A kvázi- és általánosított hiperbolikus diszkontálás hosszú távon (Quasi- and Generalized Hyperbolic Discounting in Long Term)

Az intertemporális döntések fontos szerepet játszanak a közgazdasági modellezésben, és azt írják le, hogy milyen átváltást alkalmazunk két különböző időpont között. A közgazdasági modellezésben az exponenciális diszkontálás a legelterjedtebb, annak ellenére, hogy az empirikus vizsgálatok alapján gyenge a magyarázó ereje. A gazdaságpszichológiában elterjedt általánosított hiperbolikus diszkontálás viszont nagyon nehezen alkalmazható közgazdasági modellezési célra. Így tudott gyorsan elterjedni a kvázi-hiperbolikus diszkontálási modell, amelyik úgy ragadja meg a főbb pszichológiai jelenségeket, hogy kezelhető marad a modellezés során. A cikkben azt állítjuk, hogy hibás az a megközelítés, hogy hosszú távú döntések esetén, főleg sorozatok esetén helyettesíthető a két hiperbolikus diszkontálás egymással. Így a hosszú távú kérdéseknél érdemes felülvizsgálni a kvázi-hiperbolikus diszkontálással kapott eredményeket, ha azok az általánosított hiperbolikus diszkontálási modellel való helyettesíthetőséget feltételezték. ____ Intertemporal choice is one of the crucial questions in economic modeling and it describes decisions which require trade-offs among outcomes occurring in different points in time. In economic modeling the exponential discounting is the most well known, however it has weak validity in empirical studies. Although according to psychologists generalized hyperbolic discounting has the strongest descriptive validity it is very complex and hard to use in economic models. In response to this challenge quasi-hyperbolic discounting was proposed. It has the most important properties of generalized hyperbolic discounting while tractability remains in analytical modeling. Therefore it is common to substitute generalized hyperbolic discounting with quasi-hyperbolic discounting. This paper argues that the substitution of these two models leads to different conclusions in long term decisions especially in the case of series; hence all the models that use quasi-hyperbolic discounting for long term decisions should be revised if they states that generalized hyperbolic discounting model would have the same conclusion.

Novel double-sided linear generator for the wave energy conversion

The direct drive point absorber is a robust and efficient system for wave energy harvesting, where the linear generator represents the most complex part of the system. Therefore, its design and optimization are crucial tasks. The tubular shape of a linear generator’s magnetic circuit offers better permanent magnet flux encapsulation and reduction in radial forces on the translator due to its symmetry. A double stator topology can improve the power density of the linear tubular machine. Common designs employ a set of aligned stators on each side of a translator with radially magnetized permanent magnets. Such designs require doubling the amount of permanent magnet material and lead to an increase in the cogging force. The design presented in this thesis utilizes a translator with buried axially magnetized magnets and axially shifted positioning of the two stators such that no additional magnetic material, compared to single side machine, is required. In addition to the conservation of magnetic material, a significant improvement in the cogging force occurs in the two phase topology, while the double sided three phase system produces more power at the cost of a small increase in the cogging force. The analytical and the FEM models of the generator are described and their results compared to the experimental results. In general, the experimental results compare favourably with theoretical predictions. However, the experimentally observed permanent magnet flux leakage in the double sided machine is larger than predicted theoretically, which can be justified by the limitations in the prototype fabrication and resulting deviations from the theoretical analysis.

Codomain Rigidity of the Dirichlet to Neumann Operator for the Riemannian Wave Equation

We study the Dirichlet to Neumann operator for the Riemannian wave equation on a compact Riemannian manifold. If the Riemannian manifold is modelled as an elastic medium, this operator represents the data available to an observer on the boundary of the manifold when the manifold is set into motion through boundary vibrations. We study the Dirichlet to Neumann operator when vibrations are imposed and data recorded on disjoint sets, a useful setting for applications. We prove that this operator determines the Dirichlet to Neumann operator where sources and observations are on the same set, provided a spectral condition on the Laplace-Beltrami operator for the manifold is satisfied. We prove this by providing an implementable procedure for determining a portion of the Riemannian manifold near the area where sources are applied. Drawing on established results, an immediate corollary is that a compact Riemannian manifold can be reconstructed from the Dirichlet to Neumann operator where sources and observations are on disjoint sets.

