Scale Structure Research Articles

Optimal constraints on Primordial non-Gaussianity with the eBOSS DR16 quasars in Fourier space

We present constraints on the amplitude of local Primordial Non-Gaussianities (PNG), f NL, using the quasar sample in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) Data Release 16 (DR16). We analyze the power spectrum monopole, testing for the presence of scale-dependent galaxy bias induced by local PNG. Our analysis makes use of optimal redshift weights that maximize the response of the quasar sample to the possible presence of non-zero PNG. We find -4 < f NL < 27 at 68% confidence level, which is among the strongest bounds with Large Scale Structure data. The optimal analysis reduces the error bar by ~10% compared to the standard one, but this improvement is lower than the one expected from previous forecasts. In addition, the larger volume of this dataset, when compared to previous releases of the eBOSS quasar catalog, does not always correspond to a reduction of the final uncertainty on local PNG. This could suggest the presence of still unknown systematic effects in the data.If the quasars have a lower response to local PNG, our optimal constraint becomes -23 < f NL < 21 at 68%, with an improvement of 30% over standardanalyses. We alsoshow how to use the optimal weights to put data-driven priors on the sample's response tolocal PNG.

Heat treatments effects on Wear performance of Laser based Powder Bed Fusion fabricated Inconel 718 alloy

Among the AM processes Laser based Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technique offers precise and complex geometric fabrication. However, the microstructural and mechanical properties obtained from LPBF process requires further investigation, especially for IN718 superalloys. In this study, various heat treatments were applied to LPBFed Inconel 718 specimens to examine their effects on microstructure, microhardness and wear behavior. Three different heat treatments, each involving varied solutionizing and ageing steps were incorporated. As-printed specimens exhibited distinct fish scale structures with columnar dendrites. Heat treatments effectively dissolved the Laves phase and precipitated strengthening phases like γ′′ and γ′. Microhardness increased significantly after heat treatments, correlating with the formation of strengthening precipitates. Friction and wear tests showed as-printed specimens exhibited higher wear loss (922 ± 13 μm) and coefficient of friction (COF) (0.511 ± 0.07) due to the presence of Laves phase and softer matrix. Heat-treated specimens demonstrated significantly reduced wear loss (262 ± 5 μm) and COF (0.368 ± 0.01), with HT2 showing the best wear resistance attributed to a homogeneous microstructure. SEM analysis of worn surfaces confirmed abrasive and adhesive wear mechanisms in as-printed specimens, while heat-treated specimens exhibited reduced wear with smoother surfaces.

Development of the Japanese Version of the Rape Excusing Attitudes and Language Scale and Comparison Between Rape Myth Acceptance in Japan and the U.S.

Rape myth acceptance (RMA) is the acceptance of false beliefs, stereotypes, and statements about rape victims, perpetrators, and the act itself. RMA positively predicts shame felt by victims and negatively predicts reports of sexual victimization. Knowledge about sexual violence changes over time; accordingly, psychometric scales measuring RMA should be updated. Hahnel-Peeters and Goetz developed the Rape Excusing Attitudes and Language (REAL) scale by updating the Illinois RMA Scale-a major instrument used in the United States. However, the REAL scale is not available in Japanese. Therefore, we developed and validated a Japanese version of the REAL scale, evaluated RMA in Japanese individuals (N = 1,000), and compared the Japanese participants' RMA levels with the mean participant scores from Hahnel-Peeters and Goetz. In collaboration with one of the original authors, the Japanese version was developed through a back-translation process and administered to 1,000 men and women aged between 18 and 65; exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the data collected. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Japanese version moderately fitted the 4-factor structure of the original REAL scale. However, a 2-factor form obtained in the exploratory factor analysis best fit the data. Consistent with the original version, the Japanese version showed higher RMA in men than in women. The young generation (18-29 years old) self-reported higher RMA than other generations. Japan's RMA was significantly higher than that of the U.S. sample. The Japanese version of the REAL scale can be used in future studies to assess RMA in Japanese individuals and develop suitable educational programs to reduce RMA.

