172 research outputs found
Empirical Essays on the Economics of Public Policy
No full textThis thesis addresses highly relevant institutional reforms and policies that are of great public concern both in the developing and developed world. It comprises three empirical essays that analyse the impact of institutional arrangements on outcomes of interest. First, the thesis studies the effect of voting laws in terms of equity and its implications for electoral participation. Then it analyses a sentencing reform: the effect of tougher sanctions on crime. Finally, it studies an immigration reform (the recent expansion of the EU) and its impact on crime. The main difficulty to empirically analyse these type of questions is finding a suitable identification strategy to address the causal effect of institutional arrangements on outcomes of interest. In the three papers different advanced micro-econometric techniques are employed in natural experiments or quasi-experimental settings to circumvent this main identification problem of causal inference. The essays show that the institutional reforms studied have important effects on relevant outcomes that are crucial for assessing issues related to governance and crime patterns. Voters are rational and respond to electoral arrangements and therefore the composition of the electorate is deeply affected by electoral laws. Criminals also seem to act rationally and strategically and respond to tougher sanctions, choosing when and which types of crimes to commit. And when exploring the effect of a big immigration wave, this thesis finds that unlike what public opinion seems to claim, there is no conclusive evidence that immigration causes crime in the last decade in UK. There are still many avenues for future research on the economics of public policies, that are critical for the understanding of the behaviour of citizens and the political economy governing collective action
Machin la Hernie : théâtre monstre: avant-propos
No full textInternational audienceThe writing of Machin la Hernie, the novel by Congolese writer Sony Labou Tansi (1947-1995) directed by Jean-Paul Delore and performed by Dieudonné Niangouna, is partly inspired by the radio speeches of General Mobutu, the dictator who ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo. "Sony Labou Tansi" is a pseudonym for Marcel N'soni, which the author belatedly fixed after having known numerous versions (see Céline GAHUNGU, Sony Labou Tansi. Naissance d'un écrivain, CNRS éditions, 2019, p. 31-34). "Sony" is a spelling transformation of "N'soni" ("my shame"), the birth name given to the author by his father out of bitterness at having been spurned by the woman with whom he would have preferred to have a child. In a letter to Nicolas Martin-Granel in 1994, however, the writer gave another meaning to "Sony": "la pudeur" ("modesty"). Labou is his father's name (Paul Labou), or rather his nickname (a "labou" is a dancing instrument). By homophony, it is also "the mud" with which or in which the writer says he works. "Tansi" ("the earth", or "the country") is an evocation of Sony's grandmother (his "first wife" among the Kongo), Luttunu Bana Tansi ("they left with the earth"), and a tribute to the great Congolese writer U Tam'si.L'écriture fleuve de Machin la Hernie, le roman de l'écrivain congolais Sony Labou Tansi (1947-1995) mis en scène par Jean-Paul Delore et interprété par Dieudonné Niangouna, est en partie inspirée par les discours radiophoniques du général Mobutu, le dictateur qui a gouverné la République Démocratique du Congo « Sony Labou Tansi » est un pseudonyme de Marcel N'soni fixé tardivement par l'auteur après avoir connu de nombreuses versions (voir Céline GAHUNGU, Sony Labou Tansi. Naissance d'un écrivain, CNRS éditions, 2019, p. 31-34). « Sony » est une transformation orthographique de « N'soni » (« ma honte »), le nom de naissance donné par son père à l'auteur par amertume d'avoir été éconduit par la femme avec laquelle il aurait préféré avoir un enfant. Dans une lettre adressée à Nicolas Martin-Granel en 1994, l'écrivain donnera toutefois un autre sens à « Sony » : « la pudeur ». Labou est le nom de son père (Paul Labou), ou plutôt son sobriquet (un « labou » est un instrument de danse). Par homophonie, c'est aussi « la boue » avec laquelle ou dans laquelle l'écrivain dit travailler. « Tansi » (« la terre », ou « le pays ») est une évocation de la grand-mère de Sony (sa « première femme » chez les Kongo), Luttunu Bana Tansi (« ils sont partis avec la terre »), et un hommage au grand écrivain congolais U Tam'si
Sophie Lambolez. "Dites donc il fonctionne pas ce machin.": Regard sur le support informatique
No full textSophie Lambolez. « Dites donc il fonctionne pas ce machin. » Regard sur le support informatique. Paris: L’Harmattan, 2016, pp. 198. With a preface by Alain Trognon and Anne-Nelly Perret-Clermont. ISBN 978-2-343-09716-9. This volume, appeared for the book series « Figures de l’interaction » (figures of interaction) published by L’Harmattan, deals with communication processes within a technical professional domain: Namely, remote troubleshooting and maintenance support (in French, “dépannage informatique à distance”) in the field of informatics. The author, Sophie Lambolez, is currently a lecturer at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Creating a user-specific environment : the author implications
No full textOur empirical survey shows that users with visual impairments find the sheer
volume of information in typical web pages to be overwhelming and therefore sometimes
refrain from using the web. By developing the concept and use of the Essentiality and
Proficiency Tool we allow the user to personalise the content they view with the level of
essentiality specified by both the author and the user. Hence in this paper we explore one
method of rating essentiality and the application of the essentiality levels to web content.
