Getting the unemployed back to work: the role of targeted wage subsidies

This paper examines alternative approaches to wage subsidy programmes. It does this in the context of a recent active labour market reform for the young unemployed in Britain. This ÓŽew DealÔ reform and the characteristics of the target group are examined in detail. We discuss theoretical considerations, survey the existing empirical evidence and propose two strategies for evaluation. The first suggests an expost Ñ´rend adjusted diÄ¥rence in diÄ¥rence' estimator. The second, relates to a model based ex-ante evaluation. We present the conditions for each to provide a reliable evaluation and Å´ some of the crucial parameters using data from the British Labour Force Survey. We stress that the success of this type of labour market programmes hinge on dynamic aspects of the youth labour market, in particular the pay-off to experience and training.

Beneficial effects of exercise: shifting the focus from body weight to other markers of health

Background: Exercise is widely promoted as a method of weight management, while the other health benefits are often ignored. The purpose of this study was to examine whether exercise-induced improvements in health are influenced by changes in body weight. Methods: Fifty-eight sedentary overweight/obese men and women (BMI 31.8 (SD 4.5) kg/m2) participated in a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise intervention (70% heart rate max, five times a week, 500 kcal per session). Body composition, anthropometric parameters, aerobic capacity, blood pressure and acute psychological response to exercise were measured at weeks 0 and 12. Results: The mean reduction in body weight was −3.3 (3.63) kg (p<0.01). However, 26 of the 58 participants failed to attain the predicted weight loss estimated from individuals’ exercise-induced energy expenditure. Their mean weight loss was only −0.9 (1.8) kg (p<0.01). Despite attaining a lower-than-predicted weight reduction, these individuals experienced significant increases in aerobic capacity (6.3 (6.0) ml/kg/min; p<0.01), and a decreased systolic (−6.00 (11.5) mm Hg; p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (−3.9 (5.8) mm Hg; p<0.01), waist circumference (−3.7 (2.7) cm; p<0.01) and resting heart rate (−4.8 (8.9) bpm, p<0.001). In addition, these individuals experienced an acute exercise-induced increase in positive mood. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that significant and meaningful health benefits can be achieved even in the presence of lower-than-expected exercise-induced weight loss. A less successful reduction in body weight does not undermine the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise. From a public health perspective, exercise should be encouraged and the emphasis on weight loss reduced

Evaluating the employment impact of a mandatory job search assistance program

This paper is an evaluation of the British labor market program the "New Deal for the Young Unemployed" using administrative panel data on individuals between 1982 and 1999. This mandatory program involves extensive job assistance followed by various other options, including wage subsidies. We exploit the differential timing of the introduction of the program across regions as well as age-related eligibility rules to identify the program effect. Estimates of the employment effects of the mandatory job search assistance part of the program are presented using a variety of estimation techniques exploring combined "difference in differences" and matching procedures. Our key finding is that unemployed men are now 20% more likely to gain jobs than prior to the New Deal.

Structure and Magnetic Fields in the Precessing Jet System SS 433 II. Intrinsic Brightness of the Jets

Deep Very Large Array imaging of the binary X-ray source SS 433, sometimes classified as a microquasar, has been used to study the intrinsic brightness distribution and evolution of its radio jets. The intrinsic brightness of the jets as a function of age at emission of the jet material tau is recovered by removal of the Doppler boosting and projection effects. We find that intrinsically the two jets are remarkably similar when compared for equal tau, and that they are best described by Doppler boosting of the form D^{2+alpha}, as expected for continuous jets. The intrinsic brightnesses of the jets as functions of age behave in complex ways. In the age range 60 < tau < 150 days, the jet decays are best represented by exponential functions of tau, but linear or power law functions are not statistically excluded. This is followed by a region out to tau ~ 250 days during which the intrinsic brightness is essentially constant. At later times the jet decay can be fit roughly as exponential or power law functions of tau.Comment: 30 Pages, 11 Figures, Submitted to Ap

Can guidelines improve referral to elective surgical specialties for adults? A systematic review

Aim To assess effectiveness of guidelines for referral for elective surgical assessment. Method Systematic review with descriptive synthesis. Data sources Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane database up to 2008. Hand searches of journals and websites. Selection of studies Studies evaluated guidelines for referral from primary to secondary care, for elective surgical assessment for adults. Outcome measures Appropriateness of referral (usually measured as guideline compliance) including clinical appropriateness, appropriateness of destination and of pre-referral management (eg, diagnostic investigations), general practitioner knowledge of referral appropriateness, referral rates, health outcomes and costs. Results 24 eligible studies (5 randomised control trials, 6 cohort, 13 case series) included guidelines from UK, Europe, Canada and the USA for referral for musculoskeletal, urological, ENT, gynaecology, general surgical and ophthalmological conditions. Interventions varied from complex (“one-stop shops”) to simple guidelines. Four randomized control trials reported increases in appropriateness of pre-referral care (diagnostic investigations and treatment). No evidence was found for effects on practitioner knowledge. Mixed evidence was reported on rates of referral and costs (rates and costs increased, decreased or stayed the same). Two studies reported on health outcomes finding no change. Conclusions Guidelines for elective surgical referral can improve appropriateness of care by improving prereferral investigation and treatment, but there is no strong evidence in favour of other beneficial effects

Evidence of complex involvement of serotonergic genes with restrictive and binge purge subtypes of anorexia nervosa

Peer reviewedPreprin

Will spin-relaxation times in molecular magnets permit quantum information processing?

