The standard Keynesian view predicts that equalization of the income distribution leads to an increase in aggregate consumption. We revisit the analysis carried out by the seminal empirical contributions which test such a hypothesis using modern econometric methods and the most comprehensive dataset existing on income distribution measures. Our results indicate that there is no empirical evidence of a negative effect of income inequality on aggregate consumption.

The thesis is presented in three papers format. Paper 1 presents the first bibliometric literature survey of its kind on aggregate production planning (APP) in presence of uncertainty. It surveys a wide range of the literatures which employ operations research/management science methodologies to deal with APP in presence of uncertainty by classifying them into six main categories such as stochastic mathematical programming, fuzzy mathematical programming and simulation. After a preliminary literature analysis, e.g. with regard to number of publications by journal and publication frequency by country, the literature about each of these categories is shortly reviewed. Then, a more detailed statistical analysis of the surveyed research, with respect to the source of uncertainty, number of publications trend over time, adopted APP strategies, applied management science methodologies and their sub-categories, and so on, is presented. Finally, possible future research paths are discussed on the basis of identified research trends and research gaps. The second paper proposes a novel decision model to APP decision making problem based on mixed chase and level strategy under uncertainty where the market demand acts as the main source of uncertainty. By taking into account the novel features, the constructed model turns out to be stochastic, nonlinear, multi-stage and multi-objective. APP in practice entails multiple-objectivity. Therefore, the model involves multiple objectives such as total revenue, total production costs, total labour productivity costs, optimum utilisation of production resources and capacity and customer satisfaction, and is validated on the basis of real world data from beverage manufacturing industry. Applying the recourse approach in stochastic programming leads to empty feasible space, and therefore the wait and see approach is used instead. After solving the model using the real-world industrial data, sensitivity analysis and several forms of trade-off analysis are conducted by changing different parameters/coefficients of the constructed model, and by analysing the compromise between objectives respectively. Finally, possible future research directions, with regard to the limitations of present study, are discussed. The third paper is to appraise the performance of different APP strategies in presence of uncertainty. The relevant models for various APP strategies including the pure chase, the pure level, the modified chase and the modified level strategies are derived from the fundamental model developed for the mixed chase and level strategy in paper 2. The same procedure, which is used in paper 2, follows to solve the models constructed for these strategies with respect to the aforementioned objectives/criteria in order to provide business and managerial insights to operations managers about the effectiveness and practicality of these APP policies under uncertainty. Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods such as additive value function (AVF), the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and VIKOR are also used besides multi-objective optimisation to assess the overall performance of each APP strategy.

The germination rates of four plant species (Allium schoenoprasum L., Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Grandiflorus’ Vill., Sedum kamtschaticum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. Spp. ellacombianum (Praeger) R.T. Clausen, and Talinum calycinum Engelm.) were compared with six fertility treatments (control, fertilizer - once a week, double fertilizer - twice a week, mycorrhizae, vermicompost, and green roof mix) that also evaluated a peat based greenhouse medium verses a lightweight aggregate medium integrated. The greenhouse medium had higher germination rates than the lightweight aggregate medium. The control, fertilizer, and double fertilizer, which were not applied until a month into the study, provided similar germination results. The seedlings obtained from the germination study were grown into 3.81cm x 7.62cm plugs, with plant height, leaf count/width, and dry weight taken three months later. The greenhouse medium treatments control, fertilizer, and double fertilizer had the most leaves, and provided the tallest and widest leaves as well as the greatest biomass. The lightweight aggregate medium control displayed the lowest growth in this study. The fertility treatment that showed the most potential was the green roof mix. This mix significantly improved plant growth in the lightweight aggregate medium, which indicates the potential to improve greenhouse medium based plug establishment on extensive green roofs with aggregates.

