Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Slope, layers, and walkability : estimating the link between pedestrian accessibility and land values in the morphology of high density cities

: Traditional urban economic models of the city postulate that the price and development intensity of land is a function of its accessibility. Traditionally, this accessibility has been measured from both the topographical and topological perspectives. However, the higher-density “volumetric” cities require new methods and techniques for estimating accessibility and its link to urban form. Volumetric cities feature multiple modes of movement and stacked layers of activities above and below ground with a particular emphasis on pedestrian networks. Moreover, variation in the relationship between these layers of activities and the ground presents additional complexity when considering pedestrian connectivity and the ease of movement in cities with varied terrain. As such, there are a number of challenges involved in measuring accessibility to capture the dynamics of high-density, volumetric, and topographically-varied cities. In response, the present paper employs a suite of new hybrid topographical-topological accessibility measures to capture the built and natural environments. Using the case of the western district on Hong Kong Island, the present paper associates volumetric accessibility with property values. Our spatio-temporal models find that accessibility is positively capitalized into the price: homeowners are willing to pay to live at certain locations. As such, accessibility to amenities and opportunities in the compact city appears to be broadly valued in the study area. These results form a foundation on which further explorations of the link between urban context, accessibility, and value will be built.
Modelling households’ financial vulnerability with consumer credit and mortgage renegotiations

Strong growth in consumer credit and widespread recourse to mortgage renegotiations observed since 2015 have affected householdsi? ½ ability to repay their loans. In this paper we explore a novel way of accounting for these trends, by extending the Bank of Italy microsimulation model of householdsi? ½ financial vulnerability. The extension provides a more accurate assessment of the financial stability risks stemming from the household sector. Consumer credit growth drives an increase in the share of vulnerable households, but has limited effects on the overall debt at risk. Mortgage renegotiations contribute to a decrease in householdsi? ½ vulnerability.
The Information Content of ICO White Papers

White papers are likely the most important source of information provided to potential Initial Coin Offering (ICO) investors in platform-based ventures that may reduce information asymmetry between ICO issuers and investors. We use textual analysis to measure the information content of white paper documents. Testing predictions of adverse selection and signaling during the pre-ICO, ICO, and post-ICO phases, observed empirical associations between ratings, ICO success, funding volume, token exchange-listing probability, underpricing, cumulative returns, and trading volume are jointly consistent with high-quality ICO issuers signaling their type by providing more informative content, i.e. excess or new textual information not contained in recent and peer white papers. Moreover, signaling is likely impaired during the ICO process as investors include potentially biased expert ratings in their investment decision-making. As a result, low-quality ICO issuers successfully raise funds and exchange-list their tokens, leading to inefficient funding allocation, generating potentially large adverse selection costs, and increased risk of market failure.
Capacity driven small cell deployment in heterogeneous cellular networks: Outage probability and rate coverage analysis

Heterogeneous cellular networks (HCNets) are one of the key enabling technologies to improve performance gain of future cellular networks. Stochastic geometry is considered a promising tool to model and analyze HCNets. Users and base stations (BSs) are generally distributed uniformly using a homogeneous Poisson point process (HPPP). The assumption of uniformly distributed users is not suitable in HCNets because of the existence of clustered users in hotspots. To consider the correlation between the users and BSs, deployment of small base stations in these areas are of great concern to increase the performance of HCNets. In this article, we assume the notion of mixed user distribution, wherein the network users are the superposition of clustered and uniform users, modeled through HPPP and Poisson cluster process, respectively. We evaluate outage probability and rate coverage of the proposed HCNet model. We compare the network performance of the proposed mixed user distribution model with the conventional uniformly distributed user model. The analytical results are validated using Monte‐Carlo simulations. Our results show that the proposed HCNet model of mixed user distribution outperforms the uniformly distributed user model in terms of outage probability and rate coverage.
Simulation Experiments for Faults Location in Smart Distribution Networks using IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder and Artificial Neural Network

The security and reliability of supply is often affected due to fault occurrence in electrical power Distribution Networks (DN). In the conventional DN, faults location takes more than the expected time, which results in economic losses to power utility companies as well as consumers. However, the advent of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) and recent advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made DN better, safer and smarter. In this paper, we present the outcome of simulation experiments carried out to locate faults in a DN. The IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder was simulated in SIMULINK with different fault conditions and the fault data acquired were utilized to develop an ANN classification model. The outcome of the experiments shows that the ANN based classification model is effective in locating faults on distribution lines with satisfactory performances.
Analysis of damping characteristics of arterial catheter blood pressure monitoring in a large intensive care unit

