Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainability through food and conversation: the role of an entrepreneurial restaurateur in fostering engagement with sustainable development issues

Food justice, food cultures and people's engagement with healthy food production and consumption are key contemporary concerns, with a growing sustainable hospitality and tourism literature. Efforts range from narrowly focused initiatives, such as promoting organic produce and fair trade, to more holistic challenges to current systems through initiatives like the slow food and locavore movements, which may represent systemic alternatives. However, little analysis is available on how cafés and restaurants might become sites for experimentation in profitable and just sustainable hospitality, and places for sustainability engagement and education. Focusing on the evolution of a sustainable café in Adelaide, South Australia, this article explores how one entrepreneurial restaurateur uses his café to engage customers and community in a collaborative conversation about sustainable development, food, hospitality and tourism, helping transform our food culture and even lifeways. Our findings indicate the value of deep local embedding as a pathway to meaningful sustainability. The study offers insights into how hospitality and tourism can contribute to dialogues on alternative consumption which may offer visionary pathways to alternative futures. It also explores the role of pioneers in sustainable business and hospitality, their drivers and their views. A forthcoming global research initiative is discussed.
Stakeholders' climate perception and adaptation in coastal Uruguay

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to discuss the assessment and inclusion of stakeholders' perception, and citizen participation instances to implementing management options to deal with climate threats within the existing institutional framework in Uruguay. Design/methodology/approach – The approach being followed has different directional approaches and integrates them within a single assessment. First, a prescriptive climate change top-down path. Second, stakeholders' perception is assessed within a bottom-up risk-management model. Third, institutional agreements, arrangements, and consensus are reached. Considering the need for agreed and effective options, the approach is customized and turned flexible enough to accept inputs from scientists, managers, and stakeholders. Findings – The co-production of knowledge and the achievement of agreed and feasible options is achieved by means of a consultation process which results in adaptive co-management agreements and collective decisions. This proce.
Political Party Contestation over Europe in Public Discourses: Emergent Euroscepticism?

This study examines party contestation over Europe in mediated public discourses across seven countries: Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and non-EU Switzerland. It uses an original and new type of data on party claims-making, drawn from media sources, to test leading hypotheses from the literature (Mair, Kriesi, Hooghe/Marks) on party contestation over Europe, its relationship to the left/right cleavage, and the nature and emergence of Euroscepticism. Cross-nationally, we generally find pro-European party debates at the aggregate level that are moving in the Eurosceptic direction, with Britain the exception, whose debates are pitched more towards Euroscepticism but becoming more pro-European. Party-level findings show pro-Europeanist stances strongly advanced by centre-left and liberal parties, compared to the centre-right, and Euroscepticism is significantly mobilised by four right parties: the Swiss Schweizerische Volkspartei (SVP), British Conservative Party, Italian coalition il Polo della Liberta, and German Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU). Hence like Kriesi, we witness Euroscepticism not only at the margins, but increasing and mobilised by the mainstream right. With regard to whether this transformation is a modified ‘left/right’ (Hooghe/Marks) or ‘new’ (Kriesi) cleavage our findings are mixed. In addition, we consider that TAN (traditional-authoritarian-nationalist) ‘new politics’ themes are important to this Euroscepticism, but see TAN critiques to be grounded in civic-political rather than cultural and/or xenophobic opposition to European integration.
A Corpus of Natural Language for Visual Reasoning

We present a new visual reasoning language dataset, containing 92,244 pairs of examples of natural statements grounded in synthetic images with 3,962 unique sentences. We describe a method of crowdsourcing linguistically-diverse data, and present an analysis of our data. The data demonstrates a broad set of linguistic phenomena, requiring visual and set-theoretic reasoning. We experiment with various models, and show the data presents a strong challenge for future research.
Determinants and information of REIT pricing

Utilizing advanced asset pricing techniques, we investigate the long-term relation between the general economy, the broad equity market and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Both monetary and real economy factors, along with the stock market factor, are found to be determinants in REIT pricing. On a quarterly basis, we provide evidence that the REIT market is efficient in terms of incorporating information from the economy and the stock market. Furthermore, we test and find that REITs provide significant forward-looking information regarding the economy.
Exploration for the Relationship between Innovation, IT and Performance

