On variability of total ozone derived from TOVS data over peninsular Indian sub-continent and adjoining oceanic area

The total ozone derived from TOVS data from NOAA 12 satellite through one step physical retrieval algorithm of International TOVS Processing Package (ITPP) version 5.0 has been used to identify its diurnal, monthly, latitudinal and longitudinal variability during 1998 over the domain Equator to 26° N / 60-100° E. The linkage of maximum total ozone with warmer tropopause and lower stratosphere has been re-established. The colder upper tropospheric temperature which is normally associated with maximum ozone concentration throughout the year elsewhere in the world has also been identified in this study but the relationship gets reversed during southwest monsoon months(June-September) over the domain considered. The moisture available in abundance in the lower troposphere gets precipitated due to the convective instability prevailing in the atmosphere during monsoon season and very little moisture is only available for vertical transport into the upper troposphere atop 500 hPa. The latent heat released by the precipitation processes warms up the middle and upper atmosphere. The warm and dry upper troposphere could be the reason for less depletion of ozone in the upper troposphere during monsoonal months and this is supported by the positive correlation coefficient prevailing in monsoon season between total ozone and upper tropospheric (aloft 300 hPa) temperature. The warmness in middle and upper troposphere which is associated with less depletion and/or production of more ozone in the upper troposphere may perhaps contribute for the higher total ozone during monsoon months than in other seasons over peninsular Indian region. The minimum concentration is observed during January (226 DU) over 6° N and the maximum (283DU) over 18° N during August. Longitudinal variability is less pronounced than the latitudinal variability.

Impact of Shyness on Self-Esteem: The Mediating Effect of Self-Presentation

Background: Although the relationship between shyness and self-esteem is well described in the psychological literature, far less is known about the potential mechanisms that underlie this association. The main goal of the current work is to verify whether self-presentation acts as a mediating variable between both constructs. Methods: The study was carried out among 198 adults. The Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Self-Presentation Style Questionnaire were applied. Results: A large and positive correlation coefficient was observed between the following variables: (1) self-esteem/self-promotion; (2) shyness/self-deprecation. All other variables correlated negatively: (1) shyness/self-esteem; (2) shyness/self-promotion; (3) self-esteem/self-deprecation; (4) self-promotion/self-deprecation. Moreover, both self-promotion and self-deprecation acted as mediators between life satisfaction and self-esteem. Conclusion: The outcomes of the present study show a new mediating aspect for the direct relationship between shyness and self-esteem in the form of two styles of self-presentation. The results indicate that the tendency of shy people to avoid others can have a lower effect on their overall sense of self-esteem when they try to present themselves in a clearly favorable light. By contrast, shyness may have a stronger impact on their sense of self-worth when they present themselves as helpless, unsure, and incompetent.

Intrinsic Atopic Dermatitis: Titration of Precipitins in the Screening of Food Allergens for Prescription of Elimination Diets and Desensitization Strategies

Background: The diagnosis of non-IgE mediated food allergies may be a complex puzzle when there is no start point to establish an elimination diet to allow a clear clinical field to initiate diagnostic Oral Food Challenges tests. Objective: To evaluate the opportunity of the tube titration of precipitins to select food allergens to proceed with elimination diets to assist the diagnosis and management of adult patients with Food Allergy manifested as Intrinsic Atopic Dermatitis (IAD). Methods: The tube titration of specific precipitins against anamnesis-chosen food allergens were performed in 64 IAD patients and their titers were associated with an Improvement Verbal Scale Rate (IVSR) of the patient’s perception of the benefits of the Precipitins-based Elimination Diet (PED) performed with these specific food allergens, as well correlated with their positive or negative perception of the impairment of symptoms after the reintroduction of the Symptom-Related Food Allergen (SRFA). Results: In most cases, the PED contributed to a significant clinical improvement that allowed the patients to evaluate the individual effect of the reintroduction of each food allergen on their diets. There was a significant positive correlation coefficient between the titers of the food-specific titration of precipitins and the percentage of positive SRFA (Pearson r = 0.91; p-value = 0.0004). Conclusion: The semiquantitative titration of specific precipitins against food allergens is a promising triage test to select food allergens to proceed with elimination diets to support the diagnosis and management of non-IgE mediated Food Allergy in patients with Intrinsic Atopic Dermatitis.

