Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Critical Review of Relations between Corporate Responsibility Research and Practice

This essay identifies epistemological, theoretical and methodological problems in a potentially influential subset of the interdisciplinary corporate responsibility literature, that which appears in the management literature. The received conceptualization of stakeholder analysis is criticised by identifying six sets of factors conventionally considered as promoting social responsibilities in the firm: inter-organizational factors, economic competitors, institutional investors, end-consumers, government regulators and non-governmental organizations. Each is addressed on conceptual grounds, its empirical salience in terms of the latest relevant research and prospects to be a significant factor in promoting outcomes consistent with social welfare. Despite obvious antagonistic relations between organization-centred economic objectives and extra-organizational-directed social considerations, the huge body of research we address drifts in a disengaged Sargasso Sea. The essay argues for appropriate directions for continuing business ethics/responsibility/corporate citizenship research, suggesting certain sociological works on moral leadership, moral courage, and academic leadership.
A new analytical model for whole‐leaf potential electron transport rate

A new analytical model for the response of whole-leaf potential electron transport rate ( J ) to light is presented. The model treats incident irradiance at the upper and lower leaf surfaces independently, describes transdermal profiles of light absorption and electron transport capacity explicitly, and calculates J by integrating the minimum of lightand capacity-limited rates among paradermal chlorophyll layers. The capacity profile is assumed to be a weighted average of two opposed exponential profiles, each of which corresponds to the profile of light-limited rate when only one surface is illuminated; the weights may take on any values, provided they sum to unity, so the model can describe leaves with a wide range of ‘preferred’ illumination regimes. By treating irradiance at either surface independently and assuming the capacity profile is fixed on short time scales, the model predicts observed effects of leaf inversion on light-response curves and their apparent convexity. By assuming the capacity profile can adapt on developmental time scales, the model can predict the observed dependence of inversion effects on the growth lighting regime. It is suggested that the new model, which is mathematically compact and formally similar to the standard non-rectangular hyperbola model for J , be used in place of the standard model in studies in which the effects of leaf angle or diffuse light fraction on gas exchange are of interest.
Appropriate Technology and Balanced Growth

We provide a general theoretical characterization of how firms’ technology choice on a technology frontier determines the long-run elasticity of substitution between capital and labour. We show that the shape of the frontier determines factor shares and the elasticity of substitution between capital and labour. If there are adjustment costs to technology choice, the short- and long-run elasticities differ, with the long-run always higher. If the technology frontier is log-linear, the production function becomes Cobb–Douglas in the long run but, consistent with empirical evidence, short-run dynamics are characterized by gross complementarity. The approach is easily implementable and yields a powerful way to introduce CES-type production functions in macroeconomic models. We provide an illustration within an estimated dynamic general equilibrium model and show that the use of our production technology provides a good match for the short- and medium-run behaviour of the U.S. labour share.
The infrared spectrum of Neptune at 3.5-4.1 microns: Search for H3+and evidence for recent meteorological variations

The infrared spectrum of Neptune at $3.5{-}3.75~\mu$m and $3.87{-}4.1~\mu$m has been measured at a spectral resolution of 1200. The observed flux is stronger by a factor ~3 compared to previous measurements, suggesting important meteorological variations between 1997 and 2002. The flux is detected mostly from a bright belt at mid-southern latitudes. Strong absorptions, identified as methane, are observed over the L band. The observed ${\rm CH_4}$ spectrum can be fitted by a multilayer model assuming that the solar light is partly reflected above several layers, including the ${\rm CH_4}$ haze and stratospheric photochemical hazes. An upper limit to a disk averaged column density of ${\rm H}_{3}^{+}$ of $2.9\left({{+7.1}\atop{-1.8}}\right)\times10^{10}~{\rm cm^{-2}}$ is reported, consistent with present ionospheric models.
The Impact of Interest-Rate Subsidies on Long-Term Household Debt: Evidence from a Large Program

The responsiveness of long-term household debt to the interest rate is a crucial parameter for assessing the effectiveness of public policies aimed at promoting specific types of saving. This paper estimates the effect of a reform of Credito Bonificado, a large program in Portugal that subsidized mortgage interest rates, on long-term household debt. The reform established a ceiling in the price of the house that could be financed through the program, and provides plausibly exogenous variation in incentives. Using a unique dataset of matched household survey data and administrative records of debt, we document a large decrease in the probability of signing a new loan after the removal of the subsidy.
UNDERDEVELOPED AND UNUSUAL XENACANTH SHARK TEETH FROM THE LOWER PERMIAN OF TEXAS

