Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review of GPS Travel Survey and GPS Data-Processing Methods

Abstract Global positioning system (GPS) devices have been utilised in travel surveys since the late 1990s. Because GPS devices are very accurate at recording time and positional characteristics of travel, they can correct the trip-misreporting issue resulting from self-reports of travel and improve the accuracy of travel data. Although the initial idea of using GPS surveys in transport data collection was just to replace paper-based travel diaries, GPS surveys currently are being applied in a number of transport fields. Several general reviews have been done about GPS surveys in the literature review sections in some papers, but a detailed systematic review from GPS data collection to the whole procedure of GPS data processing has not been undertaken. This paper comprehensively reviews the development of GPS surveys and their applications, and GPS data processing. Different from most reviews in GPS research, this paper provides a detailed and systematic comparison between different methods from trip identification to mode and purpose detection, introduces the methods that researchers and planners are currently using, and discusses the pros and cons of those methods. Based on this review, researchers can choose appropriate methods and endeavour to improve them.
Cardiac α1-adrenergic drive in pathological remodelling

The heart is richly innervated by sympathetic nerves, and both acute and chronic regulation of cardiac function via sympathetically released catecholamines acting on cardiomyocyte adrenergic receptors (ARs), is critical for circulatory homeostasis. Cardiomyocytes express α1A- and α1B-, and β1- and β2-AR subtypes, which are all members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily that signal via interaction with heterotrimeric G-proteins. Cardiac function – both inotropy and chronotropy – is regulated predominantly by β1-AR. Activation of α1-ARs also results in increased contractility, as well as changes in the electrophysiological properties and metabolic responses of the heart. Nonetheless, there is little evidence that cardiac α1-ARs play a major functional role under normal physiological conditions. In pathological settings, α1-ARs may function in a compensatory fashion to maintain cardiac inotropy when the β-AR system is downregulated and uncoupled from G-proteins and effectors. In addition, as we consider here, recent evidence from clinical studies and from genetically engineered animal models indicates that α1-ARs are importantly involved in both developmental cardiomyocyte growth, as well as pathological hypertrophy. In the presence of pressure overload or with myocardial infarction, activation of α1-ARs, particularly the α1A-subtype, also appears to produce important pro-survival effects at the level of the cardiomyocyte, and to protect against maladaptive cardiac remodelling and decompensation to heart failure.
No downstaging after short-term preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients.

PURPOSE In retrospective studies, total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery has been demonstrated to result in a reduction in the number of local recurrences of rectal cancer. Reports on improved local control after preoperative, hypofractionated radiotherapy have led to the introduction of a randomized multicenter trial to evaluate the effect of TME surgery with and without preoperative radiotherapy. Treatment with preoperative radiotherapy might have an effect on the pathologic characteristics that determine staging of rectal cancer. We investigated the occurrence of downstaging in rectal cancer patients treated with and without preoperative radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed the differences in tumor size, number of examined lymph nodes, tumor-node-metastasis stage, and histopathologic features in 1,321 patients entered onto a randomized trial. The trial compared preoperative radiotherapy (5 x 5 Gy) followed by TME surgery with TME surgery alone. Patients who had an interval of more than 10 days between the start of radiotherapy and surgery were excluded from analysis. RESULTS Differences were observed in tumor size (P <.001) and total number of examined lymph nodes (P <.001). No difference in tumor or node classification was detected. The irradiated group demonstrated more poorly differentiated tumors as well as more mucinous tumors. CONCLUSION In rectal cancer patients, short-term, preoperative radiotherapy with 5 x 5 Gy does not lead to downstaging if the interval between the start of radiotherapy and surgery does not exceed 10 days.
The Heterochronic microRNA let-7 Inhibits Cell Motility by Regulating the Genes in the Actin Cytoskeleton Pathway in Breast Cancer

The heterochronic gene let-7 serves as a tumor suppressor microRNA by targeting various oncogenic pathways in cancer cells. Considerable evidence indicates that reduced expression of let-7 might be associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with cancer. Here, we report that the expression levels of three let-7 family members, let-7a, let-7b, and let-7g, were significantly decreased in the patients with breast cancer with lymph node metastasis compared with those without lymph node metastasis. Enforced expression of let-7b significantly inhibits breast cancer cell motility and affects actin dynamics. Using bioinformatic and experimental approaches, four genes in the actin cytoskeleton pathway, including PAK1, DIAPH2, RDX, and ITGB8, were identified as let-7 direct targets. Blocking the expression of PAK1, DIAPH2, and RDX significantly inhibits breast cancer cell migration induced by let-7b repression. Our results indicate that reconstitution of let-7 expression in tumor cells could provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of metastatic disease. Mol Cancer Res; 11(3); 240–50. ©2013 AACR.
Are American Homeowners Locked into Their Houses? The Impact of Housing Market Conditions on State-to-State Migration

