Showing papers by "Economic and Social Research Institute published in 2019"
16 Jan 2019
TL;DR: Meta-analysis of available studies indicates that in the first year post-stroke, 4 in 10 patients display a level of cognitive impairment that does not meet the criteria for dementia.
Abstract: IntroductionIncreasing attention is being paid to interventions for cognitive impairment (CI) post-stroke, including for CI that does not meet dementia criteria. The aim of this paper was to conduc...
100 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: Lassopack as discussed by the authors is a suite of programs for regularized regression in Stata, which implements lasso, square-root lasso and elastic net, ridge regression and post-estimation OLS.
Abstract: This article introduces lassopack, a suite of programs for regularized regression in Stata. lassopack implements lasso, square-root lasso, elastic net, ridge regression, adaptive lasso and post-estimation OLS. The methods are suitable for the high-dimensional setting where the number of predictors $p$ may be large and possibly greater than the number of observations, $n$. We offer three different approaches for selecting the penalization (`tuning') parameters: information criteria (implemented in lasso2), $K$-fold cross-validation and $h$-step ahead rolling cross-validation for cross-section, panel and time-series data (cvlasso), and theory-driven (`rigorous') penalization for the lasso and square-root lasso for cross-section and panel data (rlasso). We discuss the theoretical framework and practical considerations for each approach. We also present Monte Carlo results to compare the performance of the penalization approaches.
78 citations
TL;DR: This article found that gender differences in job preferences contribute 10% to the gender wage gap, which is more than job tenure, previous employment status or field of study, and the role of job preferences is particularly strong at the top of the wage distribution.
Abstract: The gender wage gap has declined over time. However, most of the remaining gap is unexplained, partly because of gender convergence in wage‐determining characteristics. In this paper, we show the degree of convergence differs substantially across Europe. In some countries, predominantly in Eastern Europe, the gender wage gap is entirely unexplained. However, in other countries, differences between the characteristics of men and women explain a relatively large proportion of the wage gap. Gender differences in job preferences contribute 10% to the wage gap, which is more than job tenure, previous employment status or field of study. The role of job preferences is particularly strong at the top of the wage distribution.
74 citations
TL;DR: The UK exit from the European Union (Brexit) is likely to have a range of impacts, with trade flows one of the most immediate areas where the effects will become evident as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The UK exit from the European Union (Brexit) is likely to have a range of impacts, with trade flows one of the most immediate areas where the effects will become evident. One possible outco...
68 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a mixed complementarity model to simulate an electricity market to determine how the participation of demand response in capacity markets impacts on market outcomes and found that demand response's participation in the capacity market can combat these increased capacity prices.
59 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw upon experiences from European countries to identify key outcomes associated with large-scale implementation of biogas and biomethane production, including policy instruments, farm intensification, and supply chain risks.
Abstract: While a rich body of literature has looked at greenhouse gas emissions in biogas production systems and the potential impacts of biogas production on food supply, broader issues relating to the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainability need to be carefully considered. Drawing upon experiences from European countries, key outcomes associated with large-scale implementation of biogas and biomethane production are identified. Topics of particular interest include policy instruments, farm intensification, and supply chain risks. Conclusions are drawn by recommending policy directions for countries such as Ireland that are at earlier developmental stages for biogas and biomethane deployment.
51 citations
TL;DR: Support is provided for the potential of psychological interventions to improve overall cognitive function post-stroke and specific cognitive domains, such as memory and attention also demonstrated a benefit of Psychological interventions.
Abstract: Objective: Cognitive impairment is a pervasive outcome of stroke, reported in over half of patients 6 months post-stroke and is associated with increased disability and a poorer quality of life. Despite the prevalence of post-stroke cognitive impairment, the efficacy of existing psychological interventions for the rehabilitation of cognitive impairment following stroke has yet to be established. The aim of this study is to identify psychological interventions from non-randomised studies that intended to improve post-stroke cognitive function and establish their efficacy.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomised studies of psychological interventions addressing post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Data sources: Electronic searches were performed in the Pubmed, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases, the search dating from inception to February 2017.
