The effect of depressive symptoms, mental distress and empathy on embodiment of the rubber hand illusion

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of depression, mental distress and empathy on the strength of the rubber hand illusion (RHI). The RHI is a perceptual illusion that is thought to occur as a result of visual capture during multimodal sensory stimulation. The RHI was induced in participants by synchronous stroking of their real hand and the visible fake hand for two minutes. Participants were then requested to complete a nine-item questionnaire on the strength of the illusion, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), which was used to screen for depressive symptoms and general mental distress, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to assess each participant’s level of empathy. Results showed that depression and mental distress were positively correlated with embodiment of the RHI, and that the mean score on both the depression and mental distress scales was higher for individuals who experienced the illusion than those who did not. Contrary to the existing literature the correlations found between empathy and strength of the RHI were found for cognitive aspects rather than affective aspects of empathy. The implications of the current study are that individuals who are psychologically less healthy are more likely to experience the illusion. It is possible that diminished interoceptive awareness is responsible for entrainment of the illusion, and this represents a promising avenue for future research

Working the crowd for forensic research: A review of contributor motivation and recruitment strategies used in crowdsourcing and crowdfunding for scientific research

Crowdsourcing and crowdfunding have been successfully used in a range of scientific disciplines and present opportunities for forensic researchers to draw on the power of large numbers of people to contribute to research projects through participation or by providing an alternative source of funding. This review aimed to examine whether contributors to crowd science and crowdfunding for scientific research are motivated to participate or provide financial support by the same factors, and to examine recruitment strategies in an attempt to identify a potential crowd for forensic researchers to approach. There was found to be limited research into crowdfunding for scientific research that addressed the motivations of contributors or recruitment strategies used, and no conclusions could be made. There is a need to overcome low response rates and high attrition over the lifetime of a crowd science project or crowdfunding appeal. It is necessary to target a large number of people who are interested in the subject studied and who want to make a difference in some way and contribute to science. True crime podcast audiences are proposed as they present large numbers of listeners who are interested in forensic science, criminal investigation or law enforcement. These audiences have been targeted for successful fundraising efforts and invitations to participate in crowd activities previously. They should be considered by forensic researchers who are looking to venture into crowdsourcing or crowdfunding for research projects

Application of natural dyes in textile industry and the treatment of dye solutions using electrolytic techniques

Anodic oxidation of a commercial dye, methylene blue (MB), from aqueous solutions using an electrochemical cell is reported. Data are provided on the effects of eight different types of supporting electrolytes, concentration of electrolytes, initial dye concentration, current and electrolytic time on the percentage removal of methylene blue. Anodic oxidation was found to be effective in achieving the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The optimised electrolytic conditions, for the removal of methylene blue (MB), were applied to the removal of azure A (AA), azure B (AB), azure C (AC), toluidine blue 0 (TBO), new methylene blue (NMB), dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB), thionine (TH), methylene green (MG), methyl violet (MV), Nile blue (NB), neutral red (NR), acridine orange (AO) and resorufin (RS) from aqueous solutions containing sodium chloride. Results indicated that between 84 to 100% of each dye of phenothiazine was removed during 60 minutes of electrolysis. The percentage removals for the phenothiazine dyes followed the following decreasing order: (MG ≈ MV) > (DMMB ≈ AA) > (AB ≈ AC ≈ NMB) > TBO > TH. However, the azine, acridine and oxazine dyes showed between 98 to 99% colour removal and the following decreasing order: NB ≈ NR > AO ≈ RS. Strongly electron withdrawing substituents such as nitro group or carbonyl group increases the degradation of the phenothiazine chromophore, whereas the electron donating groups such as amino and alkyl amino groups decrease the degradation. Anodic oxidation studies were extended to the destruction of eight permitted food colours, with azo and triarylmethane chromophore, from aqueous solution containing either sodium chloride or sodium sulphate as a supporting electrolyte. Again, sodium chloride was found to be the best supporting electrolyte and between 97 to 100% colour removal was achieved after 60 minutes of electrolysis. The percentage removal for the single azo based colourants followed the following increasing order: carmoisine > sunset yellow FCF > amaranth > ponceau 411 > tartrazine. However, the binary and ternary mixtures of food colour showed the following increasing order: blue > green > yellow food colours. The extractions and applications of 54 different types of natural dyes (53 from plants and one from animal origin) are evaluated using simple techniques. The extracted natural dyes were applied in dyeing three types of textile fabrics viz: a) paj silk, b) brushed cotton twill and c) crystallized shimmering satin. The effects of two eco-friendly mordants (alum and iron) on the dyeing process were compared with the dyeing process without mordants. The colour fastness to wash and light (both natural and artificial sun light) of these natural dyes were also assessed. The results showed that out of the 54 dyestuffs studied, 32 plants are potentially able to produce marketable natural dyes. These dyes produced good colour and met minimal performance standards for colour fastness to light and washing. The addition of mordants generally increased the fastness properties. Silk gave the best performance of dyeing uptake and stability. Cotton gave the poorest fastness properties. The overall results showed that, considering molecular associations, the fastness properties were of the order: anthraquinones and tannins> indigoid > flavones> flavonols > flavanols> carotenoids> anthocyanins. Anodic oxidation studies were extended to the destruction of ten natural dyes from aqueous solutions containing either sodium chloride or sodium sulphate as a supporting electrolyte. Anodic oxidation was effective in achieving the removal of green tea (35%), spinach (69%), Langdale yellow and turmeric (95%), carmine, saffron, henna (97%), beetroot, karkade and sumac (98%). However, TOC measurements and the UV analyses indicated that some organic intermediate compounds were formed in the presence of sodium chloride.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceAl-Fateh UniversityLibyan GovernmentGBUnited Kingdo

Solid phase synthesis of a metronidazole oligonucleotide conjugate

Direct, solid phase synthesis of an oligonucleotide conjugate of the antibiotic drug metronidazole was accomplished by the phosphoramidite method. Removal of protecting groups and cleavage from the controlled pore glass (CPG) solid support was successful using mild conditions (20% EtN in pyridine, then conc. NH (aq) at rt for 30 min) whereas standard conditions (conc. NH (aq) at 55°C for 16 h) cleaved the drug

Working the crowd for forensic research: A review of contributor motivations and recruitment strategies used in crowdsourcing and crowdfunding for scientific research

Crowdsourcing and crowdfunding for scientific research have been used successfully in a range of fields. This review found that crowdsourcing can be a useful tool in scientific research, but project organisers must ensure that they develop clear goals and experimental protocols and provide instructions or training for contributors along with user-friendly tools and interfaces. There must be effective methods of validating data to ensure the study is robust. Effective communication strategies are essential to aid in recruitment and to provide feedback to contributors. Crowdfunding for scientific research provides an alternative source of funding for projects and particularly favours junior researchers and early-stage research. Research into scientific crowdfunding has demonstrated that platform selection, communication, use of rewards and promotion by other parties contribute to the success of a fundraising campaign. A key aspect of successful crowdsourcing and crowdfunding is targeting appeals to a motivated crowd of individuals. This opens up a new area of research to identify an appropriate target audience to support crowdsourcing and crowdfunding of forensic research