Business cycles, sectoral price stabilization, and climate change mitigation: A model of multi-sector growth in the tradition of the Bielefeld disequilibrium approach

Sectoral price stabilization is critical in the pressing context of de-globalization and the climate crisis. Strategic price controls may be effective in reducing economic volatility, but fail to curb emissions, unlike quantity controls such as rationing consumption. In contrast, carbon pricing may accelerate decarbonization, but generate inflationary pressures. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of sector-oriented policies in stabilizing sectoral prices and accelerating the low-carbon transition at the same time, this paper employs a novel environmentally-extended, data-driven dynamic model of multi-sector growth based on the Bielefeld disequilibrium approach to the microeconomic stability of competitive economies. The general composite model allows to empirically characterize the network structure and intensity of dynamic price-quantity interactions at the sector level, which capture heterogeneous firm behavior by integrating long-run Walrasian price and classical quantity dynamics coupled with short-run Keynesian features in the form of target rate of return pricing and demand-led investment. A Bayesian hierarchical model on US BEA data empirically estimates the linear adjustment coefficients and stable combinations are computed. The US economy is shown to feature a highly hierarchical network structure of intermediate production that is particularly vulnerable to micro-economic shocks driven by wars and climate change. Tax-subsidy schemes are shown to be the most effective in stabilizing sectoral prices and economy-environment interactions

MICROSTRUCTURAL STUDIES FOR OPTIMIZATION OF HEAT TREATMENT IN COMPONENTS OF STEEL X38CrMoV5-1 SUBJECTED TO HIGH STRESSES

This material X38CrMoV5-1 is an alloyed steel used for hot working, with good toughness and high resistance to thermal shock. The presence of Cr, Mo and V gives this steel a high resistance to wear, keeping its hardness properties at high temperature. Cr and Mo delay softening annealing and inhibit the grain growth. The great resistance to high temperatures of this type of steels is related with an easy martensitic transformation. This transformation happens even at low cooling speeds. The properties of these types of martensitic steels result as a consequence of their complex microstructure that is obtained by an extremely controlled thermal treatment. Dilatometric testing was performed on continuous cooling from austenization temperature (1050ºC). This testing shows the high hardenability of this type of steels. ATD studies have been done to complement the dilatometric testing. After the previous results, it has been considered that the optimal treatment to get tough and tenacious structure, consists in submitting material to an annealing processing at 780ºC/1hour, followed by a quenching treatment at 1020ºC/1hour and finally cooling in oil with a double tempering at 580ºC/2 hours. This treatment provides the best properties that guarantee service with safety parts.Peer Reviewe

Disaster Damages and Loss Data for Policy: Pre- and Post-event damage assessment and collection of Data for Evidence-based policies

This Report follows the work carried out by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) in collaboration with the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and (since 2015) by its Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) over the last few years. In particular, it follows the three previously published reports dedicated to the relevance of continuous, accurate and well established collection of Disasters Damage and Loss Data and takes account of the most recent policy developments in the field. In this 4th Report the emphasis has been put on strengthen the link across a number of policies, both at EU level and at Global level, aiming to improve resilience of societies. The common factor of these policies resides on their need for data for a more coherent, coordinated and hence effective implementation.JRC.E.1-Disaster Risk Managemen

Universal transport in 2D granular superconductors

The transport properties of quench condensed granular superconductors are presented and analyzed. These systems exhibit transitions from insulating to superconducting behavior as a function of inter-grain spacing. Superconductivity is characterized by broad transitions in which the resistance drops exponentially with reducing temperature. The slope of the log R versus T curves turns out to be universaly dependent on the normal state film resistance for all measured granular systems. It does not depend on the material, critical temperature, geometry, or experimental set-up. We discuss possible physical scenarios to explain these findings.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Proximity effect in ultrathin Pb/Ag multilayers within the Cooper limit

We report on transport and tunneling measurements performed on ultra-thin Pb/Ag (strong coupled superconductor/normal metal) multilayers evaporated by quench condensation. The critical temperature and energy gap of the heterostructures oscillate with addition of each layer, demonstrating the validity of the Cooper limit model in the case of multilayers. We observe excellent agreement with a simple theory for samples with layer thickness larger than 30\AA . Samples with single layers thinner than 30\AA deviate from the Cooper limit theory. We suggest that this is due to the "inverse proximity effect" where the normal metal electrons improve screening in the superconducting ultrathin layer and thus enhance the critical temperature.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Desenvolvimento, construção e validação de uma escala para medir ergonomia na área trabalhista

