Plausible Structure Research Articles

Hybrid star model with Tolman–Buchdahl metric potentials in non-conservative theory of gravity

In this study, we propose a streamlined approach to analyze the characteristics of compact stars with a unique equation of state resulting from the hybridization of dark matter and baryonic matter within the framework of Rastall gravity. The impact of dark energy on the star’s interior is investigated by introducing a linear coupling parameter β (called the Rastall parameter). The interior space–time model is developed using metric potentials eν=A+Br2 and eλ(r)=a(1+br2)a−br2 for temporal and spatial coordinates, respectively. The parameter b is set to 0.005 km−2 for the specific stellar candidate PSRJ1614-2230. Physical features derived from the exact solutions of the Einstein field equations are analyzed by considering various choices of the Rastall parameter. The results indicate that the proposed model satisfies the necessary conditions for a stable and physically plausible stellar structure.

A comprehensive study on the identification and characterization of major degradation products of synthetic liraglutide using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

Liraglutide (LGT) is a synthetic glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue mainly used for the treatment of type-2 diabetes or obesity. Comprehensive stability testing is essential in the development and routine quality control of synthetic therapeutic peptide pharmaceuticals. The GLP-1 peptide drugs are usually formulated in aqueous-base solution, which can generate stability issues during manufacturing, storage or shipment. The current study endeavors to observe the chemical stability behavior of LGT by exposing the drug substance to oxidative and hydrolytic stress conditions. A simple liquid chromatography (LC) method was developed where sufficient resolution between LGT and the generated degradation products was achieved. In total, 19 degradation products (DPs) were separated under acidic, basic and oxidative stress conditions. Using LC-HRMS, MS/MS studies, the generated degradation products were identified and characterized. The mechanistic fragmentation pathway for all generated DPs were established and the plausible chemical structure for the identified DPs was predicted based on MS/MS data. The results strongly suggest that LGT is highly susceptible to degrade under oxidative and hydrolytic conditions. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the hydrolytic and oxidative stability of LGT, which can be implied during generic and novel formulation drug development and discovery in synthesizing relatively stable GLP-1 analogues.

Stress change in southwest Japan due to the 1944–1946 Nankai megathrust rupture sequence based on a 3-D heterogeneous rheological model

The Nankai trough has repeatedly experienced large megathrust earthquakes at intervals of 100–200 years. The inland region of southwest (SW) Japan has a seismically active period from 50 years before to 10 years after megathrust earthquakes. To assess the activities of inland earthquakes after megathrust earthquakes, we need to quantitatively evaluate the postseismic stress accumulation on the inland source faults considering plausible viscoelastic relaxation. Recent studies have shown the importance of low-viscosity layers along the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB layer) in postseismic deformation. In the present study, we focus on the most recent ruptures, the 1944 M7.9 Tonankai and the 1946 M8.0 Nankai earthquakes, estimating the 4-year stress change on the source faults in SW Japan in a forward modeling approach. The 1944–1946 megathrust rupture sequence was followed by severe ~ M7 inland earthquakes, such as the 1945 M6.8 Mikawa and 1948 M7.1 Fukui earthquakes. For stress calculation, we used a highly detailed finite element model incorporating the actual topography and the plausible viscoelastic underground structure from past studies. The calculated inland stress field shows the dominance of the coseismic change during the 1944 and 1946 earthquakes and little contribution from viscoelastic relaxation. In contrast, viscoelastic relaxation has a significant effect on stress in the slab, indicating the importance of quantifying the viscosity of the LAB layer. Based on the calculated stress, we evaluated the change in the Coulomb failure stress (ΔCFS) on each source fault. The ΔCFS is generally positive on the strike-slip faults east of 135°E due to the 1944 rupture. In contrast, the ΔCFS on the faults west of 135°E, including the Median Tectonic Line segments, became positive due to the 1946 rupture. The occurrence of the damaging earthquakes in 1945 and 1948 can be explained by the calculated ΔCFS. The ΔCFS on the recent earthquake faults of the recent damaging earthquakes such as the 2016 M7.2 Kumamoto earthquake is generally negative, suggesting the delay in stress accumulation. The ΔCFS on the source faults of the intra-slab earthquakes differ significantly as large as tens of kilopascals depending on the viscosity of the LAB layer.Graphical

Amorphous K-Co-Mo-Sx Chalcogel: A Synergy of Surface Sorption and Ion-Exchange.

