bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public debt and economic growth in advanced economies: A survey
Authors: Panizza Ugo , Presbitero Andrea F. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis paper surveys the recent literature on the links between public debt and economic growth in advanced economies. We find that theoretical models yield ambiguous results. Whether high levels of public debt have a negative effect on long-run growth is thus an empirical question. While many papers have found a negative correlation between debt and growth, our reading of the empirical literature is that there is no paper that can make a strong case for a causal relationship going from debt to economic growth. We also find that the presence of thresholds and, more in general, of a non-monotone relationship between debt and growth is not robust to small changes in data coverage and empirical techniques. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges involved in measuring and defining public debt and some suggestions for future research which, in our view, should emphasize cross-country heterogeneity.
Quantifying the impact of higher capital requirements on the Swiss economy
Authors: Junge Georg , Kugler Peter 
Published: January 2018

Summary
So far the discussion in Switzerland about the social costs and benefits of higher capital requirements resulting from the new Basel III Accord and the Swiss Too Big To Fail legislation has been heavily qualitative. This paper provides a quantitative view and estimates the long-run costs and benefits of substantially higher capital requirements using empirical evidence on Swiss banks to assess both benefits and costs. The analysis yields two main conclusions. The long-run economic benefits of higher capital requirements are substantial for the Swiss economy leading to a significantly lower probability of banking crises and associated expected losses. In contrast the costs of higher capital requirements as reflected in increased lending spreads and potential output reductions are literally non-existent.
From Lifetime Jobs to Churning?
Authors: Weber Sylvain , Luzzi Giovanni Ferro 
Published: January 2018

SummaryUsing data over 1991–2008 for Switzerland, we investigate job stability through a series of Cox proportional hazards models. Our baseline results show that employment has become less stable for older male workers, with less noticeable change for other groups. However, when destination states are considered in the model, results indicate that younger workers face more transitions towards unemployment than before, whereas older male workers’ greater instability is caused by an increase in transitions to inactivity. It thus appears that the situation of young workers has deteriorated, while the evolution of older men’s job stability is at least partly explained by the increasing number of early retirements. For women, our results are largely consistent with their increasing participation rate and attachment to the labor market.
A Simple Method for Predicting Distributions by Means of Covariates with Examples from Poverty and Health Economics
Authors: Dai Jing , Sperlich Stefan , Zucchini Walter 
Published: January 2018

SummaryWe present an integration based procedure for predicting the distributionfof an indicator of interest in situations where, in addition to the sample data, one has access to covariates that are available for the entire population. The proposed method, based on similar ideas that have been used in the literature on policy evaluation, provides an alternative to existing simulation and imputation methods. It is very simple to apply, flexible, requires no additional assumptions, and does not involve the inclusion of artificial random terms. It therefore yields reproducible estimates and allows for valid inference. It also provides a tool for future predictions, scenarios and ex-ante impact evaluation. We illustrate our procedure by predicting income distributions in a case with sample selection, and both current and future doctor visits. We find our approach outperforms other commonly used procedures substantially.
Rational Pension Policies
Authors: Börsch-Supan Axel 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Aim of this keynote is to develop a framework how to approach the design of pension policies as rationally as possible. The first step is to realize and accommodate endogenous adjustments. The second step is to align the root causes of demographic change with corresponding reform steps which include but are not confined by pension reform. The third step is to separate the issues as best as possible to strengthen the political feasibility of reform.
The paper shows that relatively few and moderate reform steps suffice to solve the demographic problem in countries such as Germany and Switzerland. This is in striking contrast to the widespread resistance to reform. We falsify some of the myths, prejudices and misperceptions which make reforms politically so hard to put into place.
Reallocation of Capital and Labor within Firms
Authors: Mueller Holger 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Understanding how internal capital and labor markets function sheds light on one of the most fundamental questions in economics: what determines the boundaries of the firm? This essay reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on internal capital markets and firm boundaries, focusing in particular on the close link between the two subjects Emphasis is placed on the question of how firms reallocate capital and labor internally across individual firm units in response to plausibly exogenous shocks The essay concludes with directions for future research.
Macroprudential Policy and Credit Supply
Authors: Peydró José-Luis 
Published: January 2018

SummaryIn this paper we analyze financial crises and the interactions of macroprudential policy and credit. Financial crises are recurrent systemic phenomena, often triggering deep and long-lasting recessions with large reductions in aggregate welfare, output and employment Importantly for policy, systemic financial crises are typically not random events triggered by exogenous events, but they tend to occur after periods of rapid, strong credit growth. Moreover, a credit crunch tends to follow in a financial crisis with negative aggregate real effects Macroprudential policy softens the credit supply cycles, with important positive effects on the aggregate real economy in crisis times.
Econometric Analysis of Ratings — with an Application to Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Studer Raphael , Winkelmann Rainer 
Published: January 2018

