Transition Patterns Research Articles

The non-linear effects of built environment on bus ridership of vulnerable people

Understanding public transit patterns of vulnerable people, and their influencing factors is crucial for equitable transportation planning. However, few studies have explored how the impact of built environment factors and according threshold effects vary among different population groups. This paper bridges this research gap through an empirical study carried out in the City of Wuhu, a prefectural-level Chinese city. Bus ridership of three disadvantaged groups (the elderly, disabled and the low-income) and the mainstream population was obtained using smart card transaction records and bus trajectory GPS data. The non-linear effects of built environment on bus ridership of different groups were then examined and compared using Gradient Boosting Regression Trees (GBRT). The results suggested that both the importance and threshold effects of built environment variables vary among four population groups. The effect ranges of built environment variables were further identified to shed light on land-use policy-making for promoting equitable public transit.

The effects of self-explanation on game-based learning: Evidence from eye-tracking analyses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of self-explanation prompts on game performance using eye-tracking techniques. We adopted an experimental design for the study. A total of 40 4th graders participated and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. While the experimental group played a computer game with self-explanation prompts, the control group played the same game without any prompts. A Tobii 4C eye tracker with a sampling rate of 90 Hz was used to record the eye movements of the participants while they were playing the game. A pre-test and post-test were used to assess the participants’ understanding of the target concepts of the game before and after their game-playing, respectively. The results indicated an interaction effect between self-explanation and prior knowledge on the learning outcomes. Regarding the participants with lower-level prior knowledge, the experimental group gained significantly better scores on the posttest than the control group. In contrast, with respect to the participants with higher-level prior knowledge, the self-explanation prompts did not demonstrate a positive effect on the experimental group. Moreover, the results of the lag sequential analysis provide solid evidence of the differences in visual transitional patterns between the participants with different levels of prior knowledge while they were reacting to the self-explanation prompts. These results could account for the different learning outcomes achieved by the participants with different levels of prior knowledge in the experimental group.

Realms of aesthetic experience of classical Chinese gardens based on semantic analysis of online tourism reviews

The study of classical Chinese garden aesthetics has yielded long-term and extensive insights through the lens of traditional Chinese landscape design theory. However, little attention has been paid to the empirical investigation of the transition pattern between different realms of aesthetic experience using quantitative methods. This research selected seven classical Chinese gardens in southeast China as research cases and analyzed 12,864 online reviews on Ctrip, an online travel agency in China, as the data sources. Garden aesthetic elements were measured using natural language processing and encoding technology. A probability transition model of the realms of aesthetic experience was constructed based on a Markov chain and used to mine the transition pattern of the aesthetic realms. The novel mixed approach of big data mining and the modeling of aesthetic realms enriched the knowledge of aesthetic experience and provided a new research paradigm for the experiences of cultural heritage by tourists.

Quantifying the shift of public export finance from fossil fuels to renewable energy

By providing guarantees and direct lending, public export credit agencies (ECAs) de-risk and thus enable energy projects worldwide. Despite their importance for global greenhouse gas emission pathways, a systematic assessment of ECAs’ role and financing patterns in the low-carbon energy transition is still needed. Using commercial transaction data, here we analyze 921 energy deals backed by ECAs from 31 OECD and non-OECD countries (excluding Canada) between 2013 and 2023. We find that while the share of renewables in global ECA energy commitments rose substantially between 2013 and 2023, ECAs remain heavily involved in the fossil fuel sector, with support varying substantially across technologies, value chain stages, and countries. Portfolio ‘greening’ is primarily driven by members of the E3F climate club, impacting deal financing structures and shifting finance flows towards high-income countries. Our results call for reconsidering ECA mandates and strengthening international climate-related cooperation in export finance.

