Perfect Equality Research Articles

Analysis of the land use structure changes based on Lorenz curves

Land use change has become a new field in global change research, and it is closely related to land resource security and sustainable development. The environmental simulation model was mostly used to study the land-use change before. In this paper, we use the Economic Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient of economic model to study the land use structure changes in the western plain of Jilin Province, China. The results showed that the Lorenz curve has the phenomenon of "two near and two far" and Gini coefficient "two increased and two decreased". That is to say, during the 15 years from 1989 to 2004, the areas of cultivated land and unused land had increased, Lorenz curves were near to the perfect equality line, and the distribution tended to be uniform; the areas of grassland and water body were reduced, the Lorenz curves were away from the perfect equality line, and the distribution tended to be increasingly uneven, which reflects the main process of the land use structure changes. Studying on the land use changes based on Economic model is simpler and more intuitionistic, and had the generalization values.

Semi-Blind Layered Space-Frequency Equalization for Single-Carrier MIMO Systems with Block Transmission

This letter proposes a novel semi-blind layered space-frequency equalization (LSFE) receiver for single- carrier cyclic-prefix (SC-CP) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems with block transmission, based on independent component analysis (ICA). Simulation results show that semi- blind LSFE with various Doppler shifts can provide performance close to the case with perfect channel state information (CSI), using a training overhead of only 0.05%. It also significantly outperforms its orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) counterpart with perfect CSI and semi-blind linear SC frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) over a wide range of signal to noise ratios (SNRs).

Health inequality in Latin America

Those visiting Latin America are usually hit by the striking differences between the visible living conditions of rich and poor people. In confirmation of this observation, indicators of income inequity show that Latin America is the world's region with the highest inequity in goods distribution. In the 23 Latin American countries with available information, the Gini coefficients (a measure of income inequality in which a value of 0 is perfect equality, and 1 is inequality) show a median value of 0·53, which compares with scores in developed, African, and Asian countries of 0·32, 0·43 and 0·30, respectively. 1 United Nations Development ProgrammeHuman development report 2006. Beyond scarcity: power, poverty and the global water crisis. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/hdr06-complete.pdfDate: 2006 Google Scholar The effect on maternal and child health outcomes and health-care provision is striking, regardless of the indicator used to measure inequity. For example, maternal mortality ratios are 10–44 times higher in the poorest provinces of several countries in Latin America. 2 Ministerio de Salud y Medio Ambiente, ArgentinaPrograma materno infantil: Estadísticas vitales. http://www.deis.gov.arDate: 2005 Google Scholar , 3 Ministerio de Salud, PerúSituación de salud en el Perú: indicadores básicos. http://www.paho.org/spanish/sha/prflper.htmDate: 1999 Google Scholar , 4 Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, ParaguayIndicadores básicos de salud. http://www.paho.org/English/DD/AIS/cp_600.htmDate: 2002 Google Scholar , 5 Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, EcuadorIndicadores básicos de salud. http://www.paho.org/English/DD/AIS/cp_218.htmDate: 2002 Google Scholar , 6 Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, NicaraguaIndicadores básicos de salud. http://www.paho.org/English/DD/AIS/cp_558.htmDate: 2002 Google Scholar The poorest quintile of the population showed 3–10 times the prevalence of stunted children than the richest quintile in nine countries (figure). 7 World BankData & statistics: country data, by income quintile. http://go.worldbank.org/9NF74C70J0 Google Scholar Progress and inequity in Latin AmericaThis week's Lancet focuses on health and research in Latin America. The region is undergoing rapid transition, becoming more developed, more urban, and, slowly, better off. Its health problems, too, are undergoing change, most notably the shift in the burden of disease from infectious diseases to the non-communicable diseases of “affluence”, diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Full-Text PDF

Living Standards and Capabilities: Equal Values or Equal Sets?

Abstract Inspired by Gaertner and Xu (2006), this paper examines the possibility to construct a social ordering over distributions of capability sets, and a measure of the value of individual capability sets, such that perfect equality of sets, across individuals, is preferable to a simple equality of the value of sets. It is shown that this is a rather demanding requirement.

Universal Linear Precoding for NBI-Proof Widely Linear Equalization in MC Systems

In multicarrier (MC) systems, transmitter redundancy, which is introduced by means of finite-impulse response (FIR) linear precoders, allows for perfect or zero-forcing (ZF) equalization of FIR channels (in the absence of noise). Recently, it has been shown that the noncircular or improper nature of some symbol constellations offers an intrinsic source of redundancy, which can be exploited to design efficient FIR widely-linear (WL) receiving structures for MC systems operating in the presence of narrowband interference (NBI). With regard to both cyclic-prefixed and zero-padded transmission techniques, it is shown in this paper that, with appropriately designed precoders, it is possible to synthesize in both cases WL-ZF universal equalizers, which guarantee perfect symbol recovery for any FIR channel. Furthermore, it is theoretically shown that the intrinsic redundancy of the improper symbol sequence also enables WL-ZF equalization, based on the minimum mean output-energy criterion, with improved NBI suppression capabilities. Finally, results of numerical simulations are presented, which assess the merits of the proposed precoding designs and validate the theoretical analysis carried out.

