The relationship between numerical magnitude processing and math anxiety, and their joint effect on adult math performance, varied by indicators of numerical tasks.

According to the hypothesis of Maloney et al. (Cognition 114(2):293-297, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2009.09.013), math anxiety is related to deficits in numerical magnitude processing, which in turn compromises the development of advanced math skills. Because previous studies on this topic are contradictory, which may be due to methodological differences in the measurement of numerical magnitude processing, we tested Maloney et al.'s hypothesis using different tasks and their indicators: numerical magnitude processing (symbolic and non-symbolic comparison tasks: accuracy, reaction time, numerical ratio, distance and size effects, and Weber fraction; number line estimation task: estimation error), math anxiety (combined scores of learning, testing, math problem solving, and general math anxiety), and math performance. The results of our study conducted on 119 young adults mostly support the hypothesis proposed by Maloney et al. that deficiency in symbolic magnitude processing is related to math anxiety, but the relationship between non-symbolic processes and math anxiety was opposite to the assumptions. Moreover, the results indicate that estimation processes (but not comparison processes) and math anxiety are related to math performance in adults. Finally, high math anxiety moderated the relationship between reaction time in the symbolic comparison task, reaction time in the non-symbolic comparison task, numerical ratio effect in the symbolic comparison task, and math performance. Because the results of the joint effect of numerical magnitude processing and math anxiety on math performance were inconsistent, this part of the hypothesis is called into question.

In search of the functional base of risk-taking: inexperience and safety.

This study is aimed at challenging the notion that risk-taking is based merely on some mechanistic foundation like control deficiencies or process imbalances. We hypothesize that risk-taking has an adaptive function and is an optimal strategy for an agent who (1) has scarce knowledge about the current environment or (2) is in a position in which a potential loss is not threatening. We argue that the two above are related to age which, in turn, may explain association between age and risk-taking commonly reported in the developmental literature. We investigate the possible influence of the age-related variables on the risk propensity in two ways: by inducing rich or scarce knowledge and safe or unsafe position in the experimental environment with task parameters and, simultaneously by examining actual differences between adolescents and adults. The results of two experiments that used a novel compound risk task provide support for the first hypothesis concerning knowledge about the environment. On the other hand, the results falsify the second "safe position" hypothesis. Also, the second experiment reveals that one's status relative to resources can influence risk-taking, but it does so in a way that is different from our initial assumption.

Stress appraisal as a mediator between the sense of coherence and the frequency of stress coping strategies in women and men during COVID-19 lockdown.

The COVID-19 lockdown experience is a unique and unexpected stressful life situation. In our research project, we explored gender differences in the mean level of stress appraisal (SAQ), the frequency of stress coping strategies (COPE), and the sense of coherence (SOC), as well as gender differences in the strength of the relationships between SAQ, COPE, and SOC during the COVID-19 lockdown. Finally, we tested if stressor appraisal (as a threat, harm/loss, or challenge) mediates the relationship between SOC and COPE in women and men respectively. Data were collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 lockdown in Poland in 2020. An online survey was conducted among 326 adults aged between 18 and 72. We observed gender differences in the level of SAQ, COPE, and SOC and gender differences in the significance and strength of the correlations between these variables. SOC had a twofold effect on COPE in men: direct and indirect through SOC-threat and SOC-harm/loss. In women, SOC did not directly predict COPE frequency but affected COPE in an indirect way through SAQ. SAQ is an important factor that modifies the strength of the SOC effect on COPE in women and men during the lockdown.

Positive and negative risk-taking: Age patterns and relations to domain-specific risk-taking.

