Two econometric issues arise in the structural estimation of consumer or producer demand systems in the presence of many binding non-negativity constraints. First, most existing methods entail the evaluation of multivariate probability integrals. Second, the issue of statistical coherency must be addressed. We circumvent both of these issues using Gibbs Sampling, along with data augmentation an...

Using data from a unique pricing experiment, we test Vickrey’s conjecture that responsive pricing can be used to smooth demand shocks. Our evidence shows that increasing the responsiveness of price to demand conditions reduces the magnitude of deviations in capacity utilization rates from a pre-determined target level. We discuss implications for the use of demand-side incentives to deal with c...

A 67-year-old male presented to our institute with history of paraparesis with decreased sensation and loss of bladder and bowel control. The diagnostic work up revealed an extradural mass at spinal level D7-D12. He had laminectomy and the tumor was sub totally resected. Histological examination revealed non-hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The patient was worked up for disease anywhere else in the bo...

We present an interesting case of conus medullaris cavernoma that was initially treated as transverse myelitis. Haemorrhagic lumbar puncture led us to perform magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, which showed the presence of a cavernous angioma at the D12-L1 level. The total excision of the lesion was followed by dramatic improvement. We suggest that MR imaging be performed early in all suspected c...

Much progress has been made in recent years in developing and applying a direct measure of utility using survey questions on satisfaction with income and with life in general. In this paper we apply this new type of measurement to the study of money illusion. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel for the years 1993 to 2003, we cannot reject the hypothesis of no money illusion. JEL Cla...

We quantify the role of population aging in structural transformation process. Household-level data from United States show that fraction expenditures devoted to services increases with household age. use a shift-share decomposition and quantitative model US accounted for about fifth observed increase service share consumption between 1982 2016. The contribution rise is same size as real income...

We study social learning in a continuous action space experiment. Subjects, acting sequence, state their beliefs about the value of good after observing predecessors’ statements and private signal. compare behavior laboratory with Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium prediction predictions bounded rationality models decision-making: redundancy information neglect model overconfidence model. The results...

The design of efficient indexing structures is central to the performances of very large databases such as the web collections. Within the SPIRIT framework the challenge is to adapt ideas from the well-researched topics of text based information retrieval and geographical information systems for a spatially aware search engine. This document reports on the existing methods for both these areas ...

Traditional tools of welfare economics identify the envy-related welfare loss from conspicuous consumption only under very strong assumptions. Measured income and life satisfaction offers an alternative for estimating such consumption externalities. The approach is developed in the context of luxury car consumption (Ferraris and Porsches) in Switzerland. Results from household panel data and fi...

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was investigated for the differentiation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates. Analysis using Taxotron revealed 10 distinct AFLP profiles among 57 isolates. Strains with ribotype patterns D1, D4, and D12 could not be distinguished; however, the technique discriminated isolates of ribotype patterns D3, D6, and D7 further. AFLP was rapid, fairly in...