Addressing climate change with behavioral science: A global intervention tournament in 63 countries

Effectively reducing climate change requires marked, global behavior change. However, it is unclear which strategies are most likely to motivate people to change their climate beliefs and behaviors. Here, we tested 11 expert-crowdsourced interventions on four climate mitigation outcomes: beliefs, policy support, information sharing intention, and an effortful tree-planting behavioral task. Across 59,440 participants from 63 countries, the interventions' effectiveness was small, largely limited to nonclimate skeptics, and differed across outcomes: Beliefs were strengthened mostly by decreasing psychological distance (by 2.3%), policy support by writing a letter to a future-generation member (2.6%), information sharing by negative emotion induction (12.1%), and no intervention increased the more effortful behavior-several interventions even reduced tree planting. Last, the effects of each intervention differed depending on people's initial climate beliefs. These findings suggest that the impact of behavioral climate interventions varies across audiences and target behaviors.

Validation of the Short Version (TLS-15) of the Triangular Love Scale (TLS-45) across 37 Languages

Love is a phenomenon that occurs across the world and affects many aspects of human life, including the choice of, and process of bonding with, a romantic partner. Thus, developing a reliable and valid measure of love experiences is crucial. One of the most popular tools to quantify love is Sternberg's 45-item Triangular Love Scale (TLS-45), which measures three love components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. However, our literature review reveals that most studies (64%) use a broad variety of shortened versions of the TLS-45. Here, aiming to achieve scientific consensus and improve the reliability, comparability, and generalizability of results across studies, we developed a short version of the scale-the TLS-15-comprised of 15 items with 5-point, rather than 9-point, response scales. In Study 1 (N = 7,332), we re-analyzed secondary data from a large-scale multinational study that validated the original TLS-45 to establish whether the scale could be truncated. In Study 2 (N = 307), we provided evidence for the three-factor structure of the TLS-15 and its reliability. Study 3 (N = 413) confirmed convergent validity and test-retest stability of the TLS-15. Study 4 (N = 60,311) presented a large-scale validation across 37 linguistic versions of the TLS-15 on a cross-cultural sample spanning every continent of the globe. The overall results provide support for the reliability, validity, and cross-cultural invariance of the TLS-15, which can be used as a measure of love components-either separately or jointly as a three-factor measure.

COVID-19 vaccine skeptics are persuaded by pro-vaccine expert consensus messaging

To further understand how to combat COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy, we examined the effects of pro-vaccine expert consensus messaging on lay attitudes about vaccine safety and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. We surveyed 729 unvaccinated individuals from four countries in the early stages of the pandemic and 472 unvaccinated individuals from two countries after 2 years of the pandemic. We found belief of vaccine safety strongly correlated with intention to vaccinate in the first sample and less strongly in the second. We also found that consensus messaging improved attitudes toward vaccination even for participants who did not believe the vaccine is safe nor intended to get it. The persuasiveness of expert consensus was unaffected by exposing participants' lack of knowledge about vaccines. We conclude that highlighting expert consensus may be a way to increase support toward COVID-19 vaccination in those hesitant or skeptical. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Pragmatic and Universal Dimension of Socialisation. Perspective of Experiences of Prisoners – Citizens of Former USSR

The basic aim of these reflections is to answer the question what is the retrospective picture of socialisation processes, as seen by the researched prisoners. Such general issue combines the interpretation of socialisation, perception of its overt and hidden meaning, as well as personal reflection regarding own experiences. Taking the above into account, the author attempted to present individual, biographical experiences of a very specific group, i.e. citizens of Russia and former Soviet republics, whose period of childhood proceeded in the 1970s and 1980s. The interviews were conducted among a group of prisoners currently serving sentence in Polish prisons, but socialised during the period of Soviet Union. The methodological procedure followed qualitative research paradigm, oriented at reconstruction of experiences from the childhood and youth.

Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia in host-seeking biting midges

The distribution and morphology of antennal sensilla coeloconica in parasitic and predaceous biting midges were studied in females of Forcipomyia (feeding on the blood of frogs), Atrichopogon (feeding on haemolymph), Austroconops, Culicoides (feeding on the blood of birds and mammals) and Brachypogon (feeding on haemolymph and dissolved tissues of insects) (all: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). A Lower Cretaceous female of Archiculicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Lebanese amber, which fed on the blood of unknown vertebrates, was also examined. In sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia, the peg is grooved longitudinally and protrudes distinctly from the pit. We suggest that the microtrichia encircling the protruding peg form a structure resembling a picket fence in order to maintain a higher level of humidity, which facilitates the capture and transport of odour molecules through the channels in the peg wall. Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia function as very effective chemoreceptors in host- and prey-seeking activity. During the evolution of Ceratopogonidae, sensilla coeloconica with a fence of microtrichia have evolved twice in groups feeding on the blood of vertebrates (i.e. in the basal lineage: Lower Cretaceous or earlier) and in the subgenus Lasiohelea of Forcipomyia (Palaeogene). Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia are described for the first time in the relict genus Austroconops.

Antimicrobial activity of untypical lipid compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four fly species

AIMS

This article describes the qualitative and quantitative analyses of untypical compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four dipteran species. For isolated compounds, antimicrobial activity against 18 reference strains of bacteria and fungi was determined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, gas chromatography (GC) combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the surface and internal compounds of four fly species. Seven untypical compounds from both pre-imaginal and imaginal stages of examined insects were identified. Azelaic acid (AA) was the most abundant, while phenylacetic and phenylpropionic acids occurred in lower concentration. Minor quantities of sebacic acid, 2-methyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, tocopherol acetate and trace amounts of 2,4-decadienal were also detected. Tocopherol acetate was found only in cuticular lipids of Musca domestica larvae. Each compound was tested against several species of fungi and bacteria by determining minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Human pathogenic fungi were also investigated. Phenylpropionic acid showed the greatest antifungal activity. Bacterial strains were insensitive to the presence of identified compounds, apart from 2,4-decadienal which strongly inhibited bacterial growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first time that the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of untypical compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four fly species has been analysed.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Determination of untypical compounds and their antimicrobial activity can effectively contribute to the knowledge concerning insect defence mechanisms.

[Organization and evolution of animal colonies]

Based on the theory of organization and evolution of colonies in an extinct group of hemichordates graptolites (Urbanek, 1960, 1973) the relationship between the events in the late astogeny of bryozoan colonies and their somatic and reproductive cycle. The bryozoan colonies with simple organization are compared with graptoloid colonies and their structure is interpreted within the framework of the morphogen gradient theory. A morphogen produced by the founder-zooid (oozooid) diffuses along the long axis of the colonies and regulates the phenotypic expression of the size and structure of zooids. Evolutionary changes in the graptoloid colonies involve introduction of new characters and their spreading is also accompanied by gradient changes of their manifestation. Evolutionary mechanisms in bryozoan colonies are considered in terms of penetrance and expressivity of genes. In contrast to graptolites, many bryozoan colonies display multiple zones of astogeny changes and repetitions.

Knowledge and attitude assessment of Quebec daycare workers and parents regarding HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B

ISSUES

Cases of discrimination occur in Quebec daycares towards HIV-positive children as well as HIV-negative children born to seropositive parents.

OBJECTIVES

Offer three-hour information sessions on bloodborne diseases, specifically HIV and hepatitis B, universal precautions, as well as legal, ethical and psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS to: 1) ensure that daycare workers have basic medical information on transmission of HIV and other bloodborne infections, 2) review basic hygiene including universal precautions, 3) link daycares to HIV/AIDS resources in their communities, and 4) facilitate the development of pro-active daycare policies for the integration of HIV-positive children.

RESULTS

In total, 108 information sessions were given, in which 349 daycares participated. Results show an important difference in terms of knowledge and attitudes of the participants. Of the daycares which participated in the information sessions, 37% have developed their own pro-active policy.

Clinical use of indirect lymphography in different forms of leg edema

Indirect lymphography by subepidermal infusion of newly developed nonionic, dimeric contrast media (e.g., Iotrolan) opacifies peripheral lymphatics of the skin. Using this method we examined 159 patients with primary and secondary lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, and lipedema and compared the findings to normal individuals. A variety of characteristic patterns were uncovered. The technique causes little patient discomfort and takes on the average only 30 minutes.

