Societal influence and psychological distress among Indonesian adults in Java on the early Omicron wave of COVID-19

Aim

Changes during the COVID-19 pandemic might create pressure on different people, thus this study aimed to measure respondents' psychological distress during the early phase of the Omicron wave in Java Island.

Methods

A web-based survey on societal influence and COVID-19-related psychological distress was distributed through social media in November-December 2021, and received 396 responses.

Results

This study showed that almost 50% of respondents faced psychological distress during the early phase of the Omicron variant, especially concerning hypervigilance and avoidance. Several sociodemographic factors might contribute to the incidence of psychological distress including comorbidity, age and education.

Conclusion

Taken together, the incidence of COVID-19-related psychological distress was still found in the early phase of the Omicron variant, especially among young adults.

Effect of Sexual Racism on Partner Desirability in Gay Asian Men

Sexual racism-including or excluding racial minority members in partner selection based on race-negatively affects Asian men who have sex with men (MSM) across various domains. The current study aims to investigate the effect of potential partners' racial preferences on desirability in Asian MSM. The relationship between sexual racism awareness and partner desirability when evaluating white partners with racial preferences was also investigated. A sample of Asian MSM (N = 128) responded to hypothetical online dating scenarios in which the racial background (Asian/white) and racial preference (none/Asian/white) of facial stimuli were manipulated. A two-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni analyses confirmed that, as hypothesized, among potential white partners, those that exhibited no racial preferences were most desirable, F(1.66, 210.54) = .11.37, p < .001, η_p² = .08. Among potential Asian partners, those that preferred white men were least desirable, F(1.82, 231.60) = 81.95, p < .001, η_p² = .39. Unexpectedly, there was no relationship evident between sexual racism awareness and desirability for potential white partners (in any racial preference condition; all rs < .20). Our findings suggest that overt expression of certain racial preferences can negatively affect desirability in online dating applications.

Response surface methodology application on lubricant oil degradation, performance, and emissions in SI engine: A novel optimization of alcoholic fuel blends

For evaluating the significance of renewable alternative fuels for optimized engine performance and lower emissions, methanol has been extensively utilized as a blend with gasoline in spark-ignition engines. However, rare attempts have been rendered to examine the consequence of methanol-gasoline fuel blends (M6, M12, and M18) on lubricant oil operating for a longer period in engines. The highest and least decrease of 9.62% and 6.68% in kinematic viscosity (KV) was observed for M0 and M18, respectively. However, the flash point (FP) of degraded lubricant oil for M6, M12, and M18 was 3%, 5%, and 7% higher than that of M0, respectively. Total acid number (TAN) and ash content of degraded lubricant oil for M18 were the highest among M0, M6, and M12. An inclusive optimization of engine performance, emissions, and lubricant oil properties has been made for various methanol-gasoline fuel blends at distinct operating conditions by employing the response surface methodology (RSM) technique. RSM-based optimization portrayed the composite desirability value of 0.73 for 2137.13 watt brake power (BP), 6.08 N-m torque, 0.37 kg/kwh brake-specific fuel consumption, 22.10% brake thermal efficiency, 4.02% carbon monoxide emission, 7.15% carbon dioxide emission, 134.12 ppm hydrocarbon emission, 517.02 ppm nitrogen oxides emission, 12.44 cst KV, 203.77°C FP, 2.23 mg/g KOH TAN, and 2.65%wt ash content as responses for fuel blend M8 at 3400 rpm and higher loading condition. RSM predicted results demonstrated significant compliance with empirical findings, with absolute percentage error (APE) below 5% for each response. However, the highest APE of 4.68% was obtained for FP owing to inefficient desirability as a consequence of manual testing. The least APE of 1.57% was obtained for torque because of the highest desirability. Overall, the RSM predicted results of the designed models are effective and viable. RSM technique was found to be effective for the optimization of the broader engine characteristics spectrum.

Green extraction of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) using microwave method for recovery of three valuable fractions (essential oil, phenolic compounds and cannabinoids): a central composite design optimization study

BACKGROUND

Solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is a green extraction method capable of boosting the yield and quality profile of hemp essential oil when compared with other conventional extraction techniques. During this process, two by-products are produced, namely the aqueous residue containing bioactive phenolics and the residual deterpenated biomass, which can be used for further extraction and purification of phytocannabinoids. To date, the hemp industry has not utilized these products, although they can be valuable for the food, cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical market.

