Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived Inflation in Austria – Extent, Explanations, Effects

In the euro area countries, the euro cash changeover was accompanied by the development of a significant gap between actual inflation — as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) — and the inflation perceived by the general public; in Austria, this difference was temporarily up to 1.9 percentage points. The present study shows that the difference in question can in part be attributed to the fact that people 's perception of inflation seems to be based mainly on the prices of goods they buy frequently, whereas official price indices also take into account goods that are purchased less often. According to recent hypotheses on perceived inflation (Brachinger, 2005a), the public furthermore perceives price increases more strongly than price reductions. Since the prices of frequently bought goods rose faster after the cash changeover than those of rarely purchased goods, and a higher (unweighted) share of goods became more expensive, people may have perceived the general price rise to have been more pronounced than it actually was. This perception seems to have been reinforced by the fact that consumers expected prices to rise as a result of the euro cash changeover and that they used outdated schilling reference prices when assessing prices in euro. Moreover, the initial lack of psychological prices may have made it more difficult for consumers to become used to prices in euro. Perceived inflation proved to be unexpectedly persistent: It was not until the beginning of 2005 that the gap between perceived inflation and actual inflation was more or less closed. Since then, the close link between actual and perceived inflation that was prevalent before the euro cash changeover seems to have gradually resurfaced. The fact that the above-mentioned gap opened up again in the middle of 2005 can probably be explained by the sharp increase in oil prices. JEL classification: E31, E50
A Contingency Model of Boards of Directors and Firm Innovation: The Moderating Role of Firm Size

This study asserts that the effects of board characteristics on firm innovation need to be evaluated with reference to contingency variables. A literature review suggests that relatively few studies adopt a contingency view when examining the outcomes of boards of directors. This study examines the influence on firm innovation of characteristics such as board size, outsider ratio and board diversity, and suggests that their influence is contingent upon firm size. The model is tested on a sample of Italian companies and finds support for the contingency hypothesis. This study advances research on boards of directors by emphasizing the importance of context.
Acetylcholinesterase as a Biomarker in Environmental and Occupational Medicine: New Insights and Future Perspectives

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a key enzyme in the nervous system. It terminates nerve impulses by catalysing the hydrolysis of neurotransmitter acetylcholine. As a specific molecular target of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, acetylcholinesterase activity and its inhibition has been early recognized to be a human biological marker of pesticide poisoning. Measurement of AChE inhibition has been increasingly used in the last two decades as a biomarker of effect on nervous system following exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in occupational and environmental medicine. The success of this biomarker arises from the fact that it meets a number of characteristics necessary for the successful application of a biological response as biomarker in human biomonitoring: the response is easy to measure, it shows a dose-dependent behavior to pollutant exposure, it is sensitive, and it exhibits a link to health adverse effects. The aim of this work is to review and discuss the recent findings about acetylcholinesterase, including its sensitivity to other pollutants and the expression of different splice variants. These insights open new perspective for the future use of this biomarker in environmental and occupational human health monitoring.
Corticothalamic Projections from the Rat Primary Somatosensory Cortex

To study the cells of origin of corticothalamic inputs to the ventral posterior and posterior medial nuclei of the somatosensory thalamus in rats, we injected small aliquots of tracer into each nucleus and analyzed the pattern of retrograde labeling in the posteromedial barrel subfield of primary somatosensory cortex, which can be divided into barrel and nonbarrel zones. The ventral posterior nucleus is innervated by neurons in layer VIa of both zones, whereas the posterior medial nucleus is innervated by neurons in layers Vb and VIb of both zones with additional innervation from layer VIa of nonbarrel cortex. Thus, only the posterior medial nucleus receives a layer Vb input. Because the layer Vb input is interpreted as the initiation of a feedforward cortico-thalamocortical pathway, this implies that the target of the posterior medial nucleus, which includes the nonbarrel cortex, is a higher-order cortical area. We thus suggest that this cortical zone, which is classically considered part of the primary somatosensory cortex, should be reclassified as higher-order cortex.
Risk assessment and compliance in probation and mental health practice