Inequality and Inefficiency in Joint Projects

A group of agents voluntarily participates in a joint project, in which efforts are not perfectly substitutable. The output is divided according to some given vector of shares. A share vector is unimprovable if no other share vector yields a higher sum of payoffs. When the elasticity of substitution across efforts is two or lower, only the perfectly equal share vector is unimprovable, and all other vectors can be improved via Lorenz domination. For higher elasticities of substitution, perfect equality is no longer unimprovable. Our results throw light on the connections between inequality and collective action.

A fractionally spaced blind equalization algorithm with global convergence

Two different fractionally spaced extensions of the SubGradient based Blind equalization Algorithm (SGBA) are provided. The first one is the direct extension of the linearly constrained SGBA for the symbol spaced setting. The second extension is the weighted and the 2-norm constrained fractionally spaced SGBA (FS-SGBA) algorithm. It is proven that the latter algorithm is globally convergent to a perfect equalization point under the well-known equalizability conditions for the fractionally spaced setting. The simulation results provided illustrates the relative merit of the proposed algorithm in comparison to the state of the art algorithms.

Self-Enforcing Labour Contracts and Macroeconomic Dynamics

To properly account for the dynamics of the key macroeconomic variables, researchers incorporate various internal propagation mechanisms in their models. In general, these mechanisms implicitly rely on the assumption of a perfect equality between the real wage and the marginal product of labour. This paper features a micro-founded model of a limited-commitment firm, and derive endogenous dynamic labour contracts that produce a different linkage between the real wage and the marginal product of labour. The risk-sharing between the entrepreneur and the worker, both faced with enforcement problems, provides a different type of propagation mechanism. I investigate the dynamic properties of this endogenous rigidity in relation to the initial bargaining power of each agent.

THE 2005 LAWRENCE R. KLEIN LECTURE: EMERGENT CLASS STRUCTURE*

This article presents a model of the emergent class structure, in which a society inhabited by inherently identical households may be endogenously split into the rich bourgeoisie and the poor proletariat. For some parameter values, the model has no steady state where all households remain equally wealthy. In this case, the model predicts emergent class structure or the rise of class societies. Even if every household starts with the same amount of wealth, the society will experience “symmetry‐breaking” and will be polarized into two classes in steady state, where the rich maintain a high level of wealth partly due to the presence of the poor, who have no choice but to work for the rich at a wage rate strictly lower than the “fair” value of labor. The nonexistence of the equal steady state means that a one‐shot redistribution of wealth would not be effective, as wealth inequality and the class structure would always reemerge. Thus, the class structure is an inevitable feature of capitalism. For other parameter values, on the other hand, the model has the unique steady state, which is characterized by perfect equality. In this case, the model predicts dissipating class structure or the fall of class societies. Even if the society starts with significant wealth inequality, labor demand by the rich employers pushes up the wage rate so much that workers will escape from the poverty and eventually catch up with the rich, eliminating wealth inequality and the class structure in the long run. In an extension, we introduce self‐employment, which not only provides the poor with an alternative to working for the rich, but also provides the rich with an alternative to investment that creates jobs. Due to this dual nature of self‐employment, the effects of self‐employment turn out to be quite subtle. Yet, within the present framework, it is possible to offer a complete characterization of the steady states even in the presence of self‐employment.

Robust Beamforming of Microphone Array Using H Adaptive Filtering Technique

In ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) applications, one of the most important issues in the real-time beamforming of microphone arrays is the inability to capture the whole acoustic dynamics via a finite-length of data and a finite number of array elements. For example, the reflected source signal impinging from the side-lobe direction presents a coherent interference, and the non-minimal phase channel dynamics may require an infinite amount of data in order to achieve perfect equalization (or inversion). All these factors appear as uncertainties or un-modeled dynamics in the receiving signals. Traditional adaptive algorithms such as NLMS that do not consider these errors will result in performance deterioration. In this paper, a time domain beamformer using H∞ filtering approach is proposed to adjust the beamforming parameters. Furthermore, this work also proposes a frequency domain approach called SPFDBB (Soft Penalty Frequency Domain Block Beamformer) using H∞ filtering approach that can reduce computational efforts and provide a purified data to the ASR application. Experimental results show that the adaptive H∞ filtering method is robust to the modeling errors and suppresses much more noise interference than that in the NLMS based method. Consequently, the correct rate of ASR is also enhanced.

A Maximum Entropy approach for blind deconvolution

In this paper we propose a new closed approximated formed expression for the conditional expectation based on the Maximum Entropy principle and Laplace integral method. Our proposed expression does not impose any restrictions (except of even symmetric) on the probability distribution of the (unobserved) input sequence, thus it is suitable for a wider range of source probability density function compared with Bellini's, Fiori's or Haykin's expression. In addition, we propose a new, efficient and noniterative approximation for the Lagrange multipliers related to the blind deconvolution problem. Our proposed Lagrange multipliers are based on our new proposed expression for the conditional expectation and on the mean square error (MSE) criteria. Based on our new derivations, a new blind deconvolution algorithm is proposed with improved equalization performance compared with Godard's, reduced constellation algorithm (RCA), Fiori's and the sign reduced constellation algorithm (SRCA). In addition, a theoretical analysis shows that our algorithm achieves perfect equalization in the real valued and two independent quadrature carrier case. These results imply a significant improvement over Godard's algorithm in the 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) case.

When Feminism Is "High" and Ignorance Is "Low": Harriet Taylor Mill on the Progress of the Species

This essay considers the important role attributed to education in the writings of nineteenth-century feminist Harriet Taylor Mill. Taylor Mill connected ignorance to inequality between the sexes. She called up the specter of regression into lowness and ignorance when she associated feminism with progress. As she stressed the importance of education, she constructed an 'other' to feminism, variously associated with lowness, poverty, and the primitive. She made a case for the advantages of civilization (education, enfranchisement, equality) to be opened up to women. Yet Taylor Mill's position that the ignorant poor, like all humans, should be in a position of so-called "perfect equality" drifted intermittently into the view that the elevation of women to perfect equality would refine and elevate the lower classes.

When Feminism Is “High” and Ignorance Is “Low”: Harriet Taylor Mill on the Progress of the Species

This essay considers the important role attributed to education in the writings of nineteenth-century feminist Harriet Taylor Mill. Taylor Mill connected ignorance to inequality between the sexes. She called up the specter of regression into lowness and ignorance when she associated feminism with progress. As she stressed the importance of education, she constructed an‘other’ to feminism, variously associated with lowness, poverty, and the primitive. She made a case for the advantages of civilization (education, enfranchisement, equality) to be opened up to women. Yet Taylor Mill's position that the ignorant poor, like all humans, should be in a position of so-called “perfect equality” drifted intermittently into the view that the elevation of women to perfect equality would refine and elevate the lower classes.

The Logical Structure of the Idea of Original Enlightenment

The idea of original enlightenment as expounded in the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana (Dacheng qixinlun) differs in logic from the thought of Original Enlightenment that spread in Japan's Middle ages. The fundamental principle of the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana is the principle of the Matrix of the Tathagata. On the contrary, the fundamental principle of the Tiantai idea of the Original Enlightenment is based on Nagarjuna's idea of non-substantiality.In the Tiantai idea of original enlightenment from the Four Teachings-Tripitaka, Connecting, Specific, and Perfect Teachings-one is expounded the concept of the “four-fold rise and fall” which comprises the pre-Lotus Sutra, Theoretical Teaching of the Lotus Sutra, the Essential Teaching of the Lotus Sutra, and the Observation of the Mind. The purpose of this concept is to reveal the absolute theory of complete fusion of the truth and perfect equality of the Law based on the idea of non-substantiality. According to this concept, the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings are those of discrimination. The purpose of the Theoretical Teaching of the Lotus Sutra is to reveal theoretical absolute equality. The purpose of the Essential Teaching of the Lotus Sutra is to teach true absolute equality. The purpose of the teaching in the Lotus Sutra's Observation of the Mind is to reveal that the self-manifestation of absolute equality transcends the comparison of different natures.

Is the “Principle of perfect equality” between the two sexes sufficiently implemented? The example of female patients with eating disorders

Is the “Principle of perfect equality” between the two sexes sufficiently implemented? The example of female patients with eating disorders

Conservation of Balance in the Size of Parties

For parties of unequal seat shares ( si), the widely used effective number of parties ( N = 1/Σ si2) offers an equivalent in equal-sized parties, but it needs a supplement to express the imbalance in actual shares. This is akin to supplementing the mean with the standard deviation. A suitable ‘index of balance’ is b = -log s1/log p, where s1is the largest share and p is the number of seat-winning parties. It can range from 0 (utter imbalance) to 1 (perfect equality of all parties). In most individual countries, the median balance is between 0.4 and 0.6, and the worldwide median balance is close to 0.50 for any number of seat-winning parties except 2, in line with a simple logical model. Independent of electoral systems used, a rule of conservation emerges: the median product of the largest party’s fractional share and the square root of the number of seat-winning parties is conserved: s1p0.5= 1. The worldwide median for 603 elections is within 2 percent of 1.00.

Supplement at the Origin: Trinity, Eschatology and History

Abstract: The Christian scriptures, in contrast to many ancient and modern mythologies, present a comic eschatology, in which history moves from a garden to a glorified garden‐city. Christian faith is also unique in confessing faith in a Triune God. This article explores the systematic connections between these two confessions to raise the question, Is the Christian account of history comic because the Christian God is Triune? After establishing the uniqueness of the comic vision of history found in scripture, the article makes use of Jacques Derrida's writings on ‘origin’ and ‘supplement’ to argue that the Triune life itself has a ‘comic’ structure. There is no tragic degeneration from the Father (origin) to the Son (supplement), but perfect equality in power and glory; indeed the Son ‘glorifies’ the Father. So also in history there is no tragic degeneration from origin to supplement, but a comic progression from glory to glory, from First to Last Adam, from garden to city.

A Family of Low-Complexity Blind Equalizers

Two important topics in equalizer design are its complexity and its training. We present a family of blind equalizers which, by incorporating a decomposition finite-impulse response filtering technique, can reduce the complexity of the convolution operation therein by about one half. The prototype algorithm in this equalizer family employs the prevalent Godard cost function. Several simplified algorithms are proposed, including a sign algorithm which eliminates multiplications in coefficient adaptation and a few delayed versions. We also study the convergence properties of the algorithms. For the prototype algorithm, we show that, in the limit of an infinitely long equalizer and under mild conditions on signal constellations and channel characteristics, there are only two sets of local minima on the performance surface. One of the sets is undesirable and is characterized by a null equalized channel response. The other corresponds to perfect equalization, which can be reached with proper equalizer initialization. For the simplified algorithms, corresponding cost functions may not exist. Some understanding of their convergence behaviors are obtained via examination of their adaptation equations. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the algorithms.

Frequency‐dependent anisotropy due to meso‐scale fractures in the presence of equant porosity

ABSTRACTFractured rock is often modelled under the assumption of perfect fluid pressure equalization between the fractures and equant porosity. This is consistent with laboratory estimates of the characteristic squirt‐flow frequency. However, these laboratory measurements are carried out on rock samples which do not contain large fractures. We consider coupled fluid motion on two scales: the grain scale which controls behaviour in laboratory experiments and the fracture scale. Our approach reproduces generally accepted results in the low‐ and high‐frequency limits. Even under the assumption of a high squirt‐flow frequency, we find that frequency‐dependent anisotropy can occur in the seismic frequency band when larger fractures are present. Shear‐wave splitting becomes dependent on frequency, with the size of the fractures playing a controlling role in the relationship. Strong anisotropic attenuation can occur in the seismic frequency band. The magnitude of the frequency dependence is influenced strongly by the extent of equant porosity. With these results, it becomes possible in principle to distinguish between fracture‐ and microcrack‐induced anisotropy, or more ambitiously to measure a characteristic fracture length from seismic data.

Frequency-dependent seismic anisotropy and its implication for estimating fracture size in low porosity reservoirs

The use of seismic anisotropy for characterizing subsurface fracture orientations and intensity has become increasingly popular. However, the reluctance of reservoir engineers to accept seismic anisotropy as a routine technique for fracture characterization is partly because of its inability to provide information about sizes and volume of fractures. Although both grain-scale micro-cracks and formation-scale macro-fractures are considered causes of seismic anisotropy, reservoir engineers are more interested in the latter as permeability in many hydrocarbon reservoirs is believed to be dominated by formation-scale fluid units (on the order of meters). We intend to fill this gap by developing new practical applications of seismic anisotropy including new theoretical models and new analysis methods. Frequency-dependent anisotropy has been observed and can be explained by two mechanisms: seismic scattering by heterogeneities and fluid flow in fractured porous rock. In this article, we present a synthetic study demonstrating the dependence of seismic anisotropy on fracture sizes using a newly proposed multiscale fracture model. We then use this model to invert fracture sizes from field multicomponent shear-wave VSP data acquired in Bluebell-Altamonta, Utah. Our study has indicated a great potential of fracture size estimation in low porosity fractured reservoir, and thus we may potentially go beyond the conventional application of seismic anisotropy to predict fracture sizes and fracture volumes. The two most popular models for describing the elastic properties of fractured media are the so-called Thomsen's equant porosity model, and Hudson's thin-crack model. Thomsen's model assumes perfect fluid pressure equalization between the cracks and the surrounding rock, whereas Hudson's model assumes that the cracks are isolated with respect to fluid flow. Both models predict frequency independent behavior. In both models the magnitude of anisotropy is related to the fracture density, although the precise dependence is different in each case. This fracture density is defined as e= …