Constructivism and sociology: seven theses of Bruno Latour

Bruno Latour postula que la sociología contemporánea se dedica en buena medida a explicar cómo ciertas configuraciones sociales (tales que las jerarquías de poder o las desigualdades estructurales) afectan el funcionamiento de otros ámbitos en sus contenidos no sociales (tales que el derecho, la religión o el arte). Como consecuencia de esto, la misma habría abandonado su misión primaria de explicar lo social por sí mismo, además de estar produciendo explicaciones repetitivas y poco interesantes. El presente artículo reúne elementos teóricos de diferentes obras de Bruno Latour en función de elaborar siete tesis sobre su crítica radical a la sociología contemporánea. La propuesta principal de Latour es reformular la investigación social, abriendo la ‘caja negra' en la que lo social ha venido a convertirse. Finalmente se realizan algunas consideraciones sobre usos y limitaciones de las posiciones de Bruno Latour.Bruno Latour argues that contemporary sociology is largely devoted to explain how certain social configurations (such as power hierarchies or structural inequalities) affect other non-social activities (such as law, religion or arts). As a result, sociology would have had abandoned its primary mission to explain the social itself, and it would be producing repetitive and uninteresting explanations. This paper puts together theoretical elements from different works of Bruno Latour in order to state seven theses on his radical critique to contemporary sociology. The main goal of Latour's proposal is reformulating social research, opening the black box in which the Social would have become. Finally, the article concludes summarizing usages and limitations of the perspective of Bruno Latour.Fil: De Grande, Pablo Ernesto. Universidad del Salvador. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Sociales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

¿Plaza o vereda? Espacios de juego y socialización barrial en la Argentina

El presente artículo analiza información relativa a la participación de niños de entre 5 y 12 años en espacios abiertos de juego. Se indaga el grado de utilización de la vereda y la plaza como lugares de juego y socialización en centros urbanos de Argentina, a partir de información relevada en la encuesta de hogares Encuesta de la Deuda Social Argentina del año 2011. Como principales resultados obtenidos puede destacarse la vigencia del jugar ‘en la vereda’ o ‘en el barrio’, siendo un lugar que más del 60% de los chicos utilizaron en el mes de referencia. Por el contrario, el espacio de plaza o parques apenas alcanza a un 30% de los casos. Asimismo, la plaza apareció como un espacio más característico de chicos de hogares de mayor nivel socioeconómico, a iguales niveles de disponibilidad de plazas, incluso si es más frecuente que ocupen su tiempo en escuelas de jornada completa. Inversamente, estos mismos sectores han mostrado un menor uso de la vereda (o el barrio) como lugares de sociabilidad y juego, comparativamente con sectores de menor nivel socioeconómico.This article analyzes playing at public places by children aged from 5 to 12. It investigates the pervasiveness of sidewalks and plazas as playgrounds for socialization in a set of urban centers of Argentina, after information collected in the household survey Encuesta de la Deuda Social Argentina in 2011. The results obtained show that sidewalks and ‘neighborhood' are places frequently used by children, having more than 60% of them used such places in the reference period. On the contrary, plazas and parks have been used only in 30% of the cases. Additionally, the plaza appeared as a more typical place for children of higher socioeconomic status, even if they are more likely to attend full-day schools. Conversely, those children have shown less usage of sidewalks and the ‘neighborhood’ as places for sociability and play, compared to children of lower socioeconomic status.Fil: De Grande, Pablo Ernesto. Universidad del Salvador. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Sociales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Personal networks and locus of control in large urban centers of Argentina

El presente estudio se propone analizar la relación entre la representación del locus de control y las estructuras de vínculos interpersonales en la Argentina. A partir de una muestra (n=1500) de hogares representativa de siete grandes centros urbanos (>200 mil habitantes) se examina la relación entre la externalidad del locus de control y diferentes aspectos de las redes personales de cada participante. Los resultados muestran que a mayor cantidad de relaciones disponibles se encuentran niveles inferiores de externalidad del locus de control, así como también menores niveles de externalidad al disponerse de lazos interpersonales fuera del barrio y con vínculos de nivel socioeducativo alto. En este sentido, se verifican asociaciones significativas entre representación de control del entorno y estructuras vinculares.This study analyzes the relationship between locus of control and interpersonal relations structures in Argentina. After a representative sample (n = 1500) of households in seven major urban centers (>200,000 inhabitants), it examines the relationship between the externality of locus of control and different aspects of personal networks of each respondent. The results show that people having more relations experiment lower levels of externality of locus of control. Likewise, lower levels of externality are informed when personal ties outside the neighborhood are available, as well as ties high educational level. In this regard, significant associations are verified between control and personal relations structures.Fil: De Grande, Pablo Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A data fusion based approach for damage detection in linear systems

The aim of the present paper is to propose innovative approaches able to improve the capability of classical damage indicators in detecting the damage position in linear systems. In particular, starting from classical indicators based on the change of the flexibility matrix and on the change of the modal strain energy, the proposed approaches consider two data fusion procedures both based on the Dempster-Shafer theory. Numerical applications are reported in the paper in order to assess the reliability of the proposed approaches considering different damage scenarios, different sets of modes of vibration and the presence of errors affecting the accounted modes of vibrations

Optimization of the internal structure of 3D-printed components for architectural restoration

In recent years, 3D printing technology has assumed an important role in advanced construction processes across various engineering fields. Among these, the application to the architectural restoration of historic structures is particularly fascinating. The ability to precisely reproduce the shape and surface details of complex elements, combined with the availability of a wide range of printing materials, makes 3D printing technology competitive compared to traditional techniques. In this context, the internal volume structure of 3D printed elements represents an additional design parameter to consider for enhancing interventions in terms of reducing the required material, and thus, lowering costs and environmental impact. The paper presents the outcomes of experimental tests and numerical analyses conducted on plates, which represent portions of more complex elements produced by using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. These plates feature various internal configurations (such as reticular and rhomboidal patterns) derived from a mono-objective design optimization process. The experimental tests aim to analyze the influence of the configuration and the pattern on the behavior of printed samples. Additionally, the paper discusses insights derived from both theoretical models and Finite Element analyses, providing a clearer understanding of the experimental results

Optimization of the internal structure of 3D-printed components for architectural restoration

In recent years, 3D printing technology has assumed an important role in advanced construction processes across various engineering fields. Among these, the application to the architectural restoration of historic structures is particularly fascinating. The ability to precisely reproduce the shape and surface details of complex elements, combined with the availability of a wide range of printing materials, makes 3D printing technology competitive compared to traditional techniques. In this context, the internal volume structure of 3D printed elements represents an additional design parameter to consider for enhancing interventions in terms of reducing the required material, and thus, lowering costs and environmental impact. The paper presents the outcomes of experimental tests and numerical analyses conducted on plates, which represent portions of more complex elements produced by using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. These plates feature various internal configurations (such as reticular and rhomboidal patterns) derived from a mono-objective design optimization process. The experimental tests aim to analyze the influence of the configuration and the pattern on the behavior of printed samples. Additionally, the paper discusses insights derived from both theoretical models and Finite Element analyses, providing a clearer understanding of the experimental results

Strategy Space Exploration of a Multiagent Model for the Labor Market

We present a multi-agent system where typical labor market mechanisms emerge. Based on a few simple rules, our model allows for different interpretative paradigms to be represented and for dierent scenarios to be tried out. We thoroughly explore the space of possible strategies both for those unemployed and for companies and analyze the trade-o between these strategies regarding global social and economical indicators.Fil: de Grande, Pablo Ernesto. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto para la Integración del Saber; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Eguia, Manuel Camilo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentin