Essays in labor supply

Typescript (photocopy).The objectives of this dissertation are to examine (1) static and dynamic labor supply behavior of individuals and (2) the separability of commodities from leisure. While these topics are concerned with labor supply behavior they are even more closely related here since they share (1) a theoretical approach which treats labor supply behavior as an aspect of the theory of demand, (2) the use of individual rather than aggregate data, and (3) the application of experimental techniques to animal subjects to generate the data. Many expositions of labor supply theory point out that the labor supply curve may be backward bending. The question of which utility functions allows the labor supply curve to bend back is of interest because of the quantity of empirical evidence consistent with this shape of the labor supply curve, yet this question has received only limited attention. In this dissertation we examine some of the utility functions which appear in the labor supply literature to determine if they allow the labor supply function be bend back. We test between several of these models using data from an experiment in which pigeons are used as subjects. In addition, we analyze these subjects adjustment to changes in wage rates and non-wage income. The primary purpose of this analysis is to determine if any common pattern of adjustment exists, and to characterize the adjustment process. Some problems with existing models are pointed out. An obvious generalization of the two-good (consumption - leisure) model is to the case where than one consumption good is available. This leads to the question of how changes in labor supply affect the composition of consumption. One effect is through changes in the level of income. In general, changes in the quantity of labor supplied will affect the composition of consumption even if income is constant. This latter effect is absent if commodities are separable from leisure. In the dissertation, we derive three new tests for separability. These tests are independent of the specification of the utility function, that is, the tests do not require the algebraic specification of the utility function. These tests are then implemented using data from an experiment in which rats are used as subjects

Essays in labor supply

Typescript (photocopy).The objectives of this dissertation are to examine (1) static and dynamic labor supply behavior of individuals and (2) the separability of commodities from leisure. While these topics are concerned with labor supply behavior they are even more closely related here since they share (1) a theoretical approach which treats labor supply behavior as an aspect of the theory of demand, (2) the use of individual rather than aggregate data, and (3) the application of experimental techniques to animal subjects to generate the data. Many expositions of labor supply theory point out that the labor supply curve may be backward bending. The question of which utility functions allows the labor supply curve to bend back is of interest because of the quantity of empirical evidence consistent with this shape of the labor supply curve, yet this question has received only limited attention. In this dissertation we examine some of the utility functions which appear in the labor supply literature to determine if they allow the labor supply function be bend back. We test between several of these models using data from an experiment in which pigeons are used as subjects. In addition, we analyze these subjects adjustment to changes in wage rates and non-wage income. The primary purpose of this analysis is to determine if any common pattern of adjustment exists, and to characterize the adjustment process. Some problems with existing models are pointed out. An obvious generalization of the two-good (consumption - leisure) model is to the case where than one consumption good is available. This leads to the question of how changes in labor supply affect the composition of consumption. One effect is through changes in the level of income. In general, changes in the quantity of labor supplied will affect the composition of consumption even if income is constant. This latter effect is absent if commodities are separable from leisure. In the dissertation, we derive three new tests for separability. These tests are independent of the specification of the utility function, that is, the tests do not require the algebraic specification of the utility function. These tests are then implemented using data from an experiment in which rats are used as subjects

Detours and frolics on the Internet: Employer liability and management control of cybertorts

Most employers are aware of their legal right to monitor employees' computer activities, and they are increasingly doing so. Yet, few of those who do monitor are aware that exercising this right may impose a legal duty to monitor prudently in order to protect third parties and to report criminal activity to the appropriate authorities. This paper briefly examines employers' legal right to monitor their employees' computer activities. Our subsequent analysis of the ruling in Doe v. XYC Corp. [Doe v XYC Corp., 382 N.J. Super. 122, 887 A.2d 1156 (2005)]. illustrates that those businesses that do assert their rights to monitor may assume a duty to report child pornography to the authorities, as well as a duty of reasonable care when reacting to their employees engaging in so-called cybertorts. We discuss how this ruling may extend the doctrines of 'detours' and 'frolics' into cyberspace. We also discuss the potential for employers' liability for other cybercrimes and cybertorts committed by their employees. We conclude by examining the contours of computer monitoring policies that effectively serve employers' risk management objectives without unduly invading employees' privacy, and the likely consequences of failing to achieve such a balance.Electronic monitoring Information technology Risk management Public policy Organizational justice

\u3ci\u3eDrosophila\u3c/i\u3e Muller F Elements Maintain a Distinct Set of Genomic Properties Over 40 Million Years of Evolution

The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it is mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution of repeats and genes, we manually improved the sequence and annotated the genes on the D. erecta, D. mojavensis, and D. grimshawi F elements and euchromatic domains from the Muller D element. We find that F elements have greater transposon density (25–50%) than euchromatic reference regions (3–11%). Among the F elements, D. grimshawi has the lowest transposon density (particularly DINE-1: 2% vs. 11–27%). F element genes have larger coding spans, more coding exons, larger introns, and lower codon bias. Comparison of the Effective Number of Codons with the Codon Adaptation Index shows that, in contrast to the other species, codon bias in D. grimshawi F element genes can be attributed primarily to selection instead of mutational biases, suggesting that density and types of transposons affect the degree of local heterochromatin formation. F element genes have lower estimated DNA melting temperatures than D element genes, potentially facilitating transcription through heterochromatin. Most F element genes (~90%) have remained on that element, but the F element has smaller syntenic blocks than genome averages (3.4–3.6 vs. 8.4–8.8 genes per block), indicating greater rates of inversion despite lower rates of recombination. Overall, the F element has maintained characteristics that are distinct from other autosomes in the Drosophila lineage, illuminating the constraints imposed by a heterochromatic milieu