SummaryWe propose a new non-linear regression model for rating dependent variables. The rating scale model accounts for the upper and lower bounds of ratings. Parametric and semi-parametric estimation is discussed. An application investigates the relationship between stated health satisfaction and physical and mental health scores derived from self-reports of various health impairments, using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. We compare our new approach to modeling ratings with ordinary least squares (OLS). In one specification, OLS average effects exceed that from our rating scale model by up to 50 percent. Also, OLS in-sample mean predictions violate the upper bound of the dependent variable in a number of cases.
Immigration and Swiss House Prices
Authors: Degen Kathrin , Fischer Andreas M. 
Published: January 2018

Summary
This study examines the behavior of Swiss house prices in relation to immigration flows for 85 regions from 2001 to 2006. The results show that the nexus between immigration and house prices holds even in an environment of low house price inflation and modest immigration flows. An immigration inflow equal to 1 % of an area’s population is coincident with an increase in prices for single-family homes of about 2.7 %, a result consistent with previous studies. The overall immigration effect for single-family houses captures almost two-thirds of the total price increase.
Malleable Penile Implant Is an Effective Therapeutic Option in Men With Peyronie’s Disease and Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Habous Mohamad , Tealab Alaa , Farag Mohammed , Soliman Tarek , Williamson Ben , Mahmoud Saad , Elserafy Amin , Mekawi Zenhom , Remeah Abdallah , Nassar Mohammed , Laban Osama , Abdelwahab Osama , Binsaleh Saleh , Giona Simone , Ralph David , Mulhall John 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Background
The inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is typically the preferred implant for Peyronie’s disease (PD) and malleable penile prostheses (MPPs) have been discouraged.

Aims
To evaluate the effectiveness and patient satisfaction of the MPP vs IPP in patients with PD.

Methods
Men with PD and erectile dysfunction who elected for penile implant surgery constituted the study population. Preoperatively, demographic and comorbidity parameters were recorded. Curvature was measured with a goniometer at maximum rigidity after intracavernosal injection of a vasoactive agent. Postoperatively, overall satisfaction was measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months on 5-point Likert scale from 1 (dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied).

Results
166 men with a mean age of 59 ± 10 years were analyzed. The mean preoperative curvature in the entire cohort was 65° (range = 30–130°). 94% of patients with MPP had total resolution of their curvature at the end of the operation, whereas 8 patients (6%) had residual curvature (25–40°). In the IPP group 25 of 30 (83.3%) had a straight penis at the end of surgery, whereas 5 of 30 (16.7%) had residual curvature, with the mean magnitude being 33° in the MPP group and 30° in the IPP group. 86% of all patients had diabetes. There were no differences between the 2 implant groups in age, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, or smoking status. The mean patient satisfaction was 4.42 ± 0.70 (range = 2–5) and there was no difference between the 2 groups. The mean follow-up period was 23.4 months (range = 6–29 months).

