Abstract In the present study, the sol–gel auto‐combustion method is used to synthesize Samarium‐doped yttrium aluminum iron garnet (Sm‐YAIG), and the as‐prepared powder was sintered at 1150°C for 10 h. The sintering temperature is confirmed by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). A single‐phase cubic garnet structure with space group Ia‐ d was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Rietveld refinement. As expected from Vegard's law, the lattice parameter increased from 12.35 to 12.44 Å with Sm composition varying from x = 0.0 to 2.0. Negative slopes were observed in Williamson–Hall (W–H) plots for all compositions except x = 1.5, indicating the presence of compressive strain. The crystallite size was found to be in the range of 20.39–22.00 nm, which closely matches the values obtained from the Scherrer equation. A redshift of bands at the tetrahedral and octahedral sites was observed due to the incorporation of larger Sm 3 ⁺ ions. The average grain size, particle size, and degree of agglomeration decreased with Sm substitution. The elemental composition was confirmed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The saturation magnetization decreased nonlinearly with Sm content, arising from modifications in Fe–O–Fe bond geometry, partial reinforcement and disruption of super‐exchange interactions, lattice distortion, spin canting, and magnetic dilution. The dielectric constant increased with Sm substitution due to lattice distortions that enhanced interfacial polarization and atomic polarizability. These structural and electronic modifications influenced the properties of Sm‐YAIG, suitable for applications in magnetic sensor technologies and advanced electronic devices.

Background/Objectives: Silicone elastomers are widely used in maxillofacial prostheses, but their service life is typically limited to 6–24 months due to progressive degradation. Reinforcement with zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) nanoparticles has been proposed to improve durability, yet evidence on their long-term performance under storage remains limited. This study evaluated the effect of two years of dark storage on the mechanical properties of room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) silicone reinforced with 1.5 wt% ZrSiO4 nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: Zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) nanoparticles at 1.5 wt% were incorporated into A-2186 RTV silicone specimens, which were randomly divided into two equal groups: baseline specimens stored for 24 h and aged specimens stored for 24 months under dark conditions. Mechanical properties were assessed by measuring tensile strength, elongation at break, tear resistance, and Shore A hardness in accordance with standardized protocols. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed to verify the structural characteristics of the ZrSiO4 nanopowder. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent-samples t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: After 24 months of dark storage, tensile strength and elongation at break decreased significantly (p < 0.05), indicating reduced elasticity. Tear resistance and hardness showed slight but non-significant reductions. FTIR confirmed the preservation of ZrSiO4 structural features. Conclusions: Dark storage selectively reduced reinforced silicone’s tensile and elongation properties, while tear resistance and hardness remained relatively stable. ZrSiO4 nanoparticles provided partial reinforcement, enhancing stability but not entirely preventing RTV silicone aging.

A feature selection framework using an elitist quasi-opposition self-adaptive partial reinforcement optimization algorithm for breast cancer detection in mammograms

Abstract The partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE) occurs when a conditioned response is more resistant to extinction when reinforced unpredictably versus continuously. The PREE has been observed in many species; however, our knowledge of the PREE in fishes is limited. In this study, we investigated two different reinforcement methods, continuous and partial, while using Pavlovian conditioning to acoustically condition common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ), a highly invasive species, to swim into a feeding ring (conditioned behaviour) where they would receive a food reward at the onset of a 400 Hz sound stimulus. The extinction rates of the conditioned behaviour were compared following cessation of the food reward. Using binomial generalized linear mixed-effect regressions we showed that tanks subjected to partial reinforcement were expected to have a higher proportion of carp exhibiting the conditioned behaviour up to two times longer than tanks subjected to continuous reinforcement, consistent with the PREE. Carp in partial reinforcement tanks continuously responded for up to 30 days, while responses in continuous reinforcement tanks typically ceased by day 9. Our findings support common carp management strategies that use baiting to train carp to form feeding aggregations that can be removed en masse from lakes and suggest that such baiting strategies may benefit from partial conditioning protocols, saving on both labour and bait.

Detection and classification of diabetic retinopathy in retinal fundus images using deep spiking Q Network optimized with partial reinforcement optimizer.

Investigating the effect of memory strength within reactivation-extinction paradigm on cue-dependent amnesia.

