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Study of proton–nucleus interactions in the DsTau/NA65 experiment at the CERN-SPS
No full textThe DsTau(NA65) experiment at CERN was proposed to measure an inclusive differential cross-section of Ds production with decay to tau lepton and tau neutrino in p–A interactions. The DsTau detector is based on the nuclear emulsion technique, which provides excellent spatial resolution for detecting short-lived particles like charmed hadrons. This paper presents the first results of the analysis of the pilot-run (2018 run) data and reports the accuracy of the proton interaction vertex reconstruction. High precision in vertex reconstruction enables detailed measurement of proton interactions, even in environments with high track density. The measured data has been compared with several Monte Carlo event generators in terms of multiplicity and angular distribution of charged particles. The multiplicity distribution obtained in p–W interactions is tested for KNO-G scaling and is found to be nearly consistent. The interaction length of protons in tungsten is measured to be 93.7±2.6mm. The results presented in this study can be used to validate event generators of p–A interactions
Identification and source provenance of jadeite-bearing jade axes from Ulucak Höyük, Western Anatolia
No full textThe jades from Ulucak Höyük (İzmir, Turkey) are green-colored in hand specimen, and combined petrographic, XRD, and whole-rock analyses indicate that they mainly comprise jadeitic clinopyroxene, characterizing them as jadeite-bearing jades. Primitive mantle (PM)-normalized multi-element patterns reveal two distinct chemical groups. Both groups display depletion in Th and U; however, Group 1 shows a narrower elemental range and marked positive Pb anomaly. The second group, on the other hand, displays a wide elemental range in most elements and strong negative anomalies in Zr and Hf ([Nd/Zr]PM = 1.6–4.2; [Sm/Hf]PM = 1.8–3.5). Regarding REE systematics, both groups are characterized by weak positive slopes ([La/Yb]Ch = 1.7–5.3). However, whereas Group 1 shows coherent LREE-enriched trends, Group 2 displays flat- to LREE-enriched patterns with a wide range in Eu. When the geochemical features of Ulucak jades are compared with the high-pressure (HP) metamorphic rocks from Turkey and Greece, the similar multi-element patterns of Syros eclogites (Greece) to Group 2 Ulucak jades make Syros a possible source area for the Ulucak artefacts. On the other hand, the geochemical resemblance of the Sifnos jadeite-bearing gneisses to Group 1 Ulucak jades may raise the possibility of this island being another source for the Ulucak jades
Consistency problems of conformal Killing gravity
No full textWe show that gravity field equations based on a tensor with rank greater than 2 have consistency problems in the sense that integration constants in the solutions, such as the parameter m in the Schwarzschild metric, do not allow for an interpretation in terms of conserved quantities in the theory. The recently introduced conformal Killing gravity, an interesting extension of general relativity that inherits all the solutions of the latter, and defined with a rank-3 tensor field equation that does not arise from a diffeomorphism-invariant action, is plagued with this problem. In this theory, it is not clear at all how one can define the energy and angular momentum for black hole solutions, or define the analogs of the formulas, such as the quadrupole formula, in the weak field limit for gravitational waves emitted by compact sources
Response of the submerged macrophyte<i> Stuckenia</i><i> pectinata</i> (L.) Borner to warming in different climate regions: A synchronized oligohaline mesocosm experiment
No full textSubmerged macrophytes play a crucial role as primary producers and contribute essential ecosystem functions and services, but rising temperatures caused by climate change may alter their functional traits. We aimed to assess the effects of simulated climate warming (4.5 degrees C) on the functional trait responses of a submerged macrophyte, Stuckenia pectinata (L.) Borner, in a synchronized oligohaline (4 ppt salinity) mesocosm experiment conducted in two different climate regions in Turkey: cold semi-arid Ankara and hot, dry Mediterranean Mersin. The experiment was conducted using eight mesocosms at each site, with four replicates of each ambient temperature and warming treatment. Each mesocosm held 5000 L and was inoculated with natural sediment, plankton, macroinvertebrate and fish communities to represent natural oligohaline lake ecosystem. S. pectinata shoots collected from a single population from a coastal lake in Mersin were also inoculated in all mesocosms in similar abundances. Overall, we observed significant differences in macrophyte functional traits between the two sites with different climates, albeit with less pronounced effects of a 4.5 degrees C rise in temperature within each site. Specifically, higher macrophyte percent volume infested (PVI) and canopy height were observed in the warmer Mersin than in the colder Ankara, which we attributed to higher shading by phytoplankton (reflected by water column Chlorophyll a, Chl-a). The biomass ratio (%dry weight (DW)/wet weight (WW)) was notably higher in Ankara, suggesting that the macrophytes in Ankara acquired relatively more resources than those in Mersin. The pronounced differences between the two sites likely reflected not only temperature differences but also cascading ecosystem characteristics (e.g., water column Chl-a, water nutrients) due to climatic differences
A socio-spatial analysis of commuter preferences and behavior for driving sustainable rail network development
