Description of G-bundles over G-spaces with quasi-free proper action of discrete group II

In this article we generalize the results of the previous article with the same title [arXiv:0901.3308] for the case of an arbitrariy linear representation and non-normal stationary subgroup.Comment: This is a continuation of the previous article with the same nam

A DYNAMIC MODEL OF VERTICAL INTEGRATION FOR THE AMERICAN PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY

The focus of this research is to learn about the factors that influence the decision of a manufacturing firm to vertically integrate into the production of its input. The American paper industry has a feature that makes it particularly suitable for this purpose: over the years paper mills of apparently similar characteristics have made different decisions with regards to their integration status. This work draws on the insight that there must be some unobserved mill characteristic that drives the decision process for a mill. Mills´ choices of whether to exit the industry, and with regards to their integration status when they choose to stay in operation, depend on their productivity. This generates selection and simultaneity biases in a reduced form estimation. In order to deal with these issues, I propose a dynamic model in the spirit of Olley and Pakes (1996). This approach not only takes care of the estimation biases, but also allows me to learn about the unobserved characteristics of the firms in my data, and to use them to determine which firms vertically integrate and which firms do not. In addition, the model I propose allows me to learn about how vertical integration affects productivity and mill´s entry and exit decisions.Vertical Integration

Evidences of extragalactic origin and planet engulfment in the metal-poor twin pair HD 134439/HD 134440

Recent studies of chemical abundances in metal-poor Halo stars show the existence of different populations, which is important for studies of Galaxy formation and evolution. Here we revisit the twin pair of chemically anomalous stars HD 134439 and HD 134440, using high resolution (R $\sim 72 000$) and high S/N ratio (S/N $\sim 250$) HDS/Subaru spectra. We compare them to the well-studied Halo star HD 103095, using the line-by-line differential technique to estimate precise stellar parameters and LTE chemical abundances. We present the abundances of C, O, Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Y, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, and Sm. We compare our results to the precise abundance patterns of Nissen & Schuster (2010) and data from dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies (dSphs). We show that the abundance pattern of these stars appears to be closely linked to that of dSphs with [$\alpha$/Fe] knee below [Fe/H] $<-1.5$. We also find a systematic difference of $0.06\pm0.01$ dex between the abundances of these twin binary stars, which could be explained by the engulfment of a planet, thus suggesting that planet formation is possible at low metallicities ([Fe/H]=$-1.4$).Comment: Published in MNRA

Alaska Fuel Price Projections 2014-2040

The Alaska Fuel Price Projections are developed annually for the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) for the purpose of estimating the potential costs and benefits of renewable energy projects. Project developers submit applications to AEA for grants awarded under the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund (REF) program. These fuel price projections are used to evaluate the economic feasibility of project applications; economic feasibility is only one of many factors of the project evaluation process. Economists at the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) have completed seven previous Alaska Fuel Price Projections since 2008 (all available at: http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/). In this report we present the methodology for the most recent fuel prices projection. In addition to their use for the REF review, ISER researchers use the projections for other economic research and energy project evaluations. The fuel price projections also fulfill an important need for price information and are used by many stakeholders in addition to AEA. As a result of their broad use among the public, we expanded what used to be cursory notes on methodology. Our intent is to provide more detailed information to the report’s readers and users of the fuel price projections.Alaska Energy AuthorityBackground / Projection vs. Forecast / Data Sources / Projections / References / Appendix A. Projection methodolog

Youth in Crisis Characteristics of Homeless Youth Served by Covenant House Alaska

This research is the result of a partnership between Covenant House Alaska and the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, as part of a national effort, initiated by Covenant House Institute, to create partnerships between Covenant House service providers and academic institutions. This report documents trends in use of Crisis Center at Covenant House Alaska and the characteristics of its clients. Use of Crisis Center, measured by visits and length of stay, has been increasing since 2003. The number of youth coming to Covenant House Crisis Center from outside of Anchorage is increasing, as is the number Alaska Natives served by Covenant House. Data indicate that many after aging out of foster care, many youth end up at Covenant House. Similarly many who receive mental health care outside of the state, return to Alaska and end up at Crisis Center. Few have high school diplomas or GED and three out of four are unemployed.Covenant House Alask

All-Alaska Rate Electric Power Pricing Structure

Economists at the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage were asked to research the potential options and impacts of establishing an All-Alaska Rate as an alternative to the current Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program funding formula. We were asked to provide a history of the PCE program and information on electricity rates and patterns of consumption across regions of Alaska. This report provides the results of this analysis. Alaska is unique in many ways, including its consumption and pricing of electricity. There are large regional differences in consumption and prices that result from proximity to different types and quantities of resources. Differences in remoteness and population size also influence costs. Urban areas in the southern Railbelt benefit from larger economies of scale and access to natural gas and hydroelectric resources; the majority of hydroelectric facilities are located in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska. Most communities in rural Alaska depend on volatile and high price fossil fuels for the generation of electricity. The Alaska statewide weighted average residential rate for electricity (17.6 cents per kilowatt (kWh) in CY2011) is higher than the U.S. average of 11.8 cents per kWh (U.S. EIA, 2012). Alaska now trails behind Hawaii (34.5 cents), New York (18.4 cents) and Connecticut (18.1 cents) based on ranking of average residential price per kWh. Hidden in the Alaska statewide average is considerable variation with some communities paying less than the national average and some paying considerably more.Senate Finance Committee, Alaska State Legislature.Executive Summary / Introduction / Review of Current Residential Consumption and Price of Electricity / Power Cost Equalization History / Electricity Rates and Levels of Consumption / Customer responsiveness to price changes / All-Alaska Rate / References / Appendix A. Price elasticity of demand in PCE communities / Appendix B. PCE funding levels per year / Appendix C. PCe appropriations and disbursements over time / Appendix D. Communities/Locations in the Railbeld region / Appendix E. Residential and effective rates of PCE communities, 2001-2010 / Appendix F. Effective residential rates and consumption of electricity in PCE communities, 2008-2010 / Appendix G. PCE communities characteristics of importance as factors of electricity production and deman

CNO abundances in the Galactic bulge

The carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen abundances and trends in the bulge are discussed in the context of our recent analysis of these elements in an on-going project based on near-IR spectra (Ryde et al. 2009). We obtained these using the CRIRES spectrometer on the VLT. The formation and evolution of the Milky Way bulge can be constrained by studying elemental abundances of bulge stars. Due to the large and variable visual extinction in the line-of-sight towards the bulge, an analysis in the near-IR is preferred.Comment: Contributed talk at Chemical Abundances in the Universe, Connecting First Stars to Planets, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 265, K. Cunha, M. Spite and B. Barbuy, eds, Cambridge University Press, in pres