Short-term Behavior Research Articles

Rethinking PE-HD Bottle Recycling—Impacts of Reducing Design Variety

As the severe environmental impacts of plastic pollution demand determined action, the European Union (EU) has included recycling at the core of its policies. Consequently, evolving jurisdiction now aims to achieve a recycling rate of 65% for non-PET plastic bottles by 2040. However, the widespread use of post-consumer high-density polyethylene (rPE-HD) recyclates in household chemical containers is still limited by PP contamination, poor mechanical properties, and low environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR). Although previous studies have explored the improvement of regranulate properties through additives, few have examined whether reducing the variety of extrusion blow-moulded PE-HD packaging could offer similar benefits. Therefore, two sorted fractions of rPE-HD hollow bodies were processed into regranulates under industrial conditions, including hot washing, extrusion, and deodorisation. Subsequently, both materials underwent comprehensive characterisation regarding their composition and performance. The opaque material, which was sourced from milk bottles in the UK, exhibited greater homogeneity with minor impurities, leading to improved ductility and melt strain hardening at moderate strain rates compared to the mixed material stream, which contained approximately 2.5% PP contamination. However, both rPE-HD recyclates exhibited similar short-term creep behaviour, relatively low strain hardening moduli, and were almost devoid of inorganic particles. Considering the sum of the investigated properties, melt blending with suitable virgin material is likely one of the most effective options to maximise regranulate utilisation in hollow bodies, followed by recycling-oriented packaging design (e.g., for efficient sorting), and the employment of advanced sorting technology.

Self-Preservation in the Digital Age: An Exploration of the Positive Utilization of News Avoidance

In recent years, the rapid development of the Internet has made it more convenient for the public to access all kinds of information. However, the number of people avoiding news is gradually increasing. The phenomenon of news avoidance is becoming increasingly common worldwide and is regarded as another challenge to the development of the news industry, leading to the decline of journalism's public nature. Nonetheless, the positive effects of news avoidance should not be overlooked. In order to explore the possibility of positive utilization of news avoidance, this paper defines the positive utilization of news avoidance by reviewing the existing literature based on the definition, classification, causes and impacts of news avoidance. The research finds that the public's short-term news avoidance behavior helps to reduce exposure to the news with negative content or of low quality, thereby effectively reducing the generation and development of individual negative emotions. That is, the public can achieve self-protection by positively utilizing news avoidance behavior.

Stud connections in steel and recycled concrete composite structures: Short-term and long-term behavior

Stud connections in steel and recycled concrete composite structures: Short-term and long-term behavior

Delivering Psychological Intervention for Patients With Poststroke Depression: Can Short Treatment Help During Inpatient Rehabilitation?

Depression and anxiety are common after stroke and can significantly impact a stroke survivor’s health outcomes. The aims of this pilot study were to (a) screen stroke patients for depression and anxiety on admission to inpatient rehabilitation, (b) introduce short-term psychological intervention (four sessions) and access if distressed patients engaged and showed preliminary effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving quality of life, and (c) evaluate if symptoms remained stable after discharge from hospital. Mood screening of 115 patients admitted poststroke identified 29 with elevated symptoms, who subsequently received short-term (three to four sessions) cognitive behavior therapy. Mood screening was challenging on the wards with only 44% able to engage in the process. Before and after treatment showed a significant reduction in the scores for depression (7.7 to 5.0) and anxiety (9.5 to 5.5). These lower scores were sustained 1 month after discharge. Screening for depression and anxiety poststroke helps identify patients earlier in their rehabilitation journey but is challenging to implement and missed detection for many. This study found patients engaged in the therapeutic process with good outcomes, but cognitive and physical impairments must be considered when engaging stroke patients in psychology.

