A short version of odor awareness scale (OAS-6)

People differ in their awareness of odors in the environment. This metacognitive ability can be measured with The Odor Awareness Scale (OAS). However, the OAS consists of 32 items what makes it difficult to use in research where awareness of odors is not the main variable of interest. This study introduces a shortened version of the OAS. Participants completed either the original OAS (n = 268, 72% women) or the shortened OAS-7 version comprising 7 items selected from the original scale (n = 220, 61% women). Based on the validation analyses, one item has been further deleted due to low factor loading. The obtained OAS-6 showed good psychometric properties as established with: confirmatory factor analysis fit indices (χ2 = 17.30, p = 0.044, CFI = 0.977, TLI = 0.962, RMSEA = 0.065, SRMR = 0.039), high reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.80, McDonald's ω = 0.81), and temporal stability (test–retest correlation after 6 weeks: r = 0.91). The OAS and OAS-6 showed similar correlations with Individual Significance of Olfaction Questionnaire total score and subscales. On average, women scored higher on OAS-6 than men, mirroring the pattern observed in the OAS. In summary, OAS-6 proves to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing odor awareness. Its quick completion time (within 2 min) opens venues for its application in diverse studies exploring metacognitive aspects of olfactory perception, including investigations into the interplay between odorous environments and human health or in clinical research

Sequenceserver: A Modern Graphical User Interface for Custom BLAST Databases

Comparing newly obtained and previously known nucleotide and amino-acid sequences underpins modern biological research. BLAST is a well-established tool for such comparisons but is challenging to use on new data sets. We combined a user-centric design philosophy with sustainable software development approaches to create Sequenceserver, a tool for running BLAST and visually inspecting BLAST results for biological interpretation. Sequenceserver uses simple algorithms to prevent potential analysis errors and provides flexible text-based and visual outputs to support researcher productivity. Our software can be rapidly installed for use by individuals or on shared servers

Consumers’ quality perception as a basis for fish market segmentation in Belgium

This paper focuses on consumers’ quality perception of fish in Belgium and its impact on interest in information, beliefs and behaviour. Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 429 consumers in March 2003. Two dimensions shape fish quality perception: consumer involvement with fish quality and consumers’ self-estimated ability to assess fish quality, which allow segmenting the market in four fish consumer segments. The segments are typified as Uninvolved, Insecure, Self-confident and Connoisseurs, and have distinctive socio-demographic, attitudinal and behavioural profiles. The Uninvolved are mainly young males, have the lowest fish consumption level, weakest belief in health benefits from eating fish, and lowest interest in both search and credence information cues. Insecure fish consumers are mainly females, with a tendency of lower education and urban residence, who feel not able to evaluate fish quality, although they find quality very important. They display a strong interest in a fish quality label. The most relevant facts about Self-confident consumers, who display an average socio-demographic profile, are their high fish consumption level, and their low interest in a fish quality label. Connoisseurs are mainly females in the age category 55+, who are strongly involved with food in general and well aware of the association between food and health. They have the highest fish consumption and show a strong interest in both search and credence cues, as well as in a fish quality label. The segments do not differ with respect to risk perception about fish.Fish, Consumer, Quality, Perception, Information, Segmentation

Studies on Absorptive Properties of Polymer Foams Used for Manufacturing of Firefighter Helmets in Poland

Objective: The objective of the study was a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of polymer foams used as impact energy absorbers, a component of firefighter helmets manufactured in Poland. The study aimed at evaluating the influence of the properties of new materials on the working safety and comfort of helmet users. Methods: The study utilised an expanded polystyrene insert and polyutherane absorbers obtained from Polish firefighter helmets that were manufactured in various years. Compressive strength tests under quasi-static load and at dynamic conditions with regard to elastic deformations were carried out. They reflected both abnormal and normal operational loads. Comfort of use was evaluated indirectly based on Young’s modulus value.Results: Compressive strength test results for absorptive materials indicated significant differences between studied absorbers both at normal load conditions and in extraordinary situations. Expanded polystyrene foams and foam from AK-06 helmet from 2012 demonstrated a good strength, high energy absorption capacity and high stiffness. The foam from AK-06 helmet from 2007 was observed to have the worst mechanical properties among the studied materials. The material from 2015 indicated a relatively good strength, energy absorption properties and moderate stiffness.Conclusions: A variety of absorptive materials with different mechanical properties are used in the structure of firefighter helmets. Laboratory studies allow the selection of the most optimum solution. In the studied firefighter helmets, expanded polystyrene absorptive materials had been replaced by polyurethane. The polyurethane foams applied in helmets manufactured in 2007 were characterized by lower stiffness and inferior properties as compared to inserts made of expanded polystyrene. Later the properties of materials have been improved. However, it was achieved through a significant increase in stiffness with regard to elastic deformations. It seems that the optimum properties among the studied absorbers were achieved by the newest material, which was used in Calisia Vulcan CV 102 helmets from 201

Consumer perception versus scientific evidence about health benefits and safety risks from fish consumption

Objective To investigate the gap between consumer perception and scientific evidence related to health benefits and safety risks from fish consumption.Design Consumer perceptions from a cross-sectional survey in March 2003 in Belgium were compared with scientific evidence based on a literature review.Method A quota sampling procedure was used with age as quota control variable. Subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire including health benefit beliefs from fish, fish content and effect beliefs for nutrients and harmful substances.Subjects Adults (n=429), who were the main person responsible for food purchasing in the household (284 women; 145 men), aged 18-83 years, from different regional, education, family size and income groups.Results Fish is predominantly perceived as a healthy food that reduces risk for coronary heart disease, which corroborates scientific evidence. This perception is stronger among women than among men. In contrast with scientific evidence, 46% of the consumers believe that fish contains dietary fibre, whereas less than one-third is aware that fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and that this nutrient has a positive impact on human health. The gap between perception and evidence is larger among consumers with lower education. In general, consumers are better aware of the content and effect of harmful substances than of nutrients in fish.Conclusions Despite conclusive evidence about the content and positive effect of omega-3 fatty acids in fish, related consumer awareness and beliefs are poor and often wrong. This study exemplifies the need for nutrition education and more effective communication about the health benefits of fish consumption

Filial cannibalism in the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)

AbstractFilial and sibling cannibalism have never been documented in Black Storks (Ciconia nigra). We gathered information on 34 breeding events in 10 Black Stork nests from Estonia (three nests), Hungary (two nests), Poland (two nests) and Spain (three nests) being monitored with camera surveillance, live streaming webcams or intensive monitoring control of nests. Overall, we recorded 16 cases of filial infanticide and two cases where the nestlings died by natural causes and were later cannibalized by either their siblings or their parents. Four nestlings were killed by their parents without any attempt of cannibalism. In the remaining 12 cases of infanticide (66.7% of the total losses), 8 nestlings were consumed by one of the parents while in 4 cases the parents were not able to swallow the previously killed nestlings. All victimised nestlings were the youngest, weakest or smallest in their brood. Eight of 14 cases were identified as being associated with environmental stress or an exceptional matter during the breeding season. In at least five cases, one of the mates was new to the nest. Females committing filial infanticide swallowed or tried to swallow the chicks in five out of nine episodes where the parent’s sex was known