A theoretical model of wage discrimination with inspection fines

In neoclassical models, workers are classified a priori into discrimination groups. We develop a probabilistic model of wage discrimination in which workers need not be classified a priori. Our model is a generalization of the standard framework, whereas Becker's model is an extreme case. A second implication is that the traditional approach to measuring discrimination (the Oaxaca–Blinder approach) must be modified to take into account this probabilistic framework.

Returns to foreign languages of native workers in the EU

Most papers on returns to languages are concerned with immigrants. We use the European Community Household Panel Survey (ECHP) to infer returns on non-native languages by non-immigrants in nine countries of the European Union. We differ fromthe few other studies that deal with the same problem in three respects. First, we correct for time-dependent measurement errors in self-reporting as suggested by Dustmann and Van Soest and find that the resulting IV estimates are much larger than those obtained by OLS. We also suggest that there is little room for time-persistent errors and heterogeneity, and that therefore our estimates should not suffer from the other usual biases. Secondly, instead of using a dummy for each language, we use the ratio of the population that is not proficient in a language in each country considered. Finally, we estimate instrumental variable quantile regressions to illustrate how returns to languages vary at different points of the distribution of earnings.

OPTIMAL PRICING AND GRANT POLICIES FOR MUSEUMS

Considering two potential sources of income (public grants and ticket revenues),we have defined a theoretical model where the public agency is the principal and the manager of the museum is the agent. This model allows us to design the optimal contract between both sides and thus to establish the optimal values of grants, ticket prices, budget and effort applied by the manager. Furthermore, we have found a theoretical reason to explain the inelastic pricing strategy that has been found in some of the empirical research on cultural and sports economics. The main conclusion is that the optimal contract allows a Pareto optimum solution in prices that does not change if we introduce moral hazard into this relationship. This solution allows us to conclude that the public agency should regulate ticket prices in accordance with the social valuation. However, public grants and museum budgets would be affected by the existence of this problem, moving the equilibrium away from the Pareto optimum situation. In this case, even with a risk averse manager and a risk neutral public agency, grants and budgets will depend on results because higher budgets related to good results provide the main incentives to increase the manager’s level of effort. Although the focus of this paper is on museum administration, the model that we have developed can be easily generalized and applied to other institutions, such as schools, sport facilities or NGOs, which are able to raise funds directly from private (e. g. ticket revenues or membership fees) or public sources (e.g. public grants).cultural economics, grants, public prices, museums, principal- agent model

The Determinants of Soccer Player Substitutions: a Survival Analysis of the Spanish Soccer League

This paper analyzes the pattern of player substitutions during a soccer match, using data from the First Division (Primera División) of the Spanish National Soccer League in the 2004-2005 season. To do so, an inverse Gaussian hazard model is adopted to analyze the first substitutions of each team that take place at half-time and in the second half of matches. The results show that the most important factor is the score as it stands prior to the time of the player substitution. Furthermore, defensive substitutions are made later in the match than offensive substitutions. We also find some evidence that the home team makes more substitutions than the visiting team in the halftime interval.hazard model; soccer substitutions; strategy.

IS A TAX CUT ON CULTURAL GOODS CONSUMPTION ACTUALLY DESIRABLE?:A MICROSIMULATION ANALYSIS

Proposals for tax cuts on cultural goods represent an ongoing debate in cultural policy. The main aim of this paper is to shed some light on this debate using microsimulation tools. First, we have estimated an Almost Ideal Demand System for nineteen different groups of goods, including cultural goods. Expenditure and price elasticities have been obtained from this model. Using this information, three alternatives cuts in the V.A.T. rate on cultural goods have been microsimulated and evaluated in terms of revenue and welfare. These types of fiscal reforms will lead to welfare and efficiency gains that can be described as regressive.Microsimulation, tax reforms, cultural consumption, welfare

How do your rivals' releasing dates affect your box office?

In this paper, we study to what extent a movie's box office receipts are affected by the temporal distribution of rival films. We propose a theoretical model that analyses the effects of past, present and future releases on a film's results. Using this model we can analyse how rivals' release dates impact on others' box office revenues. This theoretical model also allows us to carry out some comparative statics by changing some relevant parameters such as time depreciation, film quality or the timeline of exhibition. We have tested the empirical implications of this model using information on the films released in five countries: the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. In order to maintain a degree of homogeneity, we have constructed an unbalanced panel consisting of films that were released in at least three of these countries. The geographical dimension of our data set allows us to use panel data techniques to control for unobserved heterogeneity among the films released. This allows us to control for one of the most relevant features of the movie market, namely the presence of highly differentiated products.temporal competition, movie exhibition, film industry, panel data, unobserved heterogeneity, differentiated product

