Taxes, Efficiency and Economic Growth

In the third paper on taxation, Jack M. Mintz and Thomas A. Wilson consider the best way to allocate the “fiscal dividend”. This is the amount available to the government that can be used for tax cuts or expenditure increases within the framework of a balanced budget. In their view, although the current growth recession will reduce the potential surplus somewhat, the medium-term outlook is still for increasing surpluses. Concerned about lagging economic growth and emphasizing the importance of efficiency and productivity growth, they argue that priority should be given to debt reduction and tax cuts designed to stimulate investment and potential growth. Mintz and Wilson make the case that a large part of the remaining fiscal dividend should be allocated towards reducing the relatively large personal income tax burden faced by many Canadian families and individuals. But they also stress that it is important to steadily reduce payroll and business taxes as well. This case is supported by extensive international comparisons of taxes in Canada with other countries that show that the burden of taxation is higher in Canada than in many other industrialized countries. It is also bolstered by the results of simulations, using the FOCUS macroeconometric model, of a fiscal package containing significant debt reduction, modest spending increases and cuts in personal, business and payroll taxes. These simulations show such a fiscal package should have favourable supply-side effects on output, employment and productivity over the medium term. In addition, since their analysis reveals that there are still important issues of tax structure that need to be addressed, they recommend that the government establish a task force to review personal income taxes and to consider the need for additional tax cuts. Finally, Mintz and Wilson also remind us that while planned debt reduction is an important component of a growth-oriented fiscal policy, in the short run the size of the surplus should be allowed to vary with the level of economic activity. Otherwise fiscal policy will exacerbate the slowdown that is currently underway.FOCUS, Taxation, Simulation, Forecast, Efficiency, Growth, Debt Reduction

The central density of a neutron star is unaffected by a binary companion at linear order in μ/R\mu/R

Recent numerical work by Wilson, Mathews, and Marronetti [J. R. Wilson, G. J. Mathews and P. Marronetti, Phys. Rev. D 54, 1317 (1996)] on the coalescence of massive binary neutron stars shows a striking instability as the stars come close together: Each star's central density increases by an amount proportional to 1/(orbital radius). This overwhelms any stabilizing effects of tidal coupling [which are proportional to 1/(orbital radius)^6] and causes the stars to collapse before they merge. Since the claimed increase of density scales with the stars' mass, it should also show up in a perturbation limit where a point particle of mass $\mu$ orbits a neutron star. We prove analytically that this does not happen; the neutron star's central density is unaffected by the companion's presence to linear order in $\mu/R$. We show, further, that the density increase observed by Wilson et. al. could arise as a consequence of not faithfully maintaining boundary conditions.Comment: 3 pages, REVTeX, no figures, submitted to Phys Rev D as a Rapid Communicatio

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health services in the United States: Origins, evolution, and contemporary landscape

Background LGBT community organizations in the United States have been providing health services since at least the 1970s. However, available explanations for the origins of LGBT health services do not sufficiently explain why health in particular has been so closely and consistently linked to LGBT activism. Little is also known regarding how LGBT health services may have evolved over time with the growing scientific understanding of LGBT health needs. Methods This study begins with a review of the early intersections of sexuality and health that led to an LGBT health movement in the United States, as well as the evolution of LGBT health services over time. Informed by this, an asset map displaying the location and types of services provided by “LGBT community health centers” today in relation to the population density of LGBT people was explored. An online search of LGBT community health centers was conducted between September–December, 2015. Organizational details, including physical addresses and the services provided, were confirmed via an online database of federally-registered non-profit organizations and organizational websites. The locations and types of services provided were analyzed and presented alongside county-level census data of same-sex households using geographic information system (GIS) software ArcGIS for Desktop. Findings LGBT community health centers are concentrated within urban hubs and coastal states, and are more likely to be present in areas with a high density of same-sex couples. LGBT community health centers do not operate in 13 states. The most common health services provided are wellness programs, HIV/STI services, and counseling services. Conclusions LGBT community health centers have adapted over time to meet the needs of LGBT people. However, significant gaps in service remain in the United States, and LGBT community health centers may require significant transformations going forward in order to continue serving LGBT people

Fluctuations in depression and well-being are associated with sexual risk episodes among HIV-positive men

Peer reviewedPostprin

Evaluation of the accuracy of serum MMP-9 as a test for colorectal cancer in a primary care population