Purpose – This study aims to ask two important research questions: “Do the investments of innovation capital and information technology (IT) capital have a non-linear relationship with ﬁrm performance? ” and “Does the interaction between innovation capital and IT capital have synergy effects on ﬁrm performance? ”Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ multiple regression models and add the squared terms of research and development (RD and IT capital has no signiﬁcant impact on ﬁrm performance. However, after considering the interaction between innovation capital and IT capital, there is a positive effect on ﬁrms’ performance.Research limitations/implications – This study can be extended in the following ways: researchers can adopt panel data and use more representative measures to examine the dynamic relationship between intellectual capital and performance; and future research should seek to examine the interaction effects of other perspectives of intellectual capital to understand further the comprehensive inﬂuence on performance.Practical implications – The research results suggest that more investment in intellectual capital is not always better. Companies should coordinate different perspectives of intellectual capital to improve ﬁrm performance.Originality/value – This paper extends prior research’s viewpoint and suggests the non-linear relationship between innovation capital and performance with empirical evidence. The results can provide the reference for further research about the relationship between intellectual capital and performance.
Correct Voting Across Thirty-Three Democracies: A Preliminary Analysis

This article extends Lau and Redlawsk's notion of correct voting – whether voters, under conditions of uncertainty, choose the alternative they would have chosen had they been fully informed about the issues and candidates in that election – to sixty-nine elections in thirty-three established and emerging democracies around the world. At the individual level, political sophistication, political experience and motivation all significantly predict the probability of casting a correct vote. However several institutional factors proved to be even more important. In particular, elections with more parties running – and settings that encourage candidate-centred voting – decrease the probability of correct voting, while more ideologically distinctive alternatives, clearer lines of responsibility and greater media access to information are associated with higher rates of correct voting.
Can Internal Governance Mechanisms Prevent Asset Appropriation? Examination of Type I Tunneling in China

Using a sample of 117 Chinese listed companies with a total of 540 firm-year observations during the important period of regulatory change and organizational reform between 2001 and 2005, this study aims to investigate whether Type I tunneling is affected by the internal governance mechanisms (IGMs) from the perspective of principal-principal (P-P) conflict between controlling shareholders and minority shareholders. Our findings suggest that state ownership and board of directors‟ meeting are positively correlated with direct transferring of Type I tunneling, but size of board of directors and number of independent directors reveal a negative association. Other IGMs including foreign ownership, supervisory board size, number of professional supervisors and supervisory board meeting were found to have no impact.
Detection of circulating tumor cells in men with localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE Using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA as a marker for prostatic epithelial cells, we have developed a sensitive technique that involves reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of men with prostatic carcinoma (CaP). PATIENTS AND METHODS A sensitive RT-PCR assay was used to evaluate the peripheral blood of 135 men with a history of CaP. Fourteen men with benign prostate disease, many of whom had elevated serum PSA levels, were used as a control group. RESULTS All patients with benign prostate disease had a negative result in the RT-PCR assay. Of particular interest was a subgroup of 65 patients with clinically localized CaP evaluated before definitive local therapy. Five of these patients had detectable PSA mRNA by RT-PCR, suggesting circulating tumor cells. Within this group, systemic disease was detected by RT-PCR in some men with PSA levels less than 10 ng/mL and clinical stage B disease. Blood from men with hormone-refractory and progressive CaP demonstrated a higher frequency of PSA mRNA detectable by RT-PCR (10 of 20 patients). In contrast, none of seven patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer and only one of seven patients with metastatic, hormone-responsive disease had blood that was positive for PSA mRNA by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION Circulating tumor cells can be detected in the blood of a subset of patients with clinically localized CaP and a larger subset of patients with progressive metastatic disease.
Western joint ventures in Turkey: strategic motives and partner selection criteria

This paper considers two important aspects of joint venture (JV) activity between Western firms and local partner firms in Turkey. First, the strategic motivation for JV formation is investigated for a sample of Western partner firms. The relative importance of a set of strategic motives is identified and discussed with respect to the nationality of foreign partner. Second, the paper considers partner selection criteria for the sample using a typology that distinguishes between partner‐related and task‐related selection criteria and also examines the relationship between the relative importance of selection criteria and the nationality of foreign partner.
Trading Rules from Forecasting the Collapse of Speculative Bubbles for the S&P 500 Composite Index

