Implicit and Explicit Personality Measures in Kuwait: The Psychometric Properties of Kuwaiti Adapted Versions

Adapting a personality-related measure to another language promotes personality theories through cross-cultural studies and enhances the fairness of testing. This thesis aims to adapt and validate different personality-related measures for use in the Kuwaiti population. Starting with a scoping review in Kuwait, the results pointed out two important conclusions: a) newly developed personality paradigms (e.g., trait emotional intelligence and belimp theory) were given less attention by researchers than their conventional counterparts such as the Big Five, and b) explicit measures dominated the field of personality assessment. Accordingly, we adapted two explicit measures (Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form and belimp inventory) and one implicit measure (Big Five IAT), following the ITC (2017) guidelines. In addition, we attempted to construct the first implicit trait EI assessment through the trait EI IAT. To this end, we conducted several pilot investigations with a total sample of 493 participants followed by two main studies (n1 = 1458, n2 = 314). For the adaptation of the TEIQue-SF, the findings supported a bi-factor structure, with robust psychometric properties. For the belimp inventory, we proposed a new factor structure comprising three clusters of life domains, which was supported by our data. Further, we introduced implicit personality assessment in Kuwaiti psychology, developing appropriate and robust measures to assess it (Big Five and trait EI IATs). Overall, we believe the present thesis makes a significant and much needed contribution to the broad domains of personality and psychometrics in Kuwait

Environmental Safety Of Natural And Manufactured Building Materials

Natural radioactivity was estimated in building materials using γ-spectroscopic method. Samples of granite, bricks, concrete and ceramic were collected from different places in Egypt. Samples were prepared for physical and mechanical properties measurements as well as the radioactive content. Gamma spectrometer composed of NaI crystal connected to ORTEC analyser was used for radioactive measurements. Standard sample was prepared with the same geometry factor in NIS using a standard source traceable to NIST. Data of 238U, 232Th and 40K activities were collected, where the effective dose was calculated by the aid of UNSCEAR. Diffusion equation was used to estimate Radon emissions rate from building materials used in proposed model rooms.It was found that the average concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the studied materials were for granite 63.4, 2.42, 1010.91 Bq/kg, for bricks   20.12, 3.75, 27.25 Bq/kg and for concrete 34.23, 2.36, 506.36Bq/kg. In spite of using materials with permissible activity concentration, the radon emission in model rooms was beyond the safe limits for inhabitants. The maximum dose from Rn concentration was 1.23 mSv/y. This concentration was affected by the space dimension, passing elapsed time and building material radioactivity as well as ventilation. It was also found that the most powerful factor affecting radon concentration is the ventilatio

Reconceptualising and contextualising sexual rights in the MENA region: beyond LGBTQI categories

In recent years, LGBTQI rights have become central to debates around international development, human rights, refugee protection, and diversity. Yet research and experience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) reveals significant problems with LGBTQI as a way of identifying individuals who do not conform to heterosexual and binary gender norms, in order to support their rights. In this article, we draw on experience of working to advance gender and sexual rights to illustrate the shortcomings of LGBTQI identity categories, and use findings from the Centre for Transnational Development and Collaboration’s (CTDC) four-year programme of research into LGBTQI rights in the MENA region to support our argument further. This research identified major problems in policies and debates on the rights of individuals whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity differs from the norm. In response to this, CTDC has developed a tool to address rights in programme development and advocacy, using a new approach, Sexual Practice and Gender Performance (SPGP), for work in the MENA region

A Systematic Review of the Selected Evidences on the Effectiveness of Inter-professional Education (IPE) in Developing Interprofessional Learning Environment

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to provide available evidence in determining for the effectiveness of IPE as a modality in developing interprofessional learning environment for healthcare students.Methods: The computerized searches from 2009-2015 in ten electronic databases were performed. Two independent reviewers were consulted to assess the eligibility, level of evidences and methodological quality in each study. Result: nine out of ten studies were retrieved. These studies include (a) two RCT studies; scored eight and seven out of eight, (b) Three quasi-experimental pretestposttest design; scored seven, six, and six out of eight, (c) Three controlled before and after study; scored six, six, five and five out of eight, and (d) one controlled longitudinal; scored six out of eight respectively.Conclusion: Based on the systematic review, evidence showed that IPE was effective in building strong interprofessional learning environment. On the other hand, the authors recommend considering conduct of similar systematic review grounded on IPE with larger sample size within the health allied discipline

U-Pb geochronology of the El Jadida rhyolite and relation to possible Lower Cambrian recycling (Coastal block, Moroccan Meseta).

The El Jadida (Mazagan) dome, whose existence was reported as early as 1934 by Yovanovitch and Freys, constitutes one of the first outcrops of the Moroccan Meseta where the Precambrian (PIII?)-Paleozoic (Lower Cambrian?) boundary was established (Gigout, 1951; Cornée et al., 1984). Since then, it is listed as one of the few locations where the basement of the Moroccan Variscan belt can be observed (Hoepffner et al.. 2005; Michard et al., 2010).Despite, the absence of geochronological and biostratigraphic precise data to constrain the time interval recorded here, there are stratigraphic similarities that allow a correlation with the Ediacaran-Cambrian geological record of Anti-Atlas belt (Cornée et al., 1984). In this study, we developed a petrographic, geochemical and U-Pb geochronological study using zircon extracted from: (i) the El Jadida rhyolite with the aim of characterizing the magma source and estimate the age of crystallization; (ii) a microbreccia sampled at the base of the El Jadida Dolomitic Formation for determining provenance