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall is a civil structure that has been used for various purposes e.g., supporting bridges, residential or commercial buildings, roadways, railroads etc. In general, MSE wall uses either metal strip, bar or geosynthetics materials as reinforcement. Roger et al. (2010) mentioned that an approximately 57% of the MSE wall constructed in U.S. utilize steel strips as the resources of reinforcement. The usage of metal steel strips is followed by usage of steel bar mats (24%) and geosynthetics grids (18%). Even though MSE walls are designed for a service life of 75 to 100 years, early complication has often been reported. Corrosion of the reinforced steel has been the major cause that afflicts the long-term performance of these walls. The deicing salts used on pavements to melt down snow is one of the major cause of corrosion of these reinforced steels. The aggressiveness of deicers in terms of corrosion of these reinforced steel is studied through the potentiodynamic polarization technique at various concentrations. This study aims to determine the corrosion behavior on galvanized steel and bare steel in presence of individual deicing salt or deicers e.g., sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium acetate at various (i.e., 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 M) concentration. Subsequently, the surface morphology was analyzed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the mineralogical composition was observed through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). In addition, the corrosivity of two backfill aggregates, natural aggregate and recycled concrete aggregate, was compared. The result shows that the corrosion effect of deicers on reinforced steel depends on its chemical composition and concentration. The SEM imaging showed the presence of micro cracks on the surface of galvanized steel, resulting in pitting corrosion rather than general surficial corrosion. Comparing the corrosion rate of these deicers, the aggressiveness of these deicers on galvanized steel can be arranged in the following order: sodium chloride > calcium chloride > magnesium chloride > potassium acetate. Although sodium chloride was most aggressive for both the steel, the aggressiveness of these deicers on bare steel was different from that of galvanized steel and can be arranged in following order: sodium chloride > magnesium chloride > calcium chloride > potassium acetate. The pH and electrical resistivity of the natural and recycled aggregates were compared with standard provided by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and found to be non-corrosive. The corrosion rate of both the aggregates on galvanized and bare steel were inappreciable. While analyzing the corrosiveness of these two aggregates, recycled concrete aggregate was observed to be more aggressive than the natural aggregate.

Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) is one of the most harmful distress mechanisms affecting the performance of aging reinforced concrete structures worldwide. Although several prediction models have been developed to assess the chemical reaction, a thorough and comprehensive approach with the capabilities to correlate important parameters that affect AAR and the mechanical properties of deteriorated materials, as well as the abilities to describe the current damaged state of AAR-affected structures (diagnosis) and predict the potential of further damage (prognosis) is still lacking. Such information is essential in selecting efficient remedial/rehabilitation actions for existing structures in the field. This project aims to develop a practical, yet accurate engineering-based finite element (FE) model for assessing AAR damage and predicting the future behaviour of affected infrastructure. The model is validated through three analyses. First, its capability to accurately simulate sound concrete under mechanical loading is verified by successfully simulating different beam failure mechanisms and cracking patterns, as well as predicting the members’ full force-deflection curves. Next, AAR anisotropic expansion under different stress-state (confinement) conditions is accurately simulated and verified by correlation with laboratory tests. Lastly, an AAR-affected slender reinforced concrete structure (Robert-Bourassa/Charest overpass) is successfully simulated by performing a condition assessment based on several tests performed prior to its demolition.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Mustaque A. Hossain / Road surfaces may prematurely lose pavement friction due to polished aggregates on sharp horizontal curves, steep grades, or near intersections resulting in vehicle skidding. The problem gets exacerbated during wet weather. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that about 70% of wet pavement crashes can be prevented or minimized by improving pavement friction. High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST), a specially-designed thin surface application of hard aggregates and thermosetting resins like epoxy, has been proven to be an effective method to increase road surface friction. Calcined bauxite has been predominantly used in the United States as the hard aggregate in combination with an epoxy binder for HFST. However, this treatment is expensive since the calcined bauxite is imported. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of a local aggregate in HFST. Slab specimens of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) were compacted in the laboratory and treated with HFST systems incorporating both calcined bauxite and a local, hard aggregate, Picher Oklahoma flint aggregate. The treated HMA specimens were then tested with a Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT) and a Circular Track Meter (CTM) to determine the frictional coefficient and texture depth, respectively. Also, Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device Testing were conducted on these HFST systems to evaluate wearing resistance under repetitive wheel load. Field measurements of texture depths on HFST were also done. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the performance of high friction surfaces prepared with different aggregate epoxy combinations. The results show that flint aggregate can be a suitable substitute for the calcined bauxite in HFST. Field measurements also showed marked improvements in texture depth with HFST.

abstract: The dissertation consists of two essays in misallocation and development. In particular, the essays explore how government policies distort resource allocation across production units, and therefore affect aggregate economic and environmental outcomes. The first chapter studies the aggregate consequences of misallocation in a firm dynamics model with multi-establishment firms. I calibrate my model to the US firm size distribution with respect to both the number of employees and the number of establishments, and use it to study distortions that are correlated with establishment size, or so-called size-dependent distortions to establishments, which are modeled as implicit output taxes. In contrast to previous studies, I find that size-dependent distortions are not more damaging to aggregate productivity and output than size-independent distortions, while the implicit tax revenue approximately summarizes the effects on aggregate output. I also use the model to compare the effects of size-dependent distortions to establishments and to firms, and find that they have different effects on firm size distribution, but have similar effects on aggregate output. The second chapter studies the effects of product market frictions on firm size distribution and their implications for industrial pollution in China. Using a unique micro-level manufacturing census, I find that larger firms generate and emit less pollutants per unit of production. I also provide evidence suggesting the existence of size-dependent product market frictions that disproportionately affect larger firms. Using a model with firms heterogeneous in productivity and an endogenous choice of pollution treatment technology, I show that these frictions result in lower adoption rate of clean technology, higher pollution and lower aggregate output. I use the model to evaluate policies that eliminate size-dependent frictions, and those that increase environmental regulation. Quantitative results show that eliminating size-dependent frictions increases output by 30%. Meanwhile, the fraction of firms using clean technology increases by 27% and aggregate pollution decreases by 20%. In contrast, a regulatory policy which increases the clean technology adoption rate by the same 27%, has no effect on aggregate output and leads to only 10% reduction in aggregate pollution. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Economics 2016

