The better-than-average effect (BTAE), the tendency to evaluate oneself more favorably than the average other, has been linked to lower depressive symptoms. However, whether this association differs across evaluative domains remains unclear. This study investigated how BTAE in the moral and competence domains was associated with depressive symptoms. To further clarify these associations, we decomposed BTAE scores into self- and average-other evaluation components and examined their associations with depressive symptoms. A total of 285 adults rated themselves and the average person on moral and competence traits and reported depressive symptoms. Results showed that higher competence BTAE was associated with lower depressive symptoms, whereas moral BTAE was not, and these associations differed significantly. Component-level results suggested that depressive symptoms were associated more strongly with self-evaluation than with average-other evaluation in the competence domain. For morality, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with self-evaluation, but self- and average-other coefficients did not differ significantly. These findings indicate that BTAE is linked to depressive symptoms in a domain-specific manner. Competence BTAE may be more closely linked to depressive symptoms than moral BTAE, highlighting the need to distinguish evaluative domains when examining the psychological significance of BTAE.
During austenite reversion from martensite in steels, two distinct morphologies: acicular austenite (gamma A) and globular austenite (gamma G), form and play a significant role in mechanical performance. This study investigates the growth behaviors of gamma A and gamma G during intercritical annealing in an Fe-0.18C-8Mn (mass%) alloy. Experimental results reveal that gamma G can form but constitutes a negligible fraction compared with gamma A over the investigated temperature range. Surprisingly, both austenite types undergo Mn-partitioning growth from the earliest transformation stages, even at elevated temperatures, a finding that contradicts the negligible-partition growth predicted by the classical local equilibrium model. DICTRA simulations incorporating finite interface mobility successfully reproduce the growth mode and kinetics of gamma A. However, the experimentally observed Mn-partitioning behavior of gamma G cannot be captured, even when the presence of cementite is taken into account. Phase field simulations that explicitly consider the concurrent growth of gamma A and gamma G provide new insights: the concurrent growth strongly retards the development of gamma G, as the substantial amount of gamma A efficiently competes with gamma G for carbon in the matrix and drives the transition in gamma G growth mode from Mn-partitionless to Mn-partitioning. This effect highlights a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying microstructure evolution during intercritical annealing and, together with the effects of finite interface mobility and cementite presence, accounts for the distinctive lamellar microstructure in medium-Mn steels. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.
Understanding ultrathin liquid-film dynamics is crucial for unraveling complex interfacial phenomena, yet deriving governing equations directly from experimental observations remains challenging. This study proposes a data-driven approach to model droplet dynamics, capturing liquid-film thickness on the nanometer scale in the form of a partial differential equation. As a challenging test case, we examine the superspreading wetting of surfactant-free nanofluids, a phenomenon whose physical mechanism defies standard theoretical explanations. We apply a sparse identification algorithm to spatiotemporal film-thickness profiles resolved at the nanometer scale using phase-shifting imaging ellipsometry. For a pure solvent, the discovered governing equation recovers classical lubrication physics driven by disjoining pressure and evaporation. In contrast, the nanofluid dynamics necessitates an additional, unique transport term scaling with the gradient of the inverse film thickness. Theoretical scaling analysis suggests this term represents a nanoparticle-induced bias flux, consistent with a hypothesized capillary wicking mechanism within the precursor film. The identification of the current nanofluid-specific term underscores the efficacy of integrating high-precision experimental measurements with data-driven modeling to discover hidden physics and generate testable hypotheses in complex wetting dynamics.
A novel autoignition-assisted, high-temperature High-Pressure Well-Stirred Turbulent Combustor (HP-WSTC) has been developed for detailed kinetic studies of fuels under gas-turbine conditions that were difficult to obtain with conventional reactors and flame chemistry facilities. It is designed for operations at 1–20 atm, 1200–2200 K, and residence times of 1–100 ms, enabling treatment as a zero-dimensional premixed-combustion system. Methane combustion experiments at 1–10 atm were compared with 0D simulations, showing good agreement for major species across a wide equivalence-ratio range, demonstrating the reliability of the HP-WSTC. Although methane combustion kinetics are well established, NO predictions still show large discrepancies, even at atmospheric pressure. Sensitivity analyses identify CH-pool reactions, including CH2 + O2 = CH2O + O and CH + CO2 = HCO + CO, as key uncertain reactions. The developed HP-WSTC provides a new platform for fuel kinetic investigations and bridges the gap between reactor and flame facilities for high-temperature kinetic studies under gas-turbine conditions.
This study links mobility styles with carsharing intentions and next-generation vehicle preferences in urban Japan. An online survey of licensed drivers in Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Osaka Prefecture captured mode use frequencies and stated preferences by travel purpose. Cluster analysis identified three mobility styles: private-car users, public-transport users, and a diversified, high-carsharing group. The diversified profile combined high carsharing participation with high private-car ownership, indicating that carsharing can complement rather than replace existing car access. Random Forest results indicate that age, car usage frequency, and income best distinguish carsharing users from non-users. Carsharing preferences varied substantially by stated-use context. For daily and business trips, most respondents prefer carsharing stations within 400 m and short distances; for tourism and hometown visiting, they accept longer access to carsharing stations and longer trips. Compact and Kei cars (Japanese light vehicles) in Japan dominate daily use, while minivans and SUVs gain importance for leisure. Gasoline and hybrid vehicles are most preferred, with limited willingness to pay extra for electric vehicles. The findings support segment- and purpose-specific carsharing station placement, fleet composition, and gradual electrification strategies in mature, transit-rich metropolitan areas.
