340880 research outputs found
Sort by
A survey on skein modules via braids
No full textIn this paper we present recent results on the computation of skein modules of 3-manifolds using braids and appropriate knot algebras. Skein modules generalize knot polynomials in S^3 to knot polynomials in arbitrary 3-manifolds and they have become extremely essential algebraic tools in the study of 3-manifolds. In this paper we present the braid approach to the HOMFLYPT and the Kauffman bracket skein modules of the Solid Torus ST and the lens spaces L(p,1) and S^1\times S^2
A scoping review of responsive caregiving in diverse populations and its association with child development
Get PDFABSTRACTBackground: Responsive caregiving is a key component of nurturing care and crucial for early child development.While responsive caregiving has been examined in multiple studies, a comprehensive review summarizingfindings from these studies across diverse caregiver, child, cultural, and socio-economic contexts is currentlylacking.Methods: We conducted a scoping review to synthesize evidence on (1) caregiver, child, and contextual factorsinfluencing responsive caregiving and (2) association between responsive caregiving and children’s neurodevelopment and mental health. We included peer-reviewed English articles describing responsive caregiving forchildren aged 0–8 years. Articles were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo, APAPsycArticles, SocINDEX, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of included articles. Relevant data wereextracted, collated, and synthesized into descriptive summaries and associations with children’s development.Results: We retrieved 7412 unique studies for title/abstract screening and 541 full-texts were screened and 138studies met the inclusion criteria. Caregiver characteristics, including caregiver type, maternal health, and demographics, influenced responsive caregiving, with notable differences between mothers and fathers. Child-levelfactors, such as developmental disabilities, age, term or preterm birth status, and gender, also shaped responsivecaregiving. Cultural context and socio-economic status also influenced responsive caregiving across populations.Language development was the most frequently reported with responsive caregiving.Conclusion: This scoping review maps how caregiver, child, and contextual factors influence responsive caregiving. Significant gaps remain in understanding caregiving in the under-researched Global South settings.Policymakers and practitioners should consider socio-cultural contexts, along with the pathways and mechanisms, when designing inclusive interventions that strengthen caregiving and support child development
Minimal conditions for the emergence of a vicarious sense of agency toward artificial agents
No full textA Sense of Agency (SoA) is the feeling of being in control over own actions and their outcomes. However, people can also experience a “vicarious” SoA over the actions performed by other agents, including artificial agents. The present study aimed to understand the minimal conditions for vicarious SoA toward artificial agents. Specifically, we addressed whether vicarious SoA emerges when people have access only to the action effect (proximal and distal), i.e., when no motor action is executed. In addition, we manipulated the expectancy of the content of the distal effect of the action to check whether the proximal action effect is sufficient for the emergence of the vicarious SoA, or if this effect is due to the learned association between proximal and distal effects. In two experiments, participants performed an Intentional Binding (IB) task, where the IB effect was the behavioural measure of SoA. In the first experiment (Solo), participants judged the onset of self-generated tones, whereas in the second experiment, a new sample of participants judged the onset of tones produced by a computer via an automatically pressed button, i.e., a customized device designed to generate a keypress (proximal action effect) in the absence of an effector executing a keypress (no motor action). In both experiments, participants' neural activity was recorded via electroencephalography (EEG), to examine the N1 and P2 components as neural measures of SoA. Behavioural results across experiments showed that the IB effect always emerged, suggesting that the vicarious IB effect toward an artificial agent emerges when access to the proximal action effect is provided, even in the absence of the action itself. The neural results suggested that while individual (self) SoA seemed to partially rely on motor predictions indexed by the N1, vicarious SoA relies on later, more cognitive (although still predictive) processes indexed by the P2. Overall, these results suggest that individual and vicarious SoA, although behaviourally manifested through a similar IB effect, might – to some extent – rely on different neural mechanisms
Food neophobia affects willingness to try novel alternative proteins in young adults in Spain and the Netherlands
No full textAs the global population grows and environmental concerns intensify, adopting more sustainable protein sources becomes increasingly crucial. This study examines the influence of food neophobia (FN) and food technology neophobia (FTN) on consumers' willingness to try (WTT) novel alternative proteins, specifically insect- and plant-based proteins (mealworm and mung bean protein) and whey, as a familiar control protein. In this context, it also examines the impact of protein-related health claims and compares the responses of residents in two European countries, Spain and the Netherlands. Through an online survey, the WTT of whey, mung bean and mealworm protein were measured in 200 Dutch and 202 Spanish young adults (18–40 years). Results indicated that WTT was inversely correlated with FN for plant protein and insect protein and FTN for plant and insect protein. While this relationship is significant, it only explains between 5.3 and 12.3 % of the variance. A lower WTT was reported for insects than for plant protein (mean 3.0 vs 5.0 on a 7-point Likert scale). A protein-related health claim did not affect WTT. Spanish consumers showed similar results to Dutch consumers but had lower WTT for insect protein (mean 2.7 vs 3.3). This study reveals a promising opportunity for mung bean protein as a preferred dietary protein source for young adults in the European Union, while also highlighting the challenges in accepting mealworm protein. Transitioning to alternative proteins seems to require a source-specific approach
