Behavior State Research Articles

The Neuroendocrine Regulation of Reproductive Behavior and Emotional Control by Kisspeptin.

Reproductive success and ultimately species survival at a population level is contingent on a plethora of neuroendocrine signals working in concert to regulate gonadal function and reproductive behavior. Among these, the neuropeptide kisspeptin (encoded by the KISS1/Kiss1 gene) has emerged as the master regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Besides the hypothalamus, both kisspeptin and its cognate receptor are extensively expressed throughout cortico-limbic brain structures in rodents and humans, which are regions traditionally implicated in behavioral and emotional responses. Thus, there exists a neuroanatomical framework through which kisspeptin can integrate reproductive behavior and emotional regulation with the reproductive axis. Accordingly, this sets the scene for recent findings derived from an assortment of species, including humans, unveiling kisspeptin as an important gatekeeper of reproductive behavior and emotional control. Herein, we summarize the major preclinical animal and human experimental evidence identifying kisspeptin as a key neuromodulator of reproductive behavior and emotional state. Such findings have laid the foundations for clinical applications of kisspeptin-based therapies for patients with related reproductive and psychosexual disorders.

Development of a novel instrument to measure Japanese psychiatric nurses' technological competency as caring in nursing.

To effectively advance person-centered care (PCC) practice, it is important to equip healthcare providers with person-centered values and beliefs while simultaneously transforming their work environment to align with PCC. Thus, instruments to measure caring practice status in nursing competency for psychiatric-specific behavioral limitations, ethico-moral behavior, technology use, and PCC need to be developed. This study developed the Technological Competency as Caring in Psychiatric Nursing Instrument (TCCNPNI) to measure practice status and test its content and construct validity. Five different phases were followed: 1) Literature Review; 2) Operational definition of the construct and development of items; 3) Two-round Delphi method; 4) Validity measure; and 5) Reliability measure. The online survey was conducted in 2024. The developed instrument comprises 22 items with a 4-factor structure: competency to practice caring and person-centered care (Factor 1); competency to recognize and respond to ethical issues in psychiatry (Factor 2); competency to utilize technology in psychiatry (Factor 3); and competence to practice care for the preservation of human dignity and shared decision making (Factor 4). Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was 0.864, while that for factors 1-4 was 0.911, 0.814, 0.773, and 0.64, respectively. Cumulatively, these four factors contributed 49.6% and explained nearly 50% of the total data. Item-total correlation values were 0.6 or higher among factors 1-3. However, factor 4, for which items were Q30, Q33, Q34, and Q35 (r = 0.03, 0.04, 0.21, 0.11, respectively), were inverted items and had low I-T correlation values. These low correlations suggest that these items capture different concepts. The developed TCCNPNI allows for the measurement of the practice of nursing as caring in psychiatry, the state of ethico-moral behavior, and the practice status of technological competency as caring in psychiatric nursing. This study demonstrated satisfactorily and efficiently evaluated the practice status of technological competency in psychiatric nurses' caring. Measuring technological competency as caring in psychiatric nursing can be an important adjunct for in-service education in psychiatric hospitals or formalized nursing education in nursing universities.

Effect of Electric Pulse Treatment on the Interfacial Properties of Copper/304 Stainless Steel Composite Thin Strips Fabricated by Roll Bonding

Annealing is a commonly used post-processing method for composite thin strips but suffers from drawbacks such as long processing time, high energy consumption, and susceptibility to oxidation. Replacing annealing with electric pulse treatment (EPT) can address these issues. In this study, a specially designed fixture was used to investigate the effects of pulsed current on the bonding strength of T2 copper (Cu)/304 stainless steel (SS) composite thin strips. The initial strip, with a 50% reduction rate, was prepared using a two-high mill, resulting in a Cu/SS composite strip with a thickness of 0.245 mm. Pulsed current treatment was applied with peak temperatures ranging from 350 °C to 600 °C. The results showed that EPT significantly improved the bonding strength. A pulsed current of 55 A resulted in the highest average peel strength of 10.66 ± 0.93 N/mm, with a maximum Fe content on the Cu side of 7.39 ± 0.84%, while a pulsed current of 65 A resulted in the highest Cu content on the SS side, reaching 57.54 ± 2.06%. This study demonstrates that EPT effectively controls the deformation behavior and interface state of composite strips, producing Cu/SS composite thin strips with high bonding strength.

