Theoretical Elements Research Articles

An Empirical Study on Social Anxiety in a Virtual Environment through Mediating Variables and Multiple Sensor Data

Social anxiety disorder is a psychological condition characterized by excessive nervousness in social situations, such as interpersonal interactions. Exposure therapy has shown benefits in its treatment, and virtual reality (VR) technology has gained much attention for reducing physical and psychological distance and providing additional quantitative evidence from the data generated by standard VR devices (e.g., head-mounted display). Clinical psychology studies have highlighted the importance of mediating variables of social anxiety; however, existing VR-based social anxiety studies have neglected such variables with respect to user experience and data analysis in the context of VR, although these variables could provide insights into the design and use of VR for the treatment of social anxiety. In this study, we focused on two representative mediating variables of social anxiety: (1) the gap between self-presentation motivation and expectancy , and (2) self-focused attention . We used sensor data (e.g., head movement, eye movement, eye gaze, and psychological signals) to investigate the impact of these variables on users' anxiety responses in VR. We developed <u>VR</u>-based <u>S</u>ocial Anxiety Support <u>T</u>ool (VRST) that reflects the theoretical design elements of effective anxiety provocation. Based on the results of a user study with 30 participants, we confirmed that the mediating variables were associated with social anxiety in the VR environment. We also found that the mediating variables were associated with eye gaze, eye pupil, head movement, and body temperature. Our study results provide researchers, designers, and practitioners with empirical evidence and implications for the use of VR technology and sensor data in the mental health context.

Yield surface of multi-directional gradient lattices with octet architectures

In this paper, a theoretical method is developed to delineate the effective elastic properties and yield surface of the gradient cellular structure. Additionally, a technique is presented for the construction of multi-directional gradient lattices, and two novel tri-directional gradient lattices (TD-GLs) by assembling octet unit cells with side lengths following specified gradient topological parameters serve as an illustrative example. Their effective elastic properties and yield surfaces are systematically investigated with the aid of theoretical, experimental, and finite element methods. It is found that the effective elastic modulus of the proposed TD-GLs exceeds by 48.80% as compared to that of conventional uniform octet lattices. Moreover, the normalized yield surfaces are proposed to emphasize the predominant role of structural topological features by eliminating the influence of the relative density on the yield behavior of TD-GLs, and this method that also can be extrapolated to other tension-dominated lattices. Subsequently, a theoretical model is developed to establish closed-form yield functions for characterizing the yield behavior of TD-GLs. The predicted yield surfaces from the proposed theoretical model demonstrate good agreement with the simulated results. Finally, the proposed TD-GLs demonstrate outstanding yield performance in various directions deviating from their orthogonal principal axes or planes, compared to lattices with uni- or dual-directional gradient topological configurations. In summary, the proposed multi-directional gradient lattices in this study exhibit the exceptional stiffness and outstanding yield performance in various directions, offering valuable insights for the structural design and engineering applications of lattice structures.

Compensation for National Socialist Persecution as a Catalyst for a Paradigm Shift - A Contribution to the History of Psychiatry in the Early Federal Republic of Germany

After WW II, Holocaust survivors often faced negative assessments by German psychiatrists when claiming compensation for psychological damage, a fact that was met with criticism. This study examines how as a result the prevailing doctrine on trauma sequelae underwent a transformation. Academic contributions in German language from 1946 to 1969 are analyzed for their para-digmatic views on the etiology of mental disorders after war and Nazi persecution. Only a new generation of psychiatrists was able to develop more adequate psychotraumatological concepts by using anthropological and occasionally psychoanalytic theoretical elements. At the same time this also questioned the medically oriented concept of illness in psychiatry. Less the persistence of anti-Semitic sentiments but rather internal scientific reasons such as an unevidenced dogmatism obstructed the the advancement of science.

