Mutual Conflict Research Articles

Strategies of game theory for the automated optimal design in electromechanics

Classical microeconomics and game theory offer a conceptual frame to solve a design problem, characterized by multiple objective functions in mutual conflict. This viewpoint is largely accepted for the design of high-tech products as seen in aerospace engineering. However, for long-established products - like electromechanical and electromagnetic devices - the ongoing evolution in design strategies is not fully influenced by the impact of new design methodologies and software facilities. With this rationale, the shape design of a permanent-magnet three-phase motor is considered as an example of small actuator for house appliances; the analysis of the magnetic field is based on a finite-element model of the device. The design goal is to identify the magnet shape, such that the cogging torque of the motor is minimum for a given value of radial induction at the air-gap. More generally, the problem is cast in terms of multiobjective design: find the set of magnet shapes such that the torque is minimum and the induction is maximum, subject to the given constraints. Solutions in terms of Pareto front and Nash equilibrium are obtained by means of an evolutionary algorithm; during the automated search, discrete-valued design variables were considered, for the sake of a realistic design. The paper shows that the application of multi-objective optimisation in electromechanics gives a powerful design tool. Requirements in terms of timing and facilities are compatible with the resources of a research-and-development (R&D) centre of an industrial company in the area of electrical engineering.

A Necessary Conflict: Eros and Philia in a Love Relationship

In this paper the author analyzes the interaction between eros (erotic love) and philia (friendly love) in modern romantic relationships. The different ends of eros and philia conflict with each other. Firstly, eros' concern for unity overrides philia's concern for beneficence toward the beloved. Secondly, philia's emphasis on sharing and intimacy reduces the distance and tension on which eros thrives. After criticizing a standard "Socratic" solution of this conflict, the author proposes an alternative one, whereby eros and philia are seen as having different natures: philia is the context within which eros is the main disposition and their mutual conflict is in fact a necessary condition for a romantic relationship to flourish.

Traditional knowledge, the CBD and the TRIPS regime: synthesising the discordant discourses at the WTO

This paper evaluates the discussions in the WTO on the issues of Traditional Knowledge, the CBD and the TRIPS. A highly textual and an equally teleological interpretation of the TRIPS and the CBD by WTO members has led to arguments that characterise their relationship as either being in mutual harmony or conflict. I submit that much of this inconclusive exercise is unnecessary and can be overcome if the TRIPS is expressly amended to provide for CBD requirements. The paper tries to amalgamate the best from the various approaches to suggest a model regime for TK protection. It recommends that the implementation process be monitored by the TRIPS Council, obliging states to report whenever appropriate and for periodical review of the provisions.

The interplay of sequence and stereochemistry in defining conformation in proteins and polypeptides

Sequential specification of conformation in proteins and polypeptides is a triangular interplay involving the system of linked peptides, the sequences in side chains, and water as solvent. Stereochemistry in side chain linkages is obviously important in the interaction between all of the players, but no specification of its explicit role, if any, in linking sequence with conformation has been made. Flory and coworkers made a puzzling observation in 1967 that, when mutated from poly-L to alternating-L,D stereochemical structure, polypeptides will suffer a reduction in overall dimension or characteristic ratio by an astonishing factor of 10 and to a value even lower than that predicted for free rotation (Miller, W. G.; Brant, D. A.; Flory, P. J. J Mol Biol 1967, 23, 67-80). Enquiring into this longstanding puzzle, Durani and coworkers found that the stereochemical modification will also abolish conformational sensitivity in polypeptide structure to solvent, because electrostatic interactions in the system of linked peptides are transformed from a condition of mutual conflict to one of harmony (Ramakrishnan, V.; Ranbhor, R.; Kumar, A.; Durani, S. J Phys Chem B 2006, 110, 9314-9323). Thus, poly-L stereochemistry could be the fulcrum linking sequences with phi,psis in protein and polypeptide structures, via dielectric arbitrations in a conflicting type of interpeptide electrostatics, in agreement with the electrostatic screening model of Avbelj and Moult (Avbelj, F.; Moult, J. Biochemistry 1995, 34, 755-764).

Natural law, laws of nature, natural rights: continuity and discontinuity in the history of ideas

Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2006 The existence and grounding of human or natural rights is a heavily contested issue today, not only in the West but in the debates raging between fundamentalists and liberals or modernists in the Islamic world. So, too, are the revised versions of natural law espoused by thinkers such as John Finnis and Robert George. This book focuses on three bodies of theory that developed between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries: (1) the foundational belief in the existence of a moral/juridical natural law, embodying universal norms of right and wrong and accessible to natural human reason; (2) the understanding of (scientific) uniformities of nature as divinely imposed laws, which rose to prominence in the seventeenth century; and (3), finally, the notion that individuals are bearers of inalienable natural or human rights. While seen today as distinct bodies of theory often locked in mutual conflict, they grew up inextricably intertwines. The book argues that they cannot be properly understood if taken each in isolation from the others.

Peace Talk: A Relational Approach to Group Negotiation among Arab and Israeli Youths

In response to conflict in the Middle East, a group intervention for Arab and Jewish youths has been developed to promote communication and healing. Using ethnographic observations of this relational, group–based program, this study examines the complexities involved in peace negotiation group work. There was evidence that although this program is met with real–life challenges and oppositional forces, such as genuine danger in negotiation between Arabs and Jews, the program showed success in encouraging otherwise untenable communication. Using this program as a starting point, this study engages the wider issue of the inherent difficulties faced by interventions that pursue mutual empathy, empowerment, and conflict tolerance between individuals and groups that are historically and politically at odds.

Deciphering Holocene sea-level history on the U.S. Gulf Coast: A high-resolution record from the Mississippi Delta

Published Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) curves for the U.S. Gulf Coast are in mutual conflict, with some characterized by a smooth RSL rise akin to widely accepted eustatic sea-level curves versus others, including several recent ones, that are characterized by a conspicuous “stair-step” pattern with prolonged (millennium-scale) RSL stillstands alternating with rapid (meter-scale) rises. In addition, recent work in Texas and Alabama has revitalized the notion of a middle Holocene RSL highstand, estimated at 2 m above present mean sea level. An extensive sampling program in the Mississippi Delta (Louisiana) focused on the collection of basal peats that accumulated during the initial transgression of the pre-existing, consolidated Pleistocene basement. We used stable carbon isotope ratios to demonstrate that many of these samples accumulated in environments affected by frequent saltwater intrusion in the <30 cm zone between mean spring high water and mean sea level, and we selected plant macrofossils that were subjected to AMS 14C dating. Nearly 30 sea-level index points from a ∼20 km2 study area on the eastern margin of the delta suggest that RSL rise followed a relatively smooth trend for the time interval 8000–3000 cal yr B.P., thus questioning the occurrence of major RSL stillstands alternating with abrupt rises. Given the narrow error envelope defined by our data set, any sea-level fluctuations, if present, would have amplitudes of <1 m. Although a true middle Holocene highstand never occurred in the Mississippi Delta, the high level of detail of our time series enables a rigorous test of this hypothesis. Correction of our data set for a hypothetical tectonic subsidence rate of 1.1 mm yr−1 (assuming a constant subsidence rate compared to the tectonically relatively stable adjacent coast of Texas) leads to sea levels near 2 m above present during the time interval 6000–4000 cal yr B.P. However, this model also implies a RSL position near −2 m around 8000 cal yr B.P., which is inconsistent both with data of this age from Texas, as well as with widely accepted sea-level data from elsewhere. We therefore conclude that a middle Holocene highstand for the U.S. Gulf Coast is highly unlikely, and that the entire area is still responding glacio-isostatically, by means of forebulge collapse, to the melting of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.

Optimal shape design of devices and systems for induction‐heating: methodologies and applications

The paper reports recent experiences of the authors in the automated optimal design of devices and systems for induction heating. The results presented have been obtained in the frame of a long‐lasting cooperation between Laboratory of Electroheat, University of Padova and Electromagnetic Devices CAD Laboratory, University of Pavia. In particular, two case studies are discussed; in both cases, the shape design of the inductor is carried out in a systematic way, by minimizing user‐defined objective functions depending on design variables and subject to bounds and constraints. When the design problem is characterized by many objectives which are in mutual conflict, the non‐dominated set of solutions is identified.