Conclusion
We found that the MPP is as effective as the IPP in curvature correction in patients with PD, with similar patient satisfaction for the 2 groups.
Definite intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy more than 4 cycles improved survival for patients with locally‐advanced or inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Hsieh He‐Yuan , Hsu Chung‐Ping , Yeh Hui‐Ling , Chuang Cheng‐Yen , Lin Jai‐Fu , Chang Chen‐Fa 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe investigated which prognostic factor could improve survival for esophageal cancer patients who received definite concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT). Eighty patients with age ≥18, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) ≥ 60, and clinical stage T1‐4N0‐3M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled from July 2004 to December 2015. They underwent definite intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without simultaneous integrated boost to the primary tumor, and reception of concurrent chemotherapy ≥ 1 cycle. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), locoregional progression‐free survival (LRPFS) and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS). The median follow‐up duration for alive patients was 21.5 months. The rates of 2‐, 3‐ and 5‐year OS/LRPFS/DMFS were 23.8%/53.5%/49.3%, 19.1%/44.6%/49.3%, and 13.0%/44.6%/43.9%, respectively. Only the non‐clinical complete response (non‐cCR) after CCRT was an independent poor prognostic factor in OS (HR 3.101, 95% CI 1.535–6.265, p = 0.0016). Radiation dose >50.4 Gy and chemotherapy ≥4 cycles significantly predicted better LRPFS (p = 0.0361 and 0.0163, respectively). Poorly differentiated tumor and stage III disease have poor DMFS (p = 0.0336 and 0.0411, respectively), and chemotherapy ≥ 4 cycles was a better predictor (p = 0.0004). In subgroup analysis, patients who received radiation dose ≤50.4 Gy with concurrent chemotherapy ≥4 cycles had the best survival outcome with 1‐, 2‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates of 73.7%, 39.4%, 31.5% and 17.5%, respectively. In conclusion, definite radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy ≥4 cycles improved the survival for patients with inoperable or locally‐advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Volunteer association perceptions of municipal policy strategies to promote co-production of healthy ageing services
Authors: SCHEELE CHRISTIAN ELLING , VRANGBÆK KARSTEN , KRIEGBAUM MARGIT 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTCivic society voluntary associations promote healthy ageing by increasing older adults’ social and physical activity levels and through the co-production of services aimed at other senior citizens. Local governments are increasingly interested in collaborating with such associations as a policy response to an expanding ageing population. Co-production requires a flexible, network-based governance approach, which has not been examined from the voluntary associations’ point of view. This study explores how voluntary associations perceive the relevance and usefulness of public policies aimed at promoting co-production of services for ageing citizens. The study is based on quantitative data collected through a survey sent to 1,060 voluntary associations (N = 571) in three Danish municipalities. We also studied municipalities’ policies relevant to co-production of services aimed at senior citizens. We found that all of these policies included the explicit ambition of network governance of co-production of services targeted to address healthy ageing issues. However, our study indicates that the voluntary associations perceive the actual network governance to be somewhat fragmented and the corresponding scope of co-production was limited, which indicates the failure of municipalities to implement policy goals. Accordingly, municipal co-production in this area could probably benefit from the use of relevant key performance indicators that can enable political-administrative monitoring in order to secure deeper implementation and political accountability that promotes healthy ageing at the local level.
Non-kin ties as a source of support amongst older adults ‘left behind’ in Poland: a quantitative study on the role of geographic distance
Authors: CONKOVA NINA , KING RUSSELL 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTIn the transition to democracy and a market economy, the Central and Eastern European countries experienced rapid and fundamental changes. Large-scale emigration flows and pronounced reductions in previously universal welfare systems increased the phenomenon of ‘left behind’ older adults. We examine this phenomenon in the case of Poland, a rather family-oriented society which in recent years sent most emigrants to Western Europe in absolute terms. Employing a support system framework and representative survey data, we enquire into older adults’ support patterns. Our results suggest that older adults in Poland rely predominantly on family support, although this varies greatly across living arrangements. We also find a positive association between distance separating parents and their closest child, and support from at least one non-kin. Yet, our findings reveal differences between practical and emotional support, with the latter being more likely to be provided by non-kin, but with distance mattering to a lesser degree. Parents with very distant child(ren) are few and differ only from parents with very proximate child(ren), a finding prompting the question as to what is the difference between being ‘left behind’ by international and by internal migration. We conclude that the phenomenon of ‘left behind’ in Poland, at least in terms of support, is less a matter of children's migration and more an issue of household and regional context.
The Use of Electrometric Titration to Improve the Routine Prediction of Silage Intake by Lambs and Dairy Cows
Authors: Offer N.W. , Dewhurst R.J. , Thomas C. 
Published: January 2018

Inaccurate prediction of silage intake is a major source of error in ration calculation. Improvement in accuracy depends on the introduction of new routine methods to characterise better the silage fermentation. Electrometric titration has the potential to fill this role as it measures the main fermentation end-products in silage, residual sugar and gives absolute data on buffering characteristics (Offer et al., 1993).Results are presented for years 1 and 2 of a 3 year study of the use of electrometric titration of silage juice to improve the prediction of silage true DM (TDM) intake (SDMI). Fifty seven silages have been made using a variety of grass and grass-clover mixtures and a wide range of cutting dates (between 25 May and 29 September) and ensilage methods. The following additives were used : none, formic acid (2.5 l/tonne), formic acid (>5 l/tonne), Lactobacillus inoculant, molasses (16 l/tonne), molasses + inoculant. A range of wilting times (0 to 48 hr) was used and in some cases grass was left uncovered in a heap (up to 72 hr) before ensiling.
Selection for components of efficient lean growth in Landrace pigs
Authors: Curran M.K. , Cameron N.D. 
Published: January 2018

To study responses to divergent selection for lean growth rate (LGA), lean food conversion ratio (LFC) and daily food intake (DFI), an experiment was started in 1984 at Edinburgh and Wye. This paper measured the selection pressure applied, the responses in the selection criteria and estimated the genetic and phenotypic relationships between the selection criteria with ad-libitum feeding of Landrace pigs after four generations of selection.The LGA (LFC) selection objective was to obtain equal correlated responses in growth rate (food conversion ratio) and carcass lean content, measured in phenotypic s.d. The LGA, LFC and DFI selection criteria had phenotypic s.d. of 32, 29 and 270 units and results are presented in s.d. units.Boars and gilts were purchased from eight British nucleus herds and boars from national artificial insemination centres in 1982. Homozygous or heterozygous halothane positive pigs were not included in the experiment. The base population consisted of 20 sires and 89 dams. Within each of the three selection groups, there were high and low selection lines with a control line, each consisting of 10 boars and 20 gilts, with a generation interval of one year. There were two control lines, one for LGA and one for LFC and DFI, as selection groups were arrowed continuously. The total number of pigs tested per line and average inbreeding coefficient at generation 4, within selection group are given below.
Effect of selection for growth, FCR and lean % on feed intake corves in pigs
Authors: van der Steen H.A.M. , Knap P.W. 
Published: January 2018

