Exploring a First-Order Factor Structure Within a Measure of Smoking Motives: Examining Evidence for an Affect Regulation Smoking Motive Factor

Smoking is a leading cause of death, yet a large number of people continue to smoke. While nicotine dependence is accepted as a motivator, other factors play a role too. The purpose of this study was to explore smoking motivation to determine if distinct smoking motives condense into a smaller number of higher-order factors, with one possibly related to affect regulation (e.g. Neuroticism). The sample consisted of 200 adults (age: M=33.26, SD=10.41) including Caucasian (n = 163), African American (n = 14), Asian (n = 17), and Latino ( n = 4). Males made up 61% of the sample; 39% were female. Participants completed self-report measures tapping nicotine dependence, smoking motives, personality factors, Neuroticism facets, and stress. As expected, two factors were extracted in the exploratory factor analysis; one related to affect regulation. Both factors were associated with nicotine dependence. Counter to expectations, Neuroticism was unrelated to the affect regulation factor. Exploratory analyses suggested this may be due to the high level of dependent smokers in our sample. Dependence level may play a role in the relationship between smoking motives and personality and it may be that in smokers with higher levels of dependence, physiological nicotine dependence masks individual differences such as personality traits and non-physical motivations. The limitations of the study are discussed, as are implications for future research in this area.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133667/1/Karimova - Exploring a First-Order Factor Structure within a Measure of Smoking Motives.pdf13Description of Karimova - Exploring a First-Order Factor Structure Within a Measure of Smoking Motives.pdf : Master's Thesi

Q methodological study of subjectivity and objectivity

Research has shown not only that subjectivity and objectivity are two very important concepts when it comes to scientific studies, but also that human tendencies towards duality have reinforced the opposition of these concepts. It is evident that objectivity and subjectivity differ, but this study was designed to evaluate how much the concepts really differ and how they are defined in the thinking of people. The study uses a Q methodological approach to measure the viewpoints of the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Michigan University by having them sort a list of potential viewpoints on subjectivity and objectivity onto a matrix ranging from agree to disagree. Q methodology allows for a scientific measurement of subjective viewpoints, resulting in data that can be evaluated using factor analysis software. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of the Q sort to determine the factors of subjectivity and objectivity and how the viewpoints of the faculty of various departments relate and differ on the topic

БЕРЕЖЛИВОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ПРОИЗВОДСТВОМ: УЧЕТ И КОНТРОЛЬ ЗАТРАТ В ПЕРАРБАТЫВАЮЩИХ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЯХ СИСТЕМЫ ПОТРЕБИТЕЛЬСКОЙ КООПЕРАЦИИ

Lean production and management in the system of consumer cooperation remains one of the most difficult problems both in general in all areas of production and in milk processing. A modern solution to this problem, increasing the efficiency of production, improving its quality and reducing cost is the basis of principles and tools that are reflected in the lean manufacturing system. Lean management is possible on the basis of optimal cost accounting and management of dairy production, by reducing losses on waiting, overproduction, transportation, unnecessary processing steps, unnecessary movements, production with broken technology, defective packaging, unnecessary stocks - by regulating business processes and mobilizing internal reserves in the activities of processing enterprises of the consumer cooperation system. The subject of the study is managerial activity in the lean production and processing of milk in enterprises of the consumer cooperation system. The aim of the study is the introduction of advanced and necessary methods of accounting and management of milk production in the enterprises of the consumer cooperation system. In accordance with this goal, the main task was determined: to develop recommendations for improving the accounting and management methods to reduce all kinds of costs and increase the productivity of dairy production. Performance management is an important financial and economic indicator of production in the system of consumer cooperation. This paper analyzes various aspects of lean manufacturing, accounting, control and management, taking into account the technological features and business processes of the consumer cooperation system. It is concluded that for the efficiency of the accounting process in the lean management system of a milk processing enterprise, it is necessary to build a system of accounting and control support, which will allow for detailed accounting of production costs for all objects of accounting and control.Бережливое производство и управление в системе потребительской кооперации, остается одной из самых сложных проблем, как в целом по всем направлениям производства, так и по переработке молока. Современное решение данной проблемы, повышение эффективности производства продукции, улучшение ее качества и снижения себестоимости лежит в основе принципов и инструментов, которые нашли отражение в системе бережливого производства. Бережливое управление становится возможным на основе оптимального учета затрат и управления производством молочной продукции, путем снижения потерь на ожидание, перепроизводство, транспортировки, лишних стадий обработки, ненужных перемещений, выпуска с нарушенной технологией, дефектной упаковки, лишних запасов -  путем регулирования хозяйственных процессов и мобилизации внутренних резервов в деятельности перерабатывающих предприятий системы потребительской кооперации. Предметом исследования является управленческая деятельность при бережливом производстве и переработке молока в предприятиях системы потребкооперации.  Целью исследования является внедрение прогрессивных и необходимых методов учета и управления деятельностью по производству молока в предприятиях системе потребительской кооперации. В соответствии с указанной целью была определена основная задача: выработать рекомендации по совершенствованию учетно-управленческой методики на уменьшение всевозможных издержек и увеличение производительности производства молочной продукции. Эффективность управления деятельности является важным финансово-экономическим показателем производства продукции в системе потребительской кооперации. В настоящей работе проанализированы различные аспекты бережливого производства, учета, контроля и управления с учетом технологических особенностей и бизнес процессов системы потребительской кооперации. Сделан вывод о том, что для эффективности учетного процесса в системе бережливого управления молокоперерабатывающим предприятием, необходимо построение системы учетно-контрольного обеспечения, которая позволит вести детальный учет затрат на производство по всем объектам учета и контроля