Using X-band pulsed electron spin resonance, we report the intrinsic spin-lattice ($T_1$) and phase coherence ($T_2$) relaxation times in molecular nanomagnets for the first time. In Cr$_7M$ heterometallic wheels, with $M$ = Ni and Mn, phase coherence relaxation is dominated by the coupling of the electron spin to protons within the molecule. In deuterated samples $T_2$ reaches 3 $\mu$s at low temperatures, which is several orders of magnitude longer than the duration of spin manipulations, satisfying a prerequisite for the deployment of molecular nanomagnets in quantum information applications.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, in press at Physical Review Letter

The concept of ‘boundary’ within the field of counselling

The concept of ‘boundary’ is ingrained within the counselling literature and ethical frameworks and is often reported by counsellors as part of their experience of counselling. Yet the academic research base in the United Kingdom (UK) upon which the concept is based is limited, with much being derived from the American psychiatric and psychotherapy literature. There is an even greater absence of UK research which considers the concept of boundary from the counsellors’ perspective. This thesis seeks to begin to address that gap in knowledge. It presents qualitative research which explores in depth how counsellors understand and experience the concept of boundary in their practice. Using a phenomenological approach, interviews were completed with seven qualified and practicing counsellors in the UK. These interviews are analysed using multiple qualitative methods. These methods produced their own methodological insights. Six major findings are identified in the interviews: the participants had an idiosyncratic understanding of ‘boundary’ which means no single definition can be stated. Participants find it difficult to define boundaries but are easily able to articulate how they responded to ‘boundary issues’. Participants have their own ‘boundary attitude’ that is their own unique general approach to boundaries which is mainly influenced by their own values and beliefs. This approach does not necessarily correlate with their modality’s traditional view of boundaries. Participants’ feelings of shame (or their apprehension of feeling shame) is a highly influential factor in how they respond to boundary issues. Participants respond to boundary issues with defensive practice when they experience feelings of shame or are fearful of experiencing shame. Participants use a thickening of boundaries to protect themselves from the threat of experiencing shame. This thesis proposes two models based on the participants’ understandings and experience of ‘boundary’. The Boundary Process Map charts out the overall process of how participants experience boundary issues in their practice. The Boundary Response Model (BRM) identifies more specifically how participants respond to boundary issues. These models have influenced the creation of two sets of questions; Boundary Attitude Questions and Boundary Issue Questions which can be used by counsellors, supervisors and trainers to support counsellors in exploring their general attitude and understanding towards boundaries whilst also exploring their response to specific boundary issues. This thesis is the first study to explore boundaries from the perspective of the counsellor. Therefore, this research offers valuable new insights into the concept whilst also identifying potential new areas of study. Furthermore, this research proposes new insights for training and practice of counsellors when working with boundary issues including terminological recommendations

Structured, aerobic exercise reduces fat mass and is partially compensated through energy intake but not energy expenditure in women

Background Exercise-induced weight loss is often less than expected and highly variable in men and women. Behavioural compensation for the exercise-induced energy deficit could be through energy intake (EI), non-exercise physical activity (NEPA) or sedentary behaviour (SB). We investigated this issue in women. Methods Twenty-four overweight [body mass index (BMI) M = 27.9 kg/m2, SD = 2.7] women [age M = 33.1 years, SD = 11.7] completed 12-weeks of supervised exercise (5×500kcal per week) in a non-randomised pre-post intervention study. Body mass (BM), waist circumference (WC), body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), total daily EI, individual meals, appetite sensations and appetite-related peptides were measured at baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12). Free-living physical activity (PA) and SB were measured (SenseWear) at baseline, week 1 and 10 of the exercise intervention, and at post-intervention (week 13). Results Following the 12-week exercise intervention BM [p = .04], BMI [p = .035], WC [p  .05]. There was no compensatory reduction in NEPA [p > .05] and no increase in SB, rather there was a decrease in SB during the exercise intervention [p = .03]. Conclusions Twelve-weeks of supervised aerobic exercise resulted in a significant reduction in FM and an increase in FFM. Exercise increased hunger and EI which only partially compensated for the increase in energy expenditure. There was no evidence for a compensatory reduction in NEPA or an increase in SB. Dietary intervention, as an adjunct to exercise, may offset the compensatory increase in EI and result in a greater reduction in BM