Homogeneous Behavior Research Articles

Nutritional labeling modifies meal composition strategies in a computer-based food selection task

Nutritional information via simplified labelling on products’ front of pack has become common in retail stores and is now concerning nowcollective catering. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of such information policies on consumers' decisions in shops, few studies have focused on choices made in collective catering. In such settings, consumers must compose a meal by combining dishes to be eaten during the same occasion. Each choice is then dependent of the selection of other foods, yielding a different decision problem as in a store where items are selected independently of one another. The aim of this study was to understand whether a nutritional labelling, (Nutri-Score®), modified the choices of consumers and more precisely modified the meal composition strategies - the associations between dishes made by consumers. A computerized menu composition task was designed, 371 participants were randomly redirected either to an interface displaying the Nutri-Score® of dishes, or to an interface showing the dishes without Nutri-Score®. Bayesian logistic regressions were used to explore dependency relationships between foods in presence or absence of Nutri-Score®. When considering dishes individually, no significant effects of the Nutri-Score® were observed, but significant effects of the Nutri-Score® on composition strategies could be observed. Two types of strategies seemed to emerge: homogeneous behaviors, where selected dishes had similar scores and, compensatory behaviors where selected dishes had contrasted scores. In conclusion, the effect of a nutritional labelling can have complex consequences on food decisions that extend beyond the selection of food items taken individually.

A cross-sectional study in Mediterranean European countries to support stakeholders in addressing future market demands: Consumption of farmed fish products

Aquaculture is now a viable alternative to help depleted wild fish stocks and encourage the production of alternative animal protein sources. However, studies have shown that farmed fish has a less positive image in consumers than wild fish. The present study investigates the aspects that most influence the consumption choices of some of the most farmed species in the Mediterranean, sea bass and sea bream. The objective is to analyse the habits and preferences of consumers of these products in Mediterranean countries to identify homogeneous and transversal behaviours in the four countries under analysis in order to recognise common marketing actions and levers. To achieve it, a direct survey was conducted on a representative sample of 6117 consumers from France, Spain, Greece and Italy. The cluster analysis carried out for the four countries revealed 11 well-defined consumer profiles. They showed that different socio-economic characteristics, purchasing habits and product attributes explain a significant part of consumption choices and offer key information for exploring food consumer attitudes. In addition, the role of labelling in consumer behaviour is important to understand which aspects consumers pay more attention to when making their choices, representing a discriminating factor in segmenting respondents' profiles. Understanding these preferences, and the importance of certain information, can be useful to intercept and respond to market demands and to improve consumer confidence in farmed fish products.

Collective achievement, cohesive support, complementary expertise: 3Cs emergent model for shared leadership

ABSTRACT Society is asking for a shared leadership approach to deal with diverse, complex, and dynamic situations. Existing studies on shared leadership, however, lack clear theoretical analysis and/or sufficient empirical evidence. To fill this research gap, this article first clarifies conceptual ambiguities regarding shared leadership. Second, inspired by social exchange theory (SET) and emergence theory on team cooperation, it proposes a novel model, 3Cs, to characterize shared leadership through three dimensions: collective achievement leadership, cohesive support leadership, and complementary expertise leadership. This model explains how macro-level shared leadership phenomenon emerges through micro individual behaviours, and is compatible with but more concrete and comprehensive than the current understanding of shared leadership in either a composition form (i.e., team members perform homogeneous leadership behaviours) or a compilation form (i.e., team members perform heterogeneous leadership behaviours). A mixed-methods approach combining a qualitative study on 12 international graduate students in a leadership programme and a quantitative study on 86 leaders and 370 team members from Chinese enterprises was conducted to confirm the validity of the proposed model. This model provides human resource development (HRD) professionals with a comprehensively practical approach regarding how to develop shared leadership.

First Lidar Campaign in the Industrial Sites of Volta Redonda-RJ and Lorena-SP, Brazil

We report on the first aerosol profiling campaign in the Paraíba valley, a hub connecting the region between the two largest Brazilian metropolitan areas, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. São Paulo Sanitation Technology Company (CETESB) air quality and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) data show homogeneous behavior of the atmosphere throughout the region. A more detailed description of the particulate material in the local atmosphere, including its temporal dependence, can be obtained by using ground-based lidars. Measurements were carried out with a backscatter lidar system in two industrial cities, Volta Redonda and Lorena. The aerosol backscatter profiles present several peaks at different altitudes, indicating the presence of aerosol in several atmospheric layers. In addition, The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) air-mass back-trajectories indicate a possible detection of long-range aerosol transported from biomass burning areas of South America. The present study emphasizes the importance of investigating and monitoring the emission of particulate matter at this important hub connection between two dense populated regions of Brazil.