This report aims to investigate why proven methods for recycling concrete waste as road construction material are not practiced in Sweden. An additional objective is to investigate how concrete is handled as a waste product and whether it would be environmentally friendly and financially beneficial to clients and contractors. Information has been extracted via interviews conducted with experts from various positions within the civil engineering industry. Additional information was obtained through literature studies and questionnaires sent and received via email. Results which were frequently mentioned by engineering professionals included the extra expense of transporting and processing crushed concrete, parties involved in the design and construction processtend to follow traditional methods of using tried and tested virgin materials, the assumption of responsibility for structural failure due to alternative materials and general lack of knowledge surrounding crushed concrete as a construction material. Conclusions are that crushed concrete is suitable for construction of subbases in roads and base courses of cycle/pedestrian paths. Traditionally used virgin materials are generally less expensive than crushed concrete. Existing legislation makes the use of recycled construction material difficult. Awareness and education regarding recycled concrete, as a construction material, should be increased.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:26:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:03:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:26:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:03:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / A expressão de proteínas na forma de corpos de inclusão em bactérias é uma alternativa muito interessante para obtenção de proteínas recombinantes. No entanto, a agregação é uma dificuldade frequentemente encontrada durante a renaturação dessas proteínas. Altas pressões hidrostáticas são capazes de solubilizar os corpos de inclusão na presença de baixas concentrações de reagentes desnaturantes, favorecendo a renaturação protéica com alto rendimento e redução de custos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a renaturação de proteínas recombinantes expressas em Escherichia coli sob a forma de corpos de inclusão usando altas pressões hidrostáticas. Três toxinas, todas apresentando cinco ou mais pontes dissulfídicas foram estudadas: NXH8, Naterina 2 e Bothropstoxina 1. Suspensões dos corpos de inclusão das três proteínas foram pressurizadas em 2000 bares de pressão durante 16 horas. Os tampões de renaturação foram otimizados para as três proteínas. O tampão utilizado no processo de renaturação da NXH8 foi Tris HCl 50 mM, pH 9,0 com proporção de 1GSH:4GSSG em concentração de 6 mM e 2 M GdnHCl. Foram utilizados corpos de inclusão em D.O.(A600nm) de 0,5. Após o processo de renaturação foi realizada diálise em pH 7,0. O rendimento final de recuperação de NXH8 solúvel foi de 40%, sendo obtidos 28,6 mg/L de meio de cultura. A renaturação de Bothropstoxina 1 foi obtida em tampão de renaturação Tris HCl 50 mM pH 7,5 na proporção de 2 GSH:3 GSSG em concentração de 3 mM e 1 M GdnHCl. Utilizamos uma suspensão com D.O.(A600nm) de 0,5. O rendimento final de recuperação de Bothropstoxina 1 renaturada foi de 32 %, obtendo-se 9,2 mg/L de meio de cultura. A renaturação de Naterina 2 foi obtida em tampão de renaturação com 20 mM de Tris HCl pH 9,0 na proporção de 2 GSH:3 GSSG e concentração de 10 mM e 1 M GdnHCl e corpos de inclusão na D.O. (A600nm) de 6,0. Foram obtidas 3,7 mg de Nateria 2 renaturada /L de meio de cultura (20% de recuperação a partir dos corpos de inclusão). O rendimento da Naterina 2 renaturada foi de 20 %. Para a análise e a comprovação da eficácia do processo de renaturação sob pressão foram utilizadas as técnicas de SDS-PAGE, western blot, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, ensaios biológicos in vivo e in vitro e estruturais. As análises físicoquímicas realizadas em NXH8 não mostraram nenhuma comprovação da sua renaturação. O ensaio in vivo realizado com a Naterina 2 mostrou uma leve atividade de contração de vênulas, indicando que ela esteja em sua conformação correta. Os ensaios in vitro com a Bothropstoxina 1 mostraram uma atividade citotóxica dose-dependente em células musculares. / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP