Resilience on Maine\u27s Coast: Embracing Aquaculture Amidst a Changing Climate

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Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry: summary of the second workshop

This summary of the second Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry (TVLBAI) Workshop provides a comprehensive overview of our meeting held in London in April 2024 (Second Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop, Imperial College, April 2024), building on the initial discussions during the inaugural workshop held at CERN in March 2023 (First Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop, CERN, March 2023). Like the summary of the first workshop (Abend et al. in AVS Quantum Sci. 6:024701, 2024), this document records a critical milestone for the international atom interferometry community. It documents our concerted efforts to evaluate progress, address emerging challenges, and refine strategic directions for future large-scale atom interferometry projects. Our commitment to collaboration is manifested by the integration of diverse expertise and the coordination of international resources, all aimed at advancing the frontiers of atom interferometry physics and technology, as set out in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by over 50 institutions (Memorandum of Understanding for the Terrestrial Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometer Study)

Galactic Winds in MaNGA and eBOSS: A Comprehensive Study of the Relationship Between Galaxies and their Outflows Over the Last Eight Billion Years

Star formation in galaxies is a very inefficient process, with only about 5% of the available gas in the Universe forming into stars. The current scientific consensus points toward stellar and/or active galactic nuclei feedback as primary energy sources that inhibit star formation and drive galactic outflows, depleting the interstellar medium of star-forming material. This is a comprehensive study of the incidence and quality of outflows in star-forming galaxies as a function of their physical properties. We use spectroscopic data from two Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) projects: Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) and the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS). MaNGA provides us with spatially resolved spectroscopy for nearly a thousand galaxies. We classify them in terms of the strength of their outflow signatures and investigate the relationships between physical properties and the incidence of outflows. We find that galaxies with higher star-formation rate (SFR) and higher SFR surface density are significantly more likely to present clear outflow signatures, whereas we find no significant trend in terms of stellar mass. The eBOSS data contains point-source spectroscopy for more than a million galaxies. We cluster galaxies based on SFR and stellar mass and use spectral stacking to increase our signal-to-noise ratio. We then perform spectral fitting and absorption line analysis on the stacked spectra to calculate outflow velocities and investigate correlations with physical parameters. We quantify the positive correlation between outflow velocity and SFR (and specific SFR), and find no significant relationship between outflow velocity and stellar mass

One Step Back, Two Steps Forward: How Ballistic Missile Defenses Put us on the Path to War

This article argues that the use of credible homeland ballistic missile defense (BMD) systems counterintuitively encourages offense dominance by undermining the deterrence by punishment behind mutually assured destruction (MAD). It contends that while BMD is a defensive technology, under conditions of MAD that defensive capability, if credible, is perceived by adversaries to signal an intention to circumvent deterrence. Fearing an attack with impunity, adversaries increase their supply of offensive weapons, pressuring defenders to improve their BMD capabilities, and an arms race thus emerges. Using detailed case studies of Israel’s missile defense against the Axis of Resistance and Chinese reactions to the United States\u27 growing ambitions for homeland missile defenses, this article demonstrates how defensive technologies provoke offensive buildups, erode strategic trust, and ultimately contribute to international instability. It concludes by urging reconsideration of homeland missile defense development and proposes limited, point-defense solutions as more stabilizing alternatives

“There’s No Place Like Home”: How 21st Century Ecopoetics Cope With Ever-Changing Notions of Home Amidst Environmental Disaster

There is a long history of literature that invokes nature through imagery, symbolism, and metaphor. This thesis examines the difference between traditional forms of nature writing and ecopoetics, which is that the latter must make an inherently political argument about how humans should interact with the environment. Through an analysis of four 21st century ecopoetic collections—Iep Jaltok by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz, Flare Stacks in Full Bloom by Katherine Hoerth, and Trophic Cascade by Camille T. Dungy— it is evident that the genre of ecopoetry is uniquely equipped, as a literary form, to cope with various kinds of environmental disaster. The findings highlight that recent ecopoetry utilizes familiar literary themes and a common shared language so that it can be used as a coping mechanism. These themes include, but are not limited to, tradition and history, religion, and family. This research demonstrates the utility of ecopoetry because as a genre it is able to take the personal and amplify it to the level of the universal. Ecopoetry\u27s overlap with other fields of scholarship—postcolonial studies, ecotheology, and ecofeminism—is productive for incorporating multiple perspectives and forms of knowledge into environmental discourse

Beavers: Nature’s Architects Rebuilding Our Ecosystems

Beaver reintroduction has emerged as a promising nature-based solution to address ecosystem degradation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This thesis explores beaver reintroduction\u27s economic and ecological potential, focusing on its role in addressing water scarcity and enhancing ecosystem restoration in North America and Europe. As ecosystem engineers, Beavers create wetlands that provide critical habitats for various species, regulate water flow, improve water quality, and sequester carbon. Their ability to restore hydrological functions, such as groundwater recharge and streamflow stabilization, has significant implications for regions facing water shortages, such as the Colorado River Basin in the U.S. and drought-prone areas in Europe. Additionally, beaver-engineered wetlands promote biodiversity by supporting fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife while helping reduce the impacts of floods and droughts. This thesis presents case studies from Oregon, Nevada, and Scotland, illustrating both the challenges and successes of beaver reintroduction projects. It also discusses the economic benefits, including the potential cost savings compared to traditional river restoration methods and the growing eco-tourism opportunities linked to beaver habitats. Despite the ecological benefits, beaver reintroduction often faces resistance, particularly from agricultural communities concerned about flooding and crop damage. Effective management strategies, including non-lethal approaches and stakeholder collaboration, are essential for balancing the benefits of beavers with human interests. The findings of this thesis highlight the importance of beavers as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for ecosystem restoration and climate resilience, advocating for their broader inclusion in environmental management policies

Protecting Human Dignity and Meaningful Work in the Age of AI: A Social Autonomy Framework for Ethical Decision Making in The Workplace

Artificial Intelligence (AI), a rapidly advancing technology, is transforming various industries by enhancing efficiency, simplifying tasks, and creating innovative products. From search engines and digital assistants to healthcare and legal services, its applications are becoming integral to daily life. Despite these benefits, the accelerated growth of AI raises profound ethical concerns regarding its impact on human dignity and the nature of meaningful work—both of which are necessary for human flourishing. In my thesis, I set out to define the concepts of human dignity and meaningful work. I develop a framework for understanding human dignity, which I refer to as the Social Autonomy Theory. This theory emphasizes the protection of individual autonomy, but also recognizes the centrality of social connection and recognition to human dignity. In the process, I develop the necessary conditions for meaningful work and argue that meaningful work is vital for upholding human dignity. I apply The Social Autonomy Theory to several work-related case studies to demonstrate how the implementation of AI in the workplace can undermine these dignity concerns, highlighting the importance of securing meaningful work. After evaluating each case study, I argue that while AI holds significant potential for societal advancement, its unchecked implementation could undermine human dignity and meaningful work. To conclude, I explore policy suggestions that prioritize ethical standards and safeguard the rights of individuals in an increasingly AI-driven world