The effects of deposition parameters on zinc films vapor deposited on polyethylene terephthalate

This thesis is a study of the effects of various parameters on zinc films vapor deposited on Polyethylene Terephthalate (Mylar) which has received a silver-pre-coat

Design, Analysis, and Applications of Iterative Methods for Solving Nonlinear Systems

In this chapter, we present an overview of some multipoint iterative methods for solving nonlinear systems obtained by using different techniques such as composition of known methods, weight function procedure, and pseudo-composition, etc. The dynamical study of these iterative schemes provides us valuable information about their stability and reliability. A numerical test on a specific problem coming from chemistry is performed to compare the described methods with classical ones and to confirm the theoretical results

Impact on stability by the use of memory in Traub-type schemes

[EN] In this work, two Traub-type methods with memory are introduced using accelerating parameters. To obtain schemes with memory, after the inclusion of these parameters in Traub's method, they have been designed using linear approximations or the Newton's interpolation polynomials. In both cases, the parameters use information from the current and the previous iterations, so they define a method with memory. Moreover, they achieve higher order of convergence than Traub's scheme without any additional functional evaluations. The real dynamical analysis verifies that the proposed methods with memory not only converge faster, but they are also more stable than the original scheme. The methods selected by means of this analysis can be applied for solving nonlinear problems with a wider set of initial estimations than their original partners. This fact also involves a lower number of iterations in the process.This research was partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades under grants PGC2018-095896-B-C22 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER/UE).Chicharro, FI.; Cordero Barbero, A.; Garrido, N.; Torregrosa Sánchez, JR. (2020). Impact on stability by the use of memory in Traub-type schemes. Mathematics. 8(2):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/math8020274S11682Shacham, M. (1989). An improved memory method for the solution of a nonlinear equation. Chemical Engineering Science, 44(7), 1495-1501. doi:10.1016/0009-2509(89)80026-0Balaji, G. V., & Seader, J. D. (1995). Application of interval Newton’s method to chemical engineering problems. Reliable Computing, 1(3), 215-223. doi:10.1007/bf02385253Shacham, M. (1986). Numerical solution of constrained non-linear algebraic equations. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 23(8), 1455-1481. doi:10.1002/nme.1620230805Shacham, M., & Kehat, E. (1973). Converging interval methods for the iterative solution of a non-linear equation. Chemical Engineering Science, 28(12), 2187-2193. doi:10.1016/0009-2509(73)85008-0Amat, S., Busquier, S., & Plaza, S. (2010). Chaotic dynamics of a third-order Newton-type method. Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, 366(1), 24-32. doi:10.1016/j.jmaa.2010.01.047Argyros, I. K., Cordero, A., Magreñán, Á. A., & Torregrosa, J. R. (2017). Third-degree anomalies of Traub’s method. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 309, 511-521. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2016.01.060Chicharro, F., Cordero, A., Gutiérrez, J. M., & Torregrosa, J. R. (2013). Complex dynamics of derivative-free methods for nonlinear equations. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 219(12), 7023-7035. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2012.12.075Chicharro, F., Cordero, A., & Torregrosa, J. (2015). Dynamics and Fractal Dimension of Steffensen-Type Methods. Algorithms, 8(2), 271-279. doi:10.3390/a8020271Scott, M., Neta, B., & Chun, C. (2011). Basin attractors for various methods. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 218(6), 2584-2599. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2011.07.076Steffensen, J. F. (1933). Remarks on iteration. Scandinavian Actuarial Journal, 1933(1), 64-72. doi:10.1080/03461238.1933.10419209Wang, X., & Zhang, T. (2012). A new family of Newton-type iterative methods with and without memory for solving nonlinear equations. Calcolo, 51(1), 1-15. doi:10.1007/s10092-012-0072-2Džunić, J., & Petković, M. S. (2014). On generalized biparametric multipoint root finding methods with memory. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 255, 362-375. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2013.05.013Petković, M. S., Neta, B., Petković, L. D., & Džunić, J. (2014). Multipoint methods for solving nonlinear equations: A survey. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 226, 635-660. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2013.10.072Campos, B., Cordero, A., Torregrosa, J. R., & Vindel, P. (2015). A multidimensional dynamical approach to iterative methods with memory. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 271, 701-715. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2015.09.056Chicharro, F. I., Cordero, A., & Torregrosa, J. R. (2019). Dynamics of iterative families with memory based on weight functions procedure. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 354, 286-298. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2018.01.019Chicharro, F. I., Cordero, A., Torregrosa, J. R., & Vassileva, M. P. (2017). King-Type Derivative-Free Iterative Families: Real and Memory Dynamics. Complexity, 2017, 1-15. doi:10.1155/2017/2713145Magreñán, Á. A., Cordero, A., Gutiérrez, J. M., & Torregrosa, J. R. (2014). Real qualitative behavior of a fourth-order family of iterative methods by using the convergence plane. Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 105, 49-61. doi:10.1016/j.matcom.2014.04.006Blanchard, P. (1984). Complex analytic dynamics on the Riemann sphere. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, 11(1), 85-141. doi:10.1090/s0273-0979-1984-15240-6Magreñán, Á. A. (2014). A new tool to study real dynamics: The convergence plane. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 248, 215-224. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2014.09.061Chicharro, F. I., Cordero, A., & Torregrosa, J. R. (2013). Drawing Dynamical and Parameters Planes of Iterative Families and Methods. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, 1-11. doi:10.1155/2013/78015

