The role of gender in the relationship between reinforcement sensitivity and aggression among adolescents

This study focuses on the relationship between reinforcement sensitivity and aggression according to the combination of forms and functions of aggression (i.e. proactive overt, proactive relational, reactive overt and reactive relational), and on the moderating role of gender in this relationship. The survey included 656 adolescents (55.33% male) from the city of Zagreb, Croatia. The results show that reward sensitivity has the highest relation with proactive overt aggression, while punishment sensitivity has the highest relation with reactive relational aggression. A moderator analysis shows that boys with high reward sensitivity manifest higher level of proactive overt aggression than girls with high reward sensitivity. Also, boys with high punishment sensitivity manifest higher level of reactive relational aggression than girls with high punishment sensitivity. The findings can help to improve the treatment of aggressive behaviour in adolescence by focusing on reward sensitivity in relation to punishment sensitivity.peer-reviewe

Crowdfunding Success Prediction using Project Title Image and Convolutional Neural Network

Prediction of crowdfunding success is a challenging problem that has great importance for project creators and platforms. Although meta features, e.g., number of updates or backers, are widely used for success prediction, they are limited to time period after project posting where project creators cannot adapt their profiles. Because of that, ability to predict campaign success in pre-posting phase would significantly improve chance for project success. According to the theory, mostly used methods in this situation are those based on text features, while methods based on the influence of image modality on project success are rare. Due to this, in this article we propose deep learning-based method for crowdfunding success prediction in pre-posting phase using project title image. Experimental results show that image modality could be used for campaign success prediction. Proposed method obtains results comparable to competing methods from literature, but using only one image per campaign and no derived features. It is also shown that deeper convolutional neural network achieves better prediction performance

Effects of Sodium Chloride on Bone Health

Poznato je da različiti prehrambeni čimbenici utječu na koštanu masu. Među njima važno mjesto zauzima kuhinjska sol (NaCl) zbog djelovanja natrija na pojačano izlučivanje kalcija mokraćom. Kalciurijski učinak natrija pokazan je u brojnim istraživanjima na ljudima svih dobnih skupina, kao i na pokusnim životinjama. Pretpostavlja se da dugotrajno povišeni gubitak kalcija može izazvati gubitak koštane mase. U radu su prikazani patofiziološki temelji djelovanja natrija na metabolizam kalcija i moguće posljedice povećanog unosa kuhinjske soli na pregradnju kostiju i koštanu masu. Rezultati dosadašnjih istraživanja su proturječni i još se ne mogu donijeti konačni zaključci je li povećani unos kuhinjske soli čimbenik rizika za nastanak osteoporoze.This paper discusses the physiology of sodium effects on calcium metabolism and possible implications of increased salt intake on bone remodelling and bone mass. Osteoporosis is an increasing public health problem affecting more than 200 million of women around the world. The major complications of osteoporosis are fractures, which are frequently associated with high morbidity and mortality. A number of clinical, epidemiological and experimental studies aim at identifying lifestyle factors that may improve bone mass and prevent bone loss. Different nutrients are proposed to play a role in bone development during growth and in the maintenance of bone mass thereafter. However, the importance of sodium intake for bone health has not been elucidated. It is well known that high dietary sodium intake decreases renal calcium reabsorption, which in turn leads to a greater urinary calcium excretion. This effect has been demonstrated in studies in humans of all ages as well as in experimental animals. It is not clear to what extent sodium-induced calcium loss is compensated for by increased intestinal calcium absorption. It is suspected that, if not fully compensated, sustained hypercalciuria due to increased sodium intake may diminish bone mass. Postmenopausal women showed that increased dietary salt may indeed augment bone resorption. Sodium effects on bone mass in various studies are inconsistent and there is still no evidence that increased salt intake is a risk factor in the aetiology of osteoporosis A randomized longitudinal study of different sodium intake in two groups of subject could clarify the role of sodium in bone mass

Istraživanje nekoliko izolata virusa infektivne degeneracije vinove loze s pomoću metoda elektroforeze

Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFV) isolates originating from the island of Vis were examined by agar-gel immunoelectrophoresis and by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrilamide (SDS-PAA) gel electrophoresis. Immunoelectrophoresis of the majority of isolates examined usually displayed two, sometimes three, electrophoretical components moving towards the cathode. Three centrifugal components from the density sucrose gradient had different velocities of migration. The top component was the fastest and the bottom was the slowest. Some strains including Berck s’ GFV isolate moved more slowly towards the cathode. SDS-PAA gel electrophoresis of the grapevine isolates studied, in 7.5 and 10°/o slab and column gels, revealed one well defined band of grapevine fanleaf virus protein subunit which corresponded to the molecular weight of c. 53,700 daltons. In electrophoresis GFV protein migrated similarly to the cherry leaf roll virus protein. From the OO isolate, which had a wide herbaceous host range, unusual for GFV, the GFV band of about 52,000 and an additional prominent band of 41,000 daltons were obtained. In other isolates, besides the GFV protein subunit band, some less prominent bands were found.Izolati virusa infektivne degeneracije loze (VIDL) s otoka Visa istraživani su s pomoću metoda agar-gel imunoelektroforeze i SDS-poiiakril amid gel elektroforeze (SDS-PAA). VIDL se u imunoelektroiorezi razdvajao u dvije, katkad tri elektroforetičke komponente koje su putovale prema katodi. Razdvojene tri centrifugalne komponente virusa (gornja, srednja i donja) putovale su različitom brzinom. Gornja komponenta, sastavljena od praznih virusnih proteinskih omotača, kretala se najbrže, a donja komponenta je bila najsporija. Također je zapažena razlika u brzini putovanja prema katodi između različitih izolata VIDL. Metodom SDS-PAA gel elektroforeze u 7,5 i 10°/o-tnim gelovima dobivena je vrijednost za molekularnu težinu proteinske podjedinice omotača VIDL-a od 53.700 daltona. Ta se vrijednost podudara s molekularnom težinom od 54,000 koju su u svojim istraživanjima dobili Quacquarelli etal. (1976) i Dias (1976). Posebno je istraživan OO izoiat koji je imao širok i vrlo neobičan krug domaćina za VIDL. Iz purificiranog materijala OO izolata dobivena je proteinska podjedinica VIDL od 52.000 daltona i protein od 41.000. Taj manji protein mogao bi pripadati drugom virusu koji se prenaša samo zajedno sa VIDL, jer ih nije bilo moguće razdvojiti na test biljkama. Iz drugih izolata dobiveno je također, osim proteinskih podjedinica VIDL-a, i nekoliko drugih polipeptida koji zahtijevaju dalja istraživanja. Obje metode elektroforeze, opisane u našem radu, pokazale su se korisnima u istraživanju homogenosti virusnog materijala izoliranog iz vinove loze s raznim simptomima zaraze

Power Indices in Yes-No Voting System

Upoznali smo se sa kvantitativnim mjerilima političke snage u sustavu glasovanja da-ne i njenim utjecajima na konačni rezultat glasovanja. Iskazali smo kvantitativna mjerila političke snage pomoću četiri rezultata, a to su Shapley-Shubik, Banzhaf, Johnston i Deegan-Packel indeks snage, koje smo prikazali pomoću primjera. Pristupanjem novih članica koaliciji iskazali smo paradoks novih članova, gdje nam se čini da indeks snaga treba biti manji, a zapravo je veći. Na primjeru saveznog sustava SAD-a smo vidjeli snagu predsjednika, članova Senata i Zastupničkog doma. Takđer, opisali smo paradoks predsjedavajućeg. Pomoću pojma ordinalne snage, definirali smo jesu li snage pojedinog glasača usporedive ili neusporedive.We introduced us with the quantitative measure of political power in the yes-no voting system and its influence on the final voting result. We have presented the quantitative measures of the political power by four results, which are Shapley-Shubik, Banzhaf, Johnson and Deegan-Packel index of power which were shown by means of examples. With the joining of new members to the coalition, we have shown the paradox of new members, where the power seemed to be smaller but is actually bigger. In the example of the U. S. federal system, we have seen the power of president, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. We presented the president’s power which is a paradox called The Chair’s Paradox. Through the ordinal power we have defined when we can say that power of voter is comparable or incomparable

The role of reinforcement sensitivity and perceived parental behaviour in proactive and reactive aggressive behaviour among adolescents

