Specific Identity Research Articles

First report of Lipoptena axis Maa, 1965, from captive cervids in Thailand, based on morphological and molecular data

Deer louse flies (Lipoptena spp.) are hematophagous ectoparasites of cervids. The genus Lipoptena comprises 32 species, some of which are of veterinary importance as vectors of various pathogens, and are also known to attack human hosts. Recently, deer louse flies have been observed during annual checkups of captive cervids at Khon Kaen Zoo in Khon Kaen, Thailand. However, data on their specific identity and prevalence remain limited. This study aims to identify louse fly samples from captive cervids at Khon Kaen Zoo using morphological and molecular analyses. A total of 60 louse flies were collected from 17 captive cervids and identified based on their morphology. Major morphological characteristics, including mesothoracic bristle patterns, abdominal tergal plate bristles, and terminalia structure indicated that the Khon Kaen louse fly is Lipoptena axis Maa, 1965. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was performed, which confirmed that L. axis of this study belongs to the cervi group, which is distinct from other groups of Lipoptena species. This study represents the first report of L. axis in Thailand. We provide an updated taxonomic key for the identification of Lipoptena species in the cervi group.

Efficacy and Action: How Targeted Messages Influence Support of Social Advocacy Organizations

Scholars widely agree that to mobilize individuals to action, it is vital that interest groups persuade them of the efficacy of participation. Despite firmly establishing the relationship between efficacy and action, research tells us surprisingly little about what kind of messaging most effectively evokes feelings of efficacy. To address this gap in the literature, we conduct a pair of survey experiments, each with three manipulations. The experiments present messages by fictitious advocacy organizations that emphasize the individual (action by an individual can produce change), the identity group (action by a specific identity group can produce change), or the organization (action by our organization can political change). Each message is designed to increase self-efficacy, group efficacy, or organizational efficacy, respectively. We conduct a two-stage analysis to determine first whether each message is able to increase efficacy, and then whether those feelings translate to behavioral support of the campaign. We find that while motivational messages often increase the intent to support a campaign, they only induce behavioral change in limited contexts.

I centri antiviolenza come pratica di urban commoning. Riflessioni ed esperienze nel contesto italiano e romano

The aim of this paper is to reflect on the theme of urban commons and, in particular, to propose an interpretation of the experience of Italian anti-violence centres in this context. The first part of the paper is dedicated to the theoretical contextualisation of the urban commons. A second part reconstructs the emergence of anti-violence centres in Italy and their evolution over time. The third part is dedicated to the Roman experience of the Lucha y Siesta House, which explicitly declares itself to be a common good managed and shared. In the background and in the conclusions, the tension between the specific identity of the Cav and Women’s Houses and the relationship with the institutions remains, also taking into account the two models of shared management used in our country to care for and manage common goods.

Tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, and polysubstance use disparities among sexual identity groups of US young adult women and men

BackgroundSexual minority young adults (SMYAs) display higher rates of polysubstance use (i.e., current use of multiple substances) than their heterosexual peers, but limited research has explored differences by gender and specific sexual identity. MethodsLatent class analyses (LCAs) examined past-month use of combustible tobacco (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, hookah), e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol among 2,343 YAs (Mage = 24.69, SD = 4.70; 57.4 % women, 42.6 % men; 18.0 % bisexual, 9.4 % gay or lesbian; 36.2% racial/ethnic minority) residing in 6 US metropolitan areas. Multinomial logistic regressions examined associations among sexual identity (bisexual, gay/lesbian, heterosexual) and polysubstance use classes among women (n = 1,345) and men (n = 998), separately. ResultsLCA yielded a 5-class solution: primarily-alcohol use (29.5%), polysubstance use (i.e., use of all 4 substances, 24.3%), non-use (18.1%), cannabis and alcohol co-use (16.3%), and e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol co-use (11.8%). Bisexual and lesbian (vs. heterosexual) women displayed lower odds of primarily-alcohol use, whereas bisexual (vs. heterosexual) women displayed higher odds of polysubstance use, as well as e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol co-use. Bisexual (vs. heterosexual) men displayed lower odds of primarily-alcohol use, whereas gay (vs. heterosexual) men displayed lower odds of polysubstance use, as well as e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol co-use. ConclusionsBisexual women were at greatest risk for polysubstance use of combustible tobacco, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol, whereas bisexual and gay men were at lower risk than heterosexual men for polysubstance use. Results underscore the need for tailored interventions and campaigns to consider patterns of co-occurring tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol use, particularly for bisexual women.

