8,680 research outputs found
Econometric Modeling and Analysis of Residential Water Demand Based on Unbalanced Panel Data
This paper develops an econometric methodology devised to analyze a sample of time unbalanced panel data on residential water consumption in the French island La Reunion with the purpose to bring out the main determinants of household water consumption and estimate the importance of water consumption by uses. For this purpose, we specify a daily panel econometric model and derive, by performing a time aggregation, a general linear regression model accounting for water consumption data recorded on periods of any calendar date and time length. To esti-mate efficiently the parameters of this model we develop a feasible two step generalized least square method. Using the principle of best linear unbiased prediction, we finally develop an approach allowing to consistently break down the volume of water consumption recorded on household water bills by uses, namely by enforcing this estimated decomposition to add up to the observed total. The application of this methodology to a sample of 437 unbalanced panel observations shows the scope of this approach for the empirical analysis of actual data.econometric modeling; water consumption; panel data
Fixed Point and Aperiodic Tilings
An aperiodic tile set was first constructed by R.Berger while proving the
undecidability of the domino problem. It turned out that aperiodic tile sets
appear in many topics ranging from logic (the Entscheidungsproblem) to physics
(quasicrystals) We present a new construction of an aperiodic tile set that is
based on Kleene's fixed-point construction instead of geometric arguments. This
construction is similar to J. von Neumann self-reproducing automata; similar
ideas were also used by P. Gacs in the context of error-correcting
computations. The flexibility of this construction allows us to construct a
"robust" aperiodic tile set that does not have periodic (or close to periodic)
tilings even if we allow some (sparse enough) tiling errors. This property was
not known for any of the existing aperiodic tile sets.Comment: v5: technical revision (positions of figures are shifted
Composite mirror facets for ground based gamma ray astronomy
Composite mirrors for gamma-ray astronomy have been developed to fulfill the
specifications required for the next generation of Cherenkov telescopes
represented by CTA (Cherenkov Telescope Array). In addition to the basic
requirements on focus and reflection efficiency, the mirrors have to be stiff,
lightweight, durable and cost efficient. In this paper, the technology
developed to produce such mirrors is described, as well as some tests that have
been performed to validate them. It is shown that these mirrors comply with the
needs of CTA, making them good candidates for use on a significant part of the
array.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures, accepted to be published on NIM
Thermal Casimir Effect in the Plane-Sphere Geometry
The thermal Casimir force between two metallic plates is known to depend on
the description of material properties. For large separations the dissipative
Drude model leads to a force a factor of 2 smaller than the lossless plasma
model. Here we show that the plane-sphere geometry, in which current experiment
are performed, decreases this ratio to a factor of 3/2, as revealed by exact
numerical and large distance analytical calculations. For perfect reflectors,
we find a repulsive contribution of thermal photons to the force and negative
entropy values at intermediate distances.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Trace Complexity of Chaotic Reversible Cellular Automata
Delvenne, K\r{u}rka and Blondel have defined new notions of computational
complexity for arbitrary symbolic systems, and shown examples of effective
systems that are computationally universal in this sense. The notion is defined
in terms of the trace function of the system, and aims to capture its dynamics.
We present a Devaney-chaotic reversible cellular automaton that is universal in
their sense, answering a question that they explicitly left open. We also
discuss some implications and limitations of the construction.Comment: 12 pages + 1 page appendix, 4 figures. Accepted to Reversible
Computation 2014 (proceedings published by Springer
Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats
This protocol describes the use of in vitro television microscopy to evaluate vascular function in isolated cerebral resistance arteries (and other vessels), and describes techniques for evaluating tissue perfusion using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and microvessel density utilizing fluorescently labeled Griffonia simplicifolia (GS1) lectin. Current methods for studying isolated resistance arteries at transmural pressures encountered in vivo and in the absence of parenchymal cell influences provide a critical link between in vivo studies and information gained from molecular reductionist approaches that provide limited insight into integrative responses at the whole animal level. LDF and techniques to selectively identify arterioles and capillaries with fluorescently-labeled GS1 lectin provide practical solutions to enable investigators to extend the knowledge gained from studies of isolated resistance arteries. This paper describes the application of these techniques to gain fundamental knowledge of vascular physiology and pathology in the rat as a general experimental model, and in a variety of specialized genetically engineered designer rat strains that can provide important insight into the influence of specific genes on important vascular phenotypes. Utilizing these valuable experimental approaches in rat strains developed by selective breeding strategies and new technologies for producing gene knockout models in the rat, will expand the rigor of scientific premises developed in knockout mouse models and extend that knowledge to a more relevant animal model, with a well understood physiological background and suitability for physiological studies because of its larger size
Remote Sensing of Snow in the Solar Spectrum: Experiments in the French Alps.
Two experiments were perfonned irliApril and December 1992 in the French Alps using simultaneous relnote sensing and ground truth data. Snow grain site and soot content of samples collected in thefield were measured. The Landsat thematic mapper (TM) sensor was used because it has a good spatial resolution, a middle infrared channel which is sensitive to grain size and a thermal infraredchannel. Firstj the reflectance data were compared with the theoretical results obtained from a bidirectional reflectance model. Then, some remote sehstng-derived snow parameters wbre comparediWith the outpllt ofa snow metamorphism model (CROCUS),viz., lower elevation of the snowcover, lhe surface grl1in size and the surface temperature. A digital elevation model was used to obtain thelocal incidenc:f angles and the elevation of each snow pixel. The pixels were then grouped according to CROCUS classification (range, elevation, slope, and orientation) and the mean snow chart;cheracteristicsfor each class were .compared with the tROCUS results. The lower limit of snow and the surface grain size derived from TM data were compared favourably with the model results. Larger differences werefound for the temperature, because it varies rapidly and is very sensitive to shadowing by the snrrounding mountains and also because its remote measurement is dependent on atmospheric conditions
Deformation of grain boundaries in polar ice
The ice microstructure (grain boundaries) is a key feature used to study ice
evolution and to investigate past climatic changes. We studied a deep ice core,
in Dome Concordia, Antarctica, which records past mechanical deformations. We
measured a "texture tensor" which characterizes the pattern geometry and
reveals local heterogeneities of deformation along the core. These results
question key assumptions of the current models used for dating
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