Performance of the electromagnetic and hadronic prototype segments of the ALICE Forward Calorimeter

We present the performance of a full-length prototype of the ALICE Forward Calorimeter (FoCal). The detector is composed of a silicon-tungsten electromagnetic sampling calorimeter with longitudinal and transverse segmentation (FoCal-E) of about 20$X_0$ and a hadronic copper-scintillating-fiber calorimeter (FoCal-H) of about 5$\lambda_{\rm int}$. The data were taken between 2021 and 2023 at the CERN PS and SPS beam lines with hadron (electron) beams up to energies of 350 (300) GeV. Regarding FoCal-E, we report a comprehensive analysis of its response to minimum ionizing particles across all pad layers. The longitudinal shower profile of electromagnetic showers is measured with a layer-wise segmentation of 1$X_0$. As a projection to the performance of the final detector in electromagnetic showers, we demonstrate linearity in the full energy range, and show that the energy resolution fulfills the requirements for the physics needs. Additionally, the performance to separate two-showers events was studied by quantifying the transverse shower width. Regarding FoCal-H, we report a detailed analysis of the response to hadron beams between 60 and 350 GeV. The results are compared to simulations obtained with a Geant4 model of the test beam setup, which in particular for FoCal-E are in good agreement with the data. The energy resolution of FoCal-E was found to be lower than 3% at energies larger than 100 GeV. The response of FoCal-H to hadron beams was found to be linear, albeit with a significant intercept that is about factor 2 larger than in simulations. Its resolution, which is non-Gaussian and generally larger than in simulations, was quantified using the FWHM, and decreases from about 16% at 100 GeV to about 11% at 350 GeV. The discrepancy to simulations, which is particularly evident at low hadron energies, needs to be further investigated.Comment: 55 pages (without acronyms), 45 captioned figure

The Bergen proton CT system

The Bergen proton Computed Tomography (pCT) is a prototype detector under construction. It aims to have the capability to track and measure ions’ energy deposition to minimize uncertainty in proton treatment planning. It is a high granularity digital tracking calorimeter, where the first two layers will act as tracking layers to obtain positional information of the incoming particle. The remainder of the detector will act as a calorimeter. Beam tests have been performed with multiple beams. These tests have shown that the ALPIDE chip sensor can measure the deposited energy, making it possible for the sensors to distinguish between the tracks in the Digital Tracking Calorimeter (DTC)

Differential trends in households' connection to the Internet: An actor-centered explanation

Lang V, Hillmert S. Differential trends in households' connection to the Internet: An actor-centered explanation. RATIONALITY AND SOCIETY. 2016;28(2):141-171.In this article, an actor-centered model of households' decision to obtain an Internet connection is set up to explain the diffusion of Internet technology. First, we derive a mechanism based on the demand and supply of online information, services, and goods which drives this diffusion. Afterwards, we link this mechanism to social inequalities with regard to digital technologies and deduce hypotheses regarding changes in the relevance of different socio-structural factors for adopting an Internet connection over the diffusion process. In our analyses, we address the following research questions: Which socio-structural differentiations persist over the diffusion process and why? How much of the inequality in the diffusion of Internet connections by socio-economic status can be explained by differences in information technology competencies and resource restrictions? We test our model with a discrete time transition rate analysis and Socio-Economic Panel data. Overall, our model rationalizes about 75% of the gross inequality by socio-economic status between households' choices to connect to the Internet. Regarding the persistence of social inequalities in adopting digital technologies, our study highlights the importance of structural opportunities to develop strategic information technology competencies during socialization. With respect to related indicators, our analyses show an about 13-fold increase in the influence of birth cohort differences on the adoption of Internet connections over the diffusion process. As a consequence, a central implication of our study is that we expect birth cohort differences in the diffusion of digital technologies not only to persist, but to increase

All Citizens are the Same, Aren’t They? – Developing an E-government User Typology

Part 6: Open GovernmentInternational audienceTaking a closer look at current research on e-government diffusion shows that most studies or conceptual works deal with citizens as one broad mass that is not further described or divided into smaller subgroups. Such efforts are mainly limited to the digital divide discourse and distinguish at most between haves and have-nots or younger and older parts of the population. Understanding why and how citizens use public online services also requires an understanding of how different segments of the population react to IT in general as well as to e-government in particular. To date, no meaningful attempts to develop such an e-government user typology have been undertaken. Therefore, the study at hand aims at developing a user typology for the e-government context. To this end, we chose an explorative design and conducted a qualitative interview study in Germany in 2016 with 18 respondents from all age groups. We qualitatively analyzed the sample regarding usage behavior, variety of use, and e-government specific uses and perceptions. Our research reveals six user types differing in quality and quantity of use with regard to internet-based technologies in general and e-government services in particular. Understanding how different populations perceive e-government and contextualizing their behavior can help explaining why some citizens are making advanced use of e-government while others widely ignore these services

Wissenskluft-Perspektive und Digital Divide in der Gesundheitskommunikation

Der Beitrag analysiert die Fragestellungen und Befunde der theoretischen Wissenskluft-Perspektive sowie des Konzepts der Digital Divide im Forschungsbereich der Gesundheitskommunikation

The Role of Local Intermediaries in the Process of Digitally Engaging Non-Users of the Internet

This article aims to provide a better understanding of the process of becoming digitally engaged. Those who cannot utilise digital networks are systematically disadvantaged, particularly in a hyper-connected world in which services are provided online by default. By interviewing and observing clients and trainers at a telecentre, the ACT Digital Hub, this study investigated the process that non-internet users undergo-from digital readiness to digital engagement-in order to become adept users. Intermediaries such as telecentres play a crucial role in equipping non-users with digital readiness, which is a precursor to digital media literacy. Social environment also plays a significant role in non-users' digital readiness. Rather than focusing merely on the provision of access to bridge the digital divide, we need a longer-term investment in adequate environments, such as sustainable community training centres, that nurture digital readiness.</p

Substituting Computers for Mobile Phones? An Analysis of the Effect of Device Divide on Digital Skills in Brazil

Part 4: User PerspectivesInternational audienceThis paper aims to analyze the phenomenon of device divide in the Brazilian context in order to understand how different Internet access devices and sociodemographic factors influence the development of digital skills. The research uses the microdata of 2014 and 2016 editions of a Brazilian nationwide survey named ICT Households survey. The main findings show that mobile devices are widely used by Brazilian Internet users. However, while in upper classes this device plays the role of complementary access to other devices, allowing users to access the Internet using computer and mobile platforms, for lower-income groups mobile is the only means of Internet access, substituting the use of computer equipment. The results also demonstrate that Internet users who access the Internet using both computational and mobile devices exhibit the highest level of digital skills. In contrast, users connecting exclusively via mobile show lower levels of digital skills which might reduce their effectiveness in using the Internet. These outcomes show the relevance of understanding the conditions of Internet access as well as their implication for the development of digital skills and provision of Internet services