Temporal contiguity between conditioned (CS) and unconditioned stimuli (US) is a crucial factor in Pavlovian learning, yet little is known about its role in appetitive conditioning and extinction. In a within-subject design, 60 participants underwent both a delay (DC) and trace conditioning (TC) session with partial reinforcement (75%) by monetary rewards (US) and varying interval between CS offset and US onset (DC: 0s; TC: 4s). In addition to self-report indices (reward expectancy, arousal, valence), psychophysiological markers (pupil dilation, heart-period and startle reflex modulation) were recorded during acquisition and extinction training. For most measures, significant differential conditioned responses emerged, irrespective of temporal contiguity, with no major differences observed between TC and DC during acquisition (except for potentially diminished startle attenuation in TC). Despite overall similar patterns in conditioned responding (with small to moderate effects on physiological measures), there was no intraindividual concordance between sessions, yet evidence for differential TC effects on extinction learning. Specifically, smaller reductions in differential reward expectancy, heart-period deceleration and startle modulation after extinction in TC suggested relatively diminished extinction learning. Conditioned pupil dilation (0–2 s after CS onset) remained comparatively stable. Taken together, our findings extend evidence of differences in underlying learning mechanisms between TC and DC to the context of reward learning.

Abstract In the construction industry, efforts are continually being made to replace natural resources with recycled or artificial materials to promote sustainable development worldwide. This article explores the use of recycled plastic waste (expanded polystyrene and polyester fibers) combined with lightweight expanded clay aggregate (Liapor) to produce a mixture that could potentially be used as a structural layer in sub-ballast layers. Prior to testing this recycled material, it was hypothesized that the layer would serve a thermal insulation function and potentially provide partial reinforcement within the structural composition of the sub-ballast layers. The article outlines the procedure for manufacturing samples of the mixture made from plastic and Liapor, which was subjected to a compressive strength test. The results of the compressive strength test revealed that the sample’s strength was insufficient for its intended use in the structural composition of the sub-ballast layers as the achieved maximum compressive strength was only approx. 0.40 MPa. However, its favorable thermal insulation properties remain promising and should be verified in future laboratory investigations after adjusting the ratio of material components and possibly the manufacturing process.

Dynamic optimization of active power filters in grid-tied photovoltaic systems using partial reinforcement learning

Cyclones pose a significant threat to rural housing in coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Thanjavur district. This study investigates the vulnerability of different building typologies-non-engineered, semi-engineered, and engineered structures-to cyclonic hazards through field surveys conducted in Mallipattinam and Pudhupattinam villages. The research reviews relevant literature on cyclone damage assessment, reliability-based structural design, and cost-effective retrofitting techniques, highlighting importance of both scientific and local approaches to disaster resilience. The study also examines Indian codal provisions (IS 875, IS 15498, IS 15499) for cyclone-resistant construction. Field data reveal that non-engineered houses, often built with thatch and mud without proper foundations, are highly susceptible to wind and flood damage, resulting in major structural failures. Semi-engineered buildings, while incorporating some engineered elements, still exhibit vulnerabilities due to weak connections and partial reinforcement. Engineered structures, designed and supervised according to IS codes, demonstrate greater resilience but may still suffer from issues such as wall cracking if construction quality is compromised. The analysis emphasizes the need for targeted retrofitting-such as improved roof anchorage, reinforced walls, and better drainage systems. The study concludes that multi-pronged approach involving adoption of cost-effective, locally adaptable construction techniques is essential to mitigate cyclone risks and safeguard rural livelihoods in vulnerable coastal zones. Keywords - Cyclone, Rural housing resilience, retrofitting, IS codal provisions, structural failure mechanism.

In real-world settings, stimulus and outcome associations often depend on situational factors, such as Pavlovian occasion setters (OSs), which disambiguate whether a conditional stimulus (CS) will predict an outcome (unconditional stimulus; US). Whereas previous studies show that OSs are often lower in salience than CSs, no study has examined how low-salience OSs affect learning. In two conditioning experiments, we investigated this from the premise that inconsistently reinforced CSs prompt searching for additional stimuli (OSs) that indicate whether the CS will be followed by the US. Occasion setting learning was assessed using extinction rate-as partial reinforcement slows extinction relative to continuous reinforcement-and self-reported latent learning of stimuli. We hypothesized that a high-salience OS would result in faster extinction rates and occasion setting learning, whereas a low-salience OS would result in slower extinction rates and CS partial reinforcement learning. The results of Experiment 1 were mixed; there was no effect of OS salience on extinction rate, but the results for latent learning supported the hypothesis. We conducted Experiment 2 to specifically test extinction rate, and the results supported our hypothesis. The findings suggest that if a salient OS is found, occasion setting is learned; otherwise, CS partial reinforcement is learned.

