Behavioral and Economic Reasons for Homeowners’ Reticence to Install Alternative Solar Energy Systems

Institutional and Behavioral Economics,

Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Connection: Large-Format Sculpture Design

Artistry is a concept that is not usually explored in engineering yet is an invaluable skill that touches everything from product design to systems thinking. This past summer I developed conceptual designs for a large format sculpture that required connecting engineering knowledge with artistic vision. The initial phase required constant inspiration and creativity. The first step was to look at previous sculptures showcased throughout the world, such as at venues like “Burning Man,” to understand the possibilities or limitations of the space provided. Sketching varied and numerous ideas was essential in our design process. Next, we took our favorite ideas and created three dimensional renderings using various computer programs (Blender, SolidWorks) which allowed us to bring theoretical concepts into model space and explore issues of dimensionality and spatial location. These models were placed in a virtual reality setting, allowing us to walk through these to-be-created sculptures to understand how a spectator may experience the piece. We also created small-scale physical models using a solid modeling computer program and laser cutters to implement structural integrity principles and redefine limitations. In this piece I reflect upon this summer experience and the ways it changed the ways I think about engineering, design, and art

Differential dependencies of monocytes and neutrophils on dectin-1, dectin-2 and complement for the recognition of fungal particles in inflammation

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

People's Democratic Republic of Ralandia Two Case Studies

The following case studies were designed to promote class discussion on economic policy in developing countries. They are problem solving cases, self-contained, and do not require any additional data. There are three components: Ralandia (A), (B), and (C). Ralandai is a fictitious country located on the southeastern coast of Africa. Ralandia (A) gives an overview of the country, and is not in itself a case study. Ralandia (A) together with Ralandia (B) make up the case on Agricultural Policy; and Ralandia (A) together with Ralandia (C) make up the case on Macroeconomic Policy. In approaching the cases, the reader should keep in mind the following questions: what are the problems that exist; what are the factors which affect why certain policies success and others fail; what is the effect of politics on economic policy; and what are the economic implications of political acts?Center for Research on Economic Development, University of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100964/1/ECON408.pd

The impact of future time perspective and personality on the sustainable behaviours of seniors

This study examined a national sample of American seniors to determine the influence of future time perspective (FTP) and personality traits on their sustainable behaviours. Based on a sample of 520 seniors, the study found a significant positive relationship between FTP and sustainable behaviours. FTP fully mediates the impact of the conscientiousness personality trait on sustainable behaviours and partially mediates the impact of the openness and agreeableness personality traits on seniors’ sustainable behaviours. The results contribute to the extant literature by explaining that the three personality traits influence sustainable behaviours through seniors’ future time perspective. The results suggested the need for policy to focus on seniors’ future time perspective and to prioritise more conscientious, open, and agreeable personality traits when encouraging American seniors to adopt sustainable behaviours

The First Spectrum of the Coldest Brown Dwarf

The recently discovered brown dwarf WISE 0855 presents our first opportunity to directly study an object outside the Solar System that is nearly as cold as our own gas giant planets. However the traditional methodology for characterizing brown dwarfs---near infrared spectroscopy---is not currently feasible as WISE 0855 is too cold and faint. To characterize this frozen extrasolar world we obtained a 4.5-5.2 $\mu$m spectrum, the same bandpass long used to study Jupiter's deep thermal emission. Our spectrum reveals the presence of atmospheric water vapor and clouds, with an absorption profile that is strikingly similar to Jupiter. The spectrum is high enough quality to allow the investigation of dynamical and chemical processes that have long been studied in Jupiter's atmosphere, but now on an extrasolar world.Comment: submitted to ApJ