No full textTo support sustainable transportation network development, Türkiye made big investments in the rail sector, including High-Speed Rail (HSR) services. To better understand the rail commuter sector and its potential connection to the Eurasian corridors in the future, current trends in the Turkish rail commuter transportation sector are investigated using the nationwide conducted rail commuter survey. Spatial analysis of the trips of 7028 rail commuters showed major desire lines, which are centered around a few cities with relatively shorter intercity travel distances. Further analysis of sociodemographic information showed a higher rate of young and middle-aged travelers who were mostly male, suggesting gender inequality in the rail commuter sector. Rail commuters preferred HSR mostly for “shorter time” and “more comfort” reasons and conventional rail for “lower cost” and “more comfort". Binary logit analysis of the business trips also revealed that being male, having a higher age, and returning the same day have a positive impact on the likelihood of making a business trip
A Context Aware Security Model for Preventing Relay Attacks in NFC Enabled Mobile Devices
No full textNear Field Communication (NFC) is widely used in mobile applications, yet relay attacks remain a significant security risk, especially in access control systems. Existing countermeasures, such as distance bounding, ambient sensing, and RF fingerprinting, either lack adaptability or fail to provide comprehensive protection at the application layer. In this study, we propose M-CARBAC, a context-aware access control model designed to prevent relay attacks in NFC-enabled mobile devices. Unlike prior solutions, M-CARBAC integrates dynamic contextual verification, formal security definitions, and adaptive access control policies, ensuring that captured credentials remain invalid if relayed. A formal coverage analysis confirms that the model correctly evaluates all possible access requests. Performance tests conducted on an NFC-based access control testbed demonstrate that M-CARBAC effectively mitigates relay attacks while maintaining a reasonable computational overhead. Compared to existing solutions, our model offers a more robust and scalable approach for securing NFC transactions. These findings highlight M-CARBAC's potential for enhancing the security of mobile-based access control systems against evolving threats
Relationships Between Middle School Students’ Epistemological Beliefs and Argumentation Quality in Genetically Modified Organisms
No full textThis study aimed to examine middle school students’ epistemological beliefs, argumentation quality in genetically modified organisms (GMO), and their relationship. A correlational research approach was used. The Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ) was used to obtain students' scores concerning epistemological beliefs. Students’ argumentation qualities in GMO were collected through the genetically modified organisms task developed by Xiao, 2015. Analysis of the data revealed that although students showed mid-quality arguments, the argumentation quality score was mainly obtained from their justification scores. Students had fairly sophisticated epistemological beliefs in all dimensions of the questionnaire. The argumentation quality of students showed significant relationships between each dimension of epistemological beliefs (source/certainty, development, justification). Multiple regression analysis revealed that one of the dimensions of epistemological beliefs (justification) significantly predicted students’ argumentation quality in genetically modified organisms. It can be concluded that socioscientific issues can be used more frequently to improve students’ epistemological beliefs and argumentation qualities. In this way, students can learn to make informed decisions with the help of socioscientific argumentation.</div
Make Satire Boring Again: Reducing Stylistic Bias of Satirical Corpus by Utilizing Generative LLMs
No full textDo Bi/Multilingual Learners Play by the Rules of the Game? A Postmodern Approach to L1/L2 Use and Learner Investment
No full textThe concomitant relationship among language, identity and power has been intimately connected to the ELT world. The bi/multilingual learner identity negotiation has been viewed as a site of struggle from a postmodernist perspective. To this end, learners' existing capital in relation to their involvement in new capital is a significant issue in educational inquiries. In this narrative inquiry, the researchers aimed to uncover bi/multilingual learners' beliefs of L1/L2 use in relation to learner investment. The data were collected through a biographical narrative, a life story interview, a reflection paper and a semi-structured individual interview from five preparatory school students. The findings reiterated the pervasive situation of English as a form of social, cultural and academic capital. The benefits of L2 regarding a new identity and community, better job opportunities and empowerment appear to have a negative effect on participants' view of L1 as capital. The paper concludes that language teachers should draw on the principles of translanguaging pedagogy and call attention to the whole ecology of languages as valuable assets for meaning making
Manganese-doped iron sulfide nanoplatelets on carbon cloth: A negative electrode material for flexible and wearable supercapacitors
No full textHerein, we report the direct growth of manganese-doped iron sulfide (pyrrhotite) nanoplatelets on the carbon cloth (CC) fibers by a one-step hydrothermal method without the need for organic binders. Manganese-doped iron sulfide nanoplatelets on CC (MFS-CC) revealed surface enrichment of polysulfide species over sulfites, exhibited a variety of Mn2+/3+/4+, Fe3+/4+ surface species as well as unique FexMnyOzSn surface domains resulting in a multitude of electroactive sites, enhancing ion transport and an exceptional electrochemical performance. As-prepared electrodes yielded a high specific capacitance of 206 F g−1 at a scan rate of 10 mVs−1. Moreover, once constructed, the electrodes were encapsulated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to ensure efficient operation for up to three months. As a result, the device demonstrated remarkable cyclic stability, enduring up to 11,000 cycles without degradation. Finally, the assembled electrodes were integrated to form an asymmetric wearable supercapacitor, and this device effectively illuminated a green light emitting diode (LED) integrated into a hoodie, showcasing its potential for powering wearable electronics