Gravitational waves and dark matter in the gauged two-Higgs doublet model

We investigate the possibility of a strong first-order electroweak phase transition (FOEWPT) during the early universe within the framework of the gauged two-Higgs doublet model (G2HDM) and explore its detectability through stochastic gravitational wave signals. The G2HDM introduces a dark replica of the Standard Model electroweak gauge group, inducing an accidental Z2 symmetry which not only leads to a simple scalar potential at tree-level but also offers a compelling vectorial dark matter candidate. Using the high temperature expansion in the effective potential that manifests gauge invariance, we find a possible two-step phase transition pattern in the model with a strong first-order transition occurring in the second step at the EW scale temperature. Collider data from the LHC plays a crucial role in constraining the parameter space conducive to this two-step transition. Furthermore, satisfying the nucleation condition necessitates the masses of scalar bosons in the hidden sector to align with the electroweak scale, potentially probed by future collider detectors. The stochastic gravitational wave energy spectrum associated with the phase transition is computed. The results indicate that forthcoming detectors such as BBO, LISA, DECIGO, TianQin and Taiji could potentially detect the gravitational wave signals generated by the FOEWPT. Additionally, we find that the parameter space probed by gravitational waves can also be searched for in future dark matter direct detection experiments, in particular those designed for dark matter masses in the sub-GeV range using the superfluid Helium target detectors.

Dynamic cycles between brain states during creative storytelling.

Many theories suggest that creative thinking involves a dynamic transition between different mental states, yet empirical evidence supporting this notion remains scarce. The dual process model proposes that spontaneous thinking and deliberate thinking drive the dwell in and the transitions between different mental states during creative thinking, but there is a debate over whether the two types of thinking operate in parallel or in sequence. To address these gaps, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in 41 college students during a creative storytelling task. We then compared the dynamic brain states in creative versus uncreative storytelling to identify key brain states associated with creative thinking. And we further performed correlation analysis between these key brain states with performance of various creative tasks, trying to link the key brain states with different cognitive processes. The results showed that two key brain states are associated with creative thinking, with one involving whole-brain synchronization and the other involving the synchronization of four networks, including the default mode network and the control network. The transition patterns between the key brain states provide tentative evidence for dynamic circulation between different mental states during creative storytelling. Using a deep learning approach, we demonstrate an alternating interaction between spontaneous and deliberate thinking, driving dwelling in and the transitions between different brain states. These findings deepen our understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying creative thinking.

Modeling of PV Power Based on Weather Random Sampling and Fluctuation Characteristics Simulation

In response to the significant fluctuations in PV power generation due to weather changes, this paper proposes a time-series modeling approach. The proposed method integrates random weather sampling with fluctuation characteristic simulation techniques, effectively characterizing the uncertainty of PV power. Initially, the characteristics and the fluctuation of PV power under different weather conditions are analyzed, and the impact of weather factors on PV power fluctuations is quantified using the “no-shade coefficient”. Subsequently, based on statistical analysis of historical weather data, a Markov chain-based weather type transition model is constructed to accurately capture the transition patterns between weather types. On this foundation, combined with the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and the Normal Distribution, mean value and fluctuation value models of the PV power no-shade coefficient are established, respectively. These two models collectively provide a detailed depiction of PV power fluctuations. Finally, the validity and accuracy of the proposed modeling method are verified using actual operational data from a PV power station in Wuqing, Tianjin. This method provides a modeling basis and algorithmic support for the new electricity system planning and production process simulation.

Prolonged grief disorder symptoms and posttraumatic growth among Chinese shidu parents: A latent transition analysis.

Chinese shidu parents (bereaved parents who have lost the only child) may experience prolonged grief disorder, as well as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study aimed to examine their latent classes and transition patterns of prolonged grief disorder symptoms and PTG. Based on a longitudinal design, 265 shidu parents completed the Prolonged Grief Scale-Revised and Short Form of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Chinese Shidu Parents twice with an interval of about 5 months. Latent class analysis and latent transition analysis were performed to identify subgroups and their transition possibilities over time. Four latent classes that changed over time were identified: a "growth" class, a "combined grief and growth" class, a "low grief" class, and a "high grief" class. From Time 1 to Time 2, the proportion of the growth class and the low grief class increased. Shidu parents in the growth class or combined class had about a 36% probability of moving to low grief class. Compared with individuals in the high grief class (8.5%), members in the low grief class (20.4%) had a higher probability of moving to the growth class. Moreover, 29.0% of shidu parents suffered from persistent grief. Adjustment to child loss displayed substantial variations between individuals. PTG reported by shidu parents can be both stable and temporary. About 30% of shidu parents suffered from persistent and severe grief, and designing grief-focused treatment may be beneficial for them. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Autoencoder based data clustering for identifying anomalous repetitive hand movements, and behavioral transition patterns in children.

