Significant Behavioral Changes Research Articles

BUILDING DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES – A FACTOR FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRM

Purpose: In recent years, every firm is facing serious challenges related to the implementation of the principles of sustainable development, which requires a significant change in strategic behavior, strategic decisions and company actions.The aim of the study is to develop a practicable model of dynamic capabilities supporting the sustainable development of the firm, which includes recognizable, understandable and measurable components for managers, and ensures the realization of competitive advantages in the three dimensions (economic, environmental and social) and performance, taking into account the dynamics of the environment. Method: The study uses a method based on data collection through an online survey and statistical analysis of dependencies in the model, using a correlation coefficient. Results: The results of an empirical study conducted in 123 firms operating in different markets will prove the interrelationships and dependencies in the developed model of dynamic capabilities, supporting sustainability and their impact on the process of building competitive advantages. Conclusions: The research and the conclusions made prove the necessity from building dynamic capabilities, supporting the sustainable development of the firm, as a factor that ensures the realization of competitive advantages in the three dimensions (economic, environmental and social) and performance, taking into account the dynamics of the environment.

Analysis of bicycle helmet damage visibility for concussion-threshold impacts

ABSTRACT Any helmet involved in an accident should be replaced, regardless of appearance after impact. However, consumer compliance and interpretation of this recommendation is unclear, for which there is additional ambiguity for lesser impacts. This study aims to investigate the relation between helmet damage visibility and lesser impacts in line with concussion. As a preliminary model, a commercially available road-style helmet was chosen. Twelve helmets underwent impact attenuation testing; four were dropped from the standard testing height of 2 m, and eight from lower drop heights (0.34 and 0.42 m) associated with the production of linear accelerations (90 and 100 g, respectively) consistent with the production of concussion. Expanded polystyrene damage was assessed via flat punch penetration testing. American adults were then polled on helmet damage visibility based upon before and after photos. All helmets demonstrated damage to the expanded polystyrene liner in the form of altered material properties. Helmets dropped from 2 m displayed significant changes in elastic buckling (p < .01) and densification behavior (p < .01) as compared with lower drop height results. Adverse change in elastic buckling behavior was found to increase linearly with drop height (p < .001). Damage visibility was significant for helmets dropped from a 2-meter height, however, such a relation among the helmets impacted at the threshold for concussion was lacking. These findings suggest that for the chosen helmet model, consumers may be unable to distinguish between new helmets and helmets with diminished protective abilities.

Effects of adolescent substance use disorders on central cholinergic function.

Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, in which the individual undergoes significant cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social developmental changes. During this period, adolescents engage in experimentation and risky behaviors such as licit and illicit drug use. Adolescents' high vulnerability to abuse drugs and natural reinforcers leads to greater risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) during adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs during adolescence and emerging adulthood can disrupt the cholinergic system and its processes. This review will focus on the effects of peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol use, or exposure, on the cholinergic system during adulthood from preclinical and clinical studies. This review further explores potential cholinergic agents and pharmacological manipulations to counteract peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol abuse.

Clinicians' and patients' experiences of managing heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulted in unprecedented societal and healthcare provision change, which has been implemented at pace. Little is known about the indirect impacts of these changes and what the future effects may be.AimTo explore patients’ and clinicians’ experiences of managing heart failure (HF) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design & settingQualitative study in three regions of the UK: Cambridgeshire, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands.MethodSemi-structured interviews (n = 30) were conducted with older adults with established HF and healthcare providers from primary and secondary health services involved in their care. Interviews were analysed thematically.ResultsCompliance with the government guidance ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, and perceptions relating to risk from COVID-19 and underlying morbidity, drove ‘being careful’ behaviours and organisational changes. Enacting behavioural change and implementing organisational change resulted in opportunities and challenges for health and healthcare practice.ConclusionPerception of risk led to significant behavioural and organisational change during the pandemic. Some changes described by both patients and clinicians, such as enhanced relationships and self-monitoring, present as opportunities, and consideration should be given as to how to maintain or develop these. Equally, indirect impacts of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown, such as disengagement and withdrawal, and the fallout from reluctance to access health services, should be acknowledged and interventions to address these challenges are needed.

School-based HealthyMe Curricula on Health Behaviors and Weight

Objective: Healthy dietary habits, physical activity, and positive mental health help prevent or manage excess weight among adolescents. HealthyMe curriculum modules are designed to improve those health behaviors among middle and high school students. Methods: The HealthyMe curriculum was implemented through health classes and health-promoting activities. We evaluated the changes in weight and key health behaviors from 23 schools across 8 states in the 2017-2018 academic year. We analyzed pre-post comparisons adjusting for lesson attendance, race/ethnicity, and age, and for clustering effects of schools. We also compared percentages of improved behaviors between sexes and between rural and non-rural schools. Results: Data were available from 1463 students (44% boys, age = 15.6 (1.3) years). Body mass index (BMI) metrics, in general, were significantly improved among students who were overweight or obese. Significant positive health behavior changes reported by both boys and girls were increasing breakfast and decreasing sugary beverage consumption. Girls significantly increased fruit and vegetable intakes and physical activities; boys significantly decreased dinner at home and physical activities. Students in rural schools tended to have a smaller number of significant changes and improved behaviors. Conclusions: The HealthyMe curriculum improved weight among students, who were overweight or obese, even though it focuses on health behaviors rather than directly addressing weight issues. The positive health behavior changes in conjunction with weight improvements may reflect synergy between the health promotion teaching and school policies.

Pandemic consequences and crisis recovery scenarios

The global economy develops in completely new and unpredictable conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic spread. The current COVID-19 crisis has changed the supply and demand ratio. Economic recovery requires the right macroeconomic policy to support national economies, maintain economic and financial relationships between workers and enterprises, creditors and borrowers, suppliers, and end consumers. Therefore, there is a challenge to minimize the influence of the long-term COVID-19 crisis to avoid irreparable damage to people and companies due to job losses and mass bankruptcies. This study aims to analyze the COVID-19 consequences and scenarios of economic recovery after the pandemic crisis. The study’s relevance is that the global economy needs significant behavioral, structural, and institutional changes to stabilize the system and form the basis for further development. The findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has become a trigger of devastating large-scale world economic imbalances. The authors noted that one of the combating methods against the pandemic spread was quarantine measures. However, the massive population isolation, limiting its mobility and economic activity, has created an extraordinary socio-economic situation. The authors conclude that pandemic significantly increased the demand for food delivery services since people preferred (or were forced) to stay at home. At the same time, people were apprehensive about coronavirus transmission through couriers. The prolonged quarantine has changed consumer behavior. Notably, the demand for such goods as cars and clothing decreased while increased for household products. Most developed and many developing countries have sacrificed their economies to defend the population. The authors concluded that the social changes caused by quarantine restrictions have divided the world into current and «post-COVID» and affect all global economic fields. The obtained results indicated the need to find new possibilities to simplify production and manage remote work. The study findings emphasize the need to find new possibilities to simplify production. Moreover, it is essential to establish links between manufacturers and economic systems under remote work.

Efficacy of a Telehealth Delivered Couples’ HIV Counseling and Testing (CHTC) Intervention to Improve Formation and Adherence to Safer Sexual Agreements Among Male Couples in the Us: Results from a Randomized Control Trial

