Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AIRLINE OPERATING STRATEGIES IN U.K. INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

The UK has been a key contributor to the pressures for deregulating international European aviation, being a pioneer in liberalising bilateral agreements with other European partners. The reactions of airlines on these liberal markets provide a wealth of evidence as to how airlines behave in free competitive markets, and in particular on the means by which positioning is translated into market power. Their experience should be of value to those European Union airlines currently immersed in a similar market environment. A model of simultaneous consumerairline response is calibrated for the most liberal UK-EU markets, and is presented in two parts: firstly, a relative market share (logit) equation which evaluates consumer response to service attributes; secondly, a set of fare equations implicit in the relative market share model, which describe airline adjustments in pricing patterns for a given alteration on its attribute mix. Four main conclusions are drawn from the exercise. First, relative frequency share is the most effective quality attribute in generating market share. Secondly, travellers are more sensitive to the least restricted of the discounted fares than to any other fare type. Thirdly, airlines can transform higher market share into pricing power only to the extent that such market share affects concentration. Lastly, airport presence provides a weak source of pricing power directly, but a significant one indirectly through its effect on route market share. (*) Final version: January 1995. (* *) J.D. Jorge-Calderon is affiliated with the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds. The author is grateful to P. J. Mackie and J. P. Toner at the Institute for Transport Studies, Univesity of Leeds for useful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. Any remaining error or omission can only be attributed to the author. This content downloaded from 207.46. 13.51 on Sun, 19 Jun 2016 06:04:28 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor. org/terms 64 J. D. Jorge-Calderon
Summit on medical school education in sexual health: report of an expert consultation.

INTRODUCTION. : Medical education in sexual health in the United States and Canada is lacking. Medical students and practicing physicians report being underprepared to adequately address their patients' sexual health needs. Recent studies have shown little instruction on sexual health in medical schools and little consensus around the type of material medical students should learn. To address and manage sexual health issues, medical students need improved education and training. AIM. : This meeting report aims to present findings from a summit on the current state of medical school education in sexual health and provides recommended strategies to better train physicians to address sexual health. METHODS. : To catalyze improvements in sexual health education in medical schools, the summit brought together key U.S. and Canadian medical school educators, sexual health educators, and other experts. Attendees reviewed and discussed relevant data and potential recommendations in plenary sessions and then developed key recommendations in smaller breakout groups. RESULTS. : Findings presented at the summit demonstrate that the United States and Canada have high rates of poor sexual health outcomes and that sexual health education in medical schools is variable and in some settings diminished. To address these issues, government, professional, and student organizations are working on efforts to promote sexual health. Several universities already have sexual health curricula in place. Evaluation mechanisms will be essential for developing and refining sexual health education. CONCLUSIONS. : To be effective, sexual health curricula need to be integrated longitudinally throughout medical training. Identifying faculty champions and supporting student efforts are strategies to increase sexual health education. Sexual health requires a multidisciplinary approach, and cross-sector interaction between various public and private entities can help facilitate change. Areas important to address include: core content and placement in the curriculum; interprofessional education and training for integrated care; evaluation mechanisms; faculty development and cooperative strategies. Initial recommendations were drafted for each.
Risk assessment models for resource failure in grid computing

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are introduced in order to overcome the limitations associated with the best-effort approach in Grid computing, and to accordingly make Grid computing more attractive for commercial uses. However, commercial Grid providers are not keen to adopt SLAs since there is a risk of SLA violation as a result of resource failure, which will result in a penalty fee; therefore, the need to model the resources risk of failure is critical to Grid resource providers. Essentially, moving from the best-effort approach for accepting SLAs to a risk-aware approach assists the Grid resource provider to provide a high-level Quality of Service (QoS). Moreover, risk is an important factor in establishing the resource price and penalty fee in the case of resource failure. In light of this, we propose a mathematical model to predict the risk of failure of a Grid resource using a discrete-time analytical model driven by reliability functions fitted to observed data. The model relies on the resource historical information so as to predict the probability of the resource failure (risk of failure) for a given time interval. The model was evaluated by comparing the predicted risk of failure with the observed risk of failure using availability data gathered from Grids resources. The risk of failure is an important property of a Grid resource, especially when scheduling jobs optimally in relation to resources so as to achieve a business objective. However, in Grid computing, user-centric scheduling algorithms ignore the risk factor and mostly address the minimisation of the cost of the resource allocation, or the overall deadline by which the job must be executed completely. Therefore, we propose a novel user-centric scheduling algorithm for scheduling Bag of Tasks (BoT) applications. The algorithm, which aims to meet user requirements, takes into account the risk of failure, the cost of resources and the job deadline. With this in mind, through simulation, we demonstrate that the algorithm provides a near-optimal solution for minimizing the cost of executing BoT jobs. Also, we show that the execution time of the proposed algorithm is very low, and is therefore suitable for solving scheduling problems in real-time. Risk assessment benefits the resource provider by providing methods to either support accepting or rejecting an SLA. Moreover, it will enable the resource provider to understand the capacity of the infrastructure and to thereby plan future investment. Scheduling algorithms will benefit the resource provider by providing methods to meet user requirements and the better utilisation of resources. The ability to adopt a risk assessment method and user-centric algorithms makes the exploitation of Grid systems more realistic.
Voluntary Information Disclosure Practice of Listed Companies in Nigeria

