Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Women's Voices in Organizational Life in Romania. Using Interpersonal Skills to Lead

Using fifteen in-depth interviews with women in top and middle management positions from Romanian private organizations, we argue about their leadership style and the impression management strategies they use in order to maintain legitimacy and to get social validation. Subjects’ behavior as leaders was closer to transformational leadership style but the need to control – typical for transactional leadership – was shared by the participants. Additionally, we suggest a dramaturgical approach to underline their different stages of adjustment to the organizations they become part of. Results show that women are less willing to share the management responsibilities with a man, as a strategy to avoid delegimization and lack of authority, and they use mixed anchors – personal and professional when leading.
Bayesian Methods for Estimation, Inference and Forecasting of Flexible Models for Value-at-Risk and Tail Conditional Expectations

Forecasting financial risk and risk measurement methods have been of increasing interest for financial market regulators and financial institutions in the past two decades. While the parametric and semi-parametric models have been widely reviewed in the academic literature, the non-parametric methods are popular in practice among the financial institutions. This thesis examines the forecasting models for Value-at-Risk (VaR) and conditional Value-at-Risk for financial return series. The aims of this thesis are to: 1. Estimate and forecast the potential skewness and dynamics in higher moments for conditional return distributions; 2. Develop flexible parametric models that can accurately forecast the portfolio tail risk levels. 3. Examine the impacts of asymmetry in the volatility and that in the shape of the conditional return distributions on the risk level forecasting. 4. Derive an easily applicable backtesting method for conditional VaR or expected shortfall. 5. Improve the efficiency and accuracy of Bayesian computational schemes for parameter estimation and forecasts. To achieve the above goals, this thesis first proposes a parametric approach to estimating and forecasting Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES) for a heteroscedastic financial return series. A GJR-GARCH is used to model the volatility process, capturing the leverage effect. To account for potential skewness and heavy tails, the model assumes an asymmetric Laplace (AL) distribution as the conditional distribution of the financial return series. Furthermore, dynamics in higher moments are captured by allowing for a time-varying shape parameter in this distribution. An adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling scheme is used for estimation, employing the Metropolis– Hastings (MH) algorithm with a mixture of Gaussian proposal distributions. A simulation
Reconfiguring Private and Public: State, Capital and New Housing Developments in Berlin and Budapest

This article explores how new planned housing developments have contributed to the restructuring of public and private space in contemporary Berlin and Budapest, two cities whose globalisation was complicated by major political and economic transformation during the past two decades. It draws on and extends research on gated communities to develop a relational approach that more adequately captures international variations of this housing form and the interplay of public and private space, actors and strategies, a new configuration of which defines the latest wave of these developments. Through this perspective, it is demonstrated how and why planned housing developments in Berlin and Budapest are different from the cases most frequently discussed in the gated community literature, and also from each other. The comparative case study highlights how housing offers an excellent research site to grasp the reconfiguration of the state and the complexity of private and public at the local level.
Back to Basics: Post-crisis Macroeconomic Rebalancing in ASEAN

This article considers the policies that can help facilitate rebalancing in ASEAN economies. As the region moves away from policies to combat the effects of the global economic crisis, rebalancing growth becomes essential. Approaches to internal rebalancing, including shifts in current patterns of consumption and investment, as well as external rebalancing strategies, such as exchange rate adjustments and reducing trade costs, are explored as ways to diversify sources of growth. We also argue that regional cooperation, particularly on exchange rate and trade policy, is a key element of any concerted effort to ensuring sustained, long-term regional growth.
Utopian Goals for Pronunciation Teaching

As has often been noted in recent years, pronunciation instruction has received short shrift from researchers and teachers alike. Although there is a small and committed body of individuals who have worked to encourage the incorporation of pronunciation instruction in English as a second language (ESL) classes, pronunciation still tends to be the neglected component of many language programs. In this talk, some idealistic goals for pronunciation instruction will be laid out, and suggestions for how the TESOL community might work towards achieving those goals will addressed. Changes to teacher education, increased pronunciation research, optimal use of technology, enhancement of listeners‘ skills, and strategies for increasing students‘ opportunities to interact with native speakers are identified as potential approaches to meeting students‘ communication needs.
Distinguishing Coevolution from Covicariance in an Obligate Pollination Mutualism: Asynchronous Divergence in Joshua Tree and its Pollinators

