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Curves
Kinds of Curves Terms modified by Curves Selected AbstractsTHE REACTION NORM FOR ABDOMINAL PIGMENTATION AND ITS CURVE IN DROSOPHILA MEDIOPUNCTATA DEPEND ON THE MEAN PHENOTYPIC VALUEEVOLUTION, Issue 1 2009Felipe Rocha The idea of a general independence between the phenotypic plasticity and the mean value of a trait is, presently, a consensus. Here, we use the reaction norm of abdominal pigmentation (number of dark spots) of Drosophila mediopunctata in response to temperature, to test this idea. We raised eight strains, bearing two different chromosomal inversions and with varying mean phenotypic values, under 11 temperatures in a thermal gradient to test for predictions concerning mean phenotypic values, chromosomal inversions, and reaction norms. Our results revealed a strong effect of different phenotypic groups and no effect of different karyotypes on reaction norms. Moreover, we found a significant negative correlation between mean phenotypic value and the curvature of the reaction norms, revealing a high dependency of the reaction norm shape on mean phenotypic value. These results clearly reject the idea of genetic independence between mean value and phenotypic plasticity, and may indicate a pattern of correlation, which may include results from other traits and species, with an importance that has not been fully appreciated. [source] QUANTIFYING THE LAFFER CURVE ON THE CONTINUED ACTIVITY TAX IN A DYNASTIC FRAMEWORK,INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2008Jean-Olivier Hairault It is argued that the tax on continued activity should be removed by implementing actuarially fair schemes. However, these schemes cannot fund the expected Social Security (SS) deficit. This article proposes to give individuals a fraction of the actuarially fair incentives in the case of postponed retirement. SS faces a trade-off between giving enough incentives to make individuals delay retirement and giving little increase in pensions in order to help finance its expected deficit. This trade-off is captured by a Laffer curve. Finally, when the SS system aims to maximize welfare, the optimal tax on postponed retirement is still strictly positive. [source] CHARACTERISTIC DRYING CURVE and MATHEMATICAL MODELING of THIN-LAYER SOLAR DRYING of PRICKLY PEAR CLADODE (OPUNTIA FICUS INDICA)JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2004S. LAHSASNI ABSTRACT Thin-layer solar drying experiments were conducted for the prickly pear cladode grown in Marrakech, Morocco. the experimental drying curves obtained show only a falling rate period. the results verified, with good reproducibility, that the drying air temperature is the main factor in controlling the drying rate. the expression of the drying rate equation was determined empirically from the characteristic drying curve. Eight different drying models were compared according to their correlation coefficient (r2) to estimate solar drying curves. the Page model could satisfactorily describe the solar drying curves of cladode with an r2 of 0.9995. the coefficient of this model could be explained by the effect of drying air temperature with an r2 of 1.0000. [source] THE SIGNAL DETECTION THEORY ROC CURVE: SOME APPLICATIONS IN FOOD SENSORY SCIENCEJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 2 2008M. O'MAHONY ABSTRACT In psychology, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is a key part of Signal Detection Theory, which is used for calculating d, values in discrimination tests. In food sensory science, the ROC curve can also be a useful tool. To give a specific example, it is not always convenient to use forced-choice protocols for difference tests; foods may be fatiguing, and assessments with single presentations, like the Yes,No procedure, might be more appropriate. In this case, ROC curves provide a useful method for computing d, values. More generally, ROC curves give information about cognitive strategies. Cognitive strategies are important for difference tests. Values of d, can only be computed if the cognitive strategy used in the test is known. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS When using methods other than two-alternative forced-choice in difference testing, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve would be required to compute d,. This is because when assessing discrimination ability, the cognitive strategy of the subject must be taken into account, and ROC curves can sometimes reveal the cognitive strategy used by the subject. This article describes how the cognitive strategy can be determined from the subject's ROC curve. The hidden assumptions made when using ROC curves and how these assumptions can be tested are also given. This information is essential to researchers in sensory evaluation as well as those using these methods in a practical setting. [source] THE SHAPE OF THE PHANEROZOIC MARINE PALAEODIVERSITY CURVE: HOW MUCH CAN BE PREDICTED FROM THE SEDIMENTARY ROCK RECORD OF WESTERN EUROPE?PALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2007ANDREW B. SMITH Abstract:, Palaeodiversity curves are constructed from counts of fossils collected