Theoretical and finite element analysis of concrete filled steel tube columns‐steel reinforced ECC ring beam connections

Theoretical and finite element analysis of concrete filled steel tube columns‐steel reinforced <scp>ECC</scp> ring beam connections

O legado clássico de Horácio em Sá de Miranda e Ricardo Reis

In Portuguese literature, revisitations of Classical Antiquity, particularly the Greek philosophical doctrines of Stoicism and Epicureanism, as well as the literary genres cultivated in Latin literature by Horace, are projected onto Sá de Miranda, in the Renaissance period, and onto the modernist avant-garde heteronym of Fernando Pessoa, Ricardo Reis. Themes such as carpe diem, exegi monumentum, and non usitata, in the manner of Horace, are reactualized in the works of Portuguese poets. The aurea mediocritas, the awareness of the inexorable passage of time, and the conception of utile et dulce are constant thematic and theoretical elements that resonate in Sá de Miranda and Ricardo Reis, although modified by the reasons of time. To carry out this study, hermeneutic and comparative methods of analysis are applied to the works of Sá de Miranda and Pessoa in order to scrutinize the similarities and differences of the authors with Horace.

Investigating the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in shaping digital entrepreneurial intention: the mediating role of self-efficacy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the growing significance of digital entrepreneurship, which remains in its early stages within entrepreneurship research, with limited understanding of its determining factors. Specifically, it seeks to address the motivations driving individuals to pursue digital entrepreneurship, the factors shaping their intentions, and the essential requirements for success as digital entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach This study introduces a model that uses challenge and enjoyment as intrinsic motivation, compensation and outward factors as extrinsic motivation and self-efficacy as theoretical elements to predict digital entrepreneurial intention. Through a comprehensive literature review, the research establishes nine hypotheses in a model tested through structural equation modeling with a survey involving 303 students from various Indonesian universities. Findings The findings underscore the essential role of self-efficacy in forecasting digital entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, self-efficacy is a significant positive mediator in the relationships between challenge motivation, compensation motivation, outward motivation and digital entrepreneurial intention. The study also indicates that enjoyment motivation does not influence self-efficacy, and self-efficacy does not exhibit significant positive mediating effects on enjoyment motivation and digital entrepreneurial intention. The conclusions highlight the significance of intrinsic motivation through challenge, extrinsic motivation through compensation and outward factors and the role of self-efficacy in motivating students to participate in digital entrepreneurship. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the expanding field of digital entrepreneurial intention by developing a conceptual framework that elucidates the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in fostering self-efficacy, thereby shaping individuals’ intentions toward digital entrepreneurship.

Miscarriage: cases of unfair incrimination reveal weaknesses in the criminalization of abortion

The article examines the historical, religious and legal context of abortion, highlighting its criminalization in Ecuador and its impact on women's health and rights. Subsequently, it addresses the injustice of criminalization derived from a situation of spontaneous abortion and proposes to evaluate the theoretical elements that should be considered to avoid the issuance of sentences to women who experience this condition. To this end, the methodology employed focused on the analysis of representative cases. The cases analyzed include Sara, Marta, Paola and Maribel, who suffered unjust detentions and cruel treatment in the judicial system due to medical complications or situations of gender violence. The findings reveal a pattern of discrimination and stigmatization against low-income women and marginalized communities and conclude that the criminalization of abortion increases risks to women's health and lives, perpetuating gender-based violence and inequality. This ultimately highlights the urgent need to reform abortion laws and policies in Ecuador to protect human rights and promote gender equality.

Contextualising knowledge translation in nursing homes: A transdisciplinary online workshop

Few studies describe workshops as a method for obtaining and integrating diverse participant perspectives for contextualisation. This article describes an online workshop as a transdisciplinary data collection method for contextualising theoretical elements of a framework for knowledge translation to improve wound care in South African nursing homes. Knowledge translation can be more effective when the theoretical components are contextualised and aligned with the specific needs in the context. The online workshop was conducted with 10 participants involved with wound care and change processes in nursing homes across South Africa. The participants consisted of healthcare professionals, family members of those in care and nursing home management staff. Participatory design principles were applied during the online workshop, which was hosted on BlackBoard CollaborateTM Ultra. In this qualitative study, live polls, facilitated discussion, virtual whiteboard posts, and breakaway activities were used to collect the data. The data were analysed and integrated using both deductive and inductive processes for a comprehensive understanding. The workshop enabled the researchers to ascertain integrated perspectives to contextualise the knowledge translation framework’s elements. Barriers to evidence-based wound care in nursing homes and nine values for dignified care for older persons were identified.Transdisciplinary contribution: This article shows how an online workshop was conducted with a group of participants from various healthcare disciplines, family members and institutional management to achieve a contextualised and pragmatic description of theoretical elements. Contextualisation aims to enhance the effectiveness of a knowledge translation framework for use in nursing homes.

Efficient and broadband sound absorption properties of slotted aluminum foam

To enhance the sound absorption performance of aluminum foam, a slotted structure was developed. Firstly, the theoretical model of sound absorption for the slotted aluminum foam was established by the transfer matrix method. Secondly, the finite element model was established using COMSOL software to predict the sound absorption coefficient. The reliability of the theoretical and finite element models was validated through impedance tube experiments. The sound absorption mechanism is investigated by analyzing the internal sound field. Finally, the sound absorption properties of aluminum foam with other slot patterns are investigated. Additionally, the factors that influence sound absorption properties are investigated. The results indicate that the slots alter the sound pressure distribution within the material, inducing a pressure diffusion effect. When sound waves enter the interior of the material through the narrow slots, they are absorbed and dissipated by the matrix material on the sides of the slots. The sound absorption coefficient can be improved by increasing the thickness, slot scale, and slot depth of the slotted aluminum foam. Specifically, when the slot depth is 15 mm, and the slot width is 5 mm, the average sound absorption coefficient of incompletely slotted aluminum foam in the frequency range of 1000 ∼ 6300 Hz is 0.86, which can realize broadband sound absorption. With the increase of slot depth, the sound absorption peak becomes more pronounced.

Development of the Compassionate Technology Scale for Professionals (CTS-P): value driven evaluation of digital mental health interventions

BackgroundCompassion is an essential and beneficial value in mental healthcare. However, how digital mental health interventions influence compassion in treatment has not been systematically investigated, due to the lack of appropriate measurement instruments. To address this gap, we developed the Compassionate Technology Scale for Professionals (CTS-P), aimed at mental health professionals.MethodsWe used Q-methodology, a method that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis to explore shared viewpoints on a particular topic, to select and refine items. Participants were 15 professionals from different areas of mental healthcare. In individual sessions, while thinking aloud, they sorted 35 statements on relevance for evaluating technology use on compassion. The statements were based on a scientific conceptualization of compassion with five elements. The sorting task was followed by a short interview to explore participants’ associations with compassion and technology.ResultsWith by-person factor analysis, we found three different viewpoints among participants, all with eigenvalues > 1 and with a total explained variance of 63.02%. We selected prioritized items of each viewpoint and for each theoretical element of compassion, resulting in a full scale (15 items) and a short scale (3 items). Based on qualitative input from participants, the scale was adapted to clarify its focus and the wording of items. While thinking aloud, participants shared benefits and critical notes regarding technology and compassion.DiscussionTogether with key stakeholders, we developed the CTS-P. Most participants prioritized the potential of technology to obtain more information and be closer to their client in facilitating compassion. The main critical note participants had was that technology is not necessary to support compassion at the therapist’s experiential level. This emphasizes the need to further explore how mental health professionals and technology can complement each other in a system of compassionate care. Future research should explore the factor structure, validity, and reliability of the scale through psychometric validation.ConclusionsThe CTS-P can make the extent to which technology for mental healthcare influences elements of compassion measurable and comparable. The scale can prove useful for prioritizing the value of compassion in both the development and use of digital mental health interventions.

