MIMAC-He3: a new detector for non-baryonic dark matter search

The project of a micro-TPC matrix of cells of 3He for direct detection of non-baryonic dark matter is presented. The privileged properties of 3He for this detection are highlighted. The double detection: ionization-projection of tracks is explained and its rejection evaluated. The specific capabilities of this project with respect to other experiments are mentioned and its complementarities concerning the supersymmetric phenomenology explicitly showed.Comment: to appear in Proc. of 5th International Workshop on the Identification of Dark Matter (IDM2004), Sept. 2004, Edinburgh (Scotland

Spiritual development as an educational goal

Abstract Purpose: In order to inform current international debates about educating for wholeness and purpose this article gives a critical analysis of spiritual development as a goal of state-funded schooling in England and Wales. Design/Approach/Methods: The analysis follows a history of ideas approach. Relevant texts are examined to understand how notions of “spiritual” and “development” were first combined and introduced into mass education, and how they have changed over time. Findings: The concept of spiritual development blends scientific conceptions of human development with a holistic, but ambiguous formative principle. This expedient, even paradoxical ideal, has resulted in confusion among practitioners, and allowed for some considerable shift in policy. Originality/Value: Spiritual development in the English context provides a paradigmatic case by which to explore the integration of formative goals in the curriculum. While in some respects the English tradition of spiritual development represents something of its time and its unique cultural context, its underlying assumptions resonate with renewed international interest for educating for meaning and purpose. Keywords: cultural, development, moral, social, spiritual, curriculu

Análise do potencial de desenvolvimento de Shale gas no Brasil a partir da experiência dos EUA nesta atividade

O shale gas, um tipo de gás produzido a partir de reservas não convencionais, vem causando uma revolução energética nos EUA nos últimos dez anos. O aumento da produção desse gás no EUA fez com que o país revisse sua política energética para os próximos anos, repensasse a sua estratégia de compra de hidrocarbonetos e revitalizasse uma indústria que já estava perto do fim. Por outro lado, o Brasil tem imenso potencial de shale gas ainda inexplorado e uma atividade exploratória e produtiva onshore muito pequena, se vendo diante de uma oportunidade histórica de embarcar na “Revolução do shale gas” e crescer economicamente com os desdobramentos que isso pode trazer. Diante deste contexto, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de visitar a experiência norte-americana para extrair qual foi o ambiente encontrado naquele país, qual foi sua política de desenvolvimento, como o Brasil pode se desenvolver a partir desse caso de sucesso e quais os atuais custos de produção de gás em um campo onshore no Brasil. A ideia é que o trabalho mostre a história do shale gas, como ele foi importante para os EUA no passado recente e quais as oportunidades que o Brasil gera ao desenvolver a produção desse gás. Também é objetivo do trabalho mostrar o custo de produção desse gás no Brasil a partir de dados obtidos no próprio mercado brasileiro

Recollecting the Religious: Augustine in Answer to Meno’s Paradox

Abstract: Philosophers of education often view the role of religion in education with suspicion, claiming it to be impossible, indoctrinatory or controversial unless reduced to secular premises and aims. The ‘post-secular’ and ‘decolonial’ turns of the new millennium have, however, afforded opportunities to revaluate this predilection. In a social and intellectual context where the arguments of previous generations of philosophers may be challenged on account of positivist assumptions, there may be an opening for the reconsideration of alternative but traditional religious epistemologies. In this article, we pursue one such line of thought by revisiting a classic question in the philosophy of education, Meno’s Paradox of inquiry. We do this to revitalise understanding and justification for religious education. Our argument is not altogether new, but in our view, is in need of restatement: liturgy is at the heart of education and it is so because it is a locus of knowledge. We make this argument by exploring St Augustine’s response to Meno’s Paradox, and his radical claim that only Christ can be called ‘teacher’. Though ancient, this view of the relationship of the teacher and student to knowledge may seem surprisingly contemporary because of its emphasis on the independence of the learner. Although our argument is grounded in classic texts of the Western tradition, we suggest that arguments could be made by drawing on similar resources in other religious traditions, such as Islam, that also draw upon the Platonic tradition and similarly emphasise the importance of communal and personal acts of worship

A study of brain drain from the perspective of salvadorans living in Pamplona, Spain

This dissertation explores how 7 Salvadorans make the decision whether or not to go back to El Salvador, once they have had the experience of living in Pamplona, Spain. All of the participants have lived a disruption of their life in El Salvador when moving to Spain. Having experienced a different setting, they reflect on what the new situation offers in terms of quality of life, versus what they find in El Salvador. This interview study explores the factors they consider when making the decision of either becoming a returned migrant, or to be part of the brain drain phenomenon. Discussion is focused on emerging topics that apply specifically to the Salvadoran context, and how it is related to national policy that aims its improvement. The stories and considerations of the participants are important in terms of public policy, as governments of developing countries need to address the socioeconomic and psychological challenges faced by the potential return migrants, so that they become attractive enough to keep the new skilled citizens as part of their working force