Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Reasons for the Inefficiency of College English Teaching and Some Tentative Countermeasures.

On the basis of a survey, the reasons for the inefficiency of current College English teaching are examined. First, the traditional learning methodology is entrenched and the concepts and ideology of language teaching are outdated. Second, the social and learning environment resulted in the conflicts between the purpose of English teaching and the nature of language as a tool of communication. Third, textbooks and teaching materials cannot meet the requirements of social development and practical purposes. Four, the pedagogy of College English teaching is old-fashioned, and unable to create an appropriate environment for English learning. Five, students’ learning methods are passive and mechanistic. As a result of the analysis, some tentative countermeasures are proposed to improve the efficiency of College English teaching. First, the ideology of English teaching should be shifted from being linguistic-knowledge-oriented to communication-oriented. Second, teaching materials should be changed from literary texts to more practical material. Third, the methods of College English teaching should be shifted from being teacher-centered to being student-centered. Four, more multimedia materials should be used in College English teaching. Five, the focus of College English teaching should be shifted from the practice of language skills to cross-cultural communications.
Hotel image and guests satisfaction as a source of sustainable competitive advantage

In contemporary marketing research, there is a general consensus in marketing and management theory that intangible resources of the organisation can play crucial role in sustainable competitive advantage creation. In this paper, the relationships between four such intangible resources (hotel image, perceived quality, perceived value and hotel guest satisfaction) are empirically researched. Structural model of guest satisfaction was developed and tested on the sample of 1,020 tourists in Slovenia. Results suggest that the direct impact of perceived quality on guest satisfaction is quite weak. However, perceived quality as well as hotel image impact guest satisfaction indirectly through perceived value. The results indicate the importance of perceived value as mediating variable in service perception models which means that marketing practitioners and managers in the hotel industry should focus their efforts mainly on the perceived value of their offerings.
Structural Analysis of Cointegrating Vars

This survey uses a number of recent developments in the analysis of cointegrating Vector Autoregressions (VARs) to examine their links to the older structural modelling traditions using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), and Simultaneous Equations Models (SEMs). In particular, it emphasizes the importance of using judgement and economic theory to supplement the statistical information. After a brief historical review it sets out the statistical framework, discusses the identification of impulse responses using the Generalized Impulse Response functions, reviews the analysis of cointegrating VARs and highlights the large number of choices applied workers have to make in determining a specification. In particular, it considers the problem of specification of intercepts and trends and the size of the VAR in more detail, and examines the advantages of the use of exogenous variables in cointegration analysis. The issues are illustrated with a small U.S. Macroeconomic model.
An electronic system level modeling approach for the design and verification of low-power systems-on chip. (Une approche de modélisation au niveau système pour la conception et la vérification de systèmes sur puce à faible consommation)

A SoC power management solution can be defined by a low-power architecture composed of multiple power domains and a power management strategy for power domains states control. If these two elements are energy-efficient, an energy-efficient solution can be obtained. This approach requires inferring power structural elements and their related behavior in the chip internal logic. A strategy adjusting the power domains states must respect structural and functional dependencies due to the physical power domains composition. This strong relationship between power architecture and its management strategy must be explored at early design stages to find the most energy-efficient solution. Low-power design standards have recently enabled low-power architecture exploration starting from the Register Transfer Level (RTL) by defining semantics to specify power architecture, simulate and check its behavior along with the initial functional one. But, these standards miss semantics for reusable power domain control interface making power management strategies exploration tedious. The RTL-based semantics defined by these standards constrain also their use at Transaction-Level of Modeling (TLM) for fast and easy exploration. This dissertation proposes extensions to low-power standards to fill these gaps. It provides a complete study of power optimization opportunities based on composition and management of power domains in Transaction-Level (TL) functional models within a common USLPAF framework. USLPAF includes a methodology that combines design and verification of TL low-power models. To apply this methodology, USLPAF incorporates a library of modeling techniques and built-in features.
What Explains the High Returns to the IPOs of China's A‐Shares?

