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You searched for subject:(decision field theory). Showing records 1 – 15 of 15 total matches.
1. Dai, Junyi. USING TEST OF INTRANSITIVITY TO COMPARE COMPETING STATIC AND DYNAMIC MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL CHOICE .
Degree: 2014, Indiana University
► Most traditional research on intertemporal choice assumes a deterministic, static, and alternative-wise perspective, leading to the widely adopted delay discounting paradigm. Recently, however, Dai and… (more)
▼ Most traditional research on intertemporal choice assumes a deterministic, static, and alternative-wise perspective, leading to the widely adopted delay discounting paradigm. Recently, however, Dai and Busemeyer (2014) demonstrated that intertemporal choice is probabilistic, dynamic, and attribute-wise in nature, and they developed an attribute-wise diffusion model to account for these properties. This dissertation advances the previous research. Specifically, two new experiments with different types of intertemporal choice questions and an even more extensive comparison of competing static and dynamic models were conducted to further examine the relevant properties and look for a more comprehensive cognitive model of intertemporal choice. The results of the first experiment indicated that the probabilistic, dynamic, and attribute-wise nature of intertemporal choice was supported under both conditions when the SS options occurred immediately or were delayed options. In addition, the results of the second experiment indicated that most participants showed transitive intertemporal preferences in terms of weak stochastic transitivity. The extensive model comparison led to an overall best model which was a generalization of the diffusion model with direct differences as advocated in Dai and Busemeyer. This model can account for all the effects and phenomena examined in this dissertation, including the delay duration effect, the common difference effect (and its reversal), the magnitude effect, and the potential intransitivity of intertemporal choice, as well as the marginal and conditional relationships between choice proportions and response times observed in individual data as a demonstration of the dynamic nature of intertemporal choice. Furthermore, this model can be conveniently extended to intertemporal choice between losses and account for the relevant gain-loss asymmetry. Consequently, it is recommended as a replacement for the existing models of intertemporal choice which assume a deterministic, static, and alternative-wise perspective on the topic. Advisors/Committee Members: Busemeyer, Jerome R (advisor).
Subjects/Keywords: attribute-wise diffusion models; cognitive modeling; decision field theory; intertemporal choice; transitivity of preference
Dai, J. (2014). USING TEST OF INTRANSITIVITY TO COMPARE COMPETING STATIC AND DYNAMIC MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL CHOICE . (Thesis). Indiana University. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2022/18840
Dai, Junyi. "USING TEST OF INTRANSITIVITY TO COMPARE COMPETING STATIC AND DYNAMIC MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL CHOICE ." 2014. Thesis, Indiana University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/2022/18840.
Dai, Junyi. "USING TEST OF INTRANSITIVITY TO COMPARE COMPETING STATIC AND DYNAMIC MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL CHOICE ." 2014. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Dai J. USING TEST OF INTRANSITIVITY TO COMPARE COMPETING STATIC AND DYNAMIC MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL CHOICE . [Internet] [Thesis]. Indiana University; 2014. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/18840.
Dai J. USING TEST OF INTRANSITIVITY TO COMPARE COMPETING STATIC AND DYNAMIC MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL CHOICE . [Thesis]. Indiana University; 2014. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/18840
2. Negrete Valenzuela, Tomás Benjamín. Hacia la implementación de un modelo de elección discreta basado en el principio Decision Field Theory.
Degree: 2019, Universidad de Chile
URL: http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/174048
► La modelación de elecciones discretas tiene diversas aplicaciones prácticas relevantes en varias áreas del conocimiento, incluyendo economía, marketing, medio ambiente, salud y transporte. El enfoque… (more)
▼ La modelación de elecciones discretas tiene diversas aplicaciones prácticas relevantes en varias áreas del conocimiento, incluyendo economía, marketing, medio ambiente, salud y transporte. El enfoque de modelación usual considera que las personas realizan sus elecciones maximizando la utilidad agregada que perciben de las alternativas. A diferencia de los modelos tradicionales, el enfoque Decision Field Theory (DFT) considera un enfoque más realista que asume que el proceso de deliberación, es decir, el tiempo y el orden en que se observan los atributos, tiene un efecto en la elección nal que se realiza. Esta memoria contribuye en buscar una propuesta de modelo basado en el principio DFT, subsanando limitaciones de identi cación e interpretación del modelo actual que utiliza este enfoque. Un problema práctico para la implementación de un enfoque DFT como un modelo de elección discreta es que normalmente sólo se tiene información de los valores de los atributos de cada alternativa y lo que la población escogió, pero no el tiempo que la persona tomó en decidir, ni lo que observó para realizar esta decisión. Para dar cuenta de esta limitación, esta propuesta considera que estos datos se consideran como latentes, es decir, no observados. Para lograr esto, el modelo propuesto calcula todos las posibles observaciones que un individuo puede realizar construyendo una formulación con base matemática y probabilística, desarrollando así el modelo en su forma básica. El modelo propuesto se estudia mediante una simulación de Monte Carlo con el n de analizar el su comportamiento, su validez, y la capacidad de recuperar el valor de los parámetros. En segundo lugar, se realiza una comparación de la propuesta con otros modelos de la literatura en base a los datos generados. Finalmente se utilizan bases de datos reales para contrastar el modelo propuesto con métodos tradicionales de estimación, en especial con DFT. Si bien el modelo corresponde a un prototipo que aún requiere ciertos ajustes y relajación de hipótesis en su formulación, éste entrega resultados consistentes con su formulación y con los supuestos que se toman, además de mostrar resultados prometedores en cuanto a ajuste a los datos y factibilidad de estimación y de interpretación. El aporte generado se resume en una forma más realista modelar cómo los individuos realizan sus elecciones, subsanando limitaciones de identi cación e interpretación de modelos propuestos en la literatura.
Subjects/Keywords: Toma de decisiones - Modelos matemáticos; Método de elección discreta; Método Montecarlo; Decision Field Theory
Negrete Valenzuela, T. B. (2019). Hacia la implementación de un modelo de elección discreta basado en el principio Decision Field Theory . (Thesis). Universidad de Chile. Retrieved from http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/174048
Negrete Valenzuela, Tomás Benjamín. "Hacia la implementación de un modelo de elección discreta basado en el principio Decision Field Theory." 2019. Thesis, Universidad de Chile. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/174048.
Negrete Valenzuela, Tomás Benjamín. "Hacia la implementación de un modelo de elección discreta basado en el principio Decision Field Theory." 2019. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Negrete Valenzuela TB. Hacia la implementación de un modelo de elección discreta basado en el principio Decision Field Theory. [Internet] [Thesis]. Universidad de Chile; 2019. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/174048.
Negrete Valenzuela TB. Hacia la implementación de un modelo de elección discreta basado en el principio Decision Field Theory. [Thesis]. Universidad de Chile; 2019. Available from: http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/174048
3. Schlunz, Evert Barend. Multiobjective in-core fuel management optimisation for nuclear research reactors.
Degree: PhD, Logistics, 2016, Stellenbosch University
► ENGLISH SUMMARY : The efficiency and effectiveness of fuel usage in a typical nuclear reactor is influenced by the specific arrangement of available fuel assemblies… (more)
▼ ENGLISH SUMMARY : The efficiency and effectiveness of fuel usage in a typical nuclear reactor is influenced by the specific arrangement of available fuel assemblies in the reactor core positions. This arrangement of assemblies is referred to as a fuel reload configuration and usually has to be determined anew for each operational cycle of a reactor. Very often, multiple objectives are pursued simultaneously when designing a reload configuration, especially in the context of nuclear research reactors. In the multiobjective in-core fuel management optimization (MICFMO) problem, the aim is to identify a Pareto optimal set of compromise or trade-off reload configurations. Such a set may then be presented to a decision maker (i.e. a nuclear reactor operator) for consideration so as to select a preferred configuration. In the first part of this dissertation, a secularization-based methodology for MICFMO is pro- posed in order to address several shortcomings associated with the popular weighting method often employed in the literature for solving the MICFMO problem. The proposed methodology has been implemented in a reactor simulation code, called the OSCAR-4 system. In order to demonstrate its practical applicability, the methodology is applied to solve several MICFMO problem instances in the context of two research reactors. In the second part of the dissertation, an extensive investigation is conducted into the suitability of several multiobjective optimization algorithms for solving the constrained MICFMO problem. The computation time required to perform the investigation is reduced through the usage of several artificial neural networks constructed in the dissertation for objective and constraint function evaluations. Eight multiobjective metaheuristics are compared in the context of a test suite of several MICFMO problem instances, based on the SAFARI-1 research reactor in South Africa. The investigation reveals that the NSGA-II, the P-ACO algorithm and the MOOCEM are generally the best-performing metaheuristics across the problem instances in the test suite, while the MOVNS algorithm also performs well in the context of bi-objective problem instances. As part of this investigation, a multiplicative penalty function (MPF) constraint handling technique is also proposed and compared to an existing constraint handling technique, called constrained-domination. The comparison reveals that the MPF technique is a competitive alternative to constrained-domination. In an attempt to raise the level of generality at which MICFMO may be performed and potentially improve the quality of optimization results, a multiobjective hyperheuristic, called the AMALGAM method, is also considered in this dissertation. This hyperheuristic incorporates multiple metaheuristic sub-algorithms simultaneously for optimization. Testing reveals that the AMALGAM method yields superior results in the majority of problem instances in the test suite, thus achieving the dual goal of raising the level of generality and of yielding improved… Advisors/Committee Members: Van Vuuren, Jan H., Bokov, Pavel M., Stellenbosch University. Faculty Economic and Management Science. Dept. of Logistics..
