What Do Different People Look for in a Partner? Effects of Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Mating Strategies on Partner Preferences.

Partner preferences are an important differential in relationship formation and evolutionary fitness, and vary according to individual, ecological, and social factors. In this study, we evaluated the variation in preference for intelligence, kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and socioeconomic level among individuals of different sexes and sexual orientations in a Brazilian sample. We analyzed the preference scores of 778 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women in three budgeted mate design tasks (low vs. medium vs. high budget) and their association with sociosexuality, attachment styles, homogamy, and willingness to engage in short- and long-term relationships. Results indicated a global trait preference order, with intelligence ranking first, followed by kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and lastly by socioeconomic status. Typical sex differences were observed mostly within the heterosexual group, and specific combinations of sex and sexual orientation were linked to variation in preference for physical attractiveness, kindness, and socioeconomic status. We also found unique associations of the other variables with partner preferences and with willingness to engage in short- or long-term relationships. By exploring the partner preferences of non-heterosexual individuals from a Latin American country, an underrepresented group in evolutionary psychology research, our results help understand the universal and specific factors that guide partner preferences and human sexual behavior.

Is the Bland-Altman plot method useful without inferences for accuracy, precision, and agreement?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to propose a comprehensive alternative to the Bland-Altman plot method, addressing its limitations and providing a statistical framework for evaluating the equivalences of measurement techniques. This involves introducing an innovative three-step approach for assessing accuracy, precision, and agreement between techniques, which enhances objectivity in equivalence assessment. Additionally, the development of an R package that is easy to use enables researchers to efficiently analyze and interpret technique equivalences. METHODS: Inferential statistics support for equivalence between measurement techniques was proposed in three nested tests. These were based on structural regressions with the goal to assess the equivalence of structural means (accuracy), the equivalence of structural variances (precision), and concordance with the structural bisector line (agreement in measurements obtained from the same subject), using analytical methods and robust approach by bootstrapping. To promote better understanding, graphical outputs following Bland and Altman's principles were also implemented. RESULTS: The performance of this method was shown and confronted by five data sets from previously published articles that used Bland and Altman's method. One case demonstrated strict equivalence, three cases showed partial equivalence, and one showed poor equivalence. The developed R package containing open codes and data are available for free and with installation instructions at Harvard Dataverse at https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/AGJPZH. CONCLUSION: Although easy to communicate, the widely cited and applied Bland and Altman plot method is often misinterpreted, since it lacks suitable inferential statistical support. Common alternatives, such as Pearson's correlation or ordinal least-square linear regression, also fail to locate the weakness of each measurement technique. It may be possible to test whether two techniques have full equivalence by preserving graphical communication, in accordance with Bland and Altman's principles, but also adding robust and suitable inferential statistics. Decomposing equivalence into three features (accuracy, precision, and agreement) helps to locate the sources of the problem when fixing a new technique.

Is the Bland-Altman plot method useful without inferences for accuracy, precision, and agreement?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study aims to propose a comprehensive alternative to the Bland-Altman plot method, addressing its limitations and providing a statistical framework for evaluating the equivalences of measurement techniques. This involves introducing an innovative three-step approach for assessing accuracy, precision, and agreement between techniques, which enhances objectivity in equivalence assessment. Additionally, the development of an R package that is easy to use enables researchers to efficiently analyze and interpret technique equivalences. METHODS Inferential statistics support for equivalence between measurement techniques was proposed in three nested tests. These were based on structural regressions with the goal to assess the equivalence of structural means (accuracy), the equivalence of structural variances (precision), and concordance with the structural bisector line (agreement in measurements obtained from the same subject), using analytical methods and robust approach by bootstrapping. To promote better understanding, graphical outputs following Bland and Altman's principles were also implemented. RESULTS The performance of this method was shown and confronted by five data sets from previously published articles that used Bland and Altman's method. One case demonstrated strict equivalence, three cases showed partial equivalence, and one showed poor equivalence. The developed R package containing open codes and data are available for free and with installation instructions at Harvard Dataverse at https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/AGJPZH. CONCLUSION Although easy to communicate, the widely cited and applied Bland and Altman plot method is often misinterpreted, since it lacks suitable inferential statistical support. Common alternatives, such as Pearson's correlation or ordinal least-square linear regression, also fail to locate the weakness of each measurement technique. It may be possible to test whether two techniques have full equivalence by preserving graphical communication, in accordance with Bland and Altman's principles, but also adding robust and suitable inferential statistics. Decomposing equivalence into three features (accuracy, precision, and agreement) helps to locate the sources of the problem when fixing a new technique.

