bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A sensitivity study of triboson production processes to dimension-6 EFT operators at the LHC
Authors: Bellan R. , Bhattacharya S. , Boldrini G. , Cetorelli F. , Govoni P. , Massironi A. , Mecca A. , Tarricone C. , Vagnerini A.
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We present the first parton-level study of anomalous effects in triboson production in both fully and semi-leptonic channels in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The sensitivity to anomalies induced by a minimal set of bosonic dimension-6 operators from the Warsaw basis is evaluated with specific analyses for each final state. A likelihood-based strategy is employed to assess the most sensitive kinematic observables per channel, where the contribution of Effective Field Theory operators is parameterized at either the linear or quadratic level. The impact of the mutual interference terms of pairs of operators on the sensitivity is also examined. This benchmark study explores the complementarity and overlap in sensitivity between different triboson measurements and paves the way for future analyses at the LHC experiments. The statistical combination of the considered final states allows setting stringent bounds on five bosonic Wilson coefficients.
A microscopic model of black hole evaporation in two dimensions
Authors: Gaikwad Adwait , Kaushal Anurag , Mandal Gautam , Wadia Spenta R.
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We present a microscopic model of black hole (BH) ‘evaporation’ in asymptotically AdS2 spacetimes dual to the low energy sector of the SYK model. To describe evaporation, the SYK model is coupled to a bath comprising of Nf free scalar fields Φi. We consider a linear combination of couplings of the form OSY K(t)∑iΦi(0, t), where OSY K involves products of the Kourkoulou-Maldacena operator $$ iJ/N{\sum}_{k=1}^{N/2}{s}_k^{\prime }{\psi}_{2k-1}(t){\psi}_{2k}(t) $$
iJ
/
N

∑

k
=
1

N
/
2

s
k
′

ψ

2
k
−
1

t

ψ

2
k

t

specified by a spin vector s′. We discuss the time evolution of a product of (i) a pure state of the SYK system, namely a BH microstate characterized by a spin vector s and an effective BH temperature TBH, and (ii) a Calabrese-Cardy state of the bath characterized by an effective temperature Tbath. We take Tbath ≪ TBH, and TBH much lower than the characteristic UV scale J of the SYK model, allowing a description in terms of the time reparameterization mode. Tracing over the bath degrees of freedom leads to a Feynman-Vernon type effective action for the SYK model, which we study in the low energy limit. The leading large N behaviour of the time reparameterization mode is found, as well as the $$ O\left(1/\sqrt{N}\right) $$
O

1
/

N

fluctuations. The latter are characterized by a non-Markovian non-linear stochastic differential equation with non-local Gaussian noise. In a restricted range of couplings, we find two classes of solutions which asymptotically approach (a) a BH at a lower temperature, and (b) a horizonless geometry. We identify these with partial and complete BH evaporation, respectively. Importantly, the asymptotic solution in both cases involves the scalar product of the spin vectors s.s′, which carries some information about the initial state. By repeating the dynamical process O(N2) times with different choices of the spin vector s′, one can in principle reconstruct the initial BH microstate.
Representations and Regularity of Vector-Valued Right-Shift Invariant Operators Between Half-Line Bessel Potential Spaces
Authors: Guiver Chris , Opmeer Mark R.
Published: August 2023

Representation and boundedness properties of linear, right-shift invariant operators on half-line Bessel potential spaces (also known as fractional-order Sobolev spaces) as operator-valued multiplication operators in terms of the Laplace transform are considered. These objects are closely related to the input–output operators of linear, time-invariant control systems. Characterisations of when such operators map continuously between certain interpolation spaces and/or Bessel potential spaces are provided, including characterisations in terms of boundedness and integrability properties of the symbol, also known as the transfer function in this setting. The paper considers the Hilbert space case, and the theory is illustrated by a range of examples.
Deterministic Development of Soil Microbial Communities in Disturbed Soils Depends on Microbial Biomass of the Bioinoculum
Authors: Pinheiro Alves de Souza Yuri , Schloter Michael , Weisser Wolfgang , Schulz Stefanie
Published: August 2023

Despite its enormous importance for ecosystem services, factors driving microbial recolonization of soils after disturbance are still poorly understood. Here, we compared the microbial recolonization patterns of a disturbed, autoclaved soil using different amounts of the original non-disturbed soil as inoculum. By using this approach, we manipulated microbial biomass, but did not change microbial diversity of the inoculum. We followed the development of a new soil microbiome after reinoculation over a period of 4 weeks using a molecular barcoding approach as well as qPCR. Focus was given on the assessment of bacteria and archaea. We could show that 1 week after inoculation in all inoculated treatments bacterial biomass exceeded the values from the original soil as a consequence of high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the disturbed soil resulting from the disturbance. This high biomass was persistent over the complete experimental period. In line with the high DOC concentrations, in the first 2 weeks of incubation, copiotrophic bacteria dominated the community, which derived from the inoculum used. Only in the disturbed control soils which did not receive a microbial inoculum, recolonization pattern differed. In contrast, archaeal biomass did not recover over the experimental period and recolonization was strongly triggered by amount of inoculated original soil added. Interestingly, the variability between replicates of the same inoculation density decreased with increasing biomass in the inoculum, indicating a deterministic development of soil microbiomes if higher numbers of cells are used for reinoculation.
Early and repeated screening detects children with persistent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Overgaard Kristin Romvig , Oerbeck Beate , Friis Svein , Pripp Are Hugo , Aase Heidi , Biele Guido , Ingeborgrud Christine Baalsrud , Polanczyk Guilherme V. , Zeiner Pål
Published: August 2023

