Welfare Measures Research Articles

MANEJO NUTRICIONAL E CONSCIENTIZAÇÃO NA PREVENÇÃO DA OBESIDADE EM GATOS CASTRADOS

Feline obesity is one of the most prevalent health issues in cats, especially following neutering, a method used for population control. Neutering is an essential measure for public health and animal welfare, which is also associated with increased food intake in cats. This procedure leads to a hormonal decrease, resulting in a reduced energy requirement for the animal. This combination often leads to weight gain if nutritional control is not implemented. With this in mind, the aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of cat owners, through a questionnaire, about nutritional management for neutered cats, emphasizing their specific needs, challenges following neutering, and dietary strategies to ensure their health and quality of life. A total of 54 responses were included, revealing that no owner follows the manufacturer’s feeding recommendations. Most owners understand the importance of nutrition but practice improper feeding, including the provision of treats. However, all respondents indicated a willingness to improve the animals' nutritional management with appropriate guidance. To address these issues, an informational guide was developed to provide advice on appropriate feeding and care for cats post-neutering. This guide includes information on specific nutritional needs, the importance of dietary control, suggestions for physical activities, and general care to promote feline well-being. The initiative aims to support owners in implementing more informed and effective practices, helping to prevent issues such as obesity and promoting a better quality of life for their pets. Continuous education for owners is essential to ensure that neutered cats receive adequate care, thereby contributing to their health and happiness.

Welfare measurement with income-dependent discrete choice

The expectation of the random compensating variation is the welfare change measure that is used in discrete choice models. The expectation of the equivalent variation is equally founded theoretically. When choices are income independent and income enters utilities linearly, the two measures are identical. The case of income-dependent choices remains an area for exploration. The paper provides the equivalent variation counterparts of the formulas that are available for the expectation of the compensating variation.

A Study on Employee Welfare Measures with Reference to the Garments Industry

The goal of the current study is to identify the employee welfare strategies used by the IT sector. Anything done for the comfort and betterment of employees beyond the payment of wages—which is not a requirement of the industry—is referred to as employee welfare. The main goal of employee welfare is to maintain and improve the quality of life for employees. Half of an employee's time is spent either arriving at work or departing from it. When they are comparatively worry-free, they feel that they are contributing to the organization, and when they are having issues, they believe that the organization should be helping them. Individuals have the right to be regarded as complete human beings with unique needs.

Effects of space allowance on behaviour during lairage, stress physiology, skin lesion scores and meat quality of market-weight pigs transported in an actively-ventilated vehicle in the summer

This study aimed at assessing the effects of space allowance on microclimate and pig stress during transportation in a mechanically-ventilated vehicle. On each journey (6), 114 pigs were randomly assigned to different space allowances (0.46, 0.49 or 0.59 m2/pig) tested in the near-front, middle and near-rear compartments and on the top, middle and bottom decks. In each compartment, ambient conditions (e.g., T°C and RH%) were monitored. Behaviour was recorded during lairage. A total of 162 pigs were selected for the analysis of blood hematocrit proportion and lactate, and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, and the evaluation of meat quality in the loin and ham muscles. The bottom deck was more humid before and during transport (P ≤ 0.05) and pigs from this location stood and drank more in lairage (P < 0.001). Pigs transported on the top deck had greater blood lactate and CK concentrations (P < 0.05) than those transported on the bottom deck, and when transported at 0.49 m2/pig produced paler loins (P < 0.05) than those transported at 0.46 m2/pig. The within-trailer location had a greater impact on the microclimate, collected animal welfare measures, and meat quality of pigs transported in an actively ventilated trailer than space allowance.

The formation of social groups under status concern

I study the interaction of two forces in the formation of social groups: the preference for high quality peers and the desire for status among one's peers. I examine their equilibrium effects under different market structures and find that status concern reduces the potential for and benefit of sorting - both for a social planner and a monopolist - but the interaction between preference for quality and status can make the exclusion of some agents a second-best outcome. Even in settings with complementarities, price discrimination and screening can be necessary to facilitate sorting and increase welfare. Nevertheless, positional concerns can be beneficial for welfare if they provide sufficient incentive to engage more with one's group and thus increase positive spillovers. In those cases, welfare is higher if individuals have at least some degree of status concern, even if the welfare measure ignores such relative comparisons.

