Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying the Sources of Local Productivity Growth

Using firm-level based TFP indicators (as opposed to employment-based proxies) we estimate the effects of alternative sources of dynamic externalities at the local level. In contrast to previous empirical work, we find that industrial specialization and scale indicators affect TFP growth positively, while neither product variety nor the degree of local competition have any effect. Employment-based regressions yield nearly the opposite results, in line with most of previous empirical work. We argue that such regressions suffer from serious identification problems when interpreted as evidence of dynamic externalities. Our results question the conclusions of most of the existing literature on dynamic agglomeration economies.
An Assessment of the Image of Mexico as a Vacation Destination and the Influence of Geographical Location Upon That Image

A sample of 617 student respondents was drawn from 12 universities, in different parts of the United States. Semantic differential instruments were used to measure respondents' descriptive and importance dimensions of thei. - image of Mexico. The analysis indicated major differences between the two image dimensions. Those image attributes which respondents considered to be important when considering a vacation in Mexico were related primarily to sanitation and safety. The most positive attributes respondents reported about Mexico related to climate and low costs. Measurement of respondents' descriptive image of Mexico indicated that the farther away respondents resided from Mexico, the more favorable was their image of that country as a vacation destination. Analysis indicated that the regional differences were not significant. However, significant differences were found on 12 of the 30 individual attributes which were used to measure image.
Blue Belts: An Agenda for 'Waterspace' Planning in the UK

Waterspaces, such as rivers and waterways, are signi cant components of urban landscapes and regional systems. The European Commission’s European Spatial Development Perspective (European Commission, 1999), for example, emphasises the role of inland waterways in the development of sustainable transport systems (see also Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), 1998, 1999), the ‘special challenge’ of water resource management, especially in large river valleys, and the signi cance of rivers in cultural identity. However, in contrast to the regulatory mechanisms and potentials of land, which is a form of space widely written about and debated, waterspaces have received much less attention. This makes it dif cult to fully realise the potentials of waterspaces, particularly in a manner which is economically strategic, socially just and environmentally equitable. This paper, therefore, seeks to contribute to this literature, arguing that there is an insuf cient regulatory framework for maximising the multifunctiona l potential of urban rivers and waterspaces as nature reserves, transport arteries and leisure and recreational resources, and as key components of the public realm (DETR, 2000; London Rivers Association (LRA), 2002). In developing this argument the principal focus of the paper lies with the opportunitie s presented by urban rivers. It is argued that within the UK the application of spatial policy to such waterspaces is informed and implemented from a landbased perspective, and that urban river management and planning is often the responsibility of a complex array of institutions , with overlapping jurisdictions, con icting objectives and confused responsibilities . The result is a framework unable to suf ciently accommodate the richness and diversity of urban rivers, nor to fully realise the value and regional potential of these waterspaces. A case study of the River Thames is used to illustrate this point. The paper concludes by considering the possibilitie s of a ‘blue belt’ as a new spatial planning instrument through which to optimise the use of the UK’s urban rivers.
Inverse scattering problem in turbulent magnetic fluctuations

Abstract. We apply a particular form of the inverse scattering theory to turbulent magnetic fluctuations in a plasma. In the present note we develop the theory, formulate the magnetic fluctuation problem in terms of its electrodynamic turbulent response function, and reduce it to the solution of a special form of the famous Gelfand–Levitan–Marchenko equation of quantum mechanical scattering theory. The last of these applies to transmission and reflection in an active medium. The theory of turbulent magnetic fluctuations does not refer to such quantities. It requires a somewhat different formulation. We reduce the theory to the measurement of the low-frequency electromagnetic fluctuation spectrum, which is not the turbulent spectral energy density. The inverse theory in this form enables obtaining information about the turbulent response function of the medium. The dynamic causes of the electromagnetic fluctuations are implicit to it. Thus, it is of vital interest in low-frequency magnetic turbulence. The theory is developed until presentation of the equations in applicable form to observations of turbulent electromagnetic fluctuations as input from measurements. Solution of the final integral equation should be done by standard numerical methods based on iteration. We point to the possibility of treating power law fluctuation spectra as an example. Formulation of the problem to include observations of spectral power densities in turbulence is not attempted. This leads to severe mathematical problems and requires a reformulation of inverse scattering theory. One particular aspect of the present inverse theory of turbulent fluctuations is that its structure naturally leads to spatial information which is obtained from the temporal information that is inherent to the observation of time series. The Taylor assumption is not needed here. This is a consequence of Maxwell's equations, which couple space and time evolution. The inversion procedure takes advantage of a particular mapping from time to space domains. Though the theory is developed for homogeneous stationary non-flowing media, its extension to include flows, anisotropy, non-stationarity, and the presence of spectral lines, i.e. plasma eigenmodes like those present in the foreshock or the magnetosheath, is obvious.
On the Feasibility of Breast Cancer Imaging Systems at Millimeter-Waves Frequencies

