This review is focused on various properties of quantum phase transitions (QPTs) in the Interacting Boson Model (IBM) of nuclear structure. The model describes collective modes of motions in atomic ...nuclei at low energies, in terms of a finite number
N
of mutually interacting
s
and
d
bosons. Closely related approaches are applied in molecular physics. In the
N
→
∞
limit, the ground state is a boson condensate that exhibits shape–phase transitions between spherical (I), deformed prolate (II), and deformed oblate (III) forms when the interaction strengths are varied. Finite-
N
precursors of such behavior are verified by robust variations of nuclear properties (nuclear masses, excitation energies, transition probabilities for low lying levels) across the chart of nuclides. Simultaneously, the model serves as a theoretical laboratory for studying diverse general features of QPTs in interacting many-body systems, which differ in many respects from lattice models of solid-state physics. We outline the most important fields of the present interest: (a) The coexistence of first- and second-order phase transitions supports studies related to the microscopic origin of the QPT phenomena. (b) The competing quantum phases are characterized by specific dynamical symmetries, and novel symmetry related approaches are developed to also describe the transitional dynamical domains. (c) In some parameter regions, the QPT-like behavior can be ascribed also to individual excited states, which is linked to the thermodynamical and classical descriptions of the system. (d) The model and its phase structure can be extended in many directions: by separating proton and neutron excitations, considering odd-fermion degrees of freedom or different particle–hole configurations, by including other types of bosons, higher order interactions, and by imposing external rotation. All these aspects of IBM phase transitions are relevant in the interpretation of experimental data, and important for a fundamental understanding of the QPT phenomenon.
Osteobiography provides a rich basis for understanding the past, but its conceptual framework has not been outlined systematically. It stands in conceptual opposition to a traditional statistical ...approach to bioarchaeology modeled upon clinical studies in biomedicine, but is interdependent with it. As such, its position mirrors those of clinical case histories as opposed to statistical studies, participant-observation ethnography as opposed to quantitative sociology, and microhistory and biography as opposed to quantitative history. Such disciplinary comparisons provide a framework for exploring the strengths and weaknesses of osteobiography. It is not merely a tool for engagingly illustrating the "typical" life history as established statistically. Rather, it allows us to understand issues that population studies cannot explore. These include both analytical directions (exploring the complexity of deeply layered data, understanding the role of contingency in human lives, integrating osteological and cultural evidence) and philosophical directions (the interaction of material and conceptual factors in the creation of human bodies, embodiment, the experience of time).
Internalization theory explains how the multinational enterprise (MNE) makes decisions on new investments but does not explicitly address the restructuring (i.e., unbundling) processes that can take ...place within the MNE network of subsidiaries. Further extensions to internalization theory have considered the ways MNEs recombine, bundle, unbundle and orchestrate resources but have yet to address specifically the issue of divestments and relocations. We contribute to the literature by extending internalization theory through conceptualizing footloose behavior, a repeated relocation of divested operations over a period of time, and approaching MNEs behavior in a holistic way. Empirically, we use four case studies of mature, complex and diversified MNEs within the context of European Union (EU). These MNEs have engaged in several investments, divestments and relocations over several years. Through the analysis of their behavior we demonstrate how the inclusion of divestments and relocations can extend internalization theory in explaining the modern MNE.
This paper begins by presenting the theoretical background of, and the accompanying psycholinguistic findings on, idiom processing. The paper then widens its lens by comparing the idiom processing ...literature to that of metaphor and irony. We do so partly to better understand the
idiom superiority effect
, according to which idiomatic sentences (unlike metaphoric and ironic ones) are generally processed
faster
than their literal controls; part of our motivation is to reconcile the differences between idiom processing, on the one hand, and metaphor and irony processing on the other. This ultimately leads us to Relevance Theory (RT), which has provided original insights into the processing of figurative language generally, but especially with respect to metaphor and irony. RT has paid less attention to idiomatic expressions (such as
break the ice
,
fan the flames
, or
spill the beans
), where one finds a single RT account that likens idioms to
conventional metaphors
. Through our overview, we ultimately arrive at an alternative RT account of idioms: We argue that idioms include a procedural meaning that takes into account relevant presuppositional information. For example, an idiomatic string such as
break the ice
not only asserts
initiate social contact
, it prompts the recovery of background assumptions such as
there exists a social distance that calls for relief
. This leads us (a) to apply linguistic-intuition tests of our presuppositional hypothesis, and; (b) to describe the paradigm and results from a pilot experiment. Both provide support for our claims. In doing so, we provide an original explanation for the
idiom superiority effect
.
In the present study, the extract of Inula viscosa leaves (IVE) was used as an environmentally-friendly and green corrosion inhibitor for X70 carbon steel in 1 M HCl. The experimental results were ...endorsed by computational approaches. The corrosion inhibition effect of the extract was investigated by weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Besides the surface characterization by SEM/EDS (scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy), the mechanism of inhibition was assessed through FTIR and UV/Vis studies. The results of weight loss measurements and electrochemical experiments showed that IVE was an excellent corrosion inhibitor, as the corrosion inhibition efficiency was found to increase with the concentration of plant extract and exceeded 92% at a concentration of 600 mg L
−1
. This excellent inhibitory efficiency was attributed to the efficient adsorption of this green inhibitor onto the steel surface and its mixed-type behavior; the adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir isothermal model. The studies at an optimum concentration and for an immersion time of 120 h revealed the stability of adsorbed inhibitor layer on the X70 surface in acidic media. The success of the adsorption was confirmed by analysis of the organic protective film formed by SEM/EDS and FTIR tools. AFM showed a significant reduction of surface roughness of the susbtrate in the presence of IVE. Moreover, the adsorption-inhibition relationship was discussed in light of the quantum chemical parameters calculated for the main components of the plant extract using the density functional theory (DFT).
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•• Nuclear radiation shielding aspects and mechanical features are evaluated for ten lithium bismuth borate glasses.•• Pertinent theoretical methods and computational approaches are ...employed to deduce shielding parameters.•• 35B2O3-55Bi2O3-10Li2O (mol%) glass exhibits better gamma-ray attenuation ability.•• 70B2O3-10Bi2O3-20Li2O (mol%) glass shows superior efficacy for thermal neutrons absorption.•• Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus, longitudinal modulus, and Poisson’s ratio are derived theoretically.
Against photon energies extending from 0.015 to 15 MeV, MCNPX, FLUKA and PHITS codes are operated to simulate mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) for a total of ten B2O3-Bi2O3-Li2O glass compositions with added Bi2O3 amount from 10 to 55 mol% (5 mol% growth gradually) as a substitute for total (B2O3 + Li2O) mol% content. All the computed μ/ρ values correctness is examined by Py-MLBUF and WinXCOM programs’ μ/ρ outcomes and we found a good agreement among them. 55Bi2O3-35B2O3-10Li2O (mol%) glass half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) quantities are compared with distinct commercial γ-ray attenuating glasses, alloys, polymers, concretes and lead and ceramics corresponding values. Next, equivalent atomic numbers (Zeq) and by employing geometric progression (G–P) fitting method at 1–40 mfp PDs (penetration depths), at 0.015–15 MeV energy range ‘buildup factors’ were calculated. At all chosen twenty-five energies derived radiation protection efficiency (RPE) results assured investigated samples exemplary competence for low energy photons absorption. Applying SRIM codes ΨP and ΦP and ΨA and ΦA (mass stopping powers (MSPs) and projected ranges (PRs) for protons and α-particles), and making use of ESTAR database ΨE (electron MSP) and continuous slowing‐down approximation (CSDA) range for electrons are determined at KE (kinetic energy) range of 0.015–15 MeV. Moreover, fast neutron removal cross-sections (ΣR), for 0.0253 eV energy neutrons absorption cross-sections have been estimated. Deduced ΣR was altered at 0.1105–0.1205 cm−1 range with Bi2O3 inclusion in studied samples. 10Bi2O3-70B2O3-20Li2O (mol%) glass has greater total cross-section (=23.251 cm−1) for thermal neutrons absorption while 55Bi2O3-35B2O3-10Li2O (mol%) sample exhibits quality shielding factors for photons and fast neutrons confirming the included Bi2O3 positive impact. Along with nuclear attenuation features various physical and mechanical aspects are also inspected. Derived Vm (molar volume), OPD (oxygen packing density), Vo (oxygen molar volume), Vt (packing density) and Gt (dissociation energy per unit volume) values indicated glasses rigidity. Following Makishima–Mackenzie's theoretical model primary mechanical features like Y, K, S and L (Young's, bulk, shear and longitudinal modulus) and σ (Poisson's ratio) are evaluated where 10Bi2O3-70B2O3-20Li2O (mol%) glass shows better elastic moduli in all samples.
The phenomenon of “digital religion” has emerged as a research field over the past quarter century as religious experiences integrate into the digital sphere. Within this field, researchers have ...adopted various theoretical frameworks and empirical methodologies to illuminate the complex dynamics that arise from the interaction between digital culture and religion. However, the existing literature on this topic is characterized by fragmentation, which makes a comprehensive understanding of its trajectory difficult. This fragmentation is particularly noticeable in the absence of a coherent narrative that outlines the field’s development. This study aims to provide a scholarly framework for understanding the trajectory of Digital Religion Studies (DRSs), encompassing successive waves of academic research, theoretical paradigms, and thematic foci. This study provides a qualitative assessment of existing literature on the relationship between digital culture and religion through a comprehensive review. A thorough literature review reveals that research in the field of digital religion can be classified into four distinct phases: descriptive, categorical, theoretical, and integrative. The prominent theoretical frameworks that have emerged media ecology, mediation, mediatization, religious-social shaping of technology (RSST), and hypermediation. Finally, the thematic categorization of research primarily revolves around topics, such as rituals, authenticity, identity, community, authority, and embodiment.