Comparison of digital games as a cognitive function assessment tool for current standardized neuropsychological tests.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive dysfunction may occur postoperatively. Fast and efficient assessment of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) can minimize loss of quality of life, and therefore, a study comparing a digital game with standard neuropsychological tests to assess executive, mnemonic, and attention functions to evaluate POCD seems to be relevant both for research and clinical practice. METHODS: A battery of standardized tests and a digital game (MentalPlus®) were administered to 60 patients at the Central Institute of Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo (36 women and 24 men), with ages between 29 and 82 years, pre- and post-surgery performed under anesthesia. Correlation and linear regression model were used to compare the scores obtained from the standardized tests to the scores of the six executive and cognitive functions evaluated by the game (short- and long-term memory, selective and alternating attention, inhibitory control, and visual perception). RESULTS: After correlation analysis, a statistically significant result was found mainly for the correlation between the scores from the phase of the digital game assessing the visuoperception function and the scores from the A and B cards of the Stroop Test (p < 0.001, r = 0.99 and r = 0.64, respectively), and the scores from TMTA (p = 0.0046, r = 0.51). We also found a moderate correlation between the phase of the game assessing short-memory function and VVLT (p < 0.001, r = 0.41). No statistically significant correlations were found for the other functions assessed. CONCLUSION: The digital game provided scores in agreement with standardized tests for evaluating visual perception and possibly short-term memory cognitive functions. Further studies are necessary to verify the correlation of other phases of the digital game with standardized tests assessing cognitive functions.

Assessment of a digital game as a neuropsychological test for postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction may result from worsening in a condition of previous impairment. It causes greater difficulty in recovery, longer hospital stays, and consequent delay in returning to work activities. Digital games have a potential neuromodulatory and rehabilitation effect. In this study, a digital game was used as a neuropsychological test to assess postoperative cognitive dysfunction, with preoperative patient performance as control. METHODS: It was a non-controlled study, with patients selected among candidates for elective non-cardiac surgery, evaluated in the pre- and postoperative periods. The digital game used has six phases developed to evaluate selective attention, alternating attention, visuoperception, inhibitory control, short-term memory, and long-term memory. The digital game takes about 25 minutes. Scores are the sum of correct answers in each cognitive domain. Statistical analysis compared these cognitive functions pre- and post-surgery using a generalized linear mixed model (ANCOVA). RESULTS: Sixty patients were evaluated, 40% male and 60% female, with a mean age of 52.7 ± 13.5 years. Except for visuoperception, a reduction in post-surgery scores was found in all phases of the digital game. CONCLUSION: The digital game was able to detect decline in several cognitive functions postoperatively. As its completion is faster than in conventional tests on paper, this digital game may be a potentially recommended tool for assessing patients, especially the elderly and in the early postoperative period.

Validity of the QUADAS-2 in Assessing Risk of Bias in Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic Accuracy Studies.

Accurate detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is of considerable clinical importance. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) is the current research standard for evaluating the quality of studies that validate diagnostic tests; however, its own construct validity has not yet been evaluated empirically. Our aim was to evaluate how well the proposed QUADAS-2 items and its domains converge to indicate the study quality criteria. This study applies confirmatory factor analysis to determine whether a measurement model would be consistent with meta-analytic data. Cochrane meta-analyses assessing the accuracy of AD diagnostic tests were identified. The seven ordinal QUADAS-2 items, intended to inform study quality based on risk of bias and applicability concerns, were extracted for each of the included studies. The QUADAS-2 pre-specified factor structure (i.e., four domains assessed in terms of risk of bias and applicability concerns) was not testable. An alternative model based on two correlated factors (i.e., risk of bias and applicability concerns) returned a poor fit model. Poor factor loadings were obtained, indicating that we cannot provide evidence that the indicators convergent validity markers in the context of AD diagnostic accuracy metanalyses, where normally the sample size is low (around 60 primary included studies). A Monte Carlo simulation suggested that such a model would require at least 90 primary studies to estimate these parameters with 80% power. The reliability of the QUADAS-2 items to inform a measurement model for study quality remains unconfirmed. Considerations for conceptualizing such a tool are discussed.

Adult criticism and vigilance diminish free riding by children in a social dilemma.

