Model-independent constraints on contact interactions from LEP2 data analysis

We derive model-independent constraints on four-fermion contact interaction-type dynamics from the published preliminary LEP2 experimental data on e^+e^- annihilation into \mu^+\mu^- and \tau^+\tau^- pairs, measured at different energies between 130 and 207 GeV. The basic observables are chosen to be the total cross section and the forward-backward asymmetry, and the analysis realistically takes into account data uncertainties and correlations among measurements at the various energies. The combination of data from different energy points plays an important role in the determination of regions allowed for the contact interaction coupling constants. In contrast to the more common one-parameter analyses, we only obtain constraints on pairs of parameters rather than limits on individual ones.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX, including figures. v2: Included discussion of tau data, version to appear in EPJ

Preliminary findings from a survey on the MD state of the practice

In the context of an Italian research project, this paper reports on an on-line survey, performed with 155 software professionals, with the aim of investigating about their opinions and experiences in modeling during software development and Model-driven engineering usage. The survey focused also on used modeling languages, processes and tools. A preliminary analysis of the results confirmed that Model-driven engineering, and more in general software modeling, are very relevant phenomena. Approximately 68% of the sample use models during software development. Among then, 44% generate code starting from models and 16% execute them directly. The preferred language for modeling is UML but DSLs are used as wel

Aggression and Coexistence in Female Caribou

Female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are highly gregarious, yet there has been little study of the behavioral mechanisms that foster coexistence. Quantifying patterns of aggression between male and female, particularly in the only cervid taxa where both sexes grow antlers, should provide insight into these mechanisms. We asked if patterns of aggression by male and female caribou followed the pattern typically noted in other polygynous cervids, in which males display higher frequencies and intensity of aggression. From June to August in 2011 and 2012, we measured the frequency and intensity of aggression across a range of group sizes through focal animal sampling of 170 caribou (64 males and 106 females) on Adak Island in the Aleutian Archipelago, Alaska. Males in same-sex and mixed-sex groups and females in mixed-sex groups had higher frequencies of aggression than females in same-sex groups. Group size did not influence frequency of aggression. Males displayed more intense aggression than females. Frequent aggression in mixed-sex groups probably reflects lower tolerance of males for animals in close proximity. Female caribou were less aggressive and more gregarious than males, as in other polygynous cervid species.La femelle caribou (Rangifer tarandus) est très grégaire et pourtant, très peu d’études ont été faites sur les mécanismes du comportement qui favorisent la coexistence. Des modèles quantificateurs d’agression entre le mâle et la femelle, particulièrement chez le seul cervidé où les deux sexes possèdent des bois, devraient permettre d’en savoir plus sur ces mécanismes. Nous nous sommes demandé si les modèles d’agression entre la femelle et le mâle caribou ressemblaient aux modèles d’agression généralement remarqués chez d’autres cervidés polygynes, pour lesquels les mâles affichent une fréquence et une intensité d’agression plus grandes. De juin à août 2011 et 2012, nous avons mesuré la fréquence et l’intensité d’agression au sein de groupes de tailles diverses, et ce, au moyen de l’échantillonnage centré de 170 caribous (64 mâles et 106 femelles) sur l’île Adak de l’archipel des Aléoutiennes, en Alaska. Les mâles des groupes du même sexe et des groupes mixtes, et les femelles de groupes mixtes affichaient une plus grande fréquence d’agression que les femelles se trouvant dans des groupes du même sexe. La fréquence d’agression n’était aucunement influencée par la taille du groupe. L’intensité d’agression des mâles était plus grande chez le mâle que chez la femelle. L’agression fréquente dans les groupes mixtes est probablement représentative de la plus faible tolérance des mâles à la présence d’animaux à proximité. Les femelles caribou étaient moins agressives et plus grégaires que les mâles, à l’instar d’autres espèces de cervidés polygynes

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Size Tracers

We examine the dependence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) band intensity ratios as a function of the average number of carbon atoms and assess their effectiveness as tracers for PAH size, utilising the data, models, and tools provided by the NASA Ames PAH Infrared Spectroscopic Database. To achieve this, we used spectra from mixtures of PAHs of different ionisation fractions, following a size distribution. Our work, congruent with earlier findings, shows that band ratios that include the 3.3 ${\mu}$m PAH band provide the best PAH size tracers for small-to-intermediate sized PAHs. In addition, we find that band ratios that include the sum of the 15-20 ${\mu}$m PAH features (I$_{\Sigma_{15-20}}$) and the 6.2 or 7.7 ${\mu}$m bands also serve as good tracers for PAH size in the case of small-to-intermediate sized PAHs, for objects under a similar PAH size distribution as with the presented models. For different PAH size distributions, the application of a scaling factor to the I$_{6.2}$/I$_{\Sigma_{15-20}}$ ratio can provide estimates for the size of the small-to-intermediate PAH population within sources. Employment of the I$_{6.2}$/I$_{\Sigma_{15-20}}$ and I$_{7.7}$/I$_{\Sigma_{15-20}}$ ratios can be of particular interest for JWST observations limited only to $\sim$ 5-28 ${\mu}$m MIRI(-MRS) coverage.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures; Accepted for publication in MNRA

Perbedaan Kompetensi Sosial Anak Berdasarkan Tipe Pendidikan Prasekolah

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran tipe pendidikan prasekolah dalam kompetensi sosial anak. Dua hipotesis diajukan untuk menguji perbedaan kompetensi sosial anak dengan tipe pendidikan prasekolah penuh waktu dan paruh waktu. Subjek penelitian ini adalah 209 orang anak usia lima sampai dengan enam tahun yang mengikuti salah satu tipe pendidikan prasekolah (paruh waktu atau penuh waktu) yang berasal dari enam Taman Kanak-kanak di Yogyakarta (Budi Mulia I Kaliurang, Primagama Kaliurang, ABA Purwodiningratan, Nurul Islam Ringroad Barat, BIAS Kaliurang, dan Budi Mulia Dua Seturan). Data penelitian diperoleh dengan menggunaka skala kompetensi sosial, kuesioner keluarga dan dokumentasi sekolah. Skala kompetensi sosial dinilai oleh guru kelas dengan menggunakan teknik interrater. Jumlah item pada skala kompetensi sosial adalah 30 item. Setelah uji coba terdapat 4 item yang gugur. Daya beda item berkisar dari 0,303-0,581 dengan angka reliabilitas 0,890. Sedangkan nilai reliabilitas antar rater berkisar antara 0,867-0,998. Hasil ANCOVA, diperoleh kesimpulan hasil penelitian bahwa: (1) ada perbedaan kompetensi sosial anak dengan tipe pendidikan prasekolah paruh waktu dan penuh waktu. Kompetensi sosial anak dengan tipe pendidikan prasekolah penuh waktu lebih tinggi daripada kompetensi sosial anak dengan tipe pendidikan prasekolah paruh waktu (F = 21,612; p = 0,000). (2) tidak ada korelasi antara kompetensi sosial anak yang berusia lima tahun sampai dengan enam tahun (F = 1,781; p = 0,184)

Leadership Journey: Knights Helping Knights Pantry

During the Fall 2023 semester, we volunteered at Knights Helping Knights Pantry (KHKP). KHKP is UCF’s on-campus food pantry, which provides food, clothing, and supplies to the students and staff. Their goal is to battle food insecurity within UCF’s community and de-stigmatize the use of food pantries.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2023fall/1006/thumbnail.jp