An intelligent humidity sensing system for human behavior recognition

An intelligent humidity sensing system has been developed for real-time monitoring of human behaviors through respiration detection. The key component of this system is a humidity sensor that integrates a thermistor and a micro-heater. This sensor employs porous nanoforests as its sensing material, achieving a sensitivity of 0.56 pF/%RH within a range of 60–90% RH, along with excellent long-term stability and superior gas selectivity. The micro-heater in the device provides a high operating temperature, enhancing sensitivity by 5.8 times. This significant improvement enables the capture of weak humidity variations in exhaled gases, while the thermistor continuously monitors the sensor’s temperature during use and provides crucial temperature information related to respiration. With the assistance of a machine learning algorithm, a behavior recognition system based on the humidity sensor has been constructed, enabling behavior states to be classified and identified with an accuracy of up to 96.2%. This simple yet intelligent method holds great potential for widespread applications in medical assistance analysis and daily health monitoring.

A Resource-Efficient Multi-Entropy Fusion Method and Its Application for EEG-Based Emotion Recognition.

Emotion recognition is an advanced technology for understanding human behavior and psychological states, with extensive applications for mental health monitoring, human-computer interaction, and affective computing. Based on electroencephalography (EEG), the biomedical signals naturally generated by the brain, this work proposes a resource-efficient multi-entropy fusion method for classifying emotional states. First, Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is applied to extract five brain rhythms, i.e., delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma, from EEG signals, followed by the acquisition of multi-entropy features, including Spectral Entropy (PSDE), Singular Spectrum Entropy (SSE), Sample Entropy (SE), Fuzzy Entropy (FE), Approximation Entropy (AE), and Permutation Entropy (PE). Then, such entropies are fused into a matrix to represent complex and dynamic characteristics of EEG, denoted as the Brain Rhythm Entropy Matrix (BREM). Next, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), Mutual Information (MI), the Spearman Correlation Coefficient (SCC), and the Jaccard Similarity Coefficient (JSC) are applied to measure the similarity between the unknown testing BREM data and positive/negative emotional samples for classification. Experiments were conducted using the DEAP dataset, aiming to find a suitable scheme regarding similarity measures, time windows, and input numbers of channel data. The results reveal that DTW yields the best performance in similarity measures with a 5 s window. In addition, the single-channel input mode outperforms the single-region mode. The proposed method achieves 84.62% and 82.48% accuracy in arousal and valence classification tasks, respectively, indicating its effectiveness in reducing data dimensionality and computational complexity while maintaining an accuracy of over 80%. Such performances are remarkable when considering limited data resources as a concern, which opens possibilities for an innovative entropy fusion method that can help to design portable EEG-based emotion-aware devices for daily usage.

Neural Correlates of Social Touch Processing: An fMRI Study on Brain Functional Connectivity.

The significance of tactile stimulation in human social development and personal interaction is well documented; however, the underlying cerebral processes remain under-researched. This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural correlates of social touch processing, with a particular focus on the functional connectivity associated with the aftereffects of touch. A total of 27 experimental subjects were recruited for the study, all of whom underwent a 5-minute calf and foot massage prior to undergoing resting-state fMRI. Additionally, 11 healthy controls participated solely in the resting-state fMRI recording. A functional connectivity network analysis was conducted to examine the alterations in connections between different brain regions following massage. The findings indicated the involvement of discrete neural networks in the processing of social touch, with notable discrepancies in functional connectivity observed between the experimental and control groups. The study revealed that the control group exhibited a higher degree of connectivity within a subnetwork comprising 25 connections and 23 nodes than the experimental group following the massage intervention. The experimental group showed hypoactivation in this subnetwork following the massage. The left anterior pulvinar thalamus and the right pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, which serve as the key hubs within this subnetwork, exhibited higher clustering and increased node strength in the control group. Relatively small and unequal sample sizes are the limitations of the study that may affect the generalizability of the results. These findings elucidate the neural underpinnings of tactile experiences and their potential impact on behavior and emotional state. Gaining insight into these mechanisms could inform therapeutic approaches that utilize touch to mitigate stress and enhance mental health. From a practical standpoint, our results have significant implications for the development of sensory stimulation strategies for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness, sensory loss, autism spectrum disorders, or limited access to tactile interaction in their upper extremities.

