Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Governing Communities:Parish-Pump Politics or Strategic Partnerships?

Abstract The parish pump and the strategic partnership provide two contrasting images of the governance of local communities. The former emphasises local self-government by citizens through democratic processes. The latter concentrates on partnership board meetings where key public, private and voluntary sector actors shape the nature of the local community. An historical perspective is used to demonstrate that the context for UK local governance in the early twentyfirst century is similar to that outside the big cities in the late nineteenth century, but that the policy prescriptions in each era give significantly different roles to elected local authorities. Liberal democratic theories of local govemment are found wanting in the contemporary setting of strategic partnerships. In contrast, consociational theory provides helpful insights into the process of governance by multiple, semi-autonomous actors, but has weaknesses in relation to the articulation between strategic partnerships and civil society. New theorisations of the governance of local communities could build on these approaches.
Education and Civic Outcomes in Italy

This article attempts to identify the causal effects of education on multiple measures of civic engagement in Italy. The identification strategy is based on changes in education legislation that have exogenously affected the schooling decision. Our empirical analysis delivers two main results. First, the ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates of the effects of education on some civic measures are likely to be biased. Second, the instrumental variables (IV) estimates suggest that the direction of this bias varies across measures of civic outcomes.
European integration from the 1980s: State-centric v. multi-level governance

This article takes initial steps in evaluating contending models of EU governance. We argue that the sovereignty of individual states is diluted in the European arena by collective decision-making and by supranational institutions. In addition, European states are losing their grip on the mediation of domestic interest representation in international relations. We make this argument along two tracks. First, we analyse the conditions under which central state executives may lose their grip on power. Next, we divide up the policy process into stages and specify which institutional rules may induce various actors to deepen EU policy-making.
Post Hoc Evaluation of Hazardous Weather: Snowstorms in the Montréal, Québec, Area in March 2008

Abstract The post hoc evaluation of meteorological events that have severe consequences for individuals, property, economic activities, and the environment is a powerful analytical tool. The paper provides a factual and evidence-based analytical framework for the study of hazardous weather events that have major social, economic, and environmental effects. It is a process that seeks to improve and to determine the relevance of services. The analysis of the winter storms that hit the Montreal area in early March 2008 examines the relationship between the storms, the collapse of 18 roofs, the death of 3 persons, and the closure of more than 200 schools. It highlights the limited perception of the risks associated with unusual and severe winter weather. It reveals the lack of attention given in meteorology to the important paradigmatic relationship that exists between the weather elements, the associated risk factors, and the ensuing impacts. This study reveals the need for improvements in meteorological ser.
A 600mV 3.6mW 68dB DR 4th Order Analog Base Band Filter for WLAN Receivers

In this paper a complete design of an analog 4th order base band filter for WLAN receivers operating at 600mV supply voltage is presented. The design is based on the use of different input and output opamp common mode voltages and on the input common mode feedback circuit. The ICMFB allows maximizing the overdrive voltages of the opamp input differential pair MOS, guaranteeing the right operating point. The filter is designed using the 0.13mum CMOS technology and features a wide swing performance (DR=68dB@THD=-40dBc when a 800mVpp,differentiai signal is applied at the filter output nodes) and a low power consumption (3.6mW).
Predicting Clinical Outcomes After Thrombolysis Using the iScore: Results From the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive

Background and Purpose— The ischemic stroke risk score (iScore) is a validated tool developed to estimate the risk of death and functional outcomes early after an acute ischemic stroke. Our goal was to determine the ability of the iScore to estimate clinical outcomes after intravenous thrombolysis tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA). Methods— We applied the iScore (www.sorcan.ca/iscore) to patients with an acute ischemic stroke within the VISTA collaboration to examine the effect of tPA. We explored the association between the iScore (<200 and ≥200) and the primary outcome of favorable outcome at 3 months defined as a modified Rankin scale score of 0 to 2. Secondary outcomes included death at 3 months, catastrophic outcomes (modified Rankin scale, 4–6), and Barthel index >90 at 3 months. Results— Among 7140 patients with an acute ischemic stroke, 2732 (38.5%) received tPA and 711 (10%) had an iScore ≥200. Overall, tPA treatment was associated with a significant improvement in the primary outcome among patients with an iScore <200 (38.9% non-tPA versus 47.5% tPA; P<0.001) but was not associated with a favorable outcome among patients with an iScore ≥200 (5.5% non-tPA versus 7.6% tPA; P=0.45). In the multivariable analysis after adjusting for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and onset-to-treatment time, there was a significant interaction between tPA administration and iScore; tPA administration was associated with 47% higher odds of a favorable outcome at 3 months among patients with an iScore <200 (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.30–1.67), whereas the association between tPA and favorable outcome among those with an iScore ≥200 remained nonsignificant (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.45–1.42). A similar pattern of benefit with tPA among patients with an iScore <200, but not ≥200, was observed for secondary outcomes including death. Conclusions— The iScore is a useful and validated tool that helps clinicians estimate stroke outcomes. In stroke patients participating in VISTA, an iScore <200 was associated with better outcomes at 3 months after tPA.
Marked increase in cerebrospinal fluid glial fibrillar acidic protein in neuromyelitis optica: an astrocytic damage marker