[Sonography of acute cholecystitis. A report on 58 cases with a correlation of pathomorphological and histological findings]

Sonography has become the method of choice for evaluating acute diseases of the right upper quadrant. Prior to the ultrasound the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was based on clinical and laboratory data. The pathohistomorphology of 58 opertively and histologically proven cases of acute cholecystitis has been correlated with preoperative sonography. An acute cholecystitis can be diagnosed based on the following sonographic criteria: Thickening of the wall of the gallbladder to more than 4 mm, sonolucent areas in or around the wall of the gallbladder, an increased ap. diameter of more than 4 cm as well as gallstones. A hyperechoic content of the gallbladder correlating to an empyema of the gallbladder was found in 31% and a perforation in 27.6% of the cases.

[Endoscopic incision of the pancreatic duct]

Concrements in the prepapillary portion of the Wirsungian duct result in secretion with simultaneous obstruction and, thus, represent a potential cause of pancreatitis. The removal of these concrements is indicated and rendered possible by endoscopic incision of the pancreatic duct. This procedure has been performed only very rarely up to the present. Its efficacy is demonstrated by a case report.

The dermal lymphatics in lymphoedema visualized by indirect lymphography

Iotasul, a new water-soluble contrast medium, is very suitable for subepidermal infusion (indirect lymphography) for the demonstration of small (initial) dermal lymphatics in the macro-range (precollectors). By this method normal lymph vessels can be demonstrated in the healthy skin of hands and feet which are so fine that they cannot be punctured for direct lymphography. We studied thirty-eight patients with various forms of lymphoedema by indirect lymphography. In patients with congenital lymphoedema (particularly Milroy's disease) the initial dermal lymphatics in the lymphoedematous region were absent but large lymph collectors were present. Hyperplasia of dermal lymphatics in the form of an extremely fine net was seen in most patients with lymphoedema praecox and tardum. In some forms of primary lymphoedema the defect may be in the initial dermal lymphatics. In secondary lymphoedema, the changes in the peripheral lymphatics (mainly distension and congestion) are apparently a consequence of the primary lesion in the lymph nodes and large collectors. Indirect lymphography might be useful for the early diagnosis of mild lymphoedema and for excluding patients with hypoplasia of initial lymph vessels from surgery.

Differential diagnosis of lymphedema after indirect lymphography with Iotasul

Indirect lymphography with Iotasul (interdigital, intradermal infusion) was performed in 32 patients with lymphedema. No side effects were observed. Opacification of the peripheral lymph vessels reveals two distinct patterns: 1. No, few, or only very small-calibre lymph vessels ("hypoplasia"): 17 patients (primary lymphedema in 14 cases, secondary in 3). 2. Many large-calibre (dilated) lymph vessels ("hyperplasia"): 15 patients (primary lymphedema in 2 cases, secondary in 13). An occasional finding in "hypoplasia" is drainage of the contrast material in the region of the adventitia of vessels, and a network of extremely fine lymph vessels apparently corresponding to the dermal plexus is sometimes observed. Because it leads to the opacification of barely perceptible lymph vessels in the extreme periphery which were previously inaccessible to radiology, indirect lymphography offers a genuine gain in information and improves the differential diagnosis. When administered correctly, Iotasul invariably enhances the peripheral lymph vessels without making any great demands of the patient or investigator.

[New aspects on diagnosis and therapy of primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)]

26, out of them 20 surgically proven cases of primary hyperparathyroidism are presented. The value of different laboratory, radiographic and scintigraphic analysis is examined. The estimation of calcium and phosphate in serum, the iPTH-determination and fine detail hands radiographs were found to be sufficient to establish diagnosis and indication for surgery. The chloride/phosphate-ratio proved valuable in comparative statistical analysis between pHPT and two control groups. Venous sampling at present seems to be the superior method for preoperative localization of parathyroid disease. It should be performed before second surgical intervention in the cervical region, in elderly (more than 60 years old) and risk patients. Early diagnosis and therapy of pHPT is important as pHPT is a chronic disease with many organ complications. The value of calcium-screening in an age group between 40 and 60 years is discussed.

[Application of vasopressin in diagnostic radiology (author's transl)]

Vasopressin is demonstrated in 100 selected patients as a suitable drug to remove intestinal gas in diagnostic radiology. After subcutaneous injection of 10 IU Vasopressin only slight side-effects occurred in 35% of the patients. Under strict attention of the contraindications the use of Vasopressin is nearly without risk and leads to partially excellent results.