The analysis of repetitive hand movements and behavioral transition patterns holds particular significance in detecting atypical behaviors in early child development. Early recognition of these behaviors holds immense promise for timely interventions, which can profoundly impact a child's well-being and future prospects. However, the scarcity of specialized medical professionals and limited facilities has made detecting these behaviors and unique patterns challenging using traditional manual methods. This highlights the necessity for automated tools to identify anomalous repetitive hand movements and behavioral transition patterns in children. Our study aimed to develop an automated model for the early identification of anomalous repetitive hand movements and the detection of unique behavioral patterns. Utilizing autoencoders, self-similarity matrices, and unsupervised clustering algorithms, we analyzed skeleton and image-based features, repetition count, and frequency of repetitive child hand movements. This approach aimed to distinguish between typical and atypical repetitive hand movements of varying speeds, addressing data limitations through dimension reduction. Additionally, we aimed to categorize behaviors into clusters beyond binary classification. Through experimentation on three datasets (Hand Movements in Wild, Updated Self-Stimulatory Behaviours, Autism Spectrum Disorder), our model effectively differentiated between typical and atypical hand movements, providing insights into behavioral transitional patterns. This aids the medical community in understanding the evolving behaviors in children. In conclusion, our research addresses the need for early detection of atypical behaviors through an automated model capable of discerning repetitive hand movement patterns. This innovation contributes to early intervention strategies for neurological conditions.

Discontinuous Structural Transitions in Fluids with Competing Interactions.

This paper explores how competing interactions in the intermolecular potential of fluids affect their structural transitions. This study employs a versatile potential model with a hard core followed by two constant steps, representing wells or shoulders, analyzed in both one-dimensional (1D) and three-dimensional (3D) systems. Comparing these dimensionalities highlights the effect of confinement on structural transitions. Exact results are derived for 1D systems, while the rational function approximation is used for unconfined 3D fluids. Both scenarios confirm that when the steps are repulsive, the wavelength of the oscillatory decay of the total correlation function evolves with temperature either continuously or discontinuously. In the latter case, a discontinuous oscillation crossover line emerges in the temperature-density plane. For an attractive first step and a repulsive second step, a Fisher-Widom line appears. Although the 1D and 3D results share common features, dimensionality introduces differences: these behaviors occur in distinct temperature ranges, require deeper wells, or become attenuated in 3D. Certain features observed in 1D may vanish in 3D. We conclude that fluids with competing interactions exhibit a rich and intricate pattern of structural transitions, demonstrating the significant influence of dimensionality and interaction features.

Identifying story types of PhD candidates lecturing in higher professional education: “ups and downs”, “turnaround”, “continuous growth”, and “scholarly recognition”

