Compositeness above the electroweak scale and a proposed test at LHCb

I review attempts to construct models of partial compositeness from strongly coupled gauge theories. A few minimal assumptions allow one to isolate a small number of representative models. After presenting the main idea, I discuss a recent proposal to detect a light pseudo-scalar, predicted in all these models, at the LHCb detector.

Nothing to Be Happy about: Consumer Emotions and AI

Advancements in artificial intelligence and Big Data allow for a range of goods and services to determine and respond to a consumer’s emotional state of mind. Considerable potential surrounds the technological ability to detect and respond to an individual’s emotions, yet such technology is also controversial and raises questions surrounding the legal protection of emotions. Despite their highly sensitive and private nature, this article highlights the inadequate protection of emotions in aspects of data protection and consumer protection law, arguing that the contribution by recent proposal for an Artificial Intelligence Act is not only unsuitable to overcome such deficits but does little to support the assertion that emotions are highly sensitive.

Assessing a Proposal for Updating the Marxist Theory of Dependency

A recent proposal for updating of the Marxist theory of dependency requires abandoning the categories of superexploitation and unequal exchange and the theory of dependent capitalism. Examination of the limitations of this proposal highlights the misconceptions regarding these categories and the importance of recognizing dependent capitalism as a form of capitalism for an understanding of the state of the revolution in Latin America and the exceptional conditions that have made it possible for some economies to overcome underdevelopment. Una propuesta reciente de renovación de la teoría marxista de la dependencia reclama abandonar las categorías superexplotación e intercambio desigual y la de capitalismo dependiente. Un examen de las limitaciones de esta propuesta destaca a los errores en la comprensión de esas categorías así como la relevancia de capitalismo dependiente como una forma de capitalismo para comprender la actualidad de la revolución en América Latina y las condiciones de excepción que han hecho posible superar el subdesarrollo por algunas economías.

Dynamical Cobordism and Swampland Distance Conjectures

We consider spacetime-dependent solutions to string theory models with tadpoles for dynamical fields, arising from non-trivial scalar potentials. The solutions have necessarily finite extent in spacetime, and are capped off by boundaries at a finite distance, in a dynamical realization of the Cobordism Conjecture. We show that as the configuration approaches these cobordism walls of nothing, the scalar fields run off to infinite distance in moduli space, allowing to explore the implications of the Swampland Distance Conjecture. We uncover new interesting scaling relations linking the moduli space distance and the SDC tower scale to spacetime geometric quantities, such as the distance to the wall and the scalar curvature. We show that walls at which scalars remain at finite distance in moduli space correspond to domain walls separating different (but cobordant) theories/vacua; this still applies even if the scalars reach finite distance singularities in moduli space, such as conifold points.We illustrate our ideas with explicit examples in massive IIA theory, M-theory on CY threefolds, and 10d non-supersymmetric strings. In 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 1 theories, our framework reproduces a recent proposal to explore the SDC using 4d string-like solutions.

The Grounds and the Components of Concepts

In this paper I investigate the idea that in conceptual analysis we are in a substantial way concerned with revealing metaphysical grounds. I argue that a recent proposal fails, according to which we aim to reveal what complex concepts are grounded in. The notion of composition, rather than that of grounding, is the best way to understand the intuitive hierarchy of concepts. In an analysis we reveal the components or parts of complex concepts and their structure. Finally, I propose an alternative role for grounding in our accounts of analysis: in analyses we reveal truths about the composition of concepts that serve as grounds for truths about their functions, which are what we want to understand.

