Higher Flow Levels Research Articles

Tempo-spatial Variations in Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loads in Jianli-Hankou Reach of the Middle Yangtze River During the Past 20 Years

Ammonia nitrogen （NH4+-N） and total phosphorus （TP） were the major control pollutants in the Yangtze River Basin. Based on measured data from 2003 to 2020, the temporal and spatial variations in concentrations and fluxes of NH4+-N and TP in the Jianli to Hankou （JL-HK） reach of the Middle Yangtze River were studied, and the impacts of flow-sediment factors, tributary inflows, and others on variations in NH4+-N and TP fluxes were discussed. The results showed that： ① In recent years, NH4+-N and TP concentrations in the mainstream have declined significantly, with annual NH4+-N and TP concentrations at each monitoring station in 2020 averagely decreasing by 41% and 34% compared to those in 2003, respectively. Spatially, NH4+-N and TP concentrations decreased and then increased along the mainstream. NH4+-N and TP concentrations of tributary inflows, which include the Dongting Lake and Han River, were generally lower than that of the mainstream. The multi-year average values of NH4+-N and TP concentrations were both averaged at 0.12 mg·L-1 in the mainstream and were averaged at 0.11 mg·L-1 and 0.09 mg·L-1 in the tributary inflows. ② The flux differences between the upper and lower sections net of tributary confluences showed that NH4+-N and TP fluxes were lost in the Jianli to Luoshan （JL-LS） sub-reach and increased in the Luoshan to Hankou （LS-HK） sub-reach in most years. NH4+-N and TP fluxes decreased in the JL-LS sub-reach, which was related to the lower NH4+-N and TP concentrations in lateral inflows, such as Dongting Lake, and thus lowered the NH4+-N and TP concentrations in the mainstream. The LS-HK sub-reach showed the opposite trends, and the water and sediment loads increased in this sub-reach. Across the whole JL-HK reach, TP flux as well as water and sediment loads were recharged along the reach, whereas NH4+-N flux was reduced greatly, which could be attributed to the pollution abatement conducted in the Yangtze River Basin, which mainly focused on NH4+-N. ③ The correlation analysis results showed that NH4+-N fluxes had the strongest correlation with NH4+-N concentrations but not significantly correlated with discharges and sediment transport rates, indicating that NH4+-N was mainly controlled by point source pollution in the study reach. TP fluxes had higher correlations with discharges and sediment transport rates in high flow level periods, and the correlations between TP fluxes and TP concentrations were better in low flow level periods, reflecting that point source pollution contributed more to TP in dry seasons compared to flood seasons.

Factors influencing fish migration in one of the world's largest inland fisheries

Fish from Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake are economically, culturally, and nutritionally significant for people in the Lower Mekong Basin, providing income, livelihoods, and protein. Fish in this system generally migrate toward upstream Mekong River in dry season and return in early wet season. However, drivers of fish migration from Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River are not well-understood. In this paper, we utilized Mixed Effects Random Forest to predict the catch weight of six fish species migrating from the Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River using precipitation, lunar cycle, and hydrologic conditions like river stage, streamflow, flow magnitude, and timing as predictors. As a surrogate for fish migration, we used daily fish catch weight from 2002 through 2008 at the bagnet, or Dai, fisheries along Tonle Sap River, a migration corridor connecting Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River. We found that migration of large fish was mainly cued by streamflow and flow magnitude, while smaller fish migrate depending on the combination of streamflow and flow timing. Streamflow less than average cumulative flow was the most important driver for migration of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, and Cirrhinus microlepis. Migration of Cyclocheilichthys enoplos and Osteochilus melanopleurus was highly dependent on the number of low- and minimum-flow days. Cumulative flows, period of high flow and water level were the main predictors of the small mud-carp Henicorhynchus entmema's migration, while individuals of Labiobarbus leptocheilus migrated out of the Tonle Sap Lake depending on the number of days after 7-, 30-, and 90-day minimum flows. These results suggest that flow characteristics can be used to aid conservation and adaptive management of Cambodia's Dai fisheries.