This study examines the specific corporate attributes that explains the extent of voluntary disclosure in Nigeria. The increase in the public demand for more disclosure motivated this study. Using panel-data analysis for 40 listed companies (2004-2008) and after controlling for both linear and non linear properties in the model, the empirical results show that: size of the company has a positive decreasing impact on voluntary disclosure. Also, at contemporaneous and squared value, the age of the company was negatively associated with voluntary disclosure. Leverage was found to have an inverted u-shape association with voluntary disclosure while the performance variable exhibited a u-shape relationship with the explanatory variable. The relationship between auditor types and voluntary disclosure was positive.
How Do Experienced Analysts Improve Price Efficiency?

We document that the accrual anomaly is mitigated for firms followed by experienced analysts, suggesting a positive link between analyst quality and stock price efficiency. We examine two channels through which analysts may improve price efficiency — the research and monitoring channels. We find analysts and investors respond more positively to the accrual component of earnings for firms followed by experienced analysts, consistent with the monitoring channel, whereby experienced analysts bring about better accrual quality. Direct examination of accrual quality confirms that firms followed by experienced analysts have higher accrual quality; this holds around exogenous events of broker mergers and closures.
Decidability and undecidability of theories with a predicate for the primes

Abstract It is shown, assuming the linear case of Schinzel's Hypothesis, that the first-order theory of the structure 〈ω; +, P〉, where P is the set of primes, is undecidable and, in fact, that multiplication of natural numbers is first-order definable in this structure. In the other direction, it is shown, from the same hypothesis, that the monadic second-order theory of 〈ω S, P〉 is decidable, where S is the successor function. The latter result is proved using a general result of A. L. Semënov on decidability of monadic theories, and a proof of Semënov's result is presented.
Institutional Shareholders and Corporate Governance

This book examines the role of institutional shareholders in corporate governance, which is the system by which companies are directed and controlled. This is a subject of great concern to "public companies", their management, their shareholders and their employees. The recent concern about the effectiveness of corporate governance in a number of different countries has produced an outpouring of books and other publications including the Cadbury Committee Report which sought to address the principal problems arising in the UK. The unusual feature of this book is that it compares systems operating in Australia with those in the UK while at the same time also looking carefully at US, German and Japanese experience. The significance of the subject matter of this book lies in the fact that institutional investors collectively hold a very large proportion of the equity capital of the UK "corporate sector", and a sizeable proportion of the equity capital of the Australian equivalent. In addition domestic companies in turn occupy an extremely significant position in the UK economy and a significant one in the Australian economy. How these companies are managed is of very great significance to the economies of these countries.
Decomposition of Path Choice Entropy in General Transport Networks

This paper shows that the LOGIT type stochastic assignment/stochastic user equilibrium assignment can be represented as an optimization problem with only link variables. The conventional entropy function defined by path flows in the objective can be decomposed into a function consisting only of link flows. The idea of the decomposed formulation is derived from a consideration of the most likely link flow patterns over a network. Then the equivalence of the decomposed formulation to LOGIT assignment is proved by using the Markov properties that underlie Dial's algorithm. Through the analyses, some useful properties of the entropy function and its conjugate dual function (expected minimum cost function) have been derived. Finally, it is discussed that the derived results have a potential impact on the development of efficient algorithms for the stochastic user equilibrium assignment.
Ultrafine Structure of Human Aortic Valve Calcific Deposits