Codomain Rigidity of the Dirichlet to Neumann Operator for the Riemannian Wave Equation

We study the Dirichlet to Neumann operator for the Riemannian wave equation on a compact Riemannian manifold. If the Riemannian manifold is modelled as an elastic medium, this operator represents the data available to an observer on the boundary of the manifold when the manifold is set into motion through boundary vibrations. We study the Dirichlet to Neumann operator when vibrations are imposed and data recorded on disjoint sets, a useful setting for applications. We prove that this operator determines the Dirichlet to Neumann operator where sources and observations are on the same set, provided a spectral condition on the Laplace-Beltrami operator for the manifold is satisfied. We prove this by providing an implementable procedure for determining a portion of the Riemannian manifold near the area where sources are applied. Drawing on established results, an immediate corollary is that a compact Riemannian manifold can be reconstructed from the Dirichlet to Neumann operator where sources and observations are on disjoint sets.

Applications of Microwave Antenna Array for Wireless Power Transmission and Radar Imaging in Complex Environment

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Neutron Scattering Studies on Complex Magnetic Structures in Magnetoelectric Materials

In this thesis, the magnetic properties of four transition-metal oxides are presented. Their multiferroic and magnetoelectric phases have been investigated by means of different neutron scattering techniques. The materials TbMnO3 and MnWO4 belong to the group of spin-induced multiferroics. Their ferroelectric polarization can be explained by the inverse DzyaloshinskiiMoriya interaction. Another common feature of both materials is the presence of subsequent magnetic transitions from a spin-density wave to a spin spiral. The features of the phase transitions have been studied in both materials and it could be shown that diffuse magnetic scattering from the spin spiral is present even in the ordered spin-density wave phase. The excitation spectrum in the multiferroic phase of TbMnO3 was investigated in detail and a comprehensive dataset was obtained using time-of-flight spectroscopy. A spin-wave model could be obtained which can quantitatively describe the full dispersion. Furthermore, the polarization of the zone-center excitations could be derived which fit well to data from inelastic neutron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. With the combination of spherical neutron polarimetry and a poling of the sample by an electric field, it was possible to observe the chiral magnetic component of the magnetic excitations in TbMnO3 and MnWO4. The spin-wave model for TbMnO3 obtained in this thesis is able to correctly describe the dispersion of this component. The double tungstate NaFe(WO4)2 is isostructural to the multiferroic MnWO4 and develops a complex magnetic phase diagram. By the use of neutron diffraction techniques, the zero-field structure and high-field structures in magnetic field applied along the b-axis could be determined. The data reveal a direct transition into an incommensurate spin-spiral structure. The value of the incommensurability is driven by anharmonic modulations and shows strong hysteresis effects. The static and dynamic properties in the magnetoelectric spin-glass phase of Ni0.42Mn0.58TiO3 were studied in detail. The spin-glass phase is composed of short-ranged MnTiO3 and NiTiO3-type order. The antiferromagnetic domains could be controlled by crossed magnetic and electric fields, which was visualized using spherical neutron polarimetry. A comprehensive dataset of the magnetic excitations in the spin-glass phase was collected. The dataset revealed correlations in the hexagonal plane which are only weakly coupled along the c-axis. The excitation spectra could be simulated by taking into account the MnTiO3-type order.

"They're my kryptonite but they also empower me": The double-edged sword of familismo

The objective of this study is to examine the relations of familismo to academic functioning and mental health among non-citizen Latina/o college students. The study utilizes both quantitative self-report surveys to explore attitudinal family obligations, and qualitative interviews to explore behavioral family obligations. One hundred and eighty citizen students (M = 21.30, SD = 2.92) and 84 non-citizen students (M = 21.13, SD = 2.98) completed surveys. Correlational analyses found that family obligation attitudes were linked to academic emotional engagement for non-citizen students only (r = .305, p = .005, n = 84). Cluster analyses revealed risk, resilience, and protected clusters from stress and family obligation groupings. Twenty-one non-citizen students also completed interviews. Narrative analysis of the interviews revealed that family obligation behaviors may be linked to motivation and stress. Overall, this study illustrates the complex nature of family obligations and achievement in the lives of non-citizen Latina/o college students.