The author is given the task of ensuring that the most essential content is relayed to the user
given the user's preferences for volume. We present one such example of the author rating
the content and the implications. The tool allows the user to personalise content based upon
how much information is required or acceptable, by selecting a band of 'essentialities', the
user's 'proficiency'. This is then matched with how ‘essential’ the designer feels are various
areas of the content. Together this collaborative importance rating determines the
presentation of the content. Hence the importance of this tool lies in the collaboration of the
essentiality level set by both the author and the user, resulting in just the right amount of
content (determined by the user) conveying just the right amount of detail (determined by the author)
Thermoelectric generation for a self-powered autonomous sensor in satellites
No full textThere are several benefits of using autonomous sensors in spacecraft. Avoidance of wired connections reduces cost, mass, and increases the flexibility and reliability of the system. The impact of wire reduction can be significant, especially for small satellites with many sensors, like temperature and sun sensors. Previous research has already focused on wireless intra- spacecraft communications. This research tests the self-powering capabilities of a system based on a COTS thermoelectric generator connected to a Bluetooth Low energy communication system, with a built-in controller and temperature sensor, and a power management interface. The system will be considered as a candidate for an autonomous temperature sensor in a future PocketQube mission of the university.Controlled temperature differences can be achieved in a test environment, allowing the measurement of the generator power capabilities. It is tested that the system requires, for operation, a minimum temperature difference of 2.31 degrees between the extremes of the thermoelectric generator. It generates a peak power of 234 μW for that difference. In addition, the voltage difference obtained of 35.5 mV exceeds the minimum voltage required by the power management subsystem to be used. The power management sub-system consists of an ultra-low power converter that provides an output voltage of 4.1 V and a measured power efficiency of 32 % Moreover, thanks to the management of the Bluetooth sleeping modes, with the built-in controller and several operational amplifier comparators, an average power consumption of 5 μW is required during operation. The case studied would allow measuring temperature and sending the data over a Bluetooth link to the on-board computer every 16.2 seconds It is concluded that the technology, based on COTS components, can be implemented and considered as the first step for a fully autonomous sensor with thermoelectric power generation in small satellites. Its implementation may provide substantial advantages for remote or/and locations where wiring is difficult to integrate. The tested performance values provide the foundation to develop the technology further.Aerospace Engineerin
The Provision of Training in Britain: Case Studies of Inter-Firm Coordination
No full textThis article examines how and why employers cooperate in the provision of training. Such cooperation has a long history in Britain, but it has varied over time in extent and strength. It exists in a strong form in the German speaking countries where employers' organisations and chambers of commerce are a fundamental part of the training system. In the UK, we argue that this form of training is more prevalent than is often thought and that it can have a positive effect on the quantity and quality of training. Case studies are presented of the following: an industry-wide body, namely an employers' association; a local multi- industry body, namely a chamber of commerce; a traditional group training association; a local consortium of big employers; and a network of firms in a large company's supply chain. Though such forms of organisation have much to commend them in the training field, in the UK coverage is uneven and its stability is fragile.
Overconfidence in Forecasts of Own Performance: An Experimental Study
No full textSystematic overconfidence by individuals regarding their abilities and prospects could have important economic consequences. But overconfidence has received little direct testing within economics. We use experiments to test for overconfidence in people's forecasts of their absolute or relative performance in two unfamiliar tasks. Given their chosen effort, participants have incentives to forecast accurately, with opportunities for feedback, learning and revision. Forecasts are evaluated at aggregate and individual levels. We find zero mean error or underconfidence far more prevalent than overconfidence. Underconfidence is greatest in forecasts of absolute rather than relative performance and among those using greater effort quantity or quality. Copyright � The Author(s). Journal compilation � Royal Economic Society 2009.
Glaciers in the North-Eastern Part of the Ch’ing-hai–hsi-tsang (Qinghai–xizang) Plateau (Tibet) and their Variations
No full textAbstractThe first extensive and far-reaching investigations of the Sino-German Joint Expedition to the Ch’ing-hai–Hsi-tsang (Qinghai–Xizang) Plateau in the glacierized region of the Amne Machin (Anyemaqen) started work in the area and compiled the glacial inventory in that region. In the past 15 years scientists have found that the majority of glaciers in the Amne Machin (Anyemaqen) have been advancing whereas most glaciers in Ch’i-lien Shan (Qilian Shan), adjacent to Amne Machin (Anyemaqen), have been retreating during the same period. This is a problem worthy of study by glaciologists. Through investigation and analysis, it is also found that Ha-lung (Halong) glacier has the character of a surging glacier. The author tentatively forecasts the next surge of Ha-lung (Halong) glacier and the tendency of variations of glaciers in Ch’i-lien Shan (Qilian Shan) in the near future.</jats:p
Glaciers in the North-Eastern Part of the Ch’ing-hai–hsi-tsang (Qinghai–xizang) Plateau (Tibet) and their Variations
No full textAbstract
The first extensive and far-reaching investigations of the Sino-German Joint Expedition to the Ch’ing-hai–Hsi-tsang (Qinghai–Xizang) Plateau in the glacierized region of the Amne Machin (Anyemaqen) started work in the area and compiled the glacial inventory in that region. In the past 15 years scientists have found that the majority of glaciers in the Amne Machin (Anyemaqen) have been advancing whereas most glaciers in Ch’i-lien Shan (Qilian Shan), adjacent to Amne Machin (Anyemaqen), have been retreating during the same period. This is a problem worthy of study by glaciologists. Through investigation and analysis, it is also found that Ha-lung (Halong) glacier has the character of a surging glacier. The author tentatively forecasts the next surge of Ha-lung (Halong) glacier and the tendency of variations of glaciers in Ch’i-lien Shan (Qilian Shan) in the near future.</jats:p
A propósito del artículo “La prevención cuaternaria en la atención médica ambulatoria y hospitalaria”
No full textAs its author says, quaternary prevention has been discussed in different Ibero-American events and summits on family and community medicine, by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, government and academic institutions, local governments, and civil societies
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