Large hadron collider constraints on some simple $$Z^\prime $$ models for $$b\rightarrow s \mu ^+\mu ^-$$ anomalies

We examine current Large Hadron Collider constraints on some simple $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ models that significantly improve on Standard Model fits to $$b\rightarrow s \mu ^+\mu ^-$$ b → s μ + μ - transition data. The models that we consider are the ‘third family baryon number minus second family lepton number’ ($${B_3-L_2}$$ B 3 - L 2 ) model and the ‘third family hypercharge’ model and variants. The constraints are applied on parameter regions of each model that fit the $$b\rightarrow s \mu ^+\mu ^-$$ b → s μ + μ - transition data and come from high-mass Drell–Yan di-muons and measurements of Standard Model processes. This latter set of observables place particularly strong bounds upon the parameter space of the $${B_3-L_2}$$ B 3 - L 2 model when the mass of the $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ boson is less than 300 GeV.

Application of the Zimm-Bragg Model to the Removal of Azo Dyes with Pectin

In this work, the ability of pectin (Pec) to remove direct red 80 (DR80), Congo red (CR), methyl orange (MO), and methyl red (MR) was studied. The removal percentages under adequate pH and ionic strength conditions were as follows: DR80 (99.5%), CR (99.8%), MO (88.6%), and MR (68%), showing that this methodology is efficient to remove azo dyes. The proposed method included the addition of native Pec to the dye aqueous solution and the formation of a gel that occurred when a calcium salt solution was added. This gel retains the molecules adsorbed onto the molecular surface of Pec through hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. To our knowledge, it is the first time that the Zimm-Bragg model is used to describe the removal of azo dyes with native Pec. This model includes two parameters: K u (nucleation constant), which is related to the tendency exerted by a dye molecule attached to the Pec to bind to other molecules present in the aqueous phase, and U (cooperativity parameter), which determines the aggregation capacity of the dye molecules already attached to the Pec. This model fits the experimental isotherms very well, suggesting that Pec binds single molecules and dye aggregates. The obtained results in the values of K u ranged from 922 mol/kg (MR) to 1,157,462 mol/kg (CR), and U varied from 2.51 (MR) to 169.19 (MO). These results suggest that the use of Pec is a viable option to remove azo dyes from aqueous effluents and that the Zimm-Bragg model fits adequately the isotherms of dyes that have a high tendency to form aggregates.

Domestic League Competitive Balance and UEFA Performance

This paper investigates the relationship between European football league competitive balance and the performance of that league’s participants in UEFA competitions. The evidence suggests that competitive balance measured using performance points fits the performance coefficients of countries participating in the Champions League and Europa League and that a reciprocal model fits the data best. The evidence suggests that marginal improvements in competitive balance can lead to increase of one-third a win for a league’s participants in the Champions League. The increased rewards for UEFA success suggest policies that promote competitive balance have both public and private benefits for clubs.

ODE/IQFT correspondence for the generalized affine $$ \mathfrak{sl} $$(2) Gaudin model

An integrable system is introduced, which is a generalization of the $$ \mathfrak{sl} $$ sl (2) quantum affine Gaudin model. Among other things, the Hamiltonians are constructed and their spectrum is calculated using the ODE/IQFT approach. The model fits into the framework of Yang-Baxter integrability. This opens a way for the systematic quantization of a large class of integrable non-linear sigma models. There may also be some interest in terms of Condensed Matter applications, as the theory can be thought of as a multiparametric generalization of the Kondo model.

Experimental noise in small-angle scattering can be assessed using the Bayesian indirect Fourier transformation

Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering are widely used to investigate soft matter and biophysical systems. The experimental errors are essential when assessing how well a hypothesized model fits the data. Likewise, they are important when weights are assigned to multiple data sets used to refine the same model. Therefore, it is problematic when experimental errors are over- or underestimated. A method is presented, using Bayesian indirect Fourier transformation for small-angle scattering data, to assess whether or not a given small-angle scattering data set has over- or underestimated experimental errors. The method is effective on both simulated and experimental data, and can be used to assess and rescale the errors accordingly. Even if the estimated experimental errors are appropriate, it is ambiguous whether or not a model fits sufficiently well, as the `true' reduced χ2 of the data is not necessarily unity. This is particularly relevant for approaches where overfitting is an inherent challenge, such as reweighting of a simulated molecular dynamics trajectory against small-angle scattering data or ab initio modelling. Using the outlined method, it is shown that one can determine what reduced χ2 to aim for when fitting a model against small-angle scattering data. The method is easily accessible via the web interface BayesApp.

