Active Modes Research Articles

Evaluating the quality of technology integration across seven European countries with the ICAP Technology Scale

AbstractInteractive, constructive, active and passive technology scale (ICAP-TS) is a relatively new developed instrument representing an essential literature need. Through this cross-cultural study, we strived to accomplish a three-fold aim. Firstly, we aspired to verify the scale's construct validity and reliability on a large sample of teachers across seven European countries. Secondly, we aimed to evaluate the quality of technology integration (TI) on this heterogeneous sample with the ICAP-TS to explore for which learning activities teachers use technologies, within which ICAP learning/engaging modes and how often. Thirdly, we strived to examine relationships between the different technology types (TT) and TI in ICAP learning modes. The research involved 2277 primary and lower secondary school teachers. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the internal structure of ICAP-TS corresponds well to the overall sample, but for some countries, the model fit should be further refined. Exploratory factor analysis extracted two basic components of TT—passive and active. On a general level teachers most often integrate technology into passive learning mode with the usage of passive TT, but if these results are observed within each country separately, this is not the case everywhere. Passive TT predicts TI into passive, active, and constructive modes more, while active TT predicts TI into interactive, constructive and active modes. This study has several implications. For example future research topics can include reviewing, revising, or adding new items to the ICAP-TS related to ICAP theory to improve its validity. Other recommendations are stated in the discussion.

Multiple sclerosis and self-alienation: a study based on self and others representations

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. MS causes many changes in the lives of its patients, forcing them to renegotiate their lives. Part of these changes are related to patients’ self- and others- mental representations. Despite the importance of mental representations in changes caused by or adaptation to MS, limited research has been conducted to examine the mental representations of people with MS.MethodsThis study examines the mental representations that Healthy Controls (HC) and people with MS (PWMS) have of themselves and others, including childhood and current self-images, as well as those of their mothers, love partners, and close friends. In both groups (HC (n = 82) and PWMS (n = 82)), participants completed demographic variables as well as a modified version of the comfortable interpersonal distance (CID) task in both passive (when protagonists approached them) and active modes (when participants approach protagonists). Participants estimated the point at which they felt discomforted.ResultsThe PWMS group preferred a significantly larger interpersonal distance than the HC group for both current self-image and love partner. There is no difference between the two groups in preferring interpersonal distance from their childhood self-image, mother, and friends.ConclusionsBased on the research results, it seems that PWMS experience a kind of alienation at the level of self-mental representations. This research can be helpful in modifying MS interventions and increasing the engagement of support systems.

Light-Mediated Radical Addition to Azomethine Compounds: Novel Reactivity and Activation Modes.

Azomethines is a class of compounds, which have traditionally served as electrophilic substrates, but their reactions with radicals have long been limited. Photocatalysis provided ample opportunities for promoting these reactions, with wide variety of reagents serving as precursors of radicals. Besides regular addition mode at the azomethine fragment, the oxidative pathway, in which the C=N bond remains in the product, has become possible by proper selection of redox catalyst. This review summarizes new developments in this rapidly developing field over the past five years. New concepts on activation of the C=N bond towards radical attack are discussed.

Raman intensity enhancement of Raman active and forbidden modes induced by naturally occurred hot spot at GaAs edge

Abstract Edge structures are ubiquitous in the processing and fabrication of various optoelectronic devices. Novel physical properties and enhanced light-matter interactions are anticipated to occur at crystal edges due to its broken spatial translational symmetry. However, the intensity of first-order Raman scattering at crystal edges has been rarely explored, although the mechanical stress and edge characteristics have been thoroughly studied by the Raman peak shift and the spectral features of the edge-related Raman modes. Here, by taking GaAs crystal with a well-defined edge as an example, we reveal the intensity enhancement of Raman-active modes and the emergence of Raman-forbidden modes under specific polarization Raman configurations at the edge. This is attributed to the presence of hot spot at the edge, due to the redistributed electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic wave propagations of incident laser and Raman signal near the edge, which are confirmed by the finite-difference time-domain simulations. Spatially-resolved Raman intensity of both Raman-active and Raman-forbidden modes near the edge is calculated based on the redistributed electromagnetic fields, which quantitatively reproduce the corresponding experimental result. These findings offer new insights into the intensity enhancement of Raman scattering at crystal edges and presents a new avenue to manipulate the light-matter interactions of crystal by manufacturing various types of edges and to characterize the edge structures in photonic and optoelectronic devices.

