Current Debate Research Articles

From birth to death: The role of upper-crustal thermal maturation and volcanism in porphyry ore formation revealed in the Yerington district

The current race towards greener energy and its intertwined increase in Cu demand imposes the need to find mineralized centers that are economic despite greater depths. To this end, a better understanding of the processes controlling the metal tonnage of porphyry Cu deposits, the main source of Cu, is needed and the focus of current research and debate. This study provides a comprehensive view of the duration of upper-crustal magmatism and its significance in the degree of metal endowment in porphyry Cu deposits using the Yerington batholith, Nevada, USA, as a case study. The Yerington district constitutes an exceptional example of an exposed porphyry Cu system where the plutonic environment that fed the porphyritic dikes is accessible. Combining trace element geochemistry and high-precision geochronology of zircon from all exposed units, we propose that the thermal maturation of the upper crust by a continuum in magmatic activity without significant hiatuses is a key factor in enabling the formation of large porphyry Cu style mineralization. The Yerington magmatic system transitioned from a volcanically active environment with coeval plutonism to a growing upper-crustal magmatic reservoir that fed the porphyritic dikes and associated mineralized centers to then resume its volcanic activity terminating the ore-forming episode. A relatively high volcanic/plutonic ratio characterized the first expressions of Jurassic magmatism in the district from ∼170 Ma with the coeval eruption of the Artesia Lake volcanics and the protracted emplacement of the McLeod Hill pluton. Geochemically, this period recorded distinctive negative Eu anomalies and a gentle increase in Yb/Dy ratios in zircon with decreasing Ti contents over a large range of zircon crystallization temperatures. This persistent magmatism over ∼2 Myr thermally matured the upper crust, enabling the growth of magmatic reservoirs that formed the Bear and Luhr Hill plutons without known volcanic activity for ∼1.3 Myr. Zircon trace element compositions indicate that this transition occurred as a continuum in decreasing negative Eu anomalies and increasing Yb/Dy with decreasing Ti contents and age across the plutonic units, reaching the more evolved signatures and lowest crystallization temperatures in the zircon from porphyry dikes. An increase in the volcanic/plutonic ratio with the eruption of the Fulstone Spring sequence likely terminated the ore-forming potential of the district. Although many other studies have provided important views on the timing and duration of porphyry Cu deposit formation, the link to their plutonic roots has been limited due to their inaccessibility. Therefore, this study offers the first complete picture into the temporal and chemical evolution of an upper-crustal magmatic system and the roles that factors like prolonged magmatism and volcanism play before and after ore formation. We argue that without the thermal maturation of the upper crust, the construction of a long-lived magmatic reservoir would not have been possible, precluding the formation of porphyry Cu deposits. Under this premise, not only the duration of ore-related magmatic activity, but the occurrence of long-lived precursor magmatism might exercise crucial control on the final tonnage of the deposit and should be considered during exploration for new porphyry deposits.

Educating for a Changing Media Landscape: Four Scenarios for Journalism Education in 2030

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, journalism schools and journalism training programmes have been trying to keep up with the constant technological and societal developments. Numerous studies have been done about what knowledge and skills should be taught and several on how they should be taught, to be more adaptive to this changing environment and media landscape. Meanwhile, also media companies are increasingly becoming educators, with their own learning academies to make journalists become lifelong learners. In this study, which was conducted in the Netherlands, we take a holistic approach to understanding the uncertain future journalism education is currently dealing with. We use the method of scenario planning to systematically analyse the current debate on journalism education. By collecting opinions and views of fifty different experts from the broad field of journalism and (journalism) education, we deducted certain and uncertain trends that led to two axes, answering the following questions: What type of journalism do we educate for and Who is in charge of the learning process? Crossing these axes, four scenarios for the future of journalism education appear. With this study, we intend to facilitate the debate on the future of journalism education.

