Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resilience in a Downturn: The Power of Financial Cooperatives

Financial cooperatives have fared better than the investor-owned banks in times of crisis. Savings and credit cooperatives, cooperative banks and credit unions have grown, kept credit flowing especially to small and medium sized enterprises, and remained stable across regions of the world while indirectly creating employment. It is their unique combination of member ownership, control and benefit that is at the heart of their resilience and that provides a series of advantages over its competitors. With financial cooperatives presenting an astonishingly large slice of the global banking market, it is important to better understand the model. This report examines financial cooperatives from their origins in Germany in the 1850s to the global movement they represent today. It reviews the performance of financial cooperatives, looking in particular at the aftermath of the 2007-2008 crisis and the continuing long austerity period. It explains why they have proven to be more resilient pointing to the specificities of the cooperative model of enterprise, and concludes with a review of practical policy options and recommendations for the way governments and development agencies should approach financial cooperatives – not as ‘conduits’ but as partners in the wider aims of business development, insurance against episodic poverty, and decent work. The report was prepared to highlight the contribution of financial cooperatives to the economic and social stability in countries around the world. It is a contribution to the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2012.
Effect of the Volume of Organic Infusion Used in Gravid Traps for Collecting Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Traps that selectively collect gravid mosquitoes have advantages over other collection methods for the purpose of disease surveillance: they trap mosquitoes with a higher probability of carrying disease as they have blood fed on at least one occasion. Gravid traps typically use infusions of organic material to attract gravid mosquitoes, particularly Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). These infusions are heavy and have an unpleasant odor, presenting logistical difficulties for disease monitoring programs. Typically, gravid traps use 4 liters of infusion. The present trial compared the responses of gravid female mosquitoes to 2 and 4 liters of infusion to see if equivalent numbers of mosquitoes could be collected using the smaller volume. In an attempt to better understand the effects of volume of infusion on mosquito oviposition behavior, egg laying on the two volumes was also monitored. There was a significant difference between the mean numbers of egg rafts laid on 2 and 4 liters of infusion. However, the mean numbers of gravid Cu. quinquefasciatus collected in gravid traps with 2 and 4 liters were not significantly different. The results indicate that 2 liters can be used instead of 4 liters for gravid trapping, significantly reducing the cost and logistical difficulties associated with such efforts. The behavioral responses of gravid females to different volumes are also discussed.
Object-based change detection in wind storm-damaged forest using high-resolution multispectral images

Natural disasters are generally brutal and may affect large areas, which then need to be rapidly mapped to assess the impacts of such events on ecosystems and to prevent related risks. Ground investigations may be complex, whereas remote-sensing techniques enable a fast regional-scale assessment of damage and offer a cost-effective option for large and inaccessible areas. Here, an efficient, quasi-automatic objectbased method for change mapping using high-spatial-resolution (HR) (5–10 m) satellite imagery is proposed. Our contribution comprises two main novelties with respect to similar works in forestry. First, an automatic feature selection process optimizes the image segmentation and classification steps via an original calibration-like procedure. Second, an automatic bitemporal classification enables the separation of damaged and intact areas thanks to a new descriptor based on the level of fragmentation of the obtained regions. The mean shift algorithm is used in both the segmentation and classification processes. The method was assessed in a maritime pine forest using bitemporal HR Formosat-2 multispectral images acquired preand post-Windstorm Klaus, which occurred in January 2009 in southwestern France. The binary overall classification accuracy reached 87.8% and outperformed a pixel-based K-means classification with no feature selection. A thematic analysis of the results highlights the correlation between the ages of trees and their sensitivity to wind.
Protection for the good: subcategorization reduces hedonic contrast

Stimuli are rated less "good" when compared to very good context stimuli than when presented alone or compared to less good context stimuli. This diminution in rating is hedonic contrast. In two studies, degree of hedonic contrast depended on subjects' categorization of stimuli. Subjects were surveyed about their liking of gourmet and ordinary coffees (Study 1) and specialty and regular beers (Study 2). In Study 1, contrast was substantially smaller for subjects who regarded the coffees as belonging to different categories than for subjects having a common category for both sorts of coffees. The analogous phenomenon was found in Study 2, comparing subjects who subcategorized beers to subjects who had a common category for both sorts of beers. Contrast is greatest for stimuli in a common category.
Pricing Diagnostic Information

Diagnostic information allows an agent to predict the state of nature about the success of an investment project better than the prior. We analyze the optimal pricing scheme for selling diagnostic information to buyers with different, privately known, ex ante success probability. Investment costs and returns of successful projects are assumed to be the same for all buyers. The value of diagnostic information is the difference in expected payoffs with and without it, and we show that the willingness to pay for diagnostic information is non monotonic in the ex ante success probability. When the information seller can offer only one quality level, and negative payments are not allowed, we find that the optimal menu of (linear) contracts is remarkably simple. A pure royalty is offered to buyers with low ex ante success probability and a pure fixed fee is offered to buyers with high ex ante success probability.
The Emergence and Impact of MNC Centres of Excellence: A Subsidiary Perspective

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW PART 1: THE CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE PROJECT The Centres of Excellence Project: Methods and Some Empirical Findings PART 2: DETERMINANTS AND BASIC FEATURES OF CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE Development of MNC Centres of Excellence Subsidiary Influence and Corporate Learning: Centres of Excellence in Danish Foreign-Owned Firms The Impact from Business Networks on MNC Competence Development: A Case Study PART 3: DEVELOPMENT OF SUBSIDIARY COMPETENCE Industrial Clusters and Foreign Companies Centres of Excellence in Norway Multinational Research Subsidiaries in Denmark R & D Centres of Excellence in Canada The Competence of Formally Appointed Centres of Excellence in the UK Competence Creation and Recognition: A Case Study PART IV: USE AND INTEGRATION OF SUBSIDIARY COMPETENCE WITHIN THE MNC Mergers and Acquisitions as Establishment Modes for Centres of Excellence: The Case of Italian Subsidiaries Characteristics of R & D Centres of Excellence in MNCs The Impact of Centres of Excellence on MNC Performance The Dilemma of Developing a Centre of Excellence: The Case of ABB Generation
XPD Lys751Gln and Asp312Asn polymorphisms and susceptibility to skin cancer: a meta-analysis of 17 case-control studies.

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have explored the influence of XPD Lys751Gln and/or Asp312Asn polymorphisms on skin cancer susceptibility. However, the results remain inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation, we conducted a comprehensive search to identify all available published studies and performed a meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic literature searches of the PubMed, CBM and CNKI databases were performed up to March 2014. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the strength of associations. RESULTS Seventeen case-control studies were included with a total sample size of 6, 113 cases and 11, 074 controls for the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism, and 10 studies (3, 840cases and 7, 637 controls) for the XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism were pooled for analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and skin cancer risk in any genetic model. On stratified analysis by tumor type, XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, but was significantly related with increased risk of cutaneous melanoma (Gln/Gln vs Lys/Lys: OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.02-1.29, p=0.023; dominant model: OR=1.09, 95%CI=1.01-1.18, p=0.036). For the XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism, no significant association with skin cancer risk was observed in overall or subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS The present meta-analysis suggests that the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism may contribute to the risk of cutaneous melanoma from currently available evidence. Further investigations are needed to obtain more insight into possible roles of these two polymorphisms in skin carcinogenesis.
An Optimal Round-Robin Arbiter Design for NoC

A new optimal arbiter is designed. We proposed a set of optimal Boolean functions and the corresponding circuit for it, and showed that the arbitration Boolean functions derived are optimal (simplest). This new arbiter is fair for any input combinations and faster than all previous arbiters we knew. Using Synopsys design tools with TSMC 0. 18μm technology, the design results have shown that our arbiter has 22.8% improvement of execution time and 39.1% of cost (area) reduction compared with the existing fastest arbiter, SA [7]. Because of this small arbiter's the high-performance, it is extremely useful for the realizations of NoC routers, MPSoC arbitration, and ultra-high- speed switches. This new arbiter is being applied for a patent of the R.O. C. (application No.: 0972020612-0).
Blood Use in Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

