Fiscal Policy, Regional Disparity and Poverty in China: a General Equilibrium Approach

The main objective of this research is to analyze the effects of the fiscal dimension of China’s government transfer and preferential tax policy on regional income disparity and poverty reduction. Using a computable general equilibrium model with a three-region component, we find that the preferential tax policy on the eastern coastal region of China has a significant effect on household income, as well as on the FGT indicator. The simulation results suggest that tax policy is a more effective tool to counter against China’s regional disparity than government transfer.China, Regional Disparity, Fiscal Policy, Government Transfer, Preferential Policy, Poverty, CGE, FGT

Pn wave velocity and anisotropy underneath the central segment of the North-South Seismic Belt in China

We present a Pn wave velocity and anisotropy model of the central segment of the North-South Seismic Belt in China, where there are numerous stable basins and active faults, making this segment attractive for extensive studies. The model was obtained by a tomographic analysis of 49,973 Pn wave phase readings collected by the China Earthquake Networks Center and temporary stations in Yunnan and Sichuan. The tomographic velocity model shows that the average Pn wave velocity is 8.06km/s; prominent high-velocity (high-V) anomalies are visible under the Sichuan Basin, the Zoige Basin and the Ordos block, which clearly outline their tectonic mar- gins. A pronounced low-velocity (low-V) zone is observed from the Songpan-Ganzi block to the Chuan-Dian and Daliangshan blocks, suggesting the presence of hot material upwelling. The station delay data show a gradual variation from negative to positive values, possibly reflecting a crustal thickness variation from the southwest to the northeast of the study area. A correlation between the Pn wave anisotropy and the distribution of velocity anomalies is observed: anisotropy is relatively weaker in the high-V anomaly zones beneath stable basins, while it is stronger in the low-V anomaly zones and the high-to-low-V anomaly transition zones. The high-resolution velocity and anisotropy tomographic model that we obtained could also provide a better understanding of the study area seismicity, since the occurrence of strong earthquakes seems to be related to the presence and strength of lateral heterogeneities at the uppermost mantle level

An Anisotropic Equivalent Thermal Model for Shield Differential Through-Silicon Vias

An accurate equivalent thermal model is proposed to calculate the equivalent thermal conductivity (ETC) of shield differential through-silicon via (SDTSV). The mathematical expressions of ETC in both horizontal and vertical directions are deduced by considering the anisotropy of SDTSV. The accuracy of the proposed model is verified by the finite element method (FEM), and the average errors of temperature along the X-axis, Y-axis, diagonal line, and vertical directions are 1.37%, 3.42%, 1.76%, and 0.40%, respectively. Compared with COMSOL, the proposed model greatly improves the computational efficiency. Moreover, the effects of different parameters on the thermal distribution of SDTSV are also investigated. The thermal conductivity is decreased with the increase in thickness of SiO2. With the increase in pitch, the maximum temperature of SDTSV increases very slowly when β = 0° , and decreases very slowly when β = 90°. The proposed model can be used to accurately and quickly describe the thermal distribution of SDTSV, which has a great prospect in the design of 3D IC

Finite Difference Methods for the BSDEs in Finance

This paper gives a review of numerical methods for solving the BSDEs, especially, finite difference methods. For numerical methods of finite difference, we should divide them into three branches. Distributed method (or parallel method) should now become a hot topic. It is a key reason we present the review. We give a brief survey on the financial problems. The problems include solution and simulation methods for the BSDEs. We first describe the BSDEs, and then outline the main techniques and main results of the BSDEs. In addition, we compare with the errors between these methods and the Euler method on the BSDEs

Multiple-Try Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Global Optimization

Simulated annealing is a widely used algorithm for the computation of global optimization problems in computational chemistry and industrial engineering. However, global optimum values cannot always be reached by simulated annealing without a logarithmic cooling schedule. In this study, we propose a new stochastic optimization algorithm, i.e., simulated annealing based on the multiple-try Metropolis method, which combines simulated annealing and the multiple-try Metropolis algorithm. The proposed algorithm functions with a rapidly decreasing schedule, while guaranteeing global optimum values. Simulated and real data experiments including a mixture normal model and nonlinear Bayesian model indicate that the proposed algorithm can significantly outperform other approximated algorithms, including simulated annealing and the quasi-Newton method