Moyal product and generalized Hom-Lie-Virasoro symmetries in Bloch electron systems

We explore two variations of the Curtright-Zachos (CZ) deformation of the Virasoro algebra. Firstly, we introduce a scaled CZ algebra that inherits the scaling structure found in the differential operator representation of the magnetic translation (MT) operators. We then linearly decompose the scaled CZ generators to derive two types of Hom-Lie deformations of the W∞ algebra. We discuss ⁎-bracket formulations of these algebras and their connection to the Moyal product. We show that the ⁎-bracket form of the scaled CZ algebra arises from the Moyal product, while we obtain the second type of deformed W∞ through a coordinate transformation of the first type of Moyal operators. From a physical point of view, we construct the Hamiltonian of a tight binding model (TBM) using the Wyle matrix representation of the scaled CZ algebra. We note that the integer powers of q are linked to the quantum fluctuations that are inherent in the Moyal product.

Validation of the Portuguese version of the diabetes self-management questionnaire-revised (DSMQ-R) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundReflecting people with diabetes’ self-management activities is often required in both research and clinical practice. This study evaluated the measurement properties of the Portuguese version of the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire-Revised (DSMQ-R) on a sample of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsTranslation and cultural adaptation were conducted according to guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation and validation of healthcare measurement instruments. A cross-sectional study was performed including 365 people with T2DM in primary care. Reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity were analyzed.ResultsThe total scale of the translated DSMQ-R revealed sufficient internal consistency (alpha = 0.82), and most of the subscales performed adequately. The exploratory factor structure was robust, and confirmatory analysis showed a good model fit with the scale structure of the original scale. The scale scores correlated with the participants’ last HbA1c estimates, supporting convergent validity, and convergence was confirmed by the adequate average variance extracted.ConclusionsThe Portuguese version of the DSMQ-R is a reliable and valid tool for gauging self-management behaviors in people with T2DM and their relationship with glycemic values.

Supplemental Material for The Latinx Acculturation Index (LAI): Reexamining the Factor Structure and Convergent Validity of an Updated Acculturation Scale

Supplemental Material for The Latinx Acculturation Index (LAI): Reexamining the Factor Structure and Convergent Validity of an Updated Acculturation Scale

Isotropy of Cosmic Rays beyond 10^{20} eV Favors Their Heavy Mass Composition.

We report an estimation of the injected mass composition of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) at energies higher than 10EeV. The composition is inferred from an energy-dependent sky distribution of UHECR events observed by the Telescope Array surface detector by comparing it to the Large Scale Structure of the local Universe. In the case of negligible extragalactic magnetic fields (EGMFs), the results are consistent with a relatively heavy injected composition at E∼10 EeV that becomes lighter up to E∼100 EeV, while the composition at E>100 EeV is very heavy. The latter is true even in the presence of highest experimentally allowed extragalactic magnetic fields, while the composition at lower energies can be light if a strong EGMF is present. The effect of the uncertainty in the galactic magnetic field on these results is subdominant.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Structure of the Social Support Scale (MOSS - SSS)

The research question was to examine the factor structure of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MOSS - SSS). This scale was constructed to provide a brief, multidimensional self-assessment instrument for social support. Social support is defined as the interaction between individuals that aims to exchange resources that enable feelings of control over a situation, competence, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, social support represents a resource whose contribution is crucial for positive coping with stressors and psychophysical well-being. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the assumed four-factor model, confirmed in previous studies, that explored the factor structure of the MOSS - SSS scale, fits the model obtained in a sample of 397 participants from the general population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the model's adequacy. The results showed that all fit indices (X2/df = 4 RMSEA = 0.087, CFI = .925, NFI = .902, TLI = .912) were within the recommended criteria. Additionally, the Cronbach's α coefficient was .94, indicating good scale reliability. Based on the fit index values, it is possible to conclude that the four-factor model of MOSS - SSS corresponds to the theoretically assumed four-factor structure.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the L2 teacher boredom scale

The attention of researchers in the field of second language acquisition (SLA) has recently been drawn to boredom, recognized as one of the most prevalent and distressing emotions experienced by second and/or foreign language (L2) students. However, studies delving into boredom experienced by L2 teachers rather than learners are few and far between. This oversight is significant, considering that the emotions of both learners and teachers are bound to interact and feed into each other in classroom settings. In order to address this gap, the present research aimed to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the L2 Teacher Boredom Scale (L2TBS). The questionnaire was administered to 225 L2 teachers from different countries (e.g., Poland, Turkey, Hungary, Iran, USA). Data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The results identified the ESEM solution as the optimal model for measuring L2TBS. Five factors contributing to teacher boredom were identified: (F1) repetitiveness and monotony, (F2) inefficient communication, (F3) lack of satisfaction, (F4) lack of creativity, and (F5) lack of interest. The analysis also provided evidence for measurement invariance across gender, age, education and years of teaching experience.

Examining the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the proactive coping scale in nursing students: A methodological study

AimThe aim of this study was to use the “PROACTIVE Coping Scale” to adapt the scale to Turkish culture, to determine its validity and reliability in a sample of undergraduate nursing students, and to evaluate the proactive coping levels of nursing students.BackgroundProactive coping skills are very important for nursing students to cope effectively with various stressors that they may encounter both in their academic lives and in their future professional lives. There are no valid and reliable instruments for measuring the proactive coping levels of nursing students in Turkey.MethodsThe present study is a descriptive and methodological study. Research data were collected between 01.12.2023 and 01.01.2024 via face-to-face interviews. The study was completed by 272 nursing students who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. In the analysis of the data, number/percentage, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient methods were used.ResultsThe scale structure was confirmed with 19 items and 4 factors. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of the PROACTIVE Coping Scale was found to be 0.816. The scale explains 67.17% of the total variance, and item correlation values vary between 0.263 and 0.650.ConclusionsThe study showed that the PROACTIVE Coping Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the proactive coping levels of nursing students.

Virtual Self-identity and its Relationship to Self-esteem among University Students during Corona Pandemic

The main objective of this research is to test the factor structure of digital self-identity scale and its relationship to self-esteem among Arab university students during COVID-19 pandemic. 243 available participants had been drawn from university students whose age ranged from 18 to 46 years (M=21, Std= 4.54 years). The study relied on the correlational approach. The study tested three models of the structure of the virtual self-identity scale (the autonomous model, the relational model, and the interactive model). The results showed that the relational model was superior to the interactive model in light of the matching indicators. The results of the study found a negative correlation between self-esteem and virtual self-identity. Accordingly, the identity of the virtual self is the result of the alternation of the individual's internal selves or the result of the interaction of types of selves.

European Portuguese Version of the Game Addiction Scale-7: Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties

Introduction: Game addiction (GA) can be described as a compulsive and excessive usage of computers or video games that causes emotional and or social problems. The current study tested the factor structure and psychometric properties of the European Portuguese Game Addiction Scale (GAS-7-PT) short version. Methods: The sample encompassed 375 participants, 233 women (62.1%) and 142 men (37.9%), with a mean age of 21.71 (standard deviation = 5.82) years old. Participants completed a set of self-report measures online: the GAS-7-PT, the Scale of Involvement in Video Games and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a biological sex invariant single-factor structure with a very good fit to the data. The GAS-7-PT showed good reliability and test-retest reliability. Correlations with related and unrelated measures suggested convergent validity, and partial correlation results pointed to incremental validity. Men showed significantly higher scores than women. Conclusion: The GAS-7-PT is a self-report instrument with suitable psychometric properties for clinical and research contexts. The availability of a European Portuguese version confirms the GAS-7 robust consistency and allows further cross-cultural clinical research.

Validation and structural exploration of the Chinese version of the Body Talk Scale

The Body Talk Scale (BTS) measures both negative body talk (including fat talk and muscle talk) and positive body talk across genders. In this study, we translated it into Chinese and assessed its structure, reliability and validity among mainland Chinese residents. Item analyses indicated that no item deletion was necessary for this study, and both exploratory factor analysis (n = 1853) and exploratory graph analysis (n = 1583) supported the three-factor structure of the original scale. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale had a good model fit with CFI= 0.95, GFI= 0.93, TLI= 0.94, and RMSEA= 0.079(90 %CI [0.075, 0.084]). The results also showed that the Chinese version of the BTS had adequate criterion-related validity，internal consistency and six-week test-retest reliability. Meanwhile, the scale has good measurement invariance with respect to gender and can be tested for gender differences. In conclusion, the BTS showed sufficient psychometric properties in a Chinese sample, making it a valid instrument for studying body talk and health status in Chinese populations.

Factor structure of the Chinese version of Emotion Regulation Goals Scale.

Recent studies in Western cultures suggested emotion regulation goals have important implications for mental health. This study aimed to test the factor structure of Emotion Regulation Goals Scale (ERGS) in a Chinese cultural context. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were first used to examine the factor structure of the ERGS, and then reliability and validity tests were conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the ERGS. Results showed that the original five-factor model demonstrated fit during both EFA and CFA, and was thus adopted for further psychometric analyses. Most of the five factors were significantly associated with emotion regulation tendencies and negative emotional outcomes (e.g., depression), except for the non-significant associations between pro-hedonic goals and expressive suppression, and pro-social and impression management goals with depression. The ERGS also showed good internal consistency and split-half reliability. However, the test-retest reliabilities varied substantially across the five factors. The pro-hedonic goal had a higher test-retest reliability, whereas the contra-hedonic, performance, pro-social, and impression management goals showed lower values, especially the latter two. In brief, the ERGS showed a promising five-factor structure in assessing emotion regulation goals in Chinese cultural context.

