The Contribution of the IMF and the World Bank to Economic Freedom

We analyse the effect of IMF and World Bank policies on the composite index of economic freedom by Gwartney et al. (2000) as well as its sub-indexes, using a panel of 85 countries observed between 1970 and 1997. With respect to the Bank, we find that the number of projects has a positive impact on overall economic freedom, while the effect of the amount of World Bank credits is negative. These effects are stronger during the 1990s than in earlier periods. There is no clear relationship between credits and programs of the IMF and economic freedom. --Economic freedom,IMF,World Bank,structural adjustment policies

Is There a Causal Link between Currency and Debt Crisis?

debt crises, currency crises, contagion

The Contribution of the IMF and the World Bank to Economic Freedom

We analyse the effect of IMF and World Bank policies on the composite index of economic freedom by Gwartney et al. (2000) as well as its sub-indexes, using a panel of 85 countries observed between 1970 and 1997. With respect to the Bank, we find that the number of projects has a positive impact on overall economic freedom, while the effect of the amount of World Bank credits is negative. These effects are stronger during the 1990s than in earlier periods. There is no clear relationship between credits and programs of the IMF and economic freedom

Service Consumer Model: Understanding and Describing Consumers for New Service Development

Against the background of an increasing discrepancy between consumer access to an evergrowing range of products and being increasingly frustrated with the consumption processes, we propose a model for understanding and describing consumers and their behavior holistically. In this paper, a design science approach is used. The model is build on existing concepts such as the concept of consumer processes, user context, service-dominant logic, disconfirmation, activity theory, and event-driven process chains. The application of the model and its usefulness for improving new service development is demonstrated by an example

HIS-based electronic documentation can significantly reduce the time from biopsy to final report for prostate tumours and supports quality management as well as clinical research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Timely and accurate information is important to guide the medical treatment process. We developed, implemented and assessed an order-entry system to support documentation of prostate histologies involving urologists, pathologists and physicians in private practice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We designed electronic forms for histological prostate biopsy reports in our hospital information system (HIS). These forms are created by urologists and sent electronically to pathologists. Pathological findings are entered into the system and sent back to the urologists. We assessed time from biopsy to final report (TBF) and compared pre-implementation phase (paper-based forms) and post-implementation phase. In addition we analysed completeness of the electronic data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We compared 87 paper-based with 86 electronic cases. Using electronic forms within the HIS decreases time span from biopsy to final report by more than one day per patient (p < 0.0001). Beyond the optimized workflow we observed a good acceptance because physicians were already familiar with the HIS. The possibility to use these routine data for quality management and research purposes is an additional important advantage of the electronic system.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Electronic documentation can significantly reduce the time from biopsy to final report of prostate biopsy results and generates a reliable basis for quality management and research purposes.</p

A Single-Photon Server with Just One Atom

Neutral atoms are ideal objects for the deterministic processing of quantum information. Entanglement operations have been performed by photon exchange or controlled collisions. Atom-photon interfaces were realized with single atoms in free space or strongly coupled to an optical cavity. A long standing challenge with neutral atoms, however, is to overcome the limited observation time. Without exception, quantum effects appeared only after ensemble averaging. Here we report on a single-photon source with one-and-only-one atom quasi permanently coupled to a high-finesse cavity. Quasi permanent refers to our ability to keep the atom long enough to, first, quantify the photon-emission statistics and, second, guarantee the subsequent performance as a single-photon server delivering up to 300,000 photons for up to 30 seconds. This is achieved by a unique combination of single-photon generation and atom cooling. Our scheme brings truly deterministic protocols of quantum information science with light and matter within reach.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Wenn Markt und Ökologie an einem Strang ziehen

Mit der Initiative Grundwasserschutz durch Öko-Landbau will die Regierung von Unterfranken landwirtschaftliche Betriebe zur Umstellung motivieren. An der Aktion beteiligt sind Unternehmen der Bio-Lebensmittelwirtschaft, Bio-Verbände und der Bayerische Bauernverband

Nano Positioning of Single Atoms in a Micro Cavity

The coupling of individual atoms to a high-finesse optical cavity is precisely controlled and adjusted using a standing-wave dipole-force trap, a challenge for strong atom-cavity coupling. Ultracold Rubidium atoms are first loaded into potential minima of the dipole trap in the center of the cavity. Then we use the trap as a conveyor belt that we set into motion perpendicular to the cavity axis. This allows us to repetitively move atoms out of and back into the cavity mode with a repositioning precision of 135 nm. This makes possible to either selectively address one atom of a string of atoms by the cavity, or to simultaneously couple two precisely separated atoms to a higher mode of the cavity.Comment: 4 pages 5 figure

Influence of the leaf position within the beech crown (Fagus sylvatica LINNÉ) on the infestation rate and developmental success of Rhynchaenus fagi LINNÉ (Col., Curculionidae)

