On the role of particles and radial basis functions in a finite element level set method for bubble dynamics

The aim of this presentation is to highlight the role that Particle-based simulations and Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) have played in the development of a computationally efficient, level-set, Finite Element method for the simulation of Newtonian and non-Newtonian interface flows. First, we introduce the mathemat- ical formulation and the interface-capturing technique used in the simulation of multiphase flows, underscoring the influence of marker particles on the enhanced definition of the interface. Then, we explore the effect of adding polymer parti- cles to the domain to perform Brownian Dynamics Simulations of polymer flows. Finally, we leverage RBFs to reconstruct, in an almost free-independent way the polymer stress tensor retrieved from the polymer particles. Numerical simulations of pure advection flows and bubble dynamics simulations of complex flows on two-dimensional configurations emphasize the improvements offered by this hybrid, Finite Element/RBF/Particle-based method

The state and autonomous communities in spain: A Relationship that Complicates the Task of Reducing Public Deficit

The needs imposed by the economic, ideological and institutional crisis have brought along new functions for the public sector. Nevertheless, within this new scene, the intense decentralisation of financial issues, which is characteristic of the Spanish State, makes it bad-suited for prompt and efficient compliance with decisions taken by the organisations that compose the embryonic global financial governance system and hinders tasks such as the unavoidable reduction of public deficit difficult.Crisis, Regulated capitalism, State and global financial governance, Territorial structure of the State and reduction of public deficit in Spain

Return to Dollar, Generalized Distance Function and the Fisher Productivity Index

Exploring the duality between a return to dollar definition of profit and the generalized distance function we establish the relationship between the Laspeyres, Paasche and Fisher productivity indexes and their alternative Malmquist indexes counterparts. By proceeding this way, we propose a consistent decomposition of these productivity indexes into two mutually exclusive components. A technical component represented by the Malmquist index and an economical component which can be identified with the contribution that allocative criteria make to productivity change. With regard to the Fisher index, we indicate how researchers can further decompose the Malmquist technical component rendering explicit the sources of productivity change. We also show how the proposed model can be implemented by means of Data Envelopment Analysis techniques, and illustrate the empirical process with an example data set.Generalized Distance Function; Return to Dollar; Fisher and Malmquist Productivity Indexes

El gasto público relacionado con la droga en Europa

Este estudio fue concebido para producir las primeras estimaciones del importe que los gobiernos europeos destinan al problema de las drogas. Para ello, la red europea de información sobre drogas y toxicomanías (REITOX) identifi có el gasto público consignado en relación con las drogas en los presupuestos de los gobiernos de 30 países para el año 2005. El gasto consignado fue clasifi cado mediante la Clasifi cación internacional de las funciones de gobierno (COFOG). El gasto no consignado en relación con las drogas (las cuantías incluidas en otros programas e intervenciones) en las áreas de Orden público y seguridad y Salud, fue estimado mediante técnicas de modelado. En general, los países estudiados poseen una cantidad y una calidad de información considerables sobre el gasto público relacionado con la droga, aunque el cálculo de los importes no consignados resultó en muchos casos una tarea complicada. Los resultados obtenidos en los países participantes, extrapolados a nivel europeo, indican que el gasto público total relacionado con la droga en Europa para 2005 rondó los 34.000 millones de euros, lo que equivale al 0,3% de la suma del PIB de todos los países. Esto representa un gasto medio de 60 euros por ciudadano europeo al año

A New Method to Calibrate the Magnitudes of Type Ia Supernovae at Maximum Light

We present a new empirical method for fitting multicolor light curves of Type Ia supernovae. Our method combines elements from two widely used techniques in the literature: the delta_m15 template fitting method and the Multicolor Light-Curve Shape method. An advantage of our technique is the ease of adding new colors, templates, or parameters to the fitting procedure. We use a large sample of published light curves to calibrate the relations between the absolute magnitudes at maximum and delta_m15 in BVRI filters. We find that individual subsamples from a given survey or publication have significantly tighter relationships between light curve shape and luminosity than the relationship derived from the sum of all the samples, pointing to uncorrected systematic errors in the photometry, mainly in BV filters. Using our method, we calculate luminosity distances and host galaxy reddening to 89 SNe in the Hubble flow and construct a low-z Hubble diagram. The dispersion of the SNe in the Hubble diagram is 0.20 mag, or an error of ~9% in distance to a single SN. Our technique produces similar or smaller dispersion in the low-z Hubble diagram than other techniques in the literature.Comment: 43 pages, 16 figures, 6 tables, accepted by ApJ. For additional material go to http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~prieto/paper_dm15/dm15.htm

Neoconstitucionalismo y positivismo

En el presente artículo se analiza a fondo una de las corrientes iusfilosóficas contemporáneas que más han contribuido a enriquecer el debate doctrinal posterior a la tradicional tensión entre iusnaturalismo e iuspositivismo. El autor sostiene que, más que hablar de un neoconstitucionalismo en singular, lo correcto sería referirse al mismo en plural, porque en puridad no es una teo-ría o doctrina unitaria, ni tampoco cuenta con una temática de reflexión claramente determinada porque se puede ser neo-constitucionalista en diferentes sentidos o capítulos de la reflexión jurídico-política no implicados entre sí. Finalmente, se hace una completa descripción y una crítica ra-zonada del status quaestionis en la Teoría del Derecho actual.This article does an in-depth analysis of one of the contemporary legal philosophy undercurrents that has con-tributed the most to enrich the scholarly debate after the traditional tension be-tween natural law and positive law think-ing. The author maintains that, more than a new constitutionalism, in singular, the right thing would be to refer to it in plural, because strictu sensu it is not a unitary the-ory or doctrine, nor does it have a topic of reflection clearly established, because one can be a new constitutionalist in different senses or chapters of the legal-political reflection that are unconnected between them. Finally, there is a complete descrip-tion and a reasoned criticism of the status quaestionis in the current Theory of Law

Urban patterns, population density and optimal city dimension: The case of public infrastructure

Determination of the optimal city size underlies the economic rationality of infrastructure provision by local governments. We investigate the existence of decreasing average costs resulting from economies of scale, associated with larger urban dimensions in terms of population and housing, and economies of density, brought about by reductions in urban dispersion, and calculate optimal population densities when providing basic infrastructure. The methodology relies on novel definitions of scale and density economies and their estimation by way of flexible translog cost functions, extensively applied in the literature dealing with the provision of services—i.e., utilities, but extended here to their supporting infrastructure. Our results unveil the existence of latent economies of scale and density resulting in a cost excess in the provision of infrastructure due to the effect of urban sprawl that translates into suboptimal city sizes. Based on these findings several policy guidelines rationalizing urban development are suggested. The model is illustrated using Spanish statistical data collected from the nationwide local infrastructure and equipment survey, and prices from a new database that uses engineering cost benchmarks.Urban patterns; Optimal urban density; Scale and density economies; Translog cost function.