Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Group Preference Aggregation Rules Based on Strength of Preference

In many decision problems, the consequences of an action may impact several individuals, and the decision may be based on the preferences of those who are affected. The rule for aggregating these individual preferences is called a group preference aggregation rule. In this paper we present a theory for group preference aggregation rules based on the concept of strength of preference. This concept is operationalized by asking an individual to order differences in his strength of preference between pairs of alternatives. A preference representation function that reproduces this ordering is called a measurable value function. In general we cannot expect a measurable value function and a utility function obtained from lottery questions to bear any particular relation to each other. A group preference aggregation rule based on the measurable value functions of individuals can be used under conditions of certainty without introducing lotteries into the preference assessment procedure. In addition, it facilitates the difficult problem of making interpersonal utility comparisons. We also establish several relationships between the group preference aggregation rules based on measurable value functions and previous work based on risky utility functions. These relationships allow either one of these preference aggregation rules to be transformed into the other after obtaining only a minimal amount of information from a group member. These relationships also raise several fundamental questions about the effects of the introduction of risk on the preferences of an individual and on the preferences of a group. We offer some preliminary comments and results regarding these issues.
Control of Glossina longipennis (Diptera: Glossinidae) by insecticide-treated targets at Galana Ranch, Kenya, and confirmation of the role of G. longipennis as a vector of cattle trypanosomiasis

Abstract Glossina longipennis Corti was studied in Galana Ranch, Kenya over a four year period, in two areas (Tank E and Lali) where the species was abundant and other species were absent or scarce. There was active transmission of trypanosomiasis to cattle in both areas, the parasite species being Trypanosoma vivax Ziemann and T. congolense Broden. Mean infection rates of the G. longipenniswere 1.1% and 0.55% for T. vivax and T. congolenserespectively at Tank E, and 0.88% and 0.15% at Lali. Experimental transmission studies showed that cattle in fly-proof enclosures challenged with wild G. longipennis collected from Galana became infected with both trypanosome species. A tsetse control operation in one area (Tank E) using targets impregnated with deltamethrin in an oil formulation reduced the population of G. longipennisby 98% over one year, despite evidence of re-invasion. Populations of G. longipennis in the other area (Lali) were relatively stable over the whole study period. The effect of tsetse control on the incidence of cattle trypanosomiasis at Tank E was less clear than that on tsetse numbers, probably due to the lack of a sustained reduction in tsetse numbers. However, a significant relationship was demonstrated between fortnightly incidence measurements and electric net catches of G. longipennisat Tank E. A further significant predictor of incidence was rainfall in the previous four to seven weeks. This study confirms the importance of G. longipennisas a vector of bovine trypanosomiasis in areas where it is the predominant tsetse present.
Mutational spectrum of Chinese LGMD patients by targeted next-generation sequencing

This study aimed to study the diagnostic value of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) in limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs), and investigate the mutational spectrum of Chinese LGMD patients. We performed targeted NGS covering 420 genes in 180 patients who were consecutively suspected of LGMDs and underwent muscle biopsies from January 2013 to May 2015. The association between genotype and myopathological profiles was analyzed in the genetically confirmed LGMD patients. With targeted NGS, one or more rare variants were detected in 138 patients, of whom 113 had causative mutations, 10 sporadic patients had one pathogenic heterozygous mutation related to a recessive pattern of LGMDs, and 15 had variants of uncertain significance. No disease-causing mutation was found in the remaining 42 patients. Combined with the myopathological findings, we achieved a positive genetic diagnostic rate as 68.3% (123/180). Totally 105 patients were diagnosed as LGMDs with genetic basis. Among these 105 patients, the most common subtypes were LGMD2B in 52 (49.5%), LGMD2A in 26 (24.8%) and LGMD 2D in eight (7.6%), followed by LGMD1B in seven (6.7%), LGMD1E in four (3.8%), LGMD2I in three (2.9%), and LGMD2E, 2F, 2H, 2K, 2L in one patient (1.0%), respectively. Although some characteristic pathological changes may suggest certain LGMD subtypes, both heterogeneous findings in a certain subtype and overlapping presentations among different subtypes were not uncommon. The application of NGS, together with thorough clinical and myopathological evaluation, can substantially improve the molecular diagnostic rate in LGMDs. Confirming the genetic diagnosis in LGMD patients can help improve our understanding of their myopathological changes.
An analysis of the first ten volumes of research in Accounting, Business and Financial History

Although numerous studies have focused upon the publishing patterns of leading academic accounting journals, the area of accounting history has largely been neglected. This paper uses standard content and citation techniques to analyse the 155 articles published in the first ten volumes of Accounting, Business and Financial History across the period 1990 to 2000. It highlights the leading individual and institutional contributors to ABFH, the major foci of their studies and the journals, articles and scholars exerting the greatest influence upon ABFH authors.
From income and consumption inequality to economic welfare inequality: the role of labor supply

This paper discusses the links between earnings, consumption and economic welfare inequality. It places emphasis on the role of leisure and labor supply in the assessment of cross-household inequality and argues that the documented increase of such inequality has its origin in the labor market. It only serves as an introductory work and, as such, it attempts to outline the research frontier in the field of household inequality and address the issues that arise when household labor supply decisions are taken into consideration.
Decentralizing Wage Bargaining in Germany - a Way to Increase Employment?

