bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the phase chemistry of Portland cement clinker
Authors: Hökfors Bodil , Boström Dan , Viggh Erik , Backman Rainer
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the formation of a phosphorous belite solid solution and its impact on alite formation. A sub-solidus phase relation for the ternary system silicon dioxide–calcium oxide–phosphorus pentoxide (SiO2–CaO–P2O5) is reported. The ternary system is based on Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns from experimental tests. The overall picture is based on known phase diagrams, relevant Rietveld refinements models, stoichiometric relationships as a function of increasing phosphorus pentoxide concentration and vacancy theories for solid solutions of phosphate belites. A tool is developed for predicting the chemistry of the product as well as the chemistry during heating when producing Portland cement clinker. A thermodynamic database for phase chemistry calculations of clinkering reactions has been created and evaluated. Suitable compounds and solution species have been selected from the thermochemical database included in FactSage software. Some solution compositions have been uniquely designed to allow for the proper prediction of the cement clinker chemistry. The calculated results from the developed database for heating raw materials in cement clinker production and cooling of the product are presented in this paper. The calculated results provide a good prediction of the phases and quantities formed during heating and non-equilibrium cooling. The prediction of the amounts of alite, belite and aluminoferrite phases in the product according to the Scheil method is good. The temperature interval for the existence of all of the major phases is relevant. The thermodynamic data for a solution phase of alite with substituting ions of primarily magnesium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide would improve the predictability of the developed database.
Advances in flood modelling helping to reduce flood risk
Authors: Wright Nigel
Published: April 2014

The UK endured its wettest winter on record in 2013–2014, but flooding could have been a lot worse without the massive advances in flood modelling achieved by civil engineers. Nigel Wright reports on two recent themed issues of ICE's Water Management journal on the topic.
Revised building regulations for England require fabric energy efficiency calculation
Authors: Bleicher David
Published: April 2014

Revisions to the English building regulations came into force last month, requiring the fabric energy efficiency of new dwellings to be calculated along with the achievement of lower carbon dioxide emissions. David Bleicher of BSRIA explains.
Energy from geo-structures: a topic of growing interest
Authors: Barla Marco , Perino Andrea
Published: April 2014

Underground geotechnical structures (piles, diaphragm walls, tunnel linings, anchors etc.) can be instrumented to become energy geo-structures. This short paper focuses on the use of energy tunnels, which are shown to have a number of advantages. An example of a possible application to the Turin Metro Line 1 south extension is discussed. Preliminary results of numerical analyses, performed to study the hydro-thermal interaction and the influence of the energy tunnel on the surroundings, show that the energy stored in the ground can be exploited without generating relevant effects on the aquifer. This highlights the importance of additional research to improve the understanding of the geothermal process and exploit the potential of energy tunnels allowing for great economic and environmental benefit.
Client-Auditor Supply Chain Relationships, Audit Quality, and Audit Pricing
Authors: Johnstone Karla M. , Li Chan , Luo Shuqing
Published: April 2014

We investigate the association between auditors' supply chain knowledge and companies' audit quality and audit pricing. Auditor supply chain knowledge is a specialized understanding of information and processes regarding accounting and auditing issues that relates to both a supplier and its major customer, regardless of industry commonalities, that is particularly useful for understanding complexities associated with the revenue cycle. We find that auditors' supply chain knowledge at the city level is associated with higher audit quality and lower audit fees, compared to companies employing auditors with supply chain knowledge at the national level or employing auditors without supply chain knowledge. Such effects are stronger for supplier companies that derive a high proportion of revenue from their major customers, and when the revenue cycle for the supplier companies is more important. We obtain these results while controlling for the usual determinants of audit quality and fees, along with auditors' industry specialization.
Primary Subcutaneous Spindle Cell Ewing Sarcoma with Strong S100 Expression and EWSR1-FLI1 Fusion: A Case Report
Authors: Arnold Michael A. , Ballester Leomar Y. , Pack Svetlana D. , Abdullaev Ziedulla , Merchant Melinda , Tsokos Maria G.
Published: April 2014

Ewing sarcoma is described classically as a small, round cell tumor of bone and soft tissue in children and young adults. Ewing sarcoma most often is characterized by a fusion of the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 ( EWSR1) and the Friend leukemia virus integration 1 ( FLI1) genes, forming an EWSR1-FLI1 fusion transcript. We report an exceptional case of primary subcutaneous Ewing sarcoma in a 16-year-old female composed entirely of spindle cells with focal fascicular growth and exhibiting strong, diffuse immunohistochemical reactivity for S100, unlike classic Ewing sarcoma. However, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the presence of a rare variant of the EWSR1-FLI1 fusion transcript, featuring fusion of EWSR1 exon 10 to FLI1 exon 6. To our knowledge, the combined histologic, molecular, and clinical features have not been reported previously in Ewing sarcoma, and raise a broad differential diagnosis emphasizing the importance of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of this tumor.
Neurodynamic Responses to the Femoral Slump Test in Patients With Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome
Authors: Lin Pei-Ling , Shih Yi-Fen , Chen Wen-Yin , Ma Hsiao-Li
Published: April 2014

Study Design

Matched-control, cross-sectional study.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the responses to the femoral slump test (FST), including the change in hip range of motion and level of discomfort, between subjects with and without anterior knee pain.

