The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults — An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore

Introduction: Once a localized Japanese phenomenon, Hikikomori-type social withdrawal has since been observed globally in increasing numbers. However, there is a lack of research about Hikikomori in Singapore. Consequently, local variations of Hikikomori may differ from past research in Japan. Drawing on associations found in international and Japanese Hikikomori research, we explored some variables relevant and generalizable to the Singaporean context. Specifically, we examined the relationships between (1) Hikikomori risk factors, (2) social withdrawal tendencies, (3) depression and anxiety, (4) connections with family and friends, and (5) employment status. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey study (N = 416; Mage = 24.90, SDage = 4.79; females = 236, males = 177, undisclosed = 3), participants were provided a Qualtrics link and asked to complete a questionnaire comprising the NHR scale, LSNS-6, DASS-21, ERQ, and HQ-25. Results: We found that (a) Hikikomori risk factors positively correlated with social withdrawal tendencies and depression and anxiety but negatively correlated with support from family and friends, (b) high Hikikomori risk factors predicted high social withdrawal tendencies, (c) support from friends (one of the psychosocial factors) predicted social withdrawal tendencies together with the Hikikomori risk factors, and (d) social withdrawal tendencies moderated the relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and depression among the emerging adults in Singapore. Conclusion: The current research findings serve as a basis for future Hikikomori research in Singapore

Dimensions, Measures, and Contexts in Psychological Investigations of Curiosity: A Scoping Review

The study of curiosity as a construct has led to many conceptualisations, comprising of different dimensions. Due to this, various scales of curiosity have also been developed. Moreover, some researchers have conceived of curiosity as a general trait-like, while others have included contexts, such as the workplace, or education when investigating curiosity. This scoping review aims to scope the extant psychological literature on curiosity in order to better understand how it has been studied, specifically with regard to its dimensions, measures, and contexts. A total of 1194 records were identified, with 245 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results suggest that the majority of curiosity research examined curiosity as having multiple dimensions and analysed the dimensions individually, with a deprivation-type curiosity playing the biggest role. The measure most commonly used was the Epistemic Curiosity Scale, which also consisted of a deprivation-type curiosity as one of the dimensions. Findings also implied that curiosity was most studied in the context of the workplace. Supplementary findings included a lack of representation of non-Western countries, as well as needing to cross-validate a recently developed curiosity scale. This scoping review represents a consolidation of the curiosity literature and how it can further prosper

Physical activity level among undergraduate students in Terengganu, Malaysia using pedometer

A cross-sectional study determine physical activity level among 95 undergraduate students at UniSZA using pedometer. Subjects consented and completed socio-demographic details, weight and height were measured. Each subject was supplied with a pedometer and wear it for a week and record steps per day from the pedometer each night before bed. Descriptive statistic and independent T-test coefficient analyze the data using IBM SPSS version 22.0. Results showed that 66.4% of the subjects were classified as sedentary according to pedometer determined physical activity. Males recorded significantly more steps than female per day. Subjects in the age group of 18-20 years old had the highest mean average steps count than the older age group of 21-24 years old and ≥ 25 years old per day. Only 5.2% were classified as active and highly active using pedometer determined physical activity level.Keywords: physical activity; pedometer; steps; body compositio

The Kentucky Noisy Monte Carlo Algorithm for Wilson Dynamical Fermions

We develop an implementation for a recently proposed Noisy Monte Carlo approach to the simulation of lattice QCD with dynamical fermions by incorporating the full fermion determinant directly. Our algorithm uses a quenched gauge field update with a shifted gauge coupling to minimize fluctuations in the trace log of the Wilson Dirac matrix. The details of tuning the gauge coupling shift as well as results for the distribution of noisy estimators in our implementation are given. We present data for some basic observables from the noisy method, as well as acceptance rate information and discuss potential autocorrelation and sign violation effects. Both the results and the efficiency of the algorithm are compared against those of Hybrid Monte Carlo. PACS Numbers: 12.38.Gc, 11.15.Ha, 02.70.Uu Keywords: Noisy Monte Carlo, Lattice QCD, Determinant, Finite Density, QCDSPComment: 30 pages, 6 figure

Two charged strangeonium-like structures observable in the Y(2175)→ϕ(1020)π+π−Y(2175) \to \phi(1020)\pi^{+} \pi^{-} process

Via the Initial Single Pion Emission (ISPE) mechanism, we study the $\phi(1020)\pi^{+}$ invariant mass spectrum distribution of $Y(2175) \to \phi(1020)\pi^{+} \pi^{-}$. Our calculation indicates there exist a sharp peak structure ($Z_{s1}^+$) close to the $K\bar{K}^\ast$ threshold and a broad structure ($Z_{s2}^+$) near the $K^\ast\bar{K}^\ast$ threshold. In addition, we also investigate the $\phi(1680) \to \phi(1020)\pi^{+} \pi^{-}$ process due to the ISPE mechanism, where a sharp peak around the $K\bar{K}^\ast$ threshold appears in the $\phi(1020)\pi^{+}$ invariant mass spectrum distribution. We suggest to carry out the search for these charged strangeonium-like structures in future experiment, especially Belle II, Super-B and BESIII.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by Eur. Phys. J.

