The Objectivity of Ordinary Life

Metaethics tends to take for granted a bare Democritean world of atoms and the void, and then worry about how the human world that we all know can possibly be related to it or justified in its terms. I draw on Wittgenstein to show how completely upside-down this picture is, and make some moves towards turning it the right way up again. There may be a use for something like the bare-Democritean model in some of the sciences, but the picture has no standing as the basic objective truth about the world; if anything has that standing, it is ordinary life. I conclude with some thoughts about how the notion of bare, “thin” perception of non-evaluative reality feeds a number of philosophical pathologies, such as behaviourism, and show how a “thicker”, more value-laden, understanding of our perceptions of the world can be therapeutic against them

Spin dynamics in high-mobility two-dimensional electron systems

Understanding the spin dynamics in semiconductor heterostructures is highly important for future semiconductor spintronic devices. In high-mobility two-dimensional electron systems (2DES), the spin lifetime strongly depends on the initial degree of spin polarization due to the electron-electron interaction. The Hartree-Fock (HF) term of the Coulomb interaction acts like an effective out-of-plane magnetic field and thus reduces the spin-flip rate. By time-resolved Faraday rotation (TRFR) techniques, we demonstrate that the spin lifetime is increased by an order of magnitude as the initial spin polarization degree is raised from the low-polarization limit to several percent. We perform control experiments to decouple the excitation density in the sample from the spin polarization degree and investigate the interplay of the internal HF field and an external perpendicular magnetic field. The lifetime of spins oriented in the plane of a [001]-grown 2DES is strongly anisotropic if the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit fields are of the same order of magnitude. This anisotropy, which stems from the interference of the Rashba and the Dresselhaus spin-orbit fields, is highly density-dependent: as the electron density is increased, the kubic Dresselhaus term becomes dominant and reduces the anisotropy.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Literature Review of Process Models in Asset- and Maintenance-Management-Systems

Due to the advancements in digitalization and increasing system complexities during the past decade, asset and maintenance management are becoming more important in companies. Especially in manufacturing companies, lean, effective and efficient production is necessary, which can only be achieved with optimal strategies for physical assets and excellent asset management, to master challenging market situations. System models are supporting management tools for the systematic development of asset and maintenance management in the company. One of the most common types of system models are process models, which are abstract representations of complex processes. They represent the chronological and factual sequence of functions, activities, essential subsystems, properties and interfaces. Numerous process models of maintenance and asset management have been published over the years, representing different objectives and aspects. This article provides a framework that clarifies the morphology of the models mentioned in literature. Finally, the similarities and differences regarding model application in practice and further research are discussed. Overall, the article intends to help researchers derive new, extended and optimized models for the domain

First steps to understand heat tolerance of temperate maize at adult stage: identification of QTL across multiple environments with connected segregating populations

KEY MESSAGE: Dents were more heat tolerant than Flints. QTL for heat tolerance with respect to grain yield at field conditions were identified considering multiple populations and environments. ABSTRACT: High temperatures have the potential to cause severe damages to maize production. This study aims to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of heat tolerance under field conditions in maize and the genome regions contributing to natural variation. In our study, heat tolerance was assessed on a multi-environment level under non-controlled field conditions for a set of connected intra- and interpool Dent and Flint populations. Our findings indicate that Dent are more heat tolerant during adult stage than Flint genotypes. We identified 11 quantitative trait loci (QTL) including 2 loci for heat tolerance with respect to grain yield. Furthermore, we identified six heat-tolerance and 112 heat-responsive candidate genes colocating with the previously mentioned QTL. To investigate their contribution to the response to heat stress and heat tolerance, differential expression and sequence variation of the identified candidate genes should be subjected to further research. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00122-016-2674-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

In Defence of Modest Doxasticism About Delusions

Here I reply to the main points raised by the commentators on the arguments put forward in my Delusions and Other Irrational Beliefs (OUP, 2009). My response is aimed at defending a modest doxastic account of clinical delusions, and is articulated in three sections. First, I consider the view that delusions are in-between perceptual and doxastic states, defended by Jacob Hohwy and Vivek Rajan, and the view that delusions are failed attempts at believing or not-quite-beliefs, proposed by Eric Schwitzgebel and Maura Tumulty. Then, I address the relationship between the doxastic account of delusions and the role, nature, and prospects of folk psychology, which is discussed by Dominic Murphy, Keith Frankish, and Maura Tumulty in their contributions. In the final remarks, I turn to the continuity thesis and suggest that, although there are important differences between clinical delusions and non-pathological beliefs, these differences cannot be characterised satisfactorily in epistemic terms. \u

Entrainment of randomly coupled oscillator networks by a pacemaker

Entrainment by a pacemaker, representing an element with a higher frequency, is numerically investigated for several classes of random networks which consist of identical phase oscillators. We find that the entrainment frequency window of a network decreases exponentially with its depth, defined as the mean forward distance of the elements from the pacemaker. Effectively, only shallow networks can thus exhibit frequency-locking to the pacemaker. The exponential dependence is also derived analytically as an approximation for large random asymmetric networks.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, revtex 4, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Effect of initial spin polarization on spin dephasing and electron g factor in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron system

