Critical exponents for the long-range Ising chain using a transfer matrix approach

The critical behavior of the Ising chain with long-range ferromagnetic interactions decaying with distance $r^\alpha$, $1<\alpha<2$, is investigated using a numerically efficient transfer matrix (TM) method. Finite size approximations to the infinite chain are considered, in which both the number of spins and the number of interaction constants can be independently increased. Systems with interactions between spins up to 18 sites apart and up to 2500 spins in the chain are considered. We obtain data for the critical exponents $\nu$ associated with the correlation length based on the Finite Range Scaling (FRS) hypothesis. FRS expressions require the evaluation of derivatives of the thermodynamical properties, which are obtained with the help of analytical recurrence expressions obtained within the TM framework. The Van den Broeck extrapolation procedure is applied in order to estimate the convergence of the exponents. The TM procedure reduces the dimension of the matrices and circumvents several numerical matrix operations.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, Conference NEXT Sigma Ph

A new approach on the stability analysis in ELKO cosmology

In this work it has been developed a new approach to study the stability of a system composed by an ELKO field interacting with dark matter, which could give some contribution in order to alleviate the cosmic coincidence problem. It is assumed that the potential which characterizes the ELKO field is not specified, but it is related to a constant parameter $\delta$. The strength of the interaction between matter and ELKO field is characterized by a constant parameter $\beta$ and it is also assumed that both ELKO field as matter energy density are related to their pressures by equations of state parameters $\omega_\phi$ and $\omega_m$, respectively. The system of equations is analysed by a dynamical system approach. It has been found the conditions of stability between the parameters $\delta$ and $\beta$ in order to have stable fixed points for the system for different values of the equation of state parameters $\omega_\phi$ and $\omega_m$, and the results are presented in form of tables. The possibility of decay of ELKO field into dark matter or vice versa can be read directly from the tables, since the parameters $\delta$ and $\beta$ satisfy some inequalities. It allows us to constrain the potential assuming that we have a stable system for different interactions terms between the ELKO field and dark matter. The cosmic coincidence problem can be alleviated for some specific relations between the parameters of the model.Comment: 16 pages, some new comments in the Introduction and at the begining of Section I

Framework for the collection of good practices regarding the welcoming and integration of refugees and migrants

The present document is the framework of one specificactivity of the PandPAS projectPre and Post-Arrival Schemes to facilitate inclusion and prevent xenophobia and radicalization. The framework has been drafted by CIES, ISCTE-IUL, with the goal of supporting the collection and analysis of good practices regarding refugees welcoming and integrationbyall partners of the PandPAS procect.The PandPASproject focuses onpost-arrival support for the integration of asylum seekers, and migrants.Itaims at producing tools for pre departure activities and pilot experiences for the social inclusion and active participation of migrants in hosting territories.Thisdocument starts with the description of the project activityin which the collection was carried out. It continues with the definition of a good practice andthe criteria to choose a good practice regarding the welcoming and integration of refugees and migrants. The process of collecting the good practices is also described. In the last section of the document is provided the template to fill-in regardingeach good practice.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

“Welcome!”: collection of good practices already existing for refugees’ welcoming and first inclusion

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risk management of bored piling construction on sandy soils with real-time cost control

UIDP/GEO/04035/2020In a global society, in which geotechnical projects are increasingly designed in a country other than the one where construction takes place, geotechnical risk management must be extended to cover infrastructure works, which are smaller than dams and tunnels, for example, since there is a significant impact on works budget imponderables. Therefore, a risk management methodology based on the likelihood of the occurrence of certain events and their economic consequences is proposed, which is applicable to bored piles (Kelly drilled) in coarse soils, easy to use, and simple to implement since the initial stage of construction. Of 12 case studies of construction works involving bored piles (Kelly drilled) carried out in Luanda (Angola), two selected examples involving the proposed risk methodology on sandy soil layers with interbedded clays are discussed. Subsequently, whether the overall foundation contract budget is affected by assessed risk is determined, and what influence it has on the budget in the light of mitigating factors and associated real costs. This method intended to encourage the adaptation of sustainable risk management in bored piles construction by the site project managers, involving risk analysis concurrently with budgetary review. Though the level of assessed technical risk may be acceptable, overall costs associated with the contract in question may not be acceptable.publishersversionpublishe

Stories of young dropouts: a social survey of success and failure

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Learning from nature: Bio-Inspiration for damage-tolerant high-performance fibre-reinforced composites

Over millions of years Nature has attained highly optimized structural designs with remarkable toughness, strength, damage resistance and damage tolerance - properties that are so far difficult to combine in artificial high-performance fibre-reinforced polymers (HPFRPs). Recent studies, which have successfully replicated the structures and especially the toughening mechanisms found in flora and fauna, are reviewed in this work. At the core of the manufacturing of damage-tolerant bio-inspired composites, an understanding of the design principles and mechanisms is key. Universal and naturally-inherent design features, such as hierarchical- and organic-inorganic-structures as well as helical or fibrous arrangements of building blocks were found to promote numerous toughening mechanisms. Common to these features, the outstanding ability of diffusing damage at a sub-critical state has been identified as a powerful and effective mechanism to achieve high damage tolerance. Novel manufacturing processes suitable for HPFRP (such as tailored high-precision tape placement, micro-moulding, laser-engraving and additive manufacturing) have recently gained immense traction in the research community. This stems from the achievable and required geometrical complexity for HPFRPs and the replication of subtly balanced interaction between the material constituents. Even though trends in the literature clearly show that a bio-inspired material design philosophy is a successful strategy to design more efficient composite structures with enhanced damage tolerance and mechanical performance, Nature continues to offer new challenging opportunities yet to be explored, which could lead to a new era of HPFRP composites

The Great Lockdown Recession and International Business

The global health pandemic and the ensuing global recession has caused unprecedented uncertainty, risks, and devastation to individuals, families, societies, and organizations. In this context, a central question arises: what are the prospects for globalization? This article addresses five pressing questions that affect globalization for multiple stakeholders: (1) How is this pandemic different from previous disruptive events? (2) Are there silver linings to this economic disruption? (3) What are current and future impacts on globalization? (4) How will different entities be affected? and (5) What will be the likely impact on major economies? We have opportunities to fundamentally shift international business for economic, environmental, and social advancements that offer hope during this overwhelming health crisis