Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A dynamic computable general equilibrium model with working capital for Honduras

In this paper we develop a dynamic real-financial computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for Honduras that incorporates working capital. The model is designed to be useful as a development tool and to be used by policymakers who deal with short-run macro and trade issues. Our model extends previous modeling work on Honduras in several ways. First, it uses a new, updated social accounting matrix (SAM) for the country. Second, it is a recursive dynamic model that incorporates unemployment of labor in the short run. Most CGE models are not useful for short-run analysis because they are comparative static models that assume full employment. We specify a fixed minimum wage and an informal sector and use a recursive dynamic framework to solve for the short-run adjustment process that occurs as the economy responds to shocks. Finally, the model introduces working capital as an additional factor of production, complementary to physical capital, which allows us to examine the impact of monetary shocks that affect the supply of credit on the balance of payments, employment, and real income during periods of adjustment.
Measuring Change in Place Values for Environmental and Natural Resource Planning Using Public Participation GIS (PPGIS): Results and Challenges for Longitudinal Research

Landscape values are a type of place value and are identified and mapped using public participation GIS (PPGIS). PPGIS engages nonexperts to identify important spatial information for environmental or natural resource planning. In 1998, we used PPGIS to identify landscape values for the Chugach National Forest (Alaska) plan revision process. In 2012, we conducted a longitudinal study of the same national forest using Internet PPGIS to identify changes in landscape values. The empirical results indicate stability in landscape values both in importance and spatial distribution. However, the use of different PPGIS methods (paper map vs. Internet) in the longitudinal study also introduced challenges in interpreting and explaining the spatial results. We discuss trade-offs in conducting longitudinal PPGIS research using mixed methods. PPGIS appears well suited for public lands planning, and national forest planning in particular, but barriers to use, such as regulatory approval, remain formidable.
Mobile Multimedia Streaming Techniques : QoE and Energy Consumption Perspective

Multimedia streaming to mobile devices is challenging for two reasons. First, the way content is delivered to the client must ensure that a user does not experience a long initial playback delay or a distorted playback in the middle of a streaming session. Second, multimedia streaming applications are among the most energy hungry applications in smartphones. The energy consumption mostly depends on the delivery techniques and on the power management techniques of wireless interfaces (Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G). In order to provide insights on what kind of streaming techniques exist, how they work on different mobile platforms, their efforts in providing quality of experience, and their impact on energy consumption of mobile phones, we have done a large set of active measurements with several smartphones having both Wi-Fi and cellular network access. Our analysis reveals five different techniques to deliver the content to the video players. The selection of a technique depends on the mobile platform, device, player, quality, and service. The results from our traffic and power measurements allow us to conclude that none of the identified techniques is optimal because they take none of the following facts into account: access technology used, user behavior, and user preferences concerning data waste. We point out the techniques that provide the most attractive trade-offs in particular situations.
Identification of the PAK4 interactome reveals PAK4 phosphorylation of N-WASP and promotion of Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization

p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell motility and F-actin remodeling, but the PAK4 interactome has not been systematically analyzed. Here, we comprehensively characterized the human PAK4 interactome by iTRAQ quantitative mass spectrometry of PAK4-immunoprecipitations. Consistent with its multiple reported functions, the PAK4 interactome was enriched in diverse protein networks, including the 14-3-3, proteasome, replication fork, CCT and Arp2/3 complexes. Because PAK4 co-immunoprecipitated most subunits of the Arp2/3 complex, we hypothesized that PAK4 may play a role in Arp2/3 dependent actin regulation. Indeed, we found that PAK4 interacts with and phosphorylates the nucleation promoting factor N-WASP at Ser484/Ser485 and promotes Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization in vitro. Also, PAK4 ablation in vivo reduced N-WASP Ser484/Ser485 phosphorylation and altered the cellular balance between G- and F-actin as well as the actin organization. By presenting the PAK4 interactome, we here provide a powerful resource for further investigations and as proof of principle, we also indicate a novel mechanism by which PAK4 regulates actin cytoskeleton remodeling.
Phase-Conjugate External-Cavity Diode Laser

An external-cavity diode laser based on self-pumped phase-conjugate optical feedback is reported. An antireflection-coated diode laser is subjected to strong phase-conjugate feedback from a photorefractive Ce-doped BaTiO3 crystal. This provides narrow laser linewidth and good stability. Inherent linewidth of 25 kHz and relative frequency stability of 1.5times10-8 (at 100 s) are demonstrated. Due to phase-conjugate feedback, the laser is insensitive to mechanical drifts and misalignment of the feedback element
Social security and household wealth accumulation: Refined microeconometric evidence