A REVIEW OF STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF GEOCELLULAR PLASTIC MODULE

The use of geocellular plastic modules, also known as stormwater modules, has begun to replace traditional drainage systems, which fail to sustain the unprecedented volume of stormwater runoff and convey floodwaters to the receiving watercourse in time. This subterranean module is a good and sustainable solution, because it can manage water sources through retention, infiltration, and attenuation. It is also suitable for the development of metropolitan areas with limited land. However, to date, the understanding of modules’ real short-term or long-term structural behavior is limited. This work attempted to summarize the structural behavior of geocellular modules under various boundary conditions. The current codes of practice on traffic loads were reviewed, and the design of this geocellular plastic module was discussed. In Malaysia, the Public Works Department or Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) standard is used for national traffic load applications, while ASSTHO is applied internationally. Traffic loads are the primary contributors to vertical loading, whereas backfill soil and water pressure represent potential lateral loads that could impact the stormwater module system. For future application recommendations, it is suggested to consider the vertical and lateral loads that are applied to the system, which are not specified in the current code of practice. This review provides a higher confidence level when applied to the current construction industry.

Efficacy evaluation of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with bipolar depression triple therapy in reducing female adolescents' non-suicidal self-injury

In order to explore effective ways to reduce non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among female adolescents, a total of 45 female adolescent patients with NSSI in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Guizhou Second Provincial People's Hospital from June 2021 to June 2024 were selected randomly that divided into groups A, B and C, with 15 cases in each group. Group A was treated with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and bipolar depression triple therapy, and group B was treated with bipolar depression triple therapy to compare the effectiveness and safety. Group C received bipolar depression triple therapy combined with sham stimulation which only produced stimulating sounds but no stimulating magnetic field as a control in the study. After treatment, the Hamilton Anxiety Score (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Score (HAMD) and Nurses' Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR) in group A were significantly lower than those in group B and C ( P < 0.01). rTMS combined with bipolar depression triple therapy has a definite effect on reducing NSSI in female adolescents, which can reduce the incidence rate of short-term NSSI behavior in patients.

Emission Reduction Decisions in the Agricultural Supply Chain Considering Dual Fairness Concerns

The challenges in reducing emissions within agricultural supply chains mainly arise from the short-term self-interested behaviors of various stakeholders. To study the impact of the agricultural producer’s dual fairness concerns toward the manufacturer and retailer on profit distribution and emission reduction decisions, this paper develops a centralized model and two decentralized models (with and without dual fairness concerns) for a three-level agricultural supply chain. The paper derives the optimal emission reduction decisions, participant profits, and overall supply chain profits under different decision-making scenarios. The main findings are as follows: First, the centralized model results in higher supply chain profit, emission reduction, and market demand compared to decentralized models, where these factors remain unchanged regardless of fairness concerns. Second, in decentralized decision-making, fairness concerns raise the agricultural producer’s profit while reducing those of the manufacturer and retailer. The manufacturer always earns the highest profit, followed by the retailer. Finally, the agricultural producer’s fairness concerns do not affect emission reduction or overall profit, but they change profit distribution, with increasing concern toward one participant decreasing their profit and increasing the other’s. These findings fill the theoretical gap in existing research and provide valuable theoretical insights for governments and stakeholders in making decisions.

A Te-based memristor with short-term depression behavior

Abstract Short-term depression (STd) is a critical component of neuronal plasticity. However, the emulation of STd in the emerging memristive neuromorphic devices remains challenging because memristors are almost invariably set-first and, if volatile, typically exhibit volatile set behavior. Although these characteristics are essential for emulating short-term facilitation (STf), they contradict the requirements for emulating STd. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a Te-based memristor with reset-first behavior as well as volatile reset switching characteristic. These unusual phenomena are connected to the fabrication-induced Te intermixing in the originally insulating interlayer and the unique thermo-electric behavior of Te in response to electrical stimuli. With these properties, the Te-based memristor can naturally emulate neuronal STd, in contrast to Ag-based memristors which behave like STf synapses. This work advances the use of Te for neuromorphic computing and extends the functionalities of memristors.

Creep behaviour and creep recovery of FRP reinforced timber elements

ABSTRACT The use of reinforcement in timber beams has been shown to improve the short-term flexural behaviour but the long-term behaviour is often more complex, particularly when subjected to a variable climate condition. In this study, the creep deflection behaviour of unreinforced and basalt fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced beams were subjected to creep tests at a common maximum compressive stress of 8 MPa over a 450-week (≈ 8.5 years) period. This study built upon data previously presented by the authors for a test period of 75 weeks. Furthermore, the tested elements were unloaded, and the creep recovery data was also presented. A significant reduction in total creep deflection due to the FRP reinforcement was observed in the results obtained in both a variable and constant climate. Once unloaded, the results indicate that a significant proportion of creep can be recovered when subjected to a constant climate, however, when subject to a variable climate, there appears to be a significant proportion of non-recoverable deformation.

Experimental and Analytical Study on the Short-Term Behavior of Locally Bonded Connections in Bamboo-UHPC Composite Beams.

The synergistic application of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and bamboo scrimber provides innovative solutions for sustainable structural engineering. In this study, the structural response mechanism of the combined beams under the steel plate-screw composite connection system was systematically investigated by designing three shear connection gradient specimens (TS200/300/400) to address the key scientific issues of the mechanical behavior of the bamboo-UHPC interface. Based on the unidirectional compression tests of bamboo-UHPC composite shear connections and four-point bending tests of composite beams, the damage modes, load-mid-span deflection relationship, bending stiffness, bamboo-UHPC slip and normal lift were evaluated for all the composite beams with the shear connection gradient as a parameter. The results showed that the flexural performance of the composite beams went through three stages: elastic behavior, damage development and final damage. The interfacial slip and interfacial lift-off have more obvious asymmetric spatial distribution characteristics, and increasing the shear joint degree can delay the separation between the UHPC and the bamboo layer, thus enhancing the structural integrity. Typical features of the final damage are the bending damage of ultra-high-performance concrete and bamboo fiber damage. This study highlights the potential of UHPC-bamboo composite beams for sustainable construction and emphasizes the importance of optimizing shear connection for improved performance.

Archaeointensity study of Vadnagar artefacts: insights into geomagnetic field variation in India during the past 4250 yr

SUMMARY Understanding the Earth's magnetic field through regional records of secular variation is essential for deciphering its short-term behaviour. This study presents an archaeomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigation of archaeological artefacts from Vadnagar, Gujarat, and introduces India's first continuous palaeosecular variation (PSV) curve for the last four millennia. Detailed rock magnetic analyses were applied to investigate the suitability of the artefacts for intensity measurements. The geomagnetic field intensity was calculated using the Thellier–Thellier method modified by Coe, with cooling rate and anisotropy of the thermoremanent magnetization corrections. A total of 80 independent fragments were analysed, from which 66 gave positive responses, resulting in a success rate of 83% after the application of corrections and quality selection criteria. Seven new archaeointensities were calculated, with values ranging from 33.58 ± 2.0 to 43.37 ± 1.9 µT. The new intensities were integrated with previously published data in order to construct India's first PSV curve from 2250 BCE to 2000 CE at the geographical Centre of India (20.5937° N, 78.9629° E) using two different modelling approaches. The first approach employs a bootstrap algorithm, yielding relatively smooth intensity variations, while the second utilizes a transdimensional Bayesian framework, producing sharper variations with occasionally greater amplitudes. The PSV curve developed using the bootstrap algorithm was compared with global models, showing precise temporal alignment only from 400 BCE to 200 CE. This indicates the necessity of new reliable archaeointensity data from dated artefacts in order to acquire a rigorous explanation of geomagnetic field intensity change during the past and gain a deeper understanding of local geomagnetic field variations in India.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of short-term behavior of unbonded prestressed bamboo scrimber-steel composite beams

Experimental and theoretical investigation of short-term behavior of unbonded prestressed bamboo scrimber-steel composite beams

Dynamics of pesticide residues in soils during the growing season: a case study in peach orchards, east-central Portugal