Perceptions of Higher Specialist Trainees and Fellows of the Proposed Sláintecare Consultant Contract and Implications for Workforce Planning in Ireland

To explore the perceptions of higher specialist trainees and fellows in Ireland with respect to the Irish Department of Health’s recent proposal to implement a drafted, non-negotiated, consultant contract under a new model for healthcare, termed the Sláintecare plan. A customized survey, incorporating multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions and a free-text option, was disseminated to doctors enrolled in Irish higher specialist training (HST) programmes and pre-consultant HST graduates (fellows). Responses were compiled and analysed. There were a total of 1109 respondents across all specialities. Trainees were particularly concerned regarding the Sláintecare contract’s potential impact on their abilities to engage in patient advocacy and provide optimal patient care in the future, the maintenance of specialist skillsets, their ownership of intellectual property and a stable location of the practice. Of respondents, 93.7% (1003/1070) indicated that they would consider working abroad rather than accept the proposed contract. This study highlights the perceptions and concerns of the higher specialist trainees and fellows of Ireland. A large proportion may emigrate rather than accept the Sláintecare proposals. Concerns exist surrounding the ability to advocate for patients, to provide patient care, the proposed working conditions and perceived potential to deskill under this contract’s terms.

The brain uses invariant dynamics to generalize outputs across movements

The nervous system uses a repertoire of outputs to produce diverse movements. Thus, the brain must solve how to issue and transition the same outputs in different movements. A recent proposal states that network connectivity constrains the transitions of neural activity to follow invariant rules across different movements, which we term ‘invariant dynamics’. However, it is unknown whether invariant dynamics are actually used to drive and generalize outputs across movements, and what advantage they provide for controlling movement. Using a brain-machine interface that transformed motor cortex activity into outputs for a neuroprosthetic cursor, we discovered that the same output is issued by different activity patterns in different movements. These distinct patterns then transition according to a model of invariant dynamics, leading to patterns that drive distinct future outputs. Optimal control theory revealed this use of invariant dynamics reduces the feedback input needed to control movement. Our results demonstrate that the brain uses invariant dynamics to generalize outputs across movements.

Explanations of and in Time

Various approaches to quantum gravity render spacetime an emergent phenomenon, with the existence and properties of spacetime depending on a non-spatiotemporal underlying reality. This chapter investigates the mode of dependence that is involved. I explain and defend my recent proposal to classify different kinds of dependencies in terms of the principles mediating the dependency, and apply this proposal to the emergence of spacetime. While philosophers have typically interpreted spacetime emergence as involving metaphysical grounding, I show how premises that are widely endorsed lead us to classify the emergence of spacetime in loop quantum gravity as causal in nature. I recommend spacetime functionalism as a resolution of this puzzle that vindicates the natural view of spacetime emergence as non-causal. I then explore a different approach to spacetime emergence in quantum gravity, the ‘many-instant landscape’ scenario described by Gomes, and show how it fits into the proposed framework for spacetime emergence.

The interpretation of disjunction in VP ellipsis: The case of Mandarin Chinese

It has long been noted that verb phrase (VP) ellipsis cancels the polarity sensitivity of the English Positive Polarity Items (PPIs). In recent work, it has been proposed that words for disjunction are governed by a parameter. On one value of the parameter, disjunction is a PPI for adult speakers of many languages including Mandarin Chinese. On the other value, disjunction is interpreted in situ. It has also been proposed that child language learners, across languages, initially interpret disjunction in situ, not as a PPI. Taken together, these proposals predict that child and adult speakers of Mandarin will assign the same interpretation to disjunction in sentences with VP ellipsis, but will assign a different interpretation in sentences without VP ellipsis. This study assessed these predictions. In sentences with a full VP, the adult participants analyzed disjunction as a PPI, but they interpreted disjunction in situ in sentences with VP ellipsis. The child participants interpreted disjunction in situ in sentences of both kinds. Together, the findings support the recent proposal that disjunction is governed by a lexical parameter, with a default setting.

MILLET CONSUMPTION IN SIBERIA PRIOR TO MID-SECOND MILLENNIUM BC? A REVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

ABSTRACT In this paper we discuss recent developments in documenting the spread of millet across the Eurasian steppes. We emphasize that, despite a recent proposal that millet consumption in southern Siberia can be attributed to the Early Bronze Age (i.e., the late third to early second millennium BC), at present there are no direct data for southern Siberia indicating the consumption of millet prior to the Late Bronze Age, from the 14th century BC. We also present in full the combined stable isotope and 14C datasets from the Minusinsk Basin to support this conclusion.