In cooperative situations, individual interests can be in conflict with those of the group, creating a social dilemma in which one must choose whether to cooperate or not. Sensitivity to social stimuli is an important factor influencing cooperative behavior in such dilemmas. The current study investigated the influence of verbal feedback and vigilance by adults on children's donating behavior in a public goods game. The participants were 739 public school children, between 5 and 12 years of age, who were divided into 34 groups. Each group was assigned to one of four experimental conditions: control, positive feedback (praise), negative feedback (criticism), or vigilance. Participants then played eight rounds of the game. The children's donations were greater in the feedback and vigilance conditions, but the effects were mediated by age and rounds. The results are most likely related to concerns about reputation, which tend to become stronger with age. Older children are better at self-presentation and understanding social norms. Thus, compared with younger children, they seemed more concerned with appearing to be generous, but only when they could get credit for it. Nevertheless, children's donations still decreased across the rounds. Although adult vigilance and feedback influence children's cooperation among peers, other mechanisms are necessary to stabilize their behavior over time.

Face Scanning in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Human Versus Dog Face Scanning.

This study used eye tracking to explore attention allocation to human and dog faces in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and typical development (TD). Significant differences were found among the three groups. TD participants looked longer at the eyes than ASD and ADHD ones, irrespective of the faces presented. In spite of this difference, groups were similar in that they looked more to the eyes than to the mouth areas of interest. The ADHD group gazed longer at the mouth region than the other groups. Furthermore, groups were also similar in that they looked more to the dog than to the human faces. The eye-tracking technology proved to be useful for behavioral investigation in different neurodevelopmental disorders.

Male and female breeding strategies in a cooperative primate.

Marmosets are cooperative breeders organized as extended family groups, but breeding is generally restricted to a single pair. Breeding competition is fierce in female marmosets; males, on the other hand, show low levels of intragroup aggression. We investigated male and female breeding strategies and the resulting reproductive output in 9 wild groups. Reproductive output, tenure of breeding animals, identification of the breeding system, breeding position replacements, migration and infanticide were recorded; also, we recorded grooming and aggression. Replacement of the breeding male or female was observed on nine occasions. On four occasions, the son of the breeding male inherited the breeding post, but we never observed inheritance of a breeding post by a daughter. Mostly, females attained a breeding post by immigrating to a group that had a breeding vacancy. Our results showed that Callithrix jacchus males and females use different strategies to attain a breeding position and maintain it for as long as possible. These strategies prolong the tenure of the breeding position, which is the best way to produce a large number of offspring. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neotropical Behaviour.

Depressão pós-parto e conflito conjugal: estudo longitudinal das associações bidirecionais em famílias de baixa renda / Postpartum depression and marital conflict: a longitudinal study of bidirectional associations in low-income families / Depresión posparto y conflicto marital: estudio longitudinal de las asociaciones bidireccionales en familias de bajos recursos

Com base em uma abordagem sistêmica, nosso objetivo é examinar longitudinalmente as associações bidirecionais entre depressão pós-parto e conflito conjugal durante os dois primeiros anos da criança e propor um método de análise de dados compatível com tal abordagem. Mães de baixa renda responderam à Escala de Depressão Pós-natal de Edinburgh e avaliaram o relacionamento com o parceiro. O modelo de equações estruturais não recursivo mostrou associações significativas no sentido da influência da DPP sobre o conflito conjugal. Relações bidirecionais significativas não foram encontradas entre as variáveis. A discussão centra-se no fato de termos encontrado maior probabilidade da DPP desencadear o conflito conjugal do que vice-versa.(AU)

Based on a systemic approach, our objective is to examine the bidirectional associations between postpartum depression (PPD) and marital conflict during the first two years of the child’s life, and to propose a method of data analysis compatible with this approach. Mothers were given the Brazilian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and their marital relationship was evaluated. Using a non-recursive structural equation model significant associations were found in the direction of the influence of PPD on marital conflict. Bidirectional associations between the variables were not found. Discussion focuses on the higher probability of PPD leading to marital conflict than the other way around.(AU)

Basado en un abordaje sistémico, nuestro objetivo es examinar longitudinalmente las asociaciones bidireccionales entre depresión postparto y conflicto marital durante los primeros dos años de vida del infante y proponer un método de análisis de datos compatible con tal abordaje. Madres de bajos recursos respondieron a la Escala de Depresión Postparto de Edinburgh y evaluaron el relacionamiento con sus parejos. El modelo de equaciones estructurales no recursivo mostró asociaciones significativas en el sentido de la influencia de la depresión postparto sobre el conflicto marital. Relaciones bidireccionales significativas no fueron encontradas entre las variables. La discusión central es el hecho de que hayamos encontrado una mayor probabilidad de la depresión posparto desencadenar el conflicto conyugal que viceversa.(AU)

Depressão pós-parto e conflito conjugal: estudo longitudinal das associações bidirecionais em famílias de baixa renda / Postpartum depression and marital conflict: a longitudinal study of bidirectional associations in low-income families / Depresión posparto y conflicto marital: estudio longitudinal de las asociaciones bidireccionales en familias de bajos recursos