Environmental and Social Disclosure of Brazilian Banking Financial Institutions from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the determining factors that influence the disclosure of environmental and social information by the Brazilian banking sector from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of identifying which organizational characteristics impact the level of socio-environmental disclosure. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. The study is based on the Theory of Legitimacy, which provides theoretical elements for socio-environmental disclosure. This theory explains management’s motivation to disclose environmental information, recognizing that organizational survival depends not only on financial success but also on the ability to maintain a social contract with society. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a quantitative approach based on content analysis of sustainability reports from Brazilian banks. Data collection was carried out through the analysis of corporate disclosure reports published between 2016 and 2020. The regression model with panel data was used to analyze the influence of organizational characteristics on the dissemination of socio-environmental information from the perspective of the SDGs. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that the size of the company and public control are factors that influence the disclosure of socio-environmental information regarding the SDGs. Whether or not the company owns shares on the Stock Exchange and its profitability have little impact on the amount of information disclosed about the SDGs. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized based on the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of socio-environmental disclosure. These implications could encompass the banking sector, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by deepening the knowledge about environmental disclosure in the banking sector, a topic still little explored in academic studies. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to inform better practices and policies for socio-environmental disclosure in the banking industry.

A miniaturized multi-mechanism resonance-enhanced fiber optic photoacoustic multi-gas sensor

A multi-mechanism resonance-enhanced fiber-optic photoacoustic multi-gas sensor (MR-FOPMS) is reported, in which the acoustic resonance of the T-type resonator is employed for C2H2 gas sensing and the mechanical resonance of the silicon cantilever is employed for the detection of CH4 gas sensing. The silicon cantilever fiber-optic microphone and T-type photoacoustic resonator are designed using theoretical and finite element methods. The optimized cavity volume of the entire sensor is only 9.3 cm3 and the optimized silicon cantilever microphone has an ultra-high sensitivity of 62540.2 nm/Pa at the resonance. The ability of the sensor to detect multiple gases is demonstrated by simultaneous measurement of C2H2 and CH4 using two DFB lasers at 1532.8 nm and 1650.96 nm as excitation sources. The lowest detection limits of the sensor are determined to be 158 and 382 ppb for C2H2 and CH4, respectively, corresponding to normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficients of 2.82 × 10-9, 1.43 × 10-9 cm−1 W Hz−1/2, respectively.

Analysis and Guideline for Determining Piezoelectric Coefficient for Films With Substrate Constraint.

Piezoelectric films including coatings are widely employed in various electromechanical devices. Precise measurement for piezoelectric film properties is crucial for both piezoelectric material development and design of the piezoelectric devices. However, substrate constraint on the deformation of piezoelectric films could cause significant impacts on the reliability and accuracy of the piezoelectric coefficient measurement. Through both theoretical finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental validation, here we have identified three important factors that strongly affect the measurement results: ratio of Young's modulus of substrate to piezoelectric film, ratio of electrode size to substrate thickness, and test frequency. Our investigations show that a relatively smaller substrate's Young's modulus to film, and a larger ratio of electrode size to substrate thickness would cause a larger substrate bending effect and thus potentially more significant measurement errors. Moreover, intense transversal displacement fluctuation can be excited at excessively high frequencies, leading to unreliable measurements. Various well-established piezoelectric measurement methods are compared with outstanding measurement issues identified for those commonly used piezoelectric films and substrates. We further establish the guidelines for piezoelectric coefficient measurements to achieve high reliability and accuracy, thus important to the wide technical community with interests in electromechanical active materials and devices.

Implementation of Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation Training Across Eight NHSBT Therapeutic Apheresis Units in England.

Ultrasound-guided cannulation (USGC) of a peripheral vein reduces the need for central vascular access device (CVAD) placement to perform a successful apheresis procedure. Effective training of healthcare professionals to acquire this skill is essential. Here, we report on the implementation of the USGC training across eight apheresis units in England. A 3-h introductory training program was devised with theoretical and practical elements. This was followed by supervised USGC practices on any patient ≥ 18 years old, regardless of venous status. Data on all supervised USGC attempts were recorded and analyzed. Over an 11-month period, 11 nurses were trained to USGC competency with another six nurses still in training, resulting in seven out of eight units having at least one USGC-competent nurse. In one unit, USGC training has not started yet. Three hundred sixty-one supervised USGC episodes on 168patients and donors took place; of these, 178 were done for training purposes only on patients who had visible and palpable veins, 179 USGC were done on patients with difficult venous status and four were not recorded. The period from first supervised USGC to competency was a median of 45 days (Range: 17-166 days), with a median of 15 successful (Range: 10-30) and two unsuccessful (Range: 1-15) USGC being performed per trainee. The placement of 57 CVADs and 41 multiple cannulation attempts have been avoided. USGC is a useful tool to reduce the need for CVAD. Training across multiple apheresis units is a lengthy procedure, but it can be successfully implemented.