The quantitative study of residual acid damage of low permeability carbonate rock based on NMR test

The Leikoupo carbonate reservoirs in the West Sichuan gas field generally exhibit low porosity and permeability characteristics. After acidizing, the fluid flowback rate is only 46%, and a large amount of residual acid remains in the reservoir, causing damage to the pores. In this study, the rheological tests were first carried out to reveal the rheological characteristics of fresh and residual acid with different thickener contents. Then, the change in core permeability before and after acid flooding was tested by core-flood tests, and the effects of acid on pore structure in various scales were analyzed in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests. The research results show that the average viscosity of residual acid increased to about 157.14% of the fresh acid and exhibited large viscosity fluctuations, which may be caused by the formation of aggregates combined with thickener and insoluble. The change rate of core permeability (both improvement and damage) decreased with the increase in thickener content, and the effect was more significant when the thickener content changed from 0.6% to 0.8%. Under different thickener addition amounts, fresh acid mainly improved the core permeability. After core-flooding, micropores and mesopores (51.26–632.15 μm) were dissolved and enlarged, forming mesopores and macropores (632.15–3597.73 μm); when the thickener content increased to 0.8%, the solubility of acid decreased, and the pore volume increment and maximum pore size both decreased. On the other hand, residual acid mainly damages the core, thickener molecules in the acid occupying mesopore, leading to an overall shift in pore distribution from mesopores (145.24–335.53 μm) to micropores (20.59–126.32 μm), with the thickener content increased to 0.8%, the damage volume of mesopore increased by 723.90%. Based on the research results, the reduced thickener content was initially applied to the West Sichuan gas field, achieving a better acidizing effect.

Diffusion and pattern formation in spatial games.

Diffusion plays an important role in a wide variety of phenomena, from bacterial quorum sensing to the dynamics of traffic flow. While it generally tends to level out gradients and inhomogeneities, diffusion has nonetheless been shown to promote pattern formation in certain classes of systems. Formation of stable structures often serves as a key factor in promoting the emergence and persistence of cooperative behavior in otherwise competitive environments, however, an in-depth analysis on the impact of diffusion on such systems is lacking. We therefore investigate the effects of diffusion on cooperative behavior using a cellular automaton (CA) model of the noisy spatial iterated prisoner's dilemma (IPD), physical extension, and stochasticity being unavoidable characteristics of several natural phenomena. We further derive a mean-field (MF) model that captures the three-species predation dynamics from the CA model and highlight how pattern formation arises in this new model, then characterize how including diffusion by interchange similarly enables the emergence of large scale structures in the CA model as well. We investigate how these emerging patterns favors cooperative behavior for parameter space regions where IPD error rates classically forbid such dynamics. We thus demonstrate how the coupling of diffusion with nonlinear dynamics can, counterintuitively, promote large-scale structure formation and in return establish new grounds for cooperation to take hold in stochastic spatial systems.

Assessing learning strategies among Indigenous University researchers: A comparative analysis of the brief ACRA scale

Learning strategies have been critical due to a large body of evidence verifying their association with various outcomes such as academic success, creativity, critical thinking, life satisfaction, self-efficacy, metacognitive awareness, emotional intelligence, and student motivation. Therefore, identifying better learning strategies can benefit students and teachers. Learning strategies have been widely examined on several scales, among which the ACRA brief scale for university students is the most popular, especially in Spain. In Pakistan, validation of the ACRA scale is important so that indigenous researchers can use it according to their context and culture. The present study examined the factor structure of the ACRA brief scale using a cross-validation approach that involves an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 951(M = 533, F = 417) students from Pakistani Universities. The results proposed a 17-item version with three factors: micro-strategies, keys for memory and metacognition, and emotional-social support with satisfactory psychometric properties. Furthermore, the key for memory and metacognition factors is significantly associated with the CGPA of students and is higher in women than in men; however, the effect sizes of these findings are small. The validated version of the brief ACRA scale can be used to assess the learning strategies. In addition, it is suggested that national researchers and MS and Ph.D. students can use the validated scale version in their research studies, including project papers, theses, and dissertations. Directly teaching students about the techniques and benefits of learning strategies can help them overcome their hesitation.

