Do human values play a role in pro- environmental purchasing behaviours of Polish people?

Green consumerism has increased in popularity in Europe over the past decade due to new political policies and social shifts. The purpose of this study was to expand the research in understanding the thinking and values of eco-consumers and how this can assist in marketing efforts. Previous studies have given little focus on Poland and the role of their values in purchasing energy efficient appliances. Research shows that certain values can indicate an increased likelihood in caring for the environment and this study aims to affirm this further amongst Polish millennials as well as any differences based on sex. The analysis used the results of the European Social Survey (ESS) Round 8 from 2016. This study focused on human values and their role on purchases of energy efficient appliances and whether climate change attitudes moderate that relationship. A thorough analysis showed that human values of Polish millennials do not have an influence on buying energy efficient appliances. Moreover, attitudes towards climate change do not moderate a relation between these two variables. This study has highlighted the complexity of the role of human values in energy efficient preferences and has demonstrated justification for further research in this area

Learning and Memory Alterations Are Associated with Hippocampal N-acetylaspartate in a Rat Model of Depression as Measured by 1H-MRS

It is generally accepted that cognitive processes, such as learning and memory, are affected in depression. The present study used a rat model of depression, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), to determine whether hippocampal volume and neurochemical changes were involved in learning and memory alterations. A further aim was to determine whether these effects could be ameliorated by escitalopram treatment, as assessed with the non-invasive techniques of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Our results demonstrated that CUMS had a dramatic influence on spatial cognitive performance in the Morris water maze task, and CUMS reduced the concentration of neuronal marker N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in the hippocampus. These effects could be significantly reversed by repeated administration of escitalopram. However, neither chronic stress nor escitalopram treatment influenced hippocampal volume. Of note, the learning and memory alterations of the rats were associated with right hippocampal NAA concentration. Our results indicate that in depression, NAA may be a more sensitive measure of cognitive function than hippocampal volume

Neuroanatomical Pattern of Mitochondrial Complex I Pathology Varies between Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression

BACKGROUND:Mitochondrial dysfunction was reported in schizophrenia, bipolar disorderand major depression. The present study investigated whether mitochondrial complex I abnormalities show disease-specific characteristics. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:mRNA and protein levels of complex I subunits NDUFV1, NDUFV2 and NADUFS1, were assessed in striatal and lateral cerebellar hemisphere postmortem specimens and analyzed together with our previous data from prefrontal and parieto-occipital cortices specimens of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and healthy subjects. A disease-specific anatomical pattern in complex I subunits alterations was found. Schizophrenia-specific reductions were observed in the prefrontal cortex and in the striatum. The depressed group showed consistent reductions in all three subunits in the cerebellum. The bipolar group, however, showed increased expression in the parieto-occipital cortex, similar to those observed in schizophrenia, and reductions in the cerebellum, yet less consistent than the depressed group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:These results suggest that the neuroanatomical pattern of complex I pathology parallels the diversity and similarities in clinical symptoms of these mental disorders

Geohazard reconnaissance mapping for a settlement area

To minimise the losses associated with natural hazards, it is necessary to compile and evaluate earth science data. This study describes and maps the geohazards that may affect the Egirdir (Isparta) settlement area. For these purposes, field studies were performed, and the data obtained were compiled using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Four different types of earth slump were identified: paleo, small-scale shallow, active and potential earth slump. In addition, two rockfall source areas were identified and mapped. The ratio of the area affected by rockfall to the total area is 2.03%. Although there is no expected risk associated with active earth slump, displacement in the potential earth slump area represents a risk. The risk level calculated is 1.5% for 1 year. Based on all of the data, a geohazard reconnaissance map of the study area was prepared. Based on this map, it can be concluded that 83% of the overall study area has no risk of mass movement

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from retail raw meats in Turkey

The transmission of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) through food products of animal origin may pose a public health concern. Therefore, the objectives of the present work were to determine the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in raw meat samples (beef, chicken, turkey, and duck) at retail level, and to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the MRSA isolates. Between September 2018 and January 2019, a total of 325 raw meat samples were collected from retail stores, and analysed for the presence of S. aureus and MRSA using primary enrichment method as well as using secondary selective enrichment methods for MRSA detection. All the suspected S. aureus and MRSA colonies obtained from the samples were confirmed by both phenotypic and genotypic methods. The MRSA isolates were tested against various antimicrobials, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin was determined. Macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance phenotypes were also screened using the double-disk diffusion test. The overall prevalence of S. aureus was 57.2%, whereas the food-specific prevalence in beef, turkey, duck, and chicken samples was 75, 53, 48, and 46%, respectively. The overall prevalence of MRSA was 1.2%, whereas it was 3, 1, 0, and 0% in beef, turkey, chicken, and duck samples, respectively. All MRSA isolates were detected by the secondary selective enrichment method. These MRSA isolates had a variety of MLSB resistance phenotypes (i.e., iMLSB, cMLSB, and MS-MLSB) with vancomycin MIC values ranging between 1 -2 mu g/mL. These findings are important for developing interventions to reduce raw meat contamination with S. aureus and MRSA, and to improve public health. (c) All Rights Reserve