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a neurological inflammatory disease associated with autoimmunity to aquaporin 4, predominantly localised in astrocytic foot processes. Recent studies have revealed that loss of aquaporin 4 and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) is a prominent feature of NMO lesions, suggesting astrocytic impairment. Objective: To reveal a useful clinical biomarker of NMO. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were carried out for astrocytic markers GFAP and S100B in CSFs, obtained from the patients with NMO (n = 10) and multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 10) manifesting acute myelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (n = 3), spinal infarction (n = 3), and other neurological diseases (OND) (n = 5). Results: The CSF-GFAP levels during relapse in NMO (7666.0 (SD 15 266.5) ng/ml) were significantly over several thousand times higher than those in MS (0.7 (1.5)) or OND (0.6 (0.3)), and considerably higher than those in spinal infarction (354.7 (459.0)) and ADEM (0.4 (0.2)). They returned close to normal levels along with clinical improvement soon after corticosteroid therapy in NMO. There were strong correlations between the CSF-GFAP or S100B levels and expanded disability status scales or spinal lesion length in NMO (r>0.9). Conclusions: CSF-GFAP and S100B may be clinically useful biomarkers in NMO, and astrocytic damage is strongly suggested in the acute phase of NMO.
The community integration questionnaire with new scoring guidelines: concurrent validity and need for appropriate norms

Objective: To investigate the influence of demographic variables and concurrent validity when new scoring guidelines are used with the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Method: Thirty-three adult outpatients with biopsy confirmed malignant brain tumours were evaluated prior to chemotherapy. In contrast to TBI subjects, the brain tumour sample was older (x age= 46.3 years), better educated (x = 13.7 years); and gender was more evenly represented (16 male, 17 female). Results: Demographic variables mediated CIQ scores. Gender effects were still seen, with women significantly higher on Home Integration (r = 0.40, p < 0.05). Older subjects had lower CIQ scores: CIQ total (r = -0.54, p < 0.005); Home Integration (r = -0.42, p < 0.01); Social Integration (r = -0.44, p < -0.005); and Productivity (r = -0.45, p < 0.005). More education was related to higher CIQ total (r = 0.31, p < 0.05); Social Integration (r = 0.30, p < 0.05); and Productivity (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Significant relationships were seen between CIQ scores and both the Social Activity and Inactivity subscales of the Chronic Illness Problem Inventory (r = -0.43, p < 0.005 and r = -0.68, p < 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: CIQ norms for age, education, sex, and marital status are strongly recommended. Moderate concurrent validity remained with new scoring guidelines.
Public Capital and Output Growth in Portugal: An Empirical Analysis

The paper investigates the growth effects of public capital in Portugal using annual data for the period 1965-95. Both a production function and a vector autoregressive model are estimated. Public capital is shown to be a significant long-term determinant of output growth. The size of the estimated production elasticity indicates, in line with studies for other countries, a substantial growth payoff from public investment. Disaggregating public capital shows that investment related to, among other things, roads, railways, and airports is more productive than public investment in other major categories.
The Effect of Government Expenditure on Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Disaggregated Analysis from 1977 to 2009

This paper investigates the effect of government expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria using a disaggregated approach. It observes that rising government expenditure has not translated to meaningful development as Nigeria is still being ranked among the world poorest countries. Several researches on the actual relationship between government expenditure and economic growth is mixed and inconclusive and most of the researches used aggregate approach. Data for the period (1977 - 2009) was used. Our estimation reviews that Government total capital expenditure (TCAP), total recurrent expenditures (TREC), Government expenditure on education (EDU) and power (POW) have negative effect on economic growth and are significant in explaining this relationship. On the contrary, rising Government expenditure on transport and communication (TRACO), and health (HEA) results to an increase in economic growth. The authors therefore advised that there should be public private participation in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy such as in power and transport in order to accelerate the rate of development in Nigeria. Also there should be a high degree of transparency and accountability in government spending.
Alternatives to the use of the DFT in MRI and spectroscopic reconstructions