Preschool screening of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been found too inaccurate to be clinically useful. This may be due to the known instability of ADHD symptoms from preschool onwards, and the use of a single screening only. We hypothesized that by identifying a group of children with persistent ADHD from preschool to school age and repeating the screening, the clinical usefulness of screening would increase. This study is part of the prospective longitudinal, population-based Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study, with a diagnostic parent interview at 3.5 years and follow-up with parent questionnaires at ages 5 and 8 years (n = 707). We identified a group classified with ADHD at all three time points (persistent ADHD). We then used the Child Behavior Checklist ADHD DSM-oriented scale at ages 3.5 and 5 years to investigate the accuracies of single- and two-stage screening at different thresholds to identify children with persistent ADHD. About 30% of the children were classified with ADHD at least once across time (at ages 3.5, 5, and/or 8 years), but only 4% (n = 30) had persistent ADHD. At all thresholds, the two-stage screening identified children with persistent ADHD more accurately than single screening, mainly due to a substantial reduction in false positives. Only a small group of children were classified with persistent ADHD from preschool to school age, underlining that future screening studies should distinguish this group from those with fluctuating symptoms when estimating screening accuracies. We recommend a two-stage screening process to reduce false positives.
Geostatistical analysis of groundwater levels in a mining area with three active mines
Authors: Pavlides A. , Varouchakis E. A. , Hristopulos D. T.
Published: August 2023

Mining activities can significantly impact groundwater reservoirs in their vicinity. Different approaches have been employed, with varying success, to investigate the spatial variability of groundwater levels in mining areas. Typical problems include the small sample size, the non-Gaussian distribution of the data, and the clustering of sample locations near the mines. These conditions complicate the estimation of spatial dependence. Under sparse and irregular sampling conditions, stochastic methods, which can provide estimates of prediction uncertainty, are preferable to deterministic ones. This research focuses on the comparison of two stochastic methods, stochastic local interactions (SLI) and universal Kriging (UK), using water level data from 72 locations around three mines in Northern Greece. UK is a well-known, variogram-based geostatistical method, while SLI is a computationally efficient kernel-based method that can cope with large spatial datasets. The non-Gaussian distribution of the data is handled by means of a flexible, data-driven Gaussian anamorphosis method that uses kernel functions. The spatial prediction performance of both methods is assessed based on cross-validation. UK performs better than SLI, due to the fact that the former incorporates a linear trend function. On the other hand, a comparison of the two methods using data from a single mine that contains only 28 measurement locations shows that SLI performs slightly better than UK. The prediction uncertainties for both methods are also estimated and compared. The results suggest that SLI can provide better estimates than classical geostatistical methods for small sample sizes that do not allow reliable estimation of the variogram model.
Assisted navigation for digital architectural walkthroughs in Natural User Interface-based installations
Authors: Barneche-Naya Viviana , Hernández-Ibáñez Luis A.
Published: August 2023

The architectural experience of visiting a virtual building and exploring its contents requires tools to provide visitors with accessible and pleasurable ways to conduct their stroll and facilitate the contemplation and enjoyment of the contents displayed. Natural user interfaces (NUI) are effective and engaging tools for interacting with digital content. In this paper, the authors combine their previous work in the research lines of natural user interfaces and assisted navigation, putting them together on a UX test scenario and studying their combined effect. The testbed consisted of an installation controlled using a depth camera for NUI interaction and applying an attractor-based approach of assisted navigation. The UX experiment consisted of five stages, with three test sets of increasing complexity. The system monitored and recorded the users’ movements on each test during the experiment to extract quantitative data. After each task, users filled out specific questionnaires that provided qualitative information. The study also evaluates the influence of users’ previous expertise on 3D video games in their performance taking the test. The results indicate the benefits of combining both technologies and how they enhance the virtual visit experience. Furthermore, the combined use of natural interaction and assisted navigation facilitates universal access to installations of this kind, frequently found in museums and exhibits, independently of previous user expertise in interactive 3D environments, such as video games.
Advanced adsorbents for ibuprofen removal from aquatic environments: a review
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , Ayati Ali , Farghali Mohamed , Krivoshapkin Pavel , Tanhaei Bahareh , Karimi-Maleh Hassan , Krivoshapkina Elena , Taheri Parsana , Tracey Chantal , Al-Fatesh Ahmed , Ihara Ikko , Rooney David W. , Sillanpaä Mika
Published: August 2023

