A synthesis of evidence for policy from behavioural science during COVID-19

Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations (‘claims’) detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms ‘physical distancing’ and ‘social distancing’. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization

The effect of oral immuno-stimulation in juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Contains fulltext : 51001.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)The effect of a 2-week period of oral immuno-stimulation from the age of 2 or 6 weeks post-fertilisation (wpf; before and after reaching the ability to produce antibodies) onwards was investigated on various immune functions of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The immuno-stimulants Aeromonas salmonicida lipopolysaccharide, Yeast DNA (containing unmethylated CpG motifs) or high-M alginate (an extract of algae containing poly-mannuronic acid) were used. The effect of this treatment was studied on the kinetics of B cells in head kidney and peripheral blood leucocytes using flow cytometry, on the total plasma IgM level using ELISA, on cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the intestine, and acute phase protein expression in the liver, using real time quantitative PCR, and on exposure to Vibrio anguillarum. Oral administration of immuno-stimulants from 6 wpf resulted in decreased WCI12(+) (B) cell percentages in PBL (only after administration of LPS) and head kidney (all test groups), and a decreased total IgM level in plasma, suggesting that suppressive effects are strongly indicative of oral or juvenile tolerance. After administration from 2 wpf, the effects on WCI12(+) (B) cell percentages were less pronounced: the group fed with Yeast DNA showed higher percentages compared to the control group at 6 wpf, but lower percentages at 8 wpf. No changes were observed in the cytokine or iNOS expression levels in the intestine or acute phase protein expression in the liver. A challenge with V. anguillarum resulted in an initially higher cumulative mortality in the group fed with LPS, but lower mortality in the groups fed with Yeast DNA or high-M alginate compared to the control group, providing a provisional warning especially for the use of pathogen-derived immuno-stimulants, such as A. salmonicida LPS, in larval and juvenile fish

Relationship between film morphology, optical, and conductive properties of poly(thienothiophene): [6,6]-phenyl C-61-butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunctions

The morphology and the optoelectronic properties of films of poly(dialkylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co-bithiophene) (pDA2T) and blends of this polymer with [6, 6]-phenyl C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is investigated. Upon spin-coating of the blend a thin film is formed containing both PCBM and the polymer in nanocrystalline form. On annealing, phase separation occurs, leading to formation of the PCBM-rich domains embedded in a polymer-rich matrix. The electrodeless time-resolved microwave conductivity technique is used to study the photogeneration of charge carriers and their decay over time. The photoconductance increases dramatically on adding PCBM to the polymer. Annealing of the blend reduces the photogeneration yield of charge carriers, due to the smaller interfacial area between pDA2T and PCBM. The phase separation of the polymer and PCBM after annealing retards recombination of charge carriers, which is beneficial for charge collection in a solar cell. The magnitude of the photoconductance of the pDA2T:PCBM blend is comparable to that for a P3HT:PCBM blend. The above findings, together with the smaller energy loss involved in electron transfer from pDA2T to PCBM, as compared to blends of P3HT and PCBM, make pDA2T a promising material for photovoltaic applications

Relationship between film morphology, optical, and conductive properties of poly(thienothiophene): [6,6]-phenyl C-61-butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunctions

The morphology and the optoelectronic properties of films of poly(dialkylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co-bithiophene) (pDA2T) and blends of this polymer with [6, 6]-phenyl C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is investigated. Upon spin-coating of the blend a thin film is formed containing both PCBM and the polymer in nanocrystalline form. On annealing, phase separation occurs, leading to formation of the PCBM-rich domains embedded in a polymer-rich matrix. The electrodeless time-resolved microwave conductivity technique is used to study the photogeneration of charge carriers and their decay over time. The photoconductance increases dramatically on adding PCBM to the polymer. Annealing of the blend reduces the photogeneration yield of charge carriers, due to the smaller interfacial area between pDA2T and PCBM. The phase separation of the polymer and PCBM after annealing retards recombination of charge carriers, which is beneficial for charge collection in a solar cell. The magnitude of the photoconductance of the pDA2T:PCBM blend is comparable to that for a P3HT:PCBM blend. The above findings, together with the smaller energy loss involved in electron transfer from pDA2T to PCBM, as compared to blends of P3HT and PCBM, make pDA2T a promising material for photovoltaic applications