Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Widening Canada-US Manufacturing Productivity Gap

3 The level of labour productivity in Canadian manufacturing in the postwar period has been below the US level, although the extent of this gap has varied considerably over time. From 1977 to 1994 the Canada-US gap in output per hour in manufacturing averaged 14 per cent (Chart 1). Since 1994, however, Canada’s relative gap has risen 17.3 percentage points from 12.3 per cent in 1994 to 29.6 per cent in 2000 (32.3 per cent in 2001), as output per hour in Canadian manufacturing fell from 87.7 per cent of the US level in 1994 to 70.4 per cent in 2000 (and 67.7 per cent in 2001). 1 This development has reflected both an acceleration of labour productivity growth in manufacturing in the United States, and a deceleration in Canada. Manufacturing accounts for about 15 per cent of total economy employment and output. The widening of the Canada-US labour productivity gap in manufacturing thus accounted for over two thirds of the widening in the aggregate Canada-US labour productivity gap in the 1990s.2 Labour productivity growth is a major long-run determinant of the growth in living standards. Had productivity growth in Canadian manufacturing matched the US rate of advance since 1994, and the productivity gap remained unchanged, growth in Canadian absolute and relative (compared to the United States) living standards would have been higher. Another reason for concern about the widening manufacturing productivity gap relates to the fact that this sector includes dynamic high-tech industries, which are important to the overall performance of the Canadian economy. In addition to the widening of the labour productivity gap, the total factor productivity (TFP) gap in manufacturing has also increased significantly.3 This gap rose 13.9 percentage points from 3.7 per cent in 1994 (96.3 per cent of the US level) to 17.6 per cent in 2000 (82.4 per cent of the US level) (Chart 1). This TFP gap implies that productive efficiency of the Canadian manufacturing sector has deteriorated in the second half of the 1990s relative to that in the United States. The objectives of this article are twofold: first to document the massive widening of the Canada-US labour and total factor productivity gaps in manufacturing over the 1994-2000 period, and second to identify the factors behind this development.4 The article is divided into three main parts. The first section discusses trends in the manufacturing sector in the two countries, including trends in labour productivity, output, employment, capital stock and investment, and the price of labour and capital inputs. The secThe Widening Canada-US Manufacturing Productivity Gap
The disclosure of non-financial information by stock-exchange-listed companies in Poland, in the light of the changes introduced by the Directive 2014/95/EU

Beginning in 2017, stock-exchange-listed companies in Poland have been obliged to publish non-financial information. This is due to the implementation of Directive 2014/95/EU in Polish law, which requires the dis- closure of extended non-financial information on the part of specified large public-interest companies and capi- tal groups. Taking the above into consideration, the aim of this article is to answer the following questions: 1) What is the state of the non-financial disclosures made by stock-exchange-listed companies in Poland? 2) What are the differences in reporting non-financial information by companies from various industries? 3) What factors affect the disclosure of non-financial information? In total, 53 companies were researched. The results obtained indicate that the form of the disclosures varies. Most commonly, non-financial information was presented in management commentaries. The scope of the information presented was diverse. The most non-financial disclosures were made by companies from the chemical and the energy sectors. The following factors influenced the publication of this type of information: the entity’s size, its market value and the industry to which a given company belongs. In contrast, no positive associations between the economic performance of a company and non-financial disclosure, nor between the financial leverage of a company and non-financial disclosure have been found, with the exception of companies from the low-profile sector. The studies involved content analysis and the Tobit regression model. Existing results of research on non-financial reporting made by stock-exchange-listed companies in Poland did not en- compass the last reporting period prior to the introduction of the changes to the Act on Accounting. Therefore, the results obtained allow us to determine the degree of preparation on the part of the researched companies belonging to various sectors (of larger and smaller environmental nuisance).
Paternity analysis of Populus nigra L. offspring in a Belgian plantation of native and exotic poplars

Gene flow from cultivated poplar plantations into wild populations of Populus nigra L. is considered to represent a potential threat to the survival of P. nigra. In this study we investigated if pollen competition of Populus nigra L. and Populus × canadensis Moench in fertilising P. nigra ovules detected in a greenhouse experiment also occurs under field conditions. The results confirm non-random mating between males of P. × canadensis and P. nigra in fertilizingP. nigra females in the artificial species-mixed Belgian poplar stand. A paternity analysis also revealed non-random intra-specific mating patterns within P. nigra in the stand. No paternities were assigned to the male cultivar P. nigra cv. Italica. Practical implications for the conservation of wild P. nigra populations are discussed.
ADVENT: Adversarial Entropy Minimization for Domain Adaptation in Semantic Segmentation

Semantic segmentation is a key problem for many computer vision tasks. While approaches based on convolutional neural networks constantly break new records on different benchmarks, generalizing well to diverse testing environments remains a major challenge. In numerous real-world applications, there is indeed a large gap between data distributions in train and test domains, which results in severe performance loss at run-time. In this work, we address the task of unsupervised domain adaptation in semantic segmentation with losses based on the entropy of the pixel-wise predictions. To this end, we propose two novel, complementary methods using (i) entropy loss and (ii) adversarial loss respectively. We demonstrate state-of-the-art performance in semantic segmentation on two challenging “synthetic-2-real” set-ups and show that the approach can also be used for detection.
Geomechanical Modeling of Stress and Fracture Distribution during Contractional Fault-Related Folding

Understanding and predicting the distribution of fractures in the deep tight sandstone reservoir are important for both gas exploration and exploitation activities in Kuqa Depression. We analyzed the characteristics of regional structural evolution and paleotectonic stress setting based on acoustic emission tests and structural feature analysis. Several suites of geomechanical models and experiments were developed to analyze how the geological factors influenced and controlled the development and distribution of fractures during folding. The multilayer model used elasto-plastic finite element method to capture the stress variations and slip along bedding surfaces, and allowed large deformation. The simulated results demonstrate that this novel Quasi-Binary Method coupling composite failure criterion and geomechanical model can effectively quantitatively predict the developed area of fracture parameters in fault-related folds. High-density regions of fractures are mainly located in the fold limbs during initial folding stage, then gradually migrate from forelimb to backlimb, from limbs to hinge, from deep to shallow along with the fold uplift. Among these factors, the fold uplift and slip displacement along fault have the most important influence on distributions of fractures and stress field, meanwhile the lithology and distance to fault have also has certain influences. When the uplift height exceeds approximately 55 percent of the total height of fold the facture density reaches a peak, which conforms to typical top-graben fold type with large amplitude and high-density factures in the top. The overall simulated results match well with core observation and FMI results both in the whole geometry and fracture distribution.
An adaptive impedance control algorithm; Application in exoskeleton robot

Exoskeleton is a well-known example of an unconstrained robot for which the desired path is not predefined. Regarding these two effective features, a formulation for impedance control algorithm is presented and its prominence is demonstrated both mathematically and through simulation. Moreover it is essential to control this robot by an adaptive method because at least dynamic characteristics of the load are unknown. Unfortunately the existing methods do not address aforementioned traits or become unstable as inertia matrix becomes singular. Here an adaptive algorithm is generated based on the logic of Least Squares identification method rather than the Lyapunov stability criterion to tackle those limitations.
Thermal component models for electro-thermal network simulations

A procedure is given for developing thermal component models for electrothermal network simulation. The simulator solves for the temperature distribution within the semiconductor devices, packages, and heat sinks (thermal network) as well as the currents and voltages within the electrical network. The thermal network is represented as an interconnection of compact thermal component models so that the system designer can readily interchange different thermal components and examine different configurations of the thermal network. The interconnection of the thermal component models is specified by the user in the same way as the interconnection of the electrical network components is specified. The thermal component models are also parameterized in terms of structural and material parameters so that the details of the heat transport physics are transparent to the user. Examples of electrothermal network simulations are given, and the temperature measurement methods used to validate the thermal component models are described. <<ETX>>
A Comparative Study on Changes in Cardiovascular Indices of Cobblestone Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Cobblestone projets have become good job opportunities for hundred thousands of citizens. However, workers are at risk of health problems due to physical injury and exposure to dust particles during work activities. The study was designed to determine acute and chronic changes in cardiovascular indices of cobblestone workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Comparative cross-sectional study method was applied. Cobblestone workers exposed for one and above years and proportional number of non exposed groups from Addis Ababa University summer non- smoking normal students within the same age range and sex proportion were participated. Acute exposure standard was established on an eight-hour exposure time frame. HR, %SPO 2 and ABP were measured before and after a day work exposure, using pulse oxi-meter and sphygmomanometer. The study showed significant change in cardiovascular indices compared with controls. The mean value of %SPO 2 was reduced significantly (p=0.03) in exposed groups compared to non exposed groups. The mean value±SD of HR in exposed groups showed very significant increment (p=0.001) and variability was reduced. Both sPB (p=0.006) and dBP (p=0.001) showed very significant increment. From this study, it could be concluded that dust emission during cobblestone work affects the cardiovascular function of cobblestone workers. Acute and chronic exposure to dust for some hours leads to very significant changes in cardiovascular indices. Regular inspection and further study is recommended together with full co-operation among the competent authority, researchers, workers and occupational health professionals.
Perception of performance management system by academic staff in an open distance learning higher education environment

