Union activism in an inclusive model of industrial relations : evidence from an Spanish case

In this article we analyze the reasons, within the context of Spanish industrial relations, for trade union members’ active participation in their regional union. The case of Spain is particularly interesting as the unions’ main activity, collective bargaining, is a public good. The text, based on research involving a representative survey of members of a regional branch of the “Workers” Commissions” (Comisiones Obreras) trade union, provides empirical evidence that the union presence in the workplace has a significant influence on members’ propensity for activism. By contrast, the alternative hypothesis based on instrumental reasons appears of little relevance in the Spanish industrial relations context.

High incidence of childhood hemolytic uremic syndrome in Switzerland is associated with indicators of livestock farming intensity

Background: Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a multisystem disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Typically, HUS is preceded by an episode of (bloody) diarrhea mostly due to Shiga-toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The main reservoir for STEC is the intestine of healthy ruminants, mostly cattle, and recent studies have revealed an association between indicators of livestock density and human STEC infection or HUS, respectively. Nationwide data on HUS in Switzerland have been established through the Swiss Pediatric Surveillance Unit (SPSU) [Schifferli et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2010; 169:591-8]. Aims: Analysis of age-specific incidence rate of childhood HUS and possible association of Shiga-toxin associated HUS (Stx-HUS) with indicators of livestock farming intensity. Methods: Epidemiological and ecological analysis based on the SPSU data (1997-2003) and the database of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (data on population and agriculture). Results: One hundred-fourteen cases were registered, 88% were ≤5 years old. The overall annual incidence rate was 1.42 (0.60-1.91) and 4.23 (1.76-6.19) per 100000 children ≤5 and ≤16 years, respectively (P = 0.005). Stx-HUS was more frequent compared to cases not associated with STEC (P = 0.002). The incidence rate for Stx-HUS was 3.85 (1.76-5.65) in children ≤5, compared to 0.27 (0.00-0.54) per 100'000 children 5-16 years (P = 0.002), respectively. The incidence rate of cases not associated with STEC infection did not significantly vary with age (P = 0.107). Compared to data from Scotland, Canada, Ireland, Germany, England, Australia, Italy, and Austria the annual incidence rate of HUS in young children is highest in Switzerland. Ecological analysis revealed strong association between the incidence rate of Stx-HUS and indicators of rural occupation (agricultural labourer / population, P = 0.030), farming intensity (livestock breeding farms / population, P = 0.027) and cattle density (cattle / cultivated area, P = 0.013). Conclusions: Alike in other countries, HUS in Switzerland is mostly associated with STEC infection and affects predominantly young children. However, the incidence rate is higher compared to countries abroad and is significantly correlated with indicators of livestock farming intensity. The present data support the impact of direct and indirect contact with animals or fecal contaminants in transmission of STEC to humans.

Audit report on America's Agricultural Industrial Heritage Landscape Inc., D/B/A Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, Independent Auditor's Reports, Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs, December 31, 2004 & 2005

Other Audit Reports - 28E Organizations

Productivity Growth during the English Industrial Revolution: A Dual Approach

This paper presents new estimates of total factor productivity growth in Britain for the period 1770-1860. We use a dual technique recently popularized by Hsieh (1999), and argue that the estimates we derive from factor prices are of similar quality to quantity-based calculations. Our results provide further evidence, derived from this independent set of sources, that productivity growth during the British Industrial Revolution was relatively slow. During the years 1770-1800, TFP growth was close to zero, according to our estimates. The period 1800-1830 experienced an acceleration of productivity growth. The Crafts-Harley view of the Industrial Revolution is thus reinforced. We also consider alternative explanations of slow productivity growth, and reject the interpretation that focuses on the introduction of steam as a general purpose technology.

Pharmaceutical and Industrial Traits in Genetically Modified Crops: Co-existence with Conventional Agriculture, August 2006

This paper discusses the implications of using genetically modified crops to biomanufacture pharmaceuticals and industrial compounds from the perspective of their co-existence with conventional agriculture. Such plant-made pharmaceuticals and plantmade industrial products rely on exciting scientific and technological breakthroughs and promise new opportunities for the agricultural sector, but they also entail novel risks. The management of the externalities and of the possible unintended economic effects that arise in this context is critical and poses difficult questions for regulators.

