Wage Inflation and the Distribution of Unemployement

Les résultats décevants que les recherchistes ont obtenus en essayant de découvrir des courbes de Phillips stables obligent à en examiner de nouveau les fondements théoriques. Même si l'on a fait en ces dernières années beaucoup d'effort pour tenir compte de l'hypothèse de prévisions inflationnistes, on a aussi considéré attentivement les relations entre les taux d'inflation et les taux de chômage nationaux et régionaux. Quelles que soient les directions dans lesquelles les recherches se sont orientées, on est arrivé à la conclusion qu'il n'existe pas de marché du travail « global », mais qu'il y a, à l'intérieur d'une économie nationale, plusieurs marchés du travail interreliés. Dans leur article, les auteurs ont analysé le problème des courbes de Phillips régionales « globales » et quelques-uns des problèmes qu'elles soulèvent. À partir d'études théoriques récentes faites sur le sujet en Grande-Bretagne et en Amérique du Nord, ils ont essayé de montrer que plus la dispersion du chômage à travers différents secteurs de l'économie est marquée plus la courbe de Phillips a tendance à glisser vers la droite, que la direction de l'effet de dispersion est ambiguë lorsqu'il y a mobilité de la main-d'oeuvre d'une région à l'autre et, enfin, que, même quand il n'y a pas migration de la main-d'oeuvre, il ne s'ensuit pas nécessairement un effet de dispersion.L'étude de Lipsey a considéré l'hypothèse de l'existence d'une économie divisée en deux marchés du travail en supposant un taux de chômage différent de l'un à l'autre alors que le taux de chômage global demeure constant. Il en résulte que les salaires augmentent plus rapidement dans la région où le taux de chômage est bas qu'ils ne baissent dans celle où le taux de chômage est le plus élevé. Lipsey en conclut donc que plus la différence entre les taux de chômage est grande entre les deux secteurs, plus l'indice des taux de salaire a tendance à s'accroître. Dans le cas du Canada, il devient évident qu'il faut repenser la théorie de Lipsey. Un autre auteur, Archibald, a montré qu'il n'y a pas lieu de s'en préoccuper en autant que le taux de changement de l'indice global des salaires est construit de telle sorte que les taux individuels de salaire soient pondérés en tenant compte de la main-d'oeuvre existant dans chacune des deux régions. Le but de l'article est de démontrer que le raisonnement apporté par Archibald à l'appui de la théorie de Lipsey ne vaut plus s'il y a migration de la main-d'oeuvre d'une région à l'autre. Or, comme la migration des sans-travail des régions à haut taux de chômage aux régions à taux de chômage bas est un phénomène bien établi au Canada et aux États-Unis, les auteurs expriment l'opinion que l'analyse d'Archibald n'a pas tellement de signification, car, comme le laissent voir les études de Brechling pour les États-Unis et celles de Kaliski et de Thirsk pour le Canada, il n'existe pas d'effet de dispersion.Cependant, lorsqu'il y a dispersion des taux de chômage, les recherchistes peuvent également vouloir mesurer le degré de dispersion dans la courbe de Phillips « globale ». Pour ce faire, il faut que les changements globaux dans les données relatives aux salaires soient construites de façon que la pondération de l'ensemble tienne compte des proportions de main-d'oeuvre. En résumé, si l'on considère que les sans-travail émigrent d'une région du Canada à l'autre, il n'est aucunement surprenant que les études empiriques existantes soient impuissantes à détecter un effet de dispersion positif. La conséquence de cette ambiguïté signifie qu'on ne peut découvrir une courbe de Phillips d'ensemble stable d'où il résulte que les tentatives en vue d'incorporer la variable d'un changement des taux auquel on s'attend s'avèrent un test nullement appropriéde l'hypothèse de l'accélération.The authors re-examine the question of aggregating regional Phillips curves and suggest some problems with the empirical work to date

A Structural Classification of Australian Vegetation Using ICESat/GLAS, ALOS PALSAR and Landsat Sensor Data