Reaktivna agresija predstavlja obrambenu reakciju na stvarnu ili doživljenu prijetnju. Proaktivna agresija se ne javlja kao reakcija na prijetnju, već uslijed anticipacije agresije kao sredstva ostvarivanja određenog cilja. Navedeni tipovi agresije pojavljuju se u otvorenom i relacijskom obliku, a razlikuju se s obzirom na biološke i obiteljske etiološke čimbenike. Reaktivna agresija povezuje se s visokom osjetljivosti na kaznu i odrastanjem unutar niskog roditeljskog prihvaćanja. Proaktivna agresija povezuje se s visokom osjetljivosti na nagradu i odrastanjem unutar niske roditeljske bihevioralne kontrole, tj. visoke popustljivosti. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi povezanosti između osjetljivosti na potkrepljenje, dimenzija roditeljstva i tipova agresije (H1). Moderacijskim modelima ispitalo se: (H2) je li povezanost između osjetljivosti na nagradu i proaktivne agresije najveća u slučaju niske bihevioralne kontrole/visoke popustljivosti i (H3) je li povezanost između osjetljivosti na kaznu i reaktivne agresije najveća u slučaju niskog roditeljskog prihvaćanja. Medijacijskim modelima ispitalo se: (H4) je li osjetljivost na nagradu medijator povezanosti između bihevioralne kontrole/popustljivosti i proaktivne agresije i (H5) je li osjetljivost na kaznu medijator povezanosti između prihvaćanja i reaktivne agresije. Ispitanici su bili učenici trećih razreda srednjih škola grada Zagreba (N=656). Podatci su se prikupili metodom samoiskaza ispunjavanjem upitnika. U obradi podataka korištene su analize za dobivanje pokazatelja deskriptivne statistike, testiranje značajnosti razlika, korelacije, eksploratorna faktorska analiza, višestruka standardna te hijerarhijska regresijska analiza. Smjer povezanosti između varijabli je u skladu s hipotezama. Ispitivani moderacijski učinci nisu utvrđeni. Dobiveni su značajni medijacijski učinci osjetljivosti na nagradu u povezanosti između popustljivosti i proaktivno otvorene, kao i proaktivno relacijske agresije te značajni medijacijski učinci osjetljivosti na kaznu u povezanosti između prihvaćanja i reaktivno relacijske agresije. Dobiveni rezultati objašnjeni su u okviru teorije osjetljivosti na potkrepljenje, dimenzionalnog pristupa u istraživanju roditeljstva, teorije socijalnog učenja i teorije frustracijske agresije. Teorijski doprinos ovoga rada je taj što je ovo do sada prvo istraživanje koje povezuje etiološke čimbenike proaktivne i reaktivne agresije u jedan teoretski model.Introduction A multidimensional approach to studying aggressive behaviour is based on a distinction between the various forms and various functions of aggressive behaviour (Kempes, Matthys, Vries, Engeland, 2005). The forms of aggressive behaviour include open and relational aggressive behaviour (Little, Jones, Henrich, Hawley, 2003). The function of aggressive behaviour is related to the motive of the perpetrator. Therefore, a distinction is made between reactive and proactive aggressive behaviour (Tuvblad, Raine, Zheng, Baker, 2009). Reactive aggression is a reaction of defence from a real or perceived threat. Proactive aggression does not appear as a reaction to a threat but as anticipated aggressive behaviour that serves as a means to achieve a particular goal (Dodge and Coie, 1987). Functional types of aggressive behaviour appear both in an open and relational form. Hence we make a distinction between proactive open, proactive relational, reactive open, and reactive relational aggressive behaviour. Proactive and reactive aggressive behaviour differ in terms of biological and familial etiological factors. Reactive aggressive behaviour is connected to a disposition for anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and high emotional reactivity to aversive stimuli (Vitaro, Brendgen, Tremblay, 2002). Proactive aggressive behaviour is related to low anxiety, lesser sensitivity to aversive stimuli, callous personality traits and proneness to reward-motivated behaviour (Frick and White, 2008). Furthermore, reactive aggressive behaviour is formed under the influence of low parental acceptance, while proactive aggressive behaviour is formed under the influence of low parental control, i.e. high leniency (Dodge, 1991). Research problems The aim of this research is to establish: (1) the predictive value of sensitivity to reward, sensitivity to punishment, acceptance, behavioural control and leniency in explaining proactive and reactive aggressive behaviour; (2) whether there is a moderating effect of behavioural control/leniency in the relations between sensitivity to reward and proactive aggressive behaviour; (3) whether there is a moderating effect of acceptance in the relations between sensitivity to punishment and reactive aggressive behaviour; (4) whether there is a mediating effect of sensitivity to reward in the relations between behavioural control/leniency and proactive aggressive behaviour; (5) whether there is a mediating effect of sensitivity to punishment in the relations between acceptance and reactive aggressive behaviour. Methodology The respondents were students of the third grade of secondary schools in the City of Zagreb (N=656). The data were collected through the method of a self-completion questionnaire. Proactive and reactive aggressive behaviour was measured through the Peer Conflict Scale (Marsee and Frick, 2007) questionnaire; sensitivity to reward and sensitivity to punishment were measured through the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire for Children (Luman, van Meel, Oosterlaan, Geurts, 2012); the dimensions of parental behaviour were measured through the Parental Behaviour Questionnaire (Keresteš, Brković, Kuterovac Jagodić, Greblo, 2012). The data were processed by using the following analyses to obtain statistics indicators: testing for significant differences, correlations, an exploratory factor analysis, a multiple standard and hierarchical regression analysis. Results and discussion The direction of the relations between variables is consistent with the hypotheses. Sensitivity to reward is a significant positive predictor of proactive aggressive behaviour. However, it is also a positive predictor of reactive aggressive behaviour, which was not expected. High sensitivity to reward is related to high expectations of a reward, which is related to a higher degree of negative effect when the gaining of the reward is prevented (Corr, 2002). Thus, the relation between sensitivity to reward and reactive aggressive behaviour is explained by aversive motivation caused by the system of sensitivity to reward. However, a trend was observed of a better prediction of the variance of proactive rather than reactive aggressive behaviour, and of open rather than relational aggressive behaviour. Sensitivity to punishment is a positive predictor of relational forms of aggressive behaviour, while it is a negative predictor of open forms of aggressive behaviour. It is also a significant negative predictor of proactive open aggressive behaviour and a significant positive predictor of reactive relational aggressive behaviour. Behavioural control did not appear to be a significant predictor, while acceptance is a significant negative predictor of proactive aggressive behaviour, which was not expected. The explanation is based on connecting the social learning theory, the process of identification, and the acceptance of the carer. The studied moderating effects were not established. Namely, a significant moderating effect is difficult to establish through statistical means. A significant and full mediating effect of sensitivity to reward was obtained in the relations between leniency and proactive open aggressive behaviour and a significant partial mediating effect of sensitivity to reward in the relation between leniency and proactive relational aggressive behaviour. A significant partial mediating effect of sensitivity to punishment was also obtained with regard to the relation between acceptance and reactive relational aggressive behaviour. Since sensitivity to punishment correlates only with relational forms of aggressive behaviour, the mediating sensitivity to punishment can only be explained with regard to the relational form of aggressive behaviour. The results of the study allow for a more complex insight into the aetiology of proactive and reactive aggressive behaviour and set new problems for future research. The obtained results are explained within the reinforcement sensitivity theory, the dimensional approach in studying parenting, the theory of social learning and the frustration aggression theory. The theoretical contribution of this paper lies in the fact that, up to now, this is the first study that connects aetiological factors of proactive and reactive aggressive behaviour into one theoretical model

