Effects Of Rate Changes Research Articles

Azotriptycenes: Photoswitchable Molecular Brakes.

The control of molecular motions is a central topic of molecular machine research. Molecular brakes are fundamental building blocks towards such goal as they allow deliberately decelerating specific motions after an outside stimulus is applied. Here we present azotriptycenes as structural framework for light-controlled molecular brakes. The intrinsic kinetics and their changes upon azotriptycene isomerization are scrutinized comprehensively by a mixed theoretical and variable temperature NMR approach. With azotriptycenes C-N bond rotation rates can be decelerated or accelerated reversibly by up to five orders of magnitude. Rate change effects are highly localized and are strongest for the C-N bond connecting a triptycene rotor fragment to the central diazo group. The detailed mechanistic insights provide a solid basis for further conscious design and applications in the future.

How Do Mortgage Rate Resets Affect Consumer Spending and Debt Repayment? Evidence from Canadian Consumers

AbstractOne of the most important channels through which monetary policy affects the real economy is changes in mortgage rates. This paper studies the effects of mortgage rate changes resulting from monetary policy shifts on homeowners' spending, debt repayment, and defaults. The Canadian institutional setting facilitates the design of identification strategies for causal inference, since the vast majority of mortgages in the country experience predetermined, periodic, and automatic contract renewals with the mortgage rate reset based on the prevailing market rate. This allows us to exploit quasi‐random variation in the timing of the rate reset and to present causal evidence for both rate declines and increases using detailed, representative consumer credit panel data. We find asymmetric effects of rate changes on spending, debt repayment, and defaults. Our results can be rationalized by the conventional cash‐flow effect in conjunction with changes in consumer expectations about future interest rates upon the reset. Given the pervasiveness of Canadian‐type mortgages in many other OECD countries, our findings have broader implications for the transmission of monetary policy to the household sector.

A Practical Narrative of Tariff Protection in Pakistan

This research work quantifies the changes in effective rates of protection in Pakistan during the last decade of 2011–20. Based on its results, it supports a more flexible trade policy in Pakistan. Further, it identifies the sectors with strong and weak long-run productive capacities and highlights the role of trade barriers in these industries. A key concern is the decreasing productive capacity of textile and leather sectors where the textile industry has the largest share in the total exports from Pakistan. Hence, there is a dire need to invest more in research and development activities in such industries. Finally, the country needs to increase its range of export items and export destinations with more favourable terms of trade, which can be achieved by reducing its historically high import tariff rates. Effective Rate of Protection, Input-Output Table, Industry, Trade, Pakistan JEL Classification: C67, D57, F6, L5, R15

The effect of small changes in rate of force development on muscle fascicle velocity and motor unit discharge behaviour

When rate of force development is increased, neural drive increases. There is presently no accepted explanation for this effect. We propose and experimentally test the theory that a small increase in rate of force development increases medial gastrocnemius fascicle shortening velocity, reducing the muscle’s force-generating capacity, leading to active motor units being recruited at lower forces and with increased discharge frequencies. Participants produced plantar flexion torques at three different rates of force development (slow: 2% MVC/s, medium: 10% MVC/s, fast: 20% MVC/s). Ultrasound imaging showed that increased rate of force development was related to higher fascicle shortening velocity (0.4 ± 0.2 mm/s, 2.0 ± 0.9 mm/s, 4.1 ± 1.9 mm/s in slow, medium, fast, respectively). In separate experiments, medial gastrocnemius motor unit recruitment thresholds and discharge frequencies were measured using fine-wire electromyography (EMG), together with surface EMG. Recruitment thresholds were lower in the fast (12.8 ± 9.2% MVC) and medium (14.5 ± 9.9% MVC) conditions compared to the slow (18.2 ± 8.9% MVC) condition. The initial discharge frequency was lower in the slow (5.8 ± 3.1 Hz) than the fast (6.7 ± 1.4 Hz), but not than the medium (6.4 ± 2.4 Hz) condition. The surface EMG was greater in the fast (mean RMS: 0.029 ± 0.017 mV) compared to the slow condition (0.019 ± 0.013 mV). We propose that the increase in muscle fascicle shortening velocity reduces the force-generating capacity of the muscle, therefore requiring greater neural drive to generate the same forces.

Analysing the impact of the parametric model correction of premium rate on financing social security's long-term commitments using actuarial knowledge

This survey involves the examination of the rate change that is the right to have insurance is one three parametric models (premium rate, experience and age of retirement in financing social security organization by using actuary knowledge and computational software such as ILO-PENS. The statistical population of this survey is the social security organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The population and community, are variables because they are huge, there is not statistical sample. And to achieve the hypothesis goal which is based on the total number of the insured persons, pensioners and the source of income of the organization from 2013 – 2019as well as estimating the number of resources available in order to fulfil long term commitment it is actuarial calculations in long term period for commitment payment in long term. In this study the effect of change in rate, insurance right is 1%-5% and the effect is considered over 70 years’ time, on the sustainability resource of the organization and it is measured and examined. In addition, considering the limitation and risk taken from these implements of the parameter are described below and according to the results obtained in case of application, the point of balance was postponed until 1413, and during this time, the necessary resources for paying the commitment is provided. The short gap is an opportunity for the social security organization, to have enough time for long term planning which is a structured reform.

Effect of Change in Rate of Emissions Furan/Dioxin of Public Health Risk on WTE Gede Bage

Effect of Change in Rate of Emissions Furan/Dioxin of Public Health Risk on WTE Gede Bage

Credit Rating Changes and Subordinated Bond Spread: Evidence from China

We examine the bond spread reaction to subordinated bond rating changes during the sample period of 2006 to 2011 and find that bond spread reacted positively to downgrades, big in magnitude, but not statistically significant. The bond spread reaction to upgrades, however, was mixed and statistically insignificant, and small in magnitude. We conjecture that the insignificant statistical results regarding the effect of rating changes may be due to the lack of informational content of the ratings assigned to the subordinated bonds by Chinese credit rating agencies (CRAs).

Preventing Patients with Crohnʼs Disease from Discontinuing Infliximab: A Dynamic Survival Model

Purpose: Infliximab (IFX) treatment has been shown in the literature to have a low rate of persistence, although there has been limited information on causes for discontinuation of IFX therapy. We reviewed charts and utilized dynamic modeling to predict the effect of a variety of interventions on the ability for patients to continue IFX in the community setting. Methods: Records of all 120 Crohn's disease patients treated with IFX at the NorthShore University HealthSystem from March 17th 2003 to September 1st 2010 were reviewed. Nine categories of reasons for discontinued treatment were found: 1) ongoing disease activity (13.3%), 2) acute infusion reactions (9.2%), 3) complications of therapy (9.17%), 4) chronic infusion reactions (6.67%), 5) health insurance reasons (5.83%), 6) patient intolerance (5.00%), 7) surgery (4.17%), 8) patient lost to follow up (4.17%), and 9) patient improved (0.83%). Reasons 1, 2, 4, and 5 were deemed points of intervention. Dose increases or changing medication could improve reason 1, premedication or changing medication could improve reasons 2 and 4, while attention to insurance could improve reason 5. We created a model to simulate IFX therapy persistence using STELLA (isee, Hanover, NH). Rates of discontinuation and timing of these occurrences used in model were determined from the collected data and simulated with Weibull distributions. Data was expressed as a Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis to show the instantaneous percent of people on the drug where infliximab persistence, represented as “survival”. We then simulated various degrees of improvement of the four previously described points of intervention and their effect on survival curves. Results: Intervention produced little effect of persistence of therapy. For example, with a 25% reduction in reasons 1, 2, 4, and 5, no improvement in overall persistence was seen (Figure 1). With a 90% reduction in all infusion reactions, only a 3-10% increase in IFX persistence is seen over 5 year period.Figure: No Caption available.Conclusion: Dynamic modeling is a constructive method for characterizing the effects of interventions to improve IFX therapy for Crohn's disease. Although improvement in persistence of IFX therapy can be achieved with aggressive interventions, marked enhancement of multiple factors are required to produce relatively small changes in the high discontinuation rate seen within the community setting.Table: Effect of changes in rate of infusion reactions on IFX persistence

