Public Debt Frontier: A Python Toolkit for Analyzing Public Debt Sustainability

This study proposes a synthetic visual indicator with which to perform debt sustainability analysis using dynamic general equilibrium models. In a single diagram, we summarized the general equilibrium relationships among economic activity, government budget, and the maximum amount of sustainable public debt. Then, we measured sustainability using the distance of actual debt from the model-consistent maximum debt. This indicator can be implemented with any DSGE model; as a backing theory, we used a neoclassical model augmented with endogenous tax revenues, disaggregated public spending, different production technologies for public and private goods, non-atomistic wage setters in public labor (unions), and a fully specified maturity curve for public bonds. We provided an example of its usage using the case of Greece during the last public debt crisis. To perform the numerical analysis, we developed original software, whose advantage is allowing an audience without expertise in DSGE models to perform general equilibrium debt sustainability analyses without requiring an understanding of the technicalities of DSGE models.

Fashion supply chain transparency: do as I say not as I do

PurposeFashion brands are under heavy criticism for often exhibiting poor working conditions and producing environmental damage. Pressure comes from initiatives such as Fashion Transparency Index (FTI) by Fashion Revolution to assess fashion brands' transparency based on information publicly disclosed. But an understanding of how such movements reflect in a Global South country characterised by institutional voids is still absent.Design/methodology/approachWhile the FTI ranks individual brands, in this study the authors have analysed 305 documents extracted from the websites of 20 Brazilian fashion brands to unpack practices and re-bundle them according to three archetypes – opaque, translucent and transparent – that display a maturity curve.FindingsThe authors show that advancement is heterogeneous, and we complement previous research exposing the limits of an NGO in driving transparency by investigating a context embedded in institutional voids. The authors show that most fashion brands restrict transparency to tier-1 suppliers. Moreover, although fashion brands increasingly demand disclosure from their suppliers, they do not clarify their own purchasing practices such as cancellation and payment policies. On the positive note, the authors show that maturity for transparent brands can include the actionability concept by engaging with consumer via surveys and educative content.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to theory by offering a maturity curve of fashion supply chain transparency. The authors contribute to practice by offering the three archetypes – opaque, translucent and transparent. This study unveils heterogeneity and asymmetry between the levels of transparency that buying firms demand from their suppliers against what they provide about their own practices.

eDiscovery readiness at the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Botswana

This article presents the findings of the study which sought to assess e-discovery readiness at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) in Botswana and make recommendations to improve the e-discovery process. The assessment adopted the Document Labs’ (Doculabs) Discovery Maturity Curve to examine: the e-discovery process; policies, procedures, and guidelines of e-discovery; and information organisation. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were used. Semi-structured interviews with the records manager and IT manager were carried out to gain an insight into the state of e-discovery at the MTC and to allow the participants to describe the phenomena. With regard to quantitative data, the respondents were selected from 56 staff members in the IT, records management and administrative division, as they deal with the management of records. Data was analysed thematically and presented according to the objectives of the study. The study established that MTC was not e-discovery ready as the components that determine success in e-discovery such as undefined e-discovery processes, lack of policies, procedures as well as guidelines that promote successful e-discovery and the lack of a data map were not there. It is recommended that to be successful in e-discovery, MTC needs to develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines for e-discovery; e-records retention policy; and a data map.

Effectiveness of Scoliosis-Specific Exercise for Alleviating Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common pediatric spinal deformity with reported complications including pain, mental health concern and respiratory dysfunction. The Scoliosis-specific exercise (SSE) is prescribed throughout pubertal growth to slow progression although effects are unclear. This review aims to establish the effectiveness of SSE in alleviating AIS in terms of reducing Cobb angle, improving trunk asymmetry and quality of life (QoL). Additionally, it aims to define the effects of age, skeletal maturity, curve magnitude and exercise compliance on the outcomes of SSE. Methods: A systematic reviewed was conducted to net SSE articles. Searched databases included PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL and Google scholar. The quality of study was critically appraised according to the PEDro scale. Results: A total of ten trials with an average PEDro score of 6.9/10 were examined in this study. Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two clinical controlled trials suggested that SSE alone and with bracing or traditional exercise had clinical significance in reducing Cobb angle more than 5°. One RCT specifically implicated no comparable effects between bracing and SSE in prevention of curve progression for moderate scoliosis. Insufficient evidence demonstrated the positive effects of SSE in improving truck asymmetry (n=4) and QoL (n=3). Five studies evaluated the interaction effects of age (n=2), skeletal maturity (n=1) and curve magnitude (n=2) with SSE in reducing Cobb angle yet without drawing any firm conclusions. Conclusions: Insufficient evidence is available to prove that SSE with or without other conservative treatments can reduce Cobb angle, improve trunk balance and QoL. The interaction effects of age, skeletal maturity, curve magnitude, and exercise compliance with SSE in reducing Cobb angle are not proven. Future studies should investigate the relationship of influencing factors and SSE in treating AIS but not only testing its effectiveness.