Life without complex I: proteome analyses of an Arabidopsis mutant lacking the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase complex

The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase complex (complex I) is of particular importance for the respiratory chain in mitochondria. It is the major electron entry site for the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) and therefore of great significance for mitochondrial ATP generation. We recently described an Arabidopsis thaliana double-mutant lacking the genes encoding the carbonic anhydrases CA1 and CA2, which both form part of a plant-specific 'carbonic anhydrase domain' of mitochondrial complex I. The mutant lacks complex I completely. Here we report extended analyses for systematically characterizing the proteome of the ca1ca2 mutant. Using various proteomic tools, we show that lack of complex I causes reorganization of the cellular respiration system. Reduced electron entry into the respiratory chain at the first segment of the mETC leads to induction of complexes II and IV as well as alternative oxidase. Increased electron entry at later segments of the mETC requires an increase in oxidation of organic substrates. This is reflected by higher abundance of proteins involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. Proteins involved in the light reaction of photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle, tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, and photorespiration are clearly reduced, contributing to the significant delay in growth and development of the double-mutant. Finally, enzymes involved in defense against reactive oxygen species and stress symptoms are much induced. These together with previously reported insights into the function of plant complex I, which were obtained by analysing other complex I mutants, are integrated in order to comprehensively describe 'life without complex I'.

‘Failure to maintain’: care rationing and the clinical and financial burden of nurse sensitive hospital-acquired complications in complex older patients

Background: The ageing population, with concomitant increase in chronic conditions, is increasing the presence of older people with complex needs in hospital. People with dementia are one of these complex populations and are particularly vulnerable to complications in hospital. Registered nurses can offer simultaneous assessment and intervention to prevent or mitigate hospital-acquired complications through their skilled brokerage between patient needs and hospital functions. A range of patient outcome measures that are sensitive to nursing care has been tested in nursing work environments across the world. However, none of these measures have focused on hospitalised older patients. Method: This thesis explores nursing-sensitive complications for older patients with and without dementia using an internationally recognised, risk-adjusted patient outcome approach. Specifically explored are: the differences between rates of complications; the costs of complications; and cost comparisons of patient complexity. A retrospective cohort study of an Australian state’s 2006–07 public hospital discharge data was utilised to identify patient episodes for people over age 50 (N=222,440) where dementia was identified as a primary or secondary diagnosis (N=44,422). Extra costs for patient episodes were estimated based on length of stay (LOS) above the average for each patient’s Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) (N=157,178) and were modelled using linear regression analysis to establish the strongest patient complexity predictors of cost. Results: Hospitalised patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of dementia had higher rates of complications than did their same-age peers. The highest rates and relative risk for people with dementia were found in four key complications: urinary tract infections; pressure injuries; pneumonia, and delirium. While 21.9% of dementia patients (9,751/44,488, p<0.0001) suffered a complication, only 8.8% of non-dementia patients did so (33,501/381,788, p<0.0001), giving dementia patients a 2.5 relative risk of acquiring a complication (p<0.0001). These four key complications in patients over 50 both with and without dementia were associated with an eightfold increase in length of stay (813%, or 3.6 days/0.4 days) and double the increased estimated mean episode cost (199%, or A$16,403/ A$8,240). These four complications were associated with 24.7% of the estimated cost of additional days spent in hospital in 2006–07 in NSW (A$226million/A$914million). Dementia patients accounted for 22.0% of these costs (A$49million/A$226million) even though they were only 10.4% of the population (44,488/426,276 episodes). Hospital-acquired complications, particularly for people with a comorbidity of dementia, cost more than other kinds of inpatient complexity but admission severity was a better predictor of excess cost. Discussion: Four key complications occur more often in older patients with dementia and the high rate of these complications makes them expensive. These complications are potentially preventable. However, the care that can prevent them (such as mobility, hydration, nutrition and communication) is known to be rationed or left unfinished by nurses. Older hospitalised people who have complex needs, such as those with dementia, are more likely to experience care rationing as their care tends to take longer, be less predictable and less curative in nature. This thesis offers the theoretical proposition that evidence-based nursing practices are rationed for complex older patients and that this rationed care contributes to functional and cognitive decline during hospitalisation. This, in turn, contributes to the high rates of complications observed. Thus four key complications can be seen as a ‘Failure to Maintain’ complex older people in hospital. ‘Failure to Maintain’ is the inadequate delivery of essential functional and cognitive care for a complex older person in hospital resulting in a complication, and is recommended as a useful indicator for hospital quality. Conclusions: When examining extra length of stay in hospital, complications and comorbid dementia are costly. Complications are potentially preventable, and dementia care in hospitals can be improved. Hospitals and governments looking to decrease costs can engage in risk-reduction strategies for common nurse sensitive complications such as healthy nursing work environments that minimise nurses’ rationing of functional and cognitive care. The conceptualisation of complex older patients as ‘business as usual’ rather than a ‘burden’ is likely necessary for sustainable health care services of the future. The use of the ‘Failure to Maintain’ indicators at institution and state levels may aid in embedding this approach for complex older patients into health organisations. Ongoing investigation is warranted into the relationships between the largest health services expense (hospitals), the largest hospital population (complex older patients), and the largest hospital expense (nurses). The ‘Failure to Maintain’ quality indicator makes a useful and substantive contribution to further clinical, administrative and research developments.

