Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can recent pan-tropical biomass maps be used to derive alternative Tier 1 values for reporting REDD+ activities under UNFCCC?

The IPCC Guidelines propose 3 Tier levels for greenhouse gas monitoring within the forest land category with a hierarchical order in terms of accuracy, data requirements and complexity. Due to missing data and/or capacities, many developing countries, potentially interested in the reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation scheme, have to rely on Tier 1 default values with highest uncertainties. A possible way to increase the credibility of uncertain estimates is to apply a conservative approach, for which standard statistical information is needed. However, such information is currently not available for the IPCC values. In our study we combine a recent global forest mask, an ecological zoning map and the pan-tropical AGB datasets of Saatchi and Baccini to derive mean forest AGB values per ecological zone and continent as well as their corresponding confidence intervals. Such analysis can be considered transparent as the datasets/methodologies are well documented. Our study leads to alternative Tier 1 values and allows the application of statistically-based conservative approaches. Our AGB estimates derived from Saatchi and Baccini datasets are 35% and 24% lower respectively than the IPCC values. When restricting the analysis to intact forest landscapes resulting ABG estimates derived from Saatchi and Baccini datasets get closer to the IPCC values with 13% and 1% differences respectively (underestimation). This suggests that the IPCC default values are mainly based on plots in mature forest stands. However, as tropical forests generally consist of a mixture of intact and degraded stands, the use of IPCC values may not properly reflect the reality. Finally, we propose to use the average composite of the Saatchi and Baccini datasets to produce improved alternative IPCC Tier 1 values. The values derived from such approach can easily be updated when newer and/or improved pan-tropical AGB maps will be available.
Public economics after neoliberalism: a theoretical–historical perspective

Abstract Musgravean public economics, as the dominant public policy framework of the post-World War II era, argued that the government can and should supplement the price mechanism in order to create a social order within which a democratic society can flourish. Starting with the late 1970s, this project of public economics has been challenged by the growing dominance of neoliberalism as a form of governmentality that extends the economic logic of markets into the domain of the state and its mode of exercising sovereignty over its subjects. After outlining the historical and the disciplinary context of this challenge, the article maintains that endogenous theoretical confrontations internal to public economics should also be taken into consideration to provide a fuller account of the eclipse of the Musgravean public economics in the era of neoliberalism.
Consumer Adoption of Green Products: Modeling the Enablers

Environmentalism has become an important social and corporate issue during the twenty-first century. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and are demanding green products from manufacturers. This has resulted in the emergence of new concepts like green marketing and green consumerism. Over the years various studies have investigated the concept of green consumer behaviour and have listed out factors that work as either barriers or enablers when it comes to consumer adoption of environmentally sustainable products or lifestyles. The present study aims to identify and evaluate the enablers that facilitate consumer adoption of green products. Using Interpretive Structural Modelling a series of initial relationships was established that predict how the joint effect of these enablers affect green consumer behaviour and green product adoption.
University Teachers' Attitudes Towards Giftedness, Gifted Students and Special Provision for the Gifted

What are the attitudes of university teachers towards giftedness, gifted and talented students and special provision for the gifted? The present study explored the attitudes towards gifted and talented students by two cohorts of university teachers. Both cohorts, one from 1996 and the other from 1997, were third year, secondary Bachelor of Arts in Education students, both participating in a university module related to catering for the high ability student in the regular classroom. The 1997 cohort's attitudes were measured before and after the module. Subsequently, some willing participants from the 1997 cohort were followed through to ascertain whether their attitude has changed now that they are practicing teachers in high school
Altered growth and radiosensitivity in neural precursor cells subjected to oxidative stress

Purpose: To determine whether changes in oxidative stress could enhance the sensitivity of neural precursor cells to ionizing radiation. Materials and methods: Two strategies were used whereby oxidative stress was modulated endogenously, through manipulation cell culture density, or exogenously, through direct addition of hydrogen peroxide. Results: Cells subjected to increased endogenous oxidative stress through low-density growth routinely exhibited an inhibition of growth following irradiation. However, cells subjected to chronic exogenous oxidative treatments showed increased sensitivity to proton and γ-irradiation compared to untreated controls. Reduced survival of irradiated cultures subjected to oxidizing conditions was corroborated using enzymatic viability assays, and was observed over a range of doses (1 – 5 Gy) and post-irradiation re-seeding densities (20 – 200 K/plate). Conclusions: Collectively our results provide further support for the importance of redox state in the regulation of neural precursor cell function, and suggest that oxidative stress can inhibit the proliferative potential of cells through different mechanisms. This is likely to compromise survival and under conditions where excess exogenous oxidants might predominate, sensitivity to irradiation may be enhanced.
Wage Indexation and the Cost of Disinflation

While a standard academic presumption has been that wage indexation reduces the cost of disinflation, policymakers generally contend that wage indexing makes disinflation more difficult. To shed light on these views, this paper reexamines the effects of wage indexing on the output loss caused by money-based stabilization. It finds that the cost of disinflation with indexedwage contracts tends to be smaller than that with contracts that specify preset time-varying wages, but larger than that with contracts that specify fixed wages. Thus, the academic and the policymakers' views can both be appropriate depending on the standard of reference.
Lysophosphatidic acid promoting corneal epithelial wound healing by transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor.

PURPOSE To identify the underlying mechanisms by which lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) acts as a growth factor in stimulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) during corneal epithelial wound healing. METHODS Epithelial debridement wounds in cultured porcine corneas and scratch wounds in an epithelial monolayer of SV40-immortalized human corneal epithelial (THCE) cells were allowed to heal in the presence or absence of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor (tyrphostin AG1478), a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (GM6001), or a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) antagonist (CRM197) with or without LPA. EGFR activation was analyzed by immunoprecipitation using EGFR antibodies and Western blotting with phosphotyrosine antibodies. Phosphorylation of ERK and AKT (a major substrate of PI3K) was analyzed by Western blotting with antibodies specific to the phosphorylated proteins. Wound- and LPA-induced shedding of HB-EGF was assessed by measuring the release of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in a stable THCE cell line that expressed HB-EGF with AP inserted in the heparin-binding site. RESULTS In organ and cell culture models, LPA enhanced corneal epithelial wound healing. LPA-stimulated and spontaneous wound closure was attenuated by AG1478, GM6001, or CRM197. Consistent with the effects on epithelial migration, these inhibitors, as well as the Src kinase inhibitor (PP2), retarded LPA-induced activation of EGFR and its downstream effectors ERK and AKT in THCE cells. Unlike exogenously added HB-EGF, LPA stimulated moderate EGFR phosphorylation; the level of phosphorylated EGFR was similar to that induced by wounding. However, LPA appeared to prolong wound-induced EGFR signaling. The release of HB-EGF assessed by AP activity increased significantly in response to wounding, LPA, or both, and the release of HB-EGF-AP induced by LPA was inhibited by PP2 and GM6001. CONCLUSIONS LPA accelerates corneal epithelial wound healing through its ability to induce autocrine HB-EGF signaling. Transactivation of EGFR by LPA represents a convergent signaling pathway accessible to stimuli such as growth factors and ligands of G-protein-coupled receptors in response to pathophysiological challenge in human corneal epithelial cells.
The Economics of UK Teacher Supply: The Graduate's Decision

The problem of teacher supply in the United Kingdom has generated considerable concern recently. This paper studies a large cohort of graduates and their decision whether to become teachers or not. A full structure model of the individual's decision is estimated, which corrects for possible sample selection bias and models endogenously the role of relative earnings. The findings provide support for the estimation procedure used and attest to the importance of relative pay in the individual graduate's career decision. Copyright 1990 by Royal Economic Society.
Interferon‐gamma release assays can effectively screen migrants for the tuberculosis infection, but urgent, active cases need clinical recognition

Increasing numbers of migrants to Sweden are screened for tuberculosis (TB), and a rational approach to screening is required. We evaluated positive tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and interferon‐gamma release assays (IGRAs) on paediatric migrants in relation to the TB incidence in the corresponding foreign‐born populations in Stockholm.
European Law and International Regimes: The Features of Law Beyond the Nation State

Different forms of law are perceived of as possessing differing degrees of legal quality. A quality continuum suggests itself, running from ‘high quality’ national law, through to ‘lesser quality’ European law and to ‘low quality’ international law. This article seeks to explain the perceived differences in the quality of these laws with reference to legal theoretical perceptions of what it is that constitutes the law’s quality. It argues that only a theory of law which identifies the core of the law’s integrity as lying in its ability to act as a fulcrum between spheres of social and public discourse and the exercise of power can fully explain the divergence in legal quality between national, European and international law. With specific regard to the quality of European law, it concludes by arguing that it is weakened by its relative lack of social internalisation—in comparison with a higher degree of legal and political internalisation—within the European public.
A Qualitative Study of the Attitudes of the Would-be Graduates towards Entrepreneurial Intentions