Chalcogel represents a unique class of meso- to macroporous nanomaterials that offer applications in energy and environmental pursuits. Here, the synthesis of an ion-exchangeable amorphous chalcogel using a nominal composition of K2CoMo2S10 (KCMS) at room temperature is reported. Synchrotron X-ray pair distribution function (PDF), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS)reveal a plausible local structure of KCMS gel consisting of Mo5+ 2 and Mo4+ 3 clusters in the vicinity of di/polysulfides which are covalently linked by Co2+ ions. The ionically bound K+ ions remain in the percolating pores of the Co-Mo-S covalent network. XANES of Co K-edge shows multiple electronic transitions, including quadrupole (1s→3d), shakedown (1s→4p + MLCT), and dipole allowed 1s→4p transitions. Remarkably, despite a lack of regular channels as in some crystalline solids, the amorphous KCMS gel shows ion-exchange properties with UO2 2+ ions. Additionally, it also presents surface sorption via [S∙∙∙∙UO2 2+] covalent interactions. Overall, this study underscores the synthesis of quaternary chalcogels incorporating alkali metals and their potential to advance separation science for cations and oxo-cationic species by integrating a synergy of surface sorption and ion-exchange.

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid dimethyltin(IV) complexes of heterocyclic carboxylic acid and N-phthaloyl amino acids: Design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, DFT calculations and their anti-oxidant potential

Four new organic–inorganic hybrid dimethyltin(IV) complexes (1–4) having general formula Me2SnAL which were generated by the reaction of dimethyltin(IV) dichloride with sodium salts of indole-3-acetic acid (AH) and flexible N-phthaloyl amino acids (LH) in 1:1:1 molar ratio in refluxing dry THF. The plausible structure of newly generated complexes has been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic [IR, NMR (1H,13C,119Sn), HRMS] studies. The suggested five coordinated geometry of the hybrid dimethyltin(IV) complexes have been further supported by computational calculations using density functional theory (DFT). DFT calculations were carried out using B3LYP/6-31G* functional basis set. DFT calculations furnish an insight into the optimized geometry, optimized energy, stability, global reactivity descriptors and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis of newly synthesized organic–inorganic hybrid dimethyltin(IV) complexes. These newly synthesized complexes were also evaluated for their anti-radical activity by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. All the dimethyltin(IV) complexes acted as efficient radical scavengers.

Raman spectroscopic study and statistical modeling of composition-structure-property of MgO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 based glasses

Lightweight, glass fiber reinforced plastic composites (GFRP) have gained a broad, global acceptance in commercial markets, among which wind turbine blade for the renewable energy sector is one of the fastest growing areas. The usfsupplee of longer wind turbine blades can effectively reduce the cost of energy generation. However, it requires a fiberglass product with a higher tensile modulus to make the blades stiffer to meet the blade deflection requirement under severe weather conditions. Traditional wind turbine blades are made from conventional E-Glass fibers with and without boron. E-Glass is primarily composed of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CAS) with and without minor components of MgO (less than 4 %) and/or B2O3 (less than 1 %). Glass with higher modulus belongs to MgO (>7 %) -CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 (MCAS) system or R-Glass. Our study focuses on the effects of selective key oxides on the glass network structure by using Raman spectroscopic technique. The Raman derived plausible structure groups are then used to build statistical structure (S) – property (P) models. The S-P models are then compared with the conventional statistical C-P models. A good agreement between S-P and C-P models led to the final construction of C-S-P model platform for future glass design.

Isolation and characterization of undescribed flavonoid from Abrus precatorius L. based on HPTLC-DPPH bioautography and its cytotoxicity evaluation