Australia has historically used structural descriptors of height and cover to characterize, differentiate, and map the distribution of woody vegetation across the continent but no national satellite-based structural classification has been available. In this study, we present a new 30-m spatial resolution reference map of Australian forest and woodland structure (height and cover), with this generated by integrating Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced TM, Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Arrayed L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) and Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation (ICESat),and Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) data. ALOS PALSAR and Landsat-derived Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) were used to segment and classify the Australian landscape. Then, from intersecting ICESat waveform data, vertical foliage profiles and height metrics (e.g., 95% percentile height, mean height and the height to maximum vegetation density) were extracted for each of the classes generated. Within each class, and for selected areas, the variability in ICESat profiles was found to be similar with differences between segments of the same class attributed largely to clearance or disturbance events. ICESat metrics and profiles were then assigned to all remaining segments across Australia with the same class allocation. Validation against airborne LiDAR for a range of forest structural types indicated a high degree of correspondence in estimated height measures. On this basis, a map of vegetation height was generated at a national level and was combined with estimates of cover to produce a revised structural classification based on the scheme of the Australian National Vegetation Information System (NVIS). The benefits of integrating the three datasets for segmenting and classifying the landscape and retrieving biophysical attributes was highlighted with this leading the way for future mapping using ALOS-2 PALSAR-2, Landsat/Sentinel-2, Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), and ICESat-2 LiDAR data. The ability to map across large areas provides considerable benefits for quantifying carbon dynamics and informing on biodiversity metrics

A data-driven Bayesian optimisation framework for the design and stacking sequence selection of increased notched strength laminates

A novel Bayesian optimisation framework is proposed for the design of stronger stacking sequences in composite laminates. The framework is the first to incorporate high-fidelity progressive damage finite element modelling in a data-driven optimisation methodology. Gaussian process regression is used as a surrogate for the finite element model, minimising the number of computationally expensive objective function evaluations. The case of open-hole tensile strength is investigated and used as an example problem, considering typical aerospace design constraints, such as in-plane stiffness, balance of plies and laminate symmetry about the mid-plane. The framework includes a methodology that applies the design constraints without jeopardising surrogate model performance, ensuring that good feasible solutions are found. Three case studies are conducted, considering standard and non-standard angle laminates, and on-axis and misaligned loading, illustrating the benefits of the optimisation framework and its application as a general tool to efficiently establish aerospace design guidelines.</p

Data Analysis with PLSR models

Land condition monitoring information is required for the strategic management of grazing land and for a better understanding of ecosystem processes. Yet, for policy makers and those land managers whose properties are situated within north-eastern Australia's vast Great Barrier Reef catchments, there has been a general lack of geospatial land condition monitoring information. This paper provides an overview of integrated land monitoring activity in rangeland areas of two major Reef catchments in Queensland: the Burdekin and Fitzroy regions. The project aims were to assemble land condition monitoring datasets that would assist grazing land management and support decision-makers investing public funds; and deliver these data to natural resource management(NRM) community groups, which had been given increased responsibility for delivering local environmental outcomes. We describe the rationale and processes used to produce new land condition monitoring datasets derived from remotely sensed Landsat thematic mapper (TM) and high resolution SPOT 5 satellite imagery and from rapid land condition ground assessment. Specific products include subcatchment groundcover change maps, regional mapping of indicative very poor land condition, and stratified land condition site summaries. Their application, integration, and limitations are discussed. The major innovation is a better understanding of NRM issues with respect to land condition across vast regional areas, and the effective transfer of decision-making capacity to the local level. Likewise, with an increased ability to address policy questions from an evidence-based position, combined with increased cooperation between community, industry and all levels of government, a new era has emerged for decision-makers in rangeland management

The human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins: a review of the host pathways targeted on the road to transformation