It has become very clear that not all students who enrolled in entrepreneurship courses in higher institutions such as universities, polytechnics etc. have the intention of becoming an entrepreneur upon graduation. Due to this, the study conducted a one-on-one interview otherwise called face-to-face interview in order to deeply understand the attitudes of the would-be graduates towards their intention to become entrepreneurs upon graduation. Using a face-to-face interview of qualitative technique, 5 students from the final year entrepreneurship development class were used for the study and were meant to discuss how their attitude influence their intention to become entrepreneurs upon graduation. From the interview, the findings revealed a wealth of detailed information and deep insight about the students' attitude to their entrepreneurial intention upon completion of their studies. The findings also revealed that positive attitude, good attitude, attitude to risk and seek business opportunities and positive actions are significant for the students' entrepreneurial intention upon graduation from their entrepreneurship studies. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in this domain by providing an additional insight of qualitative perspective towards the understanding of students’ attitude to entrepreneurial intention upon graduation.
Local facilitation of plateau potentials in dendrites of turtle motoneurones by synaptic activation of metabotropic receptors

1 The spatial distribution of synaptic facilitation of plateau potentials in dendrites of motoneurones was investigated in transverse sections of the spinal cord of the turtle using differential polarization by applied electric fields. 2 The excitability of motoneurones in response to depolarizing current pulses was increased following brief activation of either the dorsolateral funiculus (DLF) or the medial funiculus (MF) even when synaptic potentials were eliminated by antagonists of ionotropic receptors. 3 The medial and lateral compartments of motoneurones were differentially polarized by the electric field generated by passing current between two electrodes on either side of the preparation. In one direction of the field lateral dendrites were depolarized while the cell body and medial dendrites were hyperpolarized (S‐ configuration). With current in the opposite direction the cell body and medial dendrites were depolarized while lateral dendrites were hyperpolarized (S+ configuration). 4 Following brief activation of the DLF the excitability and the generation of plateau potentials were facilitated during differential depolarization of the lateral dendrites but not during differential depolarization of the cell body and medial dendrites. Following brief activation of the MF the excitability and generation of plateau potentials were facilitated during differential depolarization of the cell body and medial dendrites but not during differential depolarization of the lateral dendrites. 5 It is concluded that the synaptic facilitation of the dihydropyridine‐sensitive response to depolarization is compartmentalized in turtle motoneurones.
A case study: Do discipline-based programmes improve student learning outcomes?

This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge that supports a disciplinebased approach to academic and language development. To address the academic literacy needs of both international English as an Additional Language (EAL) and domestic students, universities are moving from generic to embedded models of teaching. This project was motivated by the realisation that students had unmet needs in terms of the academic competence required for successful tertiary study. This demonstrates a lack of educational integrity on behalf of the universities to ensure that students gain sufficient academic and language skills for success in firstyear university study. This paper reports on the use of a teaching and learning model which demonstrates the effectiveness of embedding the development of academic and language skills within a particular discipline for EAL students and others. The unique contribution of this paper is that it uses a team-taught approach across two disciplines. It shows that discipline management specialists working in conjunction with English language specialists provide a reconsideration of teaching and learning strategies and modes of assessment that lead to better outcomes for both students and staff. Success of the programme was indicated by student assessment, attendance data, student evaluations, and reflection of peer teaching practices. Finally, the paper makes recommendations for the inclusion of embedded programmes in first-year university study using a diagnostic tool to determine specific student needs. Longitudinal studies need to be undertaken to ascertain specifically whether the benefits of discipline-based programmes are sustained in the longer term and additionally why many â€œat riskâ€ students do not participate in the programme.
Sustainable hospitality: a meaningful notion?

This paper explores the concept of sustainable hospitality. The relevance and status of this area of enquiry are assessed by discussing the current status of the concepts involved. These discussions are then linked to progress made in sustainable hospitality both in research and practical applications in the hospitality industry. At least six principal schools of thought within hospitality are noted: hospitality science, hospitality management, hospitality studies, the “three domain school”, the systems thinking school and the pragmatic tradition. This complexity and lack of clear definition are problems. The differences between sustainability and sustainable development, and between weak and strong sustainability add further complexities. This paper shows that progress in both sustainable hospitality and tourism has been limited by these problems. A series of technical, ethical and commercial problems are discussed. However, while sustainable hospitality as a research area is still in its infancy, it is concluded that it is very relevant within the wider context of sustainable tourism research, based on its impact and its specific position within the social–ecological–economic systems under investigation. Key areas of future work are suggested, notably to better understand the impacts of hospitality on the triple bottom line, and to explore systems approaches towards implementation.
Investor Horizon and CEO Horizon Incentives

ABSTRACT: We examine the relation between shareholder investment horizon and chief executive officer (CEO) horizon incentives derived from compensation contracts. We find that influential incumbent shareholders provide managers with short-horizon incentives to maximize current firm value when these shareholders plan to sell their stock. Specifically, we use the initial public offering (IPO) setting in which venture capitalists (VCs) represent short-horizon, controlling investors with strong selling incentives after the IPO. We predict and find that VCs' short-term incentives influence CEO's annual horizon incentives following the IPO. At the same time, institutional monitoring limits the influence of VCs on annual, short-horizon incentives. To preempt this disciplining by market participants, VCs grant equity prior to the IPO that correspond with their short-horizons and result in shorter portfolio horizon incentives for the CEO after the IPO. We also document a positive relation between long-run abnormal.
Changing Internal Governance: A Discussion of Leadership Roles and Management Structures in UK Universities

A series of reviews over the past six years ‐ from Dearing (NCIHE, 1997) to Lambert (Lambert, 2003) ‐ have addressed the question of whether the structure and process of ‘governance’ in higher education is fit for modern times. This is a proper question to ask as operating environments change and pressures on institutional resources increase. Indeed, it is not coincidental that both the recent government-sponsored reports and those of the previous decade (Jarratt, 1985; NAB, 1987) were associated with significant financial changes in the sector. There are further parallels in that both the reports of the 1980s and those of the later period heralded legislative changes that produced ‐ or will produce ‐ new patterns of higher education provision in the UK (Education Reform Act, 1988; Further and Higher Education Act, 1992; Higher Education Act, 2004). The messages from the reports and White Papers (DES, 1987; DES, 1991; DfES, 2003) published in this twenty-year period have remained broadly similar, even though the wider environment has altered significantly. ‘Increase efficiency, find new sources of income and improve performance across an everwidening range of activities and services’ have been the watchwords of successive governments. Given the consistency of the message, it is useful to analyse the changes that universities have been making to meet these requirements and to consider what further changes may be needed in the light of new external challenges. The first part of the paper offers a historical perspective before addressing the evolution of leadership roles and management structures from the late 1980s. The second part considers some of the current drivers of internal and external change before discussing the kind of changes in internal gov
Statistical analysis of transformer oil penetration speed through electrotechnical pressboard

The paper presents a measuring stand used to measure oil penetration times of capillaries present in electrotechnical pressboard. Based on the measurements, the statistical distribution of capillaries occurring in cellulose insulation was determined. Based on the analysis of the obtained results, the presence of randomly distributed areas with reduced density was detected.
Cost-Utility and Cost-Effectiveness of Internet-Based Treatment for Adults With Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Trial

Background The effectiveness of Internet-based treatments for depression has been demonstrated; their cost-effectiveness, however, has been less well researched. Objective Evaluating the relative cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of (1) Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, (2) Internet-based problem-solving therapy, and (3) a waiting list for adults with depressive symptoms. Methods A total of 263 participants with clinically significant depressive symptoms were randomized to Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (n = 88), Internet-based problem-solving therapy (n = 88), and a waiting list (n = 87). End points were evaluated at the 12-week follow-up. Results Cost-utility analysis showed that cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy had a 52% and 61% probability respectively of being more acceptable than waiting when the willingness to pay is € 30,000 for one quality-adjusted life-year. When society is prepared to pay € 10,000 for a clinically significant change from depression, the probabilities of cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy being more acceptable than waiting are 91% and 89%, respectively. Comparing both Internet-based treatments showed no clear preference for one or the other of the treatments. Conclusions Both Internet-based treatments have a high probability of being cost-effective with a modest value placed on clinically significant change in depressive symptoms. Trial Registration ISRCTN16823487; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN16823487 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5u8slzhDE)
Long-run Stock Performance of Equity-Issuing Firms: The Case of Private Placements in Singapore

We find that Singapore listed firms which have conducted private placements subsequently experience long-run stock underperformance. The long-run underperformance is more severe for small firms and firms with a higher book-to-market ratio. This suggests that small firms and firms with poorer growth prospects are more likely to time the issue when the stock is temporarily overvalued. Further more, we find a positive relation between the long-run stock performance and the change in ownership concentration of the issuing firms, which is consistent with the alignment-of-interests hypothesis. We do not find evidence supporting the earnings-management hypothesis.