Three-cluster Model Research Articles

Adverse adolescence experiences, feeling lonely across life stages and loneliness in adulthood

Background/ObjectiveLoneliness is a mental health issue emerging over the life course. This study examines the latent structure of adult loneliness in a non-Western society and its association with adverse adolescence experiences (AAEs) as well as feeling lonely during middle school, high school, and college. Method: A cohort sample living in Northern Taiwan (N = 2,289) was analyzed from adolescence to adulthood. The de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale operationalized loneliness by a three-cluster model to present the latent structure of loneliness: emotional, serious emotional, and severe emotional/social loners. AAEs (e.g., abuse, neglect, and dysfunctional family) were measured by seven items. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to explore the longitudinal effects of AAEs and feeling lonely reported during middle school, high school, and college on adult loneliness. Results: AAEs and feeling lonely during adolescence were significantly associated with serious emotional loneliness and severe emotional/social loneliness during adulthood, even after adjusting for the individual’s characteristics. Attendance at a 4-year college was associated with decreased odds of serious emotional loneliness and severe emotional/social loneliness. Conclusions: Adults with AAEs and feelings of loneliness over life stages are more likely to report loneliness in the emotional and social domains.

Beyond the Categorical Distinction Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder Through the Identification of Personality Traits Profiles

BackgroundThe relationship between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and type-II bipolar disorder (BDII) is not clearly understood. Nevertheless, in clinical practice and research, most efforts focus on establishing a categorical distinction between the two. We propose using personality traits as a more informative strategy to describe them.MethodsFive-Factor Model personality traits were measured in 73 individuals with either BPD or BDII. Latent class cluster analysis was applied to the sample.ResultsA three-cluster model resulted the best fit to the data, where all clusters had high neuroticism and low extraversion scores but differed widely on the other traits. The clusters’ boundaries did not match the categorical diagnosis.ConclusionsOur sample showed significant heterogeneity on personality traits, which can have a relevant effect on the outcome of each disorder and that was not captured by the categorical diagnosis. Thus, we advocate for a multivariate approach as a better way to understand the relationship between BPD and BDII.

Minnesota landowners’ trust in their department of natural resources, salient values similarity and wildlife value orientations

Due to extensive land conversion over the last century, much of the native prairie pothole ecosystem has been converted to agricultural or other human uses. The prairie pothole ecosystem is found in the northern plains of Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. Because most of the land in this region is privately owned and used for agricultural production, most impacts to wildlife habitat are the result of decisions by individual landowners. Landowner trust in natural resource management agencies is important for agencies to effectively accomplish their mission. We measured the nature (competence and fairness) and level of trust that western Minnesota landowners have in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) and landowners’ wildlife value orientations (WVO). Landowners rated MnDNR slightly higher in competence than fairness; however, these two dimensions were strongly correlated. We developed a MnDNR trust scale (six items) and a three-cluster model dividing landowners along the MnDNR trust scale, which we named Negative (28%), Neutral (43%), and Positive (29%). We provide evidence supporting the salient values similarity (SVS) model that states people have trust in agencies holding similar values; landowners reporting greater importance for wildlife consideration when making land-use decisions also reported greater trust in the MnDNR. In addition, mutualist landowners had the highest trust in the MnDNR and utilitarian landowners the lowest level of trust, which is opposite of the trust relationship reported for the general public with state wildlife agencies. Based on the SVS model, our results suggest that mutualist landowners perceive greater congruence with MnDNR goals related to wildlife habitat compared to utilitarian landowners.

Effects of the Coulomb interaction on parameters of resonance states in mirror three-cluster nuclei

We investigate how the Coulomb interaction affects the energy E and width Γ of resonance states in mirror nuclei. We employ a three-cluster microscopic model to determine position of resonance states in two- and three-body continua. Two parameters are introduced to quantify effects of the Coulomb interactions. As the energy and width of the corresponding resonance states of mirror nuclei are displayed on an E-Γ plane, these parameters determine a rotation and a dilatation. With the help of these parameters we found resonance states with strong, small and medium effects of the Coulomb interaction. We also found two different scenarios of the motion of resonance states due to the Coulomb interaction. The first standard (major) scenario represent resonance states with the larger energy and larger width than their counterparts have. The second rear scenario includes resonance states with the larger energy but smaller width.

Microscopic three-cluster study of light exotic nuclei

I develop a microscopic three-cluster model for exotic light nuclei. I use the hyperspherical formalism, associated with the Generator Coordinate Method. This model is well adapted to halo nuclei, since the long-range part of the radial wave functions is accurately reproduced. The core wave functions are described in the shell model, including excited states. This technique provides large bases, expressed in terms of projected Slater determinants. Matrix elements involve seven-dimension integrals, and therefore require long calculation times. I apply the model to 11Li, 14Be, 15B, and 17N described by two neutrons surrounding a 9Li, 12Be, 13B and 15N core, respectively. The 17Ne (as 15O+p+p) and 15Ne (as 13O+p+p) mirror nuclei are briefly discussed. I present the spectra and some spectroscopic properties, such as r.m.s. radii or E2 transition probabilities. I also analyze the importance of core excitations.

Loneliness in young adulthood: Its intersecting forms and its association with psychological well-being and family characteristics in Northern Taiwan.

ObjectivesMost researchers have examined forms of loneliness as discrete and emotional distress. The approach proposed in this study captures the reality that many persons experience more than one dimension of loneliness—varying degrees coupled with their psychological well-being in a family context. This study explores the latent structure of loneliness during young adulthood and its association with psychological well-being, as well as how these are related to their family characteristics in adolescence.MethodsData are from 2,748 young people, a cohort sample from the Taiwan Youth Project (TYP). Loneliness was assessed by a 6-item de Jong-Gierveld short scale with emotional and social loneliness domains. We describe the clustering between loneliness domains and psychological well-being, namely depressive symptoms, self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, and alcohol use using latent class cluster analysis. In addition to incorporating the Taiwanese family context, multivariate multinomial logistic regression models included data on family cohesion and parental guan (parental control) in adolescence. This might be associated with choices in partnership and childbearing, and influence loneliness in young adulthood.ResultsOur results demonstrate a three-cluster model of loneliness involving emotional loners, serious emotional loners, and severe emotional/social loners. We also found that a feeling of serious emotional loneliness and severe emotional/social loneliness were significantly associated with psychological well-being, even adjusting for individual characteristics. Among young adults who had a partner, the married adults were significantly less likely to feel serious emotional loneliness than those who were living alone. Furthermore, young adults with stronger family cohesion during early adolescence were less likely to suffer from serious emotional loneliness (Relative risk ratios [RRR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.91) and severe emotional/social loneliness (RRR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.85) in young adulthood.DiscussionThis measurement strategy provides a foundation for future research into how experts can address loneliness clusters in order to better understand psychological well-being during young adulthood and family context in adolescence. This is important because our results suggest that the various loneliness domains do not occur independently, but rather are embedded in patterns and are associated with family characteristics.

Mapping Of Provincial Food Security In Indonesia Using Based Clustering Model

Indonesia was known as an agrarian and maritime country, should not experience difficulties in fulfill food needs or having high food security. However, it is a formidable challenge for the Indonesia to meeting food needs. The low level of food security was caused more by Indonesia's geographical conditions in the form of islands that cause inequality of food production, distribution and absorption among provinces in Indonesia. To reduce the occurrence of food security inequality between provinces in Indonesia, clusters was formed based on food security indicators. Based clustering technique is chosen to overcome the problem of overlapping and the limited availability problem in food security data. The results of research produce 3 clusters based on the classification of food security levels. Based on Bayesian Information Criterion, the most fitted cluster model is a three-cluster model with diagonal distributions. The first cluster consisted of 19 provinces with a classification of middle food security levels, the second cluster consisted of 10 provinces with the classification of the level of high food security, and the third cluster consisted of 5 provinces with a classification of low food security levels. It is expected that the results of this clustering can provide input to the Indonesian government to focus more on 5 Provinces with low food security classification, which focuses on access to food.

On three-cluster disintegration of 9Be

We study a process of the photodisintegration of some Borromean light nuclei into three clusters. Thisstudy is performed within a three-cluster microscopic model. In Reference [1] this model was applied toobtain parameters of resonance states in 9Be and 9B and to establish their nature. Main aim of the presentinvestigations is to describe the dipole transition probability from the ground state of 9Be to the states ofthree-cluster α+α+n continuum by using the same model. That model exploits the hypersphericalharmonics basis (HHB) and thus reduces many-channel Schrödinger equation to the algebraic matrix(AM) form. The dipole transitions from the ground 3/2- state to the 1/2+ states of three-cluster continuumwere studied in detail. The role of resonance states in three-cluster continuum to this process isinvestigated in detail. The dominant channels with the maximal dipole strength due to the couplingbetween the ground and scattering states are discovered