BackgroundNaturally derived compounds play a tremendous role as a drug as well as lead structure for the development of APIs. Therefore, isolation and characterization of compounds from nature are needed to alleviate life-threatening diseases. A. precatorius L. belongs to the family Leguminosae and is valued for its medicinal properties. Therefore, in this study, efforts are being made to isolate bioactive entity based on HPTLC-DPPH bioautography from APHA extract. Among all the separated compounds on TLC plate, the one (APSP-3) at Rf = 0.67 showed significant antioxidant activity, and hence, APSP-3 was further subjected to isolation, purification, and structural characterization using diverse analytical modus operandi such as 1D and 2D NMR, FTIR, HPLC–MS/MS, and elemental analysis. In addition, antioxidant and cytotoxicity evaluation of APHA extract and APSP-3 was pursued by standard DPPH and colorimetric MTT assays, respectively.ResultsAntioxidative isolated compound APSP-3 was scrutinized based on HPTLC-DPPH bioautography. The APSP-3 was found novel and spectroscopic data revealed the plausible structure; 7-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-2-(4-((3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy) phenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one. Moreover, APSP-3 ascribed higher free radical scavenging activity with IC50 = 38.70 ± 3.5 µg/mL than standard ascorbic acid (75.19 ± 1.5 µg/mL). Cytotoxicity evaluation of APHA extract exhibited IC50 value 122.09 µg/mL for HepG2, 122.61 µg/mL for MCF-7, and 48.08 µg/mL for HCT116 cell lines, while APSP-3 displayed IC50 values 96.75 for HepG2, 61.67 for MCF-7, and 47.61 µg/mL for HCT116 cell lines.ConclusionsIn a nutshell, HPTLC-directed bioautography leads to the capturing of new flavonoid entity having antioxidant potency from APHA extract. The IC50 values obtained from cytotoxicity establish a dose–response relationship helping to determine the concentration at which a substance begins to exhibit toxic effects. This fundamental information is crucial for establishing safe dosage level in medical and pharmaceutical applications. Further, research engrossed in assessing other bioactivities involving in silico and in vivo studies obliged to offer a promising and secure portrayal for clinical implications.Graphical abstract

Mechanism of Selective Aromatic Hydroxylation in the Metabolic Transformation of Paclitaxel Catalyzed by Human CYP3A4.

Paclitaxel (PTX) is heralded as one of the most successful natural-product drugs for the treatment of refractory cancers. In humans, the hepatic metabolic transformation of PTX is primarily mediated by two cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s): CYP3A4 and CYP2C8. The impact of P450 metabolism on the anticancer effectiveness of PTX is significant. However, the precise mechanism underlying selective P450-catalyzed reactions in PTX metabolism remains elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations using multiple crystal structures of CYP3A4, which originally contained other ligands. These methods enabled us to determine the most plausible binding structure of PTX within the enzyme. By further employing hybrid quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics calculations, we successfully identified two primary pathways for the reaction between compound I (Cpd I) of CYP3A4 and PTX. One of these pathways involves the formation of an epoxide, while the other proceeds through a ketone intermediate.

Topological magnetic structure generation using VAE-GAN hybrid model and discriminator-driven latent sampling

Recently, deep generative models using machine intelligence are widely utilized to investigate scientific systems by generating scientific data. In this study, we experiment with a hybrid model of a variational autoencoder (VAE) and a generative adversarial network (GAN) to generate a variety of plausible two-dimensional magnetic topological structure data. Due to the topological properties in the system, numerous and diverse metastable magnetic structures exist, and energy and topological barriers separate them. Thus, generating a variety of plausible spin structures avoiding those barrier states is a challenging problem. The VAE-GAN hybrid model can present an effective approach to this problem because it brings the advantages of both VAE’s diversity and GAN’s fidelity. It allows one to perform various applications including searching a desired sample from a variety of valid samples. Additionally, we perform a discriminator-driven latent sampling (DDLS) using our hybrid model to improve the quality of generated samples. We confirm that DDLS generates various plausible data with large coverage, following the topological rules of the target system.

Keep in touch, stay in sight: locally-interpreted overt subjects in 1QIsaa

This study discusses textual variants at the sentence level in 1QIsaa, in which syntactic phrases in MT, mainly objects, seem to have been interpreted as overt subjects in the scroll. These variants are attested in two syntactic contexts: (a) clauses with non-canonical word order; and (b) subjectless clauses with third-person masculine verbs. In both contexts, an overt subject does not appear in its expected linear position. Consequently, an unintentional interpretation of the first suitable syntactic phrase as an overt subject at the closest proximity to its predicate is sometimes observed in the scroll. This (mis)interpretation is evaluated from a sentence-processing perspective and explained by (a) economic processing; and (b) the probability of comprehenders’ interpreting linguistic input as a simpler and more plausible structure in their language. A preference for subject interpretation is well attested in other Subject-before-Object languages, indicating a general bias of comprehenders toward the simplest structure of the linguistic input, in which all syntactic phrases are realized in their canonical positions with no moved or absent elements.

Structural Characterization and Molecular Model Construction of High-Ash Coal from Northern China.

