6,068 research outputs found
Morphogenetic Theory and the Constructivist Institutionalist Challenge
This article engages with two meta-theoretical approaches to social analysis, ‘morphogenetic theory’ and ‘constructivist institutionalism’, and specifically explores how the former fares under the critical scrutiny of the latter. The key proponent of constructivist institutionalism, Colin Hay, has offered two detailed critiques of morphogenesis that criticise its position on the foundational sociological issues of structure-agency and material-ideational. Although Hay’s critiques are largely rejected in an overall defence of the morphogenetic approach, the process of engagement is seen to be particularly useful for morphogenetic theory because it allows a number of important clarifications to be made and it also opens up space for theoretical development. In the course of this debate, accessible introductions are given to both theories, and the similarities and differences between them are outlined, providing clarity to both. Therefore, although this article ultimately operates as a defence of morphogenetic theory, especially in the form proposed by Margaret Archer and Douglas Porpora, it finds a great deal of fruitful discussion in the constructivist institutionalist challenge
Augmented collisional ionization via excited states in XUV cluster interactions
The impact of atomic excited states is investigated via a detailed model of
laser-cluster interactions, which is applied to rare gas clusters in intense
femtosecond pulses in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV). This demonstrates the
potential for a two-step ionization process in laser-cluster interactions, with
the resulting intermediate excited states allowing for the creation of high
charge states and the rapid dissemination of laser pulse energy. The
consequences of this excitation mechanism are demonstrated through simulations
of recent experiments in argon clusters interacting with XUV radiation, in
which this two-step process is shown to play a primary role; this is consistent
with our hypothesis that XUV-cluster interactions provide a unique window into
the role of excited atomic states due to the relative lack of photoionization
and laser field-driven phenomena. Our analysis suggests that atomic excited
states may play an important role in interactions of intense radiation with
materials in a variety of wavelength regimes, including potential implications
for proposed studies of single molecule imaging with intense X-rays.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Evolution of match performance parameters for various playing positions in the English Premier League
This study aimed to investigate position-specific evolution of physical and technical performance parameters in the English Premier League (EPL). Match performance observations (n = 14700) were collected using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system across seven seasons (2006–07 to 2012–13). Data were analyzed relative to five playing positions: central defenders (n = 3792), full backs (n = 3420), central midfielders (n = 3200), wide midfielders (n = 2136) and attackers (n = 2152). High-intensity running distance increased in the final season versus the first season in all playing positions (p < .05, ES: 0.9–1.3) with full backs displaying the greatest increase (∼36% higher in 2012–13). Similar trends were observed for sprint distance with full backs demonstrating the most pronounced increase across the seven seasons (36–63%, p < .001, ES: 0.8–1.3). Central players (central defenders and midfielders) illustrated the most pronounced increases in total passes and pass success rate (p < .05, ES: 0.7–0.9) whilst wide players (full backs and wide midfielders) demonstrated only small-moderate increases in total passes and pass success rate (p < .05, ES: 0.6–0.8). The data demonstrates that evolving tactics in the EPL have impacted on the physical demands of wide players and the technical requirements of central players. These findings could be used for talent identification or position-specific physical and technical training
Longitudinal Match Performance Characteristics of UK and Non-UK Players in the English Premier League
This study investigated the longitudinal match performance characteristics in the English Premier League (EPL), with special reference to player nationality (UK vs. non-UK). Match observations (n = 14700) were collected using a multi-camera computerised tracking system across 7 consecutive EPL seasons (2006–2007 to 2012– 2013). Player nationality referred to their birthplace, with players born in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland classified as the UK players and other nationalities considered non-UK. The non-UK players demon- strated the most pronounced increases in high-intensity running distance across the 7 seasons compared with UK players (P 0.05, ES: 0.08 [CI 0.01–0.15]). In contrast, the non-UK players performed more passes in 2006–2007 compared with the UK players (P 0.05, ES: 0.05 [CI −0.01–0.13]). The data demonstrates that the longitudinal match performance characteristics in the EPL are similar between the UK and non-UK populations
Exceptionally strong magnetism in 4d perovskites RTcO3 (R=Ca,Sr,Ba)
The evolution of the magnetic ordering temperature of the 4d3 perovskites
RTcO3 (R=Ca,Sr,Ba) and its relation with its electronic and structural
properties has been studied by means of hybrid density functional theory and
Monte Carlo simulations. When compared to the most widely studied 3d
perovskites the large spatial extent of the 4d shells and their relatively
strong hybridization with oxygen weaken the tendency to form Jahn-Teller like
orbital ordering. This strengthens the superexchange interaction. The resulting
insulating G-type antiferromagnetic ground state is characterized by large
superexchange coupling constants (26-35 meV) and Neel temperatures (750-1200
K). These monotonically increase as a function of the R ionic radius due to the
progressive enhancement of the volume and the associated decrease of the
cooperative rotation of the TcO6 octahedra.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Derivation of the nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamic equation from underdamped Langevin equation
We derive the fluctuating hydrodynamic equation for the number and momentum
densities exactly from the underdamped Langevin equation. This derivation is an
extension of the Kawasaki-Dean formula in underdamped case. The steady state
probability distribution of the number and momentum densities field can be
expressed by the kinetic and potential energies. In the massless limit, the
obtained fluctuating hydrodynamic equation reduces to the Kawasaki-Dean
equation. Moreover, the derived equation corresponds to the field equation
derived from the canonical equation when the friction coefficient is zero.Comment: 16 page
Atomic self-interaction correction for molecules and solids
We present an atomic orbital based approximate scheme for self-interaction
correction (SIC) to the local density approximation of density functional
theory. The method, based on the idea of Filippetti and Spaldin [Phys. Rev. B
67, 125109 (2003)], is implemented in a code using localized numerical atomic
orbital basis sets and is now suitable for both molecules and extended solids.