Abstract This paper investigates the initial returns of Chinese A‐share initial public offerings (IPOs) under the split‐share structure before 2005. The split‐share structure refers to the coexistence of shareholders of tradable shares and shareholders of non‐tradable shares. The average initial return is much higher than those of other countries, even though this has been declining. We argue that the split‐share structure causes the initial returns of Chinese IPOs to be very high level in the beginning, and then to decrease slowly because of the institutional transition and the path‐dependent characteristics. With the reform of non‐tradable share offerings, the average initial return of Chinese IPOs is likely to fall.
Hidden defects in silicon nanowires

Recent publications have reported the presence of hexagonal phases in Si nanowires. Most of these reports were based on ‘odd’ diffraction patterns and HRTEM images—‘odd’ means that these images and diffraction patterns could not be obtained on perfect silicon crystals in the classical diamond cubic structure. We analyze the origin of these ‘odd’ patterns and images by studying the case of various Si nanowires grown using either Ni or Au as catalysts in combination with P or Al doping. Two models could explain the experimental results: (i) the presence of a hexagonal phase or (ii) the presence of defects that we call ‘hidden’ defects because they cannot be directly observed in most images. We show that in many cases one direction of observation is not sufficient to distinguish between the two models. Several directions of observations have to be used. Secondly, conventional TEM images, i.e. bright-field two-beam and dark-field images, are of great value in the identification of ‘hidden’ defects. In addition, slices of nanowires perpendicular to the growth axis can be very useful. In the studied nanowires no hexagonal phase with long range order is found and the ‘odd’ images and diffraction patterns are mostly due to planar defects causing superposition of different crystal grains. Finally, we show that in Raman experiments the defect-rich NWs can give rise to a Raman peak shifted to 504–511 cm − 1 with respect to the Si bulk peak at 520 cm − 1, indicating that Raman cannot be used to identify a hexagonal phase.
The Economics of Markets: A Simple Model of the Market-making Process

Markets have played a central role in economic analysis at least since the publication of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. Various forms of market organization-pure competition, duopoly, oligopoly, and monopoly-have been considered in great detail in the literature, and virtually every course in macroeconomic theory devotes a substantial amount of time to explaining the nature and implications of these different kinds of markets. The traditional approach in economic analysis has been to assume a particular form of market organization and then to analyze output, price, and cost behavior in the context of the assumed market form. A closely related matter, though one which seems to have received less attention, is the question of where the market comes from in the first place. The process of making a market is, after all, itself an economic activity in the sense that it uses scarce resources. In the usual A simple model involving two traders, each of whom stands to gain by trading, is developed. The traders must expend resources to find each other so that trade can take place. The effects of changing the gains and costs from trading on the amount of "marketing" effort expended by each of the traders are examined. It is found that increasing the gains from trading need not increase the amount of search expenditures made by the traders and may in fact result in a reduction in the probability that trade occurs. This is because there are external effects that the traders do not take into account when making search decisions that are optimal from their individual viewpoints. These externalities suggest that both traders may gain from the emergence of a middleman who acts as a market maker and takes the externalities into account. * This paper was written for the Rochester Conference on Interfaces between Marketing and Economics, April 7-8, 1978. The author has received several useful comments from members of the Applied Price Theory workshop at the University of Chicago and from the Economic Theory seminar at the University of Toronto. Comments and suggestions from Thomas Borcherding, Dennis Carlton, Jack Carr, Arthur De Vany, George Haines, Albert Madansky, Naser Saidi, and Lester Telser have been particularly helpful. All errors are, of course, the responsibility of the author.
Recent guidelines and recommendations for laboratory assessment of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs): is there consensus?

Abstract A new generation of antithrombotic agents, which are conventionally known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), have recently emerged and are continuing to be developed. These provide direct inhibition of either thrombin (factor IIa; FIIa) or activated factor X (FXa) and currently include dabigatran (FIIa inhibitor) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (FXa inhibitors). The dogma that DOACs do not require laboratory monitoring is countered by ongoing recognition that laboratory testing for drug effects is needed in many situations. In this review, we summarize the background to establishment of DOACs, assess which tests were found to be useful to screen for or quantitate drug effects/levels, and then review published guidelines/recommendations to assess concordance. In brief, (a) for the anti-FIIa agent dabigatran, the recommended screening assays are activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and/or thrombin time (TT), and the quantitative assays (using a dabigatran standard) are dilute TT/direct thrombin inhibitor assay (Hemoclot thrombin inhibitor) or an ecarin-based assay such as the ecarin clot time (ECT); (b) for the anti-FXa agent rivaroxaban, the recommended screening assay is the prothrombin time (PT), but this was not endorsed by all guidelines, and the quantitative assay (using a specific rivaroxaban standard) is an anti-FXa assay; (c) for the anti-FXa agent apixaban, the general insensitivity of PT and APTT prevented most groups from providing recommendation, and instead there was generalized support for direct quantitative assessment using anti-FXa assays and specific apixaban standard; (d) there is insufficient data for other direct anti-FXa agents and limited guidance in the literature.
Revisiting the ERK/Src cortactin switch

