bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relation of Perivascular Adipose Tissues on Computed Tomography to Coronary Vasospasm
Authors: Asada Kazunari , Saito Yuichi , Takaoka Hiroyuki , Kitahara Hideki , Kobayashi Yoshio
Published: February 2025

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) can be used to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the characteristics of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), including PVAT volume and perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI). Moreover, PVAT volume and perivascular FAI on CTA are reportedly high in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA); however, previous investigations have focused on the patient rather than vessel-level analyses. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between coronary vasospasm and PVAT or FAI by using coronary CTA at the vessel level. Methods: This retrospective study included 51 patients who underwent intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation testing for the VSA diagnosis and coronary CTA within a 6-month interval. A total of 125 coronary vessels were evaluated. PVAT and FAI on CTA were quantitatively evaluated. The primary interest of the present study was to determine the relationship between PVAT volume and FAI- and ACh-induced coronary vasospasms at the vessel level. Results: Of the 51 patients, 24 (47.1%) had a positive ACh provocation test (VSA), with 40 of 125 (32.0%) vessels having ACh-induced vasospasm. Obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease was observed in 12 vessels (9.6%). No significant differences in PVAT volume or FAI were identified between vessels with and without ACh-induced vasospasms. Similarly, PVAT volume and FAI did not differ significantly in the individual major coronary arteries between patients with and without positive ACh provocation test results. In contrast, FAI was significantly higher in vessels with obstructive coronary artery disease than in those without. Conclusions: In patients undergoing intracoronary ACh provocation tests and coronary CTA, no significant association was observed between ACh-induced coronary vasospasm and PVAT volume or FAI at the vessel level. However, FAI significantly increased in vessels with epicardial coronary disease.
Diabetes Risks of Statin Therapy—Coenzyme Q10 May Help
Authors: Han Xiaorong , Liu Jinxing , Gu Yingzhen , Li Yifan , Zhang Wei , Lv Naqiang , Dang Aimin
Published: February 2025

Background: Statin therapy is associated with an increased risk of new-onset diabetes (NOD), possibly due to a reduction in coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels as a result of statin use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exogenous CoQ10 supplementation and the development of NOD. Methods: This study included 4394 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Baseline characteristics were compared between those with and without NOD and between those with and without CoQ10. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with NOD. Two models were used for confounding factors, including demographics and various covariates. Multifactor logistic regression further assessed the association between CoQ10 supplementation and NOD. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential nonlinear relationship between daily CoQ10 dose and NOD. Results: Univariate logistic regression showed an association between CoQ10 supplementation and a reduced risk of NOD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.323, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.157–0.668, p = 0.003), which remained significant after adjustments in model 1 (OR = 0.344, 95% CI 0.160–0.737, p = 0.006) and model 2 (OR = 0.232, 95% CI 0.057–0.942, p = 0.041). There was no evidence of a linear association between daily CoQ10 dose and NOD in logistic regression analysis (OR = 0.999, 95% CI 0.994–1.004, p = 0.720), and no evidence of a nonlinear correlation in the RCS analysis (p > 0.05). Conclusions: CoQ10 supplementation in individuals taking statins was associated with a reduced risk of NOD, and this association was independent of the CoQ10 dose.
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation during Spasm Provocation Test with Acetylcholine: Clinical Characteristics of Patients and Effect on Coronary Microvascular Function Measurements
Authors: Teragawa Hiroki , Oshita Chikage , Hashimoto Yu , Nomura Shuichi
Published: February 2025

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complication that occurs following a spasm provocation test (SPT) with acetylcholine (ACh). However, the characteristics of patients with AF remain unclear. Furthermore, the association of AF with the outcome of the coronary microvascular function test (CMFT) is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) who developed AF during SPT with ACh had any clinical characteristics. Additionally, we assessed the association of AF with the CMFT results. Methods: We included 123 patients with ANOCA who underwent SPT and CMFT. We defined AF as AF during ACh provocation. The coronary arteries that demonstrated AF before CMFT were defined as AF vessels (n = 21) and those in sinus rhythm (SR) were defined as SR-1 vessels (n = 165). Vessels that were restored to sinus rhythm immediately following AF were defined as AF-SR vessels (n = 29) and those that remained in sinus rhythm for some time were defined as SR-2 vessels (n = 136). Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were obtained, and CFR of <2.0 and/or IMR of ≥25 were diagnosed as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Results: Of the 123 patients, 31 (25%) had AF but with no characteristic patient background. CFR was significantly lower in AF vessels than in SR-1 vessels (p = 0.035) and IMR did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.918). A study of the three groups that included AF-SR vessels revealed that IMR tended to be lower in AF-SR vessels than in the SR-2 and AF vessels (p = 0.089), and that the frequency of IMR of ≥25 was significantly lower than in the other two groups (p = 0.016). Conclusions: AF occurred in 25% of SPTs with ACh, but the predictive clinical context remains unclear. Our results indicated that AF may affect the outcome of the CMFT. Thus, decisions for CMD management should be made with caution in the presence of AF.
ІСТОРИЧНІ ПЕРЕДУМОВИ ТА РОЗВИТОК ВІЙСЬКОВОГО ПЕРЕКЛАДУ: ВІД ВИТОКІВ ДО СУЧАСНИХ ПІДХОДІВ
Authors: Жукова Анна , Сергієнко Тетяна , Шоптенко Вікторія
Published: February 2025

