Interpolating spatial language evolution in South America

Mapping language richness is essential not only for a better understanding of the lan- guages themselves, but also to gain new insights into related cultural phenomena such as migration or expansion. However, spatial language distribution data can be sparse to non-existent, depending on the time and location. In the framework of this thesis, a probabilistic method is developed to interpolate spatial language distributions over time in the case of South America, where overall information on the distribution of Indigenous languages families and Indo-European languages is provided at only two points in time: around the time of contact and around 1990. The newly developed algorithm, that allows to interpolate between given points in time, is composed of a cellular automaton as core underlying mechanism and Bayesian inference as statistical method. Follow-up research is suggested to further test the transferability of this model, thereby building a solid foundation for a globally applicable model allowing to conduct linguistic research in various regions across the globe

Una sesión innovadora de trabajo de laboratorio para enseñar proceso de datos : segundo curso de estudios de física a nivel universitario

An innovative reflection about measurement is proposed through Franck and Hertz experiment for second year University students. We present a sequence of laboratory work during which the students have the opportunity of deepening notions like dispersion, error and uncertainty, accuracy and precision, and some concepts of statistics. We describe how students are led to develop personal comments on their own results

Seven exercises planned to stimulate the flow of ideas in creative composition

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Higgs bosons at 98 and 125 GeV at LEP and the LHC

We discuss NMSSM scenarios in which the lightest Higgs boson h 1 is consistent with the small LEP excess at ~ 98 GeV in e^+ e^− → Zh with h→bb and the heavier Higgs boson h 2 has the primary features of the LHC Higgs-like signals at 125 GeV, including an enhanced γγ rate. Verification or falsification of the 98 GeV h_1 may be possible at the LHC during the 14 TeV run. The detection of the other NMSSM Higgs bosons at the LHC and future colliders is also discussed, as well as dark matter properties of the scenario under consideration

Determinants of the geographic distribution of Puumala virus and Lyme borreliosis infections in Belgium

BACKGROUND: Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases generally display clear spatial patterns due to different space-dependent factors. Land cover and land use influence disease transmission by controlling both the spatial distribution of vectors or hosts, and the probability of contact with susceptible human populations. The objective of this study was to combine environmental and socio-economic factors to explain the spatial distribution of two emerging human diseases in Belgium, Puumala virus (PUUV) and Lyme borreliosis. Municipalities were taken as units of analysis. RESULTS: Negative binomial regressions including a correction for spatial endogeneity show that the spatial distribution of PUUV and Lyme borreliosis infections are associated with a combination of factors linked to the vector and host populations, to human behaviours, and to landscape attributes. Both diseases are associated with the presence of forests, which are the preferred habitat for vector or host populations. The PUUV infection risk is higher in remote forest areas, where the level of urbanisation is low, and among low-income populations. The Lyme borreliosis transmission risk is higher in mixed landscapes with forests and spatially dispersed houses, mostly in wealthy peri-urban areas. The spatial dependence resulting from a combination of endogenous and exogenous processes could be accounted for in the model on PUUV but not for Lyme borreliosis. CONCLUSION: A large part of the spatial variation in disease risk can be explained by environmental and socio-economic factors. The two diseases not only are most prevalent in different regions but also affect different groups of people. Combining these two criteria may increase the efficiency of information campaigns through appropriate targeting