Background

Anterior knee pain syndrome is a common problem among adults. The FST is the neurodynamic test used to assess the mechanosensitivity of the femoral component of the nervous system. However, as of yet, there is no literature discussing the use of the FST in patients with anterior knee pain.

Methods

Thirty patients with anterior knee pain and 30 control participants, matched by gender, age, and dominant leg, were recruited. The subjects received the FST, during which the hip extension angle and the location and intensity of pain/discomfort were recorded. Reproduction of symptoms that were alleviated by neck extension was interpreted as a positive test. Differences in hip extension angle and pain intensity between groups were examined using a 2-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance and a Kruskal-Wallis analysis. The level of significance was set at α = .05.

Results

Subjects with anterior knee pain had a smaller hip extension angle than that of controls (−3.6° ± 5.3° versus 0.6° ± 6.1°; mean difference, 4.2°; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24°, 7.15°; P = .006). Eight patients with anterior knee pain showed a positive FST, and those with a positive FST had a smaller hip extension angle (−5.7° ± 4.5°) than that of controls (mean difference, 6.3°; 95% CI: 0.8°, 11.8°; P = .007). There was no difference in the hip extension angle between the positive and negative FST groups (mean difference, 2.9°; 95% CI: −8.5°, 2.0°) or between the negative FST and control groups (mean difference, 3.4°; 95% CI: -0.4°, 7.3°).

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that altered mechanosensitivity of the femoral nerve occurred in the patients with anterior knee pain who presented with a positive FST. The role of increased mechanosensitivity in the development and management of anterior knee pain should be investigated in the future. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(5):350–357. Epub 14 April 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.4781
Low level of stroke care awareness among stroke patients’ caregivers: an important but neglected area of stroke care
Authors: Sharma N , Sharma M , Lopchan M , Thapa L , Rana PVS
Published: April 2014

Objective Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Stroke patients require longterm care for better outcome. Most often family members are the back bone of the service provided to people affected by stroke. Stroke patients and their caregivers are known to have large gaps in stroke knowledge and have suboptimal personal health behaviors, thereby putting the patient at high risk for complications. Our study was designed to explore the stroke care awareness among stroke patients' caregivers.Methods 50 stroke caregivers aged >18 years from neurology ward of College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital were selected by non-probability purposive sampling from June 2012 to July 2012. Questionnaire focusing basic stroke care was prepared by researchers with the help of literature and a neurophysician. Validity and reliability of the tools were tested and data collected. Analysis of collected data was done using SPSS 16.0.Results The mean age of the respondents was 40 years (range: 20-80 years). Thirty-nine (78%) were either spouse or children. Thirty-eight (76%) caregivers were literate. Overall, 27 (54%) caregivers had low level of awareness regarding stroke care and mean knowledge score was 23.7.Conclusion This study has revealed the existence of low level of stroke care awareness amongst stroke caregivers. Interventional education program oriented to address this important yet neglected area can improve the stroke care in countries like Nepal where recent advancement for stroke management is lacking.  Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 1-8
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; masquarding as hydropneumothorax
Authors: Yadav RP , Agrawal CS , Pathania OP , Shrestha P , Sharmal S , Shrivastaw M
Published: April 2014

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs in about 1 in 3000 births among which over 90% of the patients will be diagnosed either antenatally or will present with respiratory distress in the first few hours of life and about 5% to 30% of diaphragmatic hernias present beyond the neonatal period. The extent of herniation of abdominal viscera into the thorax may vary, leading to acute or intermittent symptoms. The inappropriate insertion of a chest drain, although relieving the symptoms temporarily, may result in serious consequences by damaging intrathoracic abdominal viscera. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 54-56 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i3.10223
Joint Distributions and Quantum Nonlocal Models
Authors: Malley James , Fletcher Anthony
Published: April 2014

A standard result in quantum mechanics is this: if two observables are commuting then they have a classical joint distribution in every state. A converse is demonstrated here: If a classical joint distribution for the pair agrees with standard quantum facts, then the observables must commute. This has consequences for some historical and recent quantum nonlocal models: they are analytically disallowed without the need for experiment, as they imply that all local observables must commute among themselves.
Inhibition of a Gold-Based Catalyst in Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation: Understanding and Remediation
Authors: Skupien Emmanuel , Berger Rob , Santos Vera , Gascon Jorge , Makkee Michiel , Kreutzer Michiel , Kooyman Patricia , Moulijn Jacob , Kapteijn Freek
Published: April 2014

