bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetically driven coupling in relativistic radiation-mediated shocks
Authors: Mahlmann J F , Vanthieghem A , Philippov A A , Levinson A , Nakar E , Fiuza F
Published: January 2023

The radiation drag in photon-rich environments of cosmic explosions can seed kinetic instabilities by inducing velocity spreads between relativistically streaming plasma components. Such microturbulence is likely imprinted on the breakout signals of radiation-mediated shocks. However, large-scale, transverse magnetic fields in the deceleration region of the shock transition can suppress the dominant kinetic instabilities by preventing the development of velocity separations between electron–positron pairs and a heavy ion species. We use a 1D five-fluid radiative transfer code to generate self-consistent profiles of the radiation drag force and plasma composition in the deceleration region. For increasing magnetization, our models predict rapidly growing pair multiplicities and a substantial radiative drag developing self-similarly throughout the deceleration region. We extract the critical magnetization parameter σc, determining the limiting magnetic field strength at which a three-species plasma can develop kinetic instabilities before reaching the isotropized downstream. For a relativistic, single ion plasma drifting with γu = 10 in the upstream of a relativistic radiation-mediated shock, we find the threshold σc ≈ 10−7 for the onset of microturbulence. Suppression of plasma instabilities in the case of multi-ion composition would likely require much higher values of σc. Identifying high-energy signatures of microturbulence in shock breakout signals and combining them with the magnetization limits provided in this work will allow a deeper understanding of the magnetic environment of cosmic explosions like supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and neutron star binary mergers.
Jet power, intrinsic γ-ray luminosity, and accretion in jetted AGNs
Authors: Chen Yongyun , Gu Qiusheng , Fan Junhui , Yu Xiaoling , Ding Nan , Guo Xiaotong , Xiong Dingrong
Published: January 2023

The correlation between the kinetic jet power Pjet, intrinsic γ-ray luminosity (Lint), and accretion (Ldisc) may reveal the underlying jet physics in various black hole systems. We study the relation between kinetic jet power, intrinsic γ-ray luminosity, and accretion by using a large sample of jetted active galactic nuclei (AGNs), including flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs), γ-ray narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (γNLS1s), and radio galaxies. Our main results are as follows: (1) The slope indices of the relation between Pjet and Lint are 0.85 ± 0.01 for the whole sample, 0.70 ± 0.02 for the FSRQs, 0.83 ± 0.03 for the BL Lacs, 0.68 ± 0.11 for the γNLS1s, and 0.93 ± 0.09 for the radio galaxies, respectively. The jets in γNLS1s and radio galaxies almost follow the same Pjet–Lint correlation that was obtained for Fermi blazars. (2) The slope indices of the relation between Lint and Ldisc are 1.05 ± 0.02 for the whole sample, 0.94 ± 0.05 for the FSRQs, 1.14 ± 0.05 for the BL Lacs, and 0.92 ± 0.18 for the γNLS1s, respectively. The γNLS1s and radio galaxies almost also follow the Lint–Ldisc correlation derived for Fermi blazars. (3) The jet power is larger than the luminosity of accretion discs for almost all jetted AGNs. Jet power depends on both the Eddington ratio and black hole mass. We obtain log Pjet ∼ (1.00 ± 0.02)log Ldisc for the whole sample, which is consistent with the theoretically predicted coefficient. These results may imply that the jets of jetted AGNs are powered by the Blandford–Znajek mechanism.
HLC2: a highly efficient cross-matching framework for large astronomical catalogues on heterogeneous computing environments
Authors: Zhang Yajie , Yu Ce , Sun Chao , Xiao Jian , Li Kun , Mu Yifei , Cui Chenzhou
Published: January 2023

Cross-matching operation, which is to find corresponding data for the same celestial object or region from multiple catalogues, is indispensable to astronomical data analysis and research. Due to the large amount of astronomical catalogues generated by the ongoing and next-generation large-scale sky surveys, the time complexity of the cross-matching is increasing dramatically. Heterogeneous computing environments provide a theoretical possibility to accelerate the cross-matching, but the performance advantages of heterogeneous computing resources have not been fully utilized. To meet the challenge of cross-matching for substantial increasing amount of astronomical observation data, this paper proposes Heterogeneous-computing-enabled Large Catalogue Cross-matcher (HLC2), a high-performance cross-matching framework based on spherical position deviation on CPU-GPU heterogeneous computing platforms. It supports scalable and flexible cross-matching and can be directly applied to the fusion of large astronomical catalogues from survey missions and astronomical data centres. A performance estimation model is proposed to locate the performance bottlenecks and guide the optimizations. A two-level partitioning strategy is designed to generate an optimized data placement according to the positions of celestial objects to increase throughput. To make HLC2 a more adaptive solution, the architecture-aware task splitting, thread parallelization, and concurrent scheduling strategies are designed and integrated. Moreover, a novel quad-direction strategy is proposed for the boundary problem to effectively balance performance and completeness. We have experimentally evaluated HLC2 using public released catalogue data. Experiments demonstrate that HLC2 scales well on different sizes of catalogues and the cross-matching speed is significantly improved compared to the state-of-the-art cross-matchers.
Debiasing standard siren inference of the Hubble constant with marginal neural ratio estimation
Authors: Gagnon-Hartman Samuel , Ruan John , Haggard Daryl
Published: January 2023