Joint Occurrence of Extreme Water Level and River Flows in St. Lawrence River Coasts Under Present and Sea Level Rise Conditions

AbstractIn low‐lying coastal regions, the joint occurrence of high river flow and high water levels can cause coastal flooding with substantial economic and social implications. Recent studies over Canada's coasts have shown that neglecting the interdependency between flood drivers can underestimate the risk of flooding by up to 50%. However, to date, such interdependency has not been investigated for the coasts of the St. Lawrence River, Estuary and Gulf system (StL), where Sea Level Rise (SLR), along with intensified river peaks, are already threatening these communities. In this study, a copula‐based bivariate frequency analysis was applied to quantify the likelihood of occurrence of flooding events under dependent and independent assumptions, for 26 sites along the StL. Furthermore, to quantify the impact of anthropogenic climate change, the joint return period in historical period was compared with that of projected SLR associated with RCP 8.5 for the year 2100. Results show that (a) the independence assumption can underestimate the likelihood of occurrence of flooding event in the Fluvial Section of the StL by up to 30 times and (b) the SLR can increase the likelihood of occurrence of flooding event by up to 50 times in the Estuary and the Gulf and by up to 5 times in the Fluvial Section of the StL. This study highlights the need for explicit consideration of the dependence between flood drivers and of SLR in the delineation of flood maps along the coast of the St. Lawrence.

MUSIC AND THE FLOW STATE

The flow state is the mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. Flow is characterized by the complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting transformation in one's sense of time. Flow is the melting together of action and consciousness; the state of finding a balance between a skill and how challenging that task is. It requires a high level of concentration and a task that matches one's skill set. Music and flow go hand in hand, as a growing body of research demonstrate that many musical activities such as music performance, music composition and music education tend to elicit high levels of flow. The present study aims to review the latest findings associated to the link between music and flow and to show the importance of this optimal state in creating excellence in music.

Recreational cycling provides greater satisfaction and flow in an immersive virtual environment than in real life

BackgroundAs the state of satisfaction and flow involved in the physical activity (PA) determines future training commitment, it is undoubtedly very important to study the factors influencing the attractiveness of PA. One of such factors is the usage of virtual reality (VR) technology which creates opportunities for its users to practice various forms of PA in a altered way. It is interesting whether PA practiced in a virtual environment can offer higher levels of satisfaction and flow comparing with PA practiced in the real world. Positive answer to this question support the statement that the use of such technology could contribute to the future commitment in PA. Therefore, in order to find out whether PA in VR can be an attractive alternative towards the PA in a real world, the research should be undertaken to verify if the state of satisfaction and flow involved in the practising certain PA in the VR environment could be higher comparing to the levels of pleasure and flow connected with the same PA carried out in the real world.ObjectiveThe main objective of the study was to assess the level of satisfaction and flow experienced by healthy adults during various cycling conditions: real life (RL), non-immersive and immersive virtual reality (nIVR and IVR). Additionally, questionnaires for assessing satisfaction with PA and flow in RL and VR were also validated in terms of their measurement reliability. The correlation of the results obtained during tests using both measurement tools was also assessed.MethodsForty students were studied, including 20 women (age 22.35 ± 2.32 years) and 20 men (age 22.95 ± 2.19 years). The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) was used to evaluate the enjoyment of cycling. Flow state was assessed using The Flow State Scale (FSS).ResultsBased on Friedman’s analysis of variance regarding the results obtained for all the respondents, it can be concluded that the conditions of cycling significantly affect their level of satisfaction (χ2 = 85.61(40;3); p < 0.001) and flow (χ2 = 40.52(40;3); p < 0.001). The research participants rated cycling the highest in IVR. Based on the calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficients, high measurement reliability of the questionnaires used in nIVR (PACES, α = 0.94; FFS-2, α = 0.86) and IVR (PACES, α = 0.89; FFS-2, α = 0.91). There was also a significant positive moderate correlation between PA satisfaction and user flow.ConclusionsThe research is the first attempt to directly compare the sense of satisfaction and flow when practicing cycling in RL and in nIVR and IVR. The greater attractiveness and higher level of flow during PA in IVR compared to a similar traditional form of PA in RL, found on the basis of the conducted research, should prompt reflection by both those involved in planning and promoting PA, as well as the creators of active video games (AVGs). Due to the great attractiveness of PA in IVR and the constant, dynamic development of immersive information technologies, virtual training may, in the near future, become not only an important supplement to conventional forms of exercise, but perhaps even an alternative solution.

Predictors of flow state in performing musicians: an analysis with the logistic regression method

IntroductionFlow state has been deemed a desirable state for performing musicians given its negative correlations with musical performance anxiety, its relationship to optimal performance, and its possible effect on creativity. In the field of music, there are a few studies that have assessed intervention programmes to promote flow state in performing musicians with varying results in terms of their success. The flow condition-experience model proposes three components that would be the conditions for flow state to occur and six components that describe the experience of being in a flow state. In addition, within the vast academic literature on this experience, other factors that could influence its occurrence have been proposed. The main objective of this research was to detect which are the most suitable predictors from a set of independent variables collected to distinguish performing musicians with a high flow level.MethodsA binary logistic regression analysis was carried out with data from 163 musicians aged between 18 and 65. Independent variables were introduced in the analysis: skill-challenge balance, clear goals and clear feedback (condition-experience model); and also, gender, age, dedication, (musical) style, musical instrument and (performing) situation.ResultsThe results showed that the three conditions of the condition-experience model and the situation variable had positive associations with flow state. The model explained 78% of the variance of the dependent variable and obtained a 90.8% correct classification rate.DiscussionThese variables seem to contribute most to a high flow level, and the importance of keeping in mind the intrinsic reasons why performers dedicate themselves to music is emphasised. The results and their implications for the training of performing musicians are discussed. Future lines of research are proposed, as well as collecting data on personality-related variables to introduce them into the regression model.

Optimization of wetland water replenishment process based on the response of waterbirds in a semi-arid and cold region

Emergency ecological water replenishment(EEWR) has become a major strategy for recovering degraded wetland ecosystems worldwide. However, the actual replenishment process mainly depended on the tradeoff and experience between the managers of Taoer River and Xianghai Wetland, which is very random and lacks theoretical guidance. Thus, there is urge to assessing water replenishment effect on wetland and help to optimize the process. With contrasting results as different ecosystem elements respond differently, the optimization of water replenishment process should be based on the improvement of the ecosystem as whole rather than its separate elements. However, the dynamic monitoring of biotic and abiotic factors to reveal the complex relationships underlying their response can be challenging. Based on 6 years’ series data of migratory birds and environmental factors of Xianghai Wetland, which started emergency ecological water replenishment since 2004 and occurred frequently since 2011, the broader ecosystem response to water replenishment was analyzed using a multiple paths regression model and proposed an optimized scheme. The results showed that bird diversity was positively influenced by the increase in water area and vegetation was induced by ecological water replenishment. While the response of bird abundance to water replenishment varied with time, adequate open water in March was found to have a positive relationship with abundance by promoting vegetation germination and the reproduction of benthic organisms. High flow levels in the wet season (June–August) can negatively affect waterbird abundance by rapidly increasing water levels and inhibiting plant respiration, which leads to the reduction in feeding efficiency of waterbirds and biomass accumulation. Therefore, the existing ecological water replenishment time (May–September) is not suitable for bird abundance and should be advanced to spring (March–April). Given the antagonistic effect of flow on diversity and abundance, the total replenished water should be approximately 100 million m3. To avoid the negative influence of high water in the wet season, the allocation of water could be 0.3, 0.3, 0.2, and 0.2 million m3 in April, May, September, and October, respectively. These results scientifically support wetland protection and management.

Effects of Virtual Reality Pilates Training on Duration of Posture Maintenance and Flow in Young, Healthy Individuals: Randomized Crossover Trial.

This study explored the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance the effectiveness and duration of low-intensity movements and postures in Pilates-derived exercises. We postulate that by leveraging the flow state in VR, individuals can engage in these exercises for longer periods while maintaining a high level of flow. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in posture maintenance and flow between VR Pilates training and conventional Pilates training, and the correlation between the 2 factors. The 18 participants in each group received either VR training or conventional training and were switched to the other training type after a 2-day wash-out period. Each group performed Pilates movements in a VR environment and a conventional environment, divided into 4 types. After training sessions, participants were evaluated for flow using a self-report questionnaire. In addition, a sports video analysis program was used to measure the duration of posture maintenance in 2 video-recorded sessions. Repeated-measures ANOVA and correlation analysis were performed on the measured duration of posture maintenance and flow scores. In all cases, the statistical significance level was set at P<.05. Results for the duration of posture maintenance verification by type showed that simple behavior (F1,16=17.631; P<.001), upper body-arm coordination behavior (F1,16=6.083; P=.04), upper body-leg coordination behavior (F1,16=8.359; P<.001), and whole-body coordination behavior (F1,16=8.426; P<.001) all showed an interaction effect at P<.05. Flow (F1,16=15.250; P<.001) also showed an interaction effect. In addition, significant correlations were determined between duration of all types of posture maintenance and flow in the VR training group at P<.05. Our results indicate that VR Pilates training may be more useful than conventional Pilates training in improving the duration of posture maintenance and that it promotes a significantly higher degree of flow when compared with conventional Pilates training.

