Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A hedonic investigation of the rental value of apartments in central Bordeaux

In recent research it has been argued that the hedonic regression technique can be usefully applied to the valuation of residential property. This research has focused on the valuation of owneroccupied dwellings. It is the aim of this paper to show how this technique can also usefully be applied to the private rented sector. This research implicitly recognizes both the importance of physical characteristics and the existence of market segmentation (reflected in neighbourhood premiums) in determining rental values, and finds that empirical results support this. It is argued that the model developed can help provide an understanding of the structure of local housing markets and the factors influencing the determination of rents. This should prove useful, both for landlords and tenants, in estimating the rental value of a property on the basis of the income approach to valuation.
A Distributed sequential fusion algorithm over asynchronous sensor networks

A distributed sequential fusion algorithm for decentralized asynchronous sensor networks is presented in this paper. Our distributed asynchronous sequential fusion algorithm can be divided into a local estimator and a fusion estimator. The local estimator utilize the local measurements to generate a local fusion estimates. And the local fusion estimates are fused by the fusion estimator to improve the local estimation performance. The proposed algorithm is operational for sensor networks with arbitrarily sampling rates and initial sampling time instants. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is validated by simulation results.
Policy rationing in rural credit markets

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a discussion on the idea of “policy rationing”. Policy rationing refers to constraining impacts on farm credit through policy action or inaction. To present the ideas the author discusses ten themes in policy rationing, ranging from macro-finance policies to smart lending and financial inclusion. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is developed as a narrative on agricultural credit policies based largely on existing literature. Findings - This paper argues that the various critiques of rural credit policy in favor of free market principles have generally not worked in developing economies. Large numbers of farmers do not have access to formal credit. It is argued that there is a role for government and credit programs. Research limitations/implications - The opinions expressed in this paper are based on existing literature and not all ideas hold with general agreement across researchers and practitioners. The discussion is not exhaustive and in some cases the ideas might have been parsed further. Practical implications - In this paper the author discusses ten themes that he thinks are relevant for a balanced discussion of farm credit in a development context. These themes illustrate a variety of complexities with respect to rural credit policy. The author ends by restating the themes in the form of ten questions that should be asked in whole, or in part, before any farm credit policy is field-implemented. Social implications - This paper deals with a broad range of issues on rural credit policy. It is directed towards a reformation of ideas about credit policy, especially in developing economies. It is argued that, all things considered, on balance there is a role for government in rural credit policy. Originality/value - There is much discourse amongst development economist about the role of government and credit policy in agricultural development. By thinking of government action or inaction as a form of policy rationing, some clarification is brought to the policy debate.
CEO pay, firm performance, and corporate governance in India's listed firms

In this study we examine the determinants of CEO compensation in large listed Indian companies. There is a positive relation between pay and a firm's performance. We find that remuneration committees are related to higher CEO compensation and there is no association between remuneration committees and pay-performance sensitivities. Thus, remuneration committees do not act in the way predicted by governance guidelines. CEOs in family firms are paid more. This suggests that CEOs use their power as a member of the controlling family to obtain higher compensation. The minority shareholders are therefore disadvantaged. CEOs in risky firms are paid less.
Growth, investment and military expenditure in the European Union‐15

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between growth, investment and military expenditure in the case of the European Union‐15.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses fixed panel models, random coefficient models and a trivariate VAR model to examine empirically the relationship between these three macroeconomic variables.Findings – The results obtained and reported herein show a significant positive effect of the growth rate on the share of military expenditure and on the share of investment. However, on the whole, the findings do not seem to point to any consistent quantitative relation between defence spending and either growth or investment. Thus, they appear to be in line with the findings of other studies.Originality/value – The economic effects of military spending have drawn considerable attention. Demand side effects on capacity utilisation are one possible channel through which the economy can be positively affected by such expenditure. On the other hand how.
Density, the Sustainability Multiplier: Some Myths and Truths with Application to Perth, Australia

The paper suggests that the divisive urban issue of density has critical importance for sustainability. It is particularly important to resolve for the low density car dependent cities of the world as they are highly resource consumptive. Ten myths about density and 10 truths about density are proposed to help resolve the planning issues so commonly found to divide urban communities. They are applied with data to Perth to illustrate the issues and how they can be resolved.
Universities, knowledge networks and regional policy