Microscopic Description of $${^{8}{\hbox {Li}}{+}}$$ 8 Li + Nucleus and of $${^{8}{\hbox {B}}{+}}$$ 8 B + Nucleus Scattering

We apply a microscopic version of the Continuum Discretized Coupled Channel (CDCC) method, referred to as MCDCC, to $$^{8}{\hbox {Li}}$$ and $$^{8}{\hbox {B}}$$ scattering on different targets. The $$^{8}{\hbox {Li}}$$ and $$^{8}{\hbox {B}}$$ nuclei are described in a microscopic three-cluster model ( $$\alpha +t+n$$ and $$\alpha + {^{3}}\mathrm{He}+p$$ ), using the hyperspherical coordinates. We first present spectroscopic properties of these nuclei. Then, we determine $$^{8}{\hbox {Li}}+$$ nucleus and $$^{8}{\hbox {B}}+$$ nucleus potentials by using proton $$+$$ target and neutron $$+$$ target interactions. We compute various elastic-scattering cross sections and confirm that breakup effects are important, in particular at low energies. In general, we find a fair agreement with experiment, except for $${^{8}}\mathrm{B}\,+^{58}\text{ Ni }$$ where we suggest that the data might be overestimated.

Classification of acute pain trajectory after breast cancer surgery identifies patients at risk for persistent pain: a prospective observational study.

PurposePredictive value and accuracy of the acute pain trajectory were compared with those of pain intensity at 1 day after the surgery for pain prevalence at 6 months after the surgery.Materials and methodsFemale patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery were eligible for this study. Patients were questioned about pain intensity daily during the 7 days after surgery. Presence of pain, its location, and intensity as well as the Japanese version of the quality of the recovery-40 (QOR-40) were determined in an interview prior to and at 6 months after the surgery. Acute pain trajectory was determined by a group-based trajectory modeling analysis that was based on the pain intensity at 1–7 days after surgery. Predictive value of the acute pain trajectory for the presence of pain at 6 months after the surgery was assessed by a logistic regression model. The predictive value was compared with pain intensity at 1 day after the surgery.ResultsA total of 123 participants completed the 6-month follow-up. The three-cluster model (mild, moderate, and severe pain) was considered to be the most statistically appropriate model for the acute pain trajectory. After 6 months, 51.2% and 8.9% of participants reported pain and severe pain, respectively. Presence of pain at 6 months after the surgery was associated with poor recovery. The severe pain cluster was significantly associated with the presence of pain at 6 months after the surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 9.40; P<0.001 vs mild pain cluster).ConclusionClassification of patients according to the acute pain trajectory, when compared with the classification according to pain intensity at 1 day after the surgery, made it possible to predict with better precision those patients who will develop persistent postsurgical pain.

INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS AND STRATEGIC COMPETENCES IN DEVELOPING THE HUMAN RESOURCE POLICY IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA

This article provides the results of research and projection of the current and innovative models of competences for modern civil servants. The principal aim of the study is to identify the interdependence of the human resource policy instruments and the current and innovative models of competences for a modern civil servant. The study objectives are fourfold: 1) describe the existing three-cluster competence model of a civil servant; 2) identify competences that update the professional potential of modern civil servants; 3) project an innovative model for a modern civil servant based on the results of a foresight analysis involving sessions with representatives of the state administration in the Rostov and Vladimir regions; and 4) identify the digital economy factors influencing the development of the civil service system in modern Russia. The methodological basis of this work is a large-scale foresight analysis using an expert survey carried out among representatives of the state administration of the Rostov and Vladimir region. This includes data analysis and classification of 302 individual questionnaires. The main purpose of the work is to identify the interdependence of strategic competences and technological skills for determining the dynamics of the Russian state human resource policy, as well as defining digital economy factors influencing the development of the civil service system in modern Russia.

4He, 10Be, and 34Mg accompanied ternary fission of the 242Pu isotope in the touching equatorial configuration

4He, 10Be, and 34Mg accompanied ternary fission of the 242Pu isotope is investigated using the three-cluster model in the equatorial geometry. Driving potentials and fission yields are calculated for each fragmentation channel. The obtained results reveal that in the ternary fission of the 242Pu isotope, the probability of crossing over the potential barrier is drastically decreased by increasing the mass of the fixed fragment due to the height of the potential barrier. In other words, the potential barrier for 34Mg accompanied ternary fission of 242Pu in equatorial configuration is much higher than that for the 4He accompanied ternary fission of 242Pu isotope. The aim of selecting two light fragments and one heavy fixed third fragment is to compare the performance of the equatorial configuration for light and heavy third fixed fragments. The results also indicate that the ternary fission of 242Pu accompanied by 34Mg as a heavy third fragment occurs with very low probability in the equatorial configuration. Therefore, the collinear configuration is completely preferred in this case. The comparison between relative yields for a variety of fragmentation channel in each group shows that the presence of double or near double magic closed-shell fragments is much favored in the cold ternary fission of 242Pu .