Gravitational wave (GW) standard sirens may resolve the Hubble tension, provided that standard siren inference of H0 is free from systematic biases. However, standard sirens from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers suffer from two sources of systematic bias, one arising from the anisotropy of GW emission, and the other from the anisotropy of electromagnetic (EM) emission from the kilonova. For an observed sample of BNS mergers, the traditional Bayesian approach to debiasing involves the direct computation of the detection likelihood. This is infeasible for large samples of detected BNS merger due to the high dimensionality of the parameter space governing merger detection. In this study, we bypass this computation by fitting the Hubble constant to forward simulations of the observed GW and EM data under a simulation-based inference (SBI) framework using marginal neural ratio estimation. A key innovation of our method is the inclusion of BNS mergers that were only detected in GW, which allows for estimation of the bias introduced by EM anisotropy. Our method corrects for $\sim 90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the bias in the inferred value of H0 when telescope follow-up observations of BNS mergers have extensive tiling of the merger localization region, using known telescope sensitivities and assuming a model of kilonova emission. Our SBI-based method thus enables a debiased inference of the Hubble constant of BNS mergers, including both mergers with detected EM counterparts and those without.
The origin of buckling instability in galactic bars: Searching for the scapegoat
Authors: Li Xingchen , Shlosman Isaac , Pfenniger Daniel , Heller Clayton
Published: January 2023

We analyse the origin of the buckling instability in stellar bars using high-resolution N-body simulations. Previous studies have promoted the non-resonant firehose instability to be responsible for the vertical buckling. We have analysed the buckling process following the resonant excitation of stellar orbits in the bar. We find that (1) the buckling is associated with an abrupt increase in the central mass concentration and triggers velocities within the bar. The velocity field forms circulation cells, increasing vorticity, which is absent in classical firehose instability; (2) The bending amplitude is non-linear when measured by isodensity contours or curvature of the Laplace plane, which has a substantial effect on the stellar motions; (3) The planar and vertical 2:1 resonances appear only with the buckling and quickly reach the overlapping phase, thus supporting the energy transfer from horizontal to vertical motions; (4) Using non-linear orbit analysis, we analyse the stellar oscillations and find that stars cross the vertical 2:1 resonance simultaneously with the buckling. The overlapping planar and vertical 2:1 resonances trapping more than 25 per cent of the bar particles provide the ‘smoking gun’ pointing to a close relationship between the bending of stellar orbits and the resonant action – these particles are assuring the cohesive response in the growing vertical asymmetry. We conclude that resonant excitation is important in triggering the buckling instability, and the contribution from the non-resonant firehose instability should be re-evaluated. Finally, we discuss some observational implications of buckling on the kinematics in face-on and inclined galactic discs.
X-ray polarimetry as a tool to measure the black hole spin in microquasars: simulations of IXPE capabilities
Authors: Mikusincova Romana , Dovciak Michal , Bursa Michal , Lalla Niccolo Di , Matt Giorgio , Svoboda Jiri , Taverna Roberto , Zhang Wenda
Published: January 2023

Measurements of the angular momentum (spin) of astrophysical black holes are extremely important, as they provide information on the black hole formation and evolution. We present simulated observations of an X-ray binary system with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), with the aim to study the robustness of black hole spin and geometry measurements using X-ray polarimetry. As a representative example, we used the parameters of GRS 1915+105 in its former unobscured, soft state. In order to simulate the polarization properties, we modelled the source emission with a multicolour blackbody accounting for thermal radiation from the accretion disc, including returning radiation. Our analysis shows that the polarimetric observations in the X-ray waveband will be able to estimate both spin and inclination of the system with a good precision [without returning radiation we obtained for the lowest spin Δa ≤ 0.4 (0.4/0.998 ∼ 40 per cent) for spin and Δi ≤ 30° (30°/70$^\circ \, \sim$ 43 per cent) for inclination, while for the higher spin values we obtained Δa ≤ 0.12 (∼12 per cent) for spin and Δi ≤ 20° (∼29 per cent) for inclination, within 1σ errors]. When focusing on the case of returning radiation and treating inclination as a known parameter, we were able to successfully reconstruct spin and disc albedo in Δa ≤ 0.15 (∼15 per cent) interval and Δ albedo ≤0.45 (45 per cent) intervals within 1σ errors. We conclude that X-ray polarimetry will be a useful tool to constrain black hole spins, in addition to timing and spectral-fitting methods.
MOND as a peculiar case of the SIV theory
Authors: Maeder Andre
Published: January 2023

