On algebraic supergroups, coadjoint orbits and their deformations

In this paper we study algebraic supergroups and their coadjoint orbits as affine algebraic supervarieties. We find an algebraic deformation quantization of them that can be related to the fuzzy spaces of non commutative geometry.Comment: 37 pages, AMS-LaTe

Spinor Algebras and Extended Superconformal Algebras

We consider supersymmetry algebras in arbitrary spacetime dimension and signature. Minimal and maximal superalgebras are given for single and extended supersymmetry. It is seen that the supersymmetric extensions are uniquely determined by the properties of the spinor representation, which depend on the dimension $D$ mod 8 and the signature $|\rho|$ mod 8 of spacetime.Comment: Talks presented by the authors at the "Second International Symposium on Quantum Theory and Symmetries", Cracow 2001. LaTeX, 10 page

Local Government Taxing, Spending and Economic Growth: New Evidence for Wisconsin

Wisconsin is generally viewed as a high tax state. Depending on how one measures tax burdens, Wisconsin's rankings range from either the top five, or right in the middle of the national average. While these rankings have always been a source of discussion in Wisconsin, the state's current budget deficit, and the proposed solutions, has renewed the public debate about Wisconsin's fiscal policies with a vengeance. Accusations of duplication of services, higher costs inherent to the small scale of operation and a general tendency to be "big spenders" have created a firestorm of controversy. Further, a range of business support organizations has renewed yet again the call for tax reductions in the name of economic growth. In this applied research study we again ask the fundamental question "are Wisconsin local taxes too high" but we address the research question from a slightly different direction. Rather than looking at local property values and corresponding tax generating abilities, we measure the influence of local spending and taxation decisions on local economic growth. If local spending and taxation levels are indeed too high, we should see a dampening affect on local economic growth rates.

On the Embedding of Space-Time Symmetries into Simple Superalgebras

We explore the embedding of Spin groups of arbitrary dimension and signature into simple superalgebras in the case of extended supersymmetry. The R-symmetry, which generically is not compact, can be chosen compact for all the cases that are congruent mod 8 to the physical conformal algebra so($D-2$,2), $D\geq 3$. An $\rm{so}(1,1)$ grading of the superalgebra is found in all cases. Central extensions of super translation algebras are studied in this framework.Comment: AMS LaTeX, 16 page

Deformation Quantization of Non Regular Orbits of Compact Lie Groups

In this paper we construct a deformation quantization of the algebra of polynomials of an arbitrary (regular and non regular) coadjoint orbit of a compact semisimple Lie group. The deformed algebra is given as a quotient of the enveloping algebra by a suitable ideal.Comment: AMS-LaTeX, 14 pages. Some changes in Lemma 3.

Generalized dimensional reduction of supergravity with eight supercharges

We describe some recent investigation about the structure of generic D=4,5 theories obtained by generalized dimensional reduction of D=5,6 theories with eight supercharges. We relate the Scherk-Schwarz reduction to a special class of N=2 no-scale gauged supergravities.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of ``NathFest'' at PASCOS conference, Northeastern University, Boston, Ma, August 200

Amenities and Rural Appalachia Economic Growth

Patterns of economic growth in rural Appalachia are examined with a focus on natural and built amenities. While the literature is clear that rural areas endowed with scenic beauty, lakes, forests, and wildlife, among other natural amenities, and coupled with built amenities such as golf courses, are experiencing robust economic growth. It is not clear if these patterns extend to rural Appalachia. In this applied research study we use data for rural U.S. counties. We estimate an augmented Carlino-Mills growth model with specific attention to growth patterns of Appalachia. We also build on the empirical modeling by adopting a Bayesian Modeling Average (BMA) approach to address the problem of model specification. We find that while there are some commonalities across the whole of the United States, the country is sufficiently heterogeneous that impact of amenities or other policy variables may be significantly different depending on where one is within the country. Our results suggest that while non-metropolitan Appalachia tends to follow national trends, there are sufficient differences that warrant special attention.amenities, quality of life, rural economic growth, Bayesian, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

The quantum chiral Minkowski and conformal superspaces

We give a quantum deformation of the chiral super Minkowski space in four dimensions as the big cell inside a quantum super Grassmannian. The quantization is performed in such way that the actions of the Poincar\'e and conformal quantum supergroups on the quantum Minkowski and quantum conformal superspaces are presented.Comment: 54 page