An institutional economic approach to land and propterty markets: Urban dynamics and institutional change

Urban Development;Real Estate;Institutionalism;housing economics

Апробация программно-технологического инструментария автоматизации имитационного моделирования процессов предоставления услуг

Приведены результаты апробации программно–технологического инструментария процессов предоставления услуг, полученные во время его внедрения в работу двух отделений связи г. Гомеля. Описана методика анализа качества предоставления услуг, которая легко распространяется на другие проблемне области. На конкретном примере рассмотрена технология системного анализа динамики изменения «узких мест» в ходе имитационного эксперимента, позволяющая исследовать сложные процессы в условиях, значительно отличающихся от существующей практики организации работы отделений связи.Наведено результати апробації програмно-технологічного інструментарію надання послуг, отримані під час його впровадження у роботу двох відділень зв’язку м. Гомеля. Описано методику аналіза якості надання послуг, яка розповсюджується на інші проблемні сфери. На конкретному прикладі розглянуто технологію системного аналізу динаміки зміни «вузьких місць» у процесі імітаційного експерименту, яка дозволяє досліджувати складні процеси в умовах, що значною мірою відрізняються від наявної практики організації роботи відділень зв’язку.The results of the trial of program and technological tools for automation of service process simulation obtained via applying them to the operation of two Homel regional post offices are discussed. Methods for analysis of the quality of postal services are described. They are spread trivially over other problem areas. Technology of the system analysis of the “bottlenecks” change in the course of simulation experiment is considered. It permits one to study complicated processes under conditions markedly different from the conventional operation of post offices

Investors and Companies’ Biodiversity and Natural Capital Reporting and Performance

This paper presents the results of a multidisciplinary qualitative study concerning the influence of investors on the performance and dependencies of companies in relation to biodiversity and natural capital (BNC). For BNC, we employ four indicators: land use, water use, chemical pollution and carbon emissions. The study assesses: (i) in which way asset managers and fund managers exert influence on the efforts of companies to reduce their negative environmental impact and to improve their positive environmental impact; (ii) how this influence is perceived by the companies; and (iii) to what extent legislation requiring reporting on non-financial performance criteria supports the parties in their engagement and communication. Interviews were conducted with multiple investors and companies to assess in a detailed way the interaction between these parties. Key findings include that BNC is considered material by half of all interviewed investors, that they employ available legal options in their engagement strategies, and that they use the information disclosed by investee companies pursuant to mandatory reporting law. However, company respondents indicate that investors are only interested in BNC when it is clearly and directly linked to (reduced) financial risks. These respondents stated that BNC performance as well as transparency strategies do not have any material influence on investors. Another central issue flagged by respondents is the lack of comparable and standardised information regarding BNC themes such as corporate water use, land use and chemicals. Common methodologies and standards to tackle these issues are still missing. Based on our findings, it can be concluded that tangible strategies for successfully tackling BNC issues are absent. The approaches developed so far are not clearly enough linked to (financial) risks and opportunities in the past, present or future. The perceived effect of EU Directive 2014/95 on tackling BNC issues is also low and environmental profit & loss accounts are unable to clarify the financial relevance of BNC. Establishment of a clear nexus between BNC and financial risks and opportunities is a necessary precondition to advance BNC in future

Homozygous whole body Cbs knockout in adult mice features minimal pathology during ageing despite severe homocysteinemia

Deficiencies in Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) lead to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCy), which is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular, bone and neurological disease. Moreover, CBS is important for the production of cysteine, hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) and glutathione. Studying the biological role of CBS in adult mice has been severely hampered by embryological disturbances and perinatal mortality. To overcome these issues and assess the effects of whole-body CBS deficiency in adult mice, we engineered and characterized a Cre-inducible Cbs knockout model during ageing. No perinatal mortality occurred before Cbs-/- induction at 10 weeks of age. Mice were followed until 90 weeks of age and ablation of Cbs was confirmed in liver and kidney but not in brain. Severe HHCy was observed in Cbs-/- (289 ± 58 µM) but not in Cbs+/- or control mice (<10 µM). Cbs-/- showed impaired growth, facial alopecia, endothelial dysfunction in absence of increased mortality, and signs of liver or kidney damage. CBS expression in skin localized to sebaceous glands and epidermis, suggesting local effects of Cbs-/- on alopecia. Cbs-/- showed increased markers of oxidative stress and senescence but expression of other H2 S producing enzymes (CSE and 3-MST) was not affected. CBS deficiency severely impaired H2 S production capacity in liver, but not in brain or kidney. In summary, Cbs-/- mice presented a mild phenotype without mortality despite severe HHCy. The findings demonstrate that HHCy is not directly linked to development of end organ damage

The Novel Compound Sul-121 Preserves Endothelial Function and Inhibits Progression of Kidney Damage in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Mice

Diabetic nephropathy is still a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and improvement of endothelial dysfunction (ED) and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered important targets for new therapies. Recently, we developed a new class of compounds (Sul compounds) which inhibit mitochondrial ROS production. Here, we tested the therapeutic effects of Sul-121 on ED and kidney damage in experimental T2DM. Diabetic db/db and lean mice were implanted with osmotic pumps delivering Sul-121 (2.2 mg/kg/day) or vehicle from age 10 to 18 weeks. Albuminuria, blood pressure, endothelial mediated relaxation, renal histology, plasma creatinine, and H2O2 levels were assessed. Sul-121 prevented progression of albuminuria and attenuated kidney damage in db/db, as evidenced by lower glomerular fibronectin expression (~50%), decreased focal glomerular sclerosis score (~40%) and normalization of glomerular size and kidney weight. Further, Sul-121 restored endothelium mediated vasorelaxation through increased production of Nitric Oxide production and normalized plasma H2O2 levels. Sul-121 treatment in lean mice demonstrated no observable major side-effects, indicating that Sul-121 is well tolerated. Our data show that Sul-121 inhibits progression of diabetic kidney damage via a mechanism that involves restoration of endothelial function and attenuation of oxidative stress

An evolutionary approach to international political economy: the case of corporate tax avoidance

Corporate tax avoidance is both widespread and diverse in its practical mechanics. The scope of the phenomenon often leads economists to conclude that in the jungle of economic competition, tax planning (or optimisation) is among the necessary tools to ensure the survival of the fittest. This theory is increasingly associated with a Darwinian theory of economic evolution. In this paper, I develop a contrasting framework of the evolutionary political economy of corporate tax avoidance. Analysing core concepts of Old Institutionalist Economics (OIE), I examine the core drivers of corporate tax avoidance in a globalised system of states. The major contrast, I find, is between that of the corporate and legal personality and the institutional environment in which it operates. Historically, each corporate entity has been considered a separate legal person, yet a series of ‘mutations’ of incorporations laws created a widening gap between theory and reality, and these, in turn, give rise to tax arbitrage. Narrowing this gap, however, impinges on another venerable historical institution, the institution of sovereignty and sovereign inequality

Automatische elektrische bedwelming van vleeskalveren in een V-vormige restrainer

In veel slachthuizen worden varkens in een elektrische automatische installatie bedwelmd. Een dergelijke installatie is met technische aanpassing uitgeprobeerd in een slachthuis voor vleeskalveren. De resultaten bleken verdeeld te zijn. Vooral de aanpassing voor kalveren zal nog verder onderzoek verge

The use of CO2 for stunning of slaughterpigs : report of a meeting of experts, Heeze, 26 - 27 January 1990 = Bedwelming van slachtvarkens met CO2 : rapport van een vergadering van deskundigen, 26 - 27 januari 1990 in Heeze

De meningen van deskundigen over CO2-bedwelming zijn verdeeld. De uiteindelijke conclusie op een vergadering met experts van verschillende landen was, dat zowel CO2-gas- als elektrische bedwelming acceptabel maar niet perfect zij