Background: There is a critical gap in HIV prevention science around the development of interventions that help male couples form and adhere to safer sexual agreements. This paper reports the results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the efficacy of Nexus , a telehealth delivered intervention that combines Couples’ HIV Counseling and Testing (CHTC) with home-based HIV-testing, examining the impact of the intervention on the couples’ formation and adherence to safer sexual agreements. Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, 424 male couples were recruited online from across the U.S and equally randomized to the intervention arm (a telehealth delivered CHTC session with two home HIV-testing kits) or a control arm (two home HIV-testing kits), with study assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Outcomes included the formation and adherence to safer sexual agreements, dyadic discordance in reporting sexual agreements, breakage of sexual agreements, and perceptions of the benefit of PrEP. Findings: Couples randomized to the intervention arm had significantly greater odds of reporting a safer sexual agreement (3 months OR 1.87, 95%CI 1.21-2.90, p-value 0.005, and 6 months OR 1.84, p-value 0.007), lower odds of reporting discordant sexual agreements at 6 months (OR 0.62, p-value 0.048), and a significantly lower odds of reporting breaking their sexual agreement (3 months OR 0.51, p-value 0.035, and 6 months OR 0.23, p-value 0.000). By 6 months, couples in the intervention arm were less likely to say PrEP was beneficial to one (RRR 0.33, P=0.000) or both of them (RRR 0.29, P=0.000) than being beneficial to neither of the partners. Interpretation: The high levels of acceptability and efficacy of the intervention demonstrate strong potential for the scale-up of this efficacious intervention that leverages existing interventions (CHTC) and delivers them through a low-cost telehealth platform to create significant behavioral change among male couples. Trial Registration: The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02335138) Funding: The study was supported by National Institutes of Health (Grant No. R01HD078131). Declaration of Interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Michigan (HUM00102906) Institutional Review Board.

Pengaruh Pendampingan Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Terhadap Penerapan Protokol Kesehatan Dan Menyikat Gigi Malam Hari Pada Masa Pandemi (Sistem Monitoring Melalui Daring)

Community empowerment is an effort to provide power (empowerment) or strengthening (strengthening) to the community. Community empowerment is defined as the ability of individuals in the community forum to build community empowerment which aims to find new alternatives in community development. During a pandemic, family participation as a promotive, preventive and preventive approach is needed through the role of one family member to become mentoring whom a role model for the family to break the chain of Covit-19 disease. The research objective was to determine the effectiveness of the development of counseling through community empowerment with the approach of establishing Kader Mandiri Keluarga (KMK) as "Self-Screening Supervisor to Healthy and Night Toothbrushes".The analytical method used is descriptive quantitative, with a sample of 20 mother as a supervisor that representing 20 families. The implementation stages begin with socialization and counseling on the application of a lifestyle as a link breaker in the Covid-19 disease chain. Then every week for a month, questionnaires were distributed about the behavior of implementing health protocols and the behavior of brushing teeth before going to bed at night using a google form which was monitored every week via the WhatsApp group.The differences in behavior changes in control of healthy teeth maintenance from week 1, 2, 3 and week 4 were analyzed using the statistical test used, namely the Friedmen test. The results of the activity showed that there was a significant change in behavior in relation to brushing your teeth for 2 minutes and brushing your teeth before going to bed from week 1, 2, 3 to week 4 (p: 0.05). The role of mentoring activities as an effort to empower the community plays a role in improving and changing general health and dental behavior. The obstacle faced by the facilitator is that it is still difficult to change the mindset of the community in order to be more independent and not depend on the assistant.. Keywords : Mentoring, KMK, supervisors, behavior change

Motivational Interviewing Adapted to Group Setting for the Treatment of Relapse in the Behavioral Therapy of Obesity. A Clinical Audit.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is devised to change unhealthy behaviors by increasing motivation. We adapted MI to a group format for the treatment of relapse during the behavioral treatment of obesity and performed a clinical audit to evaluate its effectiveness in stopping weight regain. The program was structured in seven weekly sessions, plus a 6-month follow-up. Patients (n = 86) completed a questionnaire on motivation to change in both healthy diet and physical activity, and a self-reported measurement of calorie intake and physical activity at baseline, at program end and at 6-month follow-up. The attendance to the program was high, with only 13 patients (15%) not completing the program and 24% not attending the 6-month follow-up. By the end of follow up, the prevalence of patients in either precontemplation or contemplation was reduced from over 60% at enrollment to approximately 20%, whereas the sum of patients in action or maintenance stages was increased from 9.5% in healthy diet and 14% in physical activity to 39.7% and 41.3%, respectively. These changes translated into significant behavioral changes (mean calorie intake, −13%; total physical activity, +125%; sedentary time, −8%) and finally into reduced body weight ( −3%). We conclude that MI programs adapted for groups may be used to stop relapse in individuals following a behavioral intervention for obesity.