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Effective Enrichment to Improve the Welfare of Caged Hens Used for Research and Teaching Purposes

Currently, there are no guidelines on housing or recommendations for practical environmental enrichments for chickens used for research and teaching purposes. This study was conducted to identify optimal enrichment programs to improve the health and welfare of caged hens used for teaching and research purposes. The 24-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens (n = 168) were allocated at random to six enrichment programs/treatments with 14 replicate cages of two birds per cage during a 5-week experiment. Hens had physical access to the following treatments: no enrichment provided (control); round, wooden perches provided (perch); scratch pads made of wood and covered with sandpaper provided (scratch pad); hanging CDs provided (hanging CD); all three enrichment forms provided (complex environment); and each enrichment form provided on a 2-week rotation (novelty). While the egg quality was consistent, the complex group had a significantly lower feed intake (p < 0.001) but similar egg mass; thus, they also had a lower feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001). Additionally, hens in the complex treatment group had the leanest average body weight at week 5 (p < 0.01). It should be noted that while some measures of welfare did show significant differences, the biological or practical difference may be negligible, as in the case of the body condition score in this study. The results show that providing three different forms of environmental enrichment had positive effects on the welfare, health condition, and laying performance of laying hens relative to no enrichment or only one enrichment item.

Air pollution and the mystery of high household savings in China

Despite consumption being a key measure of residential welfare, the relationship of the residential savings rates, an inverse proxy for household consumption, with air pollution is unclear. This study empirically examines the impact of air pollution on household savings rates, and the underlying mechanism. The results reveal that worsening air pollution significantly increases household savings rates; this finding holds under alternative variable specifications and employing instrumental variables to address endogeneity issues. The mechanism analysis demonstrates that air pollution enhances household savings rates through health risks. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that in developed areas with more comprehensive public medical service systems, the positive effect of air pollution on household savings rates weakens in second-tier cities and above as well as in high-income areas. Furthermore, improvements in commercial insurance coverage mitigates the positive effect of air pollution on household savings rates. Overall, this study explains the high savings phenomenon among Chinese households from an environmental perspective. The Chinese government should encourage the use of renewable energy, improve air pollution control, and reduce the inhibitory effects of air pollution on residential consumption.

Institutionalization Of Children And Their Overall Development

The ideal environment for children's physical, psychological, and emotional development is within a family. All children should live in supportive, protective, and caring settings that enables them to achieve their full potential. Those with inadequate or no parental care are especially at risk of missing out on such nurturing environments. Many children in India lack a stable home and family. These include abandoned, surrendered, and orphaned children, as well as destitute children with families. These children are particularly vulnerable in terms of their right to survival, development, and protection. The State is accountable for protecting the rights pertaining to these children and ensuring appropriate alternative care through its competent authorities, such as nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations. The Government also enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, which serves as the major legislative framework for child protection in India, ensuring the security, protection, education, welfare, and development of children in need. The paper attempts to explore the institutionalization of children, the shortcomings of such a process, and the felt needs of the children. It focuses on the concerns of institutionalization and the overall development of children, access to their rights, welfare provisions, and relevant legislations. It also looks at adoption as an alternative to institutionalization. The paper thus examines child care institutions from the perspective of the child and argues that institutional care should be the last resort. It also discusses contemporary social work and advocates for alternative care, along with comprehensive welfare measures to guarantee the protection and overall development of children in need

INEQUALITY AND POVERTY IN INDIA: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This research paper explores the enduring challenges of inequality and poverty in India, a nation characterized by its remarkable economic growth, cultural diversity, and social complexity. The paper delves into the multifaceted dimensions of inequality and poverty, examining their economic, social, and political underpinnings. It investigates the consequences of these challenges, including health disparities, educational inequalities, and social unrest, and underscores the imperative of proactive policy measures. The study reviews key policy implications, including poverty alleviation programs, educational reforms, healthcare initiatives, and social welfare measures. Moreover, it discusses the challenges and future directions for India as it seeks to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, ensure social inclusion, and foster good governance. In conclusion, this research underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges and achieving equitable development in India, offering a comprehensive framework for policymakers and stakeholders to consider. KEYWORDS: Inequality, Poverty, India, Economic Disparities, Social Inclusion, Policy Implications, Sustainable Development

The cage as an educational and therapeutic tool for dogs: Results of a dog’s owners questionnaire survey

IntroductionThe primary motivation for dog ownership is companionship, significantly enhancing the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. However, behavioral problems can strain this bond, leading many owners to resort to caging as a management strategy. This study aims to examine the frequency of cage use for educational and behavioral reasons, assess its efficacy in modifying behaviors, and explore potential welfare implications. Materials and methodsA 41-question survey was disseminated via social networks from January to June 2021, collecting data on various aspects related to dogs, including caging history, duration, type of cage, outcomes for training purposes, behavioral modification plans, and welfare impact. The survey, available in French, English, and Hebrew, gathered responses from 1305 dog owners across 23 countries. ResultsThe study found that 25.4 % of respondents used cages for their dogs. Neutered female dogs were more likely to be caged than their counterparts. The majority of caged dogs were puppies aged 6 months or younger, typically caged for training purposes. According to owners report, training goals were more easily achieved than behavioral goals, with dogs caged for behavioral conditions exhibiting more signs of distress. DiscussionThe findings highlight the prevalent use of caging for various purposes. If the study outcomes show an overall low level of discomfort for caged dogs, they also emphasize that signs of distress significantly increase when the cage is used for managing behavioral issues. The study underscores the need for enhanced education for veterinarians and trainers to reduce unnecessary caging and promote alternative management strategies. Future research should incorporate objective measures of behavior and welfare, explore the efficacy of alternative strategies, and investigate cultural factors influencing caging practices. ConclusionCrating can serve educational purposes with minimal welfare impact when used appropriately. However, it is ineffective and potentially detrimental when used for behavioral therapy in dogs with behavioral disorders. Owners should seek professional guidance and closely monitor their dogs for signs of distress when using crates. Using a crate as a personal and protected space can be beneficial if the dog retains control over its use.

Regional Macro Policies for People's Happiness

Currently, the most complete measure of community welfare is the happiness index because this measure is based on community subjectivity. This study aims to determine the effect of per capita income, minimum wage, income inequality and gross enrollment rates on the Happiness Index in Indonesia. The research objects are 34 provinces in Indonesia. The data used are secondary data for 2014, 2017 and 2021. The data source is the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics. Using the panel data regression, the results show that per capita income, income inequality, minimum wage and gross enrollment rates together have a significant effect on the happiness index. and partially the per capita income variable has no significant positive effect on the happiness index while income inequality has no significant negative effect on the happiness index, conversely the minimum wage variable and gross enrollment rate have a significant positive effect on the happiness index in Indonesia. In order to increase the happiness index, it is recommended that the provincial government periodically review the minimum wage policy, increase the gross enrollment rate and increase per capita income and reduce income inequality.

The impact of financial inclusion on rural–urban households welfare inequality in Ghana: A decomposition analysis

AbstractThis article examined the impact of financial inclusion on rural–urban households' welfare inequality in Ghana using nationally representative survey data sourced from the seventh round of the Ghana Living Standard Survey. The article used a multidimensional financial exclusion index and the real per adult equivalent measures of total annual household consumption expenditure as measures of financial inclusion and welfare, respectively. The article employed the instrumental variable estimation technique to account for the issues of endogeneity and sample selectivity bias associated with measuring financial inclusion. The estimated results from recentered influenced function‐Ordinary Least Squares of the unconditional quantile regression and the Oaxaca‐Blinder techniques show significant rural–urban welfare gaps in favor of urban households at the mean and across the selected quantiles. The study also found that differences in financial inclusion between rural and urban households contribute significantly to the welfare gaps, while the economic returns to financial inclusion reduce the welfare gaps both at the mean and the selected quantiles. The study recommends that policies aimed at improving financial inclusion as well as strengthening financial institutions in rural areas be put in place to help reduce the rural–urban welfare inequality in Ghana.

Demographic obstacles to European growth

The growth rates of the four largest European economies – France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom – have slowed in recent decades. The persistence of the slowdown suggests that a low-frequency structural change is at work. Longer life expectancy and declining fertility have led to gradually ageing populations. These demographic trends contribute to economic growth directly through aggregate savings and labor supply decisions and indirectly through distortionary taxes needed to fund pension systems. We provide a structural framework to quantify the demographic contributions to historical and future growth rates. Several reforms have been suggested to increase late-life labor supply and, through that, output growth. Our structural framework also gives a welfare measure to evaluate these proposed reforms. The welfare implications are heterogeneous across age, wealth, and income. Welfare heterogeneity offers some insights into the political economy of pension reforms and the opposition to their implementation despite the projected increase in aggregate output growth.

Industrial Relation Climate and Provision of Labour Welfare Measures in Manufacturing Sector

The study was conducted on a sample population of 150 employees of two manufacturing units based in West Bengal, India. Mostly permanent workers at plant level and employees of the zonal offices were considered for the purpose of the study. The overall objectives of the study focus on finding the general causes of job dissatisfaction and industrial fatigue among workers in the manufacturing sector, including the problem of industrial relations and getting proper statutory labour welfare benefits. Improper job scheduling, overburden of work and job complexities were some of the major factors of industrial fatigues that had been detected from structured questionnaire survey. Though majority of the employees revealed that the general industrial climate was good, in many cases employees were not aware of the claim settlement procedure about various provisions under the Gratuity Act and ESI Act leading to delays and payments not being received in time. This study also established the fact that overall industrial relation climate, availability of welfare measures and awareness level of the employees about different social security schemes varies with the educational level, total tenure of the employees in the present company and total years of working experience of the employees in the manufacturing sector. Lastly, lack of proper trade union to reflect employee grievances, proper training and engagement programmes are the other causes of disengagement and attrition of employees in the manufacturing sector, as also reflected from this study.

