We study how attitudes to inheritance taxation are influenced by information about the role of inherited wealth in society. Using a randomized experiment in a register-linked Swedish survey, we find that informing individuals about the large aggregate importance of inherited wealth and its link to inequality of opportunity significantly increases the support for inheritance taxation. The effect is almost uniform across socio-economic groups and survives a battery of robustness tests. Changes in the perceived economic importance of inherited wealth and altered views on whether luck matters most for economic success appear to be the main driving factors behind the treatment effect. Our findings suggest that the low salience of inherited wealth could be one explanation behind the relatively marginalized role of inheritance taxation in developed economies. / Series: INEQ Working Paper Series

Comparative experiments, in which subjects are randomized to one of two treatments, are performed often. There is no shortage of papers testing whether a treatment effect exists and providing confidence intervals for the magnitude of this effect. While it is well understood that the object and scope of inference for an experiment will depend on what assumptions are made, these entities are not always clearly presented. We have proposed one possible method, which is based on the ideas of Jerzy Neyman, that can be used for constructing confidence intervals in a comparative experiment. The resulting intervals, referred to as Neyman-type confidence intervals, can be applied in a wide range of cases. Special care is taken to note which assumptions are made and what object and scope of inference are being investigated. We have presented a notation that highlights which parts of a problem are being treated as random. This helps ensure the focus on the appropriate scope of inference. The Neyman-type confidence intervals are compared to possible alternatives in two different inference settings: one in which inference is made about the units in the sample and one in which inference is made about units in a fixed population. A third inference setting, one in which inference is made about a process distribution, is also discussed. It is stressed that certain assumptions underlying this third type of inference are unverifiable. When these assumptions are not met, the resulting confidence intervals may cover their intended target well below the desired rate. Through simulation, we demonstrate that the Neyman-type intervals have good coverage properties when inference is being made about a sample or a population. In some cases the alternative intervals are much wider than necessary on average. Therefore, we recommend that researchers consider using our Neyman-type confidence intervals when carrying out inference about a sample or a population as it may provide them with more precise intervals that still cover at the desired rate.

Introdução: Variados recursos são utilizados na reabilitação pós Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Todavia os dados apresentados não evidenciam que alguma intervenção fisioterápica em especifico seja melhor que outra. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da Eletroestimulação Funcional na amplitude de movimento (ADM), força muscular, pressão plantar e independência funcional comparado a estimulação sham em indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, randomizado e controlado, composto por 10 indivíduos hemiparéticos pós AVE Isquêmico, com idade entre 30 e 80 anos de ambos os sexos. O grupo intervenção recebeu a aplicação do FES no músculo tibial anterior, 3 vezes por semana, por 4 semanas, durante 30 minutos. O grupo controle recebeu a aplicação de uma corrente elétrica sham no mesmo período. Todos os sujeitos receberam, adicionalmente, tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. O grupo controle recebeu a aplicação de uma corrente elétrica sham no mesmo período. Todos os sujeitos receberam, adicionalmente, tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. Os efeitos do tratamento foram avaliados por um observador cegado para os seguintes desfechos: (1) grau de espasticidade, (2) tônus muscular, (3), força muscular de dorsiflexores e plantiflexores através do dinamômetro isocinético Biodex System Pro, (4) pressão plantar através do Sistema de baropodometria computadorizada- F-Scan[TM] versão 4.22 Windows 95 Tekscan e (5) independência funcional através da Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF). Resultados: O grupo intervenção apresentou maiores valores de ADM de tornozelo em relação ao grupo controle, além de maior pressão plantar a região do antepé e maior escore na MIF. Comparando-se pré e pós tratamento no grupo intervenção, a ADM de dorsiflexão e plantiflexão (p=0.0001), força muscular de dorsiflexores (p=0.023) e escore da MIF (p=0.001) apresentaram maiores no período pós intervenção. No grupo controle, somente o escore da MIF apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre pré e pós intervenção (p=0.034). Conclusão: A EENM demonstrou aspectos eficazes em relação à estimulação sham, todavia, estudos adicionais com amostras maiores devem ser realizados para melhor investigar os efeitos destas correntes. / Background: Considerable resources are devoted to poststroke rehabilitation. However, to date there is no evidence that one physiotherapy approach is any better than any other approach. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the functional electrostimulation – FES on the range of movement, muscle strength, plantar pressure and functional independency, compared to a sham stimulation, in stroke patients. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out at a Physiotherapy Unit of University hospital with consecutive hemiparetic ischemic stroke patients. The study sample was randomized into the functional electrostimulation (FES) or sham stimulation groups. Interventions were carried out 3 times/week during 4 weeks, for 30 minutes. Ten hemiparetic ischemic stroke patients with age between 30 and 80 years of both sexes were included in the study. All subjects received routine interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation, as the kinesiotherapic treatment program. The effects of the treatments were assessed by a blinded observer for: (1) degree of spasticity, (2) muscle tone, (3) muscle strength of the maximal voluntary torque of the dorsal and plantar flexion of the feet, (4) plantar pressure, (5) functional independence. Results: The FES group presented higher values than the sham group in the range of movement of the ankle, in the plantar pressure of the anterior region of the foot, and in the functional independence measure at the post-intervention period. Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods of the FES group, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot (p = 0.0001), muscle strength responsible for the dorsiflexion of the foot (p = 0.023), and functional independence (p = 0.001) presented higher values at the post-intervention period. In the Sham group, the FIM scale was the only measure significantly different between the two moments (preand post-intervention) (p = 0.034). Conclusions: This functional electrostimulation showed aspects of efficacy in relation to the sham stimulation, however, further investigation with higher sample should be carried out.

