Gender differences in a resources-demands model in the general population

Background The population-based study examined postulated effects, derived from a resources-demands-model about gender-related aspects of self-efficacy, optimism, chronic stress, and exhaustion. Methods Data acquisition was carried out by a market research institute with a multi-topic questionnaire in the general population (N = 2,552). Instruments administered were the Questionnaire for Self-Efficacy and Optimism, the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, and the Chalder-Fatigue-Scale. Households and target persons were selected randomly. The analyses focused on structural equation modeling. Results There were significant differences in structural relations among the resource paths. In particular, significant gender differences were found with respect to self-efficacy, and among the exhaustion paths, namely in the mental dimension of exhaustion. The observed measures of chronic stress were found to be operating equivalently for both genders. Results suggest that resources play an important role in the understanding of how chronic stress is preceded and may lead to exhaustion in both genders. Conclusion Personal resources seem to be more expressed by men than by woman, for whom the relation of resources to health is of greater importance than for men

Wiener-Hopf analysis of the scattering by a two dimensional periodic semi-infinite array of dipoles

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordWe present a rigorous solution of the scattering of plane waves by a truncated planar array of dipoles which is infinite and periodic in one direction and semi-infinite in the orthogonal direction, thus presenting an edge truncation. By applying the Wiener-Hopf technique to the Z-transformed system of equations derived from the electric field integral equation, the contributions to the current on the dipoles due to the scattering by the edge of the array and the excitation of surface waves are obtained rigorously.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Diffraction by a truncated planar array of dipoles: a Wiener-Hopf approach

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordWe present a rigorous solution to the problem of scattering of a semi-infinite planar array of dipoles, i.e., infinite in one direction and semi-infinite in the other direction, thus presenting an edge truncation, when illuminated by a plane wave. Such an arrangement represents the canonical problem to investigate the di raction occurring at the edge-truncation of a planar array. By applying the Wiener-Hopf technique to the Z-transformed system of equations derived from the electric field integral equation, we provide rigorous close form expressions for the dipoles’ currents. We find that such currents are represented as the superposition of the infinite array solution plus a perturbation, which comprises both edge di raction and bound surface waves excited by the edge truncation. Furthermore, we provide an analytical approximation for the double-infinite sum involved in the calculation which drastically reduces the computational e ort of this approach and also provides physically-meaningful asymptotics for the di racted currents.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Videoconferencing analytic psychodrama in treating young adults’ psychological suffering : preliminary results

The study aims to explore the effects that videoconferencing Analytic Psychodrama (AP) has on the psychological wellbeing and emotional competence of young adults who are suffering from mental health problems. Twenty-two undergraduate students, asking for help at the Psychological Counselling Service of the University of Bologna for anxiety-depressive problems, took part in the three online groups that met weekly from October 2020 to July 2021. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Group Climate Questionnaire were used as test-retest questionnaires for clinical outcomes, emotional competence, and group climate evaluations. There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and 10-month scores for patients in clinical outcomes. Alexithymia significantly decreased and emotional intelligence and group engagement increased post-intervention. Videoconferencing AP sounds promising for alleviating psychological problems and to improve young adults' emotional competence

Jenis Pakan Mempengaruhi Produksi Biogas Dari Feses Gajah, Studi Kasus Gajah Sumatera (Elephas Maximus Sumatranus Temminck, 1847) Di Taman Margasatwa Ragunan, Jakarta Selatan

Elephant dung is a source of methane gas, which the gas is the main contributor to greenhouse gas if not used as fuel. Wild elephants use grass leaves as their feed, but in Ragunan Wildlife Park, elephants are fed also with a combination of elephant grass, sweet potatoes, maize, and bananas, which aim to meet immediate nutritional needs and ensure their health. Therefore, this study examined the biogas production of elephant feces associated with the feed given. The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of biogas that is emitted from the elephant feces as a result of two kinds of feed, which were elephant grass and combination of elephant grass, sweet potatoes, maize, and bananas. Previously, the elephants were acclimatized for 4 days with the two types of feed. Fermentation of the feces was conducted by using simple fermenters by volume of 3.42 L for 28 days and performed measurements of temperature, pH, concentration of ammonia, concentration of volatile fatty acids, substrate degradation and production of biogas. The result showed that the composition of feed affects the physico-chemical characteristics of the feces, production of ammonia and volatile fatty acids, substrate degradation and production of biogas. The feces of Sumatran elephant fed with elephant grasses has higher potential for decomposition to mineralization into biogas and produce a higher proportion of methane gas carbon dioxide, than those fed with the combinated feed. This result needs to be a concern because with the fiber-rich feed like in their natural habitats, elephants have the potential to emit higher gas emissions. Therefore the biogas released from the elephant feces or other animals should be processed and utilized to meet the energy needs in the wildlife park itself

3-D Printed All-Dielectric GRIN Lens Antenna With an Integrated Feeder

In this paper we present the design, fabrication, and experimental verification of a new type of Graded-index (GRIN) lens antenna with an integrated feeder. The continuously varying refractive index distribution is chosen appropriately to offer the rays collimation at the lens aperture. It is practically implemented by varying the material density in a host medium, thus realizing a new type of all-dielectric high gain antenna, entirely using 3D printing. This solution can find application to high gain wireless communication and measurement systems. This GRIN lens antenna is printed in one monolithic process and does not require the feeder to be placed at a focal distance, thus complying with more strict space requirements. It accepts interchangeable feeds that can cover a wide frequency range. The directivity and gain are evaluated using near-field measurements in the Ku-band. A 40% measured aperture efficiency is achieved at 14GHz. The challenges and performance limitations that come with 3D printing, as compared to the design of idealized continuous distribution GRIN lenses are discussed