Effects of Multiple Sintering Parameters on the Thermal Performance of Bi-porous Nickel Wicks in Loop Heat Pipes

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Y. Qu, K. Zhou, K. F. Zhang and Y. Tian, ‘Effects of multiple sintering parameters on the thermal performance of bi-porous nickel wicks in Loop Heat Pipes’, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 99: 638-646, August 2016, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2016.04.005. This manuscript version is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License CC BY NC-ND 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way.The thermal performance of a water-saturated Loop Heat Pipe (LHP) with bi-porous nickel wicks has been examined theoretically and experimentally, based on five key influencing factors including the content of foaming agent, compacting pressure, incubation time at suitable temperature, sintering temperature and particle size of foaming agent. Comparison was made among a total number of 20 tests with each influencing factor allocated by four different values, where porosity, permeability, capillary suction head and effective thermal conductivity (ETC) were examined. ETC is an important parameter of thermal performance, and its experimental values were compared with eleven theoretical models. The results showed that ETC was mostly affected by the content of foaming agent: 1.9-2.2 times compared to the effect of compacting pressure and incubation time, with the effect of sintering temperature and particle size of foaming agent ata underestimated the true ETC values. In the porosity range of 0.5-0.7, an average of the Chernysheva & Maydanik model and the Chaudhary & Bhandari model was found to be the best fit to the experimental data, providing an accurate method to predict ETC values of water-saturated LHP with bi-porous nickel wicks.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Effects of a nanoscopic filler on the structure and dynamics of a simulated polymer melt and the relationship to ultra-thin films

We perform molecular dynamics simulations of an idealized polymer melt surrounding a nanoscopic filler particle to probe the effects of a filler on the local melt structure and dynamics. We show that the glass transition temperature $T_g$ of the melt can be shifted to either higher or lower temperatures by appropriately tuning the interactions between polymer and filler. A gradual change of the polymer dynamics approaching the filler surface causes the change in the glass transition. We also find that while the bulk structure of the polymers changes little, the polymers close to the surface tend to be elongated and flattened, independent of the type of interaction we study. Consequently, the dynamics appear strongly influenced by the interactions, while the melt structure is only altered by the geometric constraints imposed by the presence of the filler. Our findings show a strong similarity to those obtained for ultra-thin polymer films (thickness $\lesssim 100$ nm) suggesting that both ultra-thin films and filled-polymer systems might be understood in the same context

Transpacific Transport of Ozone Pollution and the Effect of Recent Asian Emission Increases on Air Quality in North America: An Integrated Analysis Using Satellite, Aircraft, Ozonesonde, and Surface Observations

We use an ensemble of aircraft, satellite, sonde, and surface observations for April–May 2006 (NASA/INTEX-B aircraft campaign) to better understand the mechanisms for transpacific ozone pollution and its implications for North American air quality. The observations are interpreted with a global 3-D chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem). OMI NO2 satellite observations constrain Asian anthropogenic NOx emissions and indicate a factor of 2 increase from 2000 to 2006 in China. Satellite observations of CO from AIRS and TES indicate two major events of Asian transpacific pollution during INTEX-B. Correlation between TES CO and ozone observations shows evidence for transpacific ozone pollution. The semi-permanent Pacific High and Aleutian Low cause splitting of transpacific pollution plumes over the Northeast Pacific. The northern branch circulates around the Aleutian Low and has little impact on North America. The southern branch circulates around the Pacific High and some of that air impacts western North America. Both aircraft measurements and model results show sustained ozone production driven by peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN) decomposition in the southern branch, roughly doubling the transpacific influence from ozone produced in the Asian boundary layer. Model simulation of ozone observations at Mt. Bachelor Observatory in Oregon (2.7 km altitude) indicates a mean Asian ozone pollution contribution of 9±3 ppbv to the mean observed concentration of 54 ppbv, reflecting mostly an enhancement in background ozone rather than episodic Asian plumes. Asian pollution enhanced surface ozone concentrations by 5–7 ppbv over western North America in spring 2006. The 2000–2006 rise in Asian anthropogenic emissions increased this influence by 1–2 ppbv.Earth and Planetary SciencesEngineering and Applied Science

Large-scale pharmacogenomic study of sulfonylureas and the QT, JT and QRS intervals: CHARGE Pharmacogenomics Working Group

Sulfonylureas, a commonly used class of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Their effects on QT interval duration and related electrocardiographic phenotypes are potential mechanisms for this adverse effect. In 11 ethnically diverse cohorts that included 71 857 European, African-American and Hispanic/Latino ancestry individuals with repeated measures of medication use and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements, we conducted a pharmacogenomic genome-wide association study of sulfonylurea use and three ECG phenotypes: QT, JT and QRS intervals. In ancestry-specific meta-analyses, eight novel pharmacogenomic loci met the threshold for genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10−8), and a pharmacokinetic variant in CYP2C9 (rs1057910) that has been associated with sulfonylurea-related treatment effects and other adverse drug reactions in previous studies was replicated. Additional research is needed to replicate the novel findings and to understand their biological basis