U.S. policymakers are concerned that negative home equity arising from the housing market crash may be constraining geographic mobility and consequently serving as a factor in the persistently high national unemployment rate. Indeed, the widespread drop in house prices since 2007 has increased the share of homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. At the same time, migration across states and among homeowners has fallen sharply. Using a logistic regression framework to analyze data from the Internal Revenue Service on state-to-state migration between 2006 and 2009, we discover evidence that “house lock” decreases mobility but find that it has a negligible impact on the national unemployment rate. A one-standard deviation increase in the share of underwater nonprime households in the origin state reduces the outflow of migrants from the origin to the destination state by 2.7%. When aggregated across the United States, this decrease in mobility reduces the national state-to-state migration rate by 0.05 percentage points, resulting in roughly 103,000 to 140,000 fewer individuals migrating across state lines in any given year. A back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that the impact of reduced mobility due to negative housing equity on the national unemployment rate is likely to be small—on the order of less than one-tenth of a percentage point each year.
Competition, Rivalry And Innovative Behaviour

This paper is an empirical study of the importance of competition and rivalry in explaining innovative behaviour by software firms. The paper distinguishes between two notions of competition. One in which rivalry occurs due the possession of greater market power, and the other in which rivalry occurs due to diffennces in the abilities of firms. In addition the paper also decomposes changes in the extent of innovation due to the activities of firms that are innovators and due to changes in the probability of innovating. Competition always influences the extent of innovation by changing the propensity of firms to innovate.
Information and Incentive Effects of Inventory in JIT Production

This paper provides an economic rationale for modern manufacturing control practices such as the minimal inventories in Just in Time (JIT)systems, zero-defect policies, and continuous improvement. The popular and academic literature contains descriptive studies on the mechanics of these systems and their perceived benefits. We use a model of production to analyze both informational and incentive rationales for reduced inventories. A JIT-like environment of low inventory levels is optimal in our model because it helps workers to better observe and understand the production process and to think and act creatively to improve operational reliability and yields. Empirical evidence using data obtained from 116 plants worldwide supports our conclusions about the effect of reduced inventories on process reliability, product quality, and cost.
Willingness-to-pay for safety improvements in the German meat sector: the case of the Q&S label

This paper investigates consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the quality assurance scheme recently introduced in the German meat sector. In particular, packaged liver sausages marked with a blue 'quality and safety' (Q&S label were presented to respondents in a choice experiment. Respondents had to select one product from a choice set of six brands. The empirical findings suggest that quality labelling significantly influences consumer choice behaviour and that WTP estimates vary considerably across brands. Specifically, for a Q&S label attached to a German premium brand, consumers are willing to pay euro 0.34 whereas WTP for the label on a less well-known product is euro 0.11. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Tests for Price Effects of New Issues of Seasoned Securities

Do new issues of seasoned securities cause significant price movements in the neighborhood of the issue day? This paper presents an empirical comparison of three competing hypotheses: the SEC view that a new issue causes a permanent price decline; the underwriter view that there is only a temporary price decline during the distribution period; and the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) that implies the absence of any price effects. Several empirical tests of the competing hypotheses using data on new issues of utility stocks traded on the NYSE reject the SEC and underwriter views in favor of the EMH.
A two‐year program of aerobics and weight training enhances bone mineral density of young women