Shared History Project: A PRIME Example of Peace-Building Under Fire

Minimal peace building during a violent conflict is suggested as a strategy for future post-conflict peace processes. This paper describes a process of five workshops in which Palestinian and Jewish-Israeli teachers developed a joint school textbook of two narratives (an Israeli and a Palestinian) in regard to three dates in their mutual conflict: the Balfour Declaration, the 1948 war and the 1987 Intifada. The teachers developed these two narratives to be taught in their classrooms. All these activities took place under severe conditions of asymmetry of power relations of occupation (of the Palestinians) and of suicide bombers (against Israelis) throughout the project. The Two-State solution requires in our view textbooks of two narratives, so students learn to respect the narrative of the “Other.”

A diary study of the risk perceptions of road users

ABSTRACT Employing an in situ diary, 291 road users in Oxford (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, car drivers and bus drivers) recorded details of all journeys made during 1 week and noted any incidents and near-misses which occurred on these journeys. On average, pedestrians and cyclists reported 0.18 incidents per mile travelled (one incident every 5.59 miles) and motorcyclists, car drivers and bus drivers reported 0.02 incidents per mile travelled (one incident every 41.67 miles). Analysis revealed mutual conflict between cyclists and buses, and irritation on behalf of pedestrians towards cyclists on pavements. Only 35% of incidents involving cyclists occurred at junctions and the paper discusses likely reasons for the discrepancy between this and the usual two-thirds figure quoted in official accident records. While the rate of incident perception reflected the vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists, the amount of distress experienced did not, as bus drivers rated more of their incidents as distressing than did any other group. When incident reporting was compared to accident figures, the data suggest that car drivers were paying more attention to near-misses with the less vulnerable road users (i.e. those who could harm them) than they were to near-misses with more vulnerable road users (i.e. those whom they could harm).

Conditions for interference versus facilitation during sequential sensorimotor adaptation.

We investigated how sensorimotor adaptation acquired during one experimental session influenced the adaptation in a subsequent session. The subjects' task was to track a visual target using a joystick-controlled cursor, while the relationship between joystick and cursor position was manipulated to introduce a sensorimotor discordance. Each subject participated in two sessions, separated by a pause of 2 min to 1 month duration. We found that adaptation was achieved within minutes, and persisted in the memory for at least a month, with only a small decay (experiment A). When the discordances administered in the two sessions were in mutual conflict, we found evidence for task interference (experiment B). However, when the discordances were independent, we found facilitation rather than interference (experiment C); the latter finding could not be explained by the use of an "easier" discordance in the second session (experiment D). We conclude that interference is due to an incompatibility between task requirements, and not to a competition of tasks for short-term memory. We further conclude that the ability to adapt to a sensorimotor discordance can be improved by practicing with an unrelated discordance.

Adult Attachment, Self‐Efficacy, Perspective Taking, and Conflict Resolution

Parents (N= 124) completed surveys assessing their adult attachment style, conflict resolution style, social self‐efficacy, and perspective taking. Findings supported hypothesized relationships between secure attachment and mutual forms of conflict resolution. More equivocal support was obtained for hypothesized pairings of specific nonsecure attachment styles and nonmutual conflict styles. Findings suggested mediating effects for social competencies (social self‐efficacy and perspective taking), which accounted for some of the negative association between attachment avoidance and mutual conflict style. Follow‐up analyses identified mediating effects of social competencies on specific combinations of attachment and conflict styles–thus suggesting avenues for counseling interventions.

The structuring of shared voluntary standards in the U.S. semiconductor industry: Communicating to reach agreement

Although pervasive in modern organizations, standards have been neglected in organizational communications research. Qualitative study of the SEMATECH consortium revealed that an important outcome of the efforts of participants was the reflexive structuring of voluntary, cooperative standards in the U.S. semiconductor industry, which had previously operated on the basis of proprietary, competitive standards. Analysis of extensive interview, archival, and observational data suggested that seven incidents were pivotal in the structuring process. These incidents showed how the increased communication initiated by SEMATECH produced new provinces of meaning, actions, and frameworks that engendered cooperation in relations between the supplier and manufacturing sectors of the industry, which had previously been characterized by mutual distrust and conflict.

Signalling in the Turkish-Syrian Water Conflict

This paper proposes a simple two-person game of one-sided incomplete information in extensive form to understand strategic choices made in the Turkish-Syrian linkage between water and terrorism. Turkish intelligence established Syrian support of a terrorist group that aims at an independent Kurdish state in eastern Anatolia. Yet, Turkey frequently stipulates the cessation of this support for negotiating with Syria a water agreement over the Euphrates. The game presents Turkey as a player having superior information. Syria is assumed to be uncertain about Turkish preferences with respect to the mutual conflict. This analysis identifies three pooling equilibria indicating that Syrian beliefs do not matter.

