Adaptive Wavelet Collocation Method for Simulation of Time Dependent Maxwell's Equations

This paper investigates an adaptive wavelet collocation time domain method for the numerical solution of Maxwell's equations. In this method a computational grid is dynamically adapted at each time step by using the wavelet decomposition of the field at that time instant. In the regions where the fields are highly localized, the method assigns more grid points; and in the regions where the fields are sparse, there will be less grid points. On the adapted grid, update schemes with high spatial order and explicit time stepping are formulated. The method has high compression rate, which substantially reduces the computational cost allowing efficient use of computational resources. This adaptive wavelet collocation method is especially suitable for simulation of guided-wave optical devices

Analysis of Intra-Household Allocation: Implications for the Nutritional Well-being of Women and Children

Neben rein individualistischen Ansätzen zunehmend auch kollektive Entscheidungsmodelle zur Erklärung der Fehlernährung von Individuen herangezogen. Dies gilt speziell für die Unterernährung von Kindern und Frauen in Entwicklungsländern. Hier ergibt sich empirisch oft ein asymmetrisches Bild, wobei weibliche Aushalts Mitglieder bzw. Kinder oft unterproportional mit Nahrungsmitteln versorgt werden. Die Verteilung von Nahrungsmitteln auf individuelle Haushaltsmitglieder im Rahmen von Intra-Household Bargaining Models als kollektive Verhandlungslösung zwischen den erwachsenen Haushaltsmitgliedern analysiert. Asymmetrische Verteilung von Nahrungsmitteln auf unterschiedliche Haushaltsmitglieder ist dann die Folge von asymmetrischer Bargaining Power sowie unterschiedlichen Präferenzen der relevanten erwachsenen Haushaltsmitglieder. Darüber hinaus berücksichtigen die existierenden Intrahaushalt-Bargaining-Modelle oft nicht die komplexen Zusammenhänge, die zu der Bildung individueller Verteilungspräferenzen der Haushaltsmitglieder führen. Eine privilegierte Versorgung der HM mit Zugang zu Arbeitsmärkten ist wohlfahrtsmaximierend aus Sicht des Gesamthaushalts, da diese das Haushaltseinkommen und damit die Gesamtversorgung des Haushalts maximieren. Das gleiche gilt in landwirtschaftlichen Haushalten, wenn unterstellt wird, dass spezielle HM (z.B. männliche) eine überdurchschnittlich hohe Arbeitsproduktivität im landwirtschaftlichen Betrieb haben. Umgekehrt weist geschlechtsasymmetrische Verteilung von Lebensmitteln nicht unbedingt auf eine asymmetrische Verhandlungsmacht hin, sondern kann auch das Ergebnis von Vorurteilen sein, die auf kulturellen Normen beruhen, die sie verinnerlicht haben

Analysing homophobia, xenophobia and sexual nationalisms in Africa: Comparing quantitative attitudes data to reveal societal differences

To problematise Western discourses of a homophobic Africa, there is a need to analyse evidence of homophobia and its interplay with other attitudes, in ways that explore contextual differences. Hence this article offers an original sociological analysis of quantitative data on homophobia in African states, examining how this inter-relates with xenophobia. Social attitudes data is drawn from the Afrobarometer research project as a unique and important source, and compared in five diverse contexts: Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia. Data is examined from Round 6 (2014-15) and Round 7 (2016-18). Findings are interpreted in light of specific national literatures on the relations between sexuality, gender and nationalism, as well as wider critical and postcolonial perspectives ¿ especially conceptualisation of sexual nationalisms, and recent literatures on political homophobia. Whereas analyses of homonationalism in Western societies have explored alignments of LGBTI rights affirmation with anti-immigrant attitudes, the present study explores such relationships between homophobic and xenophobic attitudes in alternative patterns within specific African contexts. The analysis delivered not only challenges Western discourses of generalised African homophobia (especially discussing the counterexample of Mozambique) but also advances understanding of the complexity of how attitudes inter-relate in different postcolonial states

Homonationalism in Europe? A Quantitative Comparison of the Values of Europeans

In the context of growing interest in sexual dissidence, academic and social movements are discussing homonationalism as the combination of tolerance towards lesbians and gays, racism and nationalism in a neoliberal globalised world. In this article we aim to quantitatively compare European nation states on homonationalist values using data collected through the European Value Study (2008-2010), through correlations and cross tabulation analysis. We ask to what extent homonationalism is reflected in the values of Europeans and if there is any difference among European countries. The results indicate that homonationalism is not reflected in the values of all Europeans. Those who are more tolerant to homosexuality tend to be less racist and nationalist. However, our results confirm the existence of groups of people in western European countries who combine tolerance to LGB people, racism and nationalism and consequently must be qualified as homonationalists

Diffusion in Nanoporous Materials: Novel Insights by Combining MAS and PFG NMR

Pulsed field gradient (PFG) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) allows recording of molecular diffusion paths (notably, the probability distribution of molecular displacements over typically micrometers, covered during an observation time of typically milliseconds) and has thus proven to serve as a most versatile means for the in-depth study of mass transfer in complex materials. This is particularly true with nanoporous host materials, where PFG NMR enabled the first direct measurement of intracrystalline diffusivities of guest molecules. Spatial resolution, i.e., the minimum diffusion path length experimentally observable, is limited by the time interval over which the pulsed field gradients may be applied. In “conventional” PFG NMR measurements, this time interval is determined by a characteristic quantity of the host-guest system under study, the so-called transverse nuclear magnetic relaxation time. This leads, notably when considering systems with low molecular mobilities, to severe restrictions in the applicability of PFG NMR. These restrictions may partially be released by performing PFG NMR measurements in combination with “magic-angle spinning” (MAS) of the NMR sample tube. The present review introduces the fundamentals of this technique and illustrates, via a number of recent cases, the gain in information thus attainable. Examples include diffusion measurements with nanoporous host-guest systems of low intrinsic mobility and selective diffusion measurement in multicomponent systems

Unveiling Emotions: Attitudes Toward Affective Technology

With its ability to sense and/or generate human emotions, affective computing calls for a new generation of technology. This study brings affective technologies into focus which can sense human emotions. Compared to other types of technology, affective technologies have distinct characteristics—anthropomorphism, uncontrollability, capturing of highly sensitive data, unfamiliarity, and complexity—with fundamental effects on the interaction with humans. These characteristics of affective technology create a feeling of uncertainty about how such a system works. However, the attitudes people exhibit toward the usage, notably trust, such as affective assistance systems has received only scant attention. Hence, we define attitudes toward affective technology and contribute to the literature by proposing a research model that we analyzed using a quantitative methodology with 303 participants. From the theoretical model, we derive implications for theory, practice, and design