Data issues in general equilibrium modelling

In recent years global general equilibrium (GE) models have been used to analyse policy issues such as trade liberalisation, regional integration and environmental policies. While a global CGE model is an excellent tool to perform a comprehensive analysis of such policies, it requires an enormous amount of data to calibrate or parameterise the model itself. Quality differences in the data sets might affect the results of the model simulation. Identifying and removing problems in the database is an important task for the effective use of a CGE model. In this paper, we suggest an approach to detect and remove major inconsistencies from the database of a CGE model. To illustrate, we examine and modify selected interindustry transactions in the GTAP version 5 database, a general equilibrium database of the global economy. The revised database was evaluated against the original by undertaking technical change and trade liberalisation experiments using Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model. Results show that estimates using the modified database are more credible than those from the original database.International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

The Parsec-Scale Jets of the TeV Blazars H 1426+428, 1ES 1959+650, and PKS 2155-304: 2001-2004

We present Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of the TeV blazars H 1426+428, 1ES 1959+650, and PKS 2155-304 obtained during the years 2001 through 2004. We observed H 1426+428 at four epochs at 8 GHz, and found that its parsec-scale structure consisted of a ~17 mJy core and a single ~3 mJy jet component with an apparent speed of 2.09 +/- 0.53c. The blazar 1ES 1959+650 was observed at three epochs at frequencies of 15 and 22 GHz. Spectral index information from these dual-frequency observations was used to definitively identify the core of the parsec-scale structure. PKS 2155-304 was observed at a single epoch at 15 GHz with dual-circular polarization, and we present the first VLBI polarimetry image of this source. For 1ES 1959+650 and PKS 2155-304, the current observations are combined with the VLBA observations from our earlier paper to yield improved apparent speed measurements for these sources with greatly reduced measurement errors. The new apparent speed measured for component C2 in 1ES 1959+650 is 0.00 +/- 0.04c (stationary), and the new apparent speed measured for component C1 in PKS 2155-304 is 0.93 +/- 0.31c. We combine the new apparent speed measurements from this paper with the apparent speeds measured in TeV blazar jets from our earlier papers to form a current set of apparent speed measurements in TeV HBLs. The mean peak apparent pattern speed in the jets of the TeV HBLs is about 1c. We conclude the paper with a detailed discussion of the interpretation of the collected VLBA data on TeV blazars in the context of current theoretical models for the parsec-scale structure of TeV blazar jets.Comment: 16 pages, Astrophysical Journal, in pres

Resistive Plate Chambers for the RE4 upgrade of the CMS endcap system

It is proposed to install the fourth endcap (RE4) consisting of Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) for the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) muon endcap system, in order to improve its Level-1 trigger efficiency and thereby completing the full implementation of the Technical Design Report (TDR). This station will be installed in the first long shutdown of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) during 2013-2014. With lessons learnt from the earlier installation of the RPCs, several modifications in the new construction and test procedures have been recommended for this upgrade. The prototypes for the upgrade were assembled in 2011, thereby giving the green signal for mass production for bakelite and gas gaps. This paper also discusses the standardisation of leak and spacer tests for the bakelite gas-gaps, the new design for the Cu cooling system, the data base and the preparedness at the three assembly sites at CERN, Mumbai and Ghent

Calculating the Gender Gap in Legal Scholarship: An Empirical Study

Women have been attending law school at approximately equal rates as men for decades and began comprising a greater percentage of law school entrants than men in 2016. Yet, men continue to hold a solid majority of leadership positions across the legal field: from seats on judicial benches to podiums in front of law school classrooms. This paper examines one under-evaluated, yet critical gender gap within the legal profession: legal scholarship—specifically legal scholarship published by the flagship law reviews at the top twenty law schools. This article presents original research demonstrating that law reviews might be perpetuating the law professor gender gap because, for the five-year period studied, the law reviews published, on average, twice as many articles with male authors than with female authors. Based on this evidence, this article highlights points along the article review process that could be subject to implicit biases and suggests ways for those biases to be noticed and minimized. Who gets to speak and whose ideas are heard, matters. Currently men get to speak, and be listened to, more than women in legal scholarship.[1] This article seeks to demonstrate why this should, and how this can, concretely change. [1]. Nancy Leong, Discursive Disparities, 8 FIU L. Rev. 369, 370 (2013) (“Concretely, the [discursive] disparity has negative consequences for women’s lives, careers, and personal well-being. More broadly, the disparity distorts our discourse by conforming that discourse to male perspectives.”)