The area-wide wage agreement is at the centre of Germany's system of collective bargaining. In recent years, however, there has been a tendency towards the decentralization of collective bargaining. Individual wage agreements have led to more moderate wage developments, whilst collective agreements with individual firms, and agreements at the production unit level, have not had this moderating effect. On the other hand, collective bargaining has become more flexible, leading to greater pay differentiation. The further decentralization of collective bargaining, although desirable, has given rise to objections based in constitutional law and to resistance from employees and employers. Copyright 2005 CEIS, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Understanding Student Travel Behavior: A Segmentation Analysis of British University Students

ABSTRACT Although the youth and student travel market has often been referred to as a lucrative niche market, there is still relatively little known about the decision-making processes and holiday behaviors of its members. The primary aim of this paper is to segment and profile British student travelers based on their motivational and behavioral characteristics. The study analyzes variations in the motivations and holiday activities of university student holidaymakers and thus contributes to a better understanding of the typologies of modern student travelers. A self-administered survey was collected from 412 students and a two-step cluster analysis was performed. The results suggest the existence of four distinct clusters: the sun-seekers, the sightseers, the in-betweeners, and the clubbers. Age and gender were, among other variables, shown to be statistically significant in shaping the tourist behavior of young people.
Social Security for the Informal Sector: A New Challenge for the Developing Countries

Informal sector workers constitute a large and increasing part of the labour force in most developing countries. Many of them are not able or willing to contribute a significant percentage of their incomes to finance formal sector social insurance benefits that do not meet their priority needs. Therefore, informal sector workers themselves need to (and have) set up health and other social insurance schemes that better meet their needs and contributory capacity. In addition, special social assistance schemes are necessary to protect the most vulnerable groups outside the labour force. This article also assesses some key implications of these developments for formal social insurance schemes.
Modeling Relationship Between Experiential Marketing, Experiential Value And Purchase Intensions In Organized Quick Service Chain Restaurants Shoppers Using Structural Equation Modeling Approach

This paper proposes the framework to examine interrelationship among experiential marketing, experiential value and purchase intensions in the quick service chain restaurants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to validate and test the proposed model. Experiential marketing focuses on how customer sense, feel, think, act and relate their experiences. Experiential value incorporate the benefits derived from perceptions of playfulness, aesthetics, customer return on investment and service excellence is incorporated in the proposed model. Structural validity of the model is finally processed by using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 18.0 and AMOS 4 software based on the sample of 300 customers. The paper suggests that marketers should consider experiential marketing in quick services chain restaurants will led to materialization of the sales.
The Influence of Combined Parathyroid Hormone and Growth Hormone Treatment on Cortical Bone in Aged Ovariectomized Rats

The influence of combined parathyroid hormone (PTH) and growth hormone (GH) treatment on bone formation and mechanical strength was investigated in femoral middiaphysial cortical bone from 20‐month‐old ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The animals were OVX at 10 months of age, and at 18 months they were treated daily for 56 days with PTH(1‐34) alone (60 μg/kg), recombinant human GH (rhGH) alone (2.7 mg/kg), or a combination of PTH(1‐34) plus rhGH. Vehicle was given to OVX control rats. All animals were labeled at day 28 (calcein) and at day 49 (tetracycline) of the treatment period. PTH(1‐34) alone gave rise to formation of a new zone of bone at the endocortical surface. rhGH alone caused substantial bone deposition at the periosteal surface without influencing the endocortical surface. Combined PTH(1‐34) plus rhGH administration enhanced bone deposition at the periosteal surface to the same extent as that of rhGH alone. However, the combined treatment resulted in a more pronounced formation of new bone at the endocortical surface than was induced by PTH(1‐34) alone. Both PTH(1‐34) alone and rhGH alone increased the mechanical strength of the femoral diaphysis, and further increase in mechanical strength resulted from combined PTH(1‐34) plus rhGH treatment. OVX by itself induced the characteristic increase in medullary cavity cross‐sectional area and a minor decrease in the mechanical quality of the osseous tissue.
Underpricing, Share Overhang, and Insider Selling in Follow‐on Offerings