Fortalecimiento del sistema de innovación alimentario local: diagnóstico agroecológico en la finca Casa Blanca

The strengthening of the Local Food Innovation System: agroecological diagnosis on the Casa Blanca farm, was developed with the objective of presenting the characterization of the current state of agroecological behavior, with the application of the Tool for the Evaluation of Agroecological Performance, in pursuit of strengthening of the relationships that must be achieved in the System, from participatory innovation practices at the Casa Blanca farm. Descriptive, explanatory, non-experimental study, which applied agroecological elements and indices, identifying potentialities and weaknesses in Casa Blanca. Conclusions: The characterization corroborated potentialities: human/social values, productive conditions, youth/female empowerment, animal welfare, respect for local culture/traditions. Weaknesses were identified in knowledge management based on science and innovation. The current state of the behavior of agroecology showed that the SIAL relationships - principles of Agroecology, must be perfected at the starting point of placing the Casa Blanca farm in a Transition Typology that corresponds with the identification of non-agroecological in a transition incipient or initial, a situation that points to decision-making for the formation of capacities in the producer, and in the decision-makers of the productive form to which it belongs.

Molecular Insights into the Control Mechanism of the Solid-Liquid Interface Interaction on Shale Oil Occurrence: Grand Canonical Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Investigation.

The strong solid-liquid interaction leads to the complicated occurrence characteristics of shale oil. However, the solid-liquid interface interaction and its controls of the occurrence state of shale oil are poorly understood on the molecular scale. In this work, the adsorption behavior and occurrence state of shale oil in pores of organic/inorganic matter under reservoir conditions were investigated by using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The adsorption potential energy and interaction energy were quantitatively evaluated, and the control mechanism of the oil-rock interaction on shale oil occurrence was explained. Results show that the density distribution of shale oil is not uniform under the confined space. Multiple layers of adsorption of n-octane occur in graphene pores. The number of adsorbed layers is mainly affected by pore size. With the increasing temperature and pore size, the adsorption site shifts from the high-energy to low-energy site and the solid-liquid interaction weakens. The effect of pressure on the occurrence state can be ignored due to capillary condensation. Minerals and oil chemical compositions also affect the oil-rock interaction and occurrence state. The adsorption intensity of minerals to n-octane decreases in the order graphene > montmorillonite > quartz. Competitive adsorption occurs among oil components. The adsorption order of oil components in graphene is asphaltenes > resin > nonhydrocarbon compound > aromatic hydrocarbons > saturated hydrocarbons. Asphaltenes preferentially adsorb on the surface of organic matter and occupy most of the adsorption surface, while saturated hydrocarbons mainly adsorb on the surface of heavy components or distribute in the pore center. The molecular structure of hydrocarbons also affects the adsorption characteristics. The long-chain hydrocarbons preferentially adsorb on the surface more than short-chain hydrocarbons. The straight-chain hydrocarbons preferentially adsorb more than the branched-chain hydrocarbons. This study provides the microscopic interaction between shale oil and minerals and explores the effect of the control mechanism of the oil-rock interfacial interaction on the occurrence state at the molecular level.

Path analysis of factors influencing registered nurses' safety behavior in China: A mediation effect model.

This study aims to examine the current state, influencing factors, and pathways of safety behavior among registered nurses in China, thereby providing a theoretical framework for enhancing safety behavior levels among registered nurses. The research involved the recruitment of registered nurses in Chongqing, China, utilizing the snowball sampling technique from July 2022 to May 2023. A total of 3244 registered nurses from 115 hospitals in Chongqing participated in the study. The mediation effect model demonstrated a good fit, with all variables accounting for 35% of the variance in safety behavior. The most significant influencing variables identified were perceived organizational support, patient safety competency, satisfaction with information systems, and patient safety training, with total effects of .44, .15, .12, and .12, respectively. The mediation effect model revealed that perceived organizational support has a direct impact on safety behavior and can also influence safety behavior indirectly through patient safety competency. It is crucial to continuously enhance the patient safety competency of registered nurses, cultivate a supportive and compassionate organizational culture, encourage the implementation of safety behavior among nursing personnel, and ultimately ensure patient safety.

The Relationship Between the Interpersonal Relationship and Altruistic Behavior of College Students Majoring in Physical Education: The Mediating Effect of Empathy and the Moderating Effect of Responsibility.

