Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Econometric Model of Tourism Demand and Room Rates: A Study in Belek, Antalya

ABSTRACT In this study, International tourism demand and short-run supply for Antalya-Belek hotel industry are examined via simultaneous equations econometric model using monthly data between 1998-M01 and 2006-M10. The overall goodness-of-flt of both demand and supply models is very high, suggesting a high predictive power. Through empirical Implementation of the theoretical model, several important determinants of supply and demand are identified. On the demand side, “tourist arrivals” is a significant factor driving the demand for beds, while “room rate” has a significant negative impact on the bed demand. At the same time, “bed demand”, “the Consumer Price Index based on real effective exchange rate index”, and “the GAP between bed supply and demand” have a significant positive impact on room rates. Empirical results suggest that the hotel operators in Antalya-Belek attempt to raise the room rates in order to close the gap between actual and expected incomes, when they face high excess gap between the bed supply and demand. Also, yield management is employed by the hotel operators in Antalya-Belek due to the positive impact of the bed demand on room