Introdução: Variados recursos são utilizados na reabilitação pós Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Todavia os dados apresentados não evidenciam que alguma intervenção fisioterápica em especifico seja melhor que outra. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da Eletroestimulação Funcional na amplitude de movimento (ADM), força muscular, pressão plantar e independência funcional comparado a estimulação sham em indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, randomizado e controlado, composto por 10 indivíduos hemiparéticos pós AVE Isquêmico, com idade entre 30 e 80 anos de ambos os sexos. O grupo intervenção recebeu a aplicação do FES no músculo tibial anterior, 3 vezes por semana, por 4 semanas, durante 30 minutos. O grupo controle recebeu a aplicação de uma corrente elétrica sham no mesmo período. Todos os sujeitos receberam, adicionalmente, tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. O grupo controle recebeu a aplicação de uma corrente elétrica sham no mesmo período. Todos os sujeitos receberam, adicionalmente, tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. Os efeitos do tratamento foram avaliados por um observador cegado para os seguintes desfechos: (1) grau de espasticidade, (2) tônus muscular, (3), força muscular de dorsiflexores e plantiflexores através do dinamômetro isocinético Biodex System Pro, (4) pressão plantar através do Sistema de baropodometria computadorizada- F-Scan[TM] versão 4.22 Windows 95 Tekscan e (5) independência funcional através da Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF). Resultados: O grupo intervenção apresentou maiores valores de ADM de tornozelo em relação ao grupo controle, além de maior pressão plantar a região do antepé e maior escore na MIF. Comparando-se pré e pós tratamento no grupo intervenção, a ADM de dorsiflexão e plantiflexão (p=0.0001), força muscular de dorsiflexores (p=0.023) e escore da MIF (p=0.001) apresentaram maiores no período pós intervenção. No grupo controle, somente o escore da MIF apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre pré e pós intervenção (p=0.034). Conclusão: A EENM demonstrou aspectos eficazes em relação à estimulação sham, todavia, estudos adicionais com amostras maiores devem ser realizados para melhor investigar os efeitos destas correntes. / Background: Considerable resources are devoted to poststroke rehabilitation. However, to date there is no evidence that one physiotherapy approach is any better than any other approach. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the functional electrostimulation – FES on the range of movement, muscle strength, plantar pressure and functional independency, compared to a sham stimulation, in stroke patients. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out at a Physiotherapy Unit of University hospital with consecutive hemiparetic ischemic stroke patients. The study sample was randomized into the functional electrostimulation (FES) or sham stimulation groups. Interventions were carried out 3 times/week during 4 weeks, for 30 minutes. Ten hemiparetic ischemic stroke patients with age between 30 and 80 years of both sexes were included in the study. All subjects received routine interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation, as the kinesiotherapic treatment program. The effects of the treatments were assessed by a blinded observer for: (1) degree of spasticity, (2) muscle tone, (3) muscle strength of the maximal voluntary torque of the dorsal and plantar flexion of the feet, (4) plantar pressure, (5) functional independence. Results: The FES group presented higher values than the sham group in the range of movement of the ankle, in the plantar pressure of the anterior region of the foot, and in the functional independence measure at the post-intervention period. Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods of the FES group, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot (p = 0.0001), muscle strength responsible for the dorsiflexion of the foot (p = 0.023), and functional independence (p = 0.001) presented higher values at the post-intervention period. In the Sham group, the FIM scale was the only measure significantly different between the two moments (preand post-intervention) (p = 0.034). Conclusions: This functional electrostimulation showed aspects of efficacy in relation to the sham stimulation, however, further investigation with higher sample should be carried out.

