Quotenregelungen fraglich. Es sollte stattdessen über institutionelle Veränderungen im Bildungssektor nachgedacht werden, die zu einer Veränderung der Wettbewerbspräferenzen führen könnten. Miriam Beblo und Eva Markowsky, Universität Hamburg, identifizieren in einer Meta-Studie Differenzen im Wettbewerbsverhalten der Geschlechter. Männer und Frauen verhalten sich unter speziellen Bedingungen, nämlich den Laborexperimenten mit Studierenden, unterschiedlich. Sobald eine andere Bevölkerungsgruppe, eine andere Umgebung oder ein anderer Aufgabentyp in den Blick genommen wird, kann sich diese Lücke merklich verringern. Somit gebe es Möglichkeiten, durch Veränderung der Rahmenbedingungen, den Gender Gap zu verkleinern. Marc J. Lerchenmüller, Universität Mannheim, stellt zwar Fortschritte bei der Verringerung des Gender Gap in der Wissenschaft fest, aber geht von einem noch längere Zeit bestehenden Unterschied in der Teilhabe von Männern und Frauen im wissenschaftlichen Arbeitsmarkt aus. Eine nachhaltige Mobilisierung des vorhandenen Potenzials von Wissenschaftlerinnen sei jedoch für Wohlstand und Fortschritt der Gesellschaft wichtig. Deshalb sollte unter anderem die finanzielle und strukturelle Unterstützung insbesondere für Wissenschaftlerinnen im kritischen Karrierestadium zwischen dem 30. und 45. Lebensjahr verstärkt werden. Christina Boll, Dana Müller und Simone Schüller, Deutsches Jugendinstitut und IAB, zeigen, wie ungleich familiale Sorgearbeit in Deutschland noch immer verteilt ist. Gerade in der Pandemie sei deutlich geworden, dass die familienpolitischen Reformanstrengungen der letzten Jahrzehnte Ungleichheiten nicht in ausreichendem Maße abbauen konnten, da vor allem Mütter die zusätzlichen Lasten, die aufgrund der Kita- und Schulschließungen entstanden sind, tragen mussten – häufig mit negativen Folgen für ihre eigenen Karrierechancen, ihre ökonomische Unabhängigkeit und ihre mentale Gesundheit. Moderne Familien- und Gleichstellungspolitik müsse die Förderung partnerschaftlicher Aufteilung von Fürsorgearbeit für Kinder jetzt dringend voranbringen. Laura Romeu Gordo und Julia Simonson, Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen, Berlin, analysieren den Gender Pension Gap. Durch den starken Zusammenhang zwischen Erwerbsbiografie und Renteneinkommen spiegeln sich die lebenslangen Geschlechterungleichheiten am Arbeitsmarkt in Geschlechterungleichheiten im Renteneinkommen wider. Zudem existiert ein Gender Pay Gap für Rentenbezieher*innen, die aktiv am Arbeitsmarkt sind. Die Faktoren, die sich auf die geschlechtsspezifische Diskrepanz auswirken, setzen schon früh im Berufsleben ein und führen dazu, dass Frauen stärker von Altersarmut betroffen sind als Männer

Designing and applying technology for prevention - Lessons learned in AEQUIPA and its implications for future research and practice

Almost all Western societies are facing the challenge that their population structure is changing very dynamically. Already in 2019, ten countries had a population share of at least 20 percent in the age group of 64 years and older. Today's society aims to improve population health and help older people live active and independent lives by developing, establishing, and promoting safe and effective interventions. Modern technological approaches offer tremendous opportunities but pose challenges when preventing functional decline. As part of the AEQUIPA Prevention Research Network, the use of technology to promote physical activity in older people over 65 years of age was investigated in different settings and from various interdisciplinary perspectives, including technology development and evaluation for older adults. We present our findings in three main areas: (a) design processes for developing technology interventions, (b) older adults as a user group, and (c) implications for the use of technology in interventions. We find that cross-cutting issues such as time and project management, supervision of participants, ethics, and interdisciplinary collaboration are of vital importance to the success of the work. The lessons learned are discussed based on the experiences gained in the overall AEQUIPA network while building, particularly on the experiences from the AEQUIPA sub-projects TECHNOLOGY and PROMOTE. Our experiences can help researchers of all disciplines, industries, and practices design, study and implement novel technology-based interventions for older adults to avoid pitfalls and create compelling and meaningful solutions