Xenacanth sharks from the Wichita and Clear Fork Groups in north-central Texas are represented by 51,400 isolated teeth, obtained by bulk-sampling sediments at 65 localities, of Orthacanthus texensis (50% of total), O. platypternus (12%), Barbclabornia luedersensis (38%), and Xenacanthus slaughteri (0.01%) in Early Permian (late Sakmarian-Artinskian) strata spanning some 5 million years (285-280 Ma). Discounting deformed teeth (0.06%), which could usually be identified to species, there remain much more common underdeveloped teeth (1-2%? ) and unusual teeth that are rare (<<0.1%). Teeth not fully developed, and presumably still within the dental groove when a shark died, lack the outer hypermineralized pallial dentine on the cusps, which display open pulp cavities; tooth bases possess a poorly developed apical button. Most could be assigned to the species of Orthacanthus, the remainder to B. luedersensis. Based on histological development in modern shark teeth, in which the base is last to develop, it would seem the reverse occurred in xenacanth teeth, but this conclusion is uncertain. Unusual teeth were most closely affiliated with Orthacanthus, but they possess characters normally not associated with that genus, exceeding the presumed limits of variation that might be accepted for its heterodont dentition. Examples include teeth with cristated cusps, in which the distribution of cristae is highly asymmetrical; possession of a single cusp or of three equally developed principal cusps (two are normal in xenacanth teeth); and one tooth with a primary intermediate cusp that may have been larger than the principal cusps. B. luedersensis, which possessed a largely homodont dentition, is not represented by any of these “extreme variants. ”
Nutrient enrichment and local competition influence the evolution of plant mineralization strategy: a modelling approach

It is important to study how evolution impacts on plant functional traits and to determine how this subsequently determines ecosystem functioning. We tackle this general issue by studying the evolution of plant strategies that affect mineralization through the chemical quality of their own litter and their position on the leaf economic spectrum. This spectrum allows us to classify all plants on a single axis ranging from resource‐acquisitive to resource‐conservative strategies. We build a spatially explicit and individual‐based simulation model: individual plants grow in the cells of a lattice and the limiting nutrient is recycled locally in these cells. Individual plants may die and produce seeds that are dispersed. Mutants with different mineralization strategies appear stochastically. A trade‐off is implemented between the rate of nutrient loss from plants and litter mineralization. In the spatial‐explicit model, plant capacity to increase mineralization evolves and reaches an evolutionary equilibrium in most cases. The evolved mineralization decreases with plant longevity, seed dispersal efficiency, spatial homogenization of mineral nutrient availability and inputs of mineral nutrient to the ecosystem. The evolved mineralization strategies neither maximize plant biomass, nor minimize the availability of mineral nutrient or the stock of dead organic matter. The evolutionary and ecological impacts of nutrient enrichment on the stock of organic matter are different. Synthesis. Our results suggest that plant mineralization strategy may evolve provided that the mineral resource is not fully shared by all individuals. Such an evolution modifies soil capacity to store organic carbon thereby being relevant in the context of the current climate change and global nutrient enrichment. Indeed, our model shows that evolutionary feedbacks of plants to nutrient enrichment are likely to differ from purely ecological feedbacks.
Epistemic Communities: A Reply to Toke

This article contests the understanding of Peter M. Haas's ‘epistemic communities’ approach, forwarded by David Toke in his article in Politics of May 1999. It is argued that while Toke diagnoses the approach's failing correctly, the cause he identifies is off the mark. This particularly concerns his assertion of a positivist dogma underscoring the thesis, which is rejected as a misinterpretation of Haas. Rather, it is contended that the framework's inability to engage with the real world of politics, and the other groups therein, is a product of its lack of theoretical refinement and rigorous empirical examination.
Mapping of soil macro and secondary nutrients by GIS in Shirol Tehsil of Kolhapur District. (M.S.)

A study was conducted to assess available macro and secondary nutrient status of soils of Shirol Tehsil of Kolhapur District by GIS technique. 200 soil samples (0-22.5 cm) drawn during 2013 from 39 villages were analyzed for their fertility status and mapped by geographic information system (GIS) technique. The exact locations of soil samples were recorded with the help of GPS. The pH of soils of Shirol Tehsil varied from 7.0 to 9.0, most of the soils found to be moderately alkaline (77.5%) while EC varied from 0.06 to 6.30 dS m, the soils found to be normal (91.5%). The calcium carbonate content varied from 1.1 to 15.1 per cent, the area was moderately calcareous (56%) to calcareous (27.5%). Organic carbon content varied from 0.30 to 1.29 per cent. The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ranged from 185 to 580, 14.1 to 49.6 and 89.6 to 980.0 Kg ha, respectively. The exchangeable calcium and magnesium ranged from 0.8 to 48.0 and 0.2 to 39.0 cmol (p) Kg, respectively. The soils were 66% and 33.5% sufficient and 34% and 66.5% deficient in exchangeable calcium and magnesium respectively. The available sulphur varied from 7.60 to 49.69 mg Kg. The soils were 99% sufficient and 1% deficient in available sulphur content.
TOWARD THE USE OF DETECTOR OUTPUT FOR ARTERIAL LINK TRAVEL TIME ESTIMATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

The ability to estimate travel time on-line for use in signal timing optimization and route guidance and vehicle navigation applications is becoming necessary. Detector data are considered a valuable source of information on traffic conditions in transportation facilities. The development of models that use detector information to estimate travel time in urban networks is traced. Existing research efforts are briefly described and interrelated. A comparative discussion of the alternatives is aimed at providing a qualitative evaluation of a range of options available today for developing arterial travel time functions. The need for further calibration and validation of existing models is identified, and enhancements to improve their quality and applicability are recommended.
(De)regulation of the European Ramp Handling Market – Lessons to Be Learned from an Institutional Perspective?

Ten years have passed since the European Commission obliged its member states to open their national handling markets to competition. This paper analyzes whether the policy has allowed airlines to design efficient contractual and organizational solutions with their ramp handling suppliers. Applying transaction cost economics as the lens of analysis, we propose that the award of temporary limited operating licenses to new entrants results in inferior economic performance. The presented econometric results on the duration of 42 ramp handling contracts and a qualitative case study on the award practices at German airports are largely supportive of this proposition.
Sustainability of Financial Inclusion to Rural Dwellers in Nigeria: Problems and Way Forward

Financial inclusion as the provision of a broad range of high quality financial products such as savings, credit, insurance, payments and pensions, which are relevant, appropriate and affordable for the entire adult population especially the low income segments of the economy. This study critically examines the sustainability of financial inclusion to rural dwellers in Nigeria using descriptive study and content analysis. The study observed that the sustainability of financial inclusion to rural dwellers in Nigeria remains the mainstream for economic growth in any country. The implication of this study is that economy cannot grow fast without proper implementation of financial inclusion to rural areas in Nigeria. The study recommended that the promotion of collaboration between Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and Communication services providers for enhanced intermediation of financial services should be encouraged; there is need to educate rural dwellers on the importance of banking as it would facilitate the success of CBN financial inclusion policy and that since some of the rural dwellers preferred to keep money under their pillows at home, there should be proper enlightenment to change their orientation on financial inclusion in Nigeria. Keywords: Financial Services, financial inclusion, DMBs, rural dwellers, poverty reduction.
Enterprise Risk Management, Insurer Value Maximisation, and Market Frictions*

Enterprise risk management has become a major focus for insurers and reinsurers. Capitalization and pricing decisions are recognized as critical to firm value maximization. Market imperfections including frictional costs of capital such as taxes, agency costs, and financial distress costs are an important motivation for enterprise risk management. Risk management reduces the volatility of financial performance and can have a significant impact on firm value maximization by reducing the impact of frictional costs. Insurers operate in imperfect markets where demand elasticity of policyholders and preferences for financial quality of insurers are important determinants of capitalization and pricing strategies. In this paper, we analyze the optimization of enterprise or firm value in a model with market imperfections. A realistic model of an insurer is developed and calibrated. Frictional costs, imperfectly competitive demand elasticity, and preferences for financial quality are explicitly modelled and implications for enterprise risk management are quantified.
An Investigation into Information Security Threats from Insiders and how to Mitigate them: A Case Study of Zambian Public Sector

Insider attacks are security breaches posed by an existing or former organizational stakeholder with unrestricted access rights to the resources who, with or without intent, compromises the confidentiality, integrity and availability of organizational data. Zambian public organizations are vulnerable to insider attacks due to a number of factors that include; technology complexity, understaffing, financial gains, lack of security policies and procedures, lack of adoption and implementation of international security frameworks and standards such as ISO 27000 and COBIT. Insider threats can be categorized into three dimensions namely; Information Technology (IT) Sabotage, Financial Fraud and Intellectual Property (IP) theft. This paper reports the results from three targeted public organizations in Zambia. These are among the few that seem to recognised cyber threats and have partially adopted some parts of security base practices and international information security standards such as COBIT 5.0 and ISO 27001 standard. The study aimed at assessing the security GAPs using ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard. The study approach used was quantitative and qualitative with survey questionnaires and interviews as assessment tools for empirical data collection. The study shows that Zambian public sector has related challenges in mitigation of insider attacks that calls for considered efforts in developing measures for mitigation of these challenges in order to ensure national cyber security readiness and enhancing data privacy. The study reviewed that majority of the organizations assessed lack insider security deterring policies such as access control, non-disclosure agreements (NDA), pre-employment screening and unacceptable use. Additionally, the findings indicated that majority of public organizations have not made any efforts towards cyber security readiness, while only about 33% have adopted some security base practices. Further, using Actor Network Theory (ANT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the study proposed an expedient insider mitigation model with an emphasis on user awareness and access control considering that it is difficult to model human behavior.
Instrumental Variable Estimation of Nonlinear Errors-in-Variables Models

