Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Reliability of Psychographic Analyses

Psychographic, or life-style, analysis has proved useful in a wide variety of applications. However users have voiced concern about the reliability of the analysis and the reality of the segmentations it produces. As life-style items tend to be specific to individual applications and often have little theoretical support, there is particular need for a method of evaluating the stability of results. This paper reviews marketing studies which have tested life-style reliability and stability, and presents a method of assessing reliability using the jackknife. This method is particularly useful as it can handle small sample sizes, is not dependent on the number of items in the scale or the type of factor model used, and can provide detailed assessments of factor reliability. An empirical application of the method is presented.
Divisive Riches: Resource Ownership, Economic Disparities, and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa

One of the main problems in the analysis of the resource-conflict nexus is the heterogeneity of the ownership structures and the extraction sites profitability for the same natural resources even within the same state. We contend that the reliance on national-level resource income data biases the extent of income redistribution within a society and the level of conflict needed to sustain it. Focusing on oil-fields and diamond mines in sub-Saharan countries, we offer a GIS-based analysis of the effects of natural resources on the sub-national and national economy and society. We employ an instrumental variable approach to disentangle for the past twenty years the growth and conflict effects that major oil fields and diamond mines have in the extraction region and the capitals of the examined countries. The preliminary analysis shows that especially public diamond ownership has positive growth effects in the extracting region, while onshore oilfields increase the risk of conflict.
Institutionalizing Dualism: Complementarities and Change in France and Germany

The French and German political economies have been significantly reconfigured over the past two decades. Although the changes have often been more piecemeal than revolutionary, their cumulative effects are profound. The authors characterize the changes that have taken place as involving the institutionalization of new forms of dualism and argue that what gives contemporary developments a different character from the past is that dualism is now explicitly underwritten by state policy. They see this outcome as the culmination of a sequence of developments, beginning in the field of industrial relations, moving into labor market dynamics, and finally finding institutional expression in welfare state reforms. Contrary to theoretical accounts that suggest that institutional complementarities support stability and institutional reproduction, the authors argue that the linkages across these realms have helped to translate employer strategies that originated in the realm of industrial relations into a stable, new, and less egalitarian model with state support.
An Incomplete-Market Term-Structure Model for Collateralized Debt Obligations

This article describes a term-structure model for basket credit derivatives such as collateralized debt obligations (CDO’s). The model can be calibrated so that it can precisely reproduce, in terms of a single set of model parameters, the market values of the prices of contracts on a number of difierent tranches and having a number of difierent maturities for each tranche. Furthermore, because it is a term-structure model, the calibrated model can be used to price forward-start CDO’s, and is useful as a flrst step in the pricing of an unmarketed tranche of a regular CDO. In addition, the model is an incomplete-market model that gives a much more complete description of the arbitrage-free price ranges available to basket credit derivatives than is achieved by typical existing copula approaches, and it can thus give some idea of the model risk associated with the use of these copula approaches. The key parameters of the model are the risk-neutral multiple-default probabilities for the obligors of the reference portfolio.
The roles of self‐efficacy and pretest counseling in type 2 herpes simplex virus screening in asymptomatic adults

Purpose: To evaluate the role of counseling for patients undergoing screening for type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV‐2). Using pre‐ and post‐screening questionnaires, we evaluated correlations between demographic factors, measures of self‐efficacy and follow‐through with the screening test, and willingness to take antiviral medication and share results with sexual partners. Data sources: Subjects (N= 115) were recruited as part of usual care at a private, urban family practice. A total of 111 subjects completed pre‐screening questionnaires, and 38 completed post‐screening questionnaires. Conclusions: The overwhelming majority of participants were (a) willing to undergo screening; (b) take suppressive antiviral medication if necessary; (c) share their results with sexual partners; and (d) consider safer sexual practices as a consequence of screening. Older patients were less willing to consider daily antiviral medication. Men who have sex with men (MSM) had lower perceived susceptibility to HSV‐2 but were more likely to undergo and report screening. Implications for practice: Future research should include predictive models for determining the most appropriate patients to screen for HSV‐2 and best practices for those who test positive. Shared decision making between patients and advanced practice nurses regarding the risks and benefits of screening for HSV‐2 should be a component visits that include sexually transmitted disease screening. Particular attention should be paid to those at higher risk for contracting the virus, including patients with HIV and MSM.
Remifentanil mimics cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning via protein kinase C activation in open chest of rats

