Search

Strategic environmental assessment is often referred to as a tool for predicting the consequences of planned development. The assumption of predictability of outcomes is inconsistent with reality which is characterised by uncertainty and complexity. Furthermore, the capacity of our life support systems to absorb disturbance and re-organise without changing into undesirable states appears to be of critical importance. Resilience thinking provides a structured way of looking at complexity, uncertainty and interrelatedness of systems and processes, and above all, provides us with new ways of dealing with planning and more effective use of SEA. Resilience thinking provides inspiration for those who want to extend their thinking about sustainability, but it also challenges some ideas underpinning the impact assessment profession (the future is unpredictable; change is inevitable; increasing stability leads to vulnerability). This paper is the result of a lively and well-visited workshop on resilience thinking and SEA at the 2010 IAIA conference in Geneva. It introduces the basic concepts of resilience thinking, and develops ideas for its integration within SEA practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of post‐war Sri Lanka has seen an escalation of nationalisms that constantly collide. Post‐2009, with the end of the war, the reproduction of narratives around nationalisms has become intense, with home‐grown protests for accountability of minority injustices continuing to sustain its fervour over time. Within the context of Switzerland these events in Sri Lanka are invariably aligned with diasporic engagement. Dominant spaces such as the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland become transnational sites for the performance of long‐distance nationalism by Tamil diaspora groups, raising questions around legitimacy and claims‐making. This paper presents empirical insights as to how long‐distance Tamil nationalism is manifested as political engagement, by groups, and/ or individuals, in formal and informal transnational sites within the socio‐political landscape of Switzerland. It argues that modes of political engagement are manifested through rituals of performance and performativity such as scripting and iteration of claims‐making processes that enable legitimacy in transnational sites of lobby and protest within the UN arena in Geneva during the Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions. The paper situates its analysis within a shift in post‐war Tamil diaspora claims‐making narratives from a separatist stance to that of victimhood and human rights producing narratives that present the Tamil diaspora as a singular actor albeit with complex heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reassesses the claim that electronic voting systems help voters to avoid common mistakes that lead to their votes remaining uncounted. While prior studies have come to mixed conclusions, I provide new, more robust evidence based on a case study of extended Internet voting trials in Geneva canton, Switzerland. The trials almost exclusively involved referendum votes. For causal identification I exploit the unique circumstance that federal safety legislation created a near-natural experiment, with some of the canton's municipalities participating in the trials and others not. Using difference-in-differences estimation, I find that the residual vote rate decreased by an average of 0.3 percentage points if municipalities offered the possibility to vote online in addition to (mostly optically scanned) paper ballots. For cantonal measures, which are located towards the bottom of ballot papers in Geneva, the reduction increases to 0.5 percentage points. These remain relatively modest effects, and I find no evidence for a knock-on effect on electoral outcomes. However, on average only around 20% of votes were cast online where the opportunity existed, and online voting was most popular among voters with high levels of education. Despite the small effect sizes, the results of this study therefore point to the potential of Internet and, more generally, electronic voting technology to reduce avoidable voter mistakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Europe, knowledge about the social determinants of health among undocumented migrants is scarce. The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, implemented in 2017-2018 a pilot public policy aiming at regularizing undocumented migrants. We sought to test for associations between self-rated health, proven eligibility for residence status regularization and social and economic integration.Methods: This paper reports data from the first wave of the Parchemins Study, a prospective study whose aim is to investigate the effect of residence status regularization on undocumented migrants' living conditions and health. The convenience sample included undocumented migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years. We categorized them into those who were in the process of receiving or had just been granted a residence permit (eligible or newly regularized) and those who had not applied or were ineligible for regularization (undocumented). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with better self-rated health, i.e., with excellent/very good vs. good/fair/poor self-rated health. Among these factors, measures of integration, social support and economic resources were included.Results: Of the 437 participants, 202 (46%) belonged to the eligible or newly regularized group. This group reported better health more frequently than the undocumented group (44.6% versus 28.9%, p-value < .001), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for social support and economic factors (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-1.87). Overall, better health was associated with larger social networks (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.04-2.64). This association remained significant even after adjusting for health-related variables.Conclusion: At the onset of the regularization program, access to regularization was not associated with better self-rated health. Policies aiming at favouring undocumented migrants' inclusion and engagement in social networks may promote better health. Future research should investigate long-term effects of residence status regularization on self-rated health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we assess the demand effects of lower public transport fares in Geneva, an urban area in Switzerland. Considering a unique sample based on transport companies' annual reports, we find that, when reducing the costs of annual season tickets, day tickets and hourly tickets (by up to 29%, 6% and 20%, respectively), demand increases by, on average, over five years, about 10.6%. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to show how the synthetic control method (Abadie and Gardeazabal, 2003, Abadie et al., 2010) can be used to assess such (for policy-makers) important price reduction effects in urban public transport. Furthermore, we propose an aggregate metric that inherits changes in public transport supply (e.g., frequency increases) to assess these demand effects, namely passenger trips per vehicle kilometre. This metric helps us to isolate the impact of price reductions by ensuring that companies' frequency increases do not affect estimators of interest. In addition, we show how to investigate the robustness of results in similar settings. Using a recent statistical method and a different study design, i.e., not blocking off supply changes as an alternate explanation of the effect, leads us to a lower bound of the effect, amounting to an increase of 3.7%. Finally, as far as we know, it is the first causal estimate of price reduction on urban public transport initiated by direct democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bottom-up approach for predicting near-optimal building retrofit solutions. • Artificial neural networks ensure scalability for large-scale retrofit analysis. • Retrofit model for residential buildings of various climatic regions. • Trade-off between accuracy, computational cost, and ease of application. • Near-optimal retrofit solutions for residential buildings in Geneva municipality. Coordinated large scale building retrofit is one of the most effective approaches not only to reduce the environmental footprint of existing buildings but also to assure that climate goals can be met. Existing bottom-up retrofit approaches become infeasible or lack in terms of accuracy and/or computational cost especially when the scale of application increases in size. Hence, the aim of this paper is to propose and develop a bottom-up approach for large-scale building retrofit with the use of a scalable building-level surrogate retrofit model. To ensure scalability and generalization to large areas, we use artificial neural networks. The developed approach consists of a set of artificial neural networks trained on building archetypes, aiming to predict near-optimal building retrofit solutions for all residential buildings in Switzerland. This is achieved with a small set of inputs, and within a short run time. In order to validate the developed approach, we compare it with a conventional mixed building simulation and optimization approach. The surrogate model computes near-optimal building retrofit solutions, with an average coefficient of determination of 0.91 and an average f1 score of 0.89. To illustrate the advantages of this model, we perform a large-scale retrofit analysis of a case study in Geneva municipality. Such a surrogate model is capable of providing insights into the overall retrofit potential of large areas and thus shall support reaching energy emission reduction targets of existing residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on two questions: (I) how to set research priorities in a transparent, systematic, fair and legitimate way?; and (ii) how to mobilize low and middle- income countries to take more ownership in defining their own research policies, rather than merely being passive recipients of international aid for research and development? I propose that the recently developed Child Health and Nutrition Research initiative (CHNRI) methodology is becoming widely accepted as a feasible answer to both those questions. In this paper, I review its numerous applications to date and show how it evolved into a practical and systematic tool that can assist priority setting in health research investments in diverse contexts. The CHNRI methodology also addresses support for different instruments of health research to achieve better balance between fundamental research, translation research and implementation research. The wide application of CHNRI methodology is expected to maximise the potential of health research to reduce disease burden and gradually reduce inequities that exist between support for research on the health problems of the rich and the poor. I believe that this tool will find application within many low and middle-income countries and assist them to pull together their own experts and actively define their priorities for research and development in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scalp is a common site of involvement of psoriasis and, for many patients, is a challenging aspect of their disease. This can be attributed not only to the scaling, itching and cosmetic embarrassment that go with scalp psoriasis, but also to the fact that the scalp skin is relatively inaccessible, making topical therapies difficult to apply. The proximity of sensitive facial skin can also limit the use of potentially irritating topical treatments. Nevertheless, the specific challenges of scalp psoriasis are often neglected by treatment guidelines. This paper summarizes the discussions that took place at an international conference of experts convened in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2008. The objective of the meeting was to review the available treatments for scalp psoriasis in terms of efficacy, safety, convenience, and the implications for patient compliance with treatment. In addition, definitions of mild, moderate and severe scalp psoriasis were agreed. This paper presents a treatment algorithm that includes recommendations for patients in all three categories. It considers the role of potent topical corticosteroids, vitamin D3 derivatives, salicylic acid preparations, and photo- and radiotherapy, as well as systemic therapies, including newer biological agents, for patients with widespread psoriasis with scalp involvement. Data from clinical trials indicate that a potent topical corticosteroid in a short-contact formulation is the most appropriate treatment for most patients with scalp psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the multiple public-private exchanges and cooperation involved in the installation and development of CCTV surveillance at Geneva International Airport. Emphasis is placed on the interacting forms of authority and expertise of five parties: the user(s), owner and supplier of the camera system, as well as the technical managers of the airport and the Swiss regulatory bodies in airport security. While placing the issues of airport surveillance in the particular context of a specific range of projects and transformations relating to the developments of CCTV at Geneva Airport, the paper not only provides important insights into the micro-politics of surveillance at Geneva Airport, but aims to re-institute these as part of a broader ‘problematic’: the mediating role of expertise and the growing functional fragmentation of authority in contemporary security governance. On this basis, the paper also exemplifies the growing mutual interdependences between security and business interests in the ever growing ‘surveillant assemblage’ in contemporary security governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo describe el programa de investigación Lenguaje, Acción y Formación (LAF) llevado a cabo en la Universidad de Ginebra, inspirado en la corriente de análisis del trabajo y estudia la enseñanza del alemán (segunda lengua), en la escuela primaria ginebrina. Este programa parte, por un lado, de un modelo del trabajo desarrollado en la corriente de la ergonomia cognitiva francófona, y por otro de la corriente sociológica de la morfogénesis de lo social, que enfatiza el papel del lenguaje en la definición y, en consecuencia, en la realización de las acciones De los distintos campos profesionales considerados en el programa –una empresa farmacéutica, servicio hospitalario y escuela– este trabajo se centra en este último, más concretamente en la enseñanza del alemán lengua segunda en la escuela primaria ginebrina. El corpus incluye el conjunto de textos producidos por la institución a propósito de las tareas seleccionadas para la investigación, grabaciones vídeo de sesiones de aula y entrevistas con los profesores, antes y después de la realización de la clase. La metodología empleada se basa en la perspectiva del interaccionismo sociodiscursivo, desarrollada en el departamento de Didáctica de las lenguas de Ginebra. Los resultados muestran elementos descriptivos que dan cuenta de cómo el profesor construye su actividad en el aula a partir del manual, y como produce en la primera lengua los enunciados verbales de enmarque de la acción, lo que pone en evidencia que la formación del profesorado debería ocuparse de este contenido de formación en segundas lenguas.The paper reviews a Language, Action and Training (LAF: langage, action et formation) research programme run at the University of Geneva. It is inspired on a work analysis approach and studies L2 German teaching. The programme is based on 1) a working model developed in French cognitive ergonomics, and 2) a socio-morphogenesis sociological approach that highlights the role played by language in defining actions and, consequently, in performance. Although the programme includes different professional fields –pharmaceutical company, hospital service, and school– the present paper focuses on the latter, more specifically on L2 German teaching in Geneva primary schools. The corpus includes texts elaborated by the institution regarding the research tasks, video recordings of classroom sessions, and interviews with teachers before and after giving their class. The methodology used follows a socio-discursive interactionist perspective drawn up at the Geneva Language Education Department. The results show descriptive elements that account for how teachers build their lesson plan based on the class textbook, and how they use the L1 to frame the action. This highlights the need to include teacher-student interaction in teachers'' second language training courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometrical aspects of the design of fault current limiters (FCL) have a great impact on their performances. Recently, the University of Geneva have made certain optimizations by splitting the FCL into many small dissipative lengths in order to achieve a distributed transition along the device. For this paper, we have performed new 3D finite element method (FEM) simulations for studying the behavior of strip lines of a YB CO/Au FCL in an AC nominal use (sinusoidal current at industrial frequency) up to 3 Ic. The very large aspect ratio of the device needs a particular attention to the modeling and meshing process. The numerical results show that presence of sharp corners can influence the performance of the device. Due to the high value of the electric field in these areas, the local losses are much higher than in the case of smooth corners, and this may lead to burning and cracking the wafer. Ic- reversible damage experiments have confirmed these locations. In this paper we proposed new geometries, taking into account the length of the connecting path and the corners optimization in order to decrease the risk of very high localized losses in the meander. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the hedonic approach, this paper analyses housing market data to infer the impact of noise on rents in Geneva, Switzerland. Using three different databases, including a geographical information system (GIS), structural, accessibility and environmental variables were obtained for a large proportion of apartments rented in Geneva. The paper is thus in line with the new generation hedonic models, which exploit the vast potential of GIS to obtain large databases including detailed characteristics of the apartments. In addition, different and original measures of noise were used in order to assess possible differences of the noise impact on rents, while existing studies typically refer to a single noise index. This paper assesses the impacts of noise related to all sources, but also to airport noise only, while existing studies usually refer to road or aircraft noise. The results can be summarised as follows. First, it is shown that the impact of all sources of noise on rents at the level of the whole canton is about 0.7 per cent per dB(A) and about 1 per cent when considering exclusively airplane noise, in the airport area. Secondly, this impact does not change fundamentally depending on the different measures of noise used in the estimations. Thirdly, the impact of noise does not depend on the institutional structure of the market—i.e. it is relatively similar in the private rental sector and in apartments directly under government control, although in the former the dynamic of noise has a greater impact. Fourthly, the results show that noise also has a higher economic impact, when the background noise level is lower. And fifthly, air pollution has a distinct impact on rents, in addition to noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors conducted a randomized trial in Geneva, Switzerland, to assess whether response rates to a mailed survey could be increased by printing the questionnaire on green paper. The authors also conducted a meta-analysis of 10 experimental studies that tested the effect of colored questionnaires on response rates. The randomized trial showed no effect (relative risk of responding [RR] = 1.00). The meta-analysis showed that mailing questionnaires on pink paper increased response rates by 12% (RR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.01 to 1.25, p = 0.04). Other colors had no statistically significant effect (blue: RR = 1.03, p = 0.49; green: RR = 1.02, p = 0.23; yellow: RR = 0.96, p = 0.30). Overall, using colored instead of white paper had no effect (RR = 1.02, p = 0.17). Thus, printing questionnaires on colored paper does not substantially increase response rates in surveys, except for pink paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Levelized costs, economic impact multiplier and share of domestic impact are assessed for geothermal district heating. • Choosing the right share of geothermal heat in the district heating is crucial for levelized costs. • The choice of auxiliary heat strongly influences district heating's economic impacts. • Standalone geothermal systems have higher domestic economic impacts. • Integrating waste incineration heat often maximizes both competitiveness and economic impacts. Geothermal district heating could play an important role towards climate change mitigation, but its slow uptake implies that it is cost competitive only under specific sets of conditions, including drilling success and design of the district heating. Even in cases when geothermal district heating may be less cost competitive than other alternatives, expenditure that occurs during its development brings indirect economic impact that could also benefit domestic economy. Using the case study of the State of Geneva in Switzerland, this paper analyzes cost competitiveness and economic impacts of 5′892 decision paths (combinations of decisions) to develop geothermal district heating, including the choice of auxiliary heat source, and uses comprehensive sensitivity analysis to identify the most influential decisions. The right share of geothermal coverage in the heat mix to achieve an optimum combination of investment costs and geothermal heat production, and the integration of waste incineration as auxiliary heat source are crucial for cost competitiveness. High economic impact multipliers are created by geothermal systems incorporating individual pellet boilers as auxiliary heat source. High share of domestic impact consistently occurs in the case of standalone geothermal installations, especially when they are used with second or third generation of district heating. Combining geothermal district heating from medium and deep wells (1′500 m and 2′500 m) with heat from waste incineration creates synergies where above-average cost competitiveness and economic impacts are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prison institutional conditions affect risk for self-harm among detainees. In particular, prison overcrowding may increase the likelihood of self-harm by creating competition for resources, space, and enhancing a "deprivation state." The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between overcrowding and prisoner acts of self-harm.Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study took place at Geneva's pre-trial prison (capacity:376) between 2006 and 2014. Outcomes were acts of self-harm that required medical attention, and self-strangulation/hanging events (combined into one group, as these are difficult to differentiate). Dichotomous predictors were overcrowding index- annual mean daily population divided by capacity ( > 200 percent vs < 200 percent), and year group (2006-2009 vs 2011-2014).Findings: Self-harm and self-strangulations/hangings increased in 2011-2014 compared to 2006-2010 (p < 0.001). Overcrowding in excess of 200 percent was associated with self-strangulation/hangings (p < 0.001) but not with all self-harm events. In terms of pertinent demographics that would affect self-harm, there was no prison change in gender, area of origin, foreign residency, religion, or psychiatric treatment.Research Limitations/implications: The present study is limited by the definition and identification of self-harm. The distinction between self-strangulation and self-hanging, and the precise classification of an intent to die is difficult to make in practice, especially with limited prison data records available. The relevant literature addresses the complexity of the association between non-suicidal and suicidal behavior. Despite this, the combined category self-strangulations/hangings gives some indication of severe self-harm events, especially since the methodology of categorization employed was consistent throughout the entire period of the study. Other limitations include the small sample size and the lack of individual patient data and prison data to help control for confounding factors. Despite these drawbacks, pertinent data (socio-demographics and number of prisoners treated for mental health and drug abuse) remained stable over the years. Thus, there are no apparent changes in the inmate population that could be linked to an increase in self-harm. High-security placements and mean prisoner stay have increased over time, with a decrease in staff to prisoner ratio - and these must be looked into further as contributors. Additionally, qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and focus groups could delineate the impact of overcrowding on prisoner well-being and self-harm potential.Practical Implications: The authors observed a significant increase in self-harm and self-strangulation/hangings over time, and overcrowding was significantly associated with self-strangulation/hangings (but not with all self-harm events). Overcrowding can impose destructive effects on the psychological and behavioral well being of inmates in prison, influencing a myriad of emotional and livelihood factors that predispose to harmful behavior.Originality/value: This report should alert public health and prison authorities to this issue, and garner resources to address such an alarming rise. The findings from this short report demonstrate the need for a further examination of the mechanisms affecting self-harm among prisoners in this population, particularly the relationship between self-strangulations/hangings and overcrowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key issue in cooperation research is to determine the conditions under which individuals invest in a public good. Here, we tested whether cues of being watched increase investments in an anonymous public good situation in real life. We examined whether individuals would invest more by removing experimentally placed garbage (paper and plastic bottles) from bus stop benches in Geneva in the presence of images of eyes compared to controls (images of flowers). We provided separate bins for each of both types of garbage to investigate whether individuals would deposit more items into the appropriate bin in the presence of eyes. The treatment had no effect on the likelihood that individuals present at the bus stop would remove garbage. However, those individuals that engaged in garbage clearing, and were thus likely affected by the treatment, invested more time to do so in the presence of eyes. Images of eyes had a direct effect on behaviour, rather than merely enhancing attention towards a symbolic sign requesting removal of garbage. These findings show that simple images of eyes can trigger reputational effects that significantly enhance on non-monetary investments in anonymous public goods under real life conditions. We discuss our results in the light of previous findings and suggest that human social behaviour may often be shaped by relatively simple and potentially unconscious mechanisms instead of very complex cognitive capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the methodology used to create a multimedia collection of cases with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) at the University Hospitals of Geneva. The dataset contains high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) image series with three-dimensional annotated regions of pathological lung tissue along with clinical parameters from patients with pathologically proven diagnoses of ILDs. The motivations for this work is to palliate the lack of publicly available collections of ILD cases to serve as a basis for the development and evaluation of image-based computerized diagnostic aid. After 38 months of data collection, the library contains 128 patients affected with one of the 13 histological diagnoses of ILDs, 108 image series with more than 41l of annotated lung tissue patterns as well as a comprehensive set of 99 clinical parameters related to ILDs. The database is available for research on request and after signature of a license agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effort towards the development of a vestibular implant for human use are being made. This paper will summarize the first important steps conducted in Geneva towards this ambitious goal. Basically, we have faced three major issues. First, an ethical issue. While it was clear that such development would require the collaboration of human volunteers, it was also clear that stimulation of the vestibular system may produce periods of significant incomfort. We know today how to minimize (and potentially eliminate) this type of incomfort. The second issue was anatomical. The anatomical topology of the vestibular system is complex, and of potentially dangerous access (i.e. facial nerve damage). We choose not to place the electrodes inside the ampullae but close the vestibular nerve branches, to avoid any opening of the inner ear and limit the risk of hearing loss. Work on cadaver heads, confirmed by acute stimulations trials on patients undergoing ear surgery under local anesthesia, demonstrated that it is possible to stimulate selectively both the posterior and lateral ampullary nerves, and elicit the expected vertical and horizontal nystagmic responses. The third issue was physiological. One of the goal of a vestibular implant will be to produce smooth eye movements to stabilize gaze direction when the head is moving. Indeed, after restoring a baseline or "rest" activity in the vestibular pathways with steady-state electrical stimulation, we demonstrated that modulation of this stimulation is producing smooth eye movements. In conclusion, humans can adapt to electrical stimulation of the vestibular system without too much discomfort. Surgical access to the posterior and lateral ampullary nerves have been developed and, electrical stimulation of the vestibular system can be used to artificially elicit smooth eye movements of different speeds and directions, once the system is in adapted state. Therefore, the major prerequisites to develop a prototype vestibular implant for human use are fulfilled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we argue that in order to test competing hypotheses on the emergence of social mortality differentials, one has to adopt a long-term perspective. Studying social inequality in mortality in Geneva from 1625 to 2005, we use historical mortality data published by different authors and contemporary data drawn from an ongoing research project. The comparison over four centuries gives evidence to both the constancy and convergence hypotheses. Mortality is systematically lower-than-average among elites on the one hand. but on the other hand the difference between the top and the bottom of the social ladder is decreasing over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces the new research project of the Geneva Art-Law Centre, which aims to study alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods for art-related disputes. It gives a brief introduction on the topic of the research the project - the significant potential of ADR mechanisms in art law - and provides an overview of the growing international consideration for ADR in art-law matters. While types of art-related disputes vary considerably from case to case, certain common features may be identified to explain the need for adapted dispute resolution in this area. The Art-Law Centre's research project will involve the creation of an Art-Law ADR Database recording art-related disputes worldwide that were resolved by means of ADR methods, as well as a thorough case analysis. To illustrate the nature of the research project, this paper specifies the different project stages and gives examples of collected art-law cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper compares the use of perceived and measured noise in a hedonic housing model. Although in theory the use of subjective variables is recommended, most empirical applications use measured noise variables. Merging different databases, we obtain a sample of about 2800 apartments located in Geneva, Switzerland, containing both measured and perceived noise data. We make the measured and perceived noise data comparable and analyse their performance by fitting alternatively three hedonic models. We find that for moderate to high noise levels the measured noise safely approximates its perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many correlations of mean hourly direct luminous efficacy for all sky, clear sky and intermediate sky conditions have been compared with experimental data measured in Arcavacata di Rende (Italy), Geneva (Switzerland), Vaulx-en-Velin (France), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Osaka (Japan). The comparisons show that, for all sky conditions, the correlations developed for one locality predict the luminous efficacy in the other localities with mean errors between −13% and 20% and root mean square errors between 15% and 35%; for clear sky conditions, the correlations developed for one locality predict the luminous efficacy in the other localities with mean errors between −7% and 14% and root mean square errors between 7% and 19%; for intermediate sky conditions, the correlations developed for one locality predict the luminous efficacy in the other localities with mean errors between −17% and 26% and root mean square errors between 20% and 41%. If the correlations with local coefficients are applied in each locality, the errors become considerably shorter. The paper gives indications on the values of the measured mean luminous efficacies and on the best models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A high energy electron positron collider is proposed to complement the large hadron collider, LHC, which has started taking data at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. Based on superconducting acceleration technology the International Linear Collider ILC is offering a mature proposal. It will deliver high luminosity electron positron collisions at 500 GeV upgradable to 1 TeV. Experimentation at such a collider presents many unique challenges, if the huge physics potential should be harvested efficiently. In this paper after a brief review of the state of the accelerator proposal the state of the preparation of the experimental program is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Baccalaureate (IB) examination system in early 2010 was on offer in 2700 schools in 139 countries. Since 1999, the Geneva-registered IB has created a platform for image consolidation, product standardization, and technological linkage. Out of this has emerged a globally branded 'IB World', educating the 'IB Learner', using an outcomes-based 'IB Learner Profile', and 'IB Community Themes'. It is soon to be aligned within an 'IB Association'. This creates a potential framework for class consciousness. The 'IB Learner', forming a 'class-in-itself', might form a self-conscious social grouping, a 'class-for-itself'. This paper explores possible outcomes, within the context of two 'agendas'. The 'agenda for global peace' desires an irenic class, tolerant and culturally aware. Within the context of an 'agenda for global business' a more inner-directed class might appear, sympathetic to globalization and the needs of Capital. Alternatively, a 'third way' could appear; a class who is business-oriented but socially-responsible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 94th (Maritime) Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was held in Geneva from 7-23 February 2006 for passing a new, consolidated convention on labour, living and social conditions of seafarers. The Conference was concluded by adopting the Convention on Seafarers Labour. It was named the «fourth pillar» of high quality shipbuilding besides universal instruments of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW, «super convention» and the «charter of the seafarers' rights». It was marked ILO 186. The Convention ratification procedure has been initiated in the Republic of Croatia and the Law on Convention Ratification is expected to be passed by the end of 2009. ILO has passed 37 conventions on labour, living and social conditions of seafarers so far. The Convention has a demanding nomotechnical infrastructure (preamble and 16 articles) and a special feature of the notes on interpretation of Rules and Codes of the Convention in five chapters. Each chapter comprises the rules, standards and guidelines. Rules and standards are compulsory whereas guidelines allow a state-specific way of implementation. The paper considers basic observations on convention contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study presents the upstream–downstream complexity of the Rhone, which earlier was a braided river. The fluvial patterns of the Rhône ca. 1860–70 are discussed, i.e. at the end of the Little Ice Age, which was also the beginning of the period of river dredging for improving navigation in the channel (1840–1930) and before the development of a chain of hydroelectric dams (1892–1986) on the river. Flowing across Switzerland and France to the Camargue delta on the Mediterranean, the Rhône drains the western part of the Alps in Europe. Befitting a large river flowing from the mountains, the Rhône was braided along most of its course, due to large quantities of coarse sediments formerly contributed by tributaries from the Alps, Jura Mountains, and Massif Central. The paper begins with a summary of palaeo-environmental studies on the Rhône, which show that the river experienced several events of fluvial metamorphosis during the Holocene. The reaches, which were braided during the late 19th century, alternated between meandering and braided patterns during this period due to the high sensitivity of the channel pattern to external variables such as changing water and sediment discharges. A discussion on the methods used to describe different aspects of the braided pattern of the Rhône from 1860 to 1870, using large-scale maps follows. Discrete reaches on the river are identified using slope, downstream variations of discharge, and stream power. These can be attributed to three factors: the tributaries (large supplies of bed load are brought by the Arve, the Ain, the Drôme, the Ardèche and the Durance rivers), Quaternary tectonics, and the along-channel distance from tributary confluences. Finally, the study assesses the pre-modern conditions of the Rhône for restoring selected reaches on the modern river. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we question the integration processes in three small cross-border metropolitan areas: Luxembourg, Basel, and Geneva. By referring to an original analysis framework, we evaluate the nature and intensity of the functional and institutional integration and highlight the elements that structure the cooperation between the actors. The analysis shows that there is not necessarily a reciprocal link between the size of the functional area and the extent of the cooperation. Whilst no metropolitan-sized organisation is on the agenda in Luxembourg, the example of Basel and Geneva shows that the presence of a national border offers an opportunity to invent original forms of governance, to increase the autonomy of the local authorities by different types of cooperation which transcend the institutional and territorial divides, and to promote the international character of the metropolitan centre. In a context of global competition, these features represent an undeniable benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Urban planning involves compromise between the diverse and often contradictory issues supported by the different stakeholders. The literature generally agrees on the need to broaden the participation base to overcome this difficulty. However, participation should not be limited to problem solving, but should also take place in the problem setting phase. This paper proposes a participatory diagnosis process for structuring the problem setting phase. We describe an experiment in a participatory diagnosis conducted with the residents of a Geneva neighborhood. The experiment began by identifying the residents'' concerns, which were then reformulated under broader issues. Some 20 spatial indicators were built using GIS tools, and were then applied in a second phase of resident consultations to assess the relative importance of each issue. The ensuing priority issues formed the core of the diagnosis. The approach emphasized comparison between the daily experiences of residents and so-called official information (i.e. census tract, traffic measurement, and so on). The residents were therefore involved in a learning process that allowed them to consolidate or modify their opinions. The process led to the emergence of a clearly defined collective awareness that supplanted individual aspirations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: To assess the properties of the Cigarette Dependence Scale (CDS-12) in various samples of daily smokers and to provide reference scores in a general population sample. Methods: Surveys in 4 samples of daily cigarette smokers: psychiatric out-patients in Geneva, Switzerland (n =226), clients of smoking cessation clinics in France (n =370), visitors of a French-language smoking cessation website (n =13,697) and a representative sample of the general population of Geneva (n =292). Results: In all 4 samples, Cronbach''s alpha coefficients were >0.87 and factor analyses indicated that CDS-12 was unidimensional. CDS-12 was slightly skewed towards higher values, and it was associated with expired carbon monoxide, but this association was not strong (9% of variance explained, p <0.001). CDS-12 scores were highest in clients of smoking cessation clinics (mean=47.7, SD=10.2), followed by psychiatric patients (mean=44.4, SD=8.4), visitors of smoking cessation websites (mean=43.3, SD=11.6) and the general population sample (mean=36.9, SD=12.3). Except for tolerance, each element in the DSM-IV and ICD-10 definitions of dependence is reflected by at least one item in CDS-12, even though the match with these definitions is sometimes indirect. Conclusions: This paper presents reference scores and validity and reliability tests for CDS-12 in a diversity of samples of daily smokers. This information should be useful to clinicians and researchers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

DNA, as the signature of life, has been extensively studied in a wide range of environments. While DNA analysis has become central to work on natural gene exchange, forensic analyses, soil bioremediation, genetically modified organisms, exobiology, and palaeontology, fundamental questions about DNA resistance to degradation remain. This paper investigated on the presence of plant DNA in groundwater and artesian fountain (groundwater-fed) samples, which relates to the movement and persistence of DNA in the environment. The study was performed in the groundwater and in the fountains, which are considered as a traditional artesian drinking water in Geneva Champagne Basin. DNA from water samples was extracted, analysed and quantified. Plant gene sequences were detected using PCR amplification based on 18S rRNA gene primers specific for eukaryotes. Physicochemical parameters of water samples including temperature, pH, conductivity, organic matter, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total organic carbon (TOC) were measured throughout the study. The results revealed that important quantities of plant DNA can be found in the groundwater. PCR amplification based on 18S rDNA, cloning, RFLP analysis and sequencing demonstrated the presence of plant DNA including Vitis rupestris, Vitis berlandieri, Polygonum sp. Soltis, Boopis graminea, and Sinapis alba in the water samples. Our observations support the notion of plant DNA release, long-term persistence and movement in the unsaturated medium as well as in groundwater aquifers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article offers information on a technical paper regarding the monitoring and measurement of data acquisition network performance employed in ATLAS (A Toroidal LHC Apparatus) detector in Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) based in Geneva, Switzerland. It mentions the application of cross-correlation of multiple databases, a two-dimensional (2D) graph display tools, and a three-dimensional (3D) visualization system to monitor the data acquisition networks. It adds the customized aggregate plots used to improved the display of traffic analysis and diagnostic. It argues that a 3D visualization system is a great help for a complex network architecture.

The article discusses the paper on the development of the first private and public gardens in Geneva, Switzerland. The city was not considered a centre of research on botany in the 18th century, except in plant physiology. However, by mid-18th century, botany, and natural sciences were discovered in the city, which experts called the Age of Enlightenment. An overview on the rise of private and public gardens in Geneva is offered, along with the important persons behind the history of its botany.

For the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN/Geneva, a high level trigger system (HLT) for online event selection and data compression has been developed and a computing cluster of several hundred dual-processor nodes is being installed. A major system integration test was carried out during the commissioning of the time projection chamber (TPC), where the HLT also provides a monitoring system. All major parts like a small computing cluster, hardware input devices, the online data transportation framework, and the HLT analysis could be tested successfully. A common interface for HLT processing components has been designed to run the components from either the online or offline analysis framework without changes. The interface adapts the component to the needs of the online processing and allows the developer to use the offline framework for easy development, debugging, and benchmarking. Following this approach, results can be compared directly. For the upcoming commissioning of the whole detector, the HLT is currently prepared to run online data analysis for the main detectors, e.g., the inner tracking system (ITS), the TPC, and the transition radiation detector (TRD). The HLT processing capability is indispensable for the photon spectrometer (PHOS), where the online pulse shape analysis reduces the data volume by a factor 20. A common monitoring framework is in place and detector calibration algorithms have been ported to the HLT. The paper describes briefly the architecture of the HLT system. It focuses on typical applications and component development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the follow-up work arising from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), this paper attempts to answer the questions: Why should librarians and information workers be involved in international advocacy? And what are the international issues with which librarians should concern themselves? Special attention is paid to the role of IFLA, as the main international body representing the interests of librarians, and to the eleven WSIS "action lines" set out in the 2003 Geneva Plan of action, along which much of the current follow-up work is aligned. The concept of the Knowledge Society, and more specifically four criteria for a Knowledge Society - ICT infrastructure, information content, human intellectual capacity, and physical delivery infrastructure - are used as a framework for the answers we give to these questions. A brief discussion of these areas and some comments on the WSIS process precede a broad outline of the international issues facing library and information professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LHC accelerator, at present under construction at CERN, Geneva, will make use of 1232 superconducting dipole magnets. The coils are wound with Rutherford type cable based on copper stabilized NbTi superconductors. The LHC machine will be operated at 1.9 K in superfluid helium. The unprecedented mass production of the superconducting dipole magnets, which involves three main contractors in Europe, is running steadily according to plan. This paper reports the outstanding technical issues encountered throughout the execution of the main manufacturing steps, which are the coil winding, curing and clamping in the collar structure, the 15-m long computer-controlled welding, the high-precision positioning operations for the cold mass finishing and the helium leak testing. The achieved production rates are discussed as well as the CERN plan for the completion of these important contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses an ongoing debate as to which standard will predominate the next generation networks (NGN). On the one hand sits the Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union (ITU), while on the other is the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). At the heart of the debate is how the information relating to telecom traffic's relative position and speed is passed from one network node to another. In the meantime, both wireline and wireless carriers are expected to wait as alternative solutions vie for acceptance and adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a partnership begun in 2002 in the field of archival description between the Geneva City Archives (AVG) and the Manuscripts Department of the Public and University Library of Geneva (BPU). This cooperation has allowed the creation of two computer applications, which share technical and conceptual foundations. Both IDEA (at the AVG) and Odyssée (at the BPU) are built with respect to international descriptive standards, notably ISAD(G), as well as the combination of XML and EAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the implementation of a large-scale systems analytic method in a model permitting the assessment of air quality policies in urban regions. This method is based on the use of a convex optimization technique called the analytic center cutting plane method. One realizes the coupling of a photochemical model (TAPOM-Lite), used to simulate ozone creation and dispersion in the region under study, and of a technoeconomic model (MARKAL-Lite) that represents the technology and energy uses by different economic sectors in the same region. Although the models correspond to different time and space scales, one realizes the coupling through a series of approximating convex reduced order optimization problems with constraints that are implicitly defined by the photochemical and the technoeconomic model, respectively. The implementation of the method in a case study corresponding to the region of Geneva, Switzerland is described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project is the largest plant based on superconductivity and cryogenics: 27 km of tunnel filled with superconducting magnets and other equipment that will be kept at 1.9K. The dipole magnets have to generate a minimum magnetic field of 8.3T to allow collisions of proton beams at an energy of 14 TeV in the centre of mass. The construction of LHC started in 1997 at CERN in Geneva and required 10 years of research and development on fine-filament NbTi superconducting wires and cables, on magnet technology and on He-II refrigerators. In particular the project needs the production of about 1000 tons of high-homogeneity NbTi with current densities of more than 2000 A mm[sup -2] at 9T and 1.9K, with tight control also of all other cable properties such as magnetization, interstrand resistance and copper resistivity. The paper describes the main dipole magnets and reviews the most significant steps in the research and development, focusing on the issues related to the conductor, to the magnet stability and protection and to the development of 13 kA current leads based on high-temperature superconductor materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency programmes (EEPs) are schemes operated by utilities or other bodies in order to incentivize energy efficiency improvement, in particular by adoption of energy-efficient products and typically by means of an economic reward. Ample experience has been gained, especially in the U.S., where EEPs have been in use for decades, with the rationale of avoiding additional energy supply by improving energy efficiency. More recently, EEPs have been implemented in Europe and in Switzerland. This review paper presents insights from the U.S., the EU and especially from Switzerland, with a focus on levelised programme cost of saved energy (LPC) as a key performance indicator. These LPC values, which take the perspective of the programme operator, are typically low to very low compared to the cost of electricity supply, thereby representing an important argument in favour of their use. The country examples show that EEPs are being effectively and successfully put into practice, for example, in Switzerland both as (i) a national tender-based scheme (called ProKilowatt) and in the form of a (ii) utility-operated obligation-based scheme (in Geneva). EEPs not only call for diligent implementation but also for suitable legal settings, e.g., in the form of mandatory energy efficiency savings targets (as realised for energy efficiency obligations, EEOs) in combination with programme cost recovery. The main criticism of EEPs is the free-rider effect, which needs to be minimised. On the other hand, EEPs are accompanied by significant co-benefits (environmental, health-related and social) and spillover effects. In their currently prevalent form, EEPs allow one to effectively save energy at a (very) low cost ("low-hanging fruit"). They can hence play an important role in fostering the energy transition; however, they should be implemented as part of a policy portfolio, in combination with other policy instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses some data on the eating habits and weight variations in the student population of the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Of the 11,800 questionnaires sent out, 4200 were returned within 2 months. Among those students who responded, 52.1% of the women and 37.4% of the men desire a weight change. For 80.9% of the respondents, a weight loss is desirable. At least one method of weight control is used by 9.8% of the men and by 22.9% of the women. Previous use of methods of weight control were indicated by 16.7% of the men and 49.2% of the women. The prevalence of bulimia can be estimated at 4% among women and 0.7% among men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the characteristics related to the environment of single-family houses in the greater Geneva area. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology is applied to the data collected by means of a questionnaire which was sent to 850 owners of houses in Geneva. The pairwise comparisons are done with eight criteria. For the 28 comparisons, the standard levels of preferences are used, but with a multiplicative scale rather than the standard linear scale. The results show that distance to a green area and quietness of the area are the two most important factors. Another finding is that the proximity of shopping centres and schools is not as important as in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an analysis is made of what would be the rent difference for the tenants of subsidised units if these units were rented as unsubsidised units. Furthermore, the existence of any pecuniary disadvantage for the owner of a subsidised unit is investigated by considering his rental revenue (i.e. the amount paid by the tenant and the subsidy). It is found that there exists a premium between an unsubsidised and a subsidised unit when using the amount paid by the tenant (i.e. the rent) as the dependent variable. Also, the subsidy system in Geneva has an influence on the pricing of each characteristic of a unit. Furthermore, it is found that when using rental revenue as the dependent variable, both sub-samples can be used in a single hedonic equation. Thus, owners of subsidised units are not at a disadvantage due to the granting of a subsidy. As a result, Geneva's subsidy system matches the goals of agents on both the demand and supply sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents abstracts of papers submitted at the Joint International Meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research and the Society for Investigative Dermatology Inc. held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 22-26, 1986. Ultra violet-B radiation impairs several immune functions. Negative effects on antigen presentation function, lymphokine production and HLA-DR/antigen expression on the surface of immunocompetent cells in epidermis and spleen have been reported. The deposition of IgM on keratin intermediate filament containing structures such as apoptotic keratin bodies, localized cutaneous amyloid or corneocytes is a frequent finding in normal and diseased skin. This IgM deposition has often been regarded to be a consequence of non-specific trapping of IgM rather than specific binding of antibodies to autoantigens.