Dialectal variation in german 3-verb clusters : a surface-oriented optimality theoretic account

We present data from an empirical investigation on the dialectal variation in the syntax of German 3-verb clusters, consisting of a temporal auxiliary, a modal verb, and a predicative verb. The ordering possibilities vary greatly among the dialects. Some of the orders that we found occur only under particular stress assignments. We assume that these orders fulfil an information structural purpose and that the reordering processes are changes only in the linear order of the elements which is represented exclusively at the surface syntactic level, PF (Phonetic Form). Our Optimality theoretic account offers a multifactorial perspective on the phenomenon

Healthcare financing in OECD countries beyond the public-private split

Background: Studies of long-term trends in the healthcare financing mix generally focus on a dichotomous concept discerning public from private funding sources. More detailed analyses of the funding mix tend to be restricted to a small number of cases or do rarely examine time trends. Aim: This paper enhances the existing body of literature by developing and applying a trichotomous concept for healthcare funding, distinguishing taxes, contributions, and private sources. This includes a new aggregated indicator for the mix of three financing sources and its graphical representation. Methods: The study mainly builds upon OECD Health Data 2011. We measure changes in the funding mix since 1972 as its distance from a funding mix that equally draws upon taxes, contributions and private sources. Results: Up to 1980, the OECD healthcare systems move toward ideal-typical financing schemes. Between 1980 and 2000, the funding mix hybridizes mainly driven by privatization processes in NHS and social insurance countries and ongoing switch-over-processes between these two healthcare system types. Since 2000, OECD countries again tend toward ideal-typical funding schemes. Discussion: We use the framework for institutional change developed by Streeck and Thelen. The quantitative approach highlights changes in terms of displacement, layering, and drift but fails to fully reveal conversion processes. Therefore, further qualitative research is needed to capture not only shifts between the funding sources but also more gradual changes within them. Conclusion: The back-and-forth development of the trichotomous funding mix challenges assumptions of a universal trend toward hybrid financing structures. -- Rahmen: Arbeiten, die langfristige Trends des Finanzierungsmix von Gesundheitsausga-ben untersuchen, basieren in der Regel auf einem dichotomen Konzept, das öffentliche und private Quellen unterscheidet. Detailliertere Studien zum disaggregierten Finanzierungsmix sind zumeist auf kleine Fallzahlen beschränkt oder betrachten keine Entwicklungen über Zeit. Ziel: Das Arbeitspapier entwickelt ein trichotomes Finanzierungskonzept, das zwischen Steuern, Beiträgen und privaten Quellen unterscheidet und wendet dieses auf OECD-Gesundheitssysteme an. Hierfür wird ein neuer Hybriditätsindex gebildet, der den Finanzierungsmix eines Landes beschreibt und graphisch verortet. Methoden: Wir messen die Veränderungen im Finanzierungsmix seit 1972 als Distanz von einem hypothetischen Finanzierungsmix, der sich jeweils zu einem Drittel auf Steuern, Beiträge und privaten Ausgaben stützt. Als Quelle dienen die OECD Health Data 2011 und ergänzende nationale Statistiken. Ergebnisse: Bis etwa 1980 steuern die OECD-Gesundheitssysteme auf unterschiedliche idealtypische Finanzierungsmodelle zu. Zwischen 1980 und 2000 beobachten wir eine Hybridisierung der Finanzierung von Gesundheitsausgaben, die vorwiegend auf Privatisierungsprozesse in den NHS- und Sozialversicherungsländern zurückgeführt werden kann. Überdies tragen einzelne Länder durch einen inkrementellen Übergang vom Sozialversicherungssystem zum NHS zunächst zur Hybridisierung bei. Seit 2000 neigen die OECD-Länder wieder idealtypischen Finanzierungsstrukturen zu. Diskussion: Wir analysieren die Befunde anhand der von Streeck und Thelen entwickelten Formen institutionellen Wandels. Der Hybridisierungsindex verdeutlicht Wandel in Form von Displacement, Layering und Drift, während Conversion-Prozesse nicht vollständig abgebildet werden können. Hierfür bedarf es qualitativer Analysen, die nicht nur Verschiebungen zwischen Finanzierungsarten sondern graduelle Veränderungen innerhalb einer Finanzierungsart erfassen. Fazit: Der Wandel zwischen Hybridisierungsphasen und Phasen der Stärkung idealtypischer Finanzierung deutet darauf hin, dass funktionale Annahmen eines langfristigen Trends zu hybriden Finanzierungsstrukturen zu kurz greifen.

