Mapping systemic risk: critical degree and failures distribution in financial networks

The 2008 financial crisis illustrated the need for a thorough, functional understanding of systemic risk in strongly interconnected financial structures. Dynamic processes on complex networks being intrinsically difficult, most recent studies of this problem have relied on numerical simulations. Here we report analytical results in a network model of interbank lending based on directly relevant financial parameters, such as interest rates and leverage ratios. Using a mean-field approach, we obtain a closed-form formula for the "critical degree", viz. the number of creditors per bank below which an individual shock can propagate throughout the network. We relate the failures distribution (probability that a single shock induces $F$ failures) to the degree distribution (probability that a bank has $k$ creditors), showing in particular that the former is fat-tailed whenever the latter is. Our criterion for the onset of contagion turns out to be isomorphic to the condition for cooperation to evolve on graphs and social networks, as recently formulated in evolutionary game theory. This remarkable connection supports recent calls for a methodological rapprochement between finance and ecology.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure

Rethinking the Language Learner in the Post-method Era The Question of Identity

AbstractTaking into consideration the requirements of postmethod era which, according to Kumaravadivelu (2001), called for particular stances of language teachers towards the role of language learning theories in practice and putting the language learner within the frameworks of such theories as competition model, this paper attempts to verify and substantiate the claim that the language learner does not have a particular identity. This substantiation draws on two interrelated issues: (1) as people concerned with language education, teachers are responsible for practice which is mediated by different theories in the postmethod era, and (2) each theory allows for looking at the learner from one perspective according to which only partial understanding of the learner is within reach (only partial theoretical resource to pave the grounds for effective learning opportunities is available). Furthermore, since depending upon a particular theory there might be an understanding of the learner differnet from and sometimes even the opposite of that formed on the basis of another theory, and because in the postmethod era practice in general and moment by moment instances of practice in particular are quite likely to be subjected to opposing theories, it is concluded that the foreign language learner does not have a particular identity

Rolled up microtubes for the capture, guidance and release of single spermatozoa

Hybride Mikroschwimmer, die einen biologischen Antrieb und eine künstlich hergestellte Mikrostruktur enthalten sind ein attraktiver Ansatz um kontrollierte Bewegung auf kleinstem Maßstab zu erreichen. In dieser Dissertation wird ein neuer hybrider Mikroschwimmer vorgestellt, der aus ferromagnetischen Nanomembranen besteht, die sich zu Mikroröhrchen aufrollen und in der Lage sind, einzelne Spermien einzufangen. Dieser Mikrobioroboter nutzt die starke Antriebskraft der Spermazelle um das magnetische Mikroröhrchen fortzubewegen. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt, wie dieser Mikroschwimmer seine Bewegung vollzieht und wie verschiedene Faktoren wie Temperatur, Radius der Mikroröhrchen, Eindringtiefe der Spermien in das Röhrchen und Länge der Röhrchen einen Einfluss auf sein Verhalten haben. Richtungskontrolle wird durch externe magnetische Felder realisiert und es wird dargestellt, wie dies zur Trennung der Mikrobioroboter aus einer Mischung von Spermien und Mikroröhrchen genutzt werden kann. Weiterhin werden zwei Oberflächenmodifizierungsmethoden angewandt um die Kupplungseffizienz zwischen Mikroröhrchen und Spermien zu erhöhen. In diesen Methoden wird das extrazelluläre Protein Fibronektin auf die innere Röhrchenoberfläche aufgebracht und dient als Bindungsstoff für Spermien. Schließlich wird durch den Einbau temperatursensitiver Material in die Mikroröhrchen ein ferngesteuerter Freisetzungsmechanismus für die Spermazelle vorgestellt. Dabei falten sich die Mikroröhrchen bei kleinen Temperaturerhöhungen auf und setzen die Zelle frei. Diese Arbeit diskutiert letztendlich das Potential solch eines hybriden Mikroschwimmers für die Anwendung in assistierter Reproduktion.:TABLE OF CONTENTS SELBSTSTÄNDIGKEITSERKLÄRUNG 0 ABSTRACT 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 1 MOTIVATION AND GOALS 5 1.1 MINIATURIZATION: “THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM AT THE BOTTOM…” 5 1.2 SPERMBOTS: POTENTIAL IMPACT 7 2 BACKGROUND AND STATE-OF-THE-ART 11 2.1 MICROBIOROBOTICS 11 2.2 SPERM MORPHOLOGY AND THEIR JOURNEY TO THE EGG 15 2.3 INFERTILITY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNIQUES 19 2.4 SINGLE CELL RELEASE 22 2.5 STIMULI-RESPONSIVE MATERIALS 25 3 MATERIAL AND METHODS 29 3.1 ROLLED UP TECHNOLOGY 29 3.2 TREATMENT OF BOVINE SPERMATOZOA 32 3.2.1 Preparation of Spermbots 32 3.2.2 Speed Measurements 33 3.2.3 Separation On Chip 33 3.3 SURFACE MODIFICATION OF MICROTUBES 34 3.3.1 Surface Chemistry 35 3.3.2 Microcontact printing 39 3.4 POLYMER TUBE FABRICATION 44 3.4.1 Synthesis of photosensitive monomer 4-Acryloylbenzophenone 44 3.4.2 Synthesis of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-Acryloylbenzophenone) 46 3.4.3 Photolithography of polymeric films 48 3.5 VIABILITY TESTS 51 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 53 4.1 CHARACTERIZATION OF SPERMBOTS 55 4.2 TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE 60 4.3 MAGNETIC CONTROL 62 4.4 SEPARATION ON CHIP 68 4.5 EFFECT OF DECREASED MICROTUBE LENGTH 72 4.6 COUPLING EFFICIENCY 74 4.7 THERMORESPONSIVE POLYMERIC MICROTUBES FOR CELL RELEASE 80 4.8 SPERM VIABILITY TESTS 94 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 97 6 OUTLOOK 101 7 LIST OF FIGURES 107 8 LIST OF TABLES 113 9 ABBREVIATIONS 115 10 CURRICULUM VITAE 117 11 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS 119 JOURNAL ARTICLES 119 CONTRIBUTIONS TO COLLECTED EDITIONS/PROCEEDINGS 121 12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 123 13 REFERENCES 125The search for autonomously moving, highly functional and controllable microdevices is a purpose of current micro/nanobiotechnology research, especially in the area of biomedical applications, for which reason, biocompatible solutions are in demand. In this thesis, a novel type of hybrid microswimmer is fabricated by the combination of rolled up thin nanomembranes with bovine spermatozoa. The microbiorobot presented here uses the powerful motion of the sperm flagella as a propulsion source for the magnetic microtube. This work demonstrates how the microswimmer performs its motion and how several factors such as temperature, radius of the microtube, penetration of the cell inside the microtube and length of the tube have influence on its performance. Directional control mechanisms are offered by external magnetic fields and are presented to be useful for the on-chip separation of the microbiorobots from a mixture of cells and microtubes. Two surface modification methods are presented as means to improve the coupling efficiency between the microtubes and the sperm cells. By these surface functionalizations, the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin is attached on the inner microtube walls and serves as binding agent for the spermatozoa. Finally, a remote release mechanism for the sperm cells is demonstrated by the incorporation of thermoresponsive material into the microtubes, which makes them fold and unfold upon small temperature changes. This work discusses the potential of such microswimmers for the application in assisted reproduction techniques and gives an outlook on future perspectives.:TABLE OF CONTENTS SELBSTSTÄNDIGKEITSERKLÄRUNG 0 ABSTRACT 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 1 MOTIVATION AND GOALS 5 1.1 MINIATURIZATION: “THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM AT THE BOTTOM…” 5 1.2 SPERMBOTS: POTENTIAL IMPACT 7 2 BACKGROUND AND STATE-OF-THE-ART 11 2.1 MICROBIOROBOTICS 11 2.2 SPERM MORPHOLOGY AND THEIR JOURNEY TO THE EGG 15 2.3 INFERTILITY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNIQUES 19 2.4 SINGLE CELL RELEASE 22 2.5 STIMULI-RESPONSIVE MATERIALS 25 3 MATERIAL AND METHODS 29 3.1 ROLLED UP TECHNOLOGY 29 3.2 TREATMENT OF BOVINE SPERMATOZOA 32 3.2.1 Preparation of Spermbots 32 3.2.2 Speed Measurements 33 3.2.3 Separation On Chip 33 3.3 SURFACE MODIFICATION OF MICROTUBES 34 3.3.1 Surface Chemistry 35 3.3.2 Microcontact printing 39 3.4 POLYMER TUBE FABRICATION 44 3.4.1 Synthesis of photosensitive monomer 4-Acryloylbenzophenone 44 3.4.2 Synthesis of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-Acryloylbenzophenone) 46 3.4.3 Photolithography of polymeric films 48 3.5 VIABILITY TESTS 51 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 53 4.1 CHARACTERIZATION OF SPERMBOTS 55 4.2 TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE 60 4.3 MAGNETIC CONTROL 62 4.4 SEPARATION ON CHIP 68 4.5 EFFECT OF DECREASED MICROTUBE LENGTH 72 4.6 COUPLING EFFICIENCY 74 4.7 THERMORESPONSIVE POLYMERIC MICROTUBES FOR CELL RELEASE 80 4.8 SPERM VIABILITY TESTS 94 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 97 6 OUTLOOK 101 7 LIST OF FIGURES 107 8 LIST OF TABLES 113 9 ABBREVIATIONS 115 10 CURRICULUM VITAE 117 11 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS 119 JOURNAL ARTICLES 119 CONTRIBUTIONS TO COLLECTED EDITIONS/PROCEEDINGS 121 12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 123 13 REFERENCES 12