Background Bowel cancer is common and is a major cause of death. Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials estimates that screening for colorectal cancer using faecal occult blood (FOB) test reduces mortality from colorectal cancer by 16%. However, FOB testing has a low positive predictive value, with associated unnecessary cost, risk and anxiety from subsequent investigation, and is unacceptable to a proportion of the target population. Increased levels of an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) have been found to be associated with colorectal cancer, and this can be measured from a blood sample. Serum MMP-9 is potentially an accurate, low risk and cost-effective population screening tool. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of serum MMP-9 as a test for colorectal cancer in a primary care population. Methods/Design People aged 50 to 69 years, who registered in participating general practices in the West Midlands Region, will be asked to complete a questionnaire that asks about symptoms. Respondents who describe any colorectal symptoms (except only abdominal bloating and/or anal symptoms) and are prepared to provide a blood sample for MMP9 estimation and undergo a colonoscopy (current gold standard investigation) will be recruited at GP based clinics by a research nurse. Those unfit for colonoscopy will be excluded. Colonoscopies will be undertaken in dedicated research clinics. The accuracy of MMP-9 will be assessed by comparing the MMP-9 level with the colonoscopy findings, and the combination of factors (e.g. symptoms and MMP-9 level) that best predict a diagnosis of malignancy (invasive disease or polyps) will be determined. Discussion Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Most colorectal cancers arise from adenomas and there is a period for early detection by screening, but available tests have risks, are unacceptable to many, have high false positive rates or are expensive. This study will establish the potential of serum MMP-9 as a screening test for colorectal cancer. If it is confirmed as accurate and acceptable, this serum marker has the potential to assist with reducing the morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer

Effect of feed upon the quality of milk

The teachings of some of our prominent agricultural chemists upon this subject— teachings which have received wide circulation only so recently that they will be new to most of our readers— may be stated as follows: First, In general— that while quantity of milk is largely dependent upon the kind of feed consumed, quality (i. e. composition) is almost independent of it; in other words that the quality of milk cannot be materially changed by varying the kind or composition of the feed. Second, In detail— that neither the percentage of fat nor o f total solids in the milk is materially influenced by the kind or the composition of feed consumed; that these percentages are fixed by the constitution or individuality of each animal, and so firmly fixed that to change them to any considerable extent and for any length of time, by feeding, is impossible

Hog experiment No. 1

The result of this experiment shows that 2000 pounds of grain produced 6263/4 pounds live weight, or 17.3 pounds of growth for every bushel of corn and equivalent; that we can approximate one dollar per bushel for corn when pork is five and one-half cents per pound; that the dam can be made to increase in flesh during the suckling period; that the proper balancing of the ration is necessary to secure these results. The object of this experiment is to determine the most profitable development of a litter of pigs and the maintenance of the dam. In other words to produce the greatest possible live weight with a given quantity of grain without detriment to the vigor and constitution of the growing animal. The experiment, therefore, involves two points, namely, increase of flesh and fat in proper balance with increase of bone and skin. The subject is a registered Poland China sow, two years old. She was purchased of W. M. McFadden, West Liberty, Iowa. She scored second in points of excellence at the State Fair one year ago. So we have a good animal to start with. She farrowed March 3, 1891. Her litter consisted of four pigs, three boars and one sow. The pigs and dam were weighed when the pigs were thirty-six hours old. The weight of the pigs, was thirteen and one-fourth pounds; weight of dam, 348 pounds. The weighing was done March 4, at two o’ clock p. m . The supplementary feed was prepared by mixing ground barley, oil meal, corn and cob meal and bran, the mixture being soaked thirty-six hours in cold water before feeding. The principal feed was ear corn, and shelled corn soaked. The sow was fed three times a day during the first two periods and twice a day thereafter

Calf feeding experiments

The state of Iowa has within a few years developed dairying in many counties to such an extent that great interest attaches to methods of feeding calves during the first four months of their lives, and until they have reached the age when grains, grasses and fodders will carry them on through the rearing period. Our farmers adopt various methods in calf raising. Special beef producers permit the calf to follow the dam until it is five or six months old, others yard the calves, and admit the cows twice a day. Those who want milk as a feature of profit resort to various methods. Some farmers require one cow to suckle two calves, while they milk the other cow. Others milk the cows, and after the calf has reached a certain age, varying with varying opinions of the proper time to stop feeding new milk, they raise the calf on skim milk, with different grains added. Still others, feed skim milk from the beginning, caring little for the calf, and relying for profit on the milk. What is most economical has not been demonstrated. The state has such great abundance of corn and other grains, such fine grasses and fodders that, the production of beef will always be a leading industry. It is also well settled that, the average farmer can not afford to give all of a cow’s milk for a year, to the raising of her calf, and cows that suckle seldom give milk long after the calf is removed. Our farmers who desire to make milk a profitable feature of the farm are leaning more and more to the belief that the calf must be raised by hand