Effects of the Austrian Income Tax Reform 2015/2016 on Private Consumption: Survey Findings

We use survey findings to analyse the effects of the Austrian income tax reform 2015/2016 on private consumption differentiated by income classes. Using survey data, we also estimate the corresponding average marginal propensities to consume and compare them to applied average marginal propensities to consume in economic models used to analyse the previous two income tax reforms in Austria. The estimated average marginal propensity to consume amounts to approximately 0.46, whereby in tendency increasing from the lowest income class (0.42-0.43) to the highest income class (0.48-0.50). Our estimated average marginal propensity to consume across all income classes basically corresponds to those used in economic models to evaluate the income tax reform 2015/2016. However, our estimated marginal propensities to consume by income classes fundamentally differ from those used in the economic models.Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Serie

Reflexive Deregulierung: Ein Ansatz zur Dynamisierung des Arbeitsmarkts

Welche Deregulierung könnte die verblüffende Dynamik des amerikanischen Arbeitsmarkts ohne die dort unerfreulichen Nebenfolgen hervorbringen? Diese Frage wird zunächst mit einem Rückgriff auf die Geschichte des Arbeitsrechts beantwortet. Diese lehrt uns, daß Deregulierung nicht gleichbedeutend sein muß mit Abbau von Arbeitsrechten, sondern auch Erweiterung der sozialen Selbstbestimmung im Recht bedeuten kann. Eine so verstandene reflexive Deregulierung delegiert staatliche Rechtsmacht, um durch Selbstregulierung die Rechtswirkung entscheidend zu verbessern. Dieses Argument wird in vier Schritten entwickelt: Zunächst werden die wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Rahmenbedingungen angedeutet, aus denen sich die Notwendigkeit eines neuen Schubs reflexiver Deregulierung ergibt. Danach wird die Praxis der Deregulierung des Arbeitsrechts in Deutschland, Frankreich, Großbritannien und USA analysiert. Daran schließt sich eine Diskussion rechtstheoretischer Entwicklungen an. Schließlich werden die Grundzüge eines reflexiven Arbeitsrechts entwickelt und an den Beispielen von Hochgeschwindigkeitsarbeitsmärkten und Übergangsarbeitsmärkten erläutert. --

Paths reunited: initiation of the classical and lectin pathways of complement activation

Understanding the structural organisation and mode of action of the initiating complex of the classical pathway of complement activation (C1) has been a central goal in complement biology since its isolation almost 50 years ago. Nevertheless, knowledge is still incomplete, especially with regard to the interactions between its subcomponents C1q, C1r and C1s that trigger activation upon binding to a microbial target. Recent studies have provided new insights into these interactions, and have revealed unexpected parallels with initiating complexes of the lectin pathway of complement: MBL–MASP and ficolin–MASP. Here, we develop and expand these concepts and delineate their implications towards the key aspects of complement activation via the classical and lectin pathways

Cytosolic Glucosylceramide regulates endolysosomal function in Niemann-Pick type C disease

A new paradigm for Niemann-Pick C disease is presented where lysosomal storage leads to a deficit in cytoplasmic glucosylceramide (GlcCer) where it performs important functions. Previously it had been reported that Gaucher cells have defective endolysosomal pH. GlcCer also accumulates in Niemann-Pick C disease and also shows this defect. Niemann-Pick C cells were found to have reduced cytoplasmic glucosylceramide (GlcCer) transport. Inhibiting cytoplasmic glucocerebrosidase (GBA2), increased GlcCer, decreased endolysosomal pH in normal cells, reversed increases in endolysosomal pH and restored disrupted BODIPY-LacCer trafficking and increased expression of vATPase a subunit in Niemann-Pick C fibroblasts. The results are consistent with a model where both endolysosomal pH and Golgi targeting of BODIPY-LacCer are dependent on adequate levels of cytosolic GlcCer which are reduced in NPC disease. This work consequently suggests GBA2 and vATPase as new therapeutic targets in Niemann-Pick C and related neurodegenerative diseases. The work was in collaboration with colleagues in the Netherlands and Leicester University. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPCD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with increases in cellular cholesterol and glycolipids and most commonly caused by defective NPC1, a late endosomal protein. Using ratiometric probes we find that NPCD cells show increased endolysosomal pH. In addition U18666A, an inhibitor of NPC1, was found to increase endolysosomal pH, and the number, size and heterogeneity of endolysosomal vesicles. NPCD fibroblasts and cells treated with U18666A also show disrupted targeting of fluorescent lipid BODIPY-LacCer to high pH vesicles. Inhibiting non-lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GBA2) reversed increases in endolysosomal pH and restored disrupted BODIPY-LacCer trafficking in NPCD fibroblasts. GBA2 KO cells also show decreased endolysosomal pH. NPCD fibroblasts also show increased expression of a key subunit of the lysosomal proton pump vATPase on GBA2 inhibition. The results are consistent with a model where both endolysosomal pH and Golgi targeting of BODIPY-LacCer are dependent on adequate levels of cytosolic-facing GlcCer, which are reduced in NPC disease

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