A Model of Family Change in Cultural Context

This reading is about the psychological study of the family with a cross-cultural comparative orientation. It attempts to provide answers to some basic questions regarding the family in context - whether there are systematic global changes in the family, what might be some of the important factors that characterize family and family change, and how they function. A model of family change is proposed to address these questions and to shed light on the variations in family patterns in different socio-cultural-economic contexts. These patterns also help understand the development of the self in family and society. It is proposed that the modernization hypothesis of \u27converging on the Western pattern\u27 with socio-economic development around the globe is not being supported by the research results from various countries. Instead, a synthetic family pattern of emotional/psychological interdependence is emerging across different contexts, as it best satisfies the two basic human needs for autonomy and relatedness

SELF TRAPPED HOLE IN ALKALINE-EARTH FLUORIDES .1. STATIC PROPERTIES

Optical and spin resonance properties have been calculated for the self trapped hole (Vk centre) in CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2. The electronic properties are regarded as those of an F2- molecular ion whose internuclear spacing has been changed by the crystalline environment, and evidence is given that this is a good approximation. The spacing is obtained from a detailed lattice relaxation calculation allowing motion of many neighbours to the defect. The results are not sensitive to the different interatomic potentials used. Good agreement with experiment is obtained for optical transition energies and linewidths and for spin resonance parameters

Fracture of solar-grade anisotropic polycrystalline Silicon: A combined phase field–cohesive zone model approach

Artículo Open Access en el sitio web del editor. Pago por publicar en abierto.This work presents a novel computational framework to simulate fracture events in brittle anisotropic polycrystalline materials at the microscopical level, with application to solar-grade polycrystalline Silicon. Quasi-static failure is modeled by combining the phase field approach of brittle fracture (for transgranular fracture) with the cohesive zone model for the grain boundaries (for intergranular fracture) through the generalization of the recent FE-based technique published in [M. Paggi, J. Reinoso, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg., 31 (2017) 145–172] to deal with anisotropic polycrystalline microstructures. The proposed model, which accounts for any anisotropic constitutive tensor for the grains depending on their preferential orientation, as well as an orientation-dependent fracture toughness, allows to simulate intergranular and transgranular crack growths in an efficient manner, with or without initial defects. One of the advantages of the current variational method is the fact that complex crack patterns in such materials are triggered without any user-intervention, being possible to account for the competition between both dissipative phenomena. In addition, further aspects with regard to the model parameters identification are discussed in reference to solar cells images obtained from transmitted light source. A series of representative numerical simulations is carried out to highlight the interplay between the different types of fracture occurring in solar-grade polycrystalline Silicon, and to assess the role of anisotropy on the crack path and on the apparent tensile strength of the material.Unión Europea FP/2007–2013/ERC 306622Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MAT2015–71036-P y MAT2015–71309-PJunta de Andalucía P11-TEP-7093 y P12-TEP- 105

Pervasive Uncertainty in Second Modernity: an Empirical Test

Recent discussion of social change implies that, for a number of reasons, to do with globalisation, shifts in family life styles and labour markets, more critical attitudes toward the authority of officials and experts and greater awareness of possibilities and options, social life is more strongly affected by a sense of uncertainty. It also implies that uncertainty is pervasive and not specifically linked to fears about specific contingencies. It is associated with an orientation towards self-direction and a rejection of tradition and conformity. This thesis has been widely discussed, but rarely tested using quantitative data. This paper uses data from a recent national survey carried out by the ESRC Social Contexts and Responses to Risk network to show that uncertainty and security concerns are strong, but are in fact linked to traditionalism and conformity rather than to a critical and reflexive awareness. A high value is attached to self-direction, but this is linked to privileged social status rather than attitudes of pervasive social uncertainty. In general the values posited by recent discussion seem to be associated more closely with immediate social position than with the society-wide impact of social change.Uncertainty, Traditionalism, Reflexivity, Risk Society, Empirical Test

Axiological entanglement of economics

In mainstream economics, the principle of freedom from value judgment (Wertfreiheit) is enforced. This principle has different interpretations. The aim of this paper is to present the author’s interpretations of the principle of Wertfreiheit. The basic ideas of axiology have been analysed: values, valuations, and value judgments, including their application to economic activities and economic researches. Two models of valuations have been presented—the taste model and perception model—as well as points of view of economic researches on those models. The conclusion comprises the author’s interpretation of the principle of Wertfreiheit as that of impartiality and integrity in research activities.Publication of English-language versions of the volumes of the “Annales. Ethics in Economic Life” financed through contract no. 501/1/P-DUN/2017 from the funds of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education devoted to the promotion of scholarship

Fractal patterns in fractionated spacecraft

Multi spacecraft architectures have been addressed in response to the demand for flexible architectures with high reliability and reduced costs compared to traditional monolithic spacecraft. A task that can be easily carried out by this kind of systems is the deployment of distributed antennas; these are composed of, typically, receiving elements carried on-board multiple spacecraft in precise formation. In this paper decentralised control means, based on artificial potential functions, together with a fractal-like connection network, are used to produce the autonomous and verifiable deployment and formation control of a swarm of spacecraft into a fractal-like pattern. The effect of using fractal-like routing of control data within the spacecraft generates complex formation shape patterns, while simultaneously reducing the amount of control information required to form such complex formation shapes. Furthermore, the techniques used ensure against swarm fragmentation, while exploiting communication channels anyway needed in a fractionated architecture. In particular, the superposition of potential functions operating at multiple levels (single agents, subgroups of agents, groups of agents) according to a self-similar adjacency matrix produces a fractal-like final deployment with the same stability property on each scale. Considering future high-precision formation flying and control capabilities, this paper considers, for the first time and as an example of a fractionated spacecraft, a decentralised multi-spacecraft fractal shaped antenna. A fractal antenna pattern provides multiple resonance peaks, directly related to the ratios of its characteristic physical lengths. Such a scenario would significantly improve the level of functionality of any multi-spacecraft synthetic aperture antenna system. Furthermore, multi-spacecraft architecture exploiting particular inter agent spacing can be considered to investigate multi-scale phenomena in areas such as cosmic radiation and space plasma physics. Both numerical simulations and analytic treatment are carried out demonstrating the feasibility of deploying and controlling a fractionated fractal antenna in space through autonomous decentralised means

Urban wind energy conversion: the potential of ducted turbines

The prospects for urban wind power are discussed. A roof-mounted ducted wind turbine, which uses pressure differentials created by wind flow around a building, is proposed as an alternative to more conventional approaches. Outcomes from tests at model and prototype scale are described, and a simple mathematical model is presented. Predictions from the latter suggest that a ducted turbine can produce very high specific power outputs, going some way to offsetting its directional sensitivity. Further predictions using climate files are made to assess annual energy output and seasonal variations, with a conventional small wind turbine and a photovoltaic panel as comparators. It is concluded that ducted turbines have significant potential for retro-fitting to existing buildings, and have clear advantages where visual impact and safety are matters of concern