Biofuel subsidies: an open-economy analysis

We present a general equilibrium analysis of biofuel subsidies in an open-economy context. In the small-country case, when a Pigouvian tax on conventional fuels such as crude is in place, the optimal biofuel subsidy is zero. When the tax on crude is not available as a policy option, however, a second-best biofuel subsidy (or tax) is optimal. In the large-country case, the optimal tax on crude departs from its standard Pigouvian level and a biofuel subsidy is optimal. A biofuel subsidy spurs global demand for food and confers a terms-of-trade benefit to the food-exporting nation. This might encourage the food-exporting nation to use a subsidy even if it raises global crude use. The food importer has no such incentive for subsidization. Terms-of-trade effects wash out between trading nations; hence, any policy intervention by the two trading nations that raises crude use must be jointly suboptimal.Macroeconomics ; Economic conditions

Biofuel Subsidies: An Open-Economy Analysis

We present a general equilibrium analysis of biofuel subsidies in an open-economy context. In the small-country case, when a Pigouvian tax on conventional fuels such as crude is in place, the optimal biofuel subsidy is zero. When the tax on crude is not available as a policy option, however, a second-best biofuel subsidy (or tax) is optimal. In the large-country case, the optimal tax on crude departs from its standard Pigouvian level and a biofuel subsidy is optimal. A biofuel subsidy spurs global demand for food and confers a terms-of-trade benefit to the food-exporting nation. This might encourage the food-exporting nation to use a subsidy even if it raises global crude use. The food importer has no such incentive for subsidization. Terms-of-trade effects wash out between trading nations; hence, any policy intervention by the two trading nations that raises crude use must be jointly suboptimal.optimal biofuel subsidy, Pigouvian tax, terms-of-trade, pollution externality

Challenges and pitfalls of antipsychotic prescribing in people with learning disability

No abstract available

Antioxidative and physiological studies onColocasia esculentum in response to arsenic stress

The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of arsenic on Colocasia esculentum. Rhizomes were grown in pots containing 2.5 kg of garden soil with increasing concentration of arsenic. Arsenic  accumulation was more in shoots compared to roots at higher concentrations. High arsenic concentration  caused reduction in plant growth along with induction of few antioxidants. C. esculentum has a strong  antioxidative and physiological defense mechanism. Under arsenic stress, an increase in catalase, peoxidase,  few non-enzymatic antioxidants and an induction of few stress induced protein were observed, along with  some anatomical changes in roots. The increase in antioxidant stress enzyme activities in response to arsenic  exposure may be taken as evidence for an enhanced detoxification capacity of C. esculentum, a  herbaceous monocot plant, towards reactive oxygen species (and derivatives) that might be generated in the stressed plants.Key words: Arsenic, Colocasia esculentum, antioxidant, metal, root

Behaviour and effect of Ti2Ni phase during processing of NiTi shape memory alloy wire from cast ingot

Binary NiTi alloy is one of the commercially successful shape memory alloys (SMAs). Generally, the NiTi alloy composition used for thermal actuator application is slightly Ti-rich. In the present study, vacuum arc melted alloy of 50.2Ti–Ni (at.%) composition was prepared and characterized using optical, scanning and transmission electron microcopy. Formation of second phase particles (SPPs) in the cast alloy and their influence on development of microstructure during processing of the alloy into wire form has been investigated. Results showed that the present alloy contained Ti2Ni type SPPs in the matrix. In the cast alloy, the Ti2Ni particles form in varying sizes (1–10 lm) and shapes. During subsequent thermo- mechanical processing, these SPPs get sheared/fragmented into smaller particles with low aspect ratio. The presence of SPPs plays a significant role in refinement of the microstructure during processing of the alloy. During deformation of the alloy, the matrix phase around the SPPs experiences conditions sim- ilar to that observed in severe plastic deformation of metallic materials, leading to localized amorphisa- tion of the matrix phase

Coherent states for the hydrogen atom

We construct wave packets for the hydrogen atom labelled by the classical action-angle variables with the following properties. i) The time evolution is exactly given by classical evolution of the angle variables. (The angle variable corresponding to the position on the orbit is now non-compact and we do not get exactly the same state after one period. However the gross features do not change. In particular the wave packet remains peaked around the labels.) ii) Resolution of identity using this overcomplete set involves exactly the classical phase space measure. iii) Semi-classical limit is related to Bohr-Sommerfield quantization. iv) They are almost minimum uncertainty wave packets in position and momentum.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, minor change in language and journal reference adde

Pivotal role of families in doctor–patient communication in oncology: a qualitative study of patients, their relatives and cancer clinicians

Families are a unique source of support for many cancer patients. Most advanced communication skills training for oncologists are patient centred and do not cover interactions with family members. The current study used in-depth qualitative interviews of patients, relatives and cancer clinicians with thematic analysis to explore the role of family members in the communication process. Forty-one participants included 10 cancer patients, 10 relatives ensuring proportionate representation of both gender and primary cancer site and 21 doctors representing both medical and surgical oncology. Nineteen of 20 patients and relatives wanted an "open and honest" discussion with their doctors. All patients, relatives and doctors preferred involvement of the family at most stages of cancer treatment. Five themes were identified in relation to communication with family members. The participants highlighted the "importance of family for physical and psychological care," they emphasised the need to "balance patient autonomy and relatives desire to be protective" using varied "negotiating strategies" that are influenced by "socioeconomic circumstances of both patient and family." The doctor-patient-relative communication process was not static with preferences changing over time. The data suggests that communication skills training of cancer clinicians should incorporate modules on better communication with relatives

The State-Vector Space for Two-Mode Parabosons and Charged Parabose Coherent States

The structure of the state-vector space for the two-mode parabose system is investigated and a complete set of state-vectors is constructed. The basis vectors are orthonormal in order $p=2$. In order $p=2$, conserved-charge parabose coherent states are constructed and an explicit completeness relation is obtained.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX file, no figures and no macro

Coherent States with SU(N) Charges

We define coherent states carrying SU(N) charges by exploiting generalized Schwinger boson representation of SU(N) Lie algebra. These coherent states are defined on $2 (2^{N - 1} - 1)$ complex planes. They satisfy continuity property and provide resolution of identity. We also exploit this technique to construct the corresponding non-linear SU(N) coherent states.Comment: 18 pages, LaTex, no figure