People take risks at all ages to achieve certain goals. Although these goals may be achieved through negative risks (e.g., adolescent drinking to impress their friends), people also take positive risks. Positive risks are theorized to help individuals achieve goals in developmentally appropriate and socially acceptable ways, such as initiating a new friendship as an adolescent, applying for a promotion as a young adult, or exploring a new hobby as a retiree. To test the hypothesis that people endorse different patterns of risk-taking across life, we examined age patterns in positive and negative risk-taking with a sample of individuals ranging in age from 12 to 71 years. In adults aged 19-71, we also examined to what extent positive and negative risk-taking are associated with domain-specific risk-taking and risk-taking propensity. Results indicated that positive risk-taking varied with age in the form of an inverted-U shape and peaked in middle adulthood. Negative antisocial risk-taking varied with age in the form of a U shape and was highest in adolescence. Negative health risk-taking varied with age in the form of an inverted-U shape and peaked in middle adulthood. In adults, greater positive risk-taking was associated with greater risk-taking in the social domain and greater risk-taking propensity. Greater negative risk-taking was associated with greater risk-taking in ethical and health/safety domains, and with greater risk-taking propensity. Altogether, this study is the first to demonstrate age patterns in positive and negative risk-taking across adolescence and adulthood. It also contributes to the validity of positive risk-taking as a construct distinct from negative risk-taking.

Positive and negative risk taking in adolescence: Age patterns and relations to social environment.

Despite empirical and epidemiological research indicating that risk taking propensity increases across adolescence, it is unknown whether this is true for positive risk taking. Additionally, adolescents' decisions are heavily influenced by their social environment, but it is unclear to what extent social influences are associated with positive risk taking. The present study compared age patterns between self-reported positive and negative (health and antisocial) risk taking. Self-reported peers' risk taking, risk perception and perceived social support were also examined as correlates of positive and negative risk taking. 338 adolescents and young adults (217 females) ages 12-25 years (M = 18.99; SD = 3.37) took part in the study. Positive risk taking was slightly higher among young adults than early adolescents, whereas the reverse pattern was found for antisocial risk taking. Health risk taking took the form of an inverted-U, peaking in young adulthood. In adolescents, positive risk taking was associated with peers' positive risk taking and lower perceived support from family. Negative risk taking was associated with peers' negative risk taking, higher risk perception and lower perceived support from family. Results suggest subtle age differences in positive risk taking among adolescents and early adults and indicate that adolescents' engagement in positive risk taking is associated with peers' behavior.

Predictors of Positive and Negative Risk-Taking in Adolescents and Young Adults: Similarities and Differences.

Although the risk-taking can potentially result in positive and negative outcomes, most of the researchers focused on its negative, not positive manifestations. Recently, Duell and Steinberg proposed a framework that clarifies the features of positive risk-taking. Research comparing positive and negative risk-taking increased and new measures have been developed. The presented study was designed to examine how the construct of positive risk-taking differs or overlaps with its opposite, negative risk-taking, and whether both are predicted by the same or different factors. Two hundred fifty eight (258) adolescents and young adults (aged 16-29) participated in the study. We tested self-reported sensitivity to reward and punishment, self-control, tolerance to ambiguity, trait anxiety, and gender as possible predictors of positive and negative risk-taking. We also referred both types of risk-taking to domain-specific risk-taking. We found that positive risk-taking is driven by sensitivity to reward and tolerance to ambiguity, and occurs especially in the social domain. Negative risk-taking is driven by gender, sensitivity to reward and (low) sensitivity to punishment, and occurs in all domains except social. Results indicate that positive risk-taking is chosen for exploration and personal growth by people who look for rewards in the social world and is done in a socially accepted way. Negative risk-taking is chosen by people who are not discouraged by severe negative effects and look for rewards outside existing norms.

The Persian Language Version of the Obsession With the COVID-19 Scale for Adolescents.

Objective: The worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused significant public health burdens and psychological dysfunctions. In this challenging time, adolescents require special care. The Persian version of the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) for adolescents was developed to screen for dysfunctional obsession associated with the coronavirus during the global pandemic. The structure and internal consistency of the OCS were established. Design and Measures: Although there are different language versions of the OCS, this is the first study to validate the psychometric properties of the OCS in Iranian adolescents. Seven hundred and nine students (369 girls) participated in the study. Demographic questions and the OCS were administered. Results: The findings provided support for the existence of a unidimensional structure that met the criteria for configural, metric, and full scalar invariance across gender (girls and boys), inhabitancy (urban and rural), and infection experience (infected and non-infected). The OCS is short and highly reliable measurement. However, further research is necessary to establish the validity of the scale in Iranian population. Conclusions: The development of such valid scales is an essential part of both research and practice during times of crisis, like a global pandemic. Diagnosis of pandemic related to obsessive thoughts in adolescents is needed as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and as experts point out, it can be expected that the effects of the pandemic will be observed in the coming years. The Persian version makes it possible to conduct international comparative research on the anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationships Between Parenting Styles, Students' Personality Traits, and Students' Achievement Goal Orientation.

Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in achievement goal orientation correlates. What is not yet clear is the detailed relationships among students' goal orientation, students' personality traits, and parenting style. In so doing, this research responds to the need to analyze the importance of parenting styles (permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian) and students' traits (psychoticism, neuroticism, and extraversion) in explaining the achievement goal orientations (mastery approach, mastery avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance). In the exploratory correlational study, 586 Iranian students along with their parents were selected as the sample so as to evaluate the structure of the relationships between these variables. The results indicate that students' psychoticism and neuroticism predict students' goal orientations (positively: performance and mastery avoidance and negatively: mastery and performance approach) while extraversion did not. Only the authoritative style predicts mastery approach (positively) and psychoticism trait (negatively). Permissive and authoritarian styles do not directly or indirectly predict students' goal orientations.

Math Anxiety Assessment with the Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale: Applicability and Usefulness: Insights from the Polish Adaptation.

Math anxiety has an important impact on mathematical development and performance. However, although math anxiety is supposed to be a transcultural trait, assessment instruments are scarce and are validated mainly for Western cultures so far. Therefore, we aimed at examining the transcultural generality of math anxiety by a thorough investigation of the validity of math anxiety assessment in Eastern Europe. We investigated the validity and reliability of a Polish adaptation of the Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS), known to have very good psychometric characteristics in its original, American-English version as well as in its Italian and Iranian adaptations. We also observed high reliability, both for internal consistency and test-retest stability of the AMAS in the Polish sample. The results also show very good construct, convergent and discriminant validity: The factorial structure in Polish adult participants (n = 857) was very similar to the one previously found in other samples; AMAS scores correlated moderately in expected directions with state and trait anxiety, self-assessed math achievement and skill as well temperamental traits of emotional reactivity, briskness, endurance, and perseverance. Average scores obtained by participants as well as gender differences and correlations with external measures were also similar across cultures. Beyond the cultural comparison, we used path model analyses to show that math anxiety relates to math grades and self-competence when controlling for trait anxiety. The current study shows transcultural validity of math anxiety assessment with the AMAS.

[Analysis of sperm chromosomes in infertile males with teratozoospermia]. / Analiza chromosomów plemników od pacjentów z teratozoospermia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine sperm chromosomes from infertile males with teratozoospermia. DESIGN: Basic research study MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spermatozoa were obtained from infertile males with teratozoospermia. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was used to inject human spermatozoa into mouse oocytes in order to examine sperm chromosomes. RESULTS: Chromosomes of spermatozoa obtained from 6 infertile teratozoospermic and 1 fertile normozoospermic males were investigated. The mean frequency of structural chromosome aberrations in amorphous, motile spermatozoa was similar to that of morphologically normal sperm (9 vs. 7.7%). The structural aberrations found in amorphous, immotile spermatozoa reached 93% and revealed severity was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Teratozoospermia per se did not increase the frequency of structural chromosome aberrations in sperm. Severe chromosomal damage was revealed when immotile spermatozoa were injected into oocytes by ICSI.

Expression of foreign DNA is associated with paternal chromosome degradation in intracytoplasmic sperm injection-mediated transgenesis in the mouse.

The efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated transgenesis is often limited by poor embryo development. Because our previous work indicated that impairment of embryo development is frequently related to chromosomal abnormalities, we hypothesized that foreign DNA and/or conditions used to enhance integration of the DNA might induce chromosome damage. Therefore, we examined the chromosomes of mouse embryos produced by transgenesis with the EGFP gene. Spermatozoa were processed with three methods that cause membrane disruption: freeze-thawing, Triton X-100, or Triton X-100 followed by a sucrose wash. Membrane-disrupted spermatozoa were mixed with EGFP plasmids and injected into metaphase II oocytes. Three endpoints were evaluated: paternal chromosomes of the zygote, embryo capacity to develop in vitro, and expression of the transgene at the morula/blastocyst stage. In all pretreatments, we observed a significant decrease (approximately 2-fold) in the frequency of normal karyoplates when spermatozoa were incubated with exogenous DNA as compared with the treatment when no DNA was added. As predicted, embryo development was correlated with the integrity of the paternal chromosomes of the zygote. Searching for the possible mechanism of chromosome degradation, we used the ion chelators EGTA and EDTA and found that they neutralize the harmful effect of the transgene and stabilize the paternal chromosomes. In the presence of chelating agents, however, the number of embryos expressing EGFP produced with ICSI-mediated transgenesis decreased significantly. The results suggest that treatment of spermatozoa with exogenous DNA leads to paternal chromosome degradation in the zygote. Furthermore, the mechanisms of disruption of paternal chromosomes and the integration of foreign DNA may be closely related.