Purpose Guided by the quest concept, this study aims to explore how profession-focused PhD candidates, who are concurrently lecturing at a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (UAS), make sense of change while pursuing doctoral objectives. The research question was: How do these PhD candidates navigate, experience and evaluate their enduring profession-focused doctoral quests across the nexus of research, education and professional fields, considering their aspirations? Design/methodology/approach Eight PhD candidates shared one-year quest experiences, illustrating how interactions with ‘actors’, ‘settings’ and ‘events’ shape doctoral transitions. These narratological concepts guided within-case and cross-case analyses, while grounded theory methodologies served to explore candidates’ sense-making of change over time. Findings Four story types of doctoral transitions emerged: “ups and downs”, “turnaround”, “continuous growth” and “scholarly recognition”. Candidates valued the Dutch UASs’ formal policy of supporting academic research with professional relevance. Across the story types, differences in aligning doctoral expectations among research and workplace supervisors and candidates affected knowledge exchange throughout the doctorate. When available, engagement in varied and comprehensive doctoral learning resources advanced candidates’ research competencies, including bridging diverse knowledge types. Autonomous candidate navigation was crucial for building partnerships, accessing dispersed learning resources and responding to uncertainties. Collaborative learning involving BSc-MSc students, colleagues and practitioners varied in strength across the story types, but enhanced the doctorate’s relevance, visible outcomes, feasibility and sustainability. The story types represent transition patterns that shaped how candidates developed new knowledge and contributed to their fields. While passion was a key motivator for candidates, it also heightened their vulnerability. Practical implications Analysing patterns in doctoral transitions provided actionable insights for optimising conditions and candidate navigation within the science–profession nexus. Originality/value The findings highlight that diverse actors can contribute to and benefit from profession-focused doctorates, driving momentum in integrating this research into education and innovation.

The morphologies of outburst light curves of black hole X-ray transients as telltale signs of disc instability evolution

Abstract We present a comprehensive spectral and timing analysis of 15 outbursts and 18 mini-outbursts from nine dynamically confirmed black hole X-ray transients with light curve and spectral data from RXTE, MAXI, and NuSTAR obtained from 1996 to 2024. Departed from the canonical fast-rise exponential decay (FRED) morphology, the most common morphology within our sample is triangular with similar rise and decay timescale. In most outbursts, the spectral evolutions indicate the presence of limit-cycle instability, as predicted by the disc instability model (DIM). Even though almost all of the outbursts showed a similar canonical pattern, unique transition patterns are found in FRED outbursts. On the other hand, no spectral transition is found in any mini-outburst, which was observed in either hard or thermal-dominant (TD) state only. The Fe K-α emission line is the most prominent feature in the hard state of the rising phase but none is found in the decay phase. Triangular outbursts are always in transition to the TD state, following a standard accretion disc, before the peak proceeds to match DIM prediction. This is unlike the FRED outburst which directly transitioned to the steep power-law (SPL) state or high Eddington ratio TD state, resembling a slim accretion disc. Non-canonical spectral evolution as well as the rarity of FRED outburst in our sample, seem to add more challenges for DIM. Studying the morphology of outburst light curve may reveal more clues on the evolution of the disc instability at least during the time relevant to the burst.

Transitivity Patterns in English Native and Non-Native Students Research Articles: A Functional Analysis

This study explores the transitivity patterns in academic writing of English native and Pakistani non-native students by analyzing the process types from a functional point of view based on Halliday’s (1985) framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). The research describes and compares the process types used by English native and non-native students to transmit their experiences/ideations and fulfill intended purposes. A corpus of research articles written by English native and Pakistani non-native students was compiled and analyzed in terms of clauses and process types (material, mental, relational, verbal, existential, and behavior. The analysis reveals that both student groups prioritize material and relational processes, focusing on physical actions and linking them to associated actors with corresponding qualities. However, the subsequent processes show differences between the two groups. In the native research article corpus (NRAC), verbal, mental, and existential processes are prominent, while in the non-native research article corpus (NNRAC), mental, existential, and verbal processes prevail. Behavior processes are less frequently used in both corpora, indicating a minimal focus on physiological responses. Variation in process type rates reflects students' choices for conveying experiences. This study contributes to understanding how linguistic choices in research articles vary between native and non-native students, shedding light on differences in communication strategies and rhetorical approaches within academic discourse.

