Scherk-Schwarz orbifolds at the LHC

We examine orbifold theories of Grand Unification with Scherk-Schwarz twisting, performing a renormalisation group analysis and applying low energy experimental constraints. We rule out the minimal SU(5) models, and consider simple extensions including additional fields, such as an additional scalar field, or additional symmetries, such as $SU(5)\times U(1)$ or $E_6$. We find that it is very difficult to generate a large enough Higgs mass while simultaneously passing LHC experimental search constraints.Comment: 26 pages, 12 figures; v3: Version accepted for publication; v4: Typos correcte

How prevalent is men's pornography use? And why sexuality educators need to know

Many believe that porn has the potential to influence the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of consumersAmong young adults, porn is commonly endorsed as a helpful source of information about sex, more so than parents, sexual partners, friends, media, and healthcare professionals (Rothman et al., 2021) Accepting the idea that porn has the potential to "teach" its consumers raises a number of questions: -What proportion of people consume pornography? -How frequently? -By what means? -Under what circumstances

Providing detection strategies to improve human detection of deepfakes: An experimental study

Deepfake videos are becoming more pervasive. In this preregistered online experiment, participants (N = 454, Mage = 37.19, SDage = 13.25, males = 57.5%) categorize a series of 20 videos as either real or deepfake. All participants saw 10 real and 10 deepfake videos. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a list of strategies for detecting deepfakes based on visual cues (e.g., looking for common artifacts such as skin smoothness) or to act as a control group. Participants were also asked how confident they were that they categorized each video correctly (per video confidence) and to estimate how many videos they correctly categorized out of 20 (overall confidence). The sample performed above chance on the detection activity, correctly categorizing 60.70% of videos on average (SD = 13.00). The detection strategies intervention did not impact detection accuracy or detection confidence, with the intervention and control groups performing similarly on the detection activity and showing similar levels of confidence. Inconsistent with previous research, the study did not find that participants had a bias toward categorizing videos as real. Participants overestimated their ability to detect deepfakes at the individual video level. However, they tended to underestimate their abilities on the overall confidence question

Confronting Scherk-Schwartz orbifold models with LHC data

In the following proceedings we will outline our recent efforts aimed at analysing a class of models known as orbifold GUTs and their phenomenology in a variety of minimal and non-minimal settings. We examine the minimal SU(5) models, rule them out, and proceed by extending them with an additional scalar field along with a gauge extension via SU(5)×U(1) models. We end up by commenting on the future improvements needed to more accurately handle exclusions along with tracing the U(1) gauge extensions to more complete 6D theories

Confronting Scherk-Schwartz orbifold models with LHC data

In the following proceedings we will outline our recent efforts aimed at analysing a class of models known as orbifold GUTs and their phenomenology in a variety of minimal and non-minimal settings. We examine the minimal SU(5) models, rule them out, and proceed by extending them with an additional scalar field along with a gauge extension via SU(5)×U(1) models. We end up by commenting on the future improvements needed to more accurately handle exclusions along with tracing the U(1) gauge extensions to more complete 6D theories

Does Pornography Misinform Consumers? The Association between Pornography Use and Porn-Congruent Sexual Health Beliefs

Pornography may contribute to sexual health illiteracy due to its often fantastical and unrealistic depictions of sex. This cross-sectional study investigated whether pornography use was associated with holding porn-congruent sexual health beliefs among a sample of 276 Australian and Singaporean university students (Mage = 23.03, SDage = 7.06, 67.9% female, 47.8% Australian). The majority of participants (95.5% of males and 58.9% of females) reported viewing pornography in the past six months. Perceived realism of pornography and prior sexual experience were tested as potential moderators of the relationship between pornography use frequency and sexual health beliefs. Pornography use frequency showed no zero-order association with sexual health beliefs in the overall sample (although a significant zero-order association was observed among female participants). However, a significant positive association between porn use and porn-congruent sexual health beliefs was found in the overall sample, after controlling for demographic variables. Neither perceived realism nor sexual experience were found to act as moderators. Interestingly, prior sexual experience showed a significant zero-order association with sexual health beliefs, such that prior sexual experience was associated with holding porn-congruent beliefs. Perceived realism was unrelated to porn-congruent sexual health beliefs. The study provides some preliminary support for pornography having a misinformation effect on the sexual health knowledge of consumers

Fixed vs. floating exchange rates: a dynamic general equilibrium analysis

In this study we contrast fixed and floating exchange rate regimes in a dynamic general equilibrium model. We find that the fundamental difference in the regimes is in the courses they imply for monetary policies. Because of policy coordination requirements, a tighter monetary policy needed to maintain a fixed exchange rate may necessitate a tightening in budget policy as well. We show that under some initial conditions voters or a social planner will favor one regime, but under other conditions they will favor the other. However, the choices of voters and a social planner are almost diametrically opposed.Foreign exchange rates

Phenomenology of GUT-inspired gauge-Higgs unification

We perform a detailed investigation of a Grand Unified Theory (GUT)-inspired theory of gauge-Higgs unification. Scanning the model's parameter space with adapted numerical techniques, we contrast the scenario's low energy limit with existing SM and collider search constraints. We discuss potential modifications of di-Higgs phenomenology at hadron colliders as sensitive probes of the gauge-like character of the Higgs self-interactions and find that for phenomenologically viable parameter choices modifications of the order of 20\% compared to the SM cross section can be expected. While these modifications are challenging to observe at the LHC, a future 100 TeV hadron collider might be able to constrain the scenario through more precise di-Higgs measurements. We point out alternative signatures that can be employed to constrain this model in the near future.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 1 table; v2: references added, version published in PL

A literature review of studies into the prevalence and frequency of men's pornography use

This review aims to provide information on the prevalence and frequency of adult males' pornography use. It appears, the majority (> 80%) of adult men have accessed pornography at some point, and in the past year (40–70%). Around half of younger men (25 or under) are weekly consumers. Pornography use tapers-off with age. Relatively few (<10%) younger men have accessed violent pornography in the past year. The Internet is the primary method of access. Pornography use is associated with masturbation; use during partnered sex is less common. Differences in consumption rates between heterosexual and gay and bisexual men are discussed