Standard and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI and f MRI) make of use the two‐dimensional (2D) discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Many MR spectroscopic techniques use the 1D DFT. Experimental or time constraints frequently require that the DFT be applied to finite‐length (truncated) data sequences. Truncation is essentially a windowing of the data and introduces artifacts and resolution loss in images or spectra. A number of alternative reconstruction algorithms have been proposed to counteract these problems. These algorithms attempt to model the known data and use the modeling information to implicitly or explicitly extrapolate the data to overcome the windowing. One modeling approach, the Transient Error Reconstruction Algorithm (TERA), uses an autoregressive moving average method to recover the missing data. In this article, we briefly discuss variants of the TERA algorithm and development of neural networks to take better account of the differing data properties of MR data sets. Our success with neural networks in fMRI reconstruction has led us to challenge some of the standard approaches to validating MR algorithms and develop our own. These new approaches include k‐space phantom generation and automated computer observer (ROC analysis) to evaluate algorithms in terms of their clinical relevance. We have also developed an upgraded image quality measure based on Daly's Visual Differences Predictor. This models the ability of the human visual system to detect significant differences between images produced by different MRI reconstruction algorithms. We also present a protocol for generating Shepp‐Logan phantoms which avoids the introduction of the high‐frequency k‐space data distortion present in the existing approach. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 8, 558–564, 1997
Inter-country transfer of Gram-negative organisms carrying the VIM-4 and OXA-58 carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes.

1. Brinas L, Moreno MA, Teshager T et al. Monitoring and characterizationofextended-spectrumb-lactamases inEscherichiacolistrains from healthy and sick animals in Spain in 2003. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49: 1262–4. 2. Olesen I, Hasman H, Aarestrup FM. Prevalence of b-lactamases among ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from food animals in Denmark. Microb Drug Resist 2004; 10: 334–40. 3. Hasman H, Mevius D, Veldman K et al. b-Lactamases among extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)-resistant Salmonella from poultry, poultry products and human patients in the Netherlands. J Antimicrob Chemother 2005; 56: 115–21. 4. Liebana E, Gibbs M, Clouting C et al. Characterization of b-lactamases responsible for resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica strains from food-producing animals in the United Kingdom. Microb Drug Resist 2004; 10: 1–9. 5. MulveyMR,BryceE,BoydDetal.AmblerclassAextended-spectrum b-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in Canadian hospitals. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48: 1204–14. 6. Yates CM, Brown DJ, Edwards GFS et al. Detection of TEM-52 in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated in Scotland. J Antimicrob Chemother 2004; 53: 407–8.
A Generalized Measure of Farm-Specific Technical Efficiency

Single measures of farm-specific technical efficiency over time are calculated for rice farms in Central Luzon, the Philippines, from the residuals of a stochastic frontier production function. Panel data from the International Rice Research Institute's periodic "Loop Survey" are used. Results show a narrow range of efficiency between 84% and 95% across the twenty-two farms, so that there is limited scope for increasing output by resource reallocation. A comparison is made with measures of technical efficiency using traditional covariance analysis.
The (ir)relevance of transaction costs in climate policy instrument choice: an analysis of the EU and the US

This article assesses the relevance of ex post transaction costs in the choice of climate policy instruments in the EU (focusing mainly on the example of Germany) and the US. It reviews all publicly available empirical ex post transaction cost studies of climate policy instruments broken down by the main private and public sector cost factors and offers hypotheses on how these factors may scale depending on instrument design and other contextual factors. The key finding from the evaluated schemes is that it is possible to reject the hypothesis that asymmetries in ex post transaction costs across instruments are large and, thus, play a pivotal role in climate policy instrument choice. Both total and relative ex post transaction costs can be considered low. This conjecture differs from the experience in other areas of environmental policy instruments where high total transaction costs are considered to be important factors in the overall assessment of optimal environmental policy choice. Against this background, the main claim of this article is that in climate policy instrument choice, ex post transaction cost considerations play a minor role in large countries that feature similar institutional characteristics as the EU and the US. Rather, the focus should be on the efficiency properties of instruments for incentivizing abatement, as well as equity and political economy considerations (and other societally relevant objectives). In order to inform transaction cost considerations in climate policy instrument choice in countries that adopt new climate policies, more data would be desirable in order to enable more robust estimates of design- and context-specific transaction-cost scaling factors. Policy relevance The findings of this study can help inform policy makers who plan to set up novel climate policy instruments. The results indicate that ex post transaction costs play a minor role for large countries that feature similar institutional characteristics as the EU and the US. For instrument design the focus should rather be on efficiency properties of instruments in incentivizing abatement, as well as equity and political economy considerations (and other societally relevant objectives).
Exchange Rate Volatility And Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence From East Asian Countries

