The Employment Effects of Labor and Product Markets Deregulation and their Implications for Structural Reform

This study explores the effects of labor and product market deregulation on employment growth. Our empirical results, based on an OECD country panel from 1990-2004, suggest that lower levels of product and labor market regulation foster employment growth, including through sizable interaction effects. Based on these findings, the paper develops a theoretical framework for evaluating deregulation strategies in the presence of reform costs. Optimal deregulation takes various forms depending on the deregulation costs and the strength of reform interactions. Compared to the first best, decentralized decision-making based on a partial market-by-market perspective can lead to excessive or insufficient regulation, depending on the design of the decision process. Securing the first best requires not only coordinating deregulation activities across sectors but also overcoming the partial perspective of decision makers.product market regulation, labor market regulation, employment growth, policy coordination, sequencing

The employment effects of labor and product markets deregulations and their implications for structural reform

This study explores the effects of market deregulation on employment growth. Empirical analysis of an OECD country panel (1990-2004) suggests that lower levels of product and labor market regulation foster employment growth, including through sizable interaction effects. A theoretical framework is developed for evaluating deregulation strategies in the presence of reform costs. Optimal deregulation takes various forms depending on the deregulation costs and the strength of reform interactions. Compared to the first best, decentralized decision-making can lead to excessive or insufficient deregulation. Securing the first best requires coordinating deregulation activities across sectors and overcoming the partial perspective of decision makers. --Product market regulation,labor market regulation,employment growth,policy coordination,sequencing

The employment effects of labor and product markets deregulation and their implications for structural reform

This study explores the effects of market deregulation on employment growth. Empirical analysis of an OECD country panel (1990-2004) suggests that lower levels of product and labor market regulation foster employment growth, including through sizable interaction effects. A theoretical framework is developed for evaluating deregulation strategies in the presence of reform costs. Optimal deregulation takes various forms depending on the deregulation costs and the strength of reform interactions. Compared to the first best, decentralized decision-making can lead to excessive or insufficient deregulation. Securing the first best requires coordinating deregulation activities across sectors and overcoming the partial perspective of decision makers

The quasi-Weierstraß form for regular matrix pencils

AbstractRegular linear matrix pencils A-E∂∈Kn×n[∂], where K=Q, R or C, and the associated differential algebraic equation (DAE) Ex˙=Ax are studied. The Wong sequences of subspaces are investigate and invoked to decompose the Kn into V∗⊕W∗, where any bases of the linear spaces V∗ and W∗ transform the matrix pencil into the quasi-Weierstraß form. The quasi-Weierstraß form of the matrix pencil decouples the original DAE into the underlying ODE and the pure DAE or, in other words, decouples the set of initial values into the set of consistent initial values V∗ and “pure” inconsistent initial values W∗⧹{0}. Furthermore, V∗ and W∗ are spanned by the generalized eigenvectors at the finite and infinite eigenvalues, resp. The quasi-Weierstraß form is used to show how chains of generalized eigenvectors at finite and infinite eigenvalues of A-E∂ lead to the well-known Weierstraß form. So the latter can be viewed as a generalized Jordan form. Finally, it is shown how eigenvector chains constitute a basis for the solution space of Ex˙=Ax

Perinatal mental disorders in Switzerland : prevalence estimates and use of mental-health services

Background: Perinatal mental disorders (PMDs) are the most common complication of pregnancy and the first postpartum year. Since PMD prevalence and use of mental-health services by perinatal women in Switzerland are unknown, we analysed existing health statistics. Methods: We used statistics from a large health insurance company, hospitals and freelance midwives. We assessed the annual rates of mental healthcare use in perinatal women (n = 13 969). We ascertained the annual rates of PMD treatment in obstetric inpatients (n = 89 699), and annual rates of PMD records by freelance midwives (n = 57 951). In 15 104 women who gave birth in 2012 or 2013, we assessed use of mental-healthcare before and during pregnancy, and in the postpartum year. For the same sample, we determined proportions of medication and consultation treatments. We used multiple regression analysis to estimate the influence of PMD on overall healthcare costs of mandatory health insurance. Results: The annual rate of mental-healthcare use by perinatal women was 16.7%. The annual rate of PMD treatment in obstetric inpatients was 1.1%. The annual rate of PMD records in the midwifery care setting was 2.9%. Women with PMD use mental health services mainly in non-obstetric outpatient settings. Medication was the most frequent treatment. Primary care providers and mental health specialists contributed almost equally to consultation treatments. PMD during pregnancy raised overall costs of healthcare in the postpartum year by 1214 Swiss francs. Conclusions: Health-system research and perinatal healthcare should take into consideration the high prevalence of PMD. Real PMD prevalence may be even higher than our data suggest and could be assessed with a survey using our model of PMD prevalence

Quasi feedback forms for differential-algebraic systems

We investigate feedback forms for linear time-invariant systems described by differential-algebraic equations. Feedback forms are representatives of certain equivalence classes. For example state space transformations, invertible transformations from the left, and proportional state feedback constitute an equivalence relation. The representative of such an equivalence class, which we call proportional feedback form for the above example, allows to read off relevant system theoretic properties. Our main contribution is to derive a quasi proportional feedback form. This form is advantageous since it provides some geometric insight and is simple to compute, but still allows to read off the relevant structural properties of the control system. We also derive a quasi proportional and derivative feedback form. Similar advantages hold

Structure Elucidation and Quantification by HPLC Ion-Trap Multiple Mass Spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography combined with ion-trap mass spectrometry allows now to record mass spectra in the full-scan mode with sample quantities around 1 ng or less. In addition, the on-line generation of multiple daughter-ion spectra has become possible. This has revolutionised organic trace analysis. Small polar and/or thermolabile molecules such as biotoxins can be detected in the trace range and their structure unequivocally identified. In addition, a complete or partial structure elucidation of related structures is possible. This overview demonstrates the possibilities and limitations of HPLC-Msn with ion traps. Examples shown are the structure elucidation of aconitum alkaloids, trichothecenes and photochemically formed carbonyl compounds. This survey discusses also problems caused by system contamination and adsorption effects. Finally, the achievable performance of quantification in the trace range is briefly presented