Стаття присвячена розгляду історичних передумов, витоків та розвитку військового перекладу. Актуальність заявленої у статті проблеми зумовлена тим, що військовий переклад являє собою значущу частину діяльності збройних сил будь-якої держави, дипломатичних і міжнародних відносин, адже він забезпечує комунікацію між представниками різних держав, а також є невід’ємним компонентом інформаційної безпеки та координації у міжнародних військових операціях. А в умовах глобалізації та продовження повномасштабної війни на території України військовий переклад є надзвичайно потрібним і потреба у кваліфікованих військових перекладачах безперервно зростає. Мета статті полягає у вивченні особливостей розвитку військового перекладу. Основу методологічного підходу в цій роботі складає комплексне системне дослідження, що ґрунтується на ефективному поєднанні теоретичних методів дослідження. Зокрема аналіз, синтез, узагальнення, абстрагування, інтерпретація, а також описовий і порівняльно-історичний методи та метод зіставлення були використані з метою вивчення специфіки розвитку військового перекладу та представлення одержаних результатів дослідження. Головними результатами, що були одержані в межах цього наукового дослідження, слід вважати узагальнення поняття «військовий переклад», опис процесу розвитку військового перекладу в Україні та обґрунтування сучасних підходів до розвитку військового перекладу. Виявлено, що військовий переклад розпочав свій розвиток з часів незалежності нашої держави, проте з 2014 року його розвиток набув нових обертів з огляду на військові дії, які тривають на території України. Результати цього наукового дослідження, а також сформульовані на їхній основі висновки, становлять практичну цінність для військових та цивільних перекладачів, філологів, викладачів, а також інших фахівців, які займаються вивченням проблем розвитку та функціонування військового перекладу в умовах воєнного стану.
НЕГАТИВНІ ПСИХІЧНІ СТАНИ СПОРТСМЕНІВ ТА МЕТОДИКИ ЇХ ДІАГНОСТУВАННЯ У ПЕРЕДСТАРТОВОМУ ПЕРІОДІ
Authors: Лазоренко Сергій , Коляда Наталія , Діденко Ірина , Скачедуб Наталія
Published: February 2025

У даній науковій публікації надається інформація щодо особливостей та класифікації психічних станів спортсменів у передстартовому періоді безпосередньої участі у змаганнях різного організаційного статусу. На основі аналізу науково-методичної літератури, авторський колектив визначив ефективні методики діагностування психічного стану атлетів з урахуванням їх інформативності та ефективності застосування в умовах змагальної діяльності. Логіка дослідження побудована на аналізі сучасної науково-методичної літератури з психології спорту, який дозволив визначити критерії систематизації негативних психічних станів, що впливають на змагальну ефективність атлетів. На першому етапі автори окреслили поняття «психодіагностика спортивна», «психічний стан» та «психорегуляція». Зокрема, психодіагностика спортивна визначається як наука, що досліджує психологічні особливості спортсменів, оцінює їхній психічний стан і готовність до змагань. Психічний стан трактується як поточна активність психіки, зумовлена як зовнішніми обставинами, так і індивідуальними особливостями особистості. Психорегуляція – це вплив на психіку атлета з метою оптимізації його стану, що здійснюється або самостійно (саморегуляція), або з допомогою тренерів (наставників) та фахівців у разі їх наявності (гетерорегуляція). Представлена характеристика найбільш розповсюджених негативних станів, які практично систематично зустрічаються у більшості спортсменів, особливо школярів і атлетів кадетського віку перед змагальною активністю. До них належать: тривожність, страх, монотонія, фрустрація, стрес, надмірна впевненість, тощо. На другому етапі дослідження визначено валідні методики діагностування психічних станів. Описано прості, але ефективні тести діагностування, що можуть застосовуватися безпосередньо перед змаганнями. Серед них: динамометрія, вимірювання дозованого м’язового зусилля, оцінка коротких проміжків часу. Методики характеризуються простотою використання, швидкістю отримання результатів і практичністю в умовах стадіону чи спортивного залу. У статті подано рекомендації для тренерів, які допоможуть ефективно оцінювати і корегувати психічний стан атлетів.
МІЖНАРОДНІ СТИПЕНДІЙНІ ПРОГРАМИ ЯК ІНСТРУМЕНТ МОТИВАЦІЇ ДО НАВЧАННЯ ЗДОБУВАЧІВ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Паска Тарас
Published: February 2025

