Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality differentiation and conditional spatial price competition among hotels Seul

It is generally accepted that location is the dominant product attribute for hotels. Accordingly, studies on price competition have often utilized fixed geographic boundaries when defining competitive sets. When travelers are willing to substitute location and quality, however, the spatial extent of competition can depend on the hotels' quality. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that geographic boundary of price competition among hotels is conditional on quality differentiation. Through an empirical analysis based on two-stage least squares modified to test for spatial price competition, the present study finds that hotels compete with more distant neighbors of similar quality than those who are quality-differentiated. In addition, the results also suggest possibility of cooperation among neighboring hotels similar in quality. Implications and suggestions are presented along with the findings of the study, which is expected to contribute to the literature by suggesting a new perspective on the relationship between quality differentiation and price competition among hotels. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Dilettante, Venturesome, Tory and Crafts: Drivers of Performance Among Taxonomic Groups

Empirical research has failed to cumulate into a coherent taxonomy of small firms. This may be because the method adapted from biology by Bill McKelvey has almost never been adopted. His approach calls for extensive variables and a focused sample of organizations, contrary to most empirical studies, which are specialized. Comparing general and special purpose approaches, we find some of the latter have more explanatory power than others and that general purpose taxonomies have the greatest explanatory power. Examining performance, we find the types do not display significantly different levels of performance but they display highly varied drivers of performance. This manuscript was invited due to its foundational nature that underpins research in this domain.
Developing local currency bond markets for long-term development financing in Sub-Saharan Africa

This article discusses the role that local currency bond markets (LCBMs) can play in the long-term financing of sustainable development of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies, and presents an empirical analysis of the factors which may hinder or promote the development of such markets in SSA. Using a new dataset for 27 SSA countries, our findings support earlier research on SSA and other regions, showing that LCBM development is related to country size, larger banking systems, greater trade openness, and better regulatory frameworks and rule of law. Foreign investor participation broadens the investor base and can give a boost to LCBM development, yet it may also increase volatility of international capital flows. Hence, with a view to the experience of emerging economies in other regions, capital market liberalization should be pursued only very cautiously and in step with solid financial and institutional development.
Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Haitian Women in the United States

Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Haitian Women in the United States by Marie-Hortence Prosper MPH, Loma Linda University, 2011 MBA, Loma Linda University, 2009 BA, University of Michigan, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Epidemiology Walden University December 2018
When Are Eddy Tracer Fluxes Directed Downgradient

The mechanisms controlling the direction of eddy tracer fluxes are examined using eddy-resolving isopycnic experiments for a cyclic zonal channel. Eddy fluxes are directed downgradient on average when either (i) there is a Lagrangian increase in tracer variance or (ii) there is strong dissipation of tracer variance. The effect of the eddies on the mean tracer evolution can be described through an ensemble of eddies that each have a particular life cycle. Local examination of the eddy behavior, such as fluxes, eddy kinetic energy, and tracer variance appears complex, although the cumulative time-mean picture has coherence: eddies are preferentially formed in localized regions with downstream growth and increase in tracer variance concomitant with downgradient eddy tracer fluxes, while eventually the eddies decay with a decrease in tracer variance and upgradient eddy tracer fluxes. During spinup, tracer deformation through flow instability leads to an area-average increase in tracer variance (although locally it is increasing and decreasing with the individual eddy life cycles) and therefore an implied area-average, downgradient tracer flux. At a steady state, part of the pattern in eddy fluxes simply reflects advection of background tracer variance by the time-mean and eddy flows. The eddy flux becomes biased to being directed downgradient if there is a strong sink in the tracer, which is likely to be the case for eddy heat fluxes along isopycnals outcropping in the mixed layer or for eddy nitrate fluxes along isopycnals intersecting the euphotic zone.
Bulk Generation Transmission & Distribution Customer Grid Operations Activity Service Activity Service Event Monitor Activity Service Electrical Interface Communication Interface Activity Service Event Communication Energy Market Event Monitor

OM4SPACE provides a cloud-based event notification middleware. This middleware delivers a foundation for the development of scalable complex event processing applications. The middleware decouples the event notification from the applications themselves, by encapsulating this functionality into a component called Activity Service. This paper presents the architecture of the Activity Service, its application scenario, its semantic parameters, the implemented prototype of the Activity Service and the preliminary results of the performance evaluation of the prototype. The contribution of the paper is threefold: (1) we identified a new use case for the application scenario; (2) we extended a list of semantic parameters; and (3) we presented an implemented prototype of the Activity Service. Keywords–OM4SPACE; Activity Service; Cloud computing; Complex event processing (CEP); Active database management systems (ADBMSs); Smart grids.
Weighted Network Evolution Model of Industry Technology Innovation Alliances Knowledge Transfer Based on Node Competitivenesss

