Effects Of Changes In Tax/Benefit Policies In Austria 1998 2005

The aim of this paper is to evaluate whether policy reforms in Austria between 1998 and 2005 were successful in meeting redistributive objectives and in reducing poverty. For the analysis we use the tax/benefit micro-simulation model EUROMOD. Due to the sequence of reforms and the use of two datasets, the period under review is split into two parts: 1998 to 2003 and 2003 to 2005. Important changes in the first period were the tax reform 2000, the introduction of the universal childcare benefit (ìKinderbetreuungsgeldî) as well as increases in family-targeted benefits and tax reliefs. We find that the policy reforms were in general clearly progressive and family-friendly. However, as with elderly people, the situation did not improve for all population groups at risk of poverty. In the period from 2003 to 2005 the tax reform 2004/05 was introduced and contributions to health insurance were raised. We find that the measures had no significant impact on poverty and income distribution; however, in total they increased the disposable income for almost all population groups. The analysis is completed by the assessment of the redistributive impact of two hypothetical policy changes in favour of lower income groups, namely the continuous introduction of employeesí social security contributions above the lower threshold for contributions (ìGeringf¸gigkeitsgrenzeî) and the yearly indexation of family benefits.inequality, redistribution, Austria, policy reform, micro-simulation

Drain Modulation of the Field-effect Transistor Amplifier

Rapid transmission of inforn1ation from one point to another is extremely vital to our modern society. Millions of messages are transmitted each day through a variety of communication systems. A large majority of these systems rely upon some type of modulation process. The word modulate did not originate in the communications field. Like many other terms it was adopted because it aptly described the process to which it is now commonly associated. Basically the term means: to adjust; to regulate; to change; to alter; to vary; or to inflect as with the voice. For example, speaking and singing are both modulation processes where sound is varied in such a manner as to convey information. In a more technical sense, modulation is impressing an intelligence signal upon a carrier signal that is constant in all respects. The desired result of this over long distances through an available medium. When the transmission medium is the earth\u27s atmosphere, the carrier signal is usually a sinusoidel radio frequency (RF) wave that is constant in both • 1agnitude and frequency. In modulating this carrier one of its characteristics or parameters must be aired in accordance with the intelligence signal more commonly referred to as the modulating signal. The two characteristics of a continuous RF wave that can be varied are the magnitude and the angle. From this it is obvious that there are two basic types of modulation available. The term “amplitude modulation” (AM) is used to describe the process where the magnitude of the RF wave is modulated; and the term angle modulation Tl is associated with modulating the angle of the RF wave. Angle modulation can be further broken down into phase modulation (PM) and frequency modulation (FM) which are very closely related. Phase modulation results from varying the phase angle of the RF wave; while frequency modulation is produced by varying the instantaneous frequency of the RF wave

The damping and structural properties of dragonfly and damselfly wings during dynamic movement

For flying insects, stability is essential to maintain the orientation and direction of motion in flight. Flight instability is caused by a variety of factors, such as intended abrupt flight manoeuvres and unwanted environmental disturbances. Although wings play a key role in insect flight stability, little is known about their oscillatory behaviour. Here we present the first systematic study of insect wing damping. We show that different wing regions have almost identical damping properties. The mean damping ratio of fresh wings is noticeably higher than that previously thought. Flight muscles and hemolymph have almost no ‘direct’ influence on the wing damping. In contrast, the involvement of the wing hinge can significantly increase damping. We also show that although desiccation reduces the wing damping ratio, rehydration leads to full recovery of damping properties after desiccation. Hence, we expect hemolymph to influence the wing damping indirectly, by continuously hydrating the wing system

Comparison of the Effects of Supplemental Red Palm Oil and Sunflower oil on Maternal Vitamin A Status.

