bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post-Randomization Under Test: Estimation of the Probit Model
Authors: Ronning Gerd , Rosemann Martin , Strotmann Harald 
Published: September 2016

Summary
The paper analyzes effects of randomized response with respect to some binary dependent variable on the estimation of the probit model. This approach is used in interviews when asking sensitive questions or if a respondent erroneously chooses the wrong category in an interview leading to ‘misdassification’. Alternatively, randomization can be used for statistical disclosure control and then is called ‘post randomization method’ (PRAM). We consider two variants which are termed ‘ordinary’ and ‘invariant’ PRAM the latter being of importance mainly in descriptive analysis. Maximum likelihood estimation of the corrected likelihood results in consistent estimates although variances increase considerably for ‘strong’ randomization. Moreover a finite sample bias has been observed in the simulation study, but it is much less pronounced than the bias implied from use of the ‘naive’ probit estimator when the binary dependent variable has been randomized. Effects of randomization on the probit estimates are also illustrated by an empirical study using cross-section data from the German ‘ΑΒ establishment panel’ (IAB Betriebspanel). The decision of firms to accept a collective bargaining agreement (‘Tarifvertrag’) is analyzed in a binary probit model using both original data and data masked by ordinary and invariant PRAM. Here, too, a remarkable bias is observed in case of ‘strong’ randomization.
Identifying the German Inventory Cycle
Authors: Langmantel Erich 
Published: September 2016

Summary
Inventory fluctuations play an important role in the formation of business cycles. In Germany, little research has been dedicated to this topic recently. In this study, a structural time series model in the tradition of Harvey (1989) is employed to decompose German inventory investment into trend, cyclical and seasonal components. The empirical findings are compared with the results of theoretical inventory models. The estimations suggest that the German inventory cycle consists of three sub-cycles with periods of one, three and eight years. The three-year cycle of inventory investment corresponds to the well known “Kitchin” cycle and has a significant impact on GDP fluctuations. Adding the inventory assessment variable from the IFO business survey to the model improves the results. It turns out that the inventory assessment variable has properties of a leading indicator. These findings may be useful to improve macroeconomic forecasting
A Duration Analysis of the Effects of Tuition Fees for Long-Term Students in Germany
Authors: Kifmann Mathias , Heineck Martin , Lorenz Normann 
Published: September 2016

Summary
We examine the impact of tuition fees for long-term students at the University of Konstanz. Applying duration analysis to examine how tuition fees influence when and how students finish their studies in six different majors, we find significant effects with respect to the hazard rates of the various ways of terminating one’s studies. Furthermore, we analyze how the probability of terminating one’s studies in a certain period of time changes. Students obtain a degree in a shorter period of time in two majors. In three other majors, however, we observe that the probability of obtaining a degree generally decreased.
The Degree of Openness to Intra-Regional Trade - Towards Value-Added Based Openness Measures
Authors: Belke Ansgar , Wang Lars 
Published: September 2016

Summary
This study develops innovative measures of openness towards bilateral trade. The most widely applied openness indices are not able to accurately calculate the degree of trade openness. For example, the intra-regional export ratio which relates the value of exports of an integration area to the gross domestic product, can exceed 100 percent because trade is stated in gross terms, while the gross domestic product is expressed in value-added terms. This implies a negative value of domestic non-tradeables. The actual openness concept corrects the traditional concept by expressing trade in value-added terms instead of gross terms.
Price-Setting Behavior in the Presence of Social Interactions
Authors: Soetevent Adriaan R. , Schoonbeek Lambert 
Published: September 2016