Partial reinforcement schedules, wherein a conditioned stimulus (CS) is intermittently paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) during associative learning, have been widely studied and found to affect the extinction and recall of learned behaviors. Notably, behaviors conditioned under partial (as opposed to consistent) reinforcement are more resistant to extinction, an effect known as the partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE). The present study initially aimed to examine the effects of partial reinforcement on the acquisition and recall of fear extinction (FE) when altering the contextual environment. However, our systematic investigation of partial reinforcement using C57BL/6J mice challenges the well-established PREE within the domain of FE learning. Across multiple experimental setups altering CS duration, US intensity, and reinforcement schedules, we consistently found no significant impact of partial reinforcement on the acquisition, consolidation, or recall of FE. Mice exhibited similar patterns of extinction and spontaneous recovery of conditioned fear responses regardless of reinforcement schedule. These findings suggest that partial reinforcement during fear acquisition may not confer resistance to extinction of conditioned freezing, challenging the established understanding of the PREE and prompting a reexamination of how reinforcement schedules affect learning and memory of fear-related behaviors.

Observations from multisensory body illusions indicate that the body representation can be adapted to changing task demands, e.g., it can be expanded to integrate external objects based on current sensorimotor experience (embodiment). While the mechanisms that promote embodiment have been studied extensively in earlier work, the opposite phenomenon of, removing an embodied entity from the body representation (i.e., disembodiment) has received little attention yet. The current study addressed this phenomenon and drew inspiration from the partial reinforcement extinction effect in instrumental learning which suggests that behavior is more resistant to extinction when reinforcement is delivered irregularly. In analogy to this, we investigated whether experiencing occasional visuo-motor mismatches during the induction phase of the moving rubber hand illusion (intermittent condition) would result in slower disembodiment as compared to a regular induction phase where motor and visual signals always match (continuous condition). However, we did not find an effect of reinforcement schedule on disembodiment. Keeping a recently embodied entity in the body schema, therefore, requires constant updating through correlated perceptual and motor signals.

This study examines the enhancement of the mechanical strength of polymer resins through reinforcement with synthetic (glass) and natural (hemp, jute) fibers, using the TRIZ-ARIZ methodology to optimize composite design for improved mechanical properties, sustainability, and economic efficiency. Mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to evaluate the properties of the composite materials. Regarding tensile strength testing, the results showed the following: jute fiber achieved the best results, with a maximum tensile values of 43.75 MPa (partial reinforcement) and 43.53 MPa (complete reinforcement); glass fiber recorded maximum tensile values of 34.55 MPa (partial reinforcement) and 34.52 MPa (complete reinforcement); and hemp fiber yielded maximum tensile values of 24.98 MPa (partial reinforcement) and 24.86 MPa (complete reinforcement). The mechanical performance of partial reinforcements (in the area of maximum stress) was similar to that of complete reinforcements, enabling a reduction in material usage by up to 60%. The thermal analysis (TGA) results demonstrated that glass fiber-reinforced composites exhibit high thermal stability, with mass loss starting at 320 °C and a residual mass of 8.02%; for other composite materials, thermal degradation begins at 305 °C, with a residual mass of 3.69%; in jute fiber-reinforced composites, thermal degradation starts at 300 °C, with a residual mass of 3.71%. SEM analysis generally revealed good fiber-matrix adhesion, while defects such as voids or detached fibers contributed to reduced mechanical strength. These results demonstrate that natural fiber-reinforced composite materials, particularly those reinforced with jute, can be used in sustainable engineering applications. They also show that localized reinforcement provides high performance with minimal resource consumption.

