Direct observation of quantum phonon fluctuations in a one dimensional Bose gas

We report the first direct observation of collective quantum fluctuations in a continuous field. Shot-to-shot atom number fluctuations in small sub-volumes of a weakly interacting ultracold atomic 1D cloud are studied using \textit{in situ} absorption imaging and statistical analysis of the density profiles. In the cloud centers, well in the \textit{quantum quasicondensate} regime, the ratio of chemical potential to thermal energy is $\mu/ k_B T\simeq4$, and, owing to high resolution, up to 20% of the microscopically observed fluctuations are quantum phonons. Within a non-local analysis at variable observation length, we observe a clear deviation from a classical field prediction, which reveals the emergence of dominant quantum fluctuations at short length scales, as the thermodynamic limit breaks down.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures (Supplementary material 3 pages, 3 figures

Absolute reliability and concurrent validity of hand held dynamometry and isokinetic dynamometry in the hip, knee and ankle joint: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Indexación: Scopus.The purpose of the study is to establish absolute reliability and concurrent validity between hand-held dynamometers (HHDs) and isokinetic dynamometers (IDs) in lower extremity peak torque assessment. Medline, Embase, CINAHL databases were searched for studies related to psychometric properties in muscle dynamometry. Studies considering standard error of measurement SEM (%) or limit of agreement LOA (%) expressed as percentage of the mean, were considered to establish absolute reliability while studies using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were considered to establish concurrent validity between dynamometers. In total, 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The COSMIN checklist classified them between fair and poor. Using HHDs, knee extension LOA (%) was 33.59%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 23.91 to 43.26 and ankle plantar flexion LOA (%) was 48.87%, CI 35.19 to 62.56. Using IDs, hip adduction and extension; knee flexion and extension; and ankle dorsiflexion showed LOA (%) under 15%. Lower hip, knee, and ankle LOA (%) were obtained using an ID compared to HHD. ICC between devices ranged between 0.62, CI (0.37 to 0.87) for ankle dorsiflexion to 0.94, IC (0.91to 0.98) for hip adduction. Very high correlation were found for hip adductors and hip flexors and moderate correlations for knee flexors/extensors and ankle plantar/dorsiflexors.https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/med.2017.12.issue-1/med-2017-0052/med-2017-0052.xm

Application of Deep Compaction Techniques to Liquefaction Prevention

This article analyzes the application of dynamic compaction, vibroflotation and vibroreplacement (stone columns) to liquefaction prevention. The ground types to which they can be applied, the depths that can be reached and the degree of improvement that can be obtained are all studied. Finally, and on the basis of the above, basic guidelines are given for the design of ground improvement with these techniques and for the aforementioned purpose

Metacognition in schizophrenia disorders: Comparisons with community controls and bipolar disorder: Replication with a Spanish language Chilean sample

Metacognition refers to the activities which allow for the availability of a sense of oneself and others in the moment. Research mostly in North America with English-speaking samples has suggested that metacognitive deficits are present in schizophrenia and are closely tied to negative symptoms. Thus, replication is needed in other cultures and groups. The present study accordingly sought to replicate these findings in a Spanish speaking sample from Chile. Metacognition and symptoms were assessed among 26 patients with schizophrenia, 26 with bipolar disorder and 36 community members without serious mental illness. ANCOVA controlling for age and education revealed that the schizophrenia group had greater levels of metacognitive deficits than the bipolar disorder and community control groups. Differences in metacognition between the clinical groups persisted after controlling for symptom levels. Spearman correlations revealed a unique pattern of associations of metacognition with negative and cognitive symptoms. Results largely support previous findings and provide added evidence of the metacognitive deficits present in schizophrenia and the link to outcome cross culturally. Implications for developing metacognitively oriented interventions are discussed

La experiencia de la aplicación de un modelo de acreditación de carreras en Chile (2000 – 2007)