Abstract Obligate pollination mutualisms-–in which both plants and their pollinators are reliant upon one another for reproduction-–represent some of the most remarkable coevolutionary interactions in the natural world. The intimacy and specificity of these interactions have led to the prediction that the plants and their pollinators may be prone to cospeciation driven by coevolution. Several studies have identified patterns of phylogenetic congruence that are consistent with this prediction, but it is difficult to determine the evolutionary process that underlies these patterns. Phylogenetic congruence might also be produced by extrinsic factors, such as a shared biogeographic history. We examine the biogeographic history of a putative case of codivergence in the obligate pollination mutualism between Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) and two sister species of pollinating yucca moths (Tegeticula spp.) We employ molecular phylogenetic methods and coalescent-based approaches, in combination with relaxed-clock estimates of absolute rates of molecular evolution, to analyze multi-locus sequence data from more than 30 populations of Y. brevifolia and its pollinators. The results indicate that the moth species diverged significantly (p < 0.01) more recently than their corresponding host populations, suggesting that the apparent codivergence is not an artifact of a shared biogeographic history.
Limitation of Liability and the Ownership Structure of the Firm

This paper models the optimal choice of shareholder liability. If investors want managers to be monitored, the monitors should be residual claimants (shareholders), and monitoring and firm value will increase as shareholders commit more of their wealth to the firm. When liquidating wealth is costly, contingent liability dominates direct investment as a wealth commitment device; however, if wealth is unobservable, under this regime only relatively poor investors will hold shares in equilibrium. This may be prevented at a cost by verifying shareholder wealth and restricting stock transfers. Comparative statics on various liability regimes are used to motivate actual contractual arrangements. Copyright 1993 by American Finance Association.
A Robot Calligraphy System: From Simple to Complex Writing by Human Gestures

Robotic writing is a very challenging task and involves complicated kinematic control algorithms and image processing work. This paper, alternatively, proposes a robot calligraphy system that ﬁrstly applies human arm gestures to establish a font database of Chinese character elementary strokes and English letters, then uses the created database and human gestures to write Chinese characters and English words. A three-dimensional motion sensing input device is deployed to capture the human arm trajectories, which are used to build the font database and to train a classiﬁer ensemble. 26 types of human gesture are used for writing English letters, and 5 types of gesture are used to generate 5 elementary strokes for writing Chinese characters. By using the font database, the robot calligraphy system acquires a basic writing ability to write simple strokes and letters. Then, the robot can develop to write complex Chinese characters and English words by following human body movements. The classiﬁer ensemble, which is used to identify each gesture, is implemented through using feature selection techniques and the harmony search algorithm, thereby achieving better classiﬁcation performance. The experimental evaluations are carried out to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the proposed method. By following the motion trajectories of the human right arm, the end-eﬀector of the robot can successfully write the English words or Chinese characters that
Agglomeration Economies and Geographical Concentration of Industries: A Case Study of Manufacturing Sectors in Postwar Japan

Abstract There have been secular changes in the location of manufacturing industries away from large metropolitan areas in Japan. Using prefectural data in five major manufacturing sectors for three periods (1960–1973, 1973–1980, and 1980–1995), this study attempts to identify the factors affecting the changing patterns of industrial concentration. We found through regression analysis of employment growth that while the “pull” to cities by agglomeration economies has been weak, the “push” by congestion of cities and increasing competition with service sectors has had pervasive impacts on the geographical dispersion of industries. J. Japan. Int. Econ. , September 2000, 14 (3), pp. 189–203. Faculty of Economics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-Osawa, Hachiohji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan. Copyright 2000 Academic Press. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: L60, R11.
The new adhesion prophylaxis membrane A-part--from in vitro testing to first in vivo results.

INTRODUCTION Formation of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions is a severe problem in surgery. Apart from standard surgical procedures, a variety of different substances is available to prevent adhesions, but no universal method has been developed so far. A membrane consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) has been demonstrated to be antiadhesive. Here, the in vitro testing and first in vivo results in a rabbit sidewall model are reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS A-part membrane contains a PVA/CMC mixture in a thickness of 40 microm. The composition, dissolution, tensile strength, and elasticity were examined to characterize the membrane in vitro. Experiments in vivo were carried out using a 'rabbit sidewall model' in which a standardized peritoneal trauma was covered with a 5 x 6 cm A-part membrane. Adhesion formation in A-part-treated animals was compared with that in Adept (15 mL/kg body weight) and untreated controls. RESULTS An 80/20 PVA/CMC mixture forms a stable, elastic, transparent membrane, which can easily be placed intraoperatively. The dissolution shows a half-life of about 2 weeks [day 15: (45.1 +/- 4.9)% SD], which affords good adhesion protection during the initial critical phase of adhesion formation. In wet conditions, the membrane follows abdominal movements without tearing (tensile strength 5.0 +/- 4.2 N/cm SD; elasticity 29.5%). In a rabbit sidewall model, A-part membrane significantly reduced adhesion development by (83.1 +/- 31.5)% SD compared with the control and the Adept group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The properties of the A-part membrane suggest that it may be useful as an antiadhesive in surgery. A-part is effective in in vivo testing as determined in a rabbit sidewall model.
Prenatal trisomy 21 screening using the Lens culinaris agglutinin‐reactive alpha‐fetoprotein ratio

