The Swedish EITC and its effect on the employment rate

The thesis evaluates the Swedish EITC and its effect on the employment rate. The Swedish EITC was introduced in 2007 to encourage more people to enter the labor market. This will be evaluated with a difference-in-difference method. The fact that the tax rate in the municipality is an important part of the formula for the EITC will be used to form groups depending of the size of the tax rate. A municipality with a higher tax rate would experience a higher increase in the employment rate than those with a lower tax rate. It will be shown that there is a difference between groups with different tax rates. However, when controlling for long-term time trend, this effect is eliminated. This shows the difficulties of examining the Swedish EITC

The Swedish VAT reduction on restaurant services and its effect on the employment rate

Abstract The thesis is examines whether the VAT reduction for restaurant services imposed in Sweden on the first of January in 2012 affects the employment rate. A fixed effect panel data analysis was performed with total employment as dependent variable and correlated against groups of Swedish regions. The groups are classified depending on how large share of total employees that are working in the restaurant sector. It can be shown that those regions with a higher employment rate in the restaurant sector have experienced a lower decrease in employment than other regions

Treatment of urinary incontinence after stroke in adults

Background: Urinary incontinence can affect 40-60% of people admitted to hospital after a stroke, with 25% still having problems on hospital discharge and 15% remaining incontinent at one year. Objectives: To determine the optimal methods for treatment of urinary incontinence after stroke in adults. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence and Stroke Groups specialised registers (searched 15 March 2007 and 5 March 2007 respectively), CINAHL (January 1982 to January 2007), national and international trial databases for unpublished data, and the reference lists of relevant articles. Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of interventions designed to promote continence in people after stroke. Data collection and analysis: Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by two reviewers working independently. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Main results: Twelve trials with a total of 724 participants were included in the review. Participants were from a mixture of settings, age groups and phases of stroke recovery. Behavioural interventions Three trials assessed behavioural interventions, such as timed voiding and pelvic floor muscle training. All had small sample sizes and confidence intervals were wide

“Go Out from Your Sign”: Rashi to Genesis 15:5 as a Reference to Astrological Primary Direction – Its Background in Rabbinic Literature and Parallels in Abraham bar Ḥiyya

This article suggests that Rashi’s exegetical commentary to Gen 15:5, in which Abram counts the stars, is meant to invoke an association with the astrological technique known as Primary Directions (based on equating one degree of Right Ascension in the rotation of the earth around its axis with one year of life), which was one of the main methods of prognostication in pre-modern astrology – beginning already in Hellenistic times and quite central in Mediaeval astrological thinking. Rabbinic sources discussing the relevant biblical passage and the idea of Abraham as a supreme astrologer are analysed, along with parallel material from Abraham bar Ḥiyya and Ibn ʿEzrā. The article examines both what Rashi kept and what he removed from his Rabbinic sources, and elaborates on the role of astrological thinking in his milieu.   https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2020/v33n3a1

Studies on the dormancy of sugar beet fruit

In this work some aspects concerning with the dispersal unit and its relationships of dormancy of Beta vulgaris are studied. Two batches of fruits were used and their viability assessed, showing that 90% of the fruits were capable of germinating. The basic germination behaviour was determined using standard germination conditions at 2

Urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters

Urinary incontinence has the potential to diminish athletic performance and discourage women from participating in sport and exercise. This study determined the prevalence and possible risk factors for urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. This research was a cross-sectional, survey-based study completed by 191 competitive women weightlifters. The frequency and severity of urinary incontinence was determined using the Incontinence Severity Index. Urinary incontinence was defined as an Incontinence Severity Index score >0. The survey questions focused on risk factors, the context and triggers for urinary incontinence, and self-care strategies. Approximately, 31.9% of subjects experienced urinary incontinence within 3 months of completing the survey. Incontinence Severity Index scores were significantly correlated with parity (r = 0.283, p = 0.01) and age (r = 0.216, p = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the Incontinence Severity Index score and the number of years participating in any form of resistance training (r = −0.010, p = 0.886) or weightlifting (r = −0.045, p = 0.534), body mass index (r = 0.058, p = 0.422), or competition total (r = −0.114, p = 0.115). The squat was the most likely exercise to provoke urinary incontinence. Although the number of repetitions, weight lifted, body position, and ground impact may increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence occurring during a lift, it is difficult to determine which factor has the greatest influence. Some self-care strategies used by competitive women weightlifters who experience urinary incontinence, such as training while dehydrated, have the potential to diminish athletic performance

Urinary incontinence in competitive women powerlifters: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) can negatively affect a woman’s quality of life, participation in sport and athletic performance. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of UI in competitive women powerlifters; identify possible risk factors and activities likely to provoke UI; and establish self-care practices. Methods: This international cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey completed by 480 competitive women powerlifters aged between 20 and 71 years. The Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) was used to determine the severity of UI. Results: We found that 43.9% of women had experienced UI within the three months prior to this study. The deadlift was the most likely, and the bench-press the least likely exercise to provoke UI. ISI scores were positively correlated with parity (τ = 0.227, p < 0.001), age (τ = 0.179, p < 0.001), competition total (τ = 0.105, p = 0.002) and body mass index score (τ = 0.089, p = 0.009). There was no significant correlation between ISI and years strength training (τ = − 0.052, p = 0.147) or years powerlifting (τ = 0.041, p = 0.275). There was a negative correlation between ISI score with having a pelvic floor assessment (η = 0.197), and the ability to correctly perform pelvic floor exercises (η = 0.172). Conclusion: The prevalence of UI in this cohort was at the upper limit experienced by women in the general population. Women who had undergone a pelvic floor examination or were confident in correctly performing pelvic floor exercises experienced less severe UI

Module-based quality system functionality evaluation in production logistics

Purpose: This paper addresses a comprehensive modeling and functionality evaluation of a module-based quality system in production logistics at the highest domain abstract level of business processes. Design/methodology/approach: All domain quality business processes and quality data transactions are modeled using BPMN and UML tools and standards at the business process and data modeling. A modular web-based prototype is developed to evaluate the models addressing the quality information system functionality requirements and modularity in production logistics through data scenarios and data queries. Findings: Using the object-oriented technique in design at the highest domain level, the proposed models are subject further development in the lower levels for the implementing case. The models are specifically able to manipulate all quality operations including remedy and control in a lot-based make-to-order production logistics system as an individual module. Practical implications: Due to the specification of system as domain design structure, all proposed BPMs, data models, and the actual database prototype are seen referential if not a solution as a practical “to-be” quality business process re-engineering template. Originality/value: this paper sets out to provide an explanatory approach using different practical technique at modeling steps as well as the prototype implementation.Peer Reviewe

Wood-ish : what can replace wood in constructions in public outdoor environment?

Wood as a material has traditionally been used and is still used in many constructions in outdoor environments in Sweden. Despite the benefits of domestic materials that do not come from finite resources and have a special character, one cannot ignore the fact that wood requires maintenance. In addition to wear and tear, moisture and UV radiation can lead to the material being affected by decay, which deteriorates the durability so that parts or the entire design must be replaced. The purpose of this paper is to focus on which materials can replace wood in constructions in the public environment and assess these materials based on parameters that take into account everything from the origin of the material to the material's resistance. During our study we have assumed a number of parameters for delimiting the type of information that has been important for both wood and the respective alternative material. In addition to searching for information through literature studies, a questionnaire was sent out to manufacturers and retailers of alternative materials, where the questions are linked to the ones set out in the aforementioned parameters, with the aim of getting a clearer insight into, among other things, production, durability and environmental impact. The answers to the questionnaire were sometimes difficult to interpret and compare. Meetings have been held with the Material Library in Stockholm and the company G9 Landskap, which, in addition to more detailed information on alternative material, has given us the opportunity to both see and feel the materials in person. During the work we have come to the conclusion that irrespective of which material choice is made, both wood or alternative materials have their advantages and disadvantages, within the given parameters. Depending on the type of construction, expected wear and tear and exposure to weather and wind, wood may be suitable in some environments, while the alternative materials have advantages in others. The main advantages of the alternative materials for wood are the long life span, that they do not suffer from decay and that they are almost maintenance-free. At the same time, the work shows that wood is a material that is easily accessible in Sweden, has a greater strength than the alternative materials and gives a warm impression. These benefits can contribute to the use and development of more modification/treatment methods in the future to increase the durability of the wood.Trä som material har traditionellt använts och används fortfarande i många konstruktioner i utemiljö i Sverige. Trots fördelar med inhemskt material som inte kommer från ändliga resurser och har en speciell karaktär kan man inte bortse från det faktum att trä kräver underhåll. Förutom slitage från brukare kan fukt och UV-strålning leda till att materialet drabbas av röta, vilket försämrar beständigheten så pass att delar eller hela konstruktionen måste bytas ut. Syftet med detta arbete är att lägga fokus på vilka material som kan ersätta trä i konstruktioner i offentlig miljö och bedöma dessa utifrån parametrar som behandlar alltifrån materialets ursprung till respektive materials beständighet. Under arbetes gång har vi utgått från ett antal parametrar för att avgränsa vilken typ av information som varit väsentlig gällande både trä och respektive ersättningsmaterial. Förutom informationssökande genom litteraturstudier skickades en enkät ut till tillverkare och återförsäljare av alternativa material där frågorna är kopplade till de uppställda i parametrarna skulle besvaras, med syftet att få en tydligare inblick i bland annat produktionen, beständighet och miljöpåverkan. Svaren på enkäten var ibland svåra att tolka och jämföra sinsemellan. Utöver det har möten hållits med Materialbiblioteket i Stockholm samt företaget G9 Landskap som förutom mer ingående information om ersättningsmaterial gett oss chansen att både se och känna på materialen i verkligheten. Under arbetet har vi kommit fram till att oavsett vilket materialval som görs har både trä eller ersättningsmaterialen sina för- och nackdelar om man utgår för de givna parametrarna. Beroende på vilken typ av konstruktion det är, förväntat slitage och exponering för väder och vind kan trä vara lämpligt i vissa miljöer, medan ersättningsmaterialen har fördelar i andra. De främsta fördelarna med de alternativa materialen till trä är den långa livslängden, att de inte drabbas av rötangrepp och att de är nästintill underhållsfria. Arbetet visar samtidigt att trä är ett material som är lättillgängligt i Sverige, har en större hållfasthet än ersättningsmaterialen samt ger ett varmt intryck. Dessa fördelar kan bidra till att man framöver använder och utvecklar fler modifieringsmetoder för att öka beständigheten hos trä