RELIABILITY MODELING AND STOCHASTIC EVALUATION OF A MACHINE OF VARIOUS UNITS WITH IMMEDIATE REPAIR OF FAILED UNIT

This article discusses the design reliability and quality of dairy products. Reliability and stochastic analysis of a dairy plant divided into two units using the regenerative method. At startup time, both units are in active mode. If one of the units fails, the system remains in active mode but goes into a reduced state. If both units fail, the system enters an invalid state. The distribution of the repair time is arbitrary in this system, whereas the malfunctioning time is exponentially distributed. With the data gathered from the milk plant, we assess average time to system failure, availability, busy time, and profitability through a mathematical analysis in this work that makes use of the Laplace transform, semi-Markov process, and regenerative point. Consequently, the conclusion of this paper helps plant managers make timely maintenance decisions and enhance the system’s overall performance.

Polarity-Reversed Functionalization of Aliphatic Aldehydes via Divergent Nickel Hydride Catalysis.

Divergent catalysis represents an exciting frontier for unlocking molecular structural diversity and exploring new activation modes. Here, we report the unexpected discovery of polarity-reversed divergent activation and functionalization of aliphatic aldehydes, where enolizable aliphatic aldehydes are selectively activated by nickel hydride to form two distinct alkylnickel intermediates divergently. This mild and operationally simple process enables the transformation of a wide variety of readily available aliphatic aldehydes, along with alkyl or aryl electrophiles, into the corresponding secondary alcohols or more challenging deoxygenated alkanes with excellent chemoselectivity.

Integrating drivers of pro-environmental behavior and physical activity to explore (in) compatibilities between an active and an environmentally sustainable lifestyle

IntroductionSport and outdoor activities have benefits on people’s health and well-being but may also increase the frequency of unsustainable behaviors. The present study explores drivers of travel mode choice and consumption of material (clothes and equipment) associated with physical activity to clarify the extent to which an active and sustainable lifestyle is compatible. The role of identity and varying levels of internalized motivation for pro-environmental behaviors (autonomous and controlled environmental motivation) and engagement in physical activity (autonomous and controlled activity motivation) was examined. In addition, socio-demographic, physical context, and life situation correlates of environmentally significant behaviors associated with physical activity were analyzed.MethodsA survey of a random sample of the general public in Sweden (n = 1013) was conducted.ResultsAfter controlling for hours of physical activity, the study showed that environmental self-identity was related to a lower likelihood of using the car alone via autonomous environmental motivation and to a higher likelihood of buying and selling used material via controlled environmental motivation. Physical activity drivers displayed diverse impacts on environmentally significant behaviors, e.g., athlete identity was associated with a higher likelihood of using the car alone and buying new material, but also selling used material. Being a member of a sport or outdoor organization was related to a higher likelihood of using the car alone and buying new material, but also using active travel modes as well as buying and selling used material.DiscussionWith a better understanding of the drivers of environmentally significant behaviors in this domain, strategies to encourage sustainable transport and circular flows of material in sports and outdoors can be outlined.

Optimized leakage control in CMOS NAND gates: The In-Triggering technique

Abstract Leakage power, now the largest contributor to integrated circuit power consumption, is rising quickly, according to the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). As CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technology continues to shrink to deep submicron levels, gate leakage and subthreshold have become important components that contribute to total power dissipation. To address this problem, many methods have been put forth, especially at the circuit level. In 45 nm CMOS, variability and short-channel effects limit noise margins and compromise gate delays, thereby compromising the timing closure and robustness of ultra-low voltage circuits. The resulting supply voltage guardband may reduce energy efficiency in order to achieve a reasonable production yield. Furthermore, the high leakage currents of these technologies decrease energy efficiency when idle intervals are prolonged. In this study, two designs of a novel two-input NAND gate at 45 nm CMOS technology are constructed using eight transistors (8-T). A novel circuit technique named "In-Triggering (INDEP with Bi-Triggering)" is presented in this study with the goal of lowering subthreshold leakage in digital circuits. This method is thoroughly contrasted with other leakage reduction strategies now in use, such as Base, Sleepy LECTOR, LECTOR, INDEP, and Bi-Triggering procedures. Evaluation is done using key performance measures such power-delay product (PDP), latency, subthreshold leakage power, and total power consumption. 45-nm Predictive Technology Models (PTM) with a nominal supply voltage of 1V are used in the investigation. According to our findings, the suggested In-Triggering technique outperforms the conventional NAND gate in terms of speed by 12% and significantly reduces leakage power by up to 56%. Furthermore, compared to the Base, Trig01, and INDEP NAND gates, the method offers mean power savings of 58.8%, 36.1%, and 30.7%, respectively. At supply voltages of 1V, a comprehensive comparison and verification are then conducted utilizing the several proposed and existing methodologies. The effectiveness of the In-Triggering technique in reducing leakage power in CMOS circuits is confirmed by comparing these results to the most well-known design strategies for both active operation and sleep modes.