The filamentous (F)-actin regulatory protein cortactin plays an important role in tumor cell movement and invasion by promoting and stabilizing actin related protein (Arp)2/3-mediated actin networks necessary for plasma membrane protrusion. Cortactin is a substrate for ERK1/2 and Src family kinases, with previous in vitro findings demonstrating ERK1/2 phosphorylation of cortactin as a positive and Src phosphorylation as a negative regulatory event in promoting Arp2/3 activation through neuronal Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome protein (N-WASp). Evidence for this regulatory cortactin “switch” in cells has been hampered due to the lack of phosphorylation-specific antibodies that recognize ERK1/2-phosphorylated cortactin. Our findings with phosphorylation-specific antibodies against these ERK1/2 sites (pS405 and pS418) indicate that cortactin can be co-phosphorylated at 405/418 and tyrosine residues targeted by Src family tyrosine kinases. These results indicate that the ERK/Src cortactin switch is not the sole mechanism by which ERK1/2 and tyrosine phosphorylation events regulate cortactin function in cell systems.
The impact of materialism on compulsive consumption in Pakistan

The aim of this learning was to inspect the relationship between materialism and compulsive consumption and how materialism affects the consumer behavior in term of compulsive consumption. Materialism and compulsive consumption both are relevant to each other which increase the consumer materialistic approach. Questionnaires were administrated among the consumers of Pakistan. The character of this research was cross-sectional and co-relational. Data were collected via questionnaire and sample size was 100 consumers. Materialism and compulsive consumption were measured on the behalf of consumers. The research was narrow down for controlling the real essence of this research. Regarding this limitation the study is conducted on the consumer. Owning to the time span convenient sampling was used. On the practical level the present study helps entrepreneurs and marketers to consider these factors (defining success, acquisition of centrality and pursuit of happiness) when they are targeting consumers. The result indicated that the materialism as well as having direct impact on compulsive consumption also affects consumer behavior regarding consumption pattern. Key words: Materialism, compulsive consumption, consumer behavior, Pakistan.
Food for Thought: Basic Needs and Persistent Educational Inequality

This research demonstrates that human capital accumulation by the poor is only possible if a minimum level of health and well-being has been attained. When families do not have enough resources to invest in the satisfaction of basic needs and health care, and finance is not available for this purpose, a poverty trap exists with low health, education and income. These poverty traps may persist if policies financing education are applied which do not also address deficiencies in nutrition and health impairing human potential, and in particular early child development. This link between health and education contributes to explain the important, long-term effects of nutrition and health on economic growth and implies that nutrition and health play a causal role in the persistence of inequality and in the effects of inequality on growth.
Molecular profiling of single circulating tumor cells with diagnostic intention

Several hundred clinical trials currently explore the role of circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis for therapy decisions, but assays are lacking for comprehensive molecular characterization of CTCs with diagnostic precision. We therefore combined a workflow for enrichment and isolation of pure CTCs with a non‐random whole genome amplification method for single cells and applied it to 510 single CTCs and 189 leukocytes of 66 CTC‐positive breast cancer patients. We defined a genome integrity index (GII) to identify single cells suited for molecular characterization by different molecular assays, such as diagnostic profiling of point mutations, gene amplifications and whole genomes of single cells. The reliability of > 90% for successful molecular analysis of high‐quality clinical samples selected by the GII enabled assessing the molecular heterogeneity of single CTCs of metastatic breast cancer patients. We readily identified genomic disparity of potentially high relevance between primary tumors and CTCs. Microheterogeneity analysis among individual CTCs uncovered pre‐existing cells resistant to ERBB2‐targeted therapies suggesting ongoing microevolution at late‐stage disease whose exploration may provide essential information for personalized treatment decisions and shed light into mechanisms of acquired drug resistance.
Spillovers and Productivity: The Case of the Taiwanese High-Tech Firms

