Search

Abstract Studying a Norwegian high-resolution housing transaction data set, this article examines the link between the monetary policy reversal and the housing market upswing in the fall of 2008. I construct a hedonic time dummy price index and track changes over short time periods in order to inspect interruptions and turning-points. To control for seasonal effects, I compare price differences in 2008 with differences in years before and after. The evidence shows the existence of a pronounced house price index turn-around immediately after the monetary policy reversal was initiated. Plausible transmission mechanisms are established. Alternative exogenous causal factors are ruled out or appear implausible. An endogenous explanation is shown to be unlikely. The evidence thus suggests that the monetary policy reversal played a significant role in the housing market recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries science and fisheries management advice rely on both scientific and commercial data to estimate the distribution and abundance of marine species. These two data types differ, with scientific data having a broader geographical coverage but less intensity and time coverage compared to commercial data. Here we present a new type of commercial data with high resolution and coverage. To our knowledge, the dataset presented in this study has never been used for scientific purposes. While commercial datasets usually include the total weight by species on per haul basis, the new data also include the commercial size class for the species landed, recorded directly on a haul-by-haul basis. Thus, this dataset has the potential to provide knowledge on landed fish with as high spatio-temporal resolution as when coupling logbooks and sales slips but with the addition of detailed knowledge on the size distribution. Such information may otherwise be obtained through on-board observer programmes but unlike the observers’ data, the dataset presented here is routinely collected on most of the trips of the vessels involved, which means that the coverage of the data for the individual vessel is larger than observers’ data. Furthermore, the risk of changes in fishing behaviour due to the presence of an observer on-board is avoided. This paper describes the coverage and completeness of the dataset, and explores the reliability of the data available. We conclude that the main limitation is the small number of fishing vessels covered by the program, but that the data from those vessels are accurate, detailed, and relatively reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis is an overlap syndrome characterized by features of both autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, the latter usually involving the large bile ducts. Autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis occurs more often in children than in adults and is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease, predominantly ulcerative colitis. We report a unique case of a 10-year-old Danish boy with severe small duct autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis and synchronic Crohn colitis. He was referred with a history of weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Biochemical anomalies included elevated alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase and immunoglobulin G levels and the presence of smooth muscle antibodies and perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies but normal alkaline phosphatase. Liver biopsy specimen revealed features of both autoimmune hepatitis and sclerosing cholangitis, the latter characterized by acute, hyperplastic and destructive inflammation – granulocytic epithelial lesion – of the small ducts. Magnetic resonance cholangiography was normal. Colonoscopic biopsies showed chronic inflammatory changes of the caecum and the ascending and transverse colon compatible with Crohn disease. Ursodeoxycholic acid and immunosuppressive treatment was initiated and within four weeks of treatment the general condition improved. Normalization of aminotransferase was seen at 21 weeks and γ-glutamyl transferase at 72 weeks after first admittance, while immunoglobulin G remained slightly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising house prices lead to questions of sustainability, since mortgages must be financed from future incomes. Much attention is thus focused on the relationship between housing expenditure and income. This article estimates Engel elasticities of housing expenditure for each independent cross-section of the Norwegian Consumer Expenditure Surveys in the period 1986-98, and finds that the elasticity remains surprisingly close to unity for all years. Its mean over the period is 1.02. This indicates that when incomes or total consumption increase by 1%, then housing expenditure also increases 1%. Engel and demographic effects are estimated in an errors-in-variables two-stage-least-square regression model using random samples. This article documents that, given demographic composition, a household's demand for housing seems to increase proportionately with total consumption, in contrast to categories such as food and transportation. This empirical regularity appears to be quite resilient towards changes in business cycles, relative prices and other time-dependent changes. It may represent a basic pattern of consumption, and thus yield forecasting potential and herald the possibility of estimating ceilings to housing expenditure. If the elasticity continues to be unity, then over a period of time future housing expenditures will keep the same pace as incomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper investigates household purchasing behavior in response to differing alcohol and tobacco taxes near an international border. Our study suggests that large tax differentials near borders induce economically important tax avoidance behavior, which may limit a government''s ability to raise revenue and potentially undermine important health and social policy goals. We match novel supermarket scanner and consumer expenditure data to measure the size and scope of the effect for households and stores. We find that stores near/far from the international border have statistically significantly lower/higher sales of beer and tobacco than comparable stores far/near the border. Moreover, we find that households near the border report higher consumption of these same goods. This is consistent with households facing lower prices. Finally, we find measures of externalities associated with these goods are higher near the border. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Worldwide, much effort is used every day to perform optimal surgery in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Treatment of ovarian cancer is a combination of surgery with optimal debulking followed by chemotherapy. However, the optimal timing of postoperative chemotherapy for ovarian cancer remains poorly defined. The literature is made up of seven studies performed in different ways and which have included varying prognostic factors. The general supposition is that the time interval (TI) does not have a prognostic influence but experimental studies have shown that it does affect the prognosis of the cancer. This commentary focuses on the importance of the TI between surgery and postoperative chemotherapy in this horrible disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses the Case-Shiller technique for constructing house price indices on a Norwegian data set of transactions for the period 1991-2002 comprising 10,376 pairs of repeated sales. Using weighted least squares to control for heteroskedasticity, we construct a general house price index by regressing differences in log prices for the subset of repeated sales of identical homes onto a set of dummy time variables, one for each quarter in the period studied. The index thus constructed shows that, in general, nominal prices for identical homes have increased by a factor of 3.58 over the 11-year period, while the consumer price index increased by 1.28, creating substantial capital returns for early purchasers. Considerable differences were also found in the appreciation in submarkets defined by dwelling size. This article argues that asset appreciation and differences in asset appreciation have important policy ramifications and represent challenges for policymakers and the general populace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We exploit unique Norwegian day-by-day transaction and hour-by-hour bidding logs data in order to examine how market participants reacted to the spreading news of Covid-19 in early March 2020, the lockdown on March 12, and the re-opening on April 20. We observe changes on the date of the lockdown in transaction volumes, sell-prediction spreads, exploitative bidding behavior, and seller confidence. However, when we compare observed price developments with our estimated counter-factual price developments, we find that about half of the total fall in prices had already occurred before the lockdown was implemented. The re-opening completely reverses the lockdown effect on prices. We show that voluntary behavioral changes, as well as lockdown and re-opening effects, are visible in various measures of social mobility, and that changes in daily news sentiment correlate with the abnormal price movements during this period. • We exploit unique Norwegian day-by-day transaction and hour-by-hour bidding log data • The paper examine how market participants reacted to the spreading news of Covid-19 • Volumes, sell-prediction spreads, and behavioral measures change on the lockdown date • Voluntary behavioral changes prior to lockdown are visible in social mobility. • The reopening reversed the lockdown effect on prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical models for simulating and optimizing aspects of supply chains such as distribution, planning, and optimal handling of raw materials are widely used. However, modeling based on a holistic chain view including several or all supply chain agents is less studied, and food-related aspects such as quality and shelf-life issues enforce additional requirements onto the chains. In this article, we consider the supply chain structure of the fish industry. We discuss and illustrate the potential of using mathematical models to identify quality and value-adding activities. The article provides a first step toward innovative supply chain modeling aimed to identify benefits for all agents along chains in the fish industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses some sensory methods that can be used for fish as objective markers of quality in the chain from catch to consumer. Failure of existing terms to adequately serve as indices of quality-sensory perception; Focus on methods used for the evaluation of whole raw fish; Establishment of systems that can integrate research and development, industry, marketing and the consumer.

Investigates to what extent the Danish seafood industry uses quality management systems, and which measurement methods are used. Establishment of mandatory Own Check Systems, European Union directive 90/439; Application of more comprehensive systems.

The article focuses on the Gundestrup cauldron exhibited at the Danish National Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is said that among the objects exhibited at the museum, the Gundestrup cauldron has kept its outstanding position since it was found more than a century ago. This has to do with the fact that people are facing ancient imagery not met elsewhere.

A traceability system has been developed for fresh fish supply chains in the Danish domestic market. Time and temperature in each unit operation in the selected chain was well controlled and costs of improved traceability could be estimated. Up-to-date Internet technology was used to enable easy and secure transfer of data from all steps (five) in the chain from fisherman to retailer. It is possible to keep the traceability intact in a wet and harsh environment, and to transfer the information in a secure and effective way. The software development has shown it possible to use IT for automated communication of product traceability information between enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]