The flypaper effect and competition in the local market for public goods

In this paper, we explore how the ability of bureaucrats to extract resources from their community may be limited by competition in the local market for public goods. Specifically, we examine intergovernmental aid as a resource bureaucrats seek to control. Intergovernmental aid has been found to be more stimulative of local government expenditures than predicted by neo-classical economic theory. In this research, the ‘flypaper effect’ is used as an indicator of the ability of bureaucrats to control local resources in excess of local demand and preferences. We empirically relate variation in the flypaper effect to the extent of competition in the local market for public goods. Competition does not consistently limit the flypaper effect. The implications of this finding for theories of competition in the local market for public goods are then discussed.     

LOCAL ENTERPRISE INITIATIVES: BETWEEN STATE AND MARKET IN ESPERANCE*

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the Esperance Local Enterprise Initiatives Committee, which is at the heart of an archetypal emerging pattern of local economic development distinct both from top-down statist models and from market alternatives. The model is composed of a mixture of state resources (notably finance, information and legitimacy), elements associated with entrepreneurialism, grass-roots orientation, bottom-up implementation, the pursuit of profit, and a network system which interlocks the ELEIC with different government departments and agencies.     

Simultaneous determination of creatinine and uric acid in urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with polarity switching electrospray ionization

A simple liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine creatinine (Cr) and uric acid (UA) levels as a confirmatory method for adulteration or dilution of urine. Centrifuged urine samples (10μL) were diluted with 390μL of distilled water. 30μL of internal standard solution (Cr-d(3), 5μg/mL) and 10μL of acetonitrile were added to 20μL aliquots of diluted urine samples and filtered. The samples (1μL) were introduced into LC-MS/MS with no further pretreatment. Cr and UA were separated on a multi-mode ODS column (Scherzo SM-C18, 75mm×2.0mm I.D., 3μm) and quantified by LC-MS/MS with polarity-switching electrospray ionization. Cr requires the positive-ion mode, whereas the negative-ion mode is required for the analysis of UA. The linear ranges were 1.0-300mg/dL for Cr and 0.5-300mg/dL for UA, with good determination coefficients (R(2)≥0.9988). The intra-day and inter-day precision of the analytes was within 13.0% and 14.4%, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy was -8.8 to 3.7% and -0.3 to 6.6%, respectively. The lower limits of detection (LLODs) were 0.3mg/dL for Cr and 0.07mg/dL for UA. The applicability of the developed method was examined by analyzing urine samples from suspected drug abusers (n=46).     

Rapid and simple GC-MS method for determination of psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives in nails using micro-pulverized extraction

A rapid and simple gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection and quantification of five psychotropic phenylalkylamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and norketamine) in toenails. After external decontamination, nail clippings were mechanically pulverized with a bead mill and then incubated in methanol under ultrasonication at 50°C for 1 h. The resulting solutions were evaporated to dryness, derivatized, and analyzed by GC-MS. The intra- and inter-day precisions were within 10.7% and 13.9%, respectively. The intra- and inter-day accuracies were -4.2% to 5.0% and -2.4% to 8.4%, respectively. Limits of detection and quantification for each analyte were lower than 0.024 and 0.08 ng/mg, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 80.6-87.5%. The results indicated that the proposed method is a simple, rapid, accurate, and precise for quantification of five phenylalkylamines in nails. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous detection and quantification of phenylalkylamines in nail samples of possible drug abusers.     

圣经修辞诠释学的理论发展与应用——以登山宝训为诠释范例

古希腊与罗马时期的修辞学,对西方文学的发展有重要的影响。修辞学经过多年沉寂后,在20世纪出现了一股复兴的浪潮,带动了修辞诠释学的兴起,这股浪潮也影响到圣经研究方面,不少圣经学者将修辞诠释学的理论应用到圣经研究方面,甚至扭转了圣经研究的方向。本文之写作目的在于探讨有关修辞诠释学的理论发展,并通过研究登山宝训作为应用该理论在新约圣经研究上的一个范例。本文的内容分为两部分,第一都分是理论方面,先从历史的角度探讨修辞诠释学的理论发展过程,分别探讨古典修辞学、新约圣经与修辞学, 以及修辞诠释学的理论发展。第二部分是应用方面,选取《马太福音》的登山宝训作为研究的文本,因登山宝训是耶稣极具权威性的教导,本文将修辞诠释学理论中的诠释步骤应用在登山宝训的诠释上,主要分为修辞段落、修辞处境、资料编排和检视评估等四个步骤。     

Conceptualising the Multi-Level Party: Two Complementary Approaches

While party research has seen a number of conceptual developments in recent years, it has not kept pace with parties becoming more territorial as a result of the increasing importance of sub-national and supranational governance. This article lays down a framework for conceptualising and analysing multi-level parties (MLPs). We propose a synthesis of the formal and non-formal aspects of power; the former highlighting party rules and procedures, the latter focusing upon the ideational structures – norms and competing ideologies/discourses – within which party members operate. For empirical research on the MLP we propose to focus on autonomy and influence to measure the extent of (formal and non-formal) multi-levelness and to grasp better the strategies of regional branches vis-à-vis the centre.     

Screening for Corticosteroid Adulterants in Korean Herbal Medicines

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of corticosteroids in illegal herbal medicines using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. We collected 212 herbal medicine samples that were advertised as being effective for treatment of joint pain and bone aches. Samples were from the Korean commercial market during a span of four years (2010–2013), and the method was validated. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.47 to 15.0 ng/mL, and recoveries ranged from 80.6% to 119.5%. The intra‐ and interday precision ranged from 0.18% to 8.82% and from 0.09% to 8.96%, respectively. Among the samples, three samples (1.4%) were identified as adulterants. Dexamethasone was the only compound detected in the adulterated products. As the corticosteroid–adulteration of herbal medicines may become a major problem and lead to side effects, the continued development of screening procedures for herbal medicines is critical.