Available technology allows pig breeding companies to automate feed intake recording during performance test. This provides data on ‘average daily feed intake’ as recorded with more traditional manual systems. It also results in feed intake curves, i.e. the relationship between ‘days on test’ and ‘daily feed intake’. This information can be used in different ways. The feed intake curve may be described using sophisticated linear or non-linear models; these may describe the feed intake curve accurately, but model parameters cannot be used easily in genetic/economic evaluation in the context of a breeding programme. A simple method to describe feed intake curves is used in this paper, allowing for easy interpretation of the results. The objective is to study the impact of existing selection procedures on the feed intake curve and the utilisation of variation in its shape in pig breeding.Performance test data of 1331 boars of a Large White based line, collected from November 1990 to March 1993 were analysed. Boars are tested over a 12 week period, starting at approximately 30 kg. Feed intake data are recorded with the Hunday FIRE system.
Influence of age of donor ewe on MOET in Texel sheep
Authors: Wolf B.T. , Mylne M.J.A. 
Published: January 2018

Smith (1986) identified the theoretical potential of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) to increase the rate of genetic improvement within nucleus sheep breeding flocks by upto 100%. The likely genetic benefits of MOET arise from the potential to overcome limits to female reproduction thus allowing increased selection intensity and reduced generation intervals among females. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential for MOET from 18 month-old maiden ewes (gimmers) in comparison with aged donor ewes.In October 1991, a group of twenty 18-month old ewes and twenty aged ewes (3.5 year-old) were synchronised into oestrus using intravaginal pessaries containing 45 mg Cronolone (Chronogest, Intervet Laboratories Ltd.) inserted for 12 days. Superovulation was achieved using 20 i.u. of ovine follicle stimulating hormone (Ovagen, Immuno-Chemical Products N.Z. Ltd) given in eight equal doses at 12-hourly intervals starting 58 hours before progestagen pessary withdrawal.
Use of the rumen simulation technique (rusitec) to provide micro-organisms for assessing forage rate-of-fermentationin vitro:effect of solid food input to rusitec
Authors: Barbi J H T , Owen E , Theodorou M K 
Published: January 2018

In a previous experiment (Barbi, Owen & Theodorou, 1993) effluent fluid from thein vitrorumen simulation technique (RUSITEC - Czerkawski & Breckenridge, 1977) was used as a source of inoculum when fermenting forage in the Pressure Transducer Technique (PTT - Theodorou, Williams, Brooks, Dhanoa, McAllan & Gill, 1993). The main objective was to replace rumen fistulated animals for assessing the fermentation kinetics of forages. However, low microbial activity in RUSITEC effluent-fluid affected the results, such that fermentation profiles were lower than those in controls inoculated with rumen liquor (Barbiet al,1993).In the present study, in an attempt to increase the microbial cellulolytic activity in the effluent fluid, we altered the particle size and increased the amount of substrate added daily to the RUSITEC vessels. Two particle sizes were examined in an attempt to enhance microbial activity and growth by increasing the availability of colonization surfaces.
The Effect of Yeast Culture Addition to Diets of Grass and Grass Silage on Rumen Bacterial Numbers
Authors: El Hassan S.M. , Newbold C.J. , Wallace R.J. 
Published: January 2018

It has been suggested that the mechanism by which yeast cultures (YC), based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, improve ruminant production is by stimulating rumen fibre digestion and microbial protein flow from the rumen. Both of these effects have in turn been related to the increases in bacterial growth in the rumen observed when YC is added to the diet. However, although it is has been shown that the effectiveness of YC in improving productivity is influenced by the composition of the diet fed (Williams and Newbold, 1990), little is known about how the ability of YC to stimulate bacterial numbers in the rumen is affected by diet composition.The effect of diet on the stimulation of bacterial numbers in the rumen by YC was investigated in the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec). Grass silage was prepared from a sward of perennial rye-grass, without the use of a preservative. Fresh grass was collected from the sward prior to ensilage and stored at -20°C. Grass (5.96 g dry matter (DM) /day) and grass silage (6.54 g DM/ day) were compared alone or supplemented with 500 mg / day YC (Yea-sacc, Alltech), in triplicate, in an experiment lasting 21 days.Four rumen cannulated sheep, allowed ad lib access to grass silage, were used to investigate further the effects of YC on bacterial numbers in the rumen in vivo. The effects of YC (4 g/ day) were investigated in a 2 × 2 factorial design with 28 day periods.