The effect of an additional substitution in association football : evidence from the Italian Serie A

The substitution of players during a match has been one of the most significant changes in the Laws of the Game of the association football. FIFA regulated its application in the 1970 World Cup by establishing two replacements, which were expanded to three in 1995. The experimental introduction in 2016 of a fourth replacement during the extra time of several tournaments (the Olympic Games, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup) as a previous step to a possible application in next 2018 World Cup makes advisable to study how coaches reacted to an additional substitution in past situations. The present research examines coaches' behavior before and after the FIFA regulatory reform in 1995 that authorized the third replacement. For this, substitutions made in the Italian Serie A during the seasons 1994-95 and 1995-96 are analyzed. Our hypothesis is that teams made more physiological substitutions than tactical ones, which would reflect in a higher proportion of neutral substitutions (replacements of players who belong to the same positions). The results from the estimated discrete choice models found evidence of a change in the coaches' behavior giving preference to neutral replacements over tactical substitutions, probably to maintain the game intensity and prevent injuries.La sustitución de jugadores durante un partido ha sido uno de los cambios más significativos en las Reglas de Juego de la FIFA. Ésta reguló su aplicación en el Mundial de 1970 mediante el establecimiento de dos cambios que fueron ampliados a tres en 1995. La introducción experimental en 2016 de una cuarta sustitución durante el tiempo extra de varias competiciones (Juegos Olímpicos, Copa Mundial Femenina Sub-20 y la Copa Mundial de clubes de la FIFA) como paso previo a su posible uso en la próxima Copa del Mundo de 2018 hace recomendable analizar cómo los entrenadores reaccionaron a una sustitución adicional en situaciones pasadas. La presente investigación examina el comportamiento de los entrenadores antes y después de la reforma del reglamento de la FIFA en 1995 que autorizó una tercera sustitución. Para ello, se analizan las sustituciones realizadas en la Serie A italiana durante las temporadas 1994-95 y 1995-96. Nuestra hipótesis es que los equipos hicieron más sustituciones de carácter fisiológico que de tipo táctico, lo cual se reflejaría en una mayor proporción de sustituciones neutras (sustituciones de jugadores que pertenecen a las mismas posiciones). Los resultados de los modelos de elección discreta estimados muestran, efectivamente, evidencia de un cambio en el comportamiento de los entrenadores que otorgaron preferencia a las sustituciones neutras, probablemente para mantener la intensidad del juego y evitar lesiones

Numerical methods for the modelling of chip formation

The modeling of metal cutting has proved to be particularly complex due to the diversity of physical phenomena involved, including thermo-mechanical coupling, contact/friction and material failure. During the last few decades, there has been significant progress in the development of numerical methods for modeling machining operations. Furthermore, the most relevant techniques have been implemented in the the relevant commercial codes creating tools for the engineers working in the design of processes and cutting devices. This paper presents a review on the numerical modeling methods and techniques used for the simulation of machining processes. The main purpose is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each method and strategy developed up-to-now. Moreover the review covers the classical Finite Element Method covering mesh-less methods, particle-based methods and different possibilities of Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches.Postprint (author's final draft

Semliki forest virus vectors engineered to express higher IL-12 levels induce efficient elimination of murine colon adenocarcinomas

To evaluate the use of alphavirus vectors for tumor treatment we have constructed and compared two Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vectors expressing different levels of IL-12. SFV-IL-12 expresses both IL-12 subunits from a single subgenomic promoter, while in SFV-enhIL-12 each IL-12 subunit is expressed from an independent subgenomic promoter fused to the SFV capsid translation enhancer. This latter strategy provided an eightfold increase of IL-12 expression. We chose the poorly immunogenic MC38 colon adenocarcinoma model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of SFV vectors. A single intratumoral injection of 10(8) viral particles of SFV-IL-12 or SFV-enh-IL-12 induced>or=80% complete tumor regressions with long-term tumor-free survival. However, lower doses of SFV-enhIL-12 were more efficient than SFV-IL-12 in inducing antitumoral responses, indicating a positive correlation between the IL-12 expression level and the therapeutic effect. Moreover, repeated intratumoral injections of suboptimal doses of SFV-enhIL-12 increased the antitumoral response. In all cases SFV vectors were more efficient at eliminating tumors than a first-generation adenovirus vector expressing IL-12. In addition, the antitumoral effect of SFV vectors was only moderately affected by preimmunization of animals with high doses of SFV vectors. This antitumoral effect was produced, at least partially, by a potent CTL-mediated immune response