Self-Compassion, Body Image Dissatisfaction, and Negative Social Comparisons in Adolescents Utilizing Social Networking Sites

This quantitative survey study implemented a cross-sectional, correlational design. The present study explored the relationship between self-compassion, body image, and negative social comparisons in a sample consisting of adolescents who use social networking sites. Despite noteworthy limitations, this study elucidates the benefits associated with higher levels of self-compassion in adolescence. In line with previous studies, adolescents reported frequent use of social networking sites, primarily facilitated by smartphones. Although the constant accessibility of social networking sites via smartphones has been associated with negative outcomes, an important finding in this study was the lack of significant relationship between overall time spent on social networking sites, lower levels of self-compassion, negative social comparisons, and negative body image. Nevertheless, a significant relationship was found between negative body image and belonging to more than three social networking sites. These findings highlight the necessity of future research studies which investigate the differential impact of various social networking sites, how certain online behaviors may predispose adolescents to diminished overall psychological well-being, and the influence of preexisting psychopathology. Lastly, preventative measures, such as treatment programs that enhance self-compassion and media literacy campaigns, are suggested to buffer adolescents against the negative consequences associated with maladaptive social networking site

Steering Adaptation in a Driving Simulator

Steering adaptation in a driving simulator occurs when participants, who possess the skills necessary to control a vehicle, modify their use of the steering controls to successfully interact with a driving simulator. This approach is sensitive to individual driving styles, as it is free of any threshold, criterion, or benchmark value and can be applied to any steering task at any driving speed.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2012/1026/thumbnail.jp

An Examination on the Effect of pH on Flotation Deinking Kinetics

This study was performed to determine if the flotation deinking process is first order with respect to ink particle concentration and to examine the effects that pH may have on the kinetics of ink removal flotation. A Hallimond tube laboratory flotation device was used to examine the process. Image analysis of ink particles was used to obtain quantitative results regarding flotation efficiency. The examination verified that the flotation process follows the first order rate equation with some degree of experimental error. A trend in the effect of pH on deinking rate was also found. It was determined that the rate constant, k, increased with decreasing pH. An increase in k corresponded to improved flotation rate. The results follow the theory that decreasing the repulsive forces between negatively charged ink particles and bubbles improves deinking efficiency

The synthesis, structural characterization and biological evaluation of potential chemotherapeutic agents

Cathepsin proteases have been identified in many parasitic organisms and are involved in roles as diverse as tissue and skin penetration, virulence and immune invasion. Involvement in these key functions renders them potential targets at which to direct novel chemotherapeutic agents. The inhibitor N-benzoyl-L-Leu-Gly nitrile prepared in this laboratory was shown to possess significantly greater inhibitory potency on the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica cysteine cathepsin L like endoproteases over the known commercial inhibitor Z-Phe-Ala-CHN₂ at varying concentrations. The synthesis, structural characterisation and biological evaluation of a series of analogues of this active compound is now reported. Addition of fluorine atoms to the N-terminal benzoyl group and selective modification of the N-terminus is reported. These dipeptidyl derivatives were synthesized using the standard DCC/HOBt or EDC/HOBt protocols. These novel Cathepsin L inhibitors have been characterized by a wide range of spectroscopic techniques including ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR and ESIMS. The biological activity of these novel compounds was determined in a bioassay using Z-Phe-Arg-NHMec as a fluorogenic substrate. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phyloalexin found in several plants but mainly in the skins of grapes. It has been shown to be produced in response to bacterial and fungal infections. It has been shown to exhibit various biological activities including anticancer, antifungal, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. The synthesis of fluorinated stilbenes containing the 3,5,4'-substituted backbone was accomplished. The compounds were synthesised via the Wittig reaction and the decarbonylative Heck reaction. In conjunction with fluorine, nitrogen was also used as a replacement for the oxygen atoms of the resveratrol structure. Full structural characterisation of these compounds was carried out followed by preliminary biological screening

Developing the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network to derive indicators around the sustainable use of nitrogen and phosphorus at farm level.

peer-reviewedThis study uses a national farm survey which is part of the European Union (EU) Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) to develop environmental sustainability indicators in the use of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) across a range of farm systems in the Republic of Ireland. Farm level micro data were used to calculate all inputs and outputs of N and P that cross the farm gate and to derive balances (kg ha-1) and overall use efficiencies across 827 farms in 2012. The sample is populated weighted to represents 71,480 farms nationally. Results indicated an average N balance of 71.0 kg ha-1 and use efficiency of 36.7% across the nationally representative sample. Nitrogen balances were between two and four times higher across specialist dairy farms compared to livestock rearing and specialist tillage systems. Nitrogen use efficiency was generally lowest across milk producing systems compared to livestock rearing and tillage systems. Phosphorus balance and use efficiency averaged 4.7 kg ha-1 and 79.6% respectively across the sample. Specialist tillage and dairying farms had higher average P balances compared to other livestock based systems. The approach developed in this analysis will form the benchmark for temporal analysis across these indicators for future nutrient balance and efficiency trends and could assist other members of the EU FADN to develop similar nationally representative indicators.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Teagasc National Farm Survey Preliminary Estimates 2016

PresenationThis presentation provides an overview of the preliminary results of the National Farm Survey for 201

Expense turns to investment: How the welfare state supports EU migrants’ economic achievements

Welfare support for European Union migrants to the UK has often been presented as a “burden”. However, evidence that migrants are strongly work-focussed suggests greater attention should be given to the welfare state’s social investment role. This briefing investigates the degree to which the UK’s welfare state helps EU migrants enhance their economic activity. How have policy changes post-2014 affected this situation? What would happen if the UK left the EU

A national methodology to quantify the diet of grazing dairy cows

peer-reviewedThe unique rumen of dairy cows allows them to digest fibrous forages and feedstuffs. Surprisingly, to date few attempts have been made to develop national methods to gain an understanding on the make-up of a dairy cow's diet, despite the importance of milk production. Consumer interest is growing in purchasing milk based on the composition of the cows' diet and the time they spend grazing. The goal of this research was to develop such a methodology using the national farm survey of Ireland as a data source. The analysis was completed for a 3-yr period from 2013 to 2015 on a nationally representative sample of 275 to 318 dairy farms. Trained auditors carried out economic surveys on farms 3 to 4 times per annum. The auditors collected important additional information necessary to estimate the diet of cows including the length of the grazing season, monthly concentrate feeding, type of forage(s) conserved, and milk production. Annual cow intakes were calculated to meet net energy requirements for production, maintenance, activity, pregnancy, growth, and live weight change using survey data and published literature. Our analysis showed that the average annual cow feed intake on a fresh matter basis ranged from 22.7 t in 2013 to 24.8 t in 2015 and from 4.8 to 5 t on a dry matter basis for the same period. Forage, particularly pasture, was the largest component of the Irish cow diet, typically accounting for 96% of the diet on a fresh matter basis and 82% of dry matter intake over the 3 yr. Within the cows' forage diet, grazed pasture was the dominant component and on average contributed 74 to 77% to the average annual cow fresh matter diet over the period. The proportion of pasture in the annual cow diet as fed was also identified as a good indicator of the time cows spend grazing (e.g., coefficient of determination = 0.85). Monthly, forage was typically the main component of the cow diet, but the average contribution of concentrate was substantial for the early spring months of January and February (30 to 35% of dry matter intake). Grazed pasture was the dominant source of forage from March to October and usually contributed 95 to 97% of the diet as fed in the summer period. Overall, the national farm survey from 2013 to 2015 shows that Irish dairy farms are very reliant on forage, particularly pasture, regardless of whether it is reported on a dry matter basis or as fed. There is potential to replicate this methodology in any regions or nations where representative farm surveys are conducted