У статті досліджено роль міжнародних стипендійних програм як ефективного інструмента мотивації здобувачів вищої освіти до навчання. Зазначено, що роль мотивації в освітньому процесі є вирішальною для досягнення студентами високих результатів та формування стійкої зацікавленості у здобутті знань. Стипендійне забезпечення виступає потужним інструментом мотивації, стимулюючи прагнення до академічної досконалості та активної участі у науково-дослідницькій діяльності. Для кращого розуміння механізму впливу студентських стипендій на мотивацію до навчання в статті виділено ключові фактори, які визначають ефективність цього процесу.
Підкреслено, що система стипендійного забезпечення є важливим елементом підтримки студентів у здобутті вищої освіти. В Україні вона включає державні (академічні, соціальні, іменні) та недержавні стипендії, які надаються українськими і закордонними науковими установами, фондами та благодійними організаціями. Система стимулювання, що передбачає диференційований підхід до розміру стипендій залежно від успішності студентів, сприяє їхньому більш серйозному ставленню до навчання, підвищенню конкуренції та загального рівня освіти в університетах.
Розглянуто практику впровадження недержавних стипендій у Прикарпатському національному університеті імені Василя Стефаника (м. Івано-Франківськ), зокрема співпрацю з Фондом Інституту Східноєвропейських досліджень (Республіка Польща), Фундацією Лозинських (США) та благодійним фондом «Повір у себе» (Україна). Проаналізовано результати цих програм, які передбачають надання стипендій студентам за високі академічні досягнення, а також відзначення найкращих магістерських робіт. Висвітлено основні вимоги до кандидатів на стипендії, процедури подачі заявок, розміри стипендій та додаткові можливості, які надаються стипендіатам. Зроблено порівняльний аналіз недержавних стипендій у Прикарпатському національному університеті імені Василя Стефаника. Визначено, що такі програми сприяють підвищенню зацікавленості студентів у навчанні, розвитку їхнього наукового потенціалу та формуванню позитивного іміджу університету.
UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING STUDENTS’ FEARS IN ESL SPEAKING CLASSES: INSIGHTS FROM STUDENTS
Authors: Pysarchyk Olena , Yamshynska Natalia , Kutsenok Neonila
Published: February 2025

In language teaching and learning, there has been significant progress in understanding and addressing students' speaking fears, nevertheless, there are still several issues that need to be addressed. The article explores students’ fears in ESL classrooms and suggests strategies to manage those fears as impediments to learning progress. A survey was conducted with the aim of getting a comprehensive understanding of the most common fears of students, namely fear of making mistakes and being corrected, fear of speaking in class, and fear of falling behind in studies. The survey consisted of questions focused on gathering insights from the students regarding their learning experience and fears related to speaking. The survey findings showed that students have different fears and stressed the importance and need to explore effective strategies to address those issues. Overall, the results suggest the students struggle emotionally in ESL speaking lessons, as well as they recognise the significance of feelings and emotions for their academic and personal growth. The results of the study provided useful insights into students’ prevalence of fears in ESL classrooms, which included fear of making mistakes, fear of speaking in front of a teacher and peers, fear of negative evaluation and fear of falling behind. Considering students’ fears have a negative effect on learning outcomes and impede advancement in language learning, it is extremely important to examine effective teaching strategies to alleviate students’ fears and help them build confidence in their speaking skills. The article reviews several strategies for teachers to support their students and build their confidence in ESL speaking lessons. Among the suggested strategies, are the following: implementing delayed correction to deal with the fear of speaking and making mistakes, peer interaction and feedback to help students gain confidence and promote a supportive learning atmosphere.
NOCTOGENESIS: Evolution's Quantum Secret
Authors: Merriam Lloyd A.
Published: February 2025

Noctogenesis challenges the classical view that evolution is an aimless process driven primarily by random mutations and natural selection. Instead, it introduces a non-classical mechanism in which evolutionary gains unfold through intrinsic randomness, a quantum-level process distinct from the ordinary randomness of classical stochastic events. This framework rejects the assumption that life’s complexity arose through mere happenstance, proposing instead that syntropy—a counterforce to entropy—shapes evolutionary trajectories by biasing genetic fluctuations toward increasing order and complexity. Unlike the reactive model of Darwinian selection, Noctogenesis proposes that evolution is proactive, emerging from a structured yet non-deterministic mechanism. By reframing evolution as a non-classical process governed by quantum principles, Noctogenesis provides a radically new perspective—one that challenges conventional evolutionary thought and accounts for biological phenomena that have stubbornly resisted explanation under classical models.
Causal Carbon: Baselines and Additionality with Potential Outcomes
Authors: Ayers Megan , Sanford Luke , Gardner Will , Kuebbing Sara
Published: February 2025