Elastic scattering and breakup reactions of the exotic nucleus 8B on nuclear targets

Microscopic calculations of the optical potentials (OPs) and elastic scattering cross sections of the proton-rich nucleus 8B on 12C, 58Ni and 208Pb targets are presented. The density distributions of 8B obtained within the variational Monte Carlo (VMC) model and the three-cluster model (3CM) are used to construct the optical potentials (OP). The real part of the hybrid OP (ReOP) is calculated using the folding model with the direct and exchange terms included, while the imaginary part (ImOP) is obtained on the base of the high energy approximation (HEA). In addition, the cluster model, in which 8B consists of a proton halo and a 7Be core is applied to calculate the breakup cross sections of 8B on 9Be, 12C and 197Au targets, as well as the momentum distributions of 7Be fragments. A comparison with the available experimental data is made and a good agreement is obtained.

The Three-Body Structure of 2n and 2p Halo Nuclei

A three-cluster model developed for ternary fission studies has been applied for the first time to study the three-body structure of 2n and 2p halo nuclei. For the experimentally known 2n, 2p halo nuclei, all possible ternary fragmentation potential energy surface (PES) is calculated. The two-body breakup reported earlier, clearly indicated a strong minimum in the PES corresponding to 1n/1p and/or 2n/2p cluster plus core configuration. However, the present calculations of PES reveal that, the three- body breakup does not result always with 2n and/or 2p as a cluster. A 1n and/or 1p cluster along with the core is initially formed, and then the core loses one nucleon to make either a 2n plus core or 2p plus core structure. The results are substantiated with the calculations of preformation probability calculated within quantum mechanical fragmentation theory.

Elastic scattering and breakup reactions with light proton- and neutron-rich exotic nuclei

A microscopic analysis of the optical potentials (OPs) and cross sections of elastic scattering of 8B on 12C, 58Ni, and 208Pb targets at energies 20 &lt; E &lt; 170 MeV and 12,14Be on 12C at 56 MeV/nucleon is carried out. The real part of the OP is calculated by a folding procedure and the imaginary part is obtained on the base of the high-energy approximation (HEA). The density distributions of 8B evaluated within the variational Monte Carlo (VMC) model and the three-cluster model (3CM) are used to construct the potentials. The 14Be densities obtained in the framework of the the generator coordinate method (GCM) are used to calculate the optical potentials, while for the same purpose both the VMC model and GCM densities of 12Be are used. In the hybrid model developed and explored in our previous works, the only free parameters are the depths of the real and imaginary parts of OP obtained by fitting the experimental data. The use of HEA to estimate the imaginary OP at energies just above the Coulomb barrier is discussed. In addition, cluster model, in which 8B consists of a p-halo and the 7Be core, is applied to calculate the breakup cross sections of 8B nucleus on 9Be, 12C, and 197Au targets, as well as momentum distributions of 7Be fragments. A good agreement of the theoretical results with the available experimental data is obtained. It is concluded that the reaction studies performed in this work may provide supplemental information on the internal spatial structure of the proton- and neutron-halo nuclei.

Structure of N2-CH4 cryoalloys

Transmission electron diffraction is used to study the structure of N2-CH4 alloys over the entire range of mutual concentrations. Samples were prepared in situ by deposition of a gaseous mixture on aluminum and carbon substrates at temperatures of 19 and 5 K. The solubility limits for the components are less than 6% methane in crystalline nitrogen and 35% nitrogen in solid methane. The dependence of the lattice parameter on composition is studied in terms of a three-cluster model for low concentrations of the components in the solutions. The effect of impurity CH4 molecules on the orientational ordering of N2 molecules in the solutions is investigated.

