Scaling up and Crowding out: How German Adult Education Centers Adapted Course Offers to Refugee Integration

2021 ◽  
pp. 074171362110688
Author(s):  
Stephan L. Thomsen ◽  
Insa Weilage
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Crowding Out ◽  
Random Allocation ◽  
Refugee Integration ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Course Experience ◽  
The Cost

Language skills are central to refugee integration and the availability of language courses could thus be a limiting factor. We explore how the most important provider of language courses in Germany, adult education centers (VHS), adapted their course supply to the refugee wave of 2015/2016. Our results highlight two channels through which the local environment can affect opportunities for participation in adult learning: First, exploiting the quasi-random allocation of refugees to counties, we causally estimate by how much VHS scaled up their German language course (DAF) supply as a reaction. Moreover, we show that DAF courses were created almost exclusively at the cost of other courses, that is, by crowding out. Second, we uncover heterogeneities in scaling success. VHS with more prior DAF course experience and larger VHS adapted better, which shows the relevance of initial conditions in course offers.

High-order relaxation approaches for adjoint-based optimal control problems governed by nonlinear hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elimboto M. Yohana ◽  
Mapundi K. Banda
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Conservation Laws ◽  
Optimal Control Problems ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Hyperbolic Systems ◽  
Control Problems ◽  
Computational Investigation ◽  
Backward Problem ◽  
Systems Of Conservation Laws ◽  
The Cost

AbstractA computational investigation of optimal control problems which are constrained by hyperbolic systems of conservation laws is presented. The general framework is to employ the adjoint-based optimization to minimize the cost functional of matching-type between the optimal and the target solution. Extension of the numerical schemes to second-order accuracy for systems for the forward and backward problem are applied. In addition a comparative study of two relaxation approaches as solvers for hyperbolic systems is undertaken. In particular optimal control of the 1-D Riemann problem of Euler equations of gas dynamics is studied. The initial values are used as control parameters. The numerical flow obtained by optimal initial conditions matches accurately with observations.

Capital Regulation and Bank Deposits*

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 831-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Arping
Keyword(s):  
Recent Literature ◽  
Capital Requirements ◽  
Capital Regulation ◽  
Crowding Out ◽  
Bank Capital ◽  
Bank Deposits ◽  
Small Rise ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Recent literature suggests that higher capital requirements for banks might lead to a socially costly crowding out of deposits by equity. This paper shows that additional equity in banks can help to crowd in deposits. Intuitively, as banks have more equity and become safer, the cost of deposit funding may decline; this, in turn, can encourage banks to expand their deposits. However, I also find that, for this effect to occur, capital requirements may have to be stringent enough: When bank capital is low, a small rise in capital requirements can cause banks to substitute equity for deposits. Overall, a non-monotonic relationship between the required amount of equity in banks and their level of deposit funding obtains.

scholarly journals A method for estimating Hill function-based dynamic models of gene regulatory networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 171226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Ehsan Elahi ◽  
Ammar Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Continuous Models ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
The Cost

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are quite large and complex. To better understand and analyse GRNs, mathematical models are being employed. Different types of models, such as logical, continuous and stochastic models, can be used to describe GRNs. In this paper, we present a new approach to identify continuous models, because they are more suitable for large number of genes and quantitative analysis. One of the most promising techniques for identifying continuous models of GRNs is based on Hill functions and the generalized profiling method (GPM). The advantage of this approach is low computational cost and insensitivity to initial conditions. In the GPM, a constrained nonlinear optimization problem has to be solved that is usually underdetermined. In this paper, we propose a new optimization approach in which we reformulate the optimization problem such that constraints are embedded implicitly in the cost function. Moreover, we propose to split the unknown parameter in two sets based on the structure of Hill functions. These two sets are estimated separately to resolve the issue of the underdetermined problem. As a case study, we apply the proposed technique on the SOS response in Escherichia coli and compare the results with the existing literature.

scholarly journals High and dry: Trade-off in arboreal calling in a treefrog mediated by local environment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S Cicchino ◽  
Nicholas A Cairns ◽  
Grégory Bulté ◽  
Stephen C Lougheed
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Calling Behavior ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Trade-offs shaping behavioral variation are often influenced by the environment. We investigated the role that the environment plays in mediating trade-offs using a widespread frog with a conspicuous mating display, Pseudacris crucifer. We first demonstrated, using playback and desiccation experiments, that calling site selection involves a trade-off between sound transmission and desiccation. We then determined the influence of local environmental conditions on the intensity of the trade-off by examining range-wide behavioral and environmental data. We showed that the benefit of improved call transmission is positively influenced by vegetation density and ground cover. Behavioral data are consistent with this relationship: sites with a greater transmission benefit have increased prevalence of arboreally calling males. We also found that the prevalence of arboreal calling behavior increases with relative humidity and air temperature, suggesting an influence of these environmental variables on the desiccation cost of arboreal calling. This study provides a clear example of the role of the environment in mediating trade-off intensities and shaping critical behavioral traits. Local environment mediates the intensity of a trade-off associated with arboreal calling behavior in a treefrog. Combining observational and experimental approaches, we show that arboreal calling behavior increases the transmission of a mating call while potentially subjecting individuals to a rate of desiccation six times greater than terrestrial calling. Local environmental conditions influence both the benefit and the cost of this trade-off, subjecting different populations to varying trade-off intensities and shaping arboreal calling behavior.

Progress in sensor technology - progress in process control? Part I: Sensor property investigation and classification

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Rieger ◽  
J. Alex ◽  
S. Winkler ◽  
M. Boehler ◽  
M. Thomann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Sensor Technology ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Test Environment ◽  
Sensor Property ◽  
Sensor Models ◽  
The Cost ◽  
And Control ◽  
Measurement And Control

To ensure correctly operating control systems, the measurement and control equipment in WWTPs must be mutually consistent. The dynamic simulation of activated sludge systems could offer a suitable tool for designing and optimising control strategies. Ideal or simplified sensor models represent a limiting factor for comparability with field applications. More realistic sensor models are therefore required. Two groups of sensor models are proposed on the basis of field and laboratory tests: one for specific sensors and another for a classification of sensor types to be used with the COST simulation benchmark environment. This should lead to a more realistic test environment and allow control engineers to define the requirements of the measuring equipment as a function of the selected control strategy.

The Organization of Cooperative Effort by Multiple Hospitals, Exemplified by Testing of Therapeutic Agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis

1962 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 06-09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Random Allocation ◽  
Patient Assessment ◽  
Cooperative Effort ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Advance Planning ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Multi Center Study ◽  
The Cost

The advantage of a multi-center clinical investigation lies in the possibility of obtaining conclusive results on the basis of relatively few numbers of patients from each of the participating institutions. It has the disadvantage of a lack of uniformity of methods among centers, which must be overcome by careful advance planning, including the institution of a central coordinating unit, the biometrical unit. Its functions include (1) participation in the planning of all phases of the investigation, (2) editing and processing of the data, and (3) analysis of the data and evaluation of results.Three devices for promoting uniformity of methods are: (1) the protocal, (2) specially designed record forms, and (3) visits to participating centers by a team of observers, including the statistician. The protocol is the document which contains all important specification for the conduct of the investigation, including statement of purpose of the study, definition of the study population, and explicit instructions on methods of patient assessment.In a clinical trial, the biometrical unit prepares the random allocation of treatments to patients. Stratification may be used to make comparisons between strata, and/or increase the sensitivity of the experiment. Stratification by exclusion may increase sensitivity at the cost of restricting the generality of results.A well-planned multi-center study, in which the members really cooperate, may achieve objectives exceeding the scope of single-center studies and provide a setting for the fruitful exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Computational Fluid Dynamics in Undergraduate Engineering Education: A Short Introductory Tutorial to OpenFOAM

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivaylo Nedyalkov ◽  
Martin Wosnik
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Specific Flow ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Cost

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become a widely used tool in industry as the cost for simulations is usually lower than the cost for multiple experiments. CFD is an effective tool for comparing design alternatives, investigating specific flow features and in some cases it may be the only feasible option for studying engineering flows. As a result, the demand for mechanical engineers with CFD skills keeps increasing. Nevertheless CFD is still not adequately presented in undergraduate engineering curricula, which can lead to expensive mistakes, if for example it is relied on without understanding its limitations. One excellent platform for CFD, which can be introduced to fluid mechanics classes, is the open-source environment OpenFOAM, which is widely used in both academia and industry. In addition to being open-source, OpenFOAM code can be viewed and modified by the user, and a wide range of modules for OpenFOAM are available with new modules being developed constantly. One major disadvantage, however, is that OpenFOAM has a rather steep learning curve and although there are many resources available online, it is difficult to find short introductory courses. A tutorial was developed to provide a brief introduction to OpenFOAM and allow the students to perform simple simulations. Upon completing the tutorial, the students can build their own simulations. The tutorial covers geometry, mesh, boundary and initial conditions, solvers, schemes, post processing, and some additional features, such as shell scripts and parallel processing. A large portion of the tutorial is devoted to the geometry and mesh generation as this is one of the more challenging aspects of OpenFOAM compared to conventional graphical user interface CFD packages. Nevertheless, the students are exposed to the importance of properly setting the other simulation parameters through simple examples — e.g., comparing 2D channel flow simulations using potential flow and using turbulence modeling. One crucial aspect of the tutorial is that students are encouraged to experiment with deliberate modifications of the simulations to experience and understand how some of them do not provide reasonable results. Although the tutorial is rather brief and does not cover the topics in much detail, it aims to familiarize students with the basics of OpenFOAM, so that they can better understand other relevant resources. The OpenFOAM tutorial offers an alternative introduction to CFD compared to commercial CFD packages, which may not be readily available. The tutorial has already been utilized for three consecutive years at the University of New Hampshire, mostly by undergraduate students who worked/are working on senior projects involving CFD. The feedback has been generally positive.

