Bode, C., Helmy, M., & Bertamini, M. (2017). A cross-cultural comparison for preference for symmetry: comparing British and Egyptians non-experts..

The aesthetic appeal of symmetry has been noted and discussed by artists, historians and scientists. To what extent this appeal is universal is a difficult question to answer. From a theoretical perspective, cross-cultural comparisons are important, because similarities would support the universality of the response to symmetry. Some pioneering work has focussed on comparisons between Britain and Egypt (Soueif & Eysenck, 1971, 1972), including both experts and naive subjects. These studies confirmed some degree of universal agreement in preferences for simple abstract symmetry. We revisited this comparison after almost half a century. We compared preferences of naïve students in Egypt (n = 200) and Britain (n= 200) for 6 different classes of symmetry in novel, abstract stimuli. We used three different measurements of complexity: Gif ratio, Edge length and the average cell size (average blob size, ABS). The results support Soueif & Eysenck’s findings regarding preferences for reflectional and rotational symmetry, however they also throw new light on a greater preference for simplicity in Egyptian participants already noted by Soueif & Eysenck (1971)

What clients want: a conjoint analysis of precursors to coach selection

This study investigated individuals’ preference structures for workplace coaching providers. Guided by questions about relative weightings of seven important coach(ing) characteristics (i.e., coach work experience/background/gender; coaching training; personal recommendations; client feedback; coaching cost), we carried out a conjoint analysis, using a mixed occupational sample (N = 383). In addition, we conducted linear regression analyses to determine the extent to which coaches’ perceived competence, likeability and trustworthiness might impact on individuals’ decision-making processes. Potential coachees favoured professionally trained coaches with four to ten years’ experience and a similar background to themselves, were female, and charged below average fees. Personal recommendations and existing client feedback further influenced potential consumers’ decision-making. Moreover, perceived competence was highly predictive of potential coach selection

Peridynamic Galerkin method: an attractive alternative to finite elements

This work presents a meshfree particle scheme designed for arbitrary deformations that possess the accuracy and properties of the Finite-Element-Method. The accuracy is maintained even with arbitrary particle distributions. Mesh-based methods mostly fail if requirements on the location of evaluation points are not satisfied. Hence, with this new scheme not only the range of loadings can be increased but also the pre-processing step can be facilitated compared to the FEM. The key to this new meshfree method lies in the fulfillment of essential requirements for spatial discretization schemes. The new approach is based on the correspondence theory of Peridynamics. Some modifications of this framework allows for a consistent and stable formulation. By applying the peridynamic differentiation concept, it is also shown that the equations of the correspondence theory can be derived from the weak form. Likewise, it is demonstrated that special moving least square shape functions possess the Kronecker-δ property. Thus, Dirichlet boundary conditions can be directly applied. The positive performance of this new meshfree method, especially in comparison to the Finite-Element-Method, is shown in the calculation of several test cases. In order to guarantee a fair comparison enhanced finite element formulations are also used. The test cases include the patch test, an eigenmode analysis as well as the investigation of loadings in the context of large deformations. © 2022, The Author(s)

A multiwavelength study of the remnant of nova GK Persei

We present new observations of the nebular remnant of the old nova GK Persei 1901, in the optical using the 2m HCT and at low radio frequencies using the GMRT. The evolution of the nova remnant indicates shock interaction with the ambient medium, especially in the southwest quadrant. Application of a simple model for the shock and its evolution to determine the time dependence of the radius of the shell in the southwest quadrant indicates that the shell is now expanding into an ambient medium that has a lower density compared to the density of the ambient medium ahead of the shock in 1987.There are indications of a recent interaction of the nova remnant with the ambient medium in the northeast quadrant also. The nova remnant of GK Per is detected at all the observed radio frequencies and is of similar extent as the optical remnant. Putting together our radio observations with VLA archival data on GK Per from 1997, we obtain three interesting results: 1. The spectrum above 1.4 GHz follows a power law with an index -0.7 and below 1.4 GHz follows a power law with an index ~ -0.85. This could be due to the presence of at least two populations of electrons dominating the global emission at different frequencies. 2. We record an annual secular decrease of 2.1% in the flux density of the nova remnant at 1.4 and 4.9 GHz between 1984 and 1997 which has left the spectral index unchanged at -0.7. No such decrease is observed in the flux densities below 1 GHz. 3. We record an increase in the flux density at 0.33 GHz compared to the previous estimate in 1987. We conclude that the remnant of nova GK Per is similar to supernova remnants and in particular, to the young supernova remnant Cas A.Comment: 10 pages; uses A&A style; figures 1, 2 & 6 are in JPEG format. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Full paper including Figures 1, 2 & 6 may be downloaded from http://www.iiap.res.in/personnel/gca/gca.htm

Shared decision-making in palliative cancer care:a life span perspective

Background: Due to complex treatment decisions, shared decision-making is advocated for in elderly cancer patients and in palliative cancer care. However, the process of (shared) decision-making is not comprehensively understood in these groups. Studies suggest age-based differences in patients’ level of preferences and actual involvement. Methods: Patients with metastatic cancers (n = 77) were included in three age groups: ‘middle aged’ (40-64 years), ‘young elderly-’ (65-74 years) and ‘old elderly’ (≥ 75 years). A cross-sectional questionnaire assessed patients’ preferences (CPS), perceived involvement (PICS), level of information (decisional conflict scale) and self-efficacy in patient-physician interaction (PEPPI), health-related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), loneliness and temporal perspective (TFS) as potential correlates. Findings: Χ2 testing revealed that preferences, perceived participation and degrees of concordance do not differ between age groups. A majority of patients preferred and perceived to be involved in decision-making. Nearly 20% of patients was less involved than preferred. Age related factors were not related to perceived and preferred decision-making, although ‘old elderly’ patients were less encouraged by their oncologist to talk about worries. Shared decision-making was more often perceived by women than men and was associated with higher levels of self-efficacy in communication with oncologists. Discussion: Age-related differences with regard to decision making preferences and perceived participation seemed to be cancelled out in palliative cancer care, probably due to near-to-death perception. If clinical practice aims to achieve higher concordance levels, patients’ preferences for involvement should be explicitly discussed. Increased attention to (older) patients’ psycho-social needs is suggested

Expectations of gains in the second half of life: a study of personal conceptions of enrichment in a lifespan perspective

Item does not contain fulltextThis research focuses on cognitive representations of the personal future during the second half of life. To investigate the developmental perspectives of people growing older, the anticipation of possible gains is studied. The participants of this study took part in the German Aging Survey and the sample comprises 2,934 subjects aged 40–85 years. To assess their anticipated ‘gains’, we selected the future-related items from the SELE-questionnaire, a sentence completion instrument administered for the Survey. We assumed that many would anticipate further enrichment by new social and societal activities in retirement, but the most frequently-mentioned gains referred to changes in life style and leisure activities, especially travelling. Plans and wishes feature a predominantly leisure-oriented life style. Among the anticipations, those concerned with generativity – caring for others, societal commitment, vocational ambitions – substantially decrease at about the age of 50 years. It was hypothesised that age, gender, living in the former East or West Germany, health, education, income, and perceived control would influence the cognitive representation of the future. To examine the effects of these personal and situational factors on gain anticipations, multiple regression analyses were performed. With respect to all independent variables, differences in the kinds of expected gains were found. The outcomes are discussed with reference to lifespan developmental theory and the role of older people in society