Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Downward Wage Rigidity and Labour Mobility

Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) effects of being individually affected by downward wage rigidity on layoffs, quits and intra-firm mobility are investigated. We measure the individual extent of wage rigidity within a structural empirical model that allows us to estimate the notional wage growth which is about 1.4 % on average over the whole period. Wage growth is swept up by 3.3 % through wage rigidity and 62 % of the work force are in the real rigid regime. We find negative effects of wage sweep-up on quits, layoffs and promotions. This is consistent with a core-periphery view of the labour force, where a core work force is at the same time protected from layoffs and from wage cuts, whereas a peripheral work force provides a buffer for adjustment and suffers from both flexible wages and more insecure jobs. Reducing promotions for high wage sweep-up workers seems to be strategy of employers to circumvent wage rigidity. This suggests that it is not a pay policy chosen by the employer, but that it is imposed upon the employer through bargaining power. However, decreased promotion opportunities do not seem to fully outweigh the benefit of generous wage growth.
Fiscal Policy in a Monetary Economy with Capital and Finite Lifetime

This paper develops a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with nominal rigidities, capital accumulation and finite lifetimes. The framework exhibits intergenerational wealth effects and is intended to investigate the macroeconomic implications of fiscal policy, which is specified by either a debt-based tax rule or a balanced-budget rule allowing for temporary deficits. When calibrated to euro area quarterly data, the model predicts that fiscal expansions generate a tradeoff in output dynamics between short-term gains and medium-term losses. It is also shown that the effects of fiscal shocks crucially depend upon the conduct of monetary policy. Simulation analysis suggests that balanced-budget requirements enhance the determinacy properties of feedback interest rate rules by guaranteeing inflation stabilization. JEL Classification: E52, E58, E63
Precoding for Full-Duplex Multiuser MIMO Systems Using Duality

We propose a full-duplex (FD) multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) precoding scheme to support the data transmission and self-interference (SI) cancellation simultaneously, by using the transceiver structure. In order to increase the dimensionality at the transmitter, the FD precoding scheme makes use of auxiliary paths, which have constant gains. The FD precoder design takes advantage of the increased dimensionality by jointly preprocessing the transmit signals for an effective trade-off between the forward channel beamforming and the SI suppression. From the numerical result, it can be shown that the proposed FD precoder improves the average sum rate of conventional FD network by setting the proper gains of auxiliary paths to deal with SI.
Digestive tract microbiota in healthy volunteers.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to standardize the methods of sample collection of mucus from the digestive tract and to determine the microbiota in healthy volunteers from Brazil, collecting samples from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum. METHODS Microbiota of selected healthy volunteers from the oral cavity (n=10), the esophagus (n=10), the upper digestive tract (n=20), and the lower digestive tract (n=24) were evaluated through distinct collection methods. Collection methods took into account the different sites, using basic scraping and swabbing techniques, stimulated saliva from the oral cavity, irrigation-aspiration with sterile catheters especially designed for the esophagus, a probe especially designed for upper digestive tract, and a special catheter for the lower digestive tract. RESULTS (i) Mixed microbiota were identified in the oral cavity, predominantly Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci; (ii) transitional flora mainly in the esophagus; (iii) Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp, and Clostridium sp in the stomach and duodenum; (iv) in the jejunum and upper ileum, we observed Bacteroides sp, Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus sp, in addition to Veillonella sp; (v) in the colon, the presence of "nonpathogenic" anaerobic bacteria Veillonella sp (average 10(5) UFC) indicates the existence of a low oxidation-reduction potential environment, which suggests the possibility of adoption of these bacteria as biological markers of total digestive tract health. CONCLUSIONS The collection methods were efficient in obtaining adequate samples from each segment of the total digestive tract to reveal the normal microbiota. These procedures are safe and easily reproducible for microbiological studies.
Strategic Planning and the Fiscal Performance of City Governments during the Great Recession

Strategic planning has the potential to enable cities to weather the effects of fiscal crises. City officials can use the information gathered though internal and external scanning to implement fiscal policy changes that can minimize their governments’ exposure to external fiscal shocks, and to experiment with alternative service delivery arrangements that generate cost savings. Linking strategic plans to budgets allows cities to focus on core services, and reduce expenditures for nonessential programs. Strategic plans can also provide a framework for operations, facilitating closer cooperation and coordination among managers and workers in preventing the further deterioration in the fiscal condition of their organization. Can cities that implement comprehensive strategic planning adjust better to the current fiscal crisis and minimize their budget deficits? The results of advanced econometric analysis are inconclusive. Adjusting for selection bias and endogeneity, strategic planning is associated with the perception of improving city government fiscal health. Planning, however, has no effect on actual deficits.
Fuel Efficiency Incentives for Cars Oil Import Vulnerability Reduction

