Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Taxes and International Risk Sharing

We examine the extent to which differences in international tax rates may account for the small correlations of per capita consumption fluctuations across countries. Theory implies a close relationship between relative consumption growth, and consumption and capital income tax rate differentials. We find strong empirical evidence for this relationship. Idiosyncratic output fluctuations account for the majority of cross country consumption growth variability, but trends in tax differentials are informative about the dynamic evolution of international risk sharing. In particular, adjusting for capital taxes reveals an intuitive positive relationship between financial connectedness and risk sharing that is absent in baseline measures.
High School Grade Inflation from 1991 to 2003. Research Report Series 2004-04.

This report presents the results of a study investigating inflation in high school grade point average (HSGPA). Inflation was measured by comparing HSGPA to ACT Assessment (ACT) scores over the years 1991 to 2003. The results indicate the presence of grade inflation over the 13 years. That is, HSGPAs increased without a concomitant increase in achievement, as measured by the ACT. Both the marginal analyses and the conditional analyses reveal the presence of grade inflation. Depending on the subject area, the average amount of grade inflation over the 13 years varied between 0.20 and 0.26 on a HSGPA scale of 0 (F) to 4 (A). iii Acknowledgement
Private equity returns and disclosure around the world

To obtain more funds from the institutional investors, private equity (PE) fund managers may report inflated valuations of private investee companies that are not yet sold. However, such overvaluations may result in a reputational cost when those investments are realized. Using evidence from 39 countries, we show that there are significant systematic biases in managers' reporting of fund performance. We find that these biases depend on the accounting and legal environment in a country, and on proxies for the degree of information asymmetry between institutional investors and PE fund managers.
Collateral, relationship lending and financial distress: An empirical study on financial contracting

This paper analyses the role of collateral in loan contracting when companies are financed by multiple bank lenders and relationship lending can be present. We conjecture and empirically validate that relationship lenders, who enjoy an informational advantage over arm's-length banks, are more senior to strengthen their bargaining power in future renegotiation if borrower's face financial distress. This deters costly conflicts between lenders and fosters workout decisions by the best informed party. Consistent with our conjecture, we find that relationship lender in general have a higher probability to be collateralized, and a higher degree of collateralization (i.e. seniority). Furthermore, we show that seniority and the status of relationship lending increases the likelihood that a bank invests in a risky workout of distressed borrowers. Both findings support the view that collateral is a strategic instrument intended to influence the bargaining position of banks. Our result further suggest that seniority and relationship lending are complementary to each other.
Post-Secondary Education in Canada: Can Ability Bias Explain the Earnings Gap between College and University Graduates?

Post-Secondary Education in Canada: Can Ability Bias Explain the Earnings Gap Between College and University Graduates? Using the Canadian General Social Survey we compute returns to post-secondary education relative to high-school. Unlike previous research using Canadian data, our dataset allows us to control for ability selection into higher education. We find strong evidence of positive ability selection into all levels of post-secondary education for men and weaker positive selection for women. Since the ability selection is stronger for higher levels of education, particularly for university, the difference in returns between university and college or trades education decreases slightly after accounting for ability bias. However, a puzzling large gap persists, with university-educated men still earning over 20% more than men with college or trades education. Moreover, contrary to previous Canadian literature that reports higher returns for women, we document that the OLS hourly wage returns to university education are the same for men and women. OLS returns are higher for women only if weekly or yearly wages are considered instead, because university-educated women work more hours than the average. Nevertheless, once we account for ability selection into post-secondary education, we generally find higher returns for women than for men for all wage measures as a result of the stronger ability selection for men.
Microscale flow visualization

Advances in microfluidic and nanofluidic technologies have been paralleled by advances in methods for direct optical measurement of transport phenomena on these scales. A variety of methods for microscale flow visualization have appeared and evolved since the late 1990s. These methods and their applications to date are reviewed here in detail, and in context of the both the fundamental phenomena they exploit and the fundamental phenomena they are applied to measure. Where possible, links to macroflow visualization methods are established, and the physical mechanisms underlying these methods are explained.
Cyclic AMP dynamics in the pancreatic β-cell

