The questions of whether first language (L1) speakers and second language (L2) learners can both predict what follows based on given linguistic cues and what factors may influence this predictive processing are still underexplored. Prior research has focused on the success or failure of predictions in real-time processing, paying relatively less attention to the speed of prediction. This study addresses these gaps by investigating the role of word co-occurrence frequency and proficiency in L1 and L2 predictive processing, using the Korean classifier system. In a webcam-based visual-world eye-tracking experiment, both L1-Korean speakers and L2-Korean learners showed sound predictive processing, with the frequency of co-occurrence between classifiers and nouns playing a crucial role. Higher co-occurrence frequency expedited predictive processing for L1-Korean speakers and boosted the ability to make online predictions for L2-Korean learners. The study also revealed a proficiency effect, where more advanced L2-Korean learners made predictions regardless of co-occurrence frequency, unlike their less advanced counterparts. Our findings suggest that predictive mechanisms in L1 and L2 operate in a qualitatively similar way. In addition, the use of webcam eye-tracking is expected to create a more inclusive and equitable research environment for (applied) psycholinguistics.

Dmitri Gallow has recently proposed an ingenious accuracy-first vindication that our credence should be updated in accordance with conditionalization. This paper extends his idea to cases where we undergo only a partial learning experience. In particular, I attempt to vindicate, in the spirit of accuracy-first epistemology, that when we undergo what is called ‘Jeffrey partial learning’ in this paper, our credences should be updated in accordance with Jeffrey conditionalization, or at the very least, the update should be rigid. In doing so, I propose what I call the ‘Jeffrey-accuracy function.’ This function is not strictly proper and, at first glance, seems to rationalize ill-motivated credence updating. However, this turns out not to be the case.

Finger weeders were first developed in the 1950s and have since been widely adopted by farmers to improve physical weed control (PWC) within crop rows. Research on finger weeders has largely been comparative, with most studies identifying a top-performing weed control practice among various physical or chemical treatments. Weeding tool performance, however, is often highly variable, affected by tool design and adjustment, soil conditions, and both weed and crop species and size. Finger weeder operating settings have not been systematically tested to determine whether they could optimize tool performance. In this project, field and soil bin experiments examined the effects of finger weeder angle, spacing, and speed on weed control efficacy and weed/crop selectivity. Three finger weeder angles were tested: 108°, which removed soil near the crop; 90°, typical for most commercial tools; and 68°, which moved soil into the crop row. Three spacings and speeds were compared: fingers overlapping (−0.6 cm), touching (0 cm), or spaced apart (2.5 cm); and 4, 7, and 9 km h−1. In both the field and soil bin, finger weeders set at a 68° angle resulted in the greatest efficacy. Decreasing finger spacing and increasing speed improved efficacy in soil bin experiments, as expected, but spacing and speed effects were not detected in the field. The experimental soil bin system shows promise for PWC testing, possibly offering insights that could not be detected in more variable field conditions.

This study analyses how care regimes in South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Sweden shape the roles of and support policies for informal caregivers within long-term care systems for older adults. South Korea considers informal caregivers both as resources and co-clients, but its well-being support is limited, financial aid criteria are relatively strict, and while employment-care reconciliation policies exist, familistic culture hinders their use. The United Kingdom assigns co-worker and co-client roles, offering well-being support, broader financial aid, and expanding employment-care reconciliation. Sweden prioritises formal care and recognises informal caregivers as co-clients, placing the strongest emphasis on improving their well-being while strictly regulating financial aid and employment-care reconciliation. Despite differences, all three countries emphasise informal caregiver well-being and have established frameworks for financial support and employment-care reconciliation policies. Future policies should enhance quality control, regulate financial aid, strengthen employment-care reconciliation support, and expand formal care, while addressing the potential negative impacts of dual caregiver roles.

Recent advancements in wearable robots have focused on developing soft, compliant, and lightweight structures to provide comfort for the users and to achieve the primary function of assisting body motions. The interaction forces induced by physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) not only cause skin discomfort or pain due to relatively high localized pressures but also degrade the wearability and the safety of the wearer’s joints by unnaturally altering the joint reaction forces (JRFs) and the joint reaction moments (JRMs). Although the correlation between excessive JRFs/JRMs and joint-related conditions has been reported by researchers, the biomechanical effects of forces and moments caused by the pHRI of a wearable robot on the wearer’s joints remain under-analyzed. In this study, we propose a method of measuring and analyzing these interactions and effects, using a custom-designed soft, three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) force sensor. The sensor is made of four Hall effect sensors and a neodymium magnet embedded in a silicone elastomer structure, enabling simultaneous measurement of normal and two-axis shear forces by detecting the distance changes between the magnet and each Hall effect sensor. These sensors are embedded in contact pads of a commercial wearable robot and measure the interaction forces, used for calculating JRF and JRM. We also propose a modified inverse dynamics approach that allows us to consider the physical interactions between the robot and the human body. The proposed method of sensing and analysis provides the potential to enhance the design of future wearable robots, ensuring long-term safety.

