Taxing Human Capital Efficiently when Qualified Labour is Mobile

The paper studies the effect that skilled labour mobility has on efficient education policy. The model is one of two periods in which a representative taxpayer decides on labour, education, and saving. The government can only use linear tax and subsidy instruments. It is shown that the mobility of skilled labour well constrains government’s choice of policy instruments. The mobility does not however affect second best education policy in allocational terms. In particular, education should be effectively subsidized if, and only if, the elasticity of the earnings function is increasing in education. This rule applies regardless of whether labour is mobile or immobile.mobile labour, second-best efficient taxation, linear instruments, residence vs. source principle

On the experience of stigma by persons with epilepsy in Sweden and Iran—A comparative study

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this paper is to compare the experience of stigma by persons with epilepsy in Sweden and Iran.MethodAn adapted version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale was completed by 130 persons with epilepsy in Tehran and 93 patients at a neurology clinic in Sweden.ResultsThe Swedish subjects reported a significantly lower level of experienced stigmatization than the Iranian patients, which we think is an effect of a more individualized medical treatment and a longer experience of health education in the Swedish society.ConclusionImproved seizure control, legislative measures and health education are major contributory factors for stigma reduction in a society as regards epilepsy and probably also other medical conditions

Transportplaner

Movia har udviklet er nyt busprodukt kaldet Kommunebus, der er målrettet kommunale kørselsordninger. Formålet med Kommunebus er at opnå synergi på tværs af de mange forskellige kørselsopgaver, så kommunen samlet får en mere effektiv betjening, der er bedre og/eller billigere end i dag. Introduktionen af Kommunebus vil for mange kommuner være et velvalgt tidspunkt for et samlet eftersyn af kommunens samlede transport og samtidigt få ’ryddet op’ i serviceniveauer og visitering, så borgerne oplever et ensartet niveau på tværs af geografi og kørselsordninger. Movia kalder dette eftersyn for et kommunalt Transportplansprojekt – og har i samarbejde med Deloitte udviklet en konkret projektmodel for nye Transportplansprojekter

Atomic-level structure characterization of an ultrafast folding mini-protein denatured state

Atomic-level analyses of non-native protein ensembles constitute an important aspect of protein folding studies to reach a more complete understanding of how proteins attain their native form exhibiting biological activity. Previously, formation of hydrophobic clusters in the 6 M urea-denatured state of an ultrafast folding mini-protein known as TC5b from both photo-CIDNP NOE transfer studies and FCS measurements was observed. Here, we elucidate the structural properties of this mini-protein denatured in 6 M urea performing 15N NMR relaxation studies together with a thorough NOE analysis. Even though our results demonstrate that no elements of secondary structure persist in the denatured state, the heterogeneous distribution of R2 rate constants together with observing pronounced heteronuclear NOEs along the peptide backbone reveals specific regions of urea-denatured TC5b exhibiting a high degree of structural rigidity more frequently observed for native proteins. The data are complemented with studies on two TC5b point mutants to verify the importance of hydrophobic interactions for fast folding. Our results corroborate earlier findings of a hydrophobic cluster present in urea-denatured TC5b comprising both native and non-native contacts underscoring their importance for ultra rapid folding. The data assist in finding ways of interpreting the effects of pre-existing native and/or non-native interactions on the ultrafast folding of proteins; a fact, which might have to be considered when defining the starting conditions for molecular dynamics simulation studies of protein folding

Tree Felling with a Drill Cone

Motor-manual timber felling is one of the most dangerous operations in the forest and cannot be completely replaced by fully mechanized timber harvesting by a harvester when dealing with large and deciduous trees. Shifting the center of gravity of tree ready to be felled beyond its tipping line using conventional felling wedges is dangerous because the forest worker is directly behind the stem and under the tree crown until just before the tree falls. The worker can be hit by the trunk itself, but also by falling parts of the crown. In a preliminary study for the development of a new type of felling head, felling with a drill cone that can open the felling cut with the help of an applied torque was investigated. A drill cone does not require any special cutting technique, no counter forces to the tree, works without impulses, it is self-retaining and can be unscrewed again. In order to determine the torque required for felling the tree as a function of the tree parameters, the mathematical equation framework was established and practical experiments were used to determine the friction parameters and verify the calculations. The torque of the drill cone is used to bend the intact fibers of the hinge, shift the center of gravity of the tree in the direction of fall, and to overcome the friction of the drill cone on the felling cut. The effects of forward or backward leaning trees on the required torque can also be quantified. It has been shown that the efficiency of a drill cone is low, but this is compensated for by the high internal torque to lift ratio. The maximum measured input torque for felling trees with a felling diameter up to 55 centimeter was 100 Nm

Magnetization and energy dynamics in spin ladders: Evidence of diffusion in time, frequency, position, and momentum