Abstract Insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells is tightly regulated by glucose and other nutrients, hormones, and neural factors. The exocytosis of insulin granules is triggered by an elevation of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and is further amplified by cyclic AMP (cAMP). Cyclic AMP is formed primarily in response to glucoincretin hormones and other Gs-coupled receptor agonists, but generation of the nucleotide is critical also for an optimal insulin secretory response to glucose. Nutrient and receptor stimuli trigger oscillations of the cAMP concentration in β-cells. The oscillations arise from variations in adenylyl cyclase-mediated cAMP production and phosphodiesterase-mediated degradation, processes controlled by factors like cell metabolism and [Ca2+]i. Protein kinase A and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Epac2 mediate the actions of cAMP in β-cells and operate at multiple levels to promote exocytosis and pulsatile insulin secretion. The cAMP signaling system contains important targets for pharmacological improvement of insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes.
AppScope: Application Energy Metering Framework for Android Smartphone Using Kernel Activity Monitoring

Understanding the energy consumption of a smartphone application is a key area of interest for end users, as well as application and system software developers. Previous work has only been able to provide limited information concerning the energy consumption of individual applications because of limited access to underlying hardware and system software. The energy consumption of a smartphone application is, therefore, often estimated with low accuracy and granularity. In this paper, we propose AppScope, an Android-based energy metering system. This system monitors application's hardware usage at the kernel level and accurately estimates energy consumption. AppScope is implemented as a kernel module and uses an event-driven monitoring method that generates low overhead and provides high accuracy. The evaluation results indicate that AppScope accurately estimates the energy consumption of Android applications expending approximately 35mW and 2.1% in power consumption and CPU utilization overhead, respectively.
PENGARUH GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP LINGKUNGAN KERJA, MOTIVASI KERJA DAN KINERJA PEGAWAI NEGERI SIPIL PADA BADAN PEMBERDAYAAN PEREMPUAN DAN PERLINDUNGAN ANAK PROVINSI BALI

Gaya kepemimpinan memegang peranan penting dalam suatu organisasi, pemimpin adalah motor penggerak utama dalam organisasi agar semua tujuan organisasi bisa tercapai. Untuk mencapai semuanya itu organisasi perlu memperhatikan lingkungan kerja pegawai agar bisa tercipta suasana yang nyaman dalam melakukan aktivitas. Disamping itu motivasi kerja bisa tercapai apabila pegawai termotivasi untuk bekerja lebih optimal guna meningkatkan kinerja pegawai. Sedangkan kinerja pegawai dalam suatu organisasi merupakan tolok ukur untuk mencapai target dan sasaran yang diharapkan guna terciptanya Aparatur Sipil Negara yang professional. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh pegawai Badan Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Provinsi Bali, metode penentuan sampel yang digunakan adalah metode angket yang jumlah 33 orang. Penguji hipotesis penelitian menggunakan PLS dengan program pengolah data. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa (1) gaya kepemimpinan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja, (2) gaya kepemimpinan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap lingkungan kerja, (3) gaya kepemimpinan berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap motivasi kerja, (4) lingkungan kerja berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja dan (5) motivasi kerja berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja.Implikasi dari hasil penelitian ini adalah gaya kepemimpinan, lingkungan kerja, motivasi kerja, kinerja pegawai perlu ditingkatkan guna meningkatkan kinerja PNS pada Badan Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Provinsi Bali.
Is no-tension dam design always safe ?-a numerical study

The paper examines the no-tension design of concrete gravity dams on the basis of finite element analysis. The no-tension assumption is implemented as a special case of plasticity in which the tensile yield limit tends to zero. This is compared with finite element analysis based on linear elastic fracture mechanics with either a realistic or a very small value offracture toughness. The crack pressure, which has a great influence on the results, is taken into account. Numerical counter-examples show that the widely held belief that no-tension design is safe is not always true. It follows that safety of dams should be evaluated on the basis of fracture mechanics.
Complex Stock Price Dynamics and Recurrent Bubbles under the Spirit of Capitalism

We embed Max Weber (1958)'s spirit of capitalism (SOC) into an otherwise standard Lucas' tree asset pricing model, by assuming that economic agents care about their social status and that the latter is related to financial wealth. We show that, absent uncertainty, for a wide range of values for the coefficient of relative risk aversion, the SOC combined with a sufficient growth rate of dividends can induce both cyclical and chaotic fluctuations in the price-dividend ratio. Once fundamental uncertainty is introduced - in the form of a stationary shock to dividends growth - the model is capable of generating recurrent boom-bust cycles which are completely endogenous and resemble the stock price bubble episodes observed in the real world. Interestingly, these volatile dynamics are obtained without necessarily assuming the existence of sizable (sunspot-driven) expectational errors. We show that, for both the deterministic and the stochastic case, endogeneous fluctuations can be effectively smoothed by a small tax on capital gains, while taxing dividends seems to be a rather bad idea.
Does the use of online curriculum content enhance motivation, engagement and learning? The Le@rning Federation Trial Review

