High Preference Research Articles

Regioselective and Homochiral Supramolecular Polymerization of Nanotadpole Aggremers of Poly(phenylacetylene) Derivatives.

Biological homochirality is a signature of life. Supramolecular polymerization is effective to achieve high hierarchical homochirality in nature, but has not been well-explored. Herein, we report regioselective and homochiral supramolecular polymerization of chiral nanotadpole aggregates made of either synthetic helical poly(phenylacetylene)s or chirality-amplified co-assembly of chiral and achiral poly(phenylacetylene)s. The twisted nanotadpole aggregates with high screw-sense preference polymerized as monomers (aggremers) into supramolecular chains in a head-to-tail regioselective and stepwise manner. Supramolecular copolymerization of enantiomeric aggremers favored formation of homochiral hierarchical supramolecular structures as visualized by TEM. Chiral hexagonal columnar mesophase of aggremers was responsive for the stereoselectivity. The work opens a gate to controllably and effectively construct functional chiral supramolecular materials and deepens the understanding of hierarchical biological homochirality.

Why can Palhinhaea cernua (lycophyte) grow closer to fumaroles in highly acidic solfatara fields?

Palhinhaea cernua, a lycophyte, and Dicranopteris linearis, a fern, are commonly observed in solfatara fields in Kyushu, Japan, but their distribution trends are different. The aim of this study was to determine why P. cernua is more abundant in areas closer to fumaroles from both a soil and plant perspective. Samples of P. cernua and D. linearis, as well as their respective growing soils, were collected, and the mineral properties, including the concentration of various mineral elements and inorganic anions and δ15N, were determined. P. cernua was better adapted to soil with lower pH, higher soluble aluminum concentrations, and poorer calcium and phosphorus concentrations than D. linearis. A positive correlation was observed between shoot nitrogen concentration and both shoot sulfur concentration and soil water-soluble sulfur concentration in P. cernua, implying the involvement of sulfur in nitrogen acquisition in P. cernua. The results also suggested that D. linearis mainly uses soil NO3-N, while P. cernua uses NH4-N, which is predominant and excessive in the solfatara fields, particularly near the fumaroles. This high preference for NH4-N in P. cernua was confirmed through a cultivation experiment. While D. linearis prefers NO3-N and distributes further from fumaroles, P. cernua may have survived in the solfatara fields by utilizing NH4-N and sulfur, which are abundant near fumaroles where competition from other plant species is minimal.

To Share or Not? Hybrid e‐Commerce Platform's Provision and Sharing Strategies of Consumer Credit Service

ABSTRACTAs a new financial innovation, consumer credit services are increasingly embraced by e‐commerce platforms. This paper presents a stylized model to determine when an e‐commerce platform should launch credit services and whether to share them with third‐party sellers. Our findings indicate that the platform benefits from launching credit services only when consumer preference outweighs the delinquency rate. Furthermore, service sharing can create a win‐win scenario with moderate fees and high consumer preference. Contrary to common belief, sharing services with sellers can reduce consumer surplus, suggesting that widespread use of consumer credit services is not necessarily beneficial for consumers.

Assessment of different interpolation algorithms for daily rainfall spatial distribution in the Var catchment, France

AbstractTo have effective water resource management, the distributed hydrological models are commonly applied for supporting the decision‐making processes. Among different inputs, the spatial distributed rainfall plays significant role in those model simulations. Many interpolation methods have been developed for generating distributed rainfall based on measurement samples. However, depending on the catchment characteristics and data availability, the suitable interpolation algorithm is case‐dependent. This paper presents one operational approach for determining the resonable interpolation algorithm in a complex large catchment (Var catchment, France). Based on the daily rainfall data (2008–2014) collected from 16 stations in the Var catchment, six different interpolation approaches including: inverse distance weight (IDW), spline, kriging with linear and spherical semi‐variogram models and geographically weighted regression considering elevation effects and the combined impacts of elevation and distance to the sea were tested. Integrated the results of statistical and modeling assessments, the 400 m resolution distributed rainfall generated by IDW algorithm shows high preference in generating distributed rainfall in the Var catchment. Moreover, the strategy described in the article also shows promising acceptability for other catchments.

