Threshold Effects in Cigarette Addiction: An Application of the Threshold Model in Dynamic Panels

We adopt the threshold model of myopic cigarette addiction to US state-level panel data. The threshold model is used to identify the structural effects of cigarette demand determinants across the income stratification. Furthermore, we apply a bootstrap approach to correct for the small-sample bias that arises in the dynamic panel threshold model with fixed effects. Our empirical results indicate that there exists the heterogeneity of smoking dynamics across consumers.Cigarettes demand, price elasticity, threshold regression model, dynamic panel model, bias correction, bootstrap

Particle swarm optimization algorithm and its application to clustering analysis

[[abstract]]Clustering analysis is applied generally to pattern recognition, color quantization and image classification. It can help the user to distinguish the structure of data and simplify the complexity of data from mass information. The user can understand the implied information behind extracting these data. In real case, the distribution of information can be any size and shape. A particle swarm optimization algorithm-based technique, called PSO-clustering, is proposed in this article. We adopt the particle swarm optimization to search the cluster center in the arbitrary data set automatically. PSO can search the best solution from the probability option of the social-only model and cognition-only model. This method is quite simple and valid, and it can avoid the minimum local value. Finally, the effectiveness of the PSO-clustering is demonstrated on four artificial data sets.[[conferencetype]]國內[[iscallforpapers]]Y[[conferencelocation]]Taiwa

Summary of Dissertation Recitals Three Programs of Tuba Music

Three tuba recitals were given in lieu of a written dissertation. These recitals were programed in ways that represent a wide spectrum of solo tuba music in the simplest setting–a tuba and a piano. The first recital contained selected repertoire from the 2016 Internationaler Instrumentalwettbewerb Markneukirchen, one of the most prestigious tuba solo competitions held every four years in Markneukirchen, Germany. The program was comprised of exclusively original works. The second recital consisted of dance music in styles ranging from the slow, courtly pavane to Beatles and modern tango. Repertoire selected for the third recital reflects the instrument’s versatility, and challenges the soloist’s virtuosity. With the simplicity of instrumentation, these recitals presented a comprehensive framework of solo tuba repertoire. Thursday, September 22, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, The University of Michigan. Amy Ige, piano. Rainer Lischka, Pronto; Erland von Koch, Monolog, no. 9; Malcolm Arnold, Fantasy for Tuba, op. 102; Anthony Plog, Tuba Sonata; Barbara York, Through the Tunnel; Alexandre Arutiunian, Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra. Friday, December 2, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, The University of Michigan. Amy Ige, piano. Thierry Thibault, 3 Danses; Elizabeth Raum, Sweet Dances; Benjamin McMillan, Nomadic Dances; Maurice Ravel, Pavane pour une infante défunte; Alec Wilder, Suite no. 1 for Tuba and Piano, “Effie Suite”. Sunday, February 5, 2017, 5:00 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, The University of Michigan. Amy Ige, piano. Francis Poulenc, Tel jour, telle nuit; Paul Hindemith, Sonate; John Stevens, Triumph of the Demon Gods; Roland Szentpali, Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra.AMUMusic: PerformanceUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147699/1/tubaycc_1.pd

A STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE FROM DIFFERENT RUNNING SLOPE ON THE ANGLES OF LIMB JOINTS

This study focuses on an analysis and comparison of the hip, knee, and ankle joint angle changes and differences during the stance and swing phase of the running gait cycle while running on the same uphill or downhill gradient as well as the lower joint angle changes while running on different uphill or downhill inclines or on level ground. This study should also provide insight into whether or not there is a significant difference between the lower joint angle patterns while running on slopes of different steepness, which in turn can serve as a reference for runners and coaches for uphill or downhill running training or workout exercises. For this study we employed a high-speed camera, which allows us to capture the running motion cycles of the sagittal plane of test subjects while running on different uphill or downhill gradients. Motion analysis software was employed for data compilation, while a comparative analysis was conducted by utilizing statistical software. After extensive discussions and analysis, we reached the following conclusions: 1. Slope gradient changes have a significant impact on hip joint angles during the stance phase. The steeper the incline is, the greater is the difference between the hip joint angles. 2. Slope gradient changes have a significant effect on joint angle changes during the swing phase. The steeper the uphill gradient, the smaller are the hip, knee, and ankle joint angles, while steeper downhill gradients lead to larger hip and knee joint angles. 3. A comparison of the changes of all joint angles during uphill, downhill, and level ground running reveals that angle changes during uphill running are greater than during downhill running. It can be inferred that this phenomenon is caused by the fact that the number of muscle groups involved in uphill running is larger than in downhill running