Macroscopic, modular, morphologically simple skeletons occur in the uppermost Mural Formation (Cambrian, Epoch 2, Bonnia–Olenellus Biozone), west-central Alberta and adjacent east-central British Columbia. They represent organisms that lived almost exclusively in reefal environments dominated by archaeocyaths. Some were attached to archaeocyaths or less commonly other surfaces, and some grew downward, apparently from overhangs or cavities in reefs. Qualitative and quantitative data from a large number of specimens, most of which were serially thin sectioned, indicate that they represent a single, remarkably variable species. The skeletal structure ranges among specimens from entirely cerioid to partially to entirely labyrinthine with irregularly incomplete walls. There is also a wide range of variability in growth form among skeletons, in module size and wall thickness among and within skeletons, in module shape within skeletons, and in number and location of projections extending from the wall into some modules. Module increase occurred by peripheral expansion at the basal surface of the skeleton and longitudinal fission involving projections from the wall as module size increased during vertical growth. Walls of skeletons, now composed of calcite cement, were probably originally aragonite. Modular skeletons from the uppermost Mural Formation are assigned to Rosellatana jamesi Kobluk, 1984a, previously represented only by a few cerioid specimens from correlative strata in the Rosella Formation of north-central British Columbia. The skeletal structure and types of module increase in R. jamesi, and a few similar but less well-known Cambrian taxa from elsewhere in North America, suggest a general biologic affinity with hypercalcified sponges.

Background: The complement component C5 inhibitor, ravulizumab, is approved in Canada for the treatment of adults with AQP4-Ab+ NMOSD. Updated efficacy and safety results from the ongoing CHAMPION-NMOSD (NCT04201262) trial are reported. Methods: Participants received IV-administered, weight-based dosing of ravulizumab, with loading on day 1 and maintenance doses on day 15 and every 8 weeks thereafter. Following a primary treatment period (PTP; up to 2.5 years), patients could enter a long-term extension (LTE). Outcome measures included safety, time to first adjudicated on-trial relapse (OTR), risk reduction, and disability scores. Results: 56/41 patients entered/completed the LTE as of June 14, 2024. Median follow-up was 170.3 weeks (186.6 patient-years). No patients experienced an OTR. 94.8% (55/58 patients) had stable or improved Hauser Ambulation Index scores. 89.7% (52/58 patients) had no clinically important worsening in Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. Treatment-emergent adverse events (98.4%) were predominantly mild and unrelated to ravulizumab. Serious adverse events occurred in 25.9% of patients. Two cases of meningococcal infection occurred during the PTP, and none in the LTE. One unrelated death (cardiovascular) occurred during the LTE. Conclusions: Ravulizumab demonstrated long-term clinical benefit in AQP4-Ab+ NMOSD relapse prevention while maintaining or improving disability measures, with no new safety concerns.

The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that L2 speakers have fuzzy L2 word orthographic representations and this results in lexical confusions. A medium-term priming lexical decision task was used where orthographic neighbors (e.g., clever-clover) were presented as primes and targets. Form facilitation was predicted to be observed for orthographic neighbor, word prime-target pairs in L2 (but not in L1) because an L2 word prime and target with fuzzy orthographic representations would be processed like a repeated word leading to repetition priming. Contrary to our prediction, the present study, where native speakers of American English and proficient Korean learners of English were recruited, found form facilitation both in L1 and L2. However, the modulating role of word frequency and orthographic precision in form priming was found only in L2. This suggests that the form facilitation in L2 was qualitatively different from that in L1. We propose that the form facilitation in L1 occurred because the sublexical orthographic representations of the target and their association with corresponding phonological components were strengthened by the prime whereas form facilitation in L2 occurred due to form confusion caused by obscure boundaries of the orthographic representations of the L2 word prime and target.

To explain why nurses intend to stay or leave their organizations after perceiving a psychological contract breach (PCB), we investigated whether perceived organizational support (POS) among nurses moderates the relationship between PCB and turnover intention (TI). We used a survey methodology targeting currently employed nurses. After controlling for nursing unit, POS accentuated the positive relationship between PCB and TI. The study contributes to literature by demonstrating (1) the impact of PCB on TI and (2) that POS explains why the strength of the positive relationship between PCB and TI varies among individuals. Results highlight the importance of fulfilling obligations and promises made by supervisors and managers to nurses. The findings suggest that when nurses with high POS perceive PCBs, the consequences may be more detrimental.