A longitudinal gauge degree of freedom and the Pais Uhlenbeck field

We show that a longitudinal gauge degree of freedom for a vector field is equivalent to a Pais-Uhlenbeck scalar field. With the help of this equivalence, we can determine natural interactions of this field with scalars and fermions. Since the theory has a global U(1) symmetry, we have the usual conserved current of the charged fields, thanks to which the dynamics of the scalar field is not modified by the interactions. We use this fact to consistently quantize the theory even in the presence of interactions. We argue that such a degree of freedom can only be excited by gravitational effects like the inflationary era of the early universe and may play the role of dark energy in the form of an effective cosmological constant whose value is linked to the inflation scale.Comment: 20 pages, no figures. Minor changes and comments added to match the accepted version in JHE

Stability of Horndeski vector-tensor interactions

We study the Horndeski vector-tensor theory that leads to second order equations of motion and contains a non-minimally coupled abelian gauge vector field. This theory is remarkably simple and consists of only 2 terms for the vector field, namely: the standard Maxwell kinetic term and a coupling to the dual Riemann tensor. Furthermore, the vector sector respects the U(1) gauge symmetry and the theory contains only one free parameter, M^2, that controls the strength of the non-minimal coupling. We explore the theory in a de Sitter spacetime and study the presence of instabilities and show that it corresponds to an attractor solution in the presence of the vector field. We also investigate the cosmological evolution and stability of perturbations in a general FLRW spacetime. We find that a sufficient condition for the absence of ghosts is M^2>0. Moreover, we study further constraints coming from imposing the absence of Laplacian instabilities. Finally, we study the stability of the theory in static and spherically symmetric backgrounds (in particular, Schwarzschild and Reissner-Nordstr\"om-de Sitter). We find that the theory, quite generally, do have ghosts or Laplacian instabilities in regions of spacetime where the non-minimal interaction dominates over the Maxwell term. We also calculate the propagation speed in these spacetimes and show that superluminality is a quite generic phenomenon in this theory.Comment: References adde

Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire

The main objective of this study was the validation of the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire (EVS II), using a confirmatory factorial analysis of the measurement model, with veteran athletes. A total of 348 veteran Portuguese athletes of both genders, aged between 30 and 60 years (M = 41.64, SD = 9.83), of whom 200 were males and 148 were females, from several sports. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrate the adequacy of the adapted version of the EVS II, as the factorial structure (6 factors/24 items) has acceptable validity indexes: χ2 = 305.925, p = 0.000, df = 120.017, χ2/df = 2.549, NFI (Normed Fit Index) = 0.909, TLI (Tucker Lewis Index) = 0.918, CFI (Comparative Fit Index) = 0.944, GFI (Goodness of Fit Index) = 0.944, AGFI (Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index) = 0.909, SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual) = 0.048, RMSEA (Root Mean Square of Approximation) = 0.060, allowing evaluation of the dimensions of balanced diet, respect for mealtime, tobacco and alcohol consumption, other drugs consumption and resting habits. The adaptation to sport of the Portuguese version of EVS II can be used with reasonable confidence in the evaluation of healthy lifestyles in the context of sportinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Morphological changes, beach inundation and overwash caused by an extreme storm on a low-lying embayed beach bounded by a dune system (NW Mediterranean)

