The Field Museum-Oxford University expedition to Kish, Mesopotamia, by Henry Field, Assistant Curator of Physical Anthropology. 14 plates in photogravure and 2 maps.

no.28(1929)

Stochastic Schrodinger equation approach to quantum noise in resonant tunneling current

We apply the quantum trajectory method to current noise in resonant tunneling devices. The results from dynamical simulation are compared with those from unconditional master equation approach. We show that the stochastic Schrodinger equation approach is useful in modeling the dynamical processes in mesoscopic electronic systems.

Arabs of central Iraq, their history, ethnology, and physical characters / by Henry Field -- ; with introduction by Sir Arthur Keith --. Berthold Laufer --, ed.

v.4(1935)

Politiques migratoires et cinéma. Entretien

Cet entretien apporte un éclairage sur une catégorie de films mal connus, réalisés dans le cadre de campagnes de prévention contre les dangers de la migration clandestine. Pour ce faire il interroge une représentante du bureau de coordination de l'Organisation Internationale pour les Migrations (OIM) et un employé de l'Office fédéral des migrations (ODM), afin de comprendre quels sont le contextes de production et de diffusions de tels films, et surtout comment ils déconstruisent les représentations dominantes de l'exil dans les pays concernés. L'utilisation par ces campagnes de prévention de productions filmiques indépendantes, dénonçant les réalités de la migration irrégulière à l'instar des "Martyrs du Golfe d'Aden" (Daniel Grandclément, 2007) ou de "Paris à tout prix" (Joséphine Ndagnou, 2007) est aussi questionnée.

THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF A SINGLE SESSION OF PLYOMETRIC EXERCISE ON MARKERS OF BONE TURNOVER IN BOYS AND MEN

The study objective was to compare the response of bone markers to an exercise session consisting of high mechanical loading (144 jumps) between boys (n=12, 10.2 ± 0.4 years) and men (n=18, 22.5 ± 0.7 years). Blood samples were collected at pre-, 5, 60 minutes post-, and 24 hours post-exercise) to measure bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), amino-terminal cross-linking telopeptide (NTx), osteoprotegrin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kb ligand (RANKL). Boys had higher BAP levels at all time points, with an increase 24 hours post-exercise. No such increase was observed in men. Likewise, NTx levels were higher in boys, with a greater increase over time than in men. OPG and RANKL levels were similar in boys and men at all times. In summary, even one session of exercise stimulates bone turnover, as reflected in the increase in both BAP and NTx, in boys (but not men) within 24 hours.

Does bracing affect bone health in women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

Purpose: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is often associated with low bone mineral content and density (BMC, BMD). Bracing, used to manage spine curvature, may interfere with the growth-related BMC accrual, resulting in reduced bone strength into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of brace treatment on BMC in adult women, diagnosed with AIS and braced in early adolescence. Methods: Participants included women with AIS who: (i) underwent brace treatment (AIS-B, n = 15, 25.6 ± 5.8 yrs), (ii) underwent no treatment (AIS, n = 15, 24.0 ± 4.0 yrs), and (iii) a healthy comparison group (CON, n = 19, 23.5 ± 3.8 yrs). BMC and body composition were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Differences between groups were examined using a oneway ANOVA or ANCOVA, as appropriate. Results: AIS-B underwent brace treatment 27.9 ± 21.6 months, for 18.0 ± 5.4 h/d. Femoral neck BMC was lower (p = 0.06) in AIS-B (4.54 ± 0.10 g) compared with AIS (4.89 ± 0.61 g) and CON (5.07 ± 0.58 g). Controlling for lean body mass, calcium and vitamin D daily intake, and strenuous physical activity, femoral neck BMC was statistically different (p = 0.02) between groups. A similar pattern was observed at other lower extremity sites (p < 0.05), but not in the spine or upper extremities. BMC and BMD did not correlate with duration of brace treatment, duration of daily brace wear, or overall physical activity. Conclusion: Young women with AIS, especially those who were treated with a brace, have significantly lower BMC in their lower limbs compared to women without AIS. However, the lack of a relationship between brace treatment duration during adolescence and BMC during young adulthood, suggests that the brace treatment is not the likely mechanism of the low BMC.