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) is the causal factor in over 99 % of cervical cancer cases, and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal and anogenital cancers. The key drivers of HPV-mediated transformation are the oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7. Together, they act to prolong cell-cycle progression, delay differentiation and inhibit apoptosis in the host keratinocyte cell in order to generate an environment permissive for viral replication. The oncoproteins also have key roles in mediating evasion of the host immune response, enabling infection to persist. Moreover, prolonged infection within the cellular environment established by the HR-HPV oncoproteins can lead to the acquisition of host genetic mutations, eventually culminating in transformation to malignancy. In this review, we outline the many ways in which the HR-HPV oncoproteins manipulate the host cellular environment, focusing on how these activities can contribute to carcinogenesis

SUPPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL BASIS FOR ASME SECTION XI CODE CASE N-597-2

ABSTRACT Section XI of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code provides rules and requirements for maintaining pressure boundary integrity of components, piping, and equipment during the life of a nuclear power plant. Code Case N-597-2 of Section XI, Requirements for Analytical Evaluation of Pipe Wall Thinning, provides evaluation procedures and acceptance criteria to justify continued operation of Class 1, 2 and 3 piping items subjected to wall thinning by a mechanism such as flow-accelerated corrosion. The acceptance criteria ensure that margins equivalent to those of the ASME B&amp;PV Code are maintained. The technical basis for Code Case N-597-2 was previously presented at the 1999 ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference. Since then, the ASME Section XI Working Group on Pipe Flaw Evaluation has identified the need for further explanation of the technical basis for the Code Case, such as the procedures for evaluation of wall thickness less than the Construction Code Design Pressure-based minimum allowable wall thickness, t min . This paper provides an additional description of the Code Case technical basis and validation against experimental and historic wall thinning events. NOMENCLATURE a = depth of an axial flaw A = reinforcement area required for a Class 1 pipe under internal pressure in accordance with rules in Section III of the ASME B&amp;PV Code A i = predicted inside area of the cross-section of the pipe A o = total cross-sectional area of the pipe based on nominal outside diameter A p = predicted metal cross-sectional area of the pipe A rein = reinforcement area required for a Class 2 or 3 pipe under internal pressure in accordance with rules in Section III of the ASME B&amp;PV Code B = parameter used to calculate maximum allowable length of an axial flaw in ANSI/ASME B31G d = distance from the center of a local thinned area defining the limits of reinforcement for Class 2 and 3 piping in accordance with the Construction Code D o = nominal outside diameter of the piping item f = stress range reduction factor for cyclic conditions for Class 2 and 3 piping i = stress intensification factor for Class 2 and 3 piping i 0 = stress intensification factor based on the design-basis geometry of the piping item k = constant used to describe the assumed linear increase in stress intensification factor i L = maximum extent of a local thinned area with t p &lt; t nom L A = distance used to define limits of reinforcement for Class 1 piping in accordance with rules in Section III of the ASME B&amp;PV Code L ax = maximum allowable length of an axial flaw from ANSI/ASME B31G L m = maximum extent of a local thinned area with t p &lt; t min L m(a) = axial extent of a local thinned area with t p &lt; t min L m(t) = transverse (circumferential) extent of a local thinned area with t p &lt; t min M b = bending moment n = number of load cycles N = number of allowable load cycles N&apos; = number of allowable load cycles corresponding to an assumed linear increase in stress intensification factor i N 0 = number of allowable load cycles based on the as-installed geometry of the piping item P = Design Pressure R = mean radius of the piping item based on nominal outside radius and nominal wall thickness R min = mean radius of the piping item based on nominal outside radius and t min s = stress range due to cyclic loading s 0 = stress range due to cyclic loading based on the design basis geometry of the piping item 1 Copyright © 2006 by ASME = predicted distribution of wall thickness at the end of the evaluation period t p,min = minimum predicted wall thickness at the end of the evaluation period y = factor required by the applicable piping Construction Code in the calculation of t min , and is equal to 0.4 Z min = predicted minimum section modulus of the thinned section of pipe δ = nominal distance between the center of the pipe and the neutral axis of the thinned pipe section σ