Background. For many reasons, the invasive measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure should be accurate. Accuracy is determined, in part, by the damping characteristics of the arterial catheter blood pressure monitoring system. Objectives . To ascertain the damping characteristics of arterial catheter blood pressure monitoring in a large tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) and to elicit any causes of under- or over-damping of the measurement systems. Methods. A cross-sectional, observational study of arterial line measurements in a large general ICU. The coefficient of damping (CoD) was calculated from the waveform generated from a ‘fast flush’. Results . Thirty systems (19%) were adequately damped (CoD 0.4 - 0.8), 56 (37%) were overdamped, and 68 (44%) were underdamped. We did not find that poor damping characteristics were associated with the age of the arterial catheter or the type of catheter used. Conclusion. Most systems observed in this study were inappropriately damped, which would result in the inaccurate display of the waveform and systolic and diastolic pressures.
FACTORS OF EMIGRATION: ANALYSIS OF COUNTRIES FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

The past decade was a period that was characterized by massive migration flows in European Union countries, a situation like none other before. Different migration flows contributed to inflow of working force from conflict areas of the Middle East, countries from the Western Balkans, and also migration within the European Union. While immigration is dominant, emigration also has large impact in the migration flow in the EU. The purpose of this paper is to determine the main factors that contribute to emigration in the 28 EU countries. The panel regression model with random effects is used where seven factors were examined in order to determine their influence on the emigration. Macroeconomic determinants include GDP per capita and unemployment rate, demographic factors include total population, young male population and young female population and other factors include level of corruption and enrollment in tertiary education. Analysis includes 28 EU countries, while the analyzed period is 1999-2017 (19 periods), and the total number is 560 observations. The results confirm that emigration is driven by unemployment rate, total population, young male and young female population. When the unemployment rate increases, the emigration also increases, which is logical. If the national labor market cannot provide vacancies for the increasing supply of work force, the next option would be emigration in another country due to eligible working positions. Population, as demographic factor, also influences emigration. The bigger the population, the larger emigration is expected. Also, young female and male population have statistically significant effect on the emigration, yet the direction of the relationship is different. Increase in young male population can contribute to increase in emigration. On the other side, increase in young female population reduces the number of emigrants. From the results it would seem that demographic factors dominate over macroeconomic and other factors. Policy makers in the countries with accentuated emigration component should be concerned that young male population is leaving, and this labor force is or soon will become deficitary. Also, unemployment is another issue that should be addressed. National governments should create policies that contribute to increased economic growth that produces vacancies. Otherwise, the high unemployment rate would soon drain the country out of its working source. Other factors such as level of corruption, GDP per capita and enrollment in tertiary education seem not to have statistically significant impact on emigration in the countries of the European Union.
Pharmaceutical care supported by the evidencing of in vitro interactions with the use of aminoglycosides and penicillins in patients affected by Enterococcus sp

Since antimicrobials are used to fight infectious diseases, their proper use is a major world concern. The use of more than one medicine in the treatment of infectious disease is controversial hence the association therapy is used empirically to treat severe infections when one antimicrobial alone is not sufficient to account for all possible pathogens involved in the infection. The importance of understanding the mechanisms of gentamicin and ampicillin antibiotic action, as well as their interactions has important therapeutic implications. This research aimed to verify isolated and simultaneous antimicrobial action “in vitro” of gentamicin and ampicillin on strains of Enterococcus sp. in patients with Enterococcus sp. Fifty strains of Enterococcus sp. were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ampicillin and gentamicin, both isolated and associated, from which the fractional inhibition coefficient (FIC) was determined. A modified checkerboard method was also used for evaluating the association of the two antimicrobial agents. The results revealed that the antibiotics have a time- and dose-dependent response, and ampicillin has better results isolated than when in association. The results indicate a potential therapeutic failure in 32% of the associations in these agents. Thus, the most effective pharmaceutical care is facilitated by determining the antibiotics concentrations. Determining the MIC, MBC and FIC can be a powerful tool for guiding strategies to prevent bacterial resistance through the rational use of antibiotics, thereby averting and avoiding therapeutic failures. Key words: Drug antagonism, drug synergism, Enterococcus sp. , microbial sensitivity tests.
Glacier change in Norway since the 1960s – an overview of mass balance, area, length and surface elevation changes

