Spatial Convergence in China: 1952-99

China, income distribution, spatial effects, spatial econometrics

PyIO: Input-Output Analysis with Python

This is a User Manual about PyIO, an Input-Output analysis tool using Python. Up to date software is available from the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) homepage. http://www.uiuc.edu/unit/real/

Time varying α\alpha in N=8 extended Supergravity

There has been some evidence that the fine structure "constant" $\alpha$ may vary with time. We point out that this variation can be described by a scalar field in some supergravity theory in our toy model, for instance, the N=8 extended supergravity in four dimensions which can be accommodated in M-theory.Comment: 5 pages,1 figures. Accepted for publication in JHE

Light meson mass dependence of the positive parity heavy-strange mesons

We calculate the masses of the resonances D_{s0}^*(2317) and D_{s1}(2460) as well as their bottom partners as bound states of a kaon and a D^*- and B^*-meson, respectively, in unitarized chiral perturbation theory at next-to-leading order. After fixing the parameters in the D_{s0}^*(2317) channel, the calculated mass for the D_{s1}(2460) is found in excellent agreement with experiment. The masses for the analogous states with a bottom quark are predicted to be M_{B^*_{s0}}=(5696\pm 40) MeV and M_{B_{s1}}=(5742\pm 40) MeV in reasonable agreement with previous analyses. In particular, we predict M_{B_{s1}}-M_{B_{s0}^*}=46\pm 1 MeV. We also explore the dependence of the states on the pion and kaon masses. We argue that the kaon mass dependence of a kaonic bound state should be almost linear with slope about unity. Such a dependence is specific to the assumed molecular nature of the states. We suggest to extract the kaon mass dependence of these states from lattice QCD calculations.Comment: 10 page

Parameterization and Reconstruction of Quasi Static Universe

We study a possibility of the fate of universe, in which there is neither the rip singularity, which results in the disintegration of bound systems, nor the endless expansion, instead the universe will be quasi static. We discuss the parameterization of the corresponding evolution and the reconstruction of the scalar field model. We find, with the parameterization consistent with the current observation, that the current universe might arrive at a quasi static phase after less than 20Gyr.Comment: minor changes and Refs. added, publish in EPJ

Therapeutic strategies for C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia

Purpose of review An intronic G4C2 expansion mutation in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9-ALS/FTD). Although there are currently no treatments for this insidious, fatal disease, intense research has led to promising therapeutic strategies, which will be discussed here. Recent findings Therapeutic strategies for C9-ALS/FTD have primarily focused on reducing the toxic effects of mutant expansion RNAs or the dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). The pathogenic effects of G4C2 expansion transcripts have been targeted using approaches aimed at promoting their degradation, inhibiting nuclear export or silencing transcription. Other promising strategies include immunotherapy to reduce the DPRs themselves, reducing RAN translation, removing the repeats using DNA or RNA editing and manipulation of downstream disease-altered stress granule pathways. Finally, understanding the molecular triggers that lead to pheno-conversion may lead to opportunities that can delay symptomatic disease onset. Summary A large body of evidence implicates RAN-translated DPRs as a main driver of C9-ALS/FTD. Promising therapeutic strategies for these devastating diseases are being rapidly developed with several approaches already in or approaching clinical trials

Holographic Dark Energy Model and Scalar-Tensor Theories

We study the holographic dark energy model in a generalized scalar tensor theory. In a universe filled with cold dark matter and dark energy, the effect of potential of the scalar field is investigated in the equation of state parameter. We show that for a various types of potentials, the equation of state parameter is negative and transition from deceleration to acceleration expansion of the universe is possible.Comment: 11 pages, no figure. To appear in General Relativity and Gravitatio

Interacting Kasner-type cosmologies

It is well known that Kasner-type cosmologies provide a useful framework for analyzing the three-dimensional anisotropic expansion because of the simplification of the anisotropic dynamics. In this paper relativistic multi-fluid Kasner-type scenarios are studied. We first consider the general case of a superposition of two ideal cosmic fluids, as well as the particular cases of non-interacting and interacting ones, by introducing a phenomenological coupling function $q(t)$. For two-fluid cosmological scenarios there exist only cosmological scaling solutions, while for three-fluid configurations there exist not only cosmological scaling ones, but also more general solutions. In the case of triply interacting cosmic fluids we can have energy transfer from two fluids to a third one, or energy transfer from one cosmic fluid to the other two. It is shown that by requiring the positivity of energy densities there always is a matter component which violates the dominant energy condition in this kind of anisotropic cosmological scenarios.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics &Space Science, 8 page

Research Note: Economic Structural Change Over Time: Brazil and the United States Compared

Using input-output tables for the economies of Brazil and the United States, this comparative study focuses on changes in the economic structure of two large countries with different levels of development over time (1958-77 for the United States and 1959-80 for Brazil). The change in the economic structure is decomposed into three initial components (final demand, technology, and their synergistic interaction) and thereafter these components are further divided into change initiated within the sector and outside the sector. The results indicate a rather remarkable degree of commonality in the patterns of growth processes in both countries,with more significant differences between sectors than between countries. The analysis confirmed earlier findings about the role of demand changes but was able to capture important differences in internal-to-sector versus external-to-sector sources of demand change

Research Note: Economic Structural Change Over Time: Brazil and the United States Compared

Using input-output tables for the economies of Brazil and the United States, this comparative study focuses on changes in the economic structure of two large countries with different levels of development over time (1958-77 for the United States and 1959-80 for Brazil). The change in the economic structure is decomposed into three initial components (final demand, technology, and their synergistic interaction) and thereafter these components are further divided into change initiated within the sector and outside the sector. The results indicate a rather remarkable degree of commonality in the patterns of growth processes in both countries,with more significant differences between sectors than between countries. The analysis confirmed earlier findings about the role of demand changes but was able to capture important differences in internal-to-sector versus external-to-sector sources of demand change