the sea decides

Fiction by Joanne Leo

A Simple Dynamic Model of Big-push

In 1943, Paul Rosenstein-Rodan first coined the term “big-push†in his paper about growth in Eastern European economies. In 1989, Murphy et al. characterised the big-push as a static multi-equilibrium aggregate demand spillover model. Based on the model with a factory wage premium by Murphy et al. (1989), I have developed a simple multi-period dynamic model of big-push with a dynamic state variable powered by the aggregate spillover demand, where the economic growth is driven by two key parameters: wage premium and productivity. Armed with this economic growth model, I explore the dynamic behaviour and establish the economic characteristics of disequilibrium growth, which are common observable economic phenomena in the emerging economies. This model provides a simple but cogent economic structure, which may be used to explain and study economic phenomena such as the stagnation of the Japanese economy in 1990s and financial crises. In addition, this model offers plausible explanations for the empirical deviations of the Kuznets Curve and the Okun’s Law as identified in the recent literature. The significant implication of this model for the Okun’s Law and the Kuznets Curve in particular, and on economic theories in general, is that the economic relationships may not be static but dynamic and contingent on the state of an economy, which is determined by the ratio of wage premium on productivity and the industrialization statebig-push, economic development, industrialization, financial crisis

MEMS On/off and x2 Optical Switch with Integrated Fiber Alignment Capability

An on/off free space optical switch is described in this paper. The device consists of intersecting cantilevers and is electrostatically actuated. A fiber is put onto the cantilevers and by controlling the position of the flber through actuation, switching operation can be achieved. The device is also suitable for inpackage fiber alignment application, where the cantilevers can be used as passive or active fiber alignment microstructure

Wireless transmission protocols using relays for broadcast and information exchange channels

Relays have been used to overcome existing network performance bottlenecks in meeting the growing demand for large bandwidth and high quality of service (QoS) in wireless networks. This thesis proposes several wireless transmission protocols using relays in practical multi-user broadcast and information exchange channels. The main theme is to demonstrate that efficient use of relays provides an additional dimension to improve reliability, throughput, power efficiency and secrecy. First, a spectrally efficient cooperative transmission protocol is proposed for the multiple-input and singleoutput (MISO) broadcast channel to improve the reliability of wireless transmission. The proposed protocol mitigates co-channel interference and provides another dimension to improve the diversity gain. Analytical and simulation results show that outage probability and the diversity and multiplexing tradeoff of the proposed cooperative protocol outperforms the non-cooperative scheme. Second, a two-way relaying protocol is proposed for the multi-pair, two-way relaying channel to improve the throughput and reliability. The proposed protocol enables both the users and the relay to participate in interference cancellation. Several beamforming schemes are proposed for the multi-antenna relay. Analytical and simulation results reveal that the proposed protocol delivers significant improvements in ergodic capacity, outage probability and the diversity and multiplexing tradeoff if compared to existing schemes. Third, a joint beamforming and power management scheme is proposed for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) two-way relaying channel to improve the sum-rate. Network power allocation and power control optimisation problems are formulated and solved using convex optimisation techniques. Simulation results verify that the proposed scheme delivers better sum-rate or consumes lower power when compared to existing schemes. Fourth, two-way secrecy schemes which combine one-time pad and wiretap coding are proposed for the scalar broadcast channel to improve secrecy rate. The proposed schemes utilise the channel reciprocity and employ relays to forward secret messages. Analytical and simulation results reveal that the proposed schemes are able to achieve positive secrecy rates even when the number of users is large. All of these new wireless transmission protocols help to realise better throughput, reliability, power efficiency and secrecy for wireless broadcast and information exchange channels through the efficient use of relays

