The Interplay Between Scarcity Appeals and Hyperopia

Hyperopia is an individual-level trait that leads consumers to exhibit an aversion to indulgence and chronically resist temptations because of their excessive farsightedness. As a result, hyperopic consumers often experience regret and feelings of missing out due to their inability to partake in life’s frivolities. While past research has mostly studied hyperopia as a chronic individual difference, the first goal of this thesis is to investigate whether cues in consumers’ environment can situationally prompt hyperopic consumption tendencies, building on prior work demonstrating that personality traits can also manifest as personality states. Prior research has found various ways to help hyperopic consumers overcome their aversion to indulgence and encourage them to “live a little,” such as precommitting to indulge, manipulating the level at which the indulgence is construed, or providing a justification to “let loose,” among others. The second goal of this thesis is to investigate whether scarcity promotions could provide another means for hyperopic consumers to overcome their aversion to indulgence. Because scarcity promotions are limited in nature, they could serve as a justification mechanism for hyperopic (vs. non-hyperopic) consumers, by allowing them to justify the splurge, and consequently increase their purchase intentions and consumption of indulgences. Across six studies, this thesis tests i) whether contextual cues can prompt consumers to become hyperopic (studies 1-3) and ii) whether scarcity appeals can overcome hyperopic consumers’ aversion to indulgence (studies 4-6), and find mixed results for the proposed effects

Clinical and pathological challenges in the diagnosis of late-onset biliary atresia: four case studies

Biliary atresia (BA) is classically described at the neonatal age. However, rare cases of BA in older infants have also been reported. We report four cases of late-onset BA in infants older than 4 weeks (3 males, 1 female), and describe the diagnostic and management difficulties. One of the cases had a late-onset (29 weeks) presentation with a successful surgical procedure. We highlight the importance of this unusual differential diagnosis in infants with cholestatic syndrome, who may benefit from Kasai surgery, regardless of age.Biliary atresia (BA) is classically described at the neonatal age. However, rare cases of BA in older infants have also been reported. We report four cases of late-onset BA in infants older than 4 weeks (3 males, 1 female), and describe the diagnostic and management difficulties. One of the cases had a late-onset (29 weeks) presentation with a successful surgical procedure. We highlight the importance of this unusual differential diagnosis in infants with cholestatic syndrome, who may benefit from Kasai surgery, regardless of age49

Different constraints on grip selection in brain-damaged patients: Object use versus object transport

The present study discusses the presence of different constraints on action selection during object use versus object transport. Sixteen left brain-damaged (LBD) patients, 10 right brain-damaged (RBD) and 35 healthy controls were examined on a grip preference test consisting of a grasping-to-transport and a grasping-to-use condition. Assessment included a general praxis testing (pantomime production, object utilization gesture recognition and object use). We also reported the case of a close-head injury patient (DR) with an atypical behavioural pattern. Our results supported the different constraint hypothesis. While several LBD and RBD patients performed inappropriate grips in the grasping-to-transport condition, only two patients (L2 and DR) used inappropriate grips in the grasping-to-use condition. No correlation was found between the two conditions of the grip preference test and measures of the general praxis testing. The discussion focuses on the nature of constraints on grip selection during object use and object transport

Hes1 Is Expressed in the Second Heart Field and Is Required for Outflow Tract Development

Background: Rapid growth of the embryonic heart occurs by addition of progenitor cells of the second heart field to the poles of the elongating heart tube. Failure or perturbation of this process leads to congenital heart defects. In order to provide further insight into second heart field development we characterized the insertion site of a transgene expressed in the second heart field and outflow tract as the result of an integration site position effect. Results: Here we show that the integration site of the A17-Myf5-nlacZ-T55 transgene lies upstream of Hes1, encoding a basic helix-loop-helix containing transcriptional repressor required for the maintenance of diverse progenitor cell populations during embryonic development. Transgene expression in a subset of Hes1 expression sites, including the CNS, pharyngeal epithelia, pericardium, limb bud and lung endoderm suggests that Hes1 is the endogenous target of regulatory elements trapped by the transgene. Hes1 is expressed in pharyngeal endoderm and mesoderm including the second heart field. Analysis of Hes1 mutant hearts at embryonic day 15.5 reveals outflow tract alignment defects including ventricular septal defects and overriding aorta. At earlier developmental stages, Hes1 mutant embryos display defects in second heart field proliferation, a reduction in cardiac neural crest cells and failure to completely extend the outflow tract. Conclusions: Hes1 is expressed in cardiac progenitor cells in the early embryo and is required for development of the arteria

Fast Monte Carlo Simulation for Patient-specific CT/CBCT Imaging Dose Calculation

Recently, X-ray imaging dose from computed tomography (CT) or cone beam CT (CBCT) scans has become a serious concern. Patient-specific imaging dose calculation has been proposed for the purpose of dose management. While Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation can be quite accurate for this purpose, it suffers from low computational efficiency. In response to this problem, we have successfully developed a MC dose calculation package, gCTD, on GPU architecture under the NVIDIA CUDA platform for fast and accurate estimation of the x-ray imaging dose received by a patient during a CT or CBCT scan. Techniques have been developed particularly for the GPU architecture to achieve high computational efficiency. Dose calculations using CBCT scanning geometry in a homogeneous water phantom and a heterogeneous Zubal head phantom have shown good agreement between gCTD and EGSnrc, indicating the accuracy of our code. In terms of improved efficiency, it is found that gCTD attains a speed-up of ~400 times in the homogeneous water phantom and ~76.6 times in the Zubal phantom compared to EGSnrc. As for absolute computation time, imaging dose calculation for the Zubal phantom can be accomplished in ~17 sec with the average relative standard deviation of 0.4%. Though our gCTD code has been developed and tested in the context of CBCT scans, with simple modification of geometry it can be used for assessing imaging dose in CT scans as well.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, and 1 tabl

The scavenger receptors SRA-1 and SREC-I cooperate with TLR2 in the recognition of the hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 3 by dendritic cells

Backgrounds & AimsThe hepatitis C virus NS3 protein is taken up by myeloid cells in a TLR2-independent manner and activates myeloid cells via TLR2. This study aimed to identify the endocytic receptor(s) involved in the uptake of NS3 by myeloid cells and its relation with TLR2. Methods Inhibitors and transfected cells were used to identify the nature of the NS3-binding receptors expressed by myeloid cells. The cooperation between scavenger receptors (SRs) and TLR2 in the NS3-mediated activation of myeloid cells was evaluated using inhibitors, cells from TLR2−/− mice, and confocal microscopy. The involvement of SRs in NS3 cross-presentation was evaluated in vitro using an NS3-specific human T-cell clone. Results We observed that SRs are the main binding structures for NS3 on myeloid cells and identified the SRs SRA-1 and SREC-I as endocytic receptors for NS3. Moreover, both SRs and TLR2 cooperate in NS3-induced myeloid cell activation. Conclusion This study highlights a central role for SRs in NS3 uptake and cross-presentation, and demonstrates a tightly orchestrated cooperation between signalling and endocytic innate receptors in NS3 recognition

Effets du dérangement par la chasse sur les oiseaux d'eau : revue de littérature

La chasse aux oiseaux d'eau, activité humaine largement pratiquée sur les zones humides du continent eurasiatique, présente deux composantes pouvant affecter la dynamique des populations de ces espèces migratrices : le prélèvement (qui concerne la mortalité) et le dérangement. Ce dernier aspect fait l'objet d'études de plus en plus nombreuses et détaillées, ici synthétisées, incluant des protocoles expérimentaux et des approches conceptuelles. Le dérangement par la chasse est considéré comme important pour une espèce lorsque les modifications qu'il induit ont un effet sur la « fitness » des individus de cette espèce (diminution de la survie et/ou du succès reproducteur). Les études montrent que le dérangement modifie presque toujours la distribution géographique des oiseaux en favorisant leur regroupement (5 à 50 fois plus) sur des espaces non chassés, induisant une sous-exploitation des ressources trophiques présentes sur les espaces chassés. Le dérangement peut aussi provoquer un accroissement du taux de renouvellement (« turnover ») des individus sur leur étape migratoire. Ces transferts d'oiseaux, bien quantifiés localement, ont un impact encore inconnu sur la taille des populations concernées, la large distribution de ces populations sur plusieurs continents rendant cette évaluation difficile. Le dérangement provoque une modification comportementale soit en favorisant des activités plus coûteuses que celles pratiquées sans dérangement, soit en diminuant le temps passé à des activités qui permettent d'acquérir de l'énergie. Les estimations ou simulations de ces pertes peuvent atteindre 25 % de la dépense énergétique journalière. Les oiseaux dérangés développent des capacités d'adaptation physiologique face aux contraintes associées au dérangement, par exemple une augmentation de la prise alimentaire, une augmentation du rendement de l'assimilation énergétique ou une augmentation de la sécrétion de corticostérone qui stimule l'activité de recherche de nourriture. L'évaluation directe du bilan énergétique de ces adaptations n'a pas encore été réalisée et l'on peut admettre qu'elles permettent à l'oiseau de maintenir un apport énergétique analogue à celui obtenu sans dérangement; mais le coût à terme de cette acquisition est élevé. Ainsi, une étude récente sur la Grande Oie des neiges Anser caerules-cens atlantica au Canada révèle que lorsque les individus sont dérangés par la chasse sur leur étape migratoire de printemps, ils sont contraints d'exploiter des sites moins riches que s'il n'y avait pas de chasse; ils sont alors dans de moins bonnes conditions corporelles (lipidiques et protéiniques) lors du départ vers leurs lieux de reproduction et ils ont finalement un moindre succès de reproduction que les individus n'ayant pas subi le dérangement par la chasse. Certes, des lacunes et des incertitudes persistent, par exemple au niveau spécifique (peu d'études sur les limicoles), mais tous les auteurs qui les ont mises en évidence s'accordent aussi pour reconnaître que, pour contrebalancer les effets du dérangement par la chasse, des mesures de protection doivent être prises.Waterbird hunting is a widespread human activity over wetlands of the Eurasian continent. It has two components that can influence the population dynamics of migratory species : mortality and disturbance. Disturbance is the focus of an increasing number of detailed studies, using both experimental and theoretical approaches. They are synthesized herein. Disturbance is considered important when induced changes influence the fitness of the individuals of a species (decrease in survival or breeding success). Studies show that disturbance almost always change the geographical distribution of birds, conducting to an under-exploitation of food resources available in hunting areas. Disturbance can also favour an increase in the turnover rate of individuals on their migratory stopover. These changes in bird distribution, although precisely quantified at a local scale, have an unknown impact on the population size of the concerned species. The wide distribution of several of these species ranging over several continents makes the precise evaluation of this impact difficult. Disturbance changes behaviour either by increasing time spent in activities more costly than those done without disturbance or by decreasing time spent gaining energy. Estimation or simulation of these lost can reach 25% of the daily energy expenses. Facing disturbance, birds can develop several physiological adaptations, for instance an increased food intake, an increased efficiency of energy assimilation or an augmentation of corticosterone secretion stimulating food searching. The direct evaluation of the energy balance of these adaptations has not been made yet and it can be acknowledged that they allow birds to maintain energy gains similar to those obtained without disturbance. However, the long-term cost of this compensation is high. A recent study of the Greater Snow Goose Anser caerulescens atlantica on their spring stopover in Canada indicates that hunting disturbance makes geese use lower quality habitats, decreases their body condition (fat and protein) when they depart to the breeding sites and decreases their breeding success relative to individuals that have not experienced hunting. Uncertainties remain, for instance at the species level (few studies on waders), but all authors that emphasized them also agree to acknowledge that protection measures must be taken to counter-balance the effects of hunting disturbance. They recommend the increase of protected areas (hunt-free areas), the elaboration of a network of reserves and the establishment of non hunted zones around existing reserves to reduce to the minimum the negative effects of disturbance on birds that use these reserves. The implementation of these management actions must favour the widening of the distribution of these populations and facilitate the local and regional increase of their numbers. These protection measures are positive responses to the recommendations of the European Union birds and habitats directives