RESULTS

This study assessed and optimized the variables affecting MAE efficiency, namely microwave irradiation power, extraction time and added water, which were studied using a central composite design approach, and results were used to optimize the extraction process for recovering three valuable fractions: essential oil, polyphenols and phytocannabinoids. The products obtained using the optimized conditions were characterized in terms of yield, chemical profile and antioxidant potential. Moreover, the by-products obtained during the optimized run were further analyzed in terms of their biological activity using both enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays. The aqueous residue demonstrated a powerful α-glucosidase inhibition, a good activity in terms of superoxide radical scavenging activity, a modest efficacy in terms of inhibition of advanced glycation end products formation and no activity in terms of lipase inhibition. The residual deterpenated biomass did not possess significant biological activity.

CONCLUSION

This work demonstrated valorization of industrial hemp essential oil and its by-products, obtained by a sustainable and eco-friendly extraction method, through an almost waste-free approach. Cannabinoids as well as other valuable bioactive compounds such as glycosidic flavones may be recovered from the residues of the essential oil extraction, representing interesting substances in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical fields. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

More Expensive, More Attractive? The Effect of Pricing on Gift Evaluation: Differences Between Giver and Receiver

The present research explored differences in gift evaluation between gift givers and receivers. Three studies were conducted to test how the pricing influenced the gift evaluations of givers and receivers, and whether the price-quality and price-monetary sacrifice inferences were the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that: givers evaluated high-priced gifts as better than low-priced gifts, whereas receivers evaluated low-priced gifts as better than high-priced gifts; price-quality inference mediated the effect of pricing on gift evaluations, but only for givers. Furthermore, the effect of pricing on gift evaluation was moderated by the gift type: givers evaluated the high-priced gift as better only for the desirable gift (but not for the feasible gift); receivers evaluated the low-priced gift as better only for the feasible gift (but not for the desirable gift). The results demonstrate the effect of pricing on gift evaluation and could contribute to understanding the differences between givers' and receivers' perception of what a "good gift" is, and the underlying psychological mechanisms.

Modeling of the Influence of Input AM Parameters on Dimensional Error and Form Errors in PLA Parts Printed with FFF Technology

As is widely known, additive manufacturing (AM) allows very complex parts to be manufactured with porous structures at a relatively low cost and in relatively low manufacturing times. However, it is necessary to determine in a precise way the input values that allow better results to be obtained in terms of microgeometry, form errors, and dimensional error. In an earlier work, the influence of the process parameters on surface roughness obtained in fused filament fabrication (FFF) processes was analyzed. This present study focuses on form errors as well as on dimensional error of hemispherical cups, with a similar shape to that of the acetabular cup of hip prostheses. The specimens were 3D printed in polylactic acid (PLA). Process variables are nozzle diameter, temperature, layer height, print speed, and extrusion multiplier. Their influence on roundness, concentricity, and dimensional error is considered. To do this, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) models were used. It was observed that dimensional error, roundness, and concentricity depend mainly on the nozzle diameter and on layer height. Moreover, high nozzle diameter of 0.6 mm and high layer height of 0.3 mm are not recommended. A desirability function was employed along with the ANFIS models in order to determine the optimal manufacturing conditions. The main aim of the multi-objective optimization study was to minimize average surface roughness (Ra) and roundness, while dimensional error was kept within the interval Dimensional Error≤0.01. When the simultaneous optimization of both the internal and the external surface of the parts is performed, it is recommended that a nozzle diameter of 0.4 mm be used, to have a temperature of 197 °C, a layer height of 0.1 mm, a print speed of 42 mm/s, and extrusion multiplier of 94.8%. This study will help to determine the influence of the process parameters on the quality of the manufactured parts.

Optimization of wheat flour by product films: A technological and sustainable approach for bio-based packaging material

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the production of sustainable and biodegradable packages made from a little-explored by product of wheat-milling, the glue flour (GF). Films were produced by the casting method and the effect of the incorporation of glycerol, sorbitol, and GF in the properties of the films was investigated following the central composite rotational design (CCRD) approach. The results have been statistically analyzed by the response surface methodology and the desirability function. Due to the rich composition in amylaceous reserve (64.81%; 26% of amylose content), considerable protein content (11.23%), and fibers (8.28%), the GF proved to be suitable for use as a matrix in biopolymer films. All the properties were mainly influenced by the plasticizer type and GF concentration. Film plasticized with glycerol (run 13) was more flexible, had higher moisture (28.39%) content, and was more adhesive than the formulation made with sorbitol (run 11). Film elongation (ELO) ranged from 25.84% to 56.71%, and tensile strength (TS) from 0.10 to 2.8 MPa. The optimized process conditions were 8% for Cf, 0% for Cg, and 4% for Cs. Under these conditions, the films presented low moisture (12.1%), moderate solubility (35.5%) and TS (1.64 MPa), and high ELO (72.06%). This study showed that GF is a promising source for the development of biodegradable films. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Films made from a by product of wheat flour (glue flour) have technological potential to be used as packaging for food products. The valorization of a by product of the agribusiness without pre-treatment for the production of biodegradable films was made possible. The study by casting technique is a previous for scale-up production.

Concept evaluation of a new aircraft passenger privacy bubble using virtual prototyping: A Human-Centered Design framework

BACKGROUND

The Human-Centered Design methodology advocates VR prototyping, as an effective tool to evaluate concepts in a cost-efficient, time-saving way. It is the question of whether it works in the development of a product intended to increase privacy while flying.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aims at the application of virtual reality on the evaluation of a new privacy bubble called PRIVA for the passenger cabin.

METHODS

An interactive VR was created and aligned with the HTC VIVE headset. 40 participants took part in the experiment as well as in the post-experiment survey.

RESULTS

The concept was in overall, desirable as it was perceived to be more private, comfortable, satisfactory, effective, and appealing to participants compared to the current seat experiences. It was also perceived as more satisfactory with regards to the activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The VR was effective, although there are limitations, the product seems promising and should be developed further.

Smartphone App to Address Loneliness Among College Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Loneliness is a widespread and significant problem on college campuses. Prolonged loneliness in young adulthood is a risk factor for concurrent and future mental health problems and attrition, making college a critical time for support. Cognitive and behavioral interventions show promise for decreasing loneliness and can be widely disseminated through technology.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the initial efficacy, feasibility, and desirability of a smartphone app, Nod, designed to deliver cognitive and behavioral skill-building exercises to reduce loneliness during the transition to college.

METHODS

First-year college students (N=221, mean age 18.7 years, 59% female) were recruited online during incoming student orientation, and randomized to either receive immediate access to Nod (experimental group, n=100) or access after 4 weeks (control group, n=121). The app delivered skills via fully automated (1) "social challenges," suggested activities designed to build social connections; (2) reflections, brief cognitive reframing exercises; and (3) student testimonials that encouraged a growth mindset toward social connection building. Main intention-to-treat analyses were used to compare the conditions on self-assessed loneliness, depressive symptoms, and other mental health and college adjustment outcomes at week 4, controlling for baseline values on those variables. Analyses were also performed to test the hypothesis that the treatment benefits would be particularly pronounced for participants with heightened psychological vulnerability at baseline (ie, higher baseline depressive symptoms and loneliness).

RESULTS

Retention was 97% at week 4, and participants viewed an average 36.7 pages of app content. There were no significant condition differences in loneliness at week 4 (F1, 211=0.05, P=.82; ηp2 <.001). However, there was a significant condition-by-baseline depression interaction to predict week-4 loneliness (F1,209=9.65, P=.002; ηp2 =.04). Simple slope analyses indicated that baseline depression positively predicted week-4 loneliness among control participants (r=0.30, t209=3.81, P<.001), but not among experimental participants (r=-0.09, t209=-0.84, P=.40), suggesting that Nod buffered participants with high baseline depression scores from experiencing heightened midquarter loneliness. Similarly, there were no significant condition differences in other week-4 outcomes. However, moderation by baseline vulnerability was found for week-4 depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and indices of college adjustment (eg, perceived social support and campus belonging).