Summary
We consider a market with a profit-maximizing monopolistic firm. Utility-maximizing consumers either buy one unit of the good or none at all. The demand for the good is influenced by local social interactions. That is, the utility which a consumer derives from the consumption of the good depends positively on the fraction of other consumers in his own social group that consume the good. We first consider a benchmark case where the population of consumers is not segmented and constitutes one social group. We derive the optimal price and profit of the firm for this case. Next, we analyse the optimal price and profit for the case where the population of consumers is partitioned into two different social groups. Comparing the results for the cases with one and two social groups, it turns out that the partition into groups does not unambiguously gives the firm the opportunity to raise its price and increase its profit. The effects depend on a non-trivial interplay between the strength of the social interaction effect and the specific composition of the social groups.
A Local Income and Corporation Tax as an Alternative to the German Local Business Tax
Authors: Maiterth Ralf , Zwick Markus 
Published: September 2016

Summary
The paper empirically analyses the impact on individual municipalities of replacing the German local business tax by a local surcharge on income and corporation tax. The microsimulation models used for this and refined for the present paper originate in calculations carried out for the Federal Ministry of Finance in cooperation between the Federal Statistical Office and the Humboldt University in Berlin. The data basis is formed by the roughly 30 million individual data sets of the most up-to-date income and local business tax statistics provided by the Federal Statistical Office. A local surcharge tax which, like the BDI/VCI model analysed, assigns tax revenue incurred on profits to the municipality of permanent establishment and that on other income to the domicile municipality, affects the revenue situation of the municipalities in highly differing ways. The losers in such a local tax reform include those municipalities in which an above-average number of industrial and commercial enterprises are resident. These are the “core towns” of the Old Federal Laender in particular. By contrast, the revenue situation of the surrounding municipalities and of the municipalities with a rural character would considerably improve on average. However, the core towns in the New Federal Laender which are currently tax-weak because they have little industry would also improve their revenue situation in most cases by applying a surcharge tax. In order to maintain the financial status quo, the core towns in the Old Federal Laender in particular would have to levy relatively high local tax rates, whilst the surrounding municipalities would be able to become more attractive by applying tax rates which as a rule would be much lower. The consequence of this would be that highincome earners in the core towns would have a not inconsiderable incentive to change their place of residence for tax purposes, which would further worsen the financial situation of the core towns.
Messprobleme bei der Ermittlung des Wachstums der Arbeitsproduktivität - dargestellt anhand eines Vergleichs der Schweiz mit den USA / Measurement Problems with Respect to Labour Productivity Growth - Illustrated by a Comparison of Switzerland with the United States
Authors: Hartwig Jochen 
Published: September 2016

Summary
The paper shows that the assessment of the speed of productivity growth crucially depends on how one chooses to measure value added. According to a widely held view, the growth rate of labour productivity has increased significantly in the U.S. since the mid-90s. The U.S. is perceived to outperform most European countries in this respect by a wide margin. Comparing the U.S. with Switzerland, we show this view to rely - at least in part - on statistical artefacts.
Steuerfinanzierung von Sozialleistungen? / Tax Funding of Social Security Benefits?
Authors: Jess Heinrich 
Published: September 2016

Summary
Many studies’ regulatory aim is to have non-insurance entitlements of the social insurance system funded by taxes. Since most studies use (macro)econometric methods, changes in household behaviour are not shown and the allocative effects resulting from tax funding are not sufficiently taken into consideration. It is the intention of the present study to fill this gap. A numerical equilibrium model of overlapping generations with a disaggregated household sector is used in the study. Differentiation is made according to occupational groups and income brackets. Furthermore, the relevant interdependences between tax and social law are modelled at the household level. The study examines the impact of partial tax funding of benefits of the state health and pension insurance. Since the resulting efficiency effects are explicitly derived, it is shown that from an allocative point of view the combined funding from higher income and consumer taxes, which is often favoured for distributional purposes, is inferior to a pure funding from consumer taxes. Combined funding is not needed, since the primary assumption of a regressive burden on contributors resulting from a consumer tax increase does not arise in the simulation study. In addition, it is shown that partial funding of health care benefits by consumer tax increases is not associated with an excess burden. Of all the examined funding alternatives, such a partial funding seems to be superior due to allocative neutrality and the resulting distributional effects.
Verbreitung von Betriebsräten und ihr Einfluss auf die betriebliche Weiterbildung / Works Council Presence and Impact on Training of the Workforce
Authors: Bellmann Lutz , Ellguth Peter 
Published: September 2016

Summary
With the reform of the Works Constitution Act in 2001 legislation has tried to stop the erosion of the institution of codetermination by facilating the creation of works councils and expanding their rights. The present paper examines the development of the presence of codetermination with pooled regression models and the impact of works councils on the training of the workforce with matching methods. We used data from the waves 1996-2005 of the IAB Establsihment Panel. The results of our analyses show that establishments with works councils have both a higher incidence and coverage of training of the workforce. However, a significant effect of the reform of the Works Constitution Act cannot be detected empirically.
Kooperation zwischen Betriebsrat und Management / Cooperation between Works Council and Management
Authors: Dilger Alexander 
Published: September 2016

Summary
There are different kinds of works councils. They can be cooperative or antagonistic for example. There are also different kinds of management. The managers can be friendly or unfriendly to the workers and the works council representing them. Here the mutual relationship between works council and management is analysed. To this end two data sets are connected, the NIFA-Panel with information about mechanical engineering plants in Germany given by the management and the Bochumer survey of works councils in some of these plants. A new typology of the relationship between the works council and the managers of a firm is derived from these combined data. The effects of a positive, neutral or negative relationship on different turnover rates, product innovations and earnings of the firms are empirically analysed. The results are in accordance with prior studies using only separated data for works councils or management. Concretely, turnover and earnings are mostly lower and innovations more probable as long as any kind of works council exists. The kind of relationship influences the magnitudes of these effects and their statistical significance. A positive relationship reduces the departure rate most of all, a negative relationship has the strongest effect on innovations and, unexpectedly, an inconsistent relationship is best for earnings.
Endoglin and obestatin levels, cardiometabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in children aged 10–18 years
Authors: Çelik Nurullah , Cinaz Peyami , Bideci Aysun , Derinkuyu Betül , Emeksiz Hamdi Cihan , Döğer Esra , Damar Çağrı , Yüce Özge , Çamurdan Orhun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackground:The aim of this study was to investigate the early signs of atherosclerosis and to evaluate serum endoglin and obestatin levels as predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in obese children.Methods:A total of 95 children (60 obese and 35 controls) aged 10–18 years were included in the study. Their endoglin and obestatin levels and biochemical parameters were measured. The carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) responses were evaluated.Results:The cIMT values were higher (p < 0.001) and FMD responses were lower (p = 0.003) in the obese group than in the control group. A logistic regression multivariate analysis revealed that cIMT was independently associated with the body mass index (BMI) Z-score (β = 0.323, p = 0.003) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (β = 0.29, p = 0.008), while FMD % was independently associated with waist circumference (β = −0.36, p = 0.002). The obese and control groups were similar in endoglin (p = 0.67) and obestatin levels (p = 0.70). The endoglin level was inversely correlated with the cholesterol and LDL levels (r = −0.23, p = 0.032; rho = −0.25, p = 0.019).Conclusions:The cIMT and brachial artery FMD response in obese children are significantly different compared to healthy controls. Circulating endoglin and obestatin levels are not predictive markers for subclinical atherosclerosis in obese children aged 10–18 years old.
PAN fibers with nanoprecipitated Ag and Au for use in textronics
Authors: Karbownik Iwona , Rybicki Tomasz , Karpińska Angelika , Teterycz Helena 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSilver and gold nanoparticles have been linked with the structure of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers as a result of a synthesis. The nanoparticles were formed in the dimethylformamide (DMF) solution, which is uncommon for their synthesis, but is a typical solvent for polyacrylonitrile. The examination of metallic nanoparticles doped fibers showed the presence of these particles in the samples. Analysis of Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX) results showed that silver content in the fibers was the same as in the precursors of metal ions. The amount of silver in the fibers was significantly greater than the amount of gold in the corresponding sample. The Dynamic Light Scattering Method (DLS) and Visible and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) analyses indicated a difference between the sizes of metallic nanoparticles. The obtained composite polyacrylonitrile fibers doped with silver and gold nanoparticles were characterized by high flexibility and reduced electromagnetic radiation. The authors are convinced that the results obtained during the research will considerably contribute to the development of textronics discipline.
Factors influencing whether nurses talk to somatic patients about their alcohol consumption
Authors: Hellum Rikke , Bjerregaard Lene , Nielsen Anette Søgaard 
Published: September 2016

