Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of trends in the UK construction industry using growth and productivity accounts

For an assessment of the productivity performance of construction at the industry level, the quality of any analysis can be improved by the availability and use of detailed data on the basic components of the industry’s production function. The EU KLEMS Growth and Productivity Accounts comprise a dataset that provides a rich source of information on the sources of growth by industry, one of which is the construction industry (ISIC 45), since the 1970s for European Union countries and other major economies. The database allows a breakdown of factor inputs by the categorization of capital inputs into asset types and labour inputs into components such as skill levels to provide more precise measurement of sources of growth at industry level. The UK construction sector forms the focal point of the analysis and the results of this analysis provide evidence of a steady increase in the growth of ICT and improved labour skills usage and a relatively high rate of total factor productivity for the UK construction industry.
The determinant factors influencing young consumers’acceptance of mobile marketing in Malaysia

This paper examines the factors influencing the intention to use mobile marketing among young consumers in Malaysia. This study employed the decomposed theory of reasoned action as underpinning theory in explaining intention to use. The survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaire. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed but only 277 were usable with a response rate of 58%. Results of the study revealed that attitude and subjective norm have a direct positive relationship with intention to use mobile marketing. Attitude was significantly influenced by three antecedents namely perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment and perceived image. Perceived ease of use showed different findings. Subjective norm was significantly influenced by friends and family influence as two antecedents. The proposed model can shed light on the important factors determining the behavioral intention to use mobile marketing and will aid managers understand and identify the specific antecedents of attitude and subjective norm that may influence consumers’ acceptance of mobile marketing.
INVISIBLE TRADE, INVISIBLE TRAVELLERS: THE MAPUTO CORRIDOR SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE AND INFORMAL CROSS-BORDER TRADING

ABSTRACT This paper examines the activities and patterns of trade of small entrepreneurs involved in informal cross-border trade between South African and Mozambique and the potential impact of the Maputo Corridor Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) on their businesses. Virtually no mention is made of informal sector cross-border traders in policy documents and analyses of the Corridor, or other South African government policies directed towards increasing regional cooperation and export trade. This paper therefore also explores what traders know about the Maputo Corridor SDI and how they think it will affect their businesses. It suggests that although the Corridor may have a positive impact in some ways, unless other policies, particularly those relating to immigration and customs and excise policies are changed—the potential value of the Corridor to these small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) may be lost.
The Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings in the Philippines from 1987 to 1997

In this paper we report returns for initial public offerings (IPOs) in the Philippines and investigate some characteristics found in other countries to affect returns, specifically offer size, firm age, and industry grouping. For a sample of 104 IPOs during the 11-year period 1987 through 1997, we find average initial returns of 22.69 percent. We do not find that offer size, firm age, or industry groupings affect IPO underpricing and conclude from our findings that underwriters who price Philippine IPOs face different regulatory policies, contractual mechanisms, market conditions than those present in other markets.
The Effects of Disability on Labour Force Status in Australia

Using the Australian Bureau of Statistics 1998 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, this study examines the effects of disability on four labour market outcomes: not in the labour force, unemployed, part-time employed and full-time employed. The detailed information on health available in the dataset also facilitates investigation of the dependence of effects on the characteristics of the disability, including severity, impairment type and age of onset. Disability is found to have substantial effects on labour force status, on average acting to decrease the probability of labour force participation by one-quarter for males and one-fifth for females. For males, the decrease in fulltime employment accounts for almost all of the decrease in labour force participation associated with disability; for females, disability has negative effects on both full-time and part-time employment. Analysis of disability characteristics shows that adverse effects on labour force status are increasing in the severity of the disability and are also worse for those with more than one type of impairment and for those who experience disability onset at older ages. There is evidence that the adverse effects of disability are lower for males who completed their education after the onset of the disability.
Performance of self-reported occupational exposure compared to a job-exposure matrix approach in asthma and chronic rhinitis

