Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Commodity Index Trading and Hedging Costs

Trading by commodity index traders (CITs) has become an important aspect of financial markets over the past 10 years. We develop an equilibrium model of trader behavior that relates uninformed CIT trading to futures prices. The model predicts that CIT trading reduces the cost of hedging. We test the model using a unique non-public dataset which precisely identifies trader positions. We find evidence, consistent with the model, that index traders have become an important supply of price risk insurance.
Community leadership development education: promoting civic engagement through human and social capital

Community leadership development education (CLDE) programs are designed to increase the capacity of individuals as leaders in their communities as well as increase the capacity of community leadership as a whole. These programs contribute to building a critical mass of individuals in the community by developing their leadership skills and knowledge to be effective leaders. However, there is little research that connects characteristics of individual leadership skills to increased capacity for community development. The article addresses this by looking at how CLDE programs contribute to building and enhancing the human capital and social capital of program participants and how these benefits lead to human capital and social capital benefits in the community as well as improvements in the other five community capitals – cultural, political, built, natural, and financial.
Mechanism design of a biomimetic quadruped robot

Purpose This paper aims to introduce a novel design of the biomimetic quadruped robot, including its body structure, three structural modes and respective workspace. Design/methodology/approach By taking a metamorphic 8-bar linkage as the body of a quadruped robot, the authors propose a reconfigurable walking robot that can imitate three kinds of animals: mammals (e.g. dog), arthropods (e.g. stick insect) and reptiles (e.g. lizard). Furthermore, to analyze the three structural modes of this quadruped robot, the workspace is calculated and studied. Findings Based on experimental data analyses, it is revealed that the metamorphic quadruped robot can walk in all its three structural modes and adapt to different terrains. Research limitations/implications Because the body of the quadruped robot is deformable and reconfigurable, the location of payload is not considered in the current stage. Practical implications The relative positions and postures of legs of the metamorphic robot can be rearranged during its body reconfiguration in such a way to combine all the features of locomotion of the three kinds of animals into one robot. So, the metamorphic quadruped robot is capable of maintaining wider stability margins than conventional rigid-body quadruped robots and conducting operations in different environments, particularly the extreme and restricted occasions due to the changeable and adaptable trunk. Originality/value The main contribution is the development of a reconfigurable biomimetic quadruped robot, which uses the metamorphic 8-bar linkage. This robot can easily reshape to three different structural modes and mimic the walking patterns of all mammals, arthropods and reptiles.
Acute neuroleptic stimulates DOPA decarboxylase in porcine brain in vivo

The activity of DOPA decarboxylase measured in homogenates from rat striatum, or calculated from the rate of tracer decarboxylation measured ex vivo, is stimulated following acute treatment with antagonists of dopamine D2‐like receptors. We used compartmental kinetics to test the hypothesis that utilization of the DOPA decarboxylase substrate [18F]fluorodopa is potentiated in living striatum following acute treatment with a typical neuroleptic. The kinetics of the tracer uptake were determined in eight anesthetized female pigs (40 kg) and in three animals receiving an infusion of haloperidol (75 μg kg−1 h−1) for 1 h prior to tracer administration and throughout the 2‐h positron emission recording. The relative activity of DOPA decarboxylase in striatum was increased threefold by the treatment. This potentiation of DOPA decarboxylation after pharmacological blockade of dopamine D2‐like receptors may be used to optimize the utilization of exogenous DOPA in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Synapse 41:172–175, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Agricultural Science Teachers' Attitudes about and Use of Reading in Secondary Agricultural Science Instruction.

161 Abstract A national survey of 216 agriscience teachers investigated the attitudes and practices related to reading. Knowledge of strategies, total time of text use, confidence in strategy use, and the general approach to reading explained 67% of the variance in frequency of content area reading strategy use. Teachers held positive attitudes about reading from personal and instructional standpoints. However, they lacked knowledge and confidence in content area reading strategies, which translated into low frequency of strategy use. Teachers appeared to use reading and text with justifiable frequency in their agricultural science courses. Because knowledge of reading strategies explained such a large amount of variance (nearly 64%) in frequency of reading strategy use, career and technical education program administrators and teacher educators should encourage professional development about reading strategies.
Improvements in wavelet-based rate scalable video compression

Asbun, Eduardo, Ph.D., Purdue University, December, 2000. Improvements in Wavelet-Based Rate Scalable Video Compression. Major Professors: Edward J. Delp and Paul Salama. Delivery of video in the presence of bandwidth constraints is one of the most important video processing problems. Most current compression techniques require that parameters, such as data rate, be set at the time of encoding. However, it is difficult to predict the traffic on a network when video is to be delivered. Compression techniques that allow the change of the compression parameters at the time of decoding are very valuable due to the flexibility they provide. These techniques are said to be “scalable. ” Rate scalability, the capability of decoding a compressed image or video sequence at different data rates, is the one of the most important modes for video streaming over packet networks such as the Internet. SAMCoW is a rate scalable, wavelet-based video compression algorithm developed at Purdue University in 1997 by Shen and Delp. SAMCoW is fully and continuously rate scalable, and has performance similar to MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and H.263 at comparable data rates. In this thesis, we investigate several extensions to SAMCoW. In particular, we investigate the use of advanced video coding techniques, preprocessing, postprocessing, and rate-distortion theory, in order to develop a framework for efficiently encoding intracoded (I) and predictive error (PE) frames as part of SAMCoW. These extensions are known as SAMCoW+. We also investigate the use of digital signal processors for real-time video processing. We demonstrate the use of a Texas Instruments TMS320C6201 for real-time error concealment of digital video streams.
Manufacturing Firms' Demand for Water Recirculation

"Relatively little is known about the factors that influence firms' water recirculation decisions. This paper estimates an econometric model that jointly considers two facets of firms' recirculation behavior: first, the discrete decision of whether to recirculate and, second, the decision of how much to recirculate. The model is estimated by applying the Heckman two-stage estimation procedure to cross-sectional data from Environment Canada's 1996 Industrial Water Use Survey. In the first stage, long-run factors, such as relative water scarcity and production technologies, are found to influence the decision whether to recirculate water. In the second stage, the imputed prices of intake water and water recirculation as well as the scale of operations are found to influence the choice of the optimal quantity of water to recirculate. " Copyright (c) 2010 Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.
Looking beyond process: human factors in team integration

The Accelerating Change report in 2002 highlighted the importance of team integration. Much previous research focussed on providing an integrated process for improved project delivery performance through the transfer, use and application of successful integration techniques, models and tools from other sectors and industries. This approach has still not been able to comprehensively integrate construction project teams hence the recent calls for teams to integrate in order to achieve acceptable performance. The definitions of team, teamwork, integration and integrated team are clearly set out. Teams comprise people and issues dealing with how they can be integrated must be considered in any effort to have them work together. Team performance still face barriers from the organization and the team and continues to contribute to an unsatisfactory product delivery to the client. The impact of the human factors on the performance of the team and consequently their contributory factors to project success that have not received much attention in the past can therefore be thoroughly researched as a further means to integrating the team for improved project delivery performance to the client’s satisfaction.
Lender Certification Premiums

The announcement of a bank loan by a borrowing firm has been shown to have a positive effect on the market value of the borrower's claims. This is consistent with a lender's implied endorsement of the borrower - an endorsement that has value to the borrower. In this paper, we investigate whether the lender is able to extract a premium loan rate or certification premium in return. We find empirical evidence that in the absence of collateral reputable lenders are able to exact a certification premium.
INGC: Graph Clustering & Outlier Detection Algorithm Using Label Propagation

In the last decade, the size of data have increased at tremendous rate. To extract knowledgeable insights from this huge amount of data, data mining has to be done. To get the useful insights the connection in between data is sometimes of high interest. This connection can be efficiently represented as graphs. It provides an influential way to provide efficient illustrations for many applications spanning from biological networks, social networks to web networks. Graph mining techniques such as clustering and outlier detection can be beneficial in gathering the useful information. In this paper, an efficient influence based graph clustering and outlier detection algorithm (INGC) is proposed based on label propagation. The proposed algorithm improves the performance of the traditional Label Propagation algorithm by making it more robust. The proposed INGC saves time by labeling only high influential vertices of network. Further the labels are propagated among the rest of the nodes of network. And, the nodes with same vertex label are gathered to form a cluster. The vertices to which no label has been assigned during clustering are identified as outliers. Experiments were carried out on three real life graph datasets. It is shown that the proposed INGC outperforms the state-of art clustering algorithms in terms of F-Measure and Modularity. INGC also proved to be efficient in terms of detection rate of outliers.
Using Nonfinancial Information to Predict Financial Performance: The Case of the U.S. Airline Industry

