Open research Europe最新文献

This study proposes the validation of the Virtual Spatial Configuration Task (VSCT), a novel task designed to evaluate cognitive map formation abilities in participants. Addressing a notable gap in spatial cognition research, particularly in the assessment of higher-level spatial abilities in 3D environments, the VSCT offers a virtual reality (VR) approach that allows users to explore and recall spatial relationships between landmarks. This task is particularly innovative for populations with impaired mobility, as it simplifies navigation by restricting movement to rotational exploration, thus improving accessibility and reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, the VSCT could serve a dual purpose: assessing spatial orientation skills while also providing a platform for training and improving these skills post-injury. The potential applications of this tool extend to neurorehabilitation and other therapeutic interventions, offering an engaging, immersive method for enhancing spatial abilities.

Background: Music is known to be a powerful tool for social bonding, but its role in romantic relationships remains poorly understood. The present study explored the perceived relevance of music to three core aspects of love (intimacy, passion and commitment) across three relationship stages: attraction, building, and maintenance.

Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, 174 participants (83% female, 14% male, 3% other) responded to self-report ratings assessing the role of music for the three aspects of love across the three relationship stages, as well as open-ended questions reflecting on their music-related experiences at each relationship stage.

Results: Results from quantitative ratings showed that music promotes intimacy and passion, particularly during the attraction and building phases, with less impact on commitment and during the maintenance phase. Participants with greater musical expertise and sensitivity to music-related reward rated music as more important overall and as contributing more strongly to aspects of love, with this pattern remaining consistent across relationship phases and aspects of love. This suggests that musical ability and preference may be used across relationship stages as tools to assess compatibility between partners, rather than being generally attractive traits. Qualitative analysis of 351 coded open responses revealed a set of 55 key musical actions (e.g., listening, sharing and making music) and outcomes (e.g., bonding, (re)connecting and assessing compatibility) related to participants' use of music throughout the three relationship stages. Themes such as signalling attraction and emotional communication were most prominent in the attraction phase, whereas bonding through shared musical activities was more common in later phases.

Conclusion: The present study provides a first systematic investigation of the role of music for different phases and aspects of romantic relationships. The findings provide valuable insights for music research, relationship studies, and therapeutic practice, highlighting the role of music in fostering connection and intimacy in romantic relationships.

Background: DC-DC power converters are essential devices in the modern world, playing a crucial role in managing the power supply from different power sources converting and adapting voltage levels. These power converters are fundamental to numerous applications, from charging your mobile phone to powering different types of machinery. Lately, due to climate change problems and the floating nature of most renewable power sources, they are essential to a carbon-free world and zero emissions target.

Methods: Our investigation method was based on an initial theoretical approach using mathematical equations to describe the operation of the electrical circuit and evaluate the performance compared to other topologies, followed by the validation through some computational simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK software. Next, the operation of the proposed converter was also confirmed by several experimental tests using a laboratory prototype developed exclusively for these tests.

Results: Based on the achieved results, an efficiency analysis was performed showing that in addition to high-voltage gain, from the range of six to eight times the input voltage, the converter maintains a very high efficiency, around 95% to 96% up to a duty cycle of 0.50, where a voltage gain of 5.82 is achieved in a real setup Also, the optimal operating point was identified, based on the duty cycle, where the converter operates at maximum efficiency. In PLECS® simulation environment, dynamic tests under PI output voltage control revealed fast transient response and good voltage regulation, while MPPT PV simulations demonstrated effective maximum power extraction and tracking under variable irradiance and temperature conditions.

Conclusions: In conclusion, it is possible to claim that the proposed converter presents a stable and efficient operation and has a very high potential for applications that require high-voltage gain, such as photovoltaic solar systems or even electrical vehicles or energy storage systems. Other relevant aspect is the reduced value of capacitors, due to the interleaved operation, leading to reduced stress over capacitors and distributed voltage over them.

