Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essays on Estimating Conditional Crop Yield Densities and Rating Crop Insurance Contracts

Essays on Estimating Conditional Crop Yield Densities and Rating Crop Insurance Contracts Yong Liu Advisor: University of Guelph, 2019 Professor A. P. Ker This dissertation consists of four essays that focus on the U.S. crop insurance program, particularly econometric methodologies for estimating conditional crop yield densities and corresponding crop insurance premium rates in the U.S. This is of economic significance because the U.S. crop insurance program has been the pillar of U.S. domestic agricultural policy for the past 25 years. The first essay contributes to the literature by investigating the efficacy of using nonparametric Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to incorporate extraneous information into the estimated premium rates. Nonparametric BMA is particularly suited to this application because it does not make any assumptions about parametric form or to what extent yields are similar. The nonparametric BMA consistently decreases error and enables statistically and economically significant rents to be captured. The second essay contributes to the literature by refining the above methodology to account for various levels of spatial closeness. Specifically, the proposed extension continuously refines the estimate based on hierarchical spatial structure of geographic features in U.S. crop production: multi-state, state and crop reporting district(CRD). Results indicate that significant improvement in stability and accuracy of premium rate are delivered by the proposed method. The third essay contributes to the literature by exploring whether governments/insurers should or should not historically trim yields in estimating their premium rates. Distributional tests and an out-of-sample retain-cede rating game are used to answer this question. Despite small sample sizes and the need to estimate tail probabilities, the historical data appears to be sufficiently different such that trimming is justified. The final essay contributes to the literature by extending the above methodologies to simultaneously incorporate extraneous yield information from both space and time. This essay proposes three successively flexible data-driven methodologies to nonparametrically smooth across both space and time simultaneously. By applying these methodologies in estimating U.S. corn and soybean county-level crop insurance premium rates, we found significant borrowing of information across both time and space. These three methodologies also improve both the stability and accuracy of crop insurance premium rates.
Finding “Improvement” in the Language Transportation Planners Use: A Critical Discourse Analysis to Illustrate an Automobile-Centric Bias in Transportation Policymaking

This research considers the urban planning situations in which transportation planners implicitly or explicitly use the term “improvement. ” To answer our research questions—what do planners and policymakers mean by improvement, and how do these improvements challenge or reinforce car-centered transportation planning—we conducted a discourse analysis on documents from 50 cities, counties, and state departments of transportation. Using a critical discourse analysis, we find that perceptions about what is a transportation infrastructure “improvement” reveals policymakers’ and planners’ situatedness, defines for themselves and the public they serve “correct” travel methods, and upholds the car-centric status quo in the United States.
Public Spending and Economic Growth in Latin America Countries: A Panel Fixed Effect Analysis

Purpose: This article studies the effects of public expenditure on economic growth in Latin America countries (LAC), especially the role played by foreign aid and public and private investment. Design/methodology/approach: Granger causality approach and Fixed effect method. Findings: There is bidirectional causality between investment climate improvement, domestic investment and economic growth. Also, private investment, population growth rate, investment climate improvement and corruption reduction lead these countries economic growth. Research limitations/implications: In these countries, to manage economic growth governments have to pay attention on population growth rate , level of corruption, domestic and private investment. Originality/value: There are numerous studies regarding the impact of public spending on economic growth, but this study focus on developing countries especially on one area which is Latin America Countries. Also, it shows that, additionally to private investment, domestic investment, population growth rate and corruption are economic growth determinants in this area.
The changing dimensions of the post-2010 Hungarian political economy and the emergence of Hungarian authoritarian populism

Take down policy Some pages of this thesis may have been removed for copyright restrictions prior to having it been deposited in Explore Bristol Research. However, if you have discovered material within the thesis that you consider to be unlawful e.g. breaches of copyright (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please contact collections-metadata@bristol.ac. uk and include the following information in your message:
Intrinsic doping limit and defect-assisted luminescence in Cs4PbBr6

Cs4PbBr6 is a member of the halide perovskite family that is built from isolated (zero-dimensional) PbBr64- octahedra with Cs+ counter ions. The material exhibits anomalous optoelectronic properties: optical absorption and weak emission in the deep ultraviolet (310 - 375 nm) with efficient luminescence in the green region (~ 540 nm). Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the giant Stokes shift including: (i) phase impurities; (ii) self-trapped exciton; (iii) defect emission. We explore, using first-principles theory and self-consistent Fermi level analysis, the unusual defect chemistry and physics of Cs4PbBr6. We find a heavily compensated system where the room-temperature carrier concentrations (< 109 cm-3) are more than one million times lower than the defect concentrations. We show that the low-energy Br-on-Cs antisite results in the formation of a polybromide (Br3) species that can exist in a range of charge states. We further demonstrate from excited-state calculations that tribromide moieties are photoresponsive and can contribute to the observed green luminescence. Photoactivity of polyhalide molecules is expected to be present in other halide perovskite-related compounds where they can influence light absorption and emission.
Methodology for the Optimal Design of a Hybrid Charging Station of Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles Supplied by Renewable Energies and an Energy Storage System

