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Recognizing the need for more evidence-based interventions and the potential of well-crafted messages in communicating the opioid epidemic, this study investigates the effectiveness of two messaging strategies (i.e., victim vividness and external attribution) that have the potential to mitigate stigmatization and influence a wide range of public policies concerning the opioid epidemic. Building upon the attribution theory of interpersonal behavior, an experiment with a 2 (victim vividness: high vs. low) × 2 (external attribution: present vs. absent) between-subjects factorial design was conducted among a national sample of U.S. adults (N = 995). The findings show that the messages with greater victim vividness reduced support for victim-oriented punitive policies, whereas the messages that mentioned external attribution increased support for perpetrator-oriented punitive policies. In addition, the two messaging strategies also worked indirectly through various emotions to influence policy support. Discussions on this study's contributions to both theory and practice are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building upon recent theoretical perspectives on emotional flow and the dynamic nature of fear appeals specifically, this study examined the sequencing effects of the emotions (i.e., fear and hope) induced from a fear appeal on persuasion in the context of MMR vaccination. Specifically, an experiment (N = 386) with 2 video messages was conducted that manipulated the sequence in which participants experienced fear and hope, resulting in a fear → hope appeal and a hope → fear appeal. The findings show that the fear → hope appeal was more effective in increasing activism intentions than the hope → fear appeal. Fear and hope at different time points served as mediators for this effect. In addition, issue relevance was a moderator for this effect such that the fear → hope appeal was more effective only among those perceiving the issue as highly relevant. Discussions and implications are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked hostility against Chinese immigrants and sojourners in the U.S. and other countries. Making the situation worse, strong resentment against this group has also emerged in China due to the fear of returnees spreading the disease. Integrating research on acculturation and hostile media perception, we examined how such bilateral hostility along with different acculturation components (i.e., cultural identification, COVID-19-related media use, and individualistic-collectivistic value) influenced U.S.-dwelling Chinese's psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the results from a two-wave survey assessing the cultural identity and value, COVID-19-related media use, and psychological distress of a group of relatively young and highly educated U.S.-dwelling Chinese (N = 1,256) between March and April 2020, we found that identification with both U.S. and Chinese cultures alleviated immigrants and sojourners' psychological distress. Further, COVID-19-related media use served as a stressor during the pandemic, and perceived hostility from China led to stronger psychological distress among U.S.-dwelling Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loading tests were carried out on the dowel bar-concrete substructure of concrete pavement. Mechanical characteristics of dowel bar-concrete interaction were studied. In the elastic range of concrete, the bearing modulus, which is a crucial parameter but is usually determined by presumption, was calculated using classic Westergaard equations. Its influencing factors were evaluated such as concrete strength, dowel bar thickness, joint width, and anti-cohesive layer. Besides, a theoretical equation for tangential stress at the most dangerous point of concrete was deduced from Westergaard's and Timoshenko's equations. The equation reveals how the tangential stress of the most dangerous point at the dowel bar-concrete interface is affected by influencing factors. Lastly, the deterioration process of concrete around the dowel bar was revealed. The strain gauges' data show that deterioration of concrete develops from the most dangerous point to far away from the dowel bar gradually. Two failure modes were found; one is circular spalling, the other is three main cracks. The initiation of the dowel-bar concrete structure's deterioration is circular spalling, attributed to high radial compressive stress in concrete. The deterioration starts around half the load capacity of the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have examined two types of emotions, namely, incidental and integral emotions, in health communication on the basis of the source of elicitation. Despite numerous studies on the independent effects of these two types of emotions, limited research exists on how emotions may interact to influence health communication outcomes, including support for health-improving policies. To augment current knowledge, this study conducted a 2 (incidental: compassion vs. anger) × 2 (integral: compassion vs. anger) between-subjects factorial experiment in the context of the human health effects of pollution. Results showed a main effect of the incidental compassion (vs. anger) condition on protective policy support, which was mediated by self-reported compassion. In addition, this main effect was moderated by political ideology such that it was found among moderates and conservatives, but not liberals. No interaction effects were observed. These findings contribute to the literature by exploring how incidental and integral emotions may or may not interact and by complementing existing research on the moderating effect of political ideology regarding environment-related messaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fundamental social process, communication can help natural resource managers prevent or manage many human–wildlife conflicts, but research on how to present effectively information that contributes to the reduction of human–wildlife conflicts is scant. We examined the effectiveness of point-of-reference and gain-versus-loss framing in heightening intentions to prevent human–black bear conflicts. We randomly assigned 811 participants to one of six message conditions as part of a 3 (point of reference: family versus community versus bear) × 2 (message framing: gain versus loss) between-subjects factorial design or a control condition. The findings show that a match between loss framing and low-construal referencing point (e.g., family-referencing), and a congruency between gain framing and high-construal referencing point (e.g., bear-referencing) lead to higher risk perception and behavioral intentions. This study provides guidance for continuing research and design of risk communication in the context of human–bear conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the effects of message framing on intentions to participate in seven behaviors to prevent coyote problems, we randomly assigned 461 participants to a control (no message) group or one of four experimental (message) conditions, as part of a 2 (gain versus loss) x 2 (family-referencing versus community-referencing) between-subjects factorial design. We found a significant three-way interaction between gain versus loss framing, point of reference, and past experience with coyotes on intentions to prevent human–coyote conflicts. For people who had encountered coyotes before, the family-referencing, gain-framed message had superior persuasive power; the family-referencing, loss-framed message was more effective in stimulating problem-prevention behavioral intentions for those who had not encountered coyotes. In addition, fear fully mediated the relationship between the three-way interaction and behavioral intentions. Tailoring messages to audiences based on prior experience with coyote problems may improve the efficacy of communication campaigns designed to reduce problem interactions with coyotes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study attempted to examine what factors might motivate Chinese international students, the fastest growing ethnic student group in the United States, to seek and process information about potential health risks from eating American-style food. This goal was accomplished by applying the Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model to this study. An online 2 (severity: high vs. low) × 2 (coping strategies: present vs. absent) between-subjects experiment was conducted via Qualtrics to evaluate the effects of the manipulated variables on the dependent variables of interest as well as various relationships proposed in the RISP model. A convenience sample of 635 participants was recruited online. Data were analyzed primarily using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS 21.0 with maximum likelihood estimation. The final conceptual model has a good model fit to the data given the sample size. The results showed that although the experimentally manipulated variables failed to cause any significant differences in individuals’ perceived severity and self-efficacy, this study largely supported the RISP model’s propositions about the sociopsychological factors that explain individual variations in information seeking and processing. More specifically, the findings indicated a prominent role of informational subjective norms and affective responses (both negative and positive emotions) in predicting individuals’ information seeking and processing. Future implications and limitations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, semi-active H∞ control with magnetorheological (MR) dampers for railway vehicle suspension systems to improve the lateral ride quality is investigated. The proposed semi-active controller is composed of a H∞ controller as the system controller and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) inverse MR damper model as the damper controller. First, a 17-degree-of-freedom model for a full-scale railway vehicle is developed and the random track irregularities are modelled. Then a modified Bouc–Wen model is built to characterise the forward dynamic characteristics of the MR damper and an inverse MR damper model is built with the ANFIS technique. Furthermore, a H∞ controller composed of a yaw motion controller and a rolling pendulum motion (lateral motion+roll motion) controller is established. By integrating the H∞ controller with the ANFIS inverse model, a semi-active H∞ controller for the railway vehicle is finally proposed. Simulation results indicate that the proposed semi-active suspension system possesses better attenuation ability for the vibrations of the car body than the passive suspension system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a magneto-rheological (MR) damper-based semi-active controller for vehicle suspension is developed. This system consists of a linear quadratic Gauss (LQG) controller as the system controller and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) inverse model as the damper controller. First, a modified Bouc–Wen model is proposed to characterise the forward dynamic characteristics of the MR damper based on the experimental data. Then, an inverse MR damper model is built using ANFIS technique to determine the input current so as to gain the desired damping force. Finally, a quarter-car suspension model together with the MR damper is set up, and a semi-active controller composed of the LQG controller and the ANFIS inverse model is designed. Simulation results demonstrate that the desired force can be accurately tracked using the ANFIS technique and the semi-active controller can achieve competitive performance as that of active suspension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is a leading global health risk. Despite extensive studies, it remains unclear as to what components or characteristics of PM best account for its toxicity. In vitro assays, including acellular and cellular assays, are widely used for PM toxicity evaluation. Acellular assays typically aim at assessing the oxidative potential (OP) of PM and linking OP to health endpoints. Cellular assays allow for elucidating the mechanisms of cellular signaling, response, and damage upon exposure to PM and linking cellular readouts to PM properties. Given the extraordinary chemical complexity and diversity of PM, there is a pressing need to efficiently evaluate OP and cellular response for PM emitted from different sources and formed under a variety of environmental conditions. Yet, current technologies are still not capable of high‐throughput, high‐content, and high time-resolution analysis, as well as mimicking physiologically relevant conditions. Microfluidic techniques are a valuable alternative technology to address some of the current challenges. In this article, we review the recent advances in applying microfluidic techniques for both cellular and acellular assays and discuss their advantages compared to conventional formats. Finally, we provide a prospective outlook on the future directions and challenges of using microfluidic techniques for in vitro toxicity studies of atmospheric PM. Copyright © 2021 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension and the association exists in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension. The study population included 813 consecutively clinical patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, including the subjects with the current use of antihypertensive medications and self-reported diagnosis of hypertension. The subjects underwent three measures of blood pressure and were divided into two groups: 502 non-hypertensive subjects and 311 hypertensive subjects. Clinical and biochemical variables were measured. Results showed that uric acid level, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, total cholesterol and urea nitrogen were significantly higher (all p<0.05) in hypertension subjects than in non-hypertension subjects. The risk of hypertension was significantly higher in the group with higher uric acid (>400 µmol/l), compared with that with lower uric acid (<200 µmol/l) (odds ratio: 2.09, 95% CI 1.13–3.88). The odds ratio was 1.73, 95% CI 1.05–2.85 in the higher uric acid (200–400 µmol/l) group, compared with that with lower uric acid. In addition, age, gender, weight, fasting glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were also significantly associated with the incidence of hypertension. In age-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the effect of uric acid concentration on hypertension was attenuated. In conclusion, hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension and the association exists in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension. The study population included 813 consecutively clinical patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, including the subjects with the current use of antihypertensive medications and self-reported diagnosis of hypertension. The subjects underwent three measures of blood pressure and were divided into two groups: 502 non-hypertensive subjects and 311 hypertensive subjects. Clinical and biochemical variables were measured. Results showed that uric acid level, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, total cholesterol and urea nitrogen were significantly higher (all p<0.05) in hypertension subjects than in non-hypertension subjects. The risk of hypertension was significantly higher in the group with higher uric acid (>400 µmol/l), compared with that with lower uric acid (<200 µmol/l) (odds ratio: 2.09, 95% CI 1.13-3.88). The odds ratio was 1.73, 95% CI 1.05-2.85 in the higher uric acid (200-400 µmol/l) group, compared with that with lower uric acid. In addition, age, gender, weight, fasting glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were also significantly associated with the incidence of hypertension. In age-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the effect of uric acid concentration on hypertension was attenuated. In conclusion, hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]