Dynamic Tax Competition under Asymmetric Productivity of Public Capital

We here expand the static tax competition models in symmetric small regions, which were indicated by Zodrow and Mieszkowski (1986) and Wilson (1986), to a dynamic tax competition model in large regions, taking consideration of the regional asymmetry of productivity of public capital and the existence of capital accumulation. The aim of this paper is to verify how the taxation policy affects asymmetric equilibrium based on a simulation analysis using an overlapping generations model in two regions. It is assumed that the public capital as a public input is formed on the basis of the capital tax of local governments and the lump-sum tax of the central government. As demonstrated in related literature, the optimal capital tax rate should become zero when the lump-sum tax is imposed only on older generations, however, the optimal tax rate may become positive when it is imposed proportionally on younger and older generations. In the asymmetric equilibrium, several cooperative solutions can possibly exist which can achieve a higher welfare standard than the actualized cooperative solution either in Region1 or 2

Controversies concerning thymus-derived regulatory T cells: fundamental issues and a new perspective

Thymus-derived regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered to be a distinct T-cell lineage that is genetically programmed and specialised for immunosuppression. This perspective is based on the key evidence that CD25(+) Tregs emigrate to neonatal spleen a few days later than other T cells and that thymectomy of 3-day-old mice depletes Tregs only, causing autoimmune diseases. Although widely believed, the evidence has never been reproduced as originally reported, and some studies indicate that Tregs exist in neonates. Thus we examine the consequences of the controversial evidence, revisit the fundamental issues of Tregs and thereby reveal the overlooked relationship of T-cell activation and Foxp3-mediated control of the T-cell system. Here we provide a new model of Tregs and Foxp3, a feedback control perspective, which views Tregs as a component of the system that controls T-cell activation, rather than as a distinct genetically programmed lineage. This perspective provides new insights into the roles of self-reactivity, T cell–antigen-presenting cell interaction and T-cell activation in Foxp3-mediated immune regulation

Loopy belief propagation and probabilistic image processing

Estimation of hyperparameters by maximization of the marginal likelihood in probabilistic image processing is investigated by using the cluster variation method. The algorithms are substantially equivalent to generalized loopy belief propagation

Contact Lie algebras of vector fields on the plane

The paper is devoted to the complete classification of all real Lie algebras of contact vector fields on the first jet space of one-dimensional submanifolds in the plane. This completes Sophus Lie's classification of all possible Lie algebras of contact symmetries for ordinary differential equations. As a main tool we use the abstract theory of filtered and graded Lie algebras. We also describe all differential and integral invariants of new Lie algebras found in the paper and discuss the infinite-dimensional case.Comment: 20 pages. Published copy, also available at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/gt/GTVol3/paper1.abs.htm

Absorption spectrum of (H2O)-O-18 in the range 12 400-14 520 cm(-1)

Fourier transform spectra recorded using (a) natural abundance water vapor, (b) (H2O)-O-18-enriched water vapor, and (c) (H2O)-O-17-enriched water vapor are analyzed. The ratio of intensities in three spectra is used to identify 927 lines due to absorption by (H2O)-O-18. Intensities and self-broadening parameters are derived for these lines. Using theoretical linelists, comparisons with previously assigned (H2O)-O-16 spectra, and automatic searches for combination differences, 747 lines are assigned. These lines belong to 14 vibrational states in the 3nu + delta and 4nu polyads. Newly determined (H2O)-O-18 vibrational band origins include 4nu(1) at 13 793.09 cm(-1), 3nu(1) + nu(3) at 13 795.40 cm(-1), 2nu(1) + 2nu(3) at 14 188.82 cm(-1), nu(1) + 3nu(3) at 14 276.34 cm(-1), and 2nu(2) + 2nu(2) + nu(3) at 13 612.71 cm(-1). These results are compared with data in HITRAN. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)

A Derivation of the Fermi Function in Perturbative Quantum Field Theory

We postulate that the Fermi function should be derived from the amplitude, not from the solution of the Dirac equation, in the quantum field theory. Then, we obtain the following results. 1, We give the amplitude and the width of the neutron beta decay, $n \to p + e^- + \bar \nu_e$ to one loop order. It is carried out by the Feynman parameter integration. 2, As the result, we find the terms which can be interpreted as the Fermi function expanded to order $\alpha$. 3, We also give the same result using complex analysis. 4, We check that there are no such terms in the similar process, $\bar \nu_e + p \to e^+ + n$. 5, We perform the Fermi function expanded to order $\alpha^2$ using complex analysis.Comment: 8 page