Unpacking linguistic features in EFL textbooks using systemic functional linguistics: Transitivity, Mood, and nominal group structure analysis

Systemic functional linguistics provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to examining language use, offering valuable information about the construction of meaning in the context of experiential, interpersonal, and textual metafunctions. This framework can be used to examine linguistic features and discourse patterns of the EFL textbooks. This study analyzes the linguistic features that go into creating the metafunctions in question found in EFL textbooks using systemic functional linguistics. The study specifically focused on process types of Transitivity patterns, Mood structures, and nominal group structures. Data were taken from two secondary EFL textbooks published in 2013 by two Indonesian publishers from which samples of reading passages were purposefully chosen based on the topic, genre and difficulty, and they were modified into clauses for analysis. After transitivity analysis, material process type was found to be predominantly used signifying a focus on tangible actions. Furthermore, the mood structure predominantly employs declarative structures, indicating comprehensible and direct information exchanges. Nominal group analysis indicates that T (Thing) and DT (Deictic Thing) types are frequently used, increasing vocabulary with physical references. The pedagogical implications of the linguistic feature analysis provide tailored teaching-learning activities and the useful information for instructional design. Acknowledgments The author would like to express their sincere gratitude to the team, editors, and anonymous reviewers for their valuable insights and constructive feedback. Their input has greatly contributed to the improvement and refinement of this manuscript. Disclosure Statement The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest.

Economic Evaluation of Crop Transition Patterns in Ananthapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

The study aims to examine the crop shifts in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Anantapur is the southern-most district of the Rayalseema region of Andhra Pradesh. While agriculture remains the most important economic activity of the district, it is characterized by high levels of instability and uncertainty. Being in the rain-shadow region of Andhra Pradesh, the district is drought-prone. The results revealed that the groundnut which is an important crop in the district recorded a negative and non-significant growth rate of 0.69 per cent in area, but the productivity and production were significant. The result of Markov chain analysis shown that groundnut was the most stable crop with high retention probability compared with other crops in the district. The crops from which groundnut gained were bengalgram, redgram, jowar, chillies and sunflower but with varying transfer probabilities. The area under paddy was significantly influenced by rainfall. The area of ragi, cotton and bengalgram were influenced by their own lagged prices.

Changes in gastrointestinal motility and gut hormone secretion after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy for individuals with severe obesity.

Bariatric surgery is very effective in long-term weight management. The present study was undertaken to investigate the short-term effects of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on (a) gastrointestinal (GI) motility, that is gastric emptying and oro-cecal transit time and (b) secretion of regulatory gut peptides and (c) their interrelationship. Prospective single-centre study in which we assessed gastric emptying, oro-cecal transit time and gut peptide release in 28 severely obese individuals before and 2, respectively, 12 months after bariatric surgery (either SG or RYGB). Plasma PYY, GLP-1, ghrelin, insulin and glucose levels were measured fasting and after intake of a solid standard 459 kcal meal at each occasion. Gastric emptying was measured by 13 C octanoic acid breath testing, and oro-cecal transit time was measured by lactulose H2 breath testing. Satiation was measured using VAS scores. After both RYGB and SG gastric emptying become significantly accelerated, and postprandial release of the distal gut peptides GLP-1 and PYY becomes significantly increased, pointing to ileal brake activation. Oro-cecal transit time becomes significantly accelerated after SG but not after RYGB. No significant correlations were observed between changes in distal gut peptide release, changes in GI motility and clinical parameters. Both SG and RYGB resulted in significant weight loss and significantly affected GI motility and PYY and GLP-1 secretion. Subtle differences between both procedures were found in effect on oro-cecal transit time and patterns of peptide secretion.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RADIONUCLIDE ACCUMULATION IN DANDELION ROOTS IN THE CENTRAL BLACK EARTH REGION

The aim of the study is to examine accumulation patterns of natural and man-made radioactive isotopes in dandelion roots (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.), harvested in different areas of the Voronezh region. Materials and Methods. Under experiment, the specific activity of the main long-lived artificial radioisotopes (cesium-137, strontium-90) and naturally occurring radionuclides (thorium-232, potassium-40, radium-226) was determined in the samples of top soil and dandelion roots using a MKGB-01 RADEK spectrometer-radiometer. Results. All the studied samples of dandelion roots conform to the existing radiation safety requirements (first group). With the increase in the specific activity of strontium-90, cesium-137, thorium-232, potassium-40, and radium-226 in the soil, their specific activity in plant roots also increased. Correlation analysis of the specific activity of man-made and natural radionuclides in the soil and roots demonstrated a very noticeable correlation, which confirmed the predominant trans-soil root contamination. The calculated accumulation factors of radionuclides in dandelion roots showed fast accumulation of strontium-90 and radium-226 from soils. The specific activity of these radioisotopes in medicinal plant raw materials was significantly higher than that in soil. A detailed analysis of the dependence of the calculated accumulation coefficients of natural and man-made radioisotopes in dandelion roots allowed us to note the tendencies towards their decrease with an increase in the specific activity of the radionuclide in soil. This fact indicates the existence of physiological mechanisms regulating their accumulation in plant roots. The transition patterns of the studied natural and man-made radionuclides are described by mathematical dependencies with the maximum coefficient of approximation reliability.

