Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual and Interactive Influences of Anthropogenic and Ecological Factors on Forest PM2.5 Concentrations at an Urban Scale

Integration of Landsat images and multisource data using spatial statistical analysis and geographical detector models can reveal the individual and interactive influences of anthropogenic activities and ecological factors on concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). This approach has been used in many studies to estimate biomass and forest disturbance patterns and to monitor carbon sinks. However, the approach has rarely been used to comprehensively analyze the individual and interactive influences of anthropogenic factors (e.g., population density, impervious surface percentage) and ecological factors (e.g., canopy density, stand age, and elevation) on PM2.5 concentrations. To do this, we used Landsat-8 images and meteorological data to retrieve quantitative data on the concentrations of particulates (PM2.5), then integrated a forest management planning inventory (FMPI), population density distribution data, meteorological data, and topographic data in a Geographic Information System database, and applied a spatial statistical analysis model to identify aggregated areas (hot spots and cold spots) of particulates in the urban area of Jinjiang city, China. A geographical detector model was used to analyze the individual and interactive influences of anthropogenic and ecological factors on PM2.5 concentrations. We found that particulate concentration hot spots are mainly distributed in urban centers and suburbs, while cold spots are mainly distributed in the suburbs and exurban region. Elevation was the dominant individual factor affecting PM2.5 concentrations, followed by dominant tree species and meteorological factors. A combination of human activities (e.g., population density, impervious surface percentage) and multiple ecological factors caused the dominant interactive effects, resulting in increased PM2.5 concentrations. Our study suggests that human activities and multiple ecological factors effect PM2.5 concentrations both individually and interactively. We conclude that in order to reveal the direct and indirect effects of human activities and multiple factors on PM2.5 concentrations in urban forests, quantification of fusion satellite data and spatial statistical methods should be conducted in urban areas.
Vested outsourcing: a flexible framework for collaborative outsourcing

Purpose – Research and studies of successful, collaborative outsourcing relationships have uncovered commonalities that researchers codified into a methodology designed to structure aligned, innovative and cooperative outsourcing arrangements. This paper aims to describe a new methodology for establishing successful collaborative outsourcing relationships.Design/methodology/approach – The design is based on seven years of field research into successful strategic outsourcing agreements completed by the authors and additional colleagues.Findings – Research into successful collaborative outsourcing relationships has uncovered commonalities that researchers have identified as normative rules which, when followed, lead to aligned, innovative and cooperative relationships. This paper identifies five rules and ten elements that together form a flexible framework for implementing an effective outsourcing partnership. This approach is called “vested outsourcing” because the nature of most highly successful relatio.
Macroeconomics in Crisis: Agriculture in an Underachieving Economy

The American economy performs like an auto engine whose radiator is choked with lime deposits. Some time ago, it was discovered that adding generous amounts of tap water to the radiator permitted high power output without overheating. As the years went by, however, lime deposited in the radiator by the tap water reduced cooling capacity-tap water had to be added continuously for adequate engine performance even under normal loads on level highways. Deposits finally built to the point where nearly all agree that something has to be done to restore power to this basically sound, but occluded, engine. One recommendation is to use a high pressure radiator cap for increasing engine performance without continually adding water. But the concern is that something will burst under the pressure. Another recommendation is to remove the radiator and cook out the lime deposits. The drawback is protracted engine downtime. These are basically the dilemmas and options facing macroeconomic policy today. Performance of the economy as apparent in high inflation and unemployment rates, in slow real growth, and in a weak dollar in international exchange has reached crisis proportions. Economists and the public are convinced the economy is capable of better performance, but there is no concensus about how to restore
TOURISM AND GROWTH IN SINGAPORE: NEW EXTENSION FROM BOUNDS TEST TO LEVEL RELATIONSHIPS AND CONDITIONAL GRANGER CAUSALITY TESTS

This paper empirically investigates the tourism-led growth (TLG) hypothesis in the case of Singapore by employing the bounds test to cointegration, error correction models and Granger causality tests using annual data from 1960 to 2007. Results confirm the existence of long-term equilibrium relationship between international tourism and economic growth in the case of Singapore; real income growth converges to its long-term equilibrium level significantly by 51.4% in the TLG model. The major finding of this study is that the TLG hypothesis is confirmed for the Singaporean economy in the long-term as a result of conditional Granger causality tests.
Who Can Adjust to the Euro?