The geomorphological evolution of a low-lying, micro-tidal sandy beach in the western Mediterranean, Pals beach, was characterized using airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. Data were collected in prior to and six months after the impact of an extreme storm with a return period of approx. 50 years, with the aim of characterizing the beach's response to the storm. The use of repeated high-resolution topographic data to quantify beach geomorphic changes has allowed assessment of the accuracy of different proxies for estimating beach volume changes. Results revealed that changes in the shoreline position cannot accurately reproduce beach volume changes on low-lying beaches where overwash processes are significant. Observations also suggested that volume estimations from beach profiles do not accurately represent subaerial volume changes at large profile distances on beaches with significant alongshore geomorphological variability. Accordingly, the segmentation of the beach into regularly spaced bins is proposed to assess alongshore variations in the beach volume with the accuracy of the topographic data. The morphological evolution of Pals beach during the study period showed a net shoreline retreat (- 4 m) and a significant sediment gain on the subaerial beach (+ 7.5 m3/m). The net gain of sediment is mostly due to the impact of the extreme storm, driving significant overwash processes that transport sediment landwards, increasing volume on the backshore and dunes. The increase of volume on the foreshore and the presence of cuspate morphologies along the shoreline also evidence post-storm beach recovery. Observed morphological changes exhibit a high variability along the beach related to variations in beach morphology. Changes in the morphology and migration of megacusps result in a high variability in the shoreline position and foreshore volume changes. On the other hand, larger morphological changes on the backshore and larger inundation distances occur when the beach and the dunes are lower, favouring the dominance of overwash. The observed storm-induced morphological changes differ from predicted beach storm impacts because of spatial and temporal variations in the beach morphology, suggesting that detailed morphological parameters and indicators used for predicting beach vulnerability to storms should be regularly updated in order to represent the pre-storm beach conditions. Finally, observed morphological changes in Pals Bay evidenced a different behaviour between natural and urban areas, with better post-storm beach recovery on natural areas where the beach is not artificially narrowed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Transcontextual model application in the prediction of veteran judo athletes’ life satisfaction

Background and Study Aim: Despite recognised benefits of regular physical activity for health, the percentage of individuals linking with a physical activity practice sufficient to confer health benefits is low. The aim of current work is knowledge about effects of an extension of the motivation trans-contextual model application, specifically in the prediction of life satisfaction by veteran judo athletes. Material and Methods: It was used a sample of 99 Portuguese veteran judo athletes of both genders, aged between 30 and 76 years (M = 42.61 ±9.75), where through questionnaires were measured: basic psychological needs satisfaction, motivation, planned behaviour variables and life satisfaction. Results: The structural equations model showed that autonomy perception positively and significantly predicts autonomous motivation. In its turn it positively and significantly predicts intentions. Conclusions: Life satisfaction is positively and significantly predicted by intentions. Results authorise to emphasise the importance of fostering autonomy, since this will favour autonomous motivation, promoting a higher behavioural control over the practitioners’ intentions, thus generating a higher life satisfaction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interpreting in refugee contexts. A descriptive and qualitative study

Interpreting in refugee contexts (IRC) has long been invisible to Western societies andInterpreting Studies. This paper aims at desc ribing the background and features of IRC, andpresents a small-scale qualitative study, whose main objectives are: exploring interpreters’perception regarding competences and role, and exploring refugees’ perception regardingthe quality of the interpreting service. For this purpose, a focus group and unstructuredinterviews were conducted in Spain. Data were analysed through comparative analysis andcoding procedures. Results show interpreters’ dissatisfaction with their working condi-tions and refugees’ experience with interpretation seems to be negative and frustrating.Further research in this area is needed in order to raise awareness of commun ication andintegration difficulties of refugees

Effects of biasing on the galaxy power spectrum at large scales

n this paper we study the effect of biasing on the power spectrum at large scales. We show that even though non-linear biasing does introduce a white noise contribution on large scales, the $P(k)\propto k^n$ behavior of the matter power spectrum on large scales may still be visible and above the white noise for about one decade. We show, that the Kaiser biasing scheme which leads to linear bias of the correlation function on {\em large} scales, also generates a linear bias of the {\rm power spectrum} on rather small scales. This is a consequence of the divergence on small scales of the pure Harrison-Zeldovich spectrum. However, biasing becomes k-dependent when we damp the underlying power spectrum on small scales. We also discuss the effect of biasing on the baryon acoustic oscillations.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. One figure and comments clarifying the linear biasing on small scales and references added. V3 version accepted in PR

Validity and Reliability of the Portuguese Version of the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire—EVS III