U.S. oil imports have dropped from a peak of 8.9 mbd (million barrels per day) in 1977 (6.2 mbd from OPEC countries) to 5 mbd in 1982. Simultaneously, U. S. demand for oil has dropped from 18.4 mbd to 16 mbd, and our dependency on imports has dropped from 43 percent to 37 percent. Unfortunately, the costs of energy imports continued to climb, from $8 billion in 1973 to $44 billion in 1977 to $81 billion in 1981 (Department of Energy [DOE], 1982).
Assessing the effectiveness of supply flexibility sources: an empirical research

This paper focuses on supply flexibility, i.e., the ability of the purchasing function to respond in a timely and cost effective manner to changing requirements of purchased components, in terms of volume, mix and delivery date. It is argued that managerial actions may have different effects on different dimensions of supply flexibility. More specifically, we aim to answer the following research questions: what is the effectiveness of the different supply flexibility sources? Are there any variables that could moderate the relationship between supply flexibility sources and supply flexibility? We perform a regression analysis of the effectiveness of the different supply flexibility sources. In particular, we conduct a stepwise regression, setting the supply flexibility sources as independent variables, and the three dimensions of supply flexibility (identified in the factor analysis) as dependent variables. In order to refine the models and increase the generalisability of the study, some control variables (i.e., firm revenue and flexibility focus) are also included in the regression analysis. Results suggest that each dimension of supply flexibility is associated with a particular group of sources, i.e., the sources used to increase a certain dimension of supply flexibility (e.g., supplier responsiveness) may be ineffective for another dimension (e.g., adaptability).
The review of the National Curriculum

Following the concerns raised about the future position of both Design and Technology and Science in the National Curriculum, both the Engineering Council and The Royal Society made submissions to the Government expressing strong support for these subjects to remain an entitlement for all young people in all four Key Stages. The IEE supported both those submissions, but felt that further representation from this Institution concerning the place of electronics in the curriculum was both necessary and appropriate.
Experimental model for learning in vascular surgery and microsurgery: esophagus and trachea of chicken.

PURPOSE This paper proposes a model of training surgical skills using vascular anastomosis in an animal model that simulates the size, consistency and resistance arteries and veins, to use it to chicken trachea and esophagus, respectively. METHODS We used chicken necks where the esophagus and trachea were dissected and after preparation were followed every step of the procedure of vascular anastomosis. The flow of the anastomosis was confirmed by direct observation and testing of filling (empty-and-refill test) immediately after the anastomosis. RESULTS All samples proved to be viable by the criteria described above. CONCLUSION For the first time presents an interesting experimental model used to train vascular sutures, because it is endowed with all the necessary requirements for the learning of experimental vascular surgery.
Capital Account Liberalization as a Signal

We present a model in which a government's current capital controls policy signals future policies. Controls on capital outflows evolve in response to news on technology, conditional on government attitudes towards taxation of capital. When there is uncertainty over government types, a policy of liberal capital outflows sends a favorable signal that may trigger a capital inflow. This prediction is consistent with the experience of several countries that have liberalized their capital account
Physics By Inquiry: Addressing Student Learning and Attitude

In the last decade, the results of Physics Education Research and research‐based instructional materials have been disseminated from traditional research universities to a wide variety of colleges and universities. Nevertheless, the ways in which different institutions implement these materials depend on their students and the institutional context. Even with the widespread use of these curriculums, the research documenting the effectiveness of these materials with different student populations is scarce. This paper describes the challenges associated with implementing Physics by Inquiry at California State Polytechnic University Pomona and confirms its effectiveness in promoting student conceptual knowledge of physics. However, despite the positive effect on student learning, the evidence suggests that the students did not appreciate the self‐discovery aspect of the inquiry approach and characterized the learning process as difficult and unpleasant.
A common setting for the design of iterative learning and repetitive controllers with experimental verification

Previous work has shown that the structure of repetitive control (RC) and that of iterative learning control (ILC) differ only in the location of an internal model of the disturbance. In this paper, it is shown how this common setting permits derivation of controllers in one domain based on an existing controller in the other. This is illustrated using the following case studies: 1) an RC scheme using a state feedback structure is derived based on an existing ILC scheme, which also uses state feedback (the underlying structure is first extended to comprise both current‐error feedback and previous‐error feedforward implementations); and 2) an ILC scheme using an output injection structure is developed based on an existing RC scheme, which uses state feedback, but differs from 1) by containing only a single internal model representation. All controllers are shown to have similar equivalent representations, with parameters derived by using linear quadratic regulator analysis. This correspondence enables comparison of the effect of the structure (ILC or RC, state feedback or output injection), number of internal models, and use of error (feedback or feedforward) on subsequent performance. This is undertaken using experimental results obtained using a gantry robot. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Saturation Effects on Torque- and Current–Slip Curves of Squirrel-Cage Induction Motors

This paper measures and analyzes the saturation effects on torque- and current-slip curves of three squirrel-cage induction motors. Motor saturation is illustrated by three sets of measurements: I) torque and current for each slip measured at three voltage levels; II) short-circuit impedance measured at different current levels; and III) no-load impedance measured at different voltage levels. In test I, torque and current measured at reduced voltage are prorated to full voltage for comparison purposes. A double-cage model is used to model the motors, and the nonlinearity of their reactances is examined. In order to evaluate the individual weight of every nonlinear reactance on the observed saturated behavior, we try to fit the measurements considering that only one reactance of the double-cage model is nonlinear. Good agreement is obtained only when the stator leakage reactance is considered nonlinear. On the contrary, when magnetizing or remaining leakage reactances are considered nonlinear, they predict machine behaviors inconsistent with measurements. In other words, the saturation of the stator leakage reactance is the main contributor to torque and current behavior, while the saturation of the remaining reactances has a negligible influence. Consequently, when all voltage levels are considered, the squirrel-cage induction motors can be accurately modeled (with reasonable accuracy) with a double-cage model where only the stator leakage reactance is considered nonlinear. When only a constant voltage level is considered, the paper also proves that a linear double-cage model (all reactances are linear) accurately predicts machine behavior at such voltage level.
The Allocation of Attention: Theory and Evidence

A host of recent studies show that attention allocation has important economic consequences. This paper reports the first empirical test of a cost-benefit model of the endogenous allocation of attention. The model assumes that economic agents have finite mental processing speeds and cannot analyze all of the elements in complex problems. The model makes tractable predictions about attention allocation, despite the high level of complexity in our environment. The model successfully predicts the key empirical regularities of attention allocation measured in a choice experiment. In the experiment, decision time is a scarce resource and attention allocation is continuously measured using Mouselab. Subject choices correspond well to the quantitative predictions of the model, which are derived from cost-benefit and option-value principles.
The Effect of Website and E-Commerce Adoption on the Relationship between SMEs and Their Export Intermediaries

Whilst website adoption within UK SMEs is widespread, the number offering e-commerce activities is declining or static. This result is surprising given indications that the medium may be valuable to SMEs and to exporters in particular. Among the multitude of factors suggested to affect adoption, the link between export channel relationships and website/e-commerce adoption has mainly been the focus of normative writings or anecdotal evidence. By building on the rich literature on authoritative control (manifest conflict) and relationship marketing paradigm (trust and commitment), as well as in-depth interviews with exporters, the article proposes a conceptualization of the potential effects of website and/or e-commerce adoption on conflict and the mediating effect of trust and commitment. Evidence presented indicates that the Internet has the capability to be both a constructive and destructive influence on channel relationships. The findings presented here both support and challenge normative and anecdotal literature, which could explain the low adoption rate amongst exporting SMEs. Furthermore, our conceptualization demonstrates that a combination of authoritative control and relational paradigm constructs, (manifest conflict, trust and commitment) is useful in understanding channel relationship scenarios.
Partnerships in Local Government: The case of transition support services for young people with learning disabilities

Abstract This paper examines a type of partnership that is formed to deliver transition support services for young people with learning disabilities. What makes transition partnerships instructive for partnership research is that they are constituted between statutory and non-statutory agencies across a wide range of service sectors. Transition for this population group with its specific needs has often been described as a ‘wicked problem’. The paper suggests that a split between strategic and operational levels of partnership work adversely affects policy implementation and contributes to the inability of stakeholders to bring about improved outcomes for service users.
Relationship Development in the UK Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Abstract This study constitutes an appraisal of the theory relating to Relationship Marketing (RM) and its application to vertical channel, business-to-business relationships. Specific reference is made to the fresh produce (fruit, vegetables and salads) sector of the agri-food industry. The study endeavours to fill a knowledge gap with respect to relationships in business-to-business vertical supply channels. Investigated are the relationships between UK based fresh produce organisations and their principal customers, the leading UK food multiple retailers. In investigating the circumstances and attitudes of stakeholders to relationship issues and by identifying the evolution of relationships, conclusions are drawn which contribute to the relationship-marketing debate. Specific outcomes are determined with regard to issues of trust and mutuality and the nature of power-dependent relationships.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESSES, UNCERTAINTY AND INVESTMENT DYNAMICS: EVIDENCE FOR THE BASQUE COUNTRY

In this article, the economic impact of diminishing levels of uncertainty on investment, as a result of conflict resolution processes, is tested by means of a case study on a European region largely affected by political violence. For this purpose, the response of Basque investment during conflict resolution attempts is used as a natural experiment with which to evaluate the effect of reduced uncertainty on productive investment. Thus, it is found that productive investment in the Basque Country increased considerably when credible peace talks directed towards the end of the conflict were undertaken. Accordingly, when compared with other subsets of comparable Spanish provinces, the truces declared in 1988 and 1998 propelled the growth rate of investment in this region by 21.2 and 25.8 percentage points, respectively. This finding gives an idea on the magnitude of the potential peace dividend to be reaped in the event of an eventual conflict resolution and a complete cessation of political violence in the region.
Accountability, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability: Accounting for Society and the Environment

Accountability, Social Responsibility and Sustainability addresses the broad and complicated interactions between organisational life, civil society, markets, inequality and environmental degradation through the lenses of accounting, accountability, responsibility and sustainability. Placing the way in which organisations are controlled and the metrics by which they are run at the heart of the analysis, this text also explores how this system opposes the very concerns of societal well-being and environmental stewardship that form the basis of civilised society. Gray, Adams and Owen offer an in-depth and nuanced guide to this theory, recognising the crucial role played by scholars and practitioners in approaching these central tensions. The theory is extensively supported by analysis of developments in practice and in a real-world context. Aimed principally at undergraduate and postgraduate Accounting students, Accountability, Social Responsibility and Sustainability will prove invaluable to any student, teacher or practitioner with an interest in the central role accounting, finance, accountability, CSR and sustainability play in the future of society and the planet.
Tn4451 from Clostridium perfringens is a mobilizable transposon that encodes the functional Mob protein, TnpZ

The 6.3 kb Clostridium perfringens transposon Tn4451 encodes a 50 kDa protein, TnpZ, which has amino acid sequence similarity to a group of plasmid mobilization and recombination proteins that comprise the Mob/Pre family. Members of this family interact with an upstream palindromic sequence called an RSA site, and an RSA‐like sequence has been identified upstream of the tnpZ gene. In Escherichia coli, in the presence of a chromosomally integrated derivative of the broad‐host‐range IncP plasmid, RP4, TnpZ was able to promote plasmid mobilization in cis and was able to function in trans to enable the mobilization of a co‐resident plasmid carrying an RSA site. It was also able to mediate the conjugative transfer of plasmids from E. coli to C. perfringens. Site‐directed mutagenesis of two bases within the RSA site resulted in a significant reduction in mobilization frequency, demonstrating that the RSA site is required for efficient plasmid mobilization. TnpZ is the only Mob/Pre protein known to be associated with a transposable genetic element, and Tn4451 is the first mobilizable but non‐self‐transmissible transposon to be identified from a Gram‐positive bacterium.
Regional Knowledge Networks

This article employs an actor network approach to the empirical analysis of knowledge networking in a case-study region in order to investigate the structure and properties of regional innovation networks in a detailed and nuanced way. Knowledge networks in terms of innovation-related cooperative interlinkages between firms and research establishments can be regarded as a relational component of regional innovation systems. The basic assumption is that connectivity in a regional knowledge network can positively contribute to a region’s innovation capacity. The use of a social network analysis approach might enhance our understanding of knowledge networks in a regional context. This article presents the findings of a detailed network analysis of innovation-related cooperative interlinkages between public research establishments and private sector firms in a metropolitan region in Germany.
The Stratified State: Radical Institutionalist Theories of Participation and Duality

This new edition of American Poverty in a New Era of Reform provides a comprehensive examination of the extent, causes, effects, and costs of American poverty nearly ten years after the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996. The author includes the most current available demographic, budget, evaluation, and program data to evaluate the impact of this sweeping legislation on federal and state policies, as well as on poverty populations. This revised edition takes into account the economic slowdown that took place in 2001 through 2003. It examines the state decisions about how to implement PRWORA, and how changes have affected the poverty population and overall welfare system. The author identifies the positive implications of welfare reform along with problems that must be addressed. New features for this edition include an appendix of Internet sources a state-by-state tables of poverty rates.