Objective: To know the perception of employees to CSR, it is necessary to construct and validate a scale that gives reliable results that allow us to have quantifiable data on how employees perceive these corporate socially responsible actions. Method: This study focused on the construction of a scale, which was submitted to a panel of expert judges. Results: where content validity of .798 was obtained. It was also administered to a sample of 234 participants, selected by availability. Of which came out a reliability index of .97. Conclusions: The researcher hopes that this instrument can be used by other researchers and serve as a tool for organizations to self-assess their CSR practices are being perceived by employees as expected.Objetivo: Conocer la percepción de los empleados hacia la RSE, es necesario construir y validar una escala, que arroje resultados confiables que nos permitan tener datos cuantificables sobre cómo perciben los empleados estas acciones corporativas socialmente responsables. Método: Este estudio se enfocó en la construcción de una escala, la cual fue sometida a un panel de jueces expertos. Resultados: donde se obtuvo validez de contenido de .798. Así mismo fue administrada a una muestra de 234 participantes, seleccionados por disponibilidad. De los cuales resultó un índice que confiabilidad de .97. Conclusiones: La investigadora espera que este instrumento pueda ser utilizado por otros investigadores y que sirva como una herramienta para que las organizaciones evalúen sí sus prácticas de RSE están siendo percibidas por los empleados como se espera.Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção dos empregados para a RSE, é necessário construir e validar uma escala, que arroje resultados confiáveis que nos permitam ter dados quantificáveis sobre como percebem os empregados estas ações corporativas socialmente responsáveis. Método: Este estudo se enfocou na construção de uma escala, a qual foi submetida a um painel de juízes experientes. Resultados: onde se obteve validez de conteúdo de .798. Assim mesmo foi administrada a uma mostra de 234 participantes, selecionados por disponibilidade. Dos quais resultou um índice que confiabilidade de .97. Conclusões: A pesquisadora espera que este instrumento possa ser utilizado por outros pesquisadores e que sirva como uma ferramenta para que as organizações avaliem sim suas práticas de RSE estão sendo percebidas pelos empregados como se espera

Model for initiation of quality factor degradation at high accelerating fields in superconducting radio-frequency cavities

A model for the onset of the reduction in SRF cavity quality factor, the so-called Q-drop, at high accelerating electric fields is presented. Breakdown of the surface barrier against magnetic flux penetration at the cavity equator is considered to be the critical event that determines the onset of Q-drop. The worst case of triangular grooves with low field of first flux penetration Hp, as analyzed previously by Buzdin and Daumens, [1998 Physica C 294: 257], was adapted. This approach incorporates both the geometry of the groove and local contamination via the Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa, so the proposed model allows new comparisons of one effect in relation to the other. The model predicts equivalent reduction of Hp when either roughness or contamination were varied alone, so smooth but dirty surfaces limit cavity performance about as much as rough but clean surfaces do. When in combination, contamination exacerbates the negative effects of roughness and vice-versa. To test the model with actual data, coupons were prepared by buffered chemical polishing and electropolishing, and stylus profilometry was used to obtain distributions of angles. From these data, curves for surface resistance generated by simple flux flow as a function of magnetic field were generated by integrating over the distribution of angles for reasonable values of kappa. This showed that combined effects of roughness and contamination indeed reduce the Q-drop onset field by ~30%, and that that contamination contributes to Q-drop as much as roughness. The latter point may be overlooked by SRF cavity research, since access to the cavity interior by spectroscopy tools is very difficult, whereas optical images have become commonplace. The model was extended to fit cavity test data, which indicated that reduction of the superconducting gap by contaminants may also play a role in Q-drop.Comment: 15 pages with 7 figure

Desenvolvimento, construção e validação da escala percepção dos empregados para a responsabilidade social empresarial

Objective: To develop, construct and validate a scale that is focused on Puerto Rican employees used to measure their perception of corporate social responsibility. Method: A study of quantitative approach, of non-experimental, transversal design. The sample consisted of 234 people selected by availability and convenience, 59% female and 41% male. In this research two instruments were used; the first collects social-demographic data and the second is the scale for measuring the perception towards Corporate Social Responsibility. Results: On the other hand, the Cronbach Alpha of full scale, showing an alpha = .97 (p = .97) index, which proves to have a high and acceptable internal consistency was calculated. Conclusions: Due to the scarcity of research on the topic in Puerto Rico it is recommended to conduct investigations where the influence of CSR into employee engagement, shopper loyalty, alliances of suppliers, community acceptance, support from government agencies can be assessed.Objetivo: Desarrollar, construir y validar una escala que sea enfocada en los empleados puertorriqueños para medir su percepción en cuanto a la responsabilidad social empresarial. Método: Estudio de enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño no experimental, tipo transversal. La muestra fue de 234 seleccionados por disponibilidad y conveniencia, el 59% femenino y el 41% masculino. En la presente investigación se emplearon dos instrumentos; el primero, recoge datos sociodemográficos y el segundo, la Escala para medir la Percepción hacia la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. Resultados: Por otro lado, se calculó el Alpha de Cronbach de la escala total, mostrando un índice alfa = .97 (p = .97), lo que demuestra tener una consistencia interna alta y aceptable.Conclusiones: Debido a la escasez de investigaciones del tema en Puerto Rico se recomienda llevar a cabo investigaciones donde pueda evaluarse la influencia de la RSE hacia el compromiso del empleado, la fidelidad del comprador, las alianzas de los suplidores, la aceptación de la comunidad, el apoyo de los entes gubernamentales.Objetivo: Desenvolver, construir e validar uma escala que seja enfocada nos empregados portorriquenhos para medir sua percepção quanto à responsabilidade social empresarial. Método: Estudo de enfoque quantitativo, de desenho não experimental, tipo transversal. A mostra foi de 234 selecionados por disponibilidade e conveniência, 59% feminino e 41% masculino. Na presente investigação se empregaram dois instrumentos; o primeiro, recolhe dados sócio-demográficos e o segundo, a escala para medir a Percepção para a Responsabilidade Social Empresarial. Resultados: Por outro lado, calculou-se o Alpha de Cronbach da escala total, mostrando um índice alfa = .97 (p = .97), o que demonstra ter uma consistência interna alta e aceitável. Conclusões: Devido à escassez de investigações do tema em Porto Rico se recomenda levar a cabo investigações onde possa avaliar-se a influência da RSE para o compromisso do empregado, a fidelidade do comprador, as alianças dos fornecedores, a aceitação da comunidade, o apoio dos entes governamentais

