Carlo Gianelle, Xabier Goenaga, Ignacio González Vázquez and Mark Thissen
The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology to assess the outward connectivity among regional economies in the European Union (EU) and derives policy lessons for the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology to assess the outward connectivity among regional economies in the European Union (EU) and derives policy lessons for the design of regional innovation and competitiveness-enhancing strategic frameworks, with particular reference to research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors study the network of inter-regional trade flows in the EU25 in the year 2007. Trade data are taken from the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency database and mapped onto weighted directed networks in which the nodes represent regions and the links are flows of goods. The authors measure several structural characteristics of the networks, both global properties and centrality indicators describing the position of individual regions within the system.
Findings
European regions appear to be mostly integrated in the European single market. Strengths and weaknesses of individual regions are discussed based on rankings obtained from network centrality indicators. Specific policy implications in the context of RIS3 are derived in the case of the Spanish region of Andalusia.
Practical implications
The authors show the potential of the methodology for providing a new family of indicators of the external connectivity of regional economies that can be used by regions wishing to develop their own RIS3 for 2014-2020, as required by the EU in the context of the new cohesion policy framework.
Originality/value
The characteristics of a EU-wide inter-regional network of trade flows are obtained and thoroughly discussed for the first time. A unique and original instrument suitable for inter-regional comparison is developed and tested.
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After the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001 there is an increased fear of terrorism. The transport sector seems to be a main target for…
Abstract
After the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001 there is an increased fear of terrorism. The transport sector seems to be a main target for terrorism. Not only air‐traffic, but also main traffic junctions such as tunnels and bridges may be possible targets of terrorists. The horrific attacks on several trains in Madrid in 2004, illustrate ones more the credibility of these threats. This paper addresses the question how to measure the indirect effects of a terrorist attack on transport infrastructure via an increase in transport costs, and discusses a approach how a government may find the economically most vulnerable links in the infrastructure network. It is proposed to use a spatial applied general equilibrium model in the new economic geography tradition to measure the indirect economic effects.
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This paper aims to examine whether multiple choice questions (MCQs) can be answered correctly without knowing the answer and whether constructed response questions (CRQs) offer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether multiple choice questions (MCQs) can be answered correctly without knowing the answer and whether constructed response questions (CRQs) offer more reliable assessment.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a critical review of existing research on MCQs, then reports on an experimental study where two objective tests (using MCQs and CRQs) were set for an introductory undergraduate course. To maximise completion, tests were kept short; consequently, differences between individuals’ scores across both tests are examined rather than overall averages and pass rates.
Findings
Most students who excelled in the MCQ test did not do so in the CRQ test. Students could do well without necessarily understanding the principles being tested.
Research limitations/implications
Conclusions are limited by the small number of questions in each test and by delivery of the tests at different times. This meant that statistical average data would be too coarse to use, and that some students took one test but not the other. Conclusions concerning CRQs are limited to disciplines where numerical answers or short and constrained text answers are appropriate.
Practical implications
MCQs, while useful in formative assessment, are best avoided for summative assessments. Where appropriate, CRQs should be used instead.
Social implications
MCQs are commonplace as summative assessments in education and training. Increasing the use of CRQs in place of MCQs should increase the reliability of tests, including those administered in safety-critical areas.
Originality/value
While others have recommended that MCQs should not be used (Hinchliffe 2014, Srivastava et al., 2004) because they are vulnerable to guessing, this paper presents an experimental study designed to demonstrate whether this hypothesis is correct.
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L. Vanderheydt, P. Vuylsteke, P. Jansen, A. Oosterlinck and H. Van den Berghe
This paper is part II of an overview of the work of the Pattern and Image Processing group of the Leuven University, presenting some of the industrial applications.
Xiaohan Li, Wenshuo Wang, Zhang Zhang and Matthias Rötting
Feature selection is crucial for machine learning to recognize lane-change (LC) maneuver as there exist a large number of feature candidates. Blindly using feature could take up…
Abstract
Purpose
Feature selection is crucial for machine learning to recognize lane-change (LC) maneuver as there exist a large number of feature candidates. Blindly using feature could take up large storage and excessive computation time, while insufficient feature selection would cause poor performance. Selecting high contributive features to classify LC and lane-keep behavior is effective for maneuver recognition. This paper aims to propose a feature selection method from a statistical view based on an analysis from naturalistic driving data.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 1,375 LC cases are analyzed. To comprehensively select features, the authors extract the feature candidates from both time and frequency domains with various LC scenarios segmented by an occupancy schedule grid. Then the effect size (Cohen’s d) and p-value of every feature are computed to assess their contribution for each scenario.
Findings
It has been found that the common lateral features, e.g. yaw rate, lateral acceleration and time-to-lane crossing, are not strong features for recognition of LC maneuver as empirical knowledge. Finally, cross-validation tests are conducted to evaluate model performance using metrics of receiver operating characteristic. Experimental results show that the selected features can achieve better recognition performance than using all the features without purification.
Originality/value
In this paper, the authors investigate the contributions of each feature from the perspective of statistics based on big naturalistic driving data. The aim is to comprehensively figure out different types of features in LC maneuvers and select the most contributive features over various LC scenarios.
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Telli E. van der Lei and Paulien M. Herder
This work is part of a research project that seeks to gain insight into the applicability of different actor analysis methods. This paper aims to describe the analysis of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This work is part of a research project that seeks to gain insight into the applicability of different actor analysis methods. This paper aims to describe the analysis of the predictive value of two different actor analysis methods applied to the redesign of the water management of a Dutch polder.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper's approach is a parallel application and comparison of the results of two separate actor analysis methods: conflict analysis and transactional analysis.
Findings
Transactional analysis was more accurate regarding the prediction of the real world outcomes than conflict analysis.
Research limitations/implications
The choice of analysis method may be of significant influence on the quality of understanding of the risks involved with different stakeholders. There may not be a single silver bullet.
Practical implications
An asset manager needs to apply multiple actor analysis techniques to fully grasp the impact of the threats posed by the stakeholders on the asset and its risk register.
Originality/value
The parallel application of the two methods and comparison of their predictive value is new.
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David Hearne, Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler and Kimberley M. Hill
One of the most heated discussions regarding Brexit is over the nature of any future trade deal the UK is going to sign with the EU. There have been endless discussions since the…
Abstract
One of the most heated discussions regarding Brexit is over the nature of any future trade deal the UK is going to sign with the EU. There have been endless discussions since the referendum result about this crucial aspect question and nothing has been so far agreed. Some analysts, however, have already pointed to a series of issues that anything different from the status quo could cause. The case analysed in the following pages serves as a cautionary tale, and there is an important reason for that. It is a good illustration of the issues that can emerge when countries are members of some forms of regional associations but not of others and whose consequences can produce spill-overs from pure trade matters to more serious security concerns.
It is not very often that something as common as the import and export of agricultural products – especially non-exotic fruits and vegetables – becomes the object of such a dispute across multiple states. This is what happened in the now infamous case of Chinese garlic exports, which have seen several instances of smuggling, conviction, and fraud all over Europe in the last 20 years. Most incidents have taken place in Northern Europe, particularly Sweden, Norway, the UK and Ireland. There’s a reason for that, which will be explained below.