Search Results (6,079)

Background: One in seven youth experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global disease burden. The family environment is a modifiable factor for the prevention of mental disorders. While evidence-based online parenting programs exist, engagement by immigrant families, such as Indian-origin families in Australia, remains low. Objective: To explore perceived barriers of Indian-origin parents and co-create strategies to build cross-cultural bridging interventions to increase their engagement in parenting programs. Method: A qualitative co-design method was used, and participants were selected using a set of inclusion criteria through a criterion-based sampling approach. Eight videoconference workshops were conducted with 23 Indian-origin parents living across Australia, incorporating scenarios, roleplay, and vignettes. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s inductive coding approach. Results: One central theme and six design principles were developed. The central theme, low engagement with parenting programs, encompassed five factors that contribute to low engagement: ‘parenting programs’ is not a concept in India; limited awareness of parenting programs available in Australia; lack of time to engage in parenting programs; misalignment between parenting program content and real-world parenting challenges; and an ‘I know how to parent’ mindset. The six design principles were: acknowledge culture shock and acculturation; use a collaborative approach; include content specific to immigrant parents and children; adopt cross-cultural perspectives; use short and interactive bilingual pedagogic tools; and use focused dissemination and marketing. Conclusions: This study’s findings formed the foundation for developing a cross-cultural bridging intervention to connect Indian-origin parents with existing online parenting programs. Full article

This study examines L2 Korean learners’ self-reports of their socialization into discourses around the use of two categories of non-honorific (banmal) and honorific (jondaenmal) language. L2 Korean learners (n = 49) of varying proficiency levels completed a questionnaire aimed at capturing their beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding learning and using banmal. A subset of questionnaire participants (n = 11) were interviewed, and transcripts were analyzed using discourse analysis to understand how banmal is positioned discursively in participants’ self-reported accounts of learning and using L2 Korean. Findings revealed three dominant discourses in learners’ self-reported accounts of their socialization into learning and using banmal: (1) jondaenmal is more important to them than banmal, (2) banmal does not belong in formal learning contexts such as classrooms, and (3) banmal instruction should be delayed until the intermediate or advanced level. Additionally, these discourses were connected to two overarching, at times contradictory, affective responses from participants. While they reported heightened anxiety over when to use banmal, they also described how using it instilled confidence in their sociopragmatic abilities. These findings highlight the connection between the affective experiences of learners and prevailing discourses on particular linguistic forms. Finally, we suggest the need for more integrated approaches to teaching speech styles in L2 Korean classrooms. Full article

In this study, changes in total phenolic content, total flavonoids, tannin content and phenolic constituents, and mineral content of the leaves of five olive varieties (Ayvalık, Gemlik, Sarıulak, Çöpaşı and Delice) collected in Mersin province in Turkey were investigated. Tannin contents of olive leaves extracts were determined to be between 1.73 (Sarıulak) and 5.33% (Çöpaşı). Total phenolic and flavonoid amounts in olive leaves were assayed to be between 2122.02 (Sarıulak) and 2338.69 mgGAE/100 g (Çöpaşı), and between 9010.71 (Sarıulak) and 18,910.71 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g (Çöpaşı), respectively. Also, the antioxidant activities of methanol extracts of the olive leaves were discovered to be between 0.85 mmolTE/kg (Gemlik) and 21.04 mmolTE/kg (Sarıulak). The phenolic components of the olive leaves studied showed differences depending on the variety of olive. Catechin, rutin, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were the most abundant phenolics in leaf extracts. Also, “Delice” olive leaves in the wild form generally had more caffeic acid, syringic acid and rutin, compared to the other olive varieties studied. While the olive leaves were determined to be high in macroelements, the microelement contents detected in olive leaves were low. In general, there was a linear connection between the total phenols and antioxidant activities of leaf samples. This connection was also exhibited between the total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of olive leaves (except for Sarıulak). Full article