This paper critically reviews the structure and function of regional knowledge networks and modes of engagement between universities and the business community. It is argued that while networks between universities and the business community are growing, it is often difficult to ascribe improved regional competitiveness to developments in knowledge-based infrastructure. It is also argued that the engagement between universities and the business community must be based on an understanding of the role of both network and market-based knowledge interactions. It is concluded that the onus placed on universities to become bases of commercializable knowledge in many regions is probably too heavy.
Biomechanical changes during abdominal aortic aneurysm growth

The biomechanics-based Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk assessment has gained considerable scientific and clinical momentum. However, such studies have mainly focused on information at a single time point, and little is known about how AAA properties change over time. Consequently, the present study explored how geometry, wall stress-related and blood flow-related biomechanical properties change during AAA expansion. Four patients with a total of 23 Computed Tomography-Angiography (CT-A) scans at different time points were analyzed. At each time point, patient-specific properties were extracted from (i) the reconstructed geometry, (ii) the computed wall stress at Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), and (iii) the computed blood flow velocity at standardized inflow and outflow conditions. Testing correlations between these parameters identified several nonintuitive dependencies. Most interestingly, the Peak Wall Rupture Index (PWRI) and the maximum Wall Shear Stress (WSS) independently predicted AAA volume growth. Similarly, Intra-luminal Thrombus (ILT) volume growth depended on both the maximum WSS and the ILT volume itself. In addition, ILT volume, ILT volume growth, and maximum ILT layer thickness correlated with PWRI as well as AAA volume growth. Consequently, a large ILT volume as well as fast increase of ILT volume over time may be a risk factor for AAA rupture. However, tailored clinical studies would be required to test this hypothesis and to clarify whether monitoring ILT development has any clinical benefit.
Term Premia: Endogenous Constraints on Monetary Policy

Monetary policy evaluation using structural macro models suggests that historical monetary policy responds less aggressively to inflation and the output gap than would an optimal policy rule. However, these results are obtained using models with constant term premia. This paper shows how term premia may depend on the policy rule specification and policy rate uncertainty. A more aggressive policy rule involves an economically important increase in term premia. Consequently, conclusions about the specification of optimal monetary policy rules based on counterfactual simulations of models that exclude term premia effects may not be valid.
Productivity Trends in Europe: Implications for Real Exchange Rates, Real Interest Rates, and Inflation

The paper examines a long-run (neoclassical) framework in which differences in productivity growth across sectors and countries lead to inflation differentials. In a currency union, these inflation differentials imply cross-country differentials in real interest rates. The authors estimate the likely size of these differentials for European Union countries, discuss the potential costs of persistent inflation differentials, and comment on the conflicts they may cause within Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The analytical framework is a variant of the Balassa-Samuelson "productivity hypothesis," which relates sectoral productivity trends to trends in the relative price of home goods. Copyright 2002 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
A Theory of Shortage in Socialist Economies Based on the "Soft Budget Constraint."

This paper attributes shortages of goods in socialist economies to the soft financial constraints that firms in such economies face. A 'soft budget constraint' problem arises when the state bank is unable to make a credible commitment not to refinance bad projects once some investment costs are sunk. In such a situation, if a consumer good is also demanded by firms as an input and the seller cannot separate firms from households, the high market-clearing price would lead to welfare losses because too many bad projects would start and crowd out household consumption. Copyright 1994 by American Economic Association.
RAGE is the Major Receptor for the Proinflammatory Activity of HMGB1 in Rodent Macrophages

High‐mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) is a protein with both intranuclear functions and extracellular cytokine‐like effects. In this report, we study possible candidate receptors for HMGB1 on macrophages (Mφ) and define pathways activated by HMGB1 binding. Bone marrow Mφ were prepared from Dark Agouti (DA) rats and stimulated in vitro with HMGB1. The kinetics of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) production, NO production, activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), p44/42 MAPK‐ and SAPK/JNK‐signalling pathways, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and HMGB1‐induced upregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and CD86 were analysed. Mφ from interleukin (IL)‐1 receptor type I–/–, Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2–/–) and RAGE–/– mice were used to investigate the role of these receptors in HMGB1 signalling. HMGB1 induced TNF and NO production by Mφ, phosphorylation of all investigated MAP kinase pathways and NF‐κB translocation, and expression of MHC class II was increased. Mφ from RAGE–/– mice produced significantly lower amounts of TNF, IL‐1β and IL‐6, while IL‐1RI–/– and TLR2–/– Mφ produced cytokine levels comparable with wildtype controls in response to HMGB1 stimulation. We conclude that HMGB1 has the potential to induce a proinflammatory phenotype in Mφ, with RAGE as the major activation‐inducing receptor.
“Hey, Mayors, Leave Them Kids Alone”