In this paper, we give an overview of changes in area, length, surface elevation and mass balance of glaciers in mainland Norway since the 1960s. Frontal advances have been recorded in all regions except the northernmost glaciers in Troms and Finnmark (Storsteinsfjellbreen, Lyngen and Langfjordjøkelen). More than half of the observed glaciers, 27 of 49, had marked advances in the 1990s. The glaciological mass-balance values for the period 1962–2018, where 43 glaciers have been measured, show great inter-annual variability. The results reveal accelerated deficit since 2000, the most negative decade being 2001–2010. Some years with a positive mass balance (or less negative) after 2010s can be attributed to variations in large-scale atmospheric circulation. A surface elevation change and geodetic mass balance were calculated for a sample of 131 glaciers covering 817 km2 in the ‘1960s’ and 734 km2 in the ‘2010s’, giving an area reduction of 84 km2, or 10%. The sample covers many of the largest glaciers in Norway, and they had an overall change in surface elevation of −15.5 m for the ~50 year period. Converted to a geodetic mass balance this gives a mean mass balance of −0.27 ± 0.05 m w.e. a−1.
Global tuberculosis control: surveillance planning financing. WHO report 2003.

Conclusions: If the current rate of DOTS expansion in maintained the 70% detection target will not be reached by 2005. If that target is ever to be reached DOTS programmes must improve case finding within designated DOTS areas and must expand to new areas. To reach the 85% target for treatment success cure rates must be improved under DOTS in some countries especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. Although funding for tuberculosis programmes and planning for DOTS expansion both improved during 2002 deficiencies in staff and health infrastructure are likely to hinder progress towards both of the global targets. At present National Tuberculosis Control Programmes are significantly underestimating the cost of rectifying these deficiencies. (excerpt)
‘Towards an effective supervisory relationship in research degree supervision: insights from attachment theory’

ABSTRACT While the interpersonal nature of the supervisory relationship in research degree supervision has been recognised and different models of supervisory styles have been developed, the research supervision literature has yet to acknowledge the relational individual differences and the relational dynamics that are at play within the supervisor-supervisee relationship. This paper draws on literature from the higher education, clinical supervision, and leadership fields and utilises attachment theory as a conceptual framework in an attempt to shed some light on the attachment processes and dynamics of the research supervisory relationship. The review of the evidence presented here clearly indicates the usefulness and applicability of attachment theory in the research supervision practice. This paper makes a contribution to the higher education and research supervision literature by offering new directions for research and by providing practical guidelines for the training of postgraduate research supervisors.
Pengaruh Dewan Komisaris Independen dan Komite Audit terhadap Manajemen Laba pada Perusahaan Manufaktur yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2015-2017

This study aims to determine the effect of independent commissioners and audit committees on earnings management. This research uses quantitative methods. The data used in this study are secondary data, i.e. data obtained through existing sources and do not need to be collected by the researcher themselves. The data is in the form of an annual report issued by companies listed in the 2015-2017 period which are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The population in this study are manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the 2015-2017 period. The results showed that the independent board of commissioners and the audit committee had no simultaneous effect on earnings management. This is consistent with the results of the simultaneous regression coefficient test (Test F) which shows the calculated F value is smaller than the F table, and with a determinant value of 3.1%. Partially the independent board of comissioners and audit committee has no effect on earnings management. Based on the results of the partial regression coefficient test (t test) on the variable independent commissioners and the audit committee showed a significance value greater than 0.05, so it was concluded that the two variables in this study had no effect on earnings management.Keywords: Audit Committee, Independent Board of Commissioners, Profit Management, Finance
Evaluating investment decisions based on the business cycle: A South African sector approach

Abstract Sector investing aims to guide investors in identifying undervalued securities. Knowing which sectors flourish at different phases of the business cycle, investment returns may be boosted by increasing holdings in securities from strengthening sectors and reducing holdings in weakening ones. As the business cycle phase changes, security rotation can continuously improve portfolio returns. Sector investing is, however, heavily dependent upon accurate phase identification and therefore highly vulnerable to phase misidentification. Investing in securities which do not thrive at the phase identified could lead to inferior portfolio returns or even losses. There is ample precedent in the literature regarding the usefulness of Fourier analysis in identifying business cycle frequencies. This article contributes by installing this approach for the first time to augment existing sector investing methodology. We confirm that the sector rotation approach does generate statistically significant outperformance (relative to local market index performance) in South Africa. This work adds to the current dearth of theoretical and empirical research regarding sector rotation in emerging economies, so it can also be beneficial for researchers interested in similar milieus.
Corporate governance and firm performance in Pakistan: Dynamic panel estimation

