The Impact of Superannuation on Household Saving

Over the last 20 years superannuation has grown to be the second largest component of household wealth in Australia after ownership of dwellings. This paper analyses the impact on household saving behaviour of the substantial rise in compulsory contributions to superannuation funds. Our analysis takes account of other macroeconomic developments that are likely to have had a strong influence on the household saving rate over this period, especially the financial deregulation of the 1980s and the unprecedented increase in the value of household wealth in the 1990s. We first illustrate the effect of superannuation on household saving in a small theoretical model, also taking account of the effect financial deregulation and capital gains might have on saving. In an empirical model of saving motivated by our theoretical analysis, we find evidence that only part of compulsory superannuation contributions has been offset by reductions in other saving, suggesting that – other things being equal – compulsory superannuation has indeed resulted in higher household saving.superannuation; household saving; offset coefficient

News and Interest Rate Expectations: A Study of Six Central Banks

In this paper we analyse the effect of news relating to the expected path of monetary policy on interest rate futures. Central banks’ transparency is in most respects much greater than it was a decade ago, and so central bank communication needs to be included as a potential source of news. We therefore consider four types of news: macroeconomic news, overseas news, monetary policy surprises and central bank communication. The effect of these types of news on daily changes in interest rate futures is estimated using an EGARCH model for a panel of six economies. We find that interest rate expectations respond to both macroeconomic and policy news, although the response to macroeconomic news is larger, especially once we include foreign news. Overall, the results suggest that the impact of the RBA’s communication policy is in line with other major central banks, and significantly influences (and informs) expectations of future monetary policy.central bank communication; news; interest rate futures

A study of histological changes in corn leaves under stress with an investigation of their photographic densityusing infrared film

Hickory King corn was germinated in sand and then supplied nutrients using Hoagland\u27s solutions. When the corn plants reached the three-leaf stage, four kinds of stress were induced in separate pots in order to study their photographic density using infrared film as it related to the internal structure of the leaves. The four stresses used in this study were: disease caused by maize dwarf mosaic virus, manganese toxicity, nitrogen deficiency, and water deficiency. Leaves from the four stress conditions and from control plants were examined microscopically to determine what anatomical anomalies could be found to explain their photographic densities as imaged on infrared film. Photographs were made with a Pentax single lens reflex 35 mm camera using Kodak E-4 Ektachrome infrared film. Batch 36128-UQ, and a Tiffen 12 filter over the lens. Photographs were evaluated using a Macbeth Quantalog Transmission Densitometer, Model TD 404. Sections were cut from leaves immediately after photographing and fixed in FAA. These sections were then dehydrated in TBA and sectioned in paraffin. Sections were stained in Safranin-0 and Fast Green and evaluated for anatomical changes. Results of this study showed that photographic density increased with increasing leaf thickness when a red densitometer filter was used. Gross morphology of the corn leaves was evaluated qualitatively with respect to the several theories of light reflectance from leaves. Parameters considered in morphological evaluations included; number and size of vacuoles in parenchymal tissue; presence of air spaces in the mesophyll; size, number, and shape of mesophyll cells; size of air pockets under stomata; number of chloroplasts; size and shape changes in bulliform cells; and the amount of protoplasm in mesophyll cells

EC 00-1564-S Bumble Boosters: A Guide To Identifying Nebraska Bumble Bee Species

Why Bumble Bees Are Important Capturing Bumble Bees Making a Reference Collection The Bee Family Tree The Bumble Bee Family Tree Bumble Bee Mimics How to Use the Identification Guide Bee Identification Guide Checklist of Nebraska Species External Morphology of Bumble Bees Glossary Additional Resources About Bumble Boosters Data Sheet for Collection Specimens For most people, pollen means allergies and bees mean stings. However, you should thank a bee, butterfly, bat, bird, or other pollinator for one out of every three bites of food you eat. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from one flower to another. It is a critical step in fruit and seed production. Some plants produce generous quantities of pollen and rely on the wind to transfer pollen. Many plant species, however, produce smaller amounts of pollen and have elaborate mechanisms to attract pollinators. There are 95 crops grown in the United States that require insect pollinators. In addition, many bee-pollinated plants provide food for wildlife, increase soil fertility, and beautify our landscapes. In an era when human activities have reduced nesting habitat and forage plants, we need to consider the impact we have on plant/pollinator relationships. Pollinators are a critical link in the ecosystems of both wild and agricultural lands and play an important role in the interconnectedness of life in general. Bumble bees are a great place to begin. They are beautiful native insects whose distribution and abundance can be nurtured by providing suitable nesting habitat and forage plants

Dr. Kenneth P. Pruess Obituary

Dr. Kenneth P. Pruess, age 84, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died 11 December 2016. Kenneth was Professor of Entomology Emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was born 21 June 1932 in Troy, Indiana, to Elmer and Clara (Grass) Pruess. Kenneth graduated from Purdue University in 1954 and earned his M.S. in Entomology in 1955 and Ph.D. in 1957, both from The Ohio State University. His dissertation was titled “Studies on the Clover Root Borer, Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham).” He married Neva Currie on 15 June 1963. He worked at the University of Nebraska’s North Platte Experiment Station from 1957–1965, Entomology Department at UNL from 1965–1997, and was Entomology Department UNL Emeritus from 1997 until the time of his death, continuing his research until 8 December 2016. Throughout his career, Kenneth conducted research on a wide variety of topics. Initially, he was hired at North Platte to study the army cutworm, Euxoa auxiliaris (Grote), which was a major pest of wheat in western Nebraska. He published several studies that helped document their summer migration from the Great Plains to the Rockies. One of these he co-authored with his wife, who also had graduate training in entomology. They used binoculars to track the direction of flight at night of army cutworm moths by watching them as they flew in front of the moon. He began long-range studies of the population dynamics of rangeland grasshoppers, which continued for decades after he moved to Lincoln. He was an early adopter of using microcomputers in teaching and developed programs for computer modeling in pest management. He conducted several studies on biology and management of western corn rootworms, including a 1968–1970 study on areawide management of adult rootworms over a 16-square-mile area. His study was the first to evaluate the potential of areawide management of corn rootworms. Later, he began studies on natural history of aquatic insects, particularly focused on black flies. He used molecular techniques to study black fly taxonomy and then alfalfa weevil taxonomy. The week of his death, he was working on finalizing a manuscript on alfalfa weevil molecular taxonomy for journal submission

Dr. Kenneth P. Pruess Obituary

Dr. Kenneth P. Pruess, age 84, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died 11 December 2016. Kenneth was Professor of Entomology Emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was born 21 June 1932 in Troy, Indiana, to Elmer and Clara (Grass) Pruess. Kenneth graduated from Purdue University in 1954 and earned his M.S. in Entomology in 1955 and Ph.D. in 1957, both from The Ohio State University. His dissertation was titled “Studies on the Clover Root Borer, Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham).” He married Neva Currie on 15 June 1963. He worked at the University of Nebraska’s North Platte Experiment Station from 1957–1965, Entomology Department at UNL from 1965–1997, and was Entomology Department UNL Emeritus from 1997 until the time of his death, continuing his research until 8 December 2016. Throughout his career, Kenneth conducted research on a wide variety of topics. Initially, he was hired at North Platte to study the army cutworm, Euxoa auxiliaris (Grote), which was a major pest of wheat in western Nebraska. He published several studies that helped document their summer migration from the Great Plains to the Rockies. One of these he co-authored with his wife, who also had graduate training in entomology. They used binoculars to track the direction of flight at night of army cutworm moths by watching them as they flew in front of the moon. He began long-range studies of the population dynamics of rangeland grasshoppers, which continued for decades after he moved to Lincoln. He was an early adopter of using microcomputers in teaching and developed programs for computer modeling in pest management. He conducted several studies on biology and management of western corn rootworms, including a 1968–1970 study on areawide management of adult rootworms over a 16-square-mile area. His study was the first to evaluate the potential of areawide management of corn rootworms. Later, he began studies on natural history of aquatic insects, particularly focused on black flies. He used molecular techniques to study black fly taxonomy and then alfalfa weevil taxonomy. The week of his death, he was working on finalizing a manuscript on alfalfa weevil molecular taxonomy for journal submission

G1430 Using the Sugar Roll Technique to Detect Varroa Mites in Honey Bee Colonies

Description of a rapid and efficient technique for detecting and assessing varroa mite infestations using powdered sugar to dislodge mites from bees. The varroa mite was first discovered in the United States in 1987. Globally, it is the most important pest of honey bees and it has caused extensive losses in feral and managed colonies. Once introduced, varroa mites have never been eradicated from any country or region, and beekeepers must adopt an integrated pest management strategy to protect their colonies. Early detection and assessment of infestation levels are important components of a varroa management plan. Since varroa mites feed by piercing the intersegmental membranes on the underside of the bee\u27s abdomen, they are not easily observed on bees until colonies are severely injured. Beekeepers need to use a detection technique to check their colonies for mites. In addition to detecting mites, beekeepers need to accurately assess the infestation level to determine when control measures are warranted. Topics covered include: 1) comparing inert dusts for detecting and assessing varroa mite infestations; 2) using powdered sugar to detect and assess varroa mite infestations; 3) why dust-like materials dislodge varroa mites from bees; and 4)interpreting the results of sugar roll testing

Removal of radioactive fission products from surface water supplies

Also available online.Digitized 2007 AES

\u3ci\u3eVarroa\u3c/i\u3e mites and honey bee health: can \u3ci\u3eVarroa\u3c/i\u3e explain part of the colony losses?

Since 2006, disastrous colony losses have been reported in Europe and North America. The causes of the losses were not readily apparent and have been attributed to overwintering mortalities and to a new phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder. Most scientists agree that there is no single explanation for the extensive colony losses but that interactions between different stresses are involved. As the presence of Varroa in each colony places an important pressure on bee health, we here address the question of how Varroa contributes to the recent surge in honey bee colony losses

Mortalités et dépopulations des colonies d’abeilles aux États-Unis

Après la France et l’Europe, les États-Unis d’Amérique subissent de plein fouet les problèmes de mortalités massives d’abeilles. Un déficit d’abeilles disponibles pour la pollinisation et les résultats d’enquêtes auprès des apiculteurs attestent clairement ce phénomène très préoccupant pour l’apiculture américaine. Y a-t-il des analogies avec ce que nous avons vécu sur nos populations d’abeilles ou bien est-ce un phénomène différent ? L’état américain débloque des fonds importants pour expliquer et lutter contre ce syndrome qui détruit leur cheptel