Nuclear multifragmentation within the framework of different statistical ensembles

The sensitivity of the Statistical Multifragmentation Model to the underlying statistical assumptions is investigated. We concentrate on its micro-canonical, canonical, and isobaric formulations. As far as average values are concerned, our results reveal that all the ensembles make very similar predictions, as long as the relevant macroscopic variables (such as temperature, excitation energy and breakup volume) are the same in all statistical ensembles. It also turns out that the multiplicity dependence of the breakup volume in the micro-canonical version of the model mimics a system at (approximately) constant pressure, at least in the plateau region of the caloric curve. However, in contrast to average values, our results suggest that the distributions of physical observables are quite sensitive to the statistical assumptions. This finding may help deciding which hypothesis corresponds to the best picture for the freeze-out stageComment: 20 pages, 7 figure

Forecasting Spanish Elections

The behavior of the individual Spanish voter has come to be rather well-understood, thanks to a growing research literature. However, no models have appeared to explain, or to forecast, national election outcomes. The presence of this research gap contrasts sharply with the extensive election forecasting work done on other leading Western democracies. Here we fill this gap. The model, developed from core political economy theory, is parsimonious but statistically robust. Further, it promises considerable prediction accuracy of Spanish general election outcomes, six months before the contest actually occurs. After presenting the model, and carrying out extensive regression diagnostics, we offer an ex ante forecast of the 2012 general election.

Semiclassical Tunneling of Wavepackets with Real Trajectories

Semiclassical approximations for tunneling processes usually involve complex trajectories or complex times. In this paper we use a previously derived approximation involving only real trajectories propagating in real time to describe the scattering of a Gaussian wavepacket by a finite square potential barrier. We show that the approximation describes both tunneling and interferences very accurately in the limit of small Plank's constant. We use these results to estimate the tunneling time of the wavepacket and find that, for high energies, the barrier slows down the wavepacket but that it speeds it up at energies comparable to the barrier height.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figures Revised text and figure

The effect of shear and bulk viscosities on elliptic flow

In this work, we examine the effect of shear and bulk viscosities on elliptic flow by taking a realistic parameterization of the shear and bulk viscous coefficients, $\eta$ and $\zeta$, and their respective relaxation times, $\tau_{\pi}$ and $\tau_{\Pi}$. We argue that the behaviors close to ideal fluid observed at RHIC energies may be related to non-trivial temperature dependence of these transport coefficients.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, to appear in the proceedings of Strange Quark Matter 2009 (SQM09

Do memes impact brand coolness perceptions? Examining hedonic versus utilitarian products