Citizens’ local initiatives that are inconsistent with current policy challenge local authorities to act in response. How does local government react and what considerations are involved? Analysis draws on a recent trend in Israel: Dissatisfied parents have been establishing schools even though legal mechanisms enabling such initiatives are absent and central government continues to resist. Findings indicate that local authority reaction is a continuing process, constituting a series of responses. Influenced by societal, operational, and professional considerations, this evolving reaction illuminates that local authorities have been trapped between responsiveness to their communities, compliance with central policy, and maintenance of existing local services.
SPINAL DURAL ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULAE: CLINICAL FEATURES AND LONG‐TERM RESULTS

OBJECTIVEThe goals of this study were to characterize the clinical, radiological, treatment, and outcome data associated with patients diagnosed with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVFs) at a single tertiary care institution over a 20-year period. METHODSA 20-year retrospective study was undertaken at our university hospital. Patients with mixed intracranial and spinal dural fistulas were excluded. A literature review of articles reporting endovascular or combined treatment of SDAVFs was performed. RESULTSBetween 1984 and 2005, our institution diagnosed and treated 63 patients (mean age, 62; 13 women, 50 men) with SDAVFs. The presenting symptoms were consistent with progressive myelopathy, and included lower extremity weakness (33 patients, 52%), parasthesias (19 patients, 30%), back pain (15 patients, 24%), and urinary symptoms (four patients, 6%). Thirty-nine patients underwent an initial endovascular embolization with 27 requiring only this first procedure for complete obliteration. On the other hand, 24 patients underwent an initial surgical procedure with 20 of them treated successfully with a single operation. Endovascular patients presented at mean age 62.3 years (standard deviation [SD], 10.6), were hospitalized for an average of 3.1 days (SD, 2.6), and were followed-up for 39 months (SD, 33). Surgical patients presented at mean age of 65.8 years (SD, 10.3), were hospitalized for 9.8 days (SD, 2.7), and were followed-up for 35 months (SD, 44). A significant improvement in Aminoff-Logue scores was found in both the endovascular and surgery groups (gait, P < 0.001; micturition, P = 0.005). The endovascular group had reduced hospitalization (P = 0.0001). No differences were found in the magnitude of clinical response to treatment. CONCLUSIONSDAVFs most commonly present with progressive myelopathy, yet often remain undiagnosed for months or years. Endovascular therapies and surgical therapies are associated with significantly improved symptoms once the definitive diagnosis of SDAVF is made.
The role of self-determination theory and cognitive evaluation theory in home education

Abstract This article explores the theories of Self-Determination, Cognitive Evaluation, and Intrinsic Motivation as it applies to home education. According to Self-Determination Theory, intrinsic motivation is innate. However, the maintenance and enhancement of intrinsic motivation depends upon the social and environmental conditions surrounding the individual. Deci and Ryan’s Cognitive Evaluation Theory specifically addresses the social and environmental factors that facilitate versus undermine intrinsic motivation and points to three significant psychological needs that must be present in the individual in order to foster self-motivation. These needs are competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Because of curriculum and time constraints, intrinsic motivation may be difficult to facilitate within the traditional classroom. This loss of intrinsic motivation for learning prompts some parents to homeschool their children. One of the most impressive strengths of home education lies in the fact that in many cases, the entire process revolves around a child’s intrinsic motivation to learn.
Impacts and implications of mobile water payments in East Africa

The rapid growth in Africa's mobile communications sector offers new opportunities to address the continent's enduring water service challenges. This paper examines the impacts and implications of mobile water payments in East Africa. Based on interviews with managers from water service providers across four countries and analysis of household survey and billing data from a water supply scheme in Kenya, the study quantifies the impacts of mobile water payments and reveals the factors that drive and curtail customer adoption. Results suggest that if broader behavioural and operational constraints can be overcome, partnerships between mobile network operators and water service providers could lead to more sustainable water service access for inclusive, developmental outcomes.
Farmland: Is it Currently Priced as an Attractive Investment?