AbstractAim:To examine whether the protective effect of remifentanil preconditioning (RPC) on postischemic hearts is mediated by protein kinase (PKC) activation in comparison with ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and their chests were opened. The experiment was performed with chelerythrine (CHE, 2 mg/kg), GF109203X (0.05 mg/kg) protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors administered before RPC (remifentanil 6 μg.kg-1·min−1× 3 cycle) or IPC, respectively. Infarct size (IS), as a percentage of the area at risk (AAR), was determined by triphenyltetrazolium staining.Results:In groups subjected to IPC and RPC the IS/AAR were significantly reduced (IS/AAR from 52.7%± 5.5% to 12.9%± 3.4%, P<0.01 vs CON and 16.2%± 6.4%, P>0.01 vs CON), respectively. CHE and GF, both PKC inhibitors, administered 5 min before RPC or IPC completely abolished the cardioprotective effect of RPC (IS/AAR: CHE+RPC 51.2%± 5.0%, GF+RPC 53.6%± 6.1%, P>0.05 vs CON) or IPC (CHE+IPC 53.7%± 4.3%, GF+IPC 54.1%± 6.2%, P>0.05 vs CON). The difference was not significant in any of the hemodynamic parameters between control and treatment groups during ischemia and reperfusion.Conclusion:Remifentanil confers myocardial protection against ischemic injury through a mechanism that is similar to IPC and involves PKC activation.
Minority Shareholders’ Control Rights and the Quality of Corporate Decisions in Weak Investor Protection Countries: A Natural Experiment from China

ABSTRACT : Using a 2004 Chinese securities regulation that requires equity offering proposals to obtain the separate approval of voting minority shareholders, we examine whether giving minority shareholders increased control over corporate decisions helps to reduce value-decreasing corporate decisions for firms domiciled in weak investor protection countries. We find that the regulation deters management from submitting value-decreasing equity offering proposals in firms with higher mutual fund ownership. There is also weak evidence that minority shareholders are more likely to veto value-decreasing equity offering proposals in firms with higher mutual fund ownership in the post-regulation period. Overall, our evidence suggests that in weak investor protection countries, the effect of granting minority shareholders increased control over corporate decisions on the quality of corporate decisions depends on the composition of minority shareholders. JEL Classifications: G32; G34; G38
Characterization of Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes in a 0.5- $\mu \text{m}$  Standard CMOS Process—Part 2: Equivalent Circuit Model and Geiger Mode Readout

This paper features a model that allows the design and simulation of perimeter-gated single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). The model enables both Geiger mode and DC mode simulations. The model's key parameters were extracted from measured characteristics of a perimeter-gated SPAD fabricated in a 3-metal, 2-poly, single well CMOS process. This paper also features a survey of state-of-the-art SPAD models. Last, this paper describes the design and measured characteristics of a pixel that includes a perimeter-gated SPAD and a mixed-signal readout circuit.
Policy and practice: An investigation of organizational change for service quality in the public sector in Northern Ireland

Throughout the 1990s, the public sector has experienced a period of intense scrutiny focusing on what it does, and how it does it, so much so that themes such as r̀einventing’ , `reforming’ and `modernizing’ , appear commonplace in its every day language. Further, as government becomes increasingly nervous about public expenditure the whole issue of eVective public sector management (incorporating value-for-money) has been pushed to the centre stage. Such is the degree and extent of the change taking place that terms such as business/service excellence, quality management, re-engineering and strategic management, once considered the sole domain of manufacturing, have become watchwords for public sector management (Burns, 1992; Vinzant & Vinzant, 1996; Walsh, 1990). To many, we are now encountering `a sincere and growing interest’ in the management of change within public sectors (Orwig et al., 1997) world-wide. As a result, this new public management focuses on the principles behind the 5E: economy, eYciency, eVectiveness, excellence and enterprise. How can the public sector eVectively enhance its performance, improve its productivity by `doing more with less’ , develop and implement its policies so that public users and not providers are the focus and ultimately champion customer service (Durst & Newell, 1999; Hardiman & Mulreany, 1991)? In other words, how can a `government for people’ truly be created (Modernising Government, Command Paper 4310, 1999)? In this vein, the following paper reports on some preliminary ® ndings from an ongoing research project investigating the nature of continuous improvement (CI), business excellence (BE) and other change management practices throughout the public sector in Northern Ireland. Many issues were explored, including: initial motivations for pursuing CI/BE; types of practices currently in use along with the outcome measures employed; perceived success or otherwise of such practices; barriers to adoption of CI/BE; and the potential for public sector units to learn from each other. One of the main aims of the preliminary research is to gain an accurate insight into the awareness, understanding and use of such practices in the Northern Ireland public sector before undertaking in-depth case studies. Further, this issue
Conserved Cysteines in the Sialyltransferase Sialylmotifs Form an Essential Disulfide Bond*

