We present the Data Quality Report Builder toolkit, DQRbuild, a suite of data quality tools that have been developed to vet gravitational-wave events in preparation for the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run. We explain the main functionality and the many scientific tests that we support. To validate the performance of the tools included in the toolkit, we run a series of tests on all significant candidates shared as public alerts in the third observing run to compare against what was manually reported using human intervention. We find that these automated tools can now identify 96
Conversational argument scholarship has recently examined people’s personal and social interactions for their argumentative qualities. Relying on the theory of Minimally Rational Argument (MRA), this paper investigates the manner in which moods affect people’s conversational argument acts and sequences. Three moods related to social interaction were selected: depression, anger, and vigor. Thirty-five married couples completed measures of mood and then engaged in conversations regarding issues they had nominated. Over 5,400 argument turns were coded for their argumentative function. Results indicated that moods variously associated with various argument-relevant acts and sequences. These findings confirm a new MRA proposition that people’s moods influence their conversational argument behaviors. Implications for the field of conversational argument generally and research on how affect influences reason-giving specifically are discussed.
Introduction In light of recent changes to South Africa’s healthcare regulatory landscape, including updates to HPCSA disciplinary processes, the introduction of minimum fines, and reforms to streamline case inquiries, this study examines cases of ethical misconduct among occupational therapists reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) between 2014 and 2023. Maintaining ethical integrity in occupational therapy is important to earning public trust, strengthening the profession’s identity, and ensuring accountability in patient care. Building on the findings of Nortje and Hoffman in 2015, this study analyses the types of transgressions, and the penalties imposed to better understand evolving trends in professional ethics and regulation. Methodology A qualitative historical document review approach was used to analyze archival material from the HPCSA. Available data were sorted into one of nine general categories and one of 180 subcategories, using the classification framework adapted from HPCSA disciplinary codes and tan earlier study which reviewed the ethical misconduct of HPCSA registered occupational therapists from 2007 to 2013. Results A total of 66 cases were reported; of these, fraudulent conduct was the most common transgression (61 cases), followed by professional registration misconduct, improper professional role conduct, negligence, and performing procedures without patient consent. These 66 cases were committed by a total of nine offenders, five of whom were repeat offenders. Penalties ranged from fines (R10,000 to R210,000) to suspensions of up to 2 years and mandated ethics courses. Some of these fines fell below HPCSA minimums, raising concerns about consistency and enforcement. Conclusion Compared to 2007–2013, the 2014-2023 period had a larger number of violations, which reflects the changing professional demands and regulatory landscapes. The penalties for these violations remain largely punitive, which undermines rehabilitation and broader efforts to deter unethical behaviour. This study highlights the need for continuous ethics training, consistent enforcement of penalties, and regular updates to regulatory frameworks to promote long-term ethical compliance and protect patient trust in occupational therapy practices. Implications for practice: • Highlights the importance of integrating reflective practice and ethics education as part of continuous professional development. • Emphasizes the need for consistent enforcement of HPCSA penalties to ensure accountability and deter repeat offenses. • Supports the inclusion of rehabilitative measures, such as ethics and practice management courses, alongside financial penalties. • Importance of being and acting ethical to maintain patient trust and upholding the integrity of occupational therapists
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Among the factors that contribute to tobacco initiation, use, and dependence, genetics may exert a strong influence. In mouse models, genetic differences between strains have been studied to investigate the potential drivers for these states. Previous reports indicate that C57BL/6 J (B6J) and C57BL/6N (B6N) mouse substrains show varying behavioral responses towards both natural and drug rewards. However, nicotine reward as assessed by preference for nicotine in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test has not yet been evaluated. Additionally, a point mutation in the cytoplasmic FMRP interacting protein 2 (Cyfip2) gene has been regarded as a potential underlying factor towards these substrain differences. Here, we compare the response to nicotine between B6J and B6N mouse substrains and establish a genetic correlation between Cyfip2 expression and nicotine preference in the brain. We also examine the effects of this mutation on nicotine preference between these substrains. We report reduced preference for nicotine in B6N mice compared to B6J mice and a negative correlation between nicotine CPP scores and Cyfip2 expression in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. In our investigation of the Cyfip2 variant, we found that B6J mice carrying the B6N Cyfip2 mutation showed a lower preference for nicotine while B6N mice carrying the B6J Cyfip2 mutation showed increased preference. This study establishes substrain differences in preference for nicotine in the CPP test and a mutation in the Cyfip2 as the causal variant for this behavior.
Abstract Heterogeneous reactions occurring in atmospheric aerosols are crucial components of multiple chemical reaction cycles. Sulfate species exert substantial influence on many heterogeneous reaction mechanisms due to their abundance and speciation. Despite the importance of sulfate species on heterogeneous reactions, quantitative descriptions of interfacial affinity and sulfate species partitioning at interfaces remain incomplete. Here, we quantify the interfacial properties of HSO4–, using cetyltrimethylammonium hydrogen sulfate (CTAHS) reverse micelles (RMs), as model marine aerosol particles. Infrared spectra (IR) of CTAHS RMs were collected and analyzed using multivariate curve resolution-alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS). MCR-ALS analysis reveals that four distinct species contribute to the observed IR spectra, which we assign as CTA+-HSO4– contact pairs (CPs), interfacial HSO4–, core HSO4–, and core SO42–. Computational studies reveal that the CTA+-HSO4– CPs exist in two distinct orientations at the interface. Spectral contributions from each chemical species are used to determine the quantitative interfacial affinity (χInt.) of HSO4–. Our observations indicate that the cationic charge of the interface alters the ionic distribution of sulfate species compared to air–water interfaces, placing H3O+ below HSO4–.
