The emotional economy of the European financial crisis in the UK press

This article examines the individual, collective, and social emotions embedded in media discussions of the financial crisis. Emotional experiences toward crises and the political institutions associated with them serve as valuable tools for understanding how citizens think and feel in the public sphere. We highlight over-time links between individual, collective, and social emotionality as we analyze the content of UK media representations of the European financial crisis from 2009 to 2012. We code editorials from journalists and commentaries from experts, public figures, and opinion leaders published in four UK newspapers and identify the valence and affective tone of individual, collective, and social expressions of anger, fear, disappointment, hope, pride, and compassion. We also examine how these interlinked levels of emotional talk underpin blame attributions. This article advances the systematic understanding of the impact of the financial crisis on public opinion and considers its contribution toward European integration attitudes as Brexit was introduced in public debates during this time.</p

News Media and the Emotional Public Sphere: The Emotional Economy of the European Financial Crisis in the UK Press

This article examines the individual, collective and social emotions embedded in media discussions of the financial crisis. Emotional experiences towards crises and the political institutions associated with them serve as valuable tools in understanding how citizens think and feel in the public sphere. We highlight over-time links between individual, collective and social emotionality as we analyze the content of UK media representations of the European financial crisis, from 2009 to 2012. We code editorials from journalists, and commentaries from experts, public figures and opinion leaders published in four UK newspapers, and identify the valence and affective tone of individual, collective and social expressions of anger, fear, disappointment, hope, pride, and compassion. We also examine how these interlinked levels of emotional talk underpin the public’s blame attributions. This article contributes to the systematic understanding of the impact of the financial crisis on public opinion, and considers its contribution towards European integration attitudes in the period marked by the introduction of Brexit as term in the public sphere

Assessment of the chemical and genetic variability among accessions of Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr., an alpine plant with anthelmintic properties

Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr, is a perennial alpine plant and a member of the Asteraceae family, typically found at altitudes above 1000 meters in the Italian Alps. Although previously utilized primarily as a local delicacy, recent studies have revealed strong antiparasitic activity through in vitro experiments. In Europe, numerous chemical drugs employed to combat nematodes — helminths that infest the digestive tract of livestock — are banned due to their environmental harm or show only reduced efficiency because of the development of resistance. Consequently, there is a growing demand for new alternative anthelmintic treatments in agricultural practices. Specialized metabolites found in the extracts of C. alpina could offer a sustainable and biological alternative to chemical drugs, specifically for nematode control. For this purpose, a unique germplasm collection originating from eight distinct natural populations in the Italian Alps was analyzed for its chemical diversity using state-of-the-art targeted LC-MS/MS spectrometry, including quantification based on multiple reaction monitoring. The predominant metabolites identified from the species were the caffeic acid derivatives chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, and 3. 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, the sesquiterpene lactone derivative 8-O-acetyl-15-ß-D-glucopyranosyl lactucin and the flavone glycosides, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-Oglucoside, alongside their precursors apigenin and luteolin, respectively. Additionally, the genetic diversity of eighty individual plants within the germplasm collection was evaluated using ten DNA molecular markers (Simple Sequence Repeats), successfully transferred from two closely related species (Cichorium intybus and Tanacetum parthenium). This investigation unveiled a significant range of genetic diversity within the examined populations, resulting in the establishment of three distinct genetic groups. The findings were further correlated with the original ecological environment and local climate conditions spanning a biennial period, indicating substantial variations among the different accessions and the intricate interplay between genetic background and environmental factors. These results could serve as a basis for future domestication of the species through plant breeding programs ensuring product quality, but also facilitating the cultivation of C. alpina in more diverse geographic region

Exploring Next-Generation Engineering Bioplastics: Poly(alkylene furanoate)/Poly(alkylene terephthalate) (PAF/PAT) Blends

Polymers from renewable resources and especially strong engineering partially aromatic biobased polyesters are of special importance for the evolution of bioeconomy. The fabrication of polymer blends is a creative method for the production of tailor-made materials for advanced applications that are able to combine functionalities from both components. In this study, poly(alkylene furanoate)/poly(alkylene terephthalate) blends with different compositions were prepared by solution blending in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and chloroform. Three different types of blends were initially prepared, namely, poly(ethylene furanoate)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PEF/PET), poly(propylene furanoate)/poly(propylene terephthalate) (PPF/PPT), and poly(1,4-cyclohenedimethylene furanoate)/poly(1,4-cycloxehane terephthalate) (PCHDMF/PCHDMT). These blends’ miscibility characteristics were evaluated by examining the glass transition temperature of each blend. Moreover, reactive blending was utilized for the enhancement of miscibility and dynamic homogeneity and the formation of copolymers through transesterification reactions at high temperatures. PEF–PET and PPF–PPT blends formed a copolymer at relatively low reactive blending times. Finally, poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene furanoate) (PETF) random copolymers were successfully introduced as compatibilizers for the PEF/PET immiscible blends, which resulted in enhanced miscibility