Medical imaging currently relies on several techniques, including X-rays, magnetic resonance, and echography. However, these techniques exhibit drawbacks, and alternative approaches are required. Microwave imaging has been proposed as a possible solution, especially for breast cancer imaging. However, most of these systems work with a central frequency of a few gigahertz, and this leads to a suboptimum resolution, which can jeopardize the image quality. Millimeter waves can provide superior resolutions, at the cost of a lower penetration depth within the breast tissue. In addition, a significant fraction of the power generated by a mm-wave imaging system would be reflected back from the skin. For these reasons, and also considering that mm-wave transmitters and receivers have been historically outperformed by microwave counterparts in terms of available power and sensitivity, mm-wave imaging has not been considered a possible solution. This paper contributes to demonstrate a paradigm shift toward the possible use of mm-waves for breast cancer imaging of targets a few centimeter below the skin, a useful penetration depth for several cases. All key points are addressed using analytical, full-wave, and multiphysics simulations, including the system architecture (linear and conformal), the safety aspects (power density, specific absorption rate, and temperature increase), and the use of realistic breast models derived from ex vivo measurements.
Greywater treatment by vermifiltration for sub-Saharan urban poor

The treatment of greywater collected from an urban slum area of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, by vermifiltration (VF) was investigated using locally available sawdust as bedding material and Eudrilus eugeniae earthworm. The filtration system was made up of layers of sand, and fine and coarse gravel from the top to the bottom, which was spread inside a cylindrical DN200-PVC pipe. The fine sawdust and density of 6370 worms/m 2 were added while the same filtration system without earthworms was used as an experimental control. Batch experiments were conducted at ambient temperature, with hydraulic loading rate of 64 and 191 L m −2 d −1 . The raw greywater was highly concentrated with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) varying from 690 to 2200 mg/L and pH varying from 4.37 to 7.32. The results showed that Eudrilus eugeniae were able to tolerate temperatures above 40 °C and avoided odour and clogging problems inside the filter. The removal efficiencies of BOD 5 , chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solid, E. coli and thermotolerant coliforms were better in the vermifilter than in the control system. Moreover, the pH at the exit of the system was close to neutral. Therefore, VF could be applied as an alternative low-cost technology to treat greywater for the urban poor in hot climate areas.
Tests of Association for Quantitative Traits in Nuclear Families Using Principal Components to Correct for Population Stratification

Traditional transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) based methods for genetic association analyses are robust to population stratification at the cost of a substantial loss of power. We here describe a novel method for family‐based association studies that corrects for population stratification with the use of an extension of principal component analysis (PCA). Specifically, we adopt PCA on unrelated parents in each family. We then infer principal components for children from those for their parents through a TDT‐like strategy. Two test statistics within the variance‐components model are proposed for association tests. Simulation results show that the proposed tests have correct type I error rates regardless of population stratification, and have greatly improved power over two popular TDT‐based methods: QTDT and FBAT. The application to the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 (GAW16) data sets attests to the feasibility of the proposed method.
Value and Expectations of Supervised Agricultural Experiences as Expressed by Agriculture Instructors in Oklahoma Who Were Alternatively Certified.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to determine the value and expectations for student participation in supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs, as expressed by first–year, agricultural education teachers in Oklahoma who were alternatively certified. This study revealed that teachers in this study value the fact that the SAE program: (a) prepares students for future, possible careers by developing their skills for college and life beyond high school; (b) allows students to build relationships and make connections with community industry representatives; and (c) enables teachers to build personal relationships with students by making home visits. Teachers in this study expect students to own and manage their own SAE program, keep accurate data (i.e., record books) of their SAE programs, and compete at a high level with their SAE. Additionally, these teachers expect the SAE program to teach students responsibility, accountability, and work ethic. Finally, these teachers believe that students should have a variety of SAE programs.
The Facilitation and Formalisation of Small Business Networks: Evidence from the North East of England