Orientation: Institutions of higher learning in South Africa are fast embracing performance management system (PMS) as a mechanism for the achievement of teaching excellence and enhancement of research productivity. However, literature provided evidence to show that application of PMS in the private sector had failed to drive competition, efficiency and productivity. Research purpose: The main purpose of this article was to evaluate the perception of academic staff members of an open distance learning institution regarding the implementation of a PMS. Motivation for the study: PMS as a mechanism through which performance of academics is measured has been described as inconsistent with the long tradition of academic freedom, scholarship and collegiality in the academy. Moreso, previous research on the implementation of PMS was limited to private sector organisations, thus resulting in the dearth of empirical literature relating to its practice in service-driven public sector institutions. Research design, approach and method: The article adopted a quantitative research approach using census survey methodology. Data were collected from 492 academic staff from the surveyed institution using a self-developed questionnaire that was tested for high content validity with a consolidated Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.83. Data were analysed using a onesample t -test because of the one-measurement nature of the variable under investigation. Main findings: Major findings of the study indicated that respondents were satisfied with the implementation of the PMS by management. However, the payment of performance bonuses was not considered as sufficiently motivating, thus necessitating a pragmatic review by management. Practical/managerial implications: The findings of this article provided a practical guide to managers on the implementation and management of PMS as an employee performance reward mechanism in non-profit and service-oriented organisations. Contribution: This article provided an incremental contribution to the body of literature in the broad field of management and a further advancement of existing knowledge in the sub-field of performance management system.
Indian Diabetic Retinopathy Image Dataset (IDRiD): A Database for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Research

Diabetic Retinopathy is the most prevalent cause of avoidable vision impairment, mainly affecting the working-age population in the world. Recent research has given a better understanding of the requirement in clinical eye care practice to identify better and cheaper ways of identification, management, diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease. The importance of diabetic retinopathy screening programs and difficulty in achieving reliable early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy at a reasonable cost needs attention to develop computer-aided diagnosis tool. Computer-aided disease diagnosis in retinal image analysis could ease mass screening of populations with diabetes mellitus and help clinicians in utilizing their time more efficiently. The recent technological advances in computing power, communication systems, and machine learning techniques provide opportunities to the biomedical engineers and computer scientists to meet the requirements of clinical practice. Diverse and representative retinal image sets are essential for developing and testing digital screening programs and the automated algorithms at their core. To the best of our knowledge, IDRiD (Indian Diabetic Retinopathy Image Dataset), is the first database representative of an Indian population. It constitutes typical diabetic retinopathy lesions and normal retinal structures annotated at a pixel level. The dataset provides information on the disease severity of diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic macular edema for each image. This makes it perfect for development and evaluation of image analysis algorithms for early detection of diabetic retinopathy.
Deposit Insurance, Corporate Governance and Discretionary Behavior: Evidence from Thai Financial Institutions

Claiming that the implicit cost of deposit insurance is an alternative proxy for risk-taking behavior, we examine the effects of incentive-inducing ownership and entrenchment of the largest shareholders and discretionary behavior of the management on the risk of Thai financial institutions. Our empirical results suggest that, during 1994-1996, the largest shareholders engage in low risk-taking activities when they hold large cash flow rights and have low deviation of cash flow from control rights. However, the risk is higher when the largest family shareholder enters the board and when Chairman-CEO can manipulate loan loss provisions. After the financial crisis, earnings management through discretion on loan loss provisions reduces risk. Overall, this study suggests that the problems underlying the implicit guarantee scheme are different between banks and finance companies, and between types of governance structure.
Detrimental effect of rutin on Anticarsia gemmatalis