Impact of refrigeration of different Resin composite restorative materials on the marginal adaptation in class II restorations

BackgroundThe pre-polymerization temperature of resin composite restorative materials could influence their adaptation to cavity details. As a current debate is existing about the refrigeration of resin composite restorative materials, this study was designed to assess the effect of refrigeration of 3 types of resin composite restorative materials with different matrix systems on their marginal adaptation in Class II restorations.MethodsForty-two sound maxillary molars, each with two separated Class II cavities, were used in this study. The teeth were assigned into 3 main groups (n = 14) according to the restorative /adhesive system used; an Ormocer-based composite (Admira Fusion/Futurabond M+, Voco GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), a methacrylate modified Ormocer-based (Ceram.X SphereTEC One/Prime&Bond Universal, Dentsply Sirona GmbH Konstanz, Germany), and a methacrylate-based (Tetric N-Ceram/Tetric N-Bond Universal, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein). Each group was then divided into 2 subgroups (n = 14) according to the gingival margin location; 1 mm above and 1 mm below the cemento-enamel junction (C.E.J). Each subgroup was further divided into 2 categories (n = 7) according to the storage temperature; stored at room temperature or stored in refrigerator at 4°- 5° C. Epoxy resin replicas were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the marginal gaps. A gab scoring system was used to assess the marginal adaptation of each restoration by giving scores on the basis of measurements of the maximum marginal gaps. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Chi-square test at a significance level of p < 0.05.ResultsNone of the tested groups exhibited 100% gap-free margins irrespective of margin location or storage temperature. For both storage temperatures, no statistically significant difference was observed among all tested groups either with margins located above or below C.E.J (p > 0.05). As well, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing both marginal locations for each material (p > 0.05). Regarding the effect of storage temperature, statistically significant difference was only observed between the room-temperature stored groups with margins located above C.E.J and their corresponding groups stored in refrigerator (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe refrigeration of resin composite restorative materials prior to the restorative procedures revealed a deleterious effect on marginal adaptation of the restorations with margins located in enamel regardless the type of material used.

Idiosyncratic gesture use in a mother-infant dyad in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the wild

One promising method to tackle the question, “In which modality did language evolve?” is by studying the ontogenetic trajectory of signals in human’s closest living relatives, including chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Concerning gestures, current debates centre on four different hypotheses: “phylogenetic ritualization”, “social transmission through imitation”, “ontogenetic ritualization”, and “social negotiation”. These differ in their predictions regarding idiosyncratic gestures, making such occurrences a crucial area of investigation. Here, we describe a novel and potential idiosyncratic behaviour — ‘hand-on-eye’ — which was initially observed in one mother-infant dyad in a community of chimpanzees living in the wild. We systematically investigated the form, sequential organisation, intentionality, usage, function, and distribution of the behaviour over a five-year period. The results showed that ‘hand-on-eye’ was nearly exclusively deployed in a single mother-infant dyad, was accompanied by hallmarks of intentionality, and served to initiate or resume joint dorsal travel. Although the behaviour was observed once in each of three other mother-infant dyads, these lacked the same frequency and hallmarks of intentionality. ‘Hand-on-eye’ thus qualifies as an idiosyncratic gesture. The proposed developmental pathway gives support to both the “ontogenetic ritualization” and “social negotiation” hypotheses. It also stresses the crucial need for longitudinal approaches to tackle developmental processes that are triggered by unique circumstances and unfold over relatively long time windows.

What’s the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum?

AbstractThis commentary article considers the current contentious debates over the national school science curriculum in Aoteaora New Zealand. The co-authors of this commentary are members of a group of science teacher educators and science education researchers who met recently to discuss concerns over aspects of these debates in the context of a wider political contest over the control and direction of education policy.

Decarbonization Roadmaps and Community Transition Pathways: empowering Energy Citizenship in the EU

Abstract The European energy transition is currently emphasizing advancements in regulations and technologies, with a focus also on social justice. Citizens are perceived as key players in the energy systems, as their direct involvement can contribute to the wide spread of improved behaviours and clean energy production. This paper explores Community Transition Pathways (CTPs), an innovative instrument to support energy citizenship effectively. CTPs guide citizens through structured paths, addressing diverse communities. Grounded in energy citizenship theories, the concept integrates insights from literature and policy developments. CTPs have been created within the H2020 project GRETA and verified in six case studies across Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal. This paper aims to present the instrument as a project result, embedding its creation in the current debate about energy citizenship and transition pathways and presenting the results on three GRETA case studies. The research’s originality lies in its empirical approach, emphasizing citizens’ active roles in transition processes. Successful development and testing of CTPs demonstrate their value in fostering collaboration in clean energy production and facilitating participatory transition paths. However, ongoing refinement and replicability are essential for sustained success. By positioning citizens as active participants and reshaping public decision-making, CTPs advance a more inclusive and impactful approach to energy transition.

Iberian Vistas: Franco, Salazar, and American Conservatives

The article takes both a historical and a present-oriented look at the influence of the twentieth-century authoritarian Iberian regimes—including their leaders, Franco and Salazar—on the American conservative movement. It explores the political and religious motivations and major narratives driving Hispanophilia and Lusophilia, and their main advocates. Furthermore, and with a comparative approach, the text analyzes the past and current arguments—in magazines, books, and social media—favoring both regimes, especially in the light of the revival within American conservatism of Catholic Integralism and the defense of alternative representative systems, such as corporatism, that could usher in a new postliberal political regime. The article further explores the potential impact—and inherent limitations—of such strategies and projects, and shows that the revival of interest in figures such as Franco and Salazar is significant not only in terms of a reinvigorated criticism of the political and moral philosophy of liberalism but also regarding the search for new political forms and regimes.

The Russia-Ukraine War: An Exploratory Study into the Potential Impact of Cyber Warfare on Asymmetric War Efforts

Purpose: The war in Ukraine brought attention to “new” tactics on the battlefield—namely cyber warfare. It is attracting increased attention from media and civilians, enabling civilians from countries outside of Ukraine to help fight for Ukraine. The impact of cyber warfare on kinetic war efforts is not well understood. Methodology: Secondary data were collected, which included verified reports of cyber interventions in support of either party to the Russian-Ukraine war. Various cyber interventions are discussed in terms of the type of intervention, modus operandi, and potential effect. All data have been published in English by credible sources. The effect of cyber interventions will be analysed to determine their potential impact on states that are party to an asymmetrical war. Findings: Cyber warfare can potentially act as a force multiplier in kinetic efforts through actionable intelligence collected. Currently, the effect of cyber warfare seems to be negligible, as neither party to the Russian-Ukraine war effort has achieved its political ideologies. In fact, the use of drones has brought about an escalation in violence. Implications: A better understanding of cyber interventions and more effective application of these in a kinetic war could potentially aid a nation-state in achieving its ideological objectives faster, thereby reducing the intensity of the negative socioeconomic impact on nation-states not party to the conflict. Current scholarly debates about cyber warfare view the impact of cyber interventions in a kinetic effort as negligible. This article will point to a linchpin that could change the current opinion of scholars.

Monumental effects: Confederate monuments in the Post-Reconstruction South

This paper explores the contemporaneous effects of Confederate monuments dedicated in the Post-Reconstruction South. I combine monument, election, and census data to create an election-year panel dataset of former Confederate counties between 1878–1912, then exploit the temporally staggered and geographically distributed dedication of monuments using a generalized difference-in-differences design. I find that monuments caused increases in Democratic Party vote share and decreases in voter turnout, with less robust decreases in Black population share. I find some evidence that more intense monument-building is associated with a decrease in Black lynchings. I also find varying effects based on the era of monument dedication, the intensity of monument-building, and monument characteristics. To address potential mechanisms, I present evidence that monuments were associated with increased use of famous Confederate names for children and show that decreases in voter turnout occurred exclusively in areas with larger Black population shares. Overall, my results suggest monuments promoted a distorted view of Civil War history that primarily persuaded southern whites, but also contributed to Black political suppression. The findings have implications for current debates over Confederate monuments in the United States.

Diskuse kolem knihy Francoise Mayer "Češi a jejich komunismus"

This discussion contribution focuses on three questions inspired by Francoise Mayer´s book. Was the Velvet Revolution really a revolution (and hence: is the Czech exception in Central Europe really an exception?); what can the sociologist do when the historians have not yet done their job?; and can one forget genuine reality, i.e. socio-economic history? The contribution aimed to stress that despite the considerable quality and usefulness of Mayer´s book, any kind of sociology of post-communist society will remain inadequate unless backed by sufficient research in the field of the social history of communist and specifically here the relationship of Czech society to communism. One secondary and negative effect of the lack of such studies is the tendency for current debate (fascinating but rather irrelevant and generally very provincial) on Czech collective memory of the period of communism to concentrate on the question of Czech character or on the question of the "mission" of the Czech historian. But arguably the historian is more useful when actually doing research than when endlessly reflecting on his own character.

Not-so-speedy delivery: Should retailers use discounts or donations to incentivize consumers to choose delayed delivery?

Many retailers feel the pressure to provide increasingly speedy delivery, but the realities of speedy delivery logistics are costly, complicated, and uncertain. In response, retailers have been using discounts to nudge consumers’ voluntary choice of a slower delivery option, but with tepid results. The current research argues that a better incentive exists. Data from six studies demonstrate that changing from a discount (the retailer giving the consumer a $1 reward/coupon) to a donation (the retailer donating $1 to a charity) incentive significantly increases the voluntary choice of delayed delivery. Importantly, the data shows that exchange equity drives this effect. However, two boundary conditions are identified: 1) the retailer communicating a reason for the delayed delivery and 2) the type of product being purchased by the consumer. In sum, the current research provides actionable insights for retailers that offer a delayed delivery option to consumers during checkout and speaks to the current debate about consumers’ desire for speedy delivery.

No evidence for unconscious initiation and following of arithmetic rules: A replication study.

The field of consciousness studies has yielded various-sometimes contradicting-accounts regarding the function of consciousness, ranging from denying it has such function to claiming that any high-level cognitive function requires consciousness. Empirical findings supporting both accounts were reported, yet some of them have been recently revisited based on failures to replicate. Here, we aimed at replicating a remarkable finding reported by Ric and Muller (2012); participants were able to follow an unseen instruction, integrate it with a subsequently presented pair of unseen digits, and accordingly either add the digits (resulting in a priming effect), or simply represent them. This finding thus demonstrates unconscious task-switching, temporal integration (involving mental chaining), and arithmetic operation. Finding such high-level processes in the absence of awareness is of pivotal importance to our understanding of consciousness, as it challenges prominent theories in the field (e.g., the global neuronal workspace). Accordingly, in light of the self-correction wave in psychological science in general and in the field of consciousness studies in particular, we report here a preregistered replication aimed at testing the reproducibility of this finding, while also better controlling for subjects' awareness of both the instruction and the digits. Across two highly powered experiments, our results failed to replicate the original effect. We, therefore, conclude that the current evidence does not support the claim that arithmetic operations (specifically, addition) can be flexibly initiated without awareness, in line with the current arguments for a more limited scope of unconscious processing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

THE MUTLISTAKEHOLDER INITIATIVE APPROACH TO EUROPEAN CRISIS MANAGEMENT. CIVILIAN CSDP AND ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL NONSTATE ACTORS

: The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions are deployed in complex operational environments, where a plethora of national, regional and international actors are present. These present circumstances enable the existence of an - either direct or indirect - but inexorable engagement between all stakeholders involved in similar activities. While the vast majority of current debates and research focus solely on the cooperative dimension of the CSDP in the framework of multilateralism and regionalism, the topic of the EU's engagement with local stakeholders is scarcely explored. Therefore, drawing on the multistakeholder initiative approach (MSI) in economic theory, this paper assesses the engagement of CSDP missions with civil societies and private sector entities in theatres of operations. Employing a single case study approach of inquiry, consisting of the EUCAP Somalia mission this paper aims at answering the research questions: how does EUCAP Somalia engage with local non-state actors, what are the opportunities associated with this engagement and to what extent can a MSI approach be implemented by EUCAP Somalia?By deploying a qualitative research design, this paper uses document analysis within a single case study approach of inquiry. The results of this approach show two distinct tendencies. While EUCAP Somalia informally engages with local non-state actors, this engagement is rather insufficient. Results of this research further show that CSDP missions represent an important tool of EU diplomacy and their engagement with local non-state actors positively impacts the implementation of two of their core principles: local ownership and human security.