Benzyl alcohol oxidation was carried out in toluene as solvent, in the presence of the potentially inhibiting oxidation products benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. Benzoic acid, or a product of benzoic acid, is identified to be the inhibiting species. The presence of a basic potassium salt (K2CO3 or KF) suppresses this inhibition, but promotes the formation of benzyl benzoate from the alcohol and aldehyde. When a small amount of water is added together with the potassium salt, an even greater beneficial effect is observed, due to a synergistic effect with the base. A kinetic model, based on the three main reactions and four major reaction components, is presented to describe the concentration-time profiles and inhibition. The inhibition, as well as the effect of the base, was captured in the kinetic model, by combining strong benzoic acid adsorption and competitive adsorption with benzyl alcohol. The effect of the potassium salt is accounted for in terms of neutralization of benzoic acid.
Contrasting Patterns of Phytoplankton Assemblages in Two Coastal Ecosystems in Relation to Environmental Factors (Corsica, NW Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Garrido Marie , Koeck Barbara , Goffart Anne , Collignon Amandine , Hecq Jean-Henri , Agostini Sylvia , Marchand Bernard , Lejeune Pierre , Pasqualini Vanina
Published: April 2014

Corsica Island is a sub-basin of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, with hydrological features typical of both oligotrophic systems and eutrophic coastal zones. Phytoplankton assemblages in two coastal ecosystems of Corsica (the deep Bay of Calvi and the shallow littoral of Bastia) show contrasting patterns over a one-year cycle. In order to determine what drives these variations, seasonal changes in littoral phytoplankton are considered together with environmental parameters. Our methodology combined a survey of the physico-chemical structure of the subsurface water with a characterization of the phytoplankton community structure. Sampling provided a detailed record of the seasonal changes and successions that occur in these two areas. Results showed that the two sampled stations presented different phytoplankton abundance and distribution patterns, notably during the winter–spring bloom period. Successions in pico-, nano-, and microphytoplankton communities appeared mainly driven by differences in the ability to acquire nutrients, and in community-specific growth rates. Phytoplankton structure and dynamics are discussed in relation to available data on the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. These results confirm that integrated monitoring of coastal areas is a requisite for gaining a proper understanding of marine ecosystems.
Resiliency Training in Indian Children: A Pilot Investigation of the Penn Resiliency Program
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Aruna , Cycil Chandrika
Published: April 2014

This paper examines the effectiveness of the Penn Resiliency Program (PRP) in an urban Indian setting. The PRP is a program to prevent depression in early adolescence and has proved successful in changing children’s attributional style of life events. While the program has been successful in preventing symptoms of depression in Western populations, the current study explored whether this program could be effective with an Indian sample. The aim of the current study was twofold; first, to study the attributional style of early adolescents in India and identify negative effects (if any) and second, to gain insights in using the PRP as a tool to change explanatory styles in Indian children. A total of 58 children participated in the study (Intervention group n = 29 and Control group n = 29). An Analysis of Covariance comparing post-test scores on Children’s Attributional Style Questionnaire (CASQ) while controlling for baseline scores indicated that children in the intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in pessimistic explanatory style and an increase in optimistic orientation compared to children in the control group. This indicates that the program was effective in changing negative attribution styles among upper-class Indian school children. Future work may look into the longer impact of the program as well as further considerations into adapting the program for a middle class population.
Japanese Encephalitis Risk and Contextual Risk Factors in Southwest China: A Bayesian Hierarchical Spatial and Spatiotemporal Analysis
Authors: Zhao Xing , Cao Mingqin , Feng Hai-Huan , Fan Heng , Chen Fei , Feng Zijian , Li Xiaosong , Zhou Xiao-Hua
Published: April 2014

It is valuable to study the spatiotemporal pattern of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and its association with the contextual risk factors in southwest China, which is the most endemic area in China. Using data from 2004 to 2009, we applied GISmapping and spatial autocorrelation analysis to analyze reported incidence data of JE in 438 counties in southwest China, finding that JE cases were not randomly distributed, and a Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal model identified the east part of southwest China as a high risk area. Meanwhile, the Bayesian hierarchical spatial model in 2006 demonstrated a statistically significant association between JE and the agricultural and climatic variables, including the proportion of rural population, the pig-to-human ratio, the monthly precipitation and the monthly mean minimum and maximum temperatures. Particular emphasis was placed on the time-lagged effect for climatic factors. The regression method and the Spearman correlation analysis both identified a two-month lag for the precipitation, while the regression method found a one-month lag for temperature. The results show that the high risk area in the east part of southwest China may be connected to the agricultural and climatic factors. The routine surveillance and the allocation of health resources should be given more attention in this area. Moreover, the meteorological variables might be considered as possible predictors of JE in southwest China.
GIS-Based Analytical Tools for Transport Planning: Spatial Regression Models for Transportation Demand Forecast
Authors: Lopes Simone , Brondino Nair , Rodrigues da Silva Antônio
Published: April 2014

