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Publication number | US5199442 A |
Publication type | Grant |
Application number | US 07/701,815 |
Publication date | Apr 6, 1993 |
Filing date | May 20, 1991 |
Priority date | May 20, 1991 |
Fee status | Paid |
Publication number | 07701815, 701815, US 5199442 A, US 5199442A, US-A-5199442, US5199442 A, US5199442A |
Inventors | Stephen W. J. Seager, Lauro S. Halstead |
Original Assignee | Seager Stephen W J, Halstead Lauro S |
Export Citation | BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan |
Patent Citations (8), Referenced by (17), Classifications (8), Legal Events (6) | |
External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet | |
Sexual dysfunction in males suffering from spinal cord injury, SCI and other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis is well known. Impotence is the most common problem, but inability to ejaculate may also occur. Whereas those suffering from impotency may obtain penile prosthesis implantation or intracavernous injection therapy, those with anejaculation, nonetheless, are infertile. Until the present invention, no therapy has been available for this condition. To reduce spasticity in both males and females afflicted with SCI is likewise an objective of invention. Similar problems arise in females suffering from SCI.
Normal ejaculatory function in the human male implies a coordinated sequence of smooth and striate muscular contractions to promote projectile, antegrade transport of seminal fluid. This process begins with transmission of afferent nerve stimuli via the internal pudendal nerve from the penile shaft to higher centers. To complete the ejaculatory reflex efferent stimuli are transmitted from the anterolateral columns of the spinal cord and emerging from the thoracolumbar level to comprise a hypogastric or sympathetic plexus. From the interior mesenteric ganglion short adrenergic postganglionic fibers terminate in the seminal vesicles, vasal ampullae, and bladder neck. Sympathetic innervation of the seminal vesicles results in seminal emission into the posterior urethra. Appropriately timed bladder neck closure prevents retrograde passage of this semen bolus, which is propelled in the antegrade direction by clonic contracts of the bulbocavernosus and ischiocavernosus muscles of the pelvic floor. Electrojaculation studies in spinal cord transected primates indicate that the presence of postganglionic short adrenergic fibers are the minimal requirement for electrostimulated ejaculation. The fact that emission can be successfully electrostimulated by rectal probe electrode, up to two years following cord abation, indicates that the normal ejaculatory reflex can be bypassed.
Retrograde ejaculation has been noted as a constant finding in electroejaculatory stimulation by rectal probe electrode. In contrast to its action in normal ejaculation, the electrostimulated bladder neck must either be unresponsive or must undergo delayed closure.
Electroejaculation by rectal probe electrode has, in a short period, impacted significantly on the fertility potential of spinal cord injured men. This specific group, previously considered "sterile", can now undergo semen procurement predictably and safely. Importantly, they may benefit from the same sperm assessment procedures and in-vitro sperm enhancement techniques as applied to the general population seeking infertility testing and treatment.
Whereas electroejaculation has been used for inducing emission of semen both in animals and in humans, the present technique employs an electrical probe which is placed in the rectum. The probe is connected to a combination electrical stimulator and temperature meter and upon order, current is delivered to the probe in a sine-wave pattern. During stimulation, carefully disposed bipolar electrodes are directed anteriorly to stimulate those short neurons entering the ejaculatory organs, which lie anterior to the rectum. As the electrical stimulus is being applied, the bulbous and pendulous urethra are "milked" to encourage an antegrade ejaculate. The bladder is irrigated with modified Hamm's F-10 solution to retrieve the maximum number of sperm. Hitherto, the most widely used successful application of electroejaculation has been in spinal-cord-injury patients. It has also been used to obtain semen after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), MS, diabetes neurol tube defect, and other neurogenic physiogenic conditions.
After experimentation with electroejaculation in various species of animals and following many years of experience working with animals, a study was initiated in 1985 using this technique to obtain semen in neurologically impaired men. The first subjects were men with spinal cord injury, hereinafter SCI; later electroejaculation was applied to men suffering from other neurological conditions; these include men who have had a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and those suffering from multiple sclerosis, adult diabetes and other non-specific anejaculatory disorders. The main research effort has been directed towards those with SCI. To date over 3,000 electroejaculation procedures have been applied to 250 men. The levels of injury for these SCI men have ranged from C3 to L2 with the majority being in the thoracic area and the injuries being complete. The overall success rate in obtaining an ejaculate, be it antigrade or retrograde, has been in the order of 80%. Working with those suffering from thoracic SCI lesions, there is approximately a 90% success rate in obtaining an ejaculate. If this latter group, some 75% will have an ejaculate considered sufficient quality for artificial insemination by inter-uterine deposition of washed spermatoza. Using the hereinafter described equipment and technique with SCI men, there have been 40 reported pregnancies in the U.S. Europe. Also a live birth in a couple where the husband has multiple sclerosis and a further two where the husbands had retroperitoneal lumph node dissections following surgical treatment for testicular cancer.
The method and apparatus are likewise effective in treating both males and females having SCI wherein spasticity may be effectively reduced for significant after treatment periods of time. See Example #2, hereinafter.
The electroejaculation equipment employed herein includes a 60 Hz sine wave stimulator which is connected to a probe which is to be placed in the rectum. Three raised electrodes of the probe are secured longitudinally on the ventral surface of the probe. At least one thermocouple indicator beneath the surface of one electrode indicates the patient's rectal temperature during the procedure.
In practice the lubricated probe is inserted into the rectum and placed adjacent both prostrate and seminal vesicle glands. Patients are placed in lateral decubitus and anascopy performed pre and post stimulation, for signs of rectal mucosal alteration. Blood pressure and other vital signs are monitored during the procedure, while the amount of stimulation applied may range from 0 to 35 volts and 0 amp to 700 milliamps. The current is administered by increases of the voltage in a specific pattern hereinafter defined. Careful notation is made of the number of stimulations and the response of the patient in relation to volrage administered. In most instances, ejaculation commenced prior to full erection and continued as full erection was achieved. The patient's bladder was normally emptied by a penile catheter, pre and post procedure. A suitable sperm medium was used to flush the bladder when post procedure catheterization is done.
Substantially the same practice is applied by both male and female patients afflicted with SCI to reduce spasticity.
FIG. 1 is a prespective of the system apparatus including stimulator control and its associated probe;
FIG. 2 is a partial view in side elevation of the probe illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of the probe of FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the electric circuit employed in the invention which combines the elements depicted in the preceding drawings. FIG. 4A is an alternate circuit for dual voltage.
To conduct the present practice of eletroejaculation on neurologically impaired men, the equipment defined herein is utilized. It is best illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the following components are combined. The same equipment is utilized in treatment to reduce spasticity in both male and female patients likewise impaired.
An electrical power supply stimulator and temperature meter 100 is adapted by electronic circuitry to deliver current in a 60 Hz sine wave pattern. This stimulator and control is interconnected with an elongated rectal probe 200 which is preferably of circular cross-section, the probe having bipolar metal electrodes set therein and at least one temperature probe or sensor disposed therebetween. Variation in overall size of the rectal probe will be required as the practice may vary as between male female patients.
As indicated, elongated rectal probe 200 is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The probe itself consists of a substantially solid dielectric composition such as a polyvinyl chloride, having a probe body 210, the center of which contains, from the proximal end, an axially aligned channel 212, said channel having interconnection with plural conduits 214, emanating radically therefrom. These conduits terminate in longitudinally extending cavities 216, each cavity forming a repository for one of three electrically conductive bipolar metal electrodes 218, all being raised exteriorly and set within the elongated ventral surface of the rectal probe 200. See FIG. 2. The channel 212 has interconnection with the rigid conductor 212' which forms a housing for respective conductors emanating therefrom to join the corresponding electrical connections from the stimulator. See electronic circuit FIG. 4. As will be apparent from reference to FIG. 3, appropriate cavities and connecting channels are provided to interconnect the temperature responsive thermistor 220 with the interior of the probe, from beneath its ventral surface to interconnect once again with the circuit meter conductor. The diameter of the probe may vary from 2.7 to 3.2 cm. The rigid conductor extension is provided with axially aligned orienting guide indices at the free end thereof to indicate the disposition of the electrodes relative to the spinal column of the patient. Likewise, the conductor extension is provided with rectal insert gradients ranging from one to three centimeters, as shown.
