arXiv subjects

Ionica Smeets

Publications and source records attributed to Ionica Smeets.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Communicating astrobiology and the search for life elsewhere: speculations and promises of a developing scientific field in newspapers, press releases and papers

This study examines the communication of astrobiology and the Search for Life Elsewhere (SLE) in academic papers, press releases, and news articles over three decades. Through a quantitative content analysis, it investigates the prevalence of speculations and promises/expectations in these sources, aiming to understand how research results are portrayed and their potential impact on public perception and future research directions. Findings reveal that speculations and promises/expectations are more frequent in news articles and press releases compared to academic papers. Speculations about conditions for life and the existence of life beyond Earth are common, particularly in news articles covering exoplanet research, while promises of life detection are rare. Press releases tend to emphasize the significance of research findings and the progress of the field. Speculations and promises/expectations in news articles often occur without attribution to scientists and in quotes of authors of the studies, and slightly less so in quotes of outside experts. The study highlights the complex dynamics of science communication in astrobiology, where speculations and promises can generate public excitement and influence research funding, but also risk misrepresenting scientific uncertainty and creating unrealistic expectations. It underscores the need for responsible communication practices that acknowledge the speculative dimension of the field while fostering public engagement and informed decision-making.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

The effect of frames on engagement with quantum technology

Quantum technology is predicted to have a significant impact on society once it matures. This study (n = 637 adults representative of the Dutch population) examined the effect of different frames on engagement - specifically, information seeking, internal efficacy, general interest and perceived knowledge - with quantum technology. The different frames were: enigmatic, explaining quantum physics, benefit, risk and balanced. Results indicated that framing quantum as enigmatic does not affect engagement, while explaining quantum physics positively influences general interest. Furthermore, emphasising a benefit of quantum technology increases participants' internal efficacy, whereas highlighting both a benefit and a risk of quantum technology decreases perceived knowledge. Based on these findings, we offer practical advice for science communicators in the field and suggest further research.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2024

Quantum in the media: A content analysis of frames in Dutch newspapers

Quantum technology is expected to have an impact on society. Scientists warn against the use of certain frames because they may create barriers to effective science communication. We studied 385 Dutch newspaper articles for the use of these frames. Newspapers commonly explained quantum concepts when mentioning quantum technology. They also regularly framed quantum technology as beneficial and enigmatic, often in prominent positions of the articles. The economic development/competitiveness frame, the social progress frame and the risk frame were less common. Although these frames are only potential barriers, we encourage journalists to weigh them when communicating about quantum technology.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2022

Is everything quantum spooky and weird? An exploration of popular communication about quantum science and technology in TEDx talks

Researchers point to four potential issues related to the popularisation of quantum science and technology. These include a lack of explaining underlying quantum concepts of quantum 2.0 technology, framing quantum science and technology as spooky and enigmatic, framing quantum technology narrowly in terms of public good and having a strong focus on quantum computing. To date, no research has yet assessed whether these potential issues are actually present in popular communication about quantum science. In this content analysis, we have examined the presence of these potential issues in 501 TEDx talks with quantum science and technology content. Results show that while most experts (70%) explained at least one underlying quantum concept (superposition, entanglement or contextuality) of quantum 2.0 technology, only 28% of the non-experts did so. Secondly, the spooky/enigmatic frame was present in about a quarter of the talks. Thirdly, a narrow public good frame was found, predominantly by highlighting the benefits of quantum science and technology (found in over 6 times more talks than risks). Finally, the main focus was on quantum computing at the expense of other quantum technologies. In conclusion, the proposed frames are indeed found in TEDx talks, there is indeed a focus on quantum computing, but at least experts explain underlying quantum concepts often.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2019

Variability in the interpretation of Dutch probability phrases - a risk for miscommunication

Verbal probability phrases are often used to express estimated risk. In this study, focus was on the numerical interpretation of 29 Dutch probability and frequency phrases, including several complementary phrases to test (a)symmetry in their interpretation. Many of these phrases had not been studied before. The phrases were presented in the context of ordinary situations. The survey was distributed among both statisticians and non-statisticians with Dutch as their native language. The responses from 881 participants showed a large variability in the interpretation of Dutch phrases, and the neutral contexts seemed to have no structural influence. Furthermore, the results demonstrated an asymmetry in the interpretation of Dutch complementary phrases. The large variability of interpretations was found among both statisticians and non-statisticians, and among males and females, however, no structural differences were found between the groups. Concluding, there is a large variability in the interpretation of verbal probability phrases, even within sub-populations. Therefore, verbal probability expressions may be a risk for miscommunication.

stat.OT↗

arXiv2010

Finding simultaneous Diophantine approximations with prescribed quality

We give an algorithm that finds a sequence of approximations with Dirichlet coefficients bounded by a constant only depending on the dimension. The algorithm uses the LLL-algorithm for lattice basis reduction. We present a version of the algorithm that runs in polynomial time of the input.

math.NT↗

arXiv2009

Approximation Results for alpha-Rosen Fractions

In this article we generalize Borel's classical approximation results for the regular continued fraction expansion to the alpha-Rosen fraction expansion, using a geometric method. We give a Haas-Series-type result about all possible good approximations for the alpha for which the Legendre constant is larger than the Hurwitz constant.

math.NT↗

arXiv2009

Sharp bounds for symmetric and asymmetric Diophantine approximation

In 2004, J.C. Tong found bounds for the approximation quality of a regular continued fraction convergent of a rational number, expressed in bounds for both the previous and next approximation. We sharpen his results with a geometric method and give both sharp upper and lower bounds. We also calculate the asymptotic frequency that these bounds occur.

math.NT↗

arXiv2009

Quilting natural extensions for alpha-Rosen Fractions

We give natural extensions for the alpha-Rosen continued fractions of Dajani et al. for a set of small alpha values by appropriately adding and deleting rectangles from the region of the natural extension for the standard Rosen fractions. It follows that the underlying maps have equal entropy.

math.NT↗

arXiv2007

Tong's spectrum for Rosen continued fractions

The Rosen fractions are an infinite set of continued fraction algorithms, each giving expansions of real numbers in terms of certain algebraic integers. For each, we give a best possible upper bound for the minimum in appropriate consecutive blocks of approximation coefficients (in the sense of Diophantine approximation by continued fraction convergents). We also obtain metrical results for large blocks of ``bad'' approximations.

math.NT↗