Evaluación Psicológica de la Toma de Decisiones Éticas de Riesgo en Entorno Organizacional: Revisión Teórica

Este trabajo de investigación explora el proceso de toma de decisiones fundamentado desde la perspectiva psicológica. El campo de interés está centrado en la toma de decisiones éticas a nivel organizacional y las consecuencias que las zonas grises o las conductas de riesgo repercuten en las dinámicas económicas y sociales. Con base en el análisis de los escándalos financieros más importantes de Europa, Estados Unidos y Colombia, y la literatura ofrecida por las ciencias sociales, la ética y las ciencias económicas se reconstruye una recopilación teórica de los aportes que los modelos psicológicos aplicados pueden dar al campo de la consultoría y el funcionamiento organizacional como también al estudio y análisis de los comportamientos anti éticos en empresas.

Metodología de la evaluación de programas : evaluación de programas de postgrado en la Universitat de València.

Planificar un sistema de evaluación para los Programas de Postgrado de la Universitat de València y realizar varios estudios empíricos para mejorar las características de dichos Programas. Objetivos de estos estudios: 1) extraer información que contribuya a la mejora de los Programas y una primera valoración de cada uno de ellos; 2) aproximarse a la problemática del desarrollo de los Programas; 3) analizar: la influencia de diversas variables de organización de los Programas respecto a la evaluación obtenida, el funcionamiento métrico-evaluativo de la estrategia de evaluación utilizada, y la viabilidad de diversos aspectos que pueden implicarse en la evaluación de estos Programas; 4) aportar un estudio que sirva de base en la determinación de un sistema de estándares; 5) analizar la funcionalidad del sistema de evaluación; 6) aportar información a los Órganos de Gobierno de la Universidad de Valencia que sirviese de base para una reflexión orientada a definir los cambios organizativos. Se hace una exhaustiva revisión del marco teórico de este ámbito de investigación. En el Estudio I: 15 Programas de Postgrado, cuestionarios a 376 Estudiantes, y cuestionarios a 24 Coordinadores. En el Estudio II: 52 Programas, cuestionarios a 1062 Estudiantes, y cuestionarios a 40 Coordinadores. Como en toda evaluación, se atiende a la planificación, en la que se revisa todos los aspectos referidos a los componentes que en dicha evaluación intervienen y que tienen diversas repercusiones. Posteriormente se formuló una propuesta de Sistema Evaluativo para los Programas de Postgrado de la Universidad. En ambos estudios un aspecto común fue reflejar la opinión de estudiantes y coordinadores con el análisis que ello implica. Sin embargo la diferencia entre algunos objetivos marcó también la realización de análisis diferentes. De este modo, los análisis realizados fueron: análisis de tipologías de Programas en función de la calidad percibida por los asistentes; análisis de la potencia de clasificación de las puntuaciones de los items como elemento cualitativo para la identificación de problemas en los Programas; análisis de indicadores de organización de los Programas y su realización con la calidad percibida por los asistentes. Cuestionario de Estudiantes; Cuestionario del personal de Administración y Servicios; Cuestionario de Coordinadores; investigación evaluativa de encuesta (Kish, 1980; Suárez y Sáez, 1992). Existe una opinión bastante favorable, tanto por parte de los coordinadores de los Programas como de los estudiantes, al valorar materiales, contenidos, actuación del profesorado..., si bien se demanda aumento de contenidos prácticos, de contenidos teóricos ligados a los prácticos, de coordinación entre los diferentes profesores, y de la eliminación de la burocracia que parece dominar toda la gestión de los Programas. Los programas que reciben mayor valoración serían aquellos de menor duración y mayor especialización de contenido y con una estructura organizativa más simple. Los Programas en los que se da una mayor valoración del profesorado, son los de menor coste, con mayor número de estudiantes, de menor duración y en los que participa menor número de profesores. Las mejores valoraciones en cuanto a la organización general, logro de objetivos y utilidad global del Programa, se producen en aquellos que presentan una organización con materias de mayor duración impartidas fundamentalmente por un profesor. Los aspectos más deficitarios son: carencias estructurales y problemas de coordinación de profesorado, relaciones calidad con precio y expectativas o la adecuación de materiales. Se apuesta por una organización basada en una escasa diversificación de las materias y sustentada por un pequeño grupo de profesores. Se estima, en conjunto, que los estudios para el desarollo de estándares aportan una información útil para la mejora de este tipo de oferta formativa. El sistema de evaluación se ajustaba a los requerimientos de la Universidad y permitía aportar información relevante para el desarrollo de un sistema orientado a la mejora. A partir de este estudio, el primero en nuestro país de estas características, se ponen de manifiesto los beneficios que puede aportar la evaluación de programas en este ámbito. Un elemento que podría mejorar la oferta de los Programas sería el poder ofrecer un tratamiento unitario de la misma, aportando el apoyo necesario para la gestión integral de calidad de los Programas. Podría desarrollarse a partir de la estructuración de una unidad de Postgrados que, además de canalizar la gestión administrativa, atendiese y diese soporte a la gestión cotidiana de los mismos y que diese también apoyo pedagógico en la organización y en el seguimiento de Programas para asegurar su adecuado desarrollo. De este modo la Universidad mantendría un contacto directo con la gestión cotidiana de los Programas, pero sin suponer un elemento de rigidez en las adaptaciones o modificaciones que los Programas requiriesen. En este contexto, la evaluación de los Programas de Postgrado de la Universidad de Valencia se insertaría directamente a través de la organización de los mismos.

