Scaling in Anti-Plane Elasticity on Random Shear Modulus Fields with Fractal and Hurst Effects

The scale dependence of the effective anti-plane shear modulus response in microstructures with statistical ergodicity and spatial wide-sense stationarity is investigated. In particular, Cauchy and Dagum autocorrelation functions which can decouple the fractal and the Hurst effects are used to describe the random shear modulus fields. The resulting stochastic boundary value problems (BVPs) are set up in line with the Hill–Mandel condition of elastostatics for different sizes of statistical volume elements (SVEs). These BVPs are solved using a physics-based cellular automaton (CA) method that is applicable for anti-plane elasticity to study the scaling of SVEs towards a representative volume element (RVE). This progression from SVE to RVE is described through a scaling function, which is best approximated by the same form as the Cauchy and Dagum autocorrelation functions. The scaling function is obtained by fitting the scaling data from simulations conducted over a large number of random field realizations. The numerical simulation results show that the scaling function is strongly dependent on the fractal dimension D, the Hurst parameter H, and the mesoscale δ, and is weakly dependent on the autocorrelation function. Specifically, it is found that a larger D and a smaller H results in a higher rate of convergence towards an RVE with respect to δ.

Mathematization of nature: how it is done

Natural phenomena can be quantitatively described by means of mathematics, which is actually the only way of doing so. Physics is a convincing example of the mathematization of nature. This paper gives an answer to the question of how mathematization of nature is done and illustrates the answer. Here nature is to be taken in a wide sense, being a substantial object of study in, among others, large domains of biology, such as epidemiology and neurobiology, chemistry, and physics, the most outspoken example. It is argued that mathematization of natural phenomena needs appropriate core concepts that are intimately connected with the phenomena one wants to describe and explain mathematically. Second, there is a scale on and not beyond which a specific description holds. Different scales allow for different conceptual and mathematical descriptions. This is the scaling hypothesis, which has meanwhile been confirmed on many occasions. Furthermore, a mathematical description can, as in physics, but need not be universally valid, as in biology. Finally, the history of science shows that only an intensive gauging of theory, i.e., mathematical description, by experiment leads to progress. That is, appropriate core concepts and appropriate scales are a necessary condition for mathematizing nature, and so is its verification by experiment.

The Development of Medical Criminal Law in Germany and in Russia

Negative consequences of the actions of medical professionals have always been subject to controversial assessment from the legal standpoint. There were periods in Russian history when doctors were prosecuted even without establishing their guilt first, and the periods when doctors were not held responsible at all for the violations that they committed. Currently, medical and pharmaceutical work is a complicated process of performing professional functions connected with the observance of established standards and requirements of its organization. Most medical tests and manipulations of prevention, research, diagnostic, treatment or rehabilitation character are regulated by formal protocols which could, in some cases, prevent a qualified doctor from saving a patient’s life and in others — inflict forced harm on their health. Both of these situations require a legal assessment of the actions, the mechanism of which has not yet been fully determined. This circumstance could lead to a criminal prosecution of a medical professional whose fault is absent (or non-obvious). On the other hand, a structurally complex professional activity, for which there are no recognized methods of legal assessment, creates preconditions for various violations and abuses on the part of medical professionals. Changing relationships between a doctor and a patient, as well as the commercialization of modern medical practices have made the healthcare system one of the most delicto- and even criminally-oriented. These factors act as causes for the growing complexity of legislation (in the wide sense of the word) on criminal liability of medical professionals and the controversial law enforcement practice which, in its turn, leads to the interest of researchers in these problems. The results of such research often remain unconnected with other achievements of the criminal law science; due to this, it is necessary to study the development of law, including the practice of law enforcement and the doctrine, on criminal liability of medical professionals – medical criminal law. Taking into consideration that such a sub-branch of law is not traditional for Russian science, the authors present the results of researching the development of medical criminal law not only in Russia, but also in Germany, where this sphere of law has long been established as independent.

In the Path of Vydūnas: Moral Values and Social Engineering as the Tool for the Welfare State Creation

The article analyses the relationship between democracy and technocracy invoking Lithuanian philosopher Vydūnas’ view on the role of moral values playing in the state. Investigating projects directed to the welfare state creation the author asks how much these projects are technocratic in the narrow sense – performing with the help of knowledge of nature sciences, engineering, economics and other, and what role in these projects moral values play. The author distinguishes two types of projects – technocracy in the narrow and in the wide sense. The latter is defined as social engineering based on the interdisciplinary discussion of experts on the questions linked with moral values. The main theses defended are the following: democracy ant technocracy as the methods of governance should not be contrasted; technocracy could not replace democracy which is the system defending freedom of the individual person; moral ideals (freedom, equality, justice, seeking of common good) are the basic guide in the sphere of values for the social engineering directed to the creation of welfare state.