Acknowledgements Some of the data collection and analysis reported in this paper was conducted by Mr The participation of principals, teachers, parents and students from the schools involved in the research was very much appreciated. Thanks also to The Learning Federation Contact Liaison Officers who supported the research team in accessing data and information that was essential to the quantitative and qualitative analysis undertaken within the study. iii 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. The purposes of this paper are: 1.1. to summarise the available research literature on the efficacy of the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT[s]) and online curriculum content generally 1.2. to summarise a Pilot Field Review of an implementation of The Learning Federation (TLF) online curriculum content developed to date 1.3. to draw conclusions concerning the maintenance of this implementation, including the direction of resources to professional development and longitudinal, recursively-designed evaluations of efficacy. 2. Review of available research literature 2.1. A selection of Australian and international research studies, reviews of research and meta-analyses is summarised. 2.2. A number of general conclusions are drawn: • There is very little research directly bearing on the use of online curriculum content in schools. • Research does not tell a consistent story about the efficacy of general ICT uses in schools. • Much of the reliable support for the use of online curriculum content in schools is indirect, coming from meta-analyses of instructional conditions, and studies of general ICT and digital material use. • The research area is characterised by very few large-or medium-scaled field experiments and relatively more small-scaled observation or interview studies. 3. Summary report of The Le@rning Federation's Pilot Field Review 3.1. Case studies of six different schools, and surveys of about 500 teachers and 1600 students. 3.2. Summary of findings 3.2.1. The positive case: A strong prima facie case is established, from direct observation, interview and extensive surveying, that: • The use of TLF online curriculum content is in general supported enthusiastically by teachers, parent home-tutors and students. • The use of TLF online curriculum content motivates students to attend to and engage with tasks. • The use of TLF online curriculum content enhances students' learning and interest in learning across a range of tasks. 3.2.2. Cautions There is in addition prima facie evidence that the following cautions or difficulties are relevant: 1 • Teachers need considerable time to ensure that their selection of learning objects, …
Consumer Packaged Goods in the United States: National Brands, Local Branding:

Abstract The authors document several striking general geographic patterns in the performance of national brands using a large longitudinal scanner database that spans many consumer packaged goods categories and U.S. regional markets. Across markets, they observe that for a typical national brand, the geographic variation in market shares, perceived quality levels, and local dominance is so large that it questions the concept and relevance of a “national brand. ” Across time, the authors find that the geographic differences in market shares for national brands are persistent and thus are attributed to “long-term” outcomes. The objective of this article is to open a discussion on these surprising stylized findings related to geography in the food and beverage industries. The authors argue that geographically indexed consumer packaged goods data contain rich information about long-term marketing outcomes that offer several new directions for further research.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Performance: OLS and Granger Causality Analysis

The study investigates the relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP). First, we examine the potential relationships among CSR, CFP variables and industries. The results show that most of the explanatory variables are significantly correlated with CSR. Second, this paper estimates the long run causality relationships between CSR and firm size, the most significant variable in the previous regression. Some casual relations between the two target variables are observed, which provides a new direction to measure the relations between CSR and CFP.
Recovery of Cognitive Function After Remifentanil-Propofol Anesthesia: A Comparison with Desflurane and Sevoflurane Anesthesia

We compared the recovery characteristics of remifentanil, desflurane, and sevoflurane when used for anesthesia in elective operative procedures. Sixty ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 18–65 yr, were randomly assigned to receive remifentanil-propofol, desflurane-N2O, or sevoflurane-N2O anesthesia. Before the induction of anesthesia, the patients of the desflurane and sevoflurane groups received fentanyl 2 &mgr;g/kg. In all groups, anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained either with remifentanil 0.25 &mgr;g · kg−1 · min−1, desflurane, or sevoflurane 0.85 MAC with 65% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Anesthetics were titrated to achieve an adequate level of surgical anesthesia and to maintain mean arterial pressure within 20% of baseline values. Early recovery times and a modified Aldrete Recovery Score > 9 were recorded. Trieger Dot Test and Digit Substitution Test (DSST) were performed the day before surgery and in the postanesthesia care unit to evaluate intermediate recovery. The remifentanil-propofol group had a significantly faster emergence than desflurane or sevoflurane, with no difference between both inhaled anesthetics. Thirty min after anesthesia administration, patients in the remifentanil-propofol and in the desflurane groups gave significantly more correct responses in the DSST compared with sevoflurane (remifentanil 87%, desflurane 83%, sevoflurane 56%), the impairment in the sevoflurane patients corresponding to the effects of a blood alcohol level of approximately 0.1% and, thus, being of clinical importance. Ninety minutes after anesthesia administration, no significant difference could be demonstrated among the groups in the DSST scores. Emergence and return of cognitive function was significantly faster after remifentanil-propofol compared with desflurane and sevoflurane up to 60 min after anesthesia administration. Implications We compared awakening and intermediate recovery times after remifentanil-propofol anesthesia to desflurane-N2O and sevoflurane-N2O anesthesia. Emergence and return of cognitive function was significantly faster after remifentanil-propofol compared with desflurane and sevoflurane up to 60 min after anesthesia administration.
Parathyroid Hormone (1-34) Might Not Improve Early Bone Healing after Sinus Augmentation in Healthy Rabbits