Combination of dithiothreitol and detergent treatment of spermatozoa causes paternal chromosomal damage.

Treatment of spermatozoa with either the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 (TX) or dithiothreitol (DTT) has been suggested to confer enhanced success on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in mice and humans. Here, we attempted to use both reagents together, to our knowledge for the first time, and found that this caused severe chromosomal breaks in paternal pronuclei. We documented this effect further by treating mouse spermatozoa with several combinations of DTT with and without detergent. Spermatozoa were treated with vigorous pipetting to induce membrane disruption or with TX or the ionic detergent mixed alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (ATAB). Swim-up spermatozoa were used as controls. In each treatment, two samples were tested, with or without the addition of DTT during the treatment procedure. In all samples with DTT, protamine reduction was confirmed by the decondensation assay. Sperm nuclei obtained after different treatments were injected into oocytes for cytogenetic analysis, and paternal and maternal chromosomes of the zygote were visualized and examined. We found that the numbers of normal paternal karyoplates resulting from ICSI with spermatozoa treated with either DTT (87%, 153/176), TX (79%, 112/142), or ATAB (85%, 99/116) alone were similar to swim-up controls (92%, 103/112). However, only 22% (23/103) and 40% (59/149) of examined metaphases were scored as normal in TX + DTT or ATAB + DTT treatments, respectively. Spermatozoa in which the membranes were disrupted by vigorous pipetting in the presence of DTT had a slightly reduced frequency of normal chromosomes (61%, 64/104), whereas those without DTT were normal (79%, 125/159). However, this difference was not statistically significant. When spermatozoa were treated with TX + DTT in the presence of EGTA or a mixture of EGTA and EDTA, the frequency of normal chromosomes was 39% (45/114) and 47% (38/81), respectively, suggesting that endogenous sperm nucleases may play a role in chromosomal damage. Our results indicate that simultaneous treatment of spermatozoa with detergent and DTT induces extensive chromosomal breakage and, therefore, should not be attempted in ICSI.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is more efficient than in vitro fertilization for generating mouse embryos from cryopreserved spermatozoa.

Efficient and dependable mouse cryopreservation methods are urgently needed because the production of mice with transgenes and disrupted and mutant genes is now commonplace. Preservation of these unique genomes provides an essential safeguard for future research. Unfortunately, mouse spermatozoa appear more vulnerable to freezing than other species, e.g., bovine and human. In this study, we examined the efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in generating embryos from mouse spermatozoa frozen with 18% raffinose and 3% skim milk for cryoprotection. A comparison was made between the inbred strain C57BL/6J, commonly used in mutagenic and transgenic studies, and a hybrid strain B6D2F1 (C57BL/6J x DBA/2J). C57BL/6J spermatozoa are known to be more sensitive to freezing than B6D2F1. Fertilization of oocytes after IVF was significantly lower with C57BL/6J spermatozoa when compared with B6D2F1 spermatozoa for both fresh and frozen spermatozoa (fresh, 89 vs. 55%; frozen, 56 vs. 9%). Freezing also reduced the fertility of B6D2F1 spermatozoa (89 vs. 56%). Fertilization improved dramatically after ICSI with fresh and frozen C57BL/6J spermatozoa (90 and 85%) and also with frozen B6D2F1 spermatozoa (87%). The development of two-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage was lower for C57BL/6J than B6D2F1 (42-61% and 84-98%) in all treatments but similar for embryos within each strain. The normality of chromosomes from fresh and frozen spermatozoa was assessed in oocytes prior to first cleavage. The majority of oocytes had normal chromosomes after IVF (98-100%) and ICSI (87-95%), indicating that chromosomal abnormalities were not responsible for the poorer development in vitro of C57BL/6J embryos. In conclusion, our data show that ICSI is a more efficient and effective technique than IVF for generating embryos from frozen spermatozoa. More important, ICSI is especially valuable for strains where IVF with fresh spermatozoa produces few or no embryos.