The dynamics of magnetization and energy densities are studied in the two-leg spin-1/2 ladder. Using an efficient pure-state approach based on the concept of typicality, we calculate spatio-temporal correlation functions for large systems with up to 40 lattice sites. In addition, two subsequent Fourier transforms from real to momentum space as well as from time to frequency domain yield the respective dynamic structure factors. Summarizing our main results, we unveil the existence of genuine diffusion both for spin and energy. In particular, this finding is based on four distinct signatures which can all be equally well detected: (i) Gaussian density profiles, (ii) time-independent diffusion coefficients, (iii) exponentially decaying density modes, and (iv) Lorentzian line shapes of the dynamic structure factor. The combination of (i) - (iv) provides a comprehensive picture of high-temperature dynamics in thisarchetypal nonintegrable quantum model.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figure

Trafikplan for Region Sjælland

Trafikplanen evaluerer den nuværende regionale trafik – der er en viderførelse af den hidtidige trafik i hhv STS (Storstøms Amt), VT (Vestsjællands Amt) og HUR (det tidligere Roskilde Amt) , og opstiller en plan for den fremtidige regionale trafik i Region Sjælland. Som andre steder i landet lægges der op til ændringer ift. hvilke trafikale opgaver der skal løses af regionen – og hvilke der skal overlades til kommunerne. Der er flere vinkler i emnet;Dels selve trafikplanen, hvor der ligger en konkret plan for den fremtidige regionale betjening. Men også den efterfølgende proces og diskussionen med kommunerne som løber af staben pt. er interessant. I følge tidsplanen behandles trafikplanen endeligt af regionen i maj, så også den politiske beslutning vil være kendt til august. Planen er udarbejdet på baggrund af analyser af den eksisterende trafik, tidligere rapporter om hvad der skal til for at få flere passagerer i den kollektive trafik samt en gennemgang af pendlingstal mhp. at fastslå hvilke relationer der er relevante ift. den regionale trafik. Resultat af arbejdet er selve planen for den fremtidige regionale trafik.Planen lægger op til en offentsiv satsning på at få flere passagerer i den kollektive trafik ved hjælp af centrale elementer som høj frekvens, langt driftsdøgn, sammenhæng mellem bus og bane samt et hurtigt og enkelt net

Målrettet kollektiv trafik - Trafikbetjeningen af Operaen

Operaen i København åbnede for publikum januar 2005. Operaens beliggenhed på Holmen i København var kun vanskelig tilgængelig, og i halvåret op til åbningen havde mange derfor spekuleret i det trafikkaos, som åbningen af Operaen ville medføre. Formålet med dette indlæg er at fortælle om betjeningen - både de udfordringer det giver, når kollektiv trafik skal målrettes mod specifikke forestillinger på bestemte dage og tidspunkter, og de passagermæssige effekter af en så målrettet betjening

The Relationship Between Low Vision and Musculoskeletal Complaints. A Case Control Study Between Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients and Age-matched Controls with Normal Vision

AbstractIntroductionAge-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) patients often describe complaints from neck and scapula area muscles and a decreased postural control. In clinical assessment, these complaints are considered to be due to old age.PurposeThis study focuses on low-vision patients with ARMD, comparing them to age-matched controls without any eye disease, in order to evaluate if the linkage between self-rated visual complaints and musculoskeletal complaints is more prominent when low vision is present.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 24 ARMD patients, aged 65 to 85, were compared to a group of 24 controls without visual problems having a similar age distribution. Visual acuity, the need for magnification plus other optical and visual parameters were assessed. Visual, musculoskeletal and balance/proprioceptive complaints were collected by means of a self-rating questionnaire. The Visual Functioning Questionnaire - Near Activities Subscale (VFQ–NAS) was used to evaluate visual function and related complaints.ResultsThe correlation between visual complaints and musculoskeletal complaints yielded significant values of the correlation coefficient when performed separately within each group, as well as when calculated on the entire data set [ARMD, Spearman's rho (ρ)=0.60, P=0.002; control group ρ=0.59, P=0.004; both groups together ρ=0.50 P<0.001]. Stepwise multiple regression analysis supported the hypothesized effect of vision (Visual complaints + Minimum readable typefaces) on musculoskeletal complaints, (r2=0.42, P<0.05).ConclusionsThe results in this study support the hypothesis that a relationship exists between visual and musculoskeletal problems

Creating, Reinterpreting, Combining, Cuing: Paper Practices on the Shopfloor

Despite the advent of a flurry of digital technologies, paper prevails on manufacturing shopfloors. To understand the roles and value of paper on the shopfloor, we have studied the manufacturing practices at two state-of-the-art automotive supplier facilities, applying ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, as well as photo and document analysis. We find that paper has unique affordances that today’s digital technologies cannot easily supplant on current shopfloors. More specifically, we find four paper practices: (1) creating and adapting individual information spaces, (2) reinterpreting information, (3) combining information handover with social interaction, and (4) visual cuing. We discuss these practices and the unique affordance of paper that currently support shopfloor workers and also consider the limitations of paper, which are becoming increasingly apparent, since more tasks increasingly depend on real-time information