What determines the out-of-home placement of children in the USA?

Using NCANDS data of US child maltreatment reports for 2009, logistic regression, probit analysis, discriminant analysis and an artificial neural network are used to determine the factors which explain the decision to place a child in out-of-home care. As well as developing a new model for 2009, a previous study using 2005 data is replicated. While there are many small differences, the four estimation techniques give broadly the same results, demonstrating the robustness of the results. Similarly, apart from age and sexual abuse, the 2005 and 2009 results are roughly similar. For 2009, child characteristics (particularly child emotional problems) are more important than the nature of the abuse and the situation of the household; while caregiver characteristics are the least important. All these models have low explanatory power.

Challenges in identifying factors which determine the placement of children in care? An international review

Placing a child in out-of-home care is one of the most important decisions made by professionals in the child care system, with substantial social, psychological, educational, medical and economic consequences. This paper considers the challenges and difficulties of building statistical models of this decision by reviewing the available international evidence. Despite the large number of empirical investigations over a 50 year period, a consensus on the variables associated with this decision is hard to identify. In addition, the individual models have low explanatory and predictive power and should not be relied on to make placement decisions. A number of reasons for this poor performance are offered, and some ways forwards suggested. This paper also aims to facilitate the emergence of a coherent and integrated international literature from the disconnected and fragmented empirical studies. Rather than one placement problem, there are many slightly different problems, and therefore it is expected that a number of related sub-literatures will emerge, each concentrating on a particular definition of the placement problem.

Performance of the Hamamatsu R11410 photomultiplier tube in cryogenic xenon environments

The Hamamatsu R11410 photomultiplier, a tube of 3" diameter and with a very low intrinsic radioactivity, is an interesting light sensor candidate for future experiments using liquid xenon (LXe) as target for direct dark matter searches. We have performed several experiments with the R11410 with the goal of testing its performance in environments similar to a dark matter detector setup. In particular, we examined its long-term behavior and stability in LXe and its response in various electric field configurations.