Previous research suggests that physical activity may have a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) in women. This relationship was explored in a 2‐year, randomized, intervention trial investigating the efficacy of exercise and calcium supplementation on increasing peak bone mass in young women. One hundred and twenty‐seven subjects (ages of 20–35 years) were randomly assigned either to an exercise program that contained both aerobics and weight training components or to a stretching program. Calcium supplementation (up to 1500 mg/day including dietary intake) or placebo was given in a double‐blinded design to all subjects. Spinal trabecular BMD was determined using quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Spinal integral, femoral neck, and trochanteric BMD were measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and calcaneal BMD by single photon absorptiometry (SPA). Fitness variables included maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), and isokinetic muscle performance of the trunk and thigh. Measurements were made at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. Sixty‐three subjects (32 exercise, 31 stretching) completed the study, and all the measured bone parameters indicated a positive influence of the exercise intervention. There were significant positive differences in BMD between the exercise and stretching groups for spinal trabecular (2.5%), femoral neck (2.4%), femoral trochanteric (2.3%), and calcaneal (6.4%) measurements. The exercise group demonstrated a significant gain in BMD for spinal integral (1.3 ± 2.8%, p < 0.02), femoral trochanteric (2.6 ± 6.1%, p < 0.05), and calcaneal (5.6 ± 5.1, p > 0.01) measurements. In contrast to exercise, the calcium intervention had no positive effect on any of the bone parameters. In regard to fitness parameters, the exercise group completed the study with significant gains in VO2max and isokinetic (peak torque) values for the knee flexion and extension and trunk extension. This study indicates that over a 2‐year period, a combined regimen of aerobics and weight training has beneficial effects on BMD and fitness parameters in young women. However, the addition of daily calcium supplementation does not add significant benefit to the intervention.
Performance Measurement without Benchmarks: An Examination of Mutual Fund Returns

This article introduces a new measure of portfolio performance and applies it to study the performance of a large sample of mutual funds. In contrast to previous studies of mutual fund performance, the measure used in this study employs portfolio holdings and does not require the use of a benchmark portfolio. It finds that the portfolio choices of mutual fund managers, particularly those that managed aggressive growth funds, earned significantly positive risk-adjusted returns in the 1976-85 period. Copyright 1993 by University of Chicago Press.
The Role of Sectoral Interactions in Wage Determination in the UK Economy

A multisectoral union-firm model of wage-setting is developed to analyze intersectoral interactions that take place through expectations of outside wage opportunities in the economy as a whole. The technical issues involved in the solution and estimation of models of this type are discussed, noting the significance of the assumed structure of information across sectors. These issues are investigated empirically using data for sixteen industrial sectors o f the UK economy. It is found that (1) expected outside wages exert an important influence on real wages in all sectors; (2) pressure on wa ges which are internal to the sector are found primarily outside the "service-producing" sectors; (3) unemployment rates and unemployment benefits show up significantly only in a few sectors; (4) there are complicated dynamic adjustments influencing wage formation across th e sectors; and (5) the aggregate wage equations considered in the pape r are subject to serious aggregation problems. Copyright 1993 by Royal Economic Society.
Walking around the pyramids: Managers’ shop-floor activities in Lean-inspired organizations

The approach in this article is to study leadership activities from the shop-floor workers’ perspectives during the implementation of a Lean-inspired production concept – an angle of approach that corresponds to a need for a deeper knowledge of the interactions between organizational structures and the physical work environment. The empirical findings are from a national R&D program called the Production Leap and collected through different methods: semi-structured interviews carried out at eight manufacturing companies, the open-ended part of a longitudinal survey, and participative observations. Lean leadership practices at these companies do not enable the possibilities of developing the technical systems or work relationships between the managers and the shop-floor workers. Instead, they provide the means and activities to circumvent coordination problems and create a feeling of participation. The results here indicate that leadership activities and coordination of work do not, as it is sometimes argued by the proponents of Lean, ‘turn the pyramid’ of power upside down. One reason for this is the lack of social structures in the organization.
Modeling Psychographic Profiles: A Study of the U.S. and Australian Student Travel Market

The primary purpose of this article is to use a multiple group comparison in covariance structure to test the equivalence of a psychographic model of the student travel market across the two markets: the Australian and U.S. Path modeling is used to achieve this objective. The relationships between major psychographic factors such as cultural values, personality, travel motivation, preferences for activities and lifestyle are examined. A self-administered personally handed questionnaire received responses from 528 U.S. and 424 Australian undergraduate students. Several models are investigated to compare the regression coefficients across the two student groups to test the significance of differences. Significant differences were found in eight out of nine hypothesized paths. Thus, despite the model being conceptually equivalent for the two student groups, the strengths of relationships among the variables are different. The article concludes with a discussion of the research and marketing implications of the study.
Supervised Agricultural Experience: An Examination of Student Knowledge and Participation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate student Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) knowledge and participation. This descriptive study was conducted in 120 randomly selected agricultural education programs throughout four purposively selected states representative of the National FFA regions. Students completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of the five SAE categories. According to findings of this study, 46.1% of the students surveyed reported having a SAE program (n = 473). Students on average could only correctly categorize between three and four of the five SAE project scenarios and approximately one–third of the students surveyed in Indiana, Missouri, and Utah could categorize all five. Students appeared to be able to correctly identify the improvement, research and experimentation, and placement SAE categories more frequently. Those surveyed without a SAE program were either not familiar or somewhat familiar with the five SAE categories. The average number of classroom days spent on SAE instruction since enrolled in agricultural education courses varied from nine to 34 and half of the students in three of the states did not receive a grade for their SAE program or record book in agricultural education courses. Students surveyed did not believe they needed more classroom instruction from their teacher about SAEs.
Health and well-being of the homeless in South African cities and towns

