Dynamics of systems with isotropic competing interactions in an external field: a Langevin approach

We study the Langevin dynamics of a ferromagnetic Ginzburg-Landau Hamiltonian with a competing long-range repulsive term in the presence of an external magnetic field. The model is analytically solved within the self consistent Hartree approximation for two different initial conditions: disordered or zero field cooled (ZFC), and fully magnetized or field cooled (FC). To test the predictions of the approximation we develop a suitable numerical scheme to ensure the isotropic nature of the interactions. Both the analytical approach and the numerical simulations of two-dimensional finite systems confirm a simple aging scenario at zero temperature and zero field. At zero temperature a critical field $h_c$ is found below which the initial conditions are relevant for the long time dynamics of the system. For $h < h_c$ a logarithmic growth of modulated domains is found in the numerical simulations but this behavior is not captured by the analytical approach which predicts a $t^1/2$ growth law at $T = 0$

Ordering of the lamellar phase under a shear flow

The dynamics of a system quenched into a state with lamellar order and subject to an uniform shear flow is solved in the large-N limit. The description is based on the Brazovskii free-energy and the evolution follows a convection-diffusion equation. Lamellae order preferentially with the normal along the vorticity direction. Typical lengths grow as $\gamma t^{5/4}$ (with logarithmic corrections) in the flow direction and logarithmically in the shear direction. Dynamical scaling holds in the two-dimensional case while it is violated in D=3

The nature of slow dynamics in a minimal model of frustration-limited domains

We present simulation results for the dynamics of a schematic model based on the frustration-limited domain picture of glass-forming liquids. These results are compared with approximate theoretical predictions analogous to those commonly used for supercooled liquid dynamics. Although model relaxation times increase by several orders of magnitude in a non-Arrhenius manner as a microphase separation transition is approached, the slow relaxation is in many ways dissimilar to that of a liquid. In particular, structural relaxation is nearly exponential in time at each wave vector, indicating that the mode coupling effects dominating liquid relaxation are comparatively weak within this model. Relaxation properties of the model are instead well reproduced by the simplest dynamical extension of a static Hartree approximation. This approach is qualitatively accurate even for temperatures at which the mode coupling approximation predicts loss of ergodicity. These results suggest that the thermodynamically disordered phase of such a minimal model poorly caricatures the slow dynamics of a liquid near its glass transition

From Household Size to the Life Course

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66696/2/10.1177_000276427702100207.pd

The economic and accounting content of fixed assets

This book presents a mathematical methodology for image analysis tasks at the edge of current research, including anisotropic diffusion filtering of tensor fields. Instead of specific applications, it explores methodological structures on which they are built.DIPLECS, GARNICS, NACI

School dropout, problem behaviour and poor academic achievement : a longitudinal view of portuguese male offenders

This study examines school drop outs from the perspective of male adults themselves through interviews with offenders currently serving sentences. Participants were 10 Portuguese male inmates, between the ages of 19 and 46 years of age, incarcerated in two prison facilities of the Azores. Qualitative and interpretative methods were carried out using a semi-structured in-depth individual interview that was audiorecorded and conducted on the basis of a list of topics. Interview transcripts and thematic analysis were used in data treatment and analysis. The findings primarily indicate that poor academic achievement and emotional and behavioural difficulties of participants played a particular role in early school drop out. The trajectories these individuals followed within the education system presented problem behaviour, learning disabilities, and/or foster care interventions. While school drop out circumstances were apparently various, analysis showed that they were underpinned by three distinct sets of conditions generally not addressed by the education system. The analysis of the triggering factors and the maintenance dynamics of school drop outs indicated three distinct types: retention/absenteeism, life turning points and positive resolution. Implications for secondary prevention and screening practices are discussed.FCT (SFRH/ BD/ 44245/ 2008)CIEC - unidade de investigação 317 da FC

London calling?: Preferred emigration destinations among Icelandic youth

Post-print (lokagerð höfundar)Preferred emigration destinations among adolescents reflect images and stereotypes of other countries that continuously emerge in a multitude of local and global discourses and from concrete experiences with other countries. The affinities of Icelandic adolescents are split between the islands of the Northern Atlantic, continental Nordic countries, European core countries, and North American countries. If they had to leave Iceland, however, the largest proportion of Icelandic adolescents would want to move to the United States. Girls are more likely to choose the Nordic countries, in particular Denmark, while boys are more likely to choose English-speaking countries with a reputation for economic and military power such as the United States and England. Adolescents are more likely to prefer migrating to Europe rather than North America if they are proud of their Icelandic nationality, live in cohesive communities, have more educated parents, and feel closer to Europe. Adolescents who want to move abroad are in contrast most likely to have North American destinations in mind. Recent geopolitical changes may however shift the attention of Icelandic adolescents eastward towards the European continent.This article has benefited greatly from extensive discussions with Atli Hafthorsson, Brynhildur Thorarinsdottir, Kjartan Olafsson and Michael S. Gibbons, and from the pioneering scholarship of Professor Thorbjorn Broddason. The data collection was in part made possible by a grant from the University of Akureyri Research Fund.Peer Reviewe