A Comparative Mathematical Study of the Relationship Between Marginal Social Cost and Pigouvian Tax in the Presence of Commodity and Wage Taxes: Putting Ramsey theorem into Practice

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between Pigouvian tax and marginal social cost in the presence of distortionary taxes such as commodity and wage taxes in a Ramsey setting. The Ramsey theory highlights the amount of tax required to raise a given revenue for the government which also maximizes household utility. Previous research in this regard has been carried out either under homogeneous household preferences or constant marginal social cost. In this paper we go further by analyzing the relationship between Pigouvian tax and marginal social cost in the presence of commodity taxes when households have heterogeneous preferences as opposed to being assumed homogeneous. In addition, we also consider the relationship between Pigouvian tax and marginal social cost in the presence of wage tax when the marginal social cost is considered as a variable depending on Pigouvian tax as opposed to being considered a constant in previous literature. The results indicate that the Pigouvian tax in the presence of wage tax is higher when the marginal social cost was considered a variable as opposed to a constant. Under certain conditions, in the presence of commodity taxes it was observed that the value of the Pigouvian tax is higher when households have heterogeneous preferences as opposed to homogeneous preferences. The mathematical models used in this study enable to see the factors, such as homogeneity/heterogeneity of household preferences and marginal social cost assumed as a variable as opposed to a constant, that impact the dynamics in determining the optimal Pigouvian tax. Keywords: Ramsey Theory, Pigou Tax, Marginal Social Cost, Lagrange Multiplie

A Comparative Mathematical Study of the Relationship Between Marginal Social Cost and Pigouvian Tax in the Presence of Commodity and Wage Taxes: Putting Ramsey Theorem into Practice

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between the Pigouvian tax and marginal social cost in the presence of distortionary taxes such as commodity and wage taxes in a Ramsey setting. The Ramsey theory highlights the amount of tax required to raise a given revenue for the government which also maximizes household utility. Previous research in this regard has been carried out either under homogeneous household preferences or a constant marginal social cost. In this paper we go further by analyzing the relationship between Pigouvian tax and marginal social cost in the presence of commodity taxes when households have heterogeneous preferences as opposed to being assumed homogeneous. In addition, we also consider the relationship between Pigouvian tax and marginal social cost in the presence of wage tax when the marginal social cost is considered as a variable depending on Pigouvian tax as opposed to being considered a constant in previous literature. The results indicate that the Pigouvian tax in the presence of wage tax is higher when the marginal social cost was considered a variable as opposed to a constant. Under certain conditions, in the presence of commodity taxes it was observed that the value of the Pigouvian tax is higher when households have heterogeneous preferences as opposed to homogeneous preferences. The mathematical models used in this study enable to see the factors, such as homogeneity/heterogeneity of household preferences and marginal social cost assumed as a variable as opposed to a constant, that impact the dynamics in determining the optimal Pigouvian tax. Keywords: Distortionary tax, Ramsey theory, Pigou tax, Marginal social cost, Lagrange multiplie

Definition of Definition

There is an inseparable link between human existence and communication. Words are exchanged externally through all forms of communication, but in reality, what is exchanged there is its driving force: the meaning. For this reason, it is significant to know the meaning of a word. Although the meaning of a word is determined by its definition, the existence of a set of definitions for a single word raises a fundamental problem for us, the researchers whether it could be so. Based on that, this study was conducted with the primary objective of finding the definition of definition. The contextual nature of the study, language used to collect data and the time frame limited the researchers to use qualitative reasoning and literary sources. The study confirmed that scholars are in a constant struggle for more than two millennia in searching a way to find the meaning of a word. We found that the generation of new knowledge sometimes might be hampered by a gap in the existing knowledge on language and the inability to reach certain sources of knowledge. Referring to rarely referred local literary sources, we could conclude the definition of a definition while introducing a novel approach on verifying available literary information. Thus, the academia is aided, as the authors fostered novel ways of questioning the definition of the definition, which would help the scholars to set conceptual and operational definitions in their respective researches.             KEYWORDS:  Definition, Inner Form, Nirukti, Sound of a Word, Verifying Informatio

Terahertz detection with tunneling quantum dot intersublevel photodetector

The characteristics of a tunnel quantum dot intersublevel photodetector, designed for the absorption of terahertz radiation, are described. The absorption region consists of self-organized In0.6Al0.4As/GaAsIn0.6Al0.4As∕GaAs quantum dots with tailored electronic properties. Devices exhibit spectral response from 20 to 75 μm20to75μm ( ∼ 4 THz)(∼4THz) with peak at ∼ 50 μm∼50μm. The peak responsivity and specific detectivity of the device are 0.45 A/W0.45A∕W and 108 cm Hz1/2/W108cmHz1∕2∕W, respectively, at 4.6 K4.6K for an applied bias of 1 V1V. Response to terahertz radiation is observed up to 150 K150K.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87819/2/031117_1.pd

Characteristics of a tunneling quantum-dot infrared photodetector operating at room temperature

We report high-temperature (240–300 K)(240–300K) operation of a tunneling quantum-dot infrared photodetector. The device displays two-color characteristics with photoresponse peaks at ∼ 6 μm∼6μm and 17 μm17μm. The extremely low dark current density of 1.55 A/cm21.55A∕cm2 at 300 K300K for 1 V1V bias is made possible by the tunnel filter. For the 17 μm17μm absorption, the measured peak responsivity is 0.16 A/W0.16A∕W (300 K)(300K) for a bias of 2 V2V and the specific detectivity D*D* is 1.5×107 cm Hz1/2/W1.5×107cmHz1∕2∕W (280 K)(280K) for a bias of 1 V1V. Excellent performance characteristics are also measured for the 6 μm6μm photoresponse.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87841/2/191106_1.pd

STUDY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCES OF VANILLA AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT CUTTING TYPES AND MEDIA (Vanilla fragrans)

Vanilla is an orchid spice originated in Mexico It is climbing, branching, andterrestrial orchid growing on trees and shrubs. There is good potential for thevanilla pods in Sri Lanka. At present, 1-2 m long mature Vainila cuttingswere used for propagation but demand cannot meet since it is used longcuttings (I-2m) as planting material. Therefore it is important to get morenumber of cuttings per unit length of the Vanila to meet the existing demand.In this regard, present study was conducted to investigate the effect of cuttinglength and growing media on growth performances of Vanila. In experiment01 (Pot experiment), four potting media (coir dust, sand: coir dust 1:1, sand:coir dust: top soil 1:1:1, sand: topsoil: organic matter 1:1:1) and four cuttinglengths (one nodded cuttings, two nodded cuttings, three nodded cuttings,four nodded cuttings) were used for the study in the nursery. Experimentaldesign was factorial CRD with 4 replicates. In experiment 02 (fieldexperiment), plants taken from the cuttings with two maturity stages (matureand immature) and three cutting lengths (one nodded cuttings, two noddedcuttings, three nodded cuttings) were used for the field establishment. Theexperimental design was RCBD with six replicates. Data (Number of leaves,Number of roots and Leaf area) were measured once in three weeks in thenursery and once in four weeks in the field. Data were statistically analyzedby using ANOVA and means were separated by DMRT. In experiment 01,sand: top soil: organic matter 1:1:1 potting media gives good growthperformances. Four nodded cuttings are more suitable than others. Maturityand cutting length are significantly affected on growth of Vanilla. Maturecuttings with two nodes shows higher growth performance followed bymature cuttings with three nodes, mature cuttings with one node, immaturecuttings with three nodes, immature cuttings with two nodes, and immaturecuttings with one node. Therefore potting media of sand: top soil: organicmatter 1:1:1 is suitable for filling the poly bags to grow vanilla cuttings innursery and mature cuttings with two nodes are shown better growthperformance in the field

High-performance mid-infrared quantum dot infrared photodetectors

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) have emerged as attractive devices for sensing long wavelength radiation. Their principle of operation is based on intersublevel transitions in quantum dots (QDs). Three-dimensional quantum confinement offers the advantages of normal incidence operation, low dark currents and high-temperature operation. The performance characteristics of mid-infrared devices with three kinds of novel heterostructures in the active region are described here. These are a device with upto 70 QD layers, a device with a superlattice in the active region, and a tunnel QDIP. Low dark currents (1.59 A cm−2 at 300 K), large responsivity (2.5 A W−1 at 78 K) and large specific detectivity (1011 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at 100 K) are measured in these devices. It is evident that QDIPs will find application in the design of high-temperature focal plane arrays. Imaging with small QD detector arrays using the raster scanning technique is also demonstrated.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48926/2/d5_13_009.pd

Finding needles in haystacks: linking scientific names, reference specimens and molecular data for Fungi

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Re-annotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi

Morphological and molecular characterization of Curvularia and related species associated with leaf spot disease of rice in Peninsular Malaysia

Curvularia species are important phytopathogens reported worldwide. They are closely related; consist of major destructive pathogens mainly for grasses and cereal plants including rice (Oryza sativa). A leaf spot symptom of rice is one of the common symptoms found in the rice field and caused reduction of rice yield. However, there are no reports on Curvularia species associated with rice leaves showing spot symptoms. The objectives are to isolate and characterize Curvularia and related species from leaf spot of rice by using morphological and molecular characterization and to determine the phylogenetic relationship between the isolated fungi. Fungal isolation was done from diseased rice leaves showing leaf spot symptoms collected throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty-three isolates were recovered and identified based on their morphological characteristics such as conidia morphology, colony appearance, pigmentation and growth rate for species delimitation. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified to confirm the species identification. The 33 isolates were identified as Bipolaris sorokiniana (10 isolates), Curvularia hawaiiensis (8 isolates), C. geniculata (6 isolates), C. eragrostidis (6 isolates), C. aeria (2 isolates) and C. lunata (1 isolate). A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on ITS sequences using neighbour-joining method. The tree grouped members of Curvularia and Bipolaris into different clades. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the presence of two groups of fungi species; highly virulent and mild pathogens. In conclusion, Curvularia species and Bipolaris sorokiniana were present in rice field in Malaysia and associated with leaf spot of rice

Finding needles in haystacks: Linking scientific names, reference specimens and molecular data for Fungi

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Reannotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi.B.R. and C.L.S. acknowledge support from the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Library of MedicinePeer Reviewe