Measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic rays at the highest energies using data from Pierre Auger Observatory

We report a measurement of the flux of cosmic rays with unprecedented precision and statistics using data from the Pierre Auger Observatory. Based on fluorescence observations in coincidence with at least one station of the surface detector we derive a spectrum for energies above 1 EeV. We also report on the energy spectra obtained with the surface detector array. The spectral features are presented in detail and the impact of systematic uncertainties on these features are addressed.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures, UHECR 2012 Symposium, CERN, Feb. 201

Results from the Pierre Auger Observatory

Ultra high energy cosmic rays are observed at the Pierre Auger Observatory, the largest cosmic rays experiment in operation, through a hybrid technique employing fluorescence and surface detectors. We present the measurements on the evolution of the mass with energy, the energy spectrum features, photon and neutrino limits and anisotropies based on the data collected between 2004 and 2009

Layered water Cherenkov detector for the study of ultra high energy cosmic rays

We present a new design for the water Cherenkov detectors that are in use in various cosmic ray observatories. This novel design can provide a significant improvement in the independent measurement of the muonic and electromagnetic component of extensive air showers. From such multi-component data an event by event classification of the primary cosmic ray mass becomes possible. According to popular hadronic interaction models, such as EPOS-LHC or QGSJetII-04, the discriminating power between iron and hydrogen primaries reaches Fisher values of $\sim$ 2 or above for energies in excess of $10^{19}$ eV with a detector array layout similar to that of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods

Origin and physics of the highest energy cosmic rays: What can we learn from Radio Astronomy?

Here in this lecture we will touch on two aspects, one the new radio methods to observe the effects of high energy particles, and second the role that radio galaxies play in helping us understand high energy cosmic rays. We will focus here on the second topic, and just review the latest developments in the first. Radio measurements of the geosynchrotron radiation produced by high energy cosmic ray particles entering the atmosphere of the Earth as well as radio \v{C}erenkov radiation coming from interactions in the Moon are another path; radio observations of interactions in ice at the horizon in Antarctica is a related attempt. Radio galaxy hot spots are prime candidates to produce the highest energy cosmic rays, and the corresponding shock waves in relativistic jets emanating from nearly all black holes observed. We will review the arguments and the way to verify the ensuing predictions. This involves the definition of reliable samples of active sources, such as black holes, and galaxies active in star formation. The AUGER array will probably decide within the next few years, where the highest energy cosmic rays come from, and so frame the next quests, on very high energy neutrinos and perhaps other particles.Comment: 11 pages, To appear in Proceedings of International School of Astrophysics at Ultra-high Energies, 20-27 June, 2006, Erice, Sicily, Ital

Finasteride as a model for personalized medicine

The side effects of Finasteride are currently a subject of controversy. Some studies report minor or acceptable adverse effects, which decrease after a variable period of time so that they do not necessitate terminating Finasteride administration. However, several clinical and neuro-endocrine studies show that some adverse effects persist indefinitely in the form of post-Finasteride syndrome, even after the drug cessation. This paper presents a possible explanation for these inconsistent findings. First, the study design of either informing or not informing patients prior therapy about possible adverse effects can influence the incidence and magnitude of reported adverse effects. Second, structural and information dichotomies of the brain generate four distinct neuronal networks, which are activated through specific cerebral neuromodulators and that are able to support four distinct minds within an individual body. As a conclusion, the “mind psychophysiology” and the corresponding mental impairments differ across individuals, such that not only the prediction of adverse effects should be addressed from a more individualized medical perspective, but also the therapeutic strategies could be tailored to the four distinct mental profiles described. It is a personalized approach that would be applicable to several interrelated domains of neuroscience, like psychology, psychiatry and sexuality. Finally, this perspective may represent a starting point for a more individualized understanding of mental events, perhaps even a step forward in the understanding of the mind-body problem

How are firms affected by the crisis and how do they react?

The recession started in 2008 constituted a massive shock to consumers and most firms all over the Western World. Firms were hit on their sales and finances. However, little is known on how badly they were hit and how they coped with the difficulties. This paper gives a rare and fairly early glimpse on how private Danish firms were hit and how they adjusted in order to survive the crisis. The first phase of the recession led to the largest loss of jobs since the oil crisis in Denmark. Four years into the recession we see that larger firms are gradually creating jobs again, although the overall job growth is still negative (Statistics Denmark, 2012). Consequently we present an assessment of factors that have been important in explaining why some firms have been able to recreate jobs and others have not. Especially, we point at the critical role of access to credit in creating and destroying jobs. The paper is based on a survey run on all Danish firms with more than 20 employees in November and December 2011

Evaluating the relationship between sustainable development, localisation and the informal economy: evidence from Romania

The aim of this paper is to deepen understanding of the relationship between sustainable development, localisation and the purchase of goods and services from the informal economy. This has not before been investigated. To do so, it reports a survey of 1,209 respondents conducted during October-December 2021 in Romania, a country with one of the largest informal economies in the European Union. The findings reveal a link between consumers’ motives to purchase informal goods and services and the pursuit of sustainable development through localisation. The analysis shows that there is no purely sustainability-driven consumer in the informal economy, but this rationale is prevalent as one of several motives for a large proportion of consumers purchasing goods and services from the informal economy, who do so explicitly for the purposes of environmental protection and localisation. The implications for theorising and tackling the informal economy are then discussed

Explaining and tackling the shadow economy in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: a tax morale approach

To explain the shadow economy in the Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, this paper evaluates the relationship between the shadow economy and tax morale. Viewing tax morale as a measure of the symmetry between the codified laws and regulations of formal institutions (state morality) and the unwritten socially shared rules of informal institutions (civic morality), the proposition is that the lower the tax morale (i.e. the greater the asymmetry between state morality and civic morality), the greater is the likelihood to participate in the shadow economy. To evaluate this, a 2013 survey is reported involving 3036 face-to-face interviews in these 3 Baltic nations. Using logistic regression analysis, the finding is that the likelihood of participating in the shadow economy is greater, the lower is the tax morality of individuals, population groups and countries. In addition, the likelihood to participate is shadow economy is found to significantly vary by, for example, gender, employment status and country, people living in Latvia and Lithuania displaying significantly lower likelihood to engage in the shadow economy. The paper then explores the implications for theorizing and tackling the shadow economy

Development of cutter for printed circuit board using hydraulic principle

Cutter was known since long times ago as something that was use to cut the thing into smaller piece. Starting from the usual rock at the rock age till the high technology cutter which was make from the precious and valuable material like diamond at this modern age, the cutter was develop to make our daily life more easier and easier. This project is proposed to design and fabricate a cutter as benefit to cut the printed circuit board, the board which contains cuprum as a trace to connect the electricity current to the electronic component like resistors and capacitors. The printed circuit board was widely used in modern electronic and electric component like radio and computer because it can minimize the space and reduce the manufacturing cost by assemble all electronic components together. The usual way to cut the printed circuit board is by using hand because the sensitive of it. By develop the cutter it will make the way to cut the printed circuit board is more efficient without give the damage to the board. In this project, the main purpose of study is to develop the cutter to make sure the cutter can achieve it objective. Developments of cutter are starting by choosing the right cutter's material then design and finally fabricate the cutter