Chemical Vapour Deposition of Graphene for Durable Anticorrosive Coating on Copper.

Due to the excellent chemical inertness, graphene can be used as an anti-corrosive coating to protect metal surfaces. Here, we report the growth of graphene by using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process with ethanol as a carbon source. Surface and structural characterisations of CVD grown films suggest the formation of double-layer graphene. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used to study the anticorrosion behaviour of the CVD grown graphene layer. The observed corrosion rate of 8.08 × 10−14 m/s for graphene-coated copper is 24 times lower than the value for pure copper which shows the potential of graphene as the anticorrosive layer. Furthermore, we observed no significant changes in anticorrosive behaviour of the graphene coated copper samples stored in ambient environment for more than one year.

Empirical research on smart city construction and public health under information and communications technology

Big data and the internet of things in smart cities play an increasingly important role in the health of urban residents. However, few studies have collected empirical evidence to determine whether the implementation of smart cities can have a positive impact on healthcare. Using three years of panel data from the CHARLS national baseline survey, we examined whether and how smart city construction affects the health status of residents. The results show that the construction of smart cities improves residents’ health status. This relationship is achieved by reducing the use of outpatient services and increasing the utilization of inpatient services. Furthermore, compared with urban residents, rural residents show more significant behavioural changes in their use of medical services under the influence of smart city construction.

PROBLEM OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE ECONOMISTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL ECONOMY UNDER CONDITIONS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the scientific discussion on the problem of future economists’ training for the development of national economy in the context of European integration; the disclosure of the peculiarities of Ukrainian modern economic processes and provision directions of high-quality economic education for students of the speciality 051 Economics. Methodology. The survey is based on the analysis of legal and normative base of future economists’ professional training and the ways to form their readiness for the development of national economy under the conditions of European integration. The scientific discussion on the problem of future economists’ training for the development of national economy under the conditions of European integration is covered; the disclosure of peculiarities of Ukrainian modern economic processes and the provision directions of high-quality economic education for students of the speciality 051 Economics. Core competencies for future economists, which they must acquire at the universities in the process of professional training and which they will promote participating in the development of national economy of Ukraine, are outlined. Professional training of future economists is reviewed as a process of basic economic competence formation, professionally oriented practical skills and students’ abilities, the development of their motivation for economic self-education and continuous self-improvement. Emphasis is placed on the educational technology of mathematical training for future economists. It must be admitted that the major feature of it is to ensure the implementation of educational objectives in the field of formation of the professional competence for future economists on the mathematical basis in accordance with the requirements to high economic education. It is emphasized on the importance for students to choose the educational programs, which they need, out of a proposed set. Emphasize is placed on the ways to master them, namely individual pace, forms and deadlines for the required reports. The individual educational program of the students is defined as the preliminary plan made by the students with the support of a teacher-mentor, their educational and other activity directed on personal and professional development. Moreover, it must be designed taking into account personal, educational and professional interests, needs and inquiries of the students. The principle of choosing an individual educational trajectory is characterized. It declares that every student has the right to conscious and agreed choice with the teacher for the main components of his or her education: content, objectives, pace, forms and methods of teaching, personal content of education, control and evaluation of results. The questionnaire, where each question has 10 possible answers, is represented in order to survey future economists on their satisfaction with the procedure of choosing an individual educational trajectory and the process of supporting the mastery of the educational program. Practical implications. The application of the diagnostic complex has confirmed that the pedagogical experiment resulted in quantitative changes in indicators that reflected significant qualitative changes in minds and behavior of future economists. It showed a significant positive dynamics of their readiness for innovative economic activity and the formation of their professional basics. The quantitative indicators of the experimental groups became a statistical confirmation of this: the number of students with high level of professionalism increased from 10.3% to 33.7%. The increase is at 23.4%. The index of sufficient level of future economists’ professionalism formation increased at 20.6%, i.e. from 25.4% to 46.0%. The number of students with the initial level of professionalism decreased at 22.6%. It is from 25.8% to 3.2%. The rate of change of the corresponding indicators in the control groups is much lower. Value/originality. The article provides ways for improving the methods and forms of future economists’ professional training for the development of national economy in the context of European integration. In particular, the introduction of individual educational trajectory of economists with a projection on elective courses and extrapolation into future economic practice is recommended.

