13,048 research outputs found
Ethnic parity in labour market outcomes for benefit claimants
A significant gap exists in the UK between the employment rate for Ethnic Minorities and that for
Whites. From a policy perspective, it is important to know whether this gap is due to differences in
the characteristics of White and Ethnic Minority groups (which reduce the employability of Ethnic
Minority groups relative to Whites) or whether it results from some form of discriminatory behaviour
in the labour market. In this paper, we use administrative data to estimate ethnic differences in
employment and benefit receipt amongst individuals who began claiming a Jobcentre Plus benefit
in 2003. In contrast to much of the previous UK literature, we use a number of different quantitative
techniques to estimate this gap, and show that in a lot of cases the estimates obtained are very
sensitive to the techniques used. We argue that for the questions we are interested in and the data
we have, propensity score matching methods are the most robust approach to estimating ethnic
parity. We compare this preferred approach with estimates derived using alternative approaches
commonly used in the literature (generally regression-based techniques) to determine the extent to
which more straightforward methods are able to replicate those produced by matching. In many
cases, it turns out not to be possible to calculate satisfactory quantitative estimates even with
matching techniques: the characteristics of Whites and Ethnic Minorities are simply too different
before the Jobcentre Plus intervention to reliably estimate the parameters of interest. Moreover, for
a number of the groups, results seem to be very sensitive to the methodology used. This calls into
question previous results based on simple regression techniques, which are likely to hide the fact
that observationally different ethnic groups are de facto being compared on the basis of parametric
extrapolations. Two groups for which it was possible to calculate reasonably reliable results are
incapacity benefit (IB) and income support (IS). For these groups we find that large and significant
raw penalties almost always disappear once we appropriately control for pre-inflow background
and labour market characteristics. There is also a good degree of consistency across
methodologies
Optimization of the Ballistic Guide Design for the SNS FNPB 8.9 A Neutron Line
The optimization of the ballistic guide design for the SNS Fundamental
Neutron Physics Beamline 8.9 A line is described. With a careful tuning of the
shape of the curve for the tapered section and the width of the straight
section, this optimization resulted in more than 75% increase in the neutron
flux exiting the 33 m long guide over a straight m=3.5 guide with the same
length.Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures; added a paragraph on existing ballistic guides
to respond to referee comments; accepted for publication in Nuclear Inst. and
Methods in Physics Research,
Quenching of lamellar ordering in an n-alkane embedded in nanopores
We present an X-ray diffraction study of the normale alkane nonadecane
C_{19}H_{40} embedded in nanoporous Vycor glass. The confined molecular crystal
accomplishes a close-packed structure by alignment of the rod-like molecules
parallel to the pore axis while sacrificing one basic principle known from the
bulk state, i.e. the lamellar ordering of the molecules. Despite this disorder,
the phase transitions observed in the confined solid mimic the phase behavior
of the 3D unconfined crystal, though enriched by the appearance of a true
rotator phase known only from longer alkane chains.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
Multifrequency Radio Observations of a SNR in the LMC. The Case of SNR J0527-6549 (DEM l204)
We present a detailed study and results of new Australia Telescope Compact
Array (ATCA) observations of supernova remnant, SNR J0527-6549. This Large
Magellanic Cloud (LMC) ob ject follows a typical supernova remnant (SNR)
horseshoe morphology with a diameter of D=(66x58)+-1 pc which is among the
largest SNRs in the LMC. Its relatively large size indicates older age while a
steeper than expected radio spectral index of aplha=-0.92+-0.11 is more typical
for younger and energetic SNRs. Also, we report detections of regions with a
high order of polarization at a peak value of ~54+-17% at 6 cm.Comment: 9 Pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in SA
Bioresorbable Polylactide Interbody Implants in an Ovine Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Model: Three-Year Results
Study Design.
In vivo study of anterior discectomy and fusion using a bioresorbable 70:30 poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) interbody implant in an ovine model.
Objective.
To evaluate the efficacy of the polylactide implant to function as an interbody fusion device, and to assess the tissue reaction to the material during the resorption process.
Summary of Background Data.
The use of polylactide as a cervical interbody implant has several potential advantages when compared with traditional materials. Having an elastic modulus very similar to bone minimizes the potential for stress shielding, and as the material resorbs additional loading is transferred to the developing fusion mass. Although preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the suitability of polylactide implants for lumbar interbody fusion, detailed information on cervical anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with polylactide devices is desirable.
Methods.
Single level ACDF was performed in 8 skeletally mature ewes. Bioresorbable 70:30 poly (l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) interbody implants packed with autograft were used with single-level metallic plates. Radiographs were made every 3 months up to 1 year, and yearly thereafter. The animals were killed at 6 months (3 animals), 12 months (3 animals), and 36 months (2 animals). In addition to the serial plain radiographs, the specimens were evaluated by nondestructive biomechanical testing and undecalcified histologic analysis.
Results.
The bioresorbable polylactide implants were effective in achieving interbody fusion. The 6-month animals appeared fused radiographically and biomechanically, whereas histologic sections demonstrated partial fusion (in 3 of 3 animals). Radiographic fusion was confirmed histologically and biomechanically at 12 months (3 of 3 animals) and 36 months (2 of 2 animals). A mild chronic inflammatory response to the resorbing polylactide implant was observed at both 6 months and 12 months. At 36 months, the operative levels were solidly fused and the implants were completely resorbed. No adverse tissue response was observed in any animal at any time period.
Conclusion.
Interbody fusion was achieved using bioresorbable polylactide implants, with no evidence of implant collapse, extrusion, or adverse tissue response to the material. The use of polylactide as a cervical interbody device appears both safe and effective based on these ACDF animal model results
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