Neighborhood stressors and cardiovascular health: Crime and C-reactive protein in Dallas, USA

We apply neighborhood-based theories of social organization and environmental stress to examine variation in a key indicator of inflammation-related cardiovascular risk—C-reactive protein (CRP). Specifically, we emphasize the potentially health-compromising role of rapid increases in the crime rate or “crime spikes” (focusing on a particularly fear-inducing crime – burglary). We also consider the extent to which the magnitude and significance of the association between burglary rate change and inflammatory processes varies by gender. Data on CRP, neighborhood of residence, and individual-level characteristics for adult women and men ages 30–65 are drawn from the 2000–2002 Dallas Heart Study. Results from neighborhood fixed effects models using piecewise linear splines to estimate short-term burglary rate change effects offer support for the hypothesis that crime spikes are associated with CRP. Specifically, we find that short-term burglary rate change is independently associated with CRP for men. Short-term burglary rate change was not associated with CRP for women. These findings shed light on the contextual processes that influence cardiovascular health and point to the potentially important role of short-term changes in environmental stressors in shaping health outcomes.

Capital Gains and Income Arising from Nonrenewable Resources

Should capital gains be included in income arising from nonrenewable resources? In the present paper, I show that capital gains from a nonrenewable resource can be divided into two terms: real price change effects and real interest rate change effects. By application of sectoral income theory developed by Asheim and Wei (Environ Res Econ 42:65–87, 2009), only the former term is part of real income of the resource and the latter term should not be included. This result is significant in the sense that all change in real resource wealth can be included as part of real income only if future real interest rates are assumed to be constant. Hotelling rule always implies that capital gains from nonrenewable resources coincide with real interests on resource wealth; net investment generated from the resource cancels out current cash flow from the resource; and real income comes from price change effects.

Effect of changing pulse rate on profile parameters of perceptual thresholds and loudness comfort levels and relation to ECAP thresholds in recipients of the Nucleus CI24RE device

The Nucleus CI24RE ‘Freedom’ device offers higher stimulation rates and lower noise levels in action potential measurements (ECAPs) than previous devices. A study including ten European implant teams showed that the effect of changes in rate from 250 to 3500 pulses per second on tilt and curvature of the T and C profiles is insignificant. When changing rate one may change the levels at all electrodes by the same amount. Using an automated procedure ECAPs could be measured quickly and reliably at a noise level of only 1 μV. However, this did not result in improved correlations between the tilt and curvature parameters of the ECAP profiles and those of the T and C profiles. Average C levels appear to differ markedly among implant centers; a better assessment protocol is required. When increasing stimulus rate one should take into account that this requires higher pulse charges per second and more power consumption.SumarioEl dispositivo Nucleus CI24RE “Freedom” ofrece tasas de estimulación mayores, y menores niveles de ruido en las mediciones del potencial de acción (ECAPs) que los dispositivos anteriores. Un estudio que incluyó diez grupos europeos de implantes, mostró que el efecto de los cambios en la tasa de 250 a 3500 pulsos por segundo en la inclinación y la curvatura de los perfiles T y C es insignificante. Cuando se cambian las tasas, uno puede cambiar los niveles de todos los electrodos en la misma medida. Utilizando un procedimiento automatizado, los ECAPs pueden medirse en forma rápida y confiable a un nivel de ruido de solo 1mV. Sin embargo, esto no conlleva (a) una mejoría en las correlaciones entre los parámetros de inclinación y de curvatura de los perfiles ECAP y aquellos de los perfiles de T y C. Los niveles C promedio parecen diferir marcadamente entre los centros de implante; se requiere un mejor protocolo de evaluación. Cuando se incrementa la tasa de estimulación uno debe tomar en cuenta que eso requiere una mayor carga de pulsos por segundo y mayor poder de consumo.