The circuit which has interconnection with the probe is designed to generate stimulation in the amount of 0-35 volts and 0 amp-700 milliamps. See FIG. 4. FIG. 4A illustrates a partial substitute circuit, adaptable to dual voltage power source.
On the present domestic U.S.A. model known as Model 12, there is a convenience receptacle provided, GFCI type 134, protected by a 7 amp circuit breaker 136; thus the receptable can supply 600 watts conservatively rated. The 1.75 amp circuit breaker 132 protects the rest of the instrument in the event of a short or overload. The on/off switch 130 is used to turn the unit on and off. The 6.3 volt transformer 122 is used to power the indicator lamps in the pushbutton range switch 116 which may also comprise a 4 pole, double throw type. It controls four functions: 1) indicator bulb #1 and #1; 2) main transformer output, 3) voltmeter high or low scale, and 4) ampmeter 124 high or low scale. The purpose of two ranges is to have accurate (mid-scale) meter readings over a wide range of output levels. The digital temperature display 126 is powered by 115 volts and has an internal power supply. It is a self-contained unit that performs the following functions: 1) displays the probe electrode temperature, 2) has an adjustable alarm which is set by pushing the set button and turning the adjustment screw (the alarm set point will be displayed as long as the set button is pushed). If the measured temperature should rise above set point, an audible signal 128 is sounded and an indicator lamp marked "DANGER, OVERHEAT" will light on the face of the display. The operator may temporarily disable the audible signal by pushing the "MUTE" button. This function resets itself if the temperature falls below set point, or if the power is turned off and on. The indicator lamp remains on even if the mute feature is used as long as the temperature remains above set point.
Besides powering the auxillary equipment such as temperature monitoring, the 115 volt supply powers the variable transformer 120. The knob on this is the control used to vary the output from 0 to maximum. The output from this feeds the isolation transformer 118. This reduces the output to 50 volts maximum or 25 volts maximum if the center tap is used (low range switch position). This transformer was specially manufactured to meet the requirements of UL spec 544 for patient contact medical use. It has the special insulation required to meet certain high voltage tests, intended to insure that the patient is well isolated from full line voltage. The hi/lo range selection function of the pushbutton switch is accomplished using the center tapped output of this transformer, then the output parameters of voltage and current are monitored by the two meters and the output leads 110 and 112, is delivered to the patient via the cord and rectal probe. The meters have high and low scales and these are selected by the push button switch poles labeled 114--114' and 116 in the drawing. The four functions of the pushbutton switch are coordinated so that when the button is in, the red half of the screen marked "50 VOLTS" glows, the full (50 volt) output of the transformer 118 is selected, the high (50 volt) scale of the voltmeter is selected and the high (1 amp) scale of the ampmeter is selected.
The overseas dual input voltage model is identical to the previously discussed model except for the power input area of the unit. The GFCI receptacle is omitted and the associated 7 amp circuit breaker is omitted also. There is still the 1.75 amp circuit breaker. There is an input voltage selector switch marked with a 115 v and 230 v position. This is connected to an extra transformer with a dual primary to accomplish the dual input selection. See FIG. 4A.
The lubricated probe is inserted into the rectum and placed adjacent the prostate and seminal vesicle glands whereby the electrodes and thermocouples lie contiguous the glands. The patients are placed in lateral decubitus, anascopy being performed pre and post stimulation for signs of rectal mucosal alteration. Blood pressure and other vital for signs are monitored during the procedure. In those men who have a T7 injury or above and who may suffer autonomic dysreflexia during the stimulation period, nifedipine 10-50 mg. may be administered sublingually 15 minutes prior to the start of the procedure, to control any undue rise in blood pressure.
The amount of stimulation used in the method ranges from 0 to 35 volts and 0 amp to 700 milliamps. The current is administered by increases of the voltage in a specific pattern. Careful notation is made of the number of stimulations and the response of the patient in relation to voltage administered. In most instances, ejaculation commenced prior to full erection and continued as full erection was achieved. The patient's bladder is normally emptied by a penile catheter, pre and post procedure. A suitable sperm medium is used to flush the bladder when a post procedure catheterization was done. In studies to date, using this equipment and technique with SCI men, there have been 25 reported pregnancies (18 live births) in the U.S. Also a live birth in a couple where the husband is afflicted with multiple sclerosis and a further two where the husbands had retroperitoneal lymph node dissections following surgical treatment for testicular cancer.
Whereas the first subjects were men with spinal cord injury or SCI, with the knowledge gained in this group. Electroejaculation has been applied to men suffering from other neurological conditions. Not only has this included men who have had a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, but also those suffering from multiple sclerosis, adult diabetes and other non-specific anejaculatory disorders. The levels of injury for the SCI men have ranged from C4 to L4, the majority being in the thoracic area and the injuries being complete. The overall success rate in obtaining an ejaculate, be it antigrade or retrograde has been of the order of 80%. Those suffering from thoracic SCI lesions have had approximately a 90% success rate in obtaining an ejaculate. Of this latter group, some 82% will have an ejaculate considered of sufficient quality for artificial insemination by inter-uterine deposition of washed spermatozoa in vitro fertilization or similar procedure. The range of ages has been from 18 to 49 years of age. Length of time from injury to first electroejaculation procedure has ranged from six months to thirty-six years.
Spasticity is a common sequela of spinal cord injury (SCI) with well documented effects on daily activities and increased morbidity. Although there are numerous approaches to the treatment of spasticity, many patients are still unable to find a satisfactory method of managing their spasms with acceptable side effects. In the course of our fertility studies using rectal probe electrostimulation (RPES) in SCI men to produce ejaculation, we observed that a majority of the subjects experienced significant improvement in their spasticity for many hours. this report describes preliminary effort to quantitate this phenomenon in 14 consecutive men treated for anejactulation on 65 occasions in our SCI Fertility Clinic.
Patients eligible for RPES were any men with a history of traumatic SCI who were 18 years of age or older, medically stable, and interested in determining their fertility status. After providing informed consent, subjects had a complete medical history and physical examination with special attention to their neurological and urological status. Laboratory evaluation included a baseline urinalysis, urine culture and sensitivity, complete blood count, FSH, LSH, testosterone and HIV test. Subjects with urinary tract infections were treated with appropriate antibiotics and repeat urinalyses and urine cultures were performed on all subjects on a regular basis.
Rectal probe electrostimulation was performed in the outpatient clinic using the standard procedures we have employed heretofore defined. In brief, these include using a 11/8 or 11/4-inch diameter rectal probe precision machined from solid bars of PVC. Three linear electrodes lie parallel to the long axis of the probe which was placed in the rectum adjacent to the prostate. Rectal temperature was monitored with a special sensor built into the probe and electrical stimulation was provided by a custom-made electric stimulator designed with isolation transformers and current--limiting devices to prevent accidental delivery of excessive current. As shown in this slide, the treatment variables ranged from 30 volts and 200-500 milliamperes, with a 60 cycles/second sine wave. The number of stimulations varied from 12-35 with each stimulation lasting approximately 1 second and the whole procedure lasted from 5 to 10 minutes.
Prior to each ejaculation session, the subject's bladder was emptied using a sterile catheterization technique and the rectal mucosa was examined with an illuminated rectoscope. As shown in this slide, ejaculation procedures were performed with the subject in the right lateral decubitus position with three staff members present. One person performed the RPES, one monitored blood pressure and collected semen in a plastic cup if antegrade ejaculation occurred. Stimulations were discontinued if the blood pressure exceeded 200 mm Hg systolic or 130 mm diastolic, of ir the subject requested discontinuation because of the side effects or any other reason.