High-ash coal, also known as low-grade coal, has becomes a viable alternative in recent years to high-quality coal because available resources have become increasingly scarce due to extensive mining activity. This work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural characteristics of high-ash coal and construct a plausible molecular structure to elucidate its chemical reactivity in future applications. Its properties were investigated using Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The molecular structure was constructed and validated using Material Studio, LAMMPS Software Package, and MATLAB program. The characterization results revealed that high-ash coal contains 72.15% aromatic carbon, significantly surpassing the percentage of aliphatic carbon (27.85%). The ratio of bridgehead carbon to peripheral aromatic carbon was calculated as 0.67, indicating that the pentacene is the main carbon skeleton form in the high-ash coal structure. Furthermore, oxygen-containing functional groups presented as C=O/O-C-O, C-O, and COO- within the structure along with pyridine and pyrrolic structures. Consequently, the molecular structure comprises pentacene with aliphatic carbon chains, such as methylene, that connect the benzene rings and form a three-dimensional network. The results of a simulated IR spectrum and contact angle simulation aligned with the experimental results, validating the molecular structure of high-ash coal. The chemical formula for the high-ash coal model was determined as C203H189N7O61S with a molecular weight of 3734.79.

Incorporating causal inference perspectives into psychoneuroimmunology: A simulation study highlighting concerns about controlling for adiposity in immunopsychiatry

Psychoneuroimmunology and immunopsychiatry are quickly approaching a critical point where the clinical translatability of their evidence base will be tested. To maximize chances for translational success, we believe researchers must adopt causal inference techniques that augment the causal relevance of estimates given theorized causal structures. To illustrate the utility of incorporating causal inference perspectives into psychoneuroimmunology, we applied directed acyclic graphs and a combination of empirical and simulated data to demonstrate the consequences of controlling for adiposity when testing the association between inflammation and depression under the plausible causal structure of increases in adipose tissue leading to greater inflammation that in turn promotes depression. Effect size estimates were pulled from a dataset combining the Midlife in the United States 2 (MIDUS-2) and MIDUS Refresher datasets. Data were extracted and used to simulate data reflecting an adiposity → inflammation → depression causal structure. Next, a Monte Carlo simulation study with 1,000 iterations and three sample size scenarios (Ns = 100, 250, and 500) was conducted testing whether controlling for adiposity when estimating the relation between inflammation and depression influenced the precision of this estimate. Across all simulation scenarios, controlling for adiposity reduced precision of the inflammation → depression estimate, suggesting that researchers primarily interested in quantifying inflammation → depression associations should not control for adiposity. This work thus underscores the importance of incorporating causal inference approaches into psychoneuroimmunological research.

Photoluminescence of GaAsSb/AlAsSb superlattices for investigating band structure

To study the band structure of GaAsSb/AlAsSb systems grown on InP substrates, optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements were performed. The measurements utilized GaAsSb/AlAsSb superlattice (SL) samples to investigate the optical properties of the system. By comparing optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements, it was determined that the non-radiative transition occurred at lower energy levels than the PL transition energy in the sample with the narrowest well width. The excitation power dependence of PL measurements exhibited an almost linear power law of peak intensity, suggesting high-quality luminescence properties of GaAsSb/AlAsSb SLs. In addition, the sample with the narrowest well width exhibited a blueshift of the PL transition energy as a function of the excitation power between square and cubic root laws. To explain these experimental observations, quantized energies in SLs were calculated using the band structures that were suggested and modified using an established band parameter. The most plausible band structure was revealed by comparing experimental observations with the calculations. PL from the SL samples was found to occur within the GaAsSb well (type I) in between the gamma point (Γ) of the conduction band and the heavy hole (HH) energy level in the valence band. To understand the underlying causes of the blueshift phenomenon, a self-consistent calculation that solves the Schrödinger and Poisson equations was performed iteratively as a function of carrier density. As a result, the blueshift of transition energy with an increase in the carrier density was confirmed in the type-I transition between Γ and HH bands if the lowest transition was type II between L for AlAsSb and HH for GaAsSb bands. The Hartree potential due to the separately confined electrons and holes in the SLs slightly narrowed the GaAsSb well width by modifying the conduction band.

