3,344 research outputs found
Nickel and Dimed German Style: The Working Poor in Germany
Using data from the German SOEP, this paper analyses whether there have been (a) any significant changes in poverty rates and poverty intensities before and after the Hartz IV reforms and (b) whether there have been observable changes in the effect of employment in reducing the threat or intensity of poverty. Using multivariate analyses we can find no evidence of increases in poverty rates comparing the time period 2002â2004 with that of 2005â2006. Further we find no change in the effect of employment in reducing the probability and intensity of poverty during this time period. The âworking poorâ phenomenon in Germany remains relatively small and statistically unchanged by the Hartz reforms.Income distribution, unemployment, poverty
Money for Nothing and Your Chips for Free? The Anatomy of the PC Wage Differential
The role of the computer at the workplace is examined in determining the wage structure in Germany. It is shown that the wage premium attributed to using a computer at work using cross-sectional results for 1997 is 7%. To control for unmeasured individual effects, we use a random effects and fixed effects estimator. The coefficient for computer usage at the workplace did NOT remain stable and although just barely significant, was reduced to mere 1% with individual fixed effects. We conclude that there are no computer usage wage differentials worth speaking of, once one controls adequately for unobserved individual heterogeneity.
International Labor Migration, Economic Growth and Labor Markets â The Current State of Affairs
Even though European labor markets are characterized by high average unemployment, there is a shortage of high-skilled labor, leading many European economists to argue for an immigration policy directed at actively recruiting highly qualified workers from abroad. It has further been argued that an immigration policy that is tailored to attract young and economically successful migrants can alleviate some of the demographic burden associated with an aging population.We embed this discussion into a systematic classification of economic migration research according to its major conceptual and applied questions. The state of theoretical and empirical research on the migration decision, the literature on the economic performance of immigrants and their economic impact is reviewed briefly, proceeding along the lines of a clear conceptual framework. In addition, the paper discusses expectations on future migration flows and the policy options of immigration countries for dealing with these flows.Immigration, European labor markets, Immigration policy
Frontal Metabolite Concentration Deficits in Opiate Dependence Relate to Substance Use, Cognition, and Self-Regulation.
ObjectiveProton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in opiate dependence showed abnormalities in neuronal viability and glutamate concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Metabolite levels in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and their neuropsychological correlates have not been investigated in opiate dependence.MethodsSingle-volume proton MRS at 4 Tesla and neuropsychological testing were conducted in 21 opiate-dependent individuals (OD) on buprenorphine maintenance therapy. Results were compared to 28 controls (CON) and 35 alcohol-dependent individuals (ALC), commonly investigated treatment-seekers providing context for OD evaluation. Metabolite concentrations were measured from ACC, DLPFC, OFC and parieto-occipital cortical (POC) regions.ResultsCompared to CON, OD had lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu), creatine +phosphocreatine (Cr) and myo-Inositol (mI) in the DLPFC and lower NAA, Cr, and mI in the ACC. OD, ALC, and CON were equivalent on metabolite levels in the POC and Îł-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration did not differ between groups in any region. In OD, prefrontal metabolite deficits in ACC Glu as well as DLPFC NAA and choline containing metabolites (Cho) correlated with poorer working memory, executive and visuospatial functioning; metabolite deficits in DLPFC Glu and ACC GABA and Cr correlated with substance use measures. In the OFC of OD, Glu and choline-containing metabolites were elevated and lower Cr concentration related to higher nonplanning impulsivity. Compared to 3 week abstinent ALC, OD had significant DLPFC metabolite deficits.ConclusionThe anterior frontal metabolite profile of OD differed significantly from that of CON and ALC. The frontal lobe metabolite abnormalities in OD and their neuropsychological correlates may play a role in treatment outcome and could be explored as specific targets for improved OD treatment
Radiative Inflation and Dark Energy
We propose a model based on radiative symmetry breaking that combines
inflation with Dark Energy and is consistent with the WMAP 7-year regions. The
radiative inflationary potential leads to the prediction of a spectral index
0.955 \lesssim n_S \lesssim 0.967 and a tensor to scalar ratio 0.142 \lesssim r
\lesssim 0.186, both consistent with current data but testable by the Planck
experiment. The radiative symmetry breaking close to the Planck scale gives
rise to a pseudo Nambu-Goldstone boson with a gravitationally suppressed mass
which can naturally play the role of a quintessence field responsible for Dark
Energy. Finally, we present a possible extra dimensional scenario in which our
model could be realised.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures; v2: references added, appendix added, Section 5
slightly modified; content matches published versio
Forces between a single atom and its distant mirror image
An excited-state atom whose emitted light is back-reflected by a distant
mirror can experience trapping forces, because the presence of the mirror
modifies both the electromagnetic vacuum field and the atom's own radiation
reaction field. We demonstrate this mechanical action using a single trapped
barium ion. We observe the trapping conditions to be notably altered when the
distant mirror is shifted by an optical wavelength. The well-localised barium
ion enables the spatial dependence of the forces to be measured explicitly. The
experiment has implications for quantum information processing and may be
regarded as the most elementary optical tweezers.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, published versio
Crystal Engineering of Supramolecular 1,4-Benzene Bisamides by Side-Chain Modification : Towards Tuneable Anisotropic Morphologies and Surfaces
Benzene bisamides are promising building blocks for supramolecular nanoâobjects. Their functionality depends on morphology and surface properties. However, a direct link between surface properties and molecular structure itself is missing for this material class. Here, we investigate this interplay for two series of 1,4âbenzene bisamides with symmetric and asymmetric peripheral substitution. We elucidated the crystal structures, determined the nanoâobject morphologies and derived the wetting behaviour of the preferentially exposed surfaces. The crystal structures were solved by combining singleâcrystal and powder Xâray diffraction, solidâstate NMR spectroscopy and computational modelling. Bulky side groups, here tâbutyl groups, serve as a structureâdirecting motif into a packing pattern, which favours the formation of thin platelets. The use of slim peripheral groups on both sides, in our case linear perfluorinated, alkyl chains, selfâassemble the benzene bisamides into a second packing pattern which leads to ribbonâlike nanoâobjects. For both packing types, the preferentially exposed surfaces consist of the ends of the peripheral groups. Asymmetric substitution with bulky and slim groups leads to an ordered alternating arrangement of the groups exposed to the surface. This allows the hydrophobicity of the surfaces to be gradually altered. We thus identified two leitmotifs for molecular packings of benzene bisamides providing the missing link between the molecular structure, the anisotropic morphologies and adjustable surface properties of the supramolecular nanoâobjects
Geometry of sedimentary deposits and evolution of the landforms in the Chobe Enclave, Northern Botswana
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