Permanent crops rely heavily on pesticides. Their short-term behaviour has already been characterised under laboratory conditions. However, their degradation in the field is still poorly understood. Furthermore, studies that relate pesticide residues in soil with their application history are still scarce, despite their relevance for inferring the historical and diffuse dimensions of pollution. This work explores the spatial and temporal dynamics of pesticide residues in soil under the light of their application records and the accuracy of the predicted environmental concentrations (PEC). To achieve these purposes, 270 soil samples were collected at 5 sampling times over the 2022 growing season, in 18 peach orchards from east-central Portugal. Moreover, the data extracted from the application records was used to obtain predicted levels which were compared with the measured results. A total of 37 residues were analysed. Overall, 32 of these were detected back in, at least, one sample. Glyphosate and AMPA were the most frequently found and had the highest median concentrations. The comparison between predicted and measured environmental concentrations (MEC) suggests that pesticide decay was generally slower than expected. Glyphosate, AMPA, fluopyram and tebuconazole showed a high potential for resulting in background concentrations in soil. Our results highlight the need for regular and comprehensive monitoring, being recommended long-term assessments of the persistence and fate of pesticides under realistic conditions. Furthermore, our results also stress the necessity of more studies on reasons for PEC-MEC mismatch, a factor of concern considering the regulatory relevance of PEC values.

Crafting the messages for environmental NGOs: how narrative medium and mode shape different engagement levels

Seeking to understand how Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) can optimize their message design in social media, this study explores the impact of two narrative strategies on multiple levels of audience engagement. With many studies in charity appeals on how to better design the message, limited research was conducted regarding messaging strategies on social media. To fill these gaps, we investigate the effects of the narratives, including social media narrative medium (videos, posters, posts) and narrative mode (personalized narrative), on different engagement levels. A scenario-based experiment method was adopted. The results show that personalized narratives significantly affect short-term behavioral intention (information-related behavior and one-time donation). In contrast, the narrative medium does not have a significant effect on both short-term and long-term behavior (green behavior and volunteering). This research contributes to the message-level literature on ENGO social media communication and provides practical implications for ENGOs in terms of crafting messages.

Can Family Policies Enhance Fertility? An Ex Ante Evaluation Through Factorial Survey Experiments

This article explores the family policies–fertility nexus by assessing the potential impact of parental leaves, childcare services, and child benefits on fertility through a factorial survey experiment (FSE). We focus on Italy, where persistently low fertility rates are often linked to limited welfare support for families. We surveyed 4,022 respondents aged 20–44 and exposed them to various scenarios characterized by different family policy packages. We asked them to ascribe short-term fertility behavior to a fictitious couple under each scenario. Results show that each family-friendly policy envisioned positively impacts ascribed fertility. The availability of full-time, public childcare services seems more relevant than higher child benefits, whereas more generous and gender-equal parental leaves are perceived as less relevant. However, results suggest that only a consistent mix of financial benefits, parental leave schemes, and childcare provisions can boost fertility. In contrast, marginal changes in single policy levers are most likely ineffective. The FSE reveals that a couple's socioeconomic status is perceived as more important than family policies for fertility: ascribed fertility increases when both partners are employed and household income is high. We conclude by discussing the policy implications of our findings.

Enhancing Long-Term Viability of Energy Pile with Heat Sink Systems in Tropical Monsoon Climates: Implementation Strategies and Performance Analysis

Enhancing Long-Term Viability of Energy Pile with Heat Sink Systems in Tropical Monsoon Climates: Implementation Strategies and Performance Analysis

College drinking and sexual health behaviors at a rural northeastern institution: Implications for tailored multilevel intervention

Objective College students experience elevated rates of alcohol and sexual risk behaviors, but underrepresentation of rural institutions precludes tailored intervention. This study characterizes prevalence and short-term alcohol-sex risk at a rural institution. Participants Undergraduates at a rural northeastern university. Method Online health behavior surveys at Time 1 (T1; N = 327) and Time 2 (T2; n = 150, M interval=34 ± 7 days). Results 75% reported lifetime, 73% past-year, and 65% past-month drinking at T1. Despite past-month sexual risk behavior (48% without barrier, 31% under influence of alcohol/drugs, 12% without querying STI status), only 23% endorsed past-year STI testing. Drinking students were more likely than non-drinking peers to endorse all sexual risk behaviors. T1 drinking was associated with T2 sex, sex under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and unprotected sex. Conclusions College drinking predicted short-term sexual risk behaviors at this rural institution, suggesting potential unique risk mechanisms. Findings may inform multilevel, culture-centered intervention for students attending rural universities.