The scale invariant theory is preserving the fundamental physical properties of General Relativity, while enlarging the group of invariances subtending gravitation theory (Dirac 1973; Canuto et al. 1977). The scale-invariant vacuum (SIV) theory assumes as gauging condition that ‘The macroscopic empty space is scale invariant, homogeneous, and isotropic’. Some basic properties in Weyl’s Integrable Geometry and cotensor calculus are examined in relation with scalar–tensor theories. Possible scale invariant effects are strongly reduced by matter density, both at the cosmological and local levels. The weak field limit of SIV tends to MOND when the scale factor is taken as constant, an approximation valid (<1 per cent) over the last 400 Myr. A better understanding of the a0-parameter is obtained: it corresponds to the equilibrium point of the Newtonian and SIV dynamical acceleration. Parameter a0 is not a universal constant, it depends on the density and age of the Universe. As MOND is doing, SIV theory avoids the call to dark matter, moreover the cosmological models predict accelerated expansion.
Impact of newly measured 26Al(n, p)26Mg and 26Al(n, α)23Na reaction rates on the nucleosynthesis of 26Al in stars
Authors: Battino Umberto , Lederer-Woods Claudia , Pignatari Marco , Soós Benjámin , Lugaro Maria , Vescovi Diego , Cristallo Sergio , Woods Philip J , Karakas Amanda
Published: January 2023

The cosmic production of the short-lived radioactive nuclide 26Al is crucial for our understanding of the evolution of stars and galaxies. However, simulations of the stellar sites producing 26Al are still weakened by significant nuclear uncertainties. We re-evaluate the 26Al(n, p)26Mg, and 26Al(n, α)23Na ground state reactivities from 0.01 GK to 10 GK, based on the recent n_TOF measurement combined with theoretical predictions and a previous measurement at higher energies, and test their impact on stellar nucleosynthesis. We computed the nucleosynthesis of low- and high-mass stars using the Monash nucleosynthesis code, the NuGrid mppnp code, and the FUNS stellar evolutionary code. Our low-mass stellar models cover the 2–3 M⊙ mass range with metallicities between Z = 0.01 and 0.02, their predicted 26Al/27Al ratios are compared to 62 meteoritic SiC grains. For high-mass stars, we test our reactivities on two 15 M⊙ models with Z = 0.006 and 0.02. The new reactivities allow low-mass AGB stars to reproduce the full range of 26Al/27Al ratios measured in SiC grains. The final 26Al abundance in high-mass stars, at the point of highest production, varies by a factor of 2.4 when adopting the upper, or lower limit of our rates. However, stellar uncertainties still play an important role in both mass regimes. The new reactivities visibly impact both low- and high-mass stars nucleosynthesis and allow a general improvement in the comparison between stardust SiC grains and low-mass star models. Concerning explosive nucleosynthesis, an improvement of the current uncertainties between T9∼0.3 and 2.5 is needed for future studies.
A standalone editing protein deacylates mischarged canavanyl-tRNAArg to prevent canavanine incorporation into proteins
Authors: Hauth Franziskus , Funck Dietmar , Hartig Jörg S
Published: January 2023

Error-free translation of the genetic code into proteins is vitally important for all organisms. Therefore, it is crucial that the correct amino acids are loaded onto their corresponding tRNAs. This process is highly challenging when aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetases encounter structural analogues to the native substrate like the arginine antimetabolite canavanine. To circumvent deleterious incorporation due to tRNA mischarging, editing mechanisms have evolved. However, only for half of the tRNA synthetases, editing activity is known and only few specific standalone editing proteins have been described. Understanding the diverse mechanisms resulting in error-free protein synthesis is of great importance. Here, we report the discovery of a protein that is upregulated upon canavanine stimulation in bacteria that live associated with canavanine-producing plants. We demonstrate that it acts as standalone editing protein specifically deacylating canavanylated tRNAArg. We therefore propose canavanyl-tRNAArgdeacylase (CtdA) as systematic name. Knockout strains show severe growth defects in canavanine-containing media and incorporate high amounts of canavanine into the proteome. CtdA is frequently found under control of guanidine riboswitches, revealing a functional connection of canavanine and guanidine metabolisms. Our results are the first to show editing activity towards mischarged tRNAArg and add to the puzzle of how faithful translation is ensured in nature.
Translation initiation of leaderless and polycistronic transcripts in mammalian mitochondria
Authors: Remes Cristina , Khawaja Anas , Pearce Sarah F , Dinan Adam M , Gopalakrishna Shreekara , Cipullo Miriam , Kyriakidis Vasileios , Zhang Jingdian , Dopico Xaquin Castro , Yukhnovets Olessya , Atanassov Ilian , Firth Andrew E , Cooperman Barry , Rorbach Joanna
Published: January 2023