ToF-SIMS reference spectra of perfluorosulfonic acids in both polarities
No full textPerfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) are chemical compounds of the formula CnF(2n + 1)SO3H. PFSAs with six or more perfluorinated carbon atoms are referred to as long chain. These chemical compounds belong to the family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as so-called forever chemicals. Reference spectra in both polarities are presented of the potassium salts of one long-chain perfluorosulfonic acid, namely, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid with an eight-carbon fluorocarbon chain, and one short-chain perfluorosulfonic acid, namely, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid with a four-carbon fluorocarbon chain
The memory time machine:Morphing temporal memory using event segmentation, neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation
Get PDFExploring the links between dissociative experiences, schemas, modes, and coping
No full textThis study explored the relationships between dissociative experiences, childhood trauma, maladaptive schemas, schema modes, and schema coping in a nonclinical sample. Three theoretical models were tested: (1) dissociative experiences resulting from schema mode activation, (2) dissociative experiences as an innate trait shaping schema coping, and (3) dissociative experiences arising from childhood trauma that influence coping strategies. Data from 401 Dutch psychology students were analyzed using path analyses to compare model fit. While all models showed good fit, Model 2 emerged as the best based on AIC and BIC values. This model linked dissociative experiences to avoidance and surrender coping styles and specific schema modes, such as the punitive parent and detached self-soother. Findings suggest dissociative experiences shape responses to schema-related stress through disengagement or immersion. Future research in clinical populations is recommended to further explore these dynamics and their therapeutic relevance
"Look at Yourself":Teachers' Reflective Practices Toward Enjoyment in Primary School Physical Education
No full textBackground Enjoyment is key in primary school physical education (PE), yet ensuring enjoyable PE experiences for all children is challenging. Reflection may help teachers improve lesson quality and foster PE enjoyment.Methods This cross-sectional study explored Dutch primary school teachers' perspectives on enjoyable PE and reflective practices. An online questionnaire was completed by 173 teachers (70.5% PE specialists, 29.5% generalists) who teach at least one PE lesson per week. Teacher type differences were analyzed using Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regressions.Results Perspectives on reflective practices were similar among teacher types. Generalists reported more teacher- and policy-related barriers to providing enjoyable PE, while specialists cited child-related challenges. Most teachers reflected internally, with limited use of written reflection or feedback from children and colleagues. Specialists used professional networks and peer feedback more. Time constraints and low prioritization were key barriers to reflection.Implications for School Health Policy Schools should allocate time and promote reflection tools. Generalists could benefit from coaching and targeted professional development. For specialists, teacher education might foster reflective practices using video and child feedback to improve child outcomes like PE enjoyment.Conclusions Tailored strategies are needed to strengthen reflection and improve PE quality to foster children's PE enjoyment
PRevention Of sudden cardiac death aFter myocardial Infarction by Defibrillator im-plantation:Design and rationale of the PROFID EHRA randomized clinical trial
No full textBackground: Randomized clinical trials from over 20 years ago demonstrated that an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) improved survival for patients with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after myocardial infarction (MI) compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT) alone. Since then advances in therapy have led to the reduction in the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in this population, whilst complication rates from ICD implantation are still substantial. Objectives: To determine whether OMT without ICD implantation is not inferior to OMT with ICD implantation with respect to all-cause mortality. Design: The PROFID EHRA trial is an investigator-driven, prospective, parallel-group, randomized, open-label, blinded outcome assessment (PROBE), multi-center, noninferiority trial without dedicated investigational medical device (Proof of Strategy Trial) with 2 groups with 1:1 randomization. PROFID-EHRA will recruit approximately 3,595 patients with documented history of MI at least 3 months prior, LVEF ≤35%, on OMT for at least 3 months, and with New York Heart Association class II or III, who will be randomized to OMT or OMT plus ICD, to collect 374 first primary outcome events within a median observation period of around 28 months from about 180 clinical sites in an estimated 13 countries. The primary outcome is time from randomization to the occurrence of all-cause death. Secondary outcomes include time from randomization to death from cardiovascular causes, to SCD, to first hospital readmission for cardiovascular causes after date of randomization, the average length of hospital stay during follow-up, and quality of life trajectories. Clinical Trial: Trials.gov</p