This is a book chapter in which approaches to risk assessment and management in the domains of mental health and criminal justice are set out and discussed. The chapter is particularly concerned with practice with ‘mentally disordered offenders’. Psychiatric and criminal justice approaches are compared and contrasted and ‘clinical’, ‘actuarial’ and ‘anamnestic’ methods of risk assessment are reviewed. The paper tries to strengthen the links between risk assessment and risk management, canvases the opportunities and challenges of inter-agency work and urges a clearer connection between the debates around risk management and compliance.
Lack of Effects of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Antagonists on the Reinforcing Effects of Cocaine and Remifentanil

The toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed in glial cells and reacts to potential toxic entities. This activation triggers various inflammatory reactions. (+)-Naloxone and (+)-naltrexone, dextrorotatory enantiomers of opioid receptor antagonists [respectively, (-)-naloxone and (-)-naltrexone], have been demonstrated to dock to TLR4 using “in-silico” models, and function as an antagonist at this site in vivo [1,2]. Recently, (+)-naloxone have been reported to antagonize selfadministration of a μ-opioid agonist remifentanil [3]. Further, (+)naltrexone blocked self-administration of a dopamine uptake inhibitor cocaine [4]. These findings suggested a “novel” TLR4-mediated mechanism underlying the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse across pharmacological classes. A more recent study [5] has, however, indicated that the TLR4 hypothesis is less viable.
Marital risk and capital accumulation

Between the sixties and the late eighties the percentages of low-saving single-parent households and people living alone have grown dramatically at the expense of high-saving married households, while the household saving rate has declined equally dramatically. A preliminary analysis of population composition and savings by household type seems to indicate that about half of the decline in savings is due to demographic change. We construct a model with agents changing marital status, but where the saving behavior of the households can adjust to the properties of the demographic process. We find that the demographic changes that reduce the number of married households (mainly higher divorce and higher illegitimacy) induce all household types to save more and that the effect on the aggregate saving rate is minuscule. We conclude that the drop in savings since the sixties is not due to changes in household composition.
Random Walks in Hypergraph

Random walks on graphs have been extensively used for a variety of graph-based problems such as ranking vertices, predicting links, recommendations, and clustering. However, many complex problems mandate a high-order graph representation to accurately capture the relationship structure inherent in them. Hypergraphs are particularly useful for such models due to the density of information stored in their structure. In this paper, we propose a novel extension to defining random walks on hypergraphs. Our proposed approach combines the weights of destination vertices and hyperedges in a probabilistic manner to accurately capture transition probabilities. We study and analyze our generalized form of random walks suitable for the structure of hypergraphs. We show the effectiveness of our model by conducting a text ranking experiment on a real world data set with a 9% to 33% improvement in precision and a range of 7% to 50% improvement in Bpref over other random walk approaches.
Face Recognition using Self-Organizing Map and Principal Component Analysis

Face recognition has always been a fascinating research area. It has drawn the attention of many researchers because of its various potential applications such as security systems, entertainment, criminal identification etc. Many supervised and unsupervised learning techniques have been reported so far. Principal component analysis (PCA) is a classical and successful method for face recognition. Self organizing map (SOM) has also been used for face space representation. This paper makes an attempt to integrate the two techniques for dimensionality reduction and feature extraction and to see the performance when the two are combined. Simulation results show that, though, the individual techniques SOM and PCA itself give excellent performance but the combination of these two can also be utilized for face recognition. The advantage in combining the two techniques is that the reduction in data is higher but at the cost of recognition rate
Functional Morphology and Virtual Models: Physical Constraints on the Design of Oscillating Wings, Fins, Legs, and Feet at Intermediate Reynolds Numbers1

Abstract Why do some animals swim by rowing appendages back and forth while others fly by flapping them up and down? One hypothesis suggests the answer lies in the sharply divergent physical environments encountered by small, slow animals, and large, fast animals. Flapping appendages allow large animals to move through a fluid environment quickly and efficiently. As size and speed decrease, however, viscous drag increasingly dominates the force balance, with negative consequences for both rowing and flapping appendages. Nevertheless, comparative data suggest that flapping does not occur in animals at Reynolds numbers (Re) less than about 15. I used a computer simulation experiment to address the question, “Below what Re is rowing more effective than flapping? ” The simulation, which employed a simple quasi-steady, blade-element model of virtual oscillating appendages, has several important results. First, the mechanical efficiency of both rowing and flapping decrease dramatically with scale. Second, the performance of rowing can increase substantially by taking advantage of several dynamic shape modifications, including area and span reduction during the recovery stroke. Finally, the relative performance of rowing and flapping is dependent on the advance ratio, which is a function of the travel speed relative to the oscillation frequency. The model predicts that rowing is more efficient than flapping at Re < 20 for animals moving throughout the range of typically observed advance ratios.
The Role of Formal Control in Facilitating Cultural Control

