Reentrant Phase Transitions in Rotating AdS Black Holes

We study the thermodynamics of higher-dimensional singly spinning asymptotically AdS black holes in the canonical (fixed J) ensemble of extended phase space, where the cosmological constant is treated as pressure and the corresponding conjugate quantity is interpreted as thermodynamic volume. Along with the usual small/large black hole phase transition, we find a new phenomenon of reentrant phase transitions for all d>5 dimensions, in which a monotonic variation of the temperature yields two phase transitions from large to small and back to large black holes. This situation is similar to that seen in multicomponent liquids.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Kerr-AdS analogue of triple point and solid/liquid/gas phase transition

We study the thermodynamic behavior of multi-spinning d=6 Kerr-anti de Sitter black holes in the canonical ensemble of fixed angular momenta J1 and J2. We find, dependent on the ratio q=J2/J1, qualitatively different interesting phenomena known from the `every day thermodynamics' of simple substances. For q=0 the system exhibits recently observed reentrant large/small/large black hole phase transitions, but for 0<q<<1 we find an analogue of a `solid/liquid' phase transition. Furthermore, for 0.00905<q<0.0985 the system displays the presence of a large/intermediate/small black hole phase transition with one tricritical and two critical points. This behavior is reminiscent of the solid/liquid/gas phase transition except that the coexistence line of small and intermediate black holes does not continue for an arbitrary value of pressure (similar to the solid/liquid coexistence line) but rather terminates at one of the critical points. Finally, for q>0.0985 we observe the `standard liquid/gas behavior' of the Van der Waals fluid.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures v2: matches the upgraded published versio

Thermodynamics of rotating black holes and black rings: phase transitions and thermodynamic volume

In this review we summarize, expand, and set in context recent developments on the thermodynamics of black holes in extended phase space, where the cosmological constant is interpreted as thermodynamic pressure and treated as a thermodynamic variable in its own right. We specifically consider the thermodynamics of higher-dimensional rotating asymptotically flat and AdS black holes and black rings in a canonical (fixed angular momentum) ensemble. We plot the associated thermodynamic potential-the Gibbs free energy-and study its behaviour to uncover possible thermodynamic phase transitions in these black hole spacetimes. We show that the multiply-rotating Kerr-AdS black holes exhibit a rich set of interesting thermodynamic phenomena analogous to the "every day thermodynamics" of simple substances, such as reentrant phase transitions of multicomponent liquids, multiple first-order solid/liquid/gas phase transitions, and liquid/gas phase transitions of the Van der Waals type. Furthermore, the reentrant phase transitions also occur for multiply-spinning asymptotically flat Myers-Perry black holes. The thermodynamic volume, a quantity conjugate to the thermodynamic pressure, is studied for AdS black rings and demonstrated to satisfy the reverse isoperimetric inequality; this provides a first example of calculation confirming the validity of isoperimetric inequality conjecture for a black hole with non-spherical horizon topology. The equation of state P=P(V,T) is studied for various black holes both numerically and analytically-in the ultraspinning and slow rotation regimes.Comment: 39 pages, 34 figures, invited review for special issue "Aspects of Black Hole Physics" - Galaxie

Gravity is not a Pairwise Local Classical Channel

It is currently believed that there is no experimental evidence on possibly quantum features of gravity or gravity-motivated modifications of quantum mechanics. Here we show that single-atom interference experi- ments achieving large spatial superpositions can rule out a framework where the Newtonian gravitational inter- action is fundamentally classical in the information-theoretic sense: it cannot convey entanglement. Specifically, in this framework gravity acts pairwise between massive particles as classical channels, which effectively induce approximately Newtonian forces between the masses. The experiments indicate that if gravity does reduce to the pairwise Newtonian interaction between atoms at the low energies, this interaction cannot arise from the exchange of just classical information, and in principle has the capacity to create entanglement. We clarify that, contrary to current belief, the classical-channel description of gravity differs from the model of Diosi and Penrose, which is not constrained by the same data.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, Late

Circular economy practices and strategies in public sector organizations: An integrative review

The concept of the Circular Economy (CE) is an increasingly attractive approach to tackling current sustainability challenges and facilitating a shift away from the linear “take-make-use-dispose” model of production and consumption. The public sector is a major contributor to the CE transition not only as a policy-maker but also as a significant purchaser, consumer, and user of goods and services. The circularization of the public sector itself, however, has received very little attention in CE research. In order to explore the current state of knowledge on the implementation of CE practices and strategies within Public Sector Organizations (PSOs), this research aims to develop an overview of the existing literature. The literature review was designed combining a systematic search with a complementary purposive sampling. Using organizational sustainability as a theoretical perspective, the main results showed a scattered landscape, indicating that the limited research on CE practices and strategies in PSOs has focused so far on the areas of public procurement, internal operations and processes, and public service delivery. As a result of this literature review, an organizational CE framework of a PSO is proposed providing a holistic view of a PSO as a system with organizational dimensions that are relevant for the examination and analysis of the integration process of CE practices and strategies. This innovative framework aims to help further CE research and practice to move beyond current sustainability efforts, highlighting that public procurement, strategy and management, internal processes and operations, assessment and communication, public service delivery, human resources dimensions, collaboration with other organizations, and various external contexts are important public sector areas where the implementation of CE has the potential to bring sustainability benefits

Advancing the Circular Economy in Public Sector Organisations: Employees’ Perspectives on Practices

Circular economy (CE) is a concept that is gaining attention as an approach to help accelerate the transition towards sustainability. Research has focused on the adoption of CE practices in the business sector while the adoption within public sector organisations has been relatively overlooked. Examining CE adoption in the public sector through the perceptive of employees is crucial because of their expertise in the organisation where they work. The main aim of this study is to identify what public employees perceive as suitable CE practices for their organisations and their critical role in implementation. As the adoption of CE practices is influenced by social and material configurations, this research has taken a case study approach, focused on the Portuguese Central Public Administration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with public employees working on CE and sustainability issues, and a complementary analysis was undertaken of governmental reports and legislative documents. The results show that public employees view the existence and potential of CE practices mainly in the area of public procurement but also in resource efficiency and optimisation, dematerialisation and in practices related to the R-hierarchy including reduce and reuse. Both technical-oriented practices aimed to achieve traditional resource efficiency, and human-centred practices targeted at reducing consumption and sharing resources have been identified. This research provides insights into how a specific group of stakeholders envisions CE activities for their sector. Identification of practices for central public sector has the potential to assist decision-makers in the process of defining priorities for CE planning, implementation and monitoring. This study focusing on CE practices in central public sector organisations contributes to the calls for an inclusion of human/socially-based practices centred around consumption reduction, sharing and dematerialisation activities to enhance the transformative and innovative potential of CE

Influence of Early Stress on Social Abilities and Serotonergic Functions across Generations in Mice

Exposure to adverse environments during early development is a known risk factor for several psychiatric conditions including antisocial behavior and personality disorders. Here, we induced social anxiety and altered social recognition memory in adult mice using unpredictable maternal separation and maternal stress during early postnatal life. We show that these social defects are not only pronounced in the animals directly subjected to stress, but are also transmitted to their offspring across two generations. The defects are associated with impaired serotonergic signaling, in particular, reduced 5HT1A receptor expression in the dorsal raphe nucleus, and increased serotonin level in a dorsal raphe projection area. These findings underscore the susceptibility of social behaviors and serotonergic pathways to early stress, and the persistence of their perturbation across generations

Confronting agrarian authoritarianism: dynamics of resistance to PROSAVANA in Mozambique

This paper explores how varying degrees of authoritarianism and populism, although not always coinciding, have been intrinsic to the imposition of agrarian policies in Mozambique. Taking the case of ProSAVANA, a highly controversial agrarian development program, we look at how its undemocratic imposition by the state has given rise to a vigorous resistance movement. By tracing a decade of electoral results in selected districts where ProSAVANA is intended to be implemented, we argue that due to its agrarian authoritarian policies which have had negative implications on rural livelihoods, the ruling party, FRELIMO, has recently been losing popularity to the strongest opposition party RENAMO

QM/MM Study of L-Lactate Oxidation by Flavocytochrome b2

In this work, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations using a hybrid Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics (QM/MM) scheme to study the mechanism of L-lactate oxidation by flavocytochrome b2 (Fcb2). Our results obtained at the QM(AM1)/MM level have been improved by single-point corrections using density functional theory (DFT) methods. Free energy surfaces have been calculated in the framework of the hydride transfer hypothesis. This mechanism involves the transfer of the lactate hydroxyl proton to H373 while the substrate αH atom is transferred as a hydride to the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) prosthetic group anchored in the active site. Four different systems have been modeled: wild-type enzyme considering R289 in a distal or a proximal conformation observed in crystal structures and the D282N and Y254L variants (with R289 in a distal position). Simulation results highlight the influence of the environment on the catalytic mechanism by describing a step-wise process in the WT enzyme with R289 in a distal position and a concerted mechanism for the other systems. In the step-wise mechanism, the hydride transfer to flavin can occur only after a proton transfer from substrate to H373. Modifications of the electrostatic field around L-lactate or H373 disfavor the highly charged complex resulting from this proton transfer. Simulations of the Y254L variant also reveal some effect of steric changes

Health policy engagement among graduate nursing students in the United States

Aim The aim was to understand how health policy education is currently being delivered in the United States’ graduate nursing programs. Methods This exploratory cross‐sectional design used an anonymous online survey to target graduate nursing students attending American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) member institutions. Results Over 75% of the sample (n = 140) reported taking a dedicated health policy course and 71.5% ( n = 131) of the sample responded that a health policy course was required and an equal distribution among master’s and doctoral students. There was no significant difference between type of graduate degree sought and the requirement to take a health policy course ( P = 0.37). For students involved in health policy, there was a greater proportion of master’s students involved at the state level, than doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) or PhD students ( P = 0.04). Conclusions Health policy and advocacy education are important aspects of graduate nursing curriculum and have been integrated into curricula. Graduate nursing students at all levels reported that health policy AACN Essential competencies are being included in their program, either as stand‐alone health policy courses or integrated health policy learning activities during matriculation