AB0896-HPR THE EVALUATION OF TYPE D PERSONALITY AND SELF-ESTEEM IN PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA

Background:Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances. Etiopathogenesis remains unclear; however, growing data regarding the effect of psychosocial factors on disease etiopathogenesis have drawn attention. Psychosocial elements such as type D personality and low level of self-esteem might increase disease burden (1). Accordingly, many researchers so far, have examined psychological parameters in FM and a limited number of studies focused on the personality type among patients with FM (2-5).Objectives:The current study aimed to investigate type D personality and self-esteem in patients with FM.Methods:Female patients with fibromyalgia and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Type D personality was evaluated by using the type D scale (DS-14). The Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) was used to assess self-esteem and psychosomatic symptoms. Psychological status was evaluated by the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was performed to assess functional impairment and health status in patients with FM. The potential confounders of type D personality were evaluated by binary logistic regression analysis.Results:Seventy patients with FM and 60 controls were included. Type D personality was observed in 58.6% of the patients and in 21.7% of the control group (p&lt;0.001). When compared to patients with non-type D personality, those with type D personality revealed lower self-esteem and poorer health status (p&lt;0.05 for both), higher anxiety and depression scores (p&lt;0.001 for both). According to binary logistic regression analysis, depression (β=1.178, Cl 95% 1.055−1.316, p=0.004) and lower education level (β=0.818, Cl 95% 0.682−0.982, p=0.031) were significantly related to type D personality in FM (Table 1).Conclusion:Type D personality is more common in female patients with FM when compared to healthy women. Patients with type D personality have lower level of self-esteem when compared to those with non-type D personality. Depression and lower education level are potential confounders of type D personality in FM.References:[1]Bazzichi L, Giacomelli C, Consensi A, Giorgi V, Batticciotto A, Di Franco M, Sarzi-Puttini P (2020) One year in review 2020: fibromyalgia. Clin Exp Rheumatol 38 Suppl 123(1):3-8.[2]Conversano C, Marchi L, Ciacchini R, Carmassi C, Contena B, Bazzichi LM, Gemignani A (2018) Personality Traits in Fibromyalgia (FM): Does FM Personality Exists? A Systematic Review. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 14:263.[3]Türkoğlu G, Selvi Y (2020) The relationship between chronotype, sleep disturbance, severity of fibromyalgia, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Chronobiol Int 37(1):68-81.[4]Garip Y, Güler T, Bozkurt Tuncer Ö, Önen S (2019) Type D Personality is Associated With Disease Severity and Poor Quality of Life in Turkish Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study. Arch Rheumatol 35(1):13-19.[5]Ablin JN, Zohar AH, Zaraya-Blum R, Buskila D (2016) Distinctive personality profiles of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome patients. PeerJ 4:e2421.Table 1.Binary logistic regression analysis for the evaluation of potential confounders of type D personality in patients with fibromyalgia.WaldSEβ (95%CI)pEducation (years)4.6640.0930.818 (0.682−0.982)0.031Occupation duration (years)0.1160.0371.013 (0.942−1.089)0.733Self-esteem scale (D1)0.3690.4230.774 (0.338−1.771)0.544BDI8.4460.0561.178 (1.055−1.316)0.004BAI0.7890.0321.029 (0.966−1.095)0.374BDI: Beck Depression Inventory, BAI: Beck Anxiety Inventory, SE: standard error, CI: confidence intervalDisclosure of Interests:None declared</jats:sec

Analysis of potential rockfalls and protection measures for the Mardin castle, Turkey

Rockfalls are one of the major hazards in hilly regions which can impose significant damages to the structures as well as human lives and property. Understanding the behavior of a rockfall along its trajectory is essential in order to design and implement protection measures for providing safe environment. Coefficient of restitution is one of the most important parameters for predicting a rockfall behavior. Back analysis is an effective tool in estimating the coefficient of restitution for a specific area. This study presents the analysis of rockfalls around the Mardin castle by probabilistic methods after estimating the real coefficient of restitution. Run out distance, bounce height, kinetic energy and translation velocity are studied in the area and accordingly barriers in 4 m height with capacities ranging from 3000 to 5000 KJ are suggested as protective measures