Considering the importance of spatial issues in transport planning, the main objective of this study was to analyze the results obtained from different approaches of spatial regression models. In the case of spatial autocorrelation, spatial dependence patterns should be incorporated in the models, since that dependence may affect the predictive power of these models. The results obtained with the spatial regression models were also compared with the results of a multiple linear regression model that is typically used in trips generation estimations. The findings support the hypothesis that the inclusion of spatial effects in regression models is important, since the best results were obtained with alternative models (spatial regression models or the ones with spatial variables included). This was observed in a case study carried out in the city of Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the stages of specification and calibration of the models, with two distinct datasets.
Cadmium Toxicity Induced Alterations in the Root Proteome of Green Gram in Contrasting Response towards Iron Supplement
Authors: Muneer Sowbiya , Hakeem Khalid , Mohamed Rozi , Lee Jeong
Published: April 2014

Cadmium signifies a severe threat to crop productivity and green gram is a notably iron sensitive plant which shows considerable variation towards cadmium stress. A gel-based proteomics analysis was performed with the roots of green gram exposed to iron and cadmium combined treatments. The resulting data show that twenty three proteins were down-regulated in iron-deprived roots either in the absence (−Fe/−Cd) or presence (−Fe/+Cd) of cadmium. These down-regulated proteins were however well expressed in roots under iron sufficient conditions, even in the presence of cadmium (+Fe/+Cd). The functional classification of these proteins determined that 21% of the proteins are associated with nutrient metabolism. The other proteins in higher quantities are involved in either transcription or translation regulation, and the rest are involved in biosynthesis metabolism, antioxidant pathways, molecular chaperones and stress response. On the other hand, several protein spots were also absent in roots in response to iron deprivation either in absence (−Fe/−Cd) or presence (−Fe/+Cd) of cadmium but were well expressed in the presence of iron (+Fe/+Cd). Results suggest that green gram plants exposed to cadmium stress are able to change the nutrient metabolic balance in roots, but in the mean time regulate cadmium toxicity through iron supplements.
R-HPDC Process with Forced Convection Mixing Device for Automotive Part of A380 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Zhou Bing , Kang Yonglin , Qi Mingfan , Zhang Huanhuan , Zhu Guoming
Published: April 2014

The continuing quest for cost-effective and complex shaped aluminum castings with fewer defects for applications in the automotive industries has aroused the interest in rheological high pressure die casting (R-HPDC). A new machine, forced convection mixing (FCM) device, based on the mechanical stirring and convection mixing theory for the preparation of semisolid slurry in convenience and functionality was proposed to produce the automotive shock absorber part by R-HPDC process. The effect of barrel temperature and rotational speed of the device on the grain size and morphology of semi-solid slurry were extensively studied. In addition, flow behavior and temperature field of the melt in the FCM process was investigated combining computational fluid dynamics simulation. The results indicate that the microstructure and pore defects at different locations of R-HPDC casting have been greatly improved. The vigorous fluid convection in FCM process has changed the temperature field and composition distribution of conventional solidification. Appropriately increasing the rotational speed can lead to a uniform temperature filed sooner. The lower barrel temperature leads to a larger uniform degree of supercooling of the melt that benefits the promotion of nucleation rate. Both of them contribute to the decrease of the grain size and the roundness of grain morphology.
Detection of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease: Preliminary Results
Authors: Azevedo Coste Christine , Sijobert Benoît , Pissard-Gibollet Roger , Pasquier Maud , Espiau Bernard , Geny Christian
Published: April 2014

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common symptom in Parkinsonism, which affects the gait pattern and is associated to a fall risk. Automatized FOG episode detection would allow systematic assessment of patient state and objective evaluation of the clinical effects of treatments. Techniques have been proposed in the literature to identify FOG episodes based on the frequency properties of inertial sensor signals. Our objective here is to adapt and extend these FOG detectors in order to include other associated gait pattern changes, like festination. The proposed approach is based on a single wireless inertial sensor placed on the patient’s lower limbs. The preliminary experimental results show that existing frequency-based freezing detectors are not sufficient to detect all FOG and festination episodes and that the observation of some gait parameters such as stride length and cadence are valuable inputs to anticipate the occurrence of upcoming FOG events.
Changing Paradigms: A Sketch for Sustainable Wellbeing and Ecosocial Policy
Authors: Hirvilammi Tuuli , Helne Tuula
Published: April 2014

We live in the Anthropocene era, where human action has an unforeseen impact on global ecosystems. This is visible, for instance, in climate change, in the loss of biodiversity and in the acidification of the oceans. Little attention is given to the fact that the Anthropocene is related to anthropocentric thinking that also guides our policies. Therefore, we argue that ecologically and socially sustainable policies will not be achieved by incidental policy measures alone, but a change of paradigm is needed. In our article, we lay out the tenets of a relational paradigm resting on holistic thinking and deep ecology. On the basis of this paradigm, the principles, conceptions and goals specific to any given policy can be formulated, giving them a common ground. In this article, we apply the relational paradigm to social policy in order to contribute to the quest for sustainable wellbeing in the overconsuming welfare states. Here, we formulate a multidimensional and relational conception of wellbeing, the HDLB-model (Having-Doing-Loving-Being), which is a modification of sociologist Erik Allardt’s theory. We illustrate how this model could provide the foundation of a sustainable ecosocial policy.
Designing and Developing a Reflexive Learning System for Managing Systemic Change
Authors: Ison Ray , Blackmore Chris
Published: April 2014