at outcrop and thus potentially biased by variation in the rock record, specifically by the amount of sedimentary rock representative of different time intervals that has been preserved at outcrop. To investigate how much of a problem this poses we have compiled a high-resolution record of marine rock outcrop area in Western Europe for the Phanerozoic and use this to generate a model that predicts the sampled diversity curve. We find that we can predict with high accuracy the variance of the marine genus diversity curve (itself dominated by European taxa) from rock outcrop data and a three-step model of diversity that tracks supercontinent fragmentation, coalescence and fragmentation. The size and position of two of the five major mass extinction spikes are largely predicted by rock outcrop data. We conclude that the long-term trends in taxonomic diversity and the end-Cretaceous extinction are not the result of rock area bias, but cannot rule out that rock outcrop area bias explains many of the short-term rises and falls in sampled diversity that palaeontologists have previously sought to explain biologically. [source] HUMAN CAPITAL INEQUALITY AND THE KUZNETS CURVETHE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, Issue 1 2008Audrey Siew Kim LIM O15 This paper develops a Mincerian measure of human capital distribution and applies it to evaluate national and global human capital inequality and compare them with education inequality measures. It is shown that using education inequality as a proxy of human capital inequality is problematic due to the nonmonotonic relationship between them. We find that the inconsistent evidence on education and human capital Kuznets curves in the literature is due to the use of different inequality measures. In particular, human capital Kuznets curves are evident when relative inequality measures are used, whereas education Kuznets curves are found when absolute inequality measures are used. It is also observed that while global education inequality has been declining over the past four decades, global human capital inequality remains largely steady, as the decrease in between-country human capital inequality is largely balanced by the increase in within-country human capital inequality. [source] THE J CURVE: CHINA VERSUS HER TRADING PARTNERSBULLETIN OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Mohsen Bahmani-Oskooee F31 ABSTRACT The short-run effects of currency depreciation are said to be different from its long-run effects. In the short run, the trade balance deteriorates and improvement comes after some time; hence, the J-curve phenomenon. Previous studies that tested the response of the trade balance to exchange rate changes in China employed aggregate trade data and provided mixed results. Indeed, most of them concluded that real depreciation has no long-run impact on the Chinese trade balance. In this paper, we disaggregate the data by country and using recent advances in time series modelling estimate a trade balance model between China and her 13 major trading partners. We show that real depreciation of the Chinese currency has a favourable impact on her trade balance with a few partners, especially the USA. Not much support is found for the J-curve hypothesis. [source] DATA ANALYSIS OF PENETROMETRIC FORCE/DISPLACEMENT CURVES FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF WHOLE APPLE FRUITSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 4 2005C. CAMPS ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to compare two chemometric approaches for characterizing the rheological properties of fruits from puncture test force/displacement curves. The first approach (parameter approach) computed six texture parameters from the curves, which were supposed to be representative of skin hardness, fruit deformation before skin rupture, flesh firmness and mechanical work needed to penetrate the fruit. The second approach (whole curve approach) used the whole digitized curve (300 data points) in further data processing. Two experimental studies were compared: first, the variability of the rheological parameters of five apple cultivars; second, the rheological variability that was characterized as a function of storage conditions. For both approaches, factorial discriminant analysis was applied to discriminate the fruits based on the measured rheological properties. The qualitative groups in factorial discriminant analysis were either the apple cultivar or the storage conditions (days and temperatures of storage). The tests were carried out using cross-validation procedures, making it possible to compute the number of fruits correctly identified. Thus the percentage of correct identification was 92% and 87% for using the parameter and the whole curve approaches, respectively. The discrimination of storage duration was less accurate for both approaches giving about 50% correct identifications. Comparison of the percentage of correct classifications based on the whole curve and the parameter approaches showed that the six computed parameters gave a good summary of the information present in the curve. The whole curve approach showed that some additional