At the end of each ejaculation session, an in-and-out sterile bladder irrigation was performed with a buffered solution to assess the presence of post stimulation sperm in the bladder and a repeat examination of the rectal mucosa was performed. Spasticity was evaluated pre and post RPES using the methods outlined in the next slide. Subjects assessed the frequency of spasms using the Penn Spasticity Scale which ranges from 0 (no spasms) to 4 (spasms occurring more than ten times per hour). They also assessed the interference with self care activity on a 5 point scale with 0 being no interference and 4 being maximum interference which makes the activity very difficult or impossible to perform.
A neurological assessment was performed by one of the authors and included pre and post RPES assessments of the reflexes, the frequency of spasms using the Penn Scale and the Ashworth Scale for assessing the degree of muscle tone. In this scale, 0 indicates no increase in tone and 4 indicates the affected limb is rigid in flexion and extension. The assessments were made prior to the stimulation, within one hour following stimulation and when possible at three hours following the stimulation. Additional assessments by the subject were made throughout the day and then at time of telephone contact 24 hours later. For purposes of this preliminary study, we report only the maximum level of effectiveness (which usually occurred during the first hour after stimulation) and the duration of effectiveness until the subject regained his usual level of tone and spasticity.
Fourteen male subjects were treated for anejaculation on sixty-five occasions in our SCI Fertility Clinic. Six were quads and four were paras and the mean age was almost 32 years with a range of 22 to 49 years. Time from injury was at most 11 years with a range of 0.5 to 32 years. The level of completeness as reflected in the Frankel Class indicated that six subjects were Frankel A; seven Frankel B, and one was Frankel C.
The overall effectiveness is summarized as follows: Six or roughtly 40% expereinced excellent relief of their spasticity as judged by both their personal assessment and the neurological exam. Four or 29% experienced good reduction in spasticity and another 29% experienced no relief at all. The mean duration of effect was 9 hours with a range of 3-24 hours. On occasion, subjects experienced relief from several days up to a week. There was no relation of the effect of RPES on spasticity with the age of the subject, duration of injury, level of injury, completeness of ejaculatory success. Of the six subjects who were taking spasticity medication, all six felt that RPES was more effective than their medications. Those patients who experienced good and excellent relief were essentially flaccid for a number of hours which was a level of relief that none of their medications ever achieved. In addition, subjects noted that RPES was more effective than stretching by physical therapists or use of the Regis machine which produces a short term decrease of spasticity in some subjects. Of the ten subjects who experienced good to excellent reduction in their spasticity, seven said they would be interested in using a home model on a daily basis if available. Subjects who were at risk for dysreflexia all had an evaluation of blood pressure but it was controlled within acceptable limits with a combination of sublingual procardia and/or sublingual nitroglycerine. There were no injuries to the rectal mucosa and subjects did not report any other unpleasant or unacceptable side effects.
The present study builds on the unexpected observation that electrical stimulation provided for another purpose, namely, to produce ejaculation also had a profound effect on the spasticity of the majority of men evaluated. What is of particular interest is the degree of relief experienced by many subjects--in some cases, total flaccidity for many hours--and the length of relief--typically nine hours but in some subjects twenty-four hours or more.
In conclusion, we feel that RPES is effective in reducing spasticity in some spinal cord injured patients. In this group of 14 subjects, spasticity was absent or reduced for a mean period of 9 hours in 71% of the subjects. There was no relation of the effectiveness of the treatment to the patient's age, duration or level of injury, as well as degree of completeness or ejaculatory response. RPES was more effective than medications and there were no unexpected untoward side effects.
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U.S. Classification | 607/138, 600/547 |
International Classification | A61N1/36, A61N1/05 |
Cooperative Classification | A61N1/36007, A61N1/0512 |
European Classification | A61N1/05D2, A61N1/36B |
Date | Code | Event | Description |
Nov 12, 1996 | REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | |
Dec 2, 1996 | SULP | Surcharge for late payment | |
Dec 2, 1996 | FPAY | Fee payment | Year of fee payment: 4 |
Apr 25, 2000 | FPAY | Fee payment | Year of fee payment: 8 |
Mar 14, 2001 | AS | Assignment | Owner name: SEAGER, STEPHEN W.J., VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HALSTEAD, LAURO S.;REEL/FRAME:011590/0629 Effective date: 20010216 |
Jul 12, 2004 | FPAY | Fee payment | Year of fee payment: 12 |


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Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis в University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis
The objective of the Department of Urology at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf is to provide a patient-oriented medical care. A key focus of the Department is reconstructive urology.
Duration 2 days
Type of Treatment: Outpatient
location_onCountry: Germany
location_searchingCity: Hamburg
Price 2739.00

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Washington, D.C. has become the second city, after San Francisco, to pass a law that requires employers to provide paid sick leave to all employees. After significant amendment including input from the employer community, the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act of 2008 was passed by the D.C. Council in March. Following approval by Mayor Adrian Fenty and a 30-day review process by Congress, the Act was approved on May 13, 2008. Effective November 13, 2008, mandatory sick leave provisions will apply to even the smallest employers.
Located On: Littler Mendelson, P.C.
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<a TARGET="_blank"]8 Big Mistakes You Could Be Making At Work[/url]
IRS Increases Mileage Rates Due To Gas Prices
On June 23rd the Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008.
The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8) cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008.
The IRS announced the unusual mid-year increase in recognition of recent gasoline price increases. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.
"Rising gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans. Given the increase in prices, the IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the real cost of operating an automobile," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "We want the reimbursement rate to be fair to taxpayers."
While gasoline is a significant factor in the mileage figure, other items enter into the calculation of mileage rates, such as depreciation and insurance and other fixed and variable costs.
The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of tracking actual costs. This rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage.
To view the IRS announcement, click here: IRS News Release
Employers should consider increasing the reimbursement rates to match the new IRS rate. Generally, employers must reimburse employees for travel expenses incurred in the course of work. For example, in California, Labor Code section 2802, subdivision (a), requires an employer to indemnify its employees for expenses they necessarily incur in the discharge of their duties. Note that in California, paying the IRS rate does not guarantee that the employer has fully reimbursed the employee for actual travel expenses. The California Supreme Court recently addressed employee travel expense reimbursement in a case titled Gattuso v. Harte-Hanks Shopper, Inc.
Submitted by:
Christopher W. Olmsted, Esq.
Barker Olmsted & Barnier, APLC
San Diego Employment Law Attorneys
California Employment Law • Employment Law • Human Resources • Labor Law • Week in Review •
Week In Review (June 20, 2008)
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[url="http://www.elinfonet.com/headcount.php?ID=13900">Supreme Court Rules That Plaintiffs May Use Section 1981 to Sue for Retaliation.
On May 27, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court held in CBOCS West, Inc. v. Humphries, (No. 06-1431), that employees may bring claims based on or arising from retaliation under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Section 1981, one of a number of federal laws addressing discrimination, provides that "[a]ll persons . . . have the same right . . . to make and enforce contracts . . . as is enjoyed by white citizens." Although the text of the statute does not specifically mention retaliation, the Court held that Section 1981 nevertheless encompasses retaliation claims.
Located On: Hogan & Hartson LLP
Most Popular State Law Article
D.C. Passes the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act of 2008.
Washington, D.C. has become the second city, after San Francisco, to pass a law that requires employers to provide paid sick leave to all employees. After significant amendment including input from the employer community, the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act of 2008 was passed by the D.C. Council in March. Following approval by Mayor Adrian Fenty and a 30-day review process by Congress, the Act was approved on May 13, 2008. Effective November 13, 2008, mandatory sick leave provisions will apply to even the smallest employers.
Located On: Littler Mendelson, P.C.