Pāvela Florenska “Ekokarte”

The introduction of the article outlines the topicality of eco-philosophy and eco-theology in rela-tion to life, nature and human existence problems. The notion of „eco-map” used in social sciences is dis-cussed as conditionally related to P. Florensky’s creative work. The main section displays three directions of his eco-philosophy: 1) general problematics (environment/culture; a man/a mask); 2) the direction rela-ted to P. Florensky as a representative of sophiology (Sophia or wisdom in a wide sense solving the relati-onal problematic of God and creation); 3) the direction characterizing the unity between his life and crea-tive work (the world of life, the asceticism/starecs’ problem). The conclusions stress the three basic traits of P. Florensky’s ecosophy: the consubstantiality of the All-Unified; the antinomic symbolism; the truthfulness of life. The research methods applied: the analysis of scientific literature; the hermeneutic analysis of P. Florensky’s texts.

Voicing One’s Will. Theatre as Audio-Visual Hypotyposis of the Poetic

This contribution invites the reader on a conceptual and imaginary journey through the relation between the visual and auditive dimensions of theatre. A reading of Ovid’s metamorphosis of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis will illustrate the general idea which I will then confront with the recent proposal of Denis Guénoun to conceive of theatre as the (visual) hypotyposis of poetry. Hegel and others will serve as the catalyst potion to allow for a union of the two lines of thought, leading to the conclusion that theatre is not only a visual but also an auditive hypotyposis of the poetic – in a wide sense, encompassing music and dance. The roots of theatre are often identified in Ancient Greek tragedy and comedy. In that context, a link between the terms “theatre” and “theory” has been observed via the verb theôrein (being spectator, behold) and its noun thea (view, spectacle). It might thus seem that theatre is first of all to be viewed, and that sound and listening are secondary. The following thoughts provide an additional view – if not a different understanding.

Poetry?

This chapter gives an overview of how Byzantines conceptualized “poetry.” It argues that from the Byzantine point of view, poetry only differs from prose in a very formal way, namely that it is written in verse. Both prose and poetry belonged to the category of logoi, the only label that was very frequently used, in contrast to the term “poetry,” which was reserved for the ancient poetry studied at schools. Many authors considered (and exploited) the difference between their own prose texts and poems as a primarily formal one. Nevertheless, poetry did have some functions that set it apart from prose, even if these features are for us less expected. The quality of “bound speech” gained a spiritual dimension, since verse was seen as a restrained form of discourse, also from a moral point of view. Finally, the chapter gives a brief overview of the social contexts for which (learned) poetry was the medium of choice: as an inscription, as paratext in a wide sense, as a piece of personal introspection, as invective, as summaries (often of a didactic nature), and as highly public ceremonial pieces.

Protected designation of origin as driver of change in goat production systems: Beyond added value

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is one of the EU tools for rural development. Most of the literature on this subject is focused on premium prices and consumers’ willingness to pay for local products, since PDO and other labels aim to provide premium incomes for farmers. Our assumption is that PDO drives unexpected changes of farming styles not only related to processing or market strategies but also related to local resources using and to stablishing of different approach to agriculture and food production. We analyzed the PDO Queso Palmero (La Palma cheese) as a case of a dual label system (brand–certification common label) because it gives us the opportunity to compare farmers involved in a PDO scheme with farmers who works outside such systems. We conclude that private brands are more important than common label certification in price formation, but both are complementary, since PDO reinforces farmers’ efforts to improve quality. Beyond premium price, PDO also drives a radical change in farm structures, since it reconnects products to local resources (grazing vs intensification) and redesigns relationships with markets (shortening and diversifying chains and widening product offer). This change is characterized by implementation of new farming strategies in the context of PDO structure that coexist with classical farming strategies closer to intensification, not only in terms of productivity but also in terms of decoupling from local resources and productive and market specialization. Therefore, PDO is a powerful tool for rural development in a wide sense (resilience, empowerment, local capacity and network formation among others) far beyond its narrow remit of promoting economic growth (local or regional). Therefore, the coupling with local resources and the strength of local network and relationships as source of resilience, knowledge and capabilities improvement, have to be included in performance assessment of GIs in order to broaden the appraisal of role in regional development. Highlights PDO as institution is a powerful tool of farm transformation not only a protection structure of collective heritage or asset. Private brand effect on price is larger than common label effect (PDO label). PDO as institution leads radical changes of goat production systems from more production – oriented toward more market – oriented styles. Market chains and product diversification, focusing on quality, concern about consumers and coupling with local resources are distinctive features of farms involved in PDO.