A torn generation : dichotomies and dissonances on sustainability and technological change in in-depth interviews with university students

In a research study among university students regarding technological change, equality and environmental sustainability, deep-seated dichotomies were found in the students' mental images of the future. This study aims to present these dichotomies as well as propose explanations for them, adding to our understanding of what kind of behavioural barriers inhibit sustainability transformations. The results show that the interviewees truly struggle to decide if the world really is on fire regarding environmental change, if technology is capable of solving the situation, if inequality is truly a problem, and how they can relate to all this. The dichotomies that we found suggest that on the one hand, they find no comfort in the dominant techno-optimistic, eco-modernisation narratives and, on the other hand, they are not aware of any alternatives. The results underline the existence of psychological phenomena such as optimism bias or psychological distancing. In our paper, we also address whether dichotomous thinking poses a problem or whether we may have to accept that dichotomies can become the norm when contemplating the world in its increasing complexity

Artifical intelligence serving the future. Results of the backcasting workshop with experts.

The aim of the workshop was to find out what AI experts would like to see in the future for AI for 2060, and to explore what steps they would consider important to make such a future reality. The title of the workshop was "Artificial Intelligence serving the future". One of the elements of the title was "Artificial Intelligence". There are many definitions of the term. Whole workshops could be held on how to define this term. In our research, we use the definition of Tegmark (2017) as a starting point to define artificial intelligence as the ability of a machine, computer, or software to achieve complex goals. The approach assumes that machine learning is part of AI. Another element of the title is "serving the future". Here we have deliberately chosen this broad formulation, including considerations for the environment in addition to serving humanity

Comparative study on the appearance of various bioactive peptides in foregut derivates during the ontogenesis

Bioactive peptides have an important multifunctional role in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study we have investigated the dynamism of the appearance of PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide), VIP (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide), gastrin, and secretin immunoreactivities in human foregut derivates during the ontogenesis using an immunohistochemical approach. None of these peptides were observed in the foregut derivates of an 8-week-old embryo. VIP immunoreactive nerve fibers appeared by the 11th week in the smooth muscle layers of the stomach. No other peptide immunoreactivities were observed of this stage. In 18- and 20-week old fetuses PACAP, secretin, and gastrin immunoreactive cells appeared in the developing glands of the stomach. In the duodenum gastrin immunoreactivity was present in the Lieberkuhn's glands and secretin immunoreactive cells were seen between the surface epithelial cells. In the pancreas secretin immunoreactivity was found in the Langerhans islets; however, PACAP immunreactivity was observed in the exocrine portion. The distribution of VIP fibers did not change during the fetal life and it was similar to the adult pattern. According to our results the appearance of PACAP, secretin, and gastrin in the developing glands suggests their role in the proliferation and differentiation of the epithelial derivates

Does obstetric brachial plexus injury influence speech dominance?

Objective: Right-handedness and left-sided language lateralization is an unresolved mystery With unknown cause/effect relations. Most studies suggest that the language lateralization is related to a fundamental brain asymmetry: right-handedness may be secondary. We analyzed the possibility of an opposite cause/effect relation: whether asymmetric hand usage (as a cause) call influence language lateralization (as a consequence). Methods: We determined language lateralization by functional magnetic resonance imaging in 15 subjects whose upper limb (UL) had been injured at birth because of unilateral damage of the brachial plexus. These subjects were able to use only one (the noninjured) UL perfectly. Results: We found correlation between the severity of right-sided UL injuries and hand usage dysfunction and the degree of left-to-right shift of language lateralization. There was, however, not a complete switch of language lateralization. Interpretation: Right-sided UL injury can induce a left-to-right shift in language lateralization, suggesting that hand usage can influence language lateralization. These findings may contradict the broadly accepted theory that right-handedness is a secondary phenomenon caused by left-sided hemispheric language lateralization. However, the cause/effect problem between asymmetric hand usage and language lateralization is not resolved in this study. Our Findings may support the theory that gestures had a crucial role in human language evolution and is a part of the language system even today