Disordering effects of colour in a system of coupled Brownian motors: phase diagram and anomalous-to-normal hysteresis transition

A system of periodically coupled nonlinear phase oscillators submitted to both additive and multiplicative white noises has been recently shown to exhibit ratchetlike transport, negative zero-bias conductance, and anomalous hysteresis. These features stem from the "asymmetry" of the stationary probability distribution function, arising through a noise-induced nonequilibrium phase transition which is "reentrant" as a function of the multiplicative noise intensity. Using an explicit mean-field approximation we analyze the effect of the multiplicative noises being coloured, finding a contraction of the ordered phase (and a reentrance as a function of the coupling) on one hand, and a shift of the transition from anomalous to normal hysteresis inside this phase on the other.Comment: Invited Talk LAWNP01, Proceedings to be published in Physica D, RevTex, 9 pgs, 5 figure

Inducing pinning states and localized patterns in a monolayer of laterally attracting adatoms

The so-called "entropic mechanism" for ordering noise-induced phase transitions has been formerly used to stabilize nanopatterns in a realistic model for a monolayer of laterally interacting adsorbates. Here, we use this mechanism to stabilize pinning states and induce stochastic localized patterns ("dissipative solitons") on the monolayer. The key to achieve that goal is to displace only one of the stable homogeneous states toward field values at which the lateral interactions can elicit stable nanopatterns. At larger noise intensities, the "soliton" locations fluctuate with larger amplitude. However, since more localized patterns are elicited by the noise, their motion becomes confined when looked at longer timescales.Fil: Mangioni, Sergio Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Roberto R. Deza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; Argentin

Transparency in the valuation of land for land tax purposes in New South Wales

Transparency is an important taxation principle in maintaining integrity in the taxation of land. This paper is a review of improvements in transparency following recommendations for reforms to the valuation of land by the NSW Ombudsman in 2005. Data on objection rates to land values has been sourced from the NSW Department of Lands both pre and post the introduction of the 2005 reforms recommended by the NSW Ombudsman. This paper attempts to measure improvements in transparency via changes in objection rates to land values issued by the Valuer-General, resulting from the availability of sales information to land tax payers from 2005. In conclusion a summary of improvements in transparency are provided as well as recommendations for refinements in the development of further transparency measures which may be adopted. © School of Taxation and Business Law (Atax), Australian School of Business

Identifying the Community Structure of the International-Trade Multi Network

We study the community structure of the multi-network of commodity-specific trade relations among world countries over the 1992-2003 period. We compare structures across commodities and time by means of the normalized mutual information index (NMI). We also compare them with exogenous community structures induced by geographical distances and regional trade agreements. We find that commodity-specific community structures are very heterogeneous and much more fragmented than that characterizing the aggregate ITN. This shows that the aggregate properties of the ITN may result (and be very different) from the aggregation of very diverse commodity-specific layers of the multi network. We also show that commodity-specific community structures, especially those related to the chemical sector, are becoming more and more similar to the aggregate one. Finally, our findings suggest that geographical distance is much more correlated with the observed community structure than RTAs. This result strengthens previous findings from the empirical literature on trade.Networks; Community structure; International-trade multi-network; Normalized mutual information

The evolution and operation of recurrent property taxation

Recurrent property taxation is an important revenue stream for sub-national governments around the world. In its various forms, land value as a base of recurrent taxation has become less common in many countries over the past twenty years. This has largely been attributed to a number of factors ranging from pressure imposed by opponents of land value taxation, to challenges against non-demonstrable methods of assessing the underlying value of land in highly urbanized locations, where land transactions are few. This paper is a review and critique of the evolution of recurrent property taxation and the transition of the base of this tax from land to improved value in some countries. It analyses the methodological voids which have armed opponents of land value taxation with the justification for such a transition to alternate bases. It further articulates the difference between local government council rating and a broader non-earmarked land tax. A United States case study has been used to demonstrate the demise of land as the base of recurrent property taxation and the emerging similarities in Australia. In conclusion, the paper provides a framework for the harmonious coexistence of land value taxation and the rating of land and establishes key requirements in developing and maintaining a robust land value taxation system in highly urbanized locations

Urban Cleansing and Renewal: Redfining the Principles of Compensation in Compulsory Acquisition

The process of compulsory acquisition for the purposes of urban renewal and economic development are becoming more common as populations continue to grow in urban built up locations and more intensive users of land is warranted. the most practicable process for site assembly and the provision of higher and better uses of land may well be argued to be through the process of compulsory acquisition. This paper explores the hybrid use of compulsory acquisition powers for the taking of land by local government from one party and the reselling of that land to a developer for a more intensive and similar use. It contrasts the use of the Pointe Gourde principle between traditional public purposes and the emerging purpose of economic development in the assessment of compensation. Two cases are used defining the emerging purpose of economic development in Australia and the United Kingdom. A third case demonstrates a dichotomy between the compensation principles of assessing betterment in partial acquisition cases and contrasts this against the opposing principle used in total acquisitions in the specific circumstances of economic development. A model is developed which defines the dispossessed party as a stakeholder in the economic development of land, in which consent for the defined purpose of economic development is a natural progressive step in defining the highest and best use of land

Property Tax Reform: A contribution to home ownership and challenges for government in Australia

The 2009 review of Australias tax system made recommendations for improving housing affordability, particularly in the capital cities of Australia. Among the recommendations made was the removal of conveyance stamp duty and replacing this impost with a recurrent tax on land spread across the holding period of property, of which the later provides steady and more consistent revenue for government. This paper examines the relationship and emerging trends between State government taxes which impact on entry to homeownership and examines options for the move from transaction taxes to a recurrent tax on land. Through the analysis of conveyance stamp duty currently paid on the purchase price of property and a uniform recurrent tax on land, it is demonstrated that options exist for the transition from less efficient to more efficient taxation of property, while reducing a barrier to entering the housing market

Defining the basis of value in land value tax

Recurrent land taxes are an important revenue source for sub-national government internationally and are assessed on a number of different bases of value. This paper examines the various bases of value on which this tax is assessed internationally then focuses on the valuation of land, being the dominant basis of value used to assess this tax in Australia. Valuation experiments are used to examine the valuation practices of valuers in highly urbanised locations where vacant land sales are rare. It demonstrates the challenges of using value as the base of this tax and in particular land or site value used in Australia. The paper concludes that while issues exist in the determination of any basis of value, the practices of valuers are most important in the determination of a consistent and neutral base on which to assess the tax