Do electoral rules and elections matter in expenditure fragmentation? Empirical evidence from Italian regions

The empirical literature shows that incumbent politicians move expenditure from one budget item to another before elections and under different electoral systems in order to capture voter consensus and gain re-election. However, little attention has been paid to measurement of the degree of spending items manipulation by incumbents in these circumstances. The aim of this paper is therefore to fill this gap by conducting an empirical investigation on a panel of Italian regions. Measuring the degree of spending items manipulation with the Hirschman-Herfindahl index of fragmentation, I find that total public expenditure is more fragmented when the regional electoral system moves from a proportional towards a mixed electoral system. In the panel dynamic analysis, the manipulation of regional spending items is on average 15%. Weak evidence is also found for more fragmented expenditure before regional elections. In this case, the manipulation is about 6-7%. I refine the analysis by considering only the fragmentation of current and capital expenditure. The results confirm that a shift towards a mixed electoral system produces more expenditure fragmentation in Italian regions. No robust evidence is found for expenditure concentration when regional elections are forthcoming.Total expenditure fragmentation; Current and capital Expenditure fragmentation; Electoral rule; Electoral cycle

Fiscal Rules and the Opportunistic Behaviour of the Incumbent Politician: Evidence from Italian Municipalities

Previous studies on electoral competition show that fiscal variables are manipulated by incumbent politicians in order to be re-elected. This phenomenon has been addressed by the literature on electoral budget cycle and, in a decentralised economy, by the literature on yardstick competition. Our objective is to consider the effect of the introduction of a fiscal rule on the opportunistic behaviour of incumbent politicians. We conduct a panel data analysis on the current expenditures of 246 Italian municipalities. The introduction of the domestic stability pact (DSP) seems to change the electoral cycle, by increasing the magnitude of the expenditures during pre-electoral periods. Moreover, our results show that municipalities affected by the DSP are more sensitive to changes in neighbouring jurisdictions’ fiscal policies, during pre-electoral periods. We conclude that the introduction of the DSP, besides significantly reducing the level of local public spending, strengthens the opportunistic behaviour of incumbent politicians in pre-electoral years.fiscal rules, electoral budget cycle, yardstick competition, system GMM, spatial econometrics

Beyond position weight matrices: nucleotide correlations in transcription factor binding sites and their description

The identification of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) on genomic DNA is of crucial importance for understanding and predicting regulatory elements in gene networks. TFBS motifs are commonly described by Position Weight Matrices (PWMs), in which each DNA base pair independently contributes to the transcription factor (TF) binding, despite mounting evidence of interdependence between base pairs positions. The recent availability of genome-wide data on TF-bound DNA regions offers the possibility to revisit this question in detail for TF binding {\em in vivo}. Here, we use available fly and mouse ChIPseq data, and show that the independent model generally does not reproduce the observed statistics of TFBS, generalizing previous observations. We further show that TFBS description and predictability can be systematically improved by taking into account pairwise correlations in the TFBS via the principle of maximum entropy. The resulting pairwise interaction model is formally equivalent to the disordered Potts models of statistical mechanics and it generalizes previous approaches to interdependent positions. Its structure allows for co-variation of two or more base pairs, as well as secondary motifs. Although models consisting of mixtures of PWMs also have this last feature, we show that pairwise interaction models outperform them. The significant pairwise interactions are found to be sparse and found dominantly between consecutive base pairs. Finally, the use of a pairwise interaction model for the identification of TFBSs is shown to give significantly different predictions than a model based on independent positions

Local expenditure interaction in Italian municipalities. Do local council partnerships make a difference?

This paper investigates interdependence among local councils in Italy in their public spending and distinguishes between possible sources of this interdependence. We find significant positive interaction among neighbouring local councils in regard to both spending at the level of total expenditure and spending on different sub-categories. Attempts to identify the source of this horizontal interaction seem to reject the yardstick competition hypothesis. Addressing the role that local council partnerships may play in internalising fiscal externalities, we suggest that expenditure interaction may be driven by spill-over

Enhancing the practice of feedback through arts: an integrated open strategy

[EN] This paper presents the experience conducted in the framework of the Erasmus+ FeedBack Project, which aims at developing the practice of feedback through arts. The article introduces the practice of feedback as essential tool to enhance teaching and learning activities in the different level of education, with a specific focus on higher education. The FeedBack project has developed an Art-Based Feedback Model, which has been firstly defined in terms of actors, who give and receive feedback through different channels. Furthermore, the model has been integrated with the concept of Art-Based Initiatives, directly related to processes of Sustainability, Inspiration and Transformation implemented in teaching and learning contexts. Through an open and integrated virtual and face-to face strategy, that includes a digital toolkit, webinars, Massive Open Online Courses, events and workshops, the Arts-based FeedBack Model has been disseminated in several countries, stimulating the discussion and innovating the teaching and learning practices. This strategy lead to positive outcomes in terms of raising awareness of the topic, supporting the design and personalisation of the feedback process itself and, thus, enhancing the teaching and learning experience, especially in higher education contexts.Casiraghi, D.; Santolini, B. (2020). Enhancing the practice of feedback through arts: an integrated open strategy. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):165-172. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11008OCS16517230-05-202

Construction and Application of Conceptual Framework as Research Tool: A Researcher’s Reflections

The importance of any study is demonstrated through the linkages made between research questions and larger theoretical concepts or policy, demonstrating how the particulars of the study serve to illuminate larger issues and, therefore, portraying the significance of the study. This theoretical concept or conceptual framework has the functions of building a foundation of the research; demonstrating how study advances knowledge; conceptualising the study; assessing the research design and instrumentation; and providing reference point for interpretation the findings. This paper outlines the author’s reflections on the building and application of a conceptual framework as a research tool.   Author’s aim is to share his experience with researchers, especially students, who may be required to apply the tool but may find difficulty developing one. Using author’s own (PhD) research topic, the paper firstly discusses the various stages that input to construct the framework and, secondly, considers how the choice of research methodology, data collection and analysis techniques are informed by the framework.   Key lesson is that a well-constructed conceptual framework has the potential of informing the choice of appropriate research methodology that in turn influences the data collection and analysis techniques, and even the research findings. This paper is expected to be of value to anyone seeking to better understand conceptual framework as a research tool, especially ‘young’ researchers who may be required to develop and apply one but may find it difficult doing so. Key Words: Conceptual framework; literature review; methodology; data collection method; data analysis metho

Ecosystem Services Valuation for the Sustainable Land Use Management by Nature-Based Solution (NbS) in the Common Agricultural Policy Actions: A Case Study on the Foglia River Basin (Marche Region, Italy).

Agricultural land is a very important ecosystem that provides a range of services like food, maintenance of soil structure, and hydrological services with high ecological value to human wellbeing Ecosystem Services (ESs). Understanding the contribution of different agricultural practices to supply ESs would help inform choices about the most beneficial land use management. Naturebased Solutions (NbS) are defined by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g., climate change, food and water security, or natural disasters) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human wellbeing and biodiversity benefits. Some actions farmers can implement in the new Rural Development Programs (RDP 2021–2022 and 2023–2027) can be considered as NbS and could affect the quantity, quality, and time of some ESs related to water regulation and supply, N adsorption and erosion protection. This study aims to evaluate these ESs in different scenarios in the upper Foglia river basin (Italy) and at a local scale (farming), and to highlight the issue to compensate farmers for the production of public goods which benefit the whole society (ESs) by the implementation of RDP’s actions. These scenarios highlight how actions have positive effects on ecosystem services and their economic value related to land use management, on maintaining agricultural practices by integrating Water Frame Directive (2000/60/EC), Directive 2007/60/EC on the management of flood risks and highlighting the potential role of farmers in a high diversity landscape. This study highlights a new way to evaluate the processes of natural capital in the production of public goods, which benefits the whole society (ESs), by emphasizing the economic and environmental role of farmers in producing them and putting on the table data to trigger a PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services) mechanism. To facilitate decision making, robust decision support tools are needed, underpinned by comprehensive cost-benefit analyses and spatially modeling in which agriculture can be a strategic sector to optimize food production and environmental protection in harmony with the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy

The Ca2+ transient as a feedback sensor controlling cardiomyocyte ionic conductances in mouse populations.

Conductances of ion channels and transporters controlling cardiac excitation may vary in a population of subjects with different cardiac gene expression patterns. However, the amount of variability and its origin are not quantitatively known. We propose a new conceptual approach to predict this variability that consists of finding combinations of conductances generating a normal intracellular Ca2+ transient without any constraint on the action potential. Furthermore, we validate experimentally its predictions using the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel, a model system of genetically diverse mouse strains that allows us to quantify inter-subject versus intra-subject variability. The method predicts that conductances of inward Ca2+ and outward K+ currents compensate each other to generate a normal Ca2+ transient in good quantitative agreement with current measurements in ventricular myocytes from hearts of different isogenic strains. Our results suggest that a feedback mechanism sensing the aggregate Ca2+ transient of the heart suffices to regulate ionic conductances

Electron paramagnetic resonance characterization of tetrahydrobiopterin radical formation in bacterial nitric oxide synthase compared to mammalian nitric oxide synthase.

International audienceH(4)B is an essential catalytic cofactor of the mNOSs. It acts as an electron donor and activates the ferrous heme-oxygen complex intermediate during Arg oxidation (first step) and NOHA oxidation (second step) leading to nitric oxide and citrulline as final products. However, its role as a proton donor is still debated. Furthermore, its exact involvement has never been explored for other NOSs such as NOS-like proteins from bacteria. This article proposes a comparative study of the role of H(4)B between iNOS and bsNOS. In this work, we have used freeze-quench to stop the arginine and NOHA oxidation reactions and trap reaction intermediates. We have characterized these intermediates using multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance. For the first time, to our knowledge, we report a radical formation for a nonmammalian NOS. The results indicate that bsNOS, like iNOS, has the capacity to generate a pterin radical during Arg oxidation. Our current electron paramagnetic resonance data suggest that this radical is protonated indicating that H(4)B may not transfer any proton. In the 2nd step, the radical trapped for iNOS is also suggested to be protonated as in the 1st step, whereas it was not possible to trap a radical for the bsNOS 2nd step. Our data highlight potential differences for the catalytic mechanism of NOHA oxidation between mammalian and bacterial NOSs

Leeds-Genoa Non-Union Index: a clinical tool for asessing the need for early intervention after long bone fracture fixation

Aim of the study The aim of this case–control study was to develop a clinical decision rule to support assessment of the risk of long-bone non-union and plan for appropriate early intervention. Methods Two hundred patients (100 cases and 100 controls) were recruited. Risk factors identified to contribute to the development of non-union were recorded and analysed with a multivariable logistic regression model. Tabulation of the outcome (non-union/union) against each risk factor in turn (univariable analysis) was carried out. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were derived using Wald’s method. A receiver–operator curve was calculated and the area under the curve was computed. Having established the eight most important risk factors, a non-union risk index was developed as the count of the risk factors present in each patient. Results The five risk factors for non-union with greater effect size were post-surgical fracture gap > 4 mm (odds ratio (OR) = 11.97 95% CI (4.27, 33.53)), infection superficial/deep (OR 10.16 (2.44, 42.36)), not optimum mechanical stability (OR 10.06 (3.75, 26.97)), displacement > 75% of shaft width (OR 6.81 (2.21, 20.95)), and site of fracture—tibia (OR 4.33 (1.32, 14.14)). The ROC curve for the non-union index was 0.924, sensitivity 91%, specificity 77%. Conclusions The non-union index derived from counting risk factors predicts union for 0–4 risk factors and non-union for 5–8 risk factors. It can be readily applied and can guide clinicians about the risk of development of long-bone non-union. It can become a powerful aid for assessing fracture fixation outcome and to support early intervention