Business cooperation and networking have been posited as crucial elements within successful approaches to local economic development. With the aid of a case study from the North East of England, the authors explore issues surrounding network formation and facilitation. They raise questions concerning the nature of local business communities and the potential of local business networks to represent these communities legitimately and to reflect patterns of social and economic differentiation. They also demonstrate how attempts to promote or utilise local cooperation must include awareness of the implications of policy intervention. This is of particular importance in a political context where there are efforts to promote ‘local’ initiatives below the existing level of local authorities.
EPOETIN TREATMENT IMPROVES RED BLOOD CELL AND PLASMA ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

The efficiency of human recombinant epoetin in alleviating anemia in hemodialyzed patients has been well documented. However, the effects of rhEPO therapy in correction of antioxidant capacity are not completely explained. In this study we examined both extracellular (plasma) and intracellular (red blood cells) antioxidant potential in hemodialyzed patients before and after three and six months of epoetin treatment by evaluating markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) and antioxidant capacity (thiol groups, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase). Six months of treatment with epoetin was followed by significant increases in thiol groups, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in both plasma and red blood cells of hemodialyzed patients. Hence, during accelerated erythropoiesis, an increase in the number of young hematopoietic cells may replenish erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. However, the consequences of an imbalance between enzymatic antioxidant system (higher superoxide dismutase and lower glutathione peroxidase activity) that exists in these patients are the very high red blood cell and plasma malondialdehyde levels. These results suggest that, in spite of epoetin treatment and improvement in red blood cells and plasma antioxidant capacity, the production of reactive oxygen species overwhelms the intracellular and extracellular antioxidant capacity.
A Database of Persons Convicted of Felonies in Washtenaw County, Michigan, 1990-2007

This study is a database of information from Washtenaw County, Michigan, court records of approximately one-fourth of its convicted felons from 1990 to 2007. It includes 3,123 sentencing appearances for 3,992 crimes committed by 2,495 defendants. It includes 1126 probation violation resentencings for a total of 5,118 sentences. It contains demographics of defendants and the dynamics of their crimes and the sentencing process. Several official court reports in each case were examined. Preliminary descriptive and frequency analyses are reported to describe the database in detail and lay the groundwork for future sophisticated regression and other analyzes. Special attention is given to issues of racial and gender disparities. Suggestions for future research based on this data are included. To the extent that this research and these analyzes add to our knowledge of offenders, offenses, and sentencing, they may contribute to more knowledgeable criminal justice policy decisions.
Balanced Scorecard Practices Amongst Thai Companies: Performance Effects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) usage among companies on the Thai stock exchange; and to assess the performance effects of this BSC use.Design/methodology/approach – Sample organisations were surveyed through a questionnaire and the results used to examine whether the extent and manner of BSC use are significantly associated with satisfaction with financial performance and whether higher types of BSC usage result in higher satisfaction with financial performance.Findings – Around 33 per cent of companies that had implemented the BSC did not employ cause-and-effect relationships. The study found no significant association between types of BSC usage and company size. There were no significant differences in satisfaction and perceived benefits gained from using different types of BSC. Also, the extent of BSC use is not significantly different between different types of BSC usage. Further, the extent and manner of BSC use are not significantly associated with all performance variables.Research limitations/implications – Owing to the small sample size, the results from the study make generalisation difficult. Future research may replicate the study using a larger sample size, testing financial performance implications with stock returns.Originality/value – The paper examines whether BSC use actually results in the claimed benefits and positive performance effects.
Middle class construction: domestic architecture, aesthetics and anxieties in Tanzania

This paper examines the new styles of houses under construction in contemporary Tanzania and suggests that they can be understood as the material manifestation of middle class growth. Through an examination of the architecture, interior decor and compound space in a sample of these new houses in urban Dar es Salaam and rural Kilimanjaro, the paper identifies four domestic aesthetics: the respectable house, the locally aspirant house, the globally aspirant house and the minimalist house, each of which map on to ideas about ujamaa, liberalisation and the consumption of global consumer goods in distinct ways. The paper argues that these different domestic aesthetics demonstrate intra-class differences, and in particular the emergence of a new middle class.
Vesicular signalling and immune modulation as hedonic fingerprints: proteomic profiling in the chronic mild stress depression model

