Some Properties of a Small Open Economy Version of the Solow-Swan Growth Model

In this paper we examine some properties of the Benge and Wells (B-W) (1998a,b) formulation of a small open economy version of the Solow-Swan growth model. We suggest a simple method for classifying economies as capital importers or exporters (net debtors or creditors) in the steady state and highlight the simple mathematical structure of the B-W formulation. Given the small open economy assumption the fundamental dynamic equation for wealth is a simple first order linear differential equation so closed form solutions are immediate. That greatly simplifies the analysis of the transitional dynamics. In addition we show that the transitional dynamics of the B-W formulation depends on the specification of saving as a function of current income. In that formulation the speed of adjustment coefficient is a function of both the saving ratio and the world real rate of interest. A debt trap is possible for some parameter values. When saving is specified as a function of permanent income (steady state income) the speed of adjustment coefficient reverts to a constant determined by the exogenous growth rate in effective labour. The threat of a debt trap disappears.Solow-Swan growth model, small open economy

A phase II study of acute toxicity for Celebrex(TM) (celecoxib) and chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer: Primary endpoint analysis of RTOG 0128

Purpose: To determine treatment-related acute toxicity rates in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated by oral celecoxib, i.v. cisplatin and 5-FU, and concurrent pelvic radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: Eligible patients on this RTOG Phase I-II study for advanced cervix cancer included FIGO Stage IIB-IVA or patients with FIGO Stage IB through IIA with biopsy proven pelvic node metastases ortumor size \u3e5 cm. Patients were treated with pelvic radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Celecoxib was prescribed at 400 mg twice daily beginning on day 1 for 1 year. Cisplatin (75 mg/m2) and 5-FU (1g/m2 for 4 days) were administered every 3 weeks times 3. The primary end point of the study was treatment related toxicity. Results: Between August 2001 and March 2004, 84 patients were accrued to the study and 77 patients were evaluable for toxicity. Regarding the primary end point, toxicities were observed in the following areas: blood/bone marrow (16), gastrointestinal (14), pain (7), renal/genitourinary (6), cardiovascular (3), hemorrhage (1), and neurologic (1). For the first 75 evaluable patients, a toxicity failure was identified in 36 patients for a rate of 48%. Conclusions: Celecoxib at 400 mg twice daily together with concurrent cisplatin and 5-FU and pelvic radiotherapy has a high incidence of acute toxicities. The most frequent toxicities were hematologic. Albeit, the toxicity was deemed excessive in this trial, the rate of toxicities was not too different compared to other recent experiences with concurrent chemoradiation for advanced cervix cancer

An algebraic formulation of quantum electrodynamics

In 1967 Strocchi established that the quantisation of the electromagnetic field using a vector potential is impossible within the context of conventional field theory. Although this result is frequently referred to its significance is largely misunderstood. The fact that the electromagnetic field cannot be described in conventional field theory reflects more upon conventional field theory than theories of the electromagnetic field. A reappraisal of electromagnetic field theories should therefore be made. It could well be that features of these theories that have been previously regarded as deficiencies are not really deficiencies at all. This thesis is an account of the radiation gauge, Gupta - Bleuler and Fermi methods of quantising the electromagnetic field from that point of view. The radiation gauge and Gupta - Bleuler methods are well established schemes. Our discussion does not yield any results concerning these methods that cannot be found elsewhere. It does, however, serve to place them in a wider context. The Fermi method is little understood and hence most of this work is concerned with it. Even though the various formulations of field theory are by no means equivalent, they all eventually reproduce traditional field theory. Thus if we only require that the theory be rigorously formulated for such examples as the neutral scalar field it does not matter which formulation we choose. The differences are, however, important for applications to the quantisation methods of the electromagnetic field. The formulations have to be modified and the point at which such modifications must be made and their nature depends on both the general formulation and the quantisation method. The formalism that provides the most suitable framework for a rigorous formulation of the Fermi method turns out to be the C * algebra formulation of Segal. Following Segal, the Weyl algebra of the vector potential is constructed. The Fermi method is then related to a certain representation of the algebra. The representation is specified by a generating functional for a state on the algebra. Usually, dynamical and kinematical transformations are represented by unitarily implementable automorphisms of the algebra. We prove that this is not always true in the representation given by the Fermi method. The Weyl algebra of the physical field is then constructed as a factor algebra. Difficulties with both the Fermi and Gupta - Bleuler methods can he attributed to the need to use a factor algebra. The canonical commutation relations [ x [ subscript ] µ , p [ subscript ] ν ] = - i g [ subscript ] µ [ subscript ] ν are formulated as a Weyl algebra. We study the Schrödinger representation of the algebra and find that the Fermi method is just the generalisation of this representation to an infinite number of degrees of freedom. Further analogies are also possible. We can construct factor algebras from the Weyl algebra. The mechanics of such procedures can he studied without the additional complications of an infinite number of degrees of freedom. The Schrödinger representation of the Fermi method is then constructed. We conclude with a discussion of the results that have been obtained and an indication of ways in which the work might be extended.Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Mathematical Physics, 1974

Distribution and abundance of marbled murrelets at sea on the Oregon coast in 1992 : final report

"Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) are small diving seabirds who have the unique adaptation of flying inland to nest in large forest trees along the west coast of North America (see review in Marshall, 1988). The dual nature of their life history, as forest bird and as seabird, presents problems to studying their biology as well as to conservation efforts. Loss of nesting forest habitat, extreme vulnerability to oil pollution (King and Sanger, 1979), and speculation that the population is in serious decline has led to their listing as a federally threatened species in October, 1992. There is currently a great need to understand more about Marbled Murrelet nesting and at-sea biology and behavior, so that appropriate conservation management plans can be developed. This report summarizes our findings from marine transect surveys of Marbled Murrelets along the open Oregon coast from June to August, 1992." (From Introduction

Costs of a Smoking Cessation Counseling Intervention for Pregnant Women: Comparison of Three Settings

OBJECTIVE: Although the rate of smoking among women giving birth in the United States has declined steadily from 19.5% in 1989 to 11.4% in 2002, it still far exceeds the Healthy People 2010 goal of 1%. The objective of this study was to estimate the costs of a recommended five-step smoking cessation counseling intervention for pregnant women. METHODS: Costs were compared across three settings: a clinical trial, a quit line, and a rural managed care organization. Cost data were collected from August 2002 to September 2003. Intervention costs were compared with potential neonatal cost savings from averted adverse outcomes using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Maternal and Child Health Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economics Costs software. RESULTS: The costs of implementing the intervention ranged from $24 to$34 per pregnant smoker counseled across the three settings. Potential neonatal cost savings that could be accrued from women who quit smoking during pregnancy were estimated at $881 per maternal smoker. Assuming a 30$8 million within the range of costs per pregnant smoker. CONCLUSIONS: Costs may vary depending on the intensity and nature of the intervention; however, this analysis found a surprisingly narrow range across three disparate settings. Cost estimates presented here are shown to be low compared with potential cost savings that could be accrued across the quit rates that could be achieved through use of the 5A's smoking cessation counseling intervention

A Markov analysis of social learning and adaptation

Adaptive learning, Markov chain, Cobweb model, C62, D83,