The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian for the Two-Dimensional Mathews-Lakshmanan Oscillator

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the theory and methods of analytical mechanics that can be effectively applied to the research of some nonlinear nonconservative systems through the case study of two-dimensionally coupled Mathews-Lakshmanan oscillator (abbreviated as M-L oscillator). (1) According to the inverse problem method of Lagrangian mechanics, the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian function in the form of rectangular coordinates of the two-dimensional M-L oscillator is directly constructed from an integral of the two-dimensional M-L oscillators. (2) The Lagrange and Hamiltonian function in the form of polar coordinate was rewritten by using coordinate transformation. (3) By introducing the vector form variables, the two-dimensional M-L oscillator motion differential equation, the first integral, and the Lagrange function are written. Therefore, the two-dimensional M-L oscillator is directly extended to the three-dimensional case, and it is proved that the three-dimensional M-L oscillator can be reduced to the two-dimensional case. (4) The two direct integration methods were provided to solve the two-dimensional M-L oscillator by using polar coordinate Lagrangian and pointed out that the one-dimensional M-L oscillator is a special case of the two-dimensional M-L oscillator

Improvement of a highly sensitive and specific whole-cell biosensor by adding a positive feedback amplifier

In this study, we designed a Cd2+ whole-cell biosensor with both positive and negative feedback cascade amplifiers in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 (LTCM) based on our previous design with only a negative feedback amplifier (TCM). The results showed that the newly developed biosensor LTCM was greatly improved compared to TCM. Firstly, the linear response range of LTCM was expanded while the maximum linear response range was raised from 0.05 to 0.1 μM. Meanwhile, adding a positive feedback amplifier further increased the fluorescence output signal of LTCM 1.11–2.64 times under the same culture conditions. Moreover, the response time of LTCM for detection of practical samples was reduced from 6 to 4 h. At the same time, LTCM still retained very high sensitivity and specificity, while its lowest detection limit was 0.1 nM Cd2+ and the specificity was 23.29 (compared to 0.1 nM and 17.55 in TCM, respectively). In summary, the positive and negative feedback cascade amplifiers effectively improved the performance of the biosensor LTCM, resulting in a greater linear response range, higher output signal intensity, and shorter response time than TCM while retaining comparable sensitivity and specificity, indicating better potential for practical applications

Interface controlling and mechanisms of strengthening and toughening of graphene reinforced titanium matrix composites

The rapid development of aviation equipment such as hypersonic aircraft has put forward higher requirement for the comprehensive properties and application levels of titanium alloys. The properties of titanium alloys prepared by traditional thermal technologies have approached or reached the theoretical limit. Traditional technologies have been difficult to greatly improve the comprehensive properties of titanium alloys，and exploring graphene technology to modify titanium alloys has become an important development direction. However，it is difficult to control the interface reaction of graphene in titanium alloys. How to obtain the graphene/titanium interfaces with high bonding strength is the key to improve the performance of graphene reinforced titanium matrix composites. Based on the analysis of the problems restricting the development of graphene reinforced titanium matrix composites，this paper emphatically introduces the research progresses of microstructures，interface characteristics，static/dynamic mechanical properties，friction and wear properties，oxidation resistances，and strengthening and toughening mechanisms. The advantages and disadvantages of current solutions for dispersion uniformity，interface bonding and microstructure compactness are discussed. The challenges of interface control technology，large-scale preparation technology and performance stability of graphene reinforced titanium matrix composites are pointed out. Finally，it is proposed that such materials should be combined with theoretical calculation technologies， advanced preparation technologies and special function applications to deepen the interface optimization design and controllable preparation， and the application field expansion