Conducting Qualitative Interviews using Virtual Communication Tools amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Learning Opportunity for Future Research.

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the health and wellbeing of the global citizens which has led to a significant change in attitude, lifestyle, and behavior of people from diverse professions, including academics and researchers. Doctoral students and funded researchers with the time limit to their research project have experienced stress and anxiety due to the struggle of negotiating and managing the timeline to complete the fieldwork for their research. In the current circumstances, an increasing number of researchers are looking for alternative methods to conduct the fieldwork and complete the data collection. In this context, the aim of this viewpoint is to provide reflections on the challenges and opportunities experienced by the authors while conducting qualitative research fieldwork during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and thermal behavior of Saturejahortensis essential oil

Saturejahortensis is one of the representative plants from the Lamiaceae family, and its essential oil has been used in various applicative fields, from the food industry to aromatherapy. The changes that occur in heated samples at different temperatures (160, 175, 190 ºC) over different periods (0.5 and 2.5 h) in Saturejahortensis essential oil composition and chemical properties were evaluated. The results showed that the major chemical composition constituents of the investigated essential oil are γ-terpinene + α-terpinolene and carvacrol + p-cymene and the thermal behavior is dependent on the content. This composition drastically changes through the heating of the samples and causes significant changes in thermal behavior. The present study demonstrated that the concentration of carvacrol in S.hortensis essential oil is increasing after heating treatment, and the sample heated at 190 ºC for 2.5 h contained more than 91% carvacrol. This simple treatment is a rapid way to obtain carvacrol from the essential oil that has high potential as a natural preservative suitable for the food industry and alternative and complementary medicine.

Chronically infused angiotensin II induces depressive-like behavior via microglia activation

Brain inflammation is one of hypotheses explaining complex pathomechanisms of depression. Angiotensin II (ANGII), which is associated with hypertension, also induces brain inflammation. However, there is no animal study showing the direct relationship between ANGII and depression. To address this issue, ANGII-containing osmotic pumps were implanted into adult male C57BL/6 mice subcutaneously for subacute (7 days) and chronic (at least 21 days) periods and behavioral and molecular analyses were conducted. Chronic infusion of ANGII into mice induced depressive-like behaviors, including the tail suspension test and forced swimming test, which were reversed by imipramine. Chronic infusion of ANGII also induced microglial activation in the hippocampus with increase of Il-1β mRNA and decrease of Arg1 mRNA. In addition, chronic ANGII infusion activated the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) and resulted in decreased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor level. However, subacute ANGII infusion did not induce significant molecular and behavioral changes in mice compared to that of control. The molecular and behavioral changes by chronic ANGII infusion were reversed by co-treatment of minocycline or telmisartan. In addition, ANGII treatment also induced the pro-inflammatory changes in BV-2 microglial cells. Our results indicate that ANGII can induce depressive-like behaviors via microglial activation in the hippocampus and HPA axis hyperactivation in mice. These might suggest possible mechanism on depressive symptom in chronic hypertensive state.

Abstract PO-019: Delivering cancer prevention programs to Latinx and Korean immigrant communities in Los Angeles through community partnerships and a culturally adapted Cancer 101 Cancer Education and Training Program

