U.S. military veterans are an average 20 years older than non-veterans and have elevated rates of certain health conditions. While negative aging stereotypes have been linked to increased risk for various health conditions, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of these stereotypes in this population. Using data from a nationally representative sample of 4,069 U.S. veterans surveyed between 11/19 and 3/20, we examined (1) the current prevalence of negative aging stereotypes related to physical, mental, and cognitive health and (2) sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial factors associated with these stereotypes. Multivariable regression and relative weight analyses were conducted to identify independent correlates of negative aging stereotypes. Results revealed that 82.3%, 71.1%, and 30.0% of veterans endorsed negative aging stereotypes related to physical, cognitive, and emotional health, respectively. Older age (36.6% relative variance explained), grit (23.6%), and optimism (17.5%) explained the majority of the variance in negative age stereotypes related to physical aging; grit (46.6%), openness to experiences (31.5%), and older age (15.1%) in negative age stereotypes related to cognitive aging; and emotional stability (28.8%), purpose in life (28.8%), and grit (25.3%) in negative age stereotypes related to emotional aging. This study provides an up-to-date characterization of the prevalence and correlates of negative aging stereotypes in U.S. veterans. Results underscore the importance of targeting key correlates of negative aging stereotypes, such as lower grit, as part of efforts to promote health and functioning in this population.

This study tests whether employee participation in different types of physical activity benefits employees' training stress and career satisfaction perceptions differently and if grit, as a psychological resource, mediates this relationship. In two samples, we assess whether (1) regular physical activity; or (2) exercise to reach a competitive goal have similar associations with employee outcomes. In study 1, we find no relationship between employee engagement in regular physical activity and the outcomes. Moreover, grit's consistency of effort mediates the physical activity – training stress relationship, exacerbating employees' training stress. In study 2, employee exercise reduces career satisfaction and increases training stress. Importantly, grit's perseverance dimension increases their career satisfaction, and the consistency of interest dimension lessens training stress. Thus, we find evidence that employee participation in different types of physical activity leads to divergent outcomes, and that grit as a mediator only benefits employees exercising for a competitive goal.

Novel forms of selective weed control are needed by many types of growers, but especially by organic growers who are restricted from using synthetic herbicides. Abrasive grit made from corn cobs was expelled from a sand blaster at 517 kPa pressure and aimed at plants of common lambsquarters and corn positioned 300 mm distant. Most small weed plants were killed by one split-second blast of grit, but corn plants suffered little damage by the same treatment. Air-propelled grit made from agricultural residues possibly could be used for selective nonchemical weed control without the need for soil tillage.

This article examines the potential benefits of possessing the personality traits of determination and perseverance (often referred to as ‘grit’) in an academic setting. Previous studies in Western individualistic societies have emphasised the advantages of possessing this attribute of grit; but, to date, very few investigations have been conducted in collectivist cultures, such as those in the Asian contexts. This article provides a brief review of literature on this topic, reflecting perspectives from various socio-cultural milieus. From this knowledge base, several themes emerge, with implications for improving grit-related theory. Possible lines for future research are also suggested.

An artificial gizzard was developed to investigate the functional basis of the asymmetry of the gizzard muscles of herbivorous birds, such as the domestic goose (Anser anser). Two types of gizzard muscle morphology were modelled: asymmetric muscles that generated a translational movement; and symmetric muscles that generated a compressional movement. The extent of breakdown of grass in the artificial gizzard was estimated by measuring nitrogen loss from blades of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The effect of grit and its interaction with the two types of gizzard muscle movement were also explored. In the artificial gizzard, translational movements caused more damage to grass than compressional movements and the damaging effect of grit was greatest when there was a translational movement. This type of movement was found to be particularly important as it prepares plant material for subsequent processing by stripping the matrix cells from the fibre bundles. Without such preparation, the breakdown of grass is limited.

How geese break down food in their gizzards was investigated using an artificial gizzard that was loaded with grass (blades of wheat Triticum aestivum) and different quantities of four types of grit; large and small quartzite particles and large and small glass beads. Measuring nitrogen loss from the grass indicated the extent of damage to the grass. It was found that grass breakdown in the gizzard was most effective when it contained a small quantity of quartzite particles. In contrast, glass beads in the gizzard often resulted in less damage to grass than if they were absent. This suggests that there is a trade-off between the damaging effect of grit on grass and the damaging translational movement of the gizzard lumen walls generated as the gizzard contracts. The damaging force produced by the gizzard is distributed across the gizzard contents. Thus with an increase in grit quantity in the gizzard, the force experienced by each grass particle will be reduced, resulting in reduced breakdown.