Lethengberg3906

The Family Allocentrism Scale (FAS) was developed to assess individual differences in allocentrism-idiocentrism with reference to the family. To date, no prior study has adequately investigated the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the FAS in Japanese samples, although Japanese culture is considered as a symbol of an interdependent (or collectivist) culture. This study attempted to demonstrate the validity of the factor structure and the convergent validity of the Japanese version of the FAS in a sample of Japanese adults. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed a lack of fit of the one-factor model for all FAS items but the fit improved to the acceptable level if some items with low factor loadings were removed. The internal consistency measure (Cronbach's alpha) of the FAS indicated an acceptable level of reliability. The results also showed that the FAS scores were closely related to the scores of horizontal collectivism, vertical collectivism, and interdependence. Our findings indicate the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the FAS, thereby providing a validated tool for the investigation of cross-cultural differences in family allocentrism-idiocentrism.Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a worldwide public health problem. In recent years, there has been growing evidence supporting craving, the irrepressible desire to drink, as a major mechanism implicated in AUD. Impulsivity is identified as playing a significant role in craving in many studies. However, relationships with inhibition and thought suppression remain unclear in the existing literature. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate their associations in order to better understand the cognitive processes involved in craving. Studies were identified by searching PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science using PRISMA procedure and PICOTS framework. There were included if they assessed craving and thought suppression or inhibition or impulsivity, and sample was composed of AUD participants. Thirteen studies were included and were categorized in accordance with the evaluated cognitive process. The first part dealt with thought suppression and the second with impulsivity and inhibition. Four studies showed a positive association between thought suppression and increased craving. Two studies showed that poorer inhibition was associated with increased craving and four studies showed that impulsivity was positively associated with craving. Three studies showed a negative association between impulsivity and inhibition and higher craving. Our review highlights the association of alcohol craving with poorer inhibition and greater impulsivity. Further investigations are needed to give support to different theories and lead to propose an integrative model involving the cognitive process of inhibition in alcohol craving.This study investigated the removal of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) from produced water by batch adsorption process using adsorbents developed from Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). The MWCNTs, synthesized by catalytic chemical vapour deposition method using kaolin-supported tri-metallic (iron-cobalt-nickel) catalyst were purified by H2SO4/HNO3 and then functionalized with 1-pyrenebutanoic acid N-hydroxyl succinimidyl ester (PSE). The raw, purified and functionalized MWCNTs were characterized by High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). AT7867 in vivo In the results, HRSEM/HRTEM revealed the structure, purity and also confirmed the attachment of the PSE molecule onto the nano-adsorbent(s). The BET surface areas of MWCNTs, PMWCNTs and FMWCNTs were 970.17, 869.25 and 831.80 m2/g, respectively while the FTIR established the existence of surface functional groups. The functio explored for removal of organic contaminants from other industrial wastewater.The effects of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) agonist, on cultured human cardiac fibroblasts were examined by measuring intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i and whole-cell voltage clamp techniques. AITC (200 μM) increased Ca2+ entry in the presence of [Ca2+]i. Ruthenium red (RR) (30 μM), and La3+ (0.5 mM), a general cation channel blocker, inhibited AITC-induced Ca2+ entry. Under the patch pipette filled with Cs+- and EGTA-solution, AITC induced the current of a reversal potential (Er) of approximately +0 mV. When extracellular Na+ ion was changed by NMDG+, the inward current activated by AITC was markedly reduced. La3+ and RR inhibited the AITC-induced current. The conventional RT-PCR analysis, Western blot, and immunocytochemical studies showed TRPA1 mRNA and protein expression. The present study shows the first evidence for functional Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation currents induced by AITC, possibly via TRPA1 in human cardiac fibroblast.

To investigate whether impaired plantar cutaneous vibration perception contributes to postural disturbance in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).

Three different groups were tested iNPH-patients (iNPH), iNPH-patients after surgical shunt therapy (iNPH shunt), and healthy subjects (HS). Postural performance was quantified during quiescent stance on a pressure distribution platform. Vibration perception threshold (VPT) was measured using a modified vibration exciter to apply stimuli to the plantar foot.

Regarding postural performance, iNPH showed significantly higher values for all investigated center of pressure (COP)-parameters compared to HS, which suggests impaired postural control. Shunted patients presented a tendency towards better postural control in contrast to non-shunted patients. VPTs did not differ significantly between all investigated groups, which suggests comparable plantar cutaneous vibration perception.

Patients with iNPH suffer from poor postural stability, whereas shunting tends to affect postural performance positively. Plantar cutaneous vibration perception seems to be comparable between all investigated study groups. Consequently, postural disturbance in iNPH cannot clearly be ascribed to defective plantar cutaneous input.

Patients with iNPH suffer from poor postural stability, whereas shunting tends to affect postural performance positively. Plantar cutaneous vibration perception seems to be comparable between all investigated study groups. Consequently, postural disturbance in iNPH cannot clearly be ascribed to defective plantar cutaneous input.Geosynthetic clay liners are a rapidly evolving geosynthetic product used in most hydraulic barrier applications in the geo-environmental industry. Continuous research has led to new insights to overcome the shortcomings faced in deploying GCLs in the field. These include shrinkage due to shear failure on side slopes, the effect of temperature variation, and inadequacy of minimum timely confinement to achieve optimum hydraulic performance. This paper presents previous experimental data and an additional dataset from this research gathered to observe the effect of overburden confining stress on GCL hydraulic conductivity and how the findings can be used to predict the performance of a geosynthetic clay liner for a given field application. An inverse power relationship is identified between these two parameters along with the reduction in the order of the degree of hydraulic conductivity depending on the permeant material passing through. A relationship is determined to estimate the GCL hydraulic conductivity as a function of the overburden confining stress, given that it is pre or post hydrated and the permeant liquid passing through the product. It is proposed that the relationship can be used to predict the GCL hydraulic performance in the field and provide guidance in improving the serviceability of hydraulic barrier designs.Tuta absoluta is a major pest of tomato crops that causes high yield losses. Cultivated areas in Albania have reported high levels of infestations despite the application of control measures. The present study aims to describe population fluctuations of T. absoluta during tomato cultivation for three consecutive years in the winter-summer growing season under greenhouse conditions. Delta traps baited with pheromones were used to monitor the population fluctuations, and the appropriate treatment period was determined. The effectiveness of mass trapping, Indoxacarb and Bacillus thuringiensis treatments at maintaining the pest populations below the economic injury level was tested. Even under greenhouse conditions, the population levels were high during spring and peaked in summer. The infestation rate increased by up to 85% on leaves and fruit. The application of Bt, Indoxacarb, and mass trapping reduced the infestation rate on fruits by approximately 29%, 43% and 52%, respectively, which represented significant differences in effectiveness. In conclusion, the results indicate that performing an intervention that includes combined methods in the proper period might reduce the infestation rate from 80-95%.Scientific research can act as the 'bedrock for development' which can provide a solid foundation for the overall socioeconomic transformation in a country through invention and innovation. The inclusion of seven groups of Nepalese monuments in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s world heritage sites provides evidence of the richness in architecture and civil engineering in the country, which also show how Nepal was influenced by arts and religious philosophy. The government of Nepal (GoN) has established different scientific departments, universities, and research institutions, and has tried to emphasize the application of science and research for the development of the nation. These institutions, however, have inadequate resources, exist in a poor academic and research environment and are subject to overt political influence. Despite these various problems, a variety of pioneer research and development activities have been conducted, which show positive rays of hope. This review presents history, current situation, progress and future perspective for scientific research and development in Nepal.Air-conditioning is expected to be the largest consumer of residential energy in India in the future. Good consumer practices related to servicing air-conditioners (ACs) are critical for maintaining high operational efficiency of ACs and reducing leakages of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant gases. Little information, however, is available about the knowledge and practices of Indian AC consumers in terms of their operational practices. The Government of India's 'India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)' recommends a massive consumer awareness program to inform and change AC user behaviour. Within this context of the ICAP that aims to provide access to sustainable cooling to its masses while minimising its environmental impacts, we undertake a survey and a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) experiment including Indian consumers. The survey and experiment together aim to understand the AC servicing behaviour of Indian consumers and experiment with alternative interventions to influence their behaviour and glean insights for India's energy and climate policies.