information, not present in the six parameters, may be appropriate for a complete description of the fruit rheology. [source] FULL UNIAXIAL COMPRESSION CURVES FOR PREDICTING SENSORY TEXTURE QUALITY OF COOKED POTATOESJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 2 2002ANETTE K. THYBO ABSTRACT The prediction of six different sensory texture attributes of twenty-seven potato samples based on uniaxial compression curve features and full uniaxial compressions curves is reported. The data set comprised five varieties, sorted in dry matter bins, and sampled at two storage times. The predictions of most of the sensory texture attributes from full compression curves performed better than just using curve features. Furthermore, force-deformation curves are shown to give slightly better predictions than stress-strain curves. For most of the texture attributes better predictions were obtained using uniaxial compression data from raw potato samples as compared to cooked samples. This study is meant to open up a debate on interpreting the information in uniaxial compression curves in relation to sensory texture quality. Multivariate analysis can handle this and can further give insight about where in the curve the information relevant for the predictions of the sensory attributes is found. [source] TESTING WAGE AND PRICE PHILLIPS CURVES FOR THE UNITED STATESMETROECONOMICA, Issue 4 2007Peter Flaschel ABSTRACT This paper demonstrates how the labour and product markets interact in determining as outcome a generalized reduced-form price Phillips curve. For the labour market we consider a wage Phillips curve and for the product market a price Phillips curve. We estimate separately the wage and price Phillips curves for the USA, using ordinary least squares, non-parametric estimation and three-stage least squares techniques. The finding is that wages are always more flexible than prices with respect to their respective demand pressure and that price inflation responds somewhat more to a medium-run cost pressure than does wage inflation. The implications for macroeconomic stability are demonstrated. We also show,as a link between product and labour markets,that employment is related to output as Okun's law states. In comparing linear and non-linear estimates of the wage and price Phillips curves we find furthermore that for some relationships non-linearities are important while not for others. Although overall the non-linear estimates tend to confirm our linear estimates, non-linearities in some relationships of the Phillips curve are important as well. [source] Adaptive and Feature-Preserving Subdivision for High-Quality Tetrahedral MeshesCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 1 2010D. Burkhart I.3.5 [Computer Graphics]: Curve, surface, solid, and object representations Abstract We present an adaptive subdivision scheme for unstructured tetrahedral meshes inspired by the, -subdivision scheme for triangular meshes. Existing tetrahedral subdivision schemes do not support adaptive refinement and have traditionally been driven by the need to generate smooth three-dimensional deformations of solids. These schemes use edge bisections to subdivide tetrahedra, which generates octahedra in addition to tetrahedra. To split octahedra into tetrahedra one routinely chooses a direction for the diagonals for the subdivision step. We propose a new topology-based refinement operator that generates only tetrahedra and supports adaptive refinement. Our tetrahedral subdivision algorithm is motivated by the need to have one representation for the modeling, the simulation and the visualization and so to bridge the gap between CAD and CAE. Our subdivision algorithm design emphasizes on geometric quality of the tetrahedral meshes, local and adaptive refinement operations, and preservation of sharp geometric features on the boundary and in the interior of the physical domain. [source] Sweep-based Freeform DeformationsCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2006Seung-Hyun Yoon We propose a sweep-based approach to the freeform deformation of three-dimensional objects. Instead of using a volume enclosing the whole object, we approximate only its deformable parts using sweep surfaces. The vertices on the object boundary are bound to the sweep surfaces and follow their deformation. Several sweep surfaces can be organized into a hierarchy so that they interact with each other in a controlled manner. Thus we can support intuitively plausible shape deformation of objects of arbitrary topology with multiple control handles. A sweep-based approach also provides important advantages such as volume preservation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique in several examples. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.5 [Computational Geometry and Object Modeling]: Curve, surface, solid, and object representations [source] Implicit Surface Modelling with a Globally Regularised Basis of Compact SupportCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2006C. Walder We consider the problem of constructing a globally smooth analytic function that represents a surface implicitly by way of its zero set, given sample points with surface normal vectors. The contributions of the paper include a novel means of regularising multi-scale compactly supported basis functions that leads to the desirable interpolation properties previously only associated with fully supported bases. We also provide a regularisation framework for simpler and more direct treatment of surface normals, along with a corresponding generalisation of the representer theorem lying at the core of kernel-based machine learning methods. We demonstrate the techniques on 3D problems of up to 14 million data points, as well as 4D time series data and four-dimensional interpolation between three-dimensional shapes. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.5 [Computer Graphics]: Curve, surface, solid, and object representations [source] A Parametric Approach to Flexible Nonlinear InferenceECONOMETRICA, Issue 3 2001James D. Hamilton This paper proposes a new framework for determining whether a given relationship is nonlinear, what the nonlinearity looks like, and whether it is adequately described by a particular parametric model. The paper studies a regression or forecasting model of the form yt=,(xt)+,t where the functional form of ,(,) is unknown. We propose viewing ,(,) itself as the outcome of a random process. The paper introduces a new stationary random field m(,) that generalizes finite-differenced Brownian motion to a vector field and whose realizations could represent a broad class of possible forms for ,(,). We view the parameters that characterize the relation between a given realization of m(,) and the particular value of ,(,) for a given sample as population parameters to be estimated by maximum likelihood or Bayesian methods. We show that the resulting inference about the functional relation also yields consistent estimates for a broad class of deterministic functions ,(,). The paper further develops a new test of the null hypothesis of linearity based on the Lagrange multiplier principle and small-sample confidence intervals based on numerical Bayesian methods. An empirical application suggests that properly accounting for the nonlinearity of the inflation-unemployment trade-off may explain the previously reported uneven empirical success of the Phillips Curve. [source] Strain Hardening Behavior of Ultrafine- Grained Cu by Analyzing the Tensile Stress-Strain Curve,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 5 2008C.-X. Huang UFG Cu was found to experience two stages of strain hardening processes under uniaxial tensile stress, which was similar to the Stage,IV and V of CG Cu after large plastic deformation. The storage of dislocations in small grains and dynamic recovery caused by annihilation of dislocations and GB-mediated processes were responsible for the different stages of strain hardening behavior. Improvement of strain hardening capability for UFG metals should be based on the mechanisms of strain hardening. [source] Reevaluating the Relationship Between In-, Out-, and Net Migration for Nonmetropolitan Counties: An Update on Beale's U-Shaped CurveGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2001Alexander C. Vias The relationship of gross migration to net migration is continuously undergoing reevaluation in the literature. However, one major finding by Beale (1969) that produced the famous u-shaped curve has received little attention, a surprising situation considering the significant changes that have taken place in rural America since 1969. In this paper I use gross migration data from IRS returns for 1995,1998, and differentiate the rates using a number of classification schemes developed by the USDA and the Census Bureau. The results show that rural America is a diverse place, and that migration rates vary tremendously depending on the geographic, economic, and social characteristics of the county. Furthermore, the relationship between gross and net migration varies much more than previously suggested, especially in negative net migration counties, a finding with implications for migration theory and public policy. [source] Retrieving geomagnetic secular variations from lava flows: evidence from Mounts Arso, Etna and Vesuvius (southern Italy)GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2002Alberto Incoronato Summary Mean directions of magnetization from Mounts Arso (Ischia Island, Gulf of Naples), Etna and Vesuvius lava flows have been determined based on very stringent linearity criteria. These indicate that, regardless of the source volcano, the lava flow mean directions of magnetization form a common path, the SISVC (Southern Italy Secular Variation Curve). This curve enables a reassessment of the age of eruption of several lavas. A date of AD 1169 is demonstrated to be the only possible time of emplacement for one Etna lava flow previously assigned an age of AD 812/1169. It is also demonstrated that two Etna lava flows, which, according to the literature, were emplaced in AD 1536 and 1595 respectively, were actually both emplaced around AD 1037. Three other Etna lava flows, one ascribed to AD 1566 and two to AD 1595, were actually emplaced between AD 1169 and 1284/85. The same time window also