Purpose. This study evaluated the effect of administering intermittent parathyroid hormone [PTH (1-34), henceforth PTH] on the early-stage bone healing of maxillary sinus augmentation in healthy rabbits. Materials and Methods. Bovine bone mineral was grafted on the sinuses of 20 female New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were randomly divided into two groups, PTH (n = 10) or saline (n = 10), in which either PTH or saline was injected subcutaneously 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Half of the animals in each group were killed at 2 weeks postoperatively and the other half were killed at 4 weeks postoperatively. The dosage of PTH was 10 μg/kg/day. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Result. The new bone area (NBA) did not differ significantly between the PTH and saline groups. The NBA in the PTH group in the total augmented area and in the demarcated window, center, and Schneiderian membrane regions increased significantly from 2 to 4 weeks. The number of osteoclasts decreased significantly from 2 to 4 weeks in both groups, with no difference between the two groups. Conclusion. Intermittent PTH might not stimulate new bone formation in healthy rabbits during the first 4 weeks of healing.
Recent glacier and glacial lake changes and their interactions in the Bugyai Kangri, southeast Tibet

Abstract Glaciers in the Bugyai Kangri are located in a transition zone from southeast Tibet, where monsoonal temperate glaciers dominate, to inner Tibet, where continental glaciers dominate. Here we analyze glacier and glacial lake changes in this region using multi-year inventories based on Landsat images from 1981–2013. Results show that the total area of 141 glaciers in the region decreased by 30.44 ±0.89 km2 from 198.35 ±9.54 km2 (1980s) to 167.93 ±4.52 km2 (2010s). The annual area shrinkage rate (–0.48% a–1) is lower than that reported for southeastern Tibet but higher than that of inner Tibet. Both the number and total area of glacial lakes increased between 1981 and 2013. Among all lakes, proglacial lakes contribute most (~81 %) to the expansion. The total area of ten proglacial lakes increased by 150.3 ± 13.17% and of these ten lakes the four that expanded most sharply showed increased calving at their upper margins, resulting in more rapid retreat of lake-terminating glaciers than land-terminating glaciers. Owing to rapid calving, several lakes may undergo further growth in the near future, increasing the potential risk of glacial lake outburst floods.
Phylogeographical characterization of H5N8 viruses isolated from poultry and wild birds during 2014–2016 in South Korea

During 2014–2016 HPAI outbreak in South Korea, H5N8 viruses have been mostly isolated in western areas of the country, which provide wintering habitats for wild birds and have a high density of poultry. Analysis of a total of 101 Korean isolates revealed that primitive H5N8 viruses (C0 group) have evolved into multiple genetic subgroups appearing from various epidemiological sources, namely, the viruses circulating in poultry farms (C1 and C5) and those reintroduced by migratory birds in late 2014 (C2 and C4). No C3 groups were detected. The results may explain the possible reasons of the recent long-term persistence of H5N8 viruses in South Korea, and help to develop the effective measures in controlling HPAI viruses.
Envisioning National and International Research on the Multidisciplinary Empirical Science of Free/Open Source Software

Overview We seek to establish and sustain an agenda for a national program for research on free/open source software (FOSS, or sometimes FLOSS) by academic and industrial researchers in different disciplines. This proposal describes our vision for such a research agenda, along with the international workshop and supporting meetings we propose to conduct in order to develop the agenda to guide future research. The activities build from recent research meetings on FOSS support multidisciplinary studies of FOSS development. We also identify our goals, assessment method, activities, outcomes, and results from recent meetings giving rise to this proposal. Following this is a specification of proposed meetings and workshop, budget, budget rationale, and brief biographical description of the proposal organizers.