Profit Maximization In The National Football League

This paper investigates if NFL teams maximize profits with respect to ticket price.  We modify Ferguson et al’s (1991) NHL paper as it pertains to the NFL.  A profit function incorporating variable revenue and cost factors such as gate receipts and player expenses is employed.  A systems model is used as the estimation procedure to identify the determinants of ticket prices for NFL franchises.  The model implies a Kuhn-Tucker based cross equation parameter restriction that result from attendance capacity constraints.  Results from the regression are then used in conjunction with other data to numerically test the first order necessary profit maximization conditions.  The results indicate that over 80% of NFL teams set ticket prices in a manner consistent with gate receipt and profit maximization

Bi-directional Photogoniometer for the Assessment of the Luminous Properties of Fenestration Systems

Most energy saving applications of advanced fenestration systems (solar blinds, novel types of glazing and daylight redirecting devices) require a precise knowledge of their directional light transmission features. These photometric properties can be described by a Bi-directional Transmission Distribution Function (BTDF) whose experimental assessment requires appropriate equipment. A novel bi-directional transmission photogoniometer, based on digital imaging techniques, was designed and set up for that purpose. The apparatus takes advantage of a modern video image capturing device (CCD digital camera) as well as of powerful image analysis software (pattern recognition) to considerably reduce the scanning time of a BTDF measurement, in comparison to existing devices that use a conventional approach (mobile photometer). A detailed calibration and validation procedure was used to obtain optimal experimental accuracy for the device during the assessment of BTDF data. It included a spectral, a photometric and a geometrical calibration of the digital video system, as well as several additional corrections, leading to an overall relative accuracy better than 11% for BTDF data. A special effort was made to improve the user-friendliness of BTDF measurement by facilitating the data acquisition and treatment (definition of a data acquisition and electronic data format) and by offering different possibilities of BTDF visualisation (hemispherical representation, axonometric view of photometric solids, C-planes). Overall, the photometric equipment was used to assess the BTDFs of more than 20 novel fenestration products of the industrial partner of the project (Baumann-Hüppe Storen AG). The experimental data produced was successfully used by the company to optimise the visual and energy saving performance of their products, which confirms the adequacy of the novel bi-directional photogoniometer for practical building applications

Age-related glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in Milan normotensive rats: A podocyte disease

Age-related glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in Milan normotensive rats: A podocyte disease. In Milan normotensive (MNS) rats glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis develop spontaneously in the absence of hypertension. Renal changes were sequentially assessed in these rats between 2 and 10 months of age. At 10 months, rats were characterized by heavy proteinuria, increased serum creatinine, focal or global glomerulosclerosis in 51 ± 12% of the glomeruli as well as tubulointerstitial injury involving > 25% of the section area. Cell injury in podocytes (evidenced as increased expression of desmin and by electron microscopy) and interstitial fibroblasts (increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin) and mild glomerular hypertrophy were witnessed as early as three to four months of age and preceded glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Only minor evidence of mesangial cell activation (as assessed by glomerular de novo α-smooth muscle actin or type I collagen expression or increased cell proliferation) was noted throughout the observation period. Later stages of the disease were characterized by glomerular and/or tubulointerstitial macrophage influx and osteopontin expression (a chemoattractant), mild accumulation of lymphocytes, platelets, fibrinogen, as well as by a progressive accumulation of various matrix proteins. Progressive renal disease in MNS rats is thus noteworthy for the relative lack of mesangial cell activation. Rather, early podocyte damage, induced by yet unknown mechanisms, may underlie the development of glomerulosclerosis and subsequent interstitial fibrosis

The concept of solidarity: emerging from the theoretical shadows?

The concept of solidarity has been relatively neglected by social scientists since Durkheim's pioneering work in the late 19th century. The discipline of politics has been guilty of overlooking this 'subjective' element of community life, but recent works by Stjernø and Brunkhorst reflect a growing awareness of the theoretical significance of the concept. Whereas early liberal attempts to theorise solidarity took the nation state to be the appropriate community for its realisation, the emergence of globalisation raises the possibility of human solidarity developing in the global community. Traditional forms of solidarity have been dissipated by the social changes accompanying globalisation, but they were often locked into the defence of particular interests. New forms may be emerging to rekindle the broader vision of human solidarity. Recent work by writers such as Habermas, Honneth, Rorty and Touraine focuses on widening and deepening democratic participation and/or the articulation of our ethical obligations in various ways. It is argued here that these perspectives need to be supplemented by a radical humanist approach grounded in a normative theory of human self-realisation

RF Sources for the ITER Ion Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive System

The RF source requirements for the ITER ion cyclotron (IC) heating and current drive system are very challenging ? 20 MW CW power into an antenna load with a VSWR of up to 2 over the frequency range of 35-65 MHz. For the two present antenna designs under consideration, 8 sources providing 2.5 MW each are to be employed. For these sources, the outputs of two final power amplifiers (FPAs), using the high power CPI 4CM2500KG tube, are combined with a 180? hybrid combiner to easily meet the ITER IC source requirements ? 2.5 MW is supplied at a VSWR of 2 at ? 70% of the maximum tube power available in class B operation. The cylindrical cavity configuration for the FPAs is quite compact so that the 8 combined sources fit into the space allocated at the ITER site with room to spare. The source configuration is described in detail and its projected operating power curves are presented. Although the CPI tube has been shown to be stable under high power operating conditions on many facilities, a test of the combined FPA source arrangement is in preparation using existing high power 30 MHz amplifiers to assure that this configuration can be made robustly stable for all phases at a VSWR up to 2. The possibility of using 12 sources to feed a suitably modified antenna design is also discussed in the context of providing flexibility for specifying the final IC antenna design