holds for a Vesuvius lava flow for which only an upper time threshold was previously available. Only one of the studied flows needs further sampling and analysis to verify whether this flow has been affected by a complete remagnetization or has an erroneous historical dating. The applied procedure seems to be the most appropriate one in carrying out palaeomagnetic surveys of lava flows, as also suggested by the broad agreement with some 17th and 19th century measurements of the geomagnetic field in Rome, relocated to Etna, and is likely to improve knowledge of past history of a volcano significantly. [source] Notice of Plagiarism: A Single Recovery Type Curve from Theis' Exact SolutionGROUND WATER, Issue 1 2004Article first published online: 9 OCT 200 Shortly after the September-October 2003 issue of the journal was mailed, three readers called our attention to similarities between the paper by N. Samani and M. Pasandi (2003, ?A single recovery type curve from Theis? exact solution,?Ground Water 41, no. 5: 602-607) and a paper published in 1980 by Ram G. Agarwal. Agarwal?s paper, ?A new method to account for producing time effects when drawdown type curves are used to analyze pressure buildup and other test data,? was published by the Society for Petroleum Engineers (1980, in Society of Petroleum Engineers 55th Annual Fall Technical Conference, September 2 1-24, Dallas, Texas: SPE Paper 9289). An investigation by the journal verified that the approach and some of the wording used in the two papers are identical. Dr. Samani and Mr. Pasandi acknowledge the similarity and offer an explanation and apology. [source] Behind the Curve: Governments versus Criminal NetworksINTERNATIONAL STUDIES REVIEW, Issue 3 2007Melvyn Levitsky No abstract is available for this article. [source] Reconciling the Wage Curve and the Phillips CurveJOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 5 2005Víctor M. Montuenga-Gómez Abstract., The wage curve is the negative relationship that links wage levels to the unemployment rate. It fits accurately with modern non-competitive labour-market models, but goes against a Phillips-curve modelling, because the latter ties wage growth to the unemployment rate. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of these non-competitive models, highlighting recent contributions that try to eliminate the possible ,gap' that exists between the concepts of the wage curve, on the one hand, and the Phillips curve, on the other. [source] Estimating the New Keynesian Phillips Curve: A Vertical Production Chain ApproachJOURNAL OF MONEY, CREDIT AND BANKING, Issue 4 2008ADAM HALE SHAPIRO New Keynesian Phillips Curve; generalized method of moments; vertical production chain; inflation It has become customary to estimate the New Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) with generalized method of moments using a large instrument set that includes lags of variables that are ad hoc to the firm's price-decision problem. Researchers have also conventionally used real unit labor cost (RULC) as the proxy for real marginal cost even though it is difficult to support its significance. This paper introduces a new proxy for the real marginal cost term as well as a new instrument set, both of which are based on the micro foundations of the vertical chain of production. I find that the new proxy, based on input prices as opposed to wages, provides a more robust and significant fit to the model. Instruments that are based on the vertical chain of production appear to be both more valid and relevant toward the model. [source] The New Keynesian Phillips Curve: From Sticky Inflation to Sticky PricesJOURNAL OF MONEY, CREDIT AND BANKING, Issue 4 2008CHENGSI ZHANG New Keynesian Phillips Curve; inflation survey forecasts; sticky prices; structural breaks; monetary policy The New Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) model of inflation dynamics based on forward-looking expectations is of great theoretical significance in monetary policy analysis. Empirical studies, however, often find that backward-looking inflation inertia dominates the dynamics of the short-run aggregate supply curve. This inconsistency is examined by investigating multiple structural changes in the NKPC for the U.S. between 1960 and 2005, employing both inflation expectations survey data and a rational expectations approximation. We find that forward-looking behavior plays a smaller role during the high and volatile inflation regime to 1981 than in the subsequent period of moderate inflation, providing empirical support for sticky price models over the last two decades. A break in the intercept of the NKPC is also identified around 2001 and this may be associated with U.S. monetary policy in that period. [source] Validity Study of Kessler's Psychological Distress Scales Conducted Among Patients Admitted to French Emergency Department for Alcohol Consumption,Related DisordersALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2010Benjamin Arnaud Background:, Alcohol-related disorders (ARD) encountered in emergency departments (ED) have a high prevalence and are underestimated. It is necessary to provide professionals with a