The Endowment Effect: What Helps Us Improve Our Perspective Taking?

Two studies examine if people’s inability to anticipate the endowment effect is a result of failed perspective taking. The first study examined the effect of a financial incentive on people’s ability to anticipate the endowment effect, using 40 participants from psychology courses at Connecticut College. Analyses were conducted to test for egocentrism, and to determine how a financial incentive would affect people’s ability to anticipate the endowment effect. The results indicated that buyers trended toward being egocentric in that they underestimated the sellers’ average selling price (p=.073), and that a financial incentive was not effective at improving people’s ability to anticipate the endowment effect (p=.917). The second study implemented similarity and difference priming in order to help improve people’s ability to anticipate the endowment effect. This study used 81 participants from psychology courses at Connecticut College. The results indicated that the endowment effect only occurred in the control group (p=.050). Statistical tests were conducted in order to determine whether people lacked the ability to anticipate the endowment effect, and if they did, if similarity or difference priming improved their ability to anticipate the endowment effect. Analyses revealed that buyers in the control and similarity prime groups had the most difficulty anticipating the endowment effect (p=.089, p=.060, respectively), whereas sellers and those who were primed for differences tended to be the most accurate. People seem to need help remembering that other people may be different in order to overcome their inaccurate perspectives. The implications of the endowment effect, anticipating the endowment effect, and accurate perspective taking are discussed

Improving Associative Memory in a Network of Spiking Neurons

In this thesis we use computational neural network models to examine the dynamics and functionality of the CA3 region of the mammalian hippocampus. The emphasis of the project is to investigate how the dynamic control structures provided by inhibitory circuitry and cellular modification may effect the CA3 region during the recall of previously stored information. The CA3 region is commonly thought to work as a recurrent auto-associative neural network due to the neurophysiological characteristics found, such as, recurrent collaterals, strong and sparse synapses from external inputs and plasticity between coactive cells. Associative memory models have been developed using various configurations of mathematical artificial neural networks which were first developed over 40 years ago. Within these models we can store information via changes in the strength of connections between simplified model neurons (two-state). These memories can be recalled when a cue (noisy or partial) is instantiated upon the net. The type of information they can store is quite limited due to restrictions caused by the simplicity of the hard-limiting nodes which are commonly associated with a binary activation threshold. We build a much more biologically plausible model with complex spiking cell models and with realistic synaptic properties between cells. This model is based upon some of the many details we now know of the neuronal circuitry of the CA3 region. We implemented the model in computer software using Neuron and Matlab and tested it by running simulations of storage and recall in the network. By building this model we gain new insights into how different types of neurons, and the complex circuits they form, actually work. The mammalian brain consists of complex resistive-capacative electrical circuitry which is formed by the interconnection of large numbers of neurons. A principal cell type is the pyramidal cell within the cortex, which is the main information processor in our neural networks. Pyramidal cells are surrounded by diverse populations of interneurons which have proportionally smaller numbers compared to the pyramidal cells and these form connections with pyramidal cells and other inhibitory cells. By building detailed computational models of recurrent neural circuitry we explore how these microcircuits of interneurons control the flow of information through pyramidal cells and regulate the efficacy of the network. We also explore the effect of cellular modification due to neuronal activity and the effect of incorporating spatially dependent connectivity on the network during recall of previously stored information. In particular we implement a spiking neural network proposed by Sommer and Wennekers (2001). We consider methods for improving associative memory recall using methods inspired by the work by Graham and Willshaw (1995) where they apply mathematical transforms to an artificial neural network to improve the recall quality within the network. The networks tested contain either 100 or 1000 pyramidal cells with 10% connectivity applied and a partial cue instantiated, and with a global pseudo-inhibition.We investigate three methods. Firstly, applying localised disynaptic inhibition which will proportionalise the excitatory post synaptic potentials and provide a fast acting reversal potential which should help to reduce the variability in signal propagation between cells and provide further inhibition to help synchronise the network activity. Secondly, implementing a persistent sodium channel to the cell body which will act to non-linearise the activation threshold where after a given membrane potential the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is boosted to push cells which receive slightly more excitation (most likely high units) over the firing threshold. Finally, implementing spatial characteristics of the dendritic tree will allow a greater probability of a modified synapse existing after 10% random connectivity has been applied throughout the network. We apply spatial characteristics by scaling the conductance weights of excitatory synapses which simulate the loss in potential in synapses found in the outer dendritic regions due to increased resistance. To further increase the biological plausibility of the network we remove the pseudo-inhibition and apply realistic basket cell models with differing configurations for a global inhibitory circuit. The networks are configured with; 1 single basket cell providing feedback inhibition, 10% basket cells providing feedback inhibition where 10 pyramidal cells connect to each basket cell and finally, 100% basket cells providing feedback inhibition. These networks are compared and contrasted for efficacy on recall quality and the effect on the network behaviour. We have found promising results from applying biologically plausible recall strategies and network configurations which suggests the role of inhibition and cellular dynamics are pivotal in learning and memory

Changing subjects : transgender consciousness and the 1920s.

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN038783 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Differential construct definitions of six change score models within a correlational research context

Six change score models were comparatively evaluated within the correlational research context. The models compared included raw change, corrections of raw change for unreliability in x, correction of raw change for unreliability in both x and y, a regression correction, the raw residual model, and the base-free measure of change. The data were simulated for nine different parameter conditions. The manipulated parameter values were reliability coefficient values for x, y and w where x and y were the components of change and w was an outside variable, relative variability of x and y, colinearity between x and y, and relative validity coefficients for x and y. A set of true and two sets of observed change scores (total of 18 models) were generated for 2000 cases under each condition. Correlations among scores between models within and across conditions were generated. A principal component analysis was used to investigate the commonality of the change score models regarding the construct definition of change when w was considered and when w was partialed from the change score models. The latter analysis investigated the possible differential impact of w on the construct definition of change. The findings revealed that model differences do exist between the change scores under most of the parameter conditions, particularly for \sigma\sb{x} = \sigma\sb{y} where \rho\sb{xy} \sigma\sb{x} where \rho\sb{xy} = 0.75 when \rho \sb{xx\prime} \not= \rho\sb{yy\prime}. Selected parameter conditions had differential impact on discrepancy models versus residual models. Discrepancy models were more susceptible to manipulations of x and y variability, while the base-free measure of change was most affected by different reliability levels and colinearity coefficients. Removal of w had differential impact on the change score models. The results of this study lead to a conclusion that change scores in the form of any of the models are not sufficiently stable across research conditions to provide confidence in their use. Those conditions most favorable to change scores are rare in practice and use of a single variable (y) will result in an equal amount of information

'A sort of juridical phantasm' : the criminal law’s (lack of) engagement with lesbianism

This thesis examines the ways in which the criminal justice system of England and Wales has regulated, failed or refused to regulate lesbiainism. It identifies the overarching approach as one of silencing, in which lesbianism is not simply ignored or unimaginable but is deliberately excluded from legal discourses. However, the existence of such a policy cannot alone explain the complex ways in which lesbianism has been regulated, and so two particular issues are explored in detail. First, in what ways has the policy of silencing been breached? Historical and contemporary criminal prosecutions over three centuries are identified and their significance examined. That significance can be fully understood only in the context of surrounding social and legal developments which are also considered. Second, the evolution of silencing itself is explored. From the profound changes in popular and medical understandings of sexuality which occurred in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the growth of lesbian visibility and political activism in the twentieth and twenty-first, the contexts in which silencing operates have altered dramatically. Further, the law itself has moved for the first time to an avowedly non-discriminatory, gender-neutral approach with the Sexual Offences Act 2003. In consequence, silencing itself has also had to change. As simple denial of lesbianism's existence has ceased to be feasible, this thesis describes the new forms which silencing has taken in response. Third, the thesis considers the implications of the criminal legal system's approaches for the theoretical underpinnings of lesbian theory and activism. Liberal theories, queer theories and radical feminism are all examined in this context. Their adequacy in explaining and responding to the criminal law's treatment of lesbianism is analysed, and the significance of this analysis for future directions in lesbian activism explored. This thesis offers a significant contribution to knowledge in two respects. First, although many of the cases discussed here have been published elsewhere and subjected to varying degrees of academic analysis, this is the first systematic account of the regulation of lesbianism by the criminal justice system. Thus the discussion of common themes and historical developments is novel. Second, most of the cases have hitherto been considered from a historical rather than legal perspective, while many of the contemporary cases have not previously been considered from a broadly radical feminist perspective. Further, the analysis of the applicability of queer and radical feminist theories to this particular area of the criminal law is also new. This thesis therefore demonstrates the exercise of independent critical powers

