Dynamic Choice and Timing-Independence: an experimental investigation

Timing-independence implies that individuals are indifferent between a sequential choice problem and a planned choice problem which are strategically equivalent except for the timing of resolution of the uncertainty. This paper reports an experiment in which we investigate whether the timing of resolution of the uncertainty affects individual preferences. We elicit individual preferences for three strategically equivalent decisions problems. The experimental results suggest that timing- independence is an inappropriate assumption of individual preferences. The paper discusses possible implications of such findings.

A methodological framework for the formulation of geometrically exact beam models

The theme of high flexible beams has received growing attention during the last decades and, in parallel, a number of beam models have been proposed in the last half century based on several modeling strategies. Aim of this dissertation is to describe the mathematical fundamentals and outline a methodological framework for formulating geometrically exact models for the analysis of beams undergoing large displacements. The modeling approach followed is the geometrically exact one. Is is based on a reduction process deriving the beam kinematics from the exact deformation analysis of a solid body. The beam model is derived by constraining the three-dimensional solid with the introduction of specific kinematic assumptions. The formulation leads to conceive the beam in terms of a three-dimensional orthogonal moving frame, with one of its axis remaining orthogonal to the beam cross-section in any configuration. This moving frame is also the reference system at which the resultant force and torque, acting on the typical cross-section, are evaluated. The geometric description of the beam model leads to a characterization of the beam cross-section configuration as an affine transformation within the physical space. Then, the space of the spatial proper rigid motions is assumed as the configuration space and the beam model is formulated in terms of curves of the special Euclidean Lie group, namely SE(3)

Corruption and health expenditure in Italy

The vulnerability of health sector to corruption lies in the complex interaction between the social environment and the institutional setting of health systems. We investigate this interaction in the case of Italy, speci�cally looking at the impact of corruption on health expenditure. In Italy corruption is a social phenomenon. Health sector has been often involved in corruption o¤ences and decentralized health expenditure is considerably out of control. We show that the impact of corruption on health expenditure is positive, along with ageing population, technological change and supply factors inducing demand in pharmaceuticals and hospitalization. Moreover, the empirical analysis demonstrates that corruption a¤ects pharmaceutical expenditure and accredited private hospital expenditure, suggesting implications for health governance and policy

Sulla composizione dell'accisa sui tabacchi: un'ipotesi di modifica del sistema di tassazione in Italia

An appropriate structure of tobacco taxation should balance only apparently contrasting health, industrial and fiscal aims. In this paper, it will be discussed the main critical issues of the present system of tobacco taxation in Italy and some hypotheses of reform. In particular, it will be proposed to link the structure of tobacco taxation to the weighted average price and to change the mix of the excise taxes towards specific taxation. The simulation of the impact of these proposals will show that the common opinion that an increase of the excise tax will reduce tax revenue, with respect to the present system, is not grounded in the data. The main reason lies in the possibility that a reduction of the ad valorem part of taxation will give stronger incentive to increase consumption prices

Teoria positiva del beneficio e finanza locale responsabile: il contributo di Sergio Steve

This paper deals with the contribution of Sergio Steve to the development of an accountable structure of local public finance, with particular attention to the positive application of the benefit theory of taxation

Sulla composizione dell'accisa sui tabacchi: un'ipotesi di modifica del sistema di tassazione in Italia

An appropriate structure of tobacco taxation should balance only apparently contrasting health, industrial and fiscal aims. In this paper, it will be discussed the main critical issues of the present system of tobacco taxation in Italy and some hypotheses of reform. In particular, it will be proposed to link the structure of tobacco taxation to the weighted average price and to change the mix of the excise taxes towards specific taxation. The simulation of the impact of these proposals will show that the common opinion that an increase of the excise tax will reduce tax revenue, with respect to the present system, is not grounded in the data. The main reason lies in the possibility that a reduction of the ad valorem part of taxation will give stronger incentive to increase consumption prices

Teoria positiva del beneficio e finanza locale responsabile: il contributo di Sergio Steve

This paper deals with the contribution of Sergio Steve to the development of an accountable structure of local public finance, with particular attention to the positive application of the benefit theory of taxation

Morphophysiological Traits and Nitrate Content of Greenhouse Lettuce as Affected by Irrigation with Saline Water

In a 2-year study, the morphophysiological and qualitative changes imposed to greenhouse lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by an increasing concentration of NaCl in the irrigation water were determined. Plants were grown under soil conditions and supplied with irrigation water having electrical conductivities (ECs) of 0.7 (control), 0.9, 1.8, 3.6, or 7.2 dS·m−1. Irrigation with saline water resulted in linear decrease in plant growth parameters (i.e., leaf number, total leaf area and head diameter), head fresh weight, and diameter as well as yield, especially at 1.8, 3.6, and 7.2 dS·m−1, confirming that lettuce is a salt-sensitive crop. The percentage of marketable yield reduction in comparison with nonsaline control treatment was 22.7%, 36.4%, 45.4%, and 63.6% at 0.9, 1.8, 3.6, and 7.2 dS·m−1, respectively. The reduction in marketable fresh yield has been partly compensated by a decrease in the nitrate content of salt-treated lettuce. The highest values of hydrophilic antioxidant activity were recorded in the nonsalinized treatment. The lowest values of lipophylic antioxidant activity (LAA) and total ascorbic acid were observed under severe stress conditions (7.2 dS·m−1). Net CO2 assimilation rate and leaf water potential (LWP) declined with increasing NaCl concentration in the irrigation water. Increasing salinity in the irrigation water induced a reduction in stomatal conductance (gs) as LWP dropped below −0.62 MPa

Separate Evaluation of Nonlinearity-Due Q Penalties in Long-Haul Very Dense WDM Optical Systems

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