Modelica as Model Aggregator for Holistic Architecture Validation of Electric Vehicles

Automotive OEMs and suppliers are facing recent challenges in the development process, induced by ever shortened product cycles, further distributed development as well as increasing demands for virtual testing and certification using virtual proving grounds or digital twins. This paper presents a real-life demonstration of a federated, seamlessly integrated design process for a complex cyberphysical system (electric truck), where simulation is used for early-stage performance validation and decision making. Since holistic, but abstract architecture models created in systems engineering discipline contain relevant information with respect to logical system structure and allocated requirements, the simulation domain will benefit from a cross domain linking of model artefacts. By aligning system interfaces across model abstractions and augmenting logical models with physical information, behavioural model templates for design can be generated in a smart, traceable and automated fashion. With the additional information of requirements allocated to certain architectural components in those abstract architecture models, it is demonstrated how scenario-based component and system simulation will contribute to analysis tasks like architecture exploration or specific design optimization in efficient, continuous engineering environments

It's so good to be back: explorations of subsistence in Alaska

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2020This dissertation explores some aspects of contemporary hunter-gatherer economies in Alaska, with an emphasis on quantitative approaches. Written in manuscript-style, the focus is on four decades beginning about 1980, which coincided with legal recognition of hunter-gatherer activities as "subsistence," and with expanded subsistence data collection efforts. Subsistence is viewed through four theoretical frames: socio-ecological resilience, political ecology, social networks, and food security. Principles of common-pool resource management are reviewed, as are legal frames unique to Alaska that limited possible approaches to management and resulted in a fragmented management systems. In the body of the dissertation, the first article explores trends in rural community populations, wild food harvests, and personal incomes over time, identifies factors associated with subsistence harvests, models subsistence productivity, and estimates road effects on harvests and income. The second article uses household-level social network and economic data from two Iñupiat communities to explore hypotheses designed to test an assumed transition from wild food dependence to market dependence. The third article combines concepts of sensitivity and adaptive capacity drawn from vulnerability literature to explore differences in household characteristics within and between three Alaska communities. The discussion adopts a political ecology approach, introducing narrative discourses of subsistence in Alaska, comparing subsistence narrative discourses with the results the larger body of resilience, network analysis, and food security literature. It demonstrates how the same objective facts could drive competing narratives, and how resource management itself was subject to narrative construction.National Park Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, US Department of the Interior (OMB Control # 1010-0184), Alaska EPSCoR NSF (#OIA-1208927), Arctic Social Science, National Science Foundation (ARC-0909570)Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: Common-pool resources in the Alaska context -- Chapter 3: The persistence of subsistence in Alaska -- Chapter 4: Are mixed economies persistent of transitional? -- Chapter 5: Heterogeneity in mixed economies -- Chapter 6: Summary and discussion -- Appendix A: Proposed regulatory changes governing subsistence uses -- Appendix B: Customary and traditional use criteria ("8 criteria") -- Appendix C: Survey example

