Are there nationalization-privatization cycles? A theoretical survey and first empirical evidence

This paper deals with fluctuations over time in the extent of the state-owned firm sector? nationalization-privatization cycles (NPCs). Anecdotal observations of NPCs are supported threefold by systematic empirical evidence: first, for different regions and economic systems, second, for different time periods, and third, for different indicators. In explaining NPCs, the paper provides a history of research on the subject. At the end three hypotheses are distinguished: the ideological preference hypothesis, the political cycle hypothesis, and the efficiency hypothesis. The conclusion is that NPCs existed in the 20th century as a worldwide phenomenon and are worthy of being explained.

Wie privatisieren und wer privatisiert? Zur Erklärung der Wahl der Privatisierungsmethode und -organisation

With this theoretical survey the thesis is put forward that the method of privatization as well as the structure of the privatization agency is choosen by the politicians for politico-economic reasons, and not for reasons of saving transaction costs or for reasons of ideological preferences. The method of privatization (auction, bargaining, giveaway) is the one that is choosen which secures power for the politician. And the agency of privatization is structured according to the juridical power and political structure of the State.Privatisierung,Privatisierungsmethode,Privatisierungsorganisation,Privatization,Method of Privatization,Agency of Privatization

Warum Privatisierung? Eine Dogmengeschichte der Privatisierungstheorien

Privatisierung, Privateigentum, Dogmengeschichte

Was Privatization in Eastern Germany a Special Case? Some Lessons from the Treuhand

Eastern German privatization and restructuring of firms is seen as a special case because of the peculiarities of reunification and the large transfers from western Germany to finance it. Although this is right, the government faced the same problems as other countries in transition when privatizing and restructuring firms: It had to decide about the aims, methods and organization, the extent and the speed of privatization, it had to take into account politico-economic repercussions and traditions, and it had to find a general economic policy toward restructuring. I argue that eastern German privatization is only in a limited way a special case and therefore some lessons can be drawn for other transition countries.privatization, restructuring, eastern germany

Developmental Stage, Phenotype, and Migration Distinguish Naive- and Effector/Memory-like CD4+ Regulatory T Cells

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) fulfill a central role in immune regulation. We reported previously that the integrin αEβ7 discriminates distinct subsets of murine CD4+ regulatory T cells. Use of this marker has now helped to unravel a fundamental dichotomy among regulatory T cells. αE−CD25+ cells expressed L-selectin and CCR7, enabling recirculation through lymphoid tissues. In contrast, αE-positive subsets (CD25+ and CD25−) displayed an effector/memory phenotype expressing high levels of E/P-selectin–binding ligands, multiple adhesion molecules as well as receptors for inflammatory chemokines, allowing efficient migration into inflamed sites. Accordingly, αE-expressing cells were found to be the most potent suppressors of inflammatory processes in disease models such as antigen-induced arthritis

Mild Transient Hypercapnia as a Novel Fear Conditioning Stimulus Allowing Re-Exposure during Sleep

Introduction:Studies suggest that sleep plays a role in traumatic memories and that treatment of sleep disorders may help alleviate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Fear-conditioning paradigms in rodents are used to investigate causal mechanisms of fear acquisition and the relationship between sleep and posttraumatic behaviors. We developed a novel conditioning stimulus (CS) that evoked fear and was subsequently used to study re-exposure to the CS during sleep.Methods:Experiment 1 assessed physiological responses to a conditioned stimulus (mild transient hypercapnia, mtHC; 3.0% CO2; n = 17)+footshock for the purpose of establishing a novel CS in male FVB/J mice. Responses to the novel CS were compared to tone+footshock (n = 18) and control groups of tone alone (n = 17) and mild transient hypercapnia alone (n = 10). A second proof of principle experiment re-exposed animals during sleep to mild transient hypercapnia or air (control) to study sleep processes related to the CS.Results:Footshock elicited a response of acute tachycardia (30-40 bpm) and increased plasma epinephrine. When tone predicted footshock it elicited mild hypertension (1-2 mmHg) and a three-fold increase in plasma epinephrine. When mtHC predicted footshock it also induced mild hypertension, but additionally elicited a conditioned bradycardia and a smaller increase in plasma epinephrine. The overall mean 24 hour sleep-wake profile was unaffected immediately after fear conditioning.Discussion:Our study demonstrates the efficacy of mtHC as a conditioning stimulus that is perceptible but innocuous (relative to tone) and applicable during sleep. This novel model will allow future studies to explore sleep-dependent mechanisms underlying maladaptive fear responses, as well as elucidate the moderators of the relationship between fear responses and sleep. © 2013 McDowell et al

Differential pattern and prognostic significance of CD4+, FOXP3+ and IL-17+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in ductal and lobular breast cancers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clinical relevance of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer is controversial. Here, we used a tumor microarray including a large series of ductal and lobular breast cancers with long term follow up data, to analyze clinical impact of TIL expressing specific phenotypes and distribution of TILs within different tumor compartments and in different histological subtypes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A tissue microarray (TMA) including 894 ductal and 164 lobular breast cancers was stained with antibodies recognizing CD4, FOXP3, and IL-17 by standard immunohistochemical techniques. Lymphocyte counts were correlated with clinico-pathological parameters and survival.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CD4⁺lymphocytes were more prevalent than FOXP3⁺TILs whereas IL-17⁺TILs were rare. Increased numbers of total CD4⁺and FOXP3⁺TIL were observed in ductal, as compared with lobular carcinomas. High grade (G3) and estrogen receptor (ER) negative ductal carcinomas displayed significantly (<it>p </it> < 0.001) higher CD4⁺and FOXP3⁺lymphocyte infiltration while her2/neu over-expression in ductal carcinomas was significantly (<it>p </it> < 0.001) associated with higher FOXP3⁺TIL counts. In contrast, lymphocyte infiltration was not linked to any clinico-pathological parameters in lobular cancers. In univariate but not in multivariate analysis CD4⁺infiltration was associated with significantly shorter survival in patients bearing ductal, but not lobular cancers. However, a FOXP3⁺/CD4⁺ratio > 1 was associated with improved overall survival even in multivariate analysis (<it>p </it>= 0.033).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Ductal and lobular breast cancers appear to be infiltrated by different lymphocyte subpopulations. In ductal cancers increased CD4⁺and FOXP3⁺TIL numbers are associated with more aggressive tumor features. In survival analysis, absolute numbers of TILs do not represent major prognostic indicators in ductal and lobular breast cancer. Remarkably however, a ratio > 1 of total FOXP3⁺/CD4⁺TILs in ductal carcinoma appears to represent an independent favorable prognostic factor.</p

Research and development in East Germany after 1989

Available from Bibliothek des Instituts fuer Weltwirtschaft, ZBW, Duesternbrook Weg 120, D-24105 Kiel C 176526 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Was Privatization in Eastern Germany a Special Case? Some Lessons from the Treuhand

Eastern German privatization and restructuring of firms is seen as a special case because of the peculiarities of reunification and the large transfers from western Germany to finance it. Although this is right, the government faced the same problems as other countries in transition when privatizing and restructuring firms: It had to decide about the aims, methods and organization, the extent and the speed of privatization, it had to take into account politico-economic repercussions and traditions, and it had to find a general economic policy toward restructuring. I argue that eastern German privatization is only in a limited way a special case and therefore some lessons can be drawn for other transition countries.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39475/3/wp85.pd