Little is known about the health and well-being of people who live on the streets although their lifestyle involves health risks. This study used qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the health status and health service needs of homeless people in several South African cities and towns. It was found in some cases that their own or family members’ ill-health had contributed to their homelessness. Illnesses associated with poor living conditions or lifestyles were more common in the homeless than in the general population in certain age and sex categories. Access to healthcare was generally good in urban centres and most respondents were satisfied, although some reported discriminatory treatment. The risk profile of the homeless shows that systematic health promotion is required and that some health service providers need to be made more aware of the health needs of the homeless.
Using Online Video to Announce a Restatement: Influences on Investment Decisions and the Mediating Role of Trust

ABSTRACT: Press releases accompanying earnings restatements attempt to minimize negative reactions by explaining the reasons for the restatement. Although text-based press releases have been the norm for years, firms have recently begun using online video for such announcements. We examine the implications of doing so, and find that when a CEO accepts responsibility by making an internal attribution for a restatement, investors viewing the announcement online via video recommend larger investments in the firm than do investors viewing the announcement online via text. In contrast, when the CEO denies responsibility by making an external attribution for the restatement, investors viewing the announcement online via video recommend smaller investments in the firm than do investors viewing the announcement online via text. Our results also reveal that investor trust mediates the effect of disclosure venue and attribution on investment recommendations. These findings are important given the economic significa.
Interest Rates and Stock Prices: Evidence from Central and Eastern European Markets

We provide empirical evidence regarding the responses of Central and Eastern European capital markets to monetary policy via domestic and international short-term interest rate shocks. The analysis is conducted using a four-variable structural vector error correction model identified by means of permanent-transitory restrictions. The results indicate a noticeable effect of the international interest rate on stock market indexes in the cases of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Since no monetary policy autonomy exists in Bulgaria, Latvia, and Lithuania, we find support only for the inverse relationship between foreign interest rate and stock index prices.
Nordic City Regions in the Creative Class Debate—Putting the Creative Class Thesis to a Test

The Nordic countries have a quite different urban structure and social systems than the USA. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden may then constitute a critical test of the empirical reach of Richard Florida's much cited creative class thesis beyond its empirical basis in the USA. This paper employs comparative statistics to examine the importance of the quality of place in attracting members of the creative class to Nordic city regions, and it analyses the role of the creative class for regional economic development. Florida's original study focused only on city regions with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Our statistical analyses mainly support Florida's results with regard to these larger Nordic city regions. The paper, however, also analyses smaller city regions, which are important in the Nordic urban structure. The findings are clearly less supportive for these smaller regions, which mean that the original creative class approach has to be considerably refined when used in the Nordic context.
Rewriting the past: Bare verbs in the Ottawa Repository of Early African American Correspondence

This paper describes the construction of the Ottawa Repository of Early African American Correspondence (OREAAC), a corpus of over 400 letters written by antebellum African American settlers in Liberia. Identifying the most speech-like letters by the least literate authors, we constituted perhaps the largest linguistically useful corpus of diachronic African American English primary data currently available. We demonstrate the utility of the OREAAC through analysis of factors conditioning the variable expression of past temporal reference in nearly 2400 verbs. In these letters, zero-marking is favoured in weak verbs by a preceding consonant (a universal), and in strong verbs by lexical type (an English dialect feature). Factors associated with creole past-marking were either not selected as significant or inconsistent with creole predictions. These findings parallel those reported for varieties spoken in the African American diaspora (Poplack & Tagliamonte, 2001), confirming the value of semi-literate correspondence in exploring the history of linguistic variation in speech.