Clustering and visualization of earthquake data in a grid environment

We present a web client-server service WEB-IS, which we have developed for remote analysis and visualization of seismic data consisting of both small magnitude events and large earthquakes. We show that the problem-solving environment (PSE) intended for prediction of large magnitude earthquakes can be based on this WEB-IS idea. The clustering schemes, feature generation, feature extraction techniques and rendering algorithms form a computational framework of this environment. On the other hand, easy and fast access both to the seismic data distributed among distant computing resources and to computational and visualization resources can be realized in a GRID framework. We discuss the usefulness of NaradaBrokering (iNtegrated Asynchronous Real-time Adaptive Distributed Architecture) as a middleware, allowing for flexibility and high throughput for remote visualization of geophysical data. The WEB-IS functionality was tested both on synthetic and the actual earthquake catalogs. We consider the application of similar methodology for tsunami alerts.     

Does slack always affect resilience? A study of quasi-medium-sized Italian firms

Research on organizational slack, which has focused mainly on its effect in large, publicly traded firms and on transitional economies, has found that slack functions as a buffer in periods of crisis. However, little work has been done on the value of slack resources for smaller firms in mature industries. This study contributes to the resource-based literature with a quantitative analysis of a broad sample of Italian SMEs that operate in the traditional ‘Made in Italy’ industries. The purpose of the paper is to use longitudinal data from before and after the 2008 world financial crisis to determine whether slack resources drive growth and profitability in organizations with limited resources that operate in mature industries in periods of recession. The results of two-stage least squares regression indicate that, similar to their larger counterparts, small firms must secure high levels of profitability in order to achieve sound growth during recessions. Potential financial slack is equally important in driving profitability in these periods, although it is not related to higher growth. Investing in R&D does not affect small firms’ ability to be profitable and grow during recessions.     

IT'S ABOUT TIME: EFFECTS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DEPENDENT COVERAGE MANDATE ON TIME USE

We examine how the Affordable Care Act's dependent coverage mandate (DCM) affected young adults' time allocation. Exploiting more accurate measures from the American Time Use Surveys, we find that the DCM reduced labor supply. The question then arises, what have these adults done with the extra time? Estimates suggest a reduction in job‐lock, as well as in the duration of the average doctor's visit, including time spent waiting and receiving care. The latter effect is consistent with substitution from emergency‐department utilization toward more routine care. Estimates suggest that the extra time has gone into socializing, and into educational and job‐search activities. (JEL I1, J2, H0)     

The Wage Premium for Job Seniority During the 1980s and Early 1990s

In this article I use Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data to study whether the rewards for job tenure have fallen since the early 1980s. An upward-sloping seniority-wage profile is generally thought to be an important dimension of compensation during a career. However, recent interest in the incidence of layoffs and changes in the structure of firms gives rise to the possibility that employment contracts are less often being structured to reward tenure or that such contracts are more difficult to honor. Using a two-stage estimator to attempt to control unmeasured individual and job match effects on wages, I find some evidence that the wage premium paid to senior workers has declined moderately. However, I find that these results are mildly sensitive to alternative methods of handling the relatively noisy PSID tenure data.     

Non-buoyant puff and plume dispersion modeling issues

This workshop was organized as a discussion group for a panel of dispersion modeling experts aimed at identifying and resolving (to whatever extent possible) the major debatable issues involved in the appropriate application and interpretation of dense gas dispersion models to real and potential scenarios.