Dynamical Anomalous Subvarieties: Structure and Bounded Height Theorems

According to Medvedev and Scanlon, a polynomial $f(x)\in \bar{\mathbb Q}[x]$ of degree $d\geq 2$ is called disintegrated if it is not linearly conjugate to $x^d$ or $\pm C_d(x)$ (where $C_d(x)$ is the Chebyshev polynomial of degree $d$). Let $n\in\mathbb{N}$, let $f_1,\ldots,f_n\in \bar{\mathbb Q}[x]$ be disintegrated polynomials of degrees at least 2, and let $\varphi=f_1\times\ldots\times f_n$ be the corresponding coordinate-wise self-map of $({\mathbb P}^1)^n$. Let $X$ be an irreducible subvariety of $({\mathbb P}^1)^n$ of dimension $r$ defined over $\bar{\mathbb Q}$. We define the \emph{$\varphi$-anomalous} locus of $X$ which is related to the \emph{$\varphi$-periodic} subvarieties of $({\mathbb P}^1)^n$. We prove that the $\varphi$-anomalous locus of $X$ is Zariski closed; this is a dynamical analogue of a theorem of Bombieri, Masser, and Zannier \cite{BMZ07}. We also prove that the points in the intersection of $X$ with the union of all irreducible $\varphi$-periodic subvarieties of $({\mathbb P}^1)^n$ of codimension $r$ have bounded height outside the $\varphi$-anomalous locus of $X$; this is a dynamical analogue of Habegger's theorem \cite{Habegger09} which was previously conjectured in \cite{BMZ07}. The slightly more general self-maps $\varphi=f_1\times\ldots\times f_n$ where each $f_i\in \bar{\mathbb Q}(x)$ is a disintegrated rational map are also treated at the end of the paper.Comment: Minor mistakes corrected, slight reorganizatio

An Econometric Approach To Estimating Support Prices And Measures Of Productivity Change In Public Hospitals

In industry sectors where market prices are unavailable it is common to represent multiple-input multiple-output production technologies using distance functions. Econometric estimation of such functions is complicated by the fact that more than one variable in the function may be endogenous. In such cases, maximum likelihood estimation can lead to biased and inconsistent estimates of the model parameters and associated measures of firm performance. We solve the problem by using linear programming to construct a quantity index. The distance function is then written in the form of a conventional stochastic frontier model where the explanatory variables are unambiguously exogenous. We use this approach to estimate productivity indexes and support (or shadow) prices for a sample of Australian public hospitals. We decompose the productivity index into several measures of environmental change and efficiency change. We find that the productivity effects of improvements in input-oriented technical efficiency have been largely offset by the effects of deteriorations in the production environment over time.

Vietnam Inbound M&A Activity: the Role of Government Policy and Regulatory Environment

With a robust recent history of reform and opening, joining of the World Trade Organization, and negotiating a myriad of regional and global trade agreements, Vietnam has emerged as a promising destination for foreign direct investment(FDI) and cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In this paper, we providean overview of Vietnam’s inbound mergers and acquisitions and review the twomain driving forces of inbound M&A, which are the legal framework reformprocess and the equitization of State-owned enterprises. We close by providingdirections for future research in the area of cross-border M&As

Export intensity of foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises: the role of trade finance availability

We examine the relationship between the role of trade finance availability and the export intensity of foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs). In developing our hypotheses, we draw upon insights derived from “new” internalisation theory (international business literature) and international trade finance (international economics literature). We empirically test these hypotheses using survey data compiled from subsidiary managers in six ASEAN countries, supplemented with host-country level data. We conceptualise, empirically test, and establish that the subsidiary-level capability in combining and utilising internal and external debts is an important subsidiary-specific advantage to support export intensity. We find that subsidiaries employ intra-firm loans from MNE internal capital markets and, to some extent, bank loans from external financial institutions to boost their export intensity. Subsidiaries may have concerns about foreign exchange risks, but the use of appropriate foreign exchange risk management is positively associated with export intensity. We discuss the implications of our findings for theory and practice