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<a TARGET="_blank"]Your boss shouldn't read your text or e-mail messages without an OK, court says[/url]
LA Times (Registration Required) - June 19, 2008
Review of Employee Text Messages Deemed Invasion of Privacy
Workplace privacy rights can be tricky. Consider the following scenario: A company provides two-way alpha-numeric pagers to employees. The pager service plan allows for transmission of 25,000 characters per month, beyond which an overage fee is assessed. Employees are told to use the pagers for business purposes, and that they will have to reimburse the company for overage fees on account of personal use. A company policy warns employees that it may monitor electronic communications.
There are overages, but the employees do pay for them. But the company decides to conduct an audit because (1) it wants to make sure that employees are not asked to pay overage fees for business transmissions; (2) it wants to assess whether 25,000 characters per month is an efficient limit. To conduct the audit, the company prints and reviews transcripts of the text messages. Does the company act within its rights?
No, according to a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a case titled Quon v. Arch Wireless. The case involved the Ontario Police Department's review of text messages sent and received by police Sgt. Jeff Quon. The audited text messages included personal communications, including sexually explicit comments. Quon and others he texted sued the Department for violations of constitutional privacy rights. The trial court ruled against the employees, but the Ninth Circuit reinstated the case.
The court reasoned as follows:
(1) Employees may have constitutionally-based reasonable expectations of privacy in the workplace. This includes the expectation that employers will not monitor private communications.
(2) Employers may dispel the expectation of privacy by warning employees that communications may be monitored. Like many employers, the Department had a "Computer Usage, Internet and E-mail Policy." The policy limited use of electronic devices to Department business, and advised employees that the Department may monitor employee use of the systems, and that users should have no expectation of privacy.
(3) However, the "operational reality" was different. In practice, the manager responsible for the pagers told employees that he would not audit pager messages as long as employees paid for overage fees. They paid the fees, and therefore it was reasonable for them to expect that the Department would not monitor their communications. So the practice defeated the policy. The court suggested that the policy would have been sufficient to dispel the expectation of privacy, but for the manager's assurances and practices to the contrary.
(4) Because the employees had a reasonable expectation of privacy in connection with the text messages, intrusion by the employer must be reasonable—but here it was not reasonable. Employers are permitted, during the course of workplace misconduct investigations, or for other business purposes, to review or monitor employee communications—but the employer must demonstrate that the intrusion is reasonable. ""Reasonable" means there was a reasonable basis for conducting the search, and that the scope of the search (or the degree of intrusiveness) was reasonable. The court determined that the Department could have used less intrusive means. It could have, for example, looked at the number dialed without reading the text. Or it could have asked the employees to black out personal messages before reviewing the transcript.
Note that the decision was made in the context of a public employer, but employee rights in private industry may be affected by this decision. The court examined the federal Fourth Amendment as well as California's constitutional privacy rights. The Fourth Amendment applies to government action—here the police department was the government entity. But the California constitution applies to public and private employers alike.
Constitutional privacy rights in the private sector have not been well defined by the courts. You can expect further developments in area of workplace privacy rights, particularly given technological advances that make employee monitoring increasingly easy.
Submitted by:
Christopher W. Olmsted
Barker Olmsted & Barnier, APLC
California Employment Law • Employment Law • Human Resources • Week in Review •
Week In Review (May 30, 2008)
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[url="http://www.elinfonet.com/headcount.php?ID=13635">Employers and Insurers Meet GINA—The Newest Addition to the Federal Discrimination Law Family.
On May 21, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) (H.R. 493), which prohibits discrimination by employers and insurers based on genetic information.
Located On: Ford & Harrison LLP
Most Popular State Law Article
New York Construction Contractors to Need 10-Hour OSHA Course for Public Works Projects.
All public works contracts for New York state and municipal construction jobs of $250,000 or more will require certification that employees performing work under the contract will have completed successfully the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) 10-hour construction course, according to a state law becoming effective July 18, 2008. The course includes topics such as excavations, electrical safety, ladders, fall protection, chemical hazard communication and other safety and health topics.
Located On: Jackson Lewis LLP
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<a TARGET="_blank"]Body language often tells truth in the workplace[/url]
Sun Sentinel - May 27, 2008
Tortilla Maker Accused Of Religious Intolerance Against Muslim Workers
As reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on May 28th here, a group of Muslim workers allege they were fired by a Mission Foods tortilla factory for refusing to wear uniforms that they say were immodest by Islamic standards.
"Six Somali women claim they were ordered by a manager to wear pants and shirts to work instead of their traditional Islamic clothing of loose-fitting skirts and scarves." The women have filed a religious discrimination complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A Mission Foods spokesperson stated that the women were not fired, but rather suspended, because they refused to comply with a company uniform policy.
Presumably the claim is based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of l964. The law prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing, and other terms and conditions of employment. Employers must reasonably accommodate employees' sincerely held religious practices unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer.
The case will likely focus on whether (1) the clothing in question related to a religious practice or belief; (2) whether the employer could have reasonably accommodated traditional Islamic clothing in the factory; or whether (3) accommodating the clothing would have imposed an undue hardship on the employer. Perhaps the company had health, safety, or other reasons for the uniform policy. In the context of industrial machinery, loose clothing may be dangerous. In the context of food processing, it may not be sanitary. The news report did not provide the employer's justification.
Noting an increase in discrimination after September 11, 2001, the EEOC has published guidelines for the religious accommodation of Muslims and ethnic groups from Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries here and here.
The guidelines include the following FAQ:
Q: "I am a Sikh man and the turban that I wear is a religiously-mandated article of clothing. My supervisor tells me that my turban makes my coworkers 'uncomfortable,' and has asked me to remove it. What should I do?""
"If a turban is religiously-mandated, you should ask your employer for a religious accommodation to wear it at work. Your employer has a legal obligation to grant your request if it does not impose a burden, or an 'undue hardship,' under Title VII. Claiming that your coworkers might be 'upset' or 'uncomfortable' when they see your turban is not an undue hardship."
The EEOC reports that in Fiscal Year 2007, the agency received 2,880 charges of religious discrimination. EEOC resolved 2,525 religious discrimination charges and recovered $6.4 million in monetary benefits for charging parties and other aggrieved individuals (not including monetary benefits obtained through litigation).
Submitted By:
Christopher W. Olmsted
Barker Olmsted & Barnier, APLC
San Diego Employment Law Attorneys
California Employment Law • Employment Law • Human Resources • Religious Discrimination • Week in Review •
Week In Review (May 23, 2008)
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[url="http://www.elinfonet.com/headcount.php?ID=13582">What Employers Should Know About Insurance For Employment Claims (pdf).
Traditional business insurance policies generally exclude employment claims from coverage.
Located On: Nexsen Pruet
Most Popular State Law Article
New Jersey Governor Corzine Signs Paid Family Leave Act.
Despite intense opposition from the business community, on May 2, 2008, Governor Corzine signed the highly contested paid family leave bill that provides employees up to six weeks of partial wage replacement to care for a newborn or newly adopted child or to care for a sick child, parent or spouse. New Jersey is now the third state, in addition to California and Washington, to offer paid family leave benefits to employees.
Located On: Jackson Lewis LLP
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<a TARGET="_blank"]Weight discrimination could be as common as racial bias[/url]
USA Today - May 21, 2008
President Signs Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
On May 21st, President Bush signed The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ("GINA") into law. According to the National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute, "GINA protects Americans from being treated unfairly because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. The new law prevents discrimination from health insurers and employers." (Click here for more NIH comments.)
The new law is the culmination of a decade-long debate and a series of legislative efforts to deal with the specter of genetic discrimination. Supporters of the law cited a few instances of genetic discrimination, but not widespread abuse.
GINA prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of genetic information.
The term "genetic information" means information about (i) an employee's genetic tests, (ii) the genetic tests of family members of an employee, and (iii) the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of an employee.
Employers are prohibited from acquiring genetic information, with certain exceptions. Some exceptions include: (1) where an employer inadvertently requests or requires family medical history of the employee or family member of the employee; (2) indirectly, as part of a wellness program; (3) as part of an FMLA medical certification; (4) where the information involved is to be used for genetic monitoring of the biological effects of toxic substances in the workplace; and in a few limited other circumstances.