Sperm nuclear halos can transform into normal chromosomes after injection into oocytes.

Mouse sperm nuclei extracted with an ionic detergent and 2 M NaCl retain their overall morphology, but upon subsequent reduction of the protamine disulfides they lose all elements of chromatin structure except the organization of DNA into loop that are anchored to the nuclear matrix. These DNA loops appear as a halo surrounding the nuclear matrix, and nuclei extracted in this manner are, therefore, called nuclear halos. Here, we report that sperm nuclear halos injected into oocytes can form pronuclei, then transform into chromosomes with normal morphology. This suggests that sperm nuclear halos retain all the information necessary for normal chromosomal organization, and that micromanipulation of these extracted sperm nuclei can be accomplished without major DNA damage.

Separation of motile populations of spermatozoa prior to freezing is beneficial for subsequent fertilization in vitro: a study with various mouse strains.

Success with in vitro fertilization (IVF) using inbred strains of mice varies considerably and appears to be related to the proportion of motile spermatozoa present in epididymal sperm samples of different strains. In this study, motile spermatozoa were separated from the original samples using a column of Sephadex G25. IVF rates were compared between separated and nonseparated samples of epididymal spermatozoa before and after cryopreservation. Oocytes and spermatozoa were obtained from FVB, DBA/2, C57BL/6J, and BALB/c inbred mice; and from F1 (C57BL/6J;ts DBA/2) hybrid mice, and isogenic gametes were used for IVF. These strains of mice were chosen because of their common use in transgenesis and mutagenesis studies. Dulbecco PBS was used for sperm separation on Sephadex, 18% raffinose, and 3% skim milk for cryopreservation; T6 medium for IVF; and mKSOM(AA) for embryo culture. There was a marked improvement in the rate of fertilization using fresh spermatozoa after motile spermatozoa were separated in C57BL/6J and BALB/c strains (92% vs. 58%, 79% vs. 44%) but no differences were found in fertilization rates between separated and nonseparated spermatozoa in F1, FVB, and DBA/2 strains (99% vs. 83%, 95% vs. 93%, 86% vs. 87%, respectively). After cryopreservation, higher rates of fertilization were obtained with separated motile samples in all strains; the greatest improvements were obtained with spermatozoa from C57BL/6J and BALB/c strains (40% vs. 16% and 51% vs. 14% for separated and nonseparated spermatozoa, respectively). No differences were found between the proportions of 14.5-day fetuses developing from embryos derived from separated and nonseparated spermatozoa with or without cryopreservation (33% to 46%). In conclusion, the fertility of frozen-thawed mouse epididymal spermatozoa improves significantly when highly motile populations of spermatozoa are separated for freezing.

Infertility status of male individuals with abnormal spermiogram evaluated by cytogenetic analysis and in vitro sperm penetration assay.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of a link between altered sperm morphology and functional ability, possibly reflected on the genetic level, is still a matter of controversy. MATERIAL/METHODS: 60 infertile males with pathological spermiogram and 14 healthy individuals with confirmed in vivo fertility were selected for our study. Ejaculated sperm was assessed according to the standard criteria set by the World Health Organization, which constituted a basis for subgroup classification. The sperm penetration assay (SPA) using human sperm and hamster oocytes was subsequently performed with concomitant cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). RESULTS: More than 55% of infertile males with pathological spermiogram exhibited a decreased ability for penetration of the oocyte (SPAL30%). The lowest penetration ability was observed in the semen of patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), of whom as many as 75% presented negative SPA values. We noted only 1 case of chromosome aberration (Robertsonian translocation) in the analyzed cohort of infertile patients. Strikingly, in the identified group of infertile patients with chromosome structural polymorphism (acrocentric chromosomes), we revealed a statistically significant decreased rate of sperm - oocyte penetration. CONCLUSIONS: A causative link may exist between sperm malfunction and a specific feature of the chromosome variants detected in the blood leukocytes of infertile males with pathological spermiogram.