Age-Friendly Healthcare: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis.

Aging populations require adapting healthcare systems for older adult's specific needs. Numerous initiatives to improve older-patient care have emerged, but the field lacks a unified framework. The current study aims to provide a systematic concept analysis of 'age-friendly healthcare', examining its characteristics, components and structure. Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis. Searches were conducted in ProQuest, CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus databases between November 2022 and October 2023, utilising the PRISMA 2020 reporting checklist. A literature search using specific terms relevant to age-friendly healthcare retrieved 1407 articles. After screening for duplicates and relevance, 140 articles were examined for eligibility based on inclusion criteria for age-friendly care, language and full-text availability. Following full-text screening, 65 articles were included for data extraction by multiple researchers to synthesise theoretical, methodological and design elements. Our findings highlight key attributes of age-friendly healthcare: Respect for older adults' autonomy and needs; leadership and organisational knowledge and support; Proactive policies and processes of care; holistic care environments; and communication and follow-up with awareness of challenges and barriers as well as prioritisation of continuity-of-care. The concept of age-friendly healthcare is still developing, with much research focused on development and implementation rather than evaluation of real-world patient and health-system outcomes. Our analysis of the concept may help unify the field and clarify future research directions through identification of areas requiring further study and enable development of improved practices and policies for implementing age-friendly healthcare in a variety of settings. This concept analysis did not include any patient or public involvement. This study utilised the PRISMA reporting checklist.

Traditional Elements and Artistic Changes that Occur in the Music of the "Estudiantina Puneña" In Postmodernism in Puno, Peru: Studies on Behavior Change Towards Sustainability and Its Influence on the SDGS

Objective: The purpose of this research work is to analyze the changes in the musical structure in relation to the traditional elements of the Estudiantentina Puna in times of postmodernity as a practical theoretical element for the improvement of musical education, contributing to studies on the behavioral change towards sustainability and its influence on the SDGs. Theoretical Framework: The processes that have taken place over time, the defined categories of inquiry were described in an analytical manner. Method: Methodologically, the research corresponds to the qualitative paradigm at the level of ethnographic study. Results and Discussion: The interviews were conducted with the directors of the different musical centers in the Puno region, in which musical instruments have been incorporated to interpret the music of the Puno student from the 50s to the present, such as the saxophone and the trumpet. , with silence that are used for the Puno gang Research Implications: Nowadays it is observed in student carnivals with mandolins, with charangos, screamers, violins, accordions, quenas, classical acoustic double bass, the mariachi bass, the Puno guitarrón, percussion has also been added, which takes the third. element of music, rhythm, even the congas were incorporated into the Qotamarca musical center of Dr. Rolando Montes de oca from the city of Puno, Peru, which has a good sound, likewise there was an evolution where more development is given to the interpretation of each instrument, all the instruments. Contribution: The same melody is no longer played, they are dressed with more instrumentation, more work at a contrapuntal harmonic level, this research is a contribution to society and to the highest level institutions of the city of Puno.