Colorless Polyimides Derived from Octahydro-2,3,6,7-anthracenetetracarboxylic Dianhydride

A cycloaliphatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride, octahydro-2,3,6,7-anthracenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (OHADA) was synthesized to obtain novel colorless polyimides (PIs). Herein, approaches for decolorizing an OHADA prototype and simplifying the entire process are described, and a plausible steric structure for OHADA is proposed. The polyaddition of OHADA and 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB) was unsuccessful; specifically, the reaction mixture remained inhomogeneous even after prolonged stirring. However, the modified one-pot process was applicable to the OHADA/TFMB system. The isolated PI powder form, as well as those for the other OHADA-based PIs, was highly soluble in numerous solvents and afforded a homogeneous and stable solution with a high solid content (20–30 wt%). Solution casting produced a colorless and ductile PI film with a very high glass transition temperature (Tg~300 °C). Furthermore, the OHADA/TFMB system exhibited remarkable thermal stability compared with those of the other related TFMB-derived semi-cycloaliphatic PIs. However, contrary to our expectations, this PI film did not exhibit a low linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). This PI film also possessed excellent thermoplasticity, probably reflecting its peculiar steric structure. The use of an amide-containing diamine significantly enhanced the Tg (355 °C) and somewhat reduced the CTE (41.5 ppm K−1) while maintaining high optical transparency and excellent solubility.

Constraining the Venus Interior Structure with Future VERITAS Measurements of the Gravitational Atmospheric Loading

The complex dynamics of the Venus atmosphere produces a periodic mass redistribution pattern that creates a time-variable modulation of the gravity field of Venus. This gravity signal depends on the net transport of mass across the globe and on the response of the solid body to the normal loading of its crust imparted by the atmosphere. In this work, we explore the possibility of measuring this phenomenon with VERITAS, a NASA Discovery-class mission. By simulating the gravity science experiment, we explore the possibility of measuring the response of Venus to the atmospheric loading, parametrized by the loading Love numbers (), and assess the dependence of these parameters on fundamental interior structure properties. Using the most recent models of Venus’ interior, we compute the Venus Love numbers in a compressible viscoelastic setting and compare them with the predicted uncertainty of the VERITAS measurements. We show that VERITAS will measure at the 4% level and that this measurement could possibly help to distinguish between different equally plausible interior structure models, especially allowing us to distinguish different rheological laws. We also show that a measurement campaign such as the VERITAS gravity science investigation has the potential of measuring not only at the loading forcing frequency, but also at the tidal frequency, ultimately providing a way to probe the response of the planet at different forcing periods.

Structural analysis and molecular dynamics simulation studies of HIV-1 antisense protein predict its potential role in HIV replication and pathogenesis.

The functional significance of the HIV-1 Antisense Protein (ASP) has been a paradox since its discovery. The expression of this protein in HIV-1-infected cells and its involvement in autophagy, transcriptional regulation, and viral latency have sporadically been reported in various studies. Yet, the definite role of this protein in HIV-1 infection remains unclear. Deciphering the 3D structure of HIV-1 ASP would throw light on its potential role in HIV lifecycle and host-virus interaction. Hence, using extensive molecular modeling and dynamics simulation for 200 ns, we predicted the plausible 3D-structures of ASP from two reference strains of HIV-1 namely, Indie-C1 (subtype-C) and NL4-3 (subtype-B) so as to derive its functional implication through structural domain analysis. In spite of sequence and structural differences in subtype B and C ASP, both structures appear to share common domains like the Von Willebrand Factor Domain-A (VWFA), Integrin subunit alpha-X (ITGSX), and ETV6-Transcriptional repressor, thereby reiterating the potential role of HIV-1 ASP in transcriptional repression and autophagy, as reported in earlier studies. Gromos-based cluster analysis of the centroid structures also reassured the accuracy of the prediction. This is the first study to elucidate a highly plausible structure for HIV-1 ASP which could serve as a feeder for further experimental validation studies.

Ein Rahmenmodell für den kunstbasierten Fremd- sprachenunterricht – unter Einbezug von Theater, Bildender Kunst, Musik und Literatur

This article presents a framework model for a foreign-language classroom that makes use of the Arts (i.e., drama, visual arts, music, literature, etc.). This model contains the central elements of an Arts-based foreign-language instruction, which are arranged to form a plausible causal structure of the classroom teaching and student learning. As intermediate teaching outcomes, the model assumes changes in students’ personality states, i.e., changes in their current motivation, creativity, or empathy, which result from the students’ engagement with the Arts. As final teaching outcomes, the model assumes a development of students’ L2 competences, i.e., of their L2 speaking, listening, writing, reading, mediation, vocabulary, and grammar skills. The framework model is based on earlier accounts which assume that all teaching outcomes derive from an Arts-based foreign-language instruction as final teaching results. In contrast, the present framework assumes that Arts-based teaching outcomes are partially nested.

