Hitting is male, giving is female. Automatic imitation and complementarity during action observation

Is somebody going to hurt us? We draw back. The present study investigates using behavioral measures the interplay between imitative and complementary actions activated while observing female/male hands performing different actions. Female and male participants were required to discriminate the gender of biologically and artificially colored hands that displayed both individual (grasping) and social (giving and punching) actions. Biological hands evoked automatic imitation, while hands of different gender activated complementary mechanisms. Furthermore, responses reflected gender stereotypes: giving actions were more associated to females, punching actions to males. Results have implications for studies on social stereotyping, and for research on action observation, showing that the mirror neuron system resonates in both an imitative and complementary fashion

Tadalafil once daily: Narrative review of a treatment option for female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) in midlife and older women

Female Sexual Disorders (FSD) include a complex, multidimensional, individual experience that can change as an individual age, suggesting that these problems are caused by multiple factors including psychosocial factors, personal relationships, pathologic changes caused by diseases, and pharmacologic influences. Menopause is an important time for middle aged women and postmenopausal physiological changes could have a significant role in the development of FSD. Few is still known about their correct definition and treatment. Their incidence, prevalence and risk factors are difficult to define because of a high level of overlap in the experience of problems with desire, arousal, and orgasm. Little evidences are known about the best therapeutic approach, and both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options have been described. Among these, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors could be an effective option for many subtypes of female sexual disorders, with an improvement in different aspects of sexual function, such as desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. In this paper authors reviewed what is already known about the use of these vasoactive agents, particularly tadalafil, as a treatment option for female sexual disturbances

Theories and explanations in psychology

Research in psychology has undergone many changes in the last 20 years. The increased and tighter relationship between psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, the emergence and affirmation of embodied and grounded cognition approaches, the grow of interest on new research topics, the strengthening of new areas, such as the social, cognitive, and affective neuroscience, the spread of Bayesian models, and the recent debates on the replication crisis, represent some of the pieces of the new emerging landscape. In spite of these novelties, one character of the discipline remains stable: its focus on empirical investigation. While we think this is an important and distinctive feature of our discipline, all too often this fascination for empirical data is accompanied by the absence of an equally deep interest for theory development. Noteworthy, while other scientific disciplines are endowed with a theoretical branch—think of the role of “theoretical physics” for physics—psychology does not have an equally institutionalized theoretical branch. This lack of theoretical interest is testified also by the fact that only few journals (Frontiers represents an exception) accept theoretical articles, i.e., articles that systematize existing evidence to inform a model or develop a new theory. Here we argue that a strongly theoretical approach, that takes into account and seeks to identify the mechanisms underlying brain and mental processes, and that aims to build formal theories and computational models, can contribute to address the current limitations of psychological research helping it to face important challenges. In the following we will highlight some limitations of psychological research, that a strong theoretical and philosophically informed approach can contribute to face. 1) Interdisciplinary dialogue. True interdisciplinary research is crucial for our understanding of the mind and brain mechanisms. Initially cognitive science was a highly interdisciplinary project, but part of this original richness has gone lost. Yet, complex phenomena such as mental and cognitive processes can be understood only starting from multiple perspectives. However, integrating these perspectives is all but easy. It is therefore crucial to promote solid and reliable interdisciplinary research. This might be done through the creation of novel interdisciplinary structures/department, or through funding policies that privilege research and projects with interdisciplinary teams (the European Community has done some attempts in this direction). In general, we should aim at increasing and promoting the occasions where researchers from different areas debate, developing a common language. Aside from conferences and workshops, journals with interdisciplinary character and interdisciplinary debates represent a fundamental mean to boost this kind of approach. A pivotal role in promoting interdisciplinarity can be played by philosophy—and in particular by philosophy of mind and language, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of neuroscience, and of cognitive science. Although not a natural science, empirically-informed philosophy can play a crucial integrative role, helping to build a more comprehensive view of the field and identifying links that cross disciplinary boundaries. In a different way, computational models and simulations are instruments that boost interdisciplinarity: a good model has a cumulative character, it helps in theory building and in validation of empirical data coming from different sources and disciplines and obtained with different methods (Caligiore et al., 2010; Pezzulo et al., 2011). 2) Emphasis on theoretical aspects. One of the limitations of psychology, that the relationship with philosophy can help reducing, is the scarce emphasis on theories. Being good scientists in psychology and neuroscience increasingly equates with having good methodological competences, and being able to use many techniques and instruments. While we clearly do not intend to under-evaluate the importance of technical mastery and of methodological rigor and competence, we fear that stressing only these aspects can lead young researchers to focus more on very specific topics and paradigms, thus losing the big picture. Instead, we are convinced that research should be guided by a strong theoretical background: solid theories open new perspectives and research questions and might lead to clear and testable research questions. Prioritizing empirical results over theory can instead lead to a growing tendency to obtain fragmented and conflicting evidence about a phenomenon. Psychology (or at least most of its branches), should mainly remain an experimental discipline. However, scientists who do not possess a comprehensive view and focus only on experimental evidence can be very productive but might not lead to the identification of core principles, useful for a real progress in research. Curiously one of the papers that has more deeply influenced and inspired research in embodied cognition, the BBS paper by Barsalou (1999), was not directly founded on empirical evidence—although it discussed empirical evidence related to some of its claims. One of the most debated issues in recent psychological research is the replication crisis, and in particular the reliability of scientific results. We do not intend to under-evaluate the attempts to strengthen the results and we really appreciate the recent tendency to distinguish confirmatory and exploratory research. We namely think that research in psychology needs to follow two strategies: a more explorative, and a more confirmative one-science has indeed two different sides, a creative and a monitoring one. Exerting either an inductive or a deductive logic might allow to build strong and reliable empirical-based psychological models. However, we think that more resources and more effort should be devoted to find explanations of phenomena [see Van Rooij (2018) for convincing arguments on this]. As argued by Cummins (2000), “a substantial proportion of research effort in experimental psychology isn't expended directly in the explanation business; it is expended in the business of discovering and confirming effects.” Based on these considerations, we believe that more emphasis should be given to the ability to plan and construct experiments with the aim of theory building rather than simply to find reliable effects. Not only the tendency to publish unsound results, but also the tendency to search “originality” at all costs without theory should be contrasted. This approach should clearly impact training, education, and also selection of young researchers. The objective of ascribing a more crucial role to the theoretical foundations of our discipline can be reached in multiple ways. We will mention just a couple of them. One possible strategy is to focus more on core mechanisms, adopting a synthetic approach. As clearly explained by Hommel and Colzato (2017) in a recent grand challenge, a mature science should “learn to value theoretical frameworks that track down core mechanisms in as many phenomena as possible,” and a more parsimonious approach should be promoted. One example is the role played by goals in influencing action representation, imitation, etc. Another way to promote a synthetic approach consists in fostering the use of computational models. Computational models can namely help formulating clearer experimental hypotheses, refining theories, and validating them. Particularly promising are dynamic systems approach, neural networks models, Bayesian models. 3) Epistemological awareness. It is important to understand where the field is going. Recent years have seen a variety of pivotal changes and modifications. The spread of embodied and grounded cognition has represented a real revolution in the areas of cognition and social cognition, and has determined an important paradigm change. In addition, we have assisted to the introduction of extended mind proposals, the increased role of social neuroscience and overall the development of a very tight relationship between psychology and neuroscience, the increased importance of Bayesian models. Experiments in psychology typically support or disconfirm field theories, but in many cases they do not explicitly relate to these more general approaches or theories. We instead believe that it is important for scientists to situate their own research within a broad theoretical framework, a general theory; this can namely help to form a cumulative baggage of knowledge. 4) Key methodological challenges of psychology. The hotly debated replication crisis in science has been particularly deep in psychology. Addressing it in a proper way certainly requires methodological improvements, but also a clear epistemological vision of the specificity of psychological research. The field is divided between scientists who think it is important to address them improving replication, and scientists who think that research should be more focused on innovation and discovery. A strong theoretical approach can provide means to address this crisis, adopting synthetic methods that facilitate the identification of some basic mechanisms rather than focusing on a variety of more or less fashionable effects. It is important to foster debate on this topic, since its outcome may influence the future of our discipline. In addition, it is important to promote the discussion and use of different kinds of computational models, aimed at strengthening theoretical approaches. 5) Cross-cultural research. Scholars are starting to recognize that psychological processes are far from being universal (Henrich et al., 2010; Prinz, 2012; Barrett, 2017; Hruschka et al., 2018). As a consequence, psychologists are starting to propose more and more cross-cultural research. The research instruments we now possess, allowing to perform online experiment, allow scientists to perform more easily studies that include multicultural samples. It is important to promote these practices, encouraging researchers of different nations and backgrounds to collaborate. Old debates, such as that related to the influence of language and languages on cognition, have acquired a new fresh status. A mature reflection on these topics is important and crucial for the development of our discipline. Cross-cultural research should be promoted and fostered. 6) Dear old themes. Some topics are crucial for the understanding of mind, brain, behavior. Unluckily debates on some apparently old-fashioned topics are sometimes abandoned, but focusing on them can offer new insights and open new research venues. A strong theoretical and philosophical approach, firmly based on scientific evidence, can offer fresh perspectives and exciting new ideas on these topics. Some examples include the nature-nurture debate; the role of notions such as simulation and representation for psychological understanding; the mechanisms underlying the ability of abstraction/abstractness in animal and human cognition; how concepts are acquired and represented in the brain; the effects of language on perception, categorization, and thought; our sense of body; the theories of narrative self; the role of interoceptive and emotional experience, of religious experience, of mindfulness; penetrability of cognition/perception; how consciousness work; the mechanisms underlying the formation of beliefs and their influence on decision making; how we represent others, e.g., through stereotypes and implicit biases, comprehend them, e.g., through mindreading and perspective taking, and act with them, e.g., through joint action; how we represent morality, social norms, and institutions. To conclude: How do we dream the psychology of the future? First, we dream of a psychology focusing on theoretically solid, explanation-based accounts, and on the identification of key principles rather than on fashionable effects. Second, we dream of a psychology open to diversity,-characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, and more open to methodological contaminations and to the possibility to perform studies on different populations

