Electroweak Baryogenesis and the Standard Model Effective Field Theory

We investigate electroweak baryogenesis within the framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory. The Standard Model Lagrangian is supplemented by dimension-six operators that facilitate a strong first-order electroweak phase transition and provide sufficient CP violation. Two explicit scenarios are studied that are related via the classical equations of motion and are therefore identical at leading order in the effective field theory expansion. We demonstrate that formally higher-order dimension-eight corrections lead to large modifications of the matter-antimatter asymmetry. The effective field theory expansion breaks down in the modified Higgs sector due to the requirement of a first-order phase transition. We investigate the source of the breakdown in detail and show how it is transferred to the CP-violating sector. We briefly discuss possible modifications of the effective field theory framework.Comment: 21 pages + appendices. V2: Corrected a factor-2 mistake which has changed the results for the baryon asymmetry quantitatively. Main conclusions of the v1 still hol

Replication of the music preference (MUSIC) model and evaluation of its association with personality and autistic traits

The authors thank Dhivagari A/P Gopala Krishanan for her help with the data collection.Peer reviewe

The factor structure and measurement invariance of the Autism Spectrum Quotient-28: : A cross-cultural comparison between Malaysia and the Netherlands

Peer reviewe

Generic quality of life utility measures in health-care research: Conceptual issues highlighted for the most commonly used utility measures

Purpose. Effectiveness of health interventions is often measured by means of generic utility measures (e.g., EQ-5D). These measures focus on aspects of QoL that can be expected to be affected by health-care interventions. We argue that traditional health-related utility measures are based on a relatively narrow focus on the concept of QoL. Therefore, to better judge the effectiveness of health interventions, measures need to go beyond traditional health-related QoL utility measures. Methods. We conducted an analysis of the definitions and questions of the five most commonly used generic utility measures: the EQ-5D, SF-6D, QWB-SA, HUI2 and HUI3.Results. Traditional health-related QoL utility measures are based on a relatively narrow focus on the concept of health and health-related QoL. We illustrate this narrow focus by zooming in on two issues: a) the focus on a too selective number of domains; and b) the use of a narrow interpretation of the features that can be part of domains.Conclusions.We believe that using insights from different backgrounds and research fields (i.e., the subjective wellbeing approach and capabilities approach) will result in a more complete operationalization of health and health-related QoL and hence will ultimately facilitate the allocation of health-care resources to interventions that are most effective in increasing people’s (health-related) QoL.

Profiles of teachers’ assessment techniques and their students’ involvement in assessment

Two aspects of formative assessment practices in the Dutch and Flemish educational context were explored: the degree to which secondary mathematics teachers implement a variety of assessment techniques in their classrooms, and the extent to which their students are involved in assessment practices. By developing profiles based on the combination of these aspects of formative assessment, we were able to distinguish various developmental stages in teachers’ implementation of formative assessment. Compared to their Flemish colleagues (n = 83), Dutch teachers (n = 120) used a wider variety of assessment techniques and stimulated student involvement in assessment more. Features of the educational context, such as the availability of teacher professional development for formative assessment, possibly influence development towards use of formative assessment practices in the classroom. The profiles can be used to inform teacher professional development initiatives, as they give insight into the current status of teachers’ assessment practices.</p

Psychometric characteristics of the AQ-Adolescent in autistic and non-autistic adolescents

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) measures autistic traits in children and adults. The adolescent version of the AQ is understudied. We analyzed the factor structure, informant- and sex differences, and clinical utility of the AQ adolescent in 1) parent reports from adolescents in the general population (GenPop; AQ50; N = 465), parent reports from autistic adolescents (Netherlands Autism Register, NAR; AQ28 [Hoekstra et al., 2011]; N = 284), and parent- and self-reports of autistic and non-autistic adolescents (MATCH; AQ50; N = 84). The tested AQ-Adult factor models (Hoekstra et al., 2011; Murray, Allison et al., 2017; Murray, McKenzie et al., 2017; Russell-Smith et al., 2011), showed an acceptable fit in the GenPop sample, and the bi-factor AQ28-Hoekstra (Murray et al., 2011) fitted the NAR sample acceptably. On the AQ28-Hoekstra, autistic adolescents scored lower whereas non-autistic adolescents scored higher than their parents (MATCH), and males scored higher than females on several factors (GenPop, NAR). Moreover, this factor model appeared invariant among autistic and non-autistic groups. Two cut-off scores were evaluated with ROC analyses for parent reports. Given the informant differences, these cannot be applied to self-reports. In conclusion, the AQ28-Hoekstra reliably measures autistic traits in adolescents with and without autism. Combining parent and self-report seems most informative