The synthesis of mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes is central to cellular metabolism, yet many molecular details of mitochondrial translation remain elusive. It has been commonly held view that translation initiation in human mitochondria proceeded in a manner similar to bacterial systems, with the mitoribosomal small subunit bound to the initiation factors, mtIF2 and mtIF3, along with initiator tRNA and an mRNA. However, unlike in bacteria, most human mitochondrial mRNAs lack 5′ leader sequences that can mediate small subunit binding, raising the question of how leaderless mRNAs are recognized by mitoribosomes. By using novel in vitro mitochondrial translation initiation assays, alongside biochemical and genetic characterization of cellular knockouts of mitochondrial translation factors, we describe unique features of translation initiation in human mitochondria. We show that in vitro, leaderless mRNA transcripts can be loaded directly onto assembled 55S mitoribosomes, but not onto the mitoribosomal small subunit (28S), in a manner that requires initiator fMet-tRNAMet binding. In addition, we demonstrate that in human cells and in vitro, mtIF3 activity is not required for translation of leaderless mitochondrial transcripts but is essential for translation of ATP6 in the case of the bicistronic ATP8/ATP6 transcript. Furthermore, we show that mtIF2 is indispensable for mitochondrial protein synthesis. Our results demonstrate an important evolutionary divergence of the mitochondrial translation system and further our fundamental understanding of a process central to eukaryotic metabolism.
OKseqHMM: a genome-wide replication fork directionality analysis toolkit
Authors: Liu Yaqun , Wu Xia , d’Aubenton-Carafa Yves , Thermes Claude , Chen Chun-Long
Published: January 2023

During each cell division, tens of thousands of DNA replication origins are co-ordinately activated to ensure the complete duplication of the human genome. However, replication fork progression can be challenged by many factors, including co-directional and head-on transcription-replication conflicts (TRC). Head-on TRCs are more dangerous for genome integrity. To study the direction of replication fork movement and TRCs, we developed a bioinformatics toolkit called OKseqHMM (https://github.com/CL-CHEN-Lab/OK-Seq, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7428883). Then, we used OKseqHMM to analyse a large number of datasets obtained by Okazaki fragment sequencing to directly measure the genome-wide replication fork directionality (RFD) and to accurately predict replication initiation and termination at a fine resolution in organisms including yeast, mouse and human. We also successfully applied our analysis to other genome-wide sequencing techniques that also contain RFD information (e.g. eSPAN, TrAEL-seq). Our toolkit can be used to predict replication initiation and fork progression direction genome-wide in a wide range of cell models and growth conditions. Comparing the replication and transcription directions allows identifying loci at risk of TRCs, particularly head-on TRCs, and investigating their role in genome instability by checking DNA damage data, which is of prime importance for human health.
HybridRNAbind: prediction of RNA interacting residues across structure-annotated and disorder-annotated proteins
Authors: Zhang Fuhao , Li Min , Zhang Jian , Kurgan Lukasz
Published: January 2023

The sequence-based predictors of RNA-binding residues (RBRs) are trained on either structure-annotated or disorder-annotated binding regions. A recent study of predictors of protein-binding residues shows that they are plagued by high levels of cross-predictions (protein binding residues are predicted as nucleic acid binding) and that structure-trained predictors perform poorly for the disorder-annotated regions and vice versa. Consequently, we analyze a representative set of the structure and disorder trained predictors of RBRs to comprehensively assess quality of their predictions. Our empirical analysis that relies on a new and low-similarity benchmark dataset reveals that the structure-trained predictors of RBRs perform well for the structure-annotated proteins while the disorder-trained predictors provide accurate results for the disorder-annotated proteins. However, these methods work only modestly well on the opposite types of annotations, motivating the need for new solutions. Using an empirical approach, we design HybridRNAbind meta-model that generates accurate predictions and low amounts of cross-predictions when tested on data that combines structure and disorder-annotated RBRs. We release this meta-model as a convenient webserver which is available at https://www.csuligroup.com/hybridRNAbind/.
MARVEL: an integrated alternative splicing analysis platform for single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Wen Wei Xiong , Mead Adam J , Thongjuea Supat
Published: January 2023

Alternative splicing is an important source of heterogeneity underlying gene expression between individual cells but remains an understudied area due to the paucity of computational tools to analyze splicing dynamics at single-cell resolution. Here, we present MARVEL, a comprehensive R package for single-cell splicing analysis applicable to RNA sequencing generated from the plate- and droplet-based methods. We performed extensive benchmarking of MARVEL against available tools and demonstrated its utility by analyzing multiple publicly available datasets in diverse cell types, including in disease. MARVEL enables systematic and integrated splicing and gene expression analysis of single cells to characterize the splicing landscape and reveal biological insights.
Dialectic in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy
Authors: Bown Alexander
Published: January 2023