To enhance traditional financial reporting, academics and policymakers have suggested that financial statement users be provided with nonfinancial performance information that may enhance users' ability to evaluate and predict financial performance. This study tests this proposition by examining whether timely nonfinancial performance information is a useful predictor of financial performance in the airline industry. From analysts' written pronouncements and financial press articles we identify a number of fundamental metrics, including customer satisfaction, purportedly used by analysts and investors to assess airline performance. We empirically examine these metrics and find that on-time performance, mishandled baggage, ticket oversales, and in-flight service are significantly associated with our proxy for customer satisfaction. Using an instrumental variable for customer satisfaction, we find that customer satisfaction, load factor, market share, and available ton miles are contemporaneously associated with operating income and revenues and that customer satisfaction and available ton miles are contemporaneously associated with expenses. Finally, using one and two months of nonfinancial data, we find that nonfinancial performance information appears to be useful in predicting quarterly revenues, expenses, and operating income.
Children and Citizenship

Foreword - Jaap Doek PART ONE: NOTIONS OF CHILDREN'S CITIZENSHIP Introduction Unpacking Children's Citizenship - Ruth Lister Education for Citizenship - Andrew Lockyer Children as Citizens and Political Literacy Citizenship From Below - Manfred Liebel Children's Rights and Social Movements From Chattels to Citizens? 80 Years of Eglantyne Jebb's Legacy to Children and Beyond - Brian Milne Children as Rights Holders - Jane Fortin Awareness and Scepticism Children as 'Citizens' Of the United Nations (UN) - Judith Ennew PART TWO: CONSTRUCTIONS OF CHILDHOOD AND CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCES Introduction Care And Control In The Construction Of Childhood - Allison James, Penny Curtis And Jo Birch Youth, Citizenship and the Problem of Dependence - Gill Jones When Does Citizenship Begin? Economics and Early Childhood - Priscilla Alderson Dilemmas in Children's Participation in England - Virginia Morrow Everyday Lives of Working Children and Notions of Citizenship - Antonella Invernizzi PART THREE: HOW POLICY AND LAW THINK ABOUT CHILDREN'S CITIZENSHIP Introduction Will Law Think About Children? Reflections on Youth Matters - Christine Piper The Relevance of European Union Citizenship to Children - Helen Stalford Devolution and the Language of Children's Rights in the UK - Samantha Clutton Institutional Support for the UNCRC's 'Citizen Child' - Jane Williams and Rhian Croke
Variability in HRM implementation among line managers and its effect on performance: a 2-1-2 mediational multilevel approach

Over the last few decades, a substantial body of research has examined the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and performance. However, little attention has been given to the implementation of HRM, although an HR policy can be implemented in various ways within an organization. In addressing recent calls in the literature to examine this issue more closely, we study the role of line managers in implementing HRM and the influence of employees' perceptions of HRM. In a multilevel study of 315 employees and 41 line managers drawn from various work-units of a Dutch municipality, we tested whether HR practices, as implemented by line managers, affect employees' perceptions of HRM and whether these perceptions in turn relate to perceived unit performance. The analysis shows that implemented HR practices differed between work-units. More specifically, our study shows that these differences can be explained by a line manager's leadership style. Moreover, our findings indicate that employees' perceptions of the HR practices implemented mediate the relationship between the HR practices implemented by line managers and perceived unit performance. These findings contribute to our understanding of how HRM affects performance.
A Sign Detector for a Group of Three-Moduli Sets

This paper presents a structure for a sign detector that is suitable for a group of three-moduli sets. This group is defined by (2n+p, 2n - 1, 2n + 1), where n and pare any positive integers such that 0 ≤ p <; n. The dynamic range of this group consists of (3n + p) bits and the proposed structure can be easily changed to accommodate different values of p. When compared with other previously presented structures, the sign detector proposed in this paper proved to be more efficient in terms of area, delay and power.
REPTILE RADIOLOGY: TECHNIQUES, TIPS AND PATHOLOGY

Diagnosing disease in reptiles can be a challenge for even the most experienced veterinarian. The clinical signs exhibited by these ectotherms are often subtle and physical findings are seldom pathognomonic. Diagnostic imaging should be part of the clinical evaluation of sick reptiles. Radiology is a common diagnostic tool used in reptile practice and can be instrumental in the identification of disease.
2-Amino-5-chloropyridinium (Z)-3-carboxyprop-2-enoate 0.25-hydrate

In the title hydrated salt, C5H6ClN2 +·C4H3O4 −·0.25H2O, the water O atom lies on a twofold axis with 0.25 occupancy. The 2-amino-5-chloropyridinium cation is almost planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.015 (3) Å. In the hydrogen malate anion, an intramolecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(7) ring and results in a folded conformation. In the crystal, the protonated N atom and the 2-amino group of the cation are hydrogen bonded to the carboxylate O atoms of the anion via a pair of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming an R 2 2(8) ring motif. The ion pairs are further connected via O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ab plane which stack down the c axis.
Roadmapping Integrates Business and Technology

OVERVIEW: 2007 is Research-Technology Management's 50th year of publication. To mark the occasion, each issue has reprinted one of RTM's most frequently referenced articles. The articles were identified by N. Thongpapanl and Jonathan D. Linton in their 2004 study of technology innovation management journals, a citation-based study in which RTM ranked third out of 25 specialty journals in that field (see RTM, May–June 2004, pp. 5–6). The article reprinted here was originally published in 1997 and has been updated with its author's “reflections. ” It describes the product-technology roadmapping process developed at Philips Electronics, which aimed at better integration of business and technology strategy and improvement of the front end of the product creation process (the concept and idea phase). Teamwork, integral involvement by the organization and good communication are essential characteristics of the process. Benefits include a shared product-technology strategy and a cross-functional approach to product and technology planning and vision building.
A research design for mapping national CSR terrains

Most of the evidence on national progress in corporate social responsibility (CSR) relates to North America and Western Europe, making broad cross-national comparisons difficult. This study seeks to contribute to this end by developing a research design for CSR assessment in a national context. Drawing on prior theory and well-established research methods, developed in order to assess the multi-dimensionality of CSR, a research approach is proposed that can be applied to any country, regardless of the extent to which the notion has penetrated the domestic business sector. Such a research design can expand the existing pool of knowledge on national CSR patterns, inform managers on the national dimension of CSR and contribute to further identifying the relationship between cultural specificity and responsible business behaviour.
Situated human agency, institutional entrepreneurship and institutional change

Purpose – This paper evaluates the influence of the institutional context on the dynamics of institutional change and the possibilities for human agency in this process.Design/methodology/approach – A comparison of the emergence of the temporary work agency industry in five countries is used to illustrate the influence of three elements of the institutional context: high/low pressure field emergence, societal confidence, and power and discretion of the emerging industry.Findings – The analysis reveals how these three elements affect the dynamics of new field development. It shows the interaction between institutionalising and de‐institutionalising pressures and the dialectical nature of the process when comparing the developments over time between different national (institutional) contexts.Research limitations/implications – Propositions for further research are formulated. Combining the effects of the three situational variables three models of industry institutionalization are established: autonomous d.
Evaluating the business performance of an SME: a conceptual framework

Performance measurement is fundamental to any management control. Performance evaluation, primarily helps in understanding weak areas, identifies gaps to carry out improvement and ensures that business activities are properly aligned with business objectives. A Small or Medium Enterprise (SME) has its own strengths and weaknesses, which need not be in common with those of a large organisation. Similarly, it has access to several opportunities and faces certain threats. Therefore, business performance imperatives in an SME are different from those applicable to a large organisation. The performance measurement model should reflect the same. This paper details the essentials of performance measures for an SME and examines how these differ from those for a large enterprise. The study brings out what determinants lead to success. Based on the objectives and determinants of success, the paper presents a business performance measurement framework, OPQR (for Organisational Design, Process Management, Quality Management and Recipient Satisfaction), and defines an appropriate set of performance measures for SMEs. The framework is nonprescriptive and recognises that there can be many approaches to achieve sustainable high levels of performance.
State and federal subsidies to biofuels: magnitude and options for redirection.

Hundreds of government subsidies have fuelled the growth of ethanol and biodiesel in the USA, worth half or more their retail price. Cumulative costs under some mandate proposals exceed $1 trillion by 2030. Even using favourable assumptions, reduced greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels are far more expensive than other options: more than $100/mt CO2e even for cellulosic ethanol and nearly $300/mt CO2e for corn-based fuel. Despite rising concerns, environmental screens in existing subsidy policies remain weak or non-existent. A platform- and fuel-neutral policy structure forcing all alternatives to conventional fuels to compete for market share should be deployed instead.
Board of directors and corporate diversification in Malaysia

This study provides evidence on corporate diversification in Malaysia. The attributes of board: board composition, board characteristic, board structure and board process are examined in focused and diversified companies. The board attributes are also tested to examine the relationship with corporate diversification level. With exception to board size and duality leadership structure, the practices of board attributes are not shown to be different in focused and diversified companies. In terms of relationship, only proportion of executive directors is found to have significant correlation with diversification level [measured by number of segments based on two-digit SIC and Herfindahl index (asset)]. Overall, the findings show that not all board governance attributes differ in corporate diversification status and level. The board effectiveness in monitoring corporate diversification is still unclear as diversification is not necessarily an inefficient strategy although it might be used for the benefit of decision agent.