Der Buchenspringrüssler Rhynchaenus fagi L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) ist ein 2 bis 3 mm großer, schwarz bis schwarzbraun gefärbter, fein grau behaarter Käfer. Ein besonderes Merkmal der Tiere sind die stark verdickten Hinterbeine, wodurch sie über das namensgebende große Sprungvermögen verfügen. Des Weiteren zeichnet er sich durch ein gutes Flugvermögen aus. R. fagi überwintert in der Bodenstreu bzw. in Rindenritzen. Die Imagines erscheinen im April/Mai und führen zunächst einen charakteristischen Lochfraß an Buchenblättern durch. Befressen werden dabei alle Altersstufen vom Sämling bis zum Altholz. Im Mai legen die Weibchen 30 bis 35 Eier einzeln in die Mittelrippe an der Unterseite von Blättern ab. Die Altkäfer sterben Anfang Juni. Die Larve erzeugt durch endophytischen Fraß zunächst eine Gangmine, welche sich in der Peripherie des Blattes zur Platzmine erweitert. Die Verpuppung findet nach 2- bis 3-wöchigem Fraß innerhalb der Platzmine in einem Kokon statt. Nach 10 Tagen bis 3 Wochen Puppenruhe schlüpfen ab Mitte Juni Jungkäfer, die bis zum Herbst an Blättern, Blattstielen und Fruchtansätzen der Buche fressen (SCHWERDTFEGER 1981). Vor allem bei Massenvermehrung verursachen Käfer und Larven durch ihren Fraß Zuwachsverluste sowie teilweise erhebliche Einbußen an der Bucheckernmast (ESCHERICH 1923). Neben Buche können sich adulte R. fagi auch von den Blättern zahlreicher anderer Baumarten (Erle, Birke, Obstbäume, etc.) ernähren, die Larvalentwicklung ist jedoch nur an Fagus-Arten möglich. Der Buchenspringrüssler ist im gesamten europäischen Raum verbreitet (SCHWENKE 1974). In Abhängigkeit von der Position in der Krone weisen Buchenblätter eine unterschiedliche Blattanatomie auf. Lichtblätter besitzen ein dickeres Schwammparenchym und insbesondere ein mehrschichtiges Palisadenparenchym. Letzteres ist in Schattenblätter einschichtig (SCHÜTT et al. 1992). Licht- undSchattenblätter unterscheiden sich auch in ihren Inhaltsstoffen. So konzentrieren sich aufgrund der höheren Photosyntheseleistung Kohlenhydrate und phenolische Substanzen in Blättern der Lichtkrone und vermindern sich tendenziell Stickstoffverbindungen (JOHNSON et al. 1997, YAMASAKI & KIKUZAWA 2003). Diese physiologischen Bedingungen können die Verwertbarkeit der Blätter für Insekten herabsetzen.The study investigated the effect of leaf position (sun or shade crown) on the infestation by Rhynchaenus fagi and the developmental success of the beetles. After hibernation adults of R. fagi prefer leaves of the shade crown for regeneration feeding and oviposition. In both crown positions, shade and sun crown, the egg mortality reached about 60%. The mean density of mines with successfully completed development amounted to 0.12 and 0.22 mines/leaf in sun and shade, respectively. Emerging adults of the next generation exhibited a pronounced feeding preference for leaves of the sun crown. Larvae developed in sun exposed leaves consumed more dry matter than conspecifics in shaded leaves and resulting pupae reached a significant higher weight. Light microscopy of semi-thin sections stained with toluidine blue and Lugol solution demonstrated the response of beech leaves to damage caused by mining larvae. Within a 100 – 150 &#956;m range alongside the mine (1) cells of the palisade tissue and the mesophyll underwent cell divisions, (2) cells appeared very close to each other with a significantly reduced intercellular space, and (3) the disappearance of starch granula paralleled an increase in phenolic cell constituents

Simulation and experimental verification of the thermal behaviour of self-written waveguides

In this work, we investigated the optical response of a self-written waveguide (SWW) in detail by heating the structure from room temperature up to 60 °C. Previous results indicated a decrease in the optical transmission with increasing temperature for certain waveguide parameters. Based on new experimental measurements, we have identified material parameters resulting in opposite behaviour. An experimental setup was conceived to verify these results. Hereby, we were able to show that we can adjust material parameters such as refractive index and the corresponding density of the material by adapting the curing time applied during the fabrication of the waveguides. This, in turn, affects the material’s response during the heating process. We showed that a limitation of the external curing time changes the internal conditions of the SWW and the cladding in a manner that the numerical aperture increases with the temperature, which subsequently also results in an increase in the optical transmission. In this study, we explain this unexpected behavior of the SWW and point towards possible future applications. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland