Flipping t tbar asymmetries at the Tevatron and the LHC

We show that the charge asymmetry in t tbar production at the LHC, A_C, and the forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron, A_FB, are in general not tightly correlated. They can even have opposite signs, if the underlying new physics (NP) model is general enough. We demonstrate this using two examples of NP: a light axigluon, and a vector that is a color octet and electroweak triplet. The small value of A_C measured at the LHC is thus shown not to exclude a NP interpretation of the anomalously large A_FB at the Tevatron. We identify two observables where significant NP effects are still expected at the Tevatron and the LHC, the b bbar production forward-backward asymmetry and spin polarizations of the pair-produced tops and anti-tops.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Adjusting for Publication Bias in JASP and R: Selection Models, PET-PEESE, and Robust Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Meta-analyses are essential for cumulative science, but their validity can be compromised by publication bias. In order to mitigate the impact of publication bias, one may apply publication bias adjustment techniques such as PET-PEESE and selection models. Implemented in JASP & R, these methods allow researchers without programming experience to conduct state-of-the-art publication bias adjusted meta-analysis. In this tutorial, we demonstrate how to conduct a publication bias adjusted meta-analysis in JASP & R and interpret the results. First, we explain two frequentist bias correction methods: PET-PEESE and selection models. Second, we introduce robust Bayesian meta-analysis (RoBMA), a Bayesian approach that simultaneously considers both PET-PEESE and selection models. We illustrate the methodology on an example data set, provide instructional video (https://bit.ly/pubbias), R-markdown script (https://osf.io/uhaew/), and discuss the interpretation of the results. Finally, we include concrete guidance on reporting the meta-analytic results in an academic article

Desorption Techniques for Determination of Metals Mobility in Soils

Three leaching techniques for assessment of fixed and mobile metal or radionuclides in soils are demonstrated on radiocaesium speciation. A new leaching technique based on the variation of the leaching solution volume to solid phase amount is proposed. It enables parallel treatment of large numbers of samples and, therefore, is suitable for a routine analysis of contaminant mobility in soils. As a leaching solution, 1 M ammonium acetate is proposed for caesium, but any other desorption solution harmonised with existing speciation schemes can be used

Platelet Counts and Risk of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Bayesian Model-Averaged Meta-Analysis

Background: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and Bayesian model-averaged meta-analysis (BMA) on the association between platelet counts and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: We searched for studies reporting on platelet counts (continuous variable) or thrombocytopenia (categorical variable) and severe ROP or aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). The timing of platelet counts was divided into Phase 1 (<2 weeks) and Phase 2 (around ROP treatment). BMA was used to calculate Bayes factors (BFs). The BF10 is the ratio of the probability of the data under the alternative hypothesis (H1) over the probability of the data under the null hypothesis (H0). Results: We included 21 studies. BMA showed an association between low platelet counts and severe ROP. The evidence was strong (BF10 = 13.5, 7 studies) for phase 1 and very strong (BF10 = 51.0, 9 studies) for phase 2. Thrombocytopenia (<100 × 109/L) in phase 2 was associated with severe ROP (BF10 = 28.2, 4 studies). Following adjustment for publication bias, only the association of severe ROP with thrombocytopenia remained with moderate evidence in favor of H1 (BF10 = 4.30). Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia is associated with severe ROP. However, the evidence for this association was tempered when results were adjusted for publication bias