Eligibility criteria: All non-randomised controlled studies and quasi-randomised controlled trials examining psychological interventions to improve cognitive function following stroke were included, such as feasibility studies, pilot studies, experimental studies, and quasi-experimental studies. The primary outcome was cognitive function. The prespecified secondary outcomes were functional abilities in daily life and quality of life.
Methods: The current meta-analyses combined the findings of seven controlled studies, examining the efficacy of psychological interventions compared with treatment-as-usual controls or active controls, and 13 one-group pre-post studies.
Results: Results indicated an overall small effect on cognition across the controlled studies (Hedges' g=0.38, 95% CI=0.06 to 0.7) and a moderate effect on cognition across the one-group pre-post studies (Hedges' g=0.51, 95% CI=0.3 to 0.73). Specific cognitive domains, such as memory and attention also demonstrated a benefit of psychological interventions.
Conclusions: This review provides support for the potential of psychological interventions to improve overall cognitive function post-stroke. Limitations of the study, in terms of risk of bias and quality of included studies, and future research directions are explored.
49 citations
TL;DR: For example, the authors found that the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college programs is explained by differential subject choices and grades in secondary school.
44 citations
TL;DR: Adverse childhood experiences and low income interact and independently predict obesity risk in early adolescence, with a significant interaction between income and adverse childhood experiences.
Abstract: Objective To determine whether adverse childhood experiences were associated with weight gain and obesity risk in adolescence. Methods We analyzed data from 6942 adolescents followed between 9 and 13 years of age in the Growing Up in Ireland cohort study. The main exposures were 14 adverse childhood experiences, 4 of which were included in the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) study. The primary outcome was incident overweight and obesity at 13 years. Secondary outcomes included prevalent overweight/obesity and weight gain. Results More than 75% of the youth experienced an adverse experience and 17% experienced an ACE-specific experience before 9 years. At 13 years, 48% were female and 31.4% were overweight or obese. After adjusting for confounding, exposure to any adverse experience was associated with prevalent overweight/obesity (aOR: 1.56; 1.19-2.05) and incident overweight/obesity (adjusted IRR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.37-3.39), while exposure to an ACE-specific exposure was associated weight gain (BMI Z score change = 0.202; 95% CI: 0.100-0.303). A significant interaction between income and adverse childhood experiences was observed for both incident overweight/obesity and weight gain (BMI Z change: -0.046; 95% CI: -0.092 to 0.000). Conclusions Adverse childhood experiences and low income interact and independently predict obesity risk in early adolescence.
44 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that the theory of planned behaviour is appropriate to model individuals' behavioural intention and can be used to tailor marketing activities aiming at increasing people's pro-environmental behaviours.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the potential of power-to-gas to provide flexibility and enhance system integration of renewables is considered, and the authors present a stochastic electricity market model.
TL;DR: Results indicate that incorporation of UC constraints improve the performance of conventional generators in terms of increased capacity utilization, and help to assess flexibility requirements with high RESs.
TL;DR: In the last decade, migration across Europe has continued to increase and therefore, offering educational support for migrant students in the schools of host countries has been an extensively de... as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Over the last decades, migration across Europe has continued to increase. Consequently, offering educational support for migrant students in the schools of host countries has been an extensively de...
TL;DR: There is little evidence about whether having more education causes employees to experience higher earnings in the labor market as mentioned in this paper, however, there is also no evidence that education leads to higher earnings.
Abstract: Much evidence suggests that having more education leads to higher earnings in the labor market. However, there is little evidence about whether having more education causes employees to experience ...
TL;DR: The findings suggest that government plans to increase public hospital capacity over the 10 years to 2027 by 2600 may not be sufficient to meet demand requirements to 2030, even when models of care changes are accounted for.