Recent work has questioned the credibility of forest carbon offsets as an environmental intervention and nature-based solution for mitigating climate change. Despite some updates to carbon credit methodologies and advice to purchase only high-integrity or high-quality credits, it is not clear which carbon offsets meet these standards under which conditions. In this paper, we draw on the fields of statistics and causal inference to develop a generalized framework for analyzing carbon offset protocols. We show that strategic enrollment combined with even seemingly innocuous measurement errors in carbon stocks can lead to market distortions and that there is an inherent tradeoff between minimizing these distortions and broadening enrollment. The provided framework clarifies what purchasers of carbon offsets must believe about the world in order for purchased credits under each protocol to accurately reflect the impact of crediting programs and builds common ground on which more fruitful engagement between different sectors of the carbon market can build agreement.
Using Reappraisal to Increase Positive Affect: Efficacy and Cognitive Mechanisms
Authors: Krajuškina Maria , Naar Richard , Uusberg Andero , Gross James , Uusberg Helen
Published: February 2025

Reappraisal is a common emotion regulation strategy that involves adjusting how a situation is appraised. While much is known about its use with the goal of reducing negative affect, less is known about its use with the goal of increasing positive affect. To address this issue, we conducted two studies to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of reappraisal with the goal of increasing positive affect (i.e., positive goal reappraisal) in response to negative, neutral, and positive stimuli. In Study 1, 158 participants rated their subjective affect and reported how they appraised depicted situations on key appraisal dimensions with and without using reappraisal. In Study 2, 70 participants completed a similar task while their electromyographic and electroencephalographic responses were recorded. Reappraisal generally increased self-reported positive affect and decreased self-reported negative affect across all picture types. Reappraisal also increased zygomaticus major reactivity for neutral and positive pictures, and decreased corrugator supercilii reactivity for negative and neutral pictures. Additionally, reappraisal amplified the late positive potential for all types of pictures within a relatively early time window (263-1013 ms). We also found that the effects of positive goal reappraisal were related to appraisal shifts, particularly changes in congruence and relevance, and these effects varied across different valence categories. These results suggest that positive goal reappraisal impacts both positive and negative affect and operates through somewhat different appraisal shifts depending on valence category.
Proof of Local Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions to Non-commutative Yang-Mills Equations in Sobolev Spaces
Authors: zhou changzheng , zhou ZIQING
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the local existence and uniqueness of solutions to thenon-commutative Yang-Mills equations in Sobolev spaces. By introducing a mod?ified energy functional, gauge covariant artificial viscosity terms, and fractionalSobolev spaces, the energy estimates of non-commutative terms are optimized.Combined with the renormalization group equation and matrix model extension,the limitations of the small θ assumption and the adaptability of the Kato-Laitheory are addressed. Theoretical proof shows that in the Hsspace (s > 3/2),the equation satisfies the local Lipschitz condition, and the local existence anduniqueness of solutions are strictly derived through the Picard-Lindel¨of theorem.Furthermore, numerical simulations verify the stability of solutions under differentnon-commutative parameters θ, laying the foundation for the subsequent researchon global solutions and mass gaps.
Understanding the experiences of neurodivergent research students: A mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Tan Diana Weiting , Edwards Chris , Mewburn Inger , Simpson Kate , Webster Amanda , Brownlow Charlotte
Published: February 2025

Research on neurodivergent students in Higher Education has increased but primarily focuses on coursework students, overlooking those in research degrees. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review about the experience of neurodivergent research students which included a mix of empirical research and reflections on lived experience. Our analysis of 31 included articles identified eight key themes shaping these students’ journeys: (1) academic cultures, structures, and expectations; (2) sensory and environmental challenges; (3) executive functioning; (4) insufficient supports and accommodations; (5) relationships with others; (6) ableism and disclosure; (7) mental health; and (8) embracing neurodivergence. Although some strengths of neurodivergent thinking were noted, significant institutional barriers persist. These findings reveal critical gaps in academic inclusivity and highlight the urgent need for systemic changes to develop research degree programs that recognise, support, and empower neurodivergent students. The review offers actionable insights for fostering more equitable and inclusive higher education environments.
Evaluative Conditioning and its Vexing Demand Problem
Authors: Corneille Olivier , Gast Anne , Lush Peter , Stahl Christoph
Published: February 2025

Attitude research has long been concerned with the potential influence of demand characteristics in evaluative conditioning effects. Here, we argue that this concern remains justified and cannot be readily dismissed. This is supported by two observations. First, strategies used to rule out a demand account of evaluative conditioning effects have, if anything, supported rather than rejected it. Second, as we illustrate by discussing three recent studies that revisited this question, this investigation is empirically challenging. In the general discussion, we argue that a better understanding of demand effects can advance theorization and practice, and we discuss criteria that may help delineate demand from propositional and memory accounts of evaluative conditioning.
RCSI: A Protocol for Datacenter Rack Connectivity State Information Exchange
Authors: Sunkara Krishna Chaitanya
Published: February 2025

Abstract — This document introduces the Rack Connectivity State Information (RCSI) Protocol, an application layer protocol designed for automating and managing rack connections in modern data centers. Built on HTTP/2, RCSI provides a standardized method for exchanging rack connectivity information, facilitating automated network cut sheet generation, patch matrix creation, bill of materials (BOM) generation, and cable management. The protocol simplifies how physical rack connections are represented in CLOS networks, ensuring seamless integration between various datacenter automation services. Traditional methods rely on manual documentation such as the racks s and diagrams, leading to inefficiencies and errors. RCSI solves this by defining a universal, stateless, and structured protocol that allows for real-time data exchange across automation tools. It standardizes rack mapping, port assignments, connection paths, and metadata representation in a JSON-based schema, improving accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in managing network infrastructure. The protocol supports four primary operations: create, retrieve, update, and delete, enabling full lifecycle management of rack connectivity. Key applications include network cut-sheets, cable management, and datacenter expansion planning. RCSI ensures faster deployments, better resource utilization, and enhanced automation, making it particularly valuable for AI and hyper-scale data centers. Future work will focus on performance testing, scalability improvements, and extended support for next-generation datacenter architectures.
Chess as a Model of Collective Intelligence: analyzing a distributed form of chess with piece-wise agency
Authors: CAMPITELLI Guillermo , Kofman David , Levin Michael
Published: February 2025

Chess is a much-studied virtual world in which human and artificially-intelligent players move pieces toward desired ends, within established rules. The typical scenario involves top-down control where a single cognitive agent plans and executes moves using the pieces as its embodiment within the chess universe. However, ultimately both biological and engineered agents are composed of parts, with radically differing degrees of competency. The emerging field of Diverse Intelligence seeks to understand how coherent behavior and goal-directed navigation of problem spaces arises in compound agents from the interaction of their simpler components. Thus, we explored the world of chess rules from the perspective of collective intelligence, and characterized a bottom-up version of this classic game in which there is no central controller or long-term planning. Rather, each individual piece has its own drives and makes decisions based on local, limited information and its own goals. We analyzed the behavior of this distributed agent when playing against Stockfish, a standard chess algorithm. We tested a few individual policies designed by hand, and then implemented an evolutionary algorithm to see how the individuals’ behavioral genomes would evolve under selection applied to the chess-based fitness of the collective agent. We observed that despite the minimal intelligence of each piece, the team of distributed chess pieces exhibit Elo of up to ~1050, equivalent to a novice human chess player. And, compared to advanced chess engines like Stockfish, the distributed chess pieces are significantly more efficient in computing. Distributed chess pieces select their next move approximately 7 times faster than the Stockfish Engine with a search depth of 8. Investigating different local policies for the distributed agents, we found that policies promoting offense, such as swarming the opposing king and opposing highest valued piece, moving less cautiously, and a radius of vision of 4 spaces yields optimal performance. Comparisons between centralized and distributed versions of familiar minimal environments have the potential to shed light on the scaling of cognition and the requirements for collective intelligence in naturally evolved and engineered systems.
A study of exponential and Poisson distributions
Authors: Yabu Takuya
Published: February 2025

The exponential distribution and Poisson distribution have traditionally been explained as follows: “The exponential distribution is the distribution of the time interval between the occurrence of rare events, and the Poisson distribution is the distribution of the number of occurrences of rare events”. In addition, the Poisson distribution has been derived from the binomial distribution using a method based on the Poisson's law of small numbers. However, from a logical consideration of depression, it was found that it is not possible to say that “the distribution of the time interval between occurrences of rare events is an exponential distribution, and the distribution of the number of occurrences of rare events is a Poisson distribution” unless there is an approximation that the time during which events that rarely occur are occurring is not negligible. Therefore, we considered the exponential distribution and Poisson distribution while taking into account the time during which events are occurring. As a result, it was found that the distribution of the total time, including the time when the event is occurring and the time when it is not occurring, is an exponential distribution, and the distribution of the number of times the event occurs is a Poisson distribution. In addition, the equations that derive the exponential distribution and Poisson distribution were derived, and it was found that the Poisson distribution can be derived without using the assumption of the Poisson's law of small numbers, as in the past, and that the distribution of the number of times any event occurs follows the Poisson distribution. In addition, it was also found that the results obtained in this study encompass the conventional interpretation that “the distribution of the number of occurrences of events that rarely occur is a Poisson distribution, and the distribution of the intervals (i.e., the time when events are not occurring) between occurrences of events that rarely occur is an exponential distribution” if the time during which events are occurring is very short. Finally, we were able to give a stochastic differential equation from which the exponential distribution and Poisson distribution can be derived.
Synergistic tension in the music and lyrics of late-Romantic choral songs
Authors: Popescu Tudor , Kempf Adrian , Boenke Patrick , Tettamanti Marco
Published: February 2025

Songs intimately combine two defining human capacities: music and language. As a song unfolds, interconnected musical and linguistic elements such as dissonant chords and evocative words combine to generate fluctuating patterns of tension and relaxation, with associated predictive expectations that shape aesthetic and emotional experiences. However, how these patterns integrate across both domains to produce a holistic sense of tension remains unexplored. We investigated this integration in a tension-rich subset of Western vocal music, late-Romantic art songs, hypothesising that tonal and semantic tension combine superadditively. Using a naturalistic listening paradigm, online participants rated tonal, semantic, and holistic tension in three selected songs. Results suggest that the musical dimension (tonal tension) plays a more prominent role than the linguistic one (semantic tension) in shaping overall affect. Music alone explained a greater proportion of variance in the holistic condition than did lyrics alone. A significant redundant-information component suggested an integration of music and lyrics under genre-specific rules, while a synergistic-information component indicated their combined effect exceeds the sum of their individual contributions. Though based on a specific tonal-poetic idiom, our findings illuminate how music and language might integrate during real-time listening, from the experiential perspective of tension. We discuss how both culture-specific and culture-invariant (universal) mechanisms may contribute to this process, offering insights into cross-domain aesthetic integration.
Can We Be Friends with GPT? Exploring the Dynamics of Relationship Development towards a GPT4-based Social Chatbot
Authors: Block Santos Leonard , Heyselaar Evelien , Hasselman Fred , Karremans Johan
Published: February 2025

Emotional relationships with social chatbots might have become possible due to recent technical breakthroughs. However, the literature shows contradictory findings between group-level laboratory studies and participant-level ecological investigations. We argue that the dynamic and complex nature of friendship is hardly described by classic analyses and might require a complex-systems approach. Therefore, we conducted N = 11 case studies, of which three are presented here. With a self-made GPT-4-Turbo-based social chatbot on WhatsApp, we investigated whether friendship development would take place within a two-month time frame. With our rich quantitative time series data, we determined recurring phases within each participant. These phases are discussed and evaluated using rich qualitative data, taking inspiration from previous work on mixed-methods complexity analyses. In conclusion, our resulting data set shows an enormous variety of experiences with our chatbot and introduces novel analyses to research into human-machine interactions.Emotional relationships with social chatbots might have become possible due to recent technical breakthroughs. However, the literature shows contradictory findings between group-level laboratory studies and participant-level ecological investigations. We argue that the dynamic and complex nature of friendship is hardly described by classic analyses and might require a complex-systems approach. Therefore, we conducted N = 11 case studies, of which three are presented here. With a self-made GPT-4-Turbo-based social chatbot on WhatsApp, we investigated whether friendship development would take place within a two-month time frame. With our rich quantitative time series data, we determined recurring phases within each participant. These phases are discussed and evaluated using rich qualitative data, taking inspiration from previous work on mixed-methods complexity analyses. In conclusion, our resulting data set shows an enormous variety of experiences with our chatbot and introduces novel analyses to research into human-machine interactions.
Investigating dreams by strategically presenting sounds during REM sleep to reactivate waking experiences
Authors: Konkoly Karen R , Morris Daniel , Cho Matthew , Hurka Kaitlyn , Torres-Platas S. Gabriela , Baehr Lourdes , Paller Ken A.
Published: February 2025

Dreams may partially reflect the memory reorganizing that occurs nightly to improve the usefulness of what we learn each day. However, solid evidence has yet to link dreaming with adaptive overnight memory processes. Dream research faces several challenges, including the difficulty of experimentally controlling dream content and the susceptibility of dream reports to distortion and forgetting upon awakening. Memory consolidation can be systematically manipulated using Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR), whereby sensory stimulation during sleep triggers processing of previously acquired memories. Stimuli presented during sleep can be incorporated into dreams, but how reactivated memories might influence dream content is still unknown. This study aims to use TMR to strategically influence dreams. In the evening, participants performed two distinct tasks designed to be readily incorporated into dreams. Each task was associated with a unique sound and entailed a unique respiratory signature designed to be objectively verifiable during sleep. The association between each task and sound was further reinforced in a conditioning phase just prior to sleep. When a participant entered REM sleep, the experimenter presented one of the two sounds, thus attempting to induce dreams related to the associated task. Dream reports revealed incorporation of task elements that were high for both tasks, and relatively higher for the cued task. Dreaming of a task was linked with decreased negative valence and increased creativity. We conclude that this approach to dream curation provides a novel way to investigate the influence of dreaming on memory storage.
Advancements of Phonetics in the 21st century: Quantitative data analysis
Authors: Sonderegger Morgan , Soskuthy Marton
Published: February 2025

