Consistency of a method of moments estimator based on numerical solutions to asset pricing models

This paper considers the properties of estimators based on numerical solutions to a class of economic models. In particular, the numerical methods discussed are those applied in the solution of linear integral equations, specifically Fredholm equations of the second kind. These integral equations arise out of economic models in which endogenous variables appear linearly in the Euler equations, but for which easily characterized solutions do not exist. Tauchen and Hussey [24] have proposed the use of these methods in the solution of the consumption-based asset pricing model. In this paper, these methods are used to construct method of moments estimators where the population moments implied by a model are approximated by the population moments of numerical solutions. These estimators are shown to be consistent if the accuracy of the approximation is increased with the sample size. This result depends on the solution method having the property that the moments of the approximate solutions converge uniformly in the model parameters to the moments of the true solutions

Regulation of reactivated elongation in lysed cell models of teleost retinal cones by cAMP and calcium.

Teleost retinal cones elongate in the dark and contract in the light. In isolated retinas of the green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus, cone myoids undergo microtubule-dependent elongation from 5 to 45 micron. We have previously shown that cone contraction can be reactivated in motile models of cones lysed with Brij-58. Reactivated contraction is both actin and ATP dependent, activated by calcium, and inhibited by cAMP. We report here that we have obtained reactivated cone elongation in lysed models prepared by the same procedures. Reactivated elongation is ATP dependent, activated by cAMP, and inhibited by calcium. The rate of reactivated elongation is proportional to the cAMP concentration between 10 microM and 0.5 mM, but is constant between 10 microM and 1.0 mM Mg-ATP. No elongation occurs if cAMP or Mg-ATP concentration is less than or equal to 5 microM. Mg-ATP is required for both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent processes, suggesting that Mg-ATP is required both for a regulatory process entailing cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and for a force-producing process. Free calcium concentrations greater than or equal to 10(-7) reduce the elongation rate by 78% or more, completely inhibiting elongation at 10(-5) M. This inhibition is not due to competition from calcium-activated contraction. Cytochalasin D blocks reactivated contraction, but does not abolish calcium inhibition of reactivated elongation. Thus calcium directly affects the elongation mechanism. Calcium inhibition is calmodulin dependent. The calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine abolishes calcium inhibition of elongation. Furthermore, calcium blocks elongation only if present during the lysis step; subsequent calcium addition has no effect. However, if calcium plus exogenous calmodulin are subsequently added, elongation is again inhibited. Thus calcium inhibition appears to require a soluble calmodulin which is lost shortly after lysis

Volumetric pattern analysis of airborne antennas

By blending together the roll and elevation plane high frequency solutions, a very efficient technique was developed for the volumetric pattern analysis of antennas mounted on the fuselage of a generalized aircraft. The fuselage is simulated by an infinitely long, perfectly conducting, elliptic cylinder in cross-section and a composite elliptic cylinder in profile. The wings, nose section, stabilizers, and landing gear doors may be modeled by finite flat or bent plates. Good agreement with accurate scale model measurements was obtained for a variety of airborne antenna problems

New main reflector, subreflector and dual chamber concepts for compact range applications

A compact range is a facility used for the measurement of antenna radiation and target scattering problems. Most presently available parabolic reflectors do not produce ideal uniform plane waves in the target zone. Design improvements are suggested to reduce the amplitude taper, ripple and cross polarization errors. The ripple caused by diffractions from the reflector edges can be reduced by adding blended rolled edges and shaping the edge contour. Since the reflected edge continues smoothly from the parabola onto the rolled surface, rather than being abruptly terminated, the discontinuity in the reflected field is reduced which results in weaker diffracted fields. This is done by blending the rolled edges from the parabola into an ellipse. An algorithm which enables one to design optimum blended rolled edges was developed that is based on an analysis of the continuity of the surface radius of curvature and its derivatives across the junction. Futhermore, a concave edge contour results in a divergent diffracted ray pattern and hence less stray energy in the target zone. Design equations for three-dimensional reflectors are given. Various examples were analyzed using a new physical optics method which eliminates the effects of the false scattering centers on the incident shadow boundaries. A Gregorian subreflector system, in which both the subreflector and feed axes are tilted, results in a substantial reduction in the amplitude taper and cross polarization errors. A dual chamber configuration is proposed to eliminate the effects of diffraction from the subreflector and spillover from the feed. A computationally efficient technique, based on ray tracing and aperture integration, was developed to analyze the scattering from a lossy dielectric slab with a wedge termination

Dynamics of the nighttime thermosphere at Arecibo

Incoherent scatter radar observations of the nighttime F layer at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, are used to determine the O+ diffusion velocity at different altitudes. Further analysis allows evaluation of the neutral wind and the ion-drag force in the direction of the magnetic meridian. The local acceleration of the meridional neutral wind is also determined. The possibility of evaluating the viscous force using incoherent scatter radar data was also investigated. Preliminary results indicate that, at certain times and at altitudes above about 350 km, viscous drag may be a significant term in the neutral equation of motion. Combining these results allows height profiles of the meridional pressure gradient to be deduced. The pressure gradients thus derived is compared with that determined from measurements of the horizontal temperature gradient and that given by the MSIS model atmosphere

A new approach for shaping of dual-reflector antennas

The shaping of 2-D dual-reflector antenna systems to generate a prescribed distribution with uniform phase at the aperture of the second reflector is examined. This method is based on the geometrical nature of Cassegrain and Gregorian dual-reflector antennas. The method of syntheses satisfies the principles of geometrical optics which are the foundations of dual-reflector designs. Instead of setting up differential equations or heuristically designing the subreflector, a set of algebraic equations is formulated and solved numerically to obtain the desired surfaces. The caustics of the reflected rays from the subreflector can be obtained and examined. Several examples of 2-D dual-reflector shaping are shown to validate the study. Geometrical optics and physical optics are used to calculate the scattered fields from the reflectors

Roll plane analysis of on-aircraft antennas

Roll plane radiation patterns of on-aircraft antennas are analyzed using high frequency solutions. Aircraft-antenna pattern performance in which the aircraft is modelled in its most basic form is presented. The fuselage is assumed to be a perfectly conducting elliptic cylinder with the antennas mounted near the top or bottom. The wings are simulated by arbitrarily many sided flat plates and the engines by circular cylinders. The patterns in each case are verified by measured results taken on simple models as well as scale models of actual aircraft

Unsteady Pressures on a Generic Capsule Shape

While developing the aerodynamic database for the Orion spacecraft, the low-speed flight regime (transonic and below) proved to be the most difficult to predict and measure accurately. The flow over the capsule heat shield in descent flight was particularly troublesome for both computational and experimental efforts due to its unsteady nature and uncertainty about the boundary layer state. The data described here were acquired as part of a study to improve the understanding of the overall flow around a generic capsule. The unsteady pressure measurements acquired on a generic capsule shape are presented along with a discussion about the effects of various flight conditions and heat-shield surface roughness on the resulting pressure fluctuations

CC201 Soybean Weed Control

CC201 discusses soybean weed control including methods and types of weed control

CC201 Soybean Weed Control

CC201 discusses soybean weed control including methods and types of weed control