Utilizing Bayesian Optimization in Technoeconomic Analyses for Integrated Energy Systems

Technoeconomic analysis is a key element in the study of integrated energy systems. The goal of this analysis is the sizing of technologies resulting in the best economic outcome for the system. The evaluation of this system involves sizing the components and simulating the resulting market to determine an outcome. This simulation incorporates multiple possible values of uncertain parameters like grid price and wind generation. This problem is currently approached with the gradient descent optimization method. An alternative approach, Bayesian optimization, sees success on simple problems of a similar nature to technoeconomic analyses. These results motivate applying Bayesian optimization as a substitute for gradient descent. For simple test problems, Bayesian optimization sees improved efficiency in comparison to gradient descent. A thorough comparison of Bayesian optimization variations identify the best optimizer configurations. Using these preferred variations, a final comparison on realistic technoeconomic analyses suggests that it is a better approach for solving this class of problems

Neurodegenerative modeling: tau protein, degradative pathways, and gene expression profiling of human IPSC-derived neural precursors and differentiated 3-D neural sphere versus 2-D monolayer cultures

Human induced pluripotent stem cells offer a model for human brain development and disease by differentiation into brain organoids; however, current neural culture systems lack the microenvironment, neuronal circuits and connectivity, vascular circulation, and immune system that exist in vivo. After differentiation and development of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types within two formats of cell cultures, we can visualize and recapitulate in vivo protein accumulation, gene expression, and degradative processes such as autophagy. Using RNA extraction, purification methods and reverse transcription I compared traditional monolayer cultures and novel 3-D neural sphere cultures via gene expression analysis. This analysis indicated variable gene expression between formats therefore only monolayer cultures were analyzed for tau protein accumulation with pharmacologic treatments and measured by Western blot. I also report on cell type specific gene expression by transient transfection of plasmid cassette tools and fluorescent microscopy. Here, cell type specific gene targeting is demonstrated in successfully transfected cells. Further development of the tools utilized in this study will significantly expand the field of neurodegenerative research, by giving us the ability to target specific cell types within mixed cultures, and allowing for a more accurate depiction of pathogenesis within diseased cell types

An examination of development factors in the UK children's multimedia market.

The project topic developed in early 1998 as it emerged that there was a need for research into the area of children's multimedia in the UK. Research by others into the area of `generic' multimedia, products and technology, had been ongoing since the mid- I990s when the multimedia market started to develop rapidly. However, research focusing specifically on children's multimedia was lacking. Children's multimedia, which makes up a large share of the UK multimedia market, grew rapidly in the late 1990s as PCs, hardware, software and online use increased and related costs reduced in the UK. It was useful to study the children's multimedia market, as a leading edge example from the multimedia sector undergoing change, for publishing companies in other sectors learning how to develop their `businesses' for multimedia production. This sector was identified as an interesting, evolving and original area in which little was known about in terms of the market forces, consumer, company types involved, company activities and product features. The research analysed in depth the children's multimedia industry in the UK and the challenges and successes in adapting to change in this volatile market. Questionnaire surveys in 1998 and 1999 were used to obtain market and background information into the market situation and company activity (successful and otherwise). A Children's Multimedia Five Force model (developed from Porter's model (1980)) was designed to outline the key external forces affecting the strategic development of two company types, publishing and `new media companies' (companies set up in the 1990s for the purpose of producing solely multimedia), studied in the UK children's multimedia market. Interviews were undertaken in 1999 and 2000 with the successful companies identified in order to critically analyse both their internal and external activity and development. Internal activities, factors adding value, or contributing towards development which the companies studied either had or required, (in relation to product, structural, procedural, and strategic development) have been outlined in a Children's Multimedia Value Chain. This value chain was informed by elements of Porter's Value Chain model, and adapted versions of his original model by Vista International, and Diebold. This more detailed model has been developed with empirical evidence from a sample of successful children's multimedia companies. This seems to be the first study involving the development of models grounded in the reality of the developing and changing world of multimedia. The research also directly contributes towards projects and initiatives being encouraged by the European Commission and UK Government encouraging the growth and development of multimedia products and companies in the UK at the time of study. It also provides original insight into strategic change management in the publishing sector, and outlines analytical approaches which can be adapted or transferred to other publishing areas. The findings, particular to this children's multimedia market study, are intended to create interest in the model and to provide a starting point that can be further elaborated by researchers in other sectors of the publishing industry, or related areas such as the information, communications or `multimedia' industries. Other studies surveying the requirements of `children', `parents' or `educators' could potentially build on the findings of this research, which focused on the company and market situation. The modelling structures could also be developed or adapted to involve a more quantitative analytical approach - measuring costs, financial output and implications of multimedia production, which would develop this study which focuses on the core resources, skills, competencies and relationships within children's multimedia companies

Students in context: Effects of psychological needs and environmental press on academic and life satisfaction

The purpose of the present study was to examine college student satisfaction from the need-press perspective (Murray, 1938) by revisiting the Stern (1970) measures. The obtained results indicate that psychological needs and environmental press relate in meaningful ways with interests and personality traits, and also with several types of college student satisfaction. Across 14 hierarchical regression models, the mean incremental contribution of needs beyond that of interests in the prediction of satisfaction outcomes was 14%. The mean incremental criterion validity for environmental press was 13% of the variance accounted for in satisfaction outcomes, above and beyond the contribution of interests and needs. There was a large effect of interests, needs, and press in the prediction of satisfaction outcomes, accounting for a mean of 29% of the variance in the outcome measures. The primary findings that replicated across two data sets will be summarized and interpreted in light of the hypotheses and existing literature. Overall, the use of need-press measures to examine student adjustment to academic environments may offer additional insight into the complex picture of person-environment fit that has emerged in previous research. Implications for research and practice, limitations, and directions for future research will also be addressed

Retirement Patterns of California Prekindergarten-Grade 12 Educators

How have the recent economic recession and the aging of the baby boomer population affected retirement rates in California's public school system?This Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West) study examines the retirement patterns of California's preK-12 certificated educators — including teachers, speech therapists, and school administrators — and provides useful workforce data for education leaders in the state.The authors based their study on more than a decade of data from the California State Teacher's Retirement System, district-level financial data from the California Department of Education, and annual county-level unemployment rates from the California Employment Development Department.Some key findings:The percentage of educators over age 60 doubled between the 1995/96 and 2009/10 school yearsThe percentage of educators working in the California public school system after retirement increased steadily, from 3 percent in the 1995/96 school year to more than 11 percent in the 2007/08–2009/10 school yearsOn average, a $1,000 reduction in a district's "other local revenue" per student was associated with approximately a 4 percent higher probability of educators retirin