Continuous-Flow Magnetic Separation with Permanent Magnets for Water Treatment

More efficient water treatment technologies would decrease the water bodies’ pollution and the actual intake of water resource. The aim of this thesis is an in-depth analysis of the magnetic separation of pollutants from water by means of a continuous-flow magnetic filter subjected to a field gradient produced by permanent magnets. This technique has the potential to improve times and efficiencies of both urban wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants. It might also substitute industrial wastewater treatments. This technique combines a physico-chemical phase of adsorption and a magnetic phase of filtration, having the potential to bond magnetite with any conventional adsorbent powder. The removal of both Magnetic Activated Carbons (MACs) and zeolite-magnetite mix with the addition of a coagulant was investigated. Adsorption tests of different pollutants (surfactants, endocrine disruptors, Fe(III), Mn(II), Ca(II)) on these adsorbents were also performed achieving good results. The numerical results concerning the adsorbent removals well reproduced the experimental ones obtained from two different experimental setups. In real situations the treatable flow rates are up to 90 m3/h (2000 m3/d)

Classification of stillbirths is an ongoing dilemma

Aim: To compare different classification systems in a cohort of stillbirths undergoing a comprehensive workup; to establish whether a particular classification system is most suitable and useful in determining cause of death, purporting the lowest percentage of unexplained death. Methods: Cases of stillbirth at gestational age 22–41 weeks occurring at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Foggia University during a 4 year period were collected. The World Health Organization (WHO) diagnosis of stillbirth was used. All the data collection was based on the recommendations of an Italian diagnostic workup for stillbirth. Two expert obstetricians reviewed all cases and classified causes according to five classification systems. Results: Relevant Condition at Death (ReCoDe) and Causes Of Death and Associated Conditions (CODAC) classification systems performed best in retaining information. The ReCoDe system provided the lowest rate of unexplained stillbirth (14%) compared to de Galan-Roosen (16%), CODAC (16%), Tulip (18%), Wigglesworth (62%). Conclusion: Classification of stillbirth is influenced by the multiplicity of possible causes and factors related to fetal death. Fetal autopsy, placental histology and cytogenetic analysis are strongly recommended to have a complete diagnostic evaluation. Commonly employed classification systems performed differently in our experience, the most satisfactory being the ReCoDe. Given the rate of “unexplained” cases, none can be considered optimal and further efforts are necessary to work out a clinically useful system