Estudo da Biodegrabilidade de um Efluente Industrial

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido numa indústria de produtos de limpeza doméstica (LD) e higiene pessoal (HP), onde está implementada uma estação de tratamento de águas residuais industriais (ETARI). Durante o estudo foi monitorizada e avaliada a biodegradabilidade de algumas substâncias base dos detergentes (tensoactivos aniónicos), nomeadamente o LAS e o SLES, bem como o efluente da indústria nas diferentes fases de tratamento implementado na ETARI. Ao longo do processo de tratamento dos fluxos que compõem as águas residuais industriais, procurou-se estabelecer relações entre parâmetros chave de avaliação do conteúdo em matéria orgânica (Carência Química Oxigénio – CQO e Carência Bioquímica Oxigénio – CBO) com os tensoactivos anteriormente referidos. Os resultados obtidos na caracterização do efluente industrial nas diferentes fases do tratamento implementado mostram eficiências de remoção de CQO na ordem dos 20% no processo de bioxidação, de 78% no processo físico-químico de coagulação/floculação, sendo a eficiência global do processo de tratamento integrado da ordem dos 82%. No que se refere ao teor de tensoactivos aniónicos foram alcançadas eficiências de remoção na ordem dos 16 e 94% respectivamente, para os processos de oxidação e físico-químico, e de 95% quando considerado todo o processo de tratamento implementado.

Audit report on America’s Agricultural Industrial Heritage Landscape, Inc., d/b/a Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area (Silos and Smokestacks), in Waterloo, Iowa for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

Audit report on America’s Agricultural Industrial Heritage Landscape, Inc., d/b/a Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area (Silos and Smokestacks), in Waterloo, Iowa for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

Efeitos da Interação Conjunta da Volatilidade das Taxas de Juro e da Dívida nas Decisões de Investimento: Evidências nas Empresas Portuguesas do Setor Industrial

Focalizando, essencialmente, sobre os efeitos da interação. conjunta da volatildade das taxas de juro e da dívida nas decisões de investimento das empresas portuguesas, listadas na Euronext Lisbon, e considerando a composição de dados em séries temporais empilhadas, extraímos 291 observações completas, durante o período de 1999 a 2009. Os resultados encontrados mostram que uma maior exposição ao risco da dívida das empresas portuguesas depende do nível de endividamento. As empresas moderadamente endividadas e amantes do risco não diminuem os seus investimentos, quando se verifica uma maior volatilidade do risco da dívida. Por outro lado, as empresas sobreendividadas e inimigas do risco respondem perante a uma maior volatilidade do risco da dívida, diminuindo os seus investimentos. Além disso, descobrimos que as empresas portuguesas reduzem os seus investimentos face a uma maior volatilidade das taxas de juro. Entretanto, fomos surpreendidos que as empresas portuguesas não reduzem os seus investimentos, face a um efeito marginal das taxas de juro. Este resultado sugere que, o benefício fiscal resultante do efeito de reavaliação da dívida (Lensink et al., 2001), é mais relevante para as empresas sobreendividadas, uma vez que podem atenuar o efeito dos encargos financeiros (Bo e Sterken, 2002).

Credit rationing and crowding out during the Industrial Revolution: Evidence from Hoare's Bank, 1702-1862

Crowding-out during the British Industrial Revolution has long been one of the leadingexplanations for slow growth during the Industrial Revolution, but little empirical evidence exists to support it. We argue that examinations of interest rates are fundamentally misguided, and that the eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century private loan market balanced through quantity rationing. Using a unique set of observations on lending volume at a London goldsmith bank, Hoare s, we document the impact of wartime financing on private credit markets. We conclude that there is considerable evidence that government borrowing, especially during wartime, crowded out private credit.