Conflicting results have been reported on the ability of dietary carotenoids to improve vitamin A status in lactating women. Red palm oil is one of the richest dietary sources of beta-carotene. We aimed to determine the efficacy of red palm oil in increasing retinol and provitamin A status in pregnant and lactating women. Ninety rural, pregnant Tanzanian women from 3 randomly selected villages were recruited during their third trimester to participate in 3 dietary intervention groups: a control group, who were encouraged to maintain the traditional practice of eating staples with dark-green leafy vegetables, and 2 study groups, who were given either sunflower or red palm oil for use in household food preparations. The intervention lasted 6 mo. Plasma samples were collected at the third trimester and 1 and 3 mo postpartum, and breast-milk samples were collected 1 and 3 mo postpartum. Supplementation with red palm oil, which is rich in provitamin A, increased alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations significantly (P < 0.001) in both plasma and breast milk. Plasma retinol concentrations were similar in all dietary groups. Breast-milk retinol concentrations tended to decrease from 1 to 3 mo postpartum in the control group, but were maintained in both oil groups. The difference in change in breast-milk retinol concentration between the red palm oil group and the control group was significant (P = 0.041). Consumption of red palm oil increases concentrations of alpha- and beta-carotene in both breast milk and serum and maintains breast-milk retinol concentrations. Sunflower oil consumption seems to conserve breast-milk retinol similarly to consumption of red palm oil. Breast-milk retinol might be maintained through increased dietary intake of these vegetable oils and use of mild cooking preparation methods (such as the addition of oil at the end of cooking and avoidance of frying)

Learning outcomes in primary school children with emotional problems: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Academic difficulties are common in adolescents with mental health problems. Although earlier childhood emotional problems, characterised by heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms are common forerunners to adolescent mental health problems, the degree to which mental health problems in childhood may contribute independently to academic difficulties has been little explored. METHODS: Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of students in Melbourne, Australia (N = 1239). Data were linked with a standardised national assessment of academic performance at baseline (9 years) and wave three (11 years). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline and wave two (10 years). Regression analyses estimated the association between emotional problems (9 and/or 10 years) and academic performance at 11 years, adjusting for baseline academic performance, sex, age and socioeconomic status, and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. RESULTS: Students with depressive symptoms at 9 years of age had lost nearly 4 months of numeracy learning two years later after controlling for baseline academic performance and confounders. Results were similar for anxiety symptoms. Regardless of when depressive symptoms occurred there were consistent associations with poorer numeracy performance at 11 years. The association of depressive symptoms with reading performance was weaker than for numeracy if they were present at wave two. Persistent anxiety symptoms across two waves led to nearly a 4 month loss of numeracy learning at 11 years, but the difference was not meaningful for reading. Findings were similar when including hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood anxiety and depression are not only forerunners of later mental health problems but predict academic achievement. Partnerships between education and health systems have the potential to not only improve childhood emotional problems but also improve learning

What does supervision help with? a survey of 315 social workers in the UK

What does social work supervision help with? There are many different models of supervision and an increasing amount of research. Much of this is concerned with the content of supervision and how supervisors (and supervisees) should behave — and these are important concerns. But even more important is the question of who or what supervision helps with. Supervision is widely considered to have many different functions but in the context of UK local authority social work, must ultimately prove itself as a method for helping people who use services. This article reports on a survey of 315 social workers from UK local authorities. Most reported that supervision helps primarily with management oversight and accountability. However, the small number of practitioners who received regular group supervision and those who received supervision more frequently said it helped with a much broader range of things

Association of oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI and APOE genotype with plasma long-chain n-3 fatty acid composition

n-3 Fatty acids are associated with better cardiovascular and cognitive health. However, the concentration of EPA, DPA and DHA in different plasma lipid pools differs and factors influencing this heterogeneity are poorly understood. Our aim was to evaluate the association of oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI and APOE genotype with concentrations of EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC), NEFA, cholesteryl esters (CE) and TAG. Healthy adults (148 male, 158 female, age 20–71 years) were recruited according to APOE genotype, sex and age. The fatty acid composition was determined by GC. Oily fish intake was positively associated with EPA in PC, CE and TAG, DPA in TAG, and DHA in all fractions (P≤0·008). There was a positive association between age and EPA in PC, CE and TAG, DPA in NEFA and CE, and DHA in PC and CE (P≤0·034). DPA was higher in TAG in males than females (P<0·001). There was a positive association between BMI and DPA and DHA in TAG (P<0·006 and 0·02, respectively). APOE genotype×sex interactions were observed: the APOE4 allele associated with higher EPA in males (P=0·002), and there was also evidence for higher DPA and DHA (P≤0·032). In conclusion, EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma lipids are associated with oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI and APOE genotype. Such insights may be used to better understand the link between plasma fatty acid profiles and dietary exposure and may influence intake recommendations across population subgroups