ABSTRACT For the purpose of improving the clinical efficacy of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP)‐L3% in prenatal screening for trisomy 21, we calculated the multiple of the median (MoM) of AFP‐L3% (L3 MoM) and the ratio of L3 MoM to AFP MoM (L3 MoM/AFP MoM) in maternal serum. Maternal serum samples from 1822 women (maternal age 37.3 ± 3.8 years, and weeks of gestation 16.0 ± 1.0; mean ± SD) with unaffected pregnancies and 28 women (37.6 ± 4.6 years, 16.6 ± 3.1) pregnant with of trisomy 21 fetuses were obtained. The AFP concentration and AFP‐L3% in maternal serum were measured using a liquid‐phase binding assay. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of AFP MoM, AFP‐L3%, L3 MoM, and L3 MoM/AFP MoM were 0.750, 0.868, 0.949 and 0.946, respectively. The AUCs of L3 MoM and L3 MoM/AFP MoM were significantly higher than AFP‐L3% (P < 0.05) and AFP MoM (P < 0.0005). However, no statistical difference was observed between the AUCs of L3 MoM and L3 MoM/AFP MoM. In conclusion, the L3 MoM should be an effective replacement for AFP‐L3% in prenatal trisomy 21 screening.
Análisis sobre la reputación de marca, las emociones y la confianza como formadoras de la satisfacción del turista

This paper proposes a causal model of multiple relationships between the brand reputation of a tourist destination and the effects of emotions as stimuli for tourist responses while visiting; it also aims at finding out how these variables provide trust to ensure their satisfaction. The study has been empirically compared for the case of an eco-archaeological tourism destination, Mayan World-Mexico. To this purpose, we develop a multidisciplinary framework with inputs from the signal theory, the theory of emotions in marketing and relationship marketing. Additionally, the developed and proposed model conceives two approaches: the satisfaction cognitive-affective approach and the affective factors approach from environmental psychology. The obtained results confirm most of our hypotheses and show interesting results in the academic and professional fields. Thus, the reputation of destination, consumer emotions and trust are critical for tourists’ satisfaction during their visit to a tourist destination.
Theory, development and implementation of national customer satisfaction indices: The Swiss Index of Customer Satisfaction (SWICS)

The paper gives a short introduction on the relationships between satisfaction drivers, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and economic success. Afterwards objectives, target groups and relevance of measuring customer satisfaction and related variables at the macroeconomic level are discussed. After an assessment of some international approaches of national customer satisfaction indices the model of the Swiss Index of Customer Satisfaction (SWICS) is introduced. The SWICS was published in 1998 the first time. Based upon 7400 telephone interviews with about 3800 customers the paper shows results for customer satisfaction, customer dialogue and customer loyalty in 20 industries as well as an analysis of the relationships between the latent variables in the single industries. Finally questions of integrating national customer satisfaction indices and cross-national approaches such as the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) are discussed.
Bifurcation, Fragmentation or Integration? The Racial and Geographical Structure of US Metropolitan Segregation, 1990—2000

Racial residential segregation remains a topic of interest due to its impact on broader racial stratification. However, scholarly inquiry into the subject often ignores metropolitan racial diversity and the hierarchical nature of urban space. This paper proposes a multigroup, multilevel framework to assess the shifting racial and geographical structure of segregation in US metropolitan areas. It is found that overall declines in segregation are due almost entirely to the erosion of White/non-White bifurcation within large cities. The divide between the urban core and suburban ring remains a substantial if not defining component of segregation and racial distinctions between suburban communities are increasing. There is less evidence that Black, Latino and Asian metropolitan residents are fragmenting into homogeneous enclaves and segregation among these groups generally accounts for less overall segregation than would be expected given their relative population size. All told, urban and suburban municipalities are replacing neighbourhoods as the central organising units of metropolitan segregation.
First Things First: Assessing Data Quality before Model Quality

We address weaknesses in the Peace Research Insitute Oslo (PRIO) Battle Deaths Dataset, and as a result draw contradicting conclusions to those presented by Lacina and Gleditsch. Our analysis focuses on the availability of data on battle deaths within specific conflict-years and problems encountered when data from multiple types of sources are combined. We repeat Lacina, Gleditsch, and Russett’s analysis of battle deaths over time, with an attempt to provide a more robust model and incorporate an estimate of the uncertainty present in the PRIO Battle Deaths Dataset. This reanalysis reveals that the data used to establish the PRIO Battle Deaths Dataset does not offer a clear answer as to whether battle deaths have decreased or increased since the end of the Second World War. We contend that while the PRIO Battle Deaths Dataset offers the most comprehensive assembly of battle deaths data available to date, it is not suitable for analysis across countries or over time.
Permanently Precarious? Contingent Academic Faculty Members, Professional Identity and Institutional Change in Quebec Universities

Universities across Canada are increasingly using contingent, or temporary instructors to teach undergraduate courses (Rajagopal 2002, Muzzin 2008, Lin 2006). Scholars have examined the marginalization of contingent academic faculty members in Canadian universities (Rajagopal 2002, Muzzin 2008). They have also critiqued the ways in which universities use contingent faculty to create surplus value and surplus labour (Rajagopal 2002, Bauder 2006), and support a “primary segment” (Bauder 2006) of the tenured and tenure-track professoriate. In this thesis, I examine the key issues faced by contingent academic faculty members, and how these issues impact on their professional identity. I also investigate into how the use of contingent faculty impacts on teaching practices in higher education. Through the analysis of Labour Force Survey data, I ascertain to what extent contingent academic labour has increased from 1998 to 2008, suggesting that full-time temporary labour is on the rise. I then analyze data gathered from twelve interviews with contingent academic faculty members at Quebec universities to explore how their working conditions and experiences have impacted on their professional identity and perceived quality of instruction. I suggest that professional identity among contingent faculty members is not as static as suggested by Rajagopal (2002) or Gappa and Leslie (1993) Using David Harvey’s (2005) concept of neoliberalism and Ulrich Beck’s (1992) concept of the flexibilization of labour under risk society, I situate the flexibilization of academic labour within the neoliberalization of the university, and also point to linkages between contingent academic labour and the commodification of higher education.
Top Surgery in Transgender Men: How Far Can You Push the Envelope?

Background: The authors present their grading scale and the outcomes of the largest cohort of top surgery published to date. Application of this grading system can help determine which patients will benefit from a subcutaneous mastectomy with free nipple graft versus a circumareolar technique, with the primary endpoint being need for aesthetic revisions. Methods: The authors reviewed their database of transgender males who underwent bilateral mastectomy between 2006 and 2015. Data collected included age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, smoking, diabetes, testosterone use, months of social transition, technique used, postoperative complications, and need for revision. Two techniques were used, circumareolar incision and free nipple graft technique. Results: Between 2006 and 2015, 1686 consecutive mastectomies were performed on 843 patients. Of those, 548 patients were excluded because of inadequate follow-up. Of the 295 included, 109 were treated using a circumareolar incision and 186 were treated using a free nipple graft technique. There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the two groups; however, there was a statistically significant difference in the rate of aesthetic revisions in the grade 2B circumareolar incision group (34 percent versus 8.8 percent). Conclusions: The authors’ outcomes are comparable to the literature, and demonstrate that these procedures can safely be performed in an outpatient setting. The authors’ grading scale classifies patients and helps the surgeon select a surgical technique. The authors show a statistical difference in rates of aesthetic revisions in Fischer grade 2B patients when a circumareolar incision is selected over a free nipple graft technique. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.
On Privatization Methods in Eastern Europe and Their Implications

We have two goals in this paper. The first is to draw lessons from the privatization experiences in Eastern Europe so far, in particular with respect to the relation between alternative privatization methods, the evolution of ownership after privatization and restructuring. The second is to draw from these lessons to suggest ways in which remaining privatization programmes might be designed or improved, when political constraints and economic realities are taken into account. Copyright The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 1998.
Contingent Claims Analysis of Corporate Capital Structures: An Empirical Investigation

Analysis is consistent with the approach of Fisher (1959) in that the model's inputs can be viewed as measures of financial and business risk. The advantage of CCA over the regression based analysis of Fisher (1959) is that CCA provides a specific functional relationship to be tested. In addition, given the structure of the CCA model, it is straightforward to infer firm values or other security values from the values of traded claims, and to price different convenant structures separately. In Section 2 of the paper, a brief discussion of the CCA valuation problem for a firm with equity and multiple issues of callable non-covertible sinking fund
Herding Behavior Around US Macroeconomic Announcements

This paper investigates the herding behavior of investors in 18 European countries around US macroeconomic announcements. By considering daily data from February 3, 2000 through July 31, 2011 and a large sample of US macroeconomic indicators, we find evidence that the intentional herding behavior intensity decreases when accounting for US macroeconomic news. The herding behavior is adopted intentionally in some European countries namely France, Switzerland and Portugal while spuriously in Greece. In addition to herding with their respective domestic markets, investors in the first three countries herd around some US macroeconomic announcements, suggesting that these investors reveal a somewhat spurious herding behavior. Findings support evidence that investors in Belgium, Finland and Ireland adopt rational investment decision making with regard to their respective domestic markets, but show pronounced herding behavior around US announcements mainly the case of Finland and Ireland.