The Determinants of Lateness: Evidence from British Workers

Using a sample of male and female workers from the 1992 Employment in Britain survey we estimate a generalised grouped zero-inflated Poisson regression model of employeesÕ self-reported lateness. Reflecting theoretical predictions from both psychology and economics, lateness is modelled as a function of incentives, the monitoring of and sanctions for lateness within the workplace, job satisfaction and attitudes to work. Various aspects of workplace incentive and disciplinary policies turn out to affect lateness, however, once these are controlled for, an important role for job satisfaction remains.

EFFECTS OF AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL PAYMENT POLICIES ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE

In many OECD countries, including the U.S., interest in developing agri-environmental payment programs is currently strong. In the future, the inclusion of an agri-environmental payment program into the WTO's "green box" could be more easily challenged by WTO member countries on the basis that it has more than "minimal" trade-distorting impacts on production. The goal of this paper is to conduct an ex ante analysis of the trade impacts of stylized examples of agri-environmental payment programs that have been proposed for implementation in the near future. To simulate the production and trade impacts of these programs, we use a partial equilibrium model of the U.S. agricultural sector in a sensitivity analysis across a range of design options for agri-environmental payments. For the three agri-environmental payment scenarios evaluated, the maximum change in exports ranges from a 7 percent decrease (wheat) to a 1 percent increase (soybeans). We do not expect the programs that decrease U.S. production, which would tend to have an upward pressure on world commodity prices, to be challenged before the WTO.Agricultural and Food Policy,

NEW CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN THE 2002 FARM BILL

The role of agri-environmental programs has taken on increased importance in the current Farm Bill debate with an eighty percent increase in Title II funding. However, little empirical evidence exists on the tradeoffs between economic costs and environmental benefits of new agri-environmental programs to assist policymakers in their designs. This paper illustrates some of the budgetary and environmental issues inherent in these initiatives. Several policy options are explored using an environmental simulation model and an economic spatial-equilibrium model for U.S. agriculture. Results indicate abatement levels of nitrogen and pesticides are higher under performance-based policies and those for wind erosion and soil productivity are higher under practice-based policies. Abatement of phosphorus discharge, soil erosion and carbon sequestration remains relatively constant regardless of policy type. A national performance-based conservation policy funded at the $1 billion level has the potential to improve the environmental performance of U.S. farmers by as much as ten percent.Agricultural and Food Policy, Land Economics/Use,

Homelessness: A Historical Perspective on Modern Legislation

This Note will demonstrate how current legislative responses to homelessness are bound and crippled by the social reform theories of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Before legislators can devise more efficient remedies to tackle current problems, they must identify and transcend earlier, ineffective thinking. This requires viewing the homelessness problem· in historical perspective. Specifically, legislatures must (1) examine the origins of the legal system\u27s underlying conceptions about homelessness, (2) understand how these conceptions undermined earlier legislation designed to deal with the crisis, and (3) isolate, and escape, the modem manifestations of these conceptions. This Note examines the early twentieth century, a period when conceptions about homelessness first emerged and congealed. During that period these conceptions existed at the surface and were readily visible. Such an examination provides the detailed familiarity with these conceptions necessary to identify their modem counterparts. This Note focuses on homelessness in one city: New York. Part I describes homelessness and housing conditions in tum-of-the-century New York. Part II details the legislative response to these early problems. Part II first chronicles the calls for reform and the crystallization of views about the causes of homelessness. It focuses on three of these views: the tendency to see homelessness exclusively in its most visible manifestation - sanitation; the desire to treat homelessness in a vacuum; and the view that any housing relief is a privilege which recipients should gratefully accept without complaint or requests for more. This Part then describes the most relevant legislation passed during the period. Part III examines the effectiveness of this legislation and the ways in which the legal system\u27s underlying conceptions about homelessness eroded the legislation\u27s impact. Part IV highlights examples of earlier thinking in contemporary legislation and administrative policy, and thus demonstrates the continued existence and detrimental impact of earlier strains of thought

A Study of Nikolai Kapustin\u27s Sonata No. 12, Op. 102: A Contemporary Jazz Sonata In Two Movements

Nikolai Girshevich Kapustin emerged as a musical figure during the latter part of the 20th century. Kapustin\u27s virtuosic piano ability (trained in the traditional Russian school of technique) and fascination for American jazz music equally contributed to his unique compositional style. Despite an early interest in jazz, he continued his traditional studies as a concert pianist. In the face of resistance from the Russian government, jazz continued to gain traction throughout the middle of the twentieth century.;Inspired by the styles and harmonic colors that defined jazz, Kapustin decided to merge his knowledge of Classical piano with his admiration for this new musical language. His style predominantly focuses on melding classical forms with jazz stylistic and harmonic languages. Aside from his traditional classical inspirations, jazz legends such as Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, as well as Bill Evans are among Kapustin\u27s strongest influences.;His popularity has grown quite substantially during the early 21 st Century and his output of work is quite prolific. His works include compositional forms such as prelude and etude, as well as twenty piano sonatas and a number of concerto-style works that sound nearly identical to Big Band music.;The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze the use of Sonata form within a contemporary setting. Performance practice suggestions, as well as pedagogical concerns, regarding Sonata No. 12 will be provided to aid aspiring artists and students with methods to navigate the work effectively.;New research surfaces each year concerning the life and music of Nikolai Girshevich Kapustin. Hopefully this document will inspire new students to both attempt and master the challenging music of this great composer

Bach and the Counterpoint of Religion

A book review is presented for Bach and the Counterpoint of Religion, ed. Robin A. Leaver. Bach Perspectives 12. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2018. x + 159 pp. ISBN: 978-0-252-04198-3