A Comprehensive Transcriptomic and Proteomics Analysis of Candidate Secretory Proteins in Rose Grain Aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker)

The Rose grain aphid, a notable agricultural pest, releases saliva while feeding. Yet, there is a need for a comprehensive understanding of the specific identity and role of secretory proteins released during probing and feeding. Therefore, a combined transcriptomic and proteomic approach was employed in this study to identify putative secretory proteins. The transcriptomic sequencing result led to the assembly of 18,030 unigenes out of 31,344 transcripts. Among these, 705 potential secretory proteins were predicted and functionally annotated against publicly accessible protein databases. Notably, a substantial proportion of secretory genes (71.5%, 69.08%, and 60.85%) were predicted to encode known proteins in Nr, Pfam, and Swiss-Prot databases, respectively. Conversely, 27.37% and 0.99% of gene transcripts were predicted to encode known proteins with unspecified functions in the Nr and Swiss-Prot databases, respectively. Meanwhile, the proteomic analysis result identified, 15 salivary proteins. Interestingly, most salivary proteins (i.e., 60% of the proteins) showed close similarity to A. craccivora, while 46.67% showed close similarity to A. glycines, M. sacchari and S. flava. However, to verify the expression of these secretory genes and characterize the biological function of salivary proteins further investigation should be geared towards gene expression and functional analysis.

Nature and Effects of Climate in 2SLGBTQ+ Leisure Spaces: A Mixed Methods Study.

The climate within 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces plays a key role in shaping the experiences of diverse individuals who frequent them. Yet, the nature and effects of such spaces remain under-researched. In a mixed methods study, 548 diverse individuals completed a survey, and 22 respondents participated in a follow-up interview. Latent profile analysis of the quantitative data revealed three distinct typologies characterizing the climate of 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces: contentious, ambivalent, and welcoming. Notably, the contentious climate was linked to low sense of belonging and satisfaction, whereas the welcoming climate was associated with higher scores across the same outcomes. Additionally, specific social identities were predictive of membership in these climate profiles; individuals identifying as transgender/gender nonconforming and disabled were more likely to encounter contentious and/or ambivalent environments compared to welcoming climates, primarily due to limited options for welcoming climates. Intersectional analysis of the qualitative data illustrated that experiences of discrimination, particularly cisgenderism, racism, and ableism, contributed to poor social outcomes. These findings highlight that 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces may not translate into inclusive environments for everyone. The typologies developed could serve as a valuable tool to reflect on the ambiance of 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces and work toward welcoming climates.

The Floating Urbanism of Cambodia’s Tonlé Sap

For decades, the floating villages of Tonlé Sap, a lake in Cambodia, have demonstrated ingenuity by necessity and adaptability to the seasonal rhythms of nature. The villages are examples of ephemeral, floating urbanism, a response to discriminatory land tenure practices that is able to adjust to ever-increasing fluctuations in water levels exacerbated by global warming. The villages’ Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) display a distinct intelligence, in which water-based modes of living and livelihoods are connected with a resourceful understanding and use of locational assets. Conducting intensive fieldwork by boat and living in the floating villages for ten days in August 2023, the authors gained knowledge of local expertise through observation and informal interviews. They documented livelihoods and modes of settlement that suggest a pause in the neo-liberal market-driven globalism sweeping Cambodia. Here they relate their research to existing literature and studies (primarily ethnographic and policy-oriented) of the region’s unique monsoon culture of floating villages with a culturally specific identity that combines hierarchy and heterarchy.

"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed"

Transhumanism is a school of thought that promotes the enhancement of humanity through technological intervention (e.g., cloning, gene therapies, uploading one’s mind to a computer, nanotechnology). Due to its aims of altering evolutionary processes (Bostrom, 2005), transhumanism is highly controversial (Sinicki, 2015). The ideology finds support from younger men, as well as those engaged in science-fiction literature (Gangadharbatla, 2020; Koverola et al., 2022). The present study aimed to investigate the role of gender and specific science fiction fan identities as predictors of transhumanism in three different samples of fandoms affiliated with science-fiction (e.g., anime fans, furries, and Star Wars fans) as well as in a control sample of college students. Participants (N = 6840) responded to a novel measure of transhumanist orientation in either an online or in-person survey. The findings indicated that men were the most likely to endorse transhumanism, as were fans of Star Wars and furries. Overall, the present study supports theorizing that transhumanism may be an influential motif in the science-fiction genre, as well as an appealing ideology for men.

‘Discursive Interpretations of Cultural Symbols in Mega Sporting Events: The Case of Messi’s Bisht at the 2022 World Cup’

This study examines the dominant narratives and media frames surrounding the moment when football celebrity Lionel Messi wore a bisht during the World Cup 2022 crowning ceremony. Employing a frame analysis approach, the research seeks to uncover the discursive meanings tied to this moment, which is heightened by national identity and nationalism in the context of globalized sport across international media platforms. A corpus of 25, 208 words from 59 online news articles was analyzed. At a macro level, the articles were largely framed within themes of conflict, controversy, criticism, and public and media reactions. The findings, which include specific cultural, national, political, economic, and identity frames, offer valuable insights into the complexities of globalization, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism in mega sporting events. Through discursive interpretations, this study provides a nuanced understanding of cultural exchange and identity issues in the globalized world of sports. Global media portrayed Messi’s bisht moment both positively (as a symbol of honor and respect) and negatively (as an instance of identity exploitation for cultural publicity). The study also reveals that Qatar was perceived as leveraging the event for national branding. Notably, nationalism and ideologies emerge as critical factors in media framing of mega sporting events.

Experiences of social burden amongst survivors of breast cancer in Gaza: A qualitative study

PurposeThis qualitative study explores how social-cultural factors can either amplify or attenuate prospects for social support following a breast cancer diagnosis. The aim of the study is to analyse narratives of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer to examine how the illness influences social support and hence their post-illness experiences. MethodsForty semi-structured interviews, including thirty-eight with breast cancer survivors, are analysed using a grounded theory approach. Data were collected between September 2020 and April 2021. ResultsParticipants' perceptions indicate that three main factors influenced experiences and the level of social support received. The first involves stigmatised cancer-related discourses and practices affecting women's social interactions and roles. The second is specific to (ex)married participants. It reveals how the foundation of marriage prior to the illness is a determining and influencing factor in the experience of women after illness. The third demonstrates how specific social identities enable coping, negotiation, and challenging cancer-related stigma, turning their experiences toward positivity. ConclusionsThe study concludes that breast cancer acts as a figurative magnifying glass, illuminating latent social practices in the community. This highlights the need to nurture existing social bonds or address the fragility of ties within distinct social categories. The research suggests implementing customised support interventions aligned with each group of survivors' unique needs. Furthermore, enhancing awareness within patients' social networks regarding the illness and how to provide support, along with enhancing survivors' financial security through economic empowerment, may contribute to more effective coping with the social consequences of the illness.

Symmetric Reverse n-Derivations on Ideals of Semiprime Rings

This paper focuses on examining a new type of n-additive map called the symmetric reverse n-derivation. As implied by its name, it combines the ideas of n-additive maps and reverse derivations, with a 1-reverse derivation being the ordinary reverse derivation. We explore several findings that expand our knowledge of these maps, particularly their presence in semiprime rings and the way rings respond to specific functional identities involving elements of ideals. Also, we provide examples to help clarify the concept of symmetric reverse n-derivations. This study aims to deepen our understanding of these symmetric maps and their properties within mathematical structures.

Antibody sequence determinants of viral antigen specificity.