The sialyltransferase gene family is comprised of 16 cloned enzymes. All members contain two conserved protein domains, termed the S- and L-sialylmotifs, that participate in substrate binding. Of only six invariant amino acids, two are cysteines, with one found in each sialylmotif. Although the recombinant soluble form of ST6Gal I has six cysteines, quantitative analysis indicated the presence of only one disulfide linkage, and thiol reducing agents dithiothreitol and β-mercaptoethanol inactivated the enzyme. Analysis of site-directed mutants showed that alanine or serine mutants of invariant Cys181 or Cys332 exhibit no detectable activity, either by direct assay or by staining of the transfected cells with Sambucus nigra agglutinin, which recognizes the product NeuAcα2,6Galβ1,4GlcNAc on glycoproteins. In contrast, alanine mutations of charged residues adjacent to either cysteine showed little or no effect on enzyme activity. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that although the wild type sialyltransferase is properly localized in the Golgi apparatus, the inactive cysteine mutants are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. The results suggest that the invariant cysteine residues in the L- and S-sialylmotifs participate in the formation of an intradisulfide linkage that is essential for proper conformation and activity of ST6Gal I.
The Boost C++ Libraries: Part II

In this article we discuss some of the Boost libraries that were introduced in Part I. The goal of Part I was to categorise and give a global overview of the most important Boost libraries. It was written to give some directions on the usefulness of the libraries in a given context. The goal of the current article is to focus on a number of libraries that in our opinion help promote the flexibility, functionality and performance of C++ applications. We introduce these libraries and we give some examples to illustrate their applicability. Copyright © 2012 Wilmott Magazine Ltd.
An approach to offline Arabic character recognition using neural networks

Character recognition system can contribute tremendously towards the advancement of automation process and can be useful in many other applications such as Data Entry, Check Verification etc. This paper presents a technique for the automatic recognition of Arabic Characters. The technique is based on Neural Pattern Recognition Approach. The main features of the system are preprocessing of the text, segmentation of the text to individual characters, Feature extraction using centralized moments technique and recognition using RBF Network. The system is implemented in Java Programming Language under Windows Environment. The System is designed for a single font multi size character set.
Corruption and Voter Participation

The literature on voter turnout focuses on the determinants of the electorate’s vote supply. There is growing recognition, however, that the demanders of votes—candidates, political parties, and interest groups—have strong incentives to invest resources in mobilizing support on Election Day. The authors test the hypothesis that corruption rents increase the value of holding public office and, hence, elicit greater demand-side effort in building winning coalitions. Analyzing a pooled time-series data set of public officials convicted of misusing their offices between 1979 and 2005, we find, after controlling for other influential factors, that governmental corruption raises voter turnout rates in gubernatorial elections.
MyD88 Adaptor-Like Is Not Essential for TLR2 Signaling and Inhibits Signaling by TLR31

Although a clear role for the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88) adaptor-like (Mal, or TIRAP) in TLR4 signaling has been demonstrated, there is limited information on its role in TLR2 signaling. Here we have systematically analyzed the role of Mal in signaling by TLR2, TLR4, and as a control TLR3 in murine macrophages and dendritic cells. Mal was not required for the induction of IL-6 or NFκB activation at high concentrations of the TLR1/2 ligand Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 or the TLR2/6 ligand macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 and was required for these responses only at low ligand concentrations. Similarly, induction of IL-6 by Salmonella typhimurium, which is sensed by TLR2, required Mal only at low levels of bacteria. Mal was required for IL-6 induction at all concentrations of the TLR4 ligand LPS. Mal deficiency boosted IL-6 induction by the TLR3 ligand polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Activation of JNK, but not p38 or IκB degradation, was similarly potentiated in response to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid in Mal-deficient macrophages. MyD88 was vital for all TLR2 and TLR4 responses and, similar to Mal, was also inhibitory for TLR3-dependent IL-6 and JNK induction. MyD88 interacted with the Toll/IL-1R domains of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR6. Mal interacted with the Toll/Il-1R domains of TLR1, TLR2, and TLR4 but not with TLR6. Our study, therefore, reveals that Mal is dispensable in TLR2 signaling at high ligand concentrations in macrophages and dendritic cells, with MyD88 probably coupling to the TLR2 receptor complex at sufficient levels to allow activation. An inhibitory role for Mal in TLR3 signaling to JNK was also demonstrated.
A Study on Accounting of Transfer Pricing and Its Effect on Taxation

