Interactions of Two-Dimensionally Confined Electrons with an Adjacent Magnetic Monopole

An electron in the presence of a magnetic monopole cannot form a bound state to the monopole in three dimensions. All states formed are scattering and follow a geodesic trajectory on the surface of a cone. In this thesis I show that confining the electron to two dimensions and placing the monopole above or below said plane allows for bound states to be formed. Classically, utilising Lagrangian mechanics, these are fully bound never forming scattering states without an influx of energy. Quantum mechanically (Solutions to Schrödinger time independent equation) and semi-classically (Bohr- Sommerfeld quantisation, WKB approximation), these states are quasi-bound with finite lifetimes before turning into a scattering state. The minimum charge that can bind an electron to a magnetic monopole is approximately the same strength as 16 Dirac monopoles. The lifetimes of these scattering states is dependent on the electron's energy eigenvalue, the strength of the magnetic monopole, and the distance the monopole is from the plane. Magnetic monopoles can be detected using a SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) measuring the quantised jumps in magnetic flux. In this thesis I ask: can they be detected using the Hall effect? With the electrons bound to a plane permeated by the non-uniform magnetic field produced by a magnetic monopole; what will the Hall voltage look like across the plane, and can it be measured? Magnetohydrodynamics is utilised to model the flow of an electron gas by treating it as a fluid that interacts with both magnetic and electrical fields. A single Dirac monopole produces a peak in Hall voltage across the modelled Hall sensor of the order 10−6V. For a monopole found in spin-ice, which is about 1/8000 the magnetic charge of a single Dirac monopole, this voltage is considerably less

Conceptual Revision in Action

Conceptual engineering is the practice of revising concepts to improve how people talk and think. Its ability to improve talk and thought ultimately hinges on the successful dissemination of desired conceptual changes. Unfortunately, the field has been slow to develop methods to directly test what barriers stand in the way of propagation and what methods will most effectively propagate desired conceptual change. In order to test such questions, this paper introduces the masked time-lagged method. The masked time-lagged method tests people’s concepts at a later time than the intervention without participant’s knowledge, allowing us to measure conceptual revision in action. Using a masked time-lagged design on a content internalist framework, we attempted to revise planet and dinosaur in online participants to match experts’ concepts. We successfully revised planet but not dinosaur, demonstrating some of the difficulties conceptual engineers face. Nonetheless, this paper provides conceptual engineers, regardless of framework, with the tools to tackle questions related to implementation empirically and head-on

Effects of energy drinks on mental health and academic performance of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Objectives: Energy drink (ED) consumption is frequently observed among higher education students and is often associated with increased concentration and academic performance. However, the purported benefits are not fully supported by scientific evidence. This protocol details methods for a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of ED on university students’ mental health and academic performance. Methods: The PECO framework will guide the search strategy, and the protocol will follow the PRISMA-P 2015, PRESS 2015, and PRISMA-S guidelines. The searches will be conducted in the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, PubMed, Embase, FSTA, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus. The GRADE recommendations and the Downs and Black scale will assess study quality and bias. All statistical analyses will be conducted using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. We will use Cochran’s Q with p < 0.05 to indicate significant heterogeneity and I² to quantify heterogeneity between studies. The Trim and Fill technique and Egger’s regression test will be applied to evaluate the funnel plot that will be generated. Results: Carrying out the systematic review proposed by this protocol will provide evidence on the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of ED use on academic performance and mental health among higher education students. Conclusion: A deeper understanding of ED consumption among higher education students can inform the development of evidence-based educational and public health policies to promote student well-being and mitigate associated health risks

Does learning more about others impact liking them? Replication and extension Registered Report of Norton et al.’s (2007) lure of ambiguity (Registered report)

