Environmental Policy, Spatial Spillovers and the Emergence of Economic Agglomerations

We explain the spatial concentration of economic activity, in a model of economic geography, when the cost of environmental policy - which is increasing in the concentration of pollution - and an immobile production factor act as centrifugal forces, while positive knowledge spillovers and iceberg transportation costs act as centripetal forces. We study the agglomeration eects caused by trade-os between centripetal and centrifugal forces. The above eects govern rms� location decisions and, as a result, they dene the distribution of economic activity across space. We derive the rational expectations equilibrium, which results either in a monocentric or in a polycentric city, and the regulator�s optimum, which results in a bicentric city. We compare the outcomes and characterize the optimal spatial policies.Agglomeration, Space, Pollution, Environmental Policy, Knowledge Spillovers, Transportation Cost

Bias Correction of ML and QML Estimators in the EGARCH(1,1) Model

n this paper we derive the bias approximations of the Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Quasi-Maximum Likelihood (QML) Estimators of the EGARCH(1,1) parameters and we check our theoretical results through simulations. With the approximate bias expressions up to O(1/T), we are then able to correct the bias of all estimators. To this end, a Monte Carlo exercise is conducted and the results are presented and discussed. We conclude that, for given sets of parameters values, the bias correction works satisfactory for all parameters. The results for the bias expressions can be used in order to formulate the approximate Edgeworth distribution of the estimators.

Environmental Policy and the Collapse of the Monocentric City

We explain the spatial concentration of economic activity, in a model of economic geography, when the cost of environmental policy - which is increasing in the concentration of pollution - acts as a centrifugal force, while positive knowledge spillovers and a site with natural cost advantage act as centripetal forces. We study the agglomeration eects caused by trade-os between centripetal and centrifugal forces which eventually determine the distribution of economic activity across space. The rational expectations market equilibrium with spatially myopic environmental policy results either in a monocentric or in a polycentric city with the major cluster at the natural advantage site. The regulator�s optimum results in a bicentric city which suggests that when environmental policy is spatially optimal, the natural advantage sites do not act as attractors of economic activity.Agglomeration, Space, Environmental policy, Natural cost advantage, Knowledge spillovers, Monocentric-bicentric city

Edgeworth and Moment Approximations: The Case of MM and QML Estimators for the MA(1) Models

Extending the results in Sargan (1976) and Tanaka (1984), we derive the asymptotic expansions, of the Edgeworth and Nagar type, of the MM and QML estimators of the 1^{st} order autocorrelation and the MA parameter for the MA(1) model. It turns out that the asymptotic properties of the estimators depend on whether the mean of the process is known or estimated. A comparison of the Nagar expansions, either in terms of bias or MSE, reveals that there is not uniform superiority of neither of the estimators, when the mean of the process is estimated. This is also confirmed by simulations. In the zero-mean case, and on theoretical grounds, the QMLEs are superior to the MM ones in both bias and MSE terms. The results presented here are important for deciding on the estimation method we choose, as well as for bias reduction and increasing the efficiency of the estimators.Edgeworth expansion, moving average process, method of moments, Quasi Maximum Likelihood, autocorrelation, asymptotic properties.

Environmental Policy, Spatial Spillovers and the Emergence of Economic Agglomerations

We explain the spatial concentration of economic activity, in a model of economic geography, when the cost of environmental policy - which is increasing in the concentration of emissions - and an immobile production factor act as centrifugal forces, while positive knowledge spillovers and iceberg transportation costs act as centripetal forces. We study the agglomeration effects caused by trade-offs between centripetal and centrifugal forces. The above effects govern firms’ location decisions and as a result, they define the distribution of economic activity across space. We derive the rational expectations equilibrium and the social optimum, compare the outcomes and characterize the optimal spatial policies.Agglomeration, Spatial Economics, Environmental Policy, Knowledge Spillovers, Transportation Cost

Reciprocal regulation of the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) and the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) through their direct interaction

Tyrosine Kinase Receptors (RTKs) regulate fundamental cellular processes including cell proliferation, survival and invasion and thus, dysregulation of their activation is implicated in human malignancies. The canonical mechanism of activation is initiated by receptor activation through ligand-induced dimerization, and autophosphorylation of key tyrosine residues along the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. It has been demonstrated in the past that FGFR2, an RTK, can dimerise in the absence of ligand resulting in signal activation or inhibition depending on the equilibrium of C-terminal-binding proteins i.e. GRB2 and PLCγ1. This study provided the first indication of a novel direct interaction between FGFR2 and a non-selective cation channel, TRPA1, through the C-terminal domain of FGFR2 and the Ankyrin repeat domain of TRPA1. The interaction was studied by protein interaction techniques in an overexpression system. The FGFR2-TRPA1 complex was also detected in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line suggesting a possible implication in cancer. The regulatory effect of TRPA1 on FGFR2 was also investigated. In basal conditions, the interaction with TRPA1 exhibits an inhibitory effect on FGFR2 autophosphorylation which results in downstream PLCγ1 pathway inhibition. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed a decrease in PLCγ1 binding to FGFR2 in the presence of TRPA1 explaining the reduction in the PLCγ1 pathway activation. Upon stimulating conditions, TRPA1-mediated receptor inhibition is raised, as shown by increase in p-FGFR2 however, binding of PLCγ1 to the C-terminal of FGFR2 is still impeded. Finally, a model of TRPA1-mediated regulation of the FGFR2 signalling was proposed in which TRPA1 prevents aberrant basal stimulation of the receptor while maintaining PLCγ1 pathway inhibition even in the presence of ligand. These findings provided the first evidence of direct interaction between an RTK and a TRP channel as well as proposed a novel regulatory mechanism of FGFR2 signalling that can facilitate in the development of therapeutic strategies for FGFR2-related diseases

A feminist criminological critique of aspects of the criminal justice system and the whole-system response towards female victims of intimate partner abuse

PhD ThesisThe thesis examines the development of the criminal justice system response to intimate partner abuse in England and Wales from 1997 to 2017. The examination occurs based on the intersectional gendered approach, which provides a feminist criminological perspective. This perspective aims to provide insight on the extent of the prevention of IPA and the protection of female victims by targeting gender inequality, considering their diverse identities, and promoting the transformation of the social perception. Specifically, the thesis focuses on identifying gaps between policies, laws, and practice of aspects of the criminal justice system and the whole-system response. This is achieved by investigating the governmental IPA strategies, criminal laws, and policies and practice of the police, CPS, and the courts. Moreover, the thesis focuses on three case studies, early intervention to young people through education, victims’ access to justice through legal aid, and specialist refuges. These issues are examined in order to show the contribution of the whole-system response to support diverse victims and to transform the social perception towards IPA due to the limited power of the law. Additionally, feminist engagements with these developments are identified. The critiques are produced through the views of feminist theorists and activists and by applying the intersectional gendered approach. The examination shows that the response to IPA has improved progressively through developments such as the creation of a gender-based VAWG strategy, the creation of the coercive control offence, and the mandatory teaching of Relationships and Sex Education. However, more changes are needed since there are gaps between the policies, laws, and practice. Moreover, the implementation of the Single Equality Duty needs to be changed since it undermines the implementation of the intersectional gendered approach. Feminist theorists and activists have contributed to these developments through theoretical and practical engagements such as lobbying, campaigning, and training. It is argued that the adoption of the intersectional gendered approach as the theoretical basis for the formation of the CJS and the whole-system responses could contribute to the improvement of the prevention of IPA and the protection of its victims

The intergenerational interaction between the third generation and the elderly and the endurance of Greek Australian identity

Please note: this article is in Greek. The aim of the present paper is to present results and to explore questions regarding the contribution of the family factor and especially first generation migrants towards the formation of ethno-cultural identity of Greek Australian adolescents. The three thematic areas that are explored in the light of this presentation are (a) the ethno-cultural characteristics of the Greek Australian family, (b) the intergenerational relationships between adolescents and their grandparents, and (c) the ethno-cultural transformation of Greek Australian adolescents. The contemporary Greek Australian family is distinguished for its pluralistic character in its composition and the values that it displays, having as a central feature the intergenerational co-existence of three generations. Greek cultural continuity in the Antipodes is being challenged during the transmission of the core Greek cultural values from one generation to another; with the third generation exhibiting a distinct cultural and linguistic identity compared to the first generation and an apparent departure from the tangible elements of Greek culture. This transition is being shaped by inter-family and inter-generational factors, as well as external forces. Despite these trends, the multi-dimensional relationships between grandchildren and their grandparents — manifested as regular conversational interactions and underpinning emotional interrelationships — can contribute favourably in the dynamic transition from a lower state of cultural awareness towards a more balanced inter-culturalism. This desirable outcome is contingent on being established as a conscious objective of the Greek Australian family

Η θρησκευτική εκπαίδευση στα Ελληνορθόδοξα Κολέγια της Αυστραλίας

Please note: this article is in Greek. Religious education in Greek Orthodox Colleges in Australia: The present paper examines the contribution of the Greek Orthodox Colleges in Australia to the faith formation of their students, taking into consideration that today, global and local dynamics place the practice and the notion of religious learning within an entirely new context. The paper accepts the view that students must have coherent, positive ethnic and religious identities, before they can achieve reflective and meaningful national and global identities. The findings demonstrated that Colleges play an important role in the transmission of the Orthodox faith to their students. The core curriculum content in religious education programs reflects the teaching of Jesus and the sacramental life of the Orthodox Church. Also, parents and teachers have strong confidence that Colleges provide moral safety and security to their students and protect them from negative influences (bullying, peer pressure, pornography). The future role of Colleges as mechanisms of Orthodox faith transmission is dependent on their loyalty to Orthodox Christian values