The dimension of accounting of transferpricing as one of the essential instruments of profit transfers betweenbusinesses has not been studied sufficiently. In this study, a review wasconducted on occurrence of transfer pricing and how accounting transactionswill be conducted required to be conducted by the entities. However, it isevaluated how transfer pricing will affect corporate tax. In order to make thestudy more concrete, the conceptual framework was revealed in the light ofprevious studies and accordingly a scenario was developed. In line withinformation in the scenario developed, it was indicated first how transferpricing was conducted, and then a recommendation was stated in the accountingrecords required to be conducted for improvement by the entities. However, taxeffect of the present case was determined before and after adjustment.According to such, it is concluded that related parties of transfer pricing shouldfollow a record process considering simultaneous movement form and off-balancesheet accounts in adjustment transactions.
Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis: does percutaneous plating disrupt femoral blood supply less than the traditional technique?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Proximal and distal femur fractures have traditionally been treated with open reduction and internal fixation through a standard lateral approach. New, "minimally invasive" internal fixation techniques, however, have been developed in an effort to devascularize the bone less than the traditional method. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a minimally invasive percutaneous plating technique better preserves bone vascularity relative to the traditional method by comparing the effect of the two approaches on the blood supply of the distal femur using silicone arterial dye injection in a cadaveric model. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS Ten fresh human cadavers underwent lateral conventional plate osteosynthesis (CPO) through a standard lateral approach on one side and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) through two three-centimeter incisions on the contralateral side. After injection of silicone dye, a dissection was performed bilaterally to identify the femoral perforating and nutrient arteries. RESULTS All MIPO specimens showed intact perforating and nutrient arteries, whereas the CPO specimens had a variable incidence of vessel disruption. The MIPO group demonstrated better periosteal perfusion in each of the cadavers and improved medullary perfusion in 70 percent of the MIPO specimens compared with the CPO specimens. CONCLUSION A percutaneous minimally invasive plating technique disrupts the femoral blood supply less than the traditional open method. Such minimally invasive methods may be more advantageous biologically than the traditional method.
The Cross‐Section of Expected Stock Returns: An Empirical Study in the Athens Stock Exchange

This paper explores the ability of the capital asset pricing model, as well as the firm specific factors, to explain the cross‐sectional relationship between average stock returns and risk in Athens Stock Exchange (ASE). The objective of this study is to investigate the cross‐section of stock returns in the Greek stock market for the period from July 1993 to June 2001. A methodology similar to that of Fama and French (1992) is employed, by taking into account the constraints imposed by a smaller sample both in time and in terms of number of stocks. Our findings indicate that in the Greek stock market there is not a positive relation between risk, measured by β, and average returns. On the other hand, there is a “size effect” on the cross‐sectional variation in average stock returns.
Neighborhood Features and the Rental Price of Villas and Cottages in Barbados

Barbados is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. Historically most visitors were accommodated in hotels. In the past decade, however, the proportion of luxury rooms has declined in proportion to the expansion in the second home rental market. The behavior of rental prices for villas on the island, nevertheless, is not well understood. Using observations on 322 villas and cottages, this article estimates a hedonic regression of the prices for these properties. Prices are modeled as functions of structural, neighborhood, and environmental factors. The findings from the article suggest that the rental prices for villas and cottages on the island are largely because of unobserved neighborhood characteristics and structural features related to the property. The study contributes to the literature by providing an assessment of the villa market in a largely tourism-dependent economy and also proposes an approach for measuring unobserved neighborhood characteristics.
Rationality of executive compensation schemes and real accounting changes

Managerial preference for accounting methods is examined with respect to the effects of the chosen methods on executives' annual compensation (salary and bonus). Two propositions are considered: (a) the bonus-hypothesis, and (b) the rationality of compensation schemes. While the former asserts a tie between compensation and accounting income, the latter stipulates a connection between the real (cash flow) consequences of the choice of accounting methods and executives' compensation. Two accounting method changes were used: (a) the change in pension costing and funding (which increases both income and operating cash flows), and (b) the change in inventory valuation method to LIFO (which decreases income and increases cash flows). Unexpected compensations in the switch-year were correlated with the effects of each accounting change on income. The results suggest that top executives' salary and bonus payments increased in the switch-year beyond levels predicted by the pre-switch compensation parameters. Several validation checks were also performed using comparison samples. Furthermore, the effects of these two accounting changes on income were found to correlate with unexpected compensation in the directions predicted by the hypothesis of rationality of compensation schemes. Resume. Les preferences de la direction quant aux methodes comptables sont examinees relativement aux effets des methodes retenues sur la remuneration annuelle des dirigeants (salaries et gratifications). Deux propositions sont envisagees: (a) l'hypothese de gratification, et (b) la rationalite des systemes de remuneration. Alors que la premiere proposition affirme l'existence d'un lien entre la remuneration et le benefice comptable, la seconde est a l'effet qu'il existe une relation entre les consequences reelles (flux de tresorerie) de la methode comptable choisie et a remuneration des dirigeants. Deux types de changement de methode comptable furent consideres: (a) le changement dans la comptabilisation des couts et la capitalisation des regimes de retraite (augmentant a la fois le benefice comptable et le flux monetaire d'exploitation), et (b) le changement de methode d'evaluation des stocks pour DEPS (diminuant e benefice comptable et augmentant les flux de tresorerie). Les remunerations imprevues versees dans l'annee ou il y eut changement ont ete correlees aux effets de chaque modification comptable sur le benefice.