Robust nitrogen/selenium engineered MXene/ZnSe hierarchical multifunctional interfaces for dendrite-free zinc-metal batteries

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries are deemed as attractive candidates for energy storage systems owning to their high safety, low cost, etc. However, the hazards caused by uncontrollable zinc (Zn) dendrites growth and side reactions hinder the practical applications. Herein, a 0D/1D/2D/3D zincophilic layer composed of electronic conductive N/Se-doped MXene nanoribbon/nanosheet and ionic conductive ZnSe nanoparticle is in-situ constructed on Zn foil in a scalable mode. The N/Se-MXene@ZnSe mixed conducting framework not only provides sufficient ionic and electronic channels for uniform Zn deposition, but also prevents side reactions by avoiding the direct contact between Zn anode and electrolytes. Inspired by the structure design, the homogeneous Zn deposition behaviors, low voltage hysteresis and stable cycle (more than 2500 h at 1 mA cm−2) can be achieved for the optimal N/Se-MXene@ZnSe@Zn-350 anode. The N/Se-MXene@ZnSe@Zn-350||N-MXene@MnO2 full cell also achieves a stable cycling performance with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency upon 600 cycles. The surface electrochemistry and engineering attempts will shed new light on the design of MXene-based materials and prosperity of dendrite-free aqueous Zn batteries.

Short term assessment of nutrients and physicochemical parameters considering different depths in a hypersaline lagoon – Araruama Lagoon –RJ

The Araruama lagoon water quality has deteriorated at an accelerated pace during the last decades, mainly due to an expansion of urban occupation. The nutrients input increased by domestic effluents could reach eutrophication, which may cause episodes of algal blooms and fish mortalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stratification of water parameters in the same sampling campaign. Eleven water samples were collected at the surface, middle, and bottom along the lagoon. For each sample, the following parameters were analyzed: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, particulate organic carbon (POC), nitrogen and phosphorus (dissolved and particulate). The hydrodynamic characterization showed that regardless the connection with the ocean, a large part of the lagoon is more influenced by winds than tides. In general, parameters showed a homogeneous behavior along the water column. The results of DO and BOD5 confirmed that the lagoon is highly oxygenated. High phosphorus values combined with the result of the rates of nitrogen to phosphorus ratio (N:P) show that P is the limiting factor. The concentrations of BOD5, total nitrogen and total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments corroborate this result.

Atypical triceps surae force and work patterns underlying gait in children with cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess Achilles tendon mechanical behavior during gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We used a newly designed noninvasive sensor to measure Achilles tendon force in 11 children with CP (4F, 8-16 years old) and 15 typically developing children (controls) (9F, 8-17 years old) during overground walking. Mechanical work loop plots (force-displacement plots) were generated by combining muscle-tendon kinetics, kinematics, and EMG activity to evaluate the Achilles tendon work generated about the ankle. Work loop patterns in children with CP were substantially different than those seen in controls. Notably, children with CP showed significantly diminished work production at their preferred speed compared to controls at their preferred speed and slower speeds. Despite testing a heterogeneous population of children with CP, we observed a homogenous spring-like muscle-tendon behavior in these participants. This is in contrast with control participants who used their plantar flexors like a motor during gait. Statement of Clinical Significance: These data demonstrate the potential for using skin-mounted sensors to objectively evaluate muscle contributions to work production in pathological gait.

Homogenization Study of Molybdenum and Copper in P/M Steel

Homogenization of 3wt% Molybdenum addition in Fe-0.7C alloy in the presence of 2wt% Cu under sinter-forged condition has been carried out. Samples alloys have been fabricated by sinter-forging route using elemental powders. Sintering was carried out at 1150oC in N2-10%H2 atmosphere. The sintered samples were immediately forged using 100-ton friction screw forging press at the sintering temperature. Homogenization studies were carried out in two steps, the preliminary study was carried out on a press-sinter-forged compact while the final study was carried out on sinter-forged slab prepared by capsule forging. Homogenization temperature was kept at 1250oC (heating rate of 10oC / min) in flowing N2-10%H2 atmosphere for various durations between 1-5 hr. The extent of Mo and Cu dissolution in the Fe matrix of homogenized samples was ascertained using microstructural characterization under optical microscope, SEM and EDS analysis. The influence of initial powder particle size, sintering tempera ture and homogenization temperature & duration on homogenization behavior have been discussed in length.

Trinuclear Nickel Catalyst for Water Oxidation: Intramolecular Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Triggered Trimetallic Cooperative O–O Bond Formation

Trinuclear Nickel Catalyst for Water Oxidation: Intramolecular Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Triggered Trimetallic Cooperative O–O Bond Formation

Restricted phase space thermodynamics for AdS black holes via holography

A new formalism for thermodynamics of AdS black holes called the restricted phase space thermodynamics (RPST) is proposed. The construction is based on top of Visser’s holographic thermodynamics, but with the AdS radius fixed as a constant. Thus the RPST is free of the (P, V) variables but inherits the central charge and chemical potential as a new pair of conjugate thermodynamic variables. In this formalism, the Euler relation and the Gibbs–Duhem equation hold simultaneously with the first law of black hole thermodynamics, which guarantee the appropriate homogeneous behaviors for the black hole mass and the intensive variables. The formalism is checked in detail in the example case of four-dimensional Reissner–Nordström anti-de Sitter black hole in Einstein–Maxwell theory, in which some interesting thermodynamic behaviors are revealed.

Highly-filled flowable composite in deep margin elevation: FEA study obtained from a microCT real model

ObjectivesTo evaluate shear stress (SS) and normal pressure (NP) at the tooth-restoration interface of highly-filled flowable resin composite applied to deep margin elevation technique through FEM analysis generated by a microCT scan. MethodsA reference maxillary molar with two class II cavities was prepared according to deep margin elevation protocol. A geometrical model was segmented from a micro-CT scan generating separate volumes of enamel, dentin and restorative materials. The 3D Finite Element (FE) model was subsequently built-up and an axial chewing load was simulated. Data concerning the tooth-restoration interface were analyzed in terms of SS and NP. Different materials and techniques were tested in order to evaluate the effects of the restorative material, the usage of a highly-filled flowable composite as liner and the substrate of the cervical area. ResultsBoth SS and NP presented similar distribution, but showed significant differences between tested materials. Composites showed more homogeneous behavior in stress distribution compared to ceramic. The use of a highly-filled flowable composite as liner on the cervical margin significantly reduced SS and NP on the cavity floor and the cervical margin area. Lastly, stress distribution in the cavity floor area varied according to the cervical margin substrate: enamel showed a protective role in stress distribution. SignificanceHighly-filled flowable resin composites showed encouraging results when applied to deep margin elevation from an interfacial mechanical point of view. Further studies are needed to validate these data and to better define the role of cervical enamel in stress distribution.

Advanced Nanomechanical Characterization of Biopolymer Films Containing GNPs and MWCNTs in Hybrid Composite Structure.

Nanomechanical definition of the properties of composite specimens based on polylactic acid (PLA) was made in the present study. Research activities with accent on biodegradable polymer nanocomposites have fundamental significance originated from the worldwide plastic waste pollution. To receive hybrid nanocomposites with high level of homogeneity, the low cost and environmentally friendly melt extrusion method has been applied. The role of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcing nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer matrix was thoroughly investigated. Quasi-static nanoindentation analysis was enriched by performance of accelerated property mapping and nanodynamic mechanical testing in order to fully describe the nanoscale surface homogeneity and stress relaxation behavior of the nanocomposite specimens. That novelty of the research approach had a well-marked contribution over the detection of the new samples’ nanomechanical features as a function of the type of carbon nanofiller. Refined nanoscratch experiments uncovered the resistance of the materials against notches by means of measurement of the coefficient of friction and accurate estimation of the residual penetration depth.

Homogeneous Agent Behaviours for the Multi-Agent Simultaneous Searching and Routing Problem

Through the use of autonomy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be used to solve a range of of multi-agent problems that exist in the real world, for example search and rescue or surveillance. Within these scenarios the global objective might often be better achieved if aspects of the problem can be optimally shared amongst its agents. However, in uncertain, dynamic and often partially observable environments centralised global-optimisation techniques are not achievable. Instead, agents may have to act on their own belief of the world, making the best decisions independently and potentially myopically. With multiple agents acting in a decentralised manner how can we discourage competitive behaviour and instead facilitate cooperation. This paper focuses on the specific problem of multiple UAVs simultaneously searching for tasks in an environment whilst efficiently routing between them and ultimately visiting them. This paper is motivated by this idea that collaboration can be simple and achieved without the need for a dialogue but instead through the design of the individual agent’s behaviour. By focusing on what is communicated we expand the use of a single agent behaviour. Which through minor modifications can produce distinct agents demonstrating independent, collaborative and competitive behaviour. In particular by investigating the role of sensor and communication ranges this paper will show that increased sensor ranges can be detrimental to system performance, and instead the simple modelling of nearby agents’ intent is a far better approach.