In the event that an employer does acquire genetic information, the new law requires strict confidentiality, in the manner dictated by the ADA.
Employees who violate GINA will be vulnerable to employee lawsuits and government agency enforcement actions.
Employer advocates complain about the litigation provisions. They have also voiced concerns that GINA further complicates the confusing maze of state and federal medical privacy laws, as well as the numerous state genetic nondiscrimination laws.
Employers and legal counsel have ample time to evaluate the impact. The parts of the law relating to health insurers will take effect by May 2009, and those relating to employers will take effect by November 2009.
According to the NIH, "the law was needed to help ease concerns about discrimination that might keep some people from getting genetic tests that could benefit their health. The law also enables people to take part in research studies without fear that their DNA information might be used against them in health insurance or the workplace."
Although there are no reports of widespread genetic discrimination, employee medical exams are common. As reported by the AP here, "a 2001 study by the American Management Association showed that nearly two-thirds of major U.S. companies require medical examinations of new hires. Fourteen percent conduct tests for susceptibility to workplace hazards, 3 percent for breast and colon cancer, and 1 percent for sickle cell anemia, while 20 percent collect information about family medical history."
During the next 18 months, undoubtedly employment law attorneys and HR experts will distill the new law and offer compliance advice. To get a head start, read the text of GINA here.
Submitted by:
Christopher W. Olmsted
Barker Olmsted & Barnier, APLC
California Employment Law • Disability Discrimination • Employment Law • FMLA • Human Resources • Labor Law • Week in Review •
Week In Review (May 16, 2008)
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[url="http://www.elinfonet.com/headcount.php?ID=13512">International Business Travelers May Face Warrantless Laptop Searches by U.S. Border Agents.
Federal border agents did not violate the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches in examining the contents of a traveler's laptop without any basis for believing the device contains contraband, a federal appeals court in San Francisco has ruled. United States v. Arnold, No. 06-50581 (9th Cir. Apr. 21, 2008). The Ninth Circuit has jurisdiction over Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Located On: Jackson Lewis LLP
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California's Anti-SLAPP Law Protects Letter to Employer's Customers About Contemplated Trade Secrets Litigation.
The California Court of Appeal has ruled that an employer's attorney's letter to the employer's customers concerning potential trade secrets litigation was protected speech under California's anti-SLAPP ("strategic lawsuit against public participation") law, Cal. Civ. Code Section 425.16. Neville v. Chudacoff, No. B198253 (Cal. Ct. App. Mar. 12, 2008). The court held that the letter directly related to the employer's claims and that, when it was written, the employer seriously and in good faith was contemplating litigation against the employee. Thus, the court affirmed the trial court's order dismissing the employee's claim against the employer's attorney.
Located On: Jackson Lewis LLP
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Auto Dealership Update: The Lawsuit Du Jour.
This might have already happened at your dealership: your payroll clerk is exasperated because the sales people are not punching their time cards. She knows that under federal law, the dealership is obligated to pay sales people their commissions or minimum wage for all hours worked, whichever is higher. But if they have low commissions and they don't punch in and out each day, she has no way to accurately calculate their hours or their pay.
Located On: Fisher & Phillips, LLP
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New Jersey Supreme Court Expands Individual's Right to Privacy.
In a case of first impression, the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that Internet users have a constitutional right to privacy with respect to subscriber information they provide to Internet service providers ("ISP"). The Court in New Jersey v. Shirley Reid held that law enforcement officials may obtain such information only by serving a grand jury subpoena on the ISP. This April 21, 2008, decision likely will make it more difficult to prosecute, in certain circumstances, an employee that tampers with employer information systems. The case highlights the need for employers to reexamine their policies and procedures for employee use of company information systems and the expectation of privacy of employees in the workplace.
Located On: Jackson Lewis LLP
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<a TARGET="_blank"]Breach of office etiquette can have serious consequences[/url]
Baltimore Sun - May 06, 2008


text:
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Yesterday, my aunt Arlene called me in a panic. She had an appointment to run to and an online shopping cart full of gifts for her grand-children and great nieces and nephews and couldn't figure out how to ship them to their multiple addresses. Amazon.com does a pretty good job at letting you put … [Read more...]
September 15, 2009 by Leave a Comment
How to Improve a Product Page – Part I
My good friend, Dr. Ralph Wilson spent some time with me at the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit to discuss with me how to improve a product page. … [Read more...]


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What exactly is a voltage controlled oscillator or as more commonly known a vco?, what is its purpose in life?
Here I'm going to use a very practical example where one of my readers has a requirement for a voltage controlled oscillator operating at 1.8 - 2.0 Mhz (amateur radio band 160M). This is to be part of a frequency synthesiser, although a vco isn't always associated with a frequency synthesiser.
The very high costs and difficulties encountered when buying quality variable capacitors today often make vco's an extremely attractive alternative. As an alternative all you need is an extremely stable BUT very clean source of dc power, a varactor diode and a high quality potentiometer - usually a 10 turn type. Please note that circuit Q tends to be somewhat degraded by using varactor diodes instead of variable capacitors.
For people who are confused at this point allow me to explain. Diodes when they have a reverse voltage applied exhibit the characteristics of a capacitor. Altering the voltage alters the capacitance. Common diodes such as 1N914 and 1N4004 can be used but more commonly we use varactor diodes specifically manufactured for vco use e.g. Motorola's MVAM115, Philips BB112 and BB212. They are also sometimes called tuner diodes.
The design requirements asked for were:-
(a) frequency coverage 1.8 - 2.0 Mhz
(b) voltage controlled by a frequency synthesiser with an output level sufficient to drive the input of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL)
(c) a further buffered output for a digital frequency readout.
(d) another buffered out put to drive succeeding amplifier stages.
Because in this example the ultimate frequency stability is determined by the reference crystal in the frequency synthesiser there can be some relaxation of stability standards. The buffered outputs will be covered under buffer amplifiers.
Let's look again at our previous oscillator circuit. If you are unfamiliar with oscillators then review my previous oscillator tutorial. It will certainly help you.
Here Cv the variable capacitor, could be replaced by a suitable varactor diode as a tuning diode and in actual fact our reader has on hand a Motorola MVAM115 varactor. This I think is nearly similar to my Philips BB112 diode. So we will rehash the above figure 1 to accomodate varactor diode tuning instead of using a conventional variable capacitor.
Now I've left Ct and C1 a/b all in the circuit. In this application of a frequency synthesiser they are unlikely to be necessary. To tune from 1.8 to 2.0 Mhz which is a frequency swing of 2 / 1.8 = 1.111 - which when squared means we need a capacitance ratio of 1.234 to 1
That means the ratio of minimum combined capacitance in the circuit to maximum combined capacitance in the circuit must change by 1.234 to 1.
Looking back at the tutorial on oscillators I said the inductor should have a reactance of about 180 ohms. So around the frequency of interest I expect an inductor of about 15 uH to be used for L1 in Fig 2.
You should be used to calculating LC numbers by now but L X C at 1.8 Mhz = 7818 and at 2 Mhz it works out about 6332. Dividing both by our 15 uH inductor we get a Cmin of 422 pF and Cmax of 520 pf. Which incidentally if you check 520 / 422 = 1.232:1 So the variation of C is 520 - 422 = 98pF swing.
For synthesisers or any voltage tuning you should have the largest voltage swing possible. This minimises the effects of noise voltage on the tuning voltage. My BB112 diode can be operated ideally from 1V to 8V. That means we can tune the 200 Khz (2.0 - 1.8) with a variation of 8 - 1 = 7 volts. It follows 7v / 200 Khz = 35 uV/Hz. If our noise level is below this then the tuning can't be varied or fm'ed by noise.
At 8V my diode exhibits a capacitance of around 28 pF while at 1V the capacitance is about 500 pF. If Mr. Philips answered my emails I could possibly reproduce here for you the capacitance versus voltage graph which would be helpful. Hullo anybody with authority from Philips or Motorola reading this - hint, hint. Help always welcome.