This research focuses on the potential of molecular genetics as a tool that can complement the assessment and evaluation of environmental damage from the perspective of green criminology or ecocriminology. This would have an impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the mechanisms established for assessing the damage caused to ecosystems. We are facing a planetary crisis with the risk of ecosystem collapse, so it is proposed to overcome the limitations that we can identify in traditional criminal law by adopting an ecocentric approach reinforced with innovative mechanisms provided by science. This requires, among other things, recognising the intrinsic value of nature and committing to ecological justice. Molecular genetics methods, such as environmental DNA, metagenomics and population genetics, allow us to visualise the biological and ecological transformations induced by pollutants, even when these are invisible to the naked eye. These techniques provide objective and quantifiable data on biodiversity loss, changes in community composition and even possible genotoxic effects. Therefore, these molecular tests can complement preventive and restorative measures in environmental crimes. By fostering dialogue between science, law, and ethics, this study advocates for an integrated paradigm of environmental damage analysis in which molecular genetics enhances our ability to detect, understand, and legally address ecological damage. The convergence of green criminology, molecular genetics, and ecological justice reorients institutional responses toward restoring ecosystem integrity and defending the rights of nature.

Background: Investigating the use of online platforms by adolescents living in the Pacific Islands is important to understand how they navigate online resources to make informed decisions about their health. This study explores the use of online platforms, by adolescents in Vanuatu for health-related purposes.

Methods: A total of 197 students (58% from an urban school and 42% from a rural school) completed a survey which collected quantitative and qualitative data about their use of digital technologies for health.

Results: Results show that 77% of participants owned a mobile phone, which was mostly used to listen to music (34%) and play games (22%). Only 24% (n= 47) reported to have used apps, social media or websites for their health. Social media was the preferred category to use for health information, among both urban (25%) and rural (11%) participants, with Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter being the most frequently mentioned platforms. Reasons included, to gain knowledge, watch videos, chat with friends and look at posts. To search for health information, social media was more commonly used by rural students (12%) compared to urban students (8%). Conversely, search engines were more popular among urban students (12%) than rural students (5%). For discussing health topics online, social media was the predominant platform in both urban (10%) and rural (9%) areas.

Conclusions: While reports often suggest a digital divide between urban and rural areas, results from our study challenge this with our findings showing similarities in the use of online platforms for health information between urban and rural adolescents in Vanuatu. Our paper considers the influencing factors of social media use for health-related purposes, reflects on cultural sensitivity, identifies the risks of misinformation and regards the role of policy and education as essential for effectively engaging this population with digital health tools, to promote positive health outcomes.

Background: The medically assisted reproduction (MAR) industry is a booming sector of the economy, and Spain is proving to be a notable example of this industry's rise. Marketing strategies in the healthcare sector are shaped by the constant tension between providing clear, complete and appropriate information about treatments and providing information to attract and retain customers.

Methods: We conducted a systematic analysis of success rate information published on the websites of Spain's five with the strongest online presence MAR clinics as of November 2023. The analysis examined terminology, certifications and audits by external bodies, references to data sources, age-specific success rates, and generalised claims about treatment effectiveness.

Results: We identified significant deficiencies and ambiguities in how clinics present success rate data. Common issues included vague definitions, lack of certification details, absence of reliable data sources, and failure to differentiate outcomes by age or treatment type. Several clinics used overly optimistic or potentially misleading statistics, making it difficult for patients to assess their realistic chances of success. We provide recommendations aimed at improving consumer protection and regulating advertising practices. We also emphasise that presenting clear and truthful success rate information is not only a legal requirement but also an ethical duty in reproductive healthcare.

Conclusions: Stronger regulation of success rate reporting in Spain's fertility sector is urgently needed. We recommend that external authorities oversee and standardise data reporting to ensure transparency and prevent misleading practices. A centralised public body should be responsible for monitoring, collecting, and managing this data to protect patient rights and improve trust in fertility care.

Background: The cultural policies of Mainland China have been subject to fascinating changes in the last forty years, influenced by politics and ideology on the one hand, and market forces on the other. The article provides a preliminary outline of the main traits of the system, analysed from the perspective of contemporary cultural policies theory and international practice.