Introdução: Variados recursos são utilizados na reabilitação pós Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Todavia os dados apresentados não evidenciam que alguma intervenção fisioterápica em especifico seja melhor que outra. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da Eletroestimulação Funcional na amplitude de movimento (ADM), força muscular, pressão plantar e independência funcional comparado a estimulação sham em indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, randomizado e controlado, composto por 10 indivíduos hemiparéticos pós AVE Isquêmico, com idade entre 30 e 80 anos de ambos os sexos. O grupo intervenção recebeu a aplicação do FES no músculo tibial anterior, 3 vezes por semana, por 4 semanas, durante 30 minutos. O grupo controle recebeu a aplicação de uma corrente elétrica sham no mesmo período. Todos os sujeitos receberam, adicionalmente, tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. O grupo controle recebeu a aplicação de uma corrente elétrica sham no mesmo período. Todos os sujeitos receberam, adicionalmente, tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. Os efeitos do tratamento foram avaliados por um observador cegado para os seguintes desfechos: (1) grau de espasticidade, (2) tônus muscular, (3), força muscular de dorsiflexores e plantiflexores através do dinamômetro isocinético Biodex System Pro, (4) pressão plantar através do Sistema de baropodometria computadorizada- F-Scan[TM] versão 4.22 Windows 95 Tekscan e (5) independência funcional através da Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF). Resultados: O grupo intervenção apresentou maiores valores de ADM de tornozelo em relação ao grupo controle, além de maior pressão plantar a região do antepé e maior escore na MIF. Comparando-se pré e pós tratamento no grupo intervenção, a ADM de dorsiflexão e plantiflexão (p=0.0001), força muscular de dorsiflexores (p=0.023) e escore da MIF (p=0.001) apresentaram maiores no período pós intervenção. No grupo controle, somente o escore da MIF apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre pré e pós intervenção (p=0.034). Conclusão: A EENM demonstrou aspectos eficazes em relação à estimulação sham, todavia, estudos adicionais com amostras maiores devem ser realizados para melhor investigar os efeitos destas correntes. / Background: Considerable resources are devoted to poststroke rehabilitation. However, to date there is no evidence that one physiotherapy approach is any better than any other approach. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the functional electrostimulation – FES on the range of movement, muscle strength, plantar pressure and functional independency, compared to a sham stimulation, in stroke patients. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out at a Physiotherapy Unit of University hospital with consecutive hemiparetic ischemic stroke patients. The study sample was randomized into the functional electrostimulation (FES) or sham stimulation groups. Interventions were carried out 3 times/week during 4 weeks, for 30 minutes. Ten hemiparetic ischemic stroke patients with age between 30 and 80 years of both sexes were included in the study. All subjects received routine interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation, as the kinesiotherapic treatment program. The effects of the treatments were assessed by a blinded observer for: (1) degree of spasticity, (2) muscle tone, (3) muscle strength of the maximal voluntary torque of the dorsal and plantar flexion of the feet, (4) plantar pressure, (5) functional independence. Results: The FES group presented higher values than the sham group in the range of movement of the ankle, in the plantar pressure of the anterior region of the foot, and in the functional independence measure at the post-intervention period. Comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods of the FES group, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot (p = 0.0001), muscle strength responsible for the dorsiflexion of the foot (p = 0.023), and functional independence (p = 0.001) presented higher values at the post-intervention period. In the Sham group, the FIM scale was the only measure significantly different between the two moments (preand post-intervention) (p = 0.034). Conclusions: This functional electrostimulation showed aspects of efficacy in relation to the sham stimulation, however, further investigation with higher sample should be carried out.