The global energy system is changing, mainly to achieve sustainable transport technologies and clean electrical generation based on renewable sources. Thus, as fuels, electricity and hydrogen are the most promising transport technologies in order to reduce greenhouse emissions. On the other hand, photovoltaic and wind energies, including energy storage, have become the main sources of distributed generation. This study proposes a new optimal-technical sizing method based on the Simulink Design Optimization of a stand-alone microgrid with renewable energy sources and energy storage to provide energy to a wireless power transfer system to charge electric vehicles along a motorway and to a hydrogen charging station for fuel cell-powered buses. The results show that the design system can provide energy for the charging of electric vehicles along the motorway and produce the hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell-buses plus a certain tank reserve. The flexibility of the study allows the analysis of other scenarios, design requirements, configurations or types of microgrids.
First lithological and organic geochemical characterization of organic rich mudstones from Shavar Formation, southeast Bulgaria

ABSTRACT The paper reports the first results of the organic geochemical characterization of mudstones from the Shavar Fm (eastern Rhodope Mt., Bulgaria). The rock matrix is unevenly impregnated by amorphous organic matter at the onset of the oil generation (Tmax ~ 445ºC; PI – 0.1–0.2). High total organic carbon contents (avg. TOC – 5.9 wt. %) and HI (~720 mg HC/g TOC) argue for oil-prone source-rocks with very good hydrocarbon potential. The n-alkane distributions with maxima in the range n-C20-25 are consistent with organic matter origin from submerged plants. Additionally, sterane distributions dominated by C28-30 4-methyl steranes, indicate dinoflagellate contribution. High pristane/phytane ratio (Pr/Ph = 2–4) argue for deposition under oxic conditions.
The Impact of State Equity Standards on Leaders' Espoused Beliefs About Social Justice

THE IMPACT OF STATE EQUITY STANDARDS ON LEADERS ESPOUSED BELIEFS ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE Amanda Hadgraft Old Dominion University Director: Dr. Steve Myran School leaders are tasked with greater responsibilities than ever before. Today’s school leaders are expected to act as social justice leaders, ensuring all students have an equitable environment to learn in. State departments of education hold leaders accountable by comparing standardized test scores of students in majority and minority groups. The problem is these assessments measure the outcome of learning, but fail to measure the environments learning occurs in. The purpose of this study was to understand, within the context of the accountability climate, school leaders’ espoused beliefs about social justice, and the practices they employ to those ends. Using the dual lenses of epistemic injustice and critical race theory, in this qualitative research study, I sought to understand the complex bidirectional and reciprocal relationship between the accountability climate and school leaders’ espoused beliefs and practices regarding social justice. After conducting my study with seven school leaders from six different school districts in Southeastern Virginia, I discovered school leaders believed social justice was a concern, however struggle with their role in eradicating societal injustices. My findings indicated how complex that relationship between the accountability climate and leaders practices are. I uncovered a schism between leaders’ personal beliefs and unofficial practices when it came to social justice and the official practices required by central office supervisors. Although participants believed social justice was an issue they struggled to understand the role they should play in ending the cycle. THE IMPACT OF STATE EQUQTY STANDARDS ON LEADERS iii Copyright, 2019, by Amanda Hadgraft, All Rights Reserved. THE IMPACT OF STATE EQUQTY STANDARDS ON LEADERS iv
Portfolio advice before modern portfolio theory: The Belle Epoque of French analyst Alfred Neymarck

Abstract In this article, we propose an original analysis of advice given by financial analysts prior to WW1. Our article focuses on the writings of A. Neymarck, one of the most popular French analysts in the early 20th Century. The creation of portfolios from a new database composed of the monthly returns of all the security types listed on the official Paris Stock Exchange from 1903 to 1912 has provided results demonstrating that Neymarck correctly identified the risk in a number of sectors. The performances of these portfolios, which were built according to Neymarck’s guidelines, confirm Neymarck’s ranking in terms of both risk and return: the richer the investor, the riskier and the more profitable his portfolio was seen to be. Finally, the Modern Portfolio Theory enables us to pinpoint the few imperfections in Neymarck’s advice, which globally appears to be driven by reliable financial analysis.
A framework for ethical procurement of construction projects in Nigerian Federal Universities