The use of party websites for political information among Spanish party activists

Scholars have shown that activists use the Internet for political purposes more often than passive rank-and-file members. Previous research indicates activists engage in different types of activities and with various levels of intensity. However, it is unclear to what extent such modes of party activism are linked to different uses of digital resources. Our paper contributes to the existing research by explaining what drives party website usage as an informational tool among different groups of party activists. Building on survey data from delegates attending party conferences between 2008 and 2017 in Spain, we test three main organisational drivers of party website use: the modes of internal activism, holding party offices, and ideological congruence. Our results confirm that those activists engaging in a wider range of activities, holding a party office, and being more ideologically congruent with their parties are more likely to use the party website frequently than the rest.

Hederagenin is a Highly Selective Antagonist of the Neuropeptide FF Receptor 1 that Reveals Mechanisms for Subtype Selectivity

AbstractRF‐amide peptide receptors including the neuropeptide FF receptor 1 (NPFFR1) are G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) that modulate diverse physiological functions. High conservation of endogenous ligands and receptors makes the identification of selective ligands challenging. Previously identified antagonists mimic the C‐terminus of peptide ligands and lack selectivity towards the closely related neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFFR2) or the neuropeptide Y1 receptor (Y1R). In a high‐throughput screening, we identified the pentacyclic triterpenoid hederagenin (1) as a novel selective antagonist for the NPFFR1. Hederagenin (1) is a natural product isolated from Hedera helix (ivy). We characterized its mode of activity using in vitro and in silico methods, revealing an overlapping binding site of the small molecule with the orthosteric peptide agonists. Despite the high similarity of the orthosteric binding pockets of NPFFR1 and NPFFR2, hederagenin (1) shows strong subtype selectivity, particularly caused by slight differences in the shape of the binding pockets and the rigidity of the small molecule. Several residues inhibiting the activity of hederagenin (1) at the NPFFR2 were identified. As NPFFR1 antagonists are discussed as potential candidates for the treatment of chronic pain, these insights into the structural determinants governing subtype specificity will facilitate the development of next‐generation analgesics with improved safety and efficacy.

Hederagenin is a Highly Selective Antagonist of the Neuropeptide FF Receptor 1 that Reveals Mechanisms for Subtype Selectivity.

RF-amide peptide receptors including the neuropeptide FF receptor 1 (NPFFR1) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that modulate diverse physiological functions. High conservation of endogenous ligands and receptors makes the identification of selective ligands challenging. Previously identified antagonists mimic the C-terminus of peptide ligands and lack selectivity towards the closely related neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFFR2) or the neuropeptide Y1 receptor (Y1R). In a high-throughput screening, we identified the pentacyclic triterpenoid hederagenin (1) as a novel selective antagonist for the NPFFR1. Hederagenin (1) is a natural product isolated from Hedera helix (ivy). We characterized its mode of activity using in vitro and in silico methods, revealing an overlapping binding site of the small molecule with the orthosteric peptide agonists. Despite the high similarity of the orthosteric binding pockets of NPFFR1 and NPFFR2, hederagenin (1) shows strong subtype selectivity, particularly caused by slight differences in the shape of the binding pockets and the rigidity of the small molecule. Several residues inhibiting the activity of hederagenin (1) at the NPFFR2 were identified. As NPFFR1 antagonists are discussed as potential candidates for the treatment of chronic pain, these insights into the structural determinants governing subtype specificity will facilitate the development of next-generation analgesics with improved safety and efficacy.

Neuroadaptive Control of a Continuum Robot for Finger Rehabilitation

This study has designed an easy-to-wear parallel continuum robot-based hand rehabilitation system that supports and enhances the finger’s flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction movements. The primary novelty of the proposed system lies in its ability to focus therapeutic exercises on a single joint, a feature not commonly found in existing rehabilitation robots. A kinematic model of the system was developed, and to perform both kinematic and dynamic analyses, a multibody model was constructed in the MATLAB Simulink environment. Joint angle control was implemented using a nominal controller, and to account for individual uncertainties in joint dynamics, a neuroadaptive controller was integrated with the nominal controller. This approach aims for the neural network architecture to learn these uncertainties during control iterations and incorporate them into the control, resulting in a robust controller. Thus, a model reference control approach was proposed for active and passive rehabilitation processes. The system model was tested in a simulation environment, and then all tests were repeated in the physical system. The simulation and real system results include the real system’s open-loop responses, nominal controller responses for each joint, responses, and the results for active, passive, and assistive control modes.