CONCLUSIONS

Although Nod exposure did not impact outcomes for the full sample, these results provide initial evidence of its benefit for vulnerable students. The results of this trial suggest that cognitive and behavioral skills delivered via a mobile app can buffer psychologically vulnerable college students against heightened loneliness and depressive symptoms, as well as other negative college adjustment outcomes. Future work will aim to improve upon app engagement, and to address loneliness among other key populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04164654; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04164654.

Effect of Roasting on the Phytochemical Properties of Three Varieties of Marble Vine (Dioclea reflexa) Using Response Surface Methodology

This study assessed the optimum roasting conditions on the phytochemical properties of three varieties of Dioclea reflexa seeds using response surface methodology. Roasting conditions were varied using temperature (110°C~200°C) and time (10~40 min). Phytochemical components (phenolics, tannin, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, and steroids) of the seeds were screened and estimated. The study showed that availability of phytochemical activities was heat-dependent. An increase in roasting temperature beyond 110°C for 10 min resulted in a decrease in total phenolic (TP) and flavonoid (TF) contents. However, prolonged durations of roasting favored increased amounts of TP and TF in dark and light varieties. Total sterol, tannin, and cardiac glycoside contents increased with increasing roasting temperature and time. The desirability of the models were 0.76, 0.74, and 0.72 for black, dark brown, and light brown, respectively. The coefficients of regression (R2), ranged from 0.66 to 0.98 signifying accuracy of the model. The following models (cubic, quadratic, and 2 factor interaction) were significant (P≤0.05). We found that roasting time influenced the phytochemical properties of D. reflexa to a greater extent than temperature. The optimum roasting temperature and time was found to beat 110°C, 35 min, 40 min, and 32 min in black, dark brown, and light brown varieties, respectively. Roasting conditions significantly affects the phytochemical contents of three varieties of D. reflexa seed flour (P<0.05). Therefore, D. reflexa holds the potential to be used in development of functional foods and in therapeutic applications to promote health.

Improving the Quality of Response Surface Analysis of an Experiment for Coffee-supplemented Milk Beverage: II. Heterogeneous Third-order Models and Multi-response Optimization

This research was motivated by our encounter with the situation where an optimization was done based on statistically non-significant models having poor fits. Such a situation took place in a research to optimize manufacturing conditions for improving storage stability of coffee-supplemented milk beverage by using response surface methodology, where two responses are Y₁=particle size and Y₂=zeta-potential, two factors are F₁=speed of primary homogenization (rpm) and F₂=concentration of emulsifier (%), and the optimization objective is to simultaneously minimize Y₁ and maximize Y₂. For response surface analysis, practically, the second-order polynomial model is almost solely used. But, there exists the cases in which the second-order model fails to provide a good fit, to which remedies are seldom known to researchers. Thus, as an alternative to a failed second-order model, we present the heterogeneous third-order model, which can be used when the experimental plan is a two-factor central composite design having -1, 0, and 1 as the coded levels of factors. And, for multi-response optimization, we suggest a modified desirability function technique. Using these two methods, we have obtained statistical models with improved fits and multi-response optimization results with the predictions better than those in the previous research. Our predicted optimum combination of conditions is (F₁, F₂)=(5,000, 0.295), which is different from the previous combination. This research is expected to help improve the quality of response surface analysis in experimental sciences including food science of animal resources.

A Preliminary Report on the Use of the Design of Experiments for the Production of a Synbiotic Yogurt Supplemented With Gluten FriendlyTM Flour and Bifidobacterium infantis

The main goal of this paper was to design a synbiotic yogurt containing Bifidobacterium infantis and Gluten Friendly FlourTM; the proposed approach relies upon milk fermentation through the classical starter of yogurt (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) to avoid a strong production of acetic acid by bifidobacterial and inoculum of B. infantis after the fermentation. The research was divided in 3 steps. The aim of the first step was the optimization of fermentation kinetic by L. delbureckii and S. thermophilus, by combining the amount of flour (either Gluten Friendly Flour-GF- or Control Flour-CF) in milk, temperature and inoculum level; the factors were combined through a mixture design. As a result of this step, the best combination was pointed out: flour at 2.5 g/l; L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus at 6 log cfu/ml; temperature at 37-40°C. The goal of the second step was to study the effect of flour (2.5 g/l) on the viability of B. infantis. GF prolonged the viability of the probiotic for 14 days. In the last step, a synbiotic yogurt, supplemented with GF and fermented with L. delbureckii and S. thermophilus, and then inoculated with B. infantis, was produced. The product was stored at 8 and 15°C. A positive effect of GF was found at 15°C, with B. infantis at 7.0 log cfu/g in GF sample and 5.5.5.7 log cfu/g in CF sample.

Data-driven multi-objective optimization via grid compatible simplex technique and desirability approach for challenging high throughput chromatography applications

Recently, a grid compatible Simplex variant has been demonstrated to identify optima consistently and rapidly in challenging high throughput (HT) applications in early bioprocess development. Here, this method is extended by deploying it to multi-objective optimization problems. Three HT chromatography case studies are presented, each posing challenging early development situations and including three responses which were amalgamated by the adoption of the desirability approach. The suitability of a design of experiments (DoE) methodology per case study, using regression analysis in addition to the desirability approach, was evaluated for a large number of weights and in the presence of stringent and lenient performance requirements. Despite the adoption of high-order models, this approach had low success in identification of the optimal conditions. For the deployment of the Simplex approach, the deterministic specification of the weights of the merged responses was avoided by including them as inputs in the formulated multi-objective optimization problem, facilitating this way the decision making process. This, and the ability of the Simplex method to locate optima, rendered the presented approach highly successful in delivering rapidly operating conditions, which belonged to the Pareto set and offered a superior and balanced performance across all outputs compared to alternatives. Moreover, its performance was relatively independent of the starting conditions and required sub-minute computations despite its higher order mathematical functionality compared to DoE techniques. These evidences support the suitability of the grid compatible Simplex method for early bioprocess development studies involving complex data trends over multiple responses. © 2018 The Authors Biotechnology Progress published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1393-1406, 2018.

The Impact of Gluten Friendly Flour on the Functionality of an Active Drink: Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus in a Fermented Milk

The Gluten Friendly^TM Technology is an innovative method that induces structural changes in gluten proteins. In this paper a synbiotic fermented milk, containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Gluten Friendly Flour (GFF), was proposed. A mixture design was used to combine flour, temperature and probiotic to study the effects of these variables on the acidification. The experiments were done on both GFF and control flour (CF). Thus, the following conditions were chosen to produce the fermented milk: L. acidophilus at 6.5 log cfu/ml; flour at 2.5 g/l; temperature at 37°C. Then, the fermented milk was produced and stored at 4°C for 90 days. The most important result was the positive effect of GFF on the viability of the probiotic, with a prolongation of the shoulder length to 20 days (12–13 days in the control). Moreover, GFF did not act on the sensory scores and on the physico-chemical parameters.

Agency Leaders' Assessments of Feasibility and Desirability of Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Youth-Serving Organizations Using the Stages of Implementation Completion

Background: This study examined influences on the decisions of administrators of youth-serving organizations to initiate and proceed with implementation of an evidence-based practice (EBP).

Methods: Semi-structured interviews, developed using the Stages of Implementation Completion (SIC) as a framework, were conducted with 19 agency chief executive officers and program directors of 15 organizations serving children and adolescents.

Results: Agency leaders' self-assessments of implementation feasibility and desirability prior to implementation (Pre-implementation) were influenced by intervention affordability, feasibility, requirements, validity, reliability, relevance, cost savings, positive outcomes, and adequacy of information; availability of funding, support from sources external to the agency, and adequacy of technical assistance; and staff availability and attitudes toward innovation in general and EBPs in particular, organizational capacity, fit between the EBP and agency mission and capacity, prior experience with implementation, experience with seeking evidence, and developing consensus. Assessments during the Implementation phase included intervention flexibility and requirements; availability of funding, adequacy of training and technical assistance, and getting sufficient and appropriate referrals; and staffing and implementing with fidelity. Assessments during the Sustainment phase included intervention costs and benefits; availability of funding, support from sources outside of the agency, and need for the EBP; and the fit between the EBP and the agency mission.

Discussion: The results point to opportunities for using agency leader models to develop strategies to facilitate implementation of evidence-based and innovative practices for children and adolescents. The SIC provides a standardized framework for guiding agency leader self-assessments of implementation.

