Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
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Perspectives on Engineering Uncertainty
No full textThis open access book considers the role of uncertainty in the design and development of large-scale engineering systems. The focus of the book is the safe behaviour of nuclear power plants in both routine operations and in incident situations. The book introduces various types of uncertainty and addresses the extent to which uncertainties may be reduced. The role of multiple dimensions of uncertainty is discussed, as is the importance of modern computational techniques in handling large data sets. Modern IT also provides engineers with new tools, such as digital twins with the potential to greatly reduce cost both in design and in operations. The book focuses on both system safety and efficiency and, to do this, reference is made to the Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR). The AGR is a mature established system through which the book elucidates various key concepts and ideas. As well as being of interest to those working in the nuclear industry, the book is likely to appeal to those working in other safety critical engineering sectors and, for example, reference is made to experiences in aviation and railway engineering. This is neither a text book nor a review, it is a primer for those seeking an introduction to modern approaches to uncertainty
Le poesie filosofiche di Schiller
No full textThe book presents one of the most significant writings within the process of the rediscovery of Schiller's philosophy that took place during the nineteenth century thanks to neo-Kantian thinkers. Indeed, Friedrich Albert Lange was among the very first to call attention to Schiller's philosophy, regarding it as a way of reviving Kantian practical philosophy while at the same time avoiding the lapses into metaphysics that characterized Kant's ethics and, later, idealistic philosophy. In addition to the Italian translation of the essay Introduction and Commentary on Schiller's Philosophical Poems - in which Lange argues in support of the thesis that it is precisely in his poetic production that the heart and meaning of Schiller's philosophizing should be sought - the volume also contains another interesting paper by Lange on the German poet, namely the Commemorative Discourse on the centenary of Schiller's birth.PublishedIl volume presenta uno degli scritti più significativi del processo di riscoperta della filosofia di Schiller, avvenuto nel corso dell’Ottocento per merito dei pensatori neokantiani. Proprio Friedrich Albert Lange fu infatti tra i primi a richiamare l’attenzione sulla filosofia schilleriana, vedendo in essa un modo per riportare in auge la filosofia pratica kantiana e al tempo stesso evitare gli scivolamenti verso la metafisica che caratterizzavano l’etica di Kant e, a seguire, la filosofia idealistica. Oltre alla traduzione del saggio Introduzione e commento alle poesie filosofiche di Schiller – in cui Lange argomenta a sostegno della tesi che proprio nella sua produzione poetica vada cercato il cuore e il senso del filosofare schilleriano – il volume contiene anche un altro interessante scritto di Lange sul poeta tedesco, ovvero il Discorso commemorativo nel centenario della nascita di Schiller
Computational Methods for Transition States and Pathways in Rare Events
No full textBased on the calculation of transition states and the identification of transition paths, this book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and simulating rare events.
The author introduces both fundamental concepts of transition states and pathways and advanced computational techniques, focusing on Gentlest Ascent Dynamics (GAD) and its variants. In particular, she explores enhanced numerical methods such as the convex splitting method and the Scalar Auxiliary Variable (SAV) approach within the Iterative Minimization Formulation (IMF). In addition, the book applies these methods to real-world problems, highlighting the string method and the geometric Minimum Action Method (gMAM) for computing transition paths.
The book is written for researchers and practitioners in fields such as applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computational science who are interested in the underlying mechanisms of rare events and their transition processes.
Chapters 3 and 4 of this book are each freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license
Migration and Racialization in Times of “Crisis”
No full textThe health crisis, the migration crisis, the humanitarian crisis, and the climate crisis. The repeating reference to the idea of crisis to label numerous social upheavals suggests that we now live in a world defined by crisis.
Yet the urgency inherent in a crisis often leads to the normalization of rights violations and increased surveillance, profiling and arbitrary arrests, making visible the state’s control over bodies, and certain bodies, in particular.
Migration and Racialization in Times of “Crisis” explores the colonial, racist and sexist underpinnings of various declarations of crisis, as well as their effects. Taken together, these contributions show that the state of crisis manifests as a condition for the maintenance of racial and patriarchal capitalism.