Digital platforms are one of the best tools to connect consumers worldwide (Nieubuur, 2021). Specifically, in the first quarter of 2021, Facebook alone had an active user base of 2.91 billion users, YouTube had 2.29 billion active users, while Instagram had 1.39 billion active users (Statista, 2021). Following Chuah et al. (2020), content is key in the digital environment. With such high numbers of online users, and the need for keeping them interested, memes became a frequently used content to interact with consumers. Internet Memes (IMs) usually take the form of animations, GIFs, videos, images, and image macros. As IMs are flexible, and able to relate to many expressions (e.g., humour, advice, irony, sarcasm), brands can easily integrate IMs in their strategy. Besides establishing a connection between brands and consumers worldwide, social media also allows users to check the latest trends, and most importantly, what is cool nowadays. Coolness reflects consumers’ perceptions of a brand or product’s quality, distinctiveness, or novelty (Sundar et al., 2014). Thus, being a cool brand and having cool content is becoming increasingly important to managers and practitioners. IMs are easy to understand, fun, “shareable” and can have a positive impact on consumer behaviour (Nieubuur, 2021). Brand Coolness (BC) also shows to have a positive impact on the consumer decision-making process (Warren et al., 2019). However, there is a gap in the literature concerning the relationship between IMs and BC perceptions. Although there is a variety of studies concerning BC effects on consumer decision making, to our knowledge, there is no literature establishing a connection between IMs and BC. Thus, the present study aims to understand if IMs influence consumers’ BC perceptions, in the context of hedonic versus utilitarian personal beauty items. A survey was conducted, to assess the impact of utilitarian (Colgate) and hedonic (Dior) brands through IMs. A multiple linear regression was performed to predict brand coolness perceptions on hedonic versus utilitarian brands, with and without the meme. Our findings suggest that, when not using a meme, the utilitarian brand (Colgate), is associated with the energetic and authentic characteristics. On another hand, when the brand uses the meme, the brand coolness perceptions are explained by the useful/extraordinary and original dimensions. As for the hedonic brand, when not using the IM, the brand (Dior) is associated with energetic, authentic, and iconic brand coolness dimensions. However, when using the IM, the hedonic brand is associated with useful/extraordinary, energetic, popular, and subcultural dimensions. Our results are in accordance with the brand coolness and internet memes’ literature: (1) brands do not need to be associated with the ten coolness characteristics, since the perception of BC differs from brand to brand, and across consumers (Warren et al., 2019); (2) IMs have specific characteristics (such as iconicity, humour, popularity, (Chuah et al., 2020), it was expected that introducing them would change consumers perceptions. We also acknowledge the importance of the results to academics and practitioners. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to analyse specific dimensions of brand coolness in the context of hedonic versus utilitarian products as reflected by IMs, contributing to the marketing and branding literature. As for managers, brands can use digital marketing channels to enhance popularity through IMs. As IMs can take many forms and is easily adapted, the tool is a cool way of advertising our products. Plus, it is easy to share between consumers, which increases chances of becoming viral through social media.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Tres nuevas especies del género Geocharis Ehlers, 1883 de Portugal (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Three endogean carabid species (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Anillini) from Portugal, Geocharis fermini n. sp., Geocharis bivari n. sp. and Geocharis quartaui n. sp. are described. The work provides diagnostic characters of these species, and in particular, the structure of male genitalia. Affinities with closely related species are discussed and ecological data are also included. Faunistic notes on Geocharis olisipensis (Schatzmayr, 1937) and a key for the identification of the species occurring in Portugal north of the Tajo River are also given.Se describen tres nuevas especies de carábidos Anillini endogeos (Coleoptera: Carabidae) de Portugal: Geocharis fermini n. sp., Geocharis bivari n. sp. y Geocharis quartaui n. sp. Se destacan los caracteres que las definen y, en particular, la estructura de la genitalia masculina. Se discute la afinidad con las especies más relacionadas y además se aportan datos ecológicos. También se aportan datos faunísticos sobre Geocharis olisipensis (Schatzmayr, 1937). Por último se incluye una clave de las especies conocidas en Portugal al norte del Río Tajo

Dos nuevas especies del género Typhlocharis Dieck, 1869 de Portugal y notas sobre especies relacionadas (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The present study describes two endogean carabid species of Typhlocharis Dieck, Typhlocharis rochapitei n. sp. and Typhlocharis crespoi n. sp., belonging to the T. diecki species group and to the T. outereloi species group, respectively. The work provides diagnostic characters and in particular, the structure of male genitalia. Affinities to putative relatives and keys for the identification of the diecki (all species) and outereloi (Portugal) species groups are also given.Se describen dos nuevas especies de carábidos Anillini endogeos (Coleoptera: Carabidae) de Portugal, Typhlocharis rochapitei n. sp. y Typhlocharis crespoi n. sp., pertencientes a los grupos diecki y outereloi, respectivamente. Se destacan los caracteres que las definen y, en particular, la estructura de la genitalia masculina. Se discute la afinidad con las especies más relacionadas y además se aportan datos ecológicos. Por último, se incluyen claves de todas las especies conocidas del grupo diecki y de las especies del grupo outereloi conocidas en Portugal