Explaining the number of preferential votes for women in an open-list PR system: an investigation of the 2003 federal elections in Flanders (Belgium)

The electoral system is an important factor influencing female representation in Parliament. There is a consensus that a proportional representation (PR) system is more beneficial for women than a majoritarian system. Since there is a lot of variety in PR systems and since recent literature suggests that how actors cope with institutional provisions should be looked at more closely, we have investigated why women receive fewer votes in an open-list PR system. More in particular, it was our aim to find out whether women receive fewer votes because of voter bias or systemic bias. We have analyzed three variables influenced by systemic actors (parties, society and media) that have a substantial effect on the number of votes: media attention, campaign expenditures and list position. Our analysis of the 2003 federal Belgian elections shows that women are disadvantaged on these three variables and that as a consequence they obtain fewer votes. There is no voter bias, but a systemic bias. These disadvantages can be due either to individual characteristics influenced by education and society (less ambition, less convinced of capabilities, and so on) or, more importantly, to party-or media-related factors (a.o. list composition, designation of campaign budgets and spokespersons). Acta Politica (2010) 45, 468-490. doi:10.1057/ap.2010.

Modeling typical performance measures

In the educational, employment, and clinical context, attitude and personality inventories are used to measure typical performance traits. Statistical models are applied to obtain latent trait estimates. Often the same statistical models as the models used in maximum performance measurement are applied to typical performance measures. However, different models might be better applicable to describe these typical performance measures. In this dissertation the modeling of two systematic features in the typical performance domain is discussed; 1. the factor structure of typical performance measures, and 2.response processes to typical performance measures.\ud In the first part of the dissertation complex multidimensional models (e.g. bifactor model, non-hierarchical multidimensional model, second-order model) are investigated to describe the factor structure of both a personality inventory and an attitude inventory. In the second part of this dissertation the applicability of different response models, dominance IRT models and unfolding IRT models, to describe the response processes on two personality inventories is compared. In the next chapters an already existing unfolding IRT model, the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) is compared to three newly developed alternatives, the collapsed generalized partial credit model (CGPCM), the collapsed graded response model (CGRM) and the quadratic logistic regression model (QLOG) and the statistical fit of the models is investigated. Both person fit (constancy of theta statistic and tendency to agree statistic) and item fit (Differential item functioning and shape of item characteristic curve statistic) are investigated by fit statistics that are developed based on the Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test.\ud In general, it was found that it is important to not simply apply models that are used in maximum performance measurement to typical performance measurement. To investigate the dimensionality structure it is important to take both general and specific factors into account. Furthermore it is reasonable to expect that responses to typical performance measures follow an ideal-point response process. Four unfolding IRT models and methods to assess the statistical fit of the models were introduced

Diagnostics Based on Acoustic Distributed Sensor Data and Machine Learning

Accurate real-time diagnostics of high-tech systems are becoming more and more important. Therefore, the potential of distributed acoustic sensors in combination with machine learning for contactless diagnostics of machine performance has been investigated. Hereto, frequency response data of a brass plate has been gathered through experiments and a finite element model. In order to investigate the possibility of identifying the locations and weight of the masses, Support Vector Machines and Random Forest algorithms have been trained with experimental and numerical data. The Random Forest algorithm shows promising performance with short computational time, easy application, 95% accuracy and relatively easy understandability

The hypotensive effects of ciliary body diathermy without scleral perforation (non-perforating cyclodiathermy)

peer reviewedAll operations performed in respect of chronic glaucoma are effective on account of the permanent widening of the uveal vessels produced thereby, especially those in the region of the ciliary body. A change in the ocular fluid exchange results, characterised above all by increased resorption. In addition, there is later a certain degree of atrophy of the ciliary body, which tends towards pressure reduction owing to a decrease in the formation of aqueous. The operation described, cyclo-diathermy, makes this possible without perforation of the sclera and penetration through the eye wall. It is indicated for both secondary and absolute glaucoma. © 1945 S. Karger AG, Basel

Prevention of diabetic nephropathy: from microalbuminuria to end-stage renal insufficiency

peer reviewedDiabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal failure in western countries. This disease develops over several years. Early stages, if they are detected in time, can lead to preventive treatment at a moment when the disease is still reversible. This paper reviews the main primary and secondary preventive measures that have been proven efficacious. Those are essentially the optimal treatment of hyperglycaemia and hypertension, and probably the use of agents that specifically block the renin-angiotensin axis. We briefly discuss the results of the main studies that have led to those conclusions

Surgical technique: non-perforating cyclodiathermy

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Monocular surgery for severe divergent strabismus

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