Academic emotions and attitudes regarding interprofessional collaboration in health care activities: a prospective study among newly arrived physicians participating in a fourteen-week course

BackgroundOne way of facilitating entrance into the Swedish health care system, for newly arrived physicians from outside the European Union/European Economic Area, could be to set up and offer a course aimed to enhance understanding of it. This course was offered to increase insight about clinical practices, interprofessional teamwork and topics such as, Swedish health care laws, culture, and ethics. Acceptance of, and a flexible attitude towards, interprofessional teamwork are important for maintaining both the physician’s professional identity and a high quality of patient care.The aim of this study was to investigate newly arrived physicians’, academic emotions, experience of stress and flow during a fourteen-week course, as well as attitudes to interprofessional collaboration, both before and after.MethodA prospective study was conducted, with participants asked to respond on one questionnaire every course day, by using the Contextual Activity Sampling System methodology. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire comprising ten questions about ongoing activity and in what way they experience, e.g., collaboration, interprofessional teamwork, academic emotions, flow, and stress. Furthermore, the participants were asked to score their attitude towards interprofessional teamwork by using the interdisciplinary education perception scale both before and after the course.ResultsThe total sample comprised 27 qualified physicians, from outside the European Union/European Economic Area. In the interdisciplinary education perception scale category, “perception of actual cooperation¨, the participants had significantly higher scores after the course. Flow and academic emotions were felt mostly during own periods of study, seminars, and lectures. The academic emotions were apathy, anxiety, and boredom. The most frequently experienced academic emotion was apathy. Course participants rated stress highest in connection with the examination.ConclusionThe results show that the course had a positive impact on the participants perception of actual cooperation. It appears that participating in this kind of course was a positive experience for the participants, since they mostly experienced high levels of flow. Collaborating with others was experienced as positive, with participants reporting a high degree of flow in activities during collaboration.

Communication quality affects performance of astronauts and support teams through increased workload: Insights from the AMADEE-20 analog Mars mission

Astronaut crews and ground control support teams are highly interdependent teams that need to communicate effectively to achieve a safe mission - despite being separated by large distances. Team communication quality with its facets clarity of objectives and information flow, is a key coordination process to achieve high team performance and task satisfaction. Especially in interdependent teams working in extreme environments with time-delayed communications, the team's success is threatened if communication is ineffective. In this study, we hypothesized that communication quality affects two key team outcomes, performance and task satisfaction, and that these effects can be explained by increases in workload (effort and frustration). Hypotheses were tested during the AMADEE-20 analog Mars mission hosted by the Austrian Space Forum. The analog astronauts (AA) were supported by an On-Site-Support (OSS) team and a remote Mission-Support-Centre (MSC) team. The MSC was the only contact line for both AA and OSS, and the communication between them had a one-way time delay of 10 min. Our study consisted of three runs in which members across the three different multiteam systems had to exchange information to solve an interdependent task. We measured communication quality, effort and frustration, task satisfaction, and team performance. Results show that clarity of objectives and information flow positively impacted multiteam system performance. Furthermore, clarity of objectives reduced experienced effort and this in turn enhances team performance. High levels of information flow reduced experienced frustration, which in turn enhanced task satisfaction. Our findings show that these facets of communication quality are essential for multiteam systems that work separated from each other by a distance. We stress that specific (team) communication training for astronauts and support personnel will be key to effective teamwork during future Mars missions, and thus to overall mission success.

Support for Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture: Keep it Simple, Swift, and Safe.

To the Editor: I read with much interest the case series by Ruiz Duque et al.1 on four patients with surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (PIVSR) treated with Impella. The authors propose to use Impella in patients with Qp/Qs >2.5. They also raise possible concerns related to the strategy. Several issues repetitively emerge when discussing the use of Impella in PIVSR patients. First, PIVSR patients differ to much degree. We recently treated a 61 year old male patient with 16 mm inferobasal PIVSR, invasively measured Qp/Qs of 3.3, occluded distal right coronary artery and small segmental akinesia of inferior left ventricular wall. To much of our surprise, complete hemodynamic stabilization was achieved with intra-aortic balloon pump only. There was no need for mechanical ventilation, shock resolved within 1 h, lactate levels normalized, renal function recovered completely and minimal analgesia with no sedation was needed. Patient underwent successful surgical repair after 10 days of support with no need for postoperative mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Such shunt usually advocates MCS upgrade, however, in this case it was not required. It would be interesting to hear the authors explanation for the proposed Qp/Qs threshold. I wonder what other patient features would promote (or demote) upgrade in MCS treatment? Systolic function of both ventricles, stage of the shock, severity of multiorgan failure, further extension of PIVSR, are among potential candidates. Second, two issues frequently emerge when considering Impella usage for PIVSR. One is the possibility of necrotic debris systemic embolization. Given the current data, Impella is optimal MCS for reducing shunt fraction.2 By such action sheer forces delivered at the necrotic edges of PIVSR are minimized, thus lowering the risk of embolization. On the other hand, MCS or no MCS, the risk of embolization is still present. Implementing MCS strategies that increase shunting, such as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, could even provoke such embolic events, although we can argue that due to higher left-to-right shunting these events would be pulmonic, not systemic. Direct severing of the debris by the impeller is highly unlikely. Nevertheless, the outcome would be either pump obstruction or debris fragmentation, resulting in reduced intensity of embolic event. The other issue is the possibility of producing right-to-left shunting.3 However, this should occur only in case of high Impella flow levels.4 Despite Impella, left ventricular pressure created by the systole should prevent or even reverse the shunt throughout a significant fraction of cardiac cycle. Indeed, Sato et al.5 reported conversion of the shunt to right-to-left direction only at flow level P6 and systemic deoxygenation at P8. By adjusting the flow under echocardiogram, the authors successfully prevented further deoxygenation. So, despite the likelihood of systemic deoxygenation, meticulous guiding of the level of the support should prevent this issue. The optimal MCS strategy for such hemodynamically fragile patients as PIVSR patients should be simple, swift, and safe. Impella is swift and simple. There is no extensive evidence it is not safe. It should be our first choice in PIVSR.

Feasibility of a combined intermittent theta-burst stimulation and video game-based dexterity training in Parkinson’s disease

BackgroundPersons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often exhibit difficulties with dexterity during the performance of activities of daily living (ADL), inter alia due to dysfunctional supplementary motor area (SMA). Combined intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) over the SMA followed by video game-based training (VBT) may therefore improve dexterity related ADL. The VBT may induce high flow levels related to high performance during the training. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a combined iTBS-VBT intervention in persons with PD.MethodsA total of nine persons with PD (mean age 63.3 ± 8.76 years) with self-reported difficulties with dexterity related ADL were included in this pilot iTBS-VBT study. All participants received either iTBS or sham stimulation over the SMA followed by a 45-min VBT, three times a week for a total of three weeks. Feasibility was measured by means of the adherence rate and the system usability (System Usability Scale). Moreover, flow was measured after the last VBT session.ResultsAdherence rate was excellent with 100%. High system usability scores (i.e., mean 80%, range 55–97.5) and a significant Spearman’s correlation with the Flow State Scale (r = .762, p = .017) further point to the high feasibility of the VBT. Neither demographic variables nor difficulties in dexterity related ADL affected the usability of the VBT.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the high feasibility of a combined iTBS-VBT intervention. Moreover, the level of self-reported usability was related to flow experience. Whether this kind of combined iTBS-VBT intervention improves dexterity will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.Trial registration clincaltrials.gov NCT04699149, date of registration 1. June 2021

Experimental investigation of boundary layer flow near the cylinder wall in a direct-injection spark-ignition engine using particle image velocimetry

In a direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) optical engine with a constant motored speed of 800 rpm, particle image velocimetry measurements on the in-cylinder bulk flow and the boundary layer flow near the cylinder wall were performed during the intake and compression strokes. Two different tumble flow levels were explored using a flap inserted in the intake port. The near-wall flow pattern under the effect of the bulk flow is more stable when the flap is fully closed with a higher intensity tumble. The serious optical distortion in the near-cylinder wall region under high magnification was addressed, and a high resolution of 76 μm × 76 μm within a field of view of 5 mm × 5 mm was achieved in six different measurement regions. Using inner scaling parameters (friction velocity uτ and viscous length-scale δυ), the dimensionless ensemble-averaged wall-tangential velocity profiles exhibit good consistency with the law-of-the-wall in the viscous sublayer but considerably departure in the logarithmic region. According to the low friction Reynolds number, the absence of the logarithmic layer was mainly attributed to the complete overlap between the viscosity-affected inner region and the outer region of the boundary layer. The near-wall velocity profiles were also normalized by three different outer scaling parameters. The collapse is significantly improved for y/ δ &gt;0.07 when the velocity profiles are normalized by δ/ δ*(1− u/ u∞). The fluctuation RMS velocity in the wall-normal direction is greater, particularly for the high tumble flow level condition.

The connection between mindfulness and flow: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis consolidated findings on the relationship between mindfulness and flow. A weighted meta-analytic effect size of r = 0.38, p = .0001, based on 17 studies comprising 10,102 individuals, indicated that greater mindfulness is associated with higher levels of flow. Mindfulness was more strongly associated with dispositional, or trait, flow than with state flow. Both mindfulness and flow have connections with a variety of beneficial outcomes. A better understanding of synergistic relationships between the two characteristics may provide a foundation for further theoretical development and has practical implications for programs intended to facilitate positive outcomes.

Nine year in-hospital mortality trends in a high-flow level one trauma center in Italy

Trauma is the leading cause of death in young people with a considerable socio-economic impact worldwide. A trimodal distribution of trauma mortality was described in the past, but recently different studies underlined a progressive change in trauma mortality distribution linked to improvement in trauma care. This study aimed to analyze the mortality trends in a Level-One Trauma Center in Italy. Data on 6065 patients consecutively admitted to the Trauma Center between 2011 and 2020 were selected and retrospectively analyzed. Causes of Death (CODs) and time of death were stratified in four main groups and the patient sample was further divided into five age groups. Multivariate regression models were then performed to identify independent predictors of mortality. The most common COD in all age groups was Central Nervous System injuries. Immediate deaths (in ED) affected mostly patients over 75 years of age (34.3%). Deaths caused by massive hemorrhage occurred soon upon arrival in the ED, whereas deaths due to other causes (e.g. sepsis, MOF) after the first week. Patients’ characteristics, the need for emergency procedures and high trauma severity scores were independent predictors of deaths. This study represented the first analysis on trauma mortality distribution in Italy over a nine-year period. The trimodal distribution described in the past seems to be no longer present in Italy, due to improvements in trauma systems and critical care. However, the high number of immediate and acute deaths underlies a persisting need for efforts in injury prevention and control .

엘리트 사격 선수들의 정서지능과 시합몰입 및 경기력의 관계

Purpose: This study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, flow used by elite shooters during the competition and the effect of emotional intelligence and flow on the performance. Methods: In order to achieve the research purpose, 201 elite shooters responded to questionnaires, and the survey was conducted online according to the guideline of COVID-19. In addition, the collected data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple regression. Results: Firstly, the validity of emotional intelligence and flow was was similar to previous studies. Secondly, emotional intelligence according to affiliation showed that college shooters have a higher level of emotional utilization than professional and national shoooters. Thirdly, it was found that college shooters experienced high level of flow. Finally, as a result of examining the factors of emotional intelligence and flow that affect the competition score, it was found that the emotional control of emotional intelligence and the modified sense of time of flow affect competition score. Conclusion: These results gives valuable information to shooters that emotion control and flow have positive effect on shooting performance.