Prior literature has produced two theoretically opposing perspectives on the relationship between clan control, a type of cultural control, and formal control. Some researchers view formal control as the antithesis of clan control, while others suggest that formal control facilitates clan control. In this research-in-progress paper, we argue that formal control and clan control can be both substitutes and complements, depending on the type of formal control used by the project manager. In particular, we suggest that the use of behavior control inhibits clan control, while the use of input and outcome control facilitates clan control. Suggestions for future work are discussed.
Robust Method of Vote Aggregation and Proposition Verification for Invariant Local Features

This paper presents a method for analysis of the vote space created from the local features extraction process in a multi-detection system. The method is opposed to the classic clustering approach and gives a high level of control over the clusters composition for further verification steps. Proposed method comprises of the graphical vote space presentation, the proposition generation, the two-pass iterative vote aggregation and the cascade filters for verification of the propositions. Cascade filters contain all of the minor algorithms needed for effective object detection verification. The new approach does not have the drawbacks of the classic clustering approaches and gives a substantial control over process of detection. Method exhibits an exceptionally high detection rate in conjunction with a low false detection chance in comparison to alternative methods.
Chronic Morphine Treatment Modulates the Extracellular Levels of Endogenous Enkephalins in Rat Brain Structures Involved in Opiate Dependence: A Microdialysis Study

The endogenous opioid system is often assumed to play a role in vulnerability to drug abuse. However, controversial results have been reported regarding the levels of enkephalins or preproenkephalin in neurons of rodent brains after opiate administration. The present study was performed to determine the extracellular levels of enkephalins and its physiological antagonist cholecystokinin (CCK), usingin vivo microdialysis in freely moving rats after morphine-induced physical dependence or positive place conditioning. A large increase (340%) of Met-enkephalin was observed in the periaqueductal gray matter, a structure involved in morphine withdrawal syndrome, in morphine-dependent rats. No change in CCK immunoreactivity occurred in these conditions. Moreover, using the conditioning place preference paradigm, we observed for the first time opposite changes of enkephalin outflow in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Thus, an increase in enkephalin levels was observed in rats placed in the drug-associated compartment and a decrease in the saline-paired side. These changes in opioid peptides in the NAc may reflect an “emotional state” of the animals in relation to the expectation of drug reward (reinforcing effects of morphine). Moreover, the lack of regulation in CCK outflow suggests that CCK–opioid interactions in morphine dependence involve probably post-receptor events.
Regulatory Governance: Criteria for Assessing the Performance of Regulatory Systems

In section 1 we discuss the need for economic regulation in infrastructure industries and how this need is met in state-owned and privately owned utilities. In section 3 we discuss regulatory commitment and its implications for regulatory governance as well as the potential role of concession contracts for regulatory commitment. Section 4 provides an exposition of regulatory governance its implications for institutional design and regulatory processes and practices and the concepts of formal and informal accountability. Ftom this discussion we derive our six criteria for appraising regulatory systems. Section 5 concludes the paper with an application of these appraisal criteria to 12 infrastructure industries in developing Asian economies. We report the main results and discuss trens including trends towards convergence of regulatory frameworks and the implications for private investment in Asian developing countries' infrasture.
Review of Methods and Variables Used in the Assessment of Stream Condition and Capacity

In order to minimize the impacts on fish of human activities such as logging, agriculture, and urbanization, managers must understand and be able to accurately monitor how these activities affect fish habitat. Specifically, it is necessary to understand what habitat factors are affected, what habitat factors are limiting to fish abundance, how these factors interact with each other and which are the best indicators of stream condition for monitoring purposes. Several general approaches have been developed to assess stream condition. One approach is to monitor stream condition in terms of water quality. A widely used water quality monitoring method is the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), which examines the composition and relative abundance of a set of indicator species (usually invertebrates or fish) that are sensitive to impaired water quality. Another widely used measure of stream condition is the production of fish, usually species that are popular for recreational or commercial fisheries, or that have cultural value. Fish populations can be directly measured, but these measurements require significant time and effort to collect. More rapid assessment methods involve predicting fish production based on easily measured physical or chemical habitat factors. One frequently used method, the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM), determines the area of habitat available at different flow levels. Other methods involve simple capacity modelling using multiple regression – correlating measurements of habitat factors (e.g. pool frequency, cover, substrate size, etc.) with fish abundance to create models that predict fish abundance. Capacity models are often species-specific, and are most accurate for streams in the same geographic area and morphology to those of the streams used to create them. These models tend to include habitat variables from three broad categories: physical, chemical, and biological. These variables explain different proportions of the total variation in fish abundance, but also have different costs in terms of the time and effort required for their measurement.
Making Judges Independent - Some Proposals Regarding the Judiciary