Welfare comparisons within countries beyond GDP: An application to Nigeria

This study implements a novel method to assess subnational welfare differences, addressing the limitations of traditional measures based solely on output or consumption, and ordinal measures such as HDI. We develop a unified and theoretically grounded welfare measure that incorporates consumption, leisure, inequality in consumption and leisure, and life expectancy. The resulting welfare measure is cardinal and interpretable as a consumption equivalent, offering an advantage over ordinal indices such as HDI. Applying this method to Nigeria, the analysis reveals that welfare is positively correlated with consumption and HDI because all incorporate aspects of consumption, inequality, and health. However, welfare differences are four times greater than those suggested by consumption alone, with significantly different rankings, underscoring the critical roles of health and inequality in welfare. Additionally, the innovative inclusion of leisure, measured as non-labor time, significantly changes welfare rankings compared to HDI or IHDI.

Is the output growth rate in NIPA a welfare measure?

Abstract This paper shows that, in a dynamic general equilibrium framework, the rate of output growth as measured by national income and product accounts reflects changes in welfare in the precise sense of equivalent variation. The main argument is straightforward. In a two-sector dynamic general equilibrium model of heterogeneous households, recursive preferences and quasi-concave technology, the Bellman equation provides a representation of household preferences over current consumption and investment. When applied to this representation of preferences, a Fisher–Shell true quantity index turns out to be equal to the Divisia index, closely approximated by the Fisher ideal chain index used in national income and product accounts.

Effects of temporary access to environmental enrichment on measures of laboratory mouse welfare

Laboratory mice are typically housed in “shoebox” cages with limited opportunities to engage in natural behaviour. Temporary access to environments with increased space and complexity (playpens) may improve mouse welfare. Previous work by our group has shown that mice are motivated to access and use these environments, but it is unknown how other aspects of welfare are impacted. Female C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, and DBA/2J mice (n = 21; 7 mice per strain) were housed in mixed-strain trios and given temporary access to a large playpen with their cage mates three times per week. Control mice (n = 21; 7 mice per strain) remained in their home cages. Home cage behaviour (development of stereotypic behaviour over time, aggression following cage-changing) and anxiety tests were used to assess how playpen access impacted welfare. Contrary to our predictions, we found increased time spent performing stereotypies in playpen mice; this difference may be related to negative emotional states, increased motivation to escape the home cage, or active coping strategies. Playpen access resulted in strain-dependent improvements in aggression and some measures of anxiety. Aggression was lower for C57BL/6J mice in the playpen treatment following cage changing than it was for C57BL/6J control mice, while playpen mice, and particularly the C57BL/6J strain, spent more time in the center of the open field test and produced fewer fecal boli during anxiety testing, supporting other research showing that strain differences play an important role in behaviour and stress resiliency.

Employee Assistance Programs for Indigenous People in the Workplace

According to a survey regarding indigenous employment, in Taiwan, a high proportion of indigenous people are engaged in construction work compared with the overall population. However, among indigenous construction workers, 56.15% have received no occupational safety or health training, and 9.39% have encountered occupational accidents in their workplaces. Therefore, this study aimed to develop employee assistance programs (EAPs) for indigenous workers in Taiwan by focusing on three dimensions—namely work, life, and health—and by establishing corresponding implementation paths for these EAPs. A modified Delphi method was adopted to screen EAP measures for the workplaces of indigenous workers, and a formal evaluation followed. Subsequently, the analytic hierarchy process was employed to calculate the overall weights among the factors in order to discern the relative importance of each factor in achieving the target goal or to resolve target problems and establish an order of priority. The results indicated that health was the most important of the three dimensions of indigenous EAPs, followed by the life dimension and then the work dimension. Compared with previous studies regarding Han Taiwanese workers, mental health services in the health dimension were particularly important in the present study. Finally, regarding the health dimension, this study suggests developing mental health services that respect indigenous culture and therefore are appropriate for indigenous people, such as the establishment of drug and alcohol addiction support groups and mental health service systems. In addition, corresponding welfare measures can be offered to enhance people’s motivation to change.

Ensuring employee well-being: a study on health, safety and welfare measures in the automobile service sector

Ensuring employee well-being: a study on health, safety and welfare measures in the automobile service sector

A STUDY ON LABOUR WELFARE MEASURE TOWARDS MANO CONE PRODUCTS WITH REFERENCE TO MADURAI

A STUDY ON LABOUR WELFARE MEASURE TOWARDS MANO CONE PRODUCTS WITH REFERENCE TO MADURAI