Performance of Microconcretes with Different Percentages of Recycled Tire Rubber Granulate

This paper investigates the short-term behavior of microconcretes with recycled rubber (RmCs) for extensive use as structural and non-structural materials. The physical and mechanical properties of a typical microconcrete composition have been experimentally evaluated by replacing the fine aggregate with rubber granules in volumetric percentages of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The results obtained are compared with the data provided by other authors for crumb rubber concretes (CRCs). Material investment costs have also been estimated to determine the economic impact of using rubber as a fine aggregate in these products. It is observed that the use of small percentages of recycled rubber (up to 20%) produces significant increases in slump as well as important drops in compressive strength, although it substantially improves its post-critical behavior. These trends tend to stabilize with higher percentages of rubber (30%). It is also noted that the experimental results and predictive models developed for concretes are not applicable to microconcretes, so more specific research is desirable for this type of product. Regarding the economic profitability of the investment in RmCs, it is found that it is necessary to make recycled rubber cheaper and to ensure its technological performance in order to guarantee the quality of the final product.

Joining Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery with GIS for Monitoring of Soft Cliff Linear Habitats

In the coastal zone, two types of habitats—linear and areal—are distinguished. The main differences between both types are their shape and structure and the hydro- and litho-dynamic, salinity, and ecological gradients. Studying linear littoral habitats is essential for interpreting the ’coastal squeeze’ effect. The study’s main objective was to assess short-term behavior of soft cliffs as littoral linear habitats during calm season storm events in the example of the Olandų Kepurė cliff, located on a peri-urban protected seashore (Baltic Sea, Lithuania). The approach combined the surveillance of the cliff using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the data analysis using an ArcGIS algorithm specially adjusted for linear habitats. The authors discerned two short-term behavior forms—cliff base cavities and scarp slumps. The scarp slumps are more widely spread. It is particularly noticeable at the beginning of the spring–summer period when the difference between the occurrence of both forms is 3.5 times. In contrast, cliff base cavities proliferate in spring. This phenomenon might be related to a seasonal Baltic Sea level rise. The main conclusion is that 55 m long cliff cells are optimal for analyzing short-term cliff behavior using UAV and GIS.

Water drop on thin viscous oil layers: From stick-slip spreading to dewetting

The impact of water droplets on thin layers of immiscible viscous liquids, such as oil films, is commonly encountered across contexts ranging from kitchen activities to industrial processes. In this study, we experimentally investigate the short-term and long-term behavior of water drops spreading on silicone-oil-coated surfaces. We report that the drop edge exhibits stick-slip dynamics on highly viscous oil layer, characterized by intermittent stops during the initial spreading. The stick-slip behavior diminishes with increasing spreading energy from impacts. The stick-slip spreading is also absent when the drop (ethanol) density is lower than that of the oil. During this smooth spreading and the early time of the stick-slip spreading, the base radius vs time (t) follows the well-known t1/2 scaling corresponding to the inertial-capillary regime. Contrary to the expected rupturing of the oil layer upon the water drop impact, we note that the initial spreading is mostly peripheral without noticeably displacing the oil layer. In the long-term dynamics, regardless of whether spreading occurs upon soft contact or impact, the water drop eventually spreads onto the substrate by dewetting the oil layer. The growth of the dewetting hole beneath the drop follows a dynamics t2/3, characteristic of the dewetting of thin oil layers. During the slow spreading of the water drop on the substrate, the precursor oil film forms a tiny oil droplet under the water drop. Our findings provide new insights into the dynamics of water–oil interactions, with implications for both practical applications and fundamental research.