Generalized composition law from 2x2 matrices

Many results that are difficult can be found more easily by using a generalization in the complex plane of Einstein's addition law of parallel velocities. Such a generalization is a natural way to add quantities that are limited to bounded values. We show how this generalization directly provides phase factors such as the Wigner angle in special relativity and how this generalization is connected in the simplest case with the composition of 2x2 S matrices.Comment: Accepted for publication in Am. J. Phy

Efficient Mechanisms for Access to Storage with Imperfect Competition in Gas Markets

Scarce storage capacity and distortions in access to gas storage are considered causes of market foreclosure in liberalized gas markets. We consider rules currently adopted in Europe for storage rationing and propose efficient rationing mechanism based on the value of storage, when other flexibility inputs are available. Firstly we analyse productive efficiency issues neglecting vertical restraints and strategic behaviour in the final market. Then we assume imperfect compettion in the downstream market for gas supplies, given the avaialbility of storage capacity upstream. We consider effciency issues in a two stage model comparing regulated storage tariffs – coupled with a centralizedrationing mechanism – with storage auctions. Finally we consider as an optimal mechanism the allocation of storage arising from welfare maximization by a social planner. We find that it is usually optimal to maximize the amount of storage capacity allocated to new entrants in the gas markets. Storage auctions deviates from the optimal mechanism, but still improve efficiency, with respect to current mechanisms, to the extent that they allocate storage according to its value. Furthermore storage allocation appear to be an extremeley powerful mechanism to improve competition and efficiency in gas markets.Liberalization, Auctions, Essential Facilities

Positive Impact of Peer Mentorships in the Project Panther LIFE Program

FIU’s Project Panther LIFE is a program that allows students with Intellectual Disabilities to have a full college experience. Project Panther LIFE students receive support from their Academic Mentors and Peer Coaches during the academic year. This study examines the positive impacts of peer relationships between Panther LIFE students and their mentor support system

Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Higher Education through Mentoring

Federal legislation is now making it possible for students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) to enroll in university programs through inclusive transition models. The need for more knowledge in the workplace, in addition to newly acquired opportunities, draws students with ID to college campuses. With this increase of student in postsecondary education settings, it is necessary to examine the types of supports needed to ensure their success. Peer mentorship has been identified as a crucial aspect of support for academic and social development. This paper identifies the skills mentors use during their sessions and outlines challenges with mentoring partnerships in postsecondary transition programs. Data analysis revealed major themes related to inclusion, self-determination, and adaptive behavior skills

Positive Impact

FIU’s Project Panther LIFE is a program that allows students with Intellectual Disabilities to have a full college experience. Project Panther LIFE students receive support from their Academic Mentors and Peer Coaches during the academic year. This study examines the positive impacts of peer relationships between Panther LIFE students and their mentor support system

Increasing Informal Learning Opportunities for Teachers in the School Setting

This paper comprehensively defines how to implement informal learning strategies into the classroom setting using Marsick and Watkins’s Incidental Learning Model (2001). Existing barriers that stand between educators and informal learning in the school setting are explained. Implications for removing said inhibitors while increasing learning are explicated

Using the HPST Framework to improve Reading Comprehension with Students with Intellectual Disabilities in a University Setting

The HPST Framework, a guide developed for document analysis (Pombo,2015), was implemented in a post secondary transition program at Florida International University. The purpose of this study was to explore the necessary adaptions for the implementation with students with ID at the university level as well as their reading comprehension outcomes

Sending femtosecond pulses in circles: highly non-paraxial accelerating beams

We use caustic beam shaping on 100 fs pulses to experimentally generate non-paraxial accelerating beams along a 60 degree circular arc, moving laterally by 14 \mum over a 28 \mum propagation length. This is the highest degree of transverse acceleration reported to our knowledge. Using diffraction integral theory and numerical beam propagation simulations, we show that circular acceleration trajectories represent a unique class of non-paraxial diffraction-free beam profile which also preserves the femtosecond temporal structure in the vicinity of the caustic