On the basis of the dynamic evolution and competition of the complex network of industry alliances together with the limitations of the BBV network model, a competitive merit-based dynamic evolution model is constructed. It not only considers the addition of new nodes, but also the deletion of old nodes, the rewiring of old nodes and the deletion of old links appear in the networks. By using continuum theory and mean field theory, the corresponding evolution equation is established. The strength and degree distribution of the model still has the power-rate characteristics of scale-free networks and BBV scale-free network is a special case. The correctness of the theoretical analysis is proved by the simulation. The results show that by adjusting the parameters, it can coincide with the power -low exponent of many complex networks. Therefore, the improved model is more adaptive and authenticity.
Economic Properties of Intangibles Recognized Under Domestic Accounting Standards: Evidence from Pre-Ifrs Major European Markets

This study investigates whether European domestic GAAPs used for intangibles recognition prior to the IFRS adoption exhibit major differences while examining the relationship between a firm's economic (financial, operating and competitive) performance and its recognized intangible investment (RII). Using a five-European-country sample over the pre-IFRS compliance period 1993-2004, we first provide evidence that, independently of the intangibles accounting recognition practices, investors adopt a short-term perspective or "myopic view" while constructing their portfolios by penalizing firms with high RII. Secondly, contrary to the resource-based view, our results suggest that RII do not underpin under any accounting treatment better competitive position inside a specific industry. Finally, our findings clearly support the idea that EU continental accounting standards, while opposed to Anglo-Saxon settings, ease the relationship existing between RII and firm operating performance. This last result would suggest that IFRS adoption could lead to disconnect operating margins from RII and subsequently challenge the widespread claim that IFRS help produce higher-quality reporting about a firm's operating activities.
Technological options and approaches to improve smallholder access to desirable animal genetic material for dairy development: IPMS Experience with hormonal oestrus synchronization and mass insemination in Ethiopia

Introduction Ethiopia has over 50 million indigenous cattle, and about 10 million are breeder cows, with annual calving rate of 45%. The number of improved dairy type animals is insignificant. Average milk production from local cows is 1.54 liters/cow/day (CSA, 2009/10) with total annual production of 2.94 billion liters. Per capita milk consumption is low and stands at 19 kg/year FAO (2011). Due to the high demand-supply variance, annual import of dairy products is over USD 10 million. The current human population of 80 million will double by 2030; increasing the demand for dairy products. However, there is huge potential for dairy development due to the large human and livestock population and suitable agro-ecologies. One of the major problems hindering smallholder farmers from participating in milk production and marketing is lack of access to and high price of improved dairy animals. Hormonal oestrus synchronization (AZAGE TEGEGNE ET AL., 1989) under smallholder context could be used, among others, to produce large number and dairy animals in a short period of time (kick start), to match calving with feed availability and market demand for dairy products and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of AI service. The objectives of this study are to test a simple hormonal oestrus synchronization regime and mass insemination under on-farm condition; to improve access to improved dairy genetics by smallholder farmers and to kick-start market-oriented smallholder dairy development in selected sites. This paper documents the experiences of the IPMS project (www.ipms-ethiopia.org) and its partners in implementing and testing this innovative approach.
Humidity Bias and Effect on Simulated Aerosol Optical Properties during the Ganges Valley Experiment

The radiosonde humidity profiles available during the Ganges Valley Experiment were compared to those simulated from the regional Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with a chemistry module (WRF-Chem) and the global reanalysis datasets. Large biases were revealed. On a monthly mean basis at Nainital, located in northern India, the WRFChem model simulates a large moist bias in the free troposphere (up to +20%) as well as a large dry bias in the boundary layer (up to -30%). While the overall pattern of the biases is similar, the magnitude of the biases varies from time to time and from one location to another. At Thiruvananthapuram, the magnitude of the dry bias is smaller, and in contrast to Nainital, the higher-resolution regional WRF-Chem model generates larger moist biases in the upper troposphere than the global reanalysis data. Furthermore, the humidity biases in the upper troposphere, while significant, have little impact on the model estimation of column aerosol optical depth (AOD). The frequent occurrences of the dry boundary-layer bias simulated by the large-scale models tend to lead to the underestimation of AOD. It is thus important to quantify the humidity vertical profiles for aerosol simulations over South Asia.
Does Corporate Social Responsibility influence the Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Organizational Commitment ? Mediating Role of Organizational Trust & Organizational Justice