Identification of novel risk loci, causal insights, and heritable risk for Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies

Background Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Parkinson's disease have increased the scope of biological knowledge about the disease over the past decade. We aimed to use the largest aggregate of GWAS data to identify novel risk loci and gain further insight into the causes of Parkinson's disease. Methods We did a meta-analysis of 17 datasets from Parkinson's disease GWAS available from European ancestry samples to nominate novel loci for disease risk. These datasets incorporated all available data. We then used these data to estimate heritable risk and develop predictive models of this heritability. We also used large gene expression and methylation resources to examine possible functional consequences as well as tissue, cell type, and biological pathway enrichments for the identified risk factors. Additionally, we examined shared genetic risk between Parkinson's disease and other phenotypes of interest via genetic correlations followed by Mendelian randomisation. Findings Between Oct 1, 2017, and Aug 9, 2018, we analysed 7·8 million single nucleotide polymorphisms in 37 688 cases, 18 618 UK Biobank proxy-cases (ie, individuals who do not have Parkinson's disease but have a first degree relative that does), and 1·4 million controls. We identified 90 independent genome-wide significant risk signals across 78 genomic regions, including 38 novel independent risk signals in 37 loci. These 90 variants explained 16–36% of the heritable risk of Parkinson's disease depending on prevalence. Integrating methylation and expression data within a Mendelian randomisation framework identified putatively associated genes at 70 risk signals underlying GWAS loci for follow-up functional studies. Tissue-specific expression enrichment analyses suggested Parkinson's disease loci were heavily brain-enriched, with specific neuronal cell types being implicated from single cell data. We found significant genetic correlations with brain volumes (false discovery rate-adjusted p=0·0035 for intracranial volume, p=0·024 for putamen volume), smoking status (p=0·024), and educational attainment (p=0·038). Mendelian randomisation between cognitive performance and Parkinson's disease risk showed a robust association (p=8·00 × 10−7). Interpretation These data provide the most comprehensive survey of genetic risk within Parkinson's disease to date, to the best of our knowledge, by revealing many additional Parkinson's disease risk loci, providing a biological context for these risk factors, and showing that a considerable genetic component of this disease remains unidentified. These associations derived from European ancestry datasets will need to be followed-up with more diverse data. Funding The National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (USA), The Michael J Fox Foundation, and The Parkinson's Foundation (see appendix for full list of funding sources)

Defining the causes of sporadic Parkinson's disease in the global Parkinson's genetics program (GP2)

The Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) will genotype over 150,000 participants from around the world, and integrate genetic and clinical data for use in large-scale analyses to dramatically expand our understanding of the genetic architecture of PD. This report details the workflow for cohort integration into the complex arm of GP2, and together with our outline of the monogenic hub in a companion paper, provides a generalizable blueprint for establishing large scale collaborative research consortia

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of Parkinson?s disease

Although over 90 independent risk variants have been identified for Parkinson’s disease using genome-wide association studies, most studies have been performed in just one population at a time. Here we performed a large-scale multi-ancestry meta-analysis of Parkinson’s disease with 49,049 cases, 18,785 proxy cases and 2,458,063 controls including individuals of European, East Asian, Latin American and African ancestry. In a meta-analysis, we identified 78 independent genome-wide significant loci, including 12 potentially novel loci (MTF2, PIK3CA, ADD1, SYBU, IRS2, USP8, PIGL, FASN, MYLK2, USP25, EP300 and PPP6R2) and fine-mapped 6 putative causal variants at 6 known PD loci. By combining our results with publicly available eQTL data, we identified 25 putative risk genes in these novel loci whose expression is associated with PD risk. This work lays the groundwork for future efforts aimed at identifying PD loci in non-European populations

