The moderating impact of distal regularities on the effect of stimulus pairings: a novel perspective on evaluative conditioning

Throughout much of the past century psychologists have focused their attention on a seemingly simple question: How do people come to like or dislike stimuli in the environment? Evaluative Conditioning (EC) - a change in liking due to the pairing of stimuli - has been offered as one avenue through which novel preferences may be formed and existing ones altered. In the current article, we offer a new look at EC from the perspective of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) and, more specifically, Relational Frame Theory (RFT). We briefly review the EC literature, introduce Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS), Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and then describe a behavioral phenomenon known as arbitrarily applicable relational responding (AARR). Afterwards, we examine the relationship between EC and AARR. This novel perspective offers ways to organize existing as well as predict new EC effects, contributes to debates on "genuine" EC, human versus nonhuman EC, and further facilitates the development and refinement of cognitive theories of EC

Long-term soil moisture content estimation using satellite and climate data in agricultural area of Mongolia

The purpose of this study is to estimate long-term SMC and find its relation with soil moisture (SM) of climate station in different depths and NDVI for the growing season. The study area is located in agricultural regions in the North of Mongolia. The Pearson's correlation methodology was used in this study. We used MODIS and SPOT satellite data and 14 years data for precipitation, temperature and SMC of 38 climate stations. The estimated SMC from this methodology were compared with SM from climate data and NDVI. The estimated SMC was compared with SM of climate stations at a 10-cm depth (r(2) = 0.58) and at a 50-cm depth (r(2) = 0.38), respectively. From the analysis, it can be seen that the previous month's SMC affects vegetation growth of the following month, especially from May to August. The methodology can be an advantageous indicator for taking further environmental analysis in the region

Exploring the Impact of Specific, Minimal, and Response-Focused Instructions on the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure

The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) is increasingly used in applied and clinical settings, and yet many of the procedural variables of the IRAP have not been subjected to a systematic analysis. One such variable is the type of rules that are employed when instructing the IRAP and the effect this might have on resultant performance and obtained from the procedure. In the current thesis, three experiments assess the impact of three different types of rules or instructions on the IRAP. The instructions employed varied in the degree to which they specified parts of the relational network being assessed by the IRAP. The findings from these three studies show that the type of rule that is presented to participants during an IRAP may have a dramatic effect on the strength and direction of the trial-type effects that are produced by the measure. Furthermore, the type of instructions employed appear to interact with the order in which the IRAP blocks are presented (history-consistent versus history-inconsistent). The findings arising from the current thesis indicate that the behavioural dynamics that occur when participants complete an IRAP require extensive and systematic experimental and conceptual analyses, and this work will have an important bearing on research seeking to investigate the predictive validity of the IRAP in applied and clinical settings

Using an Electronic Mindfulness-based Intervention (eMBI) to improve maternal mental health during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Prevalence rates of peripartum depression and anxiety are high and correlate with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to reduce mental distress during pregnancy. A multicenter, randomized controlled study was conducted after screening for depressive symptoms. The intervention group (IG) was given access to an 8-week supervised eMBI between weeks 29 and 36 of pregnancy and followed up to 5 months postpartum. Psychometric data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R), the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI-14) as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Out of 5299 pregnant women, 1153 scored >9 on the EPDS and N = 460 were included in the RCT. No significant interaction effects for depressive symptoms and anxiety were found. Pregnancy- and birth-related anxiety decreased significantly in the IG and 6 weeks after birth, the rate of women at risk for adverse mental outcome was significantly lower compared to the CG. Mindfulness scores improved significantly in the IG. The eMBI program did not show effective regarding general depressive or anxiety symptoms, however, positive results were demonstrated regarding pregnancy and birth-related anxiety and the prevention of postpartum depression

On the Design of Recuperator for Transcritical Cycle Adopting CO2‐Based Mixture as Working Fluid: A Focus on Transport Properties Prediction

Transcritical cycles working with CO2-based mixtures gain considerable attention due to thermodynamic efficiency gain compared to pure sCO(2) in hot environments. Previous literature works prove that the adoption of CO2 mixtures provides a reduction of the levelized cost of electricity in concentrated solar power applications and medium-high temperature heat recovery. However, for techno-economic analysis and heat exchanger design, proper evaluation of transport properties of the CO2-based mixtures in power cycle conditions is necessary. Herein, it deals with the analysis of the proper transport properties models for CO2 mixtures to assess their actual thermal behavior. A literature review on transport properties models, and their validation with available experimental data, proves that the friction theory is suitable for CO2 blended with dopants having high molecular complexity. The impact of the different model selection on the recuperator sizing, considering optimized power cycle conditions, is assessed on the CO2 mixtures with hexafluorobenzene and decane: The TRAPP and Chung-Lee-Starling models are imported from Aspen Plus, while the friction theory model is implemented and calibrated in an in-house MATLAB code. The optimal design of the recuperator for the CO2 + C6F6 mixture in a 100 MWel power block coupled with a solar power plant located in Sevilla is carried out

Sports live text commentary as a hybrid register

Aim: To present and analyze features of live text commentary (LTC) as a recent register of the English language using examples from the coverage of UEFA Euro 2020. The paper explores the influence of spoken language and sports announcer talk (SAT) on the register. It focuses on the differences and similarities between LTC and SAT and presents an overview of features unique to LTC. Methods: LTC was examined as a text variety following Chovanec’s (2018) analysis and using the register perspective proposed by Biber and Conrad (2009). Examples from fourteen LTCs reporting on the UEFA Euro 2020 competition held in June/July 2021 were analyzed, including their typical situational and linguistic characteristics and some of their functions. Results: LTC is a hybrid register that exemplifies today’s convergence of different media. LTCs take the context of production from live blogs, while their language is mainly reminiscent of SAT, including tense usage and adoption of certain forms. Spoken language, in general, is also an influence, especially on the syntactic and grammatical levels. Distinct LTC features include the internal structure, icons, and interactiveness of the text. The analyzed commentaries feature clearly outlined sections (e.g., opening and closing posts) that serve specific discursive purposes. Icons have a particular function in LTC; their meaning is well-established, and they sometimes function as utterances. Another remarkable characteristic is the intertextuality derived from text contributions provided by various spectators of the sports event, including fans. This interaction is, at times, simulated. Conclusion: The paper confirmed LTC as a hybrid format with avenues for further hybridization. In LTC, we see an intertwining of different elements, which, taken together, produce a new whole in a process typical of the convergence seen in the media today. The most innovative aspects of LTC, the intertextuality, interactiveness, and co-production of a text, are limited

Being there and reconnecting: midwives’ perceptions of the impact of mindfulness training on their practice

Objective: To ascertain how midwives perceived attending a mindfulness course impacted on their professional practice, particularly in regard to any stress they experienced at work. Design: A qualitative study using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine midwives. Setting: A large maternity Trust in the United Kingdom. Intervention: An eight-week Mindfulness course, adapted from Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy. Findings: Four superordinate themes were identified: ‘being challenged and committing’, ‘containing the self’, ‘reconnecting’, and ‘moving forward with confidence’. Focusing on the present moment enabled participants better to identify the boundary between self and other. This led to an increased sense of control and a reconnection with and reframing of relationships with colleagues and the women in their care. Key conclusions: Mindfulness may provide an effective way to address the high levels of stress, role dissatisfaction and workplace bullying found in Midwifery, by improving both the working environment and patient care. The pivotal role of positive workplace relationships in this process resonates with other nursing research and with contemporary philosophical thought. Relevance to clinical practice: This study adds to a body of evidence which suggests investing in the wellbeing of midwifery staff improves both job satisfaction and women’s experiences of care

Higher Education and behavior analysis in Europe::Creating a unified approach for the training of autism professionals

Training of behaviour analysts for autism services, has improved notably within a European higher education context. However, regional discrepancies associated with economic, health care, social services, and institutional policies magnify the importance of creating appropriate unified training and consumer protection. Although the European Association for Behaviour Analysis (EABA) has endorsed the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) designations, the absence of European and national regulations, recognition, and accreditation remain significant barriers to quality training and implementation. These challenges are  particularly pertinent in light of BACB decision to limit certification to residents in the USA and Canada after 2022. Advances, challenges, and future directions are discussed within the context of higher education in the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. The post-Bologna European agenda for higher education, globalization and opportunities for the training of behaviour analysts within European higher education are outlined

Mindful awareness and compassion, and empathy and anxiety in counselor trainees

This study explored the relationships between two aspect of mindfulness, awareness and compassion, and empathy and anxiety in counselor trainees. Empathy and anxiety are two training variables that have strong associations with counseling performance. Empathy is widely regarded as important for the effective development of a therapeutic relationship and positive counseling outcomes while a higher level of anxiety in trainees can impede the cultivation of empathy and the development of counselor self-efficacy. Currently, there is little to guide educators in how to cultivate genuine empathy and also mitigate unproductive levels of anxiety in trainees. Mindfulness has been proposed as a potential method for addressing both empathy and anxiety, however, empirical evidence for these associations with counselors is limited. Additionally, the relative contribution of the compassion wing of mindfulness has been relatively unstudied. In this study, the relationships between mindful awareness and compassion and empathy and anxiety were examined. A total of 131 master's level counseling interns were surveyed to determine their levels of mindful awareness, mindful compassion, empathy, and anxiety using the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Self Other Four Immeasurables, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Trimodal Anxiety Questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Coefficients revealed significant pairwise relationships between mindful awareness and compassion and anxiety in the expected directions. Mindful awareness and compassion for others had a significant relationship with cognitive empathy in the expected directions. Compassion for others had a significant relationship with affective empathy in the expected direction. In a linear regression model, awareness and compassion explained a modest amount of variance in affective empathy with compassion for others contributing significantly. Linear regression also revealed that awareness and compassion explained a moderate amount of variance in cognitive empathy with nonjudge, nonreact, and compassion for others emerging as significant predictors. A substantial amount of the variance in anxiety was explained by awareness, with describe, act with awareness, and nonjudge facets emerging as significant predictors. A hierarchal regression indicated that mindful compassion increased the variance explained in affective empathy, cognitive empathy, and anxiety, beyond that explained by mindful awareness alone, and offered the greatest increase for affective empathy