Against the backdrop of carbon reduction and sustainable development, cities play a central role in carbon emissions. These emissions are interconnected through economic, demographic, technological, and other factors, forming a complex network. This study investigates the structural characteristics and driving factors of carbon emission linkages among Chinese cities, with the aim of providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the development of sound regional carbon reduction policies. An improved gravity model was used to measure both the presence and intensity of linkages between cities. Social Network Analysis (SNA) was applied to examine network features such as density, centrality, and hierarchical structure. In addition, the Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) was employed to test the effects of geographical proximity, economic disparities, demographic differences, and technological gaps on carbon emission linkages. Based on these methods, the study constructs the Chinese Carbon Emission Correlation Network (CECN), which shows high connectivity, a clear hierarchical structure, and a strengthened role of core cities. Cities with extensive linkages are mainly located in the eastern coastal region and political centers, forming a spatial pattern with stronger connections in the east than in the west, and more along the coast than inland. The network can also be divided into five distinct sub-groups. Moreover, geographical proximity, population differences, economic affluence, and technological disparities were found to significantly shape the spatial correlation of carbon emissions. These findings offer valuable guidance for designing targeted carbon reduction policies, which are essential for fostering regional coordination and advancing sustainable urban development. Full article

With the proliferation of wind power generation, the receiving end grids exhibit unprecedented dynamic characteristics, imposing critical stability challenges on grid-connected wind turbine’s converter. To address this, wind turbine converter control strategies have evolved beyond traditional grid-following (GFL) methods to include grid-forming (GFM), mode-switching, and hybrid GFL-GFM controls. This paper establishes a small-signal model for hybrid GFL-GFM-controlled wind turbines to analyze stability at varying grid strengths, guiding the selection of coefficients in hybrid mode. Simulation tests validate the theoretical framework. Full article

This article presents a numerical study of the influence of applied nonlinearities on the response of a flat slab–column structure under progressive collapse conditions. A key aspect of the work is the extension of nonlinear static analysis by considering cases of material nonlinearity combined with both linear and nonlinear geometry, using a corotational formulation and a damage-based elasto-plastic concrete model. A multi-layer shell element implemented in the OpenSees platform is used to distinguish between the strength characteristics of the concrete and reinforcement, with particular attention given to the modeling of the slab–column connection in nonlinear analyzes involving both shell and beam elements. The applied vertical pushover analysis enabled the derivation of load–displacement curves and the identification of the sequence in which plastic hinges can be formed. The development of membrane action resistance, expressed through the formation of compressive and tensile rings, is observed numerically when both material and geometric nonlinearities are simultaneously considered. Moreover, the transition from compressive membrane action to tensile membrane action occurs once the deflections reach the value equal to the effective depth of the slab. This insight may serve as an important guideline for the development of future revisions to design standards related to progressive collapse. Full article

This paper proposes a collaborative framework to support task offloading in connected vehicular environments. The approach relies on the dynamic formation of temporary teams of connected vehicles in a mobile edge computing scenario. A novel trust model is introduced, which integrates both quality of service and quality of results into a unified reliability score, and combines this score with distributed reputation to build a comprehensive trust metric. This trust metric is then exploited to guide a decentralized team formation algorithm, ensuring lightweight, interpretable, and scalable decision-making processes. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed framework improves task execution quality and fairness, especially for low-performing vehicles. These contributions highlight the novelty and strengths of our collaborative model, positioning it as a promising solution for enhancing cooperation in vehicular edge systems. Full article

The affordability, ease of manufacturing, and assembly efficiency of cold-formed steel profiles have contributed to their widespread use in structural applications. However, the presence of holes in these profile webs is likely to reduce their mechanical resistance. This study explores the bending behavior of a built-up box section constructed using lipped and unlipped C-profiles, which are commonly utilized in the construction industry. The investigation focuses on the influence of self-drilling screw layout density and hole distribution within the section. A total of 30 different models were analyzed, considering three primary variables: the spacing of self-drilling screws, hole diameter, and the number of holes. The steel profiles were connected using self-drilling screws with spacing intervals of 100, 200, and 400 mm. Key parameters, such as moment capacity, effects on elastic zones, shear forces on screws, and ductility, were examined in relation to these variables. The findings indicate that reducing screw spacing and increasing the number of holes are crucial design factors for improving joint strength. However, while greater screw spacing enhances ductility, it leads to lower plastic deformation rates. Additionally, optimizing the number of holes in the section proved to be an effective strategy for improving ductility in the analyzed models. Mathematical evaluation confirmed that hole number and screw spacing significantly affect moment capacity and estimation stability, highlighting the need for their joint optimization in structural design. Full article