Knowledge State of Two Endemic Varieties of Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata with Yellow Flesh ("Kounougbé" and "Kangba") Cultivated in the Gbêkê Region and the Level of Chemical Weeding Use

Background: Yam is the main staple food in Ivory Coast and plays a crucial role in food security. However, indigenous yellow-fleshed varieties of the Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata species, such as "Kounougbé" and "Kangba" are gradually being abandoned in favor of modern varieties. Study Design: A study was conducted in the departments of Bouaké, Béoumi, Sakassou, and Botro, in the Gbêkê region, to assess the knowledge of these varieties, the preference for their tubers, and the use of chemical weeding. Results: The chi-square (χ²) test of independence showed that variables gender, age group, ethnic group and educational level influence significantly (P < 0.05) the knowledge level of "Kounougbé" and "Kangba" varieties. This knowledge level is relatively high in the different departments. The study revealed that uneducated people have better knowledge (83.97%) of these varieties. It also indicated that people aged at least 55 years old have a very good knowledge of these varieties. Moreover, the survey revealed that the natives are more familiar with "Kounougbé" and "Kangba" varieties with a rate of 92.68%. Concerning the characteristics preference for said varieties tubers and chemical weeding use, they impact meaningfully (P < 0.05) the age group variable. People at least 55 years old have the highest preference and use of chemical weeding levels with respective rates of 98.61% and 41.46%. Conclusion: This study constitutes a source of basic data which would contribute to the revaluation of endemic varieties of yellow-fleshed yam.

The Intra-Meatal Application of Tadalafil Cream Versus Oral Administration Efficacy and Safety: Results from a Randomized, Two-Administration Route, Cross-Over Clinical Trial.

Background: Tadalafil cream, a topically administered phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5), presents a potential alternative to oral PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This study evaluates the non-inferiority and potential superiority of tadalafil cream compared to oral tadalafil. Methods: This randomized controlled trial employed a cross-over design with two treatment periods of two weeks each, separated by a one-week washout phase. Thirty-five male participants aged 18-75 with diagnosed ED (International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile function: IIEF-EF score < 26) were randomized to receive either tadalafil cream or oral tadalafil. Tadalafil cream was applied topically, while tadalafil was taken orally. The primary endpoint was IIEF-EF, and secondary endpoints were measured using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) domain scores. Adverse events and treatment preferences were also assessed. Results: Tadalafil cream showed a higher increase in sexual function across all IIEF domains compared to oral tadalafil. The lower bounds of the confidence interval [improvement: final-baseline scores between tadalafil cream and oral tadalafil 0.72 (95% CI -2.72-4.15)] were above the non-inferiority margin of -3.22, confirming tadalafil cream's non-inferiority in the erectile function domain. In the intercourse satisfaction domain, tadalafil cream was superior to oral tadalafil. At the end of the trial, 88.57% of participants preferred tadalafil cream (95% CI 73.26%-96.79%), a result significantly above the non-inferiority margin that indicated superiority (p < 0.001). No systemic adverse events were reported for tadalafil cream, and significant differences in dizziness, headache, nasal congestion, and erythema were observed between the two treatments. Conclusions: Tadalafil cream is a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, demonstrating non-inferiority and potential superiority over oral tadalafil, with a high patient preference. Its topical administration offers a promising alternative for patients, particularly those with cardiovascular diseases where oral PDE5 inhibitors are contraindicated or less well tolerated.

Liking for Sweet Taste, Sweet Food Intakes, and Sugar Intakes.

Sweet taste preferences are currently targeted to aid with reducing free sugar intakes, but associations between sweet taste liking, sweet food intakes, and sugar intakes are not well established. UK consumers (n = 179) who were consuming >5% of total energy intakes from free sugars provided several laboratory measures of sweet taste liking, laboratory test meal measures of sweet food choice and sugar intakes, and 3-day food diary measures of free-living free sugar and total sugar intakes. Liking measures included liking for a 1 M sucrose solution, and pleasantness, desire to eat, and sweet taste intensity ratings for seven foods of a range of sweet taste intensities in a taste test. Wide individual differences in sweet taste liking, in liking for a high sweet taste intensity, and in the relationships between sweet taste intensity and sweet taste liking were found. The majority of participants confirmed high liking and increasing liking for increasingly sweet tastes, but differing patterns of responses were also found. Higher liking for sweet foods was associated with increased sweet food selection and consumption at the test meal, and to some degree with free sugar and total sugar consumption in this restricted scenario. However, we found no associations between sweet taste liking, regardless of measure, and either free-living free sugar or total sugar intakes. These findings cast doubt on assumptions that sweet taste preferences are high for all and that these high sweet taste preferences drive high free sugar intakes.

Changes in food valence of regular diet depending on the experience of high and low preference food.

