Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Devolved Social Security Systems: Principal-agent versus multi-level governance

This paper presents an analytical framework for comparing patterns of devolution to subnational governments and autonomous social insurance institutions in social security systems. The framework has two components. One is an analysis of financial structures along the dimensions of financial autonomy (indicated by the extent to which the administering institution raises its own revenue or depends on central grants) and financial responsibility (indicated by whether marginal costs are borne by the administering institution). The other component of the framework concerns the assignment of policy-making power; in particular, we contrast the effects of competitive and cooperative modes of devolution. The discussion uses examples from Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the USA. While we looked for ‘principal-agent’ relationships between central governments and administering institutions, we found that more complex multi-level governance structures prevailed in most cases.
Public Opinion in the EU on Immigration from Outside the Community

This article explores the impact of symbolic and instrumental variables on European Union opinion on immigration and asylum. Using Eurobarometer surveys from 1988 to 2000, descriptive and multivariate statistics are employed to measure the impact of prejudice, ideology, attitudes towards the EU, unemployment, economic conditions, migration flows, and individual‐level demographic characteristics on measures of attitudes towards immigration policy and foreigners. Although standard demographic factors are associated with the dependent variables in the manner expected, there are less compelling or inconsistent effects of individual or macro‐level economic variables. The best predictors of immigration positions are attitudinal variables including political ideology, prejudice and evaluations of the EU.
A novel isoform of sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP) is a component of the microtubule organizing centre

The microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) or the centrosome serves a crucial role in the establishment of cellular polarity, organization of interphase microtubules and the formation of the bipolar mitotic spindle. We have elucidated the genomic structure of a gene encoding the sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP), which encodes a 91 kDa polypeptide with a previously uncharacterized N-terminal sequence encompassing a forkhead-associated (FHA) domain that resides at the centrosome. Anti-peptide antibodies directed against SLMAP N-terminal sequences showed colocalization with γ-tubulin at the centrosomes at all phases of the cell cycle. Agents that specifically disrupt microtubules did not affect SLMAP association with centrosomes. Furthermore, SLMAP sequences directed a reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the centrosome, and deletions of the newly identified N-terminal sequence from SLMAP prevented the centrosomal targeting. Deletion-mutant analysis concluded that overall, structural determinants in SLMAP were responsible for centrosomal targeting. Elevated levels of centrosomal SLMAP were found to be lethal, whereas mutants that lacked centrosomal targeting inhibited cell growth accompanied by an accumulation of cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.
Integrating Social Networking Tools into ESL Writing Classroom: Strengths and Weaknesses

With the rapid development of world and technology, English learning has become more important. Teachers frequently use teacher-centered pedagogy that leads to lack of interaction with students. This paper aims to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of integrating social networking tools into ESL writing classroom and discuss the ways to plan activities by integrating social networking services (SNSs) into the classroom. Data was collected through an online discussion board from TESL students in a state university in Malaysia. The findings revealed that integrating social networking services in ESL writing classroom could help to broaden students’ knowledge, increase their motivation and build confidence in learning ESL writing. The students’ difficulties for concentrating on the materials when they use computer, lack of enough equipment as well as access to internet, and teachers’ insufficient time to interact with the students were regarded as the main disadvantages of integrating social networking tools into ESL writing classes. Therefore, in this new technological era, it is essential for students and teachers to be equipped with technical skills to be competent for life-long learning and teaching. More studies are needed to explore the teachers’ and students’ attitudes towards using ICT in ESL/EFL contexts. Future quantitative and qualitative studies with more participants are needed to provide deeper insight.
From Hopeless to Curious? Thoughts on Hausman's “Dubious to Hopeless” Critique of Contingent Valuation

Hausman 'selectively' reviewed the contingent valuation method (CVM) literature in 2012 and failed to find progress in the method during the 18 years since Diamond and Hausman argued that unquantified benefits and costs are preferred to those quantified by CVM. In this manuscript, we provide counter-arguments to Hausman's claims, not with the intent to convince the reader that the debate over CVM is settled in favor of the method, but rather to argue that the intellectual debate over CVM is ongoing, that dismissing CVM is unwarranted, and that plenty of work remains to be done for the truly curious researcher. Copyright 2013, Oxford University Press.
Does Teaching Enhance Research in Economics

An extensive literature in education shows little relationship between teaching and research. Authors advance the notion that research enhances teaching, but typically ignore the prospect of teaching enhancing research. We report the results of a survey of active researchers in economics who were asked if they could cite a specific instance in which their research was substantively influenced by their teaching. About 50% reported such an experience, with a further 35% indicating, without prompting, that their teaching had a very positive effect on their research in general. Their comments identify a variety of channels through which teaching influences research.
'The Bali Syndrome': The explosion and implosion of 'exotic' tourist spaces

The 'Bali Syndrome' is an attempt to codify the re-territorialization of 'mature exotic' tourist spaces, focusing upon the progressively more pronounced tendency towards extreme forms of spatial segregation evident within such destinations. Adopting the case of Bali as an illustrative example, the paper examines select aspects of the spatial (re)organization of tourist landscapes in the developing world and, in particular, the increasing emergence of functional and sometimes even physical divides between the last generation of 'gilded enclaves' and the surrounding territory. The article goes on to note that the 'explosion' of tourist spaces, with their progressive 'colonization' and transformation of new portions of the local territory, is also accompanied by a parallel 'implosion' of spatialities within the segregated tourist micro-universes; an 'implosion' which attempts to capture and reconstruct a 'timeless' and de-territorialized 'essence' of place.
Earnings management or forecast guidance to meet analyst expectations?

Abstract We examine whether UK firms engage in earnings management or forecast guidance to ensure that their reported earnings meet analyst earnings expectations. We explore two earnings management mechanisms: (a) positive abnormal working capital accruals; and (b) classification shifting of core expenses to non‐recurring items. We find no evidence of a positive association between income‐increasing, abnormal working capital accruals and the probability of meeting analyst forecasts. Instead we find evidence consistent with a subset of larger firms shifting small core expenses to other non‐recurring items to just hit analyst expectations with core earnings. We also find that the probability of meeting analyst expectations increases with downward‐guided forecasts. Overall our results suggest that UK firms are more likely to engage in earnings forecast guidance or, for a subset of larger firms, in classification shifting rather than in accruals management to avoid negative earnings surprises.
Long-run purchasing power parity and long-term memory: evidence from Asian newly industrialized countries

Fractional cointegration in a trivariate model is used to test the long-run purchasing power parity hypothesis in four Asian newly industrialized economies. Critical values for the Geweke-Porter-Hudak tests based on Monte Carlo simulations are provided. Evidence of fractional cointegration arises when a linear trend is included. Subperiod analysis indicates that a shift in the exchange rate regime is likely to affect the results of cointegration tests
Examining national tourism brand image: content analysis of Lonely Planet Korea

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Korea tourism brand image in a popular tour guidebook, Lonely Planet Korea and to provide an objective insight for examining destination image.Design/methodology/approach – To achieve this goal, this study used content analysis to analyze the Korea tourism brand image.Findings – Overall, 200,435 words were selected. The frequency of words was highly related to transportation and famous attractions. Moreover, to evaluate the value of the Korea tourism brand image, only adjectives in context were extracted. In total, 2,716 adjectives in each category were examined. The Korea tourism brand image was positive in that “good” adjectives were the most frequently selected. Furthermore, value properties based on The Lasswell Value Dictionary were examined. The value of words also supported the results of the content analysis of adjectives. The results of correspondence analysis found that the “outdoor” category was separately positioned with “old” adjectives.Pr.
Long Term Performance of Leveraged ETFs

In this paper, we study leveraged ETFs, in particular, Ultra ETFs and UltraShort ETFs from the ProShares family. These Ultra (UltraShort) ETFs are designed to provide twice (twice the opposite) of the performance of the benchmark on a daily basis. We focus on the relation between long term performance of leveraged ETFs and benchmarks. Our results show that over holding periods no greater than one month, an investor can safely assume that the Ultra (UltraShort) ETF would provide twice the return (twice the negative return) of the underlying benchmark. Over the holding period of one quarter, the UltraShort ETFs can deviate from twice the negative returns of the benchmark. For Ultra ETFs, this deviation occurs when the holding period is one year. Finally, we show that the long term performance of the leveraged ETFs is negatively impacted by the quadratic variation and the auto-variation during the period, with auto-variation being the more dominant factor.
Efficacy of Fumigant Nematicides to Control Hoplolaimus columbus on Cotton.

Four rates of methyl bromide (Mbr) (16.8, 33.6, 67,2, and 134.4 kg a.i./ha) and one rate of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) (28.1 liters a.i./ha) were evaluated over 2 years for control of Hoplolaimus columbus on cotton. All nematicide treatments were applied through a tarpless subsoiler-bedder prior to planting cotton, Gossypium hirsutum cv. Dehapine 90. Nematode population densities were monitored before and after treatment, at midseason, and at harvest, and yields were measured at maturity. Soil fertility variables (pH, P, K, Ca, Mg) were measured for each plot. Cotton yields were significantly increased by treatment with 1,3-D in 1988 and by all nematicidal treatments in 1989. Levels of nematode control varied from year to year among treatments. The responses of H. columbus numbers to rate of Mbr were best described by quadratic regression models. Levels of soil calcium and magnesium were significant factors in a multiple regression model relating a measure of control efficacy to rates of Mbr.
Aggression, Sibling Antagonism, and Theory of Mind During the First Year of Siblinghood: A Developmental Cascade Model.