Prospect and information-momentum theories predict that insiders can offer fewer shares in an initial public offering (IPO) to create informational momentum and obtain higher prices in follow-on offerings. I find that dilution and insider participation in the IPO are negatively related to the number and size of follow-on offerings, consistent with the prediction. However, insider selling in follow-on offerings is positively related to IPO selling, contrary to the theories. Returns around follow-on offering announcements are more negative for newly public firms than older firms, but for newly public firms do not differ by whether the announcement comes before or after the lockup expiration date. Copyright 2005 by the Eastern Finance Association.
WTO accession and foreign direct investment in China

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to attempt to investigate the location determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) and examine the impact of WTO accession. Design/methodology/approach - Based on an 11-year panel dataset on FDI and urban characteristics across Chinese cities, the paper employs a random effect panel data model to study the impact of WTO accession on FDI. Findings - The estimation results provide supportive evidence on WTO accession effects on FDI location. The importance of agglomeration economies increases, while the influence of market size and government preferential policies has decreased after WTO accession. Cheap labor plays an increasingly important role, but labor quality and roadway transport conditions lose their significance. Originality/value - This study contributes to the existing literature by identifying the WTO accession effects on FDI location choices in a transitional economy.
Examining Evictions through a Life-Course Lens

Les expulsions, en tant qu’indicateurs d’instabilité en matière de logement, attirent l’attention sur ce que l’on appelle désormais la “crise de l’accessibilité au logement”. L’objet de cette recherche était d’examiner les conditions individuelles et structurelles qui ont contribué aux changements, dans les parcours de vie, dus à une expulsion, et d’analyser le rôle de la convergence des politiques sociales dans ces changements. Grâce à des entrevues, le volet qualitatif de cette étude montre que des passages menant de l’éviction à la condition de sans-abri, liés à plusieurs facteurs, font partie des parcours de vie, et ce pendant plusieurs générations. L’étude montre comment les politiques en matière de logement interagissent avec des événements des parcours de vie et d’autres types de politiques publiques, entraînant ainsi des effets négatifs et coûteux chez les individus vivant dans des conditions de logement précaires.
Comparison of the Conventional Dresden Protocol and Accelerated Protocol With Higher Ultraviolet Intensity in Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for Keratoconus

Purpose: To compare the accelerated corneal cross-linking (CXL) protocol and the conventional Dresden protocol in patients with keratoconus in terms of visual acuity, keratometric values, and topographic parameters. Methods: Twenty-eight eyes of 25 patients with primary keratoconus were divided into 2 groups; 15 eyes in group 1 received CXL under the standard Dresden protocol (3 mW/cm2 for 30 min, dose 5.4 J/cm2) and 13 eyes in group 2 were treated with the accelerated protocol (30 mW/cm2 for 3 min 40 s, dose 6.6 J/cm2). Visual acuity, refractive error, keratometry values obtained by both Pentacam and Auto Kerato-Refractometer, corneal thickness, and topometric indexes were compared 6 months postoperatively. Results: The visual acuity improved significantly from 0.17 ± 0.16 to 0.08 ± 0.09 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution in group 1 (P = 0.009). The cylindrical refractive error improved in both groups (P = 0.05 in group 1 and P = 0.011 in group 2), and the spherical equivalent increased in group 1 (P = 0.021). In group 1, the maximum keratometry value decreased by 0.55 ± 0.89 diopters (P = 0.03), and the mean keratometry value decreased by 0.44 ± 0.63 diopters (P = 0.017), whereas the changes in visual acuity, spherical and spherical equivalent refractive errors, and keratometric values in group 2 were not statistically significant. The corneal thickness at the apex decreased significantly in group 1 (P = 0.001), but the change was not significant in group 2. Conclusions: Despite a higher UV dose (6.6 J/cm2), accelerated CXL with higher UV intensity and reduced irradiation time showed a smaller topographic flattening effect than did the conventional Dresden protocol in primary keratoconus with documented progression.
Schema of Group Seminar Presentations and Rhetorical Structure of Presentation Introductions: A Cross-cultural Study of Indonesian and Australian Students in University Academic Settings

AbstractThis study aims at identifying: i) the overall schema of group seminar presentations in Bahasa Indonesia (BI) and in English by Indonesian university students, and in English by Australian university students; ii) the rhetorical structure of presentation introductions in Bahasa Indonesia and in English by Indonesian university students and in English by Australian university students; iii) whether Indonesian university students, when engaged in group seminar presentations in English in Indonesian academic settings, transfer the overall schema of group seminar presentations and the rhetorical structure of presentation introductions conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. The primary data were obtained by tape and video recording ten naturally occurring students’ group seminar presentations. It was found that firstly the overall schema of Indonesian students’ group seminar presentations in BI differs in major ways from the overall schema of Australian students’ group seminar presentations in English. Secondl.
Study of Split-Ring Resonators as a Metamaterial for High-Power Microwave Power Transmission and the Role of Defects