Objectives: Self-reported exposure to vapours, gas, dust or fumes (VGDF) has been widely used as an occupational exposure metric in epidemiological studies of chronic lung diseases. Our objective was to characterise the performance of VGDF for repeatability, systematic misclassification, and sensitivity and specificity against exposure likelihood by a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Methods: We analysed data from two interviews, 24 months apart, of adults with asthma and chronic rhinitis. Using distinct job as the unit of analysis, we tested a single response item (exposure to VGDF) against assignment using a JEM. We further analysed VGDF and the JEM among a subset of 199 subjects who reported the same job at both interviews, using logistic regression analysis to test factors associated with VGDF inconsistency and discordance with the JEM. Results: VGDF was reported for 193 (44%) of 436 distinct jobs held by the 348 subjects studied; moderate to high exposure likelihood by JEM was assigned to 120 jobs (28%). The sensitivity and specificity of VGDF against JEM were 71% and 66%, respectively. Among 199 subjects with the same job at both interviews, 32% had a discordant VGDF status (κ = 0.35). Those with chronic rhinitis without concomitant asthma compared to asthma alone were more likely to have a VGDF report discordant with the JEM (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 9.0; p = 0.01). Rhinitis was also associated with reported VGDF in a job classified by the JEM as low exposure (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.4; p = 0.003). Conclusion: The VGDF item is moderately sensitive measured against JEM as a benchmark. The measure is a useful assessment method for epidemiological studies of occupational exposure risk.
Trends in the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in Slovakia, 1978-1995.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) incidence in Slovakia in the period 1978-1995 was analyzed. A total of 38,629 microscopically confirmed NMSC cases (19,600 in males and 19,029 in females) were registered by the National Cancer Registry: 31,714 (82.1%) were basal cell carcinomas (BCC), 6,396 (16.6%) squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and only 519 (1.3%) other NMSC. Age standardized rates of NMSC increased in the given period by 59.1% in males and 58.5% in females. The greatest increase was observed for BCC, 70.4% and 65.0% in males and females respectively, the smaller for SCC, 13.5 and 18.8%. In the period 1993-1995 age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 were 38.0 for BCC, 6.7 for SCC and 45.5 for all NMSC in males and 29.2, 3.8 and 33.6, respectively in females. The observed marked increase of incidence with age was particularly pronounced for SCC. In both sexes, head and neck was the most common localization of BCC and SCC (84.2 to 74.7%), followed by trunk for BCC (17.0% in males and 10.8% in females) and by upper limbs for SCC (with 11.6% in males and 12.5% in females). Very fast increase of BCC incidence over time, its slower increase with age as compared to SCC incidence and body-site distribution suggest that BCC etiology is much more similar to melanoma etiology than SCC one. Registration of NMSC in relation to changes in possible risk factors (i.e. sun exposure/protection, ozone layer decrease) is important to study the mechanism of disease occurrence and to support public health interventions.
Improving the Algorithm of Extracting Regional Total Precipitable Water Vapor Over Land From MODIS Images

Precise estimation of total precipitable water vapor (TPW) with high temporal and spatial resolutions is of great importance in different disciplines. Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is one of the sensors which have absorption and nonabsorption bands of water vapor. There is a standard algorithm to produce TPW product of MODIS (MOD05/MYD05) which uses the ratios of reflectances in strong, moderate, and weak absorption bands of water vapor to nonabsorption ones (transmission). This paper aims to present a method based on this algorithm to optimize TPW estimation in local scale. To do so, the western part of Iran was chosen as the study region. Terra MODIS images and MOD05 in clear-sky conditions related to the 100 days in four seasons of 2015–2016 were provided as the selected data. To validate and improve the results, TPW measured in six radiosonde stations and interpolated for overpass time of Terra was utilized. Four procedures were performed. In the first procedure, the coefficients of transmissions were extracted using linear least-squares technique, separately. For the second procedure, the coefficients were calculated in terms of the highest atmospheric transmission sensitivity to TPW for each absorption band separately, and in the third procedure, they were calculated simultaneously. In the last procedure, the errors from third one were modeled with a linear relationship between reflectance ratios of absorption bands. Based on the results, in highest accuracy, the coefficient of determination ${{{\text{R}}}}^{2}$ and Root Mean Square Error was 0.878 and 2.702 mm, respectively, which were acceptable comparing those of other researchers.
Defense style and the perception of asthma.

&NA; Approximately 15% of patients with bronchial asthma are unable to sense marked changes in airway obstruction. We have investigated the hypothesis that inability to sense changes in the severity of bronchial asthma varies with insensitivity to emotional arousal, which in turn is associated with repressive defense styles. Nine asthmatic patients were studied comparing actual changes in peak flow rate using a coded peak flow meter and in arousal during a stress‐inducing psycholinguistic protocol with perceived changes. Our hypotheses were confirmed. Ability to perceive changes in asthma could be predicted from performance on the psycholinguistic stress test (Spearman's rho = +0.733, p less than 0.01). Repressors performed significantly worse on the asthma perception task (Spearman's rho = ‐0.650, p less than 0.05). The results suggest a role for defense pathology in the psychomaintenance of asthma.
Apolipoprotein B–dependent hepatitis C virus secretion is inhibited by the grapefruit flavonoid naringenin

