ABSTRACT
With the rapid development of digital technology in recent years, virtual funerals and the reproduction of deceased persons in digital spaces have become possible. However, few empirical studies have been conducted on this topic. This study assessed the attitudes of bereaved people toward digital bonds with their deceased relatives, and explored related factors. A survey was administered to bereaved, middle-aged Japanese citizens who had lost a first-degree relative within the previous 10 years. The results showed that most respondents did not seek digital bonds, but nearly 20% wanted to be reunited with their deceased in a digital space. The desire to maintain digital bonds was significantly related to other variables, such as the deceased's age and years since their death. Regression analysis revealed that the desire for digital bonds predicted complicated grief 5 months later. The findings suggest that digital bonds may influence post-bereavement maladjustment.
ABSTRACT
Gatekeeper training for university students is a promising suicide prevention approach. However, there is a lack of comparative studies with control groups and the effectiveness of online gatekeeper training programs is unclear. We investigated the effectiveness of brief online gatekeeper training for Japanese university students. Participants were divided into two groups (training or control) and answered surveys at three time points (pretest, posttest, follow-up). The gatekeeper training improved students' knowledge. Skills were also improved post-training but returned to baseline level at follow-up. A brief online program may improve knowledge, but the effect is limited.
Subject(s)
East Asian People , Suicide Prevention , Humans , Universities , Feasibility Studies , StudentsABSTRACT
The relationship between fouling development in a continuous laboratory-scale membrane reactor (MBR/Lab) and the membrane material was investigated using flat-sheet membranes prepared from four materials (polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polyethersulfone, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene). Further, the characteristics of the suspension liquid in MBR/Lab were compared with those of samples from actual wastewater treatment plants. It was found that, in addition to the membrane material's own characteristics, the structural vulnerability of the membranes had a determining effect on fouling development. The PVDF membrane showed the highest transmembrane pressure during MBR operation and its surface experienced significant damage because of the shearing stress caused by aeration, resulting in the penetration of the membrane by the fouling compounds. The characteristics of suspension liquid in MBR/Lab were almost similar to those in the MBR at a night-soil treatment plant and the aeration tank of a sewage treatment plant.