Method: The authors examine how the cultural sector of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is organized and financed, including its governance, funding, copyright, basic cultural providers and consumers. The methodological approach used adopts the analytical framework of the Compendium of Cultural Policies & Trends, and includes analyses of statistical data, primary and secondary sources.

Results: Data and source information show that cultural policies of the PRC are a function of central-level political policy-making of the party-state. Cultural activity at all levels is subject to strong political control. At the same time, there is visible tension between central-level general policy guidelines and local level implementation, and between the mission of the state to ensure wide cultural participation, and the market economy incentivization of public cultural organizations.

Conclusions: The authors conclude that the sector exhibits a dual characteristics, with market-insulated public services on the one side, and the market economy Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) on the other, where state-owned enterprises compete for services, customers, and profits with private entities. Faced with numerous challenges and new developments, the sector also witnesses dynamic changes of its legal environment.

The condition of the environment remains at the forefront of contemporary debates among political leaders and societal stakeholders, particularly in the context of addressing climate change. Offshore wind farms are emerging as a promising pathway for renewable energy development in the Mediterranean. While existing literature extensively explores the potential of offshore wind technology in advancing climate neutrality targets by 2030, comparatively less attention has been paid to the challenges and risks of its implementation. This essay examines the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of offshore wind farm deployment in the Mediterranean, highlighting both its benefits and associated risks. Despite regulatory and environmental obstacles, expansion is expected, driven by low marginal costs, favourable conditions, and growing international investment. The study identifies critical gaps in the current legal and governance frameworks and evaluates their capacity to manage environmental and socio-economic impacts. It also provides insights into strategies and policy measures that could enhance the sustainable integration of offshore wind energy, supporting informed decision-making for policymakers, investors, and environmental stakeholders in the Mediterranean region.

This Open Letter announces a new initiative, designed from the ground up, incorporating key cybersecurity standards while providing a novel framework for modelling hybrid threats in 5G infrastructure. The 5G Hybrid Threat Ontology is a structured framework designed to reduce risk and achieve sustainable resilience against hybrid threats targeting 5G infrastructure. As fifth-generation (5G) networks become integral to critical infrastructure, they introduce new vulnerabilities that adversaries can exploit through hybrid threats-multifaceted attacks spanning cyber, physical, and socio-political domains. Existing security approaches focus on specific technical vulnerabilities or predictive threat modelling but lack a unified framework to address hybrid threat scenarios systematically. This paper advances the study of 5G security by proposing an ontology-driven approach prioritising resilience through risk reduction rather than threat elimination or prediction. Developed using Semantic Web technologies, specifically the Resource Description Framework (RDF) in Turtle representation for structured threat modelling, the ontology ensures machine-readability, structured threat intelligence sharing, and validation through Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL). It integrates established frameworks, including the 5G Threat Taxonomy compiled by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the Structured Threat Information eXpression (STIX) standard, and other widely used cybersecurity standards. By formalising relationships between adversarial tactics, 5G vulnerabilities, and cascading risks, the ontology enables semantic reasoning using tools within the Protégé framework. Although still under development, the 5G Hybrid Threat Ontology demonstrates strong Description Logic (DL) expressivity, ensuring adaptability for evolving security challenges. This approach bridges high-level policy directives with operational cybersecurity needs, reinforcing a resilience-driven security posture. Future research will build on the phased development of the 5G Hybrid Threat Ontology to enhance adaptive threat modelling and dynamic risk assessment, ensuring that the ontology continues to evolve as a strategic tool for strengthening the resilience of 5G infrastructures against hybrid threats.

The Eunicella cavolini reference genome provides an important resource to study the adaptation of this species to different environments and anthropic pressures. This species is impacted by human activities, including climate change, and this reference genome will be useful to study the genomic evolution of this species. The entirety of the genome sequence was assembled into 17 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 0.49 Gb, composed of 159 contigs and 46 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 7.7 Mb and 51.1 Mb, respectively.