Labor Force Participation: Timing and Persistence

This paper examines the relative importance of timing and persistence elements in explaining cyclical fluctuations in labor supply. Data from the natural experiment provided by World War I1 and cross-sectional data on American local labor markets, as well as aggregate time-series data are used in the empirical work. We find little evidence that timing effects play an important role in labor market dynamics. The evidence suggests that views emphasizing persistence are more accurate, and that previous employment tends to raise the probability of subsequent employment.

Evaluation of microwave landing system approaches in a wide-body transport simulator

The objective of this study was to determine the suitability of flying complex curved approaches using the microwave landing system (MLS) with a wide-body transport aircraft. Fifty pilots in crews of two participated in the evaluation using a fixed-base simulator that emulated an MD-11 aircraft. Five approaches, consisting of one straight-in approach and four curved approaches, were flown by the pilots using a flight director. The test variables include the following: (1) manual and autothrottles; (2) wind direction; and (3) type of navigation display. The navigation display was either a map or a horizontal situation indicator (HSI). A complex wind that changed direction and speed with altitude, and included moderate turbulence, was used. Visibility conditions were Cat 1 or better. Subjective test data included pilot responses to questionnaires and pilot comments. Objective performance data included tracking accuracy, position error at decision height, and control activity. Results of the evaluation indicate that flying curved MLS approaches with a wide-body transport aircraft is operationally acceptable, depending upon the length of the final straight segment and the complexity of the approach

Efficiency Wages and the Wage Structure

This paper examines differences in pay for equally skilled workers in different industries. The major finding is that there is substantial dispersion in wages across industries, even after allowing for measured and unmeasured labor quality, working conditions, fringe benefits, transitory demand shocks, threat of unionization, union bargaining power, firm size and other factors. Some direct evidence in favor of efficiency wage theories is presented. The evidence suggests that industry wage differentials are successful in eliciting better performance through reduced turnover and increased effort.

System status display information

The system Status Display is an electronic display system which provides the flight crew with enhanced capabilities for monitoring and managing aircraft systems. Guidelines for the design of the electronic system displays were established. The technical approach involved the application of a system engineering approach to the design of candidate displays and the evaluation of a Hernative concepts by part-task simulation. The system engineering and selection of candidate displays are covered

Labor Market Dynamics and Unemployemnt: A Reconsideration

macroeconomics, unemployment

The Dynamics of Youth Unemployment

This paper analyzes the dynamics of youth unemployment. Three broad conclusions emerge. First, the problem of youth joblessness extends beyond the unemployed. We find that over one-half of youth unemployment spells end in labor force withdrawal. Much of youth non-employment is not picked up in the official unemployment statistics, because many young people give up the search for work and leave the labor force. Second, a large part of youth unemployment is accounted for by a relatively small, hard core group of young people who experience long spells of unemployment. While most unemployment spells are short, this is due to the high rates of labor force withdrawal, rather than to job finding. Among male teenagers out of school, for example, we find that over half of unemployment was due to those with more than six months of unemployment in the year. Third, a shortage of attractive jobs is the principle source of long term non-employment. While instability and frequent turnover are major factors in determining the overall pattern of teenage unemployment, we find that the lack of desirable employment opportunities is the crux of the problem for those most seriously affected by youth unemployment.

The effect of a topically-applied cosmetic oil formulation on striae distensae

Background: Stretch marks or striae distensae are tears in the dermis, above which the epidermis remains intact. Striae result from rapidexpansion of the underlying tissue, e.g. during puberty, pregnancy or rapid weight gain. The prevalence of striae is high (up to 80% in mostpopulations). Many of the successful treatment modalities for striae (laser, surgery, prescription-only medication) entail high costs, often with theinvolvement of private medical practitioners. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of a topical application (Bio-Oil™) on striae in20 healthy Caucasian women. The study was performed according to standard good clinical practice guidelines.Methods: The study was conducted among 20 healthy Caucasian women with bilateral abdominal striae. The women used the test product on oneside of their abdomen twice a day for 12 weeks, and their normal moisturising routine on the other side. Assessment methods were: 1) subjectivevisual self-assessment, using both the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and a directed difference (i.e. comparison of sides), and2) objective laboratory visual assessment (blinded) using the same scales.Results: The subjective visual self-assessment yielded statistical significance at four weeks in terms of improvement of the treated striae whencompared to the untreated sites, using both the POSAS and directed difference. Objective laboratory visual assessment, using the POSAS anddirected difference, showed a statistical improvement on the treated side from week 2 onwards.Conclusions: The test product (Bio-Oil™) significantly improved the appearance of striae on the treated side of the abdomen as assessed by bothsubjective and objective assessments. This study has shown that it is possible to improve the appearance of striae with the topical application of arelatively low-cost, non-medicinal product