You will note I have two diodes back-to-back in series in Fig 2. Although this in effect divides total varactor diode capacitance by two it eliminates the nasty effect of the rf present in the tank circuit driving a single diode into conduction on peaks which will increase the bias voltage, this also gives rise to harmonics.
It follows that my varactor diode capacitance now swings a net approximate 14 pF up to 250 pF when the bias voltage is varied from 8 volts down to 1 volt. You can of course go below 1V for higher capacitance but I tend to be conservative and generally do not go below 1V very much.
Now we have a net swing of 250 - 14 or 236 pF. You will recall above I said "the variation of C is 520 - 422 = 98pF swing" so how do I reduce a 236 pF swing down to a 98 pF swing? Look at capacitor C2 which is in series with both varactor diodes, does this not reduce the net capacitance?
This is a simple mathematical problem (Oh God - not again Bearing in mind with a vco and the voltage swings involved, you can get a fair bit of leeway and that each varactor diode varies greatly from predicted data of capacitance versus voltage. That means a lot of this is guesswork or suck-and-see. Technically it means it's all determined "empirically". All of that just says we will use a 180 pF capacitor for C2.
Using a 180 pF capacitor for C2 and putting it in series with D1 and D2 we get at 1 volt D1 = 500 pF, D2 = 500 pF and C2 = 180 pF. Net result = 1 / [(1 / 500) + (1 / 500) + (1 / 180)] which is about 105 pf.
Similarly at 8 volts we get D1 = 28 pF, D2 = 28 pF and C2 = 180 pF. Net result = 1 /[(1 / 28) + (1 / 28) + (1 / 180)] which is about 13 pf.
It follows the swing now becomes 13 pf to 105 pF or a net 92 pF which is near enough for this exercise. I had said very much earlier "by using our 15 uH inductor we get a Cmin of 422 pF and Cmax of 520 pf. Which incidentally if you check 520 / 422 = 1.232:1 So the variation of C is 520 - 422 = 98pF swing". How do we get near this requirement?
If we need Cmax of 520 pF and our series connection gives us 105 pF we need an extra 520 - 105 = 415 pF. On the other hand Cmin required is 422 pF and the series connection provides 13 pf we need 422 - 13 = 409 pF. It can be seen if we allow a trimmer of say 25 pF for Ct, which is the suggested trimmer in figure 2 - (that is Ct can varied from say 5 to 25 pF) - and we allow the combination C1 a/b to be a total of around 390 pF we have obviously achieved our goal. Is this not cool?
For our inductor L1 I would use a toroid although if you have access to a variable inductor you could use it. An air cored inductor most likely would be too large to consider. Suitable toroids of the Amidon / Micrometals type would at 2 Mhz be the T50-2 type which would require about 55 turns of #26 wire or even the T68-2 type requiring about 51 turns of #24 wire. Both gauges mentioned are those which will conveniently fit around the core.
No matter your frequency range of interest the basic principles outlined above will more or less still apply.
For a frequency synthesiser the tuning voltage is derived from the low pass filter of the PLL and you don't need to worry about it. On the other hand when you have an application of replacing a variable capacitor and manually tuning with say a ten turn potentiometer you need to be very careful about the "quality" of the voltage. It MUST be clean!
Below in Figure 3 is a suggested schematic for deriving suitable tuning voltages.
The 10K pot is your 5 or 10 turn "quality" potentiometer for tuning, the upper and lower trim pots (set and forget) allow you to adjust the voltage range of your choice that your tuning potentiometer will see. Again use "quality" trimpots. The 100K resistor and the two 0.1 uF capacitors are further filtering. Obviously there is considerable interaction between the trimpots and potentiometer so expect a lot of juggling back and forth.
If you wished, in some applications, both trimpots could be replaced by fixed resistors. It is simply a matter of using ohms law.
The 74HC4046 phase-locked-loop which is an integrated circuit contains a voltage controlled oscillator and will work as high as 17 Mhz.
With the 74HC4046 VCO, its tuning range is determined by one external capacitor C1 (between C1A and C1B) and one external resistor R1 (between R1 and GND) or two external resistors R1 and R2 (between R1 and GND, and R2 and GND). Resistor R1 and capacitor C1 determine the frequency range of the VCO. Resistor R2 enables the VCO to have a frequency
offset if required. Look at the 74HC4046 page.
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Fig 3.74HC4046 phase-locked-loop
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Statistics Working Paper N. 76, 2016/10 - In 2011, an Expert Group was launched to carry out a feasibility study on the compilation of distributional measures of income, consumption and wealth across household groups consistent with national accounts data. This group developed a methodology on the basis of which first experimental results on income, consumption and savings according to income quintiles were compiled and published...
Statistics Working Paper N. 73, 2016/7 - Recent years have seen a rapid emergence of new disruptive technologies with new forms of intermediation, service provision and consumption, with digitalisation being a common characteristic. These include new platforms that facilitate Peer-to-Peer transactions, such as AirBnB and Uber, new activities such as crowd sourcing,...
Statistics Working Paper N. 71, 2016/6 - Growth in household income has evolved differently from gross domestic product (GDP) in most OECD countries over the last eighteen years. Using the wealth of information available in the System of National Accounts, this paper provides an assessment of what may be driving this gap
Statistics Working Paper N. 61, 2015/3 - This article gives methodological guidance on how best to compare the share of profits in value-added across countries using national accounts. The four countries covered are France, Germany, Italy and the United States.
Statistics Working Paper N. 53 - 2013/4 - In 2011, the OECD and Eurostat launched a joint Expert Group to carry out a study on the feasibility of compiling measures of the distribution of income, consumption and wealth across household groups that are consistent with national accounts definitions and totals. As part of the Expert Group, national experts from 16 countries performed experimental calculations...
Statistics Working Paper N. 52 - 2013/3 - In 2011, the OECD and Eurostat launched a joint Expert Group to carry out a study on the feasibility of compiling measures of the distribution of income, consumption and wealth across household groups that are consistent with national accounts definitions and totals. The first challenge of the Expert Group was to draw a detailed picture of the extent...
Statistics Working Paper N. 45- 2012/2 - This Statistics Working Paper, based on a production-theoretic framework, measures the effects of real output prices, primary inputs, multi-factor productivity growth, and depreciation on Korea's real net income growth over the past 30 years. The empirical analysis is based on a new dataset for Korea with detailed information on labour and capital inputs, including series on land and
Statistics Working Paper N. 41- 2011/6 - This paper summarizes the outcomes of the first phase of the OECD human capital project. In so doing, it shows the feasibility of applying the lifetime income approach to measuring human capital forcomparative analysis, both across countries and over time. It also highlights the feasibility of applying the methodology to the categorical data (i.e. by 5-year or 10-year age group) that are
Statistics Working Paper N. 38- 2011/3 - This Statistics Working Paper includes the documents that were presented during the various sessions of the Workshop on Securitisation, held in Madrid on 27-28 May 2010, as well as summaries at the beginning of each section.The Workshop brought together regular members of the Working Party on Financial Statistics (WPFS), statisticians, analysts, supervisors, experts from accounting
Statistics Working Paper N. 31 - 2010/2 - The measurement of volumes of health and education services constitutes a challenge for national accountants and price statisticians. In the past, such services have typically been measured by the inputs used to provide them but such an approach neglects any productivity changes in service provision. An increasing number of countries is now working towards output-based measures of the volume


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Jan Eberly, the newly-minted Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy, is out with a blog post on the Treasury Department website attacking GOP claims that regulatory uncertainty is slowing the economy.