After deriving the fundamental equations as a non-variational approximation of
the self-consistent SIC theory, we present results for a wide range of
molecules and insulators. In particular, we investigate the effect of
re-scaling the self-interaction correction and we establish a link with the
existing atomic-like corrective scheme LDA+U. We find that when no re-scaling
is applied, i.e. when we consider the entire atomic correction, the Kohn-Sham
HOMO eigenvalue is a rather good approximation to the experimental ionization
potential for molecules. Similarly the HOMO eigenvalues of negatively charged
molecules reproduce closely the molecular affinities. In contrast a re-scaling
of about 50% is necessary to reproduce insulator bandgaps in solids, which
otherwise are largely overestimated. The method therefore represents a
Kohn-Sham based single-particle theory and offers good prospects for
applications where the actual position of the Kohn-Sham eigenvalues is
important, such as quantum transport.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure
Investigations Using Laboratory Testbeds to Interpret Flight Instrument Datasets from Mars Robotic Missions
The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) has laboratory instrumentation that mimic the capabilities of corresponding flight instruments to enable interpretation of datasets returned from Mars robotic missions. The lab instruments have been and continue to be applied to datasets for the Moessbauer Spectrometer (MB) on the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER), the Thermal & Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) on the Mars Phoenix Scout, the CRISM instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Missions and will be applied to datasets for the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) and Chemistry & Camera (ChemCam) instruments onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The laboratory instruments can analyze analog samples at costs that are substantially lower than engineering models of flight instruments, but their success to enable interpretation of flight data depends on how closely their capabilities mimic those of the flight instrument. The JSC lab MB instruments are equivalent to the MER instruments except without flight qualified components and no reference channel Co-57 source. Data from analog samples were critical for identification of Mg-Fe carbonate at Gusev crater. Fiber-optic VNIR spectrometers are used to obtain CRISM-like spectral data over the range 350-2500 nm, and data for Fephyllosilicates show irreversible behavior in the electronic transition region upon dessication. The MB and VNIR instruments can be operated within chambers where, for example, the absolute H2O concentration can be measured and controlled. Phoenix's TEGA consisted of a calorimeter coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). The JSC laboratory testbed instrument consisted of a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) coupled to a MS configured to operate under total pressure (12 mbar), heating rate (20 C/min), and purge gas composition (N2) analogous to the flight TEGA. TEGA detected CO2 release at both low (400-680 C) and high (725-820 C) temperature and an endothermic reaction in concert with the high temperature release. The high-temperature thermal decomposition is consistent with calcite, dolomite, or ankerite, (3-6 wt.%) or any combination of these phase based upon laboratory testbed experiments. Recent laboratory experiments suggest that the low temperature CO2 release was caused by a reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrated magnesium perchlorate; although, CO2 release by the oxidation of organic materials and Fe-/Mg-rich carbonates cannot be ruled out. MSL landed in Gale crater on August 5, 2012. Although numerous analog samples have been analyzed on the JSC laboratory testbeds, no SAM, CheMin, or ChemCam analyses have been acquired by MSL to date. The JSC SAM laboratory testbed consists of a thermal analyzer coupled with a MS configured to operate under total pressure (30 mbar), heating rate (35 C/min), and purge gas composition (He) analogous to the flight SAM. The CheMin and ChemCam laboratory testbeds were developed and built by inXitu, Inc. and Los Alamos National Laboratory, respectively, to acquire datasets relevant to the MSL CheMin and ChemCam flight instruments
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