Phonetic research in the 21st century has relied heavily on quantitative analysis. This article reviews the evolution of common practices and the emergence of newer techniques. Using a detailed literature survey, we show that most work follows a mainstream, which has shifted from ANOVAs to mixed-effects regression models over time. Alongside this mainstream, we highlight the increasing use of a diverse methodological toolbox, especially Bayesian methods and dynamic methods, for which we provide comprehensive reviews. Bayesian methods, as well as frequentist methods beyond linear and logistic regression, offer flexibility in model specification, interpretation, and incorporation of prior knowledge. Dynamic methods, such as GAMs and functional data analysis, capture non-linear patterns in acoustic and articulatory data. Machine learning techniques, such as random forests, expand the questions and types of data phoneticians can analyze. We also discuss the growing importance of open science practices promoting replicability and transparency. We argue that the future lies in a diverse methodological toolbox, with techniques chosen based on research questions and data structure.
Early Language Acquisition: From Birth Order Effect to Child-to-Caregiver Ratio
Authors: Rosslund Audun , Kartushina Natalia , Serres Nora , Mayor Julien
Published: February 2025

Growing up with multiple siblings might negatively affect a child’s language development. This study examined the associations between birth order, sibling characteristics and parent-reported vocabulary size in 6,163 Norwegian 8–36-month-old children (51.4% female). Results confirmed that birth order was negatively associated with vocabulary, yet exhibited a U-shaped pattern. A ‘child-to-caregiver ratio’ in the household was introduced, in which old-enough siblings are considered caregivers for their younger siblings. This index explained variance in vocabulary better than birth order, and suggested that female siblings may adopt a caregiving role 1–3 years earlier than males, indicating sex differences in the age at which siblings contribute, rather than deplete, available resources. A child-to-caregiver ratio might better capture the interplay between language learning resources and demands within households.
Agent-Based Modeling for Psychological Research on Social Phenomena
Authors: Jung Jiin , Miller John H. , Page Scott E.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes seven potential benefits of incorporating agent-based modeling (ABM) as a core research methodology for psychological research on social phenomena: building formal theories of complex social systems, validating multilevel causation, understanding temporal and non-linear dynamics, demonstrating the completeness of theories, balancing consideration of people with their environments, bridging psychology and policy, and identifying unknown unknowns and the limits of prediction. Those benefits accrue from a resonance between how they approach questions and the questions they ask. For example, both rely on experiments to explore how individual interactions generate collective phenomena. The paper compares micro-mechanism-driven and macro-pattern-driven ABM paradigms and introduces a new research approach—the minimal society paradigm—and a modeling strategy, principle-oriented modeling. This framework integrates ABM into psychological research, supporting both theory building through minimal societies and adaptation to specific contexts. Last, recent methodological developments in this field are discussed.
Mapping Organizational Theory
Authors: Trinidad Jose Eos
Published: February 2025

Organizational theory has developed in numerous directions that have been difficult to integrate. This review synthesizes them into seven perspectives, with theories focused within and beyond the organization (i.e., intra- and extra-organizational dynamics). It proposes the acronym SCRIPTS: structure, culture, relations, institutions, professions, transformation, and social conflict. Within organizations, structure focuses on theories of bureaucracy, management, decision-making, and routines while culture focuses on shared values, identity, climate, and sensemaking. Relations involve studies of interpersonal and interorganizational networks. Institutions focus on the macro-dynamics of fields and isomorphism, and micro-dynamics of entrepreneurship and inhabited institutions. Professions refer to psychological factors shaping individual performance and sociological factors shaping work and occupations. Transformation involves episodic and gradual changes within organizations and across society. Social conflict involves power and competition, with key theories focused on gendered, racialized, and global inequalities. This paper introduces theories and concepts in the study of organizations by grouping similar perspectives, highlighting their domains within or beyond the organization, and underscoring their utility for researchers and leaders.
Para-social Relationships and Beauty Brand Success: Social Media Influencers' Effect on Consumer Decisions in Nepal
Authors: Kandel Madan , Aryal Mahendra , Pokhrel Madan
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the impact of Perceived Social Relationships (PSR) through Instagram influencer marketing on consumer decisions and the sales performance of beauty and cosmetic brands in Nepal. A mixed-method approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, was employed. The quantitative data, collected from Instagram users and beauty brand consumers, was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data provided insights from social media influencers and brand managers. The findings reveal that advertisements (Ads), personal engagement (PE), and interaction with influencers significantly affect consumer buying intentions, with interaction being the most influential. Information content (IC), however, showed a weak and statistically insignificant relationship with consumer buying intentions. These results emphasize the importance of engagement-driven strategies in influencer marketing. The study suggests that brands should prioritize authentic, interactive content to enhance consumer trust and purchase intent. The novelty of this research lies in its contextual focus on Nepal, offering new insights into the dynamics of influencer marketing in an emerging market.
Harnessing social media strategic capability for stakeholder safety performance: Do firm reputation and circular economy entrepreneurship matter?
Authors: Rijal Anita
Published: February 2025

Background: Stakeholder safety plays a pivotal role in the growth of any industry, particularly in the manufacturing industry. Thus, firms have realised their obligation towards stakeholder safety.
Objectives: While past studies have highlighted the role of social media strategic capabilities (SMSC) in promoting stakeholder safety performance (SSP), this study examines the direct impact of SMSC on SSP and the mediating effect of firm reputation (FR) and circular economy entrepreneurship (CEE) in the SMSC-SSP relationship.
Methods: This study collected 152 responses from small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Nepal via an online survey. The study used the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique for data analysis and interpretations.
Results: This study reveals that while SMSC has no direct and significant influence on SSP, its indirect effects on SSP via FR and CEE significantly indicate full mediation effects. These findings demonstrate that social media platforms are excellent sources of information for firms in building strong stakeholder collaborations, amassing other external resources, boosting FR, and aiding in the exploitation of CE opportunities.
Conclusions: Drawing on stakeholder theory and resource-based view, this study is among the first to develop SMSC, firm reputation, and circular economy entrepreneurship as antecedents for achieving SSP in the context of an emerging economy. Manufacturing firms' managers may promote SSP by identifying new safety approaches via information derived from social media platforms, which boosts reputation and circular economy entrepreneurship.
Keywords: Social media strategic capability; Stakeholder safety performance; Firm reputation; Circular economy entrepreneurship; Manufacturing firms
Climate Change and its Adaptation in Agricultural Sector
Authors: Bista Smeeth , Bhusal Tara Prasad , Devkota Niranjan , B.K. Sagar
Published: February 2025

Background: Climate change has emerged as a significant threat to global agricultural productivity, affecting food security and economic stability, particularly in agrarian economies. The agricultural sector is highly vulnerable to climate variations, including changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and the frequency of extreme weather events. Understanding how these climatic factors influence agricultural output is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies.
Objective: The study assesses the relationship between climate change on agricultural productivity and to identify effective adaptation strategies that can mitigate the adverse effects of changing climatic conditions on agriculture.
Methods: This study utilizes a variety of secondary data sources. In this study quantitative modeling of climate change and its adaptation in agricultural sector is conducted by considering the time period of 32 years from 1991 to 2022 using the autoregressive distributed lag approach (ARDL) followed by TY Non-Granger Causality Test.
Results: The analysis shows that annual average maximum temperature boosts agricultural productivity in the long run, supported by positive irrigation effects. Conversely, minimum temperature negatively impacts crop growth over time. CO2 emissions and precipitation are insignificant in the long run but have short-term effects. Surprisingly, chemical fertilizers reduce productivity, while improved seeds only enhance it in the short term. Irrigation has a small positive long-term effect.
Conclusion: The study reveals that the annual average maximum temperature boosts agricultural productivity in the long run due to farmers' adaptation strategies, while minimum temperature negatively impacts crop growth. CO2 emissions and precipitation show no significant long-term effects, though they have short-term impacts. Chemical fertilizers reduce productivity over time, likely due to soil degradation, while irrigation has a marginally positive long-term effect. Improved seeds enhance short-term productivity but show no significant long-term impact
Implication: The study highlights the need for sustainable practices and holistic to address both immediate and long-term agricultural challenges posed by climate change approaches for boosting agricultural output
Keywords: Climate change, Agriculture sector, Time series, ARDL model
JEL Classification: C32, Q1, Q5
Using Machine Translation as a Self-Directed Language Learning Tool for Low-Proficiency LCTL Learners in a Tandem Partnership
Authors: Türkel Tuba , Brogaard Christian
Published: February 2025

Using an autoethnographic approach, the two authors, as low proficiency-level self-directed language learners of two less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) (i.e., Turkish and Danish), explored the potential of Google Translate (GT) and the factors influencing its efficacy as a language learning tool. Our findings illustrated that GT could be a potential learning tool for self-directed language learners. However, GT's capabilities for particular language pairs and learner qualities, such as machine translation literacy, motivation, and autonomy, play a significant role in its efficacy for language learning. Additionally, a tandem partnership can be utilized effectively to overcome GT's limitations for low proficiency-level LCTL learners.