Republicans have made repealing regulations a signature part of their jobs agenda — planning weekly votes on easing the regulatory burden on businesses this fall. But citing polling and economic data, Eberly claims that Republicans are misguided in their focus:
"If regulatory uncertainty was a major impediment to hiring right now, we would expect to see indications of this in one or more of the following: business profits; trends in the workforce, capacity utilization, and business investment; differences between industries undergoing significant regulatory changes and those that are not; differences between the United States and other countries that are not undergoing the same changes; or surveys of business owners and economists," she writes.
"As discussed in a detailed review of the evidence below, none of these data support the claim that regulatory uncertainty is holding back hiring."
Is Regulatory Uncertainty a Major Impediment to Job Growth?
Last week at a Senate hearing Secretary Geithner said, "I'm very sympathetic to the argument you want to be careful to get the rules better and smarter, but I don't think there's good evidence in support of the proposition that it's regulatory burden or uncertainty that's causing the economy to grow more slowly than any of us would like."
Economists from across the political spectrum have also weighed into this debate and reached the same conclusion. Bruce Bartlett, a senior advisor in both the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, said that "no hard evidence" has been offered for claims that regulation is the "principal factor holding back employment." And in a recent Wall Street Journal survey of economists, 65 percent of respondents concluded that a lack of demand, not government policy, was the main impediment to increased hiring.
Nonetheless, two commonly repeated misconceptions are that uncertainty created by proposed regulations is holding back business investment and hiring and that the overall burden of existing regulations is so high that firms have reduced their hiring.
If regulatory uncertainty was a major impediment to hiring right now, we would expect to see indications of this in one or more of the following: business profits; trends in the workforce, capacity utilization, and business investment; differences between industries undergoing significant regulatory changes and those that are not; differences between the United States and other countries that are not undergoing the same changes; or surveys of business owners and economists. As discussed in a detailed review of the evidence below, none of these data support the claim that regulatory uncertainty is holding back hiring.
Business Profits
If regulation was a significant drag on business today, we would expect to see profits constrained after recent regulatory reforms were passed into law. However, corporate profits as a share of gross domestic income have about recovered their pre-recession peak, and earnings per share in industries most affected by recent regulatory changes, such as energy and health care, have among the highest earnings per share of those in the S&P 500. This growth is inconsistent with a corporate sector held back by regulation.
Trends in Workforce, Capacity Utilization, and Business Investment
If regulatory uncertainty was the primary problem facing businesses, firms would prefer to use their existing capacity and current workers as much as possible, while avoiding building additional capacity until they are more certain about the contours of future regulation.
Specifically, if demand was strong but businesses were concerned about future regulations, they would increase the hours of the workers they already employ rather than hiring additional workers. We have seen no evidence of this in the data: the average work week for private employees has been roughly flat for the past year. Similarly, if demand were strong, firms could easily expand using existing capacity without taking on the cost and risk of added capacity. However, the share of total potential industrial output in use remains 3 percent below its long-run average. Low capacity utilization is inconsistent with concerns about future regulatory risk, but aligns with weak demand holding back current production.
At the same time, business investment has led economic growth over the last few years. Since the end of the first quarter of 2009, real investment in equipment and software has grown by 26 percent – about five times as fast as the economy as a whole. However, businesses would not increase investment if they thought that future regulation posed a threat to their ability to operate profitably.
Financial Indicators
If regulatory uncertainty were having a significant impact on business performance, we would expect this to be reflected in capital markets. However, financial indicators do not provide any evidence in favor of this hypothesis.
As shown in the chart below, corporate bond yields are low across a range of industries, suggesting that firms in industries facing greater regulatory risk, such as insurance and energy, are not being priced out of the market.[1]
Bond Yields for Selected Industries
Source: Barclays investment grade corporate subindices, measured as yield to worst at the end of the month.
One commonly cited measure of uncertainty is the Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (known as the VIX), which measures the implied volatility of S&P 500 index options. For most of the past year or so, the VIX has stood only a bit higher than in the pre-crisis period, and while it rose significantly in early August, it has come down somewhat in recent weeks (see chart below). However, as can be seen, the sharp increase in the VIX in August and previous sharp increases in late 2008 correspond to virtually identical movements in the VDAX, a similar measure calculated for the German stock market. The correlation between these two indicators suggests that uncertainty in both countries primarily reflects global financial and economic conditions, rather than conditions specific to the United States, such as regulatory changes.
Stock Market Volatility in the United States and Germany
Source: VIX: Wall Street Journal/Haver Analytics; VDAX; Handelsblatt/Haver Analytics
What Business Owners and Economists are Saying
In recent surveys, business owners and economists do not list regulation as the main problem facing their business, nor do they blame regulation for job cuts:
In the September survey of small business owners by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, more than twice as many respondents cited poor sales (29.6 percent) as their largest problem than cite regulation (13.9 percent).
In an August survey of economists by the National Association for Business Economics, 80 percent of respondents described the current regulatory environment as "good" for American businesses and the overall economy.
As noted above, in a recent Wall Street Journal survey of economists, 65 percent of respondents concluded that a lack demand, not government policy, was the main impediment to increased hiring.
A Sensible Path Forward
As Secretary Geithner noted during his recent Senate hearing, we should always be looking for ways to improve our regulatory system. That is why the President has ordered a government-wide review of existing federal regulations to create a 21st century regulatory system that protects public health and safety while also promoting economic growth and saving Americans billions of dollars. That review is ongoing and has already made substantial progress toward these goals.
These reforms will enhance the functioning of the economy and complement the increase in aggregate demand required to spur hiring and bring down the unemployment rate. Policy makers in the United States must address these fundamental concerns by putting in place a set of powerful measures to provide near-term support to the economy while restoring fiscal sustainability over the medium-term.
Dr. Eberly is the Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy.


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Alan Warner achieved prominence in the 1990s with his first novel, Morvern Callar: a contemporary classic which fused rave culture with the anomie of working-class life in the Scottish Highlands. His subsequent works have maintained a focus on popular culture, while incorporating avant-garde influences. But his latest novel is a departure – a coming-of-age story set in the 1970s.
It commences with a lyrical prelude about the railway route that is to be the story's backdrop. Then comes an episode about a royal visit in 1961 to the Broken Moan estate of local dignitary Andrew Bultitude. Only after these apparently false starts do we begin the main narrative concerning Simon Crimmons, who decides to skip sixth form and leave school early. Crimmons spurns the family haulage business, instead opting for a job on the railways. He must also choose between the relationship he has plunged into with his schoolfriend Nikki and pursuing Bultitude's daughter, Varie.
This is a novel that foregrounds bridges and divides. The biggest gulf is between the implacable majesty of the mountainous landscape and the community scrabbling for a living in and around it. Yet there are plenty of human divisions too. Warner captures the class divide between the nouveau riche Crimmonses and the old money of the eccentric Bultitudes in layers of acute observation, some wryly comic.
Crimmons is oddly adult for his callow years – at times his matter-of-fact reactions to events can seem as mechanical as the trains he drives. Nevertheless, emotional turmoil surfaces when his father fights with an employee and then tells his son of his own rites of passage during the Second World War.
Warner presents us with a narrative reminiscent of a 19th-century Bildungsroman. The gamble pays off handsomely. For the first 70 pages or so the story's impact seems limited. After that the novel steadily becomes more compelling. Finally, the patterns of Warner's grand design emerge, as mesmerising as the Highland scenery he describes with such sublime intensity.
- More about:
- Railroad Traffic
- Railway
- Schools
- Second World War
- Transport


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Sleeps | 4 |
Bedrooms | 2 |
Bathrooms | 1 |
Property type | house |
Minimum Stay | 2 - 7 nights |
Charming newly constructed casa located in the quaint village of San Pancho, 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta.
Casa La Bodeguita consists of two levels of living space overlooking a vast open field filled with lush tropical vegetation and coconut palm trees. The home offers two large bedrooms, each with a queen size bed. The bathroom features a large vanity with double sinks and a natural stone shower. The kitchen provides all the essentials, finished with native perota wood cabinetry. The first floor lower terrace has a granite top table for four along with a plunge pool. The second floor roof terrace has a wet bar a table for six. Enjoy cool afternoon breezes under the palapa while you sip a margarita or take pleasure in a good book.