Do you manage what you measure? Investor views on the question of climate actions with empirical results from the Swiss pension fund and insurance sector

Despite the political mandate of Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement (United Nations 2015. ‘Adoption of the Paris Agreement.’ 21st Conference of the Parties, Paris, United Nations, 2) to align finance flows ‘with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development,’ many investors do not manage physical and transitional climate risks. The Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures’ 2019 Status Report highlighted this asymmetry. The following paperseeks to evaluate the efficacy of informing investors about the alignment of their portfolios with the Paris Agreement. Based on survey feedback from a 2017 pilot study conducted with Swiss pension funds and insurance companies, the results suggest that after the pilot 40% of respondents implemented a climate strategy or integrated climate criteria into their investment process, showing the potential impact of climate assessments on portfolio strategy. This fact affirms both the positives of portfolio climate assessments, but also the need to explore alternatives avenues for engaging with investors regarding climate risks

Heat Exchanger Design in Mobile Machines

This paper examines the model-based design of thermal systems in mobile machines with a focus on heat exchanger design. An industry project is described in which the vapor compression cycle for the air-conditioning system was modeled using the software SimulationX. By modeling heat exchanger sections separately, multiple flow arrangements could be tested without the need for physical prototypes. The paper presents this work in the context of the full model-based design process including extensions for hardware in the loop (HiL) testing of control units and operator training using virtual machines

IRONSperm swimming by rigid-body rotation versus transverse bending waves influenced by cell membrane charge

Cell membrane potential affects the electrostatic self-assembly of magnetizable nanoparticles around the flagellum of sperm cells, leading to the formation of biohybrid microrobots (i.e., IRONSperm) with various bending stiffness. Here we explain the influence of bull sperm cell membrane potential on the formation of two types of IRONSperm samples that are produced by electrostatic self-assembly. The first type is a proximal-coated soft body with nanoparticles concentrated on the head to maintain high flexibility of the flagellum and create a passively propagating transverse bending wave under the influence of an external rotating magnetic field. The second type is a rigid-body with nanoparticles approximately uniformly distributed along the length to provide arbitrary geometry that maintains a constant chiral shape and propel by rotation about its long axis. We present a magneto-elastohydrodynamic model to predict the swimming speed at low Reynolds number for rigid IRONSperm with arbitrary shapes, and show that decreasing the bending stiffness allows the model to capture the behavior of its soft counterpart. While the response of a rigid chiral IRONSperm is distinguished by a greater swimming speed with a smooth decay with frequency, the benefit of a soft flagellum in certain scenarios would present a much smaller range of frequencies for wireless actuation.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Bio-Electronic

Self-propelled micromotors for cleaning polluted water

We describe the use of catalytically self-propelled microjets (dubbed micromotors) for degrading organic pollutants in water via the Fenton oxidation process. The tubular micromotors are composed of rolled-up functional nanomembranes consisting of Fe/Pt bilayers. The micromotors contain double functionality within their architecture, i.e., the inner Pt for the self-propulsion and the outer Fe for the in situ generation of ferrous ions boosting the remediation of contaminated water.The degradation of organic pollutants takes place in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a reagent for the Fenton reaction and as main fuel to propel the micromotors. Factors influencing the efficiency of the Fenton oxidation process, including thickness of the Fe layer, pH, and concentration of hydrogen peroxide, are investigated. The ability of these catalytically self-propelled micromotors to improve intermixing in liquids results in the removal of organic pollutants ca. 12 times faster than when the Fenton oxidation process is carried out without catalytically active micromotors. The enhanced reaction-diffusion provided by micromotors has been theoretically modeled. The synergy between the internal and external functionalities of the micromotors, without the need of further functionalization, results into an enhanced degradation of nonbiodegradable and dangerous organic pollutants at small-scale environments and holds considerable promise for the remediation of contaminated water