38 research outputs found
Impulsive Response of Cantilever Beams
No full textTitle: Impulsive Response of Cantilever Beams, Author: Azfar Saeed, Location: ThodeThis thesis describes the analytical and experimental study of cantilever beams subjected to impulse at their tips. Tests were conducted on four beam specimens. These tests were carried out for the purpose of investigating the validity of the theory as presented in this thesis.ThesisMaster of Engineering (ME
Combined performance of coding and equalization for data transmitted over a fading channel
No full textDue to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references.Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.The problem of data loss on a RF channel has been approached from various perspectives. This research employs Reed Solomon (RS) encodina to combat burst noise and Bilnd Equalization to overcome Inter S Symbol Interference (ISI). This simulation of a RF channel is an improvement over the software based simulation because the processes of modulation, demodulation and channel simulation are done in hardware instead of software. Moreover, the BER curves show that equalization carried out in this research has' little effect on the bit error rate implying that the ISI 0 present in this channel cannot be eliminated using blind equalization with Godard's criterion. However, the RS codes combined with bit interleaving can result in a gain of 0 about 2dB at a bit error probability of 10-'. This hardware based approach has also reduced the time required to. simulate the channel from about 10hours to 20minutes
Cognitive Procedures and Hyperbolic Discounting
No full text"Hyperbolic discount functions are characterized by a relatively high discount rate over short horizons and a relatively low discount rate over long horizons" (Laibson 1997).We suggest two cognitive procedures where individuals perceive future utility as decreasing at a decreasing rate as a function of time.Such a perception is similar to hyperbolic discounting.The first procedure shows that individuals hyperbolically discount marginal utility from money when they follow a cognitive procedure in which they believe that their wealth might increase or decrease in each future period under the constraint of a perceived small probability that wealth will decrease below its current level.The second procedure shows that individuals hyperbolically discount expected utility from consumption when they believe that they will rationalize their actions and thus alter their utility function over time.The difference in how perceived utility changes over the short and long horizon generates the hyperbolic discounting phenomenon.We find that greater tendencies toward rationalization and greater volatility in consumption increase the hyperbolic discounting phenomenon. Although hyperbolic disc ounting is usually regarded as impulsive and irrational, Azfar (1999) and this author suggest that hyperbolic discounting may be rational in some cases.cognitive process;preferences;bias;rationality;marginalism
Creating an efficient financial system : challenges in a global economy
No full textFinancial sector development fosters economic growth and reduces poverty by widening and broadening access to finance and allocating society's savings more efficiently. The author first discusses three pillars on which sound and efficient financial systems are built: macroeconomic stability and effective and reliable contractual and informational frameworks. He then describes three different approaches to government involvement in the financial sector: the laissez-faire view, the market-failure view and the market-enabling view. Finally, the author analyzes the sequencing of financial sector reforms and discusses the benefits and challenges that emerging markets face when opening their financial systems to international capital markets.Banks&Banking Reform,Financial Intermediation,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Economic Theory&Research,Insurance&Risk Mitigation
Lectures in relativistic quantum mechanics: an introductory course for postgraduates in particle physics
No full textThis book is based on a series of lectures taught by the author to all incoming first year Oxford University postgraduates in experimental particle physics. It begins by deriving the Dirac equation and incorporating the electro-magnetic interaction and calculating several bread and butter processes at tree level using the Feynman Stueckelberg approach: Mott scattering, electron-electron scattering, electron-positron scattering, Compton scattering, Bremsstrahlung and electron-positron to muon-anti-muon. The intention is for the student to become fluent in detail with all the steps leading to the calculation of these processes. Every step is motivated using the most basic arguments
RTK GPS Performance Assessment for Long Baseline Deformation Monitoring
No full textAn offshore platform or correctly is a large structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing. For a normal GPS, after we obtained the coordinates of certain point, we have to process them and this will take time. For RTK GPS, it is real time process. It means that the data obtained can be processed on time and this can reduce time and occupation load. When a platform is hit by external forces, it will move a little bit from its original position, maybe just about 10cm. How can we measure the movement of the platform at the middle of the sea? This project work will be using the knowledge that author had learnt during the period of study. It is a method to test for the practicality of the knowledge that had been learned. In conducting this project, the author has to study about RTK GPS performance, understand the concept and the functions of RTK GPS. Next, some tests are going to be conducted, which is distance, accuracy, precision, and performance of RTK GPS single-based test
Foreign direct investment in Africa : policies also matter
No full textAfrica has not succeeded in attracting much foreign direct investment in the past few decades. When countries did attract multinational companies, it was principally because of their (abundant) natural resources and the size of their domestic market. Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and South Africa have traditionally been the main recipients of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. But the author shows that a few Sub-Saharan countries have generated interest among international investors by improving their business environment. In the 1990s, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, and Senegal attracted substantial foreign direct investment--more so than countries with bigger domestic markets (Cameroon, Republic of Congo, and Kenya) and greater natural resources (Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe). Mali and Mozambique, which improved their business climate spectacularly in the 1990s, did so with a few strategic actions: liberalizing trade, launching an attractive privatization program, modernizing mining and investment codes, adopting international agreements on foreign direct investment, developing a few priority projects that had multiplier effects on other investment projects, and mounting an image-building effort in which political figures such as the nation's president participated. These actions are similar to those associated with the success of other small countries with limited natural resources, such as Ireland and Singapore about 20 years ago.Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Governance Indicators,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Foreign Direct Investment