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility on organizational citizenship behavior and organizational commitment by concentrating on the mediating role of organizational trust and organizational justice. Study is descriptive and quantitative in nature. Survey questionnaire method was used and data have been collected from 212 respondents by applying simple random sampling technique. Findings revealed that corporate social responsibility have positive and significant impact on organizational citizenship behavior and organizational commitment. Moreover, results also enlightened that organization trust significantly and partially mediate the relationship corporate social responsibility and organizational citizenship behavior. Similarly, results also elaborated that organizational justice significantly and partially mediate the relationship corporate social responsibility and organizational commitment. Organizations can utilize these findings by paying concentrating to improve their CSR practices, organizational justice & trust level to make their employees more committed and positively shape their organizational citizenship behaviors.
Analysis and evaluation of noise reaction in open public spaces in Mexico City

Mexico City, with a population estimated in 19 millions, is part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Unfortunately, scientific work on urban noise in Mexico City is scarce. A study on people reaction to urban noise carried out in open public spaces of two different zones of Mexico City will be presented. A previous survey in those zones showed that the noise levels exceeded the values recommended by international organizations to protect public health and welfare. The general objective of the study to be presented was to identify the sound sources perceived by the pedestrians, and to evaluate their response to urban noise pollution in the two mentioned areas. The results show that for most of the people (a) urban noise is not considered a relevant aspect to improve the quality in the city, although urban noise has a negative effect on the decision of using open public spaces; (b) the people with knowledge of the negative effects of noise pollution are more annoyed; (c) vehicular traffic.
A DFuzzy Evaluation Model for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries -Example of Industries with Local Characteristics in Taiwan

In recent years, Taiwan has been proactively promoting the development of its cultural and creative industries and the development of local cultural characteristics. In addition, it has been encouraging the integration of industrial development and cultural elements to create unique industrial competitiveness. The development of cultural values has become a major policy objective. To explore the influence factors regarding the development of cultural and creative industries, the Delphi method is used in this study to establish the evaluation criteria based on the collective opinions of invited experts. Then the fuzzy logic theory is used to establish a quantification model for the development of cultural and creative industries with local characteristics. This model can be used by not only the industries to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating local cultural characteristics in their development but also the regulators to find out references for their decision making of the subsidy standards for the development of industries with local characteristics. Keywords—cultural and creative industries; cultural values; Delphi method; fuzzy logic theory; industries with local characteristics
The dynamism of entrepreneurial motivation: A case of academic entrepreneurs constrained environment

The aim of this paper is to investigate the dynamism of the motivations of academic entrepreneurs, who are operating in resource constrained environments. In-depth interviews are carried out to gather longitudinal data to investigate dynamisms, which are compared and contrasted with static motives identified from cross-sectional data gathered via an on-line survey. Findings reveal that academic entrepreneurial engagement is a process, which starts by engaging in teaching related academic entrepreneurial activities, and then diversifies into research related academic entrepreneurial activities and company creation. Since environment is resource constrained, the engagement in each type of activity is motivated initially by push factors, subsequently by pull factors, and during the shift by a combination of pull and push factors. These findings resolve the presence of two contradictory viewpoints in relation to static motives; namely, entrepreneurs being motivated by one type of motive (i.e. push or pull motive), and a mix of both types (i.e. pull and push motives), which is found to be determined by the stage at which cross-sectional data is collected. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of studying dynamisms to obtain an in-depth understanding about entrepreneurial motivations. Policy implications and future research avenues are discussed.
Demand for Coffee : Prices , Preferences and Market Power

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of prices in determining demand for roasted coffee in Sweden. This is of interest because many believe that lower consumer prices would increase exports from developing countries, which are the main coffee-bean producers. In the first part it is argued that the presence of trends in the data can provide information about market power. When there is a trend in consumption but not in relative prices, firms do not control quantities with prices, or vice versa. In the second part coffee demand is estimated on Swedish data. In the long-run changing preferences determine demand, and a reduction in consumer prices only has a short-run impact. Our results indicate that lower prices will only have a temporary impact on coffee exports to Sweden.
Vocal efficiency in trained singers vs. non-singers