A developmental cascade model was tested to examine longitudinal associations among firstborn children's aggression, theory of mind (ToM), and antagonism toward their younger sibling during the 1st year of siblinghood. Aggression and ToM were assessed before the birth of a sibling and 4 and 12 months after the birth, and antagonism was examined at 4 and 12 months in a sample of 208 firstborn children (initial Mage = 30 months, 56% girls) from primarily European American, middle-class families. Firstborns' aggression consistently predicted high sibling antagonism both directly and through poorer ToM. Results highlight the importance of examining longitudinal influences across behavioral, social-cognitive, and relational factors that are closely intertwined even from the early years of life.
The Threat Effect of Active Labour Market Programmes

In this paper, we estimate the threat effect of active labour market programmes (ALMPs) for a sample of unemployed men in Denmark. Threat effects of such programmes capture the impacts of a system of ALMPs prior to actual participation. Rational economic agents make search decisions based on the expected discounted value of unemployment, and the perceived risk of future participation in programmes may affect job-search behaviour early in the unemployment spell. We find a strong and significant threat effect, which is shown to reduce average unemployment duration by two and a half weeks.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND GENETIC ALGORITHMS FOR TRAVELING SALESMAN PROBLEMS

This article deals with a performance evaluation of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GA) for traveling salesman problem (TSP). This problem is known to be NP-hard, and consists of the solution containing N! permutations. The objective of the study is to compare the ability to solve the large-scale and other benchmark problems for both algorithms. All simulation has been performed using a software program developed in the Delphi environment. As yet, overall results show that genetic algorithms generally can find better solutions compared to the PSO algorithm, but in terms of average generation it is not good enough.
Monte Carlo Simulation of a  $^{198}$Au Thin Foil: The Response of a $4\pi \beta \hbox{-} \gamma$ Detector

Monte Carlo simulations have been performed of the decay of a 198Au solid source within a 4pibeta- gamma coincidence detector. Calculations of the proportional counter efficiency to both beta and gamma emissions are simulated. A comparison of results obtained using the MCNP-5 and Geant4 simulation packages indicates that Geant4 better evaluates the K correction to the coincidence equation than MCNP-5 predictions. This difference can be accounted for in terms of how the codes handle the physical interactions occurring in the foil and surrounds.
Fiscal discipline and flexibility in EMU: the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact

Fiscal discipline to safeguard the credibility of the single monetary authority and fiscal flexibility to respond to country-specific shocks are two core principles governing budgetary policy in EMU. The Stability and Growth Pact aims at ensuring the first objective. To comply with the requirements of the pact, EU members need to achieve a 'close to balance or surplus' position and change their budgetary behaviour in periods of cyclical upturns by refraining from spending the growth dividend. ' Past experience shows that fiscal laxity does not buy more effective stabilization. Once EMU countries have achieved their medium-term target, their automatic stabilizers will be able to operate fully, thus helping in smoothing out cyclical fluctuations. The main potential problems in the implementation of the pact may arise in the early years of EMU, during the transition to a balanced budget, in the event of a slow-down in economic activity. Copyright 1998 by Oxford University Press.
Influence of Platform-Switching on Marginal Bone Levels for Implants With Mandibular Overdentures: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Objective:The aim of this study was to compare bone around platform switched and regular platform implants that support removable prostheses and to report of the clinical outcomes after a loading period of 36 months. Material:Fifty-one patients with a mean age of 59.39 years and 126 implants, appearing in the routine recall sessions consecutively 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after loading with mandibular overdentures, were included in the study group. Bone level measurements were obtained from images of successive radiographs, which were scanned and digitized before, and analyzed at ×20 magnification. Statistical analysis was utilized to assess the mean marginal bone level changes at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months as well as to explore the potential effect of platform switching on bone loss. Results:Although mesial and distal marginal bone loss rates differed in the 6th, 12th, and 24th month recalls between both groups, platform switching caused statistically significant lower bone loss at the 36th month on the mesial as well as distal sides. Conclusion:Platform switching appears to engender lower marginal bone loss around implants supporting removable dentures.
The Research Excellence Framework and the ‘impact agenda’: are we creating a Frankenstein monster?

In pursuit of public accountability, the mechanisms for assessing research performance have become more complicated and burdensome. In the United Kingdom, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) evolved from an initially simple framework to something much more complex and onerous. As the RAE now gives way to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), ‘impact assessment’ is being added to the process. Impact comes in numerous forms, however, so its assessment is far from straightforward. While the Higher Education Funding Council for England is initially proposing a relatively simple methodology, the history of the RAE suggests that this approach will over time become ever more sophisticated. Yet if the ‘costs’ of an elaborate system for assessing ‘research excellence’ and its impact then exceed the benefits, the time may have come to re-examine whether a dual-support system still represents the optimum way of funding university research. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
The effect of organic coating on the heterogeneous ice nucleation efficiency of mineral dust aerosols

The effect of organic coating on the heterogeneous ice nucleation (IN) efficiency of dust particles was investigated at simulated cirrus cloud conditions in the AIDA cloud chamber of Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. Arizona test dust (ATD) and the clay mineral illite were used as surrogates for atmospheric dust aerosols. The dry dust samples were dispersed into a 3.7 m3 aerosol vessel and either directly transferred into the 84 m3 cloud simulation chamber or coated before with the semi-volatile products from the reaction of α-pinene with ozone in order to mimic the coating of atmospheric dust particles with secondary organic aerosol (SOA) substances. The ice-active fraction was measured in AIDA expansion cooling experiments as a function of the relative humidity with respect to ice, RHi, in the temperature range from 205 to 210 K. Almost all uncoated dust particles with diameters between 0.1 and 1.0 µm acted as efficient deposition mode ice nuclei at RHi between 105 and 120%. This high ice nucleation efficiency was markedly suppressed by coating with SOA. About 20% of the ATD particles coated with a SOA mass fraction of 17 wt% were ice-active at RHi between 115 and 130%, and only 10% of the illite particles coated with an SOA mass fraction of 41 wt% were ice-active at RHi between 160 and 170%. Only a minor fraction of pure SOA particles were ice-active at RHi between 150 and 190%. Strong IN activation of SOA particles was observed only at RHi above 200%, which is clearly above water saturation at the given temperature. The IN suppression and the shift of the heterogeneous IN onset to higher RHi seem to depend on the coating thickness or the fractional surface coverage of the mineral particles. The results indicate that the heterogeneous ice nucleation potential of atmospheric mineral particles may also be suppressed if they are coated with secondary organics.
Describing and Accounting for the Trends in US Protest Policing, 1960−1995

Numerous scholars have observed a decline in more coercive police tactics used to control demonstrations since the 1960s in North America and Western Europe. Such claims, however, are largely based on rather unsystematic observation, and almost no research directly examines the evolution of protest policing during this entire period. To address this gap, the authors use semiparametric logistic regression to examine reported police presence, the use of arrests, and the use of force at 15,965 US protests occurring between 1960 and 1995. The results confirm that while there has been an absolute decline in more repressive policing behavior, the transitional process was not a monotonic, linear process. The authors also investigate the different evolutionary patterns of each type of protest policing. The authors further demonstrate that African American initiated events, government targets, social movement organization presence, protest forms, the use of force, and arrests have variable impacts on police responses over time.
What do you think of my ink? Assessing the effects of body art on employment chances

Using mixed design analysis of variance, this paper examines the effect of body art on job applicant hireability ratings. It employs the literatures on the social psychologies of stigma and prejudice, as well as aesthetic labor, to frame the argument. The results indicate that photos of tattooed and pierced job applicants result in lower hireability ratings compared to the control faces. The negative effect of body art on employment chances is, however, reduced for job applicants seeking non customer facing roles. In customer facing roles, the tattoo is associated with lower hireability ratings than the piercing. The results suggest that visible body art can potentially be a real impediment to employment.
A Field Study on the Use of Process Mining of Event Logs as an Analytical Procedure in Auditing

ABSTRACT: There is a large body of accounting research literature examining the use of analytical procedures by auditors and proposing either new types of analytical procedures or more effective ways of implementing existing procedures. In this paper, we demonstrate—using procurement data from a leading global bank—the value added in an audit setting of a new type of analytical procedure: process mining of event logs. In particular, using process mining, we are able to identify numerous transactions that we consider to be audit-relevant information, including payments made without approval, violations of segregation of duty controls, and violations of company-specific internal procedures. Furthermore, these identified anomalies were not detected by the bank's internal auditors when they conducted their examination of that same data using conventional audit procedures, thus establishing the benefits of using process mining to complement existing audit methods. Process mining is a very different approach to.