tool to identify patients in whom there is a risk that alcohol-related and mental health problems may be associated. Kessler's K6/10 psychological distress scales are fast, easy-to-use, and have been shown to achieve a good performance in the identification of psychological distress associated with ARD. Aim:, The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Kessler scales, version 6 and 10, with a sample of patients admitted to EDs for alcohol consumption. Methods:, On the day after their admission, with a zero "blood" alcohol concentration, 71 patients were randomly assigned to be assessed using 6 or 10 items version. The internal consistency and factor structure of the K6/10 versions were examined. Convergent validity was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Results:, The prevalence of psychological distress in our sample was approximately 60%. The selected threshold scores were 10 for K6 (Sensitivity: 0.92; Specificity: 0.62) and 14 for K10 (Sensitivity: 0.95; Specificity: 0.54). The Cronbach coefficients for K6 and K10 were 0.76 and 0.84, respectively. The factor analyses indicated the multidimensional nature of K6/10. The 2 versions, containing 6 and 10 items respectively, correlated better with the HADS (0.83 and 0.70, respectively) than with the HDRS (0.51 and 0.49, respectively). The areas under the ROC Curve indicated a high level of accuracy for both the K6 (0.87) and the K10 (0.77). The difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions:, This study confirms the good psychometric characteristics of Kessler's psychological distress scale. Even though similar performances were observed for K6/10, the brevity of the K6 makes it more suitable for use in EDs. [source] Estimation of the High-Temperature R Curve for Ceramics from Strength Measurements Including Specimens with Focused Ion Beam NotchesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 9 2010Stefan Fünfschilling For failure assessment of natural cracks caused by surface treatment, the crack resistance for very small crack extensions is necessary. In ceramics with strongly rising R curves, the initial part of a few micrometer crack propagation is of special interest. For this purpose, the use of very small sharp starter notches introduced by a focused ion beam is recommended. As an example, the initial R curve for gas-pressure-sintered silicon nitride at high temperature will be estimated. Whereas for V-notched bending bars a fracture toughness of about 6,6.3 MPa·m1/2 was determined, the toughness for small strength-relevant cracks was found to be KIc,5.1 MPa·m1/2. [source] Influence of verapamil on the efflux and metabolism of 14C moxidectin in cultured rat hepatocytesJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2001J. Dupuy Moxidectin (MOX) is an antiparasitic drug widely used in cattle, sheep and companion animals. As a result of the implication of cytochrome P450 3 A in the metabolism of MOX and the role of competitor substrates of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in modification of the bioavailability of endectocides, we studied the influence of verapamil (a multidrug-resistance reversing agent) on the metabolism of 14C moxidectin in cultured rat hepatocytes over 72 h. The metabolism of MOX remained low: 10.79 ± 1.99% of the total 14C moxidectin for the main detected metabolite in verapamil-treated cells and 7.17 ± 0.74% for the control cells after 24 h. The main detected metabolite in rat hepatocytes was the same as that detected in rat hepatic microsomes (the C29 monohydroxymethyl metabolite). Verapamil increased the quantity of MOX in the cells after 24, 48 and 72 h. Examination of the Area Under the concentration time Curve (AUC) of the main detected metabolite revealed a significant increase in the exposure of cells to MOX after verapamil treatment throughout the experiment. It is hypothesized that verapamil interfered with MOX as a substrate for Pgp during the initial incubation period. After this initial interaction, verapamil metabolites were able to interfere with Pgp. This experiment demonstrated the implication of Pgp in the transport of MOX and allowed prediction of the drug,drug interactions which might modify the bioavailability of endectocides. [source] Matching Efficiency and Labour Market Reform in Italy: A Macroeconometric AssessmentLABOUR, Issue 1 2007Sergio Destefanis We re-parameterize the matching function as a Beveridge Curve and estimate it as a production frontier, finding huge differences in matching efficiency between the South and the rest of the country. The Treu Act appears to have improved matching efficiency in the North of the country, particularly for skilled workers, but also to have strengthened competition among skilled and unskilled workers, especially in the South. [source] On the Use of the Nanoindentation Unloading Curve to Measure the Young's Modulus of Polymers on a Nanometer ScaleMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 22 2005Davide Tranchida Abstract Summary: The nanoindentation test is a fundamental tool to assess the link between morphology and mechanical properties. The preliminary results of a more exhaustive study