From Government Funding to Crowdfunding: Identifying Approaches and Models for Universities

Malaysian public universities are bracing for funding cuts and moving towards autonomous status causing them to be more innovative in generating income. Crowdfunding has been part of the solutions. Unfortunately, the emerging of university crowdfunding platforms in Malaysia is relatively slow as compared to the universities in the U.K. and U.S. This study aims to explore approaches and crowdfunding models used by the universities. This study highlights different approaches used by the universities in incorporating crowdfunding into their funding strategies, which can be differentiated into two main groups, namely setting up a university-operated crowdfunding platform and using existing third-party platforms. The investigation on the Skolafund crowdfunding shows that it could be an example of which the crowdfunding model fits Malaysian universities. The findings in this paper can help the universities to ease the burden due to the budget cut impact by utilising crowdfunding.

Cationic and Anionic Dye Adsorption on a Natural Clayey Composite

One of the main challenges for environmental sciences today is the effective treatment of dye-laden industrial effluents. This work aimed to study the potential of an untreated (natural occurring clayey composite) red clay (RC) for the adsorption of a cationic dye Basic Navy Blue 2RN (CNB) and anionic dye Drimaren Yellow CL-2R (ADY). We evaluated the effect of pH, dye concentration, and adsorbent concentration on the removal effectiveness to study the absorption process. Also, we studied the adsorption process by analyzing the feasibility of several known adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. The results show that at a pH of less than 4, the CNB and ADY removal percentages were 97% and 96%, respectively. At a pH greater than 8, the CNB and ADY removals were 75% and 25%, respectively. The CNB adsorption happened by chemisorption of a monolayer on iron-containing particles (IPs). In congtrast, the ADY adsorption occurred by monolayer physisorption on kaolinite particles (KPs) and Na, K-rich Laumontite particles (LPs). The Langmuir isotherm model fits very well with CNB experimental data. The Temkin model shows the best fit between the isotherm function and the ADY dye-adsorption data. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model fits the CNB and ADY dye-adsorption data on RC particles. The heterogeneous composition of naturally occurring clay favors different adsorption mechanisms and opens an avenue for the separation process’s engineering.

Essays on inequality and mobility of Korean households' income and consumption

This dissertation analyzes income and consumption inequality empirically and theoretically using Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). This dissertation consists of three chapters. First two chapters are about detrended income and consumption excluding the effects of household's characteristics. Third chapter is about observed income and consumption. In the chapters 1 and 2, we track income and consumption of same cohort of Korean households over the lifecycle and find empirical evidences are not explained by existing income and consumption models with iid assumption of income shocks. For example, future cumulative gains in consumption (income) are negatively correlated with initial consumption (income). Second, consumption inequality does not grow over the lifecycle. At the chapter 1, we develop new income process model. Our suggesting generalized restricted income profiles (G-RIP) and stochastic heterogeneous income profile (SHIP) consider iid income shocks as well as household-specific factors of macroeconomy. We find that the estimated model fits the dynamics of inequalities and mobility of income better than the conventional RIP or HIP models. At the chapter 2, we develop new consumption process model. New consumption model has consumption shocks as well as household-specific uncertainty. Therefore, consumption risk is correlated with past consumption, which can explain the observed consumption moments. Our suggesting heterogeneous conditional mean (HCM) model fits the dynamics of inequalities and mobility of income and consumption better than the conventional model that assume iid income shocks. At the chapter 3, we deal with non-classical measurement errors in consumption using a double-differencing correction method. Aguiar and Bils (2015) develop a double differencing correction method to estimate the relative consumption inequality adjusted for measurement errors. In the first step they estimate Engel curve which measurement errors are correlated with error terms of and use current income as an instrument for total expenditure. This chapter provides an alternative instrument based on the permanent income hypothesis (PIH) for total expenditure. A long panel data is required to capture a household's permanent income and using a Korean household panel allows to test a hypothesis that permanent income could be more appropriate instrument than current income. We find the expected lifecycle income is better instrument than current income for current consumption.