On the center of the small quantum group

Using the quantum Fourier transform F, we describe the block decomposition and multiplicative structure of a subalgebra Z + F(Z) in the center of the small quantum group u_l at a root of unity. It contains the previously known subalgebra Z, which is isomorphic to the algebra of characters of finite dimensional modules over u_l. We prove that the intersection $Z \cap F(Z)$ coincides with the annihilator of the radical of Z. The whole center of u_l coincides with the obtained subalgebra Z + F(Z) in case of sl_2, and is bigger than that in general.Comment: 16 page

A counterpart of the Verlinde algebra for the small quantum group

Let $\bar{Pr}$ denote the ideal spanned by the characters of projective modules in the Grothendieck ring of the category of finite dimensional modules over the small quantum group $u_l$. We show that $\bar{Pr}$ admits a description completely parallel to that of the Verlinde algebra of the fusion category, restricted over $u_l$, with the character of the Steinberg module playing the role of the identity.Comment: 18 pages, ams-late

The Effects of the Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship on College Enrollment, Persistence, and Completion

We estimate the effects on postsecondary education outcomes of the Kalamazoo Promise, a generous place-based college scholarship. We identify Promise effects using difference-indifferences, comparing eligible to ineligible graduates before and after the Promise's initiation. According to our estimates, the Promise significantly increases college enrollment, college credits attempted, and credential attainment. Stronger effects occur for minorities and women. Predicted lifetime earnings effects of the Promise's credential gains, compared to the Promise's scholarship costs, represent an internal rate of return of 11.3 percent. Based on our results, simple and generous scholarships can significantly increase educational attainment and provide net economic benefits

Employment Relations and Wages: What Can We Learn from Subjective Assessments?

This paper studies the link between hourly wages and workers’ subjective assessments of how easy it would be to find another job as good as the present one, and how easy it would be for an employer to replace an employee. First, using high-quality data, I study the correlates of these two assessments. Second, I study whether respondents who report better outside opportunities and respondents who think they are difficult to replace receive higher wages. The results appear to be consistent with predictions of at least three theoretical frameworks: human capital theory, search theory, and a “locus of control” model

The Effect of Income on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from the 2008 Economic Stimulus Tax Rebates

This paper uses tax rebate payments from the 2008 economic stimulus to estimate the effect of a one-time change in income on three measures of subjective well-being: life satisfaction, health satisfaction, and affect. The income effect is identified by exploiting the plausibly exogenous variation in the payment schedule of the rebates. Using both ordinary least squares and two-stage least squares estimators, I find that the rebates had a large and positive impact on affect, which is explained by a reduction in feelings of stress and worry. For life satisfaction and health satisfaction, there is weaker evidence of a positive impact. Overall, the results show that a temporary increase in liquidity may enhance emotional well-being and that this effect is relatively stronger for low-income respondents

Expenditure, Confidence, and Uncertainty: Identifying Shocks to Consumer Confidence Using Daily Data

The importance of consumer confidence in stimulating economic activity is a disputed issue in macroeconomics. Do changes in confidence represent autonomous fluctuations in optimism, independent of information on economic fundamentals, or are they a reflection of economic news? I study this question by using high-frequency microdata on spending and consumer confidence, and I find that consumer confidence contains information relevant to predicting spending, independent from other indicators. The exogenous movements in consumer confidence lead to very short fluctuations in consumer spending, consistent with the hypothesis that more consumer confidence reflects less uncertainty about the future