Spatial confinement of optical phonons in ZnO nanowalls and nanorods

FT Raman spectrum of ZnO nanowalls and nanorods showed optical phonon and multiphonon peaks of E2 (high) and E2 (low), E1 (TO and LO) and A1 (TO and LO), 2E2, [E2 + A1(LO)], [E1 (LO) + A1(TO)] and [E1(TO) + A(LO)] modes at (108.9 and 434.46 cm-1), (415.24 and 583.32), (383.49 and 574.84), 215.43, 676.24, 956.02 and 998.98 cm-1 respectively. In nanowalls, the appearance of B2 Raman inactive mode at 276.46 cm-1 is attributed to the existence of built in electric field in the crystallites of ZnO. The weak bands at 516.78 and 467.56 cm – 1 confirmed the presence of highly localized modes near the grain boundaries having electric field within the grains close to grain boundary The broadening and asymmetry of the first order E2 (high) optical phonon mode reveal the spatial confinement of optical phonons. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2212

The effects of transients on photospheric and chromospheric power distributions

We have observed a quiet Sun region with the Swedish 1-meter Solar Telescope (SST) equipped with CRISP Imaging SpectroPolarimeter. High-resolution, high-cadence, H$\alpha$ line scanning images were taken to observe different layers of the solar atmosphere from the photosphere to upper chromosphere. We study the distribution of power in different period-bands at different heights. Power maps of the upper photosphere and the lower chromosphere show suppressed power surrounding the magnetic-network elements, known as "magnetic shadows". These also show enhanced power close to the photosphere, traditionally referred to as "power halos". The interaction between acoustic waves and inclined magnetic fields is generally believed to be responsible for these two effects. In this study we explore if small-scale transients can influence the distribution of power at different heights. We show that the presence of transients, like mottles, Rapid Blueshifted Excursions (RBEs) and Rapid Redshifted Excursions (RREs), can strongly influence the power-maps. The short and finite lifetime of these events strongly affects all powermaps, potentially influencing the observed power distribution. We show that Doppler-shifted transients like RBEs and RREs that occur ubiquitously, can have a dominant effect on the formation of the power halos in the quiet Sun. For magnetic shadows, transients like mottles do not seem to have a significant effect in the power suppression around 3 minutes and wave interaction may play a key role here. Our high cadence observations reveal that flows, waves and shocks manifest in presence of magnetic fields to form a non-linear magnetohydrodynamic system.Comment: 11 pages, 11 Figures, 4 movies (will be available online in ApJ). ApJ (accepted

CHIMP: A SIMPLE POPULATION MODEL FOR USE IN INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

We present the Canberra-Hamburg Integrated Model for Population (CHIMP), a new global population model for long-term projections. Distinguishing features of this model, compared to other model for secular population projections, are that (a) mortality, fertility, and migration are partly driven by per capita income; (b) large parts of the model have been estimated rather than calibrated; and (c) the model is in the public domain. Scenario experiments show similarities but also differences with other models. Similarities include rapid aging of the population and an eventual reversal of global population growth. The main difference is that CHIMP projects substantially higher populations, particularly in Africa, primarily because our data indicate a slower fertility decline than assumed elsewhere. Model runs show a strong interaction between population growth and economic growth, and a weak feedback of climate change on population growth.population model, long term projections, global change, integrated assessment

Probing thermal expansion of graphene and modal dispersion at low-temperature using graphene NEMS resonators

We use suspended graphene electromechanical resonators to study the variation of resonant frequency as a function of temperature. Measuring the change in frequency resulting from a change in tension, from 300 K to 30 K, allows us to extract information about the thermal expansion of monolayer graphene as a function of temperature, which is critical for strain engineering applications. We find that thermal expansion of graphene is negative for all temperatures between 300K and 30K. We also study the dispersion, the variation of resonant frequency with DC gate voltage, of the electromechanical modes and find considerable tunability of resonant frequency, desirable for applications like mass sensing and RF signal processing at room temperature. With lowering of temperature, we find that the positively dispersing electromechanical modes evolve to negatively dispersing ones. We quantitatively explain this crossover and discuss optimal electromechanical properties that are desirable for temperature compensated sensors.Comment: For supplementary information and high resolution figures please go to http://www.tifr.res.in/~deshmukh/publication.htm