Can Campaigning be Evaluated?

Nonprofit organizations, their consultants, and researchers have well-developed ideas about how to evaluate service provision. Yet researchers seem to know much less about how to evaluate their policy campaigning. Perhaps this is not surprising. Because typical campaigning situations are complex, and because "consumer" constituencies are hard to identify and may typically be in mutual conflict, the relationship between activity and impact in campaign management is uncertain. This article develops an approach to the problem by concentrating on the evaluation of strategy rather than of impact directly. It combines policy analysis, norm and convention analysis, and economic analysis of efficiency. The central innovation, however, is to apply game theory to appraise the effectiveness of campaign strategies. A worked example of the approach is given.

Contestability vs. Competition: Once More

Baumol, Willig, and other advocates of contestability theory continue to urge the idea not only for its insights but also as a clear basis for many antitrust and regulatory decisions. Yet the limits of the theory remain. The three key assumptions are extremely strict, and two of them are in mutual conflict. The theory is not robust to imperfections. In order to displace effective competition with contestability, Baumol must adopt a sequence of implausible propositions which, unfortunately, have little analytical or empirical basis.

Matrix Management of Projects and Power Struggles: A Case Study of an R&amp;D Laboratory

Matrix management of projects, it is argued, may generate normative conflict, prompting project and functional managers to engage in nonconformist conflict behavior which challenges the division of authority in matrix. An analysis of such struggles has been lacking yet. The present study fills this gap. Distinguishing between retreatism, ritualism, manipulation and rebellion, forms and outcomes of such power struggles are explored in a case study of the R&amp;D establishment of a multinational corporation. A so-called balanced matrix was applied, in which power between both kinds of matrix managers is equally balanced. Analysis shows, how each party tried to shift the balance of power toward its side -mostly in vain however; in the end, the "hot" war between contending parties gave way to a mixture of "cold" war and willing cooperation. From the case data, organizational features other than matrix design as such are identified, that seem to affect the chances of mutual conflict escalating. Finally, it is conjectured, that types of matrix other than the balanced matrix are less susceptible to such intense power struggles, as the balance of power is not nearly equal.

The Evaluation of an International Fellowship Program in the Health Sciences

The evaluation of an international fellowship program in the health sciences, provided for Philippine graduates at the University of Hong Kong and financed by a third-party donor, highlights areas of conflict within a program. To be effective, program developers and associated evaluation projects must deal with such potential elements of conflict. The results of the evaluation indicate that the outcome of a fellowship is often something good but undefinable, such as increased selfesteem. Specific and lasting benefits beyond this depend on local conditions and will not occur without the necessary infrastructure and supportive leadership. Change following an evaluation requires discussion aimed at mutual understanding and conflict resolution. It is essential to decide whose perspective is to take precedence when making value judgments about the worth of the program. Eventually, it may have to be judged from the perspective of the participants rather than objectives prescribed by a nonparticipant third party.

Conflict resolution via pairwise comparison of concessions

We present a pairwise-comparison method to evaluate possible deals between two parties in mutual conflict. The basic step is the evaluation of a one-to-one deal, where each party offers exactly one concession. The trade-off of benefit and cost is judged in verbal terms which are subsequently converted into numerical values on a discrete geometric scale. The information to be used by a mediator between the two parties appears to be scale-independent. The trade-off analysis is illustrated via the example of an industrial labour dispute.

Determinants of Hetero-and Autostereotypes

This study analyzed the responses of 1,184 college students from seven countries in the Americas regarding their auto- and heterostereotypes. The instrument included emic scales (culture-specific) and a set of etic scales (composed of semantic differential scales). The autostereotype as measured by the etic scales was found to be fairly positive in most groups of respondents. Both auto- and heterostereotypes were highly uniform (with uniformity on etic scales decreasing in countries that had experienced mutual conflict), highly intense (primarilyamong the autostereotypes), and congruent (principally those obtained through the emic scales). Mirror-imaging stereotyping was found among conflicting nations, and highly developed countries were perceived in a more positive fashion than the respondents' own group. High levels of contact and proximity produced negative stereotyping.