The purpose of this research is to analyze the association between corporate governance and firm performance. Specifically, it examines the impact of CEO duality on board characteristics and its relationship with firm performance through dynamic penal estimation. The findings of this research are based on a sample of 191 listed non-financial firms over the period 2004-2014. We document that corporate governance plays a pivotal role in determining the financial performance of firms operating in Pakistan. Consistent with past studies, findings of this research also show some statistical variations among the sampled firms (large and small size). CEO duality compromises the efficiency of board independence. Further, the non-linear relationship of managerial ownership with performance is also depicted through the results of this study. Keywords: Corporate governance, accounting-market based measures, firm performance
Indirect comparison of NSAIDs for ankylosing spondylitis: Network meta-analysis of randomized, double-blinded, controlled trials

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by lower back pain, enthesitis and asymmetrical peripheral arthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended as a first-line drug treatment for AS. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NSAIDs in patients with active AS. A total of 9 randomized controlled trials focusing on 6 NSAIDs, including etoricoxib, celecoxib, meloxicam, diclofenac, naproxen and beta-D-mannuronic acid (M2000), were analyzed in the present study. The efficacy endpoints included total pain score, patients' global assessment of disease activity (PGA), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the rate of achieving an Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis 20% response (ASAS20). The safety endpoints included total adverse events (AEs), gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, withdrawals due to AEs and serious AEs. NSAIDs were compared with the placebo and among themselves using Bayesian network meta-analysis, calculating mean differences (MDs) for continuous data and odds ratios for dichotomous data. The analysis revealed that all NSAIDs were significantly more effective in reducing pain severity than placebo (MDs between -17.49 and -25.99). Similarly, significant improvements in PGA, BASFI and ASAS20 were determined in patients receiving NSAIDs. Furthermore, etoricoxib was ranked as the most efficacious treatment for patients with AS. With regard to safety, there were no significant differences between NSAIDs and placebo in terms of total AEs, withdrawals due to AEs or serious AEs. Furthermore, no significant differences in AEs were identified between M2000 and the placebo. However, patients treated with diclofenac and naproxen had a higher risk of GI events than those taking placebo. In conclusion, the NSAIDs were all highly effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of AS. However, clinicians should take GI toxicity into account when prescribing NSAIDs.
English Language Learners and the Effectiveness of Flipped Learning in Middle-School Science

English Language Learners (ELLs) who study in mainstream courses (e.g., science) alongside English Only (EO) peers may require teaching strategies which increase personal interactions with the instructor. The flipped classroom allows for more of this type of interaction by pushing the lecture portion out of the classroom as video homework. The purpose of this study was to see if flipped learning would have an effect on the academic achievement of ELLs in science. It was hypothesized that exposure to flipped learning would increase student post-test scores when compared to a control group. The study was a two group quantitative pre-test post-test quasi experimental design. The intervention consisted of a four-week period, during which the treatment group (n=24) received the flipped classroom, while the control group (n=20) received traditional lessons, which included lecture and practice (i.e., non-video) based homework. There was no significant difference between the post-test scores of the treatment and control; therefore, both methods can be seen as viable teaching strategies for ELLs. However, there were several limitations, including the length of the intervention, and sensitivity of the measure which may have influenced the results. Therefore, further research is recommended with this age group in order to determine if the flipped classroom is a viable strategy for teaching ELLs in science.
INCOME INEQUALITY AND CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS: EVIDENCE FROM LATIN AMERICA

: The recent literature has explored the ambiguous theoretical links between inequality and environmental impact. However, few studies have investigated those links in developing countries. This paper explores the role of income inequality in the per capita emission of CO 2 in Latin America. We estimate the impact of income inequality on carbon dioxide emissions, while simultaneously considering national income levels. The results suggest quadratic relationships between environmental impact and both gross domestic product per capita and inequality. Income inequality in ﬂ uences CO 2 emissions, but the direction depends on income level. The complexities of the results are analytically explored in the paper. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.