about the applicability to polymers of the most used procedure to determine elastic modulus by indentation are reported in this short communication. A departure of the experimental conditions from the theoretical assumptions and results that give rise to the Oliver and Pharr analysis is shown to occur under a wide range of experimental conditions, with applied loads and penetration depths covering several orders of magnitude and using different indenter geometries. Unloading curves with exponents significantly larger than 2 are observed in disagreement with the contact mechanics approach used by Oliver and Pharr. An AFM image obtained in non contact mode of an indentation induced by a sharp AFM tip with a maximum applied load of ca 1.2 µN on amorphous PET. [source] Testing the New Keynesian Phillips Curve Through Vector Autoregressive Models: Results from the Euro Area,OXFORD BULLETIN OF ECONOMICS & STATISTICS, Issue 1 2008Luca Fanelli Abstract This paper addresses the issue of testing the ,hybrid' New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) through vector autoregressive (VAR) systems and likelihood methods, giving special emphasis to the case where the variables are non-stationary. The idea is to use a VAR for both the inflation rate and the explanatory variable(s) to approximate the dynamics of the system and derive testable restrictions. Attention is focused on the ,inexact' formulation of the NKPC. Empirical results over the period 1971,98 show that the NKPC is far from providing a ,good first approximation' of inflation dynamics in the Euro area. [source] Phased-Array Intracardiac Echocardiography for Guiding Transseptal Catheter Placement: Utility and Learning CurvePACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002SUSAN B. JOHNSON JOHNSON, S.B., et al.: Phased-Array Intracardiac Echocardiography for Guiding Transseptal Catheter Placement: Utility and Learning Curve. The utility of a new intracardiac 64-element, phased-array, longitudinal ultrasound imaging system for guiding transseptal catheterization was assessed during 69 crossing attempts in 45 dogs because of the inherent limitations of fluoroscopy and mechanical ultrasound. Multifrequency (7.5,8.5 MHZ) imaging of the membranous fossa ovalis, posterior left atrium, and left atrial appendage was conducted from the right atrium. Contact of the Brockenbrough needle with the interatrial septum as reflected by membranous fossa ovalis "tenting" was uniformly identified. Transseptal crossing and advancement of the dilator and sheath were adequately imaged because of deeper ultrasound tissue penetration. Transseptal catheterization was successfully accomplished in 44 of 45 dogs: on the first attempt in 40 and with additional attempts in 4 and confirmed by direct far-field imaging of nonagitated saline injection via the sheath. Total transseptal catheterization time was 3.0 ± 1.8 minutes. Unsuccessful first attempts and/or subsequent sheath pullback into the right atrium with catheter manipulation were also readily recognized. Insertion of the transseptal needle beyond the ultrasound imaging plane resulted in perforation of the posterior left atrial wall in three attempts. Accompanying effusions in these animals and three others related to subsequent intracardiac ablation catheter manipulation were readily identified and monitored echocardiographically. In conclusion, phased-array intracardiac imaging provides a highly reliable means of guiding transseptal access to the left atrium. In addition, inadvertent complications such as perforation and pericardial effusion development can be readily recognized. [source] Spectroscopic Ellipsometry as a Tool for Damage Profiling in Very Shallow Implanted SiliconPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 2 2006Iordan Karmakov Abstract Summary: Ion implantation is still one of the key steps in Si integrated circuit technology. Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) detects the defects created in the implanted Si. The successful application of SE for damage profiling depends on the quality of the algorithm used for evaluating the damage profile from SE data. In this work, we present retrieved SE damage depth profiles by our previously published algorithm in the as-implanted Si with very low energies Ge+ ions- from 2 keV to 20 keV and 1 keV B+ ions (1,×,1015 cm,2). The comparisons of the SE retrieved damage depth profiles with experimental atomic concentration depth profiles, or simulated by the state-of-the-art computer ATHENA code of Silvaco TCAD suits were made. The functional relation was obtained by proper fitting of measured by SE a/c depths, and the depths named "ends of damage" with the experimental or simulated ions concentration depth profiles. For reasons not understood, the damage profile of 5 keV Ge+ in c-Si is smoother in shape beyond the a/c depth, with a longer tail. The damage profiles measured by SE for 5 keV Ge+ in c-Si with two different doses: curve 1 - for 6,×,1013 cm,2 and curve 2 - for 1,×,1015 cm,2. Curve 3 - presents the damage profile simulated by ATHENA for Ge+ ions with 5 keV; 1,×,1015 cm,2. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||