Ideological Complex Systems: Mathematical Theory

The goal of this article is to build an abstract mathematical theory rather than a computational one of the process of transmission of ideology. The basis of much of the argument is Patten's Environment Theory that characterizes a system with its double environment (input or stimulus and output or response) and the existing interactions among them. Ideological processes are semiotic processes, and if in Patten's theory, the two environments are physical, in this theory ideological processes are physical and semiotic, as are stimulus and response.

Double Fortune

Double Fortune is a novel relating events taking place in Miami, Central America, and The Bahama Bank in October and November, 1983. The main character, Michael Hayden, is a free-lance music producer who has become jaded and impotent. A chance encounter on the Bay with Marisol, a Salvadoran heiress, and Hector, her brother, propels him into a complex plot to expatriate money through U.S. government channels. Willy, a brooding Cuban bodyguard hired to protect and instruct the Salvadorans, emerges as both nemesis and key to the duplicities of the scheme. The final showdown involves the four of them on the water above the Cay Sal Bank, a part of the Bahamas equidistant to their disparate worlds.

A novel CE microchip with micro pillars column & double-L injection design for Capacitance Coupled Contactless Conductivity detection technology

This novel capillary electrophoresis microchip, or also known as μTAS (micro total analysis system) was designed to separate complex aqueous based compounds, similar to commercial CE & microchip (capillary electrophoresis) systems, but more compact. This system can be potentially used for mobile/portable chemical analysis equipment. Un-doped silicon wafer & ultra-thin borofloat glass (Pyrex) wafers have been used to fabricate the device. Double-L injection feature, micro pillars column, bypass separation channel & hybrid- referenced C4D electrodes were designed to achieve a high SNR (signal to noise ratio), easy- separation, for a durable and reusable μTAS for CE use.

Photoactive (supra)molecular devices in double layer membranes

Biological systems are complex and highly organized architectures governed by non-covalent interactions responsible for the regulation of essential tasks in all living organisms. These systems are a constant source of inspiration for supramolecular chemists aiming to design multicomponent molecular assemblies able to perform elaborated tasks, thanks to the role and action of the components that constitute them. Artificial supramolecular systems exploit non-covalent interactions to mimic naturally occurring events. In this context, stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems have attracted attention due to the possibility to control macroscopic effects through modifications at the nanoscale. This thesis is divided in three experimental chapters, characterized by a progressive increase in molecular complexity. Initially, the preparation and studies of liposomes functionalized with a photoactive guest such as azobenzene in the bilayer were tackled, in order to evaluate the effect of such photochrome on the vesicle properties. Subsequently, the synthesis and studies of thread-like molecules comprising an azobenzene functionality was reported. Such molecules were conceived to be intercalated in the bilayer membrane of liposomes with the aim to be used as components for photoresponsive transmembrane molecular pumps. Finally, a [3]rotaxane was developed and studied in solution. This system is composed of two crown ether rings interlocked with an axle containing three recognition sites for the macrocycles, i.e. two pH-switchable ammonium stations and a permanent triazolium station. Such molecule was designed to achieve a change in the ratio between the recognition sites and the crown ethers as a consequence of acid-base inputs. This leads to the formation of rotaxanes containing a number of recognition sites respectively larger, equal or lower than the number of interlocked rings and connected by a network of acid-base reactions.

