Experimental Evaluation and Modeling of Physical Hardening in Asphalt Binders.

The research described in this paper deals with the experimental evaluation and modeling of physical hardening in asphalt binders. The term physical hardening refers to a reversible phenomenon occurring at low temperatures that causes time-dependent changes in viscoelastic properties. The experimental approach, followed to quantitatively assess physical hardening, was based on flexural creep tests carried out by means of the Bending Beam Rheometer at various temperatures and conditioning times. The results obtained confirmed that hardening phenomena have a significant influence on the creep response of asphalt binders, to an extent that can be quantitatively assessed by referring to the appropriate rheological parameters and by applying the loading time-conditioning time superposition principle. The experimental data were fitted to a mechanical model proposed in the literature (composed of a single Kelvin-Voigt element) and thereafter to an improved model (with two Kelvin-Voigt elements in series). Both models were assessed in terms of their prediction accuracy. The improved model was found to better describe physical hardening effects in the case of both short- and long-term conditioning. Practical implications of the study were finally highlighted by referring to possible ranking criteria to be introduced in acceptance procedures for the comparative evaluation of asphalt binders.

From horror to ethical responsibility: Carl Gustav Jung and Stephen King encounter the dark half within us, between us and in the world.

This paper explores the experience of horror. The term is usually understood collectively to refer to experiences of terrorism, racism and other conflicts; however, the paper explores the equal horror for the individual of facing deep and painful psychic contents and traumatic experiences. The paper explores the way that both C.G. Jung, through analysis of the psyche, and the author Stephen King, through his horror novels, have accepted and explored the experience of encountering 'the dark half' or 'It' that is the other within themselves, forming images and symbols capable of linking their personal experience to that of the collective. This encounter is transformed, as far as Jung is concerned by analytical psychology and for King by fiction, through an attitude of active imagination. This led both men to developing an ethical responsibility towards the images of the unconscious, as well as the personal and collective contents of human life. The paper depicts how encountering the 'dark half', through Jung and King can provide a Jungian analyst with a special attitude with which to deeply explore and ethically process the experience of horror in different fields, including therapeutic practice, analytical training and in the traumatic and conflictual facing of the other, with which, today as always, the world presents us.

Cet article explore l'expérience de l'horreur. Ce terme est généralement compris au niveau collectif comme faisant référence aux expériences de terrorisme, de racisme et autres conflits. Cependant, cet article explore l'horreur équivalente pour l'individu qui fait face à des contenus psychiques profonds et douloureux et à des expériences traumatiques. L'article explore la manière dont C.G.Jung, par l'analyse de la psyché, et l'auteur Stephen King, à travers ses romans d'épouvante, ont accepté et exploré l'expérience de rencontrer « la moitié sombre ¼ ou « ça ¼, c'est-à-dire l'autre en eux-mêmes, formant des images et des symboles capable de relier leur expérience personnelle et celle du collectif. Cette rencontre est transformée, en ce qui concerne Jung, par la psychologie analytique et en ce qui concerne King, par la fiction, par une attitude d'imagination active. Ceci a conduit les deux hommes à développer une responsabilité éthique à l'égard des images de l'inconscient, ainsi que des contenus personnels et collectifs de la vie humaine. L'article dépeint comment la rencontre de la « moitié sombre ¼, à travers Jung et King, peut fournir à l'analyste jungien une attitude particulière pour explorer et transformer éthiquement l'expérience de l'horreur dans des champs différents, y compris la pratique thérapeutique, la formation analytique et la rencontre traumatique avec l'autre avec laquelle le monde nous confronte, aujourd'hui comme toujours auparavant.

El presente trabajo explora la experiencia de horror. El término es usualmente comprendido colectivamente en referencia a experiencias de terrorismo, racismo y otros conflictos; sin embargo, el trabajo explora el horror equivalente de un individuo al enfrentar profundos y dolorosos contenidos psíquicos y experiencias traumáticas. El trabajo explora el modo en que C.G. Jung a través del análisis de la psique, y el autor Stephen King, a través de sus novelas de horror, han aceptado y explorado la experiencia de encontrar 'la mitad oscura' o 'Eso' que es el otro dentro de nosotros, formando imágenes y símbolos capaces de vincular sus experiencias personales con aquellas del colectivo. Este encuentro es transformado, según la psicología analítica de Jung y la ciencia ficción de King, a través de una actitud de imaginación activa. Esto condujo a ambos hombres a desarrollar una responsabilidad ética hacia las imágenes del inconsciente, así como hacia los contenidos personales y colectivos de la vida humana. El presente trabajo demuestra como el encuentro de 'la mitad oscura', a través de Jung y de King, puede brindar al analista Junguiano una actitud especial con la cual explorar profundamente y procesar éticamente las experiencias de horror en campos diferentes, incluyendo la práctica terapéutica, la formación analítica, y en la confrontación traumática del otro, con el cual, hoy como siempre, el mundo se nos presenta.