The main objective of this study was to validate the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire—EVS III, using confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement model. A total of 822 Portuguese individuals of both genders, aged between 18 and 66 years old (M = 28.43 SD = 12.07), participated in this study, of which 382 were male (46.5%) and 440 were female (53.5%). The main results obtained revealed that the psychometric qualities prove the adequacy of the factor structure of the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire—EVS III (7 factors/32 items) and that it has acceptable validity indices: χ2 = 644.6828, p = 0.000, df = 168, χ2 = 3.84, NFI = 0.901, TLI = 0.902, CFI = 0.921, IFI = 0.922, MFI = 0.900, GFI = 0.909, AGFI = 0.901, RMR = 0.073, SRMR = 0.059 and RMSEA = 0.059, enabling the assessment of factors related to a balanced diet, respect for mealtimes, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, consumption of other drugs, resting habits and physical activity habits. The Portuguese version of the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire—EVS III can be used with reasonable confidence for the assessment of healthy lifestyles.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análisis mixto del perfil de la mujer emprendedora del Maule: Una mirada integral desde la psicología, programas de gobierno y fundaciones privadas sin fines de lucro.

109 p.El propósito de la presente investigación consiste en la evaluación de autoestima y habilidades sociales de las emprendedoras del Maule, así como la descripción de capacidad emprendedora y perfiles de ingreso de programas de gobierno y fundaciones privadas sin fines de lucro relacionados con emprendimiento. Con un diseño de investigación mixto, la medición de autoestima y habilidades sociales se realizó mediante la aplicación del cuestionario de Rosemberg (1965) y Goldstein (1990) respectivamente. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 71 mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 49 años. En cuanto a la evaluación de capacidad emprendedora y perfiles de ingreso se realizó un total de cinco entrevistas semi estructuradas con funcionarios de SERNAM, SAG, INDAP, SERCOTEC y FONDO ESPERANZA. Los principales resultados señalan que la autoestima de las mujeres presenta niveles normales de desarrollo (x= 31,5; d.e: 5, 27) al igual que las habilidades sociales (x= 87,38; d.e: 24,00), sin embargo, las habilidades sociales relacionadas con los sentimientos son las que presentan menor desarrollo. Respecto a la capacidad emprendedora y los perfiles de ingreso a programas gubernamentales, se obtuvo que no hay una mirada unificada por parte de los servicios públicos respecto a estas temáticas ni tampoco existe una inclusión de características psicológicas a la hora de evaluar los perfiles del ingreso a programas gubernamentales, mientras que en organizaciones privadas estas características si se incorporan. Se concluye que el factor psicológico debe incluirse para obtener mejores resultados de los emprendimientos, así como la incorporación de una mirada unificada de capacidad emprendedora. Palabras claves: autoestima, habilidades sociales, capacidad emprendedora, perfil de emprendedoras./ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research involves the evaluation of entrepreneurs women’s self-esteem and social skills of Maule and, a description of entrepreneurship and admission profiles to government’s programs and private non-profit foundations related to entrepreneurship. With a mixed research design, the measuring of self-esteem and social skills was performed by putting into practice the Rosenberg’s (1965) and Goldstein’s (1990) questionnaire. The sample consisted of 71 women with an average age of 49 years. As for the evaluation of entrepreneurship and admission profiles, a total of five semi-structured interviews with SERNAM officials, SAG, INDAP, SERCOTEC and FONDO ESPERANZA. The main results indicate that self-esteem of women presented normal levels of development (x = 31.5; of: 5, 27) as well as social skills (x = 87.38; of: 24.00), however, social skills related to the feelings are those with less developed. As for entrepreneurship capacity and admission profiles to government’s programs, it was found that there is neither an unified look for part of public services on these issues nor there are included psychological characteristics when evaluating the profiles of admission to government programs, meanwhile in private organizations these features are incorporated. It is concluded that the psychological factor must be included to obtain better results of the enterprises and the incorporation of an unified look of entrepreneurship capacity. Keywords: self-esteem, social skills, ability enterprising, entrepreneurial profile