Literature review of the interplay between education, employment, health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote areas

The availability of timely, comprehensive and good quality data specifically relevant to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander notions of health and wellbeing has been a significant obstacle to understanding and addressing related disadvantage in a meaningful way. This literature review for the CRC-REP Interplay Between Health, Wellbeing, Education and Employment project explored existing wellbeing frameworks at global and local levels that are relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote Australia.Current government frameworks that collect data about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often produce a narrative that describes deficit, disadvantage and dysfunction. The frameworks include the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework, the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Framework, the Australia Bureau of Statistics Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Framework and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey. These frameworks gather statistical information for the purposes of policy analysis and program development and therefore use indicators that are important to policy. Increasingly, government frameworks are including holistic measures of health such as cultural health, governance and the impacts of colonisation.This literature review has identified the need to develop a wellbeing framework that not only accurately represents education, employment, health and wellbeing and the interplay between these and other factors, but that also recognises the strengths and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people as well as reflecting their worldviews, perspectives and values. For example, a definition of ‘wellbeing’ that highlights the importance of physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual influences at the level of the individual and the community has been endorsed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and governments alike and sustained for over 20 years. Accordingly, this literature review has been organised along these topics.In addition, the literature suggests that optimal wellbeing occurs when there is strong cultural identity in combination with control, achievement and inclusion at a wider societal level, such as through successful engagement in education and employment. Listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to learn of their conceptual thinking, knowledge and understanding, and responding to their priorities and ideas are crucial parts of the policy equation to improve outcomes across education, employment, health and wellbeing. The challenges in developing an appropriate wellbeing framework, then, are ensuring the active involvement and participation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.One example of how this has worked is provided by the Community Indicators Victoria Project, which used local-level data to address issues that the local community identified as important. A focus on strengths is also important, and is exemplified in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council and National Mental Health Working Group. Various existing programs – such as ‘Caring for Country’ – can be adapted to capture data about connection to country, for example, and how that impacts on physical and mental health. Critically, the core domains of education, employment and health need to be extended to include activities and concepts that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consider important to these areas.Recommendations for the development of a wellbeing framework are proposed here, derived from information available in the literature. Rather than being definitive, these recommendations provide a starting point for consultation and adaption towards establishing a wellbeing framework and operational system for collecting and analysing long-term health and wellbeing data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote Australia as part of the research conducted by CRC-REP

Transforming Carbon Quantum Dots Synthesis: Innovative Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Methods for Environmental Advancements and Beyond

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are an emerging class of nanomaterials exhibiting unique sizedependent optical and electronic properties. Owing to their high photoluminescence, chemical stability, low toxicity, and surface functionalization capabilities, CQDs show tremendous potential for diverse applications in energy harvesting, sensing, optoelectronics, and biomedicine. However, conventional CQD synthesis methods involve toxic organic solvents, high energy consumption, long reaction times, and poor control over particle size distribution and properties. This PhD research focused on the continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) of CQDs from renewable precursors as a rapid, sustainable, and scalable production route. A systematic investigation was undertaken to establish relationships between synthesis conditions (precursor composition, dopant concentrations) and final CQD characteristics. State-of-the-art spectroscopic and microscopic characterisation techniques provided fundamental insights into nucleation, growth mechanisms, and surface chemistry during CQD formation via CHFS. By tuning the CHFS parameters, photoluminescent CQDs with uniform size distribution, tailored surface chemistry, and reproducible optoelectronic properties were synthesised. This thesis demonstrates the first comprehensive study utilising CHFS for controlled and optimized synthesis of CQDs. The fundamental understanding of CQD formation mechanisms and structure-property correlations established here will aid the customised design of CQDs for diverse cutting-edge applications in sensing, catalysis and beyond