This study estimates potential exchange rate variation among 26 European countries during 1992-1998, as a proxy for the potential magnitude of adjustment they face to euro-block membership, using the instrumental variable (IV) method, applying least squares cross-section regression analysis based on optimal currency area theory. A currency union among Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands and Slovenia is found to entail a relatively light burden of adjustment for its members. The current membership of other countries in the euro-block is potentially very demanding on their societies in the long term. This study also compares currency boards and independent central banks as alternative monetary frameworks for disinflation policies. Based on a pooled time-series, cross-section dataset of the same countries and years currency boards are found to be more effective in reducing inflation in all countries except Belgium. Balancing EMU's credibility gains against its adjustment costs, Finland, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain seem like unstable members of the euro-block. For all new EU member states except the Czech Republic, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia the advice is to stay out of the euro-block until their economies are liberalised and flexible enough to withstand major adjustments, and their societal interest groups supportive enough of these adjustments.
Hyaluronan, Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and the Tumor Microenvironment in Malignant Progression

This review summarizes the roles of CAFs in forming a “cancerized” fibrotic stroma favorable to tumor initiation and dissemination, in particular highlighting the functions of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA) in these processes. The structural complexity of the tumor and its host microenvironment is now well appreciated to be an important contributing factor to malignant progression and resistance-to-therapy. There are multiple components of this complexity, which include an extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and associated biomechanical changes in tumor stroma. Tumor stroma is often fibrotic and rich in fibrillar type I collagen and hyaluronan (HA). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major source of this fibrotic ECM. CAFs organize collagen fibrils and these biomechanical alterations provide highways for invading carcinoma cells either under the guidance of CAFs or following their epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The increased HA metabolism of a tumor microenvironment instructs carcinoma initiation and dissemination by performing multiple functions. The key effects of HA reviewed here are its role in activating CAFs in pre-malignant and malignant stroma, and facilitating invasion by promoting motility of both CAFs and tumor cells, thus facilitating their invasion. Circulating CAFs (cCAFs) also form heterotypic clusters with circulating tumor cells (CTC), which are considered to be pre-cursors of metastatic colonies. cCAFs are likely required for extravasation of tumors cells and to form a metastatic niche suitable for new tumor colony growth. Therapeutic interventions designed to target both HA and CAFs in order to limit tumor spread and increase response to current therapies are discussed.
The Impact of Public Service Values on Services of General Interest Reform Debates

Competing values complicate debates on the reform of public services. Attention for competition and efficiency is balanced by concerns for equity and universality in service delivery. These potential value conflicts are best visible in the reform of services of general interest. Despite debates at the European and the national level, current research on services of general interest has been limited to scholars in law and economics. Citizens' opinion on the guiding principles of service delivery is generally disregarded. In this article, we analyse a number of Eurobarometer surveys dealing with services of general interest, as well as a general survey of citizens' perceptions of the public sector in Belgium. We delineate clusters of citizens' public service delivery value orientations, and show that one-sided or ideology-based reform strategies probably negate many of the continuing dilemmas in public service delivery.
Is Older Goodwill Value Relevant?

Although previous research has generally found that goodwill reported in firms' financial reports is relevant to equity valuation, no known studies have directly examined whether the value-relevance of purchased goodwill holds as it ages. We examine this issue in the Australian context to determine whether the market attaches different values to the components of Australian firms' goodwill when it is disaggregated into different 'ages'. Our results suggest that recently acquired goodwill has information content whereas 'older' goodwill does not. Our findings have implications for goodwill accounting practice and recent changes to goodwill accounting standards. Copyright (c) The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2006 AFAANZ.
[Effects of itraconazole plus doxorubicin on proliferation and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of itraconazole (ITC) plus adriamycin (ADM) on proliferation and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia cells in vitro. METHODS The growth inhibition effects of different concentrations of ITC, ADM or ITC (2, 6, 15 µmol/L) plus ADM (0.30, 0.75 µmol/L) were detected by CCK8 assay in KG1α and primary adult acute leukemia cells. Different concentrations of ITC for 7, 14 and 21 days were applied for observing the effect on colony formation. After 48 h treatments with 6 µmol/L ITC, 0.75 µmol/L ADM or ITC (6 µmol/L) plus ADM (0.75 µmol/L), the morphological changes of cells were observed by Wright staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptotic rate, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle arrest. And the expression levels of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signal pathway-related proteins Shh and glima-associated oncogene homdog1 (Gli1) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS ITC and ADM inhibited the proliferation of KG1α and primary adult acute leukemia cells and ITC reduced the colony-formation ability of KG1α cells both in dose-dependent manners. Compared with control or single drug group, the changes of cell morphology were more apparent in combined group. Weeb coefficient test revealed a synergistic effect (D ≤ 70%C) of 0.75 µmol/L ADM plus 6 µmol/L ITC. When KG1α cells were treated with 6 µmol/L ITC plus 0.75 µmol/L ADM, the apoptotic rate was 31.72% ± 1.58%. And it was significantly higher than that in control, ITC and ADM groups (4.17% ± 0.74%, 4.33% ± 1.12%, 9.53% ± 1.15%, P < 0.01). Detection of mitochondrial membrane potential showed that low red-fluorescent cells (P3) of combined group were obviously higher than that in control, ADM and ITC single drug groups (18.80% ± 0.96% vs 5.00% ± 0.38%, 9.70% ± 0.43%, 7.10% ± 0.77%, P < 0.01) . KG1α cells were obviously arrested in G2 phase in combined group and it showed no statistical significance compared with control or single drug group. Western blot showed that the expression levels of Shh and Gli1 decreased with rising concentration of ITC. CONCLUSIONS ITC plus ADM can obviously inhibit cell proliferation and increase KG1α cell apoptotic rate, mitochondrial damage and G2 phase retardation. And ITC inhibits the Shh signal pathways.
Effects of Equol Supplement on Bone and Cardiovascular Parameters in Middle-Aged Japanese Women: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract Objective: To examine changes in the bone and cardiovascular parameters and tolerability in middle-aged Japanese women taking equol supplement for a year. Design: This was a prospective observational study. Subjects and Setting: Participants were 74 women receiving outpatient care at Hamasite Medical Clinic, Minato-ku, Tokyo, from 2013 to 2015. Interventions: Participants received per oral equol-containing supplement, 10 mg/day. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were percent changes in bone and cardiovascular parameters after 1 year supplementation with equol. The secondary measures included factors affecting the parameter changes and adverse effects associated with equol use for a year. Results: Reduction in arterial stiffness was observed after 12 months of equol supplement (1402.3 cm/s vs.1367.3 cm/s, p < 0.001). Significant reductions in respective parameters were observed in women with moderate and high risk for arteriosclerosis (median [95% confidence interval]: −3.2% [−5.79 to −0.74]; −12.65% [−18.52 to −4.28]; respectively); hypertriglyceridemia −45.53% [−70.24 to −5.58]; bone resorption risk (−15.15% [−23.71 to 1.56]; and bone fracture risk −26.68% [−76.43 to −5.99]. All 15 women with high baseline parathyroid hormone levels had achieved a median of 50% [−54.11 to −31.69] reduction from their baseline values. These associations were further confirmed in the results of multiple linear regression analysis. There were no reported adverse events or abnormal findings in the blood chemistry, Pap smear, mammography, and transvaginal ultrasound during periodic follow-ups. Conclusion: One year equol supplement was tolerable and induced improvement of certain bone and cardiovascular parameters, especially in higher risk groups. Further controlled studies are needed to explore long-term equol use for wellbeing of middle-aged women.
Why do they go? Individual and corporate perspectives on the factors influencing the decision to accept an international assignment

This article explores the motives of individuals to accept international assignments. It uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to further our understanding of how important a variety of items are in the decision to work abroad. Employing a mutual dependency perspective it contrasts individual motives and organizational perspectives. Organizations significantly underestimate the importance of career, work/life balance and development considerations and overestimate the financial imperative and some family motives. The analysis showed that for individuals some of these factors significantly relate to outcome variables in terms of the perceived career capital accrued from assignments. The study presents a more nuanced picture of influence factors on the decision to go and advocates the use of context-sensitive, multiple perspectives. Practical implications for multinational organizations are discussed.
Ethnic Segregation and Radical Right-Wing Voting in Dutch Cities

Previous studies have linked anti-immigrant voting and other indications of ethnic animosities to ethnic segregation, yielding different results. In this study, we focus on the locally strongly diverging support for Geert Wilders’s Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid [PVV]) in the Dutch national parliamentary elections of 2006 and 2010 to assess how it can be understood that the effect of ethnic segregation on anti-immigrant voting varies, and how this can be theoretically interpreted. Our analyses on 50 Dutch cities demonstrate that ethnic segregation leads to PVV voting, and that this positive effect is stronger in cities with a more tolerant cultural atmosphere and lower levels of unemployment. This positive effect is at odds with ethnic threat theory, and our contextualization informed by the cultural and economic conditions of cities enables empirically distinguishing between contact theory and concentration theory. Whereas both predict a positive effect, only contact theory is corroborated by our results.
What Do Firms Do When Dividend Tax Rates Change? An Examination of Alternative Payout Responses

This paper investigates whether investor-level taxes affect corporate payout policy decisions. We predict and find a surge of special dividends in the final months of 2010 and 2012, immediately before individual-level dividend tax rates were expected to increase. We also find evidence that immediately before the expected tax increases, firms altered the timing of their regular dividend payments by shifting what would normally be January regular dividend payments into the preceding December. To our knowledge this is the first evidence in the literature about changes in the timing of regular dividend payments in response to tax law changes. For both actions (specials and shifting), we find that it was more likely for a firm to respond to individual-level tax rates if insiders owned a relatively large amount of the firm. Overall, our paper provides evidence that managers consider individual-level taxes in making corporate payout decisions.
The effect of foreign currency borrowing and financial development on exports: a dynamic panel analysis on Asia-Pacific countries

This paper examines the effect of foreign currency borrowing and financial development on exports. A balanced panel data is constructed for the selected 17 East Asian-Pacific countries, and the cointegration relationship among the variables of the export demand function is verified using Pedroni's heterogeneous panel cointegration tests. The empirical results indicate that the effect of foreign debt on exports is conditional on the magnitude of currency depreciation. The larger the depreciation of a currency, the more its exports are adversely affected by its foreign liability. This finding might be a possible explanation as to why large exchange rate depreciation during the 1997 financial crisis failed to generate the export boom. The results also show different effects of financial shocks on exports in these economies.
Suffrage, Democracy and Gender Equality in Education

Examining the influence of women's suffrage and democracy on gender equality in education in a sample of 80 countries, covering Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America and Eastern Europe, this study shows that countries with a longer duration of suffrage tend on average to perform better in terms of gender equality in education. The empirical association between democracy and gender equality in education disappears when religion is controlled for. In Asia and Africa, other factors, including income, employment in agriculture and colonialism, also help explain the under-representation of girls in education.
The changing role of the individual investor

Uses information obtained from federal income tax returns and mail and telephone surveys of stock-owning families to evaluate the effect on American equity markets of the shift of stock ownership from individuals to institutions. Presents new information on individual investors, their future plans, and the possible consequences of changes in government policy or economic environment. Suggests the most efficient ways to encourage individual stock ownership. Examines the pros and cons of numerous proposals and mechanisms for improving the securities markets, including new material on disclosure requirements, options, short sales, and index funds. Provides charts and tables to illustrate information on the individual as an investor.
Evidence from cornpam panel data

A Q model of investment is estimated using data for an unbalanced panel of UK companies over the period 1975-86. Correlated firm-specific effects and the endogeneity of Q are allowed for using a Generalised Method of Moments estimator. In the calculation of Q we estimate the tax incentives available to individual companies. Q is found to be a significant factor in the explanation of company investment, although its effect is small and a careful treatment of the dynamic structure of Q models appears critical. In addition to Q, both cash flow and output variables are found to play an independent and significant role.
Contrarian Share Price Reactions to Earnings Surprises

A persistent (but overlooked) feature of the cross-sectional distribution of quarterly earnings announcement returns is that the measured earnings surprise and share price response to that surprise are often in the opposite direction. Extending the study by Kinney, Burgstahler, and Martin, this study provides evidence on the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of contrarian stock returns at the earnings announcement date. Using the most recent Institutional Brokers’ Estimate System (I/B/E/S) consensus earnings per share forecast as the earnings benchmark, the authors find that contrarian returns occur for roughly 40% of the more than 230,000 quarterly earnings announcements that comprise their sample. Contrarian returns are only slightly less prevalent in extreme earnings surprise deciles and are evident each quarter during 1985-2005. The incidence of contrarian returns is statistically related to “noise” in the measured earnings surprise (stale I/B/E/S consensus forecasts, preannouncement stock returns, and the presence of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles [GAAP] exclusions) and “noise” in the share price response to announced earnings (discordant revenue changes, discordant earnings forecast revisions, return volatility, bid-ask spread, and discordant prior quarter earnings surprises). Finally, contrarian stocks exhibit little post-earnings-announcement drift.
Foreign direct investment and economic growth in Zimbabwe: a dynamic causality test

In this study we examine the dynamic causal relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in Zimbabwe using the modern time-series techniques. Specifically, we employ the ARDL-bounds testing approach to examine the FDI-growth linkage. We also employ the error-correction-based causality test, which captures both the short run and long run dynamics. Contrary to some of the previous studies, this study shows that there is a distinct causal flow from economic growth to FDI in Zimbabwe. The results apply irrespective of whether the causality test is conducted in the short run or in the long run. The study, therefore, recommends that Zimbabwe should pursue pro-growth strategies, in order to promote foreign direct investment.