Characterisation of microplastic debris in beach sediment of the coastal zone in Vietnam: A preliminary study in Da Nang

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a global concern and a hot issue in Vietnam, especially along the coastal hydrosphere. The investigation was carried out by collecting the sediment samples from three typical urbanised beaches in Da Nang: My Khe, T20, and Son Thuy. The qualitative identification and quantitative analysis of MP samples were conducted using micro-Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR). A tailored analysis based on adaptation procedure of well-known ones was applied including 5 steps: (1) Drying and homogenising sediment sample; (2) Digestion and cleaning sediment sample; (3) MPs separation by the flotation; (4) MPs sample filtration; (5) MPs quantification and identification. The obtained data showed that the abundances of MPs at three beaches of Son Thuy, T20, and My Khe were 1,460±758, 1,799±370, and 29,232±2,577 items/kg dry sediment, respectively. MPs were classified by different sizes, in which the one with sizes being smaller than 150 μm was accounted for the highest proportion of 77.83% at Son Thuy, 87.96% at T20, and 65.91% at My Khe beach. The chemical composition of MPs with various polymers was precisely identified, in which three dominant polymers were determined as PTFE [Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)], EVOH (Ethylene vinyl alcohol), and PA [Polyamide (Nylon)]. Preliminary results of MPs analysis in sediment samples of the three selected beaches in Da Nang can be interpreted as a solid basis for further investigation of MP debris in the shoreline, offshore, and other related samples towards conclusions about the sources of MP pollution in the marine environment in Vietnam’s coastal hydrosphere in future.

RESULTS OF ADAPTATION OF “GENDER BIAS QUIZ” QUESTIONNAIRE IN THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE

The article presents the results of a theoretical analysis of the literature, which showed the presence of a significant number of gender biases in scientific research of the last century. Modern research, on the contrary, shows a tendency to rethink established gender stereotypes and move away from neurosexism. The desire of modern scientists to create science beyond gender stereotypes is growing. It is emphasized that in Ukraine, there is a tradition of research on gender issues. It is noted that today there is an insufficient number of psychodiagnostic tools in the Ukrainian language, which can be used to study the gender beliefs of an individual. The article aims to present the adaptation of the English-language questionnaire “Gender Bias Quiz” into Ukrainian. Research methods are: system-structural analysis, generalization of scientific literature data to the requirements of adapting the psychodiagnostic tool and evaluating its reliability, methods of mathematical statistics (Cronbach’s Alpha criterion and Pearson correlation coefficient). The reliability assessment of the “Gender Bias Quiz” questionnaire included an assessment of internal consistency and retest reliability. The procedure for adapting the psychodiagnostic tool met the necessary criteria: sufficient sample size for this type of questionnaire (n=52), representativeness of the sample (adolescence students), the required time interval between the first testing and the second one (1 month). The sample consisted of 52 students aged 17 to 24 years (M=21, SD=1.71). The results of checking the questionnaire`s reliability based on the internal consistency indicator using Cronbach's α showed its sufficient level (α=0.87).Retest reliability was checked by calculating the correlation coefficient between the results of the first test (M=39.83; SD=10.2) and the repeated test (M=39.29; SD=11.9). The correlation analysis performed showed a significant level of correlation (r=0.89 at p≤0.001), which indicates fairly high retest reliability of the psychodiagnostic tool. For the correct use of this questionnaire, some limitations were outlined: 1) the adaptation of the methodology took place on students, so it can be used in the study of gender attitudes of youth personality; application on representatives of other age categories requires an additional adaptation procedure; 2) this questionnaire does not belong to standardized psychological methods but is actually a questionnaire that studies the respondent's opinion on the gender issue; therefore, the definition of statistical norms based on the results obtained from this questionnaire is not correct in this case. It should be noted that the application of this questionnaire has significant potential in cross-cultural comparisons of gender biases of representatives of different countries and regions. The results of the questionnaire adaptation procedure showed a sufficient level of reliability of the questionnaire and confirmed the possibility of using it as a psychodiagnostic tool for studying the gender attitudes of a young person. We see the prospect of further research in expanding the boundaries of using the questionnaire: adaptation to other age categories of respondents.

Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability evaluation of the Lithuanian version of the keys questionnaire

The aim of this study is the KEYS questionnaire cross-cultural adaptation into the Lithuanian language. This study was designed to translate and perform cultural adaptation as well as test the reliability of the Lithuanian version of the KEYS questionnaire. Guidelines for the questionnaire translation and adaptation procedure according to international recommendations based on scientific literature were followed in order to establish the cultural equivalence to the original English version of the KEYS questionnaire. In the cross-cultural adaptation stage, due to the Lithuanian cultural context, several discrepancies between the semantic and conceptual equivalence of the items were modified. In total, 155 respondents participated in the pilot study of the Lithuanian KEYS version. As to reliability of the Lithuanian KEYS version, psychometric properties were tested, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency. Mostly all scales and items demonstrated good internal consistency. The Lithuanian KEYS version was a well-accepted, reliable tool for evaluating and assessing individual work environment perceptions that influence the creativity of organizations among the Lithuanian speaking population. We conclude that the Lithuanian version of the KEYS questionnaire was successfully translated and adapted for application to Lithuanian-speaking respondents and it is ready for the validation study. Such a research is the first in the Baltic region.