Background and Purpose— This study reviews the perioperative use of red blood cell transfusion in cerebrovascular neurosurgery. The current algorithm for preoperative ordering of red cells is historical and dated. More blood is ordered than is actually transfused, and considerable variability exists between different institutions. We determine the use of blood transfusion in cerebrovascular surgery to develop a rational blood ordering practice. Methods— Records of 301 patients undergoing cerebrovascular neurosurgery at the University of Virginia were reviewed to quantitatively evaluate red blood cell transfusion practices. The amount and reason for transfusion were noted in each case. Results— In 126 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, there were no preoperative or intraoperative transfusions and 5 postoperative transfusions (4.0%). In 71 ruptured aneurysm patients, there were 2 preoperative blood transfusions (2.8%), 4 intraoperative transfusions (5.6%), and 15 postoperative transfusions (21.1%). Forty-seven patients underwent surgery for unruptured aneurysms, with no preoperative transfusions, 2 intraoperative transfusions (4.3%), and 8 postoperative blood transfusions (17.0%). Of the 54 patients undergoing surgery for arteriovenous malformations, 5 patients (9.3%) were transfused preoperatively, 4 were transfused intraoperatively (7.4%), and 22 were transfused postoperatively (40.7%). None of the 3 patients undergoing surgery for concomitant arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms received intraoperative blood transfusions, but 1 received blood both preoperatively and postoperatively, and another received a transfusion postoperatively only. The overall ratio of perioperative cross-match to transfusion in this series is 41.4. Conclusions— In vascular neurosurgery at our institution, blood has routinely been ordered excessively. We recommend an ABO-Rh type and antibody screen for aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation surgery and no screen for carotid endarterectomy to efficiently utilize transfusion therapy in cerebrovascular surgery.
Anabolic-steroid use, strength training, and multiple drug use among adolescents in the United States.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationships between anabolic-steroid use and the use of other drugs, sports participation, strength training, and school performance among a nationally representative sample of US high school students. DESIGN Randomized survey data from the 1991 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey. SETTING Public and private schools in the 50 United States and District of Columbia. PATIENTS A total of 12,272 9th through 12th grade students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED Prevalence of anabolic-steroid use. RESULTS The frequency of anabolic-steroid use was significantly associated with the frequency of use of cocaine, the use of other drugs such as amphetamines and heroin, tobacco smoking, and alcohol use. The weighted prevalences of anabolic-steroid use were higher among male (4.08%) than female students (1.2%). Students living in the South (3.46%) reported higher prevalences than students in the Midwest (3.0%), West (2.02%), or Northeast (1.71%). Students with self-perceived below-average academic performances (5.10%) and students reporting injected drug use also reported higher anabolic-steroid use (51.57%). Based on a multiple logistic regression, the following variables were found to be significant predictors of anabolic-steroid use: injectable drug use (odds ratio [OR], 17.86), use of other drugs (OR, 4.19), male gender (OR, 2.79), alcohol use (OR, 1.38), and strength training (OR, 1.73). The variables that were significantly associated with anabolic-steroid use varied by gender and by region of the country. CONCLUSION These data suggest that adolescent anabolic-steroid users in this country are more likely to engage in strength training, injected drug use, and the use of multiple drugs, even after controlling for sports participation and poorer academic performance. These data confirm previous findings of an association between multiple drug use and anabolic-steroid use. Also, engaging in strength-training exercises continued to be associated with anabolic-steroid use after controlling for drug use and other predictors.
Regioselective binding of spermine, N¹,N12-bismethylspermine, and N¹,N12-bisethylspermine to tRNA Phe as revealed by 750 MHz ¹H-NMR and its possible correlation with cell cycling and cytotoxicity

Neste trabalho foi feito o estudo de ligacao de espermina (SPM), N1, N12- bismetilespermina (BMS) e N1, N12-bisetilespermina (BES) ao tRNAfen usando RMN de 1H a 750 MHz. As poliaminas foram enriquecidas com 13C nos residuos 5-CH2 e 8-CH2, sendo obtidos os picos cruzados por efeito de Overhauser nuclear entre as ressonâncias dos hidrogenios dos metilenos marcados com 13C e varios hidrogenios de grupos imino de pares de bases do tRNAfen atraves de espectros 1D filtrados por 13C. Foi encontrado que, enquanto SPM e BMS se ligam ao N(3)-H dos pares de bases T54-m1A58, U50-A64 e U52-A62, BES liga-se so nos pares T54-m1A58 e U50-A64. Esta regiosseletividade de ligacao das tres poliaminas ao tRNA foi correlacionada com seus efeitos biologicos no crescimento celular. Usando celulas de câncer de melanoma humano (MALME-3M), foi encontrado que SPM e BMS nao tem efeito e e citostatico, respectivamente, enquanto que BES e claramente citotoxica. Esta ultima poliamina tambem afeta o ciclo celular e, contrario ao comportamento de SPM e BMS, acarreta a uma clara parada do ciclo celular G1 /S.
Blood Group Incompatibility and Cervical Hostility in Relation to Sterility

Fifty-two sterile couples, characterized by persistent and unexplained incompatibility between spermatozoa and cervical mucus, without any other evident factor to explain their sterility, were investigated for the possible role of blood group incompatibility as a cause of their sterility. After a study of the distribution of blood groups in sterile and fertile couples, the distribution of blood group substances in pairs of husbands and wives, and the effect of blood group antibodies on sperm migration, it seems highly unlikely that blood group incompatibility contributes significantly to cervical hostility and the resulting sterility.
The Impact of Stock Market Jumps on Time-Varying Return Correlations: Empirical Evidence from the Baltic Countries

In this paper we study the impact of market jumps on the time varying return correlations between stock market indices in the Baltic countries. An EARJI-EGARCH model facilitating direct modelling of the time varying return correlations is introduced. The empirical results indicate that there is a quite large number of identi…ed jumps in the emerging Baltic stock markets. The main …nding is that isolated market jumps in one of the markets generally have no or small e¤ects on the time-varying correlations. In contrast, simultaneous jumps of equal sign increase the average correlation, in some cases with as much as 100 percent.
Exploring attitudes to online grieving on Facebook through survey research