Cost–benefit evaluation of a decentralized water system for wastewater reuse and environmental protection

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1515-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chen ◽  
X. C. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Water System ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Benefit Evaluation ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Project Costs ◽  
The Cost

This paper proposed a net benefit value (NBV) model for cost–benefit evaluation of wastewater treatment and reuse projects, and attention was mainly paid to decentralized systems which are drawing wide interests all over the world especially in the water-deficient countries and regions. In the NBV model, all the factors related to project costs are monetary ones which can be calculated by using traditional methods, while many of the factors related to project benefits are non-monetary ones which need sophisticated methods for monetization. In this regard, the authors elaborated several methods for monetization of the benefits from wastewater discharge reduction, local environment improvement, and human health protection. The proposed model and methods were applied for the cost–benefit evaluation of a decentralized water reclamation and reuse project in a newly developed residential area in Xi'an, China. The system with dual-pipe collection and grey water treatment and reuse was found to be economically ineligible (NBV > 0) when all the treated water is reused for artificial pond replenishment, gardening and other non-potable purposes by taking into account the benefit of water saving. As environmental benefits are further considered, the economic advantage of the project is more significant.

scholarly journals Graphene: A new technology for agriculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e56610212827
Author(s):  
André May ◽  
Luciana Fontes Coelho ◽  
Evandro Henrique Figueiredo Moura da Silva ◽  
Ronaldo da Silva Viana ◽  
Nilson Aparecido Vieira Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Contaminant Removal ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
The Cost

This article presents a review on the use of graphene in various segments, elucidating that this product can be used in various industrial sectors. These include mainly agriculture (as in large crops of high relevance, such as coffee), the food industry and the environment, as a plant growth stimulator and in fertilizers, nanoencapsulation and smart-release systems, antifungal and antibacterial agents, smart packaging, water treatment and ultrafiltration, contaminant removal, pesticide and insecticide quantitation, detection systems and precision agriculture. However, some challenges can be overcome before the graphene-based nanoparticle is used on a large scale. In this way, before using the product in the environment, it is necessary to determine whether the technology is safe for the soil-plant system and consumers. Furthermore, the cost of its use can also be a limiting factor depending on the level applied. Therefore, this review proposes to examine the diverse literature to explain the effects of the use of graphene in agriculture, plants and soil microorganisms. Accordingly, this article discusses and presents the possibilities of application of graphene in agriculture, plants and soil microorganisms.

scholarly journals SINGULARITY-FREE BUNDLE ADJUSTMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol V-2-2020 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
E. Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Error Function ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Bundle Adjustment ◽  
Aerial Imagery ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Reprojection Error ◽  
Motion Problem ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Orientation Structure

Abstract. The photogrammetric bundle adjustment is well-behaved in the case of structured aerial imagery looking in the nadir direction. That is less so in the case of ground-level imagery with less structure and potentially looking in any direction. Besides, the cost function based on reprojection errors of tie points is not defined everywhere and exhibits singularities which renders this bundle adjustment process sensitive to initial conditions and outliers. In order to handle difficult configurations without incurring the risks posed by the reprojection function, we propose a new error function that is equivalent to the reprojection error when this error tends to zero, and that enjoys many desirables properties, such as being defined everywhere and being continuous. This allows an easier implementation of a robust bundle adjustment, and incidentally it also allows to solve derivative problems such as triangulating points starting from arbitrary initial positions, or estimating the relative positions of calibrated and oriented cameras starting from arbitrary positions, thus offering a simple solution to the known-orientation structure-from-motion problem.

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