Social Interactions and Fertility in Developing Countries

There is strong evidence that, in addition to individual and household characteristics, social interactions are important in determining fertility rates. Social interactions can lead to a multiplier effect where an individual’s ideas, and fertility choice, can affect the fertility decisions of others. We merge all available Demographic and Health Surveys to investigate the factors that influence both individual and average group fertility. We find that in the early phase of the fertility transition the impact of a woman’s education and experience of child death on her group’s average fertility are more than three times as large as their direct effect on her own fertility decision.demography, growth, age structure, population, economy.

What are the possible moiré patterns of graphene on hexagonally packed surfaces? Universal solution for hexagonal coincidence lattices, derived by a geometric construction

We present a systematic investigation of two coinciding lattices and their spatial beating frequencies that lead to the formation of moire patterns. A mathematical model was developed and applied for the case of a hexagonally arranged adsorbate on a hexagonal support lattice. In particular, it describes the moire patterns observed for graphene grown on a hexagonally arranged transition metal surface, a system that serves as one of the promising synthesis routes for the formation of this highly wanted material. The presented model uses a geometric construction that derives analytic expressions for first and higher order beating frequencies occurring for arbitrarily oriented graphene on the underlying substrate lattice. By solving the corresponding equations, we predict the size and orientation of the resulting moire pattern. Adding the constraints for commensurability delivers further solvable analytic equations that predict whether or not first or higher order commensurable phases occur. We explicitly treat the case for first, second and third order commensurable phases. The universality of our approach is tested by comparing our data with moire patterns that are experimentally observed for graphene on Ir(111) and on Pt(111). Our analysis can be applied for graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), or other sp(2)-networks grown on any hexagonally packed support surface predicting the size, orientation and properties of the resulting moire patterns. In particular, we can determine which commensurate phases are expected for these systems. The derived information can be used to critically discuss the moire phases reported in the literature

REENGINEERING DEPRECATED COMPONENT FRAMEWORKS: A CASE STUDY OF THE MICROSOFT FOUNDATION CLASSES

In today’s application engineering, the implementation of frameworks and related technology boosts development quality and reduces related effort. Framework functionality embodies expert knowledge and is driven towards reuse. While stable from a conceptual point of view, technological changes require constant adaptation and reengineering. This article presents overall framework engineering principles and practices (FEPP) and shows their concrete application using the example of the Microsoft Foundation Classes. Abstracting from the case study, the focus of this work is upon introducing particular methods for how to cut down on the complexity of maintenance projects by considering the FEPP during framework development

Construction and working principle of the passive gravity-gradient stabilization for small spacecraft

Рассматриваются пассивные системы ориентации, требующие точного предварительного анализа динамики. В качестве самой оптимальной пассивной системой ориентации взята гравитационная система ориентации. Описан принцип действия такой системы ориентации и предварительная компоновка спутника с этой системой.The passive navigation systems considered demanding the exact preliminary analysis of dynamics. As the most optimum passive navigation system the gravitational navigation system is taken. The principle of orientation of this navigation system and preliminary configuration of the satellite with this system is described

The Behavioral Mechanisms Behind Feedback – A Preliminary Model for Quantifying Cause-Effect Relationships

The ubiquity of information technology makes it possible to provide individuals with personalized, context-specific, and timely feedback at low marginal cost. This allows for highly scalable behavioral interventions that can support behavior change even for frequent, habitual, and incidental behaviors. Despite the well-documented potential of feedback interventions in improving personal and societal outcomes, the associated theoretical insights – in particular for real-time feedback on everyday behaviors – are sparse. To this end, this research-in-progress paper proposes a conceptual model to formalize cause-effect relationships between feedback interventions, the antecedents of behavior, and resulting behavioral changes by integrating important concepts from feedback intervention theory and other behavioral theories. Moreover, this paper outlines the planned validation of the model and research hypotheses with an empirical field study. Ultimately, the results are expected to inform the development of (future) Information Systems for behavior change by holistically explaining behavioral mechanisms associated with feedback interventions