Quantum superposition of thermodynamic evolutions with opposing time’s arrows

Microscopic physical laws are time-symmetric, hence, a priori there exists no preferential temporal direction. However, the second law of thermodynamics allows one to associate the “forward” temporal direction to a positive variation of the total entropy produced in a thermodynamic process, and a negative variation with its “time-reversal” counterpart. This definition of a temporal axis is normally considered to apply in both classical and quantum contexts. Yet, quantum physics admits also superpositions between forward and time-reversal processes, whereby the thermodynamic arrow of time becomes quantum-mechanically undefined. In this work, we demonstrate that a definite thermodynamic time’s arrow can be restored by a quantum measurement of entropy production, which effectively projects such superpositions onto the forward (time-reversal) time-direction when large positive (negative) values are measured. Finally, for small values (of the order of plus or minus one), the amplitudes of forward and time-reversal processes can interfere, giving rise to entropy-production distributions featuring a more or less reversible process than either of the two components individually, or any classical mixture thereof.

Evaluation of Teaching Performance in the Virtual Teaching-Learning Environment, from the Perspective of the Students of the Professional School of Mechanical Engineering

The objective of this article is to evaluate the effect that virtual teaching-learning generates in the evaluation of teaching performance, from the perspective of the students, of the professional mechanical engineering school. During the devel-opment of the research, it has been determined that the planning, communication and overall performance factors of the teaching performance have experienced a positive variation of 63.64%, increasing by 3.8%, when moving from the face-to-face environment to the virtual teaching-learning environment. While the didactic strategies, organization and subject mastery factors have experienced a positive variation of 59.09%, this increase represents 1.92%. Although a positive effect has been generated on teacher performance, it has been determined that, of the 6 factors, it is the Communication factor which has presented the greatest negative variation, being of the total of 22 teachers, 11 who have decreased their qualification.

Thermodilatometric Study of the Decay of Zeolite-Bearing Building Materials

Six zeolite-bearing rocks, often used as building materials, were analyzed by thermodilatometry, together with a rock not bearing zeolites and a plaster covering a containing wall made of zeolite-bearing dimension stones, up to 250 °C. The main results obtained were the following: (i) the zeolite-bearing rocks exhibited very small, if any, positive variation of ΔL/Lo (%) up to about 100 °C, whereas they more or less shrank in the temperature range 100–250 °C (final values ranging from −0.21 to −0.92%); (ii) the rock not bearing zeolites regularly expanded through the whole temperature range, attaining a final value of 0.19%; (iii) the plaster showed a thermodilatometric behavior strongly affected by its water content. Obtained results were interpreted based on plain thermal expansion, shrinkage by dehydration, cation migration and thermal collapse of the zeolitic structure. The decay of the zeolite-bearing building materials was essentially related to: (i) the large differences recorded in the thermodilatometric behavior of the various rocks and the plaster; (ii) the different minerogenetic processes that resulted in the deposition of the various zeolite-bearing rocks.

An analysis of meal sharing reviews to explore serendipity

In the period 2008-2018, the positive variation of tourism industry receipts was higher than the worldwide GDP growth (UNWTO, 2019a). In 2018, the European Union was the region with the highest total tourist receipts, while France and Italy were amongst the top six tourism earners in the world (UNWTO, 2019a). In the case of France, “consumer foodservice accelerated its digitalisation in 2018, which allowed for improved customer experiences and/or production optimisation. Whilst operators widely innovated in terms of digital tools to consolidate or gain share, digital usage varies significantly between channels” (Euromonitor International, 2019a: 45). The mentioned adaptation is not only related to the use of new technologies, but to the experience itself. In the Italian market, for example, “consumers are also showing themselves to be increasingly willing to try new products, ingredients and flavours” (Euromonitor International, 2019b: 33). Cross-cultural empirical studies confirm that novelty-change is a fundamental dimension inherent to innovation in food products (Guerrero et al., 2009). Another important aspect for travellers’ food experiences is surprise, which was related to the simplicity, complexity and genuineness of these moments (Goolaup, Solér & Nunkoo, 2018). In recent years, the number of innovative tourism experiences in terms of sharing economy initiatives has increased (WEF, 2019). Amongst the factors that influenced the growth of sharing economy after 2007 were the reduction of consumer trust in corporations and the purchasing power of consumers (European Union, 2013). In this context, some activities emerged and became key sectors in this area, such as home and car-sharing (Sigala, 2015), which is expected to present a revenue variation from USD 15 billion to USD 335 billion in the period 2014-2025 (UNWTO, 2019b). Concerning meal-sharing platforms, they are considered a potential market, which is currently underdeveloped (UNWTO, 2019b). Conceptually, the sharing economy can be defined as “individuals offering their underutilized assets to others using digital platforms” (Bakker & Twining-Ward, 2018: 13). Thus, amid the aspects that differentiate sharing economy practices from traditional markets are the digital technologies that are used to match consumers and sellers, as well as the word of mouth reviews (Schor, 2014; WEF, 2017). Furthermore, the sharing economy is used to be related to eco-friendly initiatives, like the circular economy (OECD, 2019).