Throughout life, humans experience repeated exposure to viral antigens through infection and vaccination, resulting in the generation of diverse, antigen-specific antibody repertoires. A paramount feature of antibodies that enables their critical contributions in counteracting recurrent and novel pathogens, and consequently fostering their utility as valuable targets for therapeutic and vaccine development, is the exquisite specificity displayed against their target antigens. Yet, there is still limited understanding of the determinants of antibody-antigen specificity, particularly as a function of antibody sequence. In recent years, experimental characterization of antibody repertoires has led to novel insights into fundamental properties of antibody sequences but has been largely decoupled from at-scale antigen specificity analysis. Here, using the LIBRA-seq technology, we generated a large data set mapping antibody sequence to antigen specificity for thousands of B cells, by screening the repertoires of a set of healthy individuals against 20 viral antigens representing diverse pathogens of biomedical significance. Analysis uncovered virus-specific patterns in variable gene usage, gene pairing, somatic hypermutation, as well as the presence of convergent antiviral signatures across multiple individuals, including the presence of public antibody clonotypes. Notably, our results showed that, for B-cell receptors originating from different individuals but leveraging an identical combination of heavy and light chain variable genes, there is a specific CDRH3 identity threshold above which B cells appear to exclusively share the same antigen specificity. This finding provides a quantifiable measure of the relationship between antibody sequence and antigen specificity and further defines experimentally grounded criteria for defining public antibody clonality.IMPORTANCEThe B-cell compartment of the humoral immune system plays a critical role in the generation of antibodies upon new and repeated pathogen exposure. This study provides an unprecedented level of detail on the molecular characteristics of antibody repertoires that are specific to each of the different target pathogens studied here and provides empirical evidence in support of a 70% CDRH3 amino acid identity threshold in pairs of B cells encoded by identical IGHV:IGL(K)V genes, as a means of defining public clonality and therefore predicting B-cell antigen specificity in different individuals. This is of exceptional importance when leveraging public clonality as a method to annotate B-cell receptor data otherwise lacking antigen specificity information. Understanding the fundamental rules of antibody-antigen interactions can lead to transformative new approaches for the development of antibody therapeutics and vaccines against current and emerging viruses.

The Influence of R&D Intensity on Supply Chain Transparency: Evidence From the Disclosure Substitution Perspective

ABSTRACTThis paper shows that the existence of disclosure‐related costs and benefits explains the influence of R&D intensity on supply chain transparency. We find that R&D‐active firms are more likely to redact supply chain identities but disclose supply chain distribution as a substitution. The effect of withholding (disclosing) the specific identities (distribution) of supply chain is more (less) pronounced when firms are in higher competitive industries or non–state‐owned enterprises. Our study provides evidence of disclosure substitution behavior in a unified voluntary setting of supply chain transparency and shows that partial disclosure of nonproprietary information may be optimal.

Algebraic Identities on Generalized Derivations in Prime Rings with Involution

This research paper aims to investigate the commutativity properties of prime rings in relation to generalized derivations and a left multiplier that fulfil specific algebraic conditions involving involution. Additionally, we present various examples studies to illustrate that the constraints imposed in our theorems are indeed necessary and cannot be omitted without compromising the validity of our results.Introduction: Consider a ring S that satisfies the associative property, and let Z(S) represent its center. An involution denoted by *, which is an additive function mapping S to itself. This involution has specific properties: for any α and β in S, applying the involution twice returns the original element ((α^* )^*=α), it distributes over addition ((α+β)^*=α^*+β^*), and it reverses the order of multiplication ((αβ)^*=β^* α^*). We categorize elements as hermitian when they remain unchanged under the involution (α^*=α), and as skew-hermitian when they change sign (α^*=-α). We use H(S) to represent the collection of all hermitian elements in S, and S(S) for all skew-hermitian elements. The involution is classified as first kind if H(S) is a subset of the center of S, denoted as Z(S). If this is not the case, it’s considered second kind, and in this scenario, the intersection of H(S) and Z(S) contains more than just the zero element. We also define several types of mappings on ring S. A left multiplier, △, is an additive map where △(υω)=△(υ)ω, ∀υ,ω∈S. A derivation, ψ, is an additive mapping that satisfies ψ(υω)=ψ(υ)ω+υψ(ω), ∀υ,ω∈S. Extending this concept, we define a generalized derivation, Γ, which is linked to a derivation ψ. This function satisfies Γ(υω)=Γ(υ)ω+υψ(ω), ∀υ,ω∈S. It’s worth noting that any derivation can be considered a generalized derivation associated with itself.Objectives: In this study, we intend to examine the commutativity of a prime ring S by utilizing generalized derivations Γ_1, Γ_2, and a left multiplier △, while adhering to specific algebraic identities that involve involution. Specifically, we will delve into the commutativity of rings S that fulfill the following algebraic conditions: • [Γ_1 (υ),Γ_2 (υ^*)]+△([υ,υ^*])∈Z(S), for all υ∈S; • Γ_1 (υ)∘Γ_2 (υ^*)+△(υ∘υ^*)∈Z(S), for all υ∈S; • [Γ_1 (υ),Γ_2 (υ^*)]+△(υ∘υ^*)∈Z(S), for all υ∈S; • Γ_1 (υ)∘Γ_2 (υ^*)+△([υ,υ^*])∈Z(S), for all υ∈S; • Γ(υυ^*)±Γ(υ)Γ(υ^*)+△([υ,υ^*])∈Z(S), for all υ∈S; • Γ(υυ^*)±Γ(υ^*)Γ(υ)+△(υ∘υ^*)∈Z(S), for all υ∈S. Lastly, we offer examples to illustrate that the constraints applied to our hypotheses are necessary and not redundant.Results: Building on the work of Nejjar ([8], Theorems 3.5, 3.8), who demonstrated that a 2-torsion-free prime ring with involution and a derivation ψ satisfying certain conditions must be commutative, we explore broader generalizations of these conditions. Specifically, Nejjar showed that if the derivation ψ meets either of the following criteria: [ψ(υ),ψ(υ)]±υ∘υ∈Z(S), ∀υ∈S or ψ(υ)∘ψ(υ)±υ∘υ∈Z(S), ∀υ∈S, then S is necessarily commutative. Our work extends these findings by introducing new identities for pairs of generalized derivations that are connected to a left multiplier △. Finally, we offer examples to illustrate that the constraints applied to our hypotheses are necessary and not redundant.Conclusions: In this research, we investigate the commutativity of prime rings S admitting an involution and generalized derivations satisfying some algebraic identities. We can conclude our paper with an open question.Open question: are these results correct if we replace the generalized derivation by the generalized (α,β)-derivation, where α and β are automorphisms of ring S?