Albumin Is Synthesized In Epididymis And Aggregates In A High Molecular Mass Glycoprotein Complex Involved In Sperm-egg Fertilization.

The epididymis has an important role in the maturation of sperm for fertilization, but little is known about the epididymal molecules involved in sperm modifications during this process. We have previously described the expression pattern for an antigen in epididymal epithelial cells that reacts with the monoclonal antibody (mAb) TRA 54. Immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analyses suggest that the epitope of the epididymal antigen probably involves a sugar moiety that is released into the epididymal lumen in an androgen-dependent manner and subsequently binds to luminal sperm. Using column chromatography, SDS-PAGE with in situ digestion and mass spectrometry, we have identified the protein recognized by mAb TRA 54 in mouse epididymal epithelial cells. The ∼65 kDa protein is part of a high molecular mass complex (∼260 kDa) that is also present in the sperm acrosomal vesicle and is completely released after the acrosomal reaction. The amino acid sequence of the protein corresponded to that of albumin. Immunoprecipitates with anti-albumin antibody contained the antigen recognized by mAb TRA 54, indicating that the epididymal molecule recognized by mAb TRA 54 is albumin. RT-PCR detected albumin mRNA in the epididymis and fertilization assays in vitro showed that the glycoprotein complex containing albumin was involved in the ability of sperm to recognize and penetrate the egg zona pellucida. Together, these results indicate that epididymal-derived albumin participates in the formation of a high molecular mass glycoprotein complex that has an important role in egg fertilization.

Effects Of Partial Inhibition Of Respiratory Complex I On H2o 2 Production By Isolated Brain Mitochondria In Different Respiratory States.

The aim of this work was to characterize the effects of partial inhibition of respiratory complex I by rotenone on H2O2 production by isolated rat brain mitochondria in different respiratory states. Flow cytometric analysis of membrane potential in isolated mitochondria indicated that rotenone leads to uniform respiratory inhibition when added to a suspension of mitochondria. When mitochondria were incubated in the presence of a low concentration of rotenone (10 nm) and NADH-linked substrates, oxygen consumption was reduced from 45.9 ± 1.0 to 26.4 ± 2.6 nmol O2 mg(-1) min(-1) and from 7.8 ± 0.3 to 6.3 ± 0.3 nmol O2 mg(-1) min(-1) in respiratory states 3 (ADP-stimulated respiration) and 4 (resting respiration), respectively. Under these conditions, mitochondrial H2O2 production was stimulated from 12.2 ± 1.1 to 21.0 ± 1.2 pmol H2O2 mg(-1) min(-1) and 56.5 ± 4.7 to 95.0 ± 11.1 pmol H2O2 mg(-1) min(-1) in respiratory states 3 and 4, respectively. Similar results were observed when comparing mitochondrial preparations enriched with synaptic or nonsynaptic mitochondria or when 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)) was used as a respiratory complex I inhibitor. Rotenone-stimulated H2O2 production in respiratory states 3 and 4 was associated with a high reduction state of endogenous nicotinamide nucleotides. In succinate-supported mitochondrial respiration, where most of the mitochondrial H2O2 production relies on electron backflow from complex II to complex I, low rotenone concentrations inhibited H2O2 production. Rotenone had no effect on mitochondrial elimination of micromolar concentrations of H2O2. The present results support the conclusion that partial complex I inhibition may result in mitochondrial energy crisis and oxidative stress, the former being predominant under oxidative phosphorylation and the latter under resting respiration conditions.