Procurement of construction projects in Nigerian Federal Universities has been affected by unethical procurement practices amongst the stakeholders and projects parties concern. This study aims at developing a framework to mediating the large negative effects of unethical procurement practices on construction projects development. Conflict of interest factors, especially at the tender and bid evaluation stages, were identified as the major unethical practices affecting construction procurement processes of infrastructure projects negatively. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire distributed to construction procurement stakeholders of nine randomly selected Nigerian Federal Universities. Mediation effect of ethical procurement practices was tested between the conflict of interest factors and procurement of construction and infrastructural projects. The findings revealed that conflict of interest factors were found to have large negative effects on procurement of construction and infrastructural project, and ethical procurement practices identified and introduced as mediating variables were tested and verified to possibly mitigate the effects of conflict of interest factors affecting the procurement of construction and infrastructural projects in Nigerian federal universities. Hence, the study recommends that procurement entities concern should ensure compliance with Public Procurement Guidelines (PPGs), which highlights ethical requirements for tendering, bid evaluation and construction processes for the procurement of construction and infrastructural projects.
A target-centric intelligence approach to WannaCry 2.0

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the utility of a target-centric approach to intelligence collection and analysis in the prevention and investigation of ransomware attacks that involve cryptocurrencies. The paper uses the May 2017 WannaCry ransomware usage of the Bitcoin ecosystem as a case study. The approach proves particularly beneficial in facilitating information sharing and an integrated analysis across intelligence domains. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted data collection and analysis of the component Bitcoin elements of the WannaCry ransomware attack. A note of both technicalities of Bitcoin operations and current models for sharing cyber intelligence was made. Our analysis builds on and further develops current definitions and strategies for sharing cyber threat intelligence. It uses the problem definition model (PDM) and generic target network model (TNM) to create an analytic framework for the WannaCry ransomware attack scenario, allowing analysts the ability to test their hypotheses and integrate and share data for collaborative investigation. Findings Using a target-centric intelligence approach to WannaCry 2.0 shows that it is possible to model the intelligence problem of collecting and analysing data related to inflows and outflows of Bitcoin-related ransomware transactions. Bitcoin transactions form graph networks and allow to build a target network model for collecting, analysing and sharing intelligence with multiple stakeholders. Although attribution and anonymity prevail under cryptocurrency usage, there is a means for developing transaction walks using this method to target nefarious cryptocurrency exchanges where criminals are inclined to cash out their proceeds of crime. Originality/value The application of a target-centric intelligence approach to the cryptocurrency components of a ransomware attack provides a framework for intelligence units to break down the problem in the financial domain and model the network behaviour of illicit Bitcoin transactions relating to ransomware.
Exploring stakeholders’ perceptions of the quality and governance of water resources in the Wenchi municipality

Despite increasing evidence that understanding and integrating local people’s perceptions of water quality and governance helps improve water governance processes, only a limited volume of research addresses this topic in developing countries. Therefore, using in-depth interviews and content analysis, the goal of this paper is to explore stakeholders’ perceptions of the quality and governance of water resources in Wenchi, Ghana. Results show that stakeholders perceive river water quality to be deteriorating. Stakeholders’ judgement of river quality is influenced by water use value, pollution sources, organoleptic properties and sanitary conditions of the riverbank. Stakeholders highlighted key areas that require authorities’ efforts: formulation and enforcement of by-laws, awareness raising, provision of financial, logistic and technical support, conducting research and community mobilisation. These findings need to be carefully reviewed and systematically integrated into expert views to advance our understanding of the problem, how best to address it and who to target during interventions.
Essays on Microeconomic Problems in Multilateral Settings

This thesis consists of three chapters on microeconomic problems in multilateral settings. In the first chapter, I use a model with two local bidders and a global bidder in a simultaneous ascending auction. I find that the simultaneous ascending auction does not allocate two heterogeneous objects e ciently. This result holds with and without resale and is independent of the resale mechanism. Then I use a fixed resale mechanism with take-it-or-leave-it o↵ers after the auction to study the e↵ects of resale on allocation e ciency. In cases where the two local bidders win the objects ine ciently, no resale occurs. Therefore, whenever the simultaneous ascending auction overdi↵uses the objects to the local bidders, resale cannot correct this inefficiency. However, whenever the simultaneous ascending auction overconcentrates the objects to the global bidder, the global bidder can resell the objects to the local bidders. The second chapter studies the e↵ects of resale on the e ciency of simultaneous ascending auctions with more general resale mechanisms. In this paper, speculation by the local bidders is allowed in the simultaneous ascending auction. I look for e cient mechanisms in multilateral settings, if they exist given the beliefs, and use these mechanisms as the resale mechanisms after the auction. The simultaneous ascending auction can grossly misallocate the objects by allocating the objects to the speculators but there exist e cient resale mechanisms that can restore full e ciency. In the final chapter, I use a model with a committee and two project sponsors. The committee members decide which one of the two projects to approve. Each project sponsor can choose to disclose information about his project to select committee members. If a committee member receives information from a sponsor, he can choose to investigate the project at a cost to learn his own payo↵ from the project. After that, the committee members decide which project to implement. As competition between the projects gets stronger, there is more information disclosure from the sponsors.
Lakeside living: Commodifying community in a master planned estate