Biological Earth observation with animal sensors

Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is now delivering data on fine-scale animal movement at near-global scale. Linked with remotely sensed environmental data, this offers a biological lens on habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health; a global network of animal sentinels of environmen-tal change

Geoheritage of the Monchegorsk Igneous Layered Paleoproterozoic Intrusion (Kola Peninsula, Arctic Russia): Evaluation and Geotourism Opportunities

Monchegorsk is an intrusion complex of basic and ultrabasic rocks of the Paleoproterozoic age. This complex formed during active magmatic mobility that took place in NE Scandinavia 2.5 Ga years ago. These were the subject of intensive exploration and exploitation at the beginning of the 20th century, the latter carrying on through to the beginning of the 21st century. This contributed to the creation of some different forms of post-industrail mining infrastructure in the area. Many mining settlements, including Monchegorsk, mining plants, adits and quarries were established during this time, the relics of which are still present today. The Monchegorsk intrusions complex is formed by several fragmented massifs: Traviannaya, Kumuzhia, Nittis, Sopcha, Nyud, Poaz, and Monchetundra, the highest elevations of which reach up to 1000 m above sea level. These massifs form a landscape of “islands” and mountain ranges that have influence upon the regional landscape over several tens of kilometers. Their geography is characterized by numerous reliefs, glacial cirques, rocky thresholds with waterfalls and trough lakes. The potential of this region lies in the heritage of historical exploitation, numerous monuments of which have been preserved to this day. An important value is a landscape resulting from the relief of these mountains, highlighted by glacial activity in the Pleistocene. There are also interesting examples of Arctic fauna and flora, and of the rocks that form the bedrock in this intrusion. Some of the mineralization of these outcroppings can also be admired in the collections of the local museum that serves as a geocenter. The possibility of admiring relatively easily accessible views (the international route St. Petersburg–Murmansk–Kirkenes passes through the middle of the hills) and the interesting geology of the area abounding in rocks of mineralogical significance, their exposures, and history, along with the possibility of observing various post-industrail forms, make this area of great tourist potential. This article describes the most interesting exposures of outstanding tourist value and proposes routes connecting these points. It also discusses the problem of securing these exposures and the necessary tourist infrastructure, which is currently lacking

Geoheritage of the Monchegorsk Igneous Layered Paleoproterozoic Intrusion (Kola Peninsula, Arctic Russia): Evaluation and Geotourism Opportunities

Monchegorsk is an intrusion complex of basic and ultrabasic rocks of the Paleoproterozoic age. This complex formed during active magmatic mobility that took place in NE Scandinavia 2.5 Ga years ago. These were the subject of intensive exploration and exploitation at the beginning of the 20th century, the latter carrying on through to the beginning of the 21st century. This contributed to the creation of some different forms of post-industrail mining infrastructure in the area. Many mining settlements, including Monchegorsk, mining plants, adits and quarries were established during this time, the relics of which are still present today. The Monchegorsk intrusions complex is formed by several fragmented massifs: Traviannaya, Kumuzhia, Nittis, Sopcha, Nyud, Poaz, and Monchetundra, the highest elevations of which reach up to 1000 m above sea level. These massifs form a landscape of “islands” and mountain ranges that have influence upon the regional landscape over several tens of kilometers. Their geography is characterized by numerous reliefs, glacial cirques, rocky thresholds with waterfalls and trough lakes. The potential of this region lies in the heritage of historical exploitation, numerous monuments of which have been preserved to this day. An important value is a landscape resulting from the relief of these mountains, highlighted by glacial activity in the Pleistocene. There are also interesting examples of Arctic fauna and flora, and of the rocks that form the bedrock in this intrusion. Some of the mineralization of these outcroppings can also be admired in the collections of the local museum that serves as a geocenter. The possibility of admiring relatively easily accessible views (the international route St. Petersburg–Murmansk–Kirkenes passes through the middle of the hills) and the interesting geology of the area abounding in rocks of mineralogical significance, their exposures, and history, along with the possibility of observing various post-industrail forms, make this area of great tourist potential. This article describes the most interesting exposures of outstanding tourist value and proposes routes connecting these points. It also discusses the problem of securing these exposures and the necessary tourist infrastructure, which is currently lacking