Based on ethnographic research among the Misings of Assam and the ethnic communities of the Darjeeling Himalayas, the paper seeks to highlight the intricate relationship between Indigenous communities and their natural surroundings maintained through sacred connections of revering the spirits that govern it. It brings forth the notions of healing and care amongst these communities by engaging with practices of spirit worship, which govern the daily lives of these communities. Encounters with hegemonic forms of religious traditions, colonialism, and extractive forms of development regimes have rendered these communities vulnerable and marginalised. Literature also suggests that some of the most affected populations by “climate change” belong to Indigenous communities. In the process, their relationship with immediate natural surroundings has evolved and transformed, but with certain continuities in practices and beliefs. This has also challenged their existing forms of practice and their relationship with nature. Spirit worship has remained an integral part of their lives, playing a critical role in healing and care within a fast-changing world under “development”. Taking these aspects into consideration, throughout the article, we lay out several anecdotes from the Indigenous communities that will tell us about their beliefs and practices that continue to shape their lives. Full article

We have demonstrated the fabrication of laminate composites with functional features to demonstrate energy storage capabilities. The present study investigates the surface modification of carbon fibers by coating dual materials of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and cellulose-based activated carbon to enhance their energy storage capacitance for the development of structural supercapacitors. The dual coating on carbon fibers enabled a near 210-fold improvement in surface area, surpassing that of pristine carbon fibers. This formed a highly porous graphene network with activated carbon, resulting in a well-connected fiber–graphene-activated carbon network on carbon fibers. The electrochemical supercapacitor, fabricated from surface-functionalized carbon fibers, provides the best performance, with a specific capacitance of 172 F g⁻¹ in an aqueous electrolyte. Furthermore, the symmetrical structural supercapacitor (SSSC) device delivered a specific capacitance of 227 mF g⁻¹ across a wide potential window of 6 V. The electrochemical stability of the SSSC device was validated by a high capacitance retention of 97.3% over 10,000 cycles. Additionally, the study showcased the practical application of this technology by successfully illuminating an LED using the proof-of-concept SSSC device with G-aC/CF electrodes. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the potential of carbon fiber composites as a promising hybrid material, offering both structural integrity and a functional performance suitable for aerospace and automobile applications. Full article

The graph theory-based approach to the three-body problem is introduced. Vectors of linear and angular momenta of the particles form the vertices of the graph. Scalar products of the vectors of the linear and angular momenta define the colors of the links connecting the vertices. The bi-colored, complete graph emerges. This graph is called the “momenta graph”. According to the Ramsey theorem, this graph contains at least one mono-chromatic triangle. This is true even for chaotic motion of three bodies; thus, illustrating the idea supplied by the Ramsey theory, total chaos is impossible. Coloring of the graph is independent on the rotation of frames; however, it is sensitive to Galilean transformations. The coloring of the momenta graph remains the same for general linear transformations of vectors with a positive-definite matrix. For a given motion, changing the order of the vertices does not change the number and distribution of monochromatic triangles. Symmetry of the momenta graph is addressed. The symmetry group remains the same for general linear transformation of vectors of the linear and angular momenta with a positive-definite matrix. Conditions defining conservation of the coloring of the momenta graph are addressed. The notion of the stereographic momenta graph is introduced. Shannon entropy of the momenta graph is calculated. The particular configurations of bodies are addressed, including the Lagrange configuration and the figure eight-shaped motion. The suggested approach is generalized for the quantum field theory with the Pauli–Lubanski pseudo-vector. The suggested coloring procedure is the Lorenz invariant. Full article

This article examines William James’s philosophy of science through his pragmatic response to epistemic fallibilism, emphasizing how actionability rather than evidential certainty underwrites both scientific and religious practices. While James explicitly drew comparisons between science and Abrahamic scriptures, my account highlights resonances with non-Western traditions, particularly Indigenous American and Asian epistemologies, also situating some of James’s philosophical motivations within his biography. James may have indirectly absorbed Asian religious and philosophical teachings from American Transcendentalists who engaged with them, and he may have encountered Amerindian perspectives through the cultural milieu of the United States or during his Amazonian expedition. In either case, threads within these global Indigenous traditions align with the weight that James’s work gives to contextual, agent-relative forms of knowing that are inseparable from action. I conclude by discussing how James’s ideas support an account of animism that integrates Amerindian thought with the extended mind thesis. I also detail how his pluralistic account of experience and reality creates conceptual space for the co-existence of science and spirituality, ironically by undermining the assumption that the two operate according to radically distinct epistemologies. Throughout the article, I connect James’s thought to more recent debates in religion and metaphysics. Full article