'A sort of juridical phantasm' : the criminal law's (lack of) engagement with lesbianism

This thesis examines the ways in which the criminal justice system of England and Wales has regulated, failed or refused to regulate lesbiainism. It identifies the overarching approach as one of silencing, in which lesbianism is not simply ignored or unimaginable but is deliberately excluded from legal discourses. However, the existence of such a policy cannot alone explain the complex ways in which lesbianism has been regulated, and so two particular issues are explored in detail. First, in what ways has the policy of silencing been breached? Historical and contemporary criminal prosecutions over three centuries are identified and their significance examined. That significance can be fully understood only in the context of surrounding social and legal developments which are also considered. Second, the evolution of silencing itself is explored. From the profound changes in popular and medical understandings of sexuality which occurred in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the growth of lesbian visibility and political activism in the twentieth and twenty-first, the contexts in which silencing operates have altered dramatically. Further, the law itself has moved for the first time to an avowedly non-discriminatory, gender-neutral approach with the Sexual Offences Act 2003. In consequence, silencing itself has also had to change. As simple denial of lesbianism's existence has ceased to be feasible, this thesis describes the new forms which silencing has taken in response. Third, the thesis considers the implications of the criminal legal system's approaches for the theoretical underpinnings of lesbian theory and activism. Liberal theories, queer theories and radical feminism are all examined in this context. Their adequacy in explaining and responding to the criminal law's treatment of lesbianism is analysed, and the significance of this analysis for future directions in lesbian activism explored. This thesis offers a significant contribution to knowledge in two respects. First, although many of the cases discussed here have been published elsewhere and subjected to varying degrees of academic analysis, this is the first systematic account of the regulation of lesbianism by the criminal justice system. Thus the discussion of common themes and historical developments is novel. Second, most of the cases have hitherto been considered from a historical rather than legal perspective, while many of the contemporary cases have not previously been considered from a broadly radical feminist perspective. Further, the analysis of the applicability of queer and radical feminist theories to this particular area of the criminal law is also new. This thesis therefore demonstrates the exercise of independent critical powers.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Columbia Pictures: Portrait of a Studio

The recent $3.4 billion purchase of Columbia Pictures by Sony Corporation focused attention on a studio that had survived one of Hollywood’s worst scandals under David Begelman, as well as ownership by Coca-Cola and David Puttnam’s misguided attempt to bring back the studio’s glory days. Columbia Pictures traces Columbia’s history from its beginnings as the CBC Film Sales Company (nicknamed “Corned Beef and Cabbage”) through the regimes of Harry Cohn and his successors, and concludes with a vivid portrait of today’s corporate Hollywood, with its investment bankers, entertainment lawyers, agents, and financiers. Bernard F. Dick’s highly readable studio chronicle is followed by thirteen original essays by leading film scholars, writing about the stars, films, genres, writers, producers, and directors responsible for Columbia’s emergence from Poverty Row status to world class. This is the first attempt to integrate film history with film criticism of a single studio. Both the historical introduction and the essays draw on previously untapped archival material—budgets that kept Columbia in the black during the 1930s and 1940s, letters that reveal the rapport between Depression audiences and director Frank Capra, and an interview with Oscar-winning screenwriter Daniel Taradash. The book also offers new perspectives on the careers of Rita Hayworth and Judy Holliday, a discussion of Columbia’s unique brands of screwball comedy and film noir, and analyses of such classics as The Awful Truth, Born Yesterday, From Here to Eternity, On the Waterfront, Anatomy of a Murder, Easy Rider, Taxi Driver, The Big Chill, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Last Emperor. Amply illustrated with film stills and photos of stars and studio heads, Columbia Pictures includes a brief chronology and a complete 1920-1991 filmography. Designed for both the film lover and the film scholar, the book is ideal for film history courses. For anyone seeking a frank, readable history of the movie business, this ‘Portrait of a Studio’ sheds light on one part of a frenzied, fractious industry. —New York Times Book Review An excellent reading experience for movie buffs and historians. —West Coast Review of Bookshttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_film_and_media_studies/1007/thumbnail.jp