Eating disorders represent an aspect of mental illness involving failure to control eating behaviors. Food valence plays a regulatory role in eating behaviors and changes with eating experiences. Failure to control food valence may be associated with eating disorders. This study presents a newly developed behavior task-food reservation task, which assesses changes in food valence. Over three consecutive days, mice were fed a regular diet for 30 min and subsequently were offered either palatable or low-palatable foods for 30 min. Mice decreased regular diet consumption on the days that it was followed by a palatable food-sweet chocolate (SC) or cheese (CH) and increased it when it was followed by a low-palatable food-bitter (dark) chocolate (BC). Our findings indicate that mice can change regular diet consumption by learning whether it will be followed by a palatable or low-palatable food. This suggests that palatable food devaluated the food valence of regular diet, whereas low-palatable food evaluatedit. We developed a new food reservation task, which allows to assess experience-dependent change in the food valence of a regular diet. This task will contribute to a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying those changes.

Dissecting the lottery‐like anomaly: Evidence from China

AbstractThis paper dissects the lottery‐like anomaly in Chinese A‐share stocks by decomposing total stock returns into overnight and intraday returns. Our findings indicate that negative overnight returns are concentrated among lottery‐like stocks, and the lottery‐like anomaly is primarily driven by the overnight return component. Considering the unique institutional features of China, we further show that the lottery‐like anomaly induced by overnight returns is more pronounced in stocks with a high gambling preference among retail investors and high limits of arbitrage. Overall, our results suggest that investors' optimism and trading constraints have a substantial impact on market efficiency in China.

Exploring the interplay of urban form and greenery in residents’ affective and cognitive responses

Stress is a prevalent issue in modern cities, exacerbated by urban development and significantly affecting urban dwellers. While it is known that greenery can contribute to people’s wellbeing, it is unclear if it can mitigate the negative effects of urban development. In this study, we aim to explore the intricate dynamics between urban form and greenery to dissect their collective effect on human wellbeing, operationalized through physiological relaxation, preference, and emotional responses. The study employs an experimental study design using virtual reality technology to immerse participants (n=156) into residential neighborhood scenes, and measures affective and cognitive responses using skin conductance measures and a survey, respectively. In general, the findings confirm the critical role of urban greenery on affective and cognitive responses. Interestingly, we observe that this effect is highly dependent on the context and shows diverging patterns between different neighborhood types. In particular, in certain neighborhoods (popular, 60 s, and cooperative), greenery, no matter if species-poor or biodiverse, consistently improves preference and physiological relaxation. In contrast, urban centers and single-family residential areas may accommodate more biodiverse green spaces without compromising their existing high preference levels when compared to less affluent neighborhoods. The study concludes with a call for urban planning to cultivate equitable, green, and distinctively designed urban environments. This shift underscores the critical role of innovative urban design in improving the wellbeing of urban dwellers.

Ultrafast and Highly Selective Sequestration of Radioactive Barium Ions by a Layered Thiostannate.

As a simulant of hazardous 226Ra2+, the simultaneously selective and rapid elimination of radioactive 133Ba2+ ions from geothermal water is necessary but still challenging. In this paper, we demonstrated the usability of a layered thiostannate with facile synthesis and inexpensive cost, namely, K2xSn4-xS8-x (KTS-3, x = 0.65-1), for the remediation of radioactive 133Ba2+ in multiple conditions, including sorption isotherm, kinetics, and the influences of competitive inorganic/organic ions, pH values, and dosages. KTS-3 has a strong barium uptake ability (171.3 mg/g) and an ultrafast adsorption kinetics (about 2 min). Impressively, it can achieve a high preference for barium regardless of the excessive interference ions (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and humic acid) and acidic/alkaline environments, with the largest distribution coefficient Kd value reaching 6.89 × 105 mL/g. Also, the Ba2+-laden products can be easily eluted by a concentrated KCl solution, and its adsorption performances for barium resist well even after five consecutive cycles. In addition, owing to the regular appearance and excellent mechanical strength, the prepared KTS-3/PAN (PAN = polyacrylonitrile) granule displays a good removal efficiency in the flowing ion-exchange column. These advantages mentioned above render it very promising for the effective and efficient cleanup of radioactive 133Ba2+-contaminated wastewater.

Physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of purified rhodanese from A. welwitschiae LOT1 and the cyanide detoxification potential of the enzyme.