News Media and the Emotional Public Sphere: The Emotional Economy of the European Financial Crisis in the UK Press

This article examines the individual, collective, and social emotions embedded in media discussions of the financial crisis. Emotional experiences toward crises and the political institutions associated with them serve as valuable tools for understanding how citizens think and feel in the public sphere. We highlight over-time links between individual, collective, and social emotionality as we analyze the content of UK media representations of the European financial crisis from 2009 to 2012. We code editorials from journalists and commentaries from experts, public figures, and opinion leaders published in four UK newspapers and identify the valence and affective tone of individual, collective, and social expressions of anger, fear, disappointment, hope, pride, and compassion. We also examine how these interlinked levels of emotional talk underpin blame attributions. This article advances the systematic understanding of the impact of the financial crisis on public opinion and considers its contribution toward European integration attitudes as Brexit was introduced in public debates during this time

Professional drivers' response to Variable Message Signs

172 σ.Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής είναι ο προσδιορισμός παραμέτρων που επηρεάζουν την απόκριση των επαγγελματιών οδηγών στα μηνύματα των Πινακίδων Μεταβλητών Μηνυμάτων (ΠΜΜ). Η διερεύνηση διεξήχθη στην περιοχή της Αθήνας με τη μέθοδο του ερωτηματολογίου. Διακόσιοι δεκαπέντε οδηγοί ταξί και βαρέων οχημάτων συμπλήρωσαν το ερωτηματολόγιο το οποίο αποτελούνταν από τέσσερα μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος του ερωτηματολογίου τίθενται ερωτήσεις που αφορούν στη γενικότερη συμπεριφορά των οδηγών καθώς και σε χαρακτηριστικά της μετακίνησης. Στο δεύτερο μέρος, παρουσιάζονται στους οδηγούς μηνύματα σε ΠΜΜ και μελετάται έτσι η απόκριση των οδηγών σε αυτά. Στο τρίτο μέρος διερευνάται η εξοικείωση των οδηγών στις ΠΜΜ και τέλος, στο τέταρτο μέρος, διερευνώνται τα κοινωνικοοικονομικά χαρακτηριστικά των επαγγελματιών οδηγών. Οι παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν την απόκριση των οδηγών στα μηνύματα των ΠΜΜ αναλύθηκαν μέσω της ανάπτυξης δύο διακριτών μοντέλων (διατεταγμένο logit και διατεταγμένο probit) με σκοπό να ληφθεί υπόψη η συσχέτιση μεταξύ διατεταγμένων απαντήσεων καθώς και η ετερογένεια μεταξύ των ατόμων. Τα αποτελέσματα υποδεικνύουν ότι οι επαγγελματίες οδηγοί επηρεάζονται από τη συχνότητα με την οποία ενημερώνονται μέσω ραδιοφώνου για την κυκλοφορία καθώς και από την αντιλαμβανόμενη χρησιμότητα των ΠΜΜ. Η ανάλυση δείχνει επίσης ότι το περιεχόμενο του μηνύματος (αναμενόμενη καθυστέρηση και προτεινόμενη εναλλακτική διαδρομή) επηρεάζει την τάση των επαγγελματιών οδηγών για αλλαγή διαδρομής. Άλλοι σημαντικοί παράγοντες αποτελούν η ηλικία καθώς και η επαγγελματική εμπειρία. Νέο στοιχείο είναι η διαπίστωση ότι οι επαγγελματίες οδηγοί δεν επηρεάζονται σημαντικά από το συμβάν που δημιουργεί την καθυστέρηση. Στη συνέχεια, πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάλυση και για υποσύνολα των δύο πληθυσμών. Τα αποτελέσματα βοηθούν να κατανοήσουμε τη συμπεριφορά τόσο των οδηγών βαρέων οχημάτων όσο και των οδηγών ταξί και να αναπτυχθούν αποτελεσματικότερα οι ΠΜΜ.The purpose of this study is to identify parameters affecting professional drivers’ response to Variable Message Signs (VMS). The study was conducted in the Athens Metropolitan area and was addressed through a stated preference questionnaire survey. Two hundred and fifteen taxi and truck drivers completed the questionnaire which consisted of four sections. In the first section information about travel characteristics has been asked. The second section addressed diversion intentions under specific descriptions of VMS messages. In the third section drivers’ familiarity with VMS was investigated and last, in the fourth section, users’ socio-economic characteristics were recorded. The factors affecting professional drivers’ route choice under the influence of VMS messages were analyzed through the development of two discrete choice models, ordered logit and ordered probit, so as to take into account the correlation between ordered responses as well as to capture the heterogeneity between individuals. The results indicate that professional drivers’ response is dependent on drivers’ propensity to seek for via the radio traffic information as well as from the perceived usefulness of VMS. The analysis also suggests that the content of the message (expected delay and provision of an alternative route) affects professional drivers’ willingness to divert. Other significant factors include age and professional experience. A new finding is that professional drivers are not affected significantly by the cause of delay. Subsequently, analysis on subsets of the population was also performed. The results help to understand the truck and taxi drivers’ behavior and to develop more efficient VMS.Μαρία Β. Πουλοπούλο