Master Planned Communities (MPCs) present new features to the housing development scene in Australia based around what has been called ‘lifestyle consumerism’. As part of this, property developers involved in MPCs have associated the idea of community with their product through extensive marketing campaigns, and have expressed the aim to foster the formation of community in their developments. This paper considers the implications of developers wishing to foster the formation of community and presents the proposition that one aspect of this involves the commodification of community. ‘Commodification of community’ as used here refers to the development of community as a commodity. This process is shown to involve an idealised or mythical form of community. Following (Maffesoli 1996, p. 148) ‘myth’ is used here “. in the sense in which something that has perhaps never really existed acts, effectively, on the imagination of the time. ” The possible impact of the commodification of community on attitudes to community formation in a master planned community is considered. The paper is based on a project currently being undertaken investigating community building in a master planned community in South East Queensland.
Near‐infrared spectroscopy for the in vivo study of cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation

&NA; With the advent of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), it has become possible for the first time to make continuous measurements of in vivo cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamic changes at the bedside, in the intensive care unit, and in the operating room. NIRS has shown immense potential as a noninvasive technique for monitoring real‐time cerebrovascular and oxygenation changes in the critically ill child. To date, clinical applications of the technique have included cerebral measurements in the intrapartum fetus, the high‐risk newborn, and the infant undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and hypothermic cardiac surgery. Despite these advances in the clinical application of the NIRS technique, several basic controversies persist and are the focus of intense research in the area. This review provides an update on recent clinical studies using NIRS and outlines the likely future directions of the technique.
Strategic Consensus And Implementation Of Differentiation Strategy By Habib Bank Ag Zurich-Kenya

ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the study . 1 1.1.1 Strategic Consensus . 3 1.1.2 Implementation of Differentiation Strategy . 4 1.1.4 Commercial Banks in Kenya . 5 1.1. 5 Habib Bank AG Zurich (Kenya) . 6 1.2 Research problem . 7 1.3 Research Objective . 11 1.4 Value of the study . 11 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 13 2.
A pipeline for systematic yeast 2-hybrid matricial screening in liquid culture.

Physical interactions mediated by proteins are a critical element of biological systems, and the analysis of interaction partners can provide valuable hints about unknown functions of a protein. Two major classes of experimental approaches are used for protein interaction mapping: analysis of direct interactions using binary methods such as yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) or split ubiquitin, and analysis of protein complexes through affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry. Thanks to his flexibility to low- and high-throughput approaches and a low operating cost the Y2H assay is widely used for high-throughput interaction mapping experiments. Moreover, it has now been shown that high-throughput methods can produce highly reliable interactome datasets1 2 3 4. Notably, in 2011 a proteome-wide binary protein-protein interaction map of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana 5 (Arabidopsis Interactome Mapping project – AIM) was described using a high-throughput binary interactome mapping pipeline based on the Y2H system and using a collection of ~8,000 open reading frames (8k_space). Here we describe a liquid pipeline for a high-throughput binary protein–protein Y2H screen of a pool of 50 proteins used as baits against a collection of ~12,000 Arabidopsis proteins encoded by sequence-verified ORFs (12k_space)6 7.
Economic growth, sectoral structures, and environmental methane footprints

ABSTRACT We analyze the impacts of economic growth on methane emissions per capita at the sectoral level for the period 1997–2014. We cover three stages of the supply chain, distinguishing between emissions embodied in production, final production, and consumption. We investigate the effects of economic growth on two components of methane emissions per capita, namely methane emissions per unit of value added and value added per capita. We uncover substantial heterogeneity across sectors. Economic growth led to expansions of economic activity in all sectors but reduced the methane intensity of sectoral value added in some sectors. In sectors that experienced pronounced reductions in methane intensity, economic growth did not strongly affect emissions per capita. However, in the absence of large methane-intensity gains, economic growth raised emission per capita substantially.