Subjects/Keywords: Multiple criteria decision making; Nuclear reactors – Cores – Fuel; Heuristic; Scalar field theory; Neural networks (Computer science); Nuclear reactors; UCTD
Schlunz, E. B. (2016). Multiobjective in-core fuel management optimisation for nuclear research reactors . (Doctoral Dissertation). Stellenbosch University. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/100070
Schlunz, Evert Barend. "Multiobjective in-core fuel management optimisation for nuclear research reactors." 2016. Doctoral Dissertation, Stellenbosch University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/100070.
Schlunz, Evert Barend. "Multiobjective in-core fuel management optimisation for nuclear research reactors." 2016. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Schlunz EB. Multiobjective in-core fuel management optimisation for nuclear research reactors. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Stellenbosch University; 2016. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/100070.
Schlunz EB. Multiobjective in-core fuel management optimisation for nuclear research reactors. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Stellenbosch University; 2016. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/100070
4. Ng'ombe, John Nedson. Economics of the Greenseeder Hand Planter, Discrete Choice Modeling, and On-Farm Field Experimentation.
Degree: Agricultural Economics, 2019, Oklahoma State University
► To avoid limitations from small-scale agronomic trials, there has been a movement toward large-scale, on-farm field trials but questions remain as how best to conduct… (more)
▼ To avoid limitations from small-scale agronomic trials, there has been a movement toward large-scale, on-farm field trials but questions remain as how best to conduct them and when it is most profitable to quit them. The third essay addresses these questions by using a fully Bayesian decision-theoretic approach. Data are from Monte Carlo simulations assuming a corn-input stochastic plateau production function. Results suggest the best way to conduct such experiments is to allocate to each of the 10% of the plots, 0 lb. of N, half of N*, and 150% of N* under a 30-plot experimental design. Results further indicate that it optimal to quit such trials in year 2. Sensitivity analysis confirms the optimal quit period but suggests such experiments are most profitable by allocating unalike N levels to all of the 30% of experimental plots. Advisors/Committee Members: Brorsen, B. Wade (advisor), DeVuyst, Eric (committee member), Lambert, Dayton M. (committee member), Kazianga, Harounan (committee member).
Subjects/Keywords: bayesian decision-theory; choice set specification; conditional logit; greenseeder hand planter; monte carlo experiments; on-farm field experiments
Ng'ombe, J. N. (2019). Economics of the Greenseeder Hand Planter, Discrete Choice Modeling, and On-Farm Field Experimentation . (Thesis). Oklahoma State University. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11244/323369
Ng'ombe, John Nedson. "Economics of the Greenseeder Hand Planter, Discrete Choice Modeling, and On-Farm Field Experimentation." 2019. Thesis, Oklahoma State University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11244/323369.
Ng'ombe, John Nedson. "Economics of the Greenseeder Hand Planter, Discrete Choice Modeling, and On-Farm Field Experimentation." 2019. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Ng'ombe JN. Economics of the Greenseeder Hand Planter, Discrete Choice Modeling, and On-Farm Field Experimentation. [Internet] [Thesis]. Oklahoma State University; 2019. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11244/323369.
Ng'ombe JN. Economics of the Greenseeder Hand Planter, Discrete Choice Modeling, and On-Farm Field Experimentation. [Thesis]. Oklahoma State University; 2019. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11244/323369
5. Lee, Seung Ho. INTEGRATED HUMAN DECISION BEHAVIOR MODELING UNDER AN EXTENDED BELIEF-DESIRE-INTENTION FRAMEWORK .
Degree: 2009, University of Arizona
► Modeling comprehensive human decision behaviors in a unified and extensible framework is quite challenging. In this research, an integrated Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) modeling framework is proposed… (more)
▼ Modeling comprehensive human decision behaviors in a unified and extensible framework is quite challenging. In this research, an integrated Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) modeling framework is proposed to represent the human decision behavior, whose submodules (Belief, Desire, Decision-Making, and Emotion modules) are based on a Bayesian belief network (BBN), Decision-Field-Theory (DFT), a probabilistic depth first search (PDFS) technique, and a BBN-reinforcement (Q-Learning) hybrid learning algorithm. A key novelty of the proposed model is its ability to represent various human decision behaviors such as decision-making, decision-planning, and learning in a unified framework.To this end, first, we extend DFT (a widely known psychological model for preference evolution) to cope with dynamic environments. The extended DFT (EDFT) updates the subjective evaluation for the alternatives and the attention weights on the attributes via BBN under the dynamic environment. To illustrate and validate the proposed EDFT, a human-in-the-loop experiment is conducted for a virtual stock market. Second, a new approach to represent learning (a dynamic evolution process of underlying modules) in the human decision behavior is proposed under the context of the BDI framework. Our research focuses on how a human adjusts his perception process (involving BBN) dynamically against his performance (depicted via a confidence index) in predicting the environment as part of his decision-planning. To this end, Q-learning is employed and further developed.To mimic realistic human behaviors, attributes of the BDI framework are reverse-engineered from human-in-the-loop experiments conducted in the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). The proposed modeling framework is demonstrated for a human's evacuation behaviors in response to a terrorist bomb attack. The constructed simulation has been used to test the impact of several factors (e.g., demographics, number of police officers, information sharing via speakers) on evacuation performance (e.g., average evacuation time, percentage of casualties).In addition, the proposed human decision behavior model is extended for decisions of many stakeholders that form a complex social network in the community-based development of software systems.To the best of our knowledge, the proposed human decision behavior modeling framework is one of the first efforts to represent various human decision behaviors (e.g., decision-making, decision-planning, dynamic learning) in a unified BDI framework. Advisors/Committee Members: Son, Young-Jun (advisor), Son, Young-Jun (committeemember), Bahill, Terry A. (committeemember), Szidarovszky, Ferenc (committeemember), Zeng, Daniel (committeemember).
Subjects/Keywords: Baysian belief network; BDI; Decision field theory; Human decision; Human learning
Lee, S. H. (2009). INTEGRATED HUMAN DECISION BEHAVIOR MODELING UNDER AN EXTENDED BELIEF-DESIRE-INTENTION FRAMEWORK . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Arizona. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10150/193788
Lee, Seung Ho. "INTEGRATED HUMAN DECISION BEHAVIOR MODELING UNDER AN EXTENDED BELIEF-DESIRE-INTENTION FRAMEWORK ." 2009. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Arizona. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/193788.
Lee, Seung Ho. "INTEGRATED HUMAN DECISION BEHAVIOR MODELING UNDER AN EXTENDED BELIEF-DESIRE-INTENTION FRAMEWORK ." 2009. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Lee SH. INTEGRATED HUMAN DECISION BEHAVIOR MODELING UNDER AN EXTENDED BELIEF-DESIRE-INTENTION FRAMEWORK . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Arizona; 2009. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/193788.
Lee SH. INTEGRATED HUMAN DECISION BEHAVIOR MODELING UNDER AN EXTENDED BELIEF-DESIRE-INTENTION FRAMEWORK . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Arizona; 2009. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/193788
6. Pretorius, Arnu. On noise regularised neural networks: initialisation, learning and inference.
Degree: PhD, Mathematical Sciences, 2019, Stellenbosch University
► ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Innovation in regularisation techniques for deep neural networks has been a key factor in the rising success of deep learning. However, there is… (more)
▼ ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Innovation in regularisation techniques for deep neural networks has been a key factor in the rising success of deep learning. However, there is often limited guidance from theory in the development of these techniques and our understanding of the functioning of various successful regularisation techniques remains impoverished. In this work, we seek to contribute to an improved understanding of regularisation in deep learning. We specifically focus on a particular approach to regularisation that injects noise into a neural network. An example of such a technique which is often used is dropout (Srivastava et al., 2014). Our contributions in noise regularisation span three key areas of modeling: (1) learning, (2) initialisation and (3) inference. We first analyse the learning dynamics of a simple class of shallow noise regularised neural networks called denoising autoencoders (DAEs) (Vincent et al., 2008), to gain an improved understanding of how noise affects the learning process. In this first part, we observe a dependence o f learning behaviour on initialisation, which leads us to study how noise interacts with the initialisation of a deep neural network in terms of signal propagation dynamics during the forward and backward pass. Finally, we consider how noise affects inference in a Bayesian context. We mainly focus on fully-connected feedforward neural networks with rectifier linear unit (ReLU) activation functions throughout this study. To analyse the learning dynamics of DAEs, we derive closed form solutions to a system of decoupled differential equations that describe the change in scalar weights during the course of training as they approach the eigenvalues of the input covariance matrix (under a convenient change of basis). In terms of initialisation, we use mean field theory to approximate the distribution of the pre-activations of individual neurons, and use this to derive recursive equations that characterise the signal propagation behaviour of the noise regularised network during the first forward and backward pass o f training. Using these equations, we derive new initialisation schemes for noise regularised neural networks that ensure stable signal propagation. Since this analysis is only valid at initialisation, we next conduct a large-scale controlled experiment, training thousands of networks under a theoretically guided experimental design, for further testing the effects of initialisation on training speed and generalisation. To shed light on the influence of noise on inference, we develop a connection between randomly initialised deep noise regularised neural networks and Gaussian processes (GPs)—non-parametric models that perform exact Bayesian inference—and establish new connections between a particular initialisation of such a network and the behaviour of its corresponding GP. Our work ends with an application of signal propagation theory to approximate Bayesian inference in deep learning where we develop a new technique that uses self-stabilising priors for training… Advisors/Committee Members: Kroon, Rodney Stephen, Kamper, Herman, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Mathematical Sciences. Division Computer Science..
Subjects/Keywords: Neural networks (Computer Science); Neural network initialisation; Stochastic regularisation; Machine learning; Regularisation; Mean field theory; Artificial intelligtence; Bayesian statistical decision theory; Probabilities – Data processing; Noise (Computer Science); UCTD
Pretorius, A. (2019). On noise regularised neural networks: initialisation, learning and inference . (Doctoral Dissertation). Stellenbosch University. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107035
Pretorius, Arnu. "On noise regularised neural networks: initialisation, learning and inference." 2019. Doctoral Dissertation, Stellenbosch University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107035.
Pretorius, Arnu. "On noise regularised neural networks: initialisation, learning and inference." 2019. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Pretorius A. On noise regularised neural networks: initialisation, learning and inference. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Stellenbosch University; 2019. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107035.
Pretorius A. On noise regularised neural networks: initialisation, learning and inference. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Stellenbosch University; 2019. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107035
7. Solloway, Tyler. Combining approach-gain and avoid-loss frames increases message effectiveness.
Degree: PhD, Communication, 2014, The Ohio State University
URL: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1417619273
► Gain-loss framing has produced inconsistent results in communication (O'Keefe & Jensen, 2006, 2007, 2009). Yet, studies from psychology demonstrate consistent gain-loss message effects (Higgins, 1997,… (more)
▼ Gain-loss framing has produced inconsistent results in communication (O'Keefe & Jensen, 2006, 2007, 2009). Yet, studies from psychology demonstrate consistent gain-loss message effects (Higgins, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005). Regulatory focus theory suggests the lack of operational clarity in communication applications may be the one of the reasons for inconsistent results. It is proposed that communication scholars use approach-gain and avoid-loss frames to create effective messages. The dissertation extends regulatory focus theory by arguing (a) frames' relationship with perceived effectiveness is mediated by attention to the frames, (b) the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss frames will receive the most attention, when the message has low to moderate arousing content, and (c) the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss will be most effective. Two within-subjects experiments were conducted, using visual fixations to operationalize attention. Study 1 examined the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss frames, without manipulating arousing content. Study 2 examined the combination of frames and manipulated arousing content. The two studies revealed that individuals looked the most at approach-gain information, and attention to information did not influence perceived message effectiveness. As predicted, when arousal was controlled for, messages with the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss frames were perceived as more effective than messages with only one type of frame. Advisors/Committee Members: Wang, Zheng (Joyce) (Advisor).
Subjects/Keywords: Communication; Marketing; gain loss framing; approach-gain; avoid-loss; regulatory focus theory; dual motivation theory; decision field theory; arousal; attention to messages; message effectiveness; sensation seeking; prosocial messaging; public service announcements
Solloway, T. (2014). Combining approach-gain and avoid-loss frames increases message effectiveness . (Doctoral Dissertation). The Ohio State University. Retrieved from http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1417619273
Solloway, Tyler. "Combining approach-gain and avoid-loss frames increases message effectiveness." 2014. Doctoral Dissertation, The Ohio State University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1417619273.
Solloway, Tyler. "Combining approach-gain and avoid-loss frames increases message effectiveness." 2014. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Solloway T. Combining approach-gain and avoid-loss frames increases message effectiveness. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. The Ohio State University; 2014. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1417619273.
Solloway T. Combining approach-gain and avoid-loss frames increases message effectiveness. [Doctoral Dissertation]. The Ohio State University; 2014. Available from: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1417619273
Universitetet i Tromsø
8. Wibe, Håkon Tandstad. State Decision-Making in a Post-Crisis Economy. The Case of Iceland: A Post-Fordist and Field Theoretical Approach to Modern State Decision-Making .
Degree: 2014, Universitetet i Tromsø
► This thesis analyses the extent and limitations of the Icelandic response to the financial crisis in 2008 with the use of Fligstein and McAdam's Field… (more)
▼ This thesis analyses the extent and limitations of the Icelandic response to the financial crisis in 2008 with the use of Fligstein and McAdam's Field Theory and Post-Fordist theory of modern Capitalism. The thesis establishes the existence of a pure Post-Fordist regime of accumulation, and holds that while state and labor have asserted significant influence on the post-crisis policies they have primarily served to reproduce the power of capital due to domestic and transnational Post-Fordist constellations. The Post-Fordist structures are found to reduce the effects of the egalitarian policies, and increase the relative power of capital within the Icelandic society. The labor unions have converged with capital interests, defended the Occupational Pension Funds at the cost of labor interests, and become proponents of expanding the Post-Fordist regime. The state has reproduced a refurbished status quo in the bank market and established control by confining to a multitude of social roles inherent within the state- and market structures. The extent of labor and state influence are further found to be the main deviations from the general European context, and the analysis brings out the holistic synergy between the two theories in explaining state decision-making in the contemporary political economy. Advisors/Committee Members: Robinson, Peter Stuart (advisor).
Subjects/Keywords: VDP::Samfunnsvitenskap: 200::Statsvitenskap og organisasjonsteori: 240::Internasjonal politikk: 243; VDP::Social science: 200::Political science and organizational theory: 240::International politics: 243; Iceland; Post-Fordism; Field Theory; Sociology of Markets; Capitalism; State decision-making; Political economy
Wibe, H. T. (2014). State Decision-Making in a Post-Crisis Economy. The Case of Iceland: A Post-Fordist and Field Theoretical Approach to Modern State Decision-Making . (Masters Thesis). Universitetet i Tromsø. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10037/6485
Wibe, Håkon Tandstad. "State Decision-Making in a Post-Crisis Economy. The Case of Iceland: A Post-Fordist and Field Theoretical Approach to Modern State Decision-Making ." 2014. Masters Thesis, Universitetet i Tromsø. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10037/6485.
Wibe, Håkon Tandstad. "State Decision-Making in a Post-Crisis Economy. The Case of Iceland: A Post-Fordist and Field Theoretical Approach to Modern State Decision-Making ." 2014. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Wibe HT. State Decision-Making in a Post-Crisis Economy. The Case of Iceland: A Post-Fordist and Field Theoretical Approach to Modern State Decision-Making . [Internet] [Masters thesis]. Universitetet i Tromsø 2014. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10037/6485.
Wibe HT. State Decision-Making in a Post-Crisis Economy. The Case of Iceland: A Post-Fordist and Field Theoretical Approach to Modern State Decision-Making . [Masters Thesis]. Universitetet i Tromsø 2014. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10037/6485
National University of Ireland – Galway
9. Sharkey, Ultan. Online Shop Presentation Modes for Consumer Decision Making and Flow Experiences .
Degree: 2011, National University of Ireland – Galway
► This research investigates the influence of product record presentation modes on the process and outcomes of online shopping. Experiments investigated eight combinations of product presentation… (more)
▼ This research investigates the influence of product record presentation modes on the process and outcomes of online shopping. Experiments investigated eight combinations of product presentation modes by partnering with an online retailer to access a sample of online shoppers. In terms of the shopping process, the study examines the effects of presentation modes on shopper decision making and experience of flow in online shopping. In terms of outcomes, the influence of presentation modes and shopper processes on decision confidence, satisfaction and effort are investigated in addition to influence on shopper intention to return and intention to purchase. The study contributes novel instruments for assessing shopper decision making processes and shopper experience of flow. The study also delineates the suitability of presentation mode conditions to support online shopping processes and outcomes. The growth of online shopping brings with it cognitive challenges for consumers attempting to assess vast numbers of options in purchase decisions. Further, there is little guidance for vendors in terms of presenting large numbers of product options to aid consumer decision processing and experiences. This study provides guidelines to vendors both in terms of supporting consumer shopping processes and in terms of consumer intention to return and purchase from the online shop. Results indicate that optimising the consumer experience during their shopping trip may be of greater importance for vendors than supporting better decision behaviours. The findings relating to online shopper flow experience are more substantial than those relating to consumer decision behaviour, though both hold significance. Flow experience showed significant influence for consumer decision confidence, satisfaction and effort as well as intentions to return and purchase. Ultimately, the study shows that optimising online shopping experience through the careful design of presentation modes may be a fruitful avenue for research and for online vendors. Advisors/Committee Members: Acton, Thomas (advisor), Conboy, Kieran (advisor).
Subjects/Keywords: Online shopping; E-shopping; Decision behaviour; Decision making; Consumer choice; Decision confidence; Decision effort; Decision satisfaction; Behavioural intention; Intention to purchase; Intention to return; Intention to use; Loyalty; Flow experience; Flow theory; Optimal experience; Presentation modes; Product layout; Product record layout; Consideration sets; Comparison tools; Sorting tools; Online shop interface; Think aloud protocol; TAP; Online shopper; Online questionnaire; Laboratory experimentation; Field experimentation; Cooperative evaluation; Business Information Systems
Sharkey, U. (2011). Online Shop Presentation Modes for Consumer Decision Making and Flow Experiences . (Thesis). National University of Ireland – Galway. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10379/2236
Sharkey, Ultan. "Online Shop Presentation Modes for Consumer Decision Making and Flow Experiences ." 2011. Thesis, National University of Ireland – Galway. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10379/2236.
Sharkey, Ultan. "Online Shop Presentation Modes for Consumer Decision Making and Flow Experiences ." 2011. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Sharkey U. Online Shop Presentation Modes for Consumer Decision Making and Flow Experiences . [Internet] [Thesis]. National University of Ireland – Galway; 2011. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10379/2236.
Sharkey U. Online Shop Presentation Modes for Consumer Decision Making and Flow Experiences . [Thesis]. National University of Ireland – Galway; 2011. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10379/2236
10. Calderone, Daniel Joseph. Models of Competition for Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure: Parking, Ridesharing, and External Factors in Routing Decisions.