The Turkish Version of a Personal Responsibility Scale for Chinese College Students: Adaptation and Validation.

The purpose of this study is to carry out the Turkish adaptation study of the personal responsibility scale developed by Ren et al for Chinese university students and to examine the validity and reliability of the adapted scale. The original scale was developed to determine the personal responsibility levels of Chinese university students. This research is very important in terms of determining the personal responsibility levels of Turkish university students. This research involved university students, who were selected through purposeful sampling, a non-probability sampling method. After the original scale was translated into Turkish, a pilot study was conducted on 165 students and exploratory factor analysis was conducted to reveal the scale structure. The validity and reliability of the determined factor structure was tested on 259 students. Internal consistency was obtained with the Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to check the validity of the two subscale structure. To examine the two-dimensional factor structure of the scale, fit indices were examined: X2/df (1.591), GFI (0.949), IFI (0.937), TLI (0.920), CFI (0.936), RMSEA (0.048) and SRMR (0.050) and It was observed that the indices were within acceptable limits. In the analysis results conducted with the multi-group confirmatory factor analysis method for measurement invariance, it was observed that ∆CFI and ∆TLI values among all metrics were less than or equal to 0.010. The Turkish version of the personal responsibility scale for Chinese college students, consisting of 12 items and two subscales, was proven to be a confirmatory and reliable tool to measure university students' awareness of personal responsibility.

Multi-Task AI-driven undetermined blind source identification for modal identification of large scale structures

The effective management of aging infrastructure represents a critical concern globally, exerting profound socio-economic influences and occupying a prominent position on the political agenda. The escalating occurrences of catastrophic collapses in recent years underscore the pressing requirement for efficient Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) strategies. These strategies play a pivotal role in aiding decision-making processes related to prioritizing interventions and rehabilitation efforts. Among SHM systems, those utilizing Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) through vibration-based techniques have gained popularity due to their non-destructive nature, comprehensive damage assessment capabilities, and relative ease of automation. Despite their advantages, current OMA methods encounter significant scalability challenges, primarily attributable to extensive computational demands and the necessity for substantial expert involvement. In this context, recent advancements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) present a promising solution to address these scalability issues, opening the door for the development of next-generation SHM systems. This study introduces an innovative Multitask Learning Deep Neural Network (MTL-DNN) model designed for rapid and automated blind source modal identification of structures. Integrating the concepts of undetermined second-order blind source identification (SOBI) into the architecture of the network, the proposed model can reveal the independent modal components present in the raw response acceleration data with minimum computational burden. The presented results demonstrate the quasi-instantaneous modal identification capabilities of the proposed architecture, enabling the estimation of more components than the number of sensors.

Psychometric properties of anxiety sensitivity Index-3 among Chinese college students and its preliminary application among this population experiencing campus lockdown.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) refers to fear of anxiety-related sensory arousal and has been revealed to be associated with increased psychological distress and mental problems. Although Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) has been confirmed to be effective in evaluating this construct, whether it is consistently applicable in college students is still elusive. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of Chinese version of ASI-3 (C-ASI-3) among college students experiencing campus lockdown due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 1532 Chinese college students (397, 25.9% males) aged between 16 and 25 were included in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify the factor structure of C-ASI-3. Multi-group CFA was conducted for analysis of measurement invariance with regard to gender. McDonald's omega values were computed for examination of scale reliability. For criterion, convergent, and divergent validity, average variance extracted (AVE) values for C-ASI-3 subscales, difference between square root of AVE for each factor and inter-factor correlation, as well as pearson correlation and partial correlation between the C-ASI-3 and other three scales, including the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) were evaluated. The C-ASI-3 presented a three-factor scale structure with fit indices being as follows: χ2/df = 11.590, CFI = 0.938, RMSEA = 0.083, SRMR = 0.042. Strict measurement invariance was reached across gender. Regarding convergent validity, the C-ASI-3 had a high correlation with the DASS-21 (r = 0.597, p < 0.01) and the STAI (r = 0.504, p < 0.01). All AVE values for C-ASI-3 subscales were above 0.5. In terms of divergent validity, the C-ASI-3 had medium correlation with the FCV-19S (r = 0.360, p < 0.01). Square of root of AVE for each factor was higher that inter-factor correlation. McDonald's omega values of the three dimensions ranged from 0.898 ~ 0.958. The C-ASI-3 has acceptable psychometric properties among college students. College students with different gender have consistent understanding on the scale construct.