Microwave metamaterials show promise in numerous low-power applications, ranging from strip lines to antennas. In general, metamaterials allow microwave designers to obtain electromagnetic characteristics not typically available in nature, leading to new behavior as well as reductions in the size of typical devices. High-power microwave (HPM) sources were efficient in the conventional microwave source community. We consider a specific use of metamaterials as a method to reduce the size of waveguide used for power transmission, particularly, a configuration in which an array of split-ring resonators (SRRs), forming a “mu-negative” structure, allows transmission of power in a waveguide well below the cutoff frequency. This configuration would not be used in an actual HPM device, but explores the methods and considerations that might be required for developing a metamaterial structure for either making HPM sources more compact or developing new types of interaction at these high powers. For any HPM application, a microwave structure must be able to sustain high electric and magnetic fields, as well as high peak and possibly average power. The challenge for metamaterials consists of devising the subwavelength structures (a defining characteristic of metamaterials) that can sustain such fields. In particular, one must understand the sensitivity of any metamaterial system to changes in the individual elements, which in high power pertains mainly to the loss of an individual resonator element. As such a sample system, we explore the physical operating characteristics of the waveguide system loaded with an array of SRRs, particularly the role of defects on its properties. Such defects would form an important feature in any high-power application in which subwavelength structures can be damaged by high field stresses.
Can the Sharia-based Islamic stock market returns be forecasted using large number of predictors and models?

This study employs 14 global economic and financial variables to predict the return of the Islamic stock market as identified by the Dow Jones Islamic Stock Market (DJIM). It implements alternative forecasting methods and allows for nonlinearity in the multivariate predictive regressions by estimating time-varying parameter models. All the methods fail to forecast the returns of the Sharia-based DJIM index over the out-of-sample period. The forecasts are weak at best, with only four predictors, the 3-month Treasury bill rate, inflation, oil price and return on the S&P500 Index, outperforming the benchmark autoregressive model of order one. The study suggests that the DJIM return is best predicted by an autocorrelation(1) model, and that future research should aim at analysing whether the performance of the linear autoregressive model can be improved by using nonlinear methods.
Promoter-specific activation of gene expression directed by bacteriophage-selected zinc fingers.

It has been shown that sequence-specific DNA-binding domains containing zinc fingers can be selected from libraries displayed on filamentous bacteriophage. The affinity and specificity of these peptides are well characterised in vitro, but few data are available to demonstrate specific DNA binding and discrimination between closely related DNA sequences in vivo. Transient transactivation assays were performed in mammalian cells, using expression plasmids which produce different amounts of a model transcription factor containing a phage-selected zinc finger DNA-binding domain, and reporter plasmids which carry systematic variations of the promoter sequence. When the intracellular concentration of the transcription factor was appropriate, activation of gene expression was absolutely dependent on a promoter having the same DNA sequence as that originally used to select the zinc finger domain by phage display. However, excessive intracellular concentrations of the transcription factor resulted in some less-specific DNA binding, leading to gene activation from similar promoters containing a maximum of two base changes. Thus, provided delivery is carefully controlled, highly specific control of gene expression in vivo can be achieved using artificial transcription factors containing phage-selected zinc finger DNA-binding domains.
Relationship of Hemoglobin To Occupational Exposure To Motor Vehicle Exhaust

Objective: To study the relationship of hemoglobin to exposure to motor vehicle exhaust. Design: Survey. Participants: Traffic police, bus drivers, and auto-shop workers (all exposed to auto exhaust in Madras, India) and unexposed office workers. Main Outcome Measures: We measured levels of blood lead (by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry), and hemoglobin. Information also was collected on age, employment duration, smoking status, alcohol ingestion, and diet type (vegetarian or nonvegetarian). Results: Increasing exposure to motor vehicle exhaust, as reflected by job category, was significantly associated with lower levels of hemoglobin (p < 0.01). A final multivariate regression model was constructed that began with indicator variables for each job (with office workers as the reference category) and included age, duration of employment, blood lead level, alcohol ingestion, dietary type, and smoking status. After a backward- elimination procedure, employment duration as an auto-shop worker or bus driver remained as significant correlates of lower hemoglobin level and current smoking and long employment duration as significant correlates of higher hemoglobin level. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to automobile exhaust may be a risk factor for decreased hemoglobin level in Madras. This effect appears to be independent of blood lead level and may represent hematopoietic suppression incurred by benzene or accumulated lead burden (which is not well reflected by blood lead levels). Smoking probably increased hemoglobin level through the chronic effects of exposure to carbon monoxide. In this study, a long employment duration may have served as a proxy for better socioeconomic, and therefore, better nutritional status.