The English and French version of this title, though distinct, complement each other to offer a more comprehensive and critical look at this approach of “governing through crisis”
Soziale Milieus und Habitus im Feld der Bildung
No full textDer Band präsentiert qualitativ-empirische Analysen aus ausgewählten Bereichen des Bildungswesens, die auf der Habitus-Feld-Theorie Pierre Bourdieus und dem daran anschließenden Konzept der sozialen Milieus von Michael Vester u.a. aufbauen. Im Mittelpunkt stehen zunächst die Themenschwerpunkte ›Grundbildung und Erwachsenenbildung‹ sowie ›Hochschule und Studium‹. Darüber hinaus gilt der Bedeutung des (Professions-)Habitus für das pädagogische Handeln besondere Aufmerksamkeit. In den Blick geraten insgesamt vor allem Passungsverhältnisse und ungleichheitsbezogene Ein- und Ausschlüsse aus dem Feld der Bildung
Research and Innovation 2020.2021.2022
No full textPublishedA investigação e a inovação são os pilares da missão da Universidade do Minho. São os pilares que sustentam a nossa busca pela excelência, permitindo-nos responder aos desafios de um mundo em constante evolução. Durante os anos de 2020 a 2022, o ecossistema de investigação da UMinho alcançou marcos notáveis, superando desafios sem precedentes e, ao mesmo tempo, solidificou o seu papel como líder em inovação
Generalized Topology Optimization for Structural Design
No full textThis book challenges many assumptions commonly used in structural topology optimization. These assumptions include: (1) to find the unique and globally optimal solution—the ‘best’ design, (2) under prescribed support conditions, (3) for given loading conditions, (4) within a predetermined design domain, and (5) without considering the designer’s aesthetic preferences. Through a systematic discussion and numerous examples, this book clearly shows that the traditional assumptions are not only unnecessary, but also imposing severe limitations on design freedom and hindering creativity in structural design. The generalized topology optimization framework presented in this book breaks the mold of many conventional thoughts in structural topology optimization. The new framework will enable topology optimization techniques to solve a much wider range of practical problems. This book appeals to researchers and graduate students working in structural design and optimization and is of interest to civil and structural engineers, architects, mechanical engineers, and product designers involved in creating innovative and efficient structures. This book is open access
Research on Sleep
No full textWhy publish a new book on sleep? The reasons are compelling. There is a growing recognition in clinical practice of our limited understanding of sleep, alongside a constant stream of discoveries and insights into this fundamental homeostatic process of our lives. Sleep is a universal experience; everyone has something to say about it, as it envelops us from the very start of our existence. Each night brings a transformation, making sleep a uniquely different experience, even for the same individual. From adolescence to old age, sleep evolves, shifting through the stages of menopause and becoming altered during various health conditions like cardiovascular diseases, OSAS, and particularly epilepsy. This new text aspires to offer the latest updates on key themes related to sleep, striving to inspire clinicians and researchers alike to explore new ideas and perspectives
Herausforderungen der Pflegekinderhilfe: Partizipation, Begleitung, Akteure, Strukturen
No full textComment les enfants placés évaluent-ils leurs possibilités de participation? Quelles sont les caractéristiques et les conditions d'un bon accompagnement? Quelle est l'influence des structures organisationnelles sur les relations de placement? Avec ses 26 cantons, la Suisse est un cas exemplaire pour une étude interdisciplinaire des interactions entre les structures juridiques et organisationnelles, les pratiques professionnelles ainsi que les points de vue et les conditions d'action des personnes impliquées. Cet ouvrage offre une compréhension approfondie du placement en famille d'accueil et fait des propositions innovantes pour son développement. Wie beurteilen Pflegekinder ihre Partizipationsmöglichkeiten? Was sind Merkmale und Bedingungen guter Begleitung? Welchen Einfluss haben Organisationsstrukturen auf Pflegeverhältnisse? Die Schweiz mit ihren 26 Kantonen erweist sich als Glücksfall für diese interdisziplinäre Untersuchung von Wechselbeziehungen zwischen rechtlichen und organisatorischen Strukturen, professionellen Praktiken sowie den Sichtweisen und Handlungsbedingungen von Akteur:innen. Der Band bietet tiefe Einblicke in die Pflegekinderhilfe und unterbreitet Vorschläge zu ihrer Weiterentwicklung