Author: Latest Results

Assessment of the impact of climate change on the use of aeration for the storage of cereal grains in the northwest of Tunisia

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Abstract

Grain aeration is an environmentally friendly technique commonly used to preserve the grains of cereals. However, this technique could be disrupted by climate change, due to anomalies of the air temperature and relative humidity, which would impact its effectiveness, especially in hot climate regions, such as northern Tunisia. This study examines the future potential of grain aeration over a 30-year projection period (2041–2070), comparing it with the current state (2015–2020) and focusing on the critical storage period (from July to October) in northwestern Tunisia. To assess the effectiveness of the aeration technique, we used the global climate models CNRM-CM5.1 and ESM2M, in combination with the regional climate model SMHI, considering two projection scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 to predict ambient air temperature and relative humidity. The grain aeration simulator AERO was coupled with two process control strategies, AERO2 and the timer controller, to predict grain moisture content, temperature, and suitable aeration times. The results show that the current state, as well as projections based on the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, allow for safe grain storage with moisture levels between 12% and 13% relative humidity throughout the storage period. However, simulations indicate that climate change could reduce the favorable aeration hours, with an average decrease of 23.44 h compared with the current situation with high variability of suitable hours, reflecting the warming trend and prolonged warm periods. This reduction varies significantly due to global warming and the extended warm period. During the 2645 h of storage, the projection shows an average standard deviation of 34.12 h. However, reality indicates an average standard deviation of less than 1. The impact of climate change will reduce the use of ambient air aeration, necessitating careful short-term and long-term planning. To prevent the deterioration of grain quality during storage, it is essential to incorporate the climate change component into expert grain stock management systems and harness the potential of sunlight for grain preservation through chilling aeration.

Graphical abstract

Predicted impacts of global warming and climate change on groundwater resources in a semi-arid region, southeastern Tunisia

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Abstract

The Gabès region in southeastern Tunisia faces significant water stress due to limited water resources, with groundwater being the primary source for various human activities. The ongoing and future effects of global warming and climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and fluctuations in rainfall patterns, are set to exacerbate water scarcity and degrade the quality of this region's water resources. This study aimed to assess the impact of global warming and climate change on natural groundwater recharge in an unconfined aquifer system within the Gabès region utilizing the Markov chains methodology. To do so, future climatic parameters specific to the study area were projected by downscaling a general circulation model (GCM). Over the temporal period from 2020 to 2100, various climate change scenarios, including A1, A2, and B2, were employed to estimate the evolution of groundwater levels throughout the region. Upon analyzing historical data and employing the Markov chain method to forecast future scenarios, the downscaling modeling approach proved to be effective in predicting climate parameters such as average temperature, precipitation, and wind speed for the designated time frame. The results were visually represented as piezometric maps representing the different scenarios. It is important to note that there is predicted to be a general decline in precipitation, with an anticipated average decrease of 40 mm/year by the 2100s, particularly when considering potential increases in water abstraction rates. Consequently, groundwater recharge is expected to decrease, leading to a noticeable drawdown in groundwater levels across all three scenarios. This study sheds light on the critical implications of climate change for the Gabès region, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water resource management and conservation measures to mitigate the adverse effects of decreasing groundwater availability.

Predicted impacts of global warming and climate change on groundwater resources in a semi-arid region, southeastern Tunisia

Latest Results

Abstract

The Gabès region in southeastern Tunisia faces significant water stress due to limited water resources, with groundwater being the primary source for various human activities. The ongoing and future effects of global warming and climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and fluctuations in rainfall patterns, are set to exacerbate water scarcity and degrade the quality of this region's water resources. This study aimed to assess the impact of global warming and climate change on natural groundwater recharge in an unconfined aquifer system within the Gabès region utilizing the Markov chains methodology. To do so, future climatic parameters specific to the study area were projected by downscaling a general circulation model (GCM). Over the temporal period from 2020 to 2100, various climate change scenarios, including A1, A2, and B2, were employed to estimate the evolution of groundwater levels throughout the region. Upon analyzing historical data and employing the Markov chain method to forecast future scenarios, the downscaling modeling approach proved to be effective in predicting climate parameters such as average temperature, precipitation, and wind speed for the designated time frame. The results were visually represented as piezometric maps representing the different scenarios. It is important to note that there is predicted to be a general decline in precipitation, with an anticipated average decrease of 40 mm/year by the 2100s, particularly when considering potential increases in water abstraction rates. Consequently, groundwater recharge is expected to decrease, leading to a noticeable drawdown in groundwater levels across all three scenarios. This study sheds light on the critical implications of climate change for the Gabès region, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water resource management and conservation measures to mitigate the adverse effects of decreasing groundwater availability.