VOCAL EFFICIENCY IN TRAINED SINGERS VS. NON-SINGERS Kristi Sue Fulton Department of Communication Disorders Master of Science Vocal efficiency is a measure of the efficiency of the energy conversion process from aerodynamic power to acoustic power. Few studies have been conducted to measure vocal efficiency in trained singers to determine whether “vocal athletes” are more efficient than non-singers. Data were collected from 20 trained singers (10 male and 10 female) and 20 non-singers (10 male and 10 female) to determine if there were any significant differences between the two groups. During the recording, each participant produced a series of syllables at combinations of three different levels of pitch and loudness. The acoustic and aerodynamic data were analyzed to reveal any statistically significant differences in vocal efficiency between singers and non-singers. The singers were significantly more efficient than non-singers in only two of the nine conditions. Singers had significantly higher subglottic pressure and resistance values. More differences were found between men and women, in that males produced greater flow, but females consistently produced higher sound pressure level values. Acoustic analyses were also performed and this revealed that singers had significantly greater fundamental frequency variability during speech, as reflected in a higher semitone standard deviation for a reading passage. It was also found that males had higher maximum phonation times and a greater long-term average spectrum standard deviation. Vocal beauty ratings were significantly higher for singers than non-singers.
An updated assessment of human activities, the environment, and freshwater fish biodiversity in Canada

Changes in resource development and expansions of urban centres suggest that the intensity and types of anthropogenic stressors affecting Canada’s watersheds are changing. Chu et al. (2003) integrated indices of freshwater fish biodiversity, environmental conditions, and anthropogenic stress to identify priority watersheds for conservation and management. Here, we update those indices using recent climate and census data to assess changes through time. We also applied different conservation and management scenarios to evaluate the robustness of our prioritization approach. Between time periods, the environmental and stress indices expanded northward because of warmer temperatures at higher latitudes and more intense anthropogenic stress in the northern regions of the provinces. Conservation priorities increased in northern British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario but decreased in southern British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and south-central Quebec. Under multiple scenarios, conservation priorities were consist.
The moderating role of perceived risk on trust in e-banking

The purpose of this research is to investigate whether a consumer's perception of risk in transacting on the internet (Perceived Risk) would have an influence on their trust of a bank's e-banking website (Specific Trust) and their willingness to use e-banking. The results showed that Perceived Risk has a direct influence on a consumer's willingness to use e-banking and Specific Trust has a positive moderating influence on the relationship between Perceived Risk and a consumer's willingness to use e-banking. Consumers who have low perceived risk of transacting on the internet are generally more willing to use e-banking. Their willingness to use e-banking was also shown to be more pronounced in cases where the consumer also trust their bank's e-banking website. These findings are of particular relevance to banks. It highlights that a consumer's willingness to use e-banking primarily depends on their perception of risk in transacting on the internet; trust of the specific e-banking website was secondary. This suggests the need for banks to not only employ mechanisms to build trust for their specific e-banking website, but that banks should first take measures to educate their customers and manage general consumer perceptions of the risks of transacting on the internet.
Influence of Compost Application and Seed Rates on Production Potential of Late Sown Maize on High Elevation in Swat -Pakistan

To evaluate the influence of compost application and seed rates on production potential of late sown maize on high elevation, an experiment was conducted at Farmer Field School (FFS), Swat Pakistan during summer 2013. The design of the experiment was used Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Sowing was done one month late (July 15 th ) than optimum time of sowing. Optimum time of sowing on high elevation in Swat-Pakistan starts from May 15 th , to June 15 th . Four levels of compost (5, 10, 15 and 20t ha -1 ) and four seed rates (10, 20, 30 and 40 kg ha -1 ) were used (cv. Baber). A subplot size of 3m x 4.5m was used. Each subplot was consisted of six rows having 75 cm row-to-row distance with row length of 3 m. Sowing of 40 kg seed ha -1 treated with 20 tonns compost ha -1 produced cob length (19 cm), plant height (179.19 cm), 1000 grain weight (192.83 g) and grain yield (2712 kg ha -1 ). While maximum grain cob -1 gave by 30 kg seed ha -1 treated with 20 tonns compost ha -1 (375 grain cob -1 ) . On the basis of the above results, among the tested seed rate 40 kg ha -1 treated with20 tonns compost application is recommended for late sowing on high elevation in the agro-ecological conditions of swat valley. Key w ords: Maize (Zea mays L.), compost, seed rates, grain yield, yield components