Study of possible DND* bound states

We start from a recently favored picture in which the Λc(2940) and Λc(2910) correspond mostly to ND* bound states with JP=1/2−,3/2− respectively, and then add a D as a third particle, looking for the possible binding of the DND* three-body system within the framework of the fixed center approximation. We find that the system is bound with respect to the corresponding Λc(2940)D, Λc(2910)D thresholds with a binding of about 60 MeV and a width of about 90 MeV. Alternatively we assume a cluster of ND and a D* meson interacting with the cluster, and we find similar results. The observation of these states of JP=1/2+,3/2+ would provide new and valuable information concerning the DN and D*N interaction, an issue of current debate. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

The Slow Pace of Green Transformation: Underlying Factors and Implications

Concerns about climate change are a hot topic in the current debate about a sustainable future, and despite more than 30 years of international conferences, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), the annual usage amount of fossil fuel-based energy sources has remained largely unchanged, and the green transition to a carbon-free energy system is progressing at a much slower pace than anticipated. This paper presents an original approach that consists in addressing the green transition’s dilemmas by analyzing the complex interplay of strongly interwoven forces hindering the rapid adoption of so-called green energy sources scrutinized from a three-fold perspective: socio-psychological; political–strategic and territorial; and technological. Moreover, these forces are ranked according to the magnitude of their impact on the anticipated transition to green, and it is estimated by logistic fit extrapolation that the total share of the contribution of low-carbon sources might reach a maximum of about 25% among all energy sources in 2050. A final original picture is presented, summarizing how all the involved forces are acting upon the expected transition as well as their consequences.

Normativity and AI moral agency

AbstractThe meanings of the concepts of moral agency in application to AI technologies differ vastly from the ones we use for human agents. Minimal definitions of AI moral agency are often connected with other normative agency-related concepts, such as rationality or intelligence, autonomy, or responsibility. This paper discusses the problematic application of minimal concepts of moral agency to AI. I explore why any comprehensive account of AI moral agency has to consider the interconnections to other normative agency-related concepts and beware of four basic detrimental mistakes in the current debate. The results of the analysis are: (1) speaking about AI agency may lead to serious demarcation problems and confusing assumptions about the abilities and prospects of AI technologies; (2) the talk of AI moral agency is based on confusing assumptions and turns out to be senseless in the current prevalent versions. As one possible solution, I propose to replace the concept of AI agency with the concept of AI automated performance (AIAP).

Scales and inferences

Abstract Scalar inferences (SIs) are upper-bounding inferences associated with the use of semantically lower-bounded scalar expressions. One of the current debates regarding these inferences concerns their inferential pattern, specifically whether SIs are uniform or diverse across scales. This study follows the work on scalar diversity yet introduces two changes: First, we reexamine, from a different perspective, two structural properties of scales identified as accounting for SI diversity (boundedness and distance). Second, we analyze our data using both traditional regression analysis and complementary cluster analysis. The regression analysis demonstrates that our reexamination of the structural properties provides a more effective model, which also emphasizes the relationship between boundedness and distance. Specifically, we propose that boundedness fixes distance. The cluster analysis demonstrates two scale types: given-scales, which have an entrenched scalar construal, trigger SIs robustly; and volatile-scales, which have a fluctuant scalar construal, trigger SIs inconsistently. Building on these two scale types, we propose a necessary distinction between the conceptualization of a scale, which is diverse across different scales, and the actual derivation of the SI, which is uniform for all scales, once a scale has been construed. This distinction, we propose, explains how diversity can coexist alongside uniformity.