Students majoring in physical education are the main source of physical education teachers in Chinese schools, and they are the main body in achieving the function of physical education in schools. The improvement of their altruistic behavior helps enhance the educational literacy of outstanding physical education teachers. This study conducted a questionnaire survey on 310 students majoring in physical education from 5 universities in 5 selected regions using the General Interpersonal Communication Objective Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C, the "responsibility" subscale of the Big Five Inventory Questionnaire, and the Altruistic Behavior of College Students questionnaire. We performed correlation analysis, mediation effect analysis, and moderation effect analysis on the data using SPSS 24.0 and MPLUS 7.4. Empathy partially mediates 30% of the total effect between interpersonal relationships and altruistic behavior; social responsibility has a moderating effect on empathy and altruistic behavior, with higher levels of responsibility having a greater moderating effect. Interpersonal relationships, empathy, and a sense of responsibility affect the current, recent, and long-term states of altruistic behavior, respectively. To improve students' altruistic behavior throughout the entire process, schools should develop training systems specifically for interpersonal relationships, empathy, and social responsibility.

Prior memory responses modulate behavior and brain state engagement

Memory encoding and retrieval constitute neurally dissociable brain states and prior behavioral work suggests that these states may linger in time. Thus memory states may influence both the current experience and subsequent events; however, this account has not been directly tested. To test the hypothesis that memory judgments induce brain states that persist for several hundred milliseconds, we recorded scalp electroencephalography while participants completed a recognition task. We used an independently validated multivariate mnemonic state classifier to assess memory state engagement. We replicate previous behavioral findings, yet we find that memory states are modulated by response congruency. We find strong retrieval state engagement on incongruent trials, when the response switches between two consecutive trials. These findings indicate that cortical brain states are influenced by prior judgments and suggest that a non-mnemonic, internal attention state may be recruited in the face of changing demands in a dynamic environment.

In-Situ Charging-Discharging SEM Observation and Analysis for Si Anode in a Solid-State Battery~ Cross-Section Preparation and in-Situ SEM Observation By Stack Pressure Holder ~

Next-generation solid-state batteries are expected to offer improved capacity and safety. The increase in capacity depends on the negative electrode material, and high-capacity materials such as Si, which can absorb large amounts of Li, are the subject of research. The amount of Li transferred can be measured electrically. However, it has not been possible to visualize where Li is distributed within the anode particles or to analyze the chemical state of the anode particles in real-time.In-situ observation and analysis of sample cross sections using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) are effective in analyzing the behavior and chemical state of Li introduced into the Si anode and the interface state between the solid electrolyte and the anode during charge-discharge. During charging and discharging, the Si anode undergoes a threefold or greater volume expansion and contraction due to Li absorption and desorption, cutting off the ionic conduction path, so it is necessary to apply a sample stacking pressure to suppress the volume expansion. A stack pressure holder is designed for operando experiments of solid-state batteries in an SEM. This holder enables smooth cross-sectioning using a broad Ar ion beam and in-situ SEM observation while applying uniform pressure which minimizes the resistance across interfacial boundaries. It also reduces the risk of specimen breakage because it fixes the sample throughout the entire air-isolated workflow, from cross-section preparation to real-time observation in the SEM.Si anode composites were made by mixing Si particles, argyrodite sulfide solid electrolyte (SSE), and acetylene black (AB). The cathode composite was made by mortar mixing the ternary oxide cathode material LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC), SSE, and AB. Each component was put into a pelletizer, stacked, and pressurized at about 500 MPa to produce a full cell pellet. The pellet was cut into 4.8 mm squares using a precision punching tool for highly brittle materials (NOGAMIGIKEN, NC-CE-SS) and placed on the stack pressure holder, where a pressure of 25 MPa was applied. The cross-sections were prepared with an Ar ion beam (acceleration voltage: 5 kV, cooling temperature: -120 °C, processing time: 5 hr) using a cross-section preparation system (JEOL, Cooling Cross Section PolisherTM, IB-19520CCP) while applying stack pressure. In order to minimize sample deterioration due to exposure to the atmosphere, glove boxes and transfer vessels that can be closed to the atmosphere were used for the entire process from pretreatment to processing to observation. Samples transported to the SEM in the stack pressure holder were charged and discharged at 0.2C (SOC vs. NMC reference) by a charge/discharge device (MEIDEN HOKUTO, Hz-Pro).The observation results of the charge-discharge process on a cross-sectional sample under stack pressure using this holder are shown in Fig. 1. (a) shows the backscattered electron (BSE) composition image near the interface between the Si anode and SSE and the interface and Si anode particles are clearly observed. (b) shows the charge-discharge curve in this experiment, and (c) shows the BSE composition image after 30 minutes of charging (SOC 10% vs. NMC reference), in which the composition contrast of the Si negative electrode particles gradually changes from the solid electrolyte side due to Li absorption during charging. In the experiment, the sample was maintained at a fixed holding pressure from the time of CP cross-section processing to the SEM observation without changing the holder, and it can be assumed that the observed behavior is similar to the actual behavior. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and soft X-ray spectroscopy (SXES) can also be performed during in-situ charge-discharge observations to obtain elemental distribution and chemical state analysis of lithium and Si. The changes in microstructure of the battery cross-section can also be captured, and the chemical state analysis and the evaluation of the optimum stack pressure at the pressures up to 50 MPa can be expected.AcknowledgmentsWe would like to thank Professor Nobuya Machida of Konan University for cooperation in some of the battery sample preparation. Figure 1

Innovative Approach to Fish Stress Analysis: AI-Enhanced Biosensing and Accelerometer Integration

Background and Objectives:In our collaborative efforts, we have pioneered the development of a wireless biosensor system that can monitor blood glucose levels in fish, serving as a indicator of stress response. However, while the response value of the biosensor detected the increase in the fish's blood glucose level, it was a challenge to pinpoint the exact factors causing it. To address this, we augmented our measurements with data from a triaxial acceleration sensor and posture estimation using deep learning. This integration of biosensors, physical sensors, and video analysis technology, a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research, allowed us to delve deeper into the state of the fish.Materials and Methods:The glucose biosensor, constructed using a Pt/Ir wire (φ: 0.178 mm) as the working electrode, Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode, and glucose oxidase immobilized on the working electrode surface, was connected to a data logger with a built-in triaxial acceleration sensor. This biosensor was then implanted in a Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and the data logger was attached to the fish's side. After allowing the fish to swim freely in the experimental tank overnight, it was introduced to a larger individual, and its stress responses and acceleration due to fighting behavior were recorded. The confrontation was filmed from above the tank, and the positional coordinates of each individual in the filmed images were obtained using DeepLabCut.Results and Discussion:The response value of the biosensor of the individual that became subordinate in the tank from the middle of the confrontation increased. It is thought this was a stress response to being attacked by a larger individual and cornered against the wall in the tank. Acceleration also captured fluctuations derived from the intense fighting behavior during the confrontation. The positional coordinates of each individual reflected the power relationship between the larger and smaller individuals. The larger individual was often located near the center of the tank because of its dominance in the water tank.In contrast, the smaller, subordinate individual was often located near the wall and occasionally pushed against the wall by the larger individual. In this experiment, we analyzed one-hour-long videos during the confrontation to observe the positional relationship between the two individuals from the beginning to the end. Combined with detecting stress responses by biosensors, the possibility of exploring which fish behaviors are accompanied by changes in physiological conditions while the fish are swimming has become apparent.Conclusion:Data from physical sensors such as triaxial accelerometers and video analysis can enhance the information from biosensor response values. The fighting behavior of fish and the social relationships among fish in the tank were quantified by accelerometers and video analysis, shedding light on the causes of fluctuations in fish blood glucose levels. Given the close relationship between fish behavior and physiological state, the integration of physical sensor and video analysis technology with biosensor technology holds promise for improving fish health management in the field. Moreover, by experimentally correlating the fluctuations in biosensor values with the behavior of the fish in the video, it may be possible in the future to estimate the physiological state of the fish simply by monitoring the fish with a camera, a potential game-changer in fish health monitoring. Figure 1

Adapting the Theory of Planned Behavior to Analyze Smoking Intentions Among Adolescents in Urban School