Farmland prices have risen dramatically in recent years, which has attracted interest from the broader investment community. At the same time, concern is being expressed regarding another bubble in farmland prices. This paper studies and compares the farmland price to cash rent ratio (P/rent) with the price to earnings (P/E) ratio of stocks. We find that the farmland P/rent ratio has reached historical highs and is currently at the level of the P/E ratio of the S&P 500 during the tech bubble. Data from 1911 to 2012 are used to estimate the beta of farmland, a measure of the risk that farmland adds to a diversified portfolio. The beta is found to be very low over this period. Farmland returns are also regressed against expected and unexpected inflation, and we find that farmland moves relatively close to one-to-one with inflation. We also report 10- and 20-year holding period returns for farmland and find that the relationship between return and the cyclically adjusted P/rent ratio is strongly negative. Moreover, the current cyclically adjusted P/rent ratio is extremely high, indicating a reason for caution when investors are considering farmland purchases.
The main determinants of subprime securitization in the Spanish RMBS securities

This article is a model to identify the determinants of subprime securitizations. In several countries, there is no classification of the underlying assets. Consequently, investors have fewer tools to identify which securitizations are subprime. Using a sample of mortgage securitization transactions issued in Spain from 1998 until the first half of 2009, we analyse the effects of a great securitization expansion. According to previous literature, we identify main determinants of residential mortgage-backed security default rate and construct a prediction model of default rate. By means of different probit models, our results show the importance of loan to value and seasoning, among other determinants, as predictive indicators of default rates. The results obtained point to more relaxed lending standards due to higher securitization levels. Our findings help to gain a more accurate perspective of the true effects of the mortgage securitization process and reinforce the role of certain determinants as default predictors in a context without a classification of underlying assets.
Current issues on safety of prokinetics in critically ill patients with feed intolerance

Feed intolerance in the setting of critical illness should be treated promptly given its adverse impact on morbidity and mortality. The technical difficulty of postpyloric feeding tube placement and the morbidities associated with parenteral nutrition prevent these approaches being considered as first-line nutrition. Prokinetic agents are currently the mainstay of therapy for feed intolerance in the critically ill. Current information is limited but suggests that erythromycin or metoclopramide (alone or in combination) are effective in the management of feed intolerance in the critically ill and not associated with significant cardiac, haemodynamic or neurological adverse effects. However, diarrhoea is a very common gastrointestinal side effect, and can occur in up to 49% of patients who receive both erythromycin and metoclopramide. Fortunately, the diarrhoea associated with prokinetic treatments has not been linked to Clostridium difficile infection and settles soon after the drugs are ceased. Therefore, prolonged or prophylactic use of prokinetics should be avoided. If diarrhoea occurs, the drugs should be stopped immediately. To minimize avoidable adverse effects the ongoing need for prokinetic drugs in these patient should be reviewed daily.
The Economics of Political Transitions: Implications for the Arab Spring

Over the past two years, ongoing political transitions in many Arab countries have led to social unrest and an economic downturn. This paper examines comparable historical episodes of political instability to derive implications for the near- and medium-term economic outlook in the Arab countries in transition. In general, past episodes of political instability were characterized by a sharp deterioration in macroeconomic outcomes and a sluggish recovery over the medium term. Recent economic developments in the Arab countries in transition seem to be unfolding along similar lines, although the weak external environment and large fiscal vulnerabilities could result in a prolonged slump.
The five dimensions of sustainability

Sustainability is usually seen as a guide for economic and social policymaking in equilibrium with ecological conditions. More than two decades after the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) defined ‘sustainable development’ and put the concept of sustainability on the global agenda, the concrete meaning of these terms and their suitability for specific cases remains disputed. A new conceptual framework to address sustainability issues is needed. The limitations of the WCED definition could be mitigated if sustainability is seen as the conceptual framework within which the territorial, temporal, and personal aspects of development can be openly discussed. Sustainability could be better understood in terms of ‘Place’, ‘Permanence’, and ‘Persons’. Place contains the three dimensions of space, Permanence is the fourth dimension of time, and the Persons category represents a fifth, human dimension. The five-dimensional sustainability framework is arguably more inclusive, plural, and useful to outline specific policies towards sustainability.
Employment Performance in OECD Countries

This article provides the first comprehensive test of the frequent, sharply differing market liberal and insitutionalist political economy recommendations for employment creation. The statistical analysis is a pooled time series for 17 advanced capitalist democracies from 1974 through 1999. Consistent with both neoliberal and institutionalist hypotheses, long-term unemployment replacement rates, social security taxes, and employment protection laws have negative effects on employment levels. Contrary to neoliberal hypotheses but consistent with institutionalist hypotheses, the authors find that short-term unemployment replacement rates, active labor market policy, and neocorporatist bargaining have positive effects on employment levels and that total taxes have no effect on employment levels.