Disrupted Time Perception Underlies Motivational Disturbances in Huntington’s Disease

Abstract Our sense of time is fundamental to interacting with the world in a goal-directed manner, with decisions underpinning goal pursuit utilising timing circuits in the seconds-to-minutes range. A reduction in goal-directed behaviour — apathy — is common in Huntington’s disease (HD), but no work has examined whether altered time perception could be a contributing mechanism. We investigated whether timing deficits were evident in HD apathy. Genetically confirmed carriers of the HD mutation (premanifest to mild manifest disease, n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 20) performed a time production task with active (press) and passive (wait) modes of production, alongside clinical and behavioural measures. Overall, people with HD underproduced target times whilst controls performed in near-optimal manner. In HD, there were significant interactions between condition (press/wait) and both apathy and impulsivity (apathy × condition: t = −3.8, p = 0.0002; impulsivity × condition: t = −3.3, p = 0.001). This was driven by people with either of these behavioural disturbances producing shorter times in the passive condition, relative to people without these behaviours. Whilst global timing deficits were evident in HD, further differences were evident as a function of apathy and impulsivity, whereby people thought more time had passed than really had, specifically when passively waiting. Altered time perception when passively waiting may alter estimation of environmental reward rates and subsequent decisions of when to act. Overall, and demonstrated in human neurological disease, we show that timing processes and motivated behaviours are fundamentally linked.

Modular Synthesis of Dehydroprolines by an Energy‐Transfer Enabled Cloke‐Wilson Rearrangement

AbstractA one‐pot photocatalytic method is reported for the generation of dehydroprolines, valuable precursors to 5‐aryl prolines. Imines, obtained via simple condensation of aminocyclopropane carboxylates (ACPC) with a broad range of aldehydes, were employed in this transformation without purification. We demonstrate this energy‐transfer (EnT) enabled Cloke‐Wilson‐type rearrangement affords both the rare 1,2‐dehydroprolines or the more thermodynamically favored 1,5‐isomers with up to >20 : 1 selectivity in both directions, using an identical catalytic system from the same starting material. Syntheses of intermediates of bioactive molecules in high yields and selectivity highlight this enabling transformation. Mechanistic studies support the proposed triplet‐triplet EnT mode of activation, distinct from the previously developed singlet excited states accessed via UV excitation.

Modular Synthesis of Dehydroprolines by an Energy-Transfer Enabled Cloke-Wilson Rearrangement.

A one-pot photocatalytic method is reported for the generation of dehydroprolines, valuable precursors to 5-aryl prolines. Imines, obtained via simple condensation of aminocyclopropane carboxylates (ACPC) with a broad range of aldehydes, were employed in this transformation without purification. We demonstrate this energy-transfer (EnT) enabled Cloke-Wilson-type rearrangement affords both the rare 1,2-dehydroprolines or the more thermodynamically favored 1,5-isomers with up to >20 : 1 selectivity in both directions, using an identical catalytic system from the same starting material. Syntheses of intermediates of bioactive molecules in high yields and selectivity highlight this enabling transformation. Mechanistic studies support the proposed triplet-triplet EnT mode of activation, distinct from the previously developed singlet excited states accessed via UV excitation.

Phase-coded coherent microwave pulse generation based on an actively mode-locked optoelectronic parametric oscillator

An approach for generating phase-coded coherent microwave pulse trains at high frequencies is proposed and demonstrated based on an actively mode-locked optoelectronic parametric oscillator (AML-OEPO), where an electrical mixer is inserted into the cavity of an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) to achieve both mode locking and parameter oscillation. The driving signal applied to the mixer is a low-frequency sinusoidal signal with voltage polarity coding, where the frequency is the same as the free spectral range (FSR) of the OEO cavity, and the duration of each voltage polarity coding bit is identical to the loop delay. As a result, phase-coded coherent microwave pulse trains can be generated, where the pulse interval is equal to the loop delay due to the active mode locking effect, and the phase coding period is equal to a multiple integer of the loop delay due to parameter oscillation. The enhancement of the signal period and the highly coherent characteristic are beneficial for breaking the contradiction between unambiguous detection range and ranging resolution in pulse radars. In the experiment, phase-coded microwave pulse trains with either 13-bit barker codes or 7-bit M codes are generated at 15.026 GHz. The autocorrelation calculation result of the phase-coded microwave pulse train with 13-bit barker codes shows a high peak-to-sidelobe ratio, verifying high coherence.

