Gambling among Croatian young people: an exploratory study of the relationship between psychopathic traits,risk-taking tendencies and gambling-related problems

The present study investigated the relationship between psychopathic traits, risk-taking tendencies and gambling problem severity and if these associations varied by gender in a community sample of Croatian adolescents (N = 282; 148 males). Results of the regression analyses showed that the Impulsive-Irresponsible behavioural style (YPI-II) and the Grandiose-Manipulative interpersonal style (YPI-GM) were the strongest postdictors of gambling-related problems. Surprisingly, independently of the YPI-II dimension, the Callous-Unemotional traits were negatively associated to gambling-related problems. By, contrast, independently of the psychopathic traits, risk-tendencies were not significant postdictors of gambling problem severity. With respect to gender differences, higher levels of the YPI-II and YPI-GM dimensions were related to more severe gambling-related problems only in males, not in females. Furthermore, while the CU traits exhibited protective features against gambling-related problems in both genders, the effect was stronger for males than for females.     

Integrated Direct and Indirect Flood Risk Modeling: Development and Sensitivity Analysis

In this article, we propose an integrated direct and indirect flood risk model for small‐ and large‐scale flood events, allowing for dynamic modeling of total economic losses from a flood event to a full economic recovery. A novel approach is taken that translates direct losses of both capital and labor into production losses using the Cobb‐Douglas production function, aiming at improved consistency in loss accounting. The recovery of the economy is modeled using a hybrid input‐output model and applied to the port region of Rotterdam, using six different flood events (1/10 up to 1/10,000). This procedure allows gaining a better insight regarding the consequences of both high‐ and low‐probability floods. The results show that in terms of expected annual damage, direct losses remain more substantial relative to the indirect losses (approximately 50% larger), but for low‐probability events the indirect losses outweigh the direct losses. Furthermore, we explored parameter uncertainty using a global sensitivity analysis, and varied critical assumptions in the modeling framework related to, among others, flood duration and labor recovery, using a scenario approach. Our findings have two important implications for disaster modelers and practitioners. First, high‐probability events are qualitatively different from low‐probability events in terms of the scale of damages and full recovery period. Second, there are substantial differences in parameter influence between high‐probability and low‐probability flood modeling. These findings suggest that a detailed approach is required when assessing the flood risk for a specific region.     

Gambling swindles and victims

This article focuses on clever confidence schemes designed for gambling swindles. Victims of these schemes are sought out for their character and investment potential by con men working together. The big con schemes involve considerable planning and time in order to beat a carefully selected, wealthy victim; perhaps in a simulated casino setting. In contrast, the short con scheme may be carried out by a team or mob using a suburban street corner, or at a traveling carnival. Gaffed (rigged) game equipment may be used along with proven methods, and a well-rehearsed story or pitch by the operators.Until his recent retirement, Robert J. Snyder served as a career law enforcement officer for one of the largest policing agencies in the United States. The focus of his career was on gaming and gambling, especially carnival games and confidence schemes.Mr. Snyder also participates in training law enforcement officers and in providing expert witness testimony for court proceed ings on carnival and gambling confidence schemes. He currently heads Bob Snyder and Associates, Inc., a consulting firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in Gaming/Gambling issues for governmental agencies and private industry.     

Urban flora in the Southeast Europe and its correlation with urbanization

Many studies have refuted the opinion that urban floras are poor in total species number and characterized primarily by neophytes. Also, it has been proved that urban flora differs from its surroundings, and at the same time reflects its richness. Our study focused on urban flora, structure and similarities, and the possible correlation with the urban attributes. Therefore, we selected 11 cities in Southeast Europe, which differ in the development of transportation networks (roads, rails and inland waterways) and population size. Next, we compared two sets of data (structure of urban flora and urban attributes) to define the correlation patterns. Analyzed urban floras were primarily distinguished by a total number of species, number of unique species and neophytes. Belgrade is a city with the highest urbanization level, the most species and the highest number of unique species and neophytes as well. Kosovska Mitrovica, Grocka and Po?arevac stand out by floristic richness. These cities have a high number of species, yet a small proportion of neophytes. Other cities are characterized by similar floristic structure, with a relatively similar proportion of neophytes and approximately similar number of unique species in relation to the total number. It can be concluded that other factors beside the chosen urban attributes have additional effects on floristic structure, except for the factor - the presence of neophytes. This is in accordance with predefining subjects, since urban attributes were chosen based on knowledge about important corridors for invasive species.     

Shiftwork tolerance and circadian rhythms in oral temperature and heart rate

Abstract

The study aimed at establishing differences in the circadian rhythm parameters of oral temperature and heart rate between three groups of workers matched by age: tolerant shiftworkers with good sleep quality and few psychosomatic and digestive complaints, intolerant shiftworkers with poor sleep quality and more psychosomatic and digestive complaints, and workers who had never worked in shifts. The study was performed at an oil refinery recreation centre where the subjects were isolated for three days. During that period they lived under constant conditions, i.e. their activities, timing and content of meals, ambient temperature and light were controlled. Hourly measurements of oral temperature and heart rate were performed over a 24-h period. The parameters of the physiological rhythms were estimated by means of the COSINA method. Generally, the differences between the groups were low and not statistically significant. The authors could find no difference in the amplitude and phase position between the tolerant shiftworkers unlike other authors. The difference between these results and those of others is likely to be due to the fact that earlier studies were performed in field conditions where many factors that could have masked the results were not controlled for.     

Estimating the turning point of a bathtub-shaped failure distribution

The turning point of a hazard rate function is useful in assessing the hazard in the useful life phase and helps to determine and plan appropriate burn-in, maintenance, and repair policies and strategies. For many bathtub-shaped distributions, the turning point is unique, and the hazard varies little in the useful life phase. We investigate the performance of an empirical estimator for the turning point in the case of the modified Weibull distribution, a bathtub-shaped generalization of the Weibull distribution, that has been found to be useful in reliability engineering and other areas concerned with life-time data. We illustrate the theory by means of an example, and also conduct a simulation study to assess the performance of the estimator in practice.