The research explores the process of grieving in an online environment, aiming to answer the question of how users perceive grieving practices on Facebook. The article is based on a survey of Facebook users, in which they estimate the importance of the topic and anonymously share their personal experiences related to death on Facebook. The survey aims to define how age, Facebook experience (frequency, motivations, number of friends) and also personality traits correlate with acceptance of different grieving practices in online context. Survey input left by the users with first-hand experience of death on Facebook shows the comforting effect of Facebook grieving after the loss of a valued person in the user’s life. At the same time, those users who did not have any emotional personal ties with the deceased or their relatives, tended to regard online grieving as superficial or disturbing experience.
The Limitations of Corporate Governance Best Practices

This chapter identifies the limitations of what may commonly be accepted as “Best Practices” in Corporate Governance. Directors commonly obtain funds from venture capitalists and bankers by transferring to them some or all of their absolute powers that can corrupt themselves and their business. This provides evidence that the law, regulators, stock exchanges and corporate governance codes are irresponsible in allowing directors to possess corrupting powers, not required to increase profits, when firms becomes publicly traded. Neither common sense nor empirical evidence provides compelling evidence to support many existing practices and those advocated by numerous corporate governance codes. Many current practices are identified in this chapter as being: unethical, imposing risks for both directors and the firm as well as denying competitive advantages or consistency with the rationale for a market economy. Compelling reasons why existing practices are sub-optimal are revealed by the communication and control architecture found in living things that like firms must self-regulate to survive and grow in complex uncertain environments. The natural science of governance identifies: (a) why current practices can be counter productive; (b) how the need for codes can be eliminated; (c) how corporate law can be simplified; (d) how the size of regulators can be reduced while increasing their effectiveness; (e) how the interest of investors, stakeholders and the community can be protected, and (f) how the interventions by government in business can be reduced.
The Use of Non-GAAP Performance Measures in Executive Compensation Contracting and Financial Reporting

We examine the relation between compensation incentives and non-GAAP earnings disclosures. Specifically, we focus on the extent to which bonus plan incentives and long-term performance plan incentives are associated with the aggressiveness of non-GAAP reporting, controlling for CEO sensitivity to stock price. Using a large hand-collected sample of non-GAAP earnings disclosures, we find that long-term plan incentives are negatively associated with the likelihood and magnitude of aggressive non-GAAP reporting, suggesting that they act as a deterrent to potentially opportunistic behavior. For a sub-sample of firms for which compensation contracts in proxy filings explicitly state that managers will be evaluated based on non-GAAP metrics, we find less opportunistic non-GAAP reporting, consistent with boards defining adjusted performance metrics in compensation contracts in order to limit CEOs’ ability to define their own non-GAAP numbers. However, when boards of directors have discretion to use non-GAAP metrics when evaluating managers, we find more opportunistic non-GAAP earnings reporting, consistent with managers using the flexibility in contracts to influence their performance evaluations.
The Changing Composition of Official Reserves

The way in which official reserves are managed is changing. Data compiled by the BIS on deposits placed by monetary authorities with commercial banks confirm that reserve managers approach diversification cautiously. Nevertheless, they have steadily shifted into higher-yielding, higher-risk instruments. The currency composition of reserve holdings is still highly concentrated in US dollars and euros, but the shares of some other currencies have changed significantly over time.
Object Detection and Tracking-Based Camera Calibration for Normalized Human Height Estimation

This paper presents a normalized human height estimation algorithm using an uncalibrated camera. To estimate the normalized human height, the proposed algorithm detects a moving object and performs tracking-based automatic camera calibration. The proposed method consists of three steps: (i) moving human detection and tracking, (ii) automatic camera calibration, and (iii) human height estimation and error correction. The proposed method automatically calibrates camera by detecting moving humans and estimates the human height using error correction. The proposed method can be applied to object-based video surveillance systems and digital forensic.
Have They VAR? Market Momentum, Macroeconomic Factors, and Investor Sentiment: Evidence from Taiwan Stock Exchange

Examining the Taiwan Stock Exchange during the period of January 1991 to June 2009, this research attempts to discover the influence of macroeconomic factors and investor sentiment on market momentum. The OLS model is used for initially understanding whether the influence on the market momentum, while the VAR models further considers the effect of the lagged variables and examines the interactions among the macro economy, investor sentiment, and momentum. The results which show the existence of the interactions support our predictions, implying that the pricing of stocks or firms should take account of future macroeconomic situation and investor sentiment to get an optimal price. Furthermore, the evidence indicates that the market momentum is affected by exchange rate and oil price. This effect can be possibly attributed to the US dollar fluctuation aroused by the volatility of the oil prices, and in turn affecting the consumers’ aspiration level. The changes in the consumers’ aspiration will further influence market momentum. Suggesting that the momentum can be attributed to investor sentiment, our conclusion supports the argument of Baker and Wurgler (2006).