Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance assessment of the soccer teams in Brazil using DEA

In this paper we propose a DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) based ranking for Brazilian soccer teams. Ranking is a major issue for the soccer clubs, either when looking for sponsorship or expanding their supportive group. We first include value judgements, applying a method to consolidate the results of the national and international matches. Then we use both aggregate results as outputs for applying the DEA model. Rankings published by the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) and 'Placar', a traditional sports magazine, do not give any credit to international titles and national cups, focusing only on the results in the National League. We compare the DEA ranking with the Federation's and the magazine's, raising some controversial issues and drawing unexpected conclusions.
Class, the Stratification Order and Party Identification

The debate over class dealignment is in part a debate about the meaning of class, which cannot be separated from the issue of the relationship between class and voting. Neither the simplified two-class model that has often been used nor the more sophisticated Goldthorpe class schema are adequate either at the conceptual or the empirical level. Both fail to deal coherently with the intermediate positions in the class structure. The argument that `social class' is of continuing significance for the analysis of voting behaviour and of party identification is correct, but only if the nature of the stratification order is properly understood. The Cambridge Scale, a measure of general hierarchical, material and social advantage, based on patterns of social interaction, is shown to be comparable to the Goldthorpe schema in terms of statistical prediction. It is argued that it is preferable in the sense that it most clearly captures the single most important aspect of ‘class’, which is hierarchical position.
Realistic human body movement for emotional expressiveness

Humans express their emotions in many ways, in particular through face, eye, and body motion. So creators of virtual humans strive to convincingly depict emotional movements using a variety of methods.This course focuses on the use of realistic human body motion to generate emotional expressiveness. Topics include: applications and research relating to procedural animation of humans with emotion and personality, biomechanical and physical principles of animation, physics-based human motion simulation, and data-driven animation. The course also provides some insights from the field of psychology and reviews issues relating to the perception and evaluation of realistic human body animation.
THE ESTIMATION OF INVESTMENT EQUATIONS AT THE FARM-LEVEL

On the basis of annual data for individual farms, a model is estimated which explains investment by the Dutch dairy sector in land, buildings, and machinery. As a farmer does not invest in all three capital goods every year, a large number of observations are clustered at zero. Because of this, the commonly used estimation methods are unsatisfactory. In this study an adjusted estimation method is developed, known as an "infrequency purchase model. " Application of this statistical model offers the opportunity to build an investment model which is based on the neoclassical production theory, but also contains some elements of the financial theory of investment. Copyright 1993 by Oxford University Press.
The impact of high-performance work systems in the health-care industry: employee reactions, service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty

The purpose of this study is to empirically test the effects of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on employee attitude, service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty in health-care organisations. The proposed research model was tested using structural equation modelling for hypotheses, based on data collected from 196 pairs of employee–customer respondents in four selected hospitals with more than 500 beds. The results indicate that hospitals can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty through efficient operations, employee engagement, and service quality. One of the key findings of our study is that HPWS in health-care organisations influence employee reaction and service quality.
Construction of Arbitrage-Free Implied Trees: A New Approach

In this paper we propose a new approach to identify the binomial process of the underlying asset price by using a simultaneous backward and forward induction algorithm. The model prices perfectly fit the strike and the term structure of the volatility smile given by traded benchmark options. The resulting implied binomial tree is semi-recombining and arbitrage-free. The model can be used to price and hedge a wide range of plain-vanilla and exotic options. Furthermore, the model allows to construct arbitrage-free multinomial trees.
Airway Inflammation in Premenstrual Asthma

Premenstrual asthma (PMA) is a clinical picture with worsening of asthmatic symptoms and pulmonary functions in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory changes in asthmatic women who complain of PMA. Forty asthmatic women attending our outpatient clinic were questioned about worsening of their asthma before menstruation. Eleven women (aged 17–40) who complained of PMA participated in the study. Subjects were asked to record peak expiratory flow rates, symptom scores, and β-agonist use daily. After the first menses on the seventh day of their cycle, and before the onset of the next menstruation, on the 26±3rd day of the cycle, patients were evaluated with pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge test, and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels. Eosinophils in peripheral blood and induced sputum were also evaluated. When comparing the two groups of results, the significant changes were in FeNO levels, day-time symptom scores, and eosinophils in induced sputum (29.25 ppb/9.16 ppb p<0.05, 1/0.45 p = 0.05, %6.63/%4.09 p<0.01, respectively, before and after menstruation). These results show that PMA is not only a clinical picture with a decrease in airway calibre that can be related to the regulation of 2 receptors, but also a complex state with worsening of airway inflammation.
Asset Pricing in a Generalized Mean-Lower Partial Moment Framework: Theory and Evidence

Abstract A new asset pricing model that generalizes earlier results in the downside risk literature is developed and empirically tested using a multivariate approach. By specifying risk as deviations below any arbitrary target rate of return, the generalized Mean-Lower Partial Moment (MLPM) model overcomes the limited appeal of earlier formulations, and, moreover, a large class of extant pricing models using alternative risk measures (variance, semivariance, semideviation, probability of loss, etc.) becomes special cases of the new framework. Empirical tests indicate that the new model cannot be rejected against an unspecified alternative for a large set of target rates of return. The traditional CAPM, on the other hand, is rejected as a well-specified alternative. The MLPM target rates inferred from market data appear to be related to equity market mean returns rather than to the riskfree rate, the target rate that is implicit in the CAPM and explicit in earlier downside risk formulations.
Operational Satellite Concepts for ESPA Rideshare

Launch Costs significantly impact the total cost of small satellite space systems. Rocket boosters alone can be expensive. When the time and money required for integration and launch site operations are added to the rocket hardware, the flyaway cost of a small satellite system can be staggering. Launch costs often exceed the costs of the actual satellites themselves. One way to reduce launch costs of small satellite systems is to take advantage of existing launch capacity. Potential opportunities exist for small satellites to rideshare with other satellites already traveling to space. Several of the planned Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launches have excess capacity. In conjunction with the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA), up to six small satellites are supported to rideshare with a primary satellite such as a Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite or Global Positioning Satellite.
A model of product design management in the Spanish ceramic sector

Product design is an essential aspect of the process of new product development and innovation, the efficiency of which depends on the existence of some kind of management. However, there is no generally accepted agreement as to exactly what activities this management involves, nor any analyses of the most suitable context for it to develop in or of the relationships that link these activities with performance. In this paper, we study product design management in depth and examine in what way and in which contexts it contributes to an improvement in performance. In order to do so, we carried out a case study of four companies from the Spanish ceramic tile sector that also revealed the activities of an efficient product design management. These were divided into two phases of the product design process: the analytical‐conceptual and the technical‐creative phases.
Exploring the asset growth effect in the Australian equity market

This study presents the first empirical evidence on the existence of the asset growth effect in the Australian equity market. Specifically, we analyse all Australian listed firms over the period from 1998 to 2008, inclusive, to investigate whether the rate of growth in total assets has predictive power over subsequent stock returns. In addition, we conduct a multivariate analysis of the effect, providing the first application of dynamic panel methods using difference generalized method of moments (GMM) and system GMM to the asset growth literature. Results indicate that a significant asset growth effect exists when employing equal-weighted returns. However, this result disappears when utilizing value-weighted returns. In light of this, we further investigate the asset growth effect employing a multivariate analysis, which attempts to control for the influence of firm size. These results fail to confirm the existence of an asset growth effect. We argue that our initial evidence of an effect is due to the overstated influence of small stocks under equal weighting. Consequently, we are able to conclude from these results that over the period of our analysis, the asset growth effect does not exist in the Australian equity market.
Outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction – a comparison of patients’ and surgeons’ assessments

Visual analog scale ratings (0–100 mm) by patients (n=38, 26 men, mean age 28 years) and surgeons (n=2) of expectations, satisfaction, current knee function and activity level were compared one year after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. On average, the surgeons rated the outcome with regard to knee function and activity level as significantly better than the patients (P<0.008). The mean differences ranged from 10 to 19 mm. The discrepancies increased as the patients’ ratings got worse. No such differences were seen for expectations or satisfaction. In order to avoid bias, the patient should assess patient‐relevant outcomes, such as function and activity level. When comparing and interpreting the results of clinical studies, it should be taken into account that the use of observer‐administered questionnaires might introduce a positive bias yielding a significantly better outcome.
Sensorless control of induction motors by the MSA based MUSIC technique

This paper proposes a speed sensorless technique for induction motor drives based on the retrieval and tracking of the rotor slot harmonics (RSH). The RSH related to the rotor speed is first extracted from the stator phase current signature by the adoption of two cascaded ADALINEs (ADAptive Linear Element), whose output is the estimated slot harmonic. Then, the frequency of this slot harmonic as well as the speed is estimated by using minor space analysis (MSA) EXIN neural networks, which work on-line to iteratively compute the frequency of the slot harmonics based on MUSIC spectrum estimation theory. Thanks to its sample-based learning and the reduced mean square frequency estimation error, the speed estimation is fast and accurate. The proposed sensorless technique has been experimentally tested on a suitably developed test set-up with a 2-kW induction motor drive. It has been verified that this algorithm can track the rotor speed rapidly and accurately in a very wide speed range, working from rated speed down to 1.3 % of it.
Exploring the pros and cons of mechanistic case diagrams for problem-based learning

Purpose Mechanistic case diagram (MCD) was recommended for increasing the depth of understanding of disease, but with few articles on its specific methods. We address the experience of making MCD in the fullest depth to identify the pros and cons of using MCDs in such ways. Methods During problem-based learning, we gave guidelines of MCD for its mechanistic exploration from subcellular processes to clinical features, being laid out in as much detail as possible. To understand the students’ attitudes and depth of study using MCDs, we analyzed the results of a questionnaire in an open format about experiencing MCDs and examined the resulting products. Results Through the responses to questionnaire, we found several favorable outcomes, major of which was deeper insight and comprehensive understanding of disease facilitated by the process of making well-organized diagram. The main disadvantages of these guidelines were the feeling of too much workload and difficulty of finding mechanisms. Students gave suggestions to overcome these problems: cautious reading of comprehensive texts, additional guidance from staff about depth and focus of mechanisms, and cooperative group work. From the analysis of maps, we recognized there should be allowance of diversities in the appearance of maps and many hypothetical connections, which could be related to an insufficient understanding of mechanisms in nature. Conclusion The more detailed an MCD task is, the better students can become acquainted with deep knowledges. However, this advantage should be balanced by the results that there are many ensuing difficulties for the work and deliberate help plans should be prepared.
Supporting Reporting: On the Positive Effects of Text- and Video-Based Awareness Material on Responsible Journalistic Suicide News Writing

Suicide is a global public health problem. Media impact on suicide is well confirmed and there are several recommendations on how media should and should not report on suicide to minimize the risk of copycat behavior. Those media guidelines have been developed to improve responsible reporting on suicide (RRS). Although such guidelines are used in several countries, we lack empirical evidence on their causal effect on actual journalistic news writing. We conducted an experiment with journalism students (N = 78) in Germany in which we tested whether exposure to awareness material promoting RRS influences news writing. As a supplement to the widely used text-based material, we tested the impact of a video in which a suicide expert presents the guidelines. A video was used as a supplement to text partly due to its potential benefit for prevention efforts over the Internet. We chose a low-budget production process allowing easy reproduction in different countries by local suicide experts. In the experiment, participants were either exposed to written, audio-visual, or no awareness material. Afterwards, participants read numerous facts of an ostensible suicide event and were asked to write a factual suicide news story based on these facts. Analyses indicate that awareness material exposure helped to improve RRS with the awareness video showing the strongest effects. We recommend that suicide prevention should use instructive awareness videos about RRS complementary to text-based awareness material.
Current ventures of women entrepreneurs: relating performance and goals

Empirical evidence demonstrates that women entrepreneurs' business performance results go far beyond purely economic aspects. This study analyses the extent to which women entrepreneurs' business goals differ with respect to their business performance in economic and non-economic terms. We analyse a sample of Spanish women entrepreneurs, measuring their performance perception and business goals. Our results show that women do not display significant differences regarding their individual non-economic goals related to non-economic performance results. However, our results partially support the claim regarding the relationship between social non-economic goals and economic goals in relation to non-economic and economic oriented performance respectively. Implications for further research are discussed.
Prevalence and Mental Health Correlates of Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace

This study describes past-year prevalence and effects on mental health and drinking outcomes for harassment and discrimination in the workplace (HDW) in a nationally representative random digit dial phone survey conducted in 2003-2004 (n = 2,151). HDW measures included experiences and perceptions of sexual harassment (SH) and generalized workplace harassment (GWH), and perceived harassment or discrimination because of race or ethnicity. Prevalence was examined by sex, race, age, occupation, marital status, and education. Effects of HDW were assessed controlling for demo-graphics and job and life stressors. Experiencing multiple types of HDW was common. SH was more prevalent among women, and Blacks and those of other or mixed race or ethnicity experienced the highest levels of HDW overall. HDW variables explained additional variance in problem drinking and mental health beyond life and job stressors, particularly for women. This study demonstrates that HDW is a prevalent problem associated with poor mental health and problem drinking in the U.S. workforce.
POLITICS THROUGH POTTERY: A VIEW OF THE PRECLASSIC-CLASSIC TRANSITION FROM BUILDING B, GROUP II, HOLMUL, GUATEMALA

Abstract Building B of Group II at Holmul, Guatemala, is well known in Maya archaeology for its unique series of superimposed tombs, some of which contain rare large deposits of ceramic material dating to the Terminal Preclassic period (a.d. 1–250). However, the building also contains large deposits of early facet Early Classic (a.d. 250–400) material, as well as the remains of a potential title holding elite. This article presents the current ceramic sequence for the Holmul region and a re-evaluation of the ceramic material from all rooms in Building B Group II in light of new discoveries at sites within the Holmul region and the greater Maya lowlands. The result is a new hypothesis about what social processes are manifested through Terminal Preclassic period orange slipped pottery, which suggests that the vessels associated with deposits in Buidling B may represent changes in elite diacritical feasting events during this period. These feasts, and the preparations made for them, may have simultaneously integrated social groups within a polity while also reinforcing differences between them during two turbulent epochs of Maya political history—namely, the late facet of the Terminal Preclassic period (a.d. 150–250) and the early facet of the Early Classic period (a.d. 250–400).
The Legalisation of Ethical Governance in Taiwan Biobank Development

The term “biobank” is in fact a heterogeneous concept including a wide range of human biological samples, DNA and other genetic sample collections that can be classified according to different criteria, with population-based biobanks as one of them. On the international level, important initiatives concerning the establishment of population-based biobanks are developing in several countries. Taiwan also intends to create such a biobank (Taiwan Biobank) with local features. Supporting this initiative, the corresponding legislation, Human Genetic Database Management Act (hereinafter referred to as “Taiwan Biobank Act”) was approved on 7 January 2010. In this article, we will focus narrowly on population-based biobanks, going through the major ethical issues involved that should enable a trustworthy foundation of a biobank. Then departing from these ethical issues, the current legislation in Taiwan (especially the Taiwan Biobank Act) will be introduced and analysed to explore how the corresponding regulations could respond to the ethical issues. With the advancement in the understanding of genetics, new methods have been developed to explore genetic materials in order to identify gene variations associated with disease. However, mechanisms underlying common diseases may not only be determined by a single gene, but the combination of several genes along with environmental factors. We can therefore understand that research on these types of diseases requires a variety of resources, including genetic material, medical records and lifestyle information. To support biomedical research, biobanks were established in several countries; for instance, the deCODE genetics biobank in Iceland and the UK Biobank which both collect biospecimens containing genetic material. Due to medical advances,
Evidence of the Existence of an Internal Labour Market in the Great Eastern Railway Company, 1875–1905

Evidence from promotion ladders and the wage payment system of the GER is evaluated to see if it supports existing claims, primarily based on welfare and pension provision, that by 1900 the railway companies had become the first important adherents in the country to a system of internal labour markets. It is suggested that promotion was internalised and that it was based on merit and seniority, that some form of seniority wage payments system did evolve, and that wage increases were sharpest in the first ten years of employment and were associated with spatial mobility
Overexpression of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene AdBiL Contributes to Resistance against Chilling Stress and Leaf Mold Disease in Tomato

Ubiquitination is a common regulatory mechanism, playing a critical role in diverse cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotes. However, a few reports on the functional correlation between E3 ubiquitin ligases and reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) metabolism in response to stress are currently available in plants. In the present study, the E3 ubiquitin ligase gene AdBiL (Adi3 Binding E3 Ligase) was introduced into tomato line Ailsa Craig via Agrobacterium-mediated method. Transgenic lines were confirmed for integration into the tomato genome using PCR. Transcription of AdBiL in various transgenic lines was determined using real-time PCR. Evaluation of stress tolerance showed that T1 generation of transgenic tomato lines showed only mild symptoms of chilling injury as evident by higher biomass accumulation and chlorophyll content than those of non-transformed plants. Compared with wild-type plants, the contents of AsA, AsA/DHA, GSH and the activity of GaILDH, γ-GCS and GSNOR were increased, while H2O2, O2. −, MDA, NO, SNOs, and GSNO accumulations were significantly decreased in AdBiL overexpressing plants in response to chilling stress. Furthermore, transgenic tomato plants overexpressing AdBiL showed higher activities of enzymes such as G6PDH, 6PGDH, NADP-ICDH, and NADP-ME involved in pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The transgenic tomato plants also exhibited an enhanced tolerance against the necrotrophic fungus Cladosporium fulvum. Tyrosine nitration protein was activated in the plants infected with leaf mold disease, while the inhibition could be recovered in AdBiL gene overexpressing lines. Taken together, our results revealed a possible physiological role of AdBiL in the activation of the key enzymes of AsA–GSH cycle, PPP and down-regulation of GSNO reductase, thereby reducing oxidative and nitrosative stress in plants. This study demonstrates an optimized transgenic strategy using AdBiL gene for crop improvement against biotic and abiotic stress factors.