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Cloud Computing and Firm Growth
Get PDFCloud computing has shifted how firms access IT away from investment in fixed capital to pay-on-demand services that facilitate remote and simultaneous use. Using firm-level data we examine the impact of cloud adoption on firm performance and organizational geography with an IV approach that exploits cross-section and time-series variation in fiber broadband speeds as instruments. Cloud leads younger firms to increase revenue, employment, and productivity, whereas incumbent firms experience no scale effects and weaker productivity gains. Incumbents however undergo restructuring through establishment deaths and fewer births, while both types of firms experience geographic reorganization shifting farther from the headquarters
Strategic trade policy in a Cournot oligopoly with convex cost
Get PDFWe provide a simple reason for export tax in a third-country model of strategic trade policy. We show that the optimal policy under Cournot competition could be export tax in the presence of convex production costs. This happens whether or not the import competing country imposes import tariff
Storability and Brewing Quality of Corn Grits: Impacts of Storage Temperature, Particle Size and Key Compositional Factors
Get PDFAcross international brewing operations corn grits from different suppliers vary substantially in terms of their physical properties and chemical composition. Present research aimed to highlight the key factors determining the brewing quality of stored corn grits.Six grits samples were sourced with different particle sizes (that ranged from 0% to 74% of particles ≤0.355 mm) and stored at 10 °C, 20 °C, or 30 °C for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 months. Samples were analysed for moisture, extract, lipid, trihydroxy fatty acids (THFA) and pro-oxidant metal ion contents. Particle size range was measured using sieve analysis. Increasing levels of THFA occurred on storage due to lipid oxidation and are negative indicators of brewing quality. PLS-R modelling of THFA levels (R2 = 0.83) revealed particle size (hence surface area for oxidation) was the most important factor (∼60% of the total R2) followed by storage time (∼25%) and temperature (∼7%). Metal ion content and lipid content of grits were minor contributors. Results showed that coarser milling of grits offers protection against lipid oxidation even after 8 months at 30 °C. These insights into key factors determining the rate of lipid oxidation in stored corn grits will help to develop better supply chain management and storage practices with which to assure their brewing quality
Unpacking the European Commission: Cabinet Composition and EU Policy-Making
Get PDFWe examine bureaucratic politics within the European Commission, using novel data on the backgrounds of individual members of Commissioners' cabinets. Although cabinet composition has become increasingly regulated in recent decades, its selection remains a key area for personalised political appointments within an organisation more commonly known for its collective responsibility and lack of individual influence. Using data on the personal and professional backgrounds of cabinet members since the first Barroso Commission, we trace how administrative reforms meant primarily to ‘de-nationalise’ the selection of appointees have led to changes in cabinet composition. We then explore how cabinet composition impacts on the complexity of Commission proposals and its subsequent inter-institutional negotiations. We find that whilst more diversity of Commission cabinets clearly enhances the input legitimacy of the EU's legislative process, it neither benefits nor threatens the quality of the Commission's policy proposals or how they are processed politically
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Cylindrical and Shaped Cooling Holes With Forward and Reverse Injection
Get PDFThe present work proposes a suitable injection hole configuration of cylinder and laidback fan-shaped with forward and reverse direction for film cooling of a gas turbine blades application, based on experimental and numerical analysis. The experimental study is conducted for cylindrical hole at blowing ratio (1), injection angle (35°), and density ratio (1.2). The numerical study is performed for a wide range of operating parameters such as blowing ratios on (1-3), density ratios (2.42), mainstream flow Reynolds number as 4000 based on the hydraulic diameter of wind tunnel channel and, injection angle (35°) with the effect of forward and reverse injection of laidback fan shaped. The present study reveals that the formation of kidney vortices mitigated for reverse-shaped holes (secondary air is injected such that its axial velocity component is in the reverse direction to that of the mainstream) results in higher cooling performance with respect to forward-shaped holes. The coolant coverage is likewise more consistent and higher in the lateral direction compared to the forward injection
The Textbook Case for Industrial Policy: Theory Meets Data
No full textThe textbook case for industrial policy is well understood. If some sectors are subject to external economies of scale, whereas others are not, a government should subsidize the first group of sectors at the expense of the second. Little is known, however, about the magnitude of the welfare gains from such policy interventions. In this paper we develop an empirical strategy that leverages commonly available trade data and existing estimates of sector-level trade elasticities to estimate sector-level economies of scale and, in turn, to quantify the gains from optimal industrial policy in a general-equilibrium environment. Our results point towards significant economies of scale across manufacturing sectors, but gains from industrial policy that are hardly transformative, even among the most open economies. for discussions, to Tishara Garg, Daniel Haanwinckel and Walker Ray for outstanding research assistance, and to many seminar and conference participants for comments. Costinot and Donaldson thank the NSF (grant 1559015) for financial support
Exploring edible insects as feed in the UK: current challenges and future prospects
Get PDFEdible insects are gaining attention within the UK’s feed industry, driven by their environmental and nutritional advantages. However, the UK insect sector is still relatively new. Therefore, this study aims to explore the primary challenges and opportunities faced by insect farmers, insect-related businesses, and feed operators in the UK, with the goal of formulating strategic plans to foster the growth of the insect sector. Ten in-depth interviews from key stakeholders highlight the several benefits of insect-based feed including contributing to the circular economy, advancing value-added product development, and enhancing livestock welfare. Despite these advantages, obstacles like limited research, ambiguous regulations, production constraints, and public acceptance concerns hinder progress. The study recommends strategic solutions involving tailored regulations, financial incentives, industry collaboration, awareness campaigns, and research investments. Implementing these strategies holds the potential to nurture the expansion of UK’s insect farming industry, bolstering sustainable agri-food systems, resource efficiency, and environmental consciousness
Barriers to diagnosing and treating vulval lichen sclerosus: a survey study
Get PDFBackground Vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that is frequently misdiagnosed and under-recognised. To date, qualitative research has focused on lived experience of VLS, with women attributing diagnostic delay to poor interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs), often due to lack of knowledge. In the UK, women with VLS are most likely to present to primary care. Aim To establish HCPs’ perspectives on the identification, management, and education of vulval skin disease, with a focus on VLS. Design and setting A mixed-methods study survey undertaken across the UK. Method HCPs were recruited through opportunistic sampling. The survey was distributed via email and WhatsApp through professional networks and in hard-copy format at events, and completed between 1 November 2023 and 14 December 2023. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlations, and thematic analysis. Results Of 122 responders, most were GPs (n = 53) and GP trainees (n = 59). In total, 37.7% of responders had never participated in teaching or learning on vulval skin disease. Confidence in the identification of vulval skin disease positively correlated with experience, exposure, and female gender, although this last correlation was weak. The top identified barriers to diagnosis and treatment included lack of knowledge, embarrassment, and absence of VLS diagnostic criteria. Almost all participants (97.5%) felt that VLS diagnostic criteria would be helpful in clinical practice. Conclusion This study provides insight into the barriers to diagnosing and treating VLS in primary care. HCPs recognise deficiencies in training and referral pathways, and a lack of tools to support VLS diagnosis. Training should include skills to address stigma and embarrassment. This study highlights the importance of developing interventions, such as reproducible diagnostic criteria, to overcome barriers, thereby expediting diagnosis and treatment
The association between drugs and vaccines commonly prescribed to older people and bullous pemphigoid: a case-control study
Get PDFBackgroundBullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disease that affects mainly older people. Numerous drugs have been previously associated with BP based on case series and small hospital-based studies. More reliable and precise estimates of associations between a broad selection of drugs/vaccines and BP will enable greater awareness of potential increased risk of BP following certain medicines and help identify clinical, histological and genomic characteristics of drug-induced BP for different types of culprit drugs. Greater awareness could lead to earlier recognition or suspicion of BP and referral to a dermatologist for diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis may lead to less aggressive treatment and improved well-being.ObjectivesTo determine the association between drugs/vaccines commonly prescribed to older people and BP risk.MethodsWe conducted a population-based nested case-control study between 1998-2021 using electronic primary care records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We matched BP cases with up to 5 controls. Exposures were drugs/vaccines commonly prescribed to older people. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression adjusting for multiple drug use. For antibiotics, we considered prescriptions may be prescribed for undiagnosed symptoms of BP which resemble skin infection (protopathic bias) in a sensitivity analysis.ResultsAntibiotics were the therapeutic group associated with the highest risk of BP (OR: 4.60; 95%CI 4.40-4.80). However, after adjusting for protopathic bias, the OR reduced to 2.08 (95%CI 1.99-2.17). After adjusting for protopathic bias, of all antibiotic classes and subclasses, penicillins and penicillinase-resistant penicillins had the strongest associations with BP risk (OR: 3.44; 95%CI 3.29-3.60; sensitivity analysis OR; 1.74; 1.66-1.84 and OR: 7.56; 95%CI 7.15-8.00; sensitivity analysis OR: 2.64; 95%CI 2.45-2.85, respectively). Other drugs strongly associated with increased risk were gliptins (OR: 2.77; 95% CI 2.37-3.23), and second-generation antipsychotics (OR: 2.58; 95%CI 2.20-3.03).ConclusionsHealthcare professionals need to be aware of BP risk in older people particularly when prescribing penicillinase-resistant penicillins, gliptins, and second-generation antipsychotic drugs to recognise and manage BP early. Due to the low prevalence of disease, we do not suggest avoidance of drugs/vaccines to prevent BP. Further research should consider recency, dosage, and duration of antibiotic treatments
Scale and the parable of the ‘dishonest’ steward
Get PDFThis study of scale in quantities of oil and wheat contracts in Luke 16.1–9 provides an analysis of the size of farm necessary to supply such quantities. It also analyses supply in the main consumer market in Rome, examines scale within the gospel canon, and reappraises the steward’s character
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