Rhodanese, the primary cyanide-detoxifying enzyme, plays a crucial role in mitigating the harmful effects of cyanide present in various industrial waste materials, such as battery manufacturing effluents. The bioremediation of cyanide-contaminated environments relies on efficient detoxification mechanisms, making rhodanese a valuable enzyme for biotechnological applications. This research aimed to investigate the biochemical properties of purified rhodanese produced by Aspergillus welwitschiae LOT1, a fungal strain with promising cyanide detoxification capabilities. The purified rhodanese was obtained through fermentation, precipitation, and chromatographic separations, resulting in a homogeneous band of approximately 58kDa with a specific activity of 374 RU/mg, 28-fold purification, and 14% recovery. The enzyme exhibited optimal cyanide detoxification at pH 7 and 60°C, with stability observed between 30 and 50°C and pH 8-10. All metal ions examined except for Cu2+ enhanced the cyanide-degrading ability of rhodanese. Notably, the enzyme demonstrated a high substrate preference for Na2S2O3 and followed a first-order kinetic model and free energy, ΔG of 61.3kJ/mol, making it a promising candidate for biotechnological applications. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the biochemical properties of rhodanese from A. welwitschiae LOT1, highlighting its potential for efficient cyanide detoxification and bioremediation.

Chromium Immobilization as Cr-Spinel by Regulation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) Concentrations

The complex environmental conditions at Cr-contaminated sites, characterized by uneven ion distribution, oxidants competition, and limited solid-phase mobility, lead to inadequate mixing of Fe-based reducing agents with Cr, posing significant challenges to the effectiveness of Cr remediation through Cr-spinel precipitation. This study investigates the distinct roles of Fe(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) in Cr-spinel crystallization under ambient temperature and pressure. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy were employed to elucidate the phase composition, microstructure, and ion coordination within the precipitates. Our findings indicate that Fe(II) acts as a catalyst in the formation of the spinel phase, occupying octahedral sites within the spinel structure. Under the catalytic influence of Fe(II), Fe(III) transitions into the spinel phase, occupying both the tetrahedral and the remaining octahedral sites. Meanwhile, Cr(III), due to its high octahedral site preference energy, preferentially occupies the octahedral sites. When Fe(II) or Fe(III) is present but does not meet the ideal stoichiometric ratio, a deficiency in Fe(II) leads to low yield and poor crystallinity of Cr-spinel, whereas a deficiency in Fe(III) can completely inhibit its formation. Conversely, when either Fe(II) or Fe(III) is in excess, the formation of Cr-spinel remains feasible. Furthermore, metastable Cr phases can be transformed into stable Cr-spinel by adjusting the Fe(II)/Fe(III)/Cr(III) ratio. These results highlight the broad range of conditions under which Cr-spinel mineralization can occur in environmental settings, enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms driving Cr-spinel formation in Cr-contaminated sites treated with Fe-based reducing agents. This research provides critical insights for optimizing Cr remediation strategies.

Excessive alcohol intake produces persistent mechanical allodynia and dysregulates the endocannabinoid system in the lumbar dorsal root ganglia of genetically-selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats

Epidemiological data indicate a strong association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and neuropathic pain. Genetically-selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats exhibit a high preference for alcohol compared with their background strain (Wistar rats), but their sensitivity to mechanical allodynia after chronic alcohol exposure is unknown. The present study compared the development of mechanical allodynia between “low, non-pathological drinker” Wistar rats and “high drinker” msP rats using the two-bottle choice (2BC) free-access procedure. Several studies reported the involvement of endocannabinoids (eCBs) in modulating mechanical allodynia, but there are no data on their role in alcohol-related allodynia. Thus, the present study assessed eCBs and their related lipid species in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and correlated them with mechanical allodynia in our model. We found that male and female msP rats developed persistent mechanical allodynia during protracted abstinence from alcohol, presenting no sign of recovery, as opposed to Wistar rats. This effect directly correlated with their total alcohol intake. Notably, we found a correlation between lower lumbar DRG 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels and the development of higher mechanical allodynia during abstinence in msP rats of both sexes but not in Wistar rats. Moreover, alcohol-exposed and abstinent msP and Wistar females but not males exhibited significant alterations of thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2/prostaglandin D2 compared with naive rats. These findings demonstrate that DRG 2-AG metabolism is altered in msP rats during prolonged abstinence and represents a potentially interesting pharmacological target for the treatment of mechanical allodynia during alcohol abstinence.

