A generalized finite element method for linear thermoelasticity

We propose and analyze a generalized finite element method designed for linear quasistatic thermoelastic systems with spatial multiscale coefficients. The method is based on the local orthogonal decomposition technique introduced by M{\aa}lqvist and Peterseim (Math. Comp., 83(290): 2583--2603, 2014). We prove convergence of optimal order, independent of the derivatives of the coefficients, in the spatial $H^1$-norm. The theoretical results are confirmed by numerical examples

The Spectrum of Volterra-type integration operators on generalized Fock spaces

We describe the spectrum of certain integration operators acting on general- ized Fock spaces

Multiscale differential Riccati equations for linear quadratic regulator problems

We consider approximations to the solutions of differential Riccati equations in the context of linear quadratic regulator problems, where the state equation is governed by a multiscale operator. Similarly to elliptic and parabolic problems, standard finite element discretizations perform poorly in this setting unless the grid resolves the fine-scale features of the problem. This results in unfeasible amounts of computation and high memory requirements. In this paper, we demonstrate how the localized orthogonal decomposition method may be used to acquire accurate results also for coarse discretizations, at the low cost of solving a series of small, localized elliptic problems. We prove second-order convergence (except for a logarithmic factor) in the $L^2$ operator norm, and first-order convergence in the corresponding energy norm. These results are both independent of the multiscale variations in the state equation. In addition, we provide a detailed derivation of the fully discrete matrix-valued equations, and show how they can be handled in a low-rank setting for large-scale computations. In connection to this, we also show how to efficiently compute the relevant operator-norm errors. Finally, our theoretical results are validated by several numerical experiments.Comment: Accepted for publication in SIAM J. Sci. Comput. This version differs from the previous one only by the addition of Remark 7.2 and minor changes in formatting. 21 pages, 12 figure

Dynamic effects of mandatory activation of welfare participants

Previous literature shows that activation requirements for welfare participants decrease welfare participation. However, the dynamics have not been examined, and often only exit effects are analyzed. In this paper, we look more closely at the transition rates into and out of welfare. Using register data on the entire population of Stockholm, we are able to capture how both entry and exit rates were affected when activation require-ments were introduced at different times in Stockholm’s city districts. The results indi-cate that the main reduction in welfare participation is due to a small increase in exit rates. The part of the population that is at risk of entering into welfare, though, expe-riences a reduction in entry rates due to the reform. There are also heterogeneous ef¬fects, namely, large effects on entry rates for young individuals. In addition, there are larger effects on exit rates for unmarried individuals without children compared to the population as a whole.Welfare reform; mandatory activation program; welfare entry; welfare exit

Judging a Book by its Cover : The Manifestation of the Bodily in Contemporary Autobiography

Since book covers have become the focus of critical attention only in few recent years, there is a small number of studies published that examine the interaction between the text and the book cover. This interaction seems to be especially significant in the case of autobiographies as there are at least two ways for the author to present himself: as the narrator of the text and as the subject visualised on the book cover. This study is based on my preliminary research, which shows that the author’s body as a link between the text of autobiography and the photo image on the book cover has never been discussed before. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expressions of the bodily in autobiography through the lens of intermediality. This study explores four autobiographical texts featuring their authors’ photographic images on the book covers: Dancing Naked in the Mind Field (1998) by Kary Mullis, Mosaic: The Pieces of My Life So Far (2007) by Amy Grant, The Fry Chronicles (2011) by Stephen Fry, and How to be a Woman (2012) by Caitlin Moran. I examine both the visual images on the book covers and the verbal texts by applying the theory of the performative. I argue that self-presentation of the bodily in the autobiography is two-fold because the trustworthiness of the photographic image of the author on the cover in conjunction with the autobiographical text reinforces the audience’s illusion of getting the unconditional autobiographical 'truth'

Swedish children with moderate hearing loss : on the importance of monitoring auditory and early speech development the first three years

The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the auditory and early speech development in a group of children born with moderate hearing loss (HL) who were fitted with hearing aids (HAs) before the age of 6 months, and to compare their development to a group of children with normal hearing (NH). More specific aims were to examine the impact of auditory variables on the early speech development in the children with HL and to validate a questionnaire of auditory development in the children with NH. This PhD project consisted of four longitudinal studies. Participants included a group of children with moderate HL (n=11) and a reference group of children with NH (n=29). Data was collected at the ages of 10, 18, 34, 30 and 36 months with assessments of early speech development and auditory variables that were compared between groups. In Study I, the Swedish version of the LittlEARS® Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ) was externally validated in children with NH. In Study II, HA use from first fitting to 36 months of age and the impact of hours of HA use on auditory development and functional performance were investigated. In Study III, consonant production in babbling and early speech at 10 and 18 months and consonant proficiency at 36 months were examined. In Study IV, expressive vocabulary between the ages of 18 to 30 months was investigated and compared between groups. The Swedish version of the LEAQ showed equal validation properties to the original version albeit found to be similar in content to an inventory of vocabulary. The variability in hours of HA use was large and only two children reached full-time HA use at all ages. Auditory development was found similar between the groups but the children with HL presented with lower scores on functional auditory performance in noise at 30 and 36 months of age. The children with HL showed delays in their consonant production in babbling and early speech at 10 and 18 months compared to the children with NH. At 36 months, there was no significant difference between the groups on consonant proficiency. The number of produced words was similar between the groups at 18 months but at 24 months of age there was a gap which increased even further at the age of 30 months, disadvantaging the children with HL. The most prominent auditory variable found to impact the outcomes on the early speech measures was hours of HA use, meanwhile scores on auditory development, functional auditory performance, and aided audibility showed weaker relationships. Despite early fitting with HAs the children with moderate HL showed delays in their early speech development and challenges in auditory functional performance in noise. The findings from this thesis suggest that careful monitoring at specific ages with appropriate methods of early speech development and auditory variables could help professionals to identify children at risk and work in a preventive way. This calls for cross-professional collaboration within the clinical setting. Attention is also needed to make sure that parents and other caregivers outside the clinic (e.g. preschool teachers) receive information so they can use appropriate strategies to reduce the risks of language delays in children with moderate HL. Albeit acknowledging the limitations to generalize the findings from this thesis to a larger population, the results and experiences from the longitudinal project are in line with current research that promotes monitoring of auditory and spoken language development the first three years in children with HL

Scientific (Wo)manpower? Gender and the Composition and Earnings of PhDs in Sweden

Although the share of female PhDs has increased explosively since the 1980s, little research has focused on the utilisation and remuneration of female versus male scientific human capital. Using rich Swedish cross-sectional register data on the stock of PhDs in 2004, this paper analyses to what extent men and women choose academic versus non-academic employment, and to what earnings differences these choices lead. Results show that women are significantly less likely than men to be academically employed in the natural sciences and medicine, whereas no significant gender differences prevail for the social sciences and the humanities. On average, women earn 15 per cent less than men, and the academically employed earn 24 per cent less than PhDs outside academia. Gender earnings differences are larger in the academic than in the non-academic labour market in the humanities and the natural sciences, whereas the opposite holds in the social sciences and medicine.gender, earnings, scientific human capital

Astrobiology and Society in Europe Today

This book describes the state of astrobiology in Europe today and its relation to the European society at large. With contributions from authors in more than 20 countries and over 30 scientific institutions worldwide, the document illustrates the societal implications of astrobiology and the positive contribution that astrobiology can make to European society. The book has two main objectives: 1. It recommends the establishment of a European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) as an answer to a series of challenges relating to astrobiology but also European research, education, and society at large. 2. It also acknowledges the societal implications of astrobiology, and thus the role of the social sciences and humanities in optimizing the positive contribution that astrobiology can make to the lives of the people of Europe and the challenges they face