Application and optimisation of air-steam cooking on selected vegetables: impact on physical and antioxidant properties

BACKGROUND

Several studies investigated the impact of different cooking techniques on the quality of vegetables. However, the use of the combined air-steam cooking is still scarcely debated, despite the advantages informally referred by professional catering workers. In this study, its optimisation was studied on Brussels sprouts and pumpkin cubes to obtain the best physical (texture, colour) and antioxidant (FRAP, total phenols) response, in comparison to a conventional steaming treatment.

RESULTS

Increasing the strength of the air-steam treatment, Brussels sprouts resulted to be softer, less green (higher a* value), richer in phenols and exhibited lower FRAP values than the steamed ones. The air-steamed pumpkin cubes exhibited an equivalent softening degree to that of steamed ones and, under the strongest cooking conditions, a higher antioxidant quality and a yellow darkening (lower b* value). Varying the cooking time and/or temperature, a linear change of force/compression hardness and a* (negative a*: greenness) for Brussels sprouts, b* (yellowness) and total phenol content for pumpkin cubes was observed. A predictive model for these variables was obtained by response surface methodology. The best process conditions to achieve the optimal desirability were also identified.

CONCLUSION

The application of air-steam cooking under suitable time/temperature conditions could be proposed as an alternative method to a traditional steam cooking on Brussels sprouts and pumpkin cubes, being able to preserve or improve their quality. The best air-steam cooking conditions were 25 min at 90 °C for Brussels sprouts and 10 min at 110 °C for pumpkin. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Valence-Dependent Belief Updating: Computational Validation

People tend to update beliefs about their future outcomes in a valence-dependent way: they are likely to incorporate good news and to neglect bad news. However, belief formation is a complex process which depends not only on motivational factors such as the desire for favorable conclusions, but also on multiple cognitive variables such as prior beliefs, knowledge about personal vulnerabilities and resources, and the size of the probabilities and estimation errors. Thus, we applied computational modeling in order to test for valence-induced biases in updating while formally controlling for relevant cognitive factors. We compared biased and unbiased Bayesian models of belief updating, and specified alternative models based on reinforcement learning. The experiment consisted of 80 trials with 80 different adverse future life events. In each trial, participants estimated the base rate of one of these events and estimated their own risk of experiencing the event before and after being confronted with the actual base rate. Belief updates corresponded to the difference between the two self-risk estimates. Valence-dependent updating was assessed by comparing trials with good news (better-than-expected base rates) with trials with bad news (worse-than-expected base rates). After receiving bad relative to good news, participants' updates were smaller and deviated more strongly from rational Bayesian predictions, indicating a valence-induced bias. Model comparison revealed that the biased (i.e., optimistic) Bayesian model of belief updating better accounted for data than the unbiased (i.e., rational) Bayesian model, confirming that the valence of the new information influenced the amount of updating. Moreover, alternative computational modeling based on reinforcement learning demonstrated higher learning rates for good than for bad news, as well as a moderating role of personal knowledge. Finally, in this specific experimental context, the approach based on reinforcement learning was superior to the Bayesian approach. The computational validation of valence-dependent belief updating represents a novel support for a genuine optimism bias in human belief formation. Moreover, the precise control of relevant cognitive variables justifies the conclusion that the motivation to adopt the most favorable self-referential conclusions biases human judgments.

The Effect of Overconfidence on Persistent Behavior: The Mediation Effect of "I Think I Can Do It" Rather Than "I'm Attracted To It"

The present study explored the effects of state overconfidence on persistent behavior with consideration of feasibility and desirability as mediators. The persistent behaviors of 61 participants (35 women, 26 men; M age = 20.9 yr, SD = 1.9), placed in overconfidence and under-confidence groups based on random positive or negative bogus feedback, were measured. Results showed that participants with overconfidence were more persistent in solving problems than were those with under-confidence. Further mediation analyses revealed that the rating of the feasibility rather than the desirability of the task mediated the influence of state overconfidence on persistent behaviors. These findings provided future support for the self-justification hypothesis, and addressed arguments regarding the origins of overconfidence.

Optimization, ex vivo permeation, and stability study of lipid nanocarrier loaded gelatin capsules for treatment of intermittent claudication

In this study, an optimized nanodispersible oral dosage form (containing a lactate ester) was developed for cilostazol (CZL). CZL is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor used for intermittent claudication. We aimed to improve the dissolution rate and absorption of CZL giving it a better chance of oral bioavailability, and to evaluate its stability on storage. Suitable compositions of nanoemulsion preconcentrate formulations were screened via solubility and compatibility tests. Response surface methodology and a desirability approach were applied to optimize preconcentrates containing minimum amount of surfactant mixture, maximum amount of lipid, and possessing the smallest globule size, with the highest emulsification and dissolution rates and minimum risk of drug precipitation. As part of the optimization process, the main effect, interaction effects and quadratic effects of amounts of lipid, and surfactant/co-surfactant ratio on % transmittance, globule size, emulsification time, drug precipitation, and drug release were investigated. The optimized formulation consisting of 28.9% butyl lactate, 28.9% Capryol, 27.82% Solubilisant Gamma 2429, and 14.18% Transcutol possessing a globule size of 60 nm was mixed with Aerosil 200. This gave uniform free flowing granules, which were characterized for surface and powder properties. The self-nanoemulsifying granules (SNEGs) filled into hard gelatin capsules showed two- and threefold increase in CZL released compared with conventional tablet and pure drug, respectively. The amount of drug permeated using non-everted sac technique from the SNEGs was twofold higher than that permeated from the tablet suspension. The shelf life was 526 days at 25°C. Our study illustrated that the developed SNEGs, with bioenhancing ingredients, held great potential as a superior alternative to traditional oral formulations of CZL.

Multi criteria decision making to select the best method for the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles of rasagiline mesylate using analytic hierarchy process

The objective of this study was to select best method for the development of rasagiline mesylate (RM) loaded nanoscale solid lipid particles using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Improper method selection may lead to waste of time, loss of material and financial resources. One of the possibilities to overcome these difficulties, AHP was employed to find the suitable method. In the AHP, a decision of hierarchy was constructed with a goal, criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives. After constructing the AHP, the expert choice software was used to compute the overall priority of criteria, sub-criteria and alternatives. The best alternative selected was based on the highest priority. Nanoscale solid lipid particles of RM was formulated by the selected microemulsion method (M4) and it shows the particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential were within acceptable limits. Drug content and entrapment efficiency of the RM-solid lipid nanoparticles were 97.26% and 86.57%, respectively. This study concludes that the AHP was viable and effective tool for selecting a most suitable method for the fabrication of RM loaded nanoscale solid lipid particles.

Alcohol myopia and goal commitment

According to alcohol myopia theory, acute alcohol consumption leads people to disproportionally focus on the salient rather than the peripheral aspects of a situation. We summarize various studies exploring how myopic processes resulting from acute alcohol intake affect goal commitment. After consuming alcohol student participants felt strongly committed to an important personal goal even though they had low expectations of successfully attaining the goal. However, once intoxicated participants were sober again (i.e., not myopic anymore) they failed to act on their goal commitment. In line with alcohol myopia theory, strong goal commitment as a result of alcohol intake was mediated by intoxicated (vs. sober) participants disproportionally focusing on the desirability rather than the feasibility of their goal. Further supporting alcohol myopia theory, when the low feasibility of attaining a particular goal was experimentally made salient (either explicitly or implicitly by subliminal priming), intoxicated participants felt less committed than those who consumed a placebo. We discuss these effects of acute alcohol intake in the context of research on the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on goal commitment.

Purchase decision-making is modulated by vestibular stimulation

Purchases are driven by consumers’ product preferences and price considerations. Using caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS), we investigated the role of vestibular-affective circuits in purchase decision-making. CVS is an effective noninvasive brain stimulation method, which activates vestibular and overlapping emotional circuits (e.g., the insular cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)). Subjects were exposed to CVS and sham stimulation while they performed two purchase decision-making tasks. In Experiment 1 subjects had to decide whether to purchase or not. CVS significantly reduced probability of buying a product. In Experiment 2 subjects had to rate desirability of the products and willingness to pay (WTP) while they were exposed to CVS and sham stimulation. CVS modulated desirability of the products but not WTP. The results suggest that CVS interfered with emotional circuits and thus attenuated the pleasant and rewarding effect of acquisition, which in turn reduced purchase probability. The present findings contribute to the rapidly growing literature on the neural basis of purchase decision-making.