Large-N analysis of (2+1)-dimensional Thirring model

We analyze $(2+1)$-dimensional vector-vector type four-Fermi interaction (Thirring) model in the framework of the $1/N$ expansion. By solving the Dyson-Schwinger equation in the large-$N$ limit, we show that in the two-component formalism the fermions acquire parity-violating mass dynamically in the range of the dimensionless coupling $\alpha$, $0 \leq \alpha \leq \alpha_c \equiv {1\over16} {\rm exp} (- {N \pi^2 \over 16})$. The symmetry breaking pattern is, however, in a way to conserve the overall parity of the theory such that the Chern-Simons term is not induced at any orders in $1/N$. $\alpha_c$ turns out to be a non-perturbative UV-fixed point in $1/N$. The $\beta$ function is calculated to be $\beta (\alpha) = -2 (\alpha - \alpha_c)$ near the fixed point, and the UV-fixed point and the $\beta$ function are shown exact in the $1/N$ expansion.Comment: 14 pages Latex. (Revised version: some changes have been made and references added.) To appear in Phys. Rev. D, SNUTP 93-4

Looking for Cattle and Hog Cycles through a Bayesian Window

The agricultural economics literature, both academic and trade, has discussed the assumed presence of cycles in livestock markets such as cattle and hogs for a very long time. Since Jarvis (1974), there has been considerable discussion over how these cycles impact optimal economic decision making. Subsequent studies such as Rucker, Burt, and LaFrance (1984), Hayes and Schmitz (1987), Foster and Burt (1992), Rosen, Murphy, and Scheinkman (1994), and Hamilton and Kastens (2000) have all investigated some aspect of how biological factors, economic events, or economic actions could be causes of and/or responses to cycles in hog and cattle inventories. There has also been debate, again both in the academic and trade literature, over the length of the cycle(s) present in hog and cattle stocks. To provide both academics and producers with accurate information on the number and periods of cycles that might be present in hog and cattle inventories, this paper provides a purely statistical view of the matter. Using over 140 years of annual data on cattle and hog inventory levels, we estimate Bayesian autoregressive, trend-stationary models on cattle inventories, hog inventories, and the growth rate of cattle inventories. We then use those models to find the posterior distributions of both the number of cycles present in each series and the period lengths of those cycles. We find multiple cycles present in all three series. Cattle inventory results show clear evidence in favor of 4.5, 6, and 11 year cycles with other cycles present but not as clearly identified. Hog inventory results identify five cycles with periods of approximately 4.5, 5.4, 6.8, 10 and 13 years. The data on the growth rate in cattle stocks has similar cycles to the series on the stock levels.Bayesian econometrics, cattle cycles, hog cycles., Agribusiness, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics,

The negative effect of external whistleblowing: a study of some key factors

Blowing the whistle is a pro-social behaviour which can be highly effective in the sense that wrongdoing is corrected without any adverse consequences for the person alleging or reporting it. It is also risky and can cost whistleblowers their jobs and economic security as well as physical health and mental well-being. The purpose of this study was to identify the negative health effects—physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental—of whistleblowing and to examine the impact on these effects of dismissal, number of employees who blew the whistle in a group, income, and the passage of time. We statistically analysed survey data from external whistleblowers who had been identified by the news media in South Korea. This research differs from previous studies that explored the negative health effects of whistleblowing but did not distinguish between internal and external reporting. Our study contributes to the literature on the negative health effects experienced by whistleblowers and has implications for how to better protect them

The motivations of external whistleblowers and their impact on the intention to blow the whistle again

The purpose of this study was to inquire into the relative importance of morality, cost‐benefit, and emotion as motivations for the decision to blow the whistle externally, and the effects of such factors as motivations, perceived negative consequences, and preferences for reform on the intention to blow the whistle again. Based on a literature review, we formulated some hypotheses and, to test them, we used the data collected from a survey of 127 external whistleblowers in South Korea. The results revealed that morality was the most important motivation, followed by emotion, and then cost‐benefit, which thus, seemed to be the least important for the whistleblowers. Morality as a motivation and the perceived negative consequences of whistleblowing had a significant effect on the intention to blow the whistle again. This study helps advance the understanding of the motivations behind whistleblowing and the factors that influence the intention to blow the whistle again

The motivations of external whistleblowers and their impact on the intention to blow the whistle again

This study's purpose was to inquire into the relative importance of morality, cost-benefit, and emotion as motivations for the decision to blow the whistle externally, and the effects of such factors as motivations, perceived negative consequences, and preference for reform on the intention to blow the whistle again. Based on a literature review, some hypotheses were formulated and, to test them, we used data collected from a survey of 127 external whistleblowers in South Korea. The results revealed that morality was the most important motivation, followed by emotion and then cost-benefit, which thus seemed to be the least important for the whistleblowers. Morality as a motivation and the perceived negative consequences of whistleblowing had a significant effect on the intention to blow the whistle again. This study helps advance the understanding of the motivations behind whistleblowing and the factors that influence the intention to blow the whistle again

Rapid Fabrication of Large-sized Solid Shape using Variable Lamination Manufacturing and Multi-functional Hotwire Cutting System

Rapid prototyping (RP) technologies have been widely used to reduce the lead-time and development cost of new products. The VLM-ST process has been developed to overcome the currently developed RP technologies such as a large building time, a high building cost, an additional post-processing and a large apparatus cost. However, the VLM-ST process has the limitation of fabricated model size (VLM300: 297×210 mm, VLM400: 420×297 mm) and the limitation of slope angle when the large-sized model more than 600 × 600 × 600 mm or axisymmetric shape is fabricated. The objective of this paper is to develop a multi-functional hotwire cutting system (MHC) using EPS-foam block or sheet as the working material in order to fabricate a large-sized shape more than 600 × 600 × 600 mm. Because the MHC apparatus employs a four-axis synchronized hotwire cutter with the structure of two XY movable heads and a turn-table, it allows the easy fabrication of various 3D shapes, such as (1) an axisymmetric shape or a sweeping cross-sectioned pillar shape using the hot-strip in the form of sweeping surface and EPS foam block on the turn-table, (2) a polyhedral complex shape using the hotwire and EPS foam block on the turn-table, and (3) a ruled surface approximated freeform shape using the hotwire and EPS foam sheet. In order to examine the applicability of the developed MHC apparatus, an axisymmetric shape, a polyhedral shape and a large-sized freeform shape were fabricated by the apparatus.Mechanical Engineerin