Izravna i neizravna sterilizacija mikroba plazmom

Atmospheric-pressure parallel-plate dielectric barrier discharge has been designed for sterilization of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Candida yeasts. Oxygen has been used as the input working gas. The output gas after discharge operation was a mixture of both ozone and oxygen, with concentration that depends on the applied voltage between the electrodes, gap space and gas flow rate. Sterilization process has been done in two ways, by direct exposure to oxygen plasma inside the discharge cell and by indirect exposure to the plasma. Survivor curves, and scanning and transmission electron microscope were used to study the inactivation kinetics and morphology of the yeast surface before and after sterilization. It has been found that the indirect sterilization causes yeast inactivation in a short time, less than three minutes, while the direct sterilization took place in a longer time, more than ten minutes.Sagradili smo posudu s usporednim pločama i dielektričnom pregradom za postizanje izboja na atmosferskom tlaku, namijenjenu za proučavanje sterilizacije mikroba Saccharomyces Cerevisiae i Candida. Radni plin bio je kisik. Izlazni plin iz posude bio je smjesa ozona i kisika, čija je koncentracija ovisna o vaponu izboja među elektrodama, procijepu i brzini protjecanja plina. Sterilizacija se provodila na dva načina, izravnim izlaganjem u izbojnoj posudi i neizravnim izlaganjem plazmi. Za proučavanje kinetike prekida aktivnosti stanične plazme i oblika mikrobne površine rabili smo krivulje preživjelih stanica prije i poslije sterilizacije. Ustanovili smo da neizravna sterilizacija dovodi do prekida aktivnosti mikroba u kratkom vremenu, manje od tri minute, dok je izravna sterilizacija trajala dulje, više od deset minuta

Izravna i neizravna sterilizacija mikroba plazmom

Atmospheric-pressure parallel-plate dielectric barrier discharge has been designed for sterilization of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Candida yeasts. Oxygen has been used as the input working gas. The output gas after discharge operation was a mixture of both ozone and oxygen, with concentration that depends on the applied voltage between the electrodes, gap space and gas flow rate. Sterilization process has been done in two ways, by direct exposure to oxygen plasma inside the discharge cell and by indirect exposure to the plasma. Survivor curves, and scanning and transmission electron microscope were used to study the inactivation kinetics and morphology of the yeast surface before and after sterilization. It has been found that the indirect sterilization causes yeast inactivation in a short time, less than three minutes, while the direct sterilization took place in a longer time, more than ten minutes.Sagradili smo posudu s usporednim pločama i dielektričnom pregradom za postizanje izboja na atmosferskom tlaku, namijenjenu za proučavanje sterilizacije mikroba Saccharomyces Cerevisiae i Candida. Radni plin bio je kisik. Izlazni plin iz posude bio je smjesa ozona i kisika, čija je koncentracija ovisna o vaponu izboja među elektrodama, procijepu i brzini protjecanja plina. Sterilizacija se provodila na dva načina, izravnim izlaganjem u izbojnoj posudi i neizravnim izlaganjem plazmi. Za proučavanje kinetike prekida aktivnosti stanične plazme i oblika mikrobne površine rabili smo krivulje preživjelih stanica prije i poslije sterilizacije. Ustanovili smo da neizravna sterilizacija dovodi do prekida aktivnosti mikroba u kratkom vremenu, manje od tri minute, dok je izravna sterilizacija trajala dulje, više od deset minuta

Synthesis, spectral characterization, cyclic voltammety, molecular modeling and catalytic activity of sulfa-drug divalent metal complexes

Complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and Hafnium(II) of general composition [M(L)2(Cl)2] have been synthesized [L = 4-(phenylphosphinylideneamino-N-thiazolylbenzenesulfonamide]. The elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass, IR, UV, NMR, SEM, EDX, thermal and EPR spectral studies of the compounds led to the conclusion that the ligand acts as a bidentate manner. The molar conductance of the complexes in fresh solution of DMSO lies in the range of 7.46–9.13 Ω-1 cm2mol‒1 indicating their non-electrolytic behavior. On the basis of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, octahedral geometry of the complexes was proposed. The ligand acts as bidentate ligand, coordinated through sulfonamide oxygen and thiazole nitrogen atoms. The ligand field parameters were calculated for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes and their values were found in the range reported for a octahedral structure. The catalytic activities of the divalent metal complexes have been studied in the oxidation of cyclohexane, using environmental friendly oxidant, hydrogen peroxide. Complex with rough surface has shown higher catalytic activity compared to the other complexes. The molecular parameters of the ligand and its Co(II) and Hf(II) complexes have been calculated.Â

Memory of the Unjamming Transition during Cyclic Tiltings of a Granular Pile

Discrete numerical simulations are performed to study the evolution of the micro-structure and the response of a granular packing during successive loading-unloading cycles, consisting of quasi-static rotations in the gravity field between opposite inclination angles. We show that internal variables, e.g., stress and fabric of the pile, exhibit hysteresis during these cycles due to the exploration of different metastable configurations. Interestingly, the hysteretic behaviour of the pile strongly depends on the maximal inclination of the cycles, giving evidence of the irreversible modifications of the pile state occurring close to the unjamming transition. More specifically, we show that for cycles with maximal inclination larger than the repose angle, the weak contact network carries the memory of the unjamming transition. These results demonstrate the relevance of a two-phases description -strong and weak contact networks- for a granular system, as soon as it has approached the unjamming transition.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figures, soumis \`{a} Phys. Rev.