Clifford-based spectral action and renormalization group analysis of the gauge couplings

The Spectral Action Principle in noncommutative geometry derives the actions of the Standard Model and General Relativity (along with several other gravitational terms) by reconciling them in a geometric setting, and hence offers an explanation for their common origin. However, one of the requirements in the minimal formalism, unification of the gauge coupling constants, is not satisfied, since the basic construction does not introduce anything new that can change the renormalization group (RG) running of the Standard Model. On the other hand, it has been recently argued that incorporating structure of the Clifford algebra into the finite part of the spectral triple, the main object that encodes the complete information of a noncommutative space, gives rise to five additional scalar fields in the basic framework. We investigate whether these scalars can help to achieve unification. We perform a RG analysis at the one-loop level, allowing possible mass values of these scalars to float from the electroweak scale to the putative unification scale. We show that out of twenty configurations of mass hierarchy in total, there does not exist even a single case that can lead to unification. In consequence, we confirm that the spectral action formalism requires a model-construction scheme beyond the (modified) minimal framework.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure, 1 table of results; matches the published versio

Are Immigrants Positively or Negatively Selected? The Role of Immigrant Selection Criteria and Self-Selection

This paper specifies and estimates a structural model of international migration using micro data. This provides a direct test of human capital theory that suggests that individuals respond to the earnings differentials across countries while making their migration decisions. The paper specifies migration as a joint outcome of two decision makers, i.e. the individual who decides to apply for migration and the host country that reviews applications, and identifies the factors determining the decision of these two players. The empirical results provide evidence in support of the human capital model. It is also shown that both the host country and the individual have significant impacts on the resulting charatersitics of immigrants. The results suggest negative self-selection at the application stage both in terms of observed and unobserved characteristics and a positive selection at the review step by the host country. Although there is negative self- selection in terms of schooling among applicants, as a result of the positive selection at the review step the resulting migrants are positively selected. However, in terms of unobservable characteristics the review step is unable to reverse the negative self-selection that occurs at the application stage, and the resulting migrants are negatively selected in this dimension.immigration, self-selection, Roy Model, immigration policy

Effects of Business Cycles on Labour Market Assimilation of Immigrants

This study addresses the effects of macroeconomic conditions on the labour market outcomes of immigrants. It simultaneously identifies the separate effects of macro conditions at the time of entry to the labour market and at the time of the survey, while allowing for cohort effects. Also, for the first time in literature the impacts on labour force participation along with employment outcomes are explored. The study uses 19 annual cross-sections of the Survey of Consumer Finances covering the period 1979 to 1997. The results suggest that the deterioration in the assimilation of recent immigrants is partly due to the adverse economic conditions they face in the year they enter the labour market and subsequently. Macroeconomic conditions at the time of labour market entry have adverse impacts on both labour force participation and employment. With the inclusion of controls for macro conditions, the significance and magnitude of the coefficient measuring assimilation increases. Therefore, not only the estimated cohort effects bur also the assimilation profiles are sensitive to the inclusion of controls for business cycles.Immigration, business cycle, cohort effects, economic assimilation, labour force participation, employment

Effects of Business Cycles on Labour Market Assimilation of Immigrants

This study addresses the effects of macroeconomic conditions on the labour market outcomes of immigrants. It simultaneously identifies the separate effects of macro conditions at the time of entry to the labour market and at the time of the survey, while allowing for cohort effects. Also, for the first time in literature the impacts on labour force participation along with employment outcomes are explored. The study uses 19 annual cross-sections of the Survey of Consumer Finances covering the period 1979 to 1997. The results suggest that the deterioration in the assimilation of recent immigrants is partly due to the adverse economic conditions they face in the year they enter the labour market and subsequently. Macroeconomic conditions at the time of labour market entry have adverse impacts on both labour force participation and employment. With the inclusion of controls for macro conditions, the significance and magnitude of the coefficient measuring assimilation increases. Therefore, not only the estimated cohort effects bur also the assimilation profiles are sensitive to the inclusion of controls for business cycles.Immigration, business cycle, cohort effects, economic assimilation, labour force participation, employment

Work

Job postings that explicitly encourage “people with migration backgrounds” or those who “experience discrimination” to apply, were a good start once. But they do not solve the problem. Sure, an injustice is being identified here that is imperative to counteract. Unless rules like quotas are established, however, such postings ultimately peter out as a merely symbolic gesture. In the end, it is not the well-intended statement that counts, but who is being hired. And who isn’t