Objective: To elucidate the mechanism of formation of calcific deposits inside the human natural heart valve based on their ultra-fine structure on nanometer scale observed by atomic force microscope. Methods: Cross-sections of an aortic valve calcification were observed by scanning electron microscope. Thin slices several micrometeres thick from the same deposit were observed by atomic force microscopy in the Peak Force Imagining mode providing topographic, adhesion and quantitative nanoscale elastic modulus maps of the surface. Results: Most of the aortic valve calcification was composed of large blocks of mostly compact matter, porous on the microscopic scale. The mineral blocks consisted mainly of closely arranged elongated needle- and plate-like crystals, 30 to 70 nm in diameter, and irregularly disseminated areas of soft organic material. Conclusions: Crystals forming mineral blocks of mostly compact matter are nucleated on organic substrates, with their growth controlled by the diffusion of building units through the virtually stagnant layer of interstitial fluid wetting the deposit surface. Preferentially formed precursors of hydroxyapatite, dicalcium, octacalcium and/or amorphous calcium phosphate, are in later stages of deposit development transformed into biological hydroxyapatite.
Assessing the Impact of Local and Regional Influences on Nitrogen Loads to Buzzards Bay, MA

Nitrogen and chlorophyll-a concentrations in estuarine systems often correlate positively with increased nitrogen input. To determine the interactions between nitrogen load, physical drivers, and water quality indicators, we estimated nitrogen inputs to 28 estuaries within the Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (USA) watershed from 1985-2013. Estimates were derived by combining parcel specific wastewater disposal, point source wastewater discharge, land use, and atmospheric nitrogen deposition data with a previously verified nitrogen loading model. Linear regression analysis was used to quantify temporal trends in individual data sets and characterize relationships between variables. The land-use data indicated that fractional coverage of impervious surfaces increased with time for all sub-watersheds at the expense of vegetation and agriculture land use classes, reflecting a growth in residential unit density. Nitrogen loads decreased with time for most watersheds on the western side of Buzzards Bay, reflecting decreased atmospheric nitrogen deposition combined with management efforts to mitigate wastewater pollution. For most of Buzzards Bay’s eastern watersheds increases in nitrogen sourced from wastewater, driven primarily by the development of homes with on-site wastewater disposal, resulted in overall nitrogen load increases. The relationship between nitrogen load and mean summer in situ chlorophyll a underwent a shift to more chlorophyll a per unit nitrogen input over time that was partially correlated to climatic variables such as increased precipitation and warming water column temperatures.
Effects of probiotic bacteria on gastrointestinal motility in guinea-pig isolated tissue.

AIM To evaluate the intestinal motility changes evoked by 8 bacterial strains belonging to Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus genera within the probiotic preparation VSL#3. METHODS Ileum and proximal colon segments isolated from guinea-pigs were used as a study model. Entire cells and cell fractions (cell debris, cell wall fraction, cytoplasmatic fraction, proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous cytoplasmatic components) of VSL#3 strains and, as controls, Escherichia coli, Salmonella aboni and Bacillus licheniformis were tested in this in vitro model. RESULTS Among the bacterial cell fractions tested, only the cytoplasmatic fraction modified intestinal motility. Lactobacillus strains stimulated the contraction of ileum segment, whereas all probiotic strains tested induced proximal colon relaxation response. The non-proteinaceous cytoplasmatic components were responsible for the colon relaxation. CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study suggest that the proximal colon relaxation activity showed by the probiotic bacteria could be one of the possible mechanisms of action by which probiotics exert their positive effects in regulating intestinal motility.
Simulation in Health Care Education

During the past 15 years there has been widespread adoption of simulation in health care education as a method to train and assess learners. Multiple factors have contributed to this movement, including reduced patient availability, limited faculty teaching time, technological advances in diagnosis and treatment that require a new skills set, greater attention to patient safety with the need to reduce medical errors, and a focus on outcomes-based education. In this discussion, simulation refers broadly to any device or set of conditions that attempts to present the patient authentically. While simulation offers many advantages over traditional methods of teaching, there are several challenges that must be addressed to ensure its effective use. This article presents the range of available simulation technologies, explores the challenges that health care educators face when using this method, provides an example of a successful program that has integrated simulation into the culture of learning at its institution, and discusses an approach to maximizing the effectiveness of simulation as a means to learning and practicing skills in a safe, interactive environment.
Investigating the Market’s Efficiency Regarding Pension Deficits After the Implementation of SFAS No. 158

In 2006 SFAS No. 158 was introduced with the objective of increasing the transparency of accounting for defined benefit pension plans. This study examines whether firms with underfunded DB pension plans continued to be overvalued by the equity market after the implementation of this new standard. The findings suggest that while firms with large pension deficits are no longer overpriced, firms with small deficits are now overpriced by as much as 12% per year. This indicates that despite some improvements the market is still not efficient in valuing pension related items.
Right‐lobe live donor liver transplantation improves survival of patients with acute liver failure

Right‐lobe live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is used by many liver transplant centres for treating adult patients with terminal liver disease, but its incremental benefit for the intended recipient over cadaveric liver graft transplantation has not been determined. The impact of LDLT as a proactive approach on the outcome of patients with acute liver failure was analysed.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Pseudobagrus ondon Shaw

Abstract In this study, the total mitochondrial genome sequence of Pseudobagrus ondon Shaw was firstly sequenced and determined. The total genome is 16,543 bp in length. It consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 non-coding regions. These results provide useful data to the natural resources conservation and systematics analysis of P. ondon Shaw.
REPRODUCTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CATTLE IN CENTRAL ZONE OF TIGRAY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

The purpose of this study was to explore the reproductive and productive performances of dairy cattle in central Tigray Zone, Northern Ethiopia. A total of 160 dairy holding households were selected by systematic random sampling technique for the study. The age at first calving, calvin g interval and lactation length for the exotic breed cows was 2.26
Uncertainty in the transaction environment: an empirical test

Previous studies examining the relationship between uncertainty and vertical integration have produced a conflicting set of results. To clarify this puzzle we drew on the literature to conceptualize three distinct forms of uncertainty—primary, competitive, and supplier—and hypothesized that each had a different effect on vertical integration. The hypotheses were tested using experimental data collected from 308 managers. Consistent with our prediction of differential effects, we found that primary and competitive uncertainty were negatively associated with the decision to vertically integrate, but supplier uncertainty was positively related to the vertical integration decision. No interaction effects were found. Implications for theory and research are suggested. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case studies in participatory irrigation management

'Water is a vital element for agricultural production and for economic development in general. However, the spatial and temporal distribution of water in Mexico restrains its use. Because of this distribution, it has been necessary to build a large infrastructure to capture, store, and allot this element among water users. ' Around the world, countries that once promoted more government involvement in irrigation management are adopting new policies that do just the opposite, creating incentives for farmers to take over the management of operations and maintenance, while government agencies focus on improving the management of water at the main system level. Is this just another management fad; or will the pendulum that is now swinging toward greater management control by farmers soon swing back the other way, toward greater state control? This volume reports on four countries where the state's role in irrigation management has undergone fundamental change and where the result has been a much greater management role for farmers. These studies address the political antecedents of participatory irrigation management (PIM) policies, the process of implementing the policies, and the second-generation challenges of sustaining PIM. These experiences will prove useful to policymakers and irrigation professionals who are facing similar challenges in their own countries.
Modelling and Analysis of Car Ownership in Chilean Cities

Car ownership and household income are key aspects when modeling home-based trip production. This article deals with the first aspect, using a disaggregate approach to model this attribute. The main goal was to identify those aspects affecting household car ownership in the Chilean context, using cross section information for four cities. A binary choice structure was chosen to model the household car ownership based on data availability. Data came from the Origin Destination surveys carried out by the Chilean Transport Investment Planning Office. Results show that main factors affecting the probability of having at least one car by household, for all four cities, are: household income, number of women and men holding a driving license, and gender and occupation of household head. In spite of models are able to replicate car possession by household, there might be other aspects affecting car ownership: public transport network density and location of activities developed by the household members, for instance.
Recursive Equilibria in Dynamic Economies With Stochastic Production

In this paper, we prove the existence of recursive equilibria in a dynamic stochastic model with infinitely lived heterogeneous agents, several commodities, and general inter‐ and intratemporal production. We illustrate the usefulness of our result by providing sufficient conditions for the existence of recursive equilibria in heterogeneous agent versions of both the Lucas asset pricing model and the neoclassical stochastic growth model.