Casa La Bodeguita offers a private driveway a nicely landscaped gated lot to allow comfort for children and parents alike. This distinctive pueblo home is situated 5 minutes walking from the unspoiled white sandy beach of San Pancho, but far enough away from the daily crowds and noise. San Pancho village offers beautiful cobblestone streets lined with many unique restaurants, shops, and markets. There are a host of outdoor activities at your disposal.
San Pancho is a great vacation destination for those seeking serenity, tranquility, and adventure. Casa La Bodeguita is professionally managed by Eduardo Arce.
Keywords: Casita, Casa, Palapa, Pool
We have been going to San Pancho for about 15 years. We love the pueblo and the people who live in it. It is the type of place that continues to improve year after year.
Michael & Brooke Ferreira purchased this house in 2009
The house is in a great location. It is in town but backs to open space. Everything is easy to walk to but just far enough away from the crowds and noise.
Casa la Bodeguita is a very comfortable home, very well planned, furnished and decorated.
Thanks for letting us stay at Casa Boguedita for the past month. We've stayed in quite a few different houses in Mexico over the years and yours is by far the nicest and best managed/maintained.
The design is perfect for a small family like ours (2 adults and a 2 year old). The quality of the construction and the use of high quality doors/windows/appliances really made staying there pleasant.
Kudos as well to Eduardo and the maintenance staff. We understand the difficulty of maintaining a house in that climate, so we don't get bent out of shape when minor stuff happens. The turnaround on the fixes for the minor issues was what really stood out.
Hope you and family enjoy your time there.
We'll likely be inquiring about renting from you again in the next few years.
What a wonderful place in San Pancho - we had such a great time. So clean, comfortable, spacious and well provided for. It has everything you need for a home-away-from-home type holiday in a peaceful, beautiful seaside holiday location. We had cocktails in the splash pool every evening and supper on the roof terrace. It is a perfect distance from the centre of town and beach to be quiet and still not require a long walk. We spent our days on the beach, swimming or surfing. Also, what a fantastic manager! He was so quick to reply to any queries the whole time we were there. When we left, I discovered that I had left my sarong behind and he made every effort to find it and return it to me via my daughter in Mexico City. I would wholeheartedly recommend your casa to anyone and everyone and would return here when next in San Pancho.
I was initially a little concerned as the price of the rental was relatively cheap. Once we arrived we were pleasantly surprised how nice the property was. It has 2 large bedrooms that was perfect for our family of 4. My 2 young kids loved the splash pool and the upstairs patio is amazing. The location is great as it is very quite at night but only a short walk to the restaurants and centre of town. The only regret was that we didn't stay longer.
We stayed in Casa la Bodeguita for almost 2 months. By the time we returned to the states, Casa la Bodeguita felt like our second home. The house was comfortable and fully stocked for all of our needs. Casa Bodeguita is located six easy blocks from the beach and easy walking distance to all the shops, restaurants, and stores. The property manager answered any concerns we had quickly and help made our stay very enjoyable. We plan on returning next year to enjoy Casa la Bodeguita and the wonderful town of San Pancho. Thank you Mike and Brooke
My husband and I stayed here for a week in October, 2014. It was just what we needed, and very comfortable.
The house seems fairly new and is clean and well-maintained. We spent a lot of time outside, either on the terrace upstairs which was lovely in the mornings and at night, or near/in the pool. I didn't think the cool pool would get any use, but it was fantastic! I think we used it every day, sometimes on multiple occasions.
We liked the location as we had the chance to take the short walk through town to get to the beach. We had no issues with barking dogs. Yes, there are certainly dogs in this town, but we didn't hear any carrying on for any length of time. October - at least this October - was VERY hot, so we were very happy to have AC in the bedroom!
If we go back to this town, we would very likely stay here again!
Looked forward to our stay in San Pancho even though we knew we would not be near the beach. The house with its two bedrooms (we only used one) and kitchen/sitting room plus upper palapa deck was more than adequate for our needs. A bit curious not to have a dining table inside. I guess most like to eat on the back patio or up on the deck. We ate on the coffee table a lot. Didn't use the cold water whirlpool except once. But it could be a good cooling off spot.
The only aggravation of staying here was the barking dogs. One night one stood outside our gate and barked for 45 minutes at 2 am. Didn't happen every night but about a third of the time. Not sure what the owners could do about this.
Would we stay here again if we come back to San Pancho? Maybe. But we would look for other options first.
Rate Period | Nightly | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly * | Event | ||||
Jun 17 2017 -
Oct 21 2017
7 night minimum stay
Christmas & New Years
Dec 22 2017 -
Jan 7 2018
5 night minimum stay
My Standard Rate
2 night minimum stay
Special Summer rates $400 USD June 17 to October 21 per week!
Travelers send a small deposit to the owner and bring the remainder of the payment with them and pay at time of check in.
* Approximate monthly rate. Actual rate will depend on the days of the month you stay.


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Special Lunar New Year Event
Posted By | Posted On Jan 09, 2013Lunar New Year Culinary Tour, Sunday, February 17th, 2013
The Lunar New Year celebration provides the ultimate opportunity to witness the sights, sounds and flavors of Boston's Chinatown. Also known as the Spring Festival, this 15 day celebration is all about getting rid of last year's old baggage, and welcoming in good fortune for the year to come. The customs surrounding the New Year are steeped in ancient history, but are every bit as important to today's Asian population. Why not let our guide escort you through the narrow streets of this cacophonous ethnic neighborhood, explaining these colorful ancient rituals along the way?
We'll begin our day in Chinatown with a sampling of Cantonese Dim Sum, where you will learn which items have particular significance for the New Year. We'll discuss the various customs surrounding this incredible holiday with ancient roots. You'll learn what actions will bring you good luck in the year ahead, and which ones to avoid. Afterwards, we'll explore an herbal pharmacy, and learn some seasonal remedies to ward off colds and flu. A neighborhood bakery will provide some sweets to "sweeten up " your good fortune during the Year of the Snake. Perhaps you'll want to pick up a Nian Gao, the traditional Chinese New Year's cake made of sticky rice, to take home with you.
And we can't forget a visit to a 72 year-old grocery where you'll discover which items are commonly used during the Spring Festival, and how to put together a "Tray of Togetherness" to offer your guests when they stop at your home during the New Year.
Then, we'll take to the streets to witness the spectacle of the Lion Dance, as the Lion visits the various shops on each street, to expel any evil spirits and open the way for a prosperous year to come.
When the crowds and the pop, pop, popping of the firecrackers become too much to bear, we'll slip into a restaurant to enjoy a multi-course New Year's banquet with traditional Spring Festival dishes.
During this event you will:
• Hear about the "Kitchen God" ritual as he reports to the "Jade Emperor"
• Find out why the Chinese prefer wishes over resolutions
• Discover your Chinese Astrological Animal and what this means
• Learn why some Chinese hang the good luck character upside down, and others right-side up
• Discover why it's OK to buy new red socks (or underwear) for the new year, but not new red shoes.
This annual special event is great for those who have previously taken our Chinatown Market Tour, or for anyone wanting to see how a different culture celebrates its most important holiday. This event is approximately 4.5 hours in length. Due to the nature of the event, substitutions in tastes, dim sum and banquet dishes are not possible.
It is very important that you arrive on time for this event. This is a walking tour.
The tour will be held rain or shine (or snow!) Please dress appropriately for the elements. Feel free to wear your new red frock! Make sure to bring your cameras, as you will not want to miss these unique photo opportunities.
Advance reservations are required. This exclusive event is limited to 10 participants. Both meals and all food samples are included in the ticket cost. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but can be purchased separately at the restaurant.
Time and Rate:
Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 12:30 pm
$130.00 per person plus 5% tax
For tickets and information call our Boston Food Tours office: 617-523-6032. Confirmation and meeting information will be sent upon booking.