This study investigates the impact of structured input, referential activities, and affective activities on English simple past tense acquisition in a second language (L2). Thirty-three participants from a senior high school were divided into four groups based on the pretest–posttest design: referential only, affective only, a combination of both, and a control group. A self-paced reading (SPR) test was used to measure accuracy and response times to evaluate the effectiveness of these instructional strategies. Structured input and referential tasks enhance grammatical acquisition more rapidly and accurately than affective-only treatments or controls, showing the beneficial effects of structured input on grammar acquisition. The results emphasized the importance of designing instructional strategies that address specific processing challenges in L2 learning by focusing on form–meaning connections. By demonstrating differential impacts of structured input activities on grammatical learning and processing efficiency, the research contributes to the field of second language acquisition. The SPR method was selected for its ability to capture subtle, immediate differences in processing at the word level, its suitability for controlled classroom-based online administration, and its established validity in L2 processing research. Unlike other methods, SPR allows precise measurement of reaction times for specific sentence components, isolating processing effects of the target grammatical form while minimizing the influence of explicit knowledge. Full article

Pan-connected interlayers are widely present in oil reservoirs, forming flow channels at different positions. However, conventional profile control agents struggle to plug deep interlayer channels in reservoirs, limiting the swept volume of injected water. Additionally, a clear methodology for physically simulating pan-connected reservoirs with interlayer channels and calculating interchannel flow rates remains lacking. In this study, a physical model of pan-connected interlayer reservoirs was constructed to carry out deformable gel particles (DGPs) plugging experiments on interlayer channels. A mass conservation-based flow rate calculation method for interlayer channels with iterative solution was proposed, revealing the variation law of interlayer channel flow rates during DGP injection and subsequent water flooding. Finally, oil displacement and DGP profile control experiments in pan-connected interlayer reservoirs were conducted. The study shows that during DGP injection, injected water enters the potential layer through interlayer channels in the middle and front of the water-channeling layer and bypasses back to the water-channeling layer through channels near the production well. With the increase in DGP injection volume, the flow rate of each channel increases. During subsequent water flooding, DGP breakage leads to a rapid decline in its along-path plugging capability, so water bypasses back to the water-channeling layer from the potential layer through all interlayer channels. As the DGP injection volume increases, the flow rate of each channel decreases. Large-volume DGPs can regulate interlayer channeling reservoirs in the high water cut stage. Its effectiveness mechanism involves particle migration increasing the interlayer pressure difference, which drives injected water to sweep from the water-channeling layer to the potential layer through interlayer channels, improving oil recovery by 19.74%. The flow characteristics of interlayer channels during DGP injection play a positive role in oil displacement, so the oil recovery degree in this process is greater than that in the subsequent water flooding stage under each injection volume condition. The core objective of this study is to investigate the plugging mechanism of DGPs in pan-connected interlayer channels of high-water-cut reservoirs, establish a method to quantify interlayer flow rates, and reveal how DGPs regulate flow redistribution to enhance oil recovery. Full article

Rotating stall is an abnormal flow phenomenon in pumps and pump-turbines, which can cause severe vibration, noise, and even cause head hump. A pump-turbine model under pump mode is researched in this study to reveal the formation mechanism of rotating stall. The causes, development laws, and influencing factors of rotating stall is revealed, which can help professionals achieve a deeper understanding of the rotating stall mechanism and suppress it through optimized design. The flow simulation method is mainly adopted in the study, and it is verified through experiment. The research results show that stall in the guide vanes is often caused, maintained and aggravated by rotor–stator interaction (RSI). A stall cell is often difficult to cause the adjacent flow channel to stall. However, under the action of RSI, stall can be induced in the adjacent flow channel, and then rotating stall is gradually formed. Rotating stall can be suppressed by various methods of reducing RSI. To a certain extent, the research makes up for the problem that conventional theory does not fully consider non-uniform and unsteady complex incoming flow when analyzing rotating stall. A connection between rotating stall and RSI is established, which can provide an important basis for further research on how to eliminate rotating stall. Full article