Navigating the need for accessible labelling through the narratives of consumers with visual impairment in India

This study aims to understand the strategies consumers with visual impairment (CWV) use in acquiring product information and explores preferences for accessible labelling and its benefits. This study employed the qualitative approach of thematic analysis. A snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected from CWV through semi-structured interviews. The sample size of this study was 12. The data were analysed using NVivo software. The study revealed three strategies used by CWV to obtain product information, namely reliance on caregivers, staff, and technology. However, all the strategies employed have multiple drawbacks. The study reported a high preference for accessible labelling in braille and quick response (QR) codes. Implementing a combination of braille labels and QR codes on product packages was the most beneficial strategy for CWV. The Implementation of accessible labels ensures inclusion in the marketplace.

7849 The EDC Mixture “NeuroMix” Has Developmental, Anxiolytic, And Obesogenic Effects In Rats

Abstract Disclosure: E. Morales-Grahl: None. L. M. Thompson: None. E.N. Hilz: None. A.C. Gore: None. Humans are exposed to a variety of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on a daily basis through drinking water, food, and contact with everyday objects. Safety guidelines aim to keep exposure to individual EDCs below certain levels but don’t take into account the potentially unpredictable effects of simultaneous exposure to multiple EDCs. Furthermore, EDCs may exhibit non-monotonic dose responses. The present study assessed the effect of an EDC mixture at three different doses on two sets of behaviors implicated in EDC research: anxiety, and high fat and sugar consumption. Beginning in early pregnancy and until pups were weaned at day 21, Sprague Dawley rats were fed daily with NeuroMix, our lab’s EDC mixture containing 9 common industrial chemicals, at three doses (0.1x, 1x, 10x). The base dose (1x) contained EDCs below the no observed adverse effect level in humans (NOAEL). In adulthood, the female and male offspring were then subjected to an open field and light/dark test, followed by a high fat and high sucrose preference test. 0.1x NeuroMix exposure advanced the timing of vaginal opening in female offspring, while all doses increased anogenital distance in males, marking differences in sexual development. 1x NeuroMix exposure in male rats increased their time in the open field corners and their time immobile in the corners, indicating higher anxiety. No difference was seen in sucrose preference. Female rats exposed to 1x NeuroMix showed a higher preference for a high-fat diet, and gained more weight compared to the controls while on this diet. These findings demonstrate that a mixture of human-relevant chemicals, when administered perinatally to rats, have developmental, anxiogenic and obesogenic effects in a sexually dimorphic manner. We also show a non-monotonic response to our chemical mixture, with the 1x dose showing greater effects than the 10x dose. Overall, we provide evidence that even at levels considered safe for individual EDCs, there are adverse developmental and behavioral effects of EDCs when combined. Grant support: R35 ES035024, F32 ES034257. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Artificial intelligence driven definition of food preference endotypes in UK Biobank volunteers is associated with distinctive health outcomes and blood based metabolomic and proteomic profiles

BackgroundSpecific food preferences can determine an individual’s dietary patterns and therefore, may be associated with certain health risks and benefits.MethodsUsing food preference questionnaire (FPQ) data from a subset comprising over 180,000 UK Biobank participants, we employed Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) approach to identify the main patterns or profiles among participants. blood biochemistry across groups/profiles was compared using the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. We applied the Limma algorithm for differential abundance analysis on 168 metabolites and 2923 proteins, and utilized the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) to identify enriched biological processes and pathways. Relative risks (RR) were calculated for chronic diseases and mental conditions per group, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.ResultsBased on their food preferences, three profiles were termed: the putative Health-conscious group (low preference for animal-based or sweet foods, and high preference for vegetables and fruits), the Omnivore group (high preference for all foods), and the putative Sweet-tooth group (high preference for sweet foods and sweetened beverages). The Health-conscious group exhibited lower risk of heart failure (RR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.79–0.93) and chronic kidney disease (RR = 0.69, 95%CI 0.65–0.74) compared to the two other groups. The Sweet-tooth group had greater risk of depression (RR = 1.27, 95%CI 1.21–1.34), diabetes (RR = 1.15, 95%CI 1.01–1.31), and stroke (RR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.15–1.31) compared to the other two groups. Cancer (overall) relative risk showed little difference across the Health-conscious, Omnivore, and Sweet-tooth groups with RR of 0.98 (95%CI 0.96–1.01), 1.00 (95%CI 0.98–1.03), and 1.01 (95%CI 0.98–1.04), respectively. The Health-conscious group was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive Protein) which are also known to be elevated in those with common metabolic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease). Other markers modulated in the Health-conscious group, ketone bodies, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP), and Growth Hormone 1 were more abundant, while leptin was less abundant. Further, the IGFBP pathway, which influences IGF1 activity, may be significantly enhanced by dietary choices.ConclusionsThese observations align with previous findings from studies focusing on weight loss interventions, which include a reduction in leptin levels. Overall, the Health-conscious group, with preference to healthier food options, has better health outcomes, compared to Sweet-tooth and Omnivore groups.Graphical