We offer a reflection on our own praxis as designers and developers of a learning system for mature-age students through the Open University (OU) UK’s internationally recognised supported-open learning approach. The learning system (or course or module), which required an investment in the range of £0.25–0.5 million to develop, thus reflects our own history (traditions of understanding), the history of the context and the history of cyber-systemic thought and praxis including our own engagement with particular cyber-systemic lineages. This module, “Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction” was first studied by around 100 students in 2010 as part of a new OU Masters Program on Systems Thinking in Practice (STiP) and is now in its fourth presentation to around 100 students. Understanding and skills in systemic inquiry, action and interaction are intended learning outcomes. Through their engagement with the module and each other’s perspectives, students develop critical appreciation of systems practice and social learning systems, drawing on their own experiences of change. Students are practitioners from a wide range of domains. Through activities such as online discussions and blogging, they ground the ideas introduced in the module in their own circumstances and develop their own community by pursuing two related systemic inquiries. In this process, they challenge themselves, each other and the authors as learning system designers. We reflect on what was learnt by whom and how and for what purposes.
Une Europe monétaire à plusieurs vitesses ? La demande de monnaie dans les grands pays de la zone euro (1979-1999)
Authors: Bordes Christian , Chevrou-Séverac Hélène , Marimoutou Velayoudom
Published: April 2014

The paper analyses the demand for money -measured by broad aggregates -in the four main euro-area countries (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) between 1979 and 1999. Two main questions are explored : 1) Is the demand-for-money function empirically stable in each country in the long and short term ? 2) If so, are its coefficients similar in each country or are there significant differences ? More generally the paper deals with the question of whether there has been a " return to normal" by demand for money after a period of instability due to financial innovation. The same VAR error correction model has been used for all countries. The main conclusions are : 1) There is evidence of significant differences in the demand-for-money function between the four main euro-area countries with, on the one hand, France and Germany -where the function is stable -and, on the other, Italy and Spain -where it is not ; 2) More generally there is strong evidence supporting the assumption of a return to normal (i. e. stability) by the demand for money ; however, its short-term dynamics are difficult to explain.
Structures financières et canal des taux d’intérêt de la politique monétaire dans la zone euro
Authors: Mojon Benoît
Published: April 2014

La présente étude analyse les différences de structures financières entre les pays de la zone euro et leurs implications pour la transmission de la politique de la BCE par le canal des taux d’intérêt. Il est centré sur les caractéristiques des structures financières qui peuvent encore présenter des différences en dépit de l’UEM. L’étude examine d’abord la réponse de divers taux bancaires aux variations du taux du marché monétaire et mesure la manière dont cette réponse a évolué au cours des deux derniers cycles de taux d’intérêt. Une analyse économétrique donne à penser que les “ asymétries de pays ” actuelles qu’on observe dans la réponse des taux bancaires devraient diminuer à terme avec la mise en oeuvre de la politique monétaire unique, l’intégration des marchés monétaires et le développement des marchés de titres de créance. Il est également montré que la concurrence entre banques réduit l’“ asymétrie cyclique ” de la réponse des taux bancaires. En second lieu, on examinera les évolutions récentes ayant caractérisé la structure de bilan des ménages et des entreprises. L’étude montre que, au début de l’UEM, les effets-revenu de la politique monétaire de la BCE sont très homogènes dans les quatre grands pays de la zone euro, alors que, par suite de l’importance de leur portefeuille obligataire, les effets de richesse devraient être plus sensibles pour les ménages italiens.
Quelle convergence des règles de politique monétaire en Europe avant l’euro ?
Authors: Bouscharain Laurent
Published: April 2014

Are Monetary Policy Rules in Europe Converging Prior to the Euro ?

by Laurent Bouscharain

Has European monetary union entailed genuine convergence of “ monetary policy preferences” within the euro area ? This study measures the importance of the objectives of forecast price stability and cyclical stabilisation by offering a method of estimating Taylor rules for various European countries and compares the outcomes in particular with those recently obtained by Clarida, Gali and Gertler (NBER 6254). The results illustrate a common tendency to strengthen counterinflationary policy in Europe, sometimes to the detriment of cyclical stabilisation. However, the estimations seem sensitive to introduction of other variables reflecting the “ external” constraints that could arise from coordination. It thus appears that German interest rates have sometimes influenced other monetary policies, which would be evidence of asymmetric operation of monetary rules prior to the euro.
L’inflation sous-jacente en France, en Allemagne et Royaume-Uni
Authors: Jacquinot Pascal
Published: April 2014