A meta-analytic review of stand-alone interventions to improve body image

Objective Numerous stand-alone interventions to improve body image have been developed. The present review used meta-analysis to estimate the effectiveness of such interventions, and to identify the specific change techniques that lead to improvement in body image. Methods The inclusion criteria were that (a) the intervention was stand-alone (i.e., solely focused on improving body image), (b) a control group was used, (c) participants were randomly assigned to conditions, and (d) at least one pretest and one posttest measure of body image was taken. Effect sizes were meta-analysed and moderator analyses were conducted. A taxonomy of 48 change techniques used in interventions targeted at body image was developed; all interventions were coded using this taxonomy. Results The literature search identified 62 tests of interventions (N = 3,846). Interventions produced a small-to-medium improvement in body image (d+ = 0.38), a small-to-medium reduction in beauty ideal internalisation (d+ = -0.37), and a large reduction in social comparison tendencies (d+ = -0.72). However, the effect size for body image was inflated by bias both within and across studies, and was reliable but of small magnitude once corrections for bias were applied. Effect sizes for the other outcomes were no longer reliable once corrections for bias were applied. Several features of the sample, intervention, and methodology moderated intervention effects. Twelve change techniques were associated with improvements in body image, and three techniques were contra-indicated. Conclusions The findings show that interventions engender only small improvements in body image, and underline the need for large-scale, high-quality trials in this area. The review identifies effective techniques that could be deployed in future interventions

IL-22 mediates goblet cell hyperplasia and worm expulsion in intestinal helminth infection.

Type 2 immune responses are essential in protection against intestinal helminth infections. In this study we show that IL-22, a cytokine important in defence against bacterial infections in the intestinal tract, is also a critical mediator of anti-helminth immunity. After infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, a rodent hookworm, IL-22-deficient mice showed impaired worm expulsion despite normal levels of type 2 cytokine production. The impaired worm expulsion correlated with reduced goblet cell hyperplasia and reduced expression of goblet cell markers. We further confirmed our findings in a second nematode model, the murine whipworm Trichuris muris. T.muris infected IL-22-deficient mice had a similar phenotype to that seen in N.brasiliensis infection, with impaired worm expulsion and reduced goblet cell hyperplasia. Ex vivo and in vitro analysis demonstrated that IL-22 is able to directly induce the expression of several goblet cell markers, including mucins. Taken together, our findings reveal that IL-22 plays an important role in goblet cell activation, and thus, a key role in anti-helminth immunity

Altering the Microstructure Morphology by Ultrasound Melt Processing during 6XXX Aluminium DC-Casting

EPSRC (UK