Fear generalization plays a major role in the acquisition and maintenance of anxiety disorders. In fear generalization, conditioned fear responses are observed for novel stimuli sharing perceptually or conceptually similar properties with the conditioned stimulus (CS). The reinforcement rates of the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) impact fear acquisition and generalization. Fear generalization can be studied using the category-based conditioning paradigm, where individuals are conditioned to members of a category rather than a single stimulus. The current study explored the effect of UCS reinforcement (i.e., continuous and partial) on conceptual fear generalization due to category-based similarity using a visual aversive UCS. The CSs were exemplars from four categories, i.e., animals, insects, household appliances, and tools. Thirty healthy participants underwent fear acquisition with exemplars from the four stimulus categories, presented with varying levels of UCS reinforcement (100%, 62.5%, and 37.5%). Subsequently, fear generalization was tested with novel unreinforced exemplars from each category. A significant effect of reinforcement on the UCS expectancy and CS-UCS contingency ratings was observed. UCS expectancy ratings increased with increasing certainty of UCS occurrence in the generalization phase. Our results may help to understand how fear generalizes to conceptually related stimuli based on the certainty of the UCS occurrence.

Learner Phase of Partial Reinforcement Optimizer with Nelder-Mead Simplex for Parameter Extraction of Photovoltaic Models

Optimization and forecasting of reinforced wire ropes for tower crane by using hybrid HHO-PSO and ANN-HHO algorithms

Abstract This paper introduces and investigates an enhanced Partial Reinforcement Optimization Algorithm (E-PROA), a novel evolutionary algorithm inspired by partial reinforcement theory to efficiently solve complex engineering optimization problems. The proposed algorithm combines the Partial Reinforcement Optimization Algorithm (PROA) with a quasi-oppositional learning approach to improve the performance of the pure PROA. The E-PROA was applied to five distinct engineering design components: speed reducer design, step-cone pulley weight optimization, economic optimization of cantilever beams, coupling with bolted rim optimization, and vehicle suspension arm optimization problems. An artificial neural network as a metamodeling approach is used to obtain equations for shape optimization. Comparative analyses with other benchmark algorithms, such as the ship rescue optimization algorithm, mountain gazelle optimizer, and cheetah optimization algorithm, demonstrated the superior performance of E-PROA in terms of convergence rate, solution quality, and computational efficiency. The results indicate that E-PROA holds excellent promise as a technique for addressing complex engineering optimization problems.

Manipulation is a purposeful, conscious, organized psychological influence with the aim of using the personality of another person as a means of achieving one's own goals. The purpose of the article is to characterize the main strategies of manipulation in interpersonal relationships. A set of theoretical research methods was used: the conceptual and terminological analysis was used to determine the essence of the main concepts of the study, comparative and contrastive, which made it possible to analyze the periodicals and scientific-methodical publications on psychology, classification. The results identify the major components of the process of manipulative interaction and the main signs of manipulation in interpersonal relationships. The results showed that manipulators control their victims through positive reinforcement (praise, excessive apologies, gifts, attention), negative reinforcement (getting rid of the problem), unstable or partial reinforcement (fear, doubt), punishment (reproaches, shouting). The conclusions indicate that the psychological mechanisms of manipulative action ensure the effectiveness of the manipulator's psychological influence on the object of manipulation. The conclusions also summarize that the main manipulative techniques are organizational and procedural, logical and psychological, and personal. The prospect of further scientific research is an empirical study of the features of manipulative tendencies in interpersonal relations.

Fear over-generalization as a core symptom of anxiety disorders is manifested by fear responses even to safe stimuli that are very dissimilar to the original dangerous stimulus. The present study investigated the effects of two separate conditioned stimuli-unconditioned stimuli (CS-US) pairing procedures on fear acquisition and generalization using a perceptual discrimination fear-conditioning paradigm, with US expectancy ratings and skin conductance response (SCR) as indicators. One group accepted continuous followed by partial CS-US pairings (C-P group); the other group accepted partial followed by continuous CS-US pairings (P-C group). It was found that compared to the P-C group, the C-P group showed stronger perceptual discrimination of CS+ and CS- in the fear acquisition and showed weaker SCRs and stronger extinction of US expectancy in the generalization. These findings emphasize that CS-US pairings significantly influence fear acquisition and generalization and suggest that continuous-following partial CS-US pairings promote individual discrimination of threat and safety signals and inhibit the generalization of conditioned fear. The results of this study have implications for clinical interventions for patients experiencing negative events.