It is argued that an independent judiciary is a necessary condition for both individual liberty and economic prosperity. After having surveyed the literature dealing with how to arrange for an independent judiciary, the authors derive some additional policy implications by drawing on two indicators of judicial independence (JI) recently introduced by them. De facto JI has a robust and highly significant impact on economic growth. Individual components of both de jure and de facto JI on economic growth are estimated for their impact on economic growth. Additionally, the effects of other institutional arrangements such as presidential vs. parliamentary systems are inquired into.
Investor Inattention, Firm Reaction, and Friday Earnings Announcements

Do firms release news strategically in response to investor inattention? We consider news about earnings and analyze the response of returns to announcements on Friday and other weekdays. Friday announcements have less immediate and more delayed stock return response. The delayed response as a percentage of the total response is 60 percent on Friday and 40 percent on other weekdays. In addition, abnormal trading volume around announcement day is 10 percent lower for Friday announcements. These findings suggest that weekends distract investor attention temporarily. They support explanations of post-earning announcement drift based on underreaction to information caused by limited attention. We also document that firms release worse announcements on Friday. Friday announcements are associated with a 45 percent higher probability of a negative earnings surprise and a 50 basis points lower abnormal return. The firm-based evidence of strategic news release corroborates the investor-based evidence of inattention on Friday. The results for stock returns, volume, and strategic behavior support the hypothesis of limited attention.
An Investigation of the Labor Market Earnings of Panamanian Males Evaluating the Sources of Inequality

This paper presents empirical evidence on the determinants of labor market earnings and inequality for males in Panama. Using newly available microdata, we estimate earnings equations based on the measurement framework of Mincer (1974) and compare them with those for other countries at various stages of economic development. We present evidence on two aspects of inequality in less developed economies: labor market segmentation and social stratification. We present tests of the segmentation hypothesis, including several of the dual labor market hypotheses and discuss their inherent ambiguity. We also present evidence on the importance of family background for earnings determination and educational attainment.
Deterministic and Probabilistic Voting Models

Theory: Deterministic formal models assume that voters make decisions with certainty while probabilistic models assume that voters' intentions are uncertain. Because of their different assumptions, the models produce different equilibrium results, yet there are no criteria for selecting one over the other. Hypotheses: Both approaches are modeling the same process though probabilistic intentions may reveal more information about voter decisions since they incorporate uncertainty. Methods: Respondents in two surveys randomly received the traditional, deterministic voting questions or new, probabilistic items. Several simple empirical tests are conducted to examine the relative performance of the two question types. Results: Probabilistic questions fare just as well as deterministic questions, indicating that these newer formal voting theories should be taken seriously when modeling elections in which voters are uncertain.
Inflation Dynamics and the Labour Share in the UK

In recent years UK real wages have been growing faster than labour factor productivity, implying that the labour share has been rising. This paper looks at various definitions of the labour share and derives a measure for the UK, which appears positively correlated with the growth rate of the UK gross value added price deflator. Following Layard, Nickell and Jackman (1991), we investigate the relationship between inflation and the share more formally by estimating a pricing equation or “new Phillips curve” obtained from a structural dynamic model of price setting based on Rotemberg (1982) and extended to capture employment adjustment costs and the openness of the UK economy. This model nests the Sbordone (1998) and Gali, Gertler and Lopez-Salido (2000) relationship between inflation and marginal costs in the limiting case of a constant equilibrium mark-up and no employment adjustment costs. Our findings suggest that there is a stable ceteris paribus relationship between inflation and the labour share over the last 30 years in the UK and so the share contains information that helps to predict inflation.