This study examines the relationship between social security wealth and fungible wealth using relatively recent micro data. The authors find that a ceteris paribus increase in social security wealth has no effect on fungible wealth, suggesting that Ricardian equivalence holds. Of the individual wealth categories comprising fungible wealth, only pension wealth is negatively and significantly affected by an increase in social security wealth and, if some of this pension wealth is not fully funded, Ricardian equivalence will not hold. The authors conclude, therefore, that the social security system might adversely affect capital accumulation but not necessarily to the degree suggested by others. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.
Defining the knowledge that an organisation requires to create customer capital from a customer perspective

Consumer capital is a very important asset for an organisation as it is the result of an organisation's relationship with its customers. This paper sets out to confirm that organisations need to create customer capital in SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises). As part of this study, four types of knowledge have been identified (i.e. customer knowledge, individual knowledge, collective knowledge, and machine-readable forms) and this paper investigates the relationships between the different components of knowledge and the process to obtain customer capital from the external perspective of the company. This involved an empirical study of 365 customers. Two structural equation models have been used, resulting in the conclusion that before obtaining customer capital it is necessary to convert individual knowledge, collective knowledge (CLK), and machine-readable forms into customer knowledge.
Cost-Benefit Analysis and Relative Position

Current estimates of regulatory benefits are too low, and likely far too low, because they ignore a central point about valuation - namely, that people care not only about their absolute economic position, but also about their relative economic position. We show that where the government currently pegs the value of a statistical life at about $4 million, it ought to employ a value between $4.7 million and $7 million. A conservative reading of the relevant evidence suggests that when government agencies are unsure how to value regulatory benefits along a reasonable range, they should make choices toward or at the upper end. We begin by showing that the nation is nearing the end of a first-generation debate about whether to do cost-benefit analysis, with a mounting victory for advocates of the cost-benefit approach. The second-generation debate, now underway, involves important issues about how to value costs and benefits. Conventional estimates tell us the amount of income an individual, acting in isolation, would be willing sacrifice in return for, say, an increase in safety on the job. But these estimates rest on the implicit, undefended, and crucial assumption that people's well-being depends only on absolute income. This assumption is false. Considerable evidence suggests that relative income is also an important factor, suggesting that gains or losses in absolute income are of secondary importance unless they alter relative income. When a regulation requires all workers to purchase additional safety, each worker gives up the same amount of other goods, so no worker experiences a decline in relative living standards. The upshot is that an individual will value an across-the-board increase in safety much more highly than an increase in safety that he alone purchases. Regulatory decisions should be based on the former valuation rather than the latter. When the former valuation is used, dollar values should be increased substantially - conservatively, by 25 to 50 percent. Upward revisions of such magnitude clearly have important implications for a broad range of policy debates currently informed by cost-benefit analysis. We also show that an understanding of the importance of relative position suggests a rationale for various nonwaivable contractual terms in employment law, such as health care, parental leave, job security, and leisure. These terms, which have been attacked as welfare-reducing by many economists, give people important benefits with little or no impact on relative economic position. As with regulations that boost workplace safety, such contract terms may therefore be much more attractive when purchased by all than when purchased in isolation.
The Social License to Operate in the Latin American Mining Sector: The Cases of Bajo De La Alumbrera and Michiquillay

In this extended abstract we intend to show that, in several of the Latin American (LA) countries, the outcomes that may derived from the interactions between Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and the ever widening variety of interest groups that are part of civil society are deeply influenced by the recipient country’s government political and economic attitudes regarding Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). There are other effective ways to reduce the non commercial risks that FDIs, even when MNCs from environmentally ill reputed industries are involved, confront in the region: the Social License to Operate (SLO). Our research, in the form of a case study, analyzes the processes by which two different mining MNCs implemented their respective projects; the presence or absence of the SLO, as part of their corporate ethical behavior, led to polar outcomes: how and why that happened is the subject of our research.
A time-series model for characterizing continuous land cover change

We propose a time-series model for characterizing land cover change. The model is developed based on a realistic view of land surface transformation-spatially discrete land cover change events are continuous processes over time. The model utilizes a non-linear mathematical function to reconstruct the underlying continuous land change process from temporally discrete satellite observations. Based on the coefficients of the mathematical function, the model simultaneously derives the timing, intensity and duration of land cover change. Moreover, the smoothing feature of the model can also be used to remove random noise in time-series land cover data and hence to re-establish the stable land cover states before and after change. We illustrate the application of the model by showing examples of characterizing deforestation using time-series MODIS data as well as characterizing urban land expansion using time-series Landsat data.
Perinatal Characteristics of Uncomplicated Postdate Pregnancies

Using a regional perinatal network database of 60,456 births, a study compared 3457 postdate (42 weeks or longer) infants to a control group of 8135 infants born at 40 weeks' gestation from 1982 through 1985. Both patient groups included only uncomplicated pregnancies. Although the differences were small, women who delivered postdate infants had a lower parity, higher weight at delivery, and higher blood pressure during pregnancy than controls. The postdate infants were heavier, more likely to be delivered by forceps or cesarean section, and more likely to experience shoulder dystocia. They also had lower Apgar scores and more meconium aspiration and congenital malformations. Although the overall perinatal mortality was not statistically different, the higher perinatal morbidity in postdate infants suggests that careful attention should be paid to this high-risk problem.
The Effectiveness of the UK Landfill Tax

This review of the UK's landfill tax generates two main contributions to our understanding of waste management in the UK. First, the review identifies areas in which the tax is least effective and considers policy implications associated with this. In particular, the tax has failed to significantly change the behaviour of domestic waste producers and SMEs. Second, it identifies continued information gaps that might be addressed. In particular, the landfill tax is intended to contribute to a transition away from landfilling of waste, towards recovery, recycling, re-use and waste minimization. This review of available evidence finds that there is reasonable data to monitor progress towards recycling, but not for re-use or waste minimization.
The Role of Migrant Networks in Labor Migration: The Case of China

Using recent household survey data from rural China, this article investigates determinants of labor migration, paying special attention to the role of migrant networks. Migrant networks are measured by the number of early migrants from the village, comprised of experienced migrants who continue their migratory activities and return migrants. Observations of early migrants are excluded from regression analyses to enable identification. Results show that experienced migrants have a positive and significant effect on subsequent migration, but return migrants do not. This implies that migrant networks are important, and their effects materialize through practical assistance in the process of migration. (JEL "J61", "O15", "Z13") Copyright 2003 Western Economic Association International.
Extracting both generalized and specialized knowledge by XCS using attribute tracking and feedback

This paper proposes XCS using Attribute Tracking and Feedback (XCS-ATF) that simultaneously extracts both of the generalized and specialized knowledge, and evaluates its effectiveness by investigating how the extracted knowledge contribute to deriving deep/light sleep of aged persons. The data mining of the daily activities of aged person by XCS-ATF has revealed the following implications: (1) XCS-ATF succeeds to extract the knowledge from the dataset including many contradict data; (2) XCS-ATF can extract not only the generalized knowledge as the daily activities that are usually performed with deriving deep/light sleep but also the specialized knowledge as the daily activities (e.g., birthday party) that are not often performed with deriving deep/light sleep, even though the specialized knowledge which does not often occur tends to be deleted as a noise by the general data mining methods; and (3) XCS-ATF can extract the daily activities that provides nine years younger sleep in the healthy aged persons and seven years younger sleep even in dementia persons who are hard to have a deep sleep in comparison with non-dementia persons.
Learning between university and the world of work

Internships are an increasingly popular activity for university students wishing to learn about the world of work, and the term can encompass many types of opportunities for learning about industries, occupations, or simply the experience of a professional workplace. The present study examines students following full-time degree courses across a range of subjects, in internships that are not integrated into course requirements. Internships of this kind are often located within the ‘employability agenda’ for higher education, developing students’ transferable skills to enable them to make smooth transitions to knowledge work outside the university. University careers advisors therefore encourage these internships as a form of experiential learning, and the notion of student employability is implicitly accepted by policymakers and universities. Yet, little is known about how or what students learn in internships. This study, which took place over three summers, examines how six students from one university made sense of their ten-week summer internships in an investment bank. The students were interviewed prior to their internships, three times during the banking internship, and again on return to the university. Using conceptual tools from sociocultural theory, the study starts from an understanding of movement between university and workplace as a matter of transition, rather than transfer and application, of knowledge and skills from university to the workplace. Adopting the idea of the ‘figured world’ (Holland et al., 1998) permits examination of how the students engaged with the cultural world of the workplace setting, interpreting and engaging with the practices there, and experiencing identity struggles that were of significance to them. The findings reveal the lack of support for the students’ engagement both before and during their placements, and have implications for the careers advising given to students undertaking internships. The study therefore concludes with a presentation of the principles that underpin student experience of internships. Universities can assist this by providing more resources for guidance to students undertaking internships, by assisting them with developing an awareness of the motives that are inherent in the workplace, as well as their own motives and those of employers providing internships.
The injured victim’s health care spending: is there an effect of the origin of accident?

The aim of this study is to identify if the origin of an accident makes a difference in health care spending incurred by disabled victim. We analyse and model the amount of medical spending for victims whose disabilities are resulting from accidents occurring at home, at work and on road. Data about medical spending were provided by the social security fund in France. These data outline the amount incurred by different disabled persons in the different medical specialties. The results of the model show that although the victims of different types of accident are suffering from the same chronic diseases, they show different levels of medical spending. Persons injured in a road accident have a higher recourse to medical treatments.
The health of sexual minorities: Public health perspectives on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations

Who Are LGBT Individuals? - Shifting Sands or Solid Foundation? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Identity Formation. - Development of Same-Sex Attracted Youth. - Developmental Issues in Lesbian and Gay Adulthood. - Biology and Sexual Minority Status. - LGBT Health and the State. - The Importance of Being Perverse: Troubling Law, Identities, Health and Rights in Search of Global Justice. - Ethical, Legal, Social, and Political Implications of Scientific Research on Sexual Orientation. - Targeting the State: Risks, Benefits, and Strategic Dilemmas of Recent LGBT Health Advocacy. - Prejudice and Pride in Health. - Sexual Stigma: Putting Sexual Minority Health Issues in Context. - Globalization, Structural Violence, and LGBT Health: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. - Prejudice and Discrimination as Social Stressors. - Determinants of Health Among Two-Spirit American Indians and Alaska Natives. - "I Don't Fit Anywhere": How Race and Sexuality Shape Latino Gay and Bisexual Men's Health. - Black LGB Health and Well-Being. - Research Methodologies. - Defining and Measuring Sexual Orientation for Research. - Sampling in Surveys of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People. - Researching Gay Men's Health: The Promise of Qualitative Methodology. - From Science Fiction to Computer-Generated Technology: Sampling Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals. - Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Understand and Eliminate Social Disparities in Health for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations. - Health Concerns. - Transgender Health Concerns. - Health Care of Lesbians and Bisexual Women. - Cancer and Sexual Minority Women. - HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men: Current Progress and Future Directions. - LGBT Tobacco and Alcohol Disparities. - Methamphetamine Use and Its Relation to HIV Risk: Data from Latino Gay Men in San Francisco. - Healthcare Systems and Services. - Improving Access to Health Care Among African-American, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations. - Public Health and Trans-People: Barriers to Care and Strategies to Improve Treatment. - HIV Prevention and Care for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youths: "Best Practices" from Existing Programs and Policies. - Fenway Community Health's Model of Integrated, Community-Based LGBT Care, Education, and Research.
Marketing Strategies and Market Prospects for Environmentally‐Friendly Consumer Products1

Recent evidence suggests that the extent of consumer adoption of 'green' products is much less than would be indicated by the enthusiastic opinion poll evidence concerning public attitudes towards environmentally-friendly consumption. This paper reports on an empirical analysis of firms' marketing strategies and their influence on consumer demand for green products. In twenty 2-3 hour interviews with senior managers, four representative groups of markets were analysed: household detergents, paper (recycled), petrol (unleaded) and automobile technology (focusing on catalytic converters). According to managers, firms' marketing strategies influenced consumer demand by making green technologies available in the first instance. However, barriers to supplying green products that show parity with, or better performance than, conventional technologies constrain pricing and communication efforts. Managers stressed that, in the absence of clarity of green products' environmental benefits, product performance and other attributes, not green benefits, remain the main determinants of product preference and choice. Promotions focused much more on consumers than distribution channels, yet channel acceptance and support of green innovations are paramount in facilitating sales. Firms see the costs of generating and promoting desirable green technologies as barriers to diffusion in the immediate future. Legislation and/or economic incentives may help, but manufacturers are not optimistic that future green consumption rates will accelerate. The results also highlight several propositions concerning the discrepancy between consumer environmental concerns and purchasing actions which warrant further testing: there is mis-specification of green products in relation to consumers' needs; there are barriers to perceptions of green products' environmental impact and consumers' free ride due to individual self-interest.