Introduction: The prevalence of smoking among adolescents continues to increase each year. The Theory of Planned Behavior states that behavior is preceded by intention. Objective: This study aims to identify the factors associated with and most dominant in influencing smoking intentions among adolescents. Method: This research is quantitative with a cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted at State Junior High School 3 in South Tangerang City, which is located in an urban area. The research sample consisted of 276 adolescents who were non-active smokers, selected using a proportional stratified sampling technique, and data collection was carried out through a questionnaire. Data analysis included univariate analysis, bivariate analysis using the chi-square test, and multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression. Result: The results showed that most adolescents had strong smoking intentions (56.5%), supportive attitudes toward smoking (52.2%), negative subjective norms (54.7%), and weak perceived control over smoking behavior (55.8%). There was a significant relationship between smoking attitudes (PR=2.658; 95% CI=2.028-3.485; P<0.05), subjective norms (PR=3.338; 95% CI=2.439-4.568; P<0.05), and perceived control over smoking behavior (PR=2.739; 95% CI=2.046-3.666; P<0.05) with smoking intention. Subjective norms were identified as the dominant variable influencing the intention. Conclusion: There is a relationship between attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control with respect to smoking intention, with subjective norm being the dominant variable influencing intention. Therefore, it is essential to intensify peer education programs to influence peers to avoid smoking, as well as to conduct a deeper analysis of the factors shaping subjective norms and design school-based interventions specifically targeting changes in these norms.

Doping behavior and occurrence state of Na impurity in α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate prepared in Na2SO4 solution

α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-CSH) is a green building material. The synthesis of α-CSH from industrial phosphogypsum (PG) in Na2SO4 solution is a promising technique, but Na impurity may be introduced into α-CSH crystal. In this study, the doping behavior of Na into α-CSH was investigated, and the occurrence state of Na in α-CSH was clarified. The results show that Na impurity was doped into α-CSH in the form of Na2Ca5(SO4)2·3H2O, and the doping content of Na2O in α-CSH increases with the Na2SO4 concentration and reaction time. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows Na impurity is likely to be doped into α-CSH crystal through interstitial filling. Unfortunately, the doping of Na into α-CSH could cause a visible frost phenomenon for the hardened plaster, which has a negative impact on the practical utilization of α-CSH.

Distinguishing Psychiatric Illnesses from Character Flaws: An Integrative Analysis of Biological, Environmental, And Social Factors

This paper considers the fine line dividing psychiatric illnesses from character flaws: an integrative multidisciplinary perspective. Biological predisposition, and environmental and social factors are analyzed to show how these aspects contribute to the formation and manifestations of mental health issues as opposed to personality characteristics. The study challenges simplistic classifications by showing that what is behind human behavior and psychological states results from an intricate interplay of genetic inheritance with environmental influences. Our position is that while psychiatric illnesses are more biological in origin, based on specific diagnostic criteria, character flaws are more dependent on environmental factors and social constructs. This nuanced conceptualization has significant diagnostic, treatment, and societal implications regarding mental health and personality.

Colours in clothes and psychological functioning: the impact on emotions and self-esteem

Background: Colours are the object of study in various areas of humanitarian sciences, such as linguistics, cultural studies, and art. In psychology, the effects of colour on behaviour and emotional states are analyzed. The purpose of this research is to explore the preference for colours in clothes Indian students wear and report the results of the “Colour Challenge Week” project. Methods: Simultaneous mixed methods were used in this study: qualitative (a survey, documents analysis: students’ reports) and quantitative (two standardized tests: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the PANAS-SF). Results: The article introduces the survey results among 246 university students aged 18-22 from different states of India. It shows the colours black, white, and blue in clothes are of preference. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to examine the Frequency distribution of values. To find the answer to the research question: “What is the impact of colours in clothes on students’ emotions and self-esteem?” a thematic analysis of students’ reports was performed. Conclusions: The exploration of this topic is far from complete and to uncover all relationships further intensive research is required. Future studies are recommended utilizing bigger sample sizes with a more equal proportion of males to females

Research on hot deformation behavior and microstructure characterization of the NiTi alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing

This study investigates the hot deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of wire arc additive manufactured (WAAMed) NiTi alloy. Hot deformation tests were conducted within a temperature range of 750–900 °C and a strain rate range of 0.01–5 s−1, achieving a height reduction of up to 50%. The Strain-Compensated Arrhenius-Type (SCAT) model and deformation processing maps were developed. The microstructures of compression specimens at strain rates of 0.01 s−1 and temperatures of 750–900 °C were characterized. The results demonstrate that the flow stress of WAAMed NiTi alloys increases with increasing strain rate and decreases with increasing deformation temperature. The calculated values from the SCAT model align closely with the experimental values, indicating a reliable analysis with high prediction accuracy. Flow instability region expands as the degree of deformation increases, and the optimal processing windows for the studied alloy are concentrated within the range of 800–900 °C and 0.01–0.05 s−1. In the deformed WAAMed NiTi alloys, the proportion of low-angle grain boundaries is around 70% and the recrystallized grain fraction remains below 15%. This is attributed to the predominance of dynamic recovery behavior in the softening mechanism. Discontinuous dynamic recrystallization and continuous dynamic recrystallization as auxiliary softening mechanisms are also involved in the softening of NiTi alloys, leading to a steady state of flow behavior.