Degree: Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, 2017, University of California – Berkeley
URL: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/21z5n18d
► Competition underlies much of the complexity of modern transportation systems and accurately modeling the incentives transportation users face is critical in designing the smart cities… (more)
▼ Competition underlies much of the complexity of modern transportation systems and accurately modeling the incentives transportation users face is critical in designing the smart cities of tomorrow. In this work, we extend traditional non-atomic routing games to model several different scenarios relevant to modern cities. In Chapter 2, we review results on continuous population potential games and routing games and discuss linear programming interpretations of individual drivers' decisions and their relationship to the Wardrop equilibria. We include discussion of the variable demand case and upper bounds on the price of anarchy. In Chapter 3, we combine an observable queueing game with a routing game to develop a queue-routing game useful for modeling traffic circling looking for parking in urban centers. We use this framework to model several parking situations in downtown Seattle. In Chapter 4, we discuss connections between linear programming formulations of shortest path problems and linear programming formulations of Markov decision processes (MDPs). We use these connections to motivate a stochastic population game we call a Markov decision process routing game where each infinitesimal agent solves an MDP as opposed to a shortest path problem. We develop this game in the infinite-horizon, average-cost case and in the finite-horizon, total-cost case. We comment on connections with traditional routing games as well as other stochastic population game formulations such as mean field games. Paralleling results for traditional routing games, we derive upper bounds on the price of anarchy and comment on the existence of Braess paradox. We apply this framework to model ridesharing drivers competing for fares and to develop a model of circling traffic competing for street parking. Finally, in Chapter 5, we consider a bi-criterion routing game where drivers consider travel time along with some external factor. Preference for this external factor is represented by general distribution over a type parameter that can be supported both above and below zero. We develop the appropriate equilibrium concept and show how this framework can be used to model the transportation data market, drivers' interest in their location privacy, and commuters comparing two different commuting options. In Chapter 6, we conclude and make final comments on modeling considerations and future research directions.
Subjects/Keywords: Transportation; Operations research; Electrical engineering; Game theory; Markov decision processes; Mean-field games; Potential games; Routing games; Stochastic games
…x28;2) . . . . . . . . . . 4.7 Decision criteria at (a) t = 9 and (b)… …Markov decision process (MDP). This framework has close connections with other… …stochastic population game formulations such as anonymous sequential games and mean field games. We… …theory communities for over 75 years. One of the most popular approaches to modeling this… …potential game, there is a linear programming interpretation of each individual agent's decision…
Calderone, D. J. (2017). Models of Competition for Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure: Parking, Ridesharing, and External Factors in Routing Decisions . (Thesis). University of California – Berkeley. Retrieved from http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/21z5n18d
Calderone, Daniel Joseph. "Models of Competition for Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure: Parking, Ridesharing, and External Factors in Routing Decisions." 2017. Thesis, University of California – Berkeley. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/21z5n18d.
Calderone, Daniel Joseph. "Models of Competition for Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure: Parking, Ridesharing, and External Factors in Routing Decisions." 2017. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Calderone DJ. Models of Competition for Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure: Parking, Ridesharing, and External Factors in Routing Decisions. [Internet] [Thesis]. University of California – Berkeley; 2017. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/21z5n18d.
Calderone DJ. Models of Competition for Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure: Parking, Ridesharing, and External Factors in Routing Decisions. [Thesis]. University of California – Berkeley; 2017. Available from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/21z5n18d
11. Gunby, P. Comparing Ambiguous Inferences When Probabilities are Imprecise.
Degree: Department of Economics and Finance, 2010, University of Canterbury
► Suppose you are interested in the level of a state variable (e.g. a disease is present or absent or of a pre-specified level of severity,… (more)
▼ Suppose you are interested in the level of a state variable (e.g. a disease is present or absent or of a pre-specified level of severity, or a failure is recorded or not, etc.) and have a potentially useful but imperfect diagnostic test method, (e.g. a blood test result for this disease, or a quality control check for manufacturing defects, is either definitely positive or not). How do you interpret the result of the diagnostic test for the level of the state variable when some or all of the information underlying the inference is ambiguous (imprecise)? This publication for the Wolfram Demonstration project is designed to facilitate the "what-if" exploration of the effects of ambiguities (imprecision) in sensitivity, specificity, and base rate information, alone or in combination, on posterior inferences through a linked tabular natural frequency and graphical probability format representation of underlying uncertainties. The textual description explains the underlying theory of boundedly rational inference. An appendix contains the full Mathematica code used to implement the interactive software that implements and explains the underlying theory.
Subjects/Keywords: ambiguity; Bayesian decision making; inverse probabilities; choice under uncertainty; natural frequencies; Mathematica; Field of Research::14 - Economics::1403 - Econometrics::140302 - Econometric and Statistical Methods; Field of Research::01 - Mathematical Sciences::0104 - Statistics::010405 - Statistical Theory
Gunby, P. (2010). Comparing Ambiguous Inferences When Probabilities are Imprecise . (Thesis). University of Canterbury. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5360
Gunby, P. "Comparing Ambiguous Inferences When Probabilities are Imprecise." 2010. Thesis, University of Canterbury. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5360.
Gunby, P. "Comparing Ambiguous Inferences When Probabilities are Imprecise." 2010. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Gunby P. Comparing Ambiguous Inferences When Probabilities are Imprecise. [Internet] [Thesis]. University of Canterbury; 2010. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5360.
Gunby P. Comparing Ambiguous Inferences When Probabilities are Imprecise. [Thesis]. University of Canterbury; 2010. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5360
12. Assem, Martijn. Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Stake TV Game Show and Related Experiments.
Degree: 2008, Erasmus Research Institute of Management
► textabstractThe central theme of this dissertation is the analysis of risky choice. The first two chapters analyze the choice behavior of contestants in a TV… (more)
▼ textabstractThe central theme of this dissertation is the analysis of risky choice. The first two chapters analyze the choice behavior of contestants in a TV game show named "Deal or No Deal" (DOND). DOND provides a unique opportunity to study risk behavior, because it is characterized by very large and wide-ranging stakes, by a simple probability distribution, and by stop-go decisions that require minimal skill or strategy. The first chapter analyzes individual editions from different countries. The results are hard to reconcile with expected utility theory and point to reference-dependent alternatives such as prospect theory. The choices of contestants can be explained in large part by previous outcomes experienced during the game. Risk aversion decreases after earlier expectations have been shattered by unfavorable outcomes or surpassed by favorable outcomes. The second chapter compares across editions. Risky choice turns out to be highly sensitive to the context, as defined by the initial prizes in the game. Even though the initial stakes of the various editions are widely different, contestants respond in a similar way to the stakes relative to their initial level. The third chapter of this thesis analyzes random task incentive systems (RTISs), using experiments that mimic DOND. RTISs are commonly applied in risky choice experiments to implement real incentives, especially when research budgets are limited and to avoid income effects. We find that caution is warranted when applying RTISs.
Subjects/Keywords: deal or no deal; decision making under risk; expected utility theory; field experiment; framing; game show; incentive systems; laboratory experiment; natural experiment; prospect theory; risk aversion; risky choice
Assem, M. (2008). Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Stake TV Game Show and Related Experiments . (Doctoral Dissertation). Erasmus Research Institute of Management. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13566
Assem, Martijn. "Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Stake TV Game Show and Related Experiments." 2008. Doctoral Dissertation, Erasmus Research Institute of Management. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13566.
Assem, Martijn. "Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Stake TV Game Show and Related Experiments." 2008. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Assem M. Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Stake TV Game Show and Related Experiments. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Erasmus Research Institute of Management; 2008. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13566.
Assem M. Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Stake TV Game Show and Related Experiments. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Erasmus Research Institute of Management; 2008. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13566
13. Zhang, Ruohui. Multialternative Decision Field Theory Model Fitting Using Different Measures of Attribute Weighting.
Degree: MA, Psychology, 2015, Miami University
URL: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1435832481
► Very few researchers have used empirical data to fit Multialternative decision field theory(MDFT). The current research designed an apartment choice task to fit experimental data… (more)
▼ Very few researchers have used empirical data to fit Multialternative decision field theory(MDFT). The current research designed an apartment choice task to fit experimental data intoMDFT to test the theory's choice predicted accuracy. The same data was also used to fit theexpected utility theory. Three different measures of attribute weighting, calculated from self-reportand eye tracking data, were used to test which measure can predict people's choicebetter. The results showed that MDFT's predicted accuracy was higher than the expectedutility theory, and the three attribute weightings performed relatively well at predictingchoice accuracy. Advisors/Committee Members: Johnson, Joseph (Advisor).
Subjects/Keywords: Psychology; Multialternative Decision Field Theory; MDFT; Attribute Weighting; Attribute Measure; Attribute Measurement; Model Fitting; Expected Utility Theory; Self-Report; Eye Tracking; Predicted Accuracy
…x28;1993) later introduced decision field theory (DFT) to the community of… …multialternative decision field theory (MDFT) was very similar to DFT. MDFT suggested that… …decision making process angle. Deterministic subjective expected utility (SEU) theory… …An advance development of utility theory was the multiattribute utility theory (MAUT… …Process model As decision making theories developed, more and more researchers realized that…
Zhang, R. (2015). Multialternative Decision Field Theory Model Fitting Using Different Measures of Attribute Weighting . (Masters Thesis). Miami University. Retrieved from http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1435832481
Zhang, Ruohui. "Multialternative Decision Field Theory Model Fitting Using Different Measures of Attribute Weighting." 2015. Masters Thesis, Miami University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1435832481.
Zhang, Ruohui. "Multialternative Decision Field Theory Model Fitting Using Different Measures of Attribute Weighting." 2015. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Zhang R. Multialternative Decision Field Theory Model Fitting Using Different Measures of Attribute Weighting. [Internet] [Masters thesis]. Miami University; 2015. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1435832481.
Zhang R. Multialternative Decision Field Theory Model Fitting Using Different Measures of Attribute Weighting. [Masters Thesis]. Miami University; 2015. Available from: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1435832481
14. Suh, Sangwook. Low-power discrete Fourier transform and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for OFDM receivers.