친환경 화장품 브랜드의 경험디자인 구성요소 사례 연구

The value of eco-friendliness which has been continuously increasing since the Industrial Revolution and rapid industrial development has reached a major turning point after the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular cosmetics which are products closely related to the body are not simply products applied to the body but can secure a competitive advantage when they satisfy consumers' eco-friendly values and experience elements. Therefore, this study is a study that analyzes eco-friendly cosmetics brands as components of experience design in line with changing consumer needs and the eco-friendly cosmetics brand market. Through prior research we looked into the research trends of eco-friendly cosmetics and experience design and derived experience design components for analyzing eco-friendly cosmetics brand cases. For balanced research the cosmetics brands subject to the case analysis were selected as top brands according to brand reputation big data analysis results and five brands were selected by company size and domestic/overseas. For the analysis a workshop was held with five service experience design experts. The study was conducted by adopting a closed card sorting method that classifies and analyzes the information provided in the five categories of experience design components (Sensory Perception experience, Feeling &amp; Emotions experience, Intellectual Cognition experience, Behavior experience, and Social Relationship experience). Through case analysis it was found that eco-friendly cosmetic brands with high brand reputation and preference have all five components of experience design and meet the needs of consumers. Therefore in order to secure a differentiated competitive advantage for eco-friendly cosmetics brands it is important to establish a strategy that balances the components of experience design and the study is significant in that it can be used as a reference paper when planning eco-friendly cosmetics brands.

An exploratory research on bioplastic use in Nigeria: employing a green nudge approach

Bioplastics serve as good alternatives to conventional plastics, but their production and adoption globally remain generally low. This paper sought to determine the consumer preference for bioplastics due to the urgent need for an invention on plastic pollution in Nigeria. This was achieved by employing green nudges on consumers' choice experiments on bioplastic products. The study used a sample size of 327 respondents employing the snowball sampling approach. We discovered that there was high preference heterogeneity among respondents probably due to cultural diversity and attitudinal differences. Moreover, respondents preferred to stick with their preferences instead of opting for a change in their decisions. This may have been because Nigerians are known to be brand loyalists. Our results showed that the Text treatment group thought that bioplastic labels were innovative and useful compared to the control group. This perception was probably because of the concise text on the advantages of bioplastics. We conclude that although respondents were exposed to various green nudges, there was little effect of the green nudges on their purchasing decisions. We recommend that further studies be carried out to understand why price effect was not effective in Nigeria against theory and as compared to developed countries.

Analysis of codon usage patterns in complete plastomes of four medicinal Polygonatum species (Asparagaceae).

Polygonati Rhizoma and Polygonati odorati Rhizoma, known as "Huangjing" and "Yuzhu" in China, are medicinal Polygonatum species resources with top-grade medical and edible properties. The chloroplast (cp) genome has been used to study species diversity, evolution, and breeding of species for applications in genetic engineering. Codon usage bias (CUB), a common and complex natural phenomenon, is essential for studies of codon optimization of exogenous genes, genetic engineering, and molecular evolution. However, the CUB of medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes has not been systematically studied. In our study, a detailed analysis of CUB was performed in the medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes. We investigated the codon bias of 204 plastid protein-coding genes (PCGs) in 4 medicinal Polygonatum species using CodonW and CUSP online software. Through the analysis of the codon bias index, we found that the medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes had weak codon usage bias. In addition, our results also showed a high preference for AT bases in medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes, and the preference to use AT-ending codons was observed in these species chloroplast genomes. The neutrality plot, ENC plot, PR2-Bias plot, and correspondence analysis showed that compared with mutation pressure, natural selection was the most important factor of CUB. Based on the comparative analysis of high-frequency codons and high expression codons, we also determined the 10-11 optimal codons of investigative medicinal Polygonatum species. Furthermore, the result of RSCU-based cluster analysis showed that the genetic relationship between different medicinal Polygonatum species could be well reflected. This study provided an essential understanding of CUB and evolution in the medicinal Polygonatum species chloroplast genomes.