What is dialectic? The question has no simple answer: different philosophers and philosophical schools in the ancient world use the expression “dialectic” (or rather the Greek “dialektikē”) in a number of importantly different ways. But there is at least some family resemblance between the various methods, disciplines, activities, and forms of argument that bear the name. The word is cognate with the ordinary Greek verb “dialegesthai,” which can mean “to have a conversation,” “to discuss,” or “to argue” (inter alia). Accordingly, the earliest uses of “dialectic” refer to practices that involve discussing some topic by means of questions and answers; later uses typically retain some connection to the idea of a dialogue, although this connection is sometimes tenuous. Some of the principal accounts covered in this article are as follows: first, Plato uses the expression “dialectic” (which he may have coined) for various methods of philosophical inquiry into principles, forms, or definitions. These methods range from Socrates’ practice of conducting a conversation by asking a series of questions that gradually uncover inconsistencies in his interlocutor’s beliefs, to more abstract procedures of somehow grasping fundamental, explanatory principles and deriving further truths from them. Second, Aristotle regards dialectic as the skill of being able to discuss any question whatever on the basis of common-sense or widely accepted opinions. Its role in philosophical inquiry is less central for him than for Plato, but some scholars think that he still takes it to have an important part to play in investigations into fundamental principles. Third, a group of philosophers associated with Diodorus Cronus may have belonged to a so-called “Dialectical School.” These philosophers have a great deal of interest in logical paradoxes and develop influential views on the truth conditions of conditionals and on modality. Fourth, Stoic philosophers class dialectic as a part of logic, one of the three main branches of philosophy. Various accounts are recorded: according to one, it is the skill of being able to conduct oneself well in question-and-answer discussion; according to another, it is “the science of what is true, what is false, and what is neither” (DL 7.62). Finally, some skeptical philosophers of the Hellenistic period engage in practices that have often been called dialectical. Arcesilaus and Carneades, two leaders of Plato’s Academy during its skeptical phase, were known for their ability to argue on both sides of any given question, with the aim of inducing suspension of judgement.
Hadith and Gender
Authors: El Omari Dina
Published: January 2023

The topic Hadith and gender is still quite underrepresented in Islamic studies. Gender here refers to the role of women, the concept of gender roles, and gender categories including gender binary. This underrepresentation may reflect a more general problem with Hadith and its treatment as a religious source. Since the systematization and canonization of Hadith began only around 150–200 years after the death of Muhammad and thousands of these oral traditions were in circulation, the question of their authenticity remains controversial, including those that are described as authentic (sahīh). This has been pointed out not only by some Islamic scholars, but also by Islamic studies since the end of the nineteenth century, a discipline that also deems it necessary to adopt a historical-critical approach with particular focus on the history of the transmission of the Hadith. However, by prohibiting any questioning of their authenticity and bestowing an ahistorical character upon their contents, mainstream Islamic scholarship rigorously rejects, and even dogmatically cordons off, the question of authenticity. Thus, all Hadith are understood synchronously and without their historical context. This ahistorical approach, as well as the uncritical attitude toward authenticity, are extremely problematic, especially regarding the image of women and gender roles, since the material passed down contains a series of misogynistic Hadith as well as problematic Hadith regarding gender roles. Dealing with the material from a gender perspective is necessary because the Hadith still represent an important basis for many areas of religious life. Analysis of the role of women and gender in the Hadith opens the opportunity to question perspectives on masculinity discourses and binary gender concepts, although study of these topics is still quite young. Another approach analyzes the role of women in the transmission of Hadith. In addition, there are questions of methodology for interpreting the material and issues related to authenticity. Therefore, this article first presents some overview works, followed by both primary and secondary sources according to the three main points mentioned.
Commedia dell'arte
Authors: Kerr Rosalind
Published: January 2023

Commedia dell’arte refers to Italian professional theater which came into existence in the 1540s when itinerant players formed themselves into companies. Originally formed from servant-master actor duos, made up of Zannis (impoverished porters) teamed up with Pantalones (new merchant class), they offered clever bawdy buffoon style entertainment exposing the inequities of the new servitude of waged labor. Over time the stock Zanni role expanded to include specialized versions such as Arlecchino, Pedrolino, Brighella, and others who were pitted against the Venetian merchant, Pantalone, and the Bolognese professor/lawyer, Dottore. The commedia dell’arte took shape as a full-fledged art form when female performers were admitted on the professional stage in the 1560s. These women were skilled in all the fine arts, excelling as orators in the prima donna innamorate (female lovers) roles. Along with the female performers, educated gentlemen joined to take the male innamorati (male lovers) roles, and with the addition of the maidservant, the Spanish Capitano, and other miscellaneous characters, the troupes reached the standard ten members. Playing as an ensemble, together they developed a new improvised style of acting. Famous mostly for their romantic comedies featuring wily servants and brilliant female heroines, they used derisive laughter to expose the oppressive treatment of their father/masters in the household and in the society at large. Their repertoires expanded to include performances in all the genres. Top acting companies created a theater of such excellence that their fame swept across Italy, France, Spain and other parts of Europe, even coming to England in the 1570s and 1580s. During the golden age from the 1560s to the 1630s several performers gained fame for their unique character masks and range of artistic inventions. The important contributions of the diva Isabella and the Andreini family dynasty, including Virginia Ramponi Andreini, and Flaminia Scala are highlighted. At a certain point, in the early seventeenth century, the troupes became less dependent on touring and began to combine their methods of improvising with the performance of published scripts. The commedia dell’arte led the way in bringing literary, cultural, and dramatic modules to the theaters of England, France, and Spain through transnational exchanges which shaped early modern European theater. Although it is considered to have ended in the 1750s with the conflicting reforms of Goldoni and Gozzi, it has had a profound influence on the development of modern theater in many different areas such as music, dance, and opera.
Diasporas in Europe
Authors: Jacobsen Knut A.
Published: January 2023