L’objet de ce travail de recherche est d’étudier l’accès financier à la complémentaire santé et aux soins des populations modestes en France. Nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement au dispositif d’Aide complémentaire santé (ACS) introduit afin d’inciter les ménages dont les ressources se situent juste au-dessus du plafond d’attribution de la Couverture maladie universelle (CMUC), à acquérir une complémentaire santé. À partir notamment d’une expérimentation sociale et d’un échantillon inédit de ménages éligibles à ces dispositifs, nous sommes en mesure d’éclairer les connaissances sur trois questions : (i) La compréhension et la réduction du non-recours à l’ACS. (ii) Les comportements de recours à la complémentaire santé et aux soins. (iii) L’existence d’un effet de seuil de la CMUC. Les résultats de cette thèse permettent ainsi de nourrir la réflexion afin d’améliorer l’efficacité de ces dispositifs et plus généralement celle des politiques publiques futures visant à améliorer l’équité dans l’accès aux soins. / The purpose of this research is to study the financial access to complementary health insurance (CHI) and to health care of low-income populations in France. We are particularly interested in evaluating a subsidized health insurance program (ACS) introduced to encourage households whose resources are just above the free means-tested complementary health insurance program (CMUC), to purchase a CHI plan. In implementing a randomized experiment and in using a sample of eligible households for these programs, we are able to enhance the knowledge base on three issues: (i) Understanding and reducing the ACS non-take-up. (ii) The take-up of CHI plan and the health care use of low-income populations. (iii) The existence of a CMUC threshold effect. Results of this thesis provide some important tracks to improve the effectiveness of these programs and more generally that of future public policies aiming to improve equity in access to health care.

Stress and time pressure is more present in todays labor markets. In financial markets a securities broker is forced to take decisions on investments under high cognitive load and under extreme time pressure. The research of decision under risk gained new ground with the development of the prospect theory and gave us new insights to the decision making of men. Prospect theory has shown that people are risk seekers when dealing with loss decisions and risk avert when dealing with profit decisions. The value function are defined over gains and losses. Losses looms larger then gains. Although much research conducted on the decision making under risk no previous research have been done showing how time pressure affects decision at risk by using skin conductance. This paper aimed through a randomized experiment with 23 participants examine how time pressure affects individuals' decisions related to risk. Furthermore, it intends to analyze whether time pressure mediate a possible effect of stress by using skin conductance. The results show that there is an increase in risk aversion for gains. This risk aversion was also statistically significant at the 1% level when each participant's responses were used and almost at 5% level when the mean values from each participant was used. Upon loss a risk -seeking behavior could be noticed but it was not statistically significant at the 5 % level. Stress levels as measured by skin conductance showed that the time-pressed group showed signs of stress. However, no stress data was significant at the 5 % level. / Stress och tidspress är idag allt mer närvarande på arbetsmarknaden. På de finansiella marknaderna kan en värdepappersmäklare tvingas ta beslut om investeringar under hög kognitiv belastning och under en extrem tidspress. Forskningen av beslut under risk har genom prospect theory gett oss nya insikter om vilka beslut vi människor tar. Prospect theory har visat att människor är risksökande vid förlustfrågor och riskaversiva vid vinstfrågor. Prospect theorys värdefunktion är definierad över vinst och förlust. Förluster väger tyngre än vinster. Trots att mycket forskning genomförts på beslut vid risk har ingen tidigare forskning hur tidspress påverkar beslut vid risk med hjälp av hudkonduktans tidigare genomförts. Denna uppsats hade som mål att genom ett randomiserat experiment med 23 deltagare undersöka hur tidspress påverkar individers beslut kopplade till risk. Vidare är syftet att också analysera om upplevd stress medierar en eventuell effekt av tidspress genom att använda hudkonduktans. Resultatet visar att det finns en ökad riskaversion vid vinstfrågor. Denna riskaversion var även statistiskt säkerställd på 1% nivå när varje deltagares svar användes och nästan på 5% nivå då medelvärden från varje deltagare användes. Vid förlustfrågor fanns ett risksökande beteende men den var ej statistiskt säkerställd på 5% nivå. Stressnivåerna som uppmättes med hudkonduktans visade att den tidspressade gruppen blev stressade. Dock var inga stressdata signifikanta på 5% nivå.

The Influence of Normative Factors on Environmentally Friendly Consumer Behavior As consumer behavior is a type of environmentally significant behavior, it plays a fundamental role in environmental concerns of our time. In the long-term, current consumption and production patterns are not sustainable. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the influence of descriptive social norms on environmentally friendly consumer behavior using a randomized experiment quantitative approach. Data was collected using online surveys. Experiment results show that providing information about the behavior of others has an impact on how we perceive descriptive norms and that a change in descriptive norms influences our environmentally significant behavior intentions. This was, however, only confirmed under the circumstances when respondents identified themselves with a reference group, which was a carrier of descriptive norms. Thus, this thesis broadens our knowledge of the impact of descriptive norms on environmentally friendly behavior, because it was previously assumed that descriptive norms are a significant factor only in situations with strictly defined reference groups. On the contrary, this research shows the impact of descriptive norms even in cases of relatively abstract groups with defined criteria for...