Political Economy of Endogenous Growth (Revised)

Using an endogenous growth framework, this paper analyzes the impact of lobbying for public goods on the long run steady-state growth rate of the economy. A socially optimal level of lobbying can be found to exist in the absence of a social planner. Atomistic households, however, exceed this level by viewing taxes as fixed, ignoring the aggregate tax impact of lobbying via increased public expenditures. Two extensions are presented. In one, anti-tax lobbying is analyzed, drawing parallel results. In another, a quasi-public good is introduced, lobbying for which is based not on altruism, but on private gains, though public gains occur as a side effect.Political Economy,

DEMOCRACY, RENT SEEKING, PUBLIC SPENDING AND GROWTH

Does democratization imply faster growth, less corruption and less inefficiency? Past studies yield ambiguous results on the effects of democracy on economic performance and growth. We develop a simple two-sector endogenous growth model that shows both very young and mature democracies grow faster than countries in mid stages of democratization, producing a 'U' effect. This effect results from the pattern of rent seeking as it diverts from the provision of public goods. Rent-seekers act as monopolistic competitors. Initially, more democracy increases their number, raising aggregate rents. However, rents per rent-seeker fall with the number of rent seekers, aggregate rents fall in mature democracies. Thus, rents show an 'inverted-U' effects in relation to democracy. We find fairly robust supportive evidence for the latter.Political Economy,

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND GROWTH: AN OVERVIEW FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE NEW GROWTH THEORY

The role of international trade in the new growth theory is investigated from several perspectives. Following a historical outline and a brief analytical sketch of the R&D based models, the results from fitting three structural models to data are presented. Results show the relative impacts on growth from trade and R&D based policies including technological spillovers from trade. The mechanism of inter-sectoral adjustments to the long-run growth path are also discussed. Results from selected econometric studies are reviewed. With emphasis on agriculture, this includes evidence of technological spillovers from trade, the effect of R&D expenditures on growth in total factor productivity, and the extent to which the stock of technological knowledge is accessible by others.Endogenous Growth, Trade, Technological Spillovers, International Relations/Trade,

Endogenous Growth, Health and the Environment

Environmental Economics and Policy, Health Economics and Policy, International Development,

Zero-one IP problems: Polyhedral descriptions & cutting plane procedures

A systematic way for tightening an IP formulation is by employing classes of linear inequalities that define facets of the convex hull of the feasible integer points of the respective problems. Describing as well as identifying these inequalities will help in the efficiency of the LP-based cutting plane methods. In this report, we review classes of inequalities that partially described zero-one poly topes such as the 0-1 knapsack polytope, the set packing polytope and the travelling salesman polytope. Facets or valid inequalities derived from the 0-1 knapsack and the set packing polytopes are algorithmically identifie

Electro-optic resonant phase modulator

An electro-optic resonant cavity is used to achieve phase modulation with lower driving voltages. Laser damage thresholds are inherently higher than with previously used integrated optics due to the utilization of bulk optics. Phase modulation is achieved at higher speeds with lower driving voltages than previously obtained with non-resonant electro-optic phase modulators. The instant scheme uses a data locking dither approach as opposed to the conventional sinusoidal locking schemes. In accordance with a disclosed embodiment, a resonant cavity modulator has been designed to operate at a data rate in excess of 100 megabits per sec. By carefully choosing the cavity finesse and its dimension, it is possible to control the pulse switching time to within 4 nano-sec. and to limit the required switching voltage to within 10 V. This cavity locking scheme can be applied by using only the random data sequence, and without the need of dithering of the cavity. Compared to waveguide modulators, the resonant cavity has a comparable modulating voltage requirement. Because of its bulk geometry, the resonant cavity modulator has the potential of accommodating higher throughput power. Mode matching into the bulk device is easier and typically can be achieved with higher efficiency. An additional control loop is incorporated into the modulator to maintain the cavity on resonance

The Dystopian Dickens: Expectant of Hard Times

As part of this thesis, the novel Expectant will parody different elements of two of Charles Dickens’ novels with their dystopian, futuristic setting. Expectant replicates the themes of disappointment and emotional deprivation from Great Expectations (1860-61), and dehumanization and the struggle between fancy and reason from Hard Times (1854). The parody will draw parallels from the plotlines, characters, and symbols of these novels to further cement the similarities of the themes employed with themes popularized more recently by novels of the dystopian genre. The mission of the project is to sell the novel, Expectant, to publishers on the basis that is it competitive in a dystopian-driven young adult literary market and that, through the parody of Dickens, it offers a different perspective on dystopian literature that will generate interest within the intended target audience

The Impact of Training Program to Cooperatives Entrepreneur and Small Business Performance in Riau Province

This research is aimed to 1) determine the effect of training program on entrepreneurship development and small business in Riau Province, 2) determine the dominant factors in the development of the entrepreneurial spirit. By using sampling technique and descriptive analysis, the participants who attended the training program which was held by department of cooperative is 35 people. Even though there was a mixed response from this research, it received a total of as much as 74,3% response from the respondents and that indicated the training program which has done was very useful and able to foster an entrepreneurial spirit of the participants. To foster the entrepreneurship, there are still constraints in capital and business facilities were needed. The dominant material relationships affect entrepreneurship are creativity, innovation, hard work, and expectation

Impact of aging on the auditory system and related cognitive functions: A narrative review

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), presbycusis, is a chronic health condition that affects approximately one-third of the world’s population. The peripheral and central hearing alterations associated with age-related hearing loss have a profound impact on perception of verbal and non-verbal auditory stimuli. The high prevalence of hearing loss in the older adults corresponds to the increased frequency of dementia in this population. Therefore, researchers have focused their attention on age-related central effects that occur independent of the peripheral hearing loss as well as central effects of peripheral hearing loss and its association with cognitive decline and dementia. Here we review the current evidence for the age-related changes of the peripheral and central auditory system and the relationship between hearing loss and pathological cognitive decline and dementia. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence on the relationship between ARHL and established biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease, as the most common cause of dementia. Such studies are critical to be able to consider any causal relationship between dementia and ARHL. While this narrative review will examine the pathophysiological alterations in both the peripheral and central auditory system and its clinical implications, the question remains unanswered whether hearing loss causes cognitive impairment or vice versa