The Hindu diasporas in Europe refer to communities of Hindus of South Asian ancestry settled in one of the countries in Europe and to their religious institutions and practices. Hindu diasporas refer only to that part of the Hindu presence in Europe that is caused by migration and is distinguished from other European followers of Hinduism or persons who have adopted Hindu practices such as Hindu yoga or adopted Hindu names. However, the great majority of Hindus in Europe, probably more than 95 percent, have South Asian ancestry. Establishment of temples as the dominant institution of Hinduism in Europe is a function of migration of Hindus of South Asian ancestry to this continent. Large-scale migration of Hindus of South Asian ancestry to Europe is mainly a post-1960 phenomenon. Their earliest Hindu temples were established in the second half of the 1960s and in the 1970s. However, South Asians have been coming to Europe as sailors (lascars) on European ships, as nannies (ayars), students, or have visited for other purposes in small numbers also before 1960, and some settled, but the majority of those who settled were not Hindus but Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs. The first settlements of Hindus in Europe after World War II from the late 1950s and 1960s were dominantly to Britain; and in the 1970s to the Netherlands; and after that to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries. Of the around two million Hindus with South Asian ancestry living in Europe in 2022, half or around one million live in Britain (in the latest British census, 2011, 834,000). Other countries with a significant Hindu population are all found in western parts of Europe, with the exception of Russia: the Netherlands (200,000), France (200,000), Italy (200,000), Germany (130,000), Switzerland (50,000), the Nordic countries (83,000), Spain (35,000), Portugal (33,000), Russia (40,000), Belgium (10,000), and Austria (5,000). The dominant groups in Europe are mostly Gujaratis and Īḻam (Tamils with ancestry in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka), while in the Netherlands the dominant group are Hindus from the Caribbean (Suriname). Significantly, unlike most other Hindu diasporas, the majority of Hindus in Europe with South Asian ancestry have not arrived from India, but from East Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean.
Esotericism and Yoga
Authors: Strube Julian
Published: January 2023

While the scope and content of a bibliographical entry generally depends on the author’s understanding of the subject at hand, the meaning of “esotericism” is particularly unclear and contested. The term is used in highly varied ways across diverse disciplines and fields of study. Systematic scholarship on the meaning of esotericism is limited to a relatively small number of disparate studies. Although there is little scholarship focusing on the relationship between “esotericism and yoga,” a wealth of valuable studies, most of them quite recent, have explored a range of contexts that are relevant to an understanding of it. This article relates these diverse studies, while being mindful of the blurry terminology and the many lacunae that invite further scholarship on this fascinating and important subject. The article’s point of departure are present-day associations of “esotericism” and “yoga,” that is, contexts in which these notions have been linked by scholars and practitioners. The logic behind this bibliography is oriented toward an understanding of how, why, and in which historical contexts people across the world have identified yoga as “esoteric” or “occult,” and often combined it with ideas and practices from various cultures within and beyond Asia. By consequence, this article is organized around the period in which “esotericism” emerged as a term within scholarship and primary sources: the nineteenth until the early twentieth century. If esotericism were regarded as a particular subject that might be traced back centuries in Asian contexts—either based on the identification of diachronic “esoteric” traditions or on a more structural focus on notions such as secrecy, initiation, siddhi, and so forth—the scope could comprise a vast body of sources and scholarship including, for example, sources from the spheres of tantra, hatha yoga, so-called Esoteric Buddhism, or traditions such as Vaiṣṇava Sahajiyā. This would be reasonable because Indological literature, for instance, widely employs notions such as esotericism, esoteric, or occult in research on material predating the “modern” period. However, engagement between disciplines like Indology and Asian regional studies and the dedicated study of esotericism is rare. Hence, this article might assist readers in exploring ways in which collaboration between different fields and disciplines could shine light on the usefulness of the category “esotericism” itself.
Paul F. Lazarsfeld
Authors: Fleck Christian
Published: January 2023

Paul F. Lazarsfeld (b. 1901–d. 1976) was a highly influential scholar and the founder of social research organizations. Being a professor of sociology (at Columbia University, New York City) for the longest part of his academic career, his intellectual background stemmed from other academic branches: he received a PhD from the University of Vienna, Austria, in 1925 in mathematics, participated in one of the schools of depth psychology created in his hometown by Alfred Adler, and rounded up his psychological expertise under the tutelage of the Bühlers at the University of Vienna, where Lazarsfeld taught (unofficially) statistics. He was active in politics as the leader of the social democratic youth organization and as a speaker in the party’s instructional efforts. Initially a high school (Gymnasium) teacher for mathematics, in 1931 Lazarsfeld founded the Wirtschaftspsychologische Forschungsstelle (roughly: applied market research), probably the first private social research unit in Central Europe. The Forschungsstelle (as the unit was remembered by its former members) executed the first audience study of Austrian radio listeners and became famous finally for the sociography of an unemployed village. In autumn 1933 Lazarsfeld left Austria for a Rockefeller Fellowship, which he spent primarily in New York; he extended the fellowship term until 1935. The political situation in Austria at the time was depressing and the outlook was dim. Lazarsfeld therefore decided to return to New York, where Lazarsfeld’s mentor Robert Lynd was able to offer him minor jobs and his network was extensive enough to consider him for more attractive positions. When the Rockefeller Foundation negotiated a big research grant with Hadley Cantril on the cultural consequences of the radio, this Princeton-based young psychology professor hired Lazarsfeld as the research director. Within a short period of time Lazarsfeld sidelined Cantril and made the Princeton Radio Project to the Office of Radio Research. In 1940 Lazarsfeld was appointed as associate professor for sociology at Columbia University and transferred the Office of Radio Research as an adjunct entity to his new university. Renamed the Bureau of Applied Social Research, it became a model for this kind of research. For nearly three decades the Bureau offered graduate students and postdocs additional expertise and an income. So Lazarsfeld became the mentor of several dozen social scientists who populated the US elite universities. In addition, students from both sides of the Iron Curtain, which divided Europe back then, enjoyed Lazarsfeld’s instructions, mentoring, and connections with funding agencies. During the first years, together with Robert K. Merton, who was hired by Columbia as an assistant professor at the same time as Lazarsfeld and joined him at the Bureau as co-director, Lazarsfeld laid the foundations of communication research, empirically, theoretical, and in particular as a methodologist.
Language Isolates
Authors: Urban Mattias
Published: January 2023

Language isolates, or alternatively isolated languages, are languages for which it has not, or not yet, been possible to establish genealogical connections. A language isolate therefore forms a self-contained language family (in the sense of a phylum or a lineage) of which it is the only known member. The qualifier “not yet” is necessary because the comparative method of historical linguistics, which is used to demonstrate such connections, can only prove that languages are genealogically related, never that they are not. Therefore, it is always possible that a language isolate may eventually lose that status if successfully connected genealogically to other languages. The extent of research that has been carried out to do so varies drastically from language isolate to language isolate; Basque is probably among the language isolates for which most effort has been invested, though without leading to evidence that would satisfy all or even just the majority of specialists. On the other hand, the genealogical status of a language that had been previously assigned to a family may be reconsidered at a later, more mature state of research. In the course of such reevaluations, it may be found that evidence for the classification has been insufficient, which necessitates removing that language from the family and assigning it isolate status for the time being. This in fact happened in the case of Basque, which at an earlier state of research had been thought to form a family with the extinct so-called Iberian language (however, given the definition above with the qualifier “the only known member,” a language that is the sole survivor of a once-larger family whose relatives have ceased to be spoken is usually not labeled language isolate). There are around 150–200 languages that may be considered language isolates. Stating a more precise figure is difficult and of little scientific interest, for several reasons. One is the evolving nature of language classification just mentioned. Another has to do with the poor state of documentation of some extinct languages, especially in the former colonial world. In such cases, available materials may be insufficient to classify the language (however, there are no hard-and-fast rules as to how much is sufficient, and there is therefore no sharp boundary between languages that are unclassifiable for lack of documentation and a language isolate). The other reason is more properly linguistic: like any other language, a language isolate may be dialectally diverse, and if that diversification continues, it will eventually turn into a language family. Huave, a language isolate of Mexico, for instance, is now more commonly treated as a small Huavean language family of closely related languages.
Color Symbolism and Child Development
Authors: Fulcher Megan , O'Connor Hannah
Published: January 2023

The world around us is full of colors and we are affected by, think about, and make decisions based on the colors we see. Colors are often used to create gendered categories to mark which toys and activities children can (or cannot) interact with. We have color preferences that often reflect gendered parts of our identity. This article reviews current literature on color symbolism that is drawn primarily from studies in Western populations. Except where specifically mentioned, these findings generalize primarily to Western children. By preschool, boys prefer blue and girls prefer pink and begin to color their vision of the world with gendered colors. These colors that children include as part of their gendered identity surround them and most of the things they do. There are colors that carry symbolism outside of gender particularly in representing emotions. This article is divided into multiple sections. Color and Gender in Society introduces research on how gendered colors surround children and how children use these cultural cues to decide how to behave. Color Preferences reviews the history of gendered colored preferences as well as the developmental timing of such preferences across culture. The Impact of Color on Performance explores how materials of different colors impact children’s performances perhaps by cueing children to gendered stereotypes about performance. Color and Clothing explores how the clothes that children wear or are dressed in express gendered preferences and expectations. Color in the Environment reports on research involving how the color of interior designs impacts children’s behaviors. Additionally, it investigates which colors children prefer in their own designs. Color and Marketing shows how corporations use color to promote branding to children and convince children to buy products. Finally, Color and Emotion includes research about how children envision emotions as a color when expressing themselves.
Television Regulation
Authors: Jaramillo Deborah L.
Published: January 2023

In the twenty-first century, television takes many forms both in and outside of the home. The technologies, industries, and behaviors attached to television appear to indicate a radical shift from those of the 1950s during broadcast television’s infancy, or even the 1980s when cable television upended the three-network landscape. However, enduring structures and patterns contextualize the changes represented by streaming television, Silicon Valley competitors, and on-demand viewing. Regulation is one such enduring element. Regulators assume the shapes of public, private, and domestic stakeholders; and federal agencies, industry trade associations, and parents have intervened in multiple aspects of television, including but not limited to its programming. Regulation, too, takes many forms: It can be overt, as with the 1952 Television Code, or discrete, buried in the language of a speech by a Federal Communications Commission chair. It can also expand and contract. In the 1970s, for example, government regulation intensified, but in the 1980s, deregulation was the norm. Importantly, regulation is always subject to interpretation, revision, and reversal. Government agencies and media companies do not operate outside the law; consequently, they can see their decisions struck down by the courts. The Oxford Bibliographies entry on “Media Regulation” provides a rich survey of perspective and approaches. In seeking not to replicate that work, this entry confines itself to dominant issues in television regulation, such as the power and politics of government and industry regulators, the public interest, content regulation, and the effects of deregulation on television in the 1980s and beyond. This entry also confines itself to the regulation of television in the United States.
Aaron Copland
Authors: Bombola Gina
Published: January 2023

Aaron Copland (b. 1900–d. 1990) was an American composer active for much of the twentieth century. Known as the “Dean of American Composers,” Copland cultivated an accessible, modern sound at a time when musical experimentation was in vogue. His hallmark style (often referred to as “imposed simplicity”) consisted of simple melodies, mostly diatonic harmonies, sparse textures, and an abundance of open fourths and fifths. Copland initially turned to film in the 1930s as a potentially lucrative means for disseminating his music more widely and for ensuring his financial stability during a time of economic depression. He would score two documentaries and six feature films in total. His work on The City (1939), a documentary, put Copland on Hollywood’s radar and helped secure him a contract with Lewis Milestone for Of Mice and Men (1939). John Steinbeck’s moving tale of friendship and cash-strapped cowboys proved the perfect vehicle for Copland. Coupled with his speeches and writings on the best practices—and potential—for advances in film scoring, Copland’s Americana-infused score would earn him a reputation in Hollywood as a “mover and shaker”—at least for certain types of movies. Deviating from the late-Romantic predilections of his contemporaries, Copland presented a fresh alternative from the industry norm. His next score for Our Town (1940) helped solidify the connection between the composer’s “imposed simplicity” and notions of “America.” Copland resumed writing chiefly for the concert hall in the 1940s, producing many acclaimed works like A Lincoln Portrait (1942), Rodeo (1942) Appalachian Spring (1944), and the Third Symphony (1944–1946). Yet Copland did not abandon the movies completely. He returned to Hollywood to score The North Star (1943), a World War II propaganda film. Toward the end of the decade, Copland took on two film projects back to back. The Red Pony (1949), based on another Steinbeck novel, saw Copland returning to previously explored themes of cowboys and the western frontier. But The Heiress (1949) offered Copland the opportunity to move in a new direction, into the realm of period psychodrama. The story of a jilted heiress seeking revenge on her ex-lover necessitated a different kind of score than the ones Copland had experimented with earlier, and he won an Oscar. Copland would score one more film years later in 1961, the psychological drama Something Wild. Although Copland channeled much of his energy into composing for the concert hall during his lifetime, his legacy as a path-breaking film composer remains firmly ensconced in film music history. Generations of composers inspired by the broader oeuvre of “the Dean of American Composers” have since provided moviegoers echoes of the dean’s storied past.