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects over 3% of the world population and is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. HCV has long been known to associate with circulating lipoproteins, and its interactions with the cholesterol and lipid pathways have been recently described. In this work, we demonstrate that HCV is actively secreted by infected cells through a Golgi‐dependent mechanism while bound to very low density lipoprotein (vLDL). Silencing apolipoprotein B (ApoB) messenger RNA in infected cells causes a 70% reduction in the secretion of both ApoB‐100 and HCV. More importantly, we demonstrate that the grapefruit flavonoid naringenin, previously shown to inhibit vLDL secretion both in vivo and in vitro, inhibits the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity as well as the transcription of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase and acyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 in infected cells. Stimulation with naringenin reduces HCV secretion in infected cells by 80%. Moreover, we find that naringenin is effective at concentrations that are an order of magnitude below the toxic threshold in primary human hepatocytes and in mice. Conclusion: These results suggest a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCV infection. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Recreation conflict potential and management implications in the northern/central Black Forest Nature Park

This study explores conflict in recreational use of the Black Forest Nature Park (BFNP) by six different nature sports groups as a function of infrastructure, forest management and other users. A multi-step, methodological triangulation conflict model from US recreation management was applied and tested in the Park. Results from two groups, hikers and mountain bikers, are analysed in depth. The main conflict potentials were due to infrastructure and value conflicts. These were influenced by various visitor characteristics such as resource attachment, experiences, activity-style, expectations and motives. Results of quantitative data analysis were further interpreted by interviews with agency and group leaders. This methodological combination reveals a robust understanding of recreation conflict and management in the BFNP.
Liquidity and Capital Structure

We examine the relation between equity market liquidity and capital structure. We find that firms with more liquid equity have lower leverage and prefer equity financing when raising capital. For example, after sorting firms into size quintiles and then into liquidity quintiles, the average debt-to-asset ratio of the most liquid quintiles is about 38% while the average for the least liquid quintiles is 55%. Similar results are observed in panel analyses with clustered errors and using instrumental variables. Our results are consistent with equity market liquidity lowering the cost of equity and, therefore, inducing a greater reliance on equity financing.
Accounting Method Heterogeneity and Analysts ’ Forecasts

We examine whether accounting methods atypical within an industry affect analysts’ forecasts of future performance for a firm. Following a rich literature on accounting methods, our objective is to contribute evidence on the extent to which accounting method variability impacts information processing activities of financial statement users. We construct an index that measures how different a firm’s portfolio of accounting methods is from its industry peers. We predict and find that the use of atypical accounting methods is associated with larger analyst forecast errors and increased forecast dispersion, consistent with variation in accounting procedures imposing processing costs on external users. ‡ University of Chicago § University of Michigan ♀ Harvard Business School * We thank participants at the Columbia University Burton Workshop, Duke University, Michigan State University, University of British Columbia, University of Connecticut and University of Utah for extremely helpful comments. Ted Christensen, Trevor Harris, and John Phillips provided particularly valuable insights and comments on the first draft. All errors and omissions are our responsibility.
Sequential Parameter Estimation in Stochastic Volatility Models with Jumps

This paper analyzes the sequential lear ning problem for both parameters and states in a stochastic volatility model with jumps. We extend two existing algorithms, Storvik’s (2002) particle fi ltering algorithm and Polson, Stroud and Muller’s (2003) practical fi ltering algorithm, to inc orporate jumps. We analyze the performance of these approaches using both simulate d and S&P 500 index return data. We fi nd that the particle fi lter provides more accurate sequential inference than the practical fi ltering approach. The di ff erences are minor using simulated data, but greater using S&P 500 index data as the adapted particle fi ltering algorithm we use e ffi ciently handles outliers. We analyze the implications of learning about jump parameters for option pricing and fi nd that parameter learning generates important implications for option pricing.
(How) Does the HR strategy support an innovation oriented business strategy? An investigation of institutional context and organizational practices in Indian firms

This paper investigates how human resources are managed in firms of different ownership forms in India and the extent to which strategic human resource management (hereafter strategic HRM) techniques have been adopted to support an innovation-oriented business strategy. Based on a qualitative study of 54 Indian managers from different firms, this study highlights the Indian institutional context for strategic HRM. It reveals the extent to which the Western approach to and configuration of high-commitment/performance models of HR practices may differ from those found in Indian firms. This study also has a number of practical implications for HR professionals, HR practices, and organizations in the global context.
Local community participation in ecotourism and conservation issues in two nature reserves in Nicaragua

This paper explores the factors influencing community participation in ecotourism and how this affects conservation in the Nature Reserves of Mombacho Volcano and Datanlí-El Diablo in Nicaragua. Information was collected using individual structured and semi-structured interviews and focus groups, with local people, farmers and tour operators, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. The farmers in the two communities are engaged in the protection of the reserves because of environmental concern and also because their own welfare is at stake. In different ways, the farmers and communities benefit from ecotourism, but not enough. Either they are excluded from the management system, or they lack resources to promote the sites and improve infrastructure. Community participation is to a large extent dependent on the management system, but it is not the only aspect required to make ecotourism successful. A minimum of governmental support to infrastructure and local entrepreneurship is required. In the case presented, there are direct economic benefits from ecotourism, as the records of visitors illustrate. But there are many differences between the two reserves and their communities, illustrating that ecotourism development is complex and demanding, and demonstrating that ecotourism is not a “one size fits all” approach to sustainable development.
Learning from broadcasts of project participation: selection of second-tier actors during project-venture formation in the movie industry, 1931—40

The disintegration of project ventures after task completion creates challenges for the retention and transfer of knowledge to future projects. Consequently, it is not clear to what degree and under what conditions learning across projects occurs in project-venture settings. This study argues that the industry-wide broadcasting of project participants' identities plays a key role in supporting performance-outcome learning during the formation of project-venture teams. In a stratified random sample of 233 US movie projects between 1931 and 1940, performance-outcome learning affected the selection of second-tier participants. Such learning, however, was conditional on the industry-level availability of both project participant information and project performance for prior projects. Industry-wide broadcasting of participants' identities by individual projects in the form of on-screen credits was sufficient to enable this form of performance-outcome learning in the movie industry. The emergence of the internet has created similar industry-wide broadcasting opportunities for other project-venture systems.
The European contribution to global environmental governance

The European Union has become an increasingly central player in international environmental politics. Its role, especially as a protagonist to the United States, has been highlighted by the way in which it successfully led the campaign for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. The 2005 UK presidency has made climate change one of its twin priorities along with African development, and it is with this in mind that the article discusses the way in which the Union can be considered an international environmental actor in its own right and the various contributions that it makes to global environmental governance. While the EU is well known as a trade actor the complexities of its role as an environmental actor, operating under shared competence between the member states and the Community, are less well understood. Despite the inherent difficulties it has been surprisingly effective, although in areas such as climate change there is a need for strong presidential leadership. The EU's most evident field of activity has concerned the many multilateral environmental agreements in which it has come to play a leading role. However, this does not exhaust its contribution to global environmental governance that extends to the dissemination of norms and the incorporation of partners in its accession and neighbourhood policies. Sustainable development is also a key area of internal and external Union endeavour at the WTO and elsewhere, although there are continuing contradictions arising from its agricultural and fisheries policies. Finally, the Union's credibility will rest upon its ability to implement its environmental commitments and this is nowhere more evident than in its new emissions trading system. This is the centrepiece of the EU's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and it is the need to co-ordinate the Union's diplomacy in the extension of the climate change regime, to include the United States and the developing countries, that the UK presidency must address.
Holmium:YAG Lasertripsy with semirigid ureterorenoscope for upper-ureteral stones >2 cm.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) has a variable but low success rate for impacted stones of the upper ureter. Ureterorenoscopic stone manipulation is another option, the appropriateness of which decreases with increasing size of the stone. This report examines the feasibility and effectiveness of ureterorenoscopic holmium:YAG lasertripsy (URSL) for impacted upper-ureteral stone >2 cm. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-six patients with impacted upper-ureteral stones >2 cm were treated with URSL using a 6/7.5F semirigid tapered ureterorenoscope and holmium:YAG laser under spinal anesthesia. Double-J ureteral stents were placed in all patients owing to the large stone burden and edema of the intraluminal mucosa. Success was defined as stone-free status on radiography at 1 month. Demographics, stone parameters, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS The retrograde accessibility rate of these stones was 96.2% (25 of 26). The stone-free rate achieved after one sitting was 84% (21 of 25). After an auxiliary treatment, the total stone free-rate reached 100%. In only one patient, who had a sharply angulated ureter, did access with the ureterorenoscope fail; this patient received open surgery. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS Although 16% of patients need an auxiliary treatment, the holmium:YAG laser combined with a semirigid ureterorenoscope can be considered the first choice for large impacted upper-ureteral stones.