The Impact on Ambulance Mobilisations of an Increasing Age Profile of Telecare Service Users Receiving Advanced Proactive, Personalised Telecare in Spain—a Longitudinal Study 2014–2018

Advanced proactive personalised telecare services in Spain have helped service users to live independently in their own homes for longer. Concern was however noted regarding potential impacts on ambulance mobilisations as time in the service, and mean age at cessation, increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate these impacts.A longitudinal study of a telecare service user population in Spain (n = 202.1 k to 247.9 k) was undertaken using anonymised operational data collected in the delivery of proactive and personalised telecare services over the period 2014–2018.For the studied population, ambulance mobilisation on a per-person/per-annum (pp/pa) basis reduced despite the increasing age profile at cessation and with the characteristics of the population at registration remaining otherwise similar over the period. The study identified the positive correlation coefficient between ambulance mobilisations and service user’s dependency levels, and marginal negative correlation in older age bands.In conclusion, the increasing age at cessation has not correlated with an increased proportion of higher dependency service users. Indeed, the share of those over 85 years in the high dependency level decreased. This indicates that the changes in the telecare service which appear to have contributed to increased time living independently may also have helped ensure those continuing to live independently remain in lower risk bands.

Analysis of Phenotypic Characteristics and Sucrose Metabolism in the Roots of Raphanus sativus L.

The taproot of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an important sink organ; it is morphologically diverse and contains large amounts of secondary metabolites. Sucrose metabolism is believed to be important in the development of sink organs. We measured the amounts of glucose, fructose, and sucrose in the roots of sixty three radish accessions and analyzed the association between the sugar content and the root phenotype. Fructose content correlated with the root color and length characteristics, glucose was the most abundant sugar in the roots, and the sucrose content was very low, compared to that of the hexoses in most of the accessions. Expression analysis of the genes involved in sucrose metabolism, transportation, starch synthesis, and cell wall synthesis was performed through RNA sequencing. The genes encoding sucrose synthases (SUSY) and the enzymes involved in the synthesis of cellulose were highly expressed, indicating that SUSY is involved in cell wall synthesis in radish roots. The positive correlation coefficient (R) between the sucrose content and the expression of cell wall invertase and sugar transporter proteins suggest that hexose accumulation could occur through the apoplastic pathway in radish roots. A positive R score was also obtained when comparing the expression of genes encoding SUSY and fructokinase (FK), suggesting that the fructose produced by SUSY is mostly phosphorylated by FK. In addition, we concluded that sucrose was the most metabolized sugar in radish roots.

Pengaruh Motivasi Belajar dan Perhatian Orang Tua terhadap Prestasi Belajar Matematika Siswa Kelas VIII SMPK

This study aims to determine the effect of learning motivation and parental attention on mathematics learning achievement of grade VIII students at SMPK Tunas Daud Mataram 2020/2021. This type of research is ex-post facto. The sample class was selected using a saturated sampling technique, obtained 34 students consisting of 2 classes. Data retrieval in this study was carried out by providing a questionnaire on learning motivation and parental attention and a number pattern test. Analysis of SPSS 21 program data, consisting of prerequisite tests and hypothesis testing. The prerequisite test on the data analysis used, namely the normality test of the results obtained on learning motivation, namely 0.245 and parental attention, namely 0.162 so that it is said that the data is normally distributed, the linearity test of the results obtained on learning motivation is 0.958 and parents' attention is 0.597 so that The data has a relationship with learning achievement and the multicollinearity test of the results obtained is 1.340, namely there is no relationship between independent variables. The contribution of learning motivation to mathematics learning achievement was 19.6% and parents' attention to mathematics learning achievement was 19.2%. The existence of a positive relationship between learning motivation and learning achievement and parents' attention to learning achievement is indicated by a positive correlation coefficient. A positive coefficient value indicates that the higher the motivation to learn and the attention of parents, the higher the student's learning achievement.

Issues and Challenges Faced by SME’s in Sultanate of Oman during COVID-19: A Case Study of the Tourism Sector

The world economy has been greatly affected by Covid-19 and Oman has been among the countries facing challenges in the operation of SMEs in handling of business needs and meeting regular fixed costs. The SMEs most affected are those in the tourism sector where travel restrictions and lockdowns could not allow the businesses to receive visitors as expected who are the customers to the services and products offered. Using the sample size of 187 participants who own or work at the SMEs in tourism sector, it was established that the applied legislations and restrictions of movement had a positive correlation to SMEs business operations with a positive correlation coefficient of 0.478. However, a recommendation to the issues and challenges were issued stating that SMEs should invest in technology & tools, creation of an oversight of SME financial status, prioritising of value over culture, and trusting & empowering the people that deal with SMEs.