The deubiquitinase (DUB) USP13 promotes Mcl-1 stabilisation in cervical cancer

Protein ubiquitination is a critical regulator of cellular homeostasis. Aberrations in the addition or removal of ubiquitin can result in the development of cancer and key components of the ubiquitination machinery serve as oncogenes or tumour suppressors. An emerging target in the development of cancer therapeutics are the deubiquitinase (DUB) enzymes that remove ubiquitin from protein substrates. Whether this class of enzyme plays a role in cervical cancer has not been fully explored. By interrogating the cervical cancer data from the TCGA consortium, we noted that the DUB USP13 is amplified in ~15% of cervical cancer cases. We confirmed that USP13 expression was increased in cervical cancer cell lines, cytology samples from patients with cervical disease and in cervical cancer tissue. Depletion of USP13 inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation. Mechanistically, USP13 bound to, deubiquitinated and stabilised Mcl-1, a pivotal member of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family. Furthermore, reduced Mcl-1 expression partially contributed to the observed proliferative defect in USP13 depleted cells. Importantly, the expression of USP13 and Mcl-1 proteins correlated in cervical cancer tissue. Finally, we demonstrated that depletion of USP13 expression or inhibition of USP13 enzymatic activity increased the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to the BH3 mimetic inhibitor ABT-263. Together, our data demonstrates that USP13 is a potential oncogene in cervical cancer that functions to stabilise the pro-survival protein Mcl-1, offering a potential therapeutic target for these cancers

Quantitative trait loci conferring grain mineral nutrient concentrations in durum wheat 3 wild emmer wheat RIL population

Mineral nutrient malnutrition, and particularly deficiency in zinc and iron, afflicts over 3 billion people worldwide. Wild emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides, genepool harbors a rich allelic repertoire for mineral nutrients in the grain. The genetic and physiological basis of grain protein, micronutrients (zinc, iron, copper and manganese) and macronutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sulfur) concentration was studied in tetraploid wheat population of 152 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from a cross between durum wheat (cv. Langdon) and wild emmer (accession G18-16). Wide genetic variation was found among the RILs for all grain minerals, with considerable transgressive effect. A total of 82 QTLs were mapped for 10 minerals with LOD score range of 3.2–16.7. Most QTLs were in favor of the wild allele (50 QTLs). Fourteen pairs of QTLs for the same trait were mapped to seemingly homoeologous positions, reflecting synteny between the A and B genomes. Significant positive correlation was found between grain protein concentration (GPC), Zn, Fe and Cu, which was supported by significant overlap between the respective QTLs, suggesting common physiological and/or genetic factors controlling the concentrations of these mineral nutrients. Few genomic regions (chromosomes 2A, 5A, 6B and 7A) were found to harbor clusters of QTLs for GPC and other nutrients. These identified QTLs may facilitate the use of wild alleles for improving grain nutritional quality of elite wheat cultivars, especially in terms of protein, Zn and Fe

Copy Number Variation Affecting the Photoperiod-B1 and Vernalization-A1 Genes Is Associated with Altered Flowering Time in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The timing of flowering during the year is an important adaptive character affecting reproductive success in plants and is critical to crop yield. Flowering time has been extensively manipulated in crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during domestication, and this enables them to grow productively in a wide range of environments. Several major genes controlling flowering time have been identified in wheat with mutant alleles having sequence changes such as insertions, deletions or point mutations. We investigated genetic variants in commercial varieties of wheat that regulate flowering by altering photoperiod response (Ppd-B1 alleles) or vernalization requirement (Vrn-A1 alleles) and for which no candidate mutation was found within the gene sequence. Genetic and genomic approaches showed that in both cases alleles conferring altered flowering time had an increased copy number of the gene and altered gene expression. Alleles with an increased copy number of Ppd-B1 confer an early flowering day neutral phenotype and have arisen independently at least twice. Plants with an increased copy number of Vrn-A1 have an increased requirement for vernalization so that longer periods of cold are required to potentiate flowering. The results suggest that copy number variation (CNV) plays a significant role in wheat adaptation