What does it mean to be a “citizen of the world”: A prototype approach

The superordinate social category “citizen of the world” is used by laypeople and scholars to embody several constructs (e.g., cosmopolitanism; global identity and citizenship), and prior research suggests that the concept is better represented as a prototype rather than having a clear-cut definition. This research aims to systematically examine the prototypical meaning of this social category, and how it is cognitively processed. Relying on a prototype approach, six studies (n = 448) showed that certain attributes of this category were communicated more frequently and were regarded as more central (e.g., multiculturalism), and that central (vs. peripheral) attributes were more quickly identified, more often remembered, and more appropriate to identify a group member, as well as the self, as a “citizen of the world.” These results systematically demonstrated that this category has a prototypical structure and there is a differentiated cognitive automatic processing for central and peripheral attributes. We propose that the specific content activated by the attributes regarded as central to the prototype of “citizens of the world” (e.g., intercultural contact; diversity), and the fact that these are more accessible in memory to form a mental representation, are important aspects to understand identity processes and their impact on intergroup outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unpacking all-inclusive superordinate categories: Comparing correlates and consequences of global citizenship and human identities

Previous research suggests that all-inclusive superordinate categories, such as “citizens of the world” and “humans,” may represent different socio-psychological realities. Yet it remains unclear whether the use of different categories may account for different psychological processes and attitudinal or behavioral outcomes. Two studies extended previous research by comparing how these categories are cognitively represented, and their impact on intergroup helping from host communities toward migrants. In a correlational study, 168 nationals from 25 countries perceived the group of migrants as more prototypical of the superordinate category “citizens of the world” than their national group (relative outgroup prototypicality), whereas no differences in prototypicality occurred for the category “humans.” Identification with “citizens of the world” was positively associated with a disposition to oppose helping migrants and to offer dependency-oriented help. However, identification with “humans” was positively associated with helping in general, and with offering dependency- and autonomy-oriented help; and negatively associated with opposition to helping. The experimental study manipulated the salience of “citizens of the world” vs. “humans” vs. control category, among 224 nationals from 36 countries. Results showed that the salience of “humans” (vs. “citizens of the world”) triggered higher entitativity and essentialist perceptions, and dual-identity representations. No differences due to salience were found for representations of relative ingroup prototypicality or helping responses. Overall, these findings suggest that the interchangeable use of different labels is problematic, considering these might activate different representations, and thus, are likely to lead, in some circumstances, to different attitudinal or behavioral outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Recognizing the Similarities and Appreciating the Differences?:Content Choices and Perceived (Dis)similarity With TV Show Characters Among Youth

Original content on video-on-demand platforms is often globally available but reflects the diversity of the American population in terms of ethnicities, races, and sexual identities. According to previous research, exposure to media with diverse characters can improve viewers’ attitudes toward minorities. However, are the audiences in racially homogenous countries or in countries that are less accepting of homosexuality interested in shows with diverse characters? Moreover, how do people select content from the diverse offerings on global video-on-demand platforms? To explore these issues, we study the entertainment media diets of Polish teenagers, aged 15–18. Specifically, we examine three research questions. First, what kind of content does the Polish youth select on streaming platforms? Second, what is the role of (dis)similarity between the characters and the viewers for Polish youth in selecting their entertainment TV shows on streaming platforms? Third, how do Polish youth understand the possible effects of their streamed TV content on their attitudes toward others? Based on 20 one-hour-long semi-structured interviews, we found that viewers sought psychologically complex and attractive characters, irrespective of race or sexual orientation. Recognizing the similarities of life experiences with TV characters mattered in youth’s decision about streaming content. Viewers also appreciated characters different from themselves because they were able to learn about them. The results are discussed with the implications for media selection and effects studies.</p

The functional readthrough extension of malate dehydrogenase reveals a modification of the genetic code

Translational readthrough gives rise to C-terminally extended proteins, thereby providing the cell with new protein isoforms. These may have different properties from the parental proteins if the extensions contain functional domains. While for most genes amino acid incorporation at the stop codon is far lower than 0.1%, about 4% of malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) is physiologically extended by translational readthrough and the actual ratio of MDH1x (extended protein) to ‘normal' MDH1 is dependent on the cell type. In human cells, arginine and tryptophan are co-encoded by the MDH1x UGA stop codon. Readthrough is controlled by the 7-nucleotide high-readthrough stop codon context without contribution of the subsequent 50 nucleotides encoding the extension. All vertebrate MDH1x is directed to peroxisomes via a hidden peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS) in the readthrough extension, which is more highly conserved than the extension of lactate dehydrogenase B. The hidden PTS of non-mammalian MDH1x evolved to be more efficient than the PTS of mammalian MDH1x. These results provide insight into the genetic and functional co-evolution of these dually localized dehydrogenases

Blue rubber-bleb naevus syndrome: report of a case with consumption coagulopathy complicated by manifest thrombosis

Abstract Blue rubber-bleb naevus (BRBN) syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by subcutaneous and gastrointestinal haemangiomas. The latter may lead to bleeding complications. A case is reported in which a process of chronic intravascular coagulation resulted in serious thrombotic complications. In the presence of a chronic consumption coagulopathy, it remains uncertain whether antiplatelet drugs are of prophylactic antithrombotic value