Core Inflation in France, Germany and the United Kingdom

by Pascal Jacquinot

Central banks usually work with inflation targets, either directly or indirectly. In any case, it is in their interest to have an accurate measure of structural inflation, i. e. cyclically adjusted inflation. This component of inflation, also called core inflation, is here obtained from a structural VAR model. Economists generally agree on the long-term neutrality of inflation with regard to output. Use of such a constraint in a structural VAR model, including observed inflation and output, makes it possible to disentangle the core from the cyclical component of inflation. Core inflation is obtained by cancelling the cyclical component attributable to output shocks. Quah and Vahey (1995) use the identification method proposed by Blanchard and Quah (1989) to compute core inflation in the United Kingdom ; we have adopted the same technique for France, Germany and the United Kingdom. In addition, we have confirmed the procyclical nature of short-term inflation in the three countries and shown that, since 1993, inflation has been closer to its underlying level in Germany than in its partners. Greater nominal rigidities would explain this difference.
Une maquette de moyen terme de l'économie française
Authors: d'Autume Antoine , Quinet Alain
Published: April 2014

L’article présente une maquette simple de l’économie française, susceptible d’être utilisée pour des travaux de prévision et d’évaluation des chocs et des politiques macroéconomiques. On se situe dans le cadre d’une petite économie ouverte, en changes fixes, faisant face à un taux d’intérêt réel donné. L’économie comprend un secteur des biens échangeables et un secteur des biens non échangeables. Les comportements sont spécifiés de manière simple et robuste, sans faire intervenir d’anticipations rationnelles et en utilisant systématiquement des représentations à correction d’erreurs. La dynamique des richesses financières est prise en compte, les effets de richesse assurant de manière naturelle la convergence de long terme des niveaux d’actifs et le respect des contraintes de solvabilité des agents. La dynamique de court terme incorpore des éléments keynésiens, liés à la viscosité des prix et salaires. Le long terme de la maquette fait largement appel à la calibration, la dynamique de court terme est estimée.
Les chocs monétaires et la persistance du taux de chômage
Authors: Sidiropoulos Moïse , Trabelsi Jamel
Published: April 2014

Monetary Shocks and Persistent Unemployment

by Moïse Sidiropoulos and Jamel Trabelsi

This paper sets out to find a shock propagation mechanism that could explain persistent unemployment rates in Germany. Our work is based on an “ insider outsider” theoretical model, which constructs the dynamics that generate the unemployment rate and highlights the different economic shocks. We are especially interested in studying the effect of internal monetary shocks (domestic monetary policy shock) and external monetary shocks (shock due to an increase in the American interest rate) using the ARCH-M model. Our empirical findings show the extent of the effect of external shocks on the unemployment rate’s unconditional variance, which directly affects the unemployment rate in the mean equation. The crossed shock propagation mechanism, formalised by theARCH-Mmodel, explains the persistence of the unemployment rate by the persistence of volatility shocks, which are generated by external and internal shocks.
Interaction entre taux d'intérêt allemands et français : un réexamen de l'hypothèse de dominance allemande
Authors: Podevin Marie
Published: April 2014

Cet article étudie l’interaction entre les taux d’intérêt à court terme allemands et français en utilisant une stratégie d’inférence causale proposée par Hoover (1990). Cette approche consiste à analyser l’invariance relative des distributions marginales et conditionnelles des variables d’intérêt, que sont ici les taux d’intérêt allemands et français, en présence d’interventions de politique économique. Nos résultats suggèrent une causalité au sens de Hoover unidirectionnelle des taux allemands vers les taux français, avant 1983 et après 1992, et bidirectionnelle entre 1987 et 1992. Nous en déduisons que le nouveau SME est moins asymétrique que l’ancien avant la rupture de 1992 mais qu’il redevient asymétrique après cette date.
Pouvoir prédictif de la volatilité implicite dans le prix des options de change
Authors: Rzepkowski Bronka
Published: April 2014

La volatilité implicite dans le prix des options est souvent considérée comme la meilleure prévision de la volatilité future. Le pouvoir prédictif de la volatilité implicite « à-la-monnaie » du dollar/ yen, mark/ franc, mark/ peseta et mark/ lire est comparé à celui de volatilités historiques et conditionnelles issues de différentes spécifications garch. Les estimations, sur la période juillet 1995 – avril 1997, montrent que la volatilité implicite des monnaies du Mécanisme de Change Européen n’est pas une prévision sans biais et efficiente de la volatilité future, résultat confirmé par les tests hors échantillon (mai 1997 – mars 1998). Un « problème du peso » semble être à l’origine des biais observés. La volatilité du dollar/ yen au contraire est une prévision sans biais et proche des conditions d’efficience.
Efficience technique et incitations salariales. Analyse empirique sur un panel incomplet des industries textiles en Tunisie
Authors: Ben Ayed Mouelhi Rym , Goaïed Mohamed
Published: April 2014