Probing Nanoscale Charge Transport Mechanisms in Quasi-2D Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaic Applications.

Quasi-2D layered halide perovskites (quasi-2DLPs) have emerged as promising materials for photovoltaic (PV) applications owing to their advantageous bandgap for absorbing visible light and the improved stability they enable. Their charge transport mechanism is heavily influenced by the grain orientation of their crystals as well as their nanostructures, such as grain boundaries (GBs) and edge states─the formation of which is inevitable in polycrystalline quasi-2DLP thin films. Despite their importance, the impact of these features on charge transport remains unexplored. In this study, we conduct a detailed investigation on polycrystalline quasi-2DLP thin films and devices, carefully analyzing how grain orientation and nanostructures influence charge transport. Employing nondestructive atomic force microscopy (AFM) topography, along with transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) and grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), we obtained significant insights regarding the phase purity, crystallographic information, and morphologies of these films. Moreover, our systematic investigation using AFM-based techniques, including Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and conductive AFM (c-AFM), elucidates the roles played by GBs and edge states in shaping charge transport behavior. In particular, the local band structure along the GBs and edge states within both vertical and parallel grains was found to selectively repel electrons and holes, thus facilitating charge carrier separation. These findings provide perspectives for the development of high-performance quasi-2DLP PV devices and highlight potential approaches that can leverage the intrinsic properties of quasi-2DLPs to advance the performance of perovskite solar cells.

Development of a welfare assessment tool for tourist camp elephants in Asia.

Approximately one-third of Asian elephants are managed under human care, participating in educational, cultural, religious, and tourist activities. Management conditions vary considerably among venues, raising questions about whether welfare needs are consistently being met, particularly for Asian tourist camp elephants. To evaluate the well-being of elephants engaged in tourist activities, an evidence-based tool is needed for routine assessments to identify potential welfare risks, aid in the development of better camp standards, and enable caretakers to address specific concerns. While many animal welfare tools exist, none have been designed to consider specific environments and management practices faced by elephants living and working in tourist camps. Using direct observations and interviews, the Elephant Welfare Assessment Tool (EWAT) was developed for tourist camp elephants using the Five Domains Model as a framework. Measures were selected based on peer-reviewed literature, existing standards and guidelines, and opinions from animal welfare experts working with zoo and tourist camp elephants. The EWAT differs from existing tools by including criteria on work activities and restraint methods (e.g., chaining and ankus use), factors common in Asia but not often encountered by western zoo elephants. Measures were scored using a 0-2 Likert Scale. The tool was tested in Thailand and determined by calculating a content validity index (CVI) and conducting inter-rater and test-retest reliability tests. The initial tool included 18 animal-based and 21 resource-based measures across four domains: Nutrition (n = 5), Environment (n = 14), Health (n = 10), and Behavior and Mental State (n = 10). Index scores of content validity (CVI) (Item CVI (0.83), Scale CVI/Average (0.98), and Scale CVI/Universal (0.89)) were high. Measures scoring less than 0.83 were removed: the opportunity to mate, the mahout-elephant relationship, and mahout job satisfaction. The final tool consisted of 42 questions related to 36 measures, including 18 animal-based and 18 resource-based measures within the Nutrition (n = 5), Environment (n = 11), Health (n = 10), and Behavior and Mental State (n = 10) domains. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for inter-rater reliability (0.78-0.90, p < 0.05) and test-retest (0.77-0.91, p < 0.05) analyses conducted at two camps showed good agreement. This new assessment tool (EWAT) is a context-specific, holistic method designed to offer a practical means of conducting individual and institutional-level assessments of elephant welfare in tourist camps. It is based on the Five Domains Model using reliable and validated animal- and resource-based measures, data collection through direct observation and interviews, and a numerical scoring system. The tool includes several criteria applicable to tourist rather than zoo venues to make it more relevant to the challenges faced by working elephants in Asia.