The effects of economic deprivation on psychological well-being among the working population of Switzerland

BACKGROUND: The association between poverty and mental health has been widely investigated. There is, however, limited evidence of mental health implications of working poverty, despite its representing a rapidly expanding segment of impoverished populations in many developed nations. In this study, we examined whether working poverty in Switzerland, a country with substantial recent growth among the working poor, was correlated with two dependent variables of interest: psychological health and unmet mental health need. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data drawn from the first 3 waves (1999–2001) of the Swiss Household Panel, a nationally representative sample of the permanent resident population of Switzerland. The study sample comprised 5453 subjects aged 20–59 years. We used Generalized Estimating Equation models to investigate the association between working poverty and psychological well-being; we applied logistic regression models to analyze the link between working poverty and unmet mental health need. Working poverty was represented by dummy variables indicating financial deficiency, restricted standard of living, or both conditions. RESULTS: After controlling other factors, restricted standard of living was significantly (p < .001) negatively correlated with psychological well-being; it was also associated with approximately 50% increased risk of unmet mental health need (OR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.17 – 2.06). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the potential psychological impact of material deprivation on working Swiss citizens. Such knowledge may aid in the design of community intervention programs to help reduce the individual and societal burdens of poverty in Switzerland

Impact of Urban Conditions of Firm Performance of Migrant Entrepreneurs: A Comparative Dutch - US Study

Recent studies on ethnic entrepreneurship have pointed at an increasing share of migrants in urban small- and medium-sized entrepreneurial businesses. These migrant activities are crucial to the urban economy in many countries, as they employ a significant part of the workforce. The main objective of our study is to identify success conditions of ethnic entrepreneurship by using concepts from social capital and human capital from the literature on empirical factors that are responsible for successful ethnic entrepreneurship. The empirical part of the paper is based on a survey questionnaire among migrant entrepreneurs in the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and in Fairfax, County in the state of Virginia in the US. We present an overview of cultural, ethno-psychological and motivational aspects that contribute to the understanding of similarities and differences between ethnic entrepreneurs in both locations. The analysis is structured around several dimensions of social and human capital including personal and business characteristics, and network participation for improving business performance. The findings of the two studies are compared to explore a possible correspondence in business performance patterns. The research tool used to assess performance is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a technique for comparative efficiency analysis in various types of corporate organizations. Finally, concluding remarks are presented and possible extensions of the analysis are suggested. © Springer-Verlag 2009

Optimization of the Actuation System Sizing of a New Helicopter base on Global Modeling Approach

International audienceThe achievements presented in this communication propose a model based approach to propagate the Flight Control System requirements to the actuation system with the aim to identify each subsystem contribution and then think a global optimization of the actuation system architecture and sizing. Within the helicopter’s Flight Control System, many functions are encapsulated, making the global performance dependent of each subsystem. Hydraulic power generation and distribution impact the actuators performances, which dynamics are influencing the global helicopter control loop performances. After presenting some recommendations in terms of pipes and actuators sizing, the new global modeling approach is introduced. The actuation system model is described with its interfaces, including degrees of freedom on its architecture, and its key parameters. Open loop simulations – based on real flight data – and closed loop simulation – responses to commands needed for maneuvers – are detailed with their respective advantages. The contribution of this global modeling approach to the final design is presented and perspectives are given

Optimization of the Actuation System Sizing of a New Helicopter base on Global Modeling Approach

International audienceThe achievements presented in this communication propose a model based approach to propagate the Flight Control System requirements to the actuation system with the aim to identify each subsystem contribution and then think a global optimization of the actuation system architecture and sizing. Within the helicopter’s Flight Control System, many functions are encapsulated, making the global performance dependent of each subsystem. Hydraulic power generation and distribution impact the actuators performances, which dynamics are influencing the global helicopter control loop performances. After presenting some recommendations in terms of pipes and actuators sizing, the new global modeling approach is introduced. The actuation system model is described with its interfaces, including degrees of freedom on its architecture, and its key parameters. Open loop simulations – based on real flight data – and closed loop simulation – responses to commands needed for maneuvers – are detailed with their respective advantages. The contribution of this global modeling approach to the final design is presented and perspectives are given

Nkx2.5 cell-autonomous gene function is required for the postnatal formation of the peripheral Purkinje fiber network

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