EU policy reform simulation based on panel data estimation of on- and off-farm labour supply equations for Dutch dairy farmers

This research focuses on the estimation of labour supply equations for Dutch dairy farmers that are suitable for policy simulations. Data availability leads to the fact that we can not estimate structural labour supply equations. We show how to derive reduced form equations suitable for policy simulations. In this research we use the panel data sample selection estimation approach of Kyriazidou (1997) and Wooldridge (1995) to estimate the off-farm labour supply equation. The two lead to different estimation results and different simulation results based on these.Econometrics, Panel Data, Sample Selection, Labour Supply, CAP Reform, Labor and Human Capital, C23, C24, C51, C53, D13, J22, Q12, Q18,

Farm growth and exit: consequences of EU dairy policy reform for Dutch dairy farming

The purpose of this paper is to analyse farm growth and exit and its interaction in Dutch dairy farming as consequences of the 2003 CAP reform and 2008 CAP Health Check. Results indicate that the decision to exit dairy farming is largely determined by household characteristics as age and the size of the household. Farm growth is strongly influenced by the availability of labour, capital and land. Simulation results show that the dairy policy reforms reduce farm growth and exit. This is mainly caused by the quota increases.Agricultural and Food Policy,

On- and Off-Farm Labour Supply of Dutch Dairy Farmers: Estimation and Policy Simulations

This research focuses on the effect of decoupled payments on labour supply of Dutch dairy farmers. Data availability leads to the fact that we can not estimate structural labour supply equations. We show how to derive reduced form equations suitable for policy simulations. We use the panel data sample selection estimation approach Wooldridge (1995) to estimate the off-farm labour supply equation. This method is based on Mundlak's (1978) linear panel data estimation approach, which we use to estimate the on-farm labour supply equations. Even though, simulations show a significant negative effect of decoupled payments on labour supply, the economic significance of this effect is very limited.decoupled payments, labour supply, panel data, sample selection, policy simulation, Labor and Human Capital, Livestock Production/Industries, C23, C24, C51, C53, D13, J22, Q12, Q18,

Testate amoebae as proxy for water level changes in a brackish tidal marsh

Few studies have examined testate amoebae assemblages of estuarine tidal marshes. This study investigates the possibility of using soil testate amoebae assemblages of a brackish tidal marsh (Scheldt estuary, Belgium) as a proxy for water level changes. On the marsh surface an elevation gradient is sampled to be analyzed for testate amoebae assemblages and sediment characteristics. Further, vegetation, flooding frequency and soil conductivity have been taken into account to explain the testate amoebae species variation. The data reveal that testate amoebae are not able to establish assemblages at the brackish tidal marsh part with flooding frequencies equal to or higher than 36.5%. Further, two separate testate amoebae zones are distinguished based on cluster analysis. The lower zone’s testate amoebae species composition is influenced by the flooding frequency (~ elevation) and particle size, while the species variability in the higher zone is related to the organic content of the soil and particle size. These observations suggest that the ecological meaning of elevation shifts over its range on the brackish tidal marsh. Testate amoeba assemblages in such a brackish habitat show thus a vertical zonation (RMSEP: 0.19 m) that is comparable to the vertical zonation of testate amoebae and other protists on freshwater tidal marshes and salt marshes

Developing dietary interventions for people with learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities are more likely to have poor dietary habits and associated health conditions than the general population. Interventions to improve dietary choices need to consider reasonable adjustments that ensure resources are accessible to people in this group. This article discusses a research project to develop two resources: one is an online recipe resource for people with learning disabilities, which includes videos showing each stage of the cooking process in real time; the other is a training programme that was copresented by service users and delivered to staff. The article explores this multilevel approach to shared learning experiences and offers recommendations for professionals working in this area to advance evidence-based changes to practice

Innovative Use of the Law to Address Complex Global Health Problems Comment on “The Legal Strength of International Health Instruments - What It Brings to Global Health Governance?”

Addressing the increasingly globalised determinants of many important problems affecting human health is a complex task requiring collective action. We suggest that part of the solution to addressing intractable global health issues indeed lies with the role of new legal instruments in the form of globally binding treaties, as described in the recent article of Nikogosian and Kickbusch. However, in addition to the use of international law to develop new treaties, another part of the solution may lie in innovative use of existing legal instruments. A 2015 court ruling in The Hague, which ordered the Dutch government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% within five years, complements this perspective, suggesting a way forward for addressing global health problems that critically involves civil society and innovative use of existing domestic legal instruments

Facilitating adjustments : evaluating a series of reasonable adjustments workshops for mainstream healthcare professionals

Introduction: Having experienced several nationally reported clinical incidents East Kent Hospitals (EKH) developed data that indicated that people with Intellectual Disability (ID) were at greater risk of being admitted via A&E, and repeatedly admitting, compared to the general population. Health Education England supported EKH to undertake workshops for doctors and other local non -ID specialist professionals on making adjustments for people with ID. Methods: A team of three experts by experience – including people with ID and family carers- and three ID Nurses were employed to develop and co-facilitate a series of workshops. Practice Development methods such as Fourth Generation Evaluation were employed and included in the learning outcomes and educational methods. Results: Nine workshops were held over a two years; 120 participants attended, only 10% had a medical background. A thematic analysis of participant’s data indicated an emerging concept, preparedness. Participants wished to be better prepared to make adjustments before the patient’s arrival. Implications: This evaluation is prescient as UK parliament is due to consult on education for all healthcare professionals on ID in light of #Oliverscampaign. It is recommended that responsibility for ID education resides with service providers, employing local experts, reflecting local data, and be experiential with a work-based project component. Local informatics systems ought to flag and alert staff of people with learning disabilities using services

A Well‐Defined Anionic Dicopper(I) Monohydride Complex that Reacts like a Cluster**

Low-nuclearity copper hydrides are rare and few well-defined dicopper hydrides have been reported. Herein, we describe the first example of a structurally characterized anionic dicopper hydride complex. This complex does not display typical reactivity associated with low-nuclearity copper hydrides, such as alcoholysis or insertion reactions. Instead, its stoichiometric and catalytic reactivity is akin to that of copper hydride clusters. The distinct reactivity is ascribed to the robust dinuclear core that is bound tightly within the dinucleating ligand scaffold

Modular Lie algebras and the Gelfand-Kirillov conjecture

Let g be a finite dimensional simple Lie algebra over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. We show that if the Gelfand-Kirillov conjecture holds for g, then g has type A_n, C_n or G_2.Comment: 20 page