Co-exposure to microplastics and soil pollutants significantly exacerbates toxicity to crops: Insights from a global meta and machine-learning analysis

Environmental contamination of microplastics (MPs) is ubiquitous worldwide, and co-contamination of arable soils with MPs and other pollutants is of increasing concern, and may lead to unexpected consequences on crop production. However, the overall implications of this combined effect, whether beneficial or detrimental, remain a subject of current debate. Here, we conducted a global meta and machine-learning analysis to evaluate the effects of co-exposure to MPs and other pollutants on crops, utilizing 3346 biological endpoints derived from 68 different studies. Overall, compared with control groups that only exposure to conventional soil contaminants, co-exposure significantly exacerbated toxicity to crops, particularly with MPs intensifying adverse effects on crop morphology, oxidative damage, and photosynthetic efficiency. Interestingly, our analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the accumulation of pollutants in the crop due to the presence of MPs. In addition, the results revealed that potential adverse effects were primarily associated with crop species, MPs mass concentration, and exposure duration. Our study reaffirms the substantial consequences of MPs as emerging pollutants on crops within the context of integrated pollution, providing novel insights into improving sustainability in agro-ecosystems.

Potential environmental implications of sandbar afforestation: Insights from ecosystem restoration initiatives in a sandbar of Brahmaputra River Assam, India

Plantation in riverine sandbars offers an excellent opportunity for restoration of ecosystem with a vast potential for enhancing carbon stock. Afforestation on barren islands is challenging task; however, Padmashree Jadav Payeng has single-handedly transformed a sandbar of the river Brahmaputra into a forested landscape in India’s northeastern state of Assam. Such inspiring initiative needs more attention in terms of scientific assessment to quantify ecosystem value and services that can be enriched through such activities. This study uses remote sensing data viz., Landsat4–5TM and Sentinel 2 A data to provide a detailed information on spatio-temporal variability of land use land cover of study region from 1990 to 2021. It aims to conduct a scientific and systematic assessment of biophysical changes that have occurred in the sandbars, understand the status of afforestation, and evaluate the current levels of aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), and carbon stock in the selected sandbars. The spatial distribution of AGB, BGB and carbon stock is derived using linear regression model between SAR backscatter and field-based AGB. The results demonstrate that forest cover increased by 31.92 % and sandbar area is reduced by 26.87 % from 1990 to 2021. Spatially derived AGB ranges from 9 to 1295.89 Mg per ha, BGB from 2.35 to 290.50 Mg per ha and carbon stock from 6.18 to 763.34 Mg per ha. Ficus religiosa exhibits a high biomass, ranging from 564.7 Mg per ha to 994.7 Mg per ha, and a high carbon stock, ranging from 8 to 557.30 Mg per ha, attributed to its larger diameter at breast height (DBH). Moreover, phytosociological assessment was conducted for the studied forest, which reveal a total tree species richness of 79. The forest exhibits a total tree density of 395 individuals per hectare. Different biodiversity indices provide a comprehensive understanding of species composition; where results show a Shannon diversity index of 2.81, a Simpson's index of 0.08, a Menhinick's richness index of 2.7, and a Margalef's richness index of 5.26. The article provides detailed information on change in forest cover and present status of AGB, BGB and Carbon stock, providing evidence-based narratives on ecosystem restoration. The initiative by a single person has created a forested landscape and habitat for a large number of wild animals, contributing to better carbon stock and a healthier ecosystem. With regard to the current debate of carbon market, the study suggests the need of instrumentalization of carbon credits for such restoration activities to encourage increase in carbon stock. It also concludes that in-depth research should be taken up on long-term effectiveness of such plantation activities and the potential for scaling up these initiatives for ecosystem restoration in view of climate change mitigation and sustainable forest development.

"SOLENOID" AS WORLD LITERATURE

This study proposes an analysis of the novel Solenoid from the point of view of world literature theories. The aim of the article is to demonstrate how this contemporary type of discourse contributes to a revaluation of Cărtărescu’s writing in the national sphere, where world literature theories have not been widely explored yet and where Cărtărescu’s novels have sometimes received divergent opinions. First, we will situate our discourse in the context of world literature current debates. Second, Cărtărescu’s novel will be placed in a network of world writers we consider he belongs to. The third part is dedicated to the way in which the image of Bucharest is constructed in the novel. The closing section will clarify the reasons why Cărtărescu’s novel sets into motion but, at the same time, challenges world literature’s network of writers that it establishes strong connections with.