Replication of the music preference (MUSIC) model and evaluation of its association with personality and autistic traits

Music preferences have consistently been found to follow a five-factor structure (i.e., Mellow, Unpretentious, Sophisticated, Intense, and Contemporary, in short MUSIC), in the West. These factors are associated, in turn, with the Big Five personality traits. However, the stability of this structure and its association with personality in non-Western cultures are underexplored. Moreover, behavioral traits other than personality traits might relate to music preferences. High systemizing traits, as often seen in people with autism, tend to be associated with a preference for Intense music. However, whether this generalizes to autistic traits in the general population remains unclear. The current study therefore attempted to examine the five-factor MUSIC model and test its association with Big Five personality traits and autistic traits in an online study of Malaysians. A total of 444 participants, of whom 59.7% were of Chinese ethnicity, rated their preference for 50 brief musical excerpts and completed the Ollen Musical Sophistication Index, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient-28. The original MUSIC model was partially replicated with virtually identical Sophisticated and Intense factors. However, once age, gender, and musical sophistication were controlled for, most of the previously reported associations between Big Five personality traits and music preferences were not found. Instead of a positive association between autistic traits and Intense music, a negative association was found between autistic traits and Contemporary music. These findings partially support the validity of the MUSIC model in Malaysia and highlight the importance of undertaking research on music preferences in non-Western contexts

Knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding genetic testing for smoking cessation. A cross-sectional survey among Dutch smokers

Objectives Recent research strongly suggests that genetic variation influences smokers' ability to stop. Therefore, the use of (pharmaco) genetic testing may increase cessation rates. This study aims to assess the intention of smokers concerning undergoing genetic testing for smoking cessation and their knowledge, attitudes and preferences about this subject. Design Online cross-sectional survey. Setting Database internet research company of which every inhabitant of the Netherlands of '12 years with an email address and capable of understanding Dutch can become a member. Participants 587 of 711 Dutch smokers aged '18 years, daily smokers for '5 years and smoke on average '10 cigarettes/day (response rate=83%). Primary and secondary outcome measures Smokers' knowledge, attitudes and preferences and their intention to undergo genetic testing for smoking cessation. Results Knowledge on the influence of genetic factors in smoking addiction and cessation was found to be low. Smokers underestimated their chances of having a genetic predisposition and the influence of this on smoking cessation. Participants perceived few disadvantages, some advantages and showed moderate self-efficacy towards undergoing a genetic test and dealing with the results. Smokers were mildly interested in receiving information and participating in genetic testing, especially when offered by their general practitioner (GP). Conclusions For successful implementation of genetic testing for smoking in general practice, several issues should be addressed, such as the knowledge on smoking cessation, genetics and genetic testing (including advantages and disadvantages) and the influence of genetics on smoking addiction and cessation. Furthermore, smokers allocate their GPs a crucial role in the provision of information and the delivery of a genetic test for smoking; however, it is unclear whether GPs will be able and willing to take on this role

University Students’ Notion of Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Cross-Cultural Study

Cultural background might influence knowledge and attitudes regarding autism, influencing willingness to interact. We studied whether beliefs, knowledge, contact, and attitude differed between the UK and Malaysia. With mediation analyses, we studied how these factors influenced willingness to interact. Autism was more often linked to food in the UK, and to upbringing in Malaysia. Knowledge, contact, and acceptance were greater in the UK. When excluding psychology students, Malaysian students were less willing to interact with autistic people. Knowledge and contact appeared to improve acceptance, but acceptance did not mediate the relation between country, beliefs, knowledge, and experience; and willingness to interact. Knowledge and contact regarding autism might improve acceptance in different cultures, but how acceptance could improve interaction is unclear