Com base em uma abordagem sistêmica, nosso objetivo é examinar longitudinalmente as associações bidirecionais entre depressão pós-parto e conflito conjugal durante os dois primeiros anos da criança e propor um método de análise de dados compatível com tal abordagem. Mães de baixa renda responderam à Escala de Depressão Pós-natal de Edinburgh e avaliaram o relacionamento com o parceiro. O modelo de equações estruturais não recursivo mostrou associações significativas no sentido da influência da DPP sobre o conflito conjugal. Relações bidirecionais significativas não foram encontradas entre as variáveis. A discussão centra-se no fato de termos encontrado maior probabilidade da DPP desencadear o conflito conjugal do que vice-versa....

Based on a systemic approach, our objective is to examine the bidirectional associations between postpartum depression (PPD) and marital conflict during the first two years of the child’s life, and to propose a method of data analysis compatible with this approach. Mothers were given the Brazilian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and their marital relationship was evaluated. Using a non-recursive structural equation model significant associations were found in the direction of the influence of PPD on marital conflict. Bidirectional associations between the variables were not found. Discussion focuses on the higher probability of PPD leading to marital conflict than the other way around...

Basado en un abordaje sistémico, nuestro objetivo es examinar longitudinalmente las asociaciones bidireccionales entre depresión postparto y conflicto marital durante los primeros dos años de vida del infante y proponer un método de análisis de datos compatible con tal abordaje. Madres de bajos recursos respondieron a la Escala de Depresión Postparto de Edinburgh y evaluaron el relacionamiento con sus parejos. El modelo de equaciones estructurales no recursivo mostró asociaciones significativas en el sentido de la influencia de la depresión postparto sobre el conflicto marital. Relaciones bidireccionales significativas no fueron encontradas entre las variables. La discusión central es el hecho de que hayamos encontrado una mayor probabilidad de la depresión posparto desencadenar el conflicto conyugal que viceversa...

The ontogenesis of smiling and its association with mothers' affective behaviors: A longitudinal study.

Two babies were observed from their third week to their sixth month of life. Our goals in the study were: to investigate developmental changes in smiling patterns; to analyze the smiling patterns observed in the presence of mother's affective behaviors, and to verify whether the babies can answer contingently, with smiles, to mothers' affective behaviors. The babies and their mothers were videotaped at home. It was verified a positive linear trajectory tendency for the babies' smiles. The babies revealed a particular tendency to display one or two kinds of smiles. Babies answered contingently with smiles to their mothers' affective behaviors. Correlations between the most frequent types of babies' smiles and his/her mothers' smiles were verified (r = .77, p < .0017 - baby1, and r = .62, p < .0017 - baby2). Different types of smiles were exhibited by the babies as contingent answers to mothers' behaviors. The results show an association between babies' smiles and their mothers' affective behaviors.

A presença de nitrito e nitrato na dieta diária de escolares do município de São Paulo, SP / The presence of nitrite and nitrate in the daily diet of students - São Paulo, SP

Nitrites and nitrates are substances naturally found in foods either from animal or vegetal source, and also in drinking water. Concern has repeatedly been expressed in the scientific and popular literature about the extent and effects of nitrate and nitrite in our diet. The aim of this study was to estimate the presence of nitrate and nitrite, in the daily diet food of students, applying a questionnaire form asking which of the 25 food items were eaten the day before (diet recall). The students attend from 1st to 8th grade in private or public schools in São Paulo city, State of São Paulo, Brazil (in all turns, with people from 6 to 25 years-old). 6,185 students filled the form and 5,991 informed complete dietary data...

Pain evaluation of patients with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and low back pain

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare pain as reported by outpatients with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and low back pain, in view of designing more adequate physical therapy treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A Portuguese version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire - where subjects are asked to choose, from lists of pre-categorized words, one or none that best describes what they feel - was used to assess pain intensity and quality of 64 patients, of which 24 had fibromyalgia, 22 had osteoarthritis, and 18 had low back pain. The pre-categorized words were organized into 4 major classes -- sensory, affective, evaluative, and miscellaneous. RESULTS: Patients with fibromyalgia reported, comparatively, more intense pain through their choice of pain descriptors, both sensory and affective; they also chose a higher number of words from these classes than patients in the other groups and were the only ones to choose specific affective descriptors such as "vicious", "wretched", "exhausting", "blinding". CONCLUSION: Assuming that each disease presents unique qualities of pain experience, and that these can be pointed out by means of this questionnaire by patients' choice of specific groups of words, the findings suggest that fibromyalgia include not only a physical component, but also a psycho-emotional component, indicating that they require both emotional/affective and physical care