A global look at time: a 24-country study of the equivalence of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory

In this article, we assess the structural equivalence of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) across 26 samples from 24 countries (N = 12,200). The ZTPI is proven to be a valid and reliable index of individual differences in time perspective across five temporal categories: Past Negative, Past Positive, Present Fatalistic, Present Hedonistic, and Future. We obtained evidence for invariance of 36 items (out of 56) and also the five-factor structure of ZTPI across 23 countries. The short ZTPI scales are reliable for country-level analysis, whereas we recommend the use of the full scales for individual-level analysis. The short version of ZTPI will further promote integration of research in the time perspective domain in relation to many different psycho-social processes

Analysis of Alternative Methods of Environmental Monitoring for Listeria in Food Production Facilities

Validated alternative test methodologies may be used in place of culture-based methods recommended for environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) for Listeria in food production facilities. In order to help guide decisions on which testing method to use to simplify Listeria EMP implementation in food production facilities, alternative methods were compared to the culture-based method in actual EMPs for Listeria. Seventy-two samples collected from two facilities of souzai production businesses that use meat and meat products as ingredients, one facility of processed meat product production business, and one facility of processed meat product and souzai production business were applied to EMPs for Listeria using the culture-based method, 3MTM Molecular Detection System (MDS), and InSite L. mono Glo (InSite). The kappa coefficient in MDS was 0.65 for Listeria monocytogenes and 0.74 for Listeria spp., both of which were deemed substantial compared with the culture-based method. The kappa coefficient in InSite was −0.01 for L. monocytogenes and 0.50 for Listeria spp., which indicated poor and moderate reproducibility, respectively. When the medium of InSite was smeared on agar medium, 7 of the 19 samples tested positive only for Listeria spp. (negative for L. monocytogenes) but L. monocytogenes was cultured, indicating that the sensitivity of detecting L. monocytogenes via fluorescence may be low. MDS was considered a useful alternative for both L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. as targets, and InSite was not possible as a substitute for detecting L. monocytogenes; however, it is considered a helpful alternative method for detecting Listeria spp. EMPs for Listeria often target Listeria spp. as an indicator of L. monocytogenes. The alternative methods studied in this study are rapid, simple, and useful in EMPs for Listeria. However, the data in this study were a comparatively small sample set and impacted by variability, so more robust comparisons are desirable in the future

Environmental Monitoring of Food Manufacturing Facilities for Listeria: A Case Study

Environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) for food production facilities are useful for verifying general sanitation controls and are recommended as verification measures to ensure that the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan is working effectively. In this study, EMPs for Listeria were conducted at three food production facilities to assess the efficacy of sanitation control and establish effective sanitation control methods. In Facility A, L. monocytogenes was detected in the clean area although in Zone 3, non–food-contact surfaces. To prevent contamination from dirty areas, the cleaning practices in the preparation room were investigated. Normal cleaning combined with disinfection with carbonated hypochlorite water (chlorine concentration, 150 ppm) proved effective. At Facility B, a salad product and its ingredients (pastrami and salami) were positive for L. monocytogenes serotype 3b. The bacterial count was <10/g in all samples. However, when inoculated with L. monocytogenes isolates, the growth of approximately 2 log cfu/g was observed on pastrami after 48 h of incubation at 10°C. The ingredients were commercially purchased blocks that were sliced in a slicer at Facility B and used as salad toppings. Because both unopened blocks were negative for L. monocytogenes, contamination of the slicer was suspected. Sampling of the slicer revealed that contamination by L. monocytogenes serotype 3b was more extensive after use than before use. Therefore, the slicer was disassembled, cleaned, and disinfected thoroughly. In Facility C, L. monocytogenes serotype 4b (4e) was detected in all the dirty, semiclean, and clean areas. The strain was also isolated from the wheels of a smoking cart transported across the zones. Therefore, efforts were made to frequently clean and disinfect the cart. EMPs revealed the presence of Listeria in each facility and allowed remedial measures to be undertaken. Continued monitoring and Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles were considered desirable

A global look at time: a 24-country study of the equivalence of the Zimbardo time perspective inventory

In this article, we assess the structural equivalence of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) across 26 samples from 24 countries (N = 12,200). The ZTPI is proven to be a valid and reliable index of individual differences in time perspective across five temporal categories: Past Negative, Past Positive, Present Fatalistic, Present Hedonistic, and Future. We obtained evidence for invariance of 36 items (out of 56) and also the five-factor structure of ZTPI across 23 countries. The short ZTPI scales are reliable for country-level analysis, whereas we recommend the use of the full scales for individual-level analysis. The short version of ZTPI will further promote integration of research in the time perspective domain in relation to many different psycho-social processes

Time perspective profiles of cultures

This chapter summarises some results of the International Time Perspective Research Project, which is a collaborative cross-cultural study of time perspective carried out in 24 countries. The highlights of structural equivalence assessment study are presented, showing the cross-cultural invariance of 36 items of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) scale. The associations between country-level ZTPI scores and other culture-level indicators, including the Human Development Index and Hofstede cultural dimensions, are presented and discussed. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, five distinct profiles of time perspective were found (future-oriented, present-oriented, balanced, moderately fatalistic, and negative), and significant differences in the prevalence of these profiles across cultures were found. Implications and perspectives for future research are discussed