Multistable dynamics and control of a new 4D memristive chaotic Sprott B system

This work proposes and investigates the dynamic behavior of a new memristive chaotic Sprott B system. One of the interesting features of this system is that it has a bias term that can adjust the symmetry of the proposed model, inducing both homogeneous and heterogeneous behaviors. Indeed, the introduced memristive system can turn from rotational symmetry (RS) to rotational symmetry broken (RSB) system in the presence or the absence of this bias term. In the RS system (i.e., absence of the bias term), pairs of symmetric attractors are formed, and the scenario of attractor merging is observed. Coexisting symmetric attractors and bifurcations with up to four solutions are perfectly investigated. In the RSB system (i.e., the bias term is non-zero), many interesting phenomena are demonstrated, including asymmetric attractors, coexisting asymmetric bifurcations, various types of coexisting asymmetric solutions, and period-doubling transition to chaos. We perfectly demonstrate that the new asymmetric/symmetric memristive system exhibits the exciting phenomenon of partial amplitude control (PAC) and offset boosting. Also, we show how it is possible to control the amplitude and the offset of the chaotic signals generated for some technological exploitation. Finally, coexisting solutions (i.e., multistability) found in the novel memristive system are further controlled based on a linear augmentation (LA) scheme. Our numerical findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the control technic through interior crisis, reverse period-doubling scenario, and symmetry restoring crisis. The coupled memristive system remains stable with its unique survived periodic attractor for higher values of the coupling strength.

Microsegregation of a new Ni-Co-based superalloy prepared by electron beam smelting layered solidification technology and its homogenization behavior

The electron beam smelting layered solidification technology (EBS-LST) is put forward to fabricate a new Ni-Co-based superalloy with less segregation. The microstructures and homogenization behavior of the prepared ingot were studied. The experimental results show that the cross-sectional microstructure of the EBS-LST alloy consists of four typical areas, namely melted zone (MZ), partially fusion zone (PFZ), heat affected zone (HAZ), and bottom layer (BL). During the EBS-LST solidification process, the cooling rate is calculated to be 22.3 k/s according to the well-established model associated with secondary dendrite arm spacing. It can be inferred that the EBS-LST will reduce the solidification time, and thus eliminating the macrosegregation, and weaken the microsegregation of the ingot effectively. The effect of homogenization treatment on the microsegregation and microstructure evolution of the alloy is also studied. The residual segregation index equation during homogenization is constructed for the diffusion behavior of the strongly segregated elements of Ti and W. The diffusion coefficients D W and D Ti are calculated as 3.9 × 10 −15 m 2 ·s −1 and 5.4 × 10 −15 m 2 ·s −1 , respectively. • A new electron beam smelting layered solidification technology is presented. • Macro-segregation elimination of the Ni-Co-based superalloy ingots. • Less homogenization time for the Ni-Co-based superalloy ingots prepared by EBS-LST.

Out-of-Plane Tensile Properties of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

A systematic investigation is still lacking for tension out-of-plane in cross laminated timber (CLT), as a planar timber construction product. The objectives of the present study are the determination of the tensile properties of CLT made of Norway spruce, the identification of essential product-specific influencing parameters and a comparative analysis with glulam. For this purpose, seven test series were defined, which allowed the determination of the tensile properties on board segments and thereof produced glulam and CLT specimens by varying the number of layers, layer orientation and number of elements within a layer. The orthogonal laminated structure of CLT led to between 50% and 70% higher tensile properties out-of-plane, which is explained by the different stress distribution compared to glulam; the regulation of 30% higher properties than for glulam is suggested. In addition, the lognormal distribution turned out to be a more representative distribution model for characterizing the tensile strength out-of-plane than the Weibull distribution. This was also confirmed with regard to the investigated serial and parallel system effects, in which a clearly more homogeneous behavior was found in CLT compared to glulam, which in turn can be attributed again to the different stress distributions.