Aim Many Danes drink so much that it is detrimental to their health. As they are at risk of suffering diseases which can lead to hospitalisation on somatic wards, hospitals are ideal arenas for identifying individuals whose alcohol consumption is excessive. However, literature points out that this identification rarely takes place in hospitals, and literature further suggests that the staff experience barriers to talking about alcohol use with their patients. The primary aim of this study is to identify potential factors that influence whether or not nurses talk to patients about their alcohol consumption on somatic wards. Secondarily, we wish to examine whether a screening project may affect the nurses' readiness to talk about alcohol use with their patients. Methods A Glaserian Grounded Theory Method was used to collect and analyse data in this qualitative study. Semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted with seven nurses from somatic departments at two Danish hospitals. All seven nurses were already taking part in an alcohol screening project. Results In the analysis of the interview material, four categories emerged: The Nurse, The Patient, The Ward and The Relay Study. Conclusion We identified a series of barriers and promoting factors for nurses to talk about alcohol use with patients in a hospital setting. The barriers and promoting factors emerged within four categories: The Nurse, The Patient, The Ward, and The Relay Study. The most important barrier to talking to patients about alcohol seemed to be factors within the nurses themselves, in particular personal experiences, lack of knowledge and lack of confidence. We found, however, that by participating in a screening project the nurses seemed to overcome some of these barriers.
Paganism and Counseling: The Development
of a Clinical Resource
Authors: Harris Kevin A. , Panzica Kate M. , Crocker Ruth A. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Sensitivity to religious diversity is an important part of multiculturally competent psychotherapy
in the United States, but few resources exist for working with Pagan clients. Using a simultaneous parallel
interviewing procedure, we reviewed the literature, conducted qualitative interviews with, and solicited
online feedback from Pagans, to write a manuscript on culturally-sensitive therapy with followers of
Paganism. Our participant-informant experts indicated that Paganism is nature-oriented, rooted in
historical beliefs and practices, polytheistic, and revering the feminine divine. Pagans believe in harming
none and judging no one, celebrate many different holidays and worship rituals, believe in multiple
deities, cosmic balance, Magic, and an afterlife, and often have spiritual or mystical experiences. Pagan
character traits include open-mindedness, individualism, multiculturalism, experientialism, feminism,
sex, and sexuality. Participants described encountering many stereotypes of Pagans, including evil
Pagans, teenaged Goth chicks, witches, New Age Hippies, just a phase, sex-crazed perverts, and within-
Pagan stereotypes. They described their attitudes about mental health and psychotherapy, and (perhaps
idiosyncratic to our sample) they also described a process of religious identity development similar to the
sexual identity development of people who are GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered). We discuss
recommendations for counselors and psychotherapists, including assessment and diagnostic issues, the
client/counselor relationship, sense of humor, autonomy and personal responsibility, stigmatization,
relationships, sex and sexuality, identity issues, ethical issues, and Pagans as healers.
Staatliche Bankenaufsicht – eine effiziente Institution?
Authors: Knorr Andreas 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung
Die Notwendigkeit einer staatlichen Bankenaufsicht wird mit Marktversagen im Bankensektor begründet. Dessen Ursache seien ausgeprägte Informationsasymmetrien. Entsprechend bestehe die Aufgabe der staatlichen Bankenaufsicht darin, gesamtwirtschaftlich schädlichen Instabilitäten dieser Branche entgegenzuwirken. In der vorliegenden Abhandlung wird allerdings nachgewiesen, daß die staatliche Bankenaufsicht selbst in ihrer derzeitigen institutionellen Ausformung hochgradig destabilisierend wirkt. Zurückzufuhren ist dies zum einen auf schwerwiegende Moral-hazard- Probleme. Zum zweiten behindert sie den institutionellen Wettbewerb und damit die Suche nach effizienteren, insbesondere ordnungskonformeren alternativen Institutionen. Schließlich setzt die staatliche Bankenaufsicht nur an den Symptomen und Folgen der Instabilität, jedoch nicht an deren eigentlichen Ursachen an.
Zum Beharrungsvermögen von sozialen Übereinkünften - das Beispiel der Habilitation
Authors: Kermer Silvio , Mittendorf Marcus , Sell Friedrich L. 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung
In diesem Beitrag haben wir versucht, die Beharrungskräfte von Institutionen im allgemeinen und diejenigen im besonderen, die die Einrichtung der „Habilitation“ begleiten, herauszuarbeiten. Es zeigte sich, daß es kaum ausreicht, Innovationen bei der Qualifikation des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses, welche in Zukunft einen Verzicht auf die Habilitation vorsehen, formal zu beschließen. Solange diejenigen, die in ihrem wissenschaftlichen Werdegang selbst auf die Habilitation angewiesen waren, auf etliche Jahre hinaus noch die Mehrheit in den entsprechenden Berufungskomissionen besitzen, braucht es deutlicher Signale an den wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs. Diesen Signalen müßte der wissenschaftliche Nachwuchs entnehmen können, daß ein glaubhafter Wechsel in den Präferenzen unter den Mitgliedern von Berufungskomissionen eingesetzt hat.
Ursachen systemischer Bankenkrisen: Erklärungsversuche, empirische Evidenz und wirtschaftspolitische Konsequenzen
Authors: Schmidt Paul-Günther 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung
Angesichts der zunehmenden Häufigkeit und Schwere von Bankenkrisen in einer wachsenden Zahl von Ländern weltweit sind Sorgen über die Stabilität der nationalen Finanzsysteme in einer globalisierten Weltwirtschaft in Wissenschaft und Politik in den Vordergrund gerückt. Dabei wurde im einschlägigen Schrifttum zwar den zahlreichen möglichen Ursachen nationaler Bankenkrisen große Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet, die empirische Evidenz zugunsten konkurrierender Theorien ist jedoch schwach und die Erklärungs- und Prognosekraft der ökonomischen Modelle bleibt bislang gering. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag wird argumentiert, daß wir unser Verständnis von den Kräften, die systemische Bankenkrisen auslösen und verbreiten, beträchtlich vertiefen können, wenn wir klar zwischen drei Faktorengruppen auf ganz unterschiedlichen Ebenen unterscheiden: (1) Merkmalen der institutionellen Rahmenbedingungen, die mehr oder weniger den Grad systemischer „Fragilität“ oder „Verwundbarkeit“ eines konkreten Bankensystems prädeterminieren, (2) internen und externen Störfaktoren, die eine finanzielle „Krise“ oder „Instabilität“ in einem fragilen Bankensystem auslösen können, sofern der Schock stark genug ist, und (3) katalytischen Faktoren, die letztlich Reichweite, Schwere und Kosten einer sich entwickelnden Krise des finanziellen Sektors beeinflussen. Es wird empirische Evidenz für Lateinamerika, angelsächsische Länder, Skandinavien, Japan und Südostasien präsentiert, die dokumentiert, daß systemische Bankenkrisen in der Tat eine Vielzahl von Ursachen haben, daß sie aber nur in solchen Ländern ausbrechen, in denen die institutionellen Strukturen und Rahmenbedingungen das Finanzsystem hochgradig verwundbar machen für überraschende und hinreichend starke adverse Schocks. Aus diesen Ergebnissen werden am Ende einige wirtschaftspolitische Schlußfolgerungen für Krisenprävention, Bankenregulierung und institutionelle Reformen des Banken-, Unternehmens- und Staatssektors gezogen.