Effects of Individual Discount Rate and Uncertainty Perception on Compliance with Containment Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Anti-contagion measures restricting individual freedom, such as social distancing and wearing a mask, are crucial to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Decision-making patterns and attitudes about uncertainty can highly influence the adherence to these restrictive measures. Here we investigated the relationship between risky behavior and individual preferences for immediate vs. delayed reward, as indexed by temporal discounting (TD), as well as the association between these measures and confidence in the future, perceived risk and confidence in the containment measures. These measures were collected through an online survey administered on 353 participants at the end of the more restrictive phase of the first Italian lockdown. The results showed an unexpected inverse relationship between the individual pattern of choice preferences and risky behavior, with an overall greater adherence to containment measures in more discounter participants. These findings were interpreted in terms of a reframing process in which behaviors aimed at protecting oneself from contagion turn into immediate gains rather than losses. Interestingly, an excessive confidence in a better future was correlated with a higher tendency to assume risky behavior, thereby highlighting the downside of an overly and blindly optimistic view.

Intensity of Respiratory Cortical Arousals Is a Distinct Pathophysiologic Feature and Is Associated with Disease Severity in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Background: We investigated whether the number, duration and intensity of respiratory arousals (RA) on C3-electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings correlate with polysomnography (PSG)-related disease severity in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. We also investigated if every patient might have an individual RA microstructure pattern, independent from OSA-severity. Methods: PSG recordings of 20 OSA patients (9 female; age 27–80 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Correlation coefficients were calculated between RA microstructure (duration, EEG-intensity) and RA number and respiratory disturbance index (RDI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and arousal index (AI). Intraclass correlations (ICC) for both RA duration and intensity were calculated. Sleep stage-specific and apnea- and hypopnea-specific analyses were also done. The probability distributions of duration and intensity were plotted, interpolated with a kernel which fits the distribution. A Bayesian posterior distribution analysis and pair-wise comparisons of each patient with all other 19 patients were performed. Results: Of the analyzed 2600 RA, strong positive correlations were found between average RA intensity and both RDI and AI. The number of PSG-recorded RA was strongly positively correlated with RDI. Significant correlations between average RA intensity in REM, NREM2 and NREM3 sleep stages and total ODI were identified. No sleep stage-specific correlations of arousal microstructure with age, sex, RDI or AI were identified. Although between-subjects ICC values were <0.25, within-subject ICC values were all >0.7 (all p < 0.05). While apnea-related RA duration did not differ from hypopnea-related RA duration, RA intensity was significantly higher (p = 0.00135) in hypopneas than in apneas. A clear individual pattern of arousal duration for each patient was made distinct. For arousal intensity, a Gaussian distribution was identified in most patients. The Bayesian statistics regarding the arousal microstructure showed significant differences between each pair of patients. Conclusions: Each individual patient with OSA might have an individual pattern of RA intensity and duration indicating a distinct individual pathophysiological feature. Arousal intensity was significantly higher in hypopneic than in apneic events and may be related causally to the diminished (compared to apneas) respiratory distress associated with hypopneas. RA intensity in REM, NREM2 and NREM3 strongly correlated with ODI.

In plain sight: implicit priming of patterns and faces using change symmetry

Aksentijevic–Gibson complexity is an original complexity measure based on the amount of change in a string or 2D array that has been successfully implemented on data from psychology to physics. The key ingredient to computing the measure is a change symmetry (CS)—a novel form of structure (also known as generalised palindrome) which represents a central or mirror symmetry based on the redundant arrangement not of symbols but of changes. This results in patterns that although globally symmetrical do not appear as such when inspected locally. We used this property to (a) affect the registration of a target, (b) prime the symmetry judgment of 2D arrays and (c) faces using 1D patterns possessing change symmetry. In Experiment 2, we applied the lock and key principle to complete the prime without showing its structure at once. In Experiments 3 and 4, we presented subjects with fast sequences of CSs such that the configuration of an individual pattern was masked by the subsequent pattern leaving only the structural “essence” of the prime symmetry. The results strongly support the contention that higher-level hidden structure of change symmetry successfully primes the symmetry perception of 2D arrays as well as facial attractiveness.

Distinguishing within from between individual effects: How to use the within-individual centering method for quadratic pattern

Any average pattern observed at the population level may confound two different processes: the within-individual process and the between-individual process. Separating within- from between-individual patterns is critical for our understanding of ecological processes and evolutionary dynamics.The within-individual centering method allows distinguishing within from between individual effects and this method has been largely used in ecology to investigate both linear and quadratic patterns. Here we show that two alternative equations could be used for the investigation of quadratic relationships and explain in which circumstances they are valid.We show that these two alternative equations make different assumptions about the shape of the individual pattern. Reviewing the literature, we find that the inappropriate equation has likely been applied by most of the studies investigated quadratic patterns.To investigate properly quadratic patterns using the within individual centering method, it is critical that the pattern assumed by the equation used is consistent with the biological pattern investigated. We illustrate this statement with the example of age-specific trajectories because age corresponds to the most frequent individual-centered variable used for quadratic pattern. Finally, we give the general equation of the within-individual centering method for any non-linear relationship.

The genetics of sleep

Although there is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to inter-individual variations in sleep, the underlying factors and their interaction remain largely elusive. Much effort has been expended in studying genetic variations contributing to circadian and sleep phenotypes, the individual pattern of the human sleep EEG, reactions to sleep loss, and the pathophysiology of sleep-related disorders. Certain sleep-related diseases may be caused by single genes, while the etiology of others seems to be variable and complex. This is especially the case when the immune system is involved. This chapter reports on twin and familial studies, genetic variations and mutations affecting neurotransmitters and other signaling pathways and thereby affecting sleep, and impacts of gene expression processes and the immune system on sleep. Although much knowledge has been gained, further research is needed to elucidate the all-embracing mechanisms and their interactions that regulate sleep.

Cephalometric Approach to the Occlusal Vertical Dimension Reestablishment

The occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) refers to the length of the face as determined by the amount of separation of the jaws. Its determination is important for the manufacture of restorations. However, defining the correct occlusal vertical dimension for edentulous patients is one of the most important steps for function and esthetics rehabilitation. Cephalometry is a standardized method of assessing dental and facial proportions and their interrelation. Additionally, cephalometric analysis of the facial vertical dimension can establish an individual pattern for each patient. This analysis should become a permanent part of each patient’s record. Hence, this study presented a case report with the use of cephalometry as an auxiliary tool in the rehabilitation of OVD. Clinical relevance showed that cephalometric analysis can be an accurate and convenient instrument to treatment planning and prognostic of oral rehabilitation. The reader should understand the clinical implications of using cephalometry as a tool in the rehabilitation of OVD.

Exploring the Frustration of Situational Variability Using Visual Methodology With an Adult Who Stammers

Purpose: Adults who stammer frequently report frustration linked to the variability of stammering (stuttering) across speaking situations, be that in relation to the variability of speech fluency or the underlying emotional response. The paper will present the case of Tom and the collaborative development of a visual methodology which arose in response to clinical need. Tom is an adult who stammers who experienced high levels of frustration associated with the variability of his speech fluency and speech-associated anxiety (SAA). Exploring this variability was of central importance to the identification stage of therapy. Method: In the absence of an existing support mechanism for this process, a tool called the Situation Radar was developed. The Situation Radar (SR) provides a unique, visual representation of a client’s individual pattern of situational variability across different speaking situations. Results: Clinical application of the SR and its associated processes revealed a number of uses within the therapy context, relating to the identification process and throughout therapy. The client reported that using the SR to explore situational variability supported an increased awareness of his SAA, which in turn guided target setting and led to an expanded comfort zone. Conclusion: Further study into the use of the SR is indicated.

Rural tourism against a background of development tourism

The rural tourism became the popular form of recreation, which dynamically develops in Ukraine. It refers to alternative tourism from the view of individual pattern with provision of services and taking into account the principles of balanced development. Provision of tourism services in countryside gives the new possibilities for the farms, local community, preservation of cultural values, environment, etc. Key words: alternative tourism, balanced development, mass tourism