Sexual interaction in digital contexts and its implications for sexual health: a conceptual analysis

Based on its prevalence, there is an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms, opportunities and risks of sexual interaction in digital contexts (SIDC) that are related with sexual arousal. While there is a growing body of literature on SIDC, there is also a lack of conceptual clarity and classification. Therefore, based on a conceptual analysis, we propose to distinguish between sexual interaction (1) through , (2) via , and (3) with digital technologies. (1) Sexual interactions through digital technologies are face-to-face sexual interactions that (a) have been started digitally (e.g., people initiating face-to-face sexual encounters through adult dating apps) or (b) are accompanied by digital technology (e.g., couples augmenting their face-to-face sexual encounters through filming themselves during the act and publishing the amateur pornography online). (2) Sexual interactions via digital technology are technology-mediated interpersonal sexual interactions (e.g., via text chat: cybersex; via smartphone: sexting; via webcam: webcam sex/camming). (3) Sexual interactions with digital technology occur when the technology itself has the role of an interaction partner (e.g., sexual interaction with a sex robot or with a media persona in pornography). The three types of SIDC and their respective subtypes are explained and backed up with empirical studies that are grouped according to two major mediators: consent and commerce. Regarding the causes and consequences of the three types of SIDC we suggest a classification that entails biological, psychological, social, economic, and technological factors. Regarding implications of SIDC we suggest to focus on both opportunities and risks for sexual health. The proposed conceptual framework of SIDC is meant to inform future research

Digital media in intergenerational communication: Status quo and future scenarios for the grandparent-grandchild relationship

Communication technologies play an important role in maintaining the grandparent-grandchild (GP-GC) relationship. Based on Media Richness Theory, this study investigates the frequency of use (RQ1) and perceived quality (RQ2) of established media as well as the potential use of selected innovative media (RQ3) in GP-GC relationships with a particular focus on digital media. A cross-sectional online survey and vignette experiment were conducted in February 2021 among N = 286 university students in Germany (mean age 23 years, 57% female) who reported on the direct and mediated communication with their grandparents. In addition to face-to-face interactions, non-digital and digital established media (such as telephone, texting, video conferencing) and innovative digital media, namely augmented reality (AR)-based and social robot-based communication technologies, were covered. Face-to-face and phone communication occurred most frequently in GP-GC relationships: 85% of participants reported them taking place at least a few times per year (RQ1). Non-digital established media were associated with higher perceived communication quality than digital established media (RQ2). Innovative digital media received less favorable quality evaluations than established media. Participants expressed doubts regarding the technology competence of their grandparents, but still met innovative media with high expectations regarding improved communication quality (RQ3). Richer media, such as video conferencing or AR, do not automatically lead to better perceived communication quality, while leaner media, such as letters or text messages, can provide rich communication experiences. More research is needed to fully understand and systematically improve the utility, usability, and joy of use of different digital communication technologies employed in GP-GC relationships

Internet behavior and social stratification in a single-industry town: overcoming or perpetuating inequality?

The paper analyzes the use of the Internet by various property groups of a Russian single-industry town. According to the criterion of correlation of income with the subsistence minimum, five property groups are identified, and for each a description of socio-demographic characteristics and survival strategies is presented. Based on the concept of three levels of the digital divide, the relationship between economic and digital capital is studied. Conclusions and results were obtained on the basis of statistical data collected during a survey of 500 households in the town of Pavlovo, Nizhny Novgorod region, representing the model of a Russian single-industry town. The analysis reveals that the hypothesis of a strong correlation between social inequality and the digital divide is confirmed: the higher the level of material well-being of a family, the higher the level of its digital capital. At the same time, a characteristic feature of single-industry towns is a reduced level of material and property stratification between the allocated groups, due to the low resource content of the territory as a whole. The novelty of the study lies in obtaining results that characterize the relationship between the material security of the family and the level of its digital capital in a single-industry town. In this regard, the problems and prospects for the design and implementation of various programs aimed at reducing the digital divide in single-industry towns are identified. The results of the study can contribute to the improvement of the social management system and the implementation of the state social policy objectives in the accumulation of digital capital of various social groups of residents of single-industry towns as one of the factors for overcoming territorial socio-economic and cultural inequality in Russian society

How Customers Evaluate Genitalia versus Torso Sex Toys on Amazon.com: A Content Analysis of Product Reviews

Sex toys are widely marketed on the Internet. Browsing for, buying, and reviewing sex toys online are popular cybersexual activities. The aim of this study was to investigate consumers’ experiences with different types of realistic sex toys via online product reviews on Amazon.com. Toys were categorized in a 2 × 2 design regarding their representation of the human body (genitalia sex toys representing reproductive organs only versus torso toys representing larger parts of the human body) and their depiction of gender (toys representing female versus male body parts). Informed by feminist discourses on sex toys as well as sexual script theory and consumer research, the study explored the overall evaluations (RQ1), most frequently addressed characteristics (RQ2), usage patterns (RQ3), and perceived effects (RQ4) of the four groups of sex toys. A quantitative manual content analysis of N = 778 online sex toy reviews showed that 79% of consumers gave popular realistic sex toys positive ratings (RQ1). The most frequently mentioned characteristics were quality, material, and shape (RQ2). Most reviewers were men and used sex toys for solo sexual activities (RQ3). An additional qualitative analysis of n = 69 reviews addressing the perceived effects of sex toy use revealed that consumers predominantly mentioned positive effects (RQ4). Genitalia sex toys received better evaluations than torso sex toys and were perceived to be complementary tools to enhance sexual arousal, whereas the use of torso toys entailed anthropomorphization and symbolic social interactions. Implications for future research and design of different types of sex toys are discussed

Formation of digital capital of the population of Russia

The paper examines the development of digital capital in Russia. The paper presents a review of theoretical approaches to digital capital analysis, and use the concept of rootedness of digital capital in societies. The authors show the dynamic nature if digital capital, due to constant both technological and societal changes. The empirical base of the paper is RLMS data from 1994 to 2020. The analysis shows that the group of potential owners of digital capital grew dynamically without sharp jumps and reached about a third of the country's population. Digital capital, initially owned by elite social groups, for the past ten years has diversified both in terms of a wider geographical representation and came into use by the middle class. The gender inequality of digital capital’ owners has become les

Age and realism of avatars in social augmented reality: Experimental evaluation of anticipated user experience (AUX)

The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of avatar age and degree of avatar realism on their perceived social attractiveness and likelihood of selecting for self-representation in social augmented reality (AR), as perceived by users of three different age groups (young adults, middle-age adults, older adults)

Effects of Microvesicles Derived from NK Cells Stimulated with IL-1β on the Phenotype and Functional Activity of Endothelial Cells

Microvesicles (MVs) are plasma extracellular vesicles ranging from 100 (150) to 1000 nm in diameter. These are generally produced by different cells through their vital activity and are a source of various protein and non-protein molecules. It is assumed that MVs can mediate intercellular communication and modulate cell functions. The interaction between natural killer cells (NK cells) and endothelial cells underlies multiple pathological conditions. The ability of MVs derived from NK cells to influence the functional state of endothelial cells in inflammatory conditions has yet to be studied well. In this regard, we aimed to study the effects of MVs derived from NK cells of the NK-92 cell line stimulated with IL-1β on the phenotype, caspase activity, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells of the EA.hy926 cell line. Endothelial cells were cultured with MVs derived from cells of the NK-92 cell line after their stimulation with IL-1β. Using flow cytometry, we evaluated changes in the expression of endothelial cell surface molecules and endothelial cell death. We evaluated the effect of MVs derived from stimulated NK cells on the proliferative and migratory activity of endothelial cells, as well as the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 therein. It was established that the incubation of endothelial cells with MVs derived from cells of the NK-92 cell line stimulated with IL-1β and with MVs derived from unstimulated NK cells, leads to the decrease in the proliferative activity of endothelial cells, appearance of the pan leukocyte marker CD45 on them, caspase-3 activation and partial endothelial cell death, and reduced CD105 expression. However, compared with MVs derived from unstimulated NK cells, a more pronounced effect of MVs derived from cells of the NK-92 cell line stimulated with IL-1β was found in relation to the decrease in the endothelial cell migratory activity and the intensity of the CD54 molecule expression on them. The functional activity of MVs is therefore mediated by the conditions they are produced under, as well as their internal contents

New Evidence on a Distinction between Aβ40 and Aβ42 Amyloids: Thioflavin T Binding Modes, Clustering Tendency, Degradation Resistance, and Cross-Seeding

The relative abundance of two main Abeta-peptide types with different lengths, Aβ40 and Aβ42, determines the severity of the Alzheimer’s disease progression. However, the factors responsible for different behavior patterns of these peptides in the amyloidogenesis process remain unknown. In this comprehensive study, new evidence on Aβ40 and Aβ42 amyloid polymorphism was obtained using a wide range of experimental approaches, including custom-designed approaches. We have for the first time determined the number of modes of thioflavin T (ThT) binding to Aβ40 and Aβ42 fibrils and their binding parameters using a specially developed approach based on the use of equilibrium microdialysis, which makes it possible to distinguish between the concentration of the injected dye and the concentration of dye bound to fibrils. The binding sites of one of these modes located at the junction of adjacent fibrillar filaments were predicted by molecular modeling techniques. We assumed that the sites of the additional mode of ThT-Aβ42 amyloid binding observed experimentally (which are not found in the case of Aβ40 fibrils) are localized in amyloid clots, and the number of these sites could be used for estimation of the level of fiber clustering. We have shown the high tendency of Aβ42 fibers to form large clots compared to Aβ40 fibrils. It is probable that this largely determines the high resistance of Aβ42 amyloids to destabilizing effects (denaturants, ionic detergents, ultrasonication) and their explicit cytotoxic effect, which we have shown. Remarkably, cross-seeding of Aβ40 fibrillogenesis using the preformed Aβ42 fibrils changes the morphology and increases the stability and cytotoxicity of Aβ40 fibrils. The differences in the tendency to cluster and resistance to external factors of Aβ40 and Aβ42 fibrils revealed here may be related to the distinct role they play in the deposition of amyloids and, therefore, differences in pathogenicity in Alzheimer’s disease