Paced serial addition : an investigation into the nature of the cognitive processes involved in PASAT performance : thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) of Gronwall and Sampson (1974) is a neuropsychological test of attention used in both research and clinical settings (Lezak,1983). However, a review of the literature revealed that the cognitive processes and attentional factors underlying PASAT performance are not well understood. Two experiments were conducted with the aim of providing further empirical and theoretical insights into PASAT performance. In Experiment 1, 16 subjects (8 male and 8 female) performed auditory and visual versions of a shortened paced serial addition task. It was found that PASAT performance in the visual stimulus modality was superior, but that, as indexed by accuracy and error scores, the pattern of performance as a function of the rate of stimulus presentation (1.2, 1.6, 2.0, and 2.4 s) was similar. These results are consistent with the idea that the nature of the cognitive processing involved is independent of stimulus modality. The design of Experiment 2 was the same as the first, except that divided field stimulus presentation was used in an attempt to test two opposing theories of attention. The results were not consistent with the hypothesis. The findings of both experiments were discussed in terms of the possible role of attention deficits in PASAT performance. An interesting finding was that the superior performance of male subjects in Experiment 1 was reversed in Experiment 2. This differential effect for divided field stimulus presentation as a function of gender may be partly accounted for by differing degrees of cerebral lateralisation for males and females

The inter-related dynamics of unemployment and low-wage employment

This paper examines the extent of state dependence in unemployment and the role played in this by intervening low-wage employment. A range of dynamic random and fixed effects estimators are compared. Low-wage employment is found to have almost as large an adverse effect as unemployment on future prospects and the difference in their effects is found to be insignificant. Evidence is presented that low-wage jobs act as the main conduit for repeat unemployment and considerably increases its probability. Obtaining a higher-wage job reduces the increased risk of repeat unemployment to insignificance

The Inter-related Dynamics of Unemployment and Low-Wage Employment

This paper examines the extent of state dependence in unemployment and the role played in this by intervening low-wage employment. A range of dynamic random and fixed effects estimators are compared. Low-wage employment is found to have almost as large an adverse effect as unemployment on future prospects and the difference in their effects is found to be insignificant. Evidence is presented that low-wage jobs act as the main conduit for repeat unemployment and considerably increases its probability. Obtaining a higher-wage job reduces the increased risk of repeat unemployment to insignificance.Unemployment dynamics ; low-wage employment ; State dependence ; unobserved heterogeneity ; dynamic random effects models ; repeat unemployment

Semi-nonparametric estimation of extended ordered probit models

A semi-nonparametric estimator is presented for a series of generalized models that nest the ordered probit model and thereby relax the distributional assumptions in that model. A new Stata command for the estimation of such models is presented. The approach is illustrated using examples.

Quantile estimates of counterfactual distribution shifts and the impact of minimum wage increases on the wage distribution

This paper presents a method for estimating the effects of a policy change on an outcome distribution that uses a comparator quantile rather than a control group and provides methods for estimating the variances of the estimators. The empirical analysis presents estimates of “spillover” effects of increases in the UK minimum wage, i.e. effects on the wages of those already above the minimum, under different counterfactual distribution shift assumptions. Evidence is presented against a simple scaled counterfactual. On the basis of the proposed counterfactual estimated spillover effects are small and in most cases do not reach above the 5th. percentile. Key words: Policy change effects ; Distributional effects ; Counterfactual distributions ; Quantile variances ; Minimum wages ; spillover effects.

The relationship between the financial position of pensioners and their working-life earnings levels

This paper investigates the link between the incomes and wealth of pensioners and their working-life earnings levels. It uses the combination of detailed income and asset information and working-life history information available in the British Household Panel Survey. The proportionality predicted by a simple "stripped down" form of the life-cycle model is supported for pensioner couples and male single pensioners, but not for female single pensioners.incomes, wealth, pensions, housing wealth, life-cycle model

The Inter-related Dynamics of Unemployment and Low Pay

This paper examines the extent of state dependence in individual unemployment and low paid employment and the inter-related dynamics between the two. Evidence is presented that (after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and initial conditions) the low paid are more likely to become unemployed and the unemployed more likely to be low paid on re-entry to employment. The impacts of unemployment and low pay are found to be insignificantly different from one another, both on the probability of unemployment in the next period and on the probability of low pay. Evidence is presented that low paid jobs act as the main conduit for repeat unemployment and considerably increase its probability. Those who get a better paid job eliminate the increased risk of repeat unemployment.unemployment, low pay, dynamics, state dependence, unobserved heterogeneity, wage mobility, dynamic random effects models, repeat unemployment, recurrent unemployment.

Wage Inequality, Minimum Wage Effects and Spillovers

This paper investigates possible spillover effects of the UK minimum wage. The halt in the growth in inequality in the lower half of the wage distribution (as measured by the 50:10 percentile ratio) since the mid 1990s, in contrast to the continued inequality growth in the upper half of the distribution, suggests the possibility of a minimum wage effect and spillover effects on wages above the minimum. This paper analyses individual wage changes, using both a difference-in-differences estimator and a specification involving cross-uprating comparisons, and concludes that there have not been minimum wage spillovers. Since the UK minimum wage has always been below the 10th percentile, this lack of spillovers implies that minimum wage changes have not had an effect on the 50:10 percentile ratio measure of inequality in the lower half of the wage distribution. JEL classification: J31 ; J38 ; J08.

A multiblock grid generation technique applied to a jet engine configuration

Techniques are presented for quickly finding a multiblock grid for a 2D geometrically complex domain from geometrical boundary data. An automated technique for determining a block decomposition of the domain is explained. Techniques for representing this domain decomposition and transforming it are also presented. Further, a linear optimization method may be used to solve the equations which determine grid dimensions within the block decomposition. These algorithms automate many stages in the domain decomposition and grid formation process and limit the need for human intervention and inputs. They are demonstrated for the meridional or throughflow geometry of a bladed jet engine configuration