Event Volunteer Satisfaction Research on the Relationship between the Service Performances—Based on Analysis of the Mediation Effect of Psychological Contract

In this paper, 287 volunteers from the 11th Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities were investigated, the relationship among job satisfaction, service performance and psychological contract of volunteers in sports events was studied by using correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis, to examine the mediating effect of psychological contract on satisfaction and service performance of event volunteers. The results show that (1) there is a significant correlation between satisfaction, service performance and psychological contract, and the positive correlation Coefficient between satisfaction and service performance is 0.448, the correlation coefficient between satisfaction and psychological contract was r = 0.342, and the positive correlation coefficient between psychological contract and service performance was r = 0.827, both of which had significant level on P & Lt; 0.01 (2) psychological contract and job satisfaction have positive influence on service performance. The higher the degree of psychological contract and job satisfaction, the better the service performance. (3) the degree of satisfaction with the work of the match volunteers can effectively improve the achievement of the psychological contract, and the achievement of the psychological contract is conducive to the improvement of the service performance of the match volunteers, psychological contract has a significant mediating effect between satisfaction and service performance. The direct effect (0.1599) and the mediating effect (0.227) of this model account for 41% and 59% of the total effect (0.3869) respectively. Therefore, a sound communication channel should be established between the organizers and the volunteers, a scientific and reasonable incentive mechanism should be established, the management level of the organizers of the Games should be raised, and the degree of work satisfaction and psychological contract of the volunteers should be enhanced, improve the service performance, enhance the influence of the competition.

Illness cognition and depression among patients with coronary heart disease

Background: Depression is a significant predictor of the quality of life among patients with coronary heart disease. Therefore, it is essential to explore the factors associated with depression. Illness cognition is considered one of the factors affecting depression. However, the relationship between illness cognition and the incidence of depression among Indonesian patients have not been widely investigated.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between illness cognition, consisting of the acceptance, perceived benefits, and helplessness variables, and depression in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: This study employed a correlational research design with a total of 106 patients undergoing treatment at a hospital in West Java, Indonesia, selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Beck-Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and ICQ (Illness-Cognition Questionnaire). Data were analyzed using mean (SD), median, frequency distribution, and Spearman-rank. Results: 72% of respondents had no depression. Nevertheless, mild, moderate, and major depression suffered by 15%, 9%, and 4% of respondents, respectively. In terms of illness cognition, patients scored higher within the perceived benefits dimension (mean 20.13, SD 3.05), followed by acceptance (mean 18.22, SD 3.33) and helplessness (mean 13.20, SD 4.77), respectively. Furthermore, helplessness was significantly associated with depression (p <.01) with a positive correlation coefficient (r). Also, all items on the helplessness dimension had a significant correlation (p <.01) with depression accompanied by a positive r-value. Conclusion: Helplessness had a significant relationship with depression. So, cardiovascular nurses can anticipate depression in patients by making nursing interventions that can decrease the patients’ feelings of helplessness. Thus, factors that reduce helplessness need to be explored and taken into accounts in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease.

Sexual Abuse in Adolescent Girls and Boys with Mild Intellectually Disable

Introduction: The problems of girls and boys with mild intellectually disable (MID) increases with age gradually. Due to the emerging changes, puberty is a significant period for adolescents with MID. The aim of this study to investigate sexual abuse in girls and boys with mild intellectually disable in the puberty period. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study. The statistical population consisted of all boys and girls with mild intellectual disabilities between the ages of 12 and 16 from exceptional public schools and their mothers in Yazd, Iran. 300 MID adolescents (150 girls and boys each) were selected by multi-stage sampling. To study sexual abuse, a self-designed questionnaire was used. The questionnaire comprised two sections. Kuder-Richardson coefficient obtained for boys and girls with MID turned out to be 0.80 and 0.84, respectively. Using frequency, percentage, and correlation coefficient (p<0.05). Data were analyzed with SPSS 24. Results: In this study, 2.67% (n = 4) of girls and 4% (n = 6) of boys with MID were abused. Also, their psychological and physical signs of sexual abuse were assessed (depression: girls,0.75% (n = 3), boys, 33.33% (n = 2), aggression: girls,0.75% (n = 3), boys, 66.66% (n = 4), avoiding certain adults, 0.50% (n = 2), boys, 33.33% (n = 2), sleep and eating disorder, 0.25% (n = 1), boys, 16.66% (n = 1) . Some of their parents pointed that their children had not received training in this area. There was a significant positive correlation coefficient between the mother's educational level and receiving training by schools and family with sexual abuse knowledge (p<0.05). Conclusion: The irrational reaction of families, the community, and the lack of adequate training lead to an increasein sexual abuse in such individuals. Hence, training these young individuals seems essential both before and during puberty.