Breathing Behaviour Modification of Gallium MIL-53 Metal-Organic Frameworks Induced by the Bridging Framework Inorganic Anion.

Controlling aspects of the μ2 -X- bridging anion in the metal-organic framework Ga-MIL-53 [GaX(bdc)] (X- =(OH)- or F- , bdc=1, 4-benzenedicarboxylate) is shown to direct the temperature at which thermally induced breathing transitions of this framework occur. In situ single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that substituting 20 % of (OH)- in [Ga(OH)(bdc)] (1) for F- to produce [Ga(OH)0.8 F0.2 (bdc)] (2) stabilises the large pore (lp) form relative to the narrow pore (np) form, causing a well-defined decrease in the onset of the lp to np transition at higher temperatures, and the adsorption/desorption of nitrogen at lower temperatures through np to lp to intermediate (int) pore transitions. These in situ diffraction studies have also yielded a more plausible crystal structure of the int-[GaX(bdc)] ⋅ H2 O phases and shown that increasing the heating rate to a flash heating regime can enable the int-[GaX(bdc)] ⋅ H2 O to lp-[GaX(bdc)] transition to occur at a lower temperature than np-[GaX(bdc)] via an unreported pathway.

Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale-Version 2: A Stepwise Validation with Three Cross-Sectional Data Collections.

The nursing professional self-efficacy scale (NPSES) is one of the most used self-reporting tools for assessing nursing self-efficacy. Its psychometric structure was described differently in several national contexts. This study aimed to develop and validate version 2 of the NPSES (NPSES2), which is a brief version of the original scale selecting items that contribute to stably detecting attributes of care delivery and professionalism as descriptors of salient aspects of the nursing profession. Three different and subsequent cross-sectional data collections were employed to reduce the number of items to generate the NPSES2 and validate its new emerging dimensionality. The first (June 2019-January 2020) involved 550 nurses and was used to reduce the number of the original scale items by using a Mokken scale analysis (MSA) to ensure the selection of items consistently with the invariant item ordering properties. The subsequent data collection was performed to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) involving 309 nurses (September 2020-January 2021), and the last data collection (n = 249) was performed to cross-validate with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the most plausible dimensionality derived from the EFA (June 2021-February 2022). The MSA led to the removal of twelve items and retention of seven items (Hs = 0.407, standard error = 0.023), which showed adequate reliability (rho reliability = 0.817). The EFA showed a two-factor solution as the most plausible structure (factors loading ranged from 0.673 to 0.903; explained variance = 38.2%), which was cross-validated by the CFA that showed adequate fit indices: χ2 (13, N = 249) = 44.521, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.946; TLI = 0.912; RMSEA = 0.069 (90% CI = 0.048-0.084); SRMR = 0.041. The factors were labeled as care delivery (four items) and professionalism (three items). NPSES2 is recommended to allow researchers and educators to assess nursing self-efficacy and inform interventions and policies.

Combining interpolated maximum wind gust speed and forest vulnerability for rapid post-storm mapping of potential forest damage areas in Finland

Abstract In Finland, wind-induced forest damage is expected to increase in the future. Demand exists for timely and precise first-hand information about the main impact area of windstorms. Locating potential damage areas quickly is essential for effective operational planning of salvage loggings, aiming to reduce monetary losses of timber and risk for secondary damage caused by insects. This study presents an approach for mapping the potential damage areas immediately after a windstorm, by using high-resolution forest vulnerability data and information on the spatial distribution of maximum wind gust speed derived from weather station observations using kriging with external drift interpolation. The new method is evaluated by analyzing damage caused by nine major windstorms of the 2010s in Finland. Our results show that including roughness length information as an auxiliary variable in the interpolation improved the results and produced wind maps with more plausible structure and better separation between forested and non-forested land areas. The forest vulnerability data were most strongly linked to damage, whilst wind gust speed had weaker results. However, for future storms with unknown damage areas, we consider maximum wind gust speed still essential for defining the main impact area, whereas forest vulnerability data could then be used for more detailed damage predictions. Further advancements of wind interpolation approaches, preferably towards higher resolution and, if possible, based on a denser and more diverse observation network, is needed to fully exploit the potential of combined wind and forest vulnerability data. Albeit we recognize multiple uncertainties, room for improvements and benefits that additional data sources would bring, our study demonstrates a simple approach for rapid mapping of potential forest wind damage areas, which could be further developed into an operational tool.