Oscillation of harmonic functions for subordinate Brownian motion and its applications

In this paper, we establish an oscillation estimate of nonnegative harmonic functions for a pure-jump subordinate Brownian motion. The infinitesimal generator of such subordinate Brownian motion is an integro-differential operator. As an application, we give a probabilistic proof of the following form of relative Fatou theorem for such subordinate Brownian motion X in bounded kappa-fat open set; if u is a positive harmonic function with respect to X in a bounded kappa-fat open set D and h is a positive harmonic function in D vanishing on D^c, then the non-tangential limit of u/h exists almost everywhere with respect to the Martin-representing measure of h.Comment: 24pages. To appear in Stochastic Processes and their Applications (http://www.journals.elsevier.com/stochastic-processes-and-their-applications

New Measures of Economic Security and Development: Savings Goals for Short-Term and Long-Term Economic Needs

The long-term economic security and development of a family depend largely upon saving and asset-accumulation, yet most measures of economic well-being focus on short-term consumption needs. This study takes a broader view, developing precautionary, retirement, homeownership and education savings goals. Together these savings goals constitute a new set of asset-based measures of family financial well-being. Estimated savings needs depend upon family type and other assumptions, and we consider investment gains and differences in dollar values over time in our calculations. This study shows that families should save $155 to$572 every month to address all four savings needs. The number of children in a family affects total monthly savings goals considerably, but the number of adults has limited impact. The study’s savings goals can assist families in making financial plans and provide target savings amounts to inform public discussion and policies

Healing Interior: Using Eastern Design Principles in Hotel Design

The main goal of this thesis is to explore how interior spaces in hotel designs can provide a less stressful environment and promote health and harmony by using Feng Shui Principles. It will first discuss the principles of Feng Shui and general hotel design, and then move on to demonstrate how the application of Feng Shui principles can be used to create a hotel environment that encourages health and harmony in its occupants. This project will demonstrate principles that not only can be applied to hotel space, but also can be practiced in any other interior space. This thesis, therefore, demonstrates new possibilities for how care of the self is delivered and received through design

On the Load-Displacement Behavior of the Tensed Adult Upper Extremity under Impulsive End-Loads: Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Age and Gender Effects

The upper extremities are often used to protect the head and thorax by bracing for impact, particularly in falls to the ground. The impulsive loads they impose on the hand and wrist can be substantial, exceeding one body-weight. If the upper extremity then “gives way” or flexion buckles at the elbow then a head injury is likely, particularly in the elderly; but if the elbows are fully extended to prevent buckling, then the risk for wrist fracture increases. A current knowledge gap includes the biomechanical factors that determine the threshold load required to flexion-buckle the elbow of an end-loaded and pretensed human upper extremity. In this thesis we use computer simulations and in vivo experiments to explore how age, gender, initial elbow angle, arm muscle strength and pre-contraction level and lumped contractile properties about a joint affect upper extremity deflection under impulsive end-loading. The experimental results show that gender and age affect the rotational stiffness and damping coefficients of muscles acting about the elbow and shoulder when estimated by dynamic optimization. The pre-contraction levels of arm and shoulder muscles significantly affected these coefficients. Computer simulations predict that advancing age, female gender and insufficient arm and shoulder muscle pre-contraction level adversely affect upper extremity buckling loads. Kinetic, kinematic and myoelectric studies suggest the speed of propagation of the impulsive load along the upper extremity is such that arm and shoulder muscles must be pretensed prior to impact: no neuromuscular reflex is rapid enough to increase arm muscle tensile stiffness to prevent flexion buckling. Pre-contraction level and gender significantly affected the rate of propagation of an impulse along the upper extremity. The findings provide a framework for better understanding how biomechanical factors determine whether or not an arm will buckle when end-loaded during a fall arrest. We conclude that in order to help safely arrest falls older women and men need to avoid using hyperextended arms when possible, use an adequate pre-contraction level in the arm muscles to prevent buckling, and maintain as much arm protraction strength as possible, perhaps most conveniently by regular push-up exercises.PHDMechanical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107132/1/yunjulee_1.pd

Seoul Hope Plus Savings Accounts: Asset-Building Program for Low-Income Households in Seoul

Seoul Hope Plus Savings Accounts: Asset-Building Program for Low-Income Households in Seou

Sustained, Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to CH₄ in a Continuous Flow Reactor by Earth-Abundant Materials: Reduced Titania-Cu₂O Z-Scheme Heterostructures

Photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ and water vapor to hydrocarbon fuels is a promising approach for storing solar energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, still certain issues including low product yields, limited photocatalyst stability and relatively high cost have hampered practical implementation of this technology. In the present work, a unique strategy is adopted to synthesize a stable, and inexpensive photocatalyst comprised of earth-abundant materials: a reduced titania-Cu₂O Z-scheme heterostructure. Under illumination for 6 h, the optimized reduced titania-Cu₂O photocatalyst enables 0.13 % photoreduction of highly diluted CO₂ with water vapors to 462nmol g⁻¹ of CH₄ while showing excellent stability over seven testing cycles (42 h). Our studies show the Z-scheme inhibits Cu₂O photocorrosion, while its synergistic effects with reduced titania result in sustained CH₄ formation in a continuous flow photoreactor. To the best of our knowledge stability exhibited by the reduced titania-Cu₂O Z-scheme is the highest for any Cu-based photocatalyst

International Child Development Accounts

This Working Paper has been submitted for inclusion in the new online edition of theEncyclopedia of Social Work, which is published by Oxford University Press. The paper discusses efforts to implement Child Development Accounts in the United States and numerous other countries. Child Development Accounts (CDAs) are subsidized savings or investment accounts to help people accumulate assets for developmental purposes and life course needs. They are envisioned as universal (everyone participates), progressive (greater subsidies for the poor), and potentially lifelong national policy. These features distinguish CDAs from most existing asset-building policies and programs around the world, which are typically regressive, giving greater benefits to the well-off. With policy innovation in recent years, several countries now have national CDA policies, and four states in the United States have statewide programs. Some of these are designed to be universal and progressive. Evidence indicates that true universality can be achieved, but only with automatic account opening and automatic deposits. In the absence of automatic features, advantaged families participate and benefit more. Today, momentum for universal and automatic features is gradually gaining traction and accelerating. At this stage in the emergence of inclusive asset-based policy, this is the most important development

CO_2, water, and sunlight to hydrocarbon fuels: a sustained sunlight to fuel (Joule-to-Joule) photoconversion efficiency of 1%

If we wish to sustain our terrestrial ecosphere as we know it, then reducing the concentration of atmospheric CO_2 is of critical importance. An ideal pathway for achieving this would be the use of sunlight to recycle CO_2, in combination with water, into hydrocarbon fuels compatible with our current energy infrastructure. However, while the concept is intriguing such a technology has not been viable due to the vanishingly small CO_2-to-fuel photoconversion efficiencies achieved. Herein we report a photocatalyst, reduced blue-titania sensitized with bimetallic Cu–Pt nanoparticles that generates a substantial amount of both methane and ethane by CO_2 photoreduction under artificial sunlight (AM1.5): over a 6 h period 3.0 mmol g^(−1) methane and 0.15 mmol g^(−1) ethane are obtained (on an area normalized basis 0.244 mol m^(−2) methane and 0.012 mol m^(−2) ethane), while no H_2 nor CO is detected. This activity (6 h) translates into a sustained Joule (sunlight) to Joule (fuel) photoconversion efficiency of 1%, with an apparent quantum efficiency of φ = 86%. The time-dependent photoconversion efficiency over 0.5 h intervals yields a maximum value of 3.3% (φ = 92%). Isotopic tracer experiments confirm the hydrocarbon products originate from CO_2 and water

Lactobacillus sakei suppresses collagen-induced arthritis and modulates the differentiation of T helper 17 cells and regulatory B cells

Abstract Background To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus sakei in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in human immune cells. Methods We evaluated whether L. sakei reduced the severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and modulated interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 levels, as well as whether it affected the differentiation of CD4+ T cells and regulatory B cells. We evaluated osteoclastogenesis after culturing bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells with L. sakei. Results The differentiation of T helper 17 cells and the serum level of IL-17 were suppressed by L. sakei in both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mouse splenocytes. The serum level of IL-10 was significantly increased in the L. sakei-treated group, whereas the regulatory T cell population was unchanged. The population of regulatory B cells significantly increased the in L. sakei-treated group. Oral administration of L. sakei reduced the arthritis incidence and score in mice with CIA. Finally, osteoclastogenesis and the mRNA levels of osteoclast-related genes were suppressed in the L. sakei-treated group. Conclusion L. sakei exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in an animal model of RA, regulated Th17 and regulatory B cell differentiation, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis. Our findings suggest that L. sakei has therapeutic potential for RA