Three phases of Dutch economic growth and technological change, 1815-1997

In this paper we analyze the dynamics of Dutch economic growth for the period 1815-1997. By applying a simple econometric technique, important braking points in the timeseries are traced. It seems that three phases of growth can be discerned and that these phases are characterized by different types of technology (steam, electricity as well as information and communication technology). The Dutch economy has not generated an overall productivity improvement from the first and third technological phase, but has been successful in exploiting the technological opportunities of the second phase.

Three phases of Dutch economic growth and technological change, 1815-1997

In this paper we analyze the dynamics of Dutch economic growth for the period 1815-1997. By applying a simple econometric technique, important braking points in the timeseries are traced. It seems that three phases of growth can be discerned and that these phases are characterized by different types of technology (steam, electricity as well as information and communication technology). The Dutch economy has not generated an overall productivity improvement from the first and third technological phase, but has been successful in exploiting the technological opportunities of the second phase.

Rats go genomic

A report on the meeting 'Rat Genomics and Models', Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 8-11 December 2005

Generalized Multivariate Extreme Value Models for Explicit Route Choice Sets

This paper analyses a class of route choice models with closed-form probability expressions, namely, Generalized Multivariate Extreme Value (GMEV) models. A large group of these models emerge from different utility formulas that combine systematic utility and random error terms. Twelve models are captured in a single discrete choice framework. The additive utility formula leads to the known logit family, being multinomial, path-size, paired combinatorial and link-nested. For the multiplicative formulation only the multinomial and path-size weibit models have been identified; this study also identifies the paired combinatorial and link-nested variations, and generalizes the path-size variant. Furthermore, a new traveller's decision rule based on the multiplicative utility formula with a reference route is presented. Here the traveller chooses exclusively based on the differences between routes. This leads to four new GMEV models. We assess the models qualitatively based on a generic structure of route utility with random foreseen travel times, for which we empirically identify that the variance of utility should be different from thus far assumed for multinomial probit and logit-kernel models. The expected travellers' behaviour and model-behaviour under simple network changes are analysed. Furthermore, all models are estimated and validated on an illustrative network example with long distance and short distance origin-destination pairs. The new multiplicative models based on differences outperform the additive models in both tests

Fertiliteitsbehandelingen bij het paard: toepassingsmogelijkheden en beperkingen

Recent developments in the assisted reproduction in horses allow to breed foals from sub- and infertile mares, as well as from recently deceased mares or stallions. Oocytes can be obtained from live donor mares by ovum pick-up (OPU), by flushing oocytes from follicles using a transvaginal or transabdominal approach. Post mortem oocytes can be obtained by scraping the follicles. After oocyte maturation, the oocytes can be fertilized in vitro or can be transferred to the oviduct of an inseminated recipient mare (in vivo). Since conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) is very unsuccessful in the horse, fertilization is performed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). After ICSI, the fertilized oocytes can be transferred to the oviduct of a synchronized recipient mare or further cultured in vitro up to the blastocyst stage. Subsequently, obtained blastocyts can be transferred to the uterus of a recipient mare. In this article, in vitro embryo production in the horse is highlighted, and possible advantages and disadvantages and clinical and scientific applications are reviewed

New innovative feeding strategy for reduction of Salmonella in swine

Salmonella sp. are a leading cause of gastro-intestinal disease in humans with tens of millions of human cases worldwide every year. Pork is an important food vehicle of Salmonellosis, resulting in fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and occasionally death. Reduction of Salmonella in the feed-to-food chain is key to reduce the number of human Salmonellosis cases. Furthermore, it has frequently been demonstrated that the use of antimicrobial agents in food animals favors the development of resistance among foodborne pathogens like Salmonella spp. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new antibacterial strategies to reduce Salmonellosis, since antimicrobial resistance is on the rise

Dietary strategies as one of the pillars to reduce antibiotic use in swine

The Dutch government and various stakeholders in the industry set a joint target to reduce prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic use by 70% in 2015 compared to the reference year 2009. The use of anti-microbial growth promoters was already banned in the European Union in 2006. Various biosecurity measures and specific vaccination programs were implemented in the last decade to reduce the risk of animals being exposed to pathogens and to raise the level of disease reistence. These strategies were complemented with dietary measures to improve hygiene of feed and water and to support homeostasis and stability in the gastrointestinal tract contributing to disease resistance and resilience. The Netherlands succeeded in reducing antibiotic use by 58% in swine production in 2015 compared to 2009. Although the target of 70% was not completely reached, it is encouraging that the reduced use of antibiotics resulted in a reduction in anti-microbial resistance (MARAN, 2015)

Bispectral Index Changes during Acute Brainstem TIA/Ischemia

We describe a 76-year-old patient who suffered a brainstem TIA just before being anesthetised for cardiac surgery. The TIA was registered on BIS and resulted in a drop in BIS to a value of 60. When consciousness returned spontaneously, the BIS increased to 85. The relative use of the BIS during an operation is discussed. We believe that the lack of input from the brainstem to the frontal cortex resulted in the reduced cortical electrical activity as registered with the BIS