Beiträge auf Vermögenseinkünfte: Zwischen Leistungsgerechtigkeit und Populismus

Die Gesetzlichen Krankenkassen haben mit erheblichen Finanzierungsproblemen zu kämpfen. Als einfache Lösung wird immer wieder eine Erweiterung der Bemessungsgrundlage um Vermögenseinkünfte gefordert. Wie ist dieser Vorschlag unter Leistungsfähigkeitsgesichtspunkten zu beurteilen? Wird die finanzielle Basis der Krankenkassen durch diese Maßnahme tatsächlich deutlich verbessert? --

Zur Wirkung moralischer Appelle als Nudging? Ergebnisse aus verhaltensökonomischen Experimenten

In den Diskussionen zur Nutzung von Nudges zur Anregung gewünschten Verhaltens spielen Normen eine zentrale Rolle. Mit Hilfe einer Variation des Diktatorspiels gehen wir der Frage nach, ob der Verweis auf eine Gleichverteilungsnorm eine Verhaltensänderung im Sinne des Nudgings bewirkt. Wir prüfen weiter, ob die Wirkung der Gleichverteilungsnorm von der Größe der Gruppe abhängt, die von der Teilung profitiert. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen einen mittleren bis großen Effekt bei Verweis auf eine Gleichverteilungsnorm. Dieser Effekt scheint jedoch unabhängig von der Größe der profitierenden Gruppe zu sein. Die Ergebnisse erweisen sich als robust gegenüber Diktatorspielen immanenten Mannaeffekten

Fairness as a universal norm? : Empiric evidence without manna

In einer anonymen Experimentalsituation mit induzierter Fairnessnorm werden physische Anstrengungen (Hockstrecksprünge) als Zahlungseinheiten genutzt, um windfall gains zu vermeiden. In drei Experimenten werden Fairnessnorm, Autoritätsnorm und soziale Kontrolle variiert. Wir finden empirische Evidenz für die Wirkung endogener Faktoren auch ohne windfall gains. Autoritätsnormen und soziale Kontrolle führen zu einer Reduktion normverletzenden Verhaltens, aber nicht zu einer kollektiv höheren Auszahlung in der von uns erzeugten Kleinkostensituation. Bei Auszahlungen oberhalb der Fairnessnorm scheint es sich um einen sequenziellen Auszahlungsstrom mit zufälliger Abbruchwahrscheinlichkeit nach jedem Zahlungsvorgang zu handeln.In an anonymous experiment with induced fairness norms, physical exercises (squat jumps with arm-swings) are used as payment units in order to avoid windfall gains. We vary fairness norms, authority norms and social control in three experiments and find evidence that endogenous factors are having an effect even without windfall gains. Authority norms and social control result in less norm violations, but they do not result in a collective higher payment in the cost situation we created. We believe payments above the fairness norm to be a sequential cash flow with a random probability of termination after each payment

Affinity binding of antibodies to supermacroporous cryogel adsorbents with immobilized protein A for removal of anthrax toxin protective antigen

Polymeric cryogels are efficient carriers for the immobilization of biomolecules because of their unique macroporous structure, permeability, mechanical stability and different surface chemical functionalities. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential use of macroporous monolithic cryogels for biotoxin removal using anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA), the central cell-binding component of the anthrax exotoxins, and covalent immobilization of monoclonal antibodies. The affinity ligand (protein A) was chemically coupled to the reactive hydroxyl and epoxy-derivatized monolithic cryogels and the binding efficiencies of protein A, monoclonal antibodies to the cryogel column were determined. Our results show differences in the binding capacity of protein A as well as monoclonal antibodies to the cryogel adsorbents caused by ligand concentrations, physical properties and morphology of surface matrices. The cytotoxicity potential of the cryogels was determined by an in vitro viability assay using V79 lung fibroblast as a model cell and the results reveal that the cryogels are non-cytotoxic. Finally, the adsorptive capacities of PA from phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were evaluated towards a non-glycosylated, plant-derived human monoclonal antibody (PANG) and a glycosylated human monoclonal antibody (Valortim®), both of which were covalently attached via protein A immobilization. Optimal binding capacities of 108 and 117 mg/g of antibody to the adsorbent were observed for PANG attached poly(acrylamide-allyl glycidyl ether) [poly(AAm-AGE)] and Valortim® attached poly(AAm-AGE) cryogels, respectively, This indicated that glycosylation status of Valortim® antibody could significantly increase (8%) its binding capacity relative to the PANG antibody on poly(AAm-AGE)-protien-A column (p < 0.05). The amounts of PA which remained in the solution after passing PA spiked PBS through PANG or Valortim bound poly(AAm-AGE) cryogel were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased relative to the amount of PA remained in the solution after passing through unmodified as well as protein A modified poly(AAm-AGE) cryogel columns, indicates efficient PA removal from spiked PBS over 60 min of circulation. The high adsorption capacity towards anthrax toxin PA of the cryogel adsorbents indicated potential application of these materials for treatment of Bacillus anthracis infection

Attachment, spreading and growth in vitro of highly malignant and low malignant murine fibrosarcoma cells

Highly malignant cell lines and low-malignant cell lines isolated from three different methylcholanthrene-induced murine fibrosarcomas were examined for their ability to attach to plastic dishes and collagen-coated dishes under serumfree conditions and in the presence of serum. Most of the cells from the three highly malignant lines attached and spread under all conditions. By 72h, there was a significant increase in the number of cells indicating that at least some of the cells had undergone division (even in the absence of serum). In contrast, fewer of the cells from the three low-malignant lines attached and spread on the plastic or collagen substrates in the absence of serum or in the presence of 0.1 per cent serum. However, when 15 μ g laminin per dish was added along with the lowmalignant cells, they then attached and spread on the plastic and collagen-coated dishes. Previous studies have indicated that the highly malignant lines express cell surface antigens that cross-react with laminin while the low-malignant cell lines do not. We speculate that the differences between the high- and low-malignant cells in the expression of cell surface laminin-like antigens contribute to the dissimilarities in attachment and spreading capacity. These differences may also contribute to the dissimilarity between these cells in malignant potential.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42592/1/10585_2005_Article_BF01758953.pd

Comparative Biology of the Pentraxin Protein Family: Evolutionarily Conserved Component of Innate Immune System

The immune system is based on the actions of the collection of specialized immune defense cells and their secreted proteins and peptides that defend the host against infection by parasites. Parasites are organisms that live part or all of their lives in close physical association with the host and extract nutrients from the host and, by releasing toxins and virulence factors, cause disease with the potential for injury and premature death of that host. Parasites of the metazoa can be viruses, eubacteria, fungi, protozoans, and other metazoans. The immune system operates to kill or eliminate parasites and eliminate or detoxify their toxins and virulence factors. Although some of the elements of immune systems are specific to a particular phylum of metazoans, others show extensive evolutionary conservation, being present in several or all major phyla of the metazoa. The pentraxins display this latter character in their roles in immune defense. Pentraxins have been documented in vertebrates, nonvertebrate chordates, arthropods, and mollusks and may be present in other taxa of metazoans. Presumably the pentraxins appeared early in the evolution of metazoa, prior to their evolutionary divergence in the Precambrian epoch into many phyla present today, and have been preserved for the 542 million years since that explosive evolutionary radiation. The fidelity with which these phyla have preserved the pentraxins suggests that the functions of these proteins are important for survival of the members of these diverse taxa of animals