Degree: PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2011, Georgia Tech
► The purpose of this research is to present a low-power wireless communication receiver with an enhanced performance by relieving the system complexity and performance degradation… (more)
▼ The purpose of this research is to present a low-power wireless communication receiver with an enhanced performance by relieving the system complexity and performance degradation imposed by a quantization process. With an overwhelming demand for more reliable communication systems, the complexity required for modern communication systems has been increased accordingly. A byproduct of this increase in complexity is a commensurate increase in power consumption of the systems. Since the Shannon's era, the main stream of the methodologies for promising the high reliability of communication systems has been based on the principle that the information signals flowing through the system are represented in digits. Consequently, the system itself has been heavily driven to be implemented with digital circuits, which is generally beneficial over analog implementations when digitally stored information is locally accessible, such as in memory systems. However, in communication systems, a receiver does not have a direct access to the originally transmitted information. Since the received signals from a noisy channel are already continuous values with continuous probability distributions, we suggest a mixed-signal system in which the received continuous signals are directly fed into the analog demodulator and the subsequent soft-decision Viterbi decoder without any quantization involved. In this way, we claim that redundant system complexity caused by the quantization process is eliminated, thus gives better power efficiency in wireless communication systems, especially for battery-powered mobile devices. This is also beneficial from a performance perspective, as it takes full advantage of the soft information flowing through the system. Advisors/Committee Members: Barry, John (Committee Chair), Hasler, Paul (Committee Co-Chair), Anderson, David (Committee Member), Hamblen, James (Committee Member), Lacey, Michael (Committee Member), McLaughlin, Steven (Committee Member).
Subjects/Keywords: Quantization; Power consumption; Bit error rate; Floating gate; Field-programmable analog array; Soft-decision; Viterbi decoder; Discrete Fourier transform; Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing; Fourier transformations; Error-correcting codes (Information theory); Data transmission systems; Wireless communication systems; Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
…48 4.2.4 Proposed Soft-Decision Viterbi Decoder ....................................... 50… …4.3 Soft-Decision Viterbi Decoder Implementation in FPAA ....................... 59 4.3.1… …equalization. When compared to theory, the penalty after equalization is less than 1 dB… …continuous signals are directly fed into the analog demodulator and the subsequent soft-decision… …advent of soft-decision decoding schemes, this digitizing process imposes an upper limit on the…
Suh, S. (2011). Low-power discrete Fourier transform and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for OFDM receivers . (Doctoral Dissertation). Georgia Tech. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1853/42716
Suh, Sangwook. "Low-power discrete Fourier transform and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for OFDM receivers." 2011. Doctoral Dissertation, Georgia Tech. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/42716.
Suh, Sangwook. "Low-power discrete Fourier transform and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for OFDM receivers." 2011. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Suh S. Low-power discrete Fourier transform and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for OFDM receivers. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Georgia Tech; 2011. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/1853/42716.
Suh S. Low-power discrete Fourier transform and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for OFDM receivers. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Georgia Tech; 2011. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/1853/42716
15. Cilek, Ömer. Maskulinitet inom socialt arbete : Manliga socionomstudenters upplevelse av att studera i en kvinnodominerad utbildning.
Degree: Social Work, 2019, Stockholm University
URL: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-169950
► Studying social work in Sweden is less popular among men than women. Only about one in five applicants who applied to the programme during… (more)
▼ Studying social work in Sweden is less popular among men than women. Only about one in five applicants who applied to the programme during the autumn of 2018 in Stockholm University were male, showcasing a gender imbalance. Thus, the aim of this study is to research why male social work students applied to the programme, how their environment influenced their choice, and their attitude towards working in a female dominated field. Furthermore, the study has a deductive approach where the two theories, socialization and Connells theory of masculinity, laid the groundwork for the analysis. Nine male students in Stockholm University were divided into two focus group interviews, and their discussions were later analyzed qualitatively. The empirical data was then constructed into four themes which were examined through previous research and the earlier mentioned theories. The results show that the respondents prioritize comfort and safety over status and income when choosing a profession, that they perceive important qualities in a social worker to be empathic yet assertive, that social work in general is viewed as an unclear subject which hinders others from seeing it as a viable career option and that men in social work are desirable in the labour market.
Subjects/Keywords: social work; gender differences within social work; masculinity theory; socialization; career decision making; traditional and non-traditional male careers; masculinity within social work; men in a female dominated field; maskulinitet i socialt arbete; män i socialt arbete; Social Work; Socialt arbete
…social work", "masculinity theory", "socialization", "career decision making", "traditional and… …field", "maskulinitet i socialt arbete" samt "män i socialt arbete". Dessutom sökte vi på… …x29;. Den första dimensionen är "pragmatically rational decision-making", som innebär att… …training credits field" som visar att kultur, bakgrund och emotioner spelar en roll i individens…
Cilek, �. (2019). Maskulinitet inom socialt arbete : Manliga socionomstudenters upplevelse av att studera i en kvinnodominerad utbildning . (Thesis). Stockholm University. Retrieved from http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-169950
Cilek, Ömer. "Maskulinitet inom socialt arbete : Manliga socionomstudenters upplevelse av att studera i en kvinnodominerad utbildning." 2019. Thesis, Stockholm University. Accessed January 20, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-169950.
Cilek, Ömer. "Maskulinitet inom socialt arbete : Manliga socionomstudenters upplevelse av att studera i en kvinnodominerad utbildning." 2019. Web. 20 Jan 2021.
Cilek �. Maskulinitet inom socialt arbete : Manliga socionomstudenters upplevelse av att studera i en kvinnodominerad utbildning. [Internet] [Thesis]. Stockholm University; 2019. [cited 2021 Jan 20]. Available from: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-169950.
Cilek �. Maskulinitet inom socialt arbete : Manliga socionomstudenters upplevelse av att studera i en kvinnodominerad utbildning. [Thesis]. Stockholm University; 2019. Available from: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-169950


Turn screen time into serene time. Disconnect from devices. Make dinner together in the full kitchen. Bad weather? No problem. Play board games. Watch a movie on the TV/DVD.
Our travel trailer has two foldout beds that each sleep two comfortably, a slide-out couch that lays out to a bed - sleeps one adult or two small children, plus a dining area that converts to sleeping one more.
We provide bed linens, towels, cooking supplies, campfire chairs. All you need to bring are clothes and food. Air conditioning and heat make your outdoor adventure more glamporous than roughing it.
Requires a vehicle/hitch that can tow 4600 pounds or more. Don't have that? Let us know and we might be able to negotiate a drop-off/pick-up.
Choose a campsite that has 30+amp electric and water. If sewer isn't included on your site, you will need to use a dump station or pump service (generally once every 2-3 days).
We've enjoyed 5 years at various campgrounds with our 11 and 15 yr old kids. In excellent condition and perfect size even if the kids want to bring a friend or two.


text:
Home K-nine news Medical Detection Dog awarded 'Animal OBE' for outstanding devotion
Medical Detection Dog awarded 'Animal OBE' for outstanding devotion
Pet ownership has countless mental and physical health benefits and is estimated to save the NHS £2.45 billion a year. However, this special Medical Detection Dog has gone above and beyond for his owner.
Eight-year-old Labrador Pal was awarded the PDSA Order of Merit – the animal equivalent of the OBE – by veterinary charity PDSA at a special ceremony in Leeds Castle, Kent, on 17 April. Pal has been trained to detect changes in blood sugar levels for his diabetic owner, Claire Pearson.
During his seven year career, he has alerted her to over 12,000 separate blood-sugar changes. If not caught in time, these could have killed her. Pal's interventions have prevented countless NHS emergency call-outs and resulted in fewer hospital admissions for Claire.
Commenting on the award, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said, "Pal has spent six years protecting Claire's wellbeing. It is clear that a special bond exists between the two of them and this incredible life-enhancing devotion makes Pal a most worthy recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit."
Claire's story
Claire Pearson has lived with Type 1 Brittle Diabetes since birth. But her life, and her family's lives, changed dramatically when she fell seriously ill with end-stage renal failure in 2003. This meant she needed a pancreas and kidney transplant, and faced dialysis three times a week.
Claire was rendered unable to tell when she was hypoglycaemic (hypo), which meant that her young children would often return home from primary school to find her collapsed. Her health diagnosis plunged her into severe depression and she was later diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – a side-effect of being told she had a life-limiting condition. She was left with little confidence and unable to leave the house on her own.
In the depths of despair, Claire saw an advert for Medical Detection Dogs and applied for assistance. In 2012, Claire was introduced to 16-month-old Labrador, Pal, and their remarkable relationship began. Pal's ability to smell chemical changes in Claire's breath has prevented her from falling into hypo-induced comas on countless occasions.
Discussing Pal's abilities, Claire said, "He is trained to fetch my blood sugar monitor, glucose, insulin and will even bring me my phone if I need it. If I'm too ill to help myself, Pal will fetch someone or push our panic button at home, which alerts the emergency services."
In addition, Pal has accompanied Claire to all her dialysis sessions for five years, helping to keep her calm and happy as she undergoes treatment.
"Having Pal gave me the confidence to leave the house again," explained Claire. "I started joining local fundraising activities and even giving talks about how wonderful Pal is and how he's helped me reclaim my life. It was truly life-changing and I can never repay him for giving me peace of mind, knowing that my boys wouldn't face coming home from school to find me dangerously ill."
After receiving a life-changing kidney and pancreas transplant, Claire is no longer a diabetic, but Pal has continued to look after Claire – alerting her to changes in her blood sugar which could indicate early-stage organ rejection. Claire explains, "Since the transplant, on two occasions Pal has alerted me and when I've called the hospital, they have asked me to head straight in. Both times it turned out that my body was starting to act against my new pancreas, so Pal continues to save me to this day!
"I hope he will be able to retire soon. He is certainly slowing down now that he doesn't need to watch me so closely and is enjoying lots more naps and sleepy cuddles than he did before my transplant."
Pal has received the PDSA Order of Merit for his devotion to duty
PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, added, "Pal's intelligence, skill and unstinting devotion to Claire has truly transformed her life and the lives of her family. His loyalty exemplifies why we love and respect animals as we do. Pal is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit."
Claire said, "I am beyond proud of my amazing furry boy for what he has done for me and my family. He gave my sons their childhood back and gave me a whole new lease of life. His PDSA Order of Merit goes some way to showing him how much he means to our family and I hope that his story inspires others that are in the position I was in, that things can get better, with the love and talents of a clever pooch like Pal."
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Based on the first dendroclimatological analyses of the thermo-Mediterranean tree Pyrus bourgaeana , the positive relationship between the growth and climate (i.e., precipitation) has strengthened in recent decades.
The combined effect of climate change and habitat destruction and fragmentation threatens many plant populations and even entire communities in Mediterranean ecosystems. The Iberian pear, Pyrus bourgaeana Decne, a characteristic species of Mediterranean ecosystems, is threatened by both habitat and climate changes. We ask whether and how the growth of mature P. bourgaeana in the thermo-Mediterranean zone (i.e., altitude <700 m) has been affected by long-term climate changes during the last century in a fragmented landscape. Dendrochronological methods were used to find growth–climate relationships. We made the first dendroclimatological analyses and constructed a first 103-year tree-ring chronology (1905–2007) of this species. The tree-ring series revealed large growth variability. We found a clear, strong relationship between tree growth and climate, with annual precipitation being the most important climate factor enhancing radial growth. Our results also showed that warm autumns and winters positively affect growth. There was no temporal stability in the relationship between tree growth and climate. The most general trend was in the relationship between annual precipitation and tree growth: the decrease of rainfall in the last decades of the twentieth century was associated with a constant increase of the correlation coefficient. Water accumulated in the soil in autumn and winter proved to be a key factor augmenting tree growth in the following vegetation period. The climate–growth relationship in P. bourgaeana has strengthened in recent decades apparently due to decreased precipitation levels.
Most models of climate change predict global warming associated with a marked variation of the level and spatio-temporal distribution of precipitation and temperature (IPCC 2014; Fischer and Schär 2010; Hoerling et al. 2012). Ecosystems of all climate zones are vulnerable to climate change, even in environments where water is not considered a limited resource (Allen et al. 2010), but according to climate models, the Mediterranean Basin is one of the world's climate change hotspots because of increases in the frequency, duration, and/or severity of droughts and heat stress (IPCC 2014; Luterbacher et al. 2012; Anderegg et al. 2013; Barbeta et al. 2013). Moreover, land-use change and habitat fragmentation are also important factors rapidly altering the composition of communities in Mediterranean ecosystems (Linares et al. 2010; Olano et al. 2012; Matesanz et al. 2015). Therefore, a full understanding of the level of tolerance to climate change is particularly needed in such humanized Mediterranean habitats to forecast population trends and distribution of threatened tree species.
Changes in temperature and water availability often have marked effects on tree growth (Schweingruber 1996). Because trees are long-lived organisms, their ring series record long-term year-to-year changes in climate conditions (Schweingruber 1996; Nicault et al. 2008; Olano et al. 2008, 2012). Due to their complex physiology, trees may respond to climatic changes in complex ways (Drew et al. 2013; Olano et al. 2014; Zang et al. 2014). Moreover, changes in the constraining factors may cause temporal instability in the relationship between climate and tree growth that modulates the response patterns of tree growth (Briffa et al. 1998, 2002; D'Arrigo et al. 2008; Briffa and Matthews 2002; Leburgeois et al. 2012).
In the thermo-Mediterranean zone (i.e., altitude below 700 m; Olson et al. 2001) climate imposes a double adversity for growth and survival of shrubs and trees, i.e., extreme summer droughts and erratic, unpredictable rain (Valladares et al. 2014). Global climate change is generally resulting in higher temperatures and lower precipitation, though such changes are not distributed uniformly throughout the year. As a consequence, the effect of climate change on tree-ring formation can vary depending on the relative importance of the two main limiting climate factors, making predictions particularly difficult. At higher altitudes, e.g., meso-, supra-, and oro-Mediterrranean zones (700–2700 m; Olson et al. 2001), where winter cold can be an important stressor, no agreed-upon trend in the response of tree growth to climate change has been inferred from long tree-ring series (Granda et al. 2013, 2014). Some studies have documented an increase (Martinez-Vilalta et al. 2008; Vila et al. 2008; Gimeno et al. 2012; Tegel et al. 2014), and others, a decrease in the growth of Mediterranean trees during the second half of the twentieth century (Jump et al. 2006; Saris et al. 2007; Piovesan et al. 2008; Di Filippo et al. 2010). Changes in climate–growth relationships have also been reported for several Mediterranean tree species (Andreu et al. 2007; Planells et al. 2009; Carrer et al. 2010; Leburgeois et al. 2012). However, the existing data are based mostly on widespread evergreen trees (e.g. Viera et al. 2009; Campelo et al. 2010; Martin-Benito et al. 2011, 2013; Candel-Perez et al. 2012; Gimeno et al. 2012), and deciduous species have been much less studied in the Mediterranean area (e.g., Tegel et al. 2014; González-González et al. 2015). Even less is known about the response to climate change of small trees and shrubs at low altitudes in the thermo-Mediterranean.
In this study, we examined long-term changes in the stability of the climate–growth relationship of a thermo-Mediterranean deciduous small tree, to gain a perspective on the future persistence of this species, which has been decimated by different components of global change. Our model plant, the Iberian pear (Pyrus bourgaeana Decne), is a characteristic species of Mediterranean ecosystems and is considered important to their functioning (Cabezudo and Pérez Latorre 2004; Fedriani et al. 2010; Arenas-Castro et al. 2013). In Doñana National Park (SW Spain), P. bourgaeana trees often occur at low density in small scrubland patches among farmland, towns, and other built-over areas (Fedriani et al. 2010). Currently, P. bourgaeana shows a very low level of natural regeneration, most likely because of dispersal limitation, extreme summer droughts, and increased herbivore pressure, limiting seedling establishment (Fedriani et al. 2010, 2015). It is unclear whether and how mature P. bourgaeana tree growth has been affected by long-term changes in climate through the last century. This should be a fundamental step to predict the fate of the species, and, in general, of other deciduous thermo- and meso-Mediterranean shrubs and small trees, under a scenario of global warming. Specifically, in this study, we sought to answer the following two questions: (1) what sort of long-term climate–growth relationship is shown by P. bourgaeana?, and (2) is this relationship temporally stable, and if not, what is the trend of such/these changes, (if found any)?
The study site is located in southwestern Spain, in the Doñana World Biosphere Reserve (37°9′N, 6°26′W; 0–80 m a.s.l.) on the west bank of the Guadalquivir River estuary. The Doñana area comprises three main ecosystems: mobile dunes, scrubland (where P. bourgaeana grows), and marshes. In the tree layer, in addition to our focal species, there are scattered Quercus suber, Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Fraxinus angustifolia, and Pinus pinea. In the understory, there are Pistacia lentiscus, Halimium halimifolium, Ulex spp., Chamaerops humilis, and Erica sp. (Valverde 1958; Fedriani et al. 1998, 2010). P. bourgaeana trees occur at low densities (generally less than one individual per ha; Fedriani et al. 2010) in patches of Mediterranean scrubland that are isolated from each other by natural or anthropogenic barriers (marshes, sand dunes or cultivations) (see also Żywiec et al. 2012 for details).
Climate data were obtained from the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Metereología (AEMET) meteorological station located in Sevilla, the closest (ca. 80 km away) meteorological station providing long-term data and located near sea level (11 m a.s.l). Continuous data for daily mean temperature and daily total precipitation were available since 1946. We calculated mean temperature and accumulated precipitation for each month, as well as annual accumulated precipitation. Annual accumulated precipitation was summed from the September of the previous year to the August of the current year.
The climate is Mediterranean sub-humid, and is characterized by dry, hot, long summers (June–September) and mild, wet winters (November–February). In the study period (from 1946 to 2007), mean annual temperature varied considerably (Fig. 1a). The highest temperatures were recorded at the beginning and at the end of our studied period. The lowest temperatures occurred in the early 1970s and then increased consistently until the first decade of the twenty-first century. Total annual precipitation also varied markedly, but no conspicuous temporal trend was found (Fig. 1a; R 2 = 0.003, F 1,59 = 1.20, P = 0.28). Groundwater availability shows marked seasonal changes in this area (Instituto Tecnologico Geominero Español, 1992). Precipitation is highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. The distribution of precipitation in a year changed along a studied period. The precipitation of January, February and March decreased considerably and the precipitation of October, November and December increased in the second half of the period considered in the study (Fig. 1b).
Pyrus bourgaeana Decne (Rosaceae) is a broadleaved deciduous tree. It is native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal) and North Africa (Morocco) (Aldasoro et al. 1996). It typically reaches 3–6 m height. Budburst occurs from February to April, and leaf senescence from June to September (Mediavilla and Escudero 2003; Arenas-Castro 2012). It flowers during February–March, is hermaphrodite and self-incompatible (Żywiec et al. 2012; Authors, unpublished data). In Doñana, annually, each P. bourgaeana tree typically produces between 200 and 450 fleshy fruits which ripen during the autumn (September–November; Fedriani et al. 2015). The fruits are non-dehiscent globose pomes (2–3 cm diameter) weighing ca. 6.7 g, with sugary, juicy pulp (Fedriani et al. 2012).
The Doñana population of P. bourgaeana has limited reproduction and regeneration ability (Fedriani and Delibes 2009; Fedriani et al. 2010, 2012). Our unpublished data indicate that the Doñana population of this long-lived tree shows a marked left-skewed demographic structure, with many individuals in older age classes, few juveniles, and even fewer seedlings and saplings. Despite the sparseness of this population, P. bourgaeana fruit, seeds, seedlings, and leaves represent important resources for diverse animal guilds, especially during the dry summers (e.g., Fedriani and Delibes 2009; Fedriani et al. 2012); so, its persistence is critical to the ecological stability of the community.
Trees (n = 32) were sampled in winter and spring of 2008 and 2009. Tree clusters grow scattered in Mediterranean scrubland, in similar light conditions representing the uppermost vegetation layer. Their mean diameter (dbh) was 18 cm (±11). The trees were cored with an increment borer (diameter 5 mm) ca. 40 cm above the tree base. The cores were glued to wood slats, dried and polished with a belt sander (progressively up to grid 600) to make the tree-ring sequences clearly visible. The samples were scanned at 2400 dpi resolution. WinDendro (http://www.regentinstruments.com/assets/windendro_about.html) was used to measure the annual tree-ring widths to 0.01 mm accuracy. Core sections with extremely narrow, missing or false rings were carefully checked under a stereomicroscope at 7–45×. The quality of dating was checked with the Cofecha program (Dendrochronology Program Library, Holmes and Cook 1983). All measurement series with potential errors were re-checked once again and corrected if dating errors were found (Holmes et al. 1986).
We calculated the index series to study the influence of climate factors on tree growth (Holmes 1994). Individual raw ring-width series were standardized using ARSTAN software by fitting a horizontal line through the mean values of the series, and, in the next step, by dividing the measurement in every year by the mean value calculated for each series (Holmes 1994). Then, we performed autoregressive modeling of the index series to remove autocorrelations and enhance the common signal of the trees. After that, the indices of individual trees were averaged to an indexed chronology by applying a biweight robust mean (Holmes 1994). The first-order autocorrelation of the 1904–2007 raw chronology (a measure of the lagged effect of ring width from the previous year on next-season growth) was 0.455, and the first-order autocorrelation of the indexed chronology was −0.137. This means that a great part of the autocorrelation was removed in the process of constructing the indexed chronology allowing dendroclimatological analyses.
Mean sensitivity, expressing the interannual variability of ring width, was calculated for the indexed chronology 1947–2007 (Fritts 1976). For the period 1947–2007, we also calculated the expressed population signal (EPS), which quantifies how well a chronology based on a finite number of trees represents the hypothetical perfect or true chronology (Wigley et al. 1984).
The indexed chronology was used for calculation of the tree growth–climate relationship. To evaluate the potential relationship between tree growth and annual precipitation, we performed several simple regression analyses, first regressing the indexed chronology and year, and then, annual precipitation and year. Then, we used the residuals from those two previous analyses and regressed them to evaluate their potential relationship once the effect of year was corrected for (e.g., Ovaskainen et al. 2013).
The relationships between tree growth and monthly climatic conditions (mean monthly temperature, total monthly precipitation) were calculated through correlation and response function analyses with DendroClim2002 (Biondi and Waikul 2004). The program applies a bootstrap process to assess the statistical significance of the correlations.
Time-dependent changes in the relationship between tree growth and climate factors were analyzed using DendroClim2002 as well. The correlations of indexed chronology with total monthly precipitation and mean monthly temperature (from previous September to current June) were done for 30-year periods. The moving correlation windows (32 periods) were progressively shifted by 1 year over time at each iteration (the first for 1947–1976 and the last for 1978–2007). Moreover, for each 30-year period, climatic conditions were defined as mean monthly precipitation and mean monthly temperature.
The constructed indexed chronology (based on 32 P. bourgaeana trees) covers a 103-year time span (1905–2007; Fig. 2a, b). The two oldest trees had 104 rings (at ca. 40 cm height). Mean ring width was 1.34 mm (±1.04) for 1947–2007, and 1.35 mm (±1.04) for 1904–2007; it reached maximum of 7.83 mm in 1996 as calculated from the raw chronology. The mean sensitivity of the indexed chronology for 1947–2007 was 0.49. The expressed population signal (EPS) for 1947–2007 was 0.87. With time, the number of years for which the tree series showed no ring formation (missing ring) increased: in the 1950s and 1960s, there were no absent rings; in the 1970s, 1 year had no ring (1974; 2 trees); in the 1980s, there were 4 such years (1980, 1981, 1983, 1989; 1 tree each year); in the 1990s, there were 5 such years (1992–1995 and 1999;1–3 trees each year); and in the first 7 years of the twenty-first century, there was 1 year with a missing ring (2005; 1 tree).
Tree growth was strongly and positively related to annual precipitation, summed from September of the previous year to August of the current year (Fig. 2b; regression of residuals: R 2 = 0.66, F 1,59 = 114.25, P < 10−4). Tree growth was not correlated with total precipitation of the preceding year (regression of residuals: R 2 = 0.01, F 1,58 = 0.28, P = 0.60). Correlation coefficients showed that precipitation from November of the previous year to January of the current year was especially important for tree growth (Fig. 3). Almost the same was found using response function coefficients; precipitation of previous October, previous November, and January and February of the current year positively affected growth (Fig. 3). Precipitation from February to June of the current year also positively influenced growth, with June precipitation being the most important among those months (Fig. 3).
Mean monthly temperature influenced tree growth less than precipitation did (Fig. 3). There was a positive correlation between tree growth and temperature of the previous October. High winter temperature (previous December and current January) also influenced growth positively, but this relationship was significant only for current January temperature. High temperature from April to June of the current year negatively influenced tree-ring formation, but this relationship was significant only for May (Fig. 3). Response function coefficients between monthly temperatures and growth were not significant in any month, although they showed similar trends as for the correlation functions (Fig. 3).
The relationship between tree growth and total annual precipitation was always positive and strong during the whole analyzed period (1947–2007; Fig. 4). The influence of annual precipitation becomes more important for tree growth in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, when annual precipitation decreased and it probably became most limiting. For total monthly precipitation, during the whole analyzed period, there was a strong positive relationship between tree growth and precipitation in the previous November and current January (Fig. 5). The relationship between total monthly precipitation of the previous December and tree growth strengthened beginning in the 1960s (Fig. 5). The relationship between precipitation in the spring and tree growth fluctuated and was rather weak in the studied period (Fig. 5). The positive relationship between growth and total precipitation in the vegetative period was strongest for June, but it decreased in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries (Fig. 5).
The positive relationship between tree growth and mean temperature in autumn and winter (from previous October to December) strengthened in the second half of the studied period, coinciding with an increasing mean temperature trend; we found the same trend for February (Fig. 5). There was no time trend in the relationship between tree growth and mean spring temperature, despite the increase of temperature in the last few decades (Fig. 5).
In this study, we made the first dendroclimatological analyses of the thermo-Mediterranean tree P. bourgaeana and constructed a first 103-year tree-ring chronology of this species. Recently, Arenas-Castro et al. (2015) described average increase in basal area per year and age structure based on P. bourgaeana tree-rings. This small deciduous tree grows in the thermo-Mediterranean zone, where winter is relatively mild, and thus, tree responses to climate change could deviate from those observed at higher Mediterranean altitudes. We found a strong relationship between tree growth and climate, with annual precipitation being the most important limiting factor for P. bourgaeana radial growth. We showed that in recent decades, the relationship between growth and climate has strengthened. The increasing number of years with absent rings suggests that climatic conditions for this species worsened toward the end of the twentieth century. In combination with habitat destruction and fragmentation in the Doñana area, and in the Mediterranean in general, it indicates that our study species is seriously threatened by a myriad of contrasting factors.
The high sensitivity of P. bourgaeana, as expressed in large year-to-year variation of ring width, might have been partly related to the species's low stomatal sensitivity to atmospheric drought (Mediavilla and Escudero 2003). The high sensitivity is typical for trees growing in environments with a strong, temporally variable limiting factor (Holmes et al. 1986). P. bourgaeana mean sensitivity (0.49) was close to values found for the small-sized Pinus edulis (0.58) growing at extremely dry sites in Arizona (Fritts et al. 1965), but much higher than most values reported recently for large-sized tree species growing in the Mediterranean area at higher altitudes, such as Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra, Abies alba, and Fagus sylvatica (range 0.19–0.35; Leburgeois et al. 2012; Martin-Benito et al. 2013; Andreu et al. 2007; Cailleret and Davi 2011; Piovesan et al. 2008).
Drought is a primary growth-limiting factor of Mediterranean tree species, especially at low altitudes (Thompson 2005; Vicente-Serrano et al. 2010, 2012; Pugnaire and Valladares 2007; Olano et al. 2014). However, previous dendroclimatological studies of a number of tree and shrub species at relatively high altitudes show that tree-ring chronologies are not always strongly correlated with annual precipitation (Cherubini et al. 2003; Gimeno et al. 2012; but see Gutiérrez et al. 2011; Martin-Benito et al. 2011; Granda et al. 2013). In our thermo-Mediterranean study, P. bourgaeana showed a very strong positive relationship between total annual precipitation and radial growth.
Previous autumn and winter precipitation is known to boost tree-ring formation in several Mediterranean species (e.g., Campelo et al. 2006, 2010; Di Filippo et al. 2010). The highest precipitation in this region occurs in winter or autumn, and this time is responsible for soil water recharge (Instituto Tecnologico Geominero Español 1992). However, maximum tree growth occurs in the spring (Cherubini et al. 2003). In the study area, precipitation was relatively high from November to January, and its year-to-year variation was lower in these months than during the rest of the year. Precipitation in the spring months of the growth season was much more variable, and trended downward over the course of the studied period. In the Doñana area, water accumulated in the ground during autumn and winter, when P. bourgaeana trees are dormant, seems to be a key factor influencing their growth in the following vegetative period. It establishes an essential resource for initiation of cambial activity and production of early wood (Granda et al. 2013; Martin-Benito et al. 2013).
Temperature limits tree growth in some Mediterranean ecosystems, though less than precipitation does (Cherubini et al. 2003). The limiting effect of winter cold has been observed mainly for evergreen species (Martin-Benito et al. 2011, 2013; Granda et al. 2013) and for trees growing in mountain conditions (Leburgeois et al. 2012; Martin-Benito et al. 2013). Our results in a warmer thermo-Mediterranean site show that a warm previous autumn and winter positively affect growth of the deciduous species growing at low elevation. Two mechanisms might explain such a relationship in P. bourgaeana. First, high autumn temperatures can increase the quality, size and survival of buds formed for the next year, and, thus, the assimilation ability of the plant in the following season (Weber et al. 2007). Second, a warm end of winter can accelerate cambial reactivation after winter dormancy and earlier leaf burst, thereby prolonging the growing season and the period of wood formation (Leburgeois et al. 2012; Rötzer et al. 2004; Sanz-Pérez et al. 2009; Cailleret and Davi 2011; Viera et al. 2014). On the other hand, higher temperatures in spring and early summer slightly reduced the growth of P. bourgaeana. In water-limited regions, high temperatures can cause water stress and the trees usually respond by reducing their stomatal conductance to avoid water loss (Baquedano and Castillo 2007) or, in the case of P. bourgaeana, by early leaf abscission in the summer (Mediavilla and Escudero 2003).
Climatic changes have led to temporal instability of climate–growth relationships in the Mediterranean region (Andreu et al. 2007; Planells et al. 2009; Carrer et al. 2010) and elsewhere (Briffa et al. 1998). Generally, our results showed no temporal stability in the relationship between tree growth and climate from 1947 to 2007. The most general temporal trend was the relationship between annual precipitation and tree growth. The decrease of rainfall in the last decades of the twentieth century caused a steady rise of that correlation, reaching high values. This relationship was very strong during the whole period studied, but its strengthening through time makes it clear that lower precipitation during the last decades has limited the growth of P. bourgaeana more than it did earlier. Similar long-term patterns have been reported from other species living at higher altitudes, e.g., Fagus sylvatica (Piovesan et al. 2008) and for Pinus sylvestris (Planells et al. 2009; Andreu-Hayles et al. 2011).
The distribution of rainfall over the year is the most essential element of the precipitation–growth relationship. The most stable and strongest relationship was found between growth and total monthly precipitation in the previous November and January. Spring drought is considered a primary growth-limiting factor in the high-altitude Mediterranean areas (Leburgeois et al. 2012; Cherubini et al. 2003). Surprisingly, during some spring months, the relationship between P. bourgaeana growth and precipitation was stronger at the beginning of the studied period, when mean precipitation was higher, and almost disappeared in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, when precipitation was lower. This suggests that high precipitation in the spring boosts P. bourgaeana growth, but that lower precipitation at that time does not limit growth so much, as it depends mostly on autumn and winter precipitation. On the other hand, the relationship between June precipitation and growth decreased strongly over time even though June precipitation was very low throughout the studied period what can be the result of the changed tree phenology.
In the twentieth century, directional changes in the temperature–growth relationship have been reported by other researchers (Andreu et al. 2007; Planells et al. 2009). Our data show that the positive relationship between autumn and winter temperature and tree growth became stronger at the end of the twentieth century, coincident with the increasing trend of temperature in this period. It seems that winter warming initiated a positive growth response to temperature. Leburgeois et al. (2010, 2012) found that spring warming strengthened the positive growth response to temperature in several species. In our study, the positive relationship between mean February temperature and tree growth started when temperature during this month increased. This suggests that at higher February temperature, the growth of P. bourgaeana begins earlier, extending the vegetative period.
Our investigation indicates that the growth of mature P. bourgaeana in Doñana was limited by climatic conditions during the whole studied period, and that the climate–growth relationship was more pronounced in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries as climate became more arid. There was a clearly stronger relationship between precipitation and tree growth at the end of the twentieth century, when the number of missing rings also increased. However, the negative influence of climate change was not as strong as might be expected. A recent review of results on current effects of climate change on Mediterranean forests reached a similar conclusion (Valladares et al. 2014). As for any other tree species, however, the persistence of P. bourgaeana in Doñana depends not only on the vigor and health of existing mature trees, but also on recruitment (Fedriani et al. 2012). Though adult trees might somewhat tolerate climate change, the current scarcity of young P. bourgaeana plants (seedlings, saplings; our unpublished data) appears to pose a serious threat to this population. Further similar analyses of other thermo-Mediterranean tree and shrub species growing in such particularly stressful conditions are needed to achieve a better understanding of the response of plants to climate change in humanized landscapes.
M.Ż., J.M.F. and M.D. conceived the ideas; M.Ż., E.M., T.Z. and G.C. collected the data; E.M., M.Ż, and T.Z. analysed the data; and M.Z., E.M. and J.M.F. led the writing.
We are indebted with many volunteers and students who provided essential field assistance. Jose Miguel Olano made numerous useful comments that improved a previous draft. The Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (CGL2007-63488/BOS) supported this study. The Spanish Agencia Estatal de Metereología (AEMET) kindly provided climate data (ref. 990140100). The statutory fund of the Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences also provided partial funding.


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Meharry Medical College-Vanderbilt University Medical Center Alliance
Date(s): January 1, 1999 Location: Davidson, Tennessee Tag(s): Medicine, Hospital, Space
Meharry Medical College was founded in 1876 and was the first medical school in the South for African-Americans. It was one of only two African-American medical schools to meet the academic standards of the Flexner Report. It offers degrees in dentistry, medicine, and public health.[1]
In fall 1997, the president of Meharry went to the vice chancellor for health affairs at Vanderbilt...
Ironic History: Detroit Follows National Reversal Trend to Rip Out Freeway
Date(s): 1999 Location: Wayne, Michigan Tag(s): I-375 Freeway, Freeway Removal, Urban Renewal, Blackbottom, Detroit
Detroit could soon be following a national urban environmentalism trend of ripping out freeways -- much like Portland and San Francisco -- by beginning to look into removing parts of its old I-375 freeway, also known as the Chrysler Freeway. It would remove the section running from Gratiot Avenue south to Jefferson Avenue, and replace it with a pedestrian-friendly parkway to reconnect LaFayette...
Future of Detroit: From Blight to Bloom
Date(s): 1999 Location: Wayne, Michigan Tag(s): Agriculture, Urban Farming, Unemployment, Detroit
Malik Yakini, a Detroit native, was born mid-century during the hight of the city's production power. Around 1960, after the "white flight" movement, Yakini and his family experienced frequent hostility when they moved into a predominantly white neighborhood. Racial discrimination persisted as economic opportunity began to crumble. Yet, within a few years, the community transformed into...
Freeways Effects on Health in Delray
Date(s): January 1, 1999 Location: Wayne, Michigan Tag(s): Pollution, Delray, Urban Renewal, Environmental Justice
In the aftermath of WWII, Detroit followed national urban planning trends in seeking to enhance high-speed transportation between the growing suburbs and the city center. Plans began for an extension to the I-75 highway to rectify the problem. The route recommended by the Fisher Freeway Planning Committee began at the southwest limits of the city, in the neighborhood of Delray. There, it would connect...
Facebook Makes a Wave in Social Networking
Date(s): February 4, 1999 Location: Suffolk, Massachusetts Tag(s): facebook, social networking
In 2005, journalist Ellen Rosen reported on a little known website making waves in the college community: Facebook. Created February 4, 2004 by 21-year-old Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook was initially intended for college students but soon grew. Prior to future changes, the site allowed anyone with a .edu email to create a profile online and accept and request friends. The creator of Facebook,...
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Date(s): February 26, 1999 Location: Tarrant, Texas Tag(s): Great Depression, Jazz\Blues, Yip Harburg
They used to tell me I was building a dream and so I followed the mob,
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
During the Depression, there were not many distractions...
Aurelian Defends His Triumph Over Zenobia
Date(s): April 15, 1999 Location: Outside US Tag(s): Gender Roles, Politics
In 274 A.C.E., Rome was abuzz with gossip concerning the Emperor Aurelian's recent defeat of Queen Zenobia. Zenobia had been the leader of the breakaway Palmyrene Empire. Aurelian sought to reunify the Empire to its former glory and in doing so had found himself at odds with Palmyra and its queen. Aurelian found himself victorious over Zenobia but this was not the source of gossip among the Senate...
John Woodall saves Northampton from The Plague
Date(s): April 15, 1999 Location: Outside US Tag(s): Medicine/Health, Medicine
In July of 1637, the town of Northampton faced a terrible predicament. Many of its residents had been stricken with plague. This plague utterly baffled William Wyly, Northampton's local surgeon. According to his account the disease gave its victims a high fever and painful boils on the skin. Fortunately for Wyly, he was assisted by John Woodall, a true expert in the field of medical treatment.
Zenobia Defies an Emperor
Date(s): April 15, 1999 Location: Outside US Tag(s): Gender Roles, War
During the summer of 272 A.C.E., Aurelian brought war to Queen Zenobia's Palmyrene Empire. She only ruled because her husband Odenathus had been assassinated but the Historia Augusta tells us that it was perhaps she that ruled through her husband even before his death. She was said to have had a keen intellect and propensity for Greek and Egyptian language. There was even mention...
The Low-Born Aurelian Rises Through the Ranks
Date(s): April 15, 1999 Location: Outside US Tag(s): Politics, Military Service
The day had finally come. Aurelian was to stand before the Emperor Valerian at the Byzantine baths and be rewarded for all of his determination. This was to be a momentous occasion for Aurelian would rise to the consulship which was historically the most prestigious political office of the Roman world. He may well have thought back on his achievements that had led him to this moment. He...
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Our Vision at Little Zion Baptist church is to develop an environment that will invoke a hunger and thirst for the word of GOD.
We firmly believe that the Word of God is our foundation, and without it we cannot stand. We are striving to build a house of God where souls can be restored and transformed through the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and guidance of the Holy Spirit.


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