This dissertation studies the effects of credit availability on firm-level outcomes using a new matched employer-employee panel of Chilean firms that also includes firm-bank lending and tax data. In Chapter I, using a natural experiment and a differences in differences approach, I show that firms that experienced a positive credit supply shock during the 2008-09 recession in Chile, exhibit higher labor productivity four years after the shock, even after aggregate demand and credit supply have fully recovered. Chapter II presents evidence consistent with the hypothesis that at least part of the productivity improvement is due to an increased ability of firms with access to credit to adjust labor during the recession. In particular, I find that these firms exhibit larger worker flows and use credit to adjust employment by churning more workers. Chapter III studies a government partial credit guarantee scheme for bank loans to small and medium sized enterprises using a regression discontinuity design around the threshold for eligibility. I show that the program has a large positive causal effect on firms' total borrowing, and the effect is persistent. Moreover, firms that obtain bank loans through this scheme can borrow more from loans not insured by the guarantee, which means that the program has a positive effect on the firms's total borrowing capacity. Finally, the program also helps in the formation of new bank-firm lending relationships.

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In this thesis, we will study bio-mathematics. We will introduce differential equations, biological applications, and simulations with emphasis in molecular events. One of the first courses of action is to introduce and construct a mathematical model of our biological element. The biological element of study is the Hepatitis C virus. The idea in creating a mathematical model is to approach the biological element in small steps. We will first introduce a block (schematic) diagram of the element, create differential equations that define the diagram, convert the dimensional equations to non-dimensional equations, reduce the number of parameters, identify the important parameters, and analyze the results. These results will tell us which variables must be adjusted to prevent the Hepatitis C virus from becoming chronic.

Collective investment scheme from the position of corporate governance Abstract The purpose of the dissertation thesis is to research the possibilities of application of corporate governance mechanisms in the area of collective investment scheme. In particular, the author surveys what corporate governance mechanisms are available for shareholders of ordinary corporations, what mechanisms are available for fund investors, what are the common overlaps of these mechanisms, and vice versa, where differences can be seen. These topics are analysed above all from the point of view of American law and European law. The thesis understands corporate governance mechanisms as the devices, institutions, and mechanisms by which shareholders assure themselves of not losing their investments. In principle, shareholders have three types of corporate governance mechanisms at their disposal, namely, regulatory, self-regulatory and market mechanisms. Regulatory mechanisms are instruments developed by legislator. Information duties, shareholder voting, board monitoring of management, fiduciary duties, remuneration schemes and debt instruments are analyzed in the area of regulatory mechanisms. Self-regulatory mechanisms are mechanisms created and enforced by market players. Corporate governance codes are particularly the most...

Let G be an undirected graph on n vertices and let S(G) be the class of all real-valued symmetric n × n matrices whose nonzero off-diagonal entries occur in exactly the positions corresponding to the edges of G. Let V = {1, 2, . . . , n} be the vertex set of G. A scheme on G is a function f : V → {0, 1}. Given a scheme f on G, there is an associated class of matrices Sf (G) = {A ∈ S(G)|aii = 0 if and only if f(i) = 0}. A scheme f is said to be constructible if there exists a matrix A ∈ Sf (G) with rank A = min{rank M|M ∈ S(G)}. We explore properties of constructible schemes and give a complete classification of which schemes are constructible for paths and cycles. We also consider schemes on complete graphs and show the existence of a graph for which every possible scheme is constructible.

Let V denote a vector space of finite positive dimension. An ordered triple of linear operators on V is said to be a Leonard triple whenever for each choice of element of the triple there exists a basis of V with respect to which the matrix representing the chosen element is diagonal and the matrices representing the other two elements are irreducible tridiagonal. A Leonard triple is said to be modular whenever for each choice of element there exists an antiautomorphism of End(V) which fixes the chosen element and swaps the other two elements. We study combinatorial structures associated with Leonard triples and modular Leonard triples. In the first part we construct a simplicial complex of Leonard triples. The simplicial complex of a Leonard triple is the smallest set of linear operators which contains the given Leonard triple with the property that if two elements of the set are part of a Leonard triple, then the third element of the triple is also in the set. In the second part we construct a Hamming association scheme from modular Leonard triples using a method used previously in the context of Grassmanian codes.

Let n be a positive integer. A Latin square of order n is an n×n array L such that each element of some n-set occurs in each row and in each column of L exactly once. It is well-known that one may construct a 4-class association scheme on the positions of a Latin square, where the relations are the identity, being in the same row, being in the same column, having the same entry, and everything else. We describe the subconstituent (Terwilliger) algebras of such an association scheme. One also may construct several strongly regular graphs on the positions of a Latin square, where adjacency corresponds to any subset of the nonidentity relations described above. We describe the local spectrum and subconstituent algebras of such strongly regular graphs. Finally, we study various notions of isomorphism for subconstituent algebras using Latin squares as examples.

The Penrith Lakes Scheme is a series of inter-connected lakes, produced by the rehabilitation of a sand and gravel quarry, for water quality treatment and recreational uses. Presently, 5 lakes are operational comprising 4 upstream lakes for treatment of storm-water and quarry discharge and a single downstream recreational lake as the Sydney International Regatta Centre used during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. This report is the result of a study, during 1998-2003, with an aim to develop dynamic budget models of water, sediments and nutrients for these lakes, providing suitable data for long-term management planning and evaluation of short-term operational management.Findings showed that while progressive reassessment and refinement will be required as management control increases, the approach provides the foundation modelling procedures and frame-work for suitable hydrological and water quality management of the Penrith Lakes Scheme, and may be extended to include further lakes, water sources and management strategies. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PROBLEM INVESTIGATED: Methodological issues and policy implications arising from the application of interrupted time series (ITS) analyses to assess the impact of Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) subsidisation policies on drug utilisation in Australia. PROCEDURES FOLLOWED: A critical review of methodological issues relating to the application and analysis of ITS designs was undertaken. This included an examination of drug utilisation data sources in Australia. The PBS policies examined were: (i) the introduction of copayments in 1990; (ii) the introduction of re-supply limits in 1994 and (iii) the introduction of a form of reference pricing in 1998. Monthly aggregate drug utilisation data was obtained from the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. Segmented regression analyses incorporating autocorrelated errors were implemented and statistical diagnostics applied to ensure correct ITS model specification. Alternative seasonal modelling approaches were compared. RESULTS OBTAINED: The copayment ITS evaluation found that while these copayments produced a reduction in the utilisation of essential and discretionary medications, this effect was stronger for discretionary drugs. An unintended policy effect was a large anticipatory increase in drug utilisation during the month prior to the copayments. Repatriation PBS data was also utilised due to the limited number of pre-intervention data points in the Community series. The re-supply limit ITS evaluation found that the 20-day rule markedly reduced the size of the seasonal increase during the month of December. However, logistic regression analyses showed that the size of this reduction attenuated over time, highlighting the need to consider alternative analysis strategies when applying a ITS approach. The reference pricing ITS evaluation found that this policy had achieved its drug utilisation objectives for H2RAs and ACE Inhibitors. However with regard to CCBs, no increase in the utilisation of benchmark priced drug was apparent, which probably reflected clinical concerns at the time about the safety of these drugs. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Well implemented ITS analyses provide a valuable tool for evaluating the impact of PBS subsidisation policy change on drug utilisation in Australia. As with any methodology, however, different design and data integrity issues will affect the quality of information provided.

During the early 1980s the Warlpiri at Yuendemu, a remote Aboriginal community in Central Australia, began their own experiments in local television and radio production. This was prior to the launch of the AUSSAT satellite in 1985 which brought broadcast television and radio to remote Australia for the first time. There was concern amongst remote Aboriginal communities, as well as policy makers, that the imposition of mass media without consultation could result in permanent damage to Aboriginal culture and language. As a result, a policy review 'Out of the Silent Land' was published in 1985 and from that developed the Broadcasting in Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme (BRACS) which allowed communities to receive radio and television from the satellite. BRACS also provided the option to turn off mainstream media and insert locally produced material. This study of the Warlpiri at Yuendemu has found that, since the original experiments, they have enthusiastically used modern communication technology including radio, video making, locally produced television, and, more recently, on-line services. The Warlpiri have adapted rather than adopted the new technology. That is they have used modern communications technology within existing cultural patterns to strengthen their language and culture rather than to replace traditional practices and social structures. The Warlpiri Media Association has inspired other remote broadcasters and is now one of eight remote media networks that link to form a national network via the National Indigenous Media Association of Australia. The Warlpiri have actively adapted modern communication technology because it is to their advantage. The new technology has been used to preserve culture and language, to restore, and possibly improve, traditional communications and to provide employment and other opportunities for earning income. It appeals to all age groups, especially the elders who have retained control over broadcasts and it also provides entertainment.