Tianjin Spatial History

Ce blog s'intéresse à l'histoire des concessions étrangères dans la ville de Tianjin de 1860 à 1946 et s'articule plus précisément autour de mon sujet de thèse qui porte sur la concession française de Tianjin (1916-1946) et son projet d'annexion contrarié du quartier de Laoxikai (老西开) avec une réflexion plus générale sur la question récurrente des cas d'extensions territoriales des concessions en Chine

Biobased Engineering Thermoplastics: Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) Blends

Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) constitutes a new engineering polyester produced from renewable resources, as it is synthesized from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (2,5-FDCA) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD), both formed from sugars coming from biomass. In this research, initially high-molecular-weight PBF was synthesized by applying the melt polycondensation method and using the dimethylester of FDCA as the monomer. Furthermore, five different series of PBF blends were prepared, namely poly(l-lactic acid)&#8722;poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PLA&#8722;PBF), poly(ethylene terephthalate)&#8722;poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PET&#8722;PBF), poly(propylene terephthalate)&#8722;poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPT&#8722;PBF), poly(butylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate)-poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBN&#8722;PBF), and polycarbonate&#8722;poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PC&#8722;PBF), by dissolving the polyesters in a trifluoroacetic acid/chloroform mixture (1/4 v/v) followed by coprecipitation as a result of adding the solutions into excess of cold methanol. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns of the as-prepared blends showed that mixtures of crystals of the blend components were formed, except for PC which did not crystallize. In general, a lower degree of crystallinity was observed at intermediate compositions. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) heating scans for the melt-quenched samples proved homogeneity in the case of PET&#8722;PBF blends. In the remaining cases, the blend components showed distinct Tgs. In PPT&#8722;PBF blends, there was a shift of the Tgs to intermediate values, showing some partial miscibility. Reactive blending proved to improve compatibility of the PBN&#8722;PBF blends

Enhancing effects of chronic lithium on memory in the rat

Background: In spite of recent enrichment of neurochemical and behavioural data establishing a neuroprotective role lot lithium, its primary effects on cognitive functioning remain ambiguous. This study examines chronic lithium effects on spatial working memory and long-term retention. Methods: In three discrete experiments, rats subjected to 30 daily intraperitoneal injections (2 mmol/kg) of lithium (lithium groups: serum lithium = 0.5 +/- 0.4 mEq/l, 12 h post-injection) or saline (controls) were trained in 0-s delay T-maze alternation and then tested in 30-, 45- and 60-s delay alternation (Experiments 1, 2, 3, respectively). Animals from Experiment 1 were further tested in one-trial step-through passive avoidance under mild shock parameters (0.5 mA, 1 s). Retention was assessed 6 h later. Daily lithium or saline injections continued throughout behavioural testing. Results: Lithium animals were indistinguishable from controls during 0-delay alternation baseline (Experiments 1-3. accuracy &gt; 88%) but showed significantly higher accuracy than controls at 30- and 45-s delays (93% versus 85% and 92% versus 82%, Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). At 60-s delay (Experiment 3) this beneficial effect of lithium was no longer apparent (lithium and control accuracy = 78%). In Experiment 4, the shock used did not Support 6-h passive avoidance retention in controls, whereas lithium animals showed significant step-through latency increases. Conclusions: Chronic lithium enhanced spatial working memory and promoted long-term retention of a weak aversive contingency. The results suggest that lithium may have potential as a cognitive enhancer. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved