5,000 research outputs found
Phase transition in the globalization of trade
Globalization processes interweave economic structures at a worldwide scale,
trade playing a central role as one of the elemental channels of interaction
among countries. Despite the significance of such phenomena, measuring economic
globalization still remains an open problem. More quantitative treatments could
improve the understanding of globalization at the same time that help a formal
basis for comparative economic history. In this letter, we investigate the time
evolution of the statistical properties of bilateral trade imbalances between
countries in the trade system. We measure their cumulative probability
distribution at different moments in time to discover a sudden transition circa
1960 from a regime where the distribution was always represented by a steady
characteristic function to a new state where the distribution dilates as time
goes on. This suggests that the rule that was governing the statistical
behavior of bilateral trade imbalances until the 60's abruptly changed to a new
form persistent in the last decades. In the new regime, the figures for the
different years collapse into a universal master curve when rescaled by the
corresponding global gross domestic product value. This coupling points to an
increased interdependence of world economies and its onset corresponds in time
with the starting of the last globalization wave.Comment: Final versio
The amenity value of the Italian climate
The hedonic price literature suggests that locations with more favourable characteristics should display compensating wage and house price differentials.
Estimates of the marginal willingness to pay for small changes in climate variables are derived using the hedonic price technique applied to Italian data. A hedonic price model was specified in terms of January and July averages. There exists considerable empirical support for the hypothesis that amenity values for climate are embedded in the labour and housing market. Italians would prefer a
drier climate during the winter months, but higher summertime temperatures are shown to reduce welfare. These results may have relevance to the task of determining the economic impact of future climate change
Tidal stability of giant molecular clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Star formation does not occur until the onset of gravitational collapse
inside giant molecular clouds. However, the conditions that initiate cloud
collapse and regulate the star formation process remain poorly understood.
Local processes such as turbulence and magnetic fields can act to promote or
prevent collapse. On larger scales, the galactic potential can also influence
cloud stability and is traditionally assessed by the tidal and shear effects.
In this paper, we examine the stability of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the
Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) against shear and the galactic tide using CO data
from the Magellanic Mopra Assessment (MAGMA) and rotation curve data from the
literature. We calculate the tidal acceleration experienced by individual GMCs
and determine the minimum cloud mass required for tidal stability. We also
calculate the shear parameter, which is a measure of a clouds susceptibility to
disruption via shearing forces in the galactic disk. We examine whether there
are correlations between the properties and star forming activity of GMCs and
their stability against shear and tidal disruption. We find that the GMCs are
in approximate tidal balance in the LMC, and that shear is unlikely to affect
their further evolution. GMCs with masses close to the minimal stable mass
against tidal disruption are not unusual in terms of their mass, location, or
CO brightness, but we note that GMCs with large velocity dispersion tend to be
more sensitive to tidal instability. We also note that GMCs with smaller radii,
which represent the majority of our sample, tend to more strongly resist tidal
and shear disruption. Our results demonstrate that star formation in the LMC is
not inhibited by to tidal or shear instability.Comment: 18 pages, 10 Figures, Accepted in PAS
Unravelling the mental health productivity puzzle : where do we start?
In this editorial we define 'productivity' and 'efficiency' in a mental health service context, outlining the key challenges to measuring these in practice. We attempt to bring clarity of thought to this often debated, but rarely researched area
Platforms: The Sequel
In this article, the authors discuss recent developments on sales and use tax reporting and collection obligations imposed on platforms that facilitate taxable sales of tangible personal property or services
Ecological Risk Assessment for the Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource
In March 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Department) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource (Resource). ERAs are conducted by the Department as part of its Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management framework
Active video games: An opportunity for enhanced learning and positive health effects?
Active video games are an emerging genre of electronic games that provide engaging exercise experiences by combining physical exertion with interactive game play. As such they have attracted increased interest from health promotion professionals to reduce sedentary behavior, increase physical activity, and improve health outcomes such as body composition. However their potential for enhancing the educational experience has not been extensively explored. This paper provides a brief overview of active video game research to date and outlines opportunities for future research. Specifically, we highlight the need to develop a conceptual framework to better understand the determinants, mediators, moderators, and consequences of active video gaming and integrate learning and health outcomes. We propose that active video games can be a key part of a wider âdigitalâ supportive environment where education and health researchers and professionals work with, rather than against, video game technologies to promote learning and health
Circulation of prions within dust on a scrapie affected farm
Prion diseases are fatal neurological disorders that affect humans and animals. Scrapie of sheep/goats and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of deer/elk are contagious prion diseases where environmental reservoirs have a direct link to the transmission of disease. Using protein misfolding cyclic amplification we demonstrate that scrapie PrPSc can be detected within circulating dusts that are present on a farm that is naturally contaminated with sheep scrapie. The presence of infectious scrapie within airborne dusts may represent a possible route of infection and illustrates the difficulties that may be associated with the effective decontamination of such scrapie affected premises
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