27 research outputs found
Socio-Economic Distance and Spatial Patterns in Unemployment.
This paper examines the spatial patterns of unemployment in Chicago between 1980 and 1990. We study unemployment clustering with respect to different social and economic distance metrics that reflect the structure of agents' social networks. Specifically, we use physical distance, travel time, and differences in ethnic and occupational distribution between locations. Our goal is to determine whether our estimates of spatial dependence are consistent with models in which agents' employment status is affected by information exchanged locally within their social networks. We present non-parametric estimates of correlation across Census tracts as a function of each distance metric as well as pairs of metrics, both for unemployment rate itself and after conditioning on a set of tract characteristics. Our results indicate that there is a strong positive and statistically significant degree of spatial dependence in the distribution of raw unemployment rates, for all our metrics. However, once we condition on a set of covariates, most of the spatial autocorrelation is eliminated, except for physical and occupational distance.SPATIAL ANALYSIS ; UNEMPLOYMENT ; SOCIETY
Constraints on the pMSSM from LAT Observations of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies
We examine the ability for the Large Area Telescope (LAT) to constrain
Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) dark matter through a combined
analysis of Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies. We examine the Lightest
Supersymmetric Particles (LSPs) for a set of ~71k experimentally valid
supersymmetric models derived from the phenomenological-MSSM (pMSSM). We find
that none of these models can be excluded at 95% confidence by the current
analysis; nevertheless, many lie within the predicted reach of future LAT
analyses. With two years of data, we find that the LAT is currently most
sensitive to light LSPs (m_LSP < 50 GeV) annihilating into tau-pairs and
heavier LSPs annihilating into b-bbar. Additionally, we find that future LAT
analyses will be able to probe some LSPs that form a sub-dominant component of
dark matter. We directly compare the LAT results to direct detection
experiments and show the complementarity of these search methods.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, submitted to JCA
A Simple Measure for Examining the Proxy Problem of the Short-Rate
Approximation, Proxy yields, Short-rate, Term structure of interest rates,
Two models of social learning in networks, with concepts drawn from economics and physics
The Role of Local Intermediaries in the Process of Digitally Engaging Non-Users of the Internet
This article aims to provide a better understanding of the process of becoming digitally engaged. Those who cannot utilise digital networks are systematically disadvantaged, particularly in a hyper-connected world in which services are provided online by default. By interviewing and observing clients and trainers at a telecentre, the ACT Digital Hub, this study investigated the process that non-internet users undergo-from digital readiness to digital engagement-in order to become adept users. Intermediaries such as telecentres play a crucial role in equipping non-users with digital readiness, which is a precursor to digital media literacy. Social environment also plays a significant role in non-users' digital readiness. Rather than focusing merely on the provision of access to bridge the digital divide, we need a longer-term investment in adequate environments, such as sustainable community training centres, that nurture digital readiness.</p