Math in the News: 2/2/12

The United States is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, generating over 20% of its electricity from 104 nuclear reactors in 2010. While few new reactors have been built in recent decades, 4-6 new units are expected by 2020 from 16 license applications since 2007. However, lower gas prices and the Fukushima accident may delay some projects. The US nuclear fleet has significantly increased output through higher capacity factors now around 90%, reduced outage times, power uprates, and extended fuel cycles without new plant construction.

This document summarizes the development of agriculture in Brazil and discusses potential impacts of climate change and policy alternatives. Key points: 1) Brazilian agriculture transformed from low production to highly productive through increased yields, new technologies, and expansion into new areas. 2) Climate change may impact crop yields and suitable land for agriculture in Brazil according to models, though effects are uncertain. 3) Brazil has implemented policies like its Agricultural and Livestock Plan to promote no-till farming, integrated systems, and degraded pasture recovery to mitigate emissions.

Graphite is a natural form of carbon that occurs in metamorphic rocks. It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. While China produces 80% of the world's natural graphite, demand is growing due to applications in lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and other technologies. This creates supply risks as China also controls much of the exports. Turkey has many graphite occurrences, mainly of the amorphous type, but also contains deposits that are more crystalline and pure. Production in Turkey was over 18,000 tonnes in 1990 but has declined since, though demand remains high. Low-cost graphite projects and further development in Turkey may help address future supply needs.

The document discusses the Cayman Islands' economy and the potential for developing special economic zones (SEZs) to diversify the economy. It notes that the financial services industry currently dominates the economy, accounting for 55-65% of GDP. To diversify, the document suggests considering new industries like IT, healthcare, and professional services. It outlines best practices for SEZ frameworks, including streamlined approvals processes and foreign exchange access. Developing the existing financial services sector as an SEZ or establishing new SEZs could help attract new businesses and drive economic growth through jobs, entrepreneurship, and tourism.

The document shows weekly availability percentages for different shoe brands and styles from October 2008 to April 2009. The Core, Inline, PF Flyer, Aravon and Dunham brands all saw availability percentages generally between 80-95% over this time period, with some brands dipping into the 70s% range at times. The Kids category had lower availability in the 70-80% range until the end of the period when it increased to the 90% range. Overall availability for all brands and styles combined was typically in the high 80s% to low 90s% range.

modified EPI spreadsheet, for discussion in http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/the-shape-of-inequality-and-its-impact-on-growth/#comment-9244 original data obtained from http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/charts/view/15 and modified with normalization

- 7000 million people globally with 62.3 trillion USD GDP and 62,300 billion USD GDP annually produce 142,300 TWh of energy per year - 16.6% of the world's population, or approximately 1.1 billion people, lack access to clean water - 4,800 people die daily from illnesses linked to polluted water

Maluma was selected in the early 1990s in South Africa as a chance seedling of unknown parentage similar to Hass. It has been granted plant breeder's rights in South Africa and registration is pending in several other countries. Maluma bears fruit earlier than Hass, has a constant and high bearing pattern, and is highly productive even at high densities without growth retardants. It offers advantages over Hass such as disease resistance, attractive appearance, excellent taste, and suitability for early season markets.

The document shows employment figures for India's public and private sectors from 1970-71 to 2007-08. It indicates that: 1) Employment in the public sector steadily increased from 11.1 million in 1970-71 to 17.67 million in 2007-08. 2) Employment in the private sector increased more slowly from 6.73 million in 1970-71 to 9.84 million in 2007-08. 3) The number of persons on the live register, a measure of unemployment, fluctuated between 5.1 million and 42 million from 1970-71 to 2007-08.