Abstract: Existing Irish hospital bed capacity is low by international standards while Ireland also reports the highest inpatient bed occupancy rate across OECD countries. Moreover, strong projected population growth and ageing is expected to increase demand for hospital care substantially by 2030. Reform proposals have suggested that increased investment and access to nonacute care may mitigate some increased demand for hospital care over the next number of years, and it is in this context that the Irish government has committed to increase the supply of public hospital beds by 2600 by 2027. Incorporating assumptions on the rebalancing of care to nonhospital settings, this paper analyses the capacity implications of projected demand for hospital care in Ireland to 2030. This analysis employs the HIPPOCRATES macrosimulation projection model of health care demand and expenditure developed in the ESRI to project public and private hospital bed capacity requirements in Ireland to 2030. We examine 6 alternative projection scenarios that vary assumptions related to population growth and ageing, healthy ageing, unmet demand, hospital occupancy, hospital length of stay, and avoidable hospitalisations. We project an increased need for between 4000 and 6300 beds across public and private hospitals (an increase of between 26.1% and 41.1%), of which 3200 to 5600 will be required in public hospitals. These findings suggest that government plans to increase public hospital capacity over the 10 years to 2027 by 2600 may not be sufficient to meet demand requirements to 2030, even when models of care changes are accounted for.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the distribution of housing costs across households in Ireland using microdata from the SILC survey over the period 2006-2016, and found evidence of universal affordability difficulties in the Irish market.
Abstract: This paper examines housing affordability in Ireland by looking at the distribution of housing costs across households. Using microdata from the SILC survey over the period 2006-2016, the contribution of this paper is threefold. First, the paper considers the trends in the cost of housing in Ireland across groups of households split by age, region, household structure, and their position in the income distribution. Second, we apply selected international housing affordability definitions and explorethe share, and composition, of households in Ireland that would be captured by these definitions. We do not find evidence of universal affordability difficulties in the Irish market. However, certain groups do face acute affordability challenges. Third, working towards a definition of housing cost affordability for use in Irish policy discussions, we provide some guidance as to what such a definition could look like.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate how electricity price changes across Chinese provinces affect the decision of firms to switch production from one industry to another and find that a 10% increase in the price of electricity leads to an increase in switching to a less energy intensive industry of around 2.3%.
TL;DR: The authors assesses the consequences of technological heterogeneity when analysing the effects of policy changes on technical efficiency, using Irish beef farming as a case study, using a latent class stochastic frontier model.
Abstract: This paper assesses the consequences of technological heterogeneity when analysing the effects of policy changes on technical efficiency, using Irish beef farming as a case study. A latent class stochastic frontier model is estimated. Results suggest that a single frontier model overestimates technical inefficiency compared to the model where technology heterogeneity is accounted for. The paper also evaluates factors that influence technical efficiency, particularly the impacts of the 2003 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. Results indicate that the introduction of decoupled payments had significant positive effects on efficiency of farms operating under only two of the three identified technologies.
TL;DR: The Irish health care system is unusual within Europe in not providing universal, equitable access to either primary or acute hospital care.
Abstract: The Irish health care system is unusual within Europe in not providing universal, equitable access to either primary or acute hospital care.1 There are two main categories of entitlement to public ...
TL;DR: McCoy, Quail, and Smyth as mentioned in this paper found that digital technologies have become an increasingly prominent feature of children's lives both within and outside educational environments (McCoy et al. 2012).
Abstract: Digital technologies have become an increasingly prominent feature of children’s lives both within and outside educational environments (McCoy, Quail, and Smyth 2012. Influences on 9-Year-Olds’ Lea...
TL;DR: This article used a discrete choice experiment (stated preference) to explore the effects of using alternative fuel cost labels on the demand for more efficient cars and found that reframing from fuel consumption (litres) to monthly fuel costs increases the willingness to pay for higher levels of fuel efficiency.
Abstract: Transitioning to more sustainable transport behaviours is key to achieving national and international climate change objectives. Households can contribute to the new low carbon economy by switching to more energy efficient vehicles. In addition to societal and environmental benefits, such a change should lead to private benefits for households through lower energy expenses, while avoiding the perceived costs that could accompany a modal change in personal transportation (switching away from cars). This paper uses a discrete choice experiment (stated preference) to explore the effects of using alternative fuel cost labels on the demand for more efficient cars. Results show that reframing from fuel consumption (litres) to monthly fuel costs increases the willingness to pay for higher levels of fuel efficiency. More generally, these results highlight that informational interventions can be improved by framing information in a metric that is more salient and familiar to consumers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the change in the gender wage gap around the introduction of minimum wages in Ireland and the United Kingdom (U.K.) using survey data for the two countries, and developed a decomposition of the change of the gender differences in wage distributions around the date of introducing minimum wages.