Many recent studies documented the presence of speculative bubbles, defined as systematic and increasing deviations of actual prices from fundamentals, in asset prices. However, thus far, the usefulness of such models has been examined in the literature only from a statistical perspective. In this paper, we employ two-regime switching models of periodically partially collapsing speculative bubbles and examine the risk-adjusted profits of trading rules formed using inferences from them. Use of trading rules derived from an augmented model incorporating market volume leads to higher risk-adjusted returns than those obtained employing existing models or a buy-and-hold strategy.
From medical images to flow computations without user‐generated meshes

Biomedical flow computations in patient‐specific geometries require integrating image acquisition and processing with fluid flow solvers. Typically, image‐based modeling processes involve several steps, such as image segmentation, surface mesh generation, volumetric flow mesh generation, and finally, computational simulation. These steps are performed separately, often using separate pieces of software, and each step requires considerable expertise and investment of time on the part of the user. In this paper, an alternative framework is presented in which the entire image‐based modeling process is performed on a Cartesian domain where the image is embedded within the domain as an implicit surface. Thus, the framework circumvents the need for generating surface meshes to fit complex geometries and subsequent creation of body‐fitted flow meshes. Cartesian mesh pruning, local mesh refinement, and massive parallelization provide computational efficiency; the image‐to‐computation techniques adopted are chosen to be suitable for distributed memory architectures. The complete framework is demonstrated with flow calculations computed in two 3D image reconstructions of geometrically dissimilar intracranial aneurysms. The flow calculations are performed on multiprocessor computer architectures and are compared against calculations performed with a standard multistep route. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing the Icebergs of Adult Learning: Comparative Findings and Implications of the 1998, 2004 and 2010 Canadian Surveys of Formal and Informal Learning Practices

This paper summarizes the findings of the 2010 Work and Lifelong Learning (WALL) survey of self-reported further education and intentional informal learning activities of Canadian adults and compares them with the results of the 2004 WALL survey and the 1998 New Approaches to Lifelong Learning (NALL) survey on the same subject. Basic profiles of participation in further education courses and intentional informal learning activities related to employment, housework, community volunteer work, and general interests are presented. In addition to being one of the most highly formally educated populations in the world, Canadians quite rapidly increased their participation in further education over the past generation. They continued to devote much more of their time to an array of informal learning activities. However, Canadian adults’ array of formal and informal learning efforts face relatively diminishing opportunities for application in jobs as they are currently structured.
The Changing Importance of Sector and Regional Factors in Real Estate Returns: 1987–2002

A stylized fact in the real estate diversification literature is that sector (property type) effects are relatively more important than regional (geographical) factors in determining property returns. Thus, for those portfolio managers who follow a top‐down approach to portfolio management, they should first choose which sectors to invest in and then select the best properties in each market. However, the question arises as to whether the dominance of sector effects over regional effects is constant. If not, property fund managers will need to take account of regional effects in developing their portfolio strategy. Using monthly returns data for individual properties over the period 1987:1 to 2002:12, this paper investigates the influence of sector and regional factors on commercial real estate performance, first by adopting the dummy variable approach of Heston and Rouwenhorst (1994, 1995) and then by using the notion of cross‐sectional dispersion introduced by Solnik and Roulet (2000). The results show that sector‐specific dominate region‐specific factors for the majority of the time and, in particular, during volatile periods of the real estate cycle. However, during calmer periods, sector and regional effects appear to be of equal importance. Overall, sector effects are still the most important aspect in the development of an active portfolio strategy.
Health-related morphological characteristics and physiological fitness in connection with nutritional, socio-economic status, occupational workload of tea garden workers.

BACKGROUND Reports on the cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition of male workers engaged in processing of tea leaves in factories within the tea-estates of West Bengal, under the influence of physiological workload, are quite scanty. OBJECTIVES This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate morphometric characteristics based on physiological status and physical fitness of tea factory laborers who are continuously exposed to tea dust in their work environment for more than two years. METHODS Subjects were divided into control and tea garden workers groups. Height and weight were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was computed. Physiological parameters such as resting heart rate, blood pressure, fitness variables like physical fitness index (PFI), energy expenditure (EE), handgrip strength and anthropometric parameters like mid-upper arm (MUAC), thigh circumference (TC), head circumference (HC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured. RESULTS Body surface area (BSA), BMI, body fat percentage and fitness variables (PFI, EE) showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Anthropometric measures (MUAC, TC, HC, WHR) reflected poor status among laborers. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that the majority of workers had ectomorph stature, good physical fitness, but had poor nutritional status (BMI and WHR).
The Credit‐To‐Gdp Gap And Complementary Indicators For Macroprudential Policy: Evidence From The Uk

ABSTRACT The financial crisis has demonstrated the need for a set of macroprudential policy tools that can be used to mitigate systemic risk. Focusing on the UK, our paper reviews the performance of the Basel III credit‐to‐GDP gap that, alongside judgement, is to be used as a reference guide in setting the countercyclical capital buffer. We find that this measure worked well in providing an advance signal of past UK episodes of banking system distress. But this does not guarantee future signalling success. We therefore evaluate some conceptual shortcomings of the credit gap and suggest complementary indicators. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scanning-slit and Specular Microscopic Pachymetry in Comparison With Ultrasonic Determination of Corneal Thickness

Purpose. To determine the central corneal thickness values in healthy eyes with the recently developed Orbscan scanning-slit system, contact and noncontact specular microscopic pachymetry and compare the results to conventional ultrasonic pachymetry. Methods. In the following sequence, Orbscan, Topcon SP-2000P noncontact specular microscope, AL-1000 ultrasound, and Tomey contact specular microscope were used to record thickness values. Thirty-four healthy right corneas of 34 healthy subjects were investigated. Results. Orbscan pachymetry correlated significantly with ultrasound (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), contact (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), and noncontact specular microscopy (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Likewise, the Topcon SP-2000P noncontact specular microscopy pachymetry disclosed similar statistical results compared with ultrasound (r = 0.88, p < 0.001), and contact specular microscopy pachymetry (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). The mean central corneal thickness results were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) than ultrasonic values (580 ± 43 &mgr;m) using the contact specular microscope (640 ± 43 &mgr;m) or Orbscan system (602 ± 59 &mgr;m) but were significantly lower (p < 0.001) using the noncontact specular microscope (547 ± 49 &mgr;m). Conclusions. The results indicate that the devices tested cannot be simply used interchangeably. For long-term patient follow-up, one specific instrument is recommended. Recently developed pachymetry machines are especially helpful when additional corneal data such as thickness profile, elevation maps, anterior chamber depth, and endothelial morphology are required.
Comparison of Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) and Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) for Low Myopia

Purpose: To compare the results of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and implantable collamer lenses (ICL) in the correction of myopia -4 to -7.88 D. Methods: A total of 1678 LASIK eyes from the Davis Duehr Eye Center, Madison, WI, and 144 ICL eyes from the 14-site US FDA Clinical Trial for ICL for Myopia were compared. Both series were concurrently operated on with 4 to 7.88 D of preoperative spherical equivalent of the manifest refraction and were examined at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively. The mean baseline myopia was slightly higher in the ICL group (ICL: −6.4 ± 1.1 D; LASIK: −5.6 ± 1.1 D). Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and refractions were collected prospectively in both series. Results: BSCVA loss of at least 2 lines was significantly higher in the LASIK series in the early healing period (1 week: 6% vs. 0.7%; P = 0.008), whereas a BSCVA gain of at least 2 lines was statistically better with the ICL at 1 (5% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.001) and 6 months (4% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.013). Proportion of cases seeing 20/15 or better uncorrected (21.6% vs. 7.8%, P < 0.001) and 20/20 or better (67% vs. 57%, P = 0.027) at 6 months postoperatively was better in the ICL group. The ICL was statistically more predictable (attempted vs. achieved) at 6 months; ±0.50 D (79% ICL vs. 70% LASIK, P = 0.034) and ±1.0 D (97% ICL vs. 88% LASIK, P < 0.001). Stability was achieved (95% ≤ 1.0 D) at the 1-week to 1-month interval for both groups (95% LASIK; 98% ICL). The stability of refraction (≤0.5 D change) was significantly better in the ICL group than the LASIK group through 6 months. No serious complications occurred in either series. Conclusions: The ICL was safer and more effective than LASIK and seems to be a viable alternative to corneal refractive excimer surgery in the treatment of low myopia.