Equal Pass: Comparing Passing Networks of England’s Top Women’s and Men’s Football Leagues

With women’s football finally receiving more attention, more and more studies explore differences to men’s football, mostly focussing on physical and technical indicators. This study is the first to compare the players’ collaboration between genders using social network analysis based on 328 matches of the FA Women’s Super League and 760 matches of the English Premier League. To compare overall team collaboration, patterns of density and transitivity were analysed. Additionally, the study examined degree centrality, closeness, betweenness, and eigenvector centrality as metrics to assess individual behaviors within the network. All statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon signed-ranked tests. We found no significant gender differences for all of the investigated metrics. Higher-ranked teams, in both genders, achieved significantly higher values than lower-ranked teams across all metrics except for eigenvector centrality, with larger effect sizes for density (rfemale = 0.47, rmale = 0.54). Practical differences between home and away teams could only be seen in men’s football, but with very small effect sizes. Therefore, this study can contribute to the state of research in three ways. Firstly, all the investigated network metrics except eigenvector can be used as football performance indicators without gender differences. Further, for both genders and all metrics there are no differences of practical meaning regarding home and away teams. Finally, we could show that there are no differences between male and female teams for the investigated performance indicators.

Women Midwestern University Presidents Reach One in Three: A Potential Tipping Point for Gender Parity

This research focused on women’s leadership in U. S. college and university presidencies. The authors examined publicly available data that reveal trends in women’s leadership in U. S. higher education. By placing the analysis of data in a larger context, the study identifies this moment as a potential tipping point for women university presidents. Specifically, the study targets Midwestern U. S. regional universities with attention to these variables: presidents’ gender in 2020 and 2023, transition patterns in leadership, and relevant distinctions between public and private institutions. The analysis focuses on leadership changes that differ from national trends and the potential tipping point for gender parity. Further, conclusions are drawn for aspiring women presidents and institutions that wish to advance gender inclusion at the presidential level. Finally, the authors recommend areas of further inquiry and research.

Stability and change of illness identity in Belgian youth with type 1 diabetes: a latent transition analysis.

Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are tasked with integrating their illness into their identity, a process conceptualized as illness identity. To date, longitudinal person-centered studies are lacking that substantiate qualitative research capturing illness identity as a process. First, the current study examined patterns of stability and change among illness identity profiles in youth with T1D. Second, the study investigated how these profiles and patterns are related to background and medical characteristics, psychological, and contextual variables. This 4-wave longitudinal study (covering 3 years) included 558 adolescents and emerging adults with T1D at baseline recruited from the Belgian Diabetes Registry (age range = 14-26 years, 54% female). Latent transition analysis was used to examine (1) illness identity profiles and (2) patterns of stability and change among these profiles. Multinomial logistic regression models examined the profiles' and patterns' associations with the background and medical characteristics, psychological, and contextual variables. Three illness identity profiles emerged: the more-integrated profile, the less-integrated profile, and the least-integrated profile. Although most individuals remained within their profile across 3 years, several meaningful transitions occurred as well. Age, self-esteem, diabetes distress, and psychological control were related to profile membership, whereas only illness duration was related to transitional patterns. The present study informed both theory and clinical practice on how illness identity is experienced by youth with T1D from a person-centered perspective. In addition, the results provided insight into which aspects are meaningfully related to illness identity integration, supporting tailored interventions for youth with T1D.