The structure of character: On the relationships between character strengths and virtues

Character strengths are morally valued trait-like personality characteristics which contribute to fulfillments that comprise the good life, for oneself and for others. In two studies, we tested the assignment of the 24 character strengths of the VIA classification to the 6 virtues. In Study 1 (N = 225), participants gave descriptions of situations where they applied their highest character strength in an excellent manner and rated each of these situations with respect to the six virtues. In Study 2 (N = 146) participants judged the degree to which each character strength fulfills the six functions associated with the virtues. The results converged with the theoretical model for most of the 24 character strengths. Additionally, we consider both dichotomous and polytomous assignments of character strengths to virtues and compare the results with earlier findings and factor analyses of the VIA-IS. Further research using different approaches is suggested to proposealternative assignments of character strengths to virtues

Does the Excellent Enactment of Highest Strengths Reveal Virtues?

Two studies examined the assumption that character strengths enable virtues and facilitate the good life. Study 1 validated a "layperson's excellent enactment of highest strengths paradigm". This paradigm states that more appropriate assignments of character strengths to virtues are obtained when based on descriptions of highest character strengths enacted in an excellent way, than when based on lowest character strengths, or typical enactments. A sample of N = 230 German-speaking participants provided descriptions of situations in which they enacted their highest and lowest strengths excellently and typically and rated these situations on the degree of the six core virtues, strength expression, fulfillment, and intellectual and moral quality. Behavior examples of highest strengths excellently enacted were rated higher and with higher differentiation in the dependent variables than typical enactments or lowest strengths, thus confirming the paradigm. In Study 2, we applied the paradigm: A second sample of N = 113 German-speaking participants rated a selected subset of strengths-behaviors of layperson's excellent enactment of highest strengths collected in Study 1 in regard to their degree of the six core virtues. Results confirmed previous convergent and discrepant findings with the theoretical VIA classification. We can conclude that the excellent enactment of highest strengths does indeed reveal virtues. Future studies should use the paradigm and examine culturally diverse samples with different methods for further examining the VIA classification

Relationships of retrospectively assessed class clown behavior with current humor and well-being

Previous research (Ruch et al. 2014) identified four dimensions of class clown behavior (identifying as a class clown, comic talent, disruptive rule-breaker, and subversive joker), and confirmed their relevance for well-being in adolescents and school achievement. However, the correlational patterns between the four class clown behaviors and humor dimensions has not been examined so far. In a sample of 1451 German-speaking adults, this study investigates the relationships of retrospectively assessed class clown behavior with eight different humor dimensions stemming from two models (i.e., fun, mockery, inept humor, cognitive humor, laughter, canned humor/jokes, and benevolent and corrective humor). Further, we studied the associations of class clown behavior with past, present, and future life satisfaction, and different orientations to well-being (i.e., towards pleasure, engagement, meaning, positive relationships, and accomplishment). Results identified that class clown behavior positively related to all dimensions of humor with the strongest relationships for the dimensions of fun, mockery, and corrective humor. While all class clown dimensions positively related to the orientations to pleasure and meaning, a differential pattern of relationships was obtained for life satisfaction: Comic talent and joker went along with past life satisfaction, while identifying as a class clown negatively related to present life satisfaction. We conclude that: (1) the humor of class clowns is described best by the humor dimensions of fun, mockery, and corrective humor; (2) different dimensions of class clowning show similar, but distinguishable correlational patterns to the humor dimensions; (3) specific dimensions of class clowning relate to past and present life satisfaction, and these relationships cannot be explained by the current use of humor. Personality traits show a relative stability across time. Individual differences also tend to generalize across situations. A high scorer in a trait will be recognized in the respective environment and might even earn nicknames for his or her salient behaviors. In the case of trait humorists, nouns such as “organizational fool” (Kets de Vries 1990) or “class clown” (Damico and Purkey 1978) represent informal roles that people with high scores in humor may assume at the workplace and in school settings, respectively. Indeed, Ruch et al. (2014) studied 24 character strength in a sample of adolescents and found that humor was a signature strength of class clowns: 29.1% had it placed as the top strength of 24 (compared to 7.7% of the non class clowns), 62.8% among the top three (non class clowns = 20.7%), and 75.5% (non class clowns = 30.1%) among the top five strengths. Thus, their general inclination to be humorous also extended to humor in the classroom. Currently, it is not known how class clown behavior relates to different aspects of humorous conduct. Humor has been acknowledged to be multidimensional (e.g., Craik et al. 1996; Martin 2018; Ruch 2007) and the question arises which of the components of humor predicts class clown behavior, i.e., what type of humor traits extends to the humor shown in the class room

High Seeding Density Induces Local Hypoxia and Triggers a Proinflammatory Response in Isolated Human Islets

Hypoxia is the main threat to morphological and functional integrity of isolated pancreatic islets. Lack of oxygen seems to be of particular importance for functionality of encapsulated islets. The present study was initiated as an experimental model for the environment experienced by human islets in a confined space present during culture, shipment, and in an implanted macrodevice. Quadruplicate aliquots of isolated human islets (n = 12) were cultured for 24 h at 37°C under normoxic conditions using 24-well plates equipped with 8-μm pore size filter inserts and filled with islet aliquots adjusted to obtain a seeding density of 75, 150, 300, or 600 IEQ/cm2. After culture viability, glucose-stimulated insulin release, DNA content as well as Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression were measured. Culture supernatants were collected to determine production of VEGF and MCP-1. Viability correlated inversely with IEQ seeding density (r = −0.71, p < 0.001), while the correlation of VEGF and MCP-1 secretion with seeding density was positive (r = 0.78, p < 0.001; r = 0.54, p < 0.001). Decreased viability corresponded with a significant increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio at 300 and 600 IEQ/cm2 and with a sigificantly reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin content compared to 75 or 150 IEQ/cm2 (p < 0.01). The present study demonstrates that the seeding density is inversely correlated with islet viability and in vitro function. This is associated with a significant increase in VEGF and MCP-1 release suggesting a hypoxic and proinflammatory islet microenvironment

Glucose-stimulated insulin release: Parallel perifusion studies of free and hydrogel encapsulated human pancreatic islets

To explore the effects immune‐isolating encapsulation has on the insulin secretion of pancreatic islets and to improve our ability to quantitatively describe the glucose‐stimulated insulin release (GSIR) of pancreatic islets, we conducted dynamic perifusion experiments with isolated human islets. Free (unencapsulated) and hydrogel encapsulated islets were perifused, in parallel, using an automated multi‐channel system that allows sample collection with high temporal resolution. Results indicated that free human islets secrete less insulin per unit mass or islet equivalent (IEQ) than murine islets and with a less pronounced first‐phase peak. While small microcapsules (d = 700 µm) caused only a slightly delayed and blunted first‐phase insulin response compared to unencapsulated islets, larger capsules (d = 1,800 µm) completely blunted the first‐phase peak and decreased the total amount of insulin released. Experimentally obtained insulin time‐profiles were fitted with our complex insulin secretion computational model. This allowed further fine‐tuning of the hormone‐release parameters of this model, which was implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics to couple hormone secretion and nutrient consumption kinetics with diffusive and convective transport. The results of these GSIR experiments, which were also supported by computational modeling, indicate that larger capsules unavoidably lead to dampening of the first‐phase insulin response and to a sustained‐release type insulin secretion that can only slowly respond to changes in glucose concentration. Bioartificial pancreas type devices can provide long‐term and physiologically desirable solutions only if immunoisolation and biocompatibility considerations are integrated with optimized nutrient diffusion and insulin release characteristics by design. An investigation of the effects of hydrogel encapsulation on the glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion of human islets is presented using dynamic perifusion experiments as well as computational modeling. Larger capsules dampen the first‐phase insulin response and delay the response to changes in incoming glucose. Bioartificial pancreas type devices need to integrate immunoisolation and biocompatibility considerations with optimized nutrient diffusion and insulin release characteristics