In-Column Electrochemical Detection for Liquid Chromatography

This research focuses on the development of whole column detection (WCD) for liquid chromatography (LC). The WCD uses electrochemical techniques for detecting the analytes passing through the separation column. Electrode array for in-column electrochemical detection (ICED) is fabricated along the separation column to enable whole column separation monitoring and allow better understanding on the affinity of particular analyte to the stationary and mobile phases. Numerical models were built to understand the feasibility and differences of electrochemical detection within an unpacked and packed column. From the simulated results, the surface area of the electrode was not hindered by the presence of the particles in flow condition. An electrochemical microfluidic device has been successfully fabricated on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) substrate using the reverse imprinting technique. The photolithographically produced gold metal electrode lines were imprinted into the PET substrate using a blank mould and produced an inlaid electrode array with overall step residue within 40 nm. The semi-cured thermoset polyester channel was irreversibly thermal bonded on the PET substrate. The devices were able to tolerate pressure in excess of 90 bars. The PET column was packed with 5 μm C18 silica beads to perform reverse phase chromatography separation. The array was electrochemically characterised using standard redox probes in both stagnant conditions and under flow. Both numerical modelling and experimental data show improved sensitivity under flow and a limiting current which scaled linearly with cubic root of volume flow rate. Isocratic and gradient mode chromatographic separations of neurotransmitters and metabolites: serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, 5- HIAA and DOPAC were conducted in the fabricated device. Separation progress was electrochemically detected at multiple locations along the column. Whole column assessment on separation efficiency and column packing efficiency monitoring were conducted using the ICED

TempoCave: Visualizing Dynamic Connectome Datasets to Support Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

We introduce TempoCave, a novel visualization application for analyzing dynamic brain networks, or connectomes. TempoCave provides a range of functionality to explore metrics related to the activity patterns and modular affiliations of different regions in the brain. These patterns are calculated by processing raw data retrieved functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, which creates a network of weighted edges between each brain region, where the weight indicates how likely these regions are to activate synchronously. In particular, we support the analysis needs of clinical psychologists, who examine these modular affiliations and weighted edges and their temporal dynamics, utilizing them to understand relationships between neurological disorders and brain activity, which could have a significant impact on the way in which patients are diagnosed and treated. We summarize the core functionality of TempoCave, which supports a range of comparative tasks, and runs both in a desktop mode and in an immersive mode. Furthermore, we present a real-world use case that analyzes pre- and post-treatment connectome datasets from 27 subjects in a clinical study investigating the use of cognitive behavior therapy to treat major depression disorder, indicating that TempoCave can provide new insight into the dynamic behavior of the human brain

Characteristics of Malaysian and Sulawesian Cocoa Beans and the Optimisation of Quality Through Blending

Commercial Malaysian and Sulawesian cocoa were found to be significantly different (p<0.05) in the aspect of bean quality, fermentation index, fat content, polyphenol, alkaloids, volatile and non volatile acids. In other aspects such as melting point (cocoa butter), triglyceride, fatty acids and solid fat content (SFq the difference was found to be insignificant (p>0.05). More purple bean was found in the Sulawesian beans (78%) compared to the Malaysian beans (4%). The high content of polyphenol (epicatecbin = 34.72 mg/g) and alkaloids (theobromine = 30.40 mg/g, caffeine=0.678 mg/g) in Sulawesian beans showed a sign of under fermentation. Fermentation index further verify Sulawesian· beans (0.622) as under- fermented compared to the Malaysian beans (1.524). Cocoa beans with different fermentation level exhibited significant difference in cut test, melting temperature (Malaysian beans only), volatile and non-volatile acid, polyphenol, alkaloids, solid fat content and taste. Melting temperature of the Malaysian cocoa butter increase with fermentation. Non-volatile acids such as lactic, succinic and citric increased but malic and oxalic acids decreased with fermentation. All the volatile acid but propionic acid increased with fermentation. On the other hand, polyphenol and alkaloids decreased drastically as fermentation proceeds. In the aspect of taste, all less fermented cocoa beans from Malaysia and Sulawesi were more bitter and astringent but the more fermented cocoa beans produces cocoa liquor with a more sour taste. The qualities that the blended cocoa beans needs to express are a better cocoa/ chocolaty taste, less bitter, less astringent, less sour and preferably with the presence of nutty flavour. Cocoa blends found to have the most favourable taste are blends of 4 days fermented Malaysian cocoa beans and 2 days fermented Sulawesian beans at the ratio of 75:25 (I2M4/25) and blends of 6 days fermented Malaysian cocoa beans and 2 days fermented Sulawesian beans at the ratio of 25:75 (I2M6/75)