Quantum homogeneous spaces of connected Hopf algebras

Let H be a connected Hopf k-algebra of finite Gel'fand-Kirillov dimension over an algebraically closed field k of characteristic 0. The objects of study in this paper are the left or right coideal subalgebras T of H. They are shown to be deformations of commutative polynomial k-algebras. A number of well-known homological and other properties follow immediately from this fact. Further properties are described, examples are considered, invariants are constructed and a number of open questions are listed.Comment: 26 pages; comments welcom

Hopf algebras under finiteness conditions

This is a brief survey of some recent developments in the study of infinite dimensional Hopf algebras which are either noetherian or have finite Gelfand-Kirillov dimension. A number of open questions are listed.Comment: Comments welcom

The Dynamic Effects of U.S. Monetary Policy on State Unemployment

This paper studies the transmission of monetary shocks to state unemployment rates, within a novel structural factor-augmented VAR framework with a timevarying propagation mechanism. We find evidence of large heterogeneity over time in the responses of state unemployment rates to monetary policy shocks, which do not necessarily comply with the response of the national unemployment rate. We also find evidence of heterogeneity over the spatial dimension, although geographical proximity seems to play an important role in the transmission of monetary shocks.regional unemployment, structural VAR, factor model, monetary policy

The regional employment impacts of renewable energy expenditures: The case for modelling

One aspect of the case for policy support for renewable energy developments is the wider economic benefits that are expected to be generated. Within Scotland, as with other regions of the UK, there is a focus on encouraging domesticallyâ€based renewable technologies. In this paper, we use a regional computable general equilibrium framework to model the impact on the Scottish economy of expenditures relating to marine energy installations. The results illustrate the potential for (considerable) ‘legacy’ effects after expenditures cease. In identifying the specific sectoral expenditures with the largest impact on (lifetime) regional employment, this approach offers important policy guidance.Renewable energy policy; regional economic impacts; computable general equilibrium modelling.

On Regional Unemployment: An Empirical Examination of the Determinants of Geographical Differentials in the UK

This paper considers the determinants of regional disparities in unemployment rates for the UK regions at NUTS-II level. We use a mixture panel data model to describe unemployment differentials between heterogeneous groups of regions. The results indicate the existence of two clusters of regions in the UK economy, characterised by high and low unemployment rates respectively. A major source of heterogeneity seems to be caused by the varying (between the two clusters) effect of the share of employment in the services sector, and we trace its origin to the fact that the “high unemployment” cluster is characterised by a higher degree of urbanization.distribution dynamics, regional labour markets, unemployment differentials

The dynamic effects of U.S. monetary policy on state unemployment

This paper studies the transmission of monetary shocks to state unemployment rates, within a novel structural factor-augmented VAR framework with a time-varying propagation mechanism. We find evidence of large heterogeneity over time in the responses of state unemployment rates to monetary policy shocks, which do not necessarily comply with the response of the national unemployment rate. We also find evidence of heterogeneity over the spatial dimension, although geographical proximity seems to play an important role in the transmission of monetary shocks.regional unemployment; structural VAR; factor model; monetary policy

On regional unemployment: an empirical examination of the determinants of geographical differentials in the UK

This paper considers the determinants of regional disparities in unemployment rates for the UK regions at NUTS-II level. We use a mixture panel data model to describe unemployment differentials between heterogeneous groups of regions. The results indicate the existence of two clusters of regions in the UK economy, characterised by high and low unemployment rates respectively. A major source of heterogeneity seems to be caused by the varying (between the two clusters) effect of the share of employment in the services sector, and we trace its origin to the fact that the "high unemployment" cluster is characterised by a higher degree of urbanization.distribution dynamics; regional labour markets; unemployment differentials

Quality of Life Following Massive Weight Loss and Body Contouring Surgery: an Exploratory Study.

Reconstructive surgery is a major growth intervention for body improvement, enhancing appearance and psychological well-being following massive weight loss. The psychosocial benefits include greater capacity for social networking, lower scores of body uneasiness, body image satisfaction, improved mental well-being and physical function. However little collective evidence exists regarding the impact of body contouring on patients Quality of Life (QoL) and there is a lack of systematic review and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a scarcity of high level evidence. The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore the QoL perceptions, experiences and outcomes of patients who have undergone body contouring following significant weight loss and to explore the relevance and potential utility of the Obesity Psychosocial State Questionnaire (OPSQ) as a valuable QoL outcomes measuring tool for use in clinical research. Data were collected in a community setting in the south of England via digitally recorded semi-structured interviews with twenty participants (18 women and 2 men), who also self-completed the Obesity Psychosocial State Questionnaire (OBSQ). Medical notes were reviewed retrospectively to gather data about body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities, eating profiles/lifestyle, uptake of bariatric surgery and type/number of body contouring procedures undergone. A thematic approach was adopted to analyse the interviews and medical record data, supported by Nvivo7 qualitative software, and a statistical approach to analyse the questionnaire data, supported by Statistical Analysis Software. The results provide unique glimpses of the body contouring interventions for empowering and facilitating a ‘transformation’, a ‘new identity’, a ‘new start’ in life, improved physical function, greater body image satisfaction, a stronger sense of well-being and an improved quality of life. A few of the participants who reported that their weight gain was powered by childhood traumas (abuse, neglect, abandonment) continued to struggle for ‘normality’, with fragile eating control and addictive traits. Eating disordered trauma survivors mentioned post traumatic flashbacks and underlying conflicts that triggered powerlessness and emotional eating. The emotional flooding with psychological and body related memories did not appear to be fully processed or released, despite counselling and binge eating programmes. The participants also confirmed the value of the OBSQ, whilst highlighting its limited set of three questions on feelings of self-efficacy towards eating habits. The study findings show that body contouring optimises quality of life with significant improvement in physical function, body image, mental health and psychosocial function. Further research is warranted to extent the scope of the findings within a sample drawn from multiple treatment centres. This would valuably: • Explore gender, ethnic and cultural variables, important to optimising quality of life. • Clarify distinguishing features between short and long-term QoL outcomes. • Lead to the development of national policy and guidelines on reconstructive ‘body contouring’ surgery following massive weight loss, in line with the call from the British Association for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) A future multi-centre collaborative study could employ the OBSQ, supplemented by an additional tool to explore factors that influence eating habits such as the three factor eating questionnaire (such as the TFEQ-R1 21 Scale). Such research could enhance understanding of quality of life and long-term weight management

Strategy for discovering a low-mass Higgs boson at the Fermilab Tevatron

We have studied the potential of the CDF and DZero experiments to discover a low-mass Standard Model Higgs boson, during Run II, via the processes $p\bar{p}$ -> WH -> $\ell\nu b\bar{b}$, $p\bar{p}$ -> ZH -> $\ell^{+}\ell^{-}b\bar{b}$ and $p\bar{p}$ -> ZH ->$\nu \bar{\nu} b\bar{b}$. We show that a multivariate analysis using neural networks, that exploits all the information contained within a set of event variables, leads to a significant reduction, with respect to {\em any} equivalent conventional analysis, in the integrated luminosity required to find a Standard Model Higgs boson in the mass range 90 GeV/c**2 < M_H < 130 GeV/c**2. The luminosity reduction is sufficient to bring the discovery of the Higgs boson within reach of the Tevatron experiments, given the anticipated integrated luminosities of Run II, whose scope has recently been expanded.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures, 7 tables, to appear in Physical Review D, Minor fixes and revision