Changes in Apoptotic Pathways in MOLM-13 Cell Lines after Induction of Resistance to Hypomethylating Agents

We established the following two variants of the MOLM-13 human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line: (i) MOLM-13/DAC cells are resistant to 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC), and (ii) MOLM-13/AZA are resistant to 5-azacytidine (AZA). Both cell variants were obtained through a six-month selection/adaptation procedure with a stepwise increase in the concentration of either DAC or AZA. MOLM-13/DAC cells are resistant to DAC, and MOLM-13/AZA cells are resistant to AZA (approximately 50-fold and 20-fold, respectively), but cross-resistance of MOLM-13/DAC to AZA and of MOLM-13/AZA to DAC was not detected. By measuring the cell retention of fluorescein-linked annexin V and propidium iodide, we showed an apoptotic mode of death for MOLM-13 cells after treatment with either DAC or AZA, for MOLM-13/DAC cells after treatment with AZA, and for MOLM-13/AZA cells after treatment with DAC. When cells progressed to apoptosis, via JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide) assay, we detected a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, we characterized promoter methylation levels for some genes encoding proteins regulating apoptosis and the relation of this methylation to the expression of the respective genes. In addition, we focused on determining the expression levels and activity of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathway proteins.

The Adaptation of Academic Skills Assessment Tool for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Development delays in autism spectrum disorders include communication and social interaction deficit, stereotype behavior, cognitive and emotional development challenges. It makes necessary to adapt the academic assessment tools, taking into account the needs of students with ASD. The article is devoted to the description of the procedure of International Performance Indicators in Primary Schools (iPIPS) modification for academic assessment in ASD students enrolled in special education programs of types 8.1 and 8.2 (divided based on intelletual performance level). Presented iPIPS description, detailed analysis of developmental profile in ASD, which can influence the assessment results given. The article discusses adaptation procedure and recommendations for professionals which can be applied depending on the individual characteristics of the student.

‘Not only faces’: specialized visual representation of human hands revealed by adaptation

Classical neurophysiological studies demonstrated that the monkey brain is equipped with neurons selectively representing the visual shape of the primate hand. Neuroimaging in humans provided data suggesting that a similar representation can be found in humans. Here, we investigated the selectivity of hand representation in humans by means of the visual adaptation technique. Results showed that participants' judgement of human-likeness of a visual probe representing a human hand was specifically reduced by a visual adaptation procedure when using a human hand adaptor but not when using an anthropoid robotic hand or a non-primate animal paw adaptor. Instead, human-likeness of the anthropoid robotic hand was affected by both human and robotic adaptors. No effect was found when using a non-primate animal paw as adaptor or probe. These results support the existence of specific neural mechanisms encoding human hand in the human's visual system.

Associations Between Fear of Missing Out, Problematic Smartphone Use, and Social Networking Services Fatigue Among Young Adults

In this study, we aimed to adapt the Information and communication technology (ICT) Overload and social networking service (SNS) Fatigue Scale to measure the overload and SNSs fatigue experienced by individuals while using ICTs in the Turkish language and analyze the adapted scale based on various variables. The scale adaptation procedure was conducted by surveying 225 undergraduate-level university students. In addition to discriminant and convergent reliability, the general fitness index parameters were compared with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the model results were found in accordance with the acceptable fitness index criteria, with clarification as a complete model in all sub-dimensions. The relationships between fear of missing out (FoMO), problematic smartphone use (PSU), and SNSs Fatigue levels of the participants were also investigated. The adapted scale was then applied to 469 participants. The findings demonstrated that there was a significant difference between PSU and SNS Fatigue levels of participants based on gender, favoring females. It was also revealed that the variables of interest FoMO and SNS Fatigue together predicted the PSU.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the General Functioning Subscale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device

Background: The aim of the study was to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the General Functioning Subscale (GF12) of the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) into the Malay language. Methods: The translation and adaptation procedure of the Malay GF12 was based on the dual-panel methodology. This involved conducting a bilingual panel (providing the initial translation into Malay language) followed by a lay panel (where items are assessed for comprehension and acceptability). A mixed-methods approach with exploratory sequential study design was employed.Results: Two hundred and fifty-one families who have children in pre-schools (Tadikas) answered the Malay GF12. The KMO value for sampling adequacy was 0.81, indicating the sample was adequate for factor analysis. The Malay GF12 demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient > 0.80). In the confirmatory factor analysis, the original 12-item model did not fit very well. Alternatively, a 2-factor-6-item model showed a sufficient fit. The two constructs comprised Positive Items and Negative Items. Conclusions: The results indicate the feasibility of administering 6 of the 12 items of Malay GF12 (3 positively worded and 3 negatively worded) to measure family functioning in the Malaysian population.

S. aureus Colonization, Biofilm Production, and Phage Susceptibility in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Peritonitis caused by Staphylococcusaureus is of major importance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients due to its great virulence profile and biofilm formation ability. Bacteriophages are a potential tool to treat peritonitis resulting from biofilm-associated infections. We screened S. aureus colonization in 71 PD patients from the nasal cavity, groin, and PD exit-site regions and analyzed clinical outcomes in these patients. We performed biofilm-formation testing of different strains and compared the isolates of one patient to detect phenotypic differences in S. aureus. Phage cocktails were used to detect S. aureus in vitro susceptibility. An adaptation procedure was performed in cases of bacterial resistance. Around 30% of PD patients (n = 21) were found to be S. aureus carriers; from these, a total of 34 S. aureus strains were isolated, of which 61.8% (n = 21) produced a strong biofilm. Phenotypic differences in strain biofilm production were detected in eight patients out of ten. All strains were sensitive to commonly used antibiotics. Broadly positive phage lytic activity (100%) was observed in six cocktails out of seven, and bacterial resistance towards phages was overcome using adaptation. Overall phages showed a promising in vitro effect in biofilm-forming S. aureus strains.