We have investigated the spin dynamics of a high-mobility two-dimensional electron system (2DES) in a GaAs--Al$_{0.3}$Ga$_{0.7}$As single quantum well by time-resolved Faraday rotation (TRFR) in dependence on the initial degree of spin polarization, $P$, of the 2DES. From $P\sim 0$ to $P\sim 30$ %, we observe an increase of the spin dephasing time, $T_2^\ast$, by an order of magnitude, from about 20 ps to 200 ps, in good agreement with theoretical predictions by Weng and Wu [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 68}, 075312 (2003)]. Furthermore, by applying an external magnetic field in the Voigt configuration, also the electron $g$ factor is found to decrease for increasing $P$. Fully microscopic calculations, by numerically solving the kinetic spin Bloch equations considering the D'yakonov-Perel' and the Bir-Aronov-Pikus mechanisms, reproduce the most salient features of the experiments, {\em i.e}., a dramatic decrease of spin dephasing and a moderate decrease of the electron $g$ factor with increasing $P$. We show that both results are determined dominantly by the Hartree-Fock contribution of the Coulomb interaction.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to be published in PR

Atomic layering at the liquid silicon surface: a first- principles simulation

We simulate the liquid silicon surface with first-principles molecular dynamics in a slab geometry. We find that the atom-density profile presents a pronounced layering, similar to those observed in low-temperature liquid metals like Ga and Hg. The depth-dependent pair correlation function shows that the effect originates from directional bonding of Si atoms at the surface, and propagates into the bulk. The layering has no major effects in the electronic and dynamical properties of the system, that are very similar to those of bulk liquid Si. To our knowledge, this is the first study of a liquid surface by first-principles molecular dynamics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR

How to integrate real-world user behavior into models of the market diffusion of alternative fuels in passenger cars - An in-depth comparison of three models for Germany

The future market diffusion of alternative fuels in the passenger car sector is of great interest to both carmakers and policymakers in order to decrease CO$_{2}$ emissions. The decision to buy a car is not totally objective and only partly based on cost. For this reason, those modeling the future market evolution of cars powered by alternative fuels try to include behavioral and non-cost related aspects. This paper analyzes the integration of user behavior into market diffusion models and compares three models that include this aspect. The comparison comprises three parts: first, it compares the modeling approaches, then uses a harmonized data set to model the future market diffusion of alternative fuel vehicles, with and without behavioral aspects. The most important aspects of user behavior included in the models are the use of charging infrastructure, the limited model availability, the consideration of range anxiety as a hampering factor or the willingness-to-pay-more for alternative drivetrains as a supporting factor, as well as a distinction of users\u27 driving distances. User behavior is considered in various ways, but always has a limiting effect on electric vehicle market diffusion. While a model that distinguishes individual users and driving distances stresses the high relevance of this aspect, it is considered less important in models with a more aggregated inclusion of user behavior based on logit functions

Zur wahrgenommenen Intensität adaptiver und maladaptiver Emotionen im Kontext rationaler und irrationaler Kognitionen

In the theoretical foundations of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Albert Ellis distinguishes between irrational (overreaching and rigid) cognitions, which result in maladaptive emotions, and rational cognitions (realistic expectations and preferences), which result in adaptive emotions. Present studies confirm substantial differences between adaptive and maladaptive emotions with regard to numerous relevant variables of emotion theories (in particular: functionality). Perceived intensity of adaptive and maladaptive emotions has not been investigated so far. By using experimental scenario studies (N = 158) possible differences of intensity between adaptive and maladaptive emotions are investigated. It is hypothesized, that maladaptive emotions are more strongly perceived by irrational thinkers than by rational thinkers whereas adaptive emotions should be perceived more intensively by rationally thinking persons. A first study reveals a higher perceived intensity of maladaptive emotions in comparison to adaptive emotions. A second study demonstrates that generally more intense emotions are attributed to people having irrational beliefs. However this tendency is significantly stronger for maladaptive emotions. Possible explanations for this limited support of the hypotheses are discussed.Albert Ellis geht in seiner Rational Emotiven Therapie davon aus, dass irrationale (übersteigerte und rigide) Kognitionen zu maladaptiven Emotionen führen, während rationale Kognitionen (realistische Erwartungen und Präferenzen) adaptive Emotionen zur Folge haben. Bisherige Studien zeigen, dass sich adaptive und maladaptive Emotionen hinsichtlich zahlreicher emotionstheoretisch relevanter Variablen unterscheiden, insbesondere hinsichtlich Funktionalität; die wahrgenommene Intensität adaptiver und maladaptiver Emotionen im Kontext entsprechender Kognitionen wurde bisher nicht untersucht. Anhand experimenteller Szenariostudien (N = 158) soll untersucht werden, ob sich adaptive und maladaptive Emotionen in ihrer Intensität unterscheiden. Zudem wird als Hypothese aufgestellt, dass maladaptive Emotionen von irrational denkenden Personen intensiver erlebt werden als von rational Denkenden. Adaptive Emotionen hingegen sollten von rational denkenden Menschen intensiver wahrgenommen werden. Eine erste Studie zeigt eine generell höhere Intensität maladaptiver Emotionen im Vergleich zu adaptiven Emotionen. Zur Überprüfung der Hypothese wird eine zweite Studie durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Personen mit irrationalen Kognitionen generell intensivere Emotionen zugeschrieben werden als rational Denkenden. Dieser Effekt zeigt sich jedoch signifikant stärker für maladaptive Emotionen. Mögliche Erklärungen für die nur partielle Bestätigung der Hypothese werden diskutiert