Abstract: Women are disproportionately in low‐paid work compared to men so, in the absence of rationing effects on their employment, they should benefit the most from minimum wage policies. This study examines the change in the gender wage gap around the introduction of minimum wages in Ireland and the United Kingdom (U.K.). Using survey data for the two countries, we develop a decomposition of the change in the gender differences in wage distributions around the date of introduction of minimum wages. We separate out “price” effects attributed to minimum wages from “employment composition” effects. A significant reduction of the gender gap at low wages is observed after the introduction of the minimum wage in Ireland, while there is hardly any change in the U.K. Counterfactual simulations show that the difference between countries may be attributed to gender differences in non‐compliance with the minimum wage legislation in the U.K.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the implications for consumers of new investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity and gas storage capacity and use a stochastic mixed complementarity problem model with daily timesteps.
TL;DR: It is found that openness to experience is a significant predictor of breast lump check and mammogram in women aged 65+ after adjustment for other confounders and multiple hypothesis testing, and little evidence to link this heterogeneity in uptake to personality.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: Pdslasso and ivlasso implement weak-identification-robust hypothesis tests and confidence sets using the Chernozhukov et al. (2013) sup-score test, which helps to estimate the causal impact of one or more causal variables of interest.
Abstract: pdslasso and ivlasso are routines for estimating structural parameters in linear models with many controls and/or instruments The routines use methods for estimating sparse high-dimensional models, specifically the lasso (Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator, Tibshirani 1996) and the square-root-lasso (Belloni et al 2011, 2014) These estimators are used to select controls (pdslasso) and/or instruments (ivlasso) from a large set of variables (possibly numbering more than the number of observations), in a setting where the researcher is interested in estimating the causal impact of one or more (possibly endogenous) causal variables of interest Two approaches are implemented in pdslasso and ivlasso: (1) The "post-double-selection" (PDS) methodology of Belloni et al (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) (2) The "post-regularization" (CHS) methodology of Chernozhukov, Hansen and Spindler (2015) For instrumental variable estimation, ivlasso implements weak-identification-robust hypothesis tests and confidence sets using the Chernozhukov et al (2013) sup-score test The implemention of these methods in pdslasso and ivlasso require the Stata program rlasso (available in the separate Stata module lassopack), which provides lasso and square root-lasso estimation with data-driven penalization
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether the introduction of digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband services increased firms' productivity in nine sub-sectors within the services and distribution sector in Ireland from 2006 to 2012.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the lack of clear policy by the Department of Education and Skills has led to resistance by many stakeholders in embedding the use of technology into schools, and particularly teaching and learning.
Abstract: There is a significant movement towards digital learning internationally. However, policymaking in Ireland regarding the use of ICT in education, specifically second-level education, has been lacking. Students’ experience of technology at school varies hugely. The current debate has become device focussed rather than content focussed. This paper examines how the lack of clear policy by the Department of Education and Skills has led to resistance by many stakeholders in embedding the use of technology into schools, and particularly teaching and learning.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effects of a change in fish quality on users and non-users of Garadice, an Irish coarse fishing site, and found that the marginal benefits from the contingent behaviour changes range from €50.86 for a 25% increase in the quantity of fish to €89.01 for a 50% increase of fish.
TL;DR: The authors found that landscape preferences vary systematically amongst people, while various sources of heterogeneity have been considered in landscape preference literature, the most common source of heterogeneity is the availability of weather information.
Abstract: Previous research suggests that landscape preferences vary systematically amongst people. While various sources of heterogeneity have been considered in landscape preference literature, the...
TL;DR: The results indicate that geographic accessibility to GP services does not in general explain differences in the utilisation of GP services in Ireland, but it is found that the effect of the number of GPs is significant for those who can exercise choice in selecting a GP, i.e., those without public health insurance.