Cultural Evolutionary Psychology as Generalization by Recursion

AbstractCultural evolutionary psychology (CEP) accounts for the cultural evolution of cognition. It is based on evolutionary psychology and cultural evolutionary theory and aims at a synthetic attempt which is achieved by what we want to call ‘generalization by recursion’. We argue in this paper that the evolutionary psychology program as a whole could greatly benefit from CEP’s generalization. As we will show, there is one theoretical element in particular, that CEP relevantly generalizes in contrast to its predecessors. It comes from cultural evolutionary theory and has been referred to as the ‘dual inheritance argument’. CEP’s novelty consists in showing that not only cognitive products (‘grist’) but also cognitive mechanisms (‘mills’) are subject to cultural evolution and provides lots of empirical evidence for this claim. This account is ‘recursive’, because CEP’s generalization of the dual inheritance argument theoretically employs a recursive feedback-loop between cultural learning and cultural evolution. We also argue that this account might be considered to supersede unificatory and reductionistic efforts of its competitors, because it is stronger than purely structural or analogical unification while at the same time it is not too strong in order to fall prey to implausible reductionism.

Competencias investigativas en docentes de ciencias de la salud

Teaching is a task that usually requires scientific research because, from it, knowledge is strengthened not only in the area of teaching performance but also in the development of pedagogical strategies. Considering these ideas, this article has proposed as a general objective, to characterize the research competencies of Health Sciences teachers in universities in Ecuador. In its methodological orientation, it is descriptive research with a documentary design that uses known databases, including Dialnet, Google Academic, and Scielo. Thus, authors and research are selected concerning the dimensions of teaching research competencies, that is, research, publications, methodological expertise, and digital literacy. Subsequently, the results are presented in categorical tables or analytical matrices that contrast the theoretical elements with some realities of universities in the country, specifically in the health area. Among the study findings, the need to strengthen teachers' research skills is specified based on their scientific production, the number of publications, and their task in terms of forging the student profiles they are in charge of in the classroom. It concludes with the projection of the desired teaching profile, in terms of skills for research in the field of health, which is pertinent to promote in higher education centers in Ecuador.

La balística forense y su aporte probatorio en la investigación criminal

The study of firearms, their classifications, parts, components, ammunition, lethality, among other aspects of forensic ballistics, plays a fundamental role in the fight against crime, especially against terrorism and organized crime. The objective of this essay is to expose the theoretical and conceptual elements in the investigation process of crimes in which the presence of a firearm is verified or its use is suspected, particulars that have been developed through the specialty. of ballistics and that require the domain of professionals who intervene in criminal proceedings. The investigation of crimes in which firearms are used in Ecuador has become a priority due to the increase in violence between the years 2020 and 2024, from which the theoretical results achieved are considered part of the fight against crime. Theoretical research methods such as analysis and synthesis, induction, deduction, from the abstract to the concrete and from the concrete to the abstract, among others, were used in the study. Finally, training based on the topics addressed is suggested to police investigators, experts, forensic doctors and other members of the “Comprehensive Specialized System of Investigation, Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences”.

Nonlinear effect on stable state and snap-through bistability of square composite laminate

Bistable structures with the elastic instability caused by buckling are confirmed to perform significantly in micro-electromechanical systems, metamaterials, energy harvester, vibration isolation and morphing structures. The target of this paper is to explore the dynamic responses of cross-ply bistable composite laminate, focusing on the nonlinear effect of the single- and double-well vibration. Both theoretical and finite element (FE) methods are employed to simulate the nonlinear vibration and dynamic snap-through of bistable composite laminate under the foundation excitation at the center. In the theoretical model, the governing equations are established via Lagrange's equation based on the first-order shear deformation theory, von Karman nonlinear strain-displacement relation and Rayleigh-Ritz method. The fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is adopted to solve the governing equations, and the numerical results are validated by FE model. Subsequently, the details of the dynamic responses are analyzed to identify the nonlinear effects in the form of bifurcation diagram, phase portrait, time history, Poincare maps and amplitude spectrum. The dynamic responses are examined for a series of excitation parameters in both time and frequency domain. Through fixed frequency and frequency sweep tests, the nonlinear phenomenon of the single- and double-well vibrations are analyzed including superharmonic resonance, stiffness softening, hysteresis phenomenon, various periodic and chaotic vibration. The diverse responses to external inputs contribute significantly to efficiently predicting mechanical behaviors in real-world conditions, thereby offering indispensable theoretical support for structural design applications.