Dini yaşamın dijital bir hüviyete bürünmesiyle birlikte dijital din olgusu oluşmaya başlamıştır. Son çeyrek asırda gelişim kaydederek olgunlaşan bu olgunun aynı zamanda akademik bir araştırma sahasına dönüştüğü de aşikârdır. Bu sahada çalışma yürüten araştırmacılar dijital kültür ve din etkileşiminden doğan problemlerin çözümüne yönelik çeşitli araştırmalar yürüterek teorik ve ampirik yaklaşımlar ile farklı temalar geliştirmişlerdir. Ne var ki konuyla ilgili mevcut literatür, yörüngesinin kapsamlı bir şekilde anlaşılmasını zorlaştıran bir parçalanma ile karakterize edilmektedir. Bu parçalanmışlık, özellikle alanın gelişimini özetleyen tutarlı bir anlatının yokluğunda kolaylıkla fark edilmektedir. Buradan hareketle bu makale, birbirini takip eden akademik araştırma dalgalarını, teorik paradigmaları ve tematik odakları kapsayan dijital din çalışmalarının yörüngesini anlamak için bilimsel bir çerçeve sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda makalede, dijital kültür ve din ilişkisini inceleyen mevcut literatürün kapsamlı bir incelemesi yapılarak niteliksel bir değerlendirme gerçekleştirilmiştir. Literatürün kapsamlı incelemesi sonucunda, söz konusu sahadaki araştırmaların tanımlayıcı, metodolojik, teorik ve bütünleşik olmak üzere dört ayrı dalga halinde kategorize edildiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Ortaya çıkan kayda değer teorik yaklaşımlar arasında medya ekolojisi, dolayımlama, medyatikleşme, teknolojinin dini-toplumsal şekillenmesi ve hiperdolayımlama yer almaktadır. Son olarak, araştırmaların tematik kategorizasyonunun ağırlıklı olarak ritüel, otantiklik, kimlik, topluluk, otorite ve somutlaşma olmak üzere altı tema etrafında irdelendiği tespit edilmiştir.
In the current work, kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), thiazolidine-2,4-dione (heterocyclic biological base, TZD) and triphenylarsine (TPA) has ...been studied for the synthesis of N-vinyl compound in the presence of various salts and solvents by the UV-visible technique. Through an alternation in the reaction environment from lone methanol (k
obs
= 0.3121 M
−1
Min
−1
) or acetone alone (k
obs
= 0.008 M
−1
Min
−1
) to a mixture of methanol and salt (NaBr) (k
obs
= 21.35 M
−1
Min
−1
), the reaction rate extremely accelerates 70 or 2600 times more, respectively. These remarkable results indicated that the mentioned reaction has greatly proceeded and extremely faster in the mixture of a polar solvent and salt in comparison with the solvent alone. A mechanism involving four steps was proposed. Unfortunately, experimental data from the UV-visible technique were not adequate to determine the rate-determining step of the reaction mechanism. To clear this, Molecular Electron Density Theory computations have been consulted at the B3LYP level of theory using the standard 6-311 + G (d, p) and extra basis set of 6-311 + G (2df, 2pd) for the arsenic atom. The analysis of the relative schematic representation of the Gibbs free energy profiles revealed that 1,2-hydrogen shift proton is the rate-determining step of the reaction mechanism.
The comparison of the rate constant of the reaction between DMAD, TZD and TPA in the presence of salt such as NaBr with this reaction in the absence of salt.
The article attempts to conduct a comparative analysis of youth parties in the EU. Investigate theoretical approaches to understanding the concept of "political party" - as well as to highlight the ...main features and characteristics of youth parties.
Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed aberrant basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuit in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) with drug treatment. This study aims to investigate ...the topological organization of functional networks in drug-naive PKD.
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed in 24 drug-naive PKD patients and 24 age, gender and mean framewise displacement (FD)-matched healthy controls (HCs). The network topological properties (including global and nodal measures) were analyzed between two groups by using graph-based theoretical approaches. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed between significant metrics and duration of disease and the age of onset of patients with PKD.
Compare to HCs, the drug-naïve PKD patients showed increased nodal centralities mainly in left precentral gyrus, basal ganglia and limbic regions and decreased nodal centralities in the temporal pole. Our results showed that drug-naïve PKD patients presented the small-world topology and at the global level no significant differences were found between PKD and HCs. In the correlation analysis, the increased nodal efficiency in the left pallidum was positively correlated with the onset of age.
Our findings supported the previous observation of the disruptive cortical-basal ganglia circuitry in PKD patients, but difference in that the prominent change of precentral area and temporal pole were also observed in our study when the potential impact of drug was excluded. These findings may provide a novel insight into further delineation of the pathophysiological genesis and possible target for PKD.
•Only drug-naive PKD patients were recruited in our study, which excluding potential impact of drug.•Drug-naïve PKD patients exhibited the small-world property.•Patients with PKD showed regional abnormalities with the prominent alteration of precentral area but not global.•Only nodal efficiency in left pallidum positively correlated with the age of onset of PKD patients.