Cost sensitivity, partisan cues, and support for the Green New Deal

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Abstract

Opponents of climate policy proposals frequently ground their objections in terms of costs. However, it is unclear whether these objections are persuasive to individuals considering whether to support such programs. Not only do people have difficulties in understanding large numbers, partisans in particular may place more weight on the originator of a given proposal—supporting it if their own party proposed it, and opposing it otherwise. We test these dynamics using a survey experiment that varied the costs associated with real-world climate policy proposals attributed to each of the two major US political parties, compared to a control group where no cost was made salient. Our study allows us to disentangle the effects of cost perception and partisan identity on policy preferences. We find little evidence that respondents are systematically sensitive to program cost. Rather, we find that climate policy preferences are shaped by partisan identities, with respondents showing little sensitivity towards increasing costs. The results provide reason for skepticism that cost-based objections to climate spending programs are persuasive at scale, after accounting for partisan cue-taking.

Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance

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Abstract

Background

There is a race to innovate, develop or create hydrogen production technologies to accelerate energy transition and create a hydrogen economy. Acceptance has been used in social science literature as a lens through which to anticipate possible challenges surrounding hydrogen technologies. However, very few studies problematize perceptions and focus on the production of hydrogen. Hence, this study aims to bridge these theoretical and empirical gaps using a mixed-method approach based on semi-structured interviews (n = 7) and a questionnaire survey (n = 73) to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen production sources through a social construction of technology lens.

Results

The findings suggest a tendency to favor hydrogen produced from renewable sources and to reject hydrogen produced from non-renewable sources. All the examined groups conform to this pattern. Their perceptions are based on prior knowledge of hydrogen technologies, with participants seeking information from specialized sources or from activities promoted by their organizations. Participants anticipate that hydrogen will be generated primarily through renewable energy sources and utilized where direct electrification is unfeasible. In addition, they envisage that the hydrogen economy will enhance energy democracy through representative participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the topic is limited to certain social groups and kept away from the public eye. Furthermore, unlike the benefits, the perception of risk appears to have no impact on perceptions’ construction. High confidence in science appears to minimize the recognition of potential risks and bolster the recognition of potential benefits. There is, however, a lot of uncertainty about the possible real impacts of the hydrogen economy.

Conclusions

There appears to be a collective perspective on hydrogen production sources, indicating the existence of social representations. Nevertheless, group attitudes and backing towards hydrogen vary. The participants identify hydrogen as a matter that remained unnoticed for over a decade, despite its prominent position in the policies and economic approaches of numerous countries. The topic has been relegated to third parties. This exclusion of civil society from decision-making may justify the NGO group's critical stance towards hydrogen. Moreover, it suggests that energy democracy, which is based on information dissemination and participation, is not being achieved.

Antecedent Ideological Profiles and Negative Socio-political Outcomes of LGBTQ+ Conspiracy Beliefs

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Abstract

Introduction

Conspiracy theories and beliefs (CTBs) about LGBTQ+ people are often used as arguments in political debate in Italy and across Europe to hinder the passing of protective laws and negatively affect popular consensus regarding the promotion of anti-discrimination policies and the advancement of civil rights.

Method

We conducted two correlational studies in Italy starting the data collection at the end of 2022. In Study 1 (N = 589), we investigated which ideological profile was more associated with LGBTQ+ CTBs, between the two profiles identified by Duckitt et al.’s model (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(1), 75–93, 2002): path A) high vision of the world as a competitive jungle and consequent high social dominance orientation; path B) high vision of the world as dangerous and consequent high right-wing authoritarianism. In Study 2 (N = 1581), we have also included three potential outcomes associated with LGBTQ+ CTBs in the model.

Results

Through a mediational path model, we found that path B was the strongest associated with LGBTQ+ CTBs. We found that LGBTQ+ CTBs mediated the relationships between the two ideological dispositions and (a) lower support to LGBTQ+ civil rights; (b) lower LGBTQ+ collective action intentions; and (c) higher adherence to economic myths about LGBTQ+ people.

Conclusions

Socio-psychological research on LGBTQ+ CTBs may inform social policies that work to lessen the harm these beliefs do and advance a more welcoming and inclusive society.

Policy Implications

Such results offer several insights to change and improve the actual debate in political, scientific, and cultural domains, contributing to producing new policies which might increase the self-determination of all LGBTQ+ people.

Examining non-Indigenous teacher perceptions of Indigenous students in Taiwan through a Strategic Relational Approach

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Abstract

This article examines non-Indigenous teachers’ expectations of, perceptions of, knowledge about, and attitudes towards Indigenous students in Taiwan using a Strategic Relational Approach. Drawing on survey data that combined Likert-scale responses with reflexive, open-ended questions, we found that whilst teacher survey responses indicated a normatively positive view of Indigenous students, this was troubled by their open-ended answer responses which included many negative perceptions of Indigenous students’ behaviours, family backgrounds, and capacity for educational achievement. We argue that this indicates an underlying tension held by non-Indigenous teachers of Indigenous students, constructed through contradictory perceptions of self (open to and encouraging of Indigenous learners) and of Indigenous students (as less capable than non-Indigenous students, and uninterested in educational success). Using the Strategic Relational Approach’s notion of a context conduct dialectic, we offer an explanation of this tension by positioning teachers centrally within Taiwan’s cultural political economy, before considering implications for teacher education.

Challenges and Concerns in Assisting Indigenous People with Suicide Attempts

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Abstract

There has been an alarming rise in suicide attempts among Indigenous people in Brazil, leading to national concerns about the provision of psychosocial care and professional support. In this study, we make an attempt to understand the perspectives of professionals in assisting Indigenous people from a specific group, the Inỹ, and identify the specific challenges of addressing issues through the mental health care system related specifically to suicide prevention. Using a qualitative approach with participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the research included Indigenous and their families assisted by three public institutions and the professionals that work in public psychosocial assistance. For this paper, we examined the tensions, conflicts, and challenges of the healthcare professionals at one of these institutions, a Psychosocial Care Center in the state of Goiás/Brazil. For data analysis, a sociocultural protocol was built to identify dialogical tensions between the different thematic fields of mental health care. The findings reveal that the theme of suicide was an important concern in the daily work with the community. Still, there were significant issues related to the assumptions, methodology, and meaning of care between the professionals and the community, on account of which the objective of the programme to address suicide attempts had not been effective or successful. The discussion of the results raises several critical questions about the possible contributions of dialogical cultural psychology in the context of Indigenous health. Also, it has important implications for the global issue of the wellbeing of Indigenous people.

International Student Mobility and Academic Performance: Does Timing Matter?

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Abstract

We examine the impact of credit mobility exchange programs’ timing on students’ academic performance, focusing on the moment in which students travel and the length of the period spent abroad. To provide causal evidence, we exploit unique data from more than 10,000 students from a well-known and internationalized Brazilian university from 2010 to 2020. By combing Propensity Score Matching with Difference in Differences techniques, we find that international mobility impacts groups of students differently. Students who travel closer to the end of their undergraduate courses benefit the most from the mobility experience, while negative effects are found for those who travel at the beginning of their university program. Results also show that, while student mobility impacts positively and significantly students who participate in programs lasting from one semester to 1 year, negative effects are associated with shorter periods abroad. Our findings also reveal heterogeneity across destination countries. Mobility has a positive impact on students’ grades for those students traveling to English-speaking countries. Our analysis presents empirical evidence that can be used to design international student mobility programs, providing insights to policymakers engaged in maximizing their effects.

Cryptocurrency is new vogue: a reflection on money laundering prevention

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Abstract

It has been argued that with the increasing crypto economy and the liquidity of cryptocurrency globally, cryptocurrency could potentially serve as another vehicle for money laundering activities. Yet, only a handful of studies probe the emerging nexus between cryptocurrency and money laundering and the feasibility of anti-money laundering (AML) strategies presented by law enforcement and financial institutions from a criminologist’s perspective. Therefore, this study uses the literature on money laundering to analyze the features of cryptocurrency that account for its popularity. A money laundering triangle is presented that corresponds with the use of cryptocurrency from within a criminological framework. This study also suggests that in addition to domestic and international interagency cooperation across jurisdictions, future developments should target the characteristics of cryptocurrencies such as anonymity, decentralization and blockchain which could help make cryptocurrency usage less attractive to motivated offenders across money laundering stages.