Involving Infrastructure as a Latent Variable in Active Transportation Mode Choice: The Case Study of Baghdad City

Infrastructural developments have been implemented with the objective of promoting active transportation as a sustainable transportation mode, including the construction of cycling and walking routes and the improvement of existing infrastructure. The impact of this factor on ridership has been a subject of research, and the incorporation of this variable into mode choice models has also been contemplated. Nevertheless, road users’ perception regarding the utilization of these infrastructures has yet to be investigated. Accordingly, this research aims to examine the role of infrastructure provision for walking and cycling as a Latent Variable (LV) in the transport mode choice of high school students in Baghdad City, where this subject has not been previously addressed. A self-designed questionnaire was employed to collect the requisite data. The Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (ICLV) models have been designed and the results demonstrate that the time and cost of trips have a significant impact on the choice of transportation mode. Furthermore, the provision of walking and cycling infrastructure has a notable effect on the choice of walking and cycling for transport. The sub-models indicate that the provision of cycling fences and pedestrian bridges are the most significant variables. Consequently, it is recommended that these results be considered in the provision and improvement of cycling and walking infrastructures to promote active transportation.

생태학적 전환을 위한 미술교육 접근으로서 ‘존재 감각적 만들기’ : 팀 잉골드의 ‘만들기(making)’ 개념에 대한 철학적 고찰

This study explores the concept of "making" in art from a philosophical perspective, elucidating how art functions as a mode of activity for perceiving the presence of the Other and corresponding to it. It further proposes that this understanding of art can serve as a foundational principle for education that facilitates an ecological trun, not as an epistemological or curricular issue, but as a question concerning our ways of being. Drawing on Tim Ingold’s concept of “making,” the study reformulates the traditional notion of making in art—commonly reduced to a modernist sense of making—into “making-as- a-sense-of-being.” This expanded concept highlights art’s uniqueness and its potential for fostering ecological awareness. The findings position art education as: (1) a process of practicing “material thinking,” (2) an engagement in “doing-in-undergoing” within relational situations, and (3) an activity of “imprinting” rather than “expressing.” These insights reimagine art education as a practice of opening ourselves to the Other, dissolving rigid boundaries of the self, and rehearsing relational modes of existence, thereby contributing to ecological transformation.

Enhancing Structural Health Monitoring for structures subjected to time-variant operating conditions

The expected growth of new offshore wind turbine installations necessitates effective Operation and Maintenance strategies to ensure wind farm reliability. Key to these strategies is optimizing operational uptime for Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), which transport technicians to wind farms. However, CTV operations are often cancelled due to harsh weather, creating a critical need for continuous operation during favourable conditions. This demand frequently leads to corrective maintenance of the CTV, which increases the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Transitioning to condition-based maintenance can help mitigate the risk of unexpected breakdowns while ensuring uninterrupted operation. At the core of this is the technology of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), aiming to identify deviations from a normal, undamaged condition of the structure. Essentially, if the structural characteristics remain constant, deviations from this normal condition can be interpreted as structural damage. However, under time-variant operating conditions, the structural characteristics vary, complicating the identification of deviations caused by damages. This study addresses this challenge by separating the operation of a CTV into operational modes, each defined by unique structural load conditions. Then, a Random Forest model using easily accessible input features is implemented to identify the active mode during operation. Hence, deviations from the normal condition of the specific mode can be identified. While the Random Forest model demonstrates high accuracy in this regard, future potential limitations emerged, prompting considerations for future improvements.

ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND URBAN DENSITY ON MODE CHOICE IN THE GREATER BRISBANE AREA

Understanding the influence of demographic factors and urban density on transportation mode choice is crucial for promoting sustainable mobility in urban areas. This study examines these influences in the Greater Brisbane Area using data from the Queensland Household Travel Survey (QHTS) collected between 2018 and 2023. We apply binomial logistic regression models to analyze how age, gender, employment status, presence of children, and urban density at origin and destination locations affect the likelihood of choosing transportation modes, including car, walking, bicycling, public transport, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS). The results indicate that higher urban density is significantly associated with reduced car usage and increased use of sustainable modes such as walking, public transport, and bicycling. Older individuals are more likely to use cars and less likely to choose active modes, while males have a higher propensity to bicycle compared to females. Employment status also influences mode choice, with employed individuals more likely to drive or use public transport and less likely to walk. Although the number of MaaS users in the dataset is limited, preliminary findings suggest potential higher adoption in high-density areas and among older individuals. These insights provide empirical evidence from Brisbane and have practical implications for urban planners and policymakers. Enhancing infrastructure for sustainable transportation in densely populated areas and considering demographic factors can promote sustainable mobility patterns. Future research should include additional variables such as transportation supply factors and use longitudinal data to explore causal relationships. Investigating the barriers to MaaS adoption in Brisbane would also be valuable for shaping future urban mobility strategies.