This paper uses panel data to examine the effect of exchange rate uncertainty on foreign direct investment in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand – countries that have continued to attract considerable foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows while also experiencing a great deal of volatility in exchange rates. After establishing the stationarity of the data series, a panel cointegration test was conducted, following which an error correction model was developed and estimated using two sets of panel data. The overall estimation results are consistent with theoretical predictions. We find that exchange rate volatility has a favorable effect on foreign direct investment in our sample countries.
Socially responsible investment and avoidance of controversial sectors : on isomorphic processes and the quest for legitimacy

A common method for shareholders with a 'Socially Responsible Investment' (SRI) approach is to systematically avoid controversial sectors, such as alcohol, weapons, gambling and tobacco. This article seeks to understand why the avoidance method is so prevalent among SRI funds and indices even though it can be argued that it is not efficient in influencing corporations' social responsibility. Based on neo-institutional theory, the study finds that the widespread use of the method can be understood as a way to comply with society's expectations, reduce ambiguity, and enhance legitimacy, and thereby improve the prospects of survival.
On the Non-Trivial Generalization of Dynamic Time Warping to the Multi-Dimensional Case

In the last decade, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) has emerged as the distance measure of choice for virtually all time series data mining applications. This is the result of significant progress in improving DTW’s efficiency, and multiple empirical studies showing that DTW-based classifiers at least equal the accuracy of all their rivals across dozens of datasets. Thus far, most of the research has considered only the one-dimensional case, with practitioners generalizing to the multi-dimensional case in one of two ways. In general, it appears the community believes either that the two ways are equivalent, or that the choice is irrelevant. In this work, we show that this is not the case. The two most commonly used multidimensional DTW methods can produce different classifications, and neither one dominates over the other. This seems to suggest that one should learn the best method for a particular application. However, we will show that this is not necessary; a simple, principled rule can be used on a case-by-case basis to predict which of the two methods we should give credence to. Our method allows us to ensure that classification results are at least as accurate as the better of the two rival methods, and in many cases, our method is strictly more accurate. We demonstrate our ideas with the most extensive set of multi-dimensional time series classification experiments ever attempted. Keywords—Dynamic Time Warping; Classification
Relationship quality and negotiation interdependence: the case study of international defect claim

Abstract Relationship quality is theorized to have far-reaching effects on constructing a successful and lasting relationship with other partners. This study investigated the influences of relationship quality on negotiation interdependence, which affects negotiators' attitude toward pursing long-term relationships. Working in an international defect claim case among a Taiwan fibre supplier, Vietnam textile buyer and a Japanese trading company indicated their relationship quality, negotiation interdependence, power structure, and negotiation tactics and agreement. Negotiation dialogues and related arguments were recorded and analysed. The pattern matching method suggested that the effects of relationship quality change the interdependence levels between buyer and seller, which in turn affects the negotiators' power structure and their selection of negotiation tactics. Letting buyers correctly justify and appreciate their interdependence and relationship quality is suggested for the suppliers in order to make inter-company agreements or alliances. In addition, a practical agreement should provide the function to increase the value of the relationship quality.
Sun, sand and September 11: a model of tourism demand for the Maldives

Tourism is a key source of income for many small island economies, and so it is important to understand its determinants in such countries. We estimate a tourism demand model for the Maldives’ five main source markets and find that, in addition to the usual foreign income and own price variables, the cost of travel and of visiting alternative destinations (often missing from studies of this nature) almost always have a significant role. In addition, the country’s own marketing efforts prove effective at influencing demand. Finally, we find evidence the War on Terror has persistently depressed demand from some markets.
The Effects of Industry Specialization on Audit Risk Assessments and Audit‐Planning Decisions

This study investigates the effects of industry specialization on auditors' risk assessments and audit‐planning decisions. In an experiment, auditors from different industry specializations complete a hypothetical audit case set in a specific (bank) industry, which creates either a match or a mismatch between the auditors' industry specialization and the hypothetical client's industry. Furthermore, I manipulate the industry‐specific case information to achieve differential audit risk levels. I also provide the auditors with a set of preliminary audit procedures and a constrained time budget. I find that the auditors' knowledge of the client's industry improves their audit risk assessments and directly influences the nature and the perceived quality of their audit‐planning decisions. In addition, the auditors' knowledge of the client's industry moderates the sensitivity of the auditors' planning decisions to their audit risk assessments.