Abstract Latinx and Korean immigrants (LKI) in the United States are less likely to incorporate cancer prevention practices (CPP), such as undergoing recommended cancer screening, as compared to white counterparts. Currently lacking are comprehensive, culturally tailored cancer prevention programs for LKI communities. One method of targeting these inequities and increasing CPP is the Cancer 101 Cancer Education and Training Program (CETP). CETP was developed in collaboration with American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) of Washington state as a cancer education resource to improve cancer knowledge, introduce preventative practices in a tribal setting, and increase survival rates for community members. Participants demonstrated a significant change in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards CPP. Given the need to improve CPP among LKI, and the success associated with the AI/AN CETP, the purpose of this study was to explore the impact on CPP through a culturally tailored CETP for LKI communities. We developed partnerships with the leadership of faith-based organizations (FBOs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) serving predominantly LKI populations in neighborhoods with a high concentrations of late-stage cancer diagnoses. We referenced the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Community Guide for strategies of implementing tailored cancer programs. We administered our Spanish and Korean language Cancer and Healthcare in Los Angeles Survey (CHILAS) to FBO members to gather baseline awareness and perceptions of CPP. CHILAS data highlighted critical components that were used to modify the CETP. We translated the newly adapted CETP into Spanish and Korean and used it to conduct cancer prevention workshops and organize cancer screening events with our partnered FBOs and FQHCs. Our results include the development of partnerships with 15 FBOs where 12,000 predominantly LKI worshipped, in neighborhoods with a high incidence of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses. The results from 2,100 CHILAS and demographics were used to tailor the CETP for the communities of interest. Using the adapted CETP and strategies from the CDC’s Community Guide, 8,000 congregants received CPP information from the pulpit. Over 2 years, we delivered 63 cancer prevention workshops for 3,000 attendees, with 600 individuals participating in additional organized cancer screening programs and 35 volunteers and navigators trained. Furthermore, participants enrolled in community-based studies including the All of Us research project. Adaptation and application of the Cancer 101 CETP for LKI communities was an effective tool in disseminating cancer awareness and providing accessible cancer screening in high-need neighborhoods. Community partnerships shaped the Cancer 101 CETP to be a tangible and culturally sensitive resource for the communities of interest. We plan to sustain and expand this initiative through the creation of a comprehensive tool kit and training program for community leaders. Citation Format: Zul Surani, Bianca Luna, Dong Hee Kim, Ergueen Herrera, Loraine Escobedo, Robert Haile. Delivering cancer prevention programs to Latinx and Korean immigrant communities in Los Angeles through community partnerships and a culturally adapted Cancer 101 Cancer Education and Training Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-019.

Impact of a community-based pilot intervention to tackle childhood obesity: a \u2018whole-system approach\u2019 case study

BackgroundGo-Golborne was a three-year pilot programme to test an innovative, community-based ‘whole system’ approach to preventing overweight in children in Golborne ward, London. Whilst there is a growing interest in local whole systems approaches to obesity, understandings of what they look like in practice are newly emerging. Go-Golborne was designed, implemented and evaluated within this context.MethodsThe evaluation used a case-study design and theory of change approach to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Height/weight measurements of children in the six participating primary schools were recorded annually for 4 years. For behavioural outcomes, children aged six-11 completed four annual on-line surveys (total 4331 responses). Parents were surveyed in year one and year four (177 responses). Three focus group discussions were held with children aged 10–11 (N = 21); interviews were conducted with parents (N = 11), and school representatives (N = 4). Stakeholders were surveyed twice (37 responses), and interviews were conducted with key stakeholders (N = 11). An extensive range of programme documents were reviewed and additional process data was collected from the programme team. The RE-AIM framework was used to synthesise findings and examine public health impact.ResultsGo-Golborne reached a diverse range of partners across Golborne. Events were attended by over 3360 local children and families and all six primary schools in the ward actively engaged in activities. The proportion of children in the above healthy weight categories remained stable over time. A number of changes in home, school and neighbourhood environments to support healthy behaviour change were evidenced. There was some qualitative evidence of positive changes in children’s behaviours, though significant or sustained changes were not evidenced by the quantitative data.ConclusionsGo-Golborne helped stakeholders and parents to develop a shared commitment to improving healthy weight in children, to identify barriers to a healthy lifestyle, and to start to make changes in their services/behaviours. The campaigns and changes made at micro-level appeared to be insufficient, in the face of counteracting forces and personal factors, to achieve significant behaviour change within 3 years. This highlights the need for local initiatives to be reinforced by supporting action at regional, national and global levels.

Alien vs predator play hide and seek: How habitat complexity alters parasite mediated host survival

Parasites can greatly affect the behavior of their hosts, influencing how they respond to biotic and abiotic factors within their communities. Some parasites are particularly impactful, causing significant reproductive and behavioral changes in hosts relative to uninfected conspecifics. In eastern North America, a non-native parasitic barnacle, Loxothylacus panopaei (Gissler, 1884), has severe reproductive impacts on native panopeid mud crab hosts, resulting in castration. Moreover, the parasite has been documented to induce significant behavioral changes, such as reducing mud crab activity, influencing predator-prey relationships, and enhancing hiding behaviors in infected host crabs. Yet much remains to be understood regarding the host's ability to escape predators in heterogeneous environments. We investigated the effects of L.panopaei parasitism on mud crab (flatback mud crab, Eurypanopeus depressus (Smith, 1869)) survival in simple versus complex habitats. In lab mesocosm experiments, habitat heterogeneity was manipulated using oysters and gravel, and predatory pressures came from two common predatory crabs in southeast Atlantic estuaries: the Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii (H. Milne Edwards 1884) and the stone crab, Menippe mercenaria (Say, 1818). We found L.panopaei-infected E. depressus crabs to have the lowest survival rates in the simple gravel habitat, while the crabs with the highest survival were uninfected crabs in the complex oyster habitat. Moreover, we detected differences between uninfected and infected crabs in habitat usage (oyster versus gravel) within the complex habitat. This study demonstrates the complexity of predator-prey dynamics in the face of impactful parasitism and global change, including the introductions of species to new communities where they may have strong impacts on host populations and community interactions.

Detecting the effects of chronic metal exposure on benthic systems: Importance of biomarker and endpoint selection

Understanding metal toxicity to benthic systems is still an ecotoxicological priority and, although numerous biomarkers exist, a multi-biomarker and endpoint approach with sediment as the delivery matrix combined with life-history relevant exposure timescales is missing. Here we assess potential toxicity by measuring a suite of biomarkers and endpoints after exposing the ecologically important polychaete Alitta(Nereis)virens to sediment spiked with environmentally relevant concentrations of copper and zinc (and in combination) for 3, 6 and 9 months. We compared biomarker and endpoint sensitivity providing a guide to select the appropriate endpoints for the chosen time frame (exposure period) and concentration (relevant to Sediment Quality Guidelines) needed to identify effects for benthic polychaetes such as A. virens. Target bioavailable sediment and subsequent porewater concentrations reflect the global contamination range, whilst tissue concentrations, although elevated, were comparable with other polychaetes. Survival reduced as concentrations increased, but growth was not significantly different between treatments. Metabolic changes were restricted to significant reductions in protein after 9 months exposure across all copper concentrations, and reductions in lipid at high copper concentrations (3 months). Significant changes in feeding behaviour and increases in metallothionein-like protein concentration were limited to the medium and high copper and zinc concentrations, respectively, both after 6 months exposure. Despite data highlighting A. virens′ metal tolerance, DNA damage and protein concentrations are the most sensitive biomarkers. Copper and zinc cause biomarker responses at concentrations routinely found in coastal sediments that are characterised as low contamination, suggesting a reappraisal of the current input sources (especially copper) is required.

An evaluation of the effect of plastic bag fee on consumer behavior: Case of Turkey

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the plastic bag fee (that was implemented in Turkey recently) on the consumer behavior. For this purpose, a face-to-face consumer survey with 821 respondents was conducted in Istanbul. A paired sample t-test was carried out in order to compare consumers' average frequency of using plastic bags, bringing their own bags for shopping, using plastic bags obtained in shopping for domestic waste and purchasing bin bags for domestic waste before/after the implementation of the policy of charging for plastic bags. Two different multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine which factors affect the change in plastic bag demand by the consumers for when the plastic bags were free of charge and for when they were paid. The results suggest that there has been a statistically significant change in consumers' behaviors towards using plastic bags in shopping and the means of keeping domestic waste.