In linear specifications, the bias due to the presence of measurement error in a regressor can be entirely avoided when either repeated measurements or instruments are available for the mismeasured regressor. The situation is more complex in nonlinear settings. While identification and root n consistent estimation of general nonlinear specifications have recently been proven in the presence of repeated measurements, similar results relying on instruments have so far only been available for polynomial specifications and absolutely integrable regression functions. This paper addresses two unresolved issues. First, it is shown that instruments indeed allow for the fully nonparametric identification of general nonlinear regression models in the presence of measurement error. Second, when the regression function is parametrically specified, a root n consistent and asymptotically normal estimator is provided. The starting point of the proposed approach is a system of two functional equations that relate conditional expectations of observed variables to the regression function of interest, as first proposed by Hausman, Ichimura, Newey and Powell (1991) for polynomial specifications. It is shown that these two equations have a unique solution, thus establishing identification. The proposed estimation procedure relies on the same functional equations, and the proof of asymptotic normality and root n consistency is based on standard results regarding the asymptotics of semiparametric estimators
The Effect of Intellectual Capital on Cost of Finance and Firm Value

In today's knowledge-based industry, the role of intellectual capitals in creating value for the business units is more effective than financial capitals. The accounting system plays a crucial role in finding appropriate strategies for achieving suitable methods of evaluating intellectual capitals. One of the most significant shortcomings of traditional accounting systems is that it doesn't reflect the intellectual capital value in financial reports of business units. Collecting the data from 84 firms, this study examines the relationship between intellectual capital and financing costs, and the value of manufacturing companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange for an eight-year period. In order to measure intellectual capital, the value-added of intellectual capital coefficient, value-added of intellectual capital and value added of capital applied were used the calculation of which were performed through Palic's method which is one of the most practical methods of calculating intellectual capital. In order to analyze the data, Pearson correlation, univariate and multivariate regressions, and Z Wang test were also performed. Results showed that the value added of capital applied, value added of intellectual capital, and the value added of intellectual capital coefficient negatively influenced weighted average cost of capital, yet they had no effect on enterprise value.
New Predictor Model for Classification Anti-breast cancer Compounds According to Multiple Parameters

According to Global Health in 2013, it was estimated that there were 508 000 women deaths in the world in the year 2011 caused by breast cancer. Even though cancer can be treated with different treatments for example: immunotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy surgical operation, this disease continues being a severe medical problem. For that reason it has to be found another methods for cancer treatment. The discovery of new drugs with better activity and less toxicity for the treatment of Breast Cancer is a goal of the major importance. In this sense, theoretical models as QSAR can be useful to discover new anti-breast cancer drugs. For this reason, we developed a new multi-parameter-QSAR (mp-QSAR) model to discover new drugs. However, almost all the computational models known focus in only one target or receptor. In this work, Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein, ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2, Human breast cancer cell lines, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma/Nuclear receptor coactivator 3, Nuclear receptor coactivator 3 and STE20-related kinase adapter protein alpha were used as receptor inputs in the model. A linear technique like Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is our statistical analysis, and we compared with others models to seek alternative multi-target models for inhibitors of some of these receptors. In so doing, we used as input Topological Indices, in specific Wiener, Barabasi and Harary indices calculated by Dragon software. These operators quantify the deviations of the structure of one drug from the expected values for all drugs assayed in different boundary conditions or parameters (type of receptor, type of assay, type of target, target mapping). The best model correctly classifies as active compounds 84.00 % and non-active compounds (99.06 %) in the training series. Overall training performance was 95.91%. Validation of the model was carried out by means of external predicting series. Overall predictability performance was 95.52%. The present work reports the attempts to calculate within unified framework probabilities of new anti-Breast cancer drugs.
The Employment of Temporary Agency Workers in the UK: For or Against the Trade Unions?

A firm's decision to employ agency workers may be perceived as a replacement of directly employed workers or as way to curb union power, which trade unions would oppose. Alternatively, trade unions may encourage the (temporary) employment of agency workers in a firm, if they manage to bargain higher wages for their members. We estimate the relationship between hiring agency workers and trade union activity at the workplace, in particular, the type of collective bargaining agreements. We use British data from the Workplace Employment Relations Surveys (WERS) of 1998 and 2004. The empirical association between the employment of agency workers and union strength is weak, but positive. Furthermore, workplaces with collective bargaining have lower wages in the presence of agency workers, suggesting that agency workers are hired against the unions.