The association between intraoperative hyperglycemia and cerebrovascular markers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hyperglycemia can lead to an increased rate of apoptosis of microglial cells and to damaged neurons. The relation between hyperglycemia and cerebrovascular markers on MRI is unknown. Our aim was to study the association between intraoperative hyperglycemia and cerebrovascular markers.METHODS: In this further analysis of a subgroup investigation of the BIOCOG study, 65 older non-demented patients (median 72 years) were studied who underwent elective surgery of >= 60 minutes. Intraoperative blood glucose maximum was determined retrospectively in each patient. In these patients, preoperatively and at 3 months follow-up a MRI scan was performed and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and shape, infarcts, and perfusion parameters were determined. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between preoperative cerebrovascular markers and occurrence of intraoperative hyperglycemia. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relation between intraoperative hyperglycemia and pre- to postoperative changes in WMH volume. Associations between intraoperative hyperglycemia and postoperative WMH volume at 3 months follow-up were also assessed by linear regression analyses.RESULTS: Eighteen patients showed intraoperative hyperglycemia (glucose maximum >= 150 mg/dL). A preoperative more smooth shape of periventricular and confluent WMH was related to the occurrence of intraoperative hyperglycemia [convexity: OR 33.318 (95 % CI (1.002 - 1107.950); p = 0.050]. Other preoperative cerebrovascular markers were not related to the occurrence of intraoperative hyperglycemia. Intraoperative hyperglycemia showed no relation with pre- to postoperative changes in WMH volume nor with postoperative WMH volume at 3 months follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: We found that a preoperative more smooth shape of periventricular and confluent WMH was related to the occurrence of intraoperative hyperglycemia. These findings may suggest that a similar underlying mechanism leads to a certain pattern of vascular brain abnormalities and an increased risk of hyperglycemia.Neuro Imaging Researc

Empowering Latino parents to transform the education of their children

This article emphasizes the role of parental involvement in the college preparation of Latino elementary and secondary school students. Although literature shows that education is highly valued in Latino families, actual college enrollment rates for Latino youth are below average. This has been attributed to barriers including lack of financial resources, problems in communication with schools, and low familiarity with the college planning process. The American Dream Academy is a university outreach program that is designed to help Latino families overcome these barriers. We conducted a qualitative analysis of speeches that were prepared and delivered by parents at graduation ceremonies of the program from 2007 to 2009. Our analysis revealed six themes: facing challenges, envisioning success, understanding the school system, taking ownership, community raising a child, and creating a supportive home environment. The findings enrich existing literature and help understand the complex systems that are at play with parental involvement in Latino families

Initial experience with off-pump left ventricular assist device implantation in single center: retrospective analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We hypothesize that implantation of left ventricular assist device through off-pump technique is feasible and has a comparable result to implantation on cardiopulmonary bypass and could improve one-year survival.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This retrospective, observational, single-center study was conducted on 29 consecutive patients at our institution who underwent off-pump left ventricular assist device implantation by a single surgeon.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-seven procedures were performed successfully using the off-pump technique. The survival rate was 92% at 30 days, 76% at 90 days, and 67% at one year. We compared the one-year survival of different implantation periods, and divided our study into three time intervals (2004-2005, 2006, and 2007). There was a trend in reduction in number of deaths over one year that demonstrated a decrease in death rate from 50% to 17%, as well as improvement in our experience over time. However, this trend is not statistically significant (p = 0.08) due to limited sample size.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based upon our findings, off-pump left ventricular assist device implantation is a feasible surgical technique, and combining this technique with improved device technology in the future may provide even greater improvement in patient outcomes.</p