Language and terminology to describe transgender communities; Perspectives from people with lived experience

Background There is no consensus over the meaning of “transgender,” “trans and gender diverse,” and other terminology used to describe people with a gender different from the gender presumed or recorded for them at birth. We aimed to survey transgender (trans) individuals to understand lived experience perspectives on terminology. Methods An online cross-sectional survey of trans people currently living in Australia and aged ≥16 was conducted from June 2021 to April 2022. Demographic data and terminology preferences were ascertained through fixed-option and free-text questions. Results Of 1023 respondents with a median age of 30 years (IQR 24, 41), 37.1% were trans women, 34.9% were trans men, 27.6% were non-binary, and 0.4% had a culturally specific identity. There was no consensus regarding community-level terminology, with “trans/transgender and gender diverse” the most preferred term (21.9%), followed by “trans/transgender” (19.3%), and “gender diverse” (15.1%). The term “trans/transgender” was more preferred by trans women (27.9%), trans men (19.0%), respondents who had a history of or wanted gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT; 20.7%), and gender-affirming surgery (GAS; 20.9%), compared to non-binary respondents (8.2%), and respondents who did not want GAHT (4.9%) or GAS (13.9%). Three themes emerged from free-text responses regarding term preference: (1) Inclusivity, (2) Trans as a binary and medicalized experience, and (3) Societal understanding, accessibility, and destigmatization. Conclusion From Australian trans communities’ perspectives, the term “trans/transgender and gender diverse” was the most preferred community-level terminology to collectively describe people with a gender different from the gender presumed or recorded for them at birth. Further perspectives are needed from other cohorts internationally.

Dimensions of experienced gender and prospective self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in preadolescent children: A national study

ObjectivesGender diverse youth face higher risk of engaging in self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) compared to cisgender youth. Limitations in past research include a focus on older adolescents, an emphasis on specific gender identity labels that may not be inclusive of the range of youth gender experiences, and reliance on cross-sectional data. Thus, the current study prospectively evaluated dimensions of experienced gender in relation to first-onset SITBs among preadolescents. MethodsData were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, a longitudinal study of youth across the United States. Youth (n = 7909) were aged 10–11 during initial assessment, and follow-up was conducted one year later. Two dimensions of experienced gender, felt-gender incongruence (not feeling aligned with the gender associated with one's sex assigned at birth) and gender non-contentedness (feeling dissatisfaction with the gender associated with one's sex assigned at birth), were assessed. Primary outcomes included non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation (SI), and suicide attempts (SA). ResultsLogistic regressions were conducted stratified by sex assigned at birth. For youth assigned female at birth, felt-gender incongruence was prospectively associated with first-onset NSSI and SI and gender non-contentedness was prospectively associated with first-onset of NSSI. For youth assigned male at birth, gender non-contentedness was prospectively associated with first-onset SI. Diverse experienced gender did not prospectively predict SA. ConclusionsDimensions of experienced gender may be associated with subsequent first-onset SITBs among preadolescents. These findings support the need for future research on risk and protective factors that may mediate or moderate this relationship.

Revisiting Student Stories: Understanding Microaggressions and Interpersonal Conflict Within Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences Training Programs.

The current study revisits our previous research, delving deeper into microaggressions (MAs) and interpersonal conflict (IC) in speech, language, and hearing sciences (SLHS) training programs. Participants came from both marginalized and nonmarginalized backgrounds. A 39-item electronic survey based on our previous research was distributed online to 236 participants of current and former SLHS students through social media and e-mail listservs. Students that identified as belonging to marginalized and nonmarginalized groups reported high levels of MAs and IC, respectively. Linear regression revealed that the more marginalized identities a participant reported, the more aggression they experienced. Analyses also suggest that specific cultural and linguistic identities more likely predicted experiencing specific types of MAs than others. MAs and IC were largely underreported. This study highlights the quantifiable prevalence of MAs and IC in SLHS training programs. It underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address systemic inequities. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of fostering an inclusive and equitable environment in SLHS, promoting cultural competence, and social justice in the professions. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.27105613.

The role of social identity in a suicide prevention programme for construction workers in Australia.

Each year, more than 700 000 people die by suicide globally, the majority of whom are men. The United Nations and World Health Organization have set targets to reduce suicide rates by one-third by 2030. While large-scale suicide prevention programmes are required to meet these targets, diffusion of these types of initiatives is difficult-particularly with male populations. This qualitative study investigated the MATES in Construction suicide prevention programme in Australia. Guided by Social Identity Theory and the Social Identity Model for Collective Action, the study aimed to understand why construction workers chose to volunteer and advocate for industry-based suicide prevention programmes, and how their worker identity, solidarity and relationships impacted their volunteering and advocacy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 participants who had chosen to engage with MATES as volunteers. Data were interpreted using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis, and four themes were constructed from the data relating to feelings of belonging, connection and solidarity between workers and their industry; how specific context and roles impacted identity while existing within an overall sense of identity and solidarity; how industry mateship supported engagement in suicide prevention; and how the role of lived experience, mateship and responsibility provided hope for change. Providing intervention skills to workers, particularly workers with a lived experience of mental ill-health, empowered them to believe that they could make a difference by acting collectively. The MATES engagement model described in this study may have applications for other health promotion prevention programmes targeting male cultures.

Traditional cuisine, a true identity marker

The assumption of ethno-cultural identity through traditional cuisine has become an increasingly popular phenomenon recently, in the context of the increase in migration flows, on the one hand, and the agglutination of the sense of identity, on the other. In this article, we aim to examine the specific gastronomic identity, the circumstances of the construction of contemporary Moldovan cuisine and the influences that have left their mark on the local gastronomic profile. We also highlighted the contributions of ethnologists in the scientific research process of traditional gastronomy. In the second part of the article, we found that, for Moldovans in the diaspora, preserving eating habits and eating traditional foods helps to calm nostalgia for the past and heritage. At the same time, food functions as a social binder, strengthening ties with family and friends.

Flexible use of facial features supports face identity processing.

People prioritize diagnostic features in classification tasks. However, it is not clear whether this priority is fixed or is flexibly applied depending on the specific classification decision, or how feature use behavior contributes to individual differences in performance. Here we examined whether flexibility in features used in a face identification task supports face recognition ability. In Experiment 1, we show that the facial features most useful for identification vary-to a surprising degree-depending on the specific face identity comparison at hand. While the ears and eyes were the most diagnostic for face identification in general, they were the most diagnostic feature for just 22% and 14% of identity decisions, respectively. In three subsequent experiments, we find that flexibility in feature use contributes to an individual's face identity matching ability. Higher face identification accuracy was associated with being aware of (Experiments 2 and 4) and attending to (Experiments 3 and 4) the most diagnostic features for a specific facial comparison. This conferred an enhanced benefit relative to focusing on features that were diagnostic of face identity decisions in general (Experiment 4). We conclude that adaptability in information sampling supports face recognition ability and discuss theoretical and applied implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).