Canadian Provincial Population Growth: Fertility, Migration, and Age Structure Effects

The effect of changes in rates of mortality, fertility, and migration depend not only on the age-specific patterns and levels of these rates, but on the age structure of the population. In order to remove the influences of the age structure and concentrate on the impact of the demographic rates themselves, a common practice is to analyze the influences of the rates for a standard age structure. This paper adapts the general approach of using a standard age structure to a stationary population equivalent (SPE) model, and analyzes current population change, using the SPE model, for provinces of Canada. Below-replacement fertility levels are only partially offset by net immigration. The SPE model evidences the decrease in the eventual provincial populations brought about by the below replacement fertility. Out-migration for some provinces to other areas of Canada accentuates their eventual population decreases.

Results with a cochlear implant channel-picking strategy based on “Selected Groups”

A novel channel-picking strategy for cochlear implants (CIs) which considers the spatial distribution and the spectral relevance of the channels selected for stimulation is described. In the proposed strategy, the available channels are subdivided into groups, designated as “Selected Groups” (SG), and within each group, a specified number of active channels with the largest amplitudes are selected for stimulation. The hypothesis is that most of the spectral information that can be perceived by CI listeners is conveyed by taking the highest filter band outputs within a stimulation area represented by a group of neighboring channels. Two experiments were conducted in subjects with MED-EL implant systems, measuring recognition of sentences in speech-shaped noise. In experiment 1, the SG group size was varied from two to four while selecting one active channel per group and keeping the pulse phase durations constant. Results showed no significant difference in sentence recognition between continuous interleaved sampling and SG configurations up to a group size of three. In experiment 2, phase durations were doubled, using groups of two channels with one active channel each. This resulted in a reduction of pulse amplitudes by about 40%. Intelligibility of sentences in noise was unaffected, making a substantial reduction of implant supply voltages feasible. In all experiments, the stimulation frame rate was kept constant in order to avoid rate-change effects.

Director reorientation in twisted nematic liquid crystals due to thermomechanical effect

We have studied molecular director reorientation in a twisted nematic liquid crystal induced by a two-dimensional temperature gradient. We studied the effect of rate change between the temperature gradients in two directions. Our obtained director reorientations are in the range that can be observed experimentally very easily.

Population dynamics in Germany: the role of immigration and population momentum

The effects of changes in rates of mortality, fertility, and migration depend not only on the age-specific patterns and levels of these rates, but on the age structure of the population. In order to remove the influences of the age structure and concentrate on the effects of the demographic rates themselves, a common practice is to analyze the influences of the rates for a standard age structure. This paper analyzes current and future population changes in Germany, using a stationary population equivalent model (SPE) that shows long-term effects of current fertility, mortality, and international migration patterns. Results indicate that the German population will eventually decline because of below replacement fertility, if net immigration does not counteract this decrease. This means, for instance, that the long-term stationary population levels for Germany will decrease by approximately 6.5 million during a decade in which current fertility, mortality, and international migration levels prevail. The paper also reports how various other assumptions for mortality, fertility, and international migration affect the SPE model for Germany.

Worldscale: what does it actually measure?

Worldscale is the dominant system for setting freight rates in ocean-tanker shipping. Its structure is hampered by administrative rigidity which easily disguises the effects of rate changes and complicates the comparison of rates between vessel size segments. The angle is the charterer's, and the shipowner is left to his/her own devices. The sparseness of spot rates between ports (not regions) and the individuality of flat rates due to varying port charges, make functional generalizations between Worldscale (WS) and time charter equivalents (TCE) hazardous. The publishing of rate parameters for all ship segments and possibly port charges for each port would substantially upgrade the value of the system.

Local versus distal speaking-rate normalization effects

Individuals vary their speaking rate, and listeners typically use the speaking rate of precursor sentences to adjust for these changes (Kidd, 1989). This study examines the temporal window over which these effects occur, by comparing the size of rate normalization effects for local, distal + local, and global rate changes in a precursor phrase. A single talker produced the precursor sentence ‘‘Sarah brought a bag so Paul could get the —’’ at three different speaking rates, followed by a final word containing a duration-based contrast (bin versus pin). Listeners heard trials in which either the whole precursor sentence was spoken at a fast, medium, or slow rate, or (via cross-splicing) only portions of the sentence varied in rate. Subjects rated the target phoneme in the final word as either a ‘‘b’’ or a ‘‘p’’ using a six-step rating scale. Local rate changes (changes in the speaking rate of ‘‘get the’’) yielded significant normalization effects, seen as the shifting of the VOT boundary between p and b. The addition of distal rate changes, however, yielded no significant changes in perception on top of this local effect. This is in contrast to earlier work supporting two separate (local and distal) effects of rate changes.

A Fabricated Ceiling? The Information Contribution of Bond Ratings

We test whether security prices react to an independent, unanticipated and simultaneous change in the bond rating procedure. It has been problematic in the literature to ascertain whether a borrower's bond price reacts because of a rating change or whether a rating change coincides with a fundamental (or market-perceived) change in the borrower's risk. Moody's unanticipated announcement on June 7, 2001 provides an ideal natural experiment to test for the independent information effect of rating changes. On that date, Moody's eliminated its sovereign ceiling rule allowing a company rating to exceed that of its home country. It placed the long-term foreign currency bonds of 38 companies from 13 different emerging markets, mostly Latin American, on review for an upgrade. We find that the yield spreads of the affected companies fell in a cross-section comparison with control companies on June 8, 2001. However this effect is no longer significant when allowing for a time dimension and not just a limited cross-section comparison on the event date. There is no evidence that companies that a priori would be expected to be more constrained by the sovereign ceiling react more strongly to the announcement. Finally, there is no stock price reaction, even in a cross-section comparison on the event date. That we find little or no security price reaction to Moody's elimination of the sovereign ceiling is a significant result. The sovereign ceiling rule is important to the extent that rating agencies provide information value in pricing emerging market debt. If the independent elimination of the ceiling rule did not contribute new information, then the rule itself may not have been important. There is only one paper that has investigated a change in rating procedures exclusively reflecting rating information. Kliger and Sarig (JOF 2000) assessed the information value provided by Moody's refinement of issued ratings in April 1982. Our paper contributes to this literature on credit ratings as well as to the greater literature on emerging market bonds, which have become the principal source of emerging market finance.

Modeling the Influence of Taphonomic Destruction, Reworking, and Burial on Time-Averaging in Fossil Accumulations

Abstract A mathematical/computer model was constructed to explore the effects of changes in rates of taphonomic loss, sediment reworking, and burial on time-averaging in fossil deposits. Using a Monte Carlo algorithm, the main controlling variables were thickness of the taphonomically active zone (TAZ; the interval where shells are likely to be destroyed), depth of final burial (DFB; below which shells can no longer be reworked into the TAZ), and burial rate. Output included both the decay trajectory of shells above the DFB as well as the frequency distribution of post-mortem shell ages at final burial (entry into the fossil record). Output was justified ergodically as equivalent to time-averaging in a deposit. The model helps to illuminate several important concepts for time-averaging. For example, it clarifies that DFB and TAZ need not be coincident. In fact, the mechanism of shell sequestering (allowing shells to remain in a safe zone between the TAZ and DFB) as a means of shell survival for 100s or 10...

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF A VARIABLE–RATE, SPINNER–DISC FERTILIZER APPLICATOR

The popularity of spinner spreaders for application of granular fertilizers and agricultural lime, along withincreased interests in variablerate technology (VRT), has raised concern about application accuracy and distribution ofthese spreaders. This investigation was undertaken to assess the application distribution of a VRT spinner fertilizer spreader.Application distribution was assessed using a matrix of collection pans and following test procedures outlined in ASAEStandard S341.2. Uniform and variablerate tests were performed to characterize the application variability of the spreaderand to test the effect of rate changes via GPS control. Uniform and variablerate application models were developed fromthe collected data. A sigmoidal function was used to describe increasing application rate changes, while a linear functiondescribed decreasing rate changes. Average transverse distribution patterns were used to model both high and lowapplication rates. The resulting models were then compared to the actual distributions. The model was found to do a goodjob of characterizing uniform and variablerate application patterns and therefore may be suitable for simulatingvariablerate application errors.