O efeito de dieta contendo rutina (quercetina 3-O-rutinosideo) no comportamento e na nutricao do principal desfolhador da soja, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner (Lep.: Noctuidae) foi avaliado do terceiro instar ate a formacao da pupa. Rutina e um dos flavonois glicosidicos identificados em folhas da soja selvagem PI 227687. O peso das lagartas e o consumo decresceram com o aumento na concentracao de rutina na dieta. Houve interacao entre o tempo de alimentacao e a dieta no crescimento do inseto; lagartas alimentadas com dieta pura, cujo tempo de alimentacao prolongou-se, originaram pupas mais pesadas. O peso das pupas alimentadas com dieta contendo rutina permaneceu estavel, apesar do maior tempo de alimentacao. Rutina afetou negativamente o crescimento do inseto, nao somente pela inibicao alimentar, mas tambem em consequencia de eventos pos-ingestivos, ja que depois do ajuste do peso de pupa pelo consumo (covariavel), o efeito do tratamento permaneceu significativo. Assim, o efeito negativo de rutina em A. gemmatalis resulta de efeitos pre-ingestivos, indicados pela reducao no consumo, e pos-ingestivos, indicados por baixas conversoes do alimento ingerido em biomassa e assimilacao de alimentos.
Due Diligence, Research Joint Ventures, and Incentives to Innovate

The decision to cooperate within R&D joint ventures is often based on expert advice. Such advice typically originates in a due-diligence process, which assesses the R&D joint venture's profitability, for example, by appraising the achievability of synergies. We show that if the experts who advise the owners considering forming an R&D joint venture are also responsible for R&D efforts, they can have incentives to withhold information about the extent of those synergies. Owners optimally react by reducing the incentives to innovate in low-value projects developed within R&D joint ventures and in high-value projects developed within competing research organizations.
Spatial and temporal patterns of colonization by deep-sea hydrothermal vent invertebrates on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, NE Pacific

This study quantifies patterns in settlement and colonization of hydrothermal vent invertebrates and explores relationships with the biotic and abiotic factors that may influence these patterns. Colonization was measured between 2001 and 2003 in 2 segments of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, by deploying sets of basalt blocks at vents with different flow characteristics, over different spatial (cm to 100 km) and temporal (1 to 2 yr) scales. Spatial variation in colonization was greater between vents within a segment (m to km scale) than between segments, which we suggest reflects a species-specific response to varying environmental conditions at a particular vent. For gastropods, gregarious settlement enhanced colonization, while post-settlement mortality influenced coloni- zation patterns of polychaetes. In 2003, we characterized the spatial variability in environmental con- ditions among 3 vent sites, through discrete in situ measures of the temperature and chemical properties of venting fluid near basalt blocks. Most colonist and settler abundances were positively correlated with vent fluid properties, notably dissolved H2S and temperature. Our results suggest that the variation in settlement and colonization of hydrothermal vent species is mainly influenced by the properties of the vent fluid, but biological interactions can also have a significant influence on col- onization processes. Our study is the first to experimentally quantify colonization by invertebrates at Juan de Fuca Ridge vent sites, and extends the understanding of the role of physical and biological factors in the regulation of early life-history stages.
Comparative analysis of two microcounseling learning environments with people who are schizophrenic.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TWO MICROCOUNSELING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SCHIZOPHRENIC September 1984 William L. Hunter B.A., Springfield College M.A., University of Arkansas Ed.D. , University of Massachusetts Directed by: Professor Allen Ivey This experiment tested two hypotheses. The first hypothesis tested if adult schizophrenics, who learn skills via the microcounseling format in a training center coupled with homework assignments (in-center group), perform the target skills differently than adult schizophrenics, who learn the same skills in real-life situations (in vivo group). The second hypothesis tested if the attention derived from participating in this study influenced the trainees' performance of the target skills. The sample population consisted of thirty male and female adults, who have an established diagnosis of schizo¬ phrenia. Fifteen people were randomly assigned to both the in-center and in vivo groups, respectively. Both groups participated in two assessments prior to training at one month intervals. These assessments were done