He4 , Be10 , C14 , and O16 light-fragment-accompanied cold ternary fission of the Cm250 isotope in an equatorial three-cluster model

The cold ternary fission of $^{250}\mathrm{Cm}$ accompanied with $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, $^{10}\mathrm{Be}$, $^{14}\mathrm{C}$, and $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ light charged particles in the equatorial three-cluster model configuration is studied. Driving potential and fission yield for each accompanied light charged particles for individual fragmentation are calculated. The obtained results reveal that even-mass-number components are more favored than odd-mass-number components. Furthermore, upon increasing the mass of light fixed fragment in ternary fission, the probability of crossing over the potential barrier (driving potential) is decreased considerably due to the height of the potential barrier. The comparison between relative yields for a variety of fragmentation in each group indicates that the presence of doubly or near doubly magic closed-shell fragments are more favored in the cold ternary fission of the $^{250}\mathrm{Cm}$ superheavy isotope.

Investigation of Ternary Fission of 98 252 Cf Using Three-Cluster and Unified Ternary Fission Models

Using three-cluster and unified ternary fission models, the ternary fission of 98252Cf is studied. We applied collinear and equatorial configurations to study the ternary fission of 98252Cf when the third fragment is 310Li. The nuclear potential energy in the three-cluster model and unified ternary fission model is calculated respectively, using Yukawa plus exponential and proximity formalisms. The relative yields of different fragmentation channels are calculated. Our results reveal that the ternary fragmentation potential of the three fragments and the relative yields depend on the configuration of three fragments and usedmodel. Two models predict that the lowest driving potential and highest relative yield take place for the fragment combination 51132Sb + 44110Ru + 310Li. Also, the values of driving potential and relative yield are not equal in the three-clustermodel and unified ternary fission model. For fragment combination 51132Sb + 44110Ru + 310Li, the relative yield based on the three-cluster model in collinear configuration is maximum, whereas the unified ternary fission model in equatorial configuration predicts the lowest relative yield.

Coping with Stress in Deprived Urban Neighborhoods: What Is the Role of Green Space According to Life Stage?

This study follows previous research showing how green space quantity and contact with nature (via access to gardens/allotments) helps mitigate stress in people living in deprived urban environments (Ward Thompson et al., 2016). However, little is known about how these environments aid stress mitigation nor how stress levels vary in a population experiencing higher than average stress. This study used Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to, first, identify latent health clusters in the same population (n = 406) and, second, to relate health cluster membership to variables of interest, including four hypothetical stress coping scenarios. Results showed a three-cluster model best fit the data, with membership to health clusters differentiated by age, perceived stress, general health, and subjective well-being. The clusters were labeled by the primary health outcome (i.e., perceived stress) and age group (1) Low-stress Youth characterized by ages 16–24; (2) Low-stress Seniors characterized by ages 65+ and (3) High-stress Mid-Age characterized by ages 25–44. Next, LCA identified that health membership was significantly related to four hypothetical stress coping scenarios set in people's current residential context: “staying at home” and three scenarios set outwith the home, “seeking peace and quiet,” “going for a walk” or “seeking company.” Stress coping in Low stress Youth is characterized by “seeking company” and “going for a walk”; stress coping in Low-stress Seniors and High stress Mid-Age is characterized by “staying at home.” Finally, LCA identified significant relationships between health cluster membership and a range of demographic, other individual and environmental variables including access to, use of and perceptions of local green space. Our study found that the opportunities in the immediate neighborhood for stress reduction vary by age. Stress coping in youth is likely supported by being social and keeping physically active outdoors, including local green space visits. By contrast, local green space appears not to support stress regulation in young-middle aged and older adults, who choose to stay at home. We conclude that it is important to understand the complexities of stress management and the opportunities offered by local green space for stress mitigation by age and other demographic variables, such as gender.

Formation and decay of resonance states in Be9 and B9 nuclei: Microscopic three-cluster model investigations

We study nature of the low-lying resonance states in mirror nuclei $^{9}$Be and $^{9}$B. Investigations are performed within a three-cluster model. The model makes use of the hyperspherical harmonics, which provides convenient description of three-cluster continuum. The dominant three-cluster configurations $\alpha+\alpha+n$ and $\alpha+\alpha+p$ in $^{9}$Be and $^{9}$B, respectively, are taken into account. Dominant decay channels for all resonance states in $^{9}$Be and $^{9}$B are explored. Much attention is paid to the controversial $1/2^{+}$ resonance states in both nuclei. We study effects of the Coulomb interaction on energy and width of three-cluster resonances in the mirror nuclei $^{9}$Be and $^{9}$B. We also search for the Hoyle-analogue state which is a key step for alternative way of $^{9}$Be and $^{9}$B syntheses in a triple collision of clusters in a stellar environment.