Norton et al., 2007, demonstrated a counterintuitive phenomenon that knowing other people better and/or having more information about them is associated with decreased liking. They summarized it as ambiguity leads to liking, whereas familiarity can breed contempt. In a Registered Report with a US Prolific undergraduate student sample (N = 801), we directly replicated Studies 1a, 1b and 2 and conceptually replicated Studies 3 and 4 from Norton et al., 2007. Extending their research, we also proposed that curiosity provides an alternative path to liking, hypothesizing that curiosity mediates the relationship between knowledge and liking. Overall, we found weak support for the original findings. Consistent with the original article, participants believed they would like someone who they knew more about (original: h = 0.52–0.70; replication: h = 0.55–0.75) and that knowledge positively predicts liking (original: h = 0.21–0.45; replication: h = 0.57–0.76). However, we found no indication of the number of traits known influencing liking (original: r = −0.43 to −0.005; replication: r = −0.05 to 0.06) or perceived similarity to the target (d = 0.00), for a mediating effect of perceived similarity, for a dissimilarity cascade effect, or for changes in liking or perceived similarity as a factor of learning more about the target. In our extensions, we found support for a positive relationship between curiosity and liking (r = 0.62–0.70), but not for knowledge and curiosity (r = −0.06 to 0.05). Overall, our findings suggest that learning more about others may not influence perceptions of liking, similarity or curiosity towards them. Materials, data and code are available on https://osf.io/j6tqr/. This Registered Report has been officially endorsed by Peer Community in Registered Reports: https://doi.org/10.24072/pci.rr.100947

Linear or Cyclic? Theoretical Investigation of Astrophysically Relevant Magnesium-Bearing MgCnH Carbon Chains and Related Isomers

Magnesium-containing molecules, including MgC2H, MgC4H, and MgC6H, have been detected in the interstellar medium, largely facilitated by their high dipole moments. However, despite great efforts, MgC2m + 1H species remain elusive. Given the challenges in obtaining experimental data for these molecules, theoretical studies play a crucial role in guiding their detection. In this work, we present a theoretical analysis of MgCnH isomers (n = 4-7) using density functional theory and coupled-cluster methods to identify low-lying isomers and characterize their structural and electronic properties. Our findings reveal that across the entire series investigated, the global minimum geometry is linear for even values of n, whereas for odd values, a cyclic geometry is favored. Additionally, our calculations highlight the enhanced stability of anionic MgCnH- systems, providing insights that could aid future astronomical detections in the interstellar medium

Differences in the Early In Vitro Development of Preimplantation Human IVF Embryos Which Go on to Develop Congenital Heart Disease

There is a clinical need for improved antenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). Increasing numbers of children are born to parents undergoing fertility treatment. We asked whether time-lapse imaging of in vitro preimplantation development provides diagnostic information. We performed a retrospective multicentre analysis of morphokinetic data from patients undergoing fertility treatment. A total of 96/18,799 CHD cases were identified (rate: 0.51%). Thirty-two were included in the analysis and stratified into three cohorts: complex CHD (n = 7), mild CHD (n = 11) and murmur only (n = 14). Comparison to a large unmatched control group (n = 352) revealed no differences in time of preimplantation developmental events but suggested an increase in cleavage synchronicity during the third cell cycle of mild CHD embryos. Pairwise comparison to matched controls revealed a delay in mild CHD embryos relative to controls in reaching the morphokinetic timepoints fading of pronuclei, 2-cell stage and 4-cell stage together with a possible increase in duration of blastulation in complex CHD. Our data raises the possibility that screening of preimplantation embryos at fertility clinics could reduce the rate of CHD. However, these results are preliminary, and further work is required to confirm the findings in a larger study

Construct validity of measures of care home resident quality of life: cross-sectional analysis using data from a pilot Minimum Data Set in England