"In this paper, we first estimate firms' total factor productivity by differentiating marginal contributions to firms' production from various types of workers, grouped by their highest educational attainments. Second, we investigate whether there are human capital as well as research and development (R&D) spillovers across firms. Using data for 72 Taiwanese high-tech firms, we find (a) more educated workers are more productive: workers with master's (bachelor's) degrees are at least three times (two times) as productive as high school-graduated ones, (b) human capital and R&D spillovers are substantial across firms, and (iii) smaller firms tend to benefit more from R&D spillovers. "("JEL "D24, I21, O3) Copyright (c) 2007 Western Economic Association International.
Measuring the Socio-Economic Legacies of Mega-events: Concepts, Propositions and Indicators

Legacies have become a key rationale underpinning the bidding process for hosting mega-events. These long-term effects are deemed to hold benefits and costs, and measurement is important. However, there is limited theory or empirical evidence on legacy impacts. In this article, the literature on legacies of mega-events is reviewed and event tourism isolated to develop an interdisciplinary conceptual model to measure tourism legacies, and develop propositions on measurement issues. This paper develops a framework of key indicators, propositions and measures to evaluate socio-economic legacies, which will support event organizers and decision makers to formulate policies for improving event legacies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Household Size and Composition Impacts on Meat Demand in Mexico: A Censored Demand System Approach

The proposed paper adopts the censored demand system approach of Lee and Pitt (1986) to examine the structure of Mexican food demand. This approach uses the concept of virtual prices to explain specific purchase patterns. The contribution of our selected paper is the incorporation of the endogenous equivalence scale function proposed by Phlipps (1998) within this censored system. The contribution of this analysis is not only in terms of the use of an endogenous scaling function within a censored demand system, but we also will be use simulated maximum likelihood techniques which allows for the specification and estimation of significantly larger sized demand systems without the imposition of restrictive distributional assumptions on the equation error terms. We use a Gibbs sampling techniques to evaluate higher order truncated distributions required to implement the Lee and Pitt (1986) model specification.
The Establishment, Reform, and Development of China's System of National Accounts

This paper provides a systematic and comprehensive account of the establishment, reform, and development of China's System of National Accounts, focusing on important changes in concepts and methods in national accounting during China's transition from the Soviet-type Material Product System to the United Nations System of National Accounts, as well as existing problems and challenges that must be faced in the further development of the system.
Functional Genomic Analysis of Peripheral Blood During Early Acute Renal Allograft Rejection

Background. Acute graft rejection is an important clinical problem in renal transplantation and an adverse predictor for long-term graft survival. Peripheral blood biomarkers that provide evidence of early graft rejection may offer an important option for posttransplant monitoring, optimize the utility of graft biopsy, and permit timely and effective therapeutic intervention to minimize the graft damage. Methods. In this feasibility study (n=58), we have used gene expression profiling in a case-control design to compare whole blood samples between normal subjects (n=20) and patients with (n=11) or without (n=22) biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (BCAR) or borderline changes (n=5). Results. A total of 183 probe sets representing 160 genes were differentially expressed (false discovery rate [FDR] <0.01) between subjects with or without BCAR, from which linear discriminant analysis and cross-validation identified an initial gene signature of 24 probe sets, and a more refined set of 11 probe sets found to classify subject samples correctly. Cross-validation suggested an out-of-sample sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 91% for identification of samples with or without BCAR. An increase in classifier gene expression correlated closely with acute rejection during the first 3 months posttransplant. Biological evaluation indicated that the differentially expressed genes encompassed processes related to immune response, signal transduction, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Conclusion. Preliminary evidence indicates that gene expression in the peripheral blood may yield a relevant measure for the occurrence of BCAR and offer a potential tool for immunologic monitoring. These results now require confirmation in a larger cohort.
Reflections on the Economics of Climate Change

My purpose here is to provide a non-technical introduction to the economics of climate change. I will sketch the scientific background and uncertainties, survey the results of existing studies of the impacts of climate change, present a summary of a study of efficient policies to slow global warming, and end with the uncertainties that haunt the entire field.
China's agriculture: drivers of change and implications for China and the rest of world

The overall goal of this article is to identify major changes in China's agriculture/food economy and their implications for both China itself and, more importantly, to the rest of world. China has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world since late 1970s. GDP grew at about 10% annually in the past 30 years. China's experience shows the importance of both domestic and external policies in achieving sustainable growth. The results from this study provide significant policy implications to many countries that are currently China's major trade partners or those seeking greater economic and trade relations with China. The main conclusions on the implications of China's rapid economic growth are that China's growth will provide more opportunities than challenges to the rest of the world, on average. Overall, the rest of the world will gain from China's economic expansion though this general conclusion may not hold for some countries.