Optimisation of superplastic processing parameters for a TiZrHfBeCuNi high entropy bulk metallic glass in the supercooled liquid region

In this study, the deformation behavior of Ti20Zr20Hf20Be20(Cu10Ni10) high entropy bulk metallic glass (HE-BMG) in the supercooled liquid region was investigated via uniaxial compression tests. The thermal workability was also investigated to determine the optimal range of processing parameters. The results revealed that the deformation behavior in the supercooled liquid region exhibited two modes: flow deformation and brittle fracture, both of which were significantly affected by temperature and strain rate. The homogeneous flow deformation behavior changed from Newtonian to non-Newtonian with a decrease in temperature and an increase in strain rate. The activation volume of the HE-BMG ranged from 0.146 to 0.304 nm3 based on the transition theory of the free volume model, indicating that the atomic group can migrate (about 12–25 atoms) during high-temperature deformation. The fracture surface analysis of the HE-BMG revealed that the fracture angle increases with increasing deformation temperature, which was primarily due to an increase in cohesive strength. The optimal processing parameters for forming HE-BMG without crystallization were determined by constructing a deformation map based on the deformation behavior and microstructural analysis results.

Influence of Framework Material and Posterior Implant Angulation in Full-Arch All-on-4 Implant-Supported Prosthesis Stress Concentration.

This study evaluated the influence of distal implants angulation and framework material in the stress concentration of an All-on-4 full-arch prosthesis. A full-arch implant-supported prosthesis 3D model was created with different distal implant angulations and cantilever arms (30° with 10-mm cantilever; 45° with 10-mm cantilever and 45° with 6-mm cantilever) and framework materials (Cobalt–chrome [CoCr alloy], Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal [Y-TZP] and polyetheretherketone [PEEK]). Each solid was imported to computer-aided engineering software, and tetrahedral elements formed the mesh. Material properties were assigned to each solid with isotropic and homogeneous behavior. The contacts were considered bonded. A vertical load of 200 N was applied in the distal region of the cantilever arm, and stress was evaluated in Von Misses (σVM) for prosthesis components and the Maximum (σMAX) and Minimum (σMIN) Principal Stresses for the bone. Distal implants angled in 45° with a 10-mm cantilever arm showed the highest stress concentration for all structures with higher stress magnitudes when the PEEK framework was considered. However, distal implants angled in 45° with a 6-mm cantilever arm showed promising mechanical responses with the lowest stress peaks. For the All-on-4 concept, a 45° distal implants angulation is only beneficial if it is possible to reduce the cantilever’s length; otherwise, the use of 30° should be considered. Comparing with PEEK, the YTZP and CoCr concentrated stress in the framework structure, reducing the stress in the prosthetic screw.

Characterization of Al3Zr precipitation via double-step homogenization and recrystallization behavior after subsequent deformation in 2195 Al-Li alloy

The processability and final mechanical properties of Al-Li alloys are strongly affected by the uniformity of solute element and the degree of recrystallization, which can be improved via homogenization treatments. It is essential to control the microstructure to achieve the desired properties. In this work, the optimal double-step homogenization (DH) parameters for as-cast 2195 Al-Li alloy were first determined as 460 °C/16 h + 515 °C/20 h according to the comparative analysis, which fitted well with the results predicted by the corresponding kinetics modeling. Compared with the conventional single-step homogenization (SH), DH not only prevented the occurrence of overburning but also provided a more favorable condition for Al3Zr dispersoids to precipitate uniformly. The size and number density of Al3Zr dispersoids in the DH sample are finer and higher than those in the SH sample based on quantitative statistics. Due to the sufficient driving force for nucleation, the precipitate free zone (PFZ) of Al3Zr dispersoids was much narrower after DH. As a result, the DH sample possessed a higher Zener drag pressure, leading to a remarkable inhibition on the continuous evolution of substructures. Therefore, the recrystallization behavior in the DH sample was impeded effectively during the subsequent solution treatment. These findings are expected to provide reliable theoretical guidance for the industrial processing of as-cast 2195 Al-Li alloy.

Temporal Restriction and Interest for the Elderly on Cultural Participation. The Case of Spanish Performing Arts 2019

This paper discusses the relationship of cultural participation in performing arts with the manifested interest. Using the data set from the Cultural Habits and Practices Survey 2018-2019 a binary probit model has been applied for the analysis. Emphasizing the role of aging in participation, especially for the group of the elderly and very old. The age variable is one of the most difficult variables to apprehend, in which the cohort effects, age itself and period should be considered. This paper is an approach to the study of the aging effect on cultural participation, which would be continued with the analysis of the Surveys in previous years. This work shows that there is no homogeneous behavior between participation and interest within the different performing arts. Presenting some of them differentiating features.