This work is made from the academics views considered "key players" in five higher education institutions in the region of Valparaiso (Chile), for having participated with different degrees of responsibility in accreditation processes of degree careers in education, both public and private universities. After a brief contextualization of the development and characterization of the accreditation model adopted in Chile at the level of institutions and courses, analyses their views from different experiences and views about studied institutions accreditation processes, evaluation criteria, the concept of quality used and the expectations concerning the improvement of the teaching careers. Finally, raised some proposals in order to refine this evaluative process, in response to the reality of our institutions. Keywords Accreditation; careers evaluation; quality; higher educationEste trabajo se elabora a partir de las opiniones de académicos considerados “actores claves” dentro de cinco instituciones de educación superior de la región de Valparaíso (Chile), por haber participado con diferentes grados de responsabilidad en procesos de acreditación de carreras de Licenciatura en educación, tanto en universidades públicas y privadas. Luego de una breve contextualización del desarrollo y caracterización del Modelo de Acreditación adoptado en Chile a nivel de instituciones y de carreras, se analizan sus opiniones desde distintas experiencias y visiones acerca de los procesos de acreditación en las instituciones estudiadas, los criterios de evaluación, la concepción de calidad utilizada y las expectativas respecto al mejoramiento de las carreras pedagógicas. Finalmente, se plantean algunas propuestas en orden a perfeccionar este proceso evaluativo, atendiendo a la realidad de nuestras institucione

Global Finance Meets Neorealism: Concepts and a Dataset (SWP 59)

How might one conceptualize the international political dimensions of money and finance? As the world moves from a post-Cold War “unipolar moment” toward the greater uncertainty associated with multipolarity – or bipolarity/multipolarity – the zero-sum aspects of economic resources may take on heightened significance in national calculations. The paper proposes five national financial characteristics that sovereign governments sometimes wield as power capabilities: the country’s (1) position as an international creditor, (2) home financial market attractiveness, (3) currency strength, (4) international debtor presence, and (5) leverage in global financial governance. A new dataset on the global monetary and financial powers of states (GMFPS), covering 180 countries and 27 indicators from 1995 to 2013, constructs indices for four state financial power concepts, and also provides an updated overall material capabilities index. After profiling the US, Britain, Germany, Japan, and China, we suggest a recurring, although not inevitable, financial life cycle of major powers. &nbsp

Geometry, kinematics and rates of deformation in a normal fault segment boundary, central Greece

The geometry, kinematics and rates of deformation within a fault segment boundary between the ends of two major active normal fault segments have been investigated through examination of a faulted 126 ka marine terrace. Slip‐vector azimuths defined by striations on the faults indicate N‐S extension on c. E‐W faults, sub‐parallel to those from earthquake focal mechanisms, together with significant and contemporaneous E‐W extension on c. N‐S faults. Summed rates of E‐W extension along a c. 550 m transect (0.17 mm/yr) are comparable with those for N‐S extension (0.20 mm/yr) along a c. 350 m transect. Our observations show that distributed non‐plane strain extension occurs in fault segment boundaries and this should be noted when studying fault‐tip fracture toughness and regional deformation rates

Waste Management in Mexico: key variables in play . The case of the Autonomous University of Baja California

Soil pollution, water pollution, excessive levels of noise and air pollution are phenomena present wherever human have congregated in appreciable numbers. This has been taking place for centuries. As the human population increases and its activities diversify the impact on the environment reaches new proportions and complexity. Fortunately the same human greatness for creating new forms of production and human comfort that lead to pollution is also used to try to prevent and heal the damage done to the environment or at least to slower the pace of destruction. The industrial sector has been the pioneer and the leader in implementing environmental remediation and pollution prevention measures with very good results. This trend has been taking place during the last three decades and permeates throughout other sectors that through the copying of the industrial sector scheme are taking initiatives to prevent and diminish the impacts to the environment. The education sector, specially the higher education sector, has been very active in proposing and setting-off environmental protection initiatives. The publications about diverse initiatives indicate that good results have been obtained. However, these results haven’t been obtained without hard work and troubles. Reported experiences about environmental programs at higher education institutions indicate that amongst the most common barriers for successful environmental problemsolving are the lack of environmental policies, the lack of a coordinator, and lack of financial resources. These reports however informative, lack the level of analysis that would allow suggesting deeper changes that might result in more efficient environmental programs. Other characteristic of the reported experiences of environmental initiatives in higher education is their focus on one or two variables of the internal environment of the organization