Syed Farid Alatas, Vineeta Sinha: Sociological Theory Beyond the Canon

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Mikotoksinska i aristoholična teorija o uzroku endemske nefropatije

Despite many efforts of scientists and epidemiologists, the aetiology of endemic nephropathy (EN) is still unknown. This disease occurs in the rural population of geographically limited areas of Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia, and a number of theories have been proposed about its aetiology. The mycotoxin theory has prevailed until now, based on the studies of nephrotoxic mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) that revealed higher frequency of OTA-positive food and blood samples in endemic than in non-endemic areas. However, a new aristolochic acid (AA) theory of EN origin has been proposed recently, due to the histological similarities in kidney lesions between patients suffering from EN and patients suffering from Chinese herbs nephropathy caused by AA. Until now it has not been unequivocally proved that the inhabitants of EN areas are exposed to higher concentration of AA than in other regions and the exposure pathways are rather uncertain. This paper presents most important studies supporting both theories, indicating also the inconsistencies of each.Unatoč mnogim nastojanjima znanstvenika i epidemiologa, etiologija endemske nefropatije (EN) još nije razjašnjena. Postavljeno je više teorija o nastanku ove bolesti koja se javlja u ruralnom stanovništvu na geografski ograničenim područjima Bugarske, Bosne i Hercegovine, Hrvatske, Rumunjske i Srbije. Donedavno se najviše napora ulagalo u istraživanje povezanosti nastanka EN s izloženošću mikotoksinu okratoksinu A. Prikupljeni rezultati upućuju većim dijelom na opravdanost te pretpostavke. Zbog histoloških sličnosti bolesnika s EN i pacijentica koje boluju od nefropatije uzrokovane kineskim travama za koju je ustanovljeno da ju uzrokuje aristolohična kiselina (AA) postavljena je teorija da je AA uzročnik EN. Dosad nije potvr|eno da su stanovnici na lokalizacijama s endemskom nefropatijom izloženi povišenim koncentracijama AA u usporedbi s područjima bez te bolesti. Osim toga su i putovi izloženosti AA koji bi se mogli povezati s pojavom EN nejasni i nedokazani. U ovom preglednom radu izneseni su rezultati najvažnijih istraživanja koja podupiru ili negiraju obje teorije, zajedno s nedostatcima svake od njih