Neutrino physics with multi-ton scale liquid xenon detectors

We study the sensitivity of large-scale xenon detectors to low-energy solar neutrinos, to coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and to neutrinoless double beta decay. As a concrete example, we consider the xenon part of the proposed DARWIN (Dark Matter WIMP Search with Noble Liquids) experiment. We perform detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the expected backgrounds, considering realistic energy resolutions and thresholds in the detector. In a low-energy window of 2–30 keV, where the sensitivity to solar pp and 7Be-neutrinos is highest, an integrated pp-neutrino rate of 5900 events can be reached in a fiducial mass of 14 tons of natural xenon, after 5 years of data. The pp-neutrino flux could thus be measured with a statistical uncertainty around 1%, reaching the precision of solar model predictions. These low-energy solar neutrinos will be the limiting background to the dark matter search channel for WIMP-nucleon cross sections below ~2X 10-48 cm2 and WIMP masses around 50 GeV c 2, for an assumed 99.5% rejection of electronic recoils due to elastic neutrino-electron scatters. Nuclear recoils from coherent scattering of solar neutrinos will limit the sensitivity to WIMP masses below ~6 GeV c-2 to cross sections above ~4X10-45cm2. DARWIN could reach a competitive half-life sensitivity of 5.6X1026 y to the neutrinoless double beta decay of 136Xe after 5 years of data, using 6 tons of natural xenon in the central detector region.

Dark matter sensitivity of multi-ton liquid xenon detectors

We study the sensitivity of multi ton-scale time projection chambers using a liquid xenon target, e.g., the proposed DARWIN instrument, to spin-independent and spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon scattering interactions. Taking into account realistic backgrounds from the detector itself as well as from neutrinos, we examine the impact of exposure, energy threshold, background rejection efficiency and energy resolution on the dark matter sensitivity. With an exposure of 200 t x y and assuming detector parameters which have been already demonstrated experimentally, spin-independent cross sections as low as 2.5×10−49 cm2 can be probed for WIMP masses around 40 GeV/c2. Additional improvements in terms of background rejection and exposure will further increase the sensitivity, while the ultimate WIMP science reach will be limited by neutrinos scattering coherently off the xenon nuclei.

Cosmogenic activation of xenon and copper

Rare event search experiments using liquid xenon as target and detection medium require ultra-low background levels to fully exploit their physics potential. Cosmic ray induced activation of the detector components and, even more importantly, of the xenon itself during production, transportation and storage at the Earth's surface, might result in the production of radioactive isotopes with long half-lives, with a possible impact on the expected background. We present the first dedicated study on the cosmogenic activation of xenon after 345 days of exposure to cosmic rays at the Jungfraujoch research station at 3470m above sea level, complemented by a study of copper which has been activated simultaneously. We have directly observed the production of 7Be, 101Rh, 125Sb, 126I and 127Xe in xenon, out of which only 125Sb could potentially lead to background for a multi-ton scale dark matter search. The production rates for five out of eight studied radioactive isotopes in copper are in agreement with the only existing dedicated activation measurement, while we observe lower rates for the remaining ones. The specific saturation activities for both samples are also compared to predictions obtained with commonly used software packages, where we observe some underpredictions, especially for xenon activation.

Exclusion of leptophilic dark matter models using XENON100 electronic recoil data

We have searched for periodic variations of the electronic recoil event rate in the (2-6) keV energy range recorded between February 2011 and March 2012 with the XENON100 detector, adding up to 224.6 live days in total. Following a detailed study to establish the stability of the detector and its background contributions during this run, we performed an un-binned profile likelihood analysis to identify any periodicity up to 500 days. We find a global significance of less than 1 sigma for all periods suggesting no statistically significant modulation in the data. While the local significance for an annual modulation is 2.8 sigma, the analysis of a multiple-scatter control sample and the phase of the modulation disfavor a dark matter interpretation. The DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation interpreted as a dark matter signature with axial-vector coupling of WIMPs to electrons is excluded at 4.8 sigma.