Background: To maintain good standards of care, evaluations of policy interventions or potential improvements to care are required. A number of quality of life (QoL) measures could be used but there is little evidence for England as to which measures would be appropriate. Using data from a pilot Minimum Data Set (MDS) for care home residents from the Developing resources And minimum dataset for Care Homes’ Adoption (DACHA) study, we assessed the discriminant construct validity of QoL measures, using hypothesis testing to assess the factors associated with QoL. Methods: Care home records for 679 residents aged over 65 from 34 care homes were available that had been linked to health records and care home provider data. In addition to data on demographics, level of needs and impairment, proxy report social care-, capability- and health-related QoL of participants were completed (ASCOT-Proxy-Resident, ICECAP-O, EQ-5D-5L Proxy 2). Discriminant construct validity was assessed through testing hypotheses developed from previous research and QoL measure constructs. Multilevel regression models were analysed to understand how QoL was influenced by personal characteristics (e.g. sex, levels of functional and cognitive ability), care home level factors (type of home, level of quality) and resident use of health services (potentially avoidable emergency hospital admissions). Multiple imputation was used to address missing data. Results: All three QoL measures had acceptable construct validity and captured different aspects of QoL, indicated by different factors explaining variation in each measure. All three measures were negatively associated with levels of cognitive impairment, whilst ICECAP-O and EQ-5D-5L Proxy 2 were negatively associated with low levels of functional ability. ASCOT-Proxy-Resident was positively associated with aspects of quality and care effectiveness at both resident- and care home-level. Conclusion: The study found acceptable construct validity for ASCOT-Proxy-Resident, ICECAP-O and EQ-5D-5L Proxy 2 in care homes, with findings suggesting the three are complementary measures based on different constructs. The study has also provided evidence to support the inclusion of these QoL measures in any future MDS

Normalizing toxicity: the role of recommender algorithms for young people’s mental health and social wellbeing

This article explores how social media recommendation systems shape the digital consumption practices of young people and the potential implications for mental health and wellbeing. It examines how the consumption of increasingly radical content, with a focus on gender-based violence and misogyny, is presented on young people’s feeds in increasingly high dosages, which has significant implications for young people’s social development. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research draws on three data sources: (i) long-form interviews with young people, (ii) algorithmic analysis of over 1,000 social media videos, and (iii) roundtable discussions and interviews with school leaders from across England and Wales. These methods were used to triangulate how digital environments encourage and normalize harmful ideologies, normalizing radical content, and the affective impacts of this content on young people’s wellbeing. The study presents three main findings. First, recommendation systems amplify and subsequently normalize harmful ideologies, increasing users’ exposure to radical material. Second, misogynistic content is often presented as entertainment, which enables it to gain high levels of traction on social media platforms. As a result, hateful ideologies and misogynistic tropes appear in young people’s behaviors, which may have significant impacts on their mental health and peer relationships. Our findings suggest the need for a significant change in approaches to digital literacy, education and policy to support young people’s wellbeing and social development in digital spaces

Comparison of unique Dong Tao chickens from Vietnam and Thailand: genetic background and differences for resource management

Background Rare Dong Tao (DT) chickens are a unique and highly productive poultry breed introduced from Vietnam to Thailand ~ 30 years ago. It has a very peculiar appearance, including enormously enlarged feet with reddish scales, and considered local and culturally significant to both countries. Their adaptability and distinct genetic traits have attracted global interest, underscoring their potential for breeding programs and a need for their thorough genetic makeup assessment. Objective To assess the genetic diversity and differentiation within the Dong Tao chicken breed, comparing two populations introduced in Thailand with a native population in Vietnam. Methods Three Dong Tao chicken populations from Thailand and Vietnam—along with 54 other indigenous, local chicken, and red junglefowl populations from Thailand, were analyzed using 28 microsatellite markers. Result High genetic variability and low inbreeding levels were observed in these populations, indicating their effective management despite historical bottlenecks. Genetic similarities between DT-U and DT-HY and indigenous breeds, as well as the closer alignment of DT-L with red junglefowl, highlighted existing introgression and adaptation processes. Two markers, MCW0098 and MCW0216, showed a variation pattern due to potential impact of directional selection, possibly driven by environmental adaptation pressures. These findings emphasize the importance of DT chickens as genetic resources for breeding programs that focus on climate resilience and productivity enhancement. Conclusion Dong Tao chicken shared genetic similarities with indigenous and local chicken breeds, and red junglefowl, with potential influence of directional selection driven by environmental adaptation pressures