Technical Efficiency and Wage Incentives – an Empirical Analysis Based on an Incomplete Panel of Tunisian Textile Industries

by Rym Ben Ayed Mouelhi and Mohamed Goaïed

This study combines the stochastic production frontiers approach with the efficiency wage approach to identify two technical inefficiency components. The first component is observable and varies over time. It measures the technical inefficiency resulting from an inadequate wage incentive. The second component remains stable over time and concerns unobservable company-specific technical inefficiency. This paper sets out to estimate the time-stable technical efficiency component whilst controlling the company-specific effects using instrumental variable techniques applied to incomplete panels. Labour and capital production factors are measured by some of their qualitative characteristics, i. e. technological progress incorporated into equipment and manpower by skills level. The study then empirically checks the wage-productivity relationship before estimating the technical inefficiency attributable to a lack of effort. The empirical analysis considers a non-cylinder panel of 619 Tunisian textile companies studied from 1983 to 1994. The estimation results point to a decline in autonomous technological progress from 1983 to 1990. Moreover, productivity gains are generated by technological progress incorporated into equipment and manpower skills. The unobservable efficiency is approximately 61% on average. The inefficiency ascribable to a lack of effort is approximately 4% on average.
L'exploitation régulée d'une ressource renouvelable : inefficacité d'un rationnement factoriel et efficacité des quotas individuels transférables
Authors: Mahé Louis-Pascal , Ropars Carole
Published: April 2014

L’exploitation des ressources renouvelables est souvent réglementée par rationnement d’un facteur. L’inefficacité résultante est étudiée à l’aide d’une fonction de coût restreint représentant la technologie. La solution optimale exige que l’écart entre coût marginal et prix de la capture soit égal à la valeur adjointe de la ressource. La perte de revenu due à la restriction est estimée en comparant la solution optimale stationnaire avec le rationnement. L’application porte sur la coquille Saint-Jacques en baie de Saint-Brieuc. La ressource peut être exploitée de façon optimale et décentralisée par un système de Quotas Individuels Transférables (QIT). En effet, le prix d’équilibre des QIT est la valeur (adjointe) de la ressource en stock à l’optimum.
Analyse quantitative de la réversibilité du stockage des déchets nucléaires : valorisation des déchets
Authors: Gollier Christian , Devezeaux de Lavergne Jean-Guy
Published: April 2014

La réversibilité du stockage des déchets nucléaires peut se justifier par différents arguments économiques, dont celui de l''éventualité d''un désir des générations futures de récupérer ces déchets pour les valoriser. On utilise la théorie des options réelles pour estimer la valeur de cette option. En introduisant cette valeur d''option dans l''analyse coût-bénéfice, on est en situation de pouvoir déterminer ce que les générations actuelles devraient dépenser pour organiser cette réversibilité. Au niveau actuel des valeurs des matières contenues dans les déchets, et compte tenu du faible trend de croissance de ces valeurs, nous montrons que la valeur de réversibilité du site de stockage des déchets est dérisoire. Mots-clés : déchets nucléaires, valeur de réversibilité, option réelle. Classification JEL :
Départ à la retraite, irréversibilité et incertitude
Authors: Mahieu Ronan , Sédillot Béatrice
Published: April 2014

L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser les conséquences de l’irréversibilité du départ à la retraite sur les décisions d’activité après 60 ans. L’analyse théorique des choix irréversibles en environnement incertain montre en effet que, lorsque la liquidation des droits implique un retrait définitif du marché du travail, les individus tendent à différer leur départ pour se garder la possibilité de tirer avantage d’évolutions des préférences ou de l’environnement économique favorables à l’activité. Les simulations effectuées sur un échantillon d’individus, hétérogènes en termes de profil de carrière et d’âge d’entrée sur le marché du travail, illustrent ce résultat. Dans l’hypothèse où le système de retraite serait purement actuariel, l’irréversibilité de la décision de départ à la retraite tend à accroître les taux d’activité au début de la période au cours de laquelle la liquidation des droits est autorisée. Les taux d’activité aux âges élevés sont en revanche plus faibles que dans la situation où un retour sur le marché du travail reste possible. De plus, en présence d’irréversibilité, les taux d’activité tendent à s’accroître à mesure que l’incertitude augmente. Les simulations montrent toutefois que l’ampleur de cet effet dépend fortement de la nature des barèmes de retraite. Si une hausse de l’incertitude a un impact assez important avec des barèmes purement actuariels, il est nettement moins sensible avec les règles actuelles qui contraignent fortement les choix individuels. Mots-clés : irréversibilité, départ à la retraite, systèmes de retraite. Classification JEL : H55, J26.
Emploi : une analyse critique des politiques malthusiennes
Authors: Spector David
Published: April 2014

Employment : a Critical Analysis of Malthusian Policies.