Effectiveness of Scoliosis-Specific Exercises for Alleviating Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common pediatric spinal deformity with reported complications including pain, mental health concern and respiratory dysfunction. The Scoliosis-specific exercise (SSE) is prescribed throughout pubertal growth to slow progression although effects are unclear. This review aims to establish the effectiveness of SSE in alleviating AIS in terms of reducing Cobb angle, improving trunk asymmetry and quality of life (QoL). Additionally, it aims to define the effects of age, skeletal maturity, curve magnitude and exercise compliance on the outcomes of SSE. Methods A systematic reviewed was conducted to net SSE articles. Searched databases included PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL and Google scholar. The quality of study was critically appraised according to the PEDro scale. Results A total of ten trials with an average PEDro score of 6.9/10 were examined in this study. Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two clinical controlled trials suggested that SSE alone and with bracing or traditional exercise had clinical significance in reducing Cobb angle more than 5°. One RCT specifically implicated no comparable effects between bracing and SSE in prevention of curve progression for moderate scoliosis. Insufficient evidence demonstrated the positive effects of SSE in improving truck asymmetry (n = 4) and QoL (n = 3). Five studies evaluated the interaction effects of age (n = 2), skeletal maturity (n = 1) and curve magnitude (n = 2) with SSE in reducing Cobb angle yet without drawing any firm conclusions. Conclusions Insufficient evidence is available to prove that SSE with or without other conservative treatments can reduce Cobb angle, improve trunk balance and QoL. The interaction effects of age, skeletal maturity, curve magnitude, and exercise compliance with SSE in reducing Cobb angle are not proven. Future studies should investigate the relationship of influencing factors and SSE in treating AIS but not only testing its effectiveness.

Maturity curve for estimating the in-place strength of high performance concrete

The paper presents the maturity curve for estimating the in-place early-age compressive strength of concrete. The development of appropriate maturity curve is a complex process. It is important to correctly determine the datum temperature and activation energy, which can be obtained in mortar tests. This paper describes an investigation of the accuracy of the maturity method to estimate the strength when different way to rate constant and maturity function are analysed. High performance concrete used for construction of extradosed bridge was tested. The developed curve was implemented to predict the concrete strength at three construction stages, in summer, autumn and early spring.

Medida de la madurez del hormigón en una estructura

Medida de la madurez del hormigón en una estructuraRESUMENEn este trabajo realizamos la determinación del grado de madurez del hormigón in situ en una estructura. Para ello, se miden las temperaturas en las bases de hormigón de una estructura, desde las primeras horas de la hidratación, hasta los 28 días, con un equipo desarrollado en la Facultad. Simultáneamente se realizan ensayos de resistencia a la compresión estableciendo la relación con las temperaturas, con las expresiones de Nurse-Saul y Arrhenius. Los resultados permitieron determinar la curva de madurez del hormigón estudiado y establecer el grado de madurez en cada una de las partes diferenciadas de la estructura. El uso de esta metodología permite controlar la totalidad del hormigón recibido, su homogeneidad y monitorear su resistencia en tiempo real.Palabras claves: madurez; hormigón; temperatura; resistencia. Measure of maturity of the concrete structure ABSTRACTIn this paper we determine the degree of maturity in situ concrete structure. To do this, temperatures are measured in the concrete foundations of a structure, from the first hours of hydration, to 28 days, with a device developed at the Faculty. Simultaneously testing compressive strength are performed establishing the relationship with temperature, with expressions Nurse-Saul and Arrhenius. The results allowed to determine the maturity curve of the studied concrete and establish the degree of maturity in each of the different parts of the structure.n The use of this methodology allows to control the entire concrete received, its homogeneity and to monitor resistance in real time.Keywords: maturity; concrete; temperature; resistance. Medida de maturidade do concreto in situ numa estrutura RESUMONeste trabalho, determinar o grau de maturidade na estrutura de concreto situ. Para fazer isso, as temperaturas são medidas nas fundações de betão de uma estrutura, desde as primeiras horas de hidratação, a 28 dias, com um dispositivo desenvolvido na Faculdade. Simultaneamente testar resistência à compressão são realizados estabelecer a relação com a temperatura, com expressões Nurse-Saul e Arrhenius. Os resultados obtidos permitem determinar a curva do betão estudada maturidade e estabelecer o grau de maturação em cada uma das diferentes partes da estrutura. A utilização desta metodologia permite controlar todo o betão recebido, a sua homogeneidade e monitorar a resistência em tempo real.Palavras-chave: maturidade; betão; temperatura; resistência.