Interactions and information: exploring task allocation in ant colonies using network analysis

In animal societies, individuals may take on different roles to fulfil their own needs and the needs of their group. Ant colonies display high levels of organizational complexity, with ants fulfilling different roles at different timescales (what is known as task allocation). Factors affecting task allocation can be at the individual level (e.g. physiology), or at the group level (e.g. the network of interactions). We focus on group level processes by exploring the relationship between interaction networks, task allocation and task switching using a previously published data set (Mersch et al., 2013, Science, 340 (6136), 1090–1093) tracking the behaviour of six Camponotus fellah colonies over 41 days. In our new analyses, our goal was to better explain the noisy process of task switching beyond simple age polyethism. First, we investigated the architecture of interaction networks using node (individual) level network measures and their relation to the individual's task – foraging, cleaning or nursing – and whether or not the ant switched tasks. We then explored how noisy information propagation was among ants, as a function of the colony composition (how many ants carried out which tasks), through the information-theoretic metric of ‘effective information’. Our results show that interaction history is tied to task allocation: ants that switched to a task were more likely to have interacted with other ants carrying out that task. The degree to which interactions related to task allocation, as well as the noise in those interactions, depended on which groups of ants were interacting. Overall, we found that colony cohesion was stable even as ant level network measures varied more for ants when they switched functional groups; thus, ant colonies maintained a high level of information flow as determined by network analysis, and ant functional groups played different roles in maintaining colony cohesion through varied information flows. • We analysed the interaction networks of six C. fellah colonies. • We tested how centrality and information flow are tied to task switching. • Node metrics and effective information explained functional group differences. • Interactions were correlated with task switching. • The strength of this correlation, however, differed across functional groups.

Formation of nanoscale reaction layer with several crystallinities in the friction-welded 6061 Al alloy/steel joint

Through precise control and manipulation of welding parameters for inertia friction-welded Al alloy/steel joints, the transformation of nanoscale interfacial layer from the amorphous to the mixed phase (co-existence of amorphous and crystallised phases) and then to a fully crystallised Fe2Al5 intermetallic compound (IMC) was observed. The temperature and velocity range for the formation of different phases, including amorphous phase, mixed phase and IMC was exploited. A high level of plastic deformation and flow was found to destabilise the crystallised Fe-Al structure, promoting the formation of amorphous phase and enlarging the formation window of amorphous and mixed phase at a high temperature (∼650 K). The processing temperature was expected to govern the crystallinity of the final interfacial microstructure. The joint failed at the Al alloy side when an amorphous or mixed phase appeared at the interface, but a thicker (>100 nm) IMC layer resulted in a significantly decreased strength. The present study may provide insight on the analysis of the interfacial reaction at the initial stage of friction-based solid-state welded Al alloy/steel, and on controlling the resulting properties.

Brain-Heart Interaction and the Experience of Flow While Playing a Video Game.

The flow state – an experience of complete absorption in an activity – is linked with less self-referential processing and increased arousal. We used the heart-evoked potential (HEP), an index representing brain–heart interaction, as well as indices of peripheral physiology to assess the state of flow in individuals playing a video game. 22 gamers and 21 non-gamers played the video game Thumper for 25 min while their brain and cardiorespiratory signals were simultaneously recorded. The more participants were absorbed in the game, the less they thought about time and the faster time passed subjectively. On the cortical level, the fronto-central HEP amplitude was significantly lower while playing the game compared to resting states before and after the game, reflecting less self-referential processing while playing. This HEP effect corresponded with lower activity during gameplay in brain regions contributing to interoceptive processing. The HEP amplitude predicted the level of absorption in the game. While the HEP amplitude was overall lower during the gaming session than during the resting states, within the gaming session the amplitude of HEP was positively associated with absorption. Since higher absorption was related to higher performance in the game, the higher HEP in more absorbed individuals reflects more efficient brain–heart interaction, which is necessary for efficient game play. On the physiological level, a higher level of flow was associated with increased overall sympathetic activity and less inhibited parasympathetic activity toward the end of the game. These results are building blocks for future neurophysiological assessments of flow.

Relationships of Leisure Social Support and Flow with Loneliness in International Students in Taiwan: Implications during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Loneliness that negatively influences well-being in international students is common, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leisure may help international students reduce loneliness. To inform efforts to promote well-being for international students, this study examined whether two types of leisure social support (leisure emotional support and leisure instrumental support) and flow while participating in leisure predict loneliness. In total, 332 international students who attended a private university in Taiwan participated in the study. In-person surveys were used to measure leisure emotional support, leisure instrumental support, flow, and loneliness. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to analyze data. Results indicated that high levels of leisure emotional support and flow predicted low levels of loneliness, but high levels of leisure instrumental support did not. The study addresses implications of these results in terms of reducing loneliness experienced by international students, without depending highly on the presence of others.