Disordered Bosons: Condensate and Excitations

The disordered Bose Hubbard model is studied numerically within the Bogoliubov approximation. First, the spatially varying condensate wavefunction in the presence of disorder is found by solving a nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Using the Bogoliubov approximation to find the excitations above this condensate, we calculate the condensate fraction, superfluid density, and density of states for a two-dimensional disordered system. These results are compared with experiments done with ${}^4{\rm He}$ adsorbed in porous media.Comment: RevTeX, 26 pages and 10 postscript figures appended (Figure 9 has three separate plots, so 12 postcript files altogether

Esboço, construção e validação de uma escala para medir a eficácia e os benefícios dos programas de bem-estar no trabalho

Health is important for the execution of any task. Currently, many workers spend most of their days sitting at a desk or in an office because of their job responsibilities. Therefore, the implementation of health programs in the workplace has become an essential piece for a healthy lifestyle for the employee. This research focused on the design, construction and validation of a scale to measure the effectiveness and benefits of welfare programs at work. The scale was submitted to a panel of expert judges. A .82 content validity was obtained. Likewise, it was administered to a sample of 231 participants, selected by availability, from which resulted a .87 reliability index. In this way, you can have an instrument enabling to determine if welfare programs at work are effective in promoting healthy lifestyles in employees and if the organizations promote a culture of corporate health. It is expected that this instrument be used by other researchers and serves as a tool to investigate on the style and the quality of life of the employee as well as the employer wellness programs.La salud es importante para la ejecución de cualquier tarea y actualmente muchos trabajadores pasan la mayor parte de sus días sentados en un escritorio o en el interior de una oficina por causa de sus responsabilidades laborales, por lo cual, la implementación de programas de salud en el lugar de trabajo se ha convertido en una pieza esencial para obtener un estilo de vida saludable para el empleado. Objetivo: diseño, construcción y validación de una escala para medir la eficacia y beneficios de los programas de bienestar en el trabajo. Método: La escala fue sometida a un panel de jueces expertos, donde se obtuvo una validez de contenido de .82. Así mismo fue administrada a una muestra de 231 participantes, seleccionados por disponibilidad, de los cuales resultó un índice de confiabilidad de .87. Resultados: el instrumento permite determinar si los programas de bienestar en el trabajo son eficaces en promover un estilo de vida saludable en los empleados y si las organizaciones impulsan una cultura de salud corporativa. Conclusiones: Los investigadores esperan que este instrumento pueda ser utilizado por otros investigadores y que sirva como una herramienta para las organizaciones para indagar sobre el estilo y calidad de vida del empleado, así como los programas de bienestar del patrono.A saúde é importante para a execução de qualquer tarefa. Atualmente, muitos empregados ficam a maior parte dos seus dias sentados em uma escrivaninha ou no interior de um escritório devido ás responsabilidades laborais. Por isso, a implementação de programas de saúde no local de trabalho tem-se tornado em uma peça fundamental para obter um estilo de vida saudável para o empregado. Esta pesquisa tomo como foco o esboço, construção e validação de uma escala para medir a eficácia e os benefícios dos programas de bem-estar no trabalho. A escala foi submetida a um painel de juízes peritos. Obteve-se uma validez de conteúdo de .82. do mesmo jeito, foi administrada uma amostra de 231 concorrentes, selecionados por disponibilidade, dos quais resultou um índice de confiabilidade de .87. assim, pode-se ter um instrumento que permita determinar se os programas de bem-estar no trabalho são eficazes na promoção de um estilo de vida saudável nos empregados e se as organizações impulsam uma cultura de saúde corporativa. Espera-se que este instrumento possa ser utilizado por outros pesquisadores e que sirva como uma ferramenta para indagar ao respeito do estilo e da qualidade de vida do empregado, assim como sobre os programas de bem-estar do patrão