The presence of pharmaceuticals in ecosystems is a major health issue, calling for advanced methods to clean wastewater before effluents reach rivers. Here, we review advanced adsorption methods to remove ibuprofen, with a focus on ibuprofen occurrence and toxicity, adsorbents, kinetics, and adsorption isotherms. Adsorbents include carbon- and silica-based materials, metal–organic frameworks, clays, polymers, and bioadsorbents. Carbon-based adsorbents allow the highest adsorption of ibuprofen, from 10.8 to 408 mg/g for activated carbon and 2.5–1033 mg/g for biochar. Metal–organic frameworks appear promising due to their high surface areas and tunable properties and morphology. 95% of published reports reveal that adsorption kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the adsorption is predominantly governed by chemical adsorption. 70% of published reports disclose that the Langmuir model describes the adsorption isotherm, suggesting that adsorption involves monolayer adsorption.
I Know What to Do; I Can Do It; It Will Work: The Brief Parental Self Efficacy Scale (BPSES) for Parenting Interventions
Authors: Woolgar Matt , Humayun Sajid , Scott Stephen , Dadds Mark R.
Published: August 2023

Parental self-efficacy predicts outcomes for parenting interventions for child behaviour problems, but there is a need for a brief measure that can be repeated over treatment and applies to a wide age range. The present study describes the development of such a measure, the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES). The psychometrics of the BPSES is presented across a wide age range from preschool to late adolescent in a sample comprised of four different intervention contexts. Evidence for structural validity, internal consistency, content validity, configural measurement invariance (equivalent factor structure) and test–retest reliability is presented alongside convergent validity against measures of parental self-efficacy, child behaviour problems, as well as self-report and observed parenting styles. Finally, lower levels of BPSES at baseline predicted increased disengagement from an intensive, individualised family therapy intervention for antisocial youth, while higher baseline levels predicted increased response to a group parenting programme for primary school aged children. The BPSES shows promise as a measure that can be used across a wide age-range, for a variety of parenting interventions for disruptive behaviour problems and which is sufficiently brief to be used as a routine outcome measurement during treatment.
Synthesis, structural, optical, and dielectric properties of CuWO4/PVP/Cs bio-nanocomposites for some industrial applications
Authors: El Sayed Adel M. , Abdel Maksoud M. I. A. , Kassem Said M. , Awed A. S.
Published: August 2023

The nanocomposites of biopolymers and bimetallic oxides are exciting classes of materials. Besides the economic and environmental considerations, these materials became the best candidates for various applications in industry and medicine. In this study, CuWO4 nanoparticles (NP) with high purity were prepared by co-precipitation and loaded into poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/chitosan (PVP/Cs) films. XRD results showed that CuWO4 has a triclinic phase with an average crystallite size of 43 nm. PVP/Cs is semi-crystalline blend and its crystallinity degraded by CuWO4 incorporation. EDX analysis was used to study the chemical composition of all samples. FE-SEM showed that CuWO4 has particle sizes of 50–150 nm and that the crack-free surface of PVP/Cs became rougher and more porous after loading of CuWO4 NP. FTIR confirmed the presence of the reactive functional group of CuWO4, PVP, and Cs and that the low doping ratio of CuWO4 NP restricted the functional group’s vibrations. The UV–vis–NIR investigation showed that the films have a small absorption index and high transmittance in the range of 68–90%. The direct and indirect band gaps ($${E}_{g}^{dir}$$

E

g

dir

and $${E}_{g}^{ind}$$

E

g

ind

) of the blend were found equal to 5.0 and 4.2 eV and can be tuned by CuWO4 content. Similarly, the index of refraction and carrier concentration/electron effective mass ratio (N/m*), the dielectric constant (ε′ = 8.3–24.5), and the dielectric loss depend on the applied frequency, temperature, and CuWO4 filler content. The conductivity (σac) ranges from 1.2 × 10–6 to 9.16 × 10–4 S/m and exhibits the Arrhenius behavior. The optical and dielectric results show that the prepared PNC may suit some energy storage device,s such as supercapacitors, and organic optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes and/or photovoltaic solar cells.
Systematic Approach Revealed SERPING1 Splicing-Affecting Variants to be Highly Represented in the Czech National HAE Cohort
Authors: Grombirikova Hana , Bily Viktor , Soucek Premysl , Kramarek Michal , Hakl Roman , Ballonova Lucie , Ravcukova Barbora , Ricna Dita , Kozena Karolina , Kratochvilova Lucie , Sobotkova Marta , Zachova Radana , Kuklinek Pavel , Kralickova Pavlina , Krcmova Irena , Hanzlikova Jana , Vachova Martina , Krystufkova Olga , Dankova Eva , Jesenak Milos , Novackova Martina , Svoboda Michal , Litzman Jiri , Freiberger Tomas
Published: August 2023

Hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by recurrent localized edema. We conducted a systematic screening of SERPING1 defects in a cohort of 207 Czech patients from 85 families with C1-INH-HAE. Our workflow involved a combined strategy of sequencing extended to UTR and deep intronic regions, advanced in silico prediction tools, and mRNA-based functional assays. This approach allowed us to detect a causal variant in all families except one and to identify a total of 56 different variants, including 5 novel variants that are likely to be causal. We further investigated the functional impact of two splicing variants, namely c.550 + 3A > C and c.686-7C > G using minigene assays and RT-PCR mRNA analysis. Notably, our cohort showed a considerably higher proportion of detected splicing variants compared to other central European populations and the LOVD database. Moreover, our findings revealed a significant association between HAE type 1 missense variants and a delayed HAE onset when compared to null variants. We also observed a significant correlation between the presence of the SERPING1 variant c.-21 T > C in the trans position to causal variants and the frequency of attacks per year, disease onset, as well as Clinical severity score. Overall, our study provides new insights into the genetic landscape of C1-INH-HAE in the Czech population, including the identification of novel variants and a better understanding of genotype–phenotype correlations. Our findings also highlight the importance of comprehensive screening strategies and functional analyses in improving the C1-INH-HAE diagnosis and management.
Investigating paleoclimate and current climatic controls at Lago Argentino using sediment pixel intensity time series
Authors: Van Wyk de Vries Maximillian , Ito Emi , Shapley Mark , Romero Matias , Brignone Guido
Published: August 2023

The quantity and characteristics of sediment deposited in lakes are affected by climate to varying extents. As sediment is deposited, it provides a record of past climatic or environmental conditions. However, determining a direct relationship between specific climatic variables and measurable sediment properties, for instance between temperature and sediment optical reflectance, is complex. In this study, we investigate the suitability of sediment reflectance, recorded as sediment pixel intensity (PxI), as a paleoclimate proxy at a large ice-contact lake in southern Patagonia, Lago Argentino. We also evaluate whether sediment PxI can be used to investigate the present-day climatic drivers of sedimentation across Lago Argentino. First, we show that sediment PxIs relate to underlying sediment composition, and are significantly correlated with XRF-derived major element composition. Secondly, we find that PxIs correlate with both austral summer temperatures and wind speeds, but not with precipitation. PxI timeseries reach the p<0.1 correlation significance threshold for use as a paleo-wind proxy in as many as 6 cores and a paleo-temperature proxy in up to 4 cores. However, high spatial variability and the non-unique relationship between PxI and both temperature and wind speed challenges the necessary assumption of stationarity at Lago Argentino. While not suitable as a paleoclimatic proxy, correlations between PxI and instrumental climate data do chronicle current climatic controls on sediment deposition at Lago Argentino: high summer temperatures enhance settling of coarse, optically dark grains across the lake basin by promoting ice melt and lake stratification, while high wind speeds reduce the settling of fine, optically bright grains in the ice-proximal regions by transporting sediment-rich waters away from the glacier fronts. The assumptions required for quantitative paleoclimatic reconstruction must be carefully evaluated in complex lacustrine environments, but records unsuitable for use as proxies might nevertheless yield valuable information about the drivers of modern sedimentary transport and deposition.
Equilibrium Spacetime Correlations of the Toda Lattice on the Hydrodynamic Scale
Authors: Mazzuca Guido , Grava Tamara , Kriecherbauer Thomas , McLaughlin Kenneth T.-R. , Mendl Christian B. , Spohn Herbert
Published: August 2023

We report on molecular dynamics simulations of spacetime correlations of the Toda lattice in thermal equilibrium. The correlations of stretch, momentum, and energy are computed numerically over a wide range of pressure and temperature. Our numerical results are compared with the predictions from linearized generalized hydrodynamics on the Euler scale. The system size is $$N=3000,4000$$

N
=
3000
,
4000

and time $$t =600$$

t
=
600

, at which ballistic scaling is well confirmed. With no adjustable parameters, the numerically obtained scaling functions agree with the theory within a precision of less than 3.5%.
Isolation and characterization of soil cyanobacteria and microalgae and evaluation of their potential as plant biostimulants
Authors: Roque Jéssica , Brito Ângela , Rocha Mariana , Pissarra João , Nunes Telma , Bessa Márcia , Vieira Jorge , Vieira Cristina P. , Melo Paula , Tamagnini Paula
Published: August 2023

Background and Aims

Biocrusts are found on soil surface resulting from an association between soil particles and microorganisms. Photoautotrophic cyanobacteria and microalgae are pioneers on biocrusts formation, promoting soil stability, nutrients availability and water retention, leading to the development of other communities. This work aimed at isolating and characterizing cyanobacteria/microalgae from biocrusts (Central Portugal) and to assess their potential as plant biostimulants, as well as obtaining an insight into their mechanism(s) of action.

Methods

Microorganisms were isolated through successive spread plating/serial dilutions and characterized using genetical analysis/morphological traits. An initial screening was performed using exudates from each microorganism and two plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana and Lolium multiflorum. Subsequently, the selected microorganisms were tested as a consortium in hydroponic systems. Biometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated for both plant species.

Results

The consortium microorganisms belong to genera often found in soils/biocrusts: Trichocoleus, Nodosilinea, Microcoleus (filamentous cyanobacteria), Nostoc (diazotrophic heterocystous cyanobacteria), and Klebsormidium (filamentous microalga), and some of them have the capacity to produce phytohormones and/or siderophores. The consortium showed biostimulant potential in hydroponic cultures, promoting plant growth and enhancing physiological productivity related parameters. Stress related parameters revealed that the microorganisms did not lead to a stressful situation. However, a significant increase in proline was observed, endorsing a role of this molecule in this process.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the knowledge on the biodiversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae from Portuguese soils and highlights their potential as biostimulants, constituting a step forward towards understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this effect.
Intensifying Competition in Public Procurement
Authors: Tátrai Tünde , Vörösmarty Gyöngyi , Juhász Péter
Published: August 2023

The intensity of competition is typically measured according to the number of bidders on any given public procurement market. By analysing the Tenders Electronic Daily database 2017–2020, we examine the conditions in the contract notices which have an impact on increasing competition in launching public procurement procedures. The research findings show that the longer duration of the contract, the lowest price awarding criteria, the division of the subject matter into lots and the possibility of negotiations are essential elements which can activate bidders. These are unequivocal prerequisites for creating effective and fair competition in public procurements.
A re-examination of the foundations of the cost of capital for regulatory purposes
Authors: Biggar Darryl
Published: August 2023

In regulatory proceedings, few issues are more hotly debated than the cost of capital. This article seeks to formalise the theoretical foundation of cost of capital estimation for regulatory purposes. We find that several common regulatory practices lack a solid foundation in the theory. For example, the common practice of estimating a single cost of capital for the regulated firm suffers from a circularity problem, in that the estimate of the cost of capital depends on the regulated revenue allowance which, in turn, depends on the cost of capital. This problem is especially severe in the context of a multi-year regulatory period. We also show that, in the context of a multi-year regulatory period the cost of capital cannot be expressed as a weighted average of the cost of equity and the cost of debt. In addition, the relevant cost of debt cannot normally be estimated using the yield-to-maturity on a corporate bond. We suggest possible directions for reform of cost of capital practices in regulatory proceedings.
Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper
Authors: Roberts James H. , McKinnon William B. , Elder Catherine M. , Tobie Gabriel , Biersteker John B. , Young Duncan , Park Ryan S. , Steinbrügge Gregor , Nimmo Francis , Howell Samuel M. , Castillo-Rogez Julie C. , Cable Morgan L. , Abrahams Jacob N. , Bland Michael T. , Chivers Chase , Cochrane Corey J. , Dombard Andrew J. , Ernst Carolyn , Genova Antonio , Gerekos Christopher , Glein Christopher , Harris Camilla D. , Hay Hamish C. F. C. , Hayne Paul O. , Hedman Matthew , Hussmann Hauke , Jia Xianzhe , Khurana Krishan , Kiefer Walter S. , Kirk Randolph , Kivelson Margaret , Lawrence Justin , Leonard Erin J. , Lunine Jonathan I. , Mazarico Erwan , McCord Thomas B. , McEwen Alfred , Paty Carol , Quick Lynnae C. , Raymond Carol A. , Retherford Kurt D. , Roth Lorenz , Rymer Abigail , Saur Joachim , Scanlan Kirk , Schroeder Dustin M. , Senske David A. , Shao Wencheng , Soderlund Krista , Spiers Elizabeth , Styczinski Marshall J. , Tortora Paolo , Vance Steven D. , Villarreal Michaela N. , Weiss Benjamin P. , Westlake Joseph H. , Withers Paul , Wolfenbarger Natalie , Buratti Bonnie , Korth Haje , Pappalardo Robert T. ,   The Interior Thematic Working Group
Published: August 2023

The Galileo mission to Jupiter revealed that Europa is an ocean world. The Galileo magnetometer experiment in particular provided strong evidence for a salty subsurface ocean beneath the ice shell, likely in contact with the rocky core. Within the ice shell and ocean, a number of tectonic and geodynamic processes may operate today or have operated at some point in the past, including solid ice convection, diapirism, subsumption, and interstitial lake formation.

The science objectives of the Europa Clipper mission include the characterization of Europa’s interior; confirmation of the presence of a subsurface ocean; identification of constraints on the depth to this ocean, and on its salinity and thickness; and determination of processes of material exchange between the surface, ice shell, and ocean.

Three broad categories of investigation are planned to interrogate different aspects of the subsurface structure and properties of the ice shell and ocean: magnetic induction, subsurface radar sounding, and tidal deformation. These investigations are supplemented by several auxiliary measurements. Alone, each of these investigations will reveal unique information. Together, the synergy between these investigations will expose the secrets of the Europan interior in unprecedented detail, an essential step in evaluating the habitability of this ocean world.
Will I be happy in this major? Predicting intrinsic motivation and subjective well-being with prospective students’ well-being forecast and interest-major fit forecast
Authors: Merkle Belinda , Messerer Laura Aglaia Sophia , Dickhäuser Oliver
Published: August 2023

Choosing a field of study (study major) is challenging for prospective students. However, little research has examined factors measured prior to enrollment to predict motivation and well-being in a specific study major. Based on literature on affective forecasting and person-environment fit, prospective students’ well-being forecast could be such a factor. However, affective forecasts are often biased by individuals’ inaccurate theories about what makes them happy and their misconstrual of future situations. Thus, we hypothesize that subjective and objective interest-major fit forecasts improve predictions as these factors are based on a well-founded theory (person-environment fit theory) and objective interest-major fit forecasts are additionally based on a more accurate construal of the future situation (expert estimates of a study major). We tested these hypotheses in a longitudinal field study. Over 2 years, more than 4000 prospective students were asked for their well-being forecast and subjective interest-major fit forecast before using an online-self-assessment to assess their objective interest-major fit forecast. Of these prospective students, 234 subsequently entered the psychology major and took part in a survey about their motivation and well-being in their study major. As hypothesized, higher well-being forecasts predicted higher motivation, more positive affect, and higher satisfaction in the respective major. Beyond that, higher subjective interest-major fit forecasts predicted higher motivation, less negative affect, and higher satisfaction, while objective interest-major fit forecasts incrementally predicted higher motivation, more positive affect, and higher satisfaction. We discuss theoretical implications for affective forecasting and person-environment fit theory and practical implications for study orientation and guidance.
Reimagining Relationships: Multispecies Justice as a Frame for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Celermajer Danielle , McKibbin Philip
Published: August 2023

COVID-19 catalyzed a renewed focus on the interconnected nature of human health. Together with the climate crisis, it highlighted not only intra-human connections but the entanglement of human health with the health of non-human animals, plants, and ecological systems more broadly. In this article, we challenge the persistent notion that humans are ontologically distinct from the rest of nature and the ethics that flow from this understanding. Imposing this privileged view of humans has devastating consequences for beings other than humans and for humans and impedes effective responses to crises. We situate the COVID-19 pandemic within the “polycrisis,” and argue that one component of addressing multidimensional crises must involve fully embracing a relational ontology and ethics. We discuss two approaches to relationality, one articulated by ecofeminists and the second inhering in an Indigenous Māori worldview. Two dominant approaches, One Health and Planetary Health, purport to take account of relational ontologies in their approaches to health, but, we argue, persist in casting the more-than-human world in an instrumental role to secure human health. We suggest that Multispecies Justice, which draws on ecofeminist and Indigenous approaches, affords a fully relational approach to health and well-being. We explore the implications of relationality, and suggest fresh ways of understanding humans’ connections with the more-than-human world.
Role of Body Composition in the Prediction of Skeletal Fragility Induced by Hormone Deprivation Therapies in Cancer Patients
Authors: Dalla Volta Alberto , Caramella Irene , Di Mauro Pierluigi , Bergamini Marco , Cosentini Deborah , Valcamonico Francesca , Cappelli Carlo , Laganà Marta , Di Meo Nunzia , Farina Davide , Pedersini Rebecca , Mazziotti Gherardo , Berruti Alfredo
Published: August 2023

Purpose of Review

This review paper is intended to show that changes in body composition are key in the pathogenesis of bone fragility amongst patients with breast and prostate cancer receiving hormone deprivation therapies (HDTs) and that the mechanism is based on the development of alterations in bone quality rather than in bone quantity.

Recent Findings

Preclinical and clinical data suggest a tight connection amongst bone, adipose and muscular tissues by means of several soluble mediators, potentially leading to (1) bone resorption and bone quality deterioration in sarcopenic obese subjects, (2) bone mineral deposition in healthy trained subjects. Cancer patients treated with HDTs frequently fall into the first condition, named osteosarcopenic obesity.

Current clinical guidelines for the prevention of treatment-induced osteoporosis focus on bone mineral density (BMD) as a main predictive factor for fracture risk; however, the pathophysiology underlying HDT-induced bone fragility differs from that of primary and postmenopausal osteoporosis, suggesting a prevalent role for bone quality alterations. Focusing on available data from clinical trials, in our review we suggest osteosarcopenic obesity as a common target for the prevention and treatment of HDTs-related metabolic and skeletal complications, beyond a BMD-centred approach.
Influence of twin-screw elements on dispersion of nano-clay in vinyl ester polymer composites using Taguchi’s orthogonal array technique
Authors: Raj R. Gowtham , Tanuja Guddla Gayatri , Kumar C. Labesh , Nittala Noel Anurag Prashanth , Srinath M. K. , Abdullaev Sherzod Shukhratovich , Bandhu Din
Published: August 2023

This work aims to experimentally investigate the influence of screw elements on the dispersion of Cloisite-15A in vinyl ester based on the design of experiments using MINITAB-V16 software. Experiments were designed considering two main factors such as Cloisite-15A loading (1, 2, 3, and 4 wt%) and type of screw elements with a varying number of kneading elements (type 1 with 55 mm, kneading elements and type 2 with 90 mm, kneading elements). The dispersion procedure of Cloisite-15A in vinyl ester was carried out by a combination of both ultrasonication and then twin-screw extrusion. The influence of these factors on the tensile strength and hardness was studied using an experimental layout possessing Taguchi’s L8 Orthogonal Array technique. ANOVA of the experimental results revealed the dispersion of Cloisite-15A with vinyl ester proved to be better when processed with type 2 screw elements having more kneading screws. The S/N ratio study showed that the Cloisite-15A loading had the greatest impact on the type 2 screw's tensile and hardness values for the Cloisite-15A/vinyl ester gel coats when treated at 230 rpm with 10 passes. The probability graphs led to the conclusion that, with a 95% confidence interval, all response values were distributed equally along the normal probability plot's trend. In order to achieve the best response in terms of mechanical strength, the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) helped identify the best combination of process variables. This combination was known to be 4 wt% Cloisite-15A loading, with type 2 screw processed at 230 rpm with 10 passes. The SEM and XRD showed the absence of agglomeration and better exfoliation of Cloisite-15A in the gel coats with 4 wt% of clay loading.
Lateralized hypostasis of the head on post mortem CT (PMCT) scanning of decomposed bodies—a marker for terminal position
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: August 2023

Post-mortem CT (PMCT) scanning was performed on the bodies of two decomposed adult males who had died of natural causes. The bodies both showed changes of marked decomposition with a prominent swelling of tissues on one side of the head compared to the other. A review of police statements confirmed that this matched the positions of the bodies when they were found. Thus, post-mortem hypostasis of putrefactive fluids correlated in both cases with the positions that the bodies had been in when first located. This may be a simple way of identifying or confirming the positions of decomposed bodies after death. It may also assist in indicating whether a body has been moved after putrefactive fluid hypostasis has developed.
The Discursive Construction of ‘Sex Addiction’: A Comparative Analysis of the Media Perspectives on ‘Sex Addiction’ in the U.S. Pre and Post the Case of Tiger Woods
Authors: Dobson-Smith DDS
Published: August 2023

In a 2010 online Reuter’s news article, Andrew Stern claimed that Tiger Woods placed the condition known as ‘sex addiction’ in the spotlight. Accordingly, this article discusses the extent to which ‘sex addiction’ is discursively produced within, and by, the media and explores the extent to which Stern’s claim can be substantiated. This paper presents an analysis of articles retrieved from nytimes.com that were published between February 18th, 2009, and February 20th, 2011. It goes on to summarize four key findings: (1) ‘sex addiction’ was more directly and openly discussed as a concept in the year following Stern’s article than it was in the year prior; (2) ‘sex addiction’ was discursively constructed as a male problem and regarded as an underlying reason for them to commit extramarital affairs; (3) in the year before Stern’s article ‘sex addiction’ was discursively positioned as a social problem; and (4) in the year following Stern’s article, ‘sex addiction’ was also discursively positioned as a medical problem. The paper concludes that the concept of ‘sex addiction’ is discursively constructed, and that Tiger Woods did, indeed, place a spotlight on the topic. As a result, the author argues that the media has a significant impact on the production, interpretation, and understanding of what many consider to be a sexual problem.
Production of Antioxidant Additives and High-quality Activated Biochar from Pyrolysis of Argan Shells
Authors: Afailal Zainab , Gil-Lalaguna Noemí , Macías Robert J. , Gonzalo Alberto , Sánchez José Luis
Published: August 2023

An integral valorization route based on a pyrolysis process has been proposed to find sustainable applications for argan shells focused on the simultaneous production of activated biochar and antioxidant additives from bio-oil. The bio-oil obtained in the pyrolysis process was furtherly upgraded (hydrothermal treatment and extraction process) to obtain antioxidant additives. On the other hand, the biochar obtained in the pyrolysis was used as a feedstock to produce high-quality activated biochar (by physical activation with CO2). The increase in the pyrolysis temperature (350–550 °C) hardly affected the pyrolysis products distribution (biochar yields of 28–34 wt.% and bio-oil yields between 51 and 55 wt.%), but it led to a slight decrease in the content of phenolic monomers extracted from bio-oil (from 63 wt.% at 350 °C to 53 wt.% at 550 °C). When these extracted fractions were blended with biodiesel (<1 wt.%), improvements of up to 300% in biodiesel oxidation stability were attained. The hydrothermal treatment of the bio-oil did not show noteworthy effects either on the production or antioxidant performance of the extracted fractions if compared with the fractions extracted from the raw bio-oil. Regarding the valorization of argan shells biochar, the activated biochar prepared from it showed considerable potential as an adsorbent material for CO2 (125 mg of CO2 per g of the activated biochar) or phenols (complete removal of 99.6% in 4 h of contact time). It was characterized by a high BET surface area (up to 1500 m2/g), a high carbon content (up to 95 wt.%), low ash content (around 2 wt.%), and a pH of around 8.
Data Science for the Geosciences
Authors: Wang Lijing , Yin David Zhen , Caers Jef
Published: August 2023

Data Science for the Geosciences provides students and instructors with the statistical and machine learning foundations to address Earth science questions using real-world case studies in natural hazards, climate change, environmental contamination and Earth resources. It focuses on techniques that address common characteristics of geoscientific data, including extremes, multivariate, compositional, geospatial and space-time methods. Step-by-step instructions are provided, enabling readers to easily follow the protocols for each method, solve their geoscientific problems and make interpretations. With an emphasis on intuitive reasoning throughout, students are encouraged to develop their understanding without the need for complex mathematics, making this the perfect text for those with limited mathematical or coding experience. Students can test their skills with homework exercises that focus on data scientific analysis, modeling, and prediction problems, and through the use of supplemental Python notebooks that can be applied to real datasets worldwide.
The Sounds of English Around the World
Authors: Hansen Edwards Jette G.
Published: August 2023

Most introductions to English phonetics and phonology focus primarily on British or American English, which fails to account for the rich diversity of English varieties globally. This book addresses this gap, providing an overview of English phonetics and phonology through an exploration of the sounds of English around the world, including older varieties of English such as American, Canadian, British, and Australian Englishes, as well as new varieties of English such as Indian, Singaporean, Hong Kong, and Kenyan English. It focuses on diversity in vowels and consonants, allophonic variation, and stress and intonation patterns across regional, ethnic and social varieties of English in North America, The Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Listening exercises are incorporated throughout to facilitate the understanding of different concepts, and the book also has an accompanying website with a wide range of speech samples, allowing readers to hear the phonetics of the varieties under discussion.
The Elasticity of Marginal Utility of Income for Distributional Weighting and Social Discounting: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Acland Daniel , Greenberg David H.
Published: August 2023

Estimates of the elasticity of the marginal utility of income are necessary for determining distributional weights to correct for diminishing marginal utility of income, which is particularly important in light of increasing concern about accounting for distributional impacts in regulatory review. The elasticity is also necessary for computing the social discount rate using the Ramsey formula. Despite many attempts to estimate the elasticity of the marginal utility of income, considerable uncertainty exists about the magnitude of this key parameter. In this paper, we use meta-analysis of estimates of the elasticity from the US and UK to shed light on the appropriate elasticity values to use for both distributional weighting and discounting. Relying on our findings, we tentatively conclude that it is reasonable to base the social discount rate and distributional weights on an elasticity of 1.6, with lower- and upper-bound sensitivity testing at 1.2 and 2.0. This estimate results in distributional weights which appear plausible, and which we believe can contribute to a consensus on how to conduct distributional weighting. Moreover, the resulting social discount rate is within the range typically recommended when the Ramsey formula is used.
The role of school counsellors in response to eco-anxiety
Authors: Köse Ayşen
Published: August 2023

Today’s children are born into a climate crisis and are increasingly exposed to its effects. Eco-anxiety is an emotional response to climate crises. Numerous recent studies have shown that the prevalence of eco-anxiety is increasing among children. School counsellors are uniquely positioned to lead educators, parents, and students on how eco-anxiety can be addressed within schools. However, this phenomenon has not yet received attention in the school counselling literature. This conceptual article aims to convey the importance of school counsellors’ knowledge and consciousness of the relationship between ecological crises and mental health and to discuss their roles in schools in this context.
Landholding Inequality, Social Control, and Mass Opposition to Suffrage Extension
Authors: Emmenegger Patrick , Thoma Andreina , Walter André
Published: August 2023

Does landholding inequality undermine democratization? Recent contributions have challenged the argument that landholding elites oppose suffrage extension if geographically fixed assets are unequally distributed. We advance research on this long-standing question by exploiting exogenous variance to reinvestigate the relationship. Using multiple instruments, we find that landholding inequality decreases support for suffrage extension. By focusing on traditional patterns of social control, we explore an empirically neglected mechanism linking landholding inequality and democratization. Taking advantage of four direct democratic votes between 1866 and 1877 in Switzerland, we demonstrate that landholding inequality also influences the political preferences of ordinary citizens who do not control these resources. This paper shows that high levels of landholding inequality provide local elites with the incentive and the means to align the local population's voting behaviour with their political goals. Supplementary analyses using qualitative and quantitative data further substantiate this social control mechanism.
La sensibilité différentielle. Psychologie, éthologie et sociologie dansInstincts et institutionsde Gilles Deleuze
Authors: Chamois Camille
Published: August 2023

Cet article est consacré à l'analyse d'un recueil d'articles publié par Gilles Deleuze en 1953 sous la direction de Georges Canguilhem. Ce recueil, très peu lu et commenté, éclaire cependant la trajectoire intellectuelle de son auteur en soulignant les hésitations théoriques qui furent les siennes. Nous montrons en effet que Deleuze a alors esquissé un projet « psycho-sociologique » ambitieux qu'il n'a cependant jamais totalement actualisé mais qui n'a cessé de travailler son œuvre. Pour ce faire, nous reconstitutions l'ensemble du sous-texte psychologique et éthologique étudié par Deleuze, en tentant de suivre ses sources exactes de première ou de seconde main ; nous mettons ainsi en évidence de réelles prises de position théoriques souvent inaperçues dans son œuvre (vis-à-vis de Henri Bergson, Jakob von Uexküll et la gestaltpsychologie notamment). Nous faisons alors l'hypothèse que ce sont les difficultés liées à la théorie de la perception qui conduisent Deleuze à se détourner de ce projet esquissé dans les années 1950 afin de se consacrer à des problématiques d'ordre plus spécifiquement ontologique. Nous montrons cependant que ces difficultés persistent tout au long des ouvrages deleuziens où les notions de « signe » et de « sémiotique » viennent à la fois recouvrir et éviter les problèmes spécifiquement perceptifs.