A ray mode parabolic equation for shallow water acoustics propagation problems

Ray mode parabolic equations which are suitable for shallow water acoustics propagation problems are derived by the multiple-scale method.Comment: 7 pp., 0 fi

International policy entrepreneurship and production of international public goods: the case of multilateral trade regime

Abstract. The paper considers public goods in the realm of international governance, provides a framework explaining their provision, and applies it in the analysis of the trade policymaking in the GATT/WTO. International governance regime is seen as a public good; it is conceptualized as an equilibrium state, one where the extent of ideational and material conflicts, incongruities in policy mechanisms and the lack of institutions are substantially minimised. Such state is brought by policy entrepreneurship on the part of multiple actors. Three generic entrepreneurial functions (policy leadership, innovation and facilitation/coordination) are identified. Successful equilibration is characterized by the complementarity of entrepreneurial functions, as well as by the persistence and ingenuity of entrepreneurs in selecting and using specific means and instruments of entrepreneurship. Policy entrepreneurship is considered crucial in several areas, including problem framing, advocacy and coalition building, policy experimentation, and creation of the analytical instruments. It is also salient in moderation of conflicting positions, exercise of influence and management of the policy process.Keywords. Entrepreneurship, Public goods, Trade, International governance.JEL. F13, F50, H41, L2

Factor price convergence in OECD economies: the case of three profit rates indicators

Este artigo examina a convergência da taxa de lucro (taxas de retorno do capital) nas economias da OCDE nos períodos de 1960-2016 e subperíodos relevantes. Ele também compara a convergência das taxas de lucro em economias selecionadas desenvolvidas e em desenvolvimento, usando os dados para o período 1973-2003. As taxas de economia produtiva e de manufatura em toda a economia são estimadas e três conceitos de convergência são considerados (beta, sigma e convergência estocástica). Usamos uma combinação de modelos de séries temporais transversais e univariadas e análise de distribuição de densidade. Para cada medida de taxa de lucro, uma forte evidência de convergência beta é fornecida. Em contraste, a convergência sigma é indicada apenas no caso da taxa de lucro da economia produtiva; enquanto em outros casos, a divergência sigma ou a ausência de convergência ou divergência são prováveis. A convergência estocástica está presente em um número menor de economias e está confinada à economia produtiva e manufatura. A comparação da dinâmica de convergência em economias desenvolvidas versus em desenvolvimento confirmou a convergência beta em ambos os grupos e para seu agregado, mas não estabeleceu convergência sigma, dada a significativa diversidade de economias e suas diferentes trajetórias econômicas.This paper examines profit rate (rates of return to capital) convergence in OECD economies in the periods of 1960–2016 and relevant sub-periods. It also performs comparison of profit rates convergence in selected developed and developing economies, using the data for 1973-2003 period. Economy-wide, productive economy and manufacturing rates are estimated and three convergence concepts are considered (beta, sigma, and stochastic convergence). We use a combination of cross-sectional and univariate time series models and density distribution analysis. For each profit rate measure, a strong evidence of beta convergence is provided. In contrast, sigma convergence is indicated only in the case of productive economy profit rate; while in other cases, sigma divergence or the absence of either convergence or divergence are likely. Stochastic convergence is present in a smaller number of economies and is confined to productive economy and manufacturing. The comparison of convergence dynamics indeveloped versus developing economies confirmed beta convergence in both groups and for their aggregate, but did not establish sigma convergence, given the significant diversity of economies and their different economic trajectories.

Reflection principle characterizing groups in which unconditionally closed sets are algebraic

We give a necessary and sufficient condition, in terms of a certain reflection principle, for every unconditionally closed subset of a group G to be algebraic. As a corollary, we prove that this is always the case when G is a direct product of an Abelian group with a direct product (sometimes also called a direct sum) of a family of countable groups. This is the widest class of groups known to date where the answer to the 63 years old problem of Markov turns out to be positive. We also prove that whether every unconditionally closed subset of G is algebraic or not is completely determined by countable subgroups of G.Comment: 14 page

LHCb trigger streams optimization

The LHCb experiment stores around $10^{11}$ collision events per year. A typical physics analysis deals with a final sample of up to $10^7$ events. Event preselection algorithms (lines) are used for data reduction. Since the data are stored in a format that requires sequential access, the lines are grouped into several output file streams, in order to increase the efficiency of user analysis jobs that read these data. The scheme efficiency heavily depends on the stream composition. By putting similar lines together and balancing the stream sizes it is possible to reduce the overhead. We present a method for finding an optimal stream composition. The method is applied to a part of the LHCb data (Turbo stream) on the stage where it is prepared for user physics analysis. This results in an expected improvement of 15% in the speed of user analysis jobs, and will be applied on data to be recorded in 2017.Comment: Submitted to CHEP-2016 proceeding

About the Applicability of Bone and Cartilage Acid-free Staining for Anura

The article describes the first use of acid-free alcian-alizarin staining for tailless amphibians in comparison with the standard method of acid staining on the example of the moor frog. The acid-free protocol is applicable for Anura and it has a number of advantages, such as the absence of decalcification, safety for the researcher andothers. However, this method also has limitations, such as the binding of alcian blue with soft tissues

Macroeconomic and Demographic Determinants of Residential Property Prices in Malaysia

This paper studies the relationship between residential property prices and macroeconomic and demographic determinants in Malaysia. In the years following the Asian financial crisis, property prices in Malaysia rose substantially, resulting in an affordability crisis and ultimately policy responses to the problem. Using unit root, Johansen-Juselius cointegration, VECM-based Granger causality tests and variance decomposition, and considering quarterly data that covers 2000-2015 period, we established that residential property price growth is principally driven by strong demographic performance and population growth and is backed by the low interest rate environment and rising consumer prices. Household income and level of GDP do not appear to contribute to property price growth. Certain distortions and asymmetries in the Malaysian real estate markets are documented: oversupply in the higher price segment of the market coupled with the lack of affordable housing in the lower price segment; household income growth lagging behind GDP and property price growth, thereby dampening housing demand; growing rental markets in major urban areas as a result of the affordability crisis; and a quality mismatch between buyers’ preferences and housing supply