Extensive preclinical research has focused at unravelling the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to depression and recovery. In this study, we investigated the quantitative changes in protein abundance in the ventral hippocampal granular cell layer. We compared different phenotypes from the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression using chronic administration with two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), escitalopram and sertraline. We isolated granular cells using Laser-Capture Microdissection (LCM) and we identified their regulated proteins using two-dimensional (2D) differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The majority of the proteins we identified were enzymes involved in different metabolic activities. Additional proteins were functionally classified as vesicular proteins and immune system proteins. Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (GDIA) and syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXB1) were potential markers for stress reactivity. Dynamin 1 (DYN1), glutathione S-transferase omega-1 (GSTO1) and peroxiredoxin (PRDX6) were associated with treatment response. In addition, an imbalance between different post-translationally modified versions of DYN1 and GSTO1 potentially accounted for SSRI treatment refraction. In the present study, we searched for new markers of stress reactivity and treatment response as well as any underlying molecular mechanisms correlating to the development of anhedonia and antidepressant therapy refraction. Our results pointed towards an essential role of post-translational modifications in both vesicular and immune protein systems.
Investment Institutions' Beliefs About and Attitudes Toward Socially Responsible Investment (SRI): A Comparison Between SRI and Non-SRI Management

This paper investigates psychological drivers and financial motives that may influence major Swedish investments institutions to adopt Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). Based on an instrument that captures concepts in the Value-Belief-Norm theory by Stern et al. (1999), and potential financial beliefs that may influence investors’ SRI intentions, a survey was addressed to all major Swedish investments institutions. Fifty-eight respondents from 17 different investment institutions participated in the survey among those, 31 were conventional (non-SRI investors) and 27 socially responsible investors. Our results show that conventional and SRI investors share similar beliefs about short- and long-term performance on SRI investments in that SRI gives less return in the short term but slightly more than conventional investments in the longer run. However, SRI investors express significantly more interest in increasing their future SRI investments than conventional investors do. We discover that future SRI is not influenced by social and environmental concerns. Rather, financial beliefs about risk and beliefs about increased market shares drive SRI forward. The business case for SRI seems thus to be the only reason for major investment institutions to adopt SRI.
Nonparametric Interest Rate Cap Pricing: Implications for the 'Unspanned Stochastic Volatility' Puzzle

Asset prices depend on two elements: the dynamics of the state variables and the pricing kernel. Traditional term structure models differ in factor dynamics. However, most of them imply a log-linear pricing kernel. We investigate empirically the role of factor dynamics and pricing kernel in pricing interest rate derivatives using a nonparametric approach. We find that interest rate cap prices are very sensitive to the specification of factor dynamics, especially when they are close to expiration. In addition, nonlinear log-pricing kernels improve the pricing of long-maturity caps, although significant pricing errors remain. Recent research document models that fit LIBOR and swap rates but do not price derivatives well, leading to the so called "unspanned stochastic volatility puzzle". Additional volatility factors seem to be needed to explain cap prices. However, the relative mispricing between interest rate caps and underlying LIBOR and swap rates could also potentially be due to mis-specifications of the parametric models used. Our paper provides evidence for unspanned stochastic volatility from a nonparametric perspective.
Trading Puzzle, Puzzling Trade

We explore the return performance of individual investors with respect to various factors such as portfolio size, turnover ratio and also demographic factors: gender and age. Concerning that Borsa Istanbul has one of highest share turnover ratio worldwide (141.8% as of 2012), it is an ideal candidate to do this analysis. We examine the daily trades in Borsa Istanbul (formerly Istanbul Stock Exchange) of 20,000 individual investors over two year period from 2011 to 2012. The main finding which contradicts other studies and the contribution of the paper is that, the return of the individual portfolio is positively correlated with the portfolio size. Other findings are: Almost 70% of all individual investors cannot beat the market. Investors who have high turnover underperform compared to those who have lower turnover. Male investors trade more and lose more vis-a-vis the female and older investors have higher returns.