Relationship between body composition and bone mineral content in young and elderly women.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between bone mineral content (BMC), lean tissue mass (LTM) and fat mass (FM) in a large sample of young and elderly women. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: BMC, LTM and FM were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2009 free-dwelling Caucasian women aged 63 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD; range: 37-88 years). The majority of women were postmenopausal (96%). RESULTS: LTM explained 13% more variance of BMC than FM (R(2)(adj) = 0.39 vs 0.26, p < 0.0001) but weight (Wt) explained 5% more variance of BMC than LTM (R(2)(adj) = 0.44, p < 0.0001). The prediction of BMC obtained from LTM and FM (R(2)(adj)= 0.46, p < 0.0001) was only slightly better than that obtained from Wt. After the effects of age, Wt and height (Ht) on BMC were taken into account by multiple regression, the contribution of LTM and FM to BMC was just one-fifth of that of Wt (R(2)(adj) for full models < or =0.56, p < 0.0001). After a further correction for bone area (BA), the contribution of LTM and FM to BMC was just one-tenth of that of BA and not different from that of Wt and Ht on practical grounds (R(2)(adj) for full models = 0.84, p < 0.0001). Thus, after inter-individual differences in age, Wt, Ht (and bone size) are taken into account, the relationship between body composition and BMC is substantially weakened. CONCLUSIONS: In Caucasian women, (1) LTM is a stronger predictor of BMC than FM, but (2) Wt is a better predictor of BMC than body composition for practical purposes, and (3) Wt and body composition are not able to explain more than 46% of BMC variance

Industrial Clusters and Innovation: An Evaluation and Implications for Economic Cohesion

Texto dispoñible en galego, español e inglésEste traballo estuda o papel dos clusters industriais para fomentar a innovación rexional e a cohesión económica en Europa. A partir dunha visión de conxunto dos clusters industriais na UE, na que se destacan as fortalezas e debilidades das aglomeracións de empresas, investigamos empiricamente a forma en que os clusters e as características rexionais afectan ao investimento en I+D e ao output de innovación e, así mesmo, investigamos o papel que desempeñan no impulso da cohesión económica. Atopamos que a existencia e o tamaño dos clusters rexionais fomentan de maneira significativa a innovación rexional en Europa. Porén, ten importancia a industria na que se especializan as distintas rexións. En particular, a especialización en clusters de tecnoloxía media-alta e alta parece crear unha contorna máis favorable para a innovación e para a I+D. Por último, a presenza de clusters nunha rexión asóciase positivamente con maiores niveis de empregoEste trabajo estudia el papel de los clusters industriales para fomentar la innovación regional y la cohesión económica en Europa. A partir de una visión de conjunto de los clusters industriales en la UE, en la que se destacan las fortalezas y debilidades de las aglomeraciones de empresas, investigamos empíricamente la forma en que los clusters y las características regionales afectan a la inversión en I+D y al output de innovación y, asimismo, investigamos el papel que desempeñan en el impulso de la cohesión económica. Encontramos que la existencia y el tamaño de los clusters regionales fomentan de manera significativa la innovación regional en Europa. Sin embargo, tiene importancia la industria en la que se especializan las distintas regiones. En particular, la especialización en clusters de tecnología media-alta y alta parece crear un entorno más favorable para la innovación y la I+D. Por último, la presencia de clusters en una región se asocia positivamente con mayores niveles de empleoThis paper studies the role of industrial clusters in stimulating regional innovation and economic cohesion in Europe. Starting from an overview of industrial clusters in the EU, in which we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of agglomerations of firms, we empirically investigate how cluster and regional characteristics influence R&D investment and innovation output and the role they play in fostering economic cohesion. We find that the presence and size of clusters significantly enhance regional innovation in Europe; however, the industry in which regions specialize matters. In particular, specialization in medium- high and high-technology clusters seems to create a better environment for innovation and R&D. Finally, the presence of clusters in a region is positively associated with higher levels of employmentS