This article builds and calibrates a model of the French labour market in order to compare the effect of the various economic policy measures : Malthusian measures to withdraw individuals from the working population and measures to lower charges. The model stresses the importance of the heterogeneousness of individual productivity near the minimum wage. Estimation of the elasticity of low wages to the unemployment rate and the use of existing empirical data demonstrate that productivity is very heterogeneous at this level, which makes Malthusian measures relatively ineffective : one hundred withdrawals from the labour market free up at most forty jobs. By contrast, reducing the cost of unskilled labour is effective in the long term and may even have a negative or zero cost for public finance.
Équilibre financier entre les États-Unis et le Japon : un modèle de choix de portefeuille à deux pays pour analyser les évolutions récentes
Authors: Artus Patrick
Published: April 2014

Nous construisons un modèle simple d''équilibre de portefeuille entre les Etats-Unis et le Japon pour analyser les conséquences des évolutions financières récentes dans ces deux pays : politique monétaire et politique budgétaire très expansionnistes au Japon ; substitution de la dette privée à la dette publique avec déficit extérieur aux États-Unis. Nous comparons les prédictions du modèle aux faits observés concernant les taux d''intérêt, le taux de change, les spreads de taux entre titres privés et publics et examinons, à la lumière du modèle, les développements récents des politiques économiques menées au Japon et des mécanismes financiers dans les deux pays.
Développement d'un index d'états de santé pondéré par les utilités en population française : le Health Utilities Index
Authors: Le Galès Catherine , Buron Catherine , Costet Nathalie , Rosman Sophia , Slama Gérard
Published: April 2014

Le Health Utilities Index (HUI) est constitué d’une classification d’états de santé et d’une fonction de pondération de ces états. La classification permet de décrire la santé d’un individu ou d’une population à un moment donné et au cours du temps. Les états de santé étant multidimensionnels, la théorie de l’utilité multiattribut de Keeney et Raiffa, prolongement de la théorie de l’utilité espérée, permet de construire la fonction de pondération supposant que chaque dimension du HUI est un attribut de la fonction d’utilité. Après avoir rappelé les fondements théoriques retenus pour modéliser la fonction d’utilité multiattribut associée au HUI3, l’enquête de révélation des préférences effectuée en population française et la construction des fonctions d’utilité moyenne et médiane sont présentées et discutées.
Économie de la connaissance : le rôle des consortiums de haute technologie dans la production d'un bien public
Authors: Cassier Maurice , Foray Dominique
Published: April 2014

A Knowledge-Based Economy : the Role of High-Technology Consortiums in Producing Public Goods.

This article discusses the capacity of high-technology consortiums to contribute solutions to the problem of resource allocation in connection with the economics involved in looking for and producing knowledge. The theoretical framework is based on characterisation of ownership regimes. This concept covers the main methods to grant property rights and is used to formulate related coordination and incentive problems. We use the results of case studies conducted as part of a European research programme to explain the possible role of collective invention in solving these problems.
Metal and metal-free photocatalysts: mechanistic approach and application as photoinitiators of photopolymerization
Authors: Lalevée Jacques , Telitel Sofia , Xiao Pu , Lepeltier Marc , Dumur Frédéric , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Gigmes Didier , Fouassier Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2014

In the present paper, the photoredox catalysis is presented as a unique approach in the field of photoinitiators of polymerization. The principal photocatalysts already reported as well as the typical oxidation and reduction agents used in both reductive or oxidative cycles are gathered. The chemical mechanisms associated with various systems are also given. As compared to classical iridium-based photocatalysts which are mainly active upon blue light irradiation, a new photocatalyst Ir(piq)2(tmd) (also known as bis(1-phenylisoquinolinato-N,C2’)iridium(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) is also proposed as an example of green light photocatalyst (toward the long wavelength irradiation). The chemical mechanisms associated with Ir(piq)2(tmd) are investigated by ESR spin-trapping, laser flash photolysis, steady state photolysis, cyclic voltammetry and luminescence experiments.
Early Increase of Abdominal Adiposity in Patients with Spondyloarthritis Receiving Anti-tumor Necrosis Factor-α Treatment
Authors: Hmamouchi Ihsane , Roux Christian , Paternotte Simon , Kolta Sami , Dougados Maxime , Briot Karine
Published: April 2014

Objective.

Patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) receiving anti-TNF-α treatment have an increase in fat mass. This may be relevant to cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to estimate visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) changes by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in patients with SpA under anti-TNF-α therapy.

Methods.

We used an ancillary protocol to an open, prospective 2-year followup study of patients with SpA. Waist circumference (WC), body weight, body mass index, VAT, and SAT were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess variables associated with VAT and SAT changes.

Results.

A total of 85 patients were analyzed. Patients were 39.3 ± 11.4 years old and mean baseline Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index was 55.0 ± 20.2. Treatment was effective according to clinical and biological variables, and body weight increased by 0.9 ± 1.7 kg over 2 years. There was a significant gain in VAT after 6 months (13.7 ± 20.6 cm2, p < 0.0001), 1 year (21.0 ± 26.6 cm2, p < 0.0001), and after 2 years (29.1 ± 33.4 cm2, p < 0.0001); and in SAT after 6 months (12.5 ± 27.4 cm2, p < 0.0001), 1 year (27.1 ± 38.2 cm2, p < 0.0001), and after 2 years (31.9 ± 53.2 cm2, p < 0.0001). We could not find any determinant of these changes by multivariate analysis.

Conclusion.

In patients with SpA receiving anti-TNF-α therapy, there is an early significant increase in abdominal obesity with significant increase in both VAT and SAT after 1 and 2 years of treatment. Prospective studies are required to investigate the relationship between these changes and cardiovascular risk.