Effect Of Mulching On Soil Physico-Chemical Properties Of Soil Under Semiarid Of Rain Fed Fersiallitic Soil Condition In Eastern Of Rwanda

Mulches provide essential soil environment and economic benefits. Unfortunately, this study has not been done much under different local conditions. This study was carried out to determine the effect of various mulches application on some soil physico-chemical properties of fersiallitic soil in semiarid ecosystem, eastern of Rwanda. A control (no mulch) was also included in the experiment. The findings for soil indicated the higher organic matter for rice straw than control, the highest PH of 7.6 for rice straw and 6.0 for control, there was a positive variation in EC across the depth from control to mulched land. The highest and the lowest values for soil moisture content obtained were 39.25% under rice straw and 25.01% for the control respectively and the obtained results showed that straws and grass conserved moisture at root zone level; there was a change in soil BD, porosity for mulched land from control. For moisture conservation rice and beans straw may be recommended.

Formation of social and information competence of adolescents by means of case technology

Preconditions of the presented research are the modern concepts of digital competences. Success of a modern person mainly depends on how well he is familiar with the skills of digital technologies. Significant influence of digital technologies on everyday life is obvious in education sphere. Continuous life-long-learning, interactive studies and textbooks, access to investigations and learning materials are the peculiar features of 21st century students. In this regard, the analysis of social and information competence is an important demand of modern society. Despite the fact that nearly each family at present has a computer, the use of Internet by children raises fears of parents and teachers. This can be explained as follows: Internet can be used for games and not for learning; in addition, an adolescent may be a victim of cyberbullying. This work is aimed at verification of the hypothesis that formation of social and information competence of adolescents is a predictor of socially efficient behavior in virtual environment. The obtained results demonstrated positive variation of the considered indicators. Despite the fact that more precise conclusion should be based on more expanded samplings, in general, the hypothesis of opportunities of this trend has been partially verified.

RELATING ACADEMIC SELF-CONCEPT WITH SELF-HANDICAPPING OF STUDENTS OF NINTH GRADE: A STUDY OF SOUTH INDIA

Purpose of the existing study is to find out the relationship between Academic Self-Concept, and Self-Handicapping of ninth grade students. Method of the study was Survey, and multistage cluster sampling technique was used for the study; 204 secondary school students, from seven government schools of Thiruvananthapuram educational sub-district of Kerala, South India, were used sample of the study. Academic Self-Concept Scale and Self-Handicapping scales were used to collect data. The results show that there is a statistically significant correlation between the variables (p< 0.01). Thus it is interpreted there is a significant negative correlation between the variables Academic Self-Concept and Self-Handicapping. That is, an increase/positive variation in Academic Self-Concept will make a corresponding decrease/variation in Self-Handicapping of students from ninth grades, and vice-versa.

Particle acceleration by interstellar plasma shock waves in non-uniform background magnetic field

ABSTRACT Particle acceleration by plasma shock waves is investigated for a magnetized plasma cloud propagating in a non-uniform background magnetic field by means of analytical and numerical calculations. The mechanism studied here is mainly, magnetic trapping acceleration (MTA) which is previously investigated for a cloud moving through the uniform interstellar magnetic field (IMF). In this work, the acceleration is studied for a cloud moving in an antiparallel background field with spatial variations along the direction of motion. For negative variation, the cloud moves towards an antiparallel magnetic field with an increasing intensity, the trapped particle moves to locations with higher convective electric field and therefore gains more energy over time. For positive variation, the background field decreases to zero and changes into a parallel field with an increasing intensity. It is concluded that, when the background field vanishes, the MTA mechanism ceases and the particle escapes into the space. This leads to a bouncing acceleration which further increases energy of the gyrating particle. The two processes are followed by a shock drift acceleration, where due to the background magnetic field gradient, the particle drifts along the electric field and gains energy. Although for positive variation, three different mechanisms are involved, energy gain is less than in the case of a uniform background field.

Comparative analysis of income trends and perceived value of squad of the highest turnover European football clubs (2010-2019)

The purpose was to analyse the income variation of the 13 top clubs of Deloitte Football Money League Report (2019) as well as the variation of the perceived value of their squad, obtained from the website www.transfermarkt.es during 9 seasons. Friedman's two-way analysis by ranges of selected samples and Wilcoxon W tests were used to measure the evolution and relation among the clubs’ income and perceived value of players. The income of clubs was deflected according to inflation (CPI: 2016) and market value was adjusted to a 20 players squad. Market value and income have a significant positive variation from one year to the next (p = .000). We found differences between both variables only in the last 2 years on the period analysed (2011-2019). Market value has suffered an increase higher than expected. This fact should make football managers reflect on how to control constant inflation in the transfer market.

An Evaluation of the Caught Being Good Game With an Adolescent Student Population

This study investigated the Caught Being Good Game (CBGG), for use with an adolescent student population. The CBGG is a positive variation of the Good Behavior Game (GBG), a popular group contingency intervention in classroom management literature. In this positive version, teams of students receive points for engaging in desirable behavior, rather than marks for breaking class rules. Research on the CBGG has garnered empirical interest in recent years; however, there is little published research on the game with adolescent populations. This study investigated if visual feedback displayed on a scoreboard during the CBGG is a necessary part of the game. This was examined by implementing the game both with and without overt visual feedback, using an ABACABAC reversal design. Academically engaged behavior and disruptive behavior were monitored. The CBGG was effective in both formats, leading to increases in academically engaged behavior and decreases in disruptive behavior in the participating class group. This suggests that perhaps immediate visual feedback is not an essential component of the CBGG for adolescent, mainstream students. This may be a time-saving measure for teachers wishing to implement the game. Students and their teacher rated the game favorably on social validity measures.