Do narcissism and emotional intelligence win us friends? Modeling dynamics of peer popularity using inferential network analysis

This research investigated effects of narcissism and emotional intelligence (EI) on popularity in social networks. In a longitudinal field study we examined the dynamics of popularity in 15 peer groups in two waves (N=273).We measured narcissism, ability EI, explicit and implicit self-esteem. In addition, we measured popularity at zero acquaintance and three months later. We analyzed the data using inferential network analysis (temporal exponential random graph modeling, TERGM) accounting for self-organizing network forces. People high in narcissism were popular, but increased less in popularity over time than people lower in narcissism. In contrast, emotionally intelligent people increased more in popularity over time than less emotionally intelligent people. The effects held when we controlled for explicit and implicit self-esteem. These results suggest that narcissism is rather disadvantageous and that EI is rather advantageous for long-term popularity

Acriflavine, a clinically approved drug, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been socially and economically devastating. Despite an unprecedented research effort and available vaccines, effective therapeutics are still missing to limit severe disease and mortality. Using high-throughput screening, we identify acriflavine (ACF) as a potent papain-like protease (PLpro) inhibitor. NMR titrations and a co-crystal structure confirm that acriflavine blocks the PLpro catalytic pocket in an unexpected binding mode. We show that the drug inhibits viral replication at nanomolar concentration in cellular models, in vivo in mice and ex vivo in human airway epithelia, with broad range activity against SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses. Considering that acriflavine is an inexpensive drug approved in some countries, it may be immediately tested in clinical trials and play an important role during the current pandemic and future outbreaks. © 2021 The Author

Narcissism and partner-enhancement at different relationship stages

Partner-enhancement refers to perceiving the romantic partner more positively than one’s own self. Partner-enhancement often varies as a function of relationship duration: It is stronger in the earlier than later stage of a relationship. We asked whether narcissism moderates the association between relationship duration and partner-enhancement. We conducted three studies, with two testing participants individually (N1 = 70; N2 = 412) and the third testing couples (N3 = 84). Overall, narcissism negatively predicted partner-enhancement. However, low narcissists enhanced their partners at earlier but not later relationship stages, whereas high narcissists showed little partner-enhancement across relationship stages. High narcissists do not enhance their partner, albeit they self-enhance, a pattern that may have consequences for the quality of their relationships

Structural validity of the Communal Narcissism Inventory (CNI) : the Bifactor Model

The current report presents the factor structure analysis for the Communal Narcissism Inventory (CNI). The bi-factor model assuming one general factor and two residual factors (present-focused and future-focused communal narcissism) was examined across two student samples originating from Poland (N = 831) and the UK (N = 304) and compared to one-factor and two-factor solutions. Results supported the bifactor solution for the CNI, with one strong general factor and two weaker residual factors, as well as an indicated difference in the strength of correlations with external variables (self-esteem, agentic narcissism and psychological entitlement) for present and future communal narcissism. The obtained bifactor solution showed partial scalar invariance across two national samples, suggesting full replication of findings in two different cultural contexts. The implications of the bifactor model of communal narcissism for research practice are discussed in terms of both structural equation modeling and multiple regression analyses

Narcissism moderates the association between basal testosterone and generosity in men

Research has linked hormones to behavioral outcomes in intricate ways, often moderated by psychological dispositions. The associations between testosterone and antisocial or prosocial outcomes also depend on dispositions relevant to status and dominance. In two studies (N1 = 68, N2 = 83), we investigated whether endogenous testosterone, measured in saliva, and narcissism, a psychological variable highly relevant to status motivation, interactively predicted men’s preferences regarding resource allocation. Narcissism moderated the links between testosterone and social value orientation: among low narcissists testosterone negatively predicted generosity in resource allocation and probability of endorsing a prosocial (vs. pro-self) value orientation, whereas among high narcissists testosterone tended to positively predict generosity and the probability of endorsing a prosocial (vs. pro-self) value orientation. We discuss these results as examples of calibrating effects of testosterone on human behavior, serving to increase and maintain social status. We advocate the relevance of psychological dispositions, alongside situations, when examining the role of T in social outcomes

Multispecies Identification of Oilseed- and Meat-Specific Proteins and Heat-Stable Peptide Markers in Food Products

Consumer demand for both plant products and meat products enriched with plant raw materials is constantly increasing. Therefore, new versatile and reliable methods are needed to find and combat fraudulent practices in processed foods. The objective of this study was to identify oilseed species-specific peptide markers and meat-specific markers that were resistant to processing, for multispecies authentication of different meat and vegan food products using the proteomic LC-MS/MS method. To assess the limit of detection (LOD) for hemp proteins, cooked meatballs consisting of three meat species and hemp cake at a final concentration of up to 7.4% were examined. Hemp addition at a low concentration of below 1% was detected. The LOD for edestin subunits and albumin was 0.9% (w/w), whereas for 7S vicilin-like protein it was 4.2% (w/w). Specific heat-stable peptides unique to hemp seeds, flaxseed, nigella, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds, as well as guinea fowl, rabbit, pork, and chicken meat, were detected in different meat and vegan foods. Most of the oilseed-specific peptides were identified as processing-resistant markers belonging to 11S globulin subunits, namely conlinin, edestin, helianthinin, pumpkin vicilin-like or late embryogenesis proteins, and sesame legumin-like as well as 2S albumins and oleosin isoforms or selected enzymic proteins

The Effect of Hemp Cake (Cannabis sativa L.) on the Characteristics of Meatballs Stored in Refrigerated Conditions

Hemp cake, a by-product of cold pressing oil from hemp seeds, is a nutritious ingredient that could be used for the production of new or reformulated meat products. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of inclusion of 0.9%, 2.6%, 4.2%, and 7.4% (w/w) hemp cake (Cannabis sativa L.) on the physicochemical and textural properties, oxidation, and sensory acceptance of cooked and vacuum-packed meatballs during refrigerated storage. The addition of 7.4% hemp cake enhanced the amount of dry matter and reduced the content of water. Lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values reduced significantly with higher levels of hemp supplementation. Regardless of the amount of hemp additive, pH, color parameters did not differ significantly during the 12 days of storage. Hemp cake significantly decreased protein and lipid oxidation: the inhibitory effect of adding 7.4% hemp cake on protein carbonyl group formation and TBARS values reached 11.16% and 36.5%, respectively, after 10 days of storage. Sensory analysis revealed that meatballs prepared with 0.9% and 2.6% hemp cake gained higher overall scores. The results indicate that hemp cake, a material considered mainly as waste, may be destined for food purposes and be an alternative ingredient for the production of sustainable meat products

Effect of Dry, Vacuum, and Modified Atmosphere Ageing on Physicochemical Properties of Roe Deer Meat

Consumers around the world are choosing sustainable and unprocessed foods. Roe deer meat, due to the natural origin, is a source of organic and healthy meat. The selection of suitable storage conditions and times plays an important role in a deterioration of the meat's functional and nutritional values. The knowledge about oxidation processes in roe deer meat stored and packed deploying different methods is limited. The main aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of storage method on the physicochemical properties of musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), musculus biceps femoris (BF), and musculus vastus lateralis (VL) of roe deer. The muscles were stored either dry (DRY-AGED), vacuum-packed (VAC), or packed under modified atmosphere (MAP) for 21 days. The quality of roe deer meat was assessed based on chemical composition, technological properties, pH values, water activity, colour, and oxidation processes of proteins and lipids. Roe deer meat had high protein (216.5–228.6 g/kg) and low fat content (17.1–25.8 g/kg). Both DRY-AGED and VAC contributed to improving meat tenderness during storage, while the Warner–Bratzler shear force of the MAP muscles increased. The high-oxygen conditions during MAP storage strongly induced the oxidation processes; an average increase of 1263% for thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level and 155% for protein carbonyl content on day 21. Vacuum packaging and dry-ageing are recommended methods for storing roe deer meat. The high oxygen atmosphere negatively affected the quality of this game species. It carries the risk of increased oxidation of proteins and lipids which may promote the formation of potentially detrimental compounds

Communal collective narcissism

Objectives We aimed to introduce, validate, and showcase the utility of a new construct: communal collective narcissism. Method We conducted four studies, in which we developed a new scale for communal collective narcissism (Study 1, N = 856), tested the construct's unique predictions (Study 2, N = 276), examined its social relevance (Study 3, N = 250), and assessed its implications for intergroup outcomes (Study 4, N = 664). Results In Study 1, we verified the structural soundness of the Communal Collective Narcissism Inventory. In Study 2, we obtained evidence for a defining feature of communal collective narcissism, namely, that it predicts communal, but not agentic, ingroup‐enhancement. In Study 3, we illustrated the social relevance of communal collective narcissism. Communal collective narcissists derogated outgroup members, if those outgroups threatened the ingroup and the threat targeted the ingroup's communion. Finally, in Study 4, we showed that communal collective narcissism predicts intergroup outcomes in the communal domain (e.g., humanitarian aid) better than agentic collective narcissism does, whereas agentic collective narcissism predicts intergroup outcomes in the agentic domain (i.e., preferences for military aggression) better than communal collective narcissism does. Conclusions The construct of communal collective narcissism is conceptually and empirically distinct from classic (i.e., agentic) collective narcissism

Refolding of lid subdomain of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 upon nsp10 interaction releases exonuclease activity

During RNA replication, coronaviruses require proofreading to maintain the integrity of their large genomes. Nsp14 associates with viral polymerase complex to excise the mismatched nucleotides. Aside from the exonuclease activity, nsp14 methyltransferase domain mediates cap methylation, facilitating translation initiation and protecting viral RNA from recognition by the innate immune sensors. The nsp14 exonuclease activity is modulated by a protein co-factor nsp10. While the nsp10/nsp14 complex structure is available, the mechanistic basis for nsp10-mediated modulation remains unclear in the absence of the nsp14 structure. Here, we provide a crystal structure of nsp14 in an apo-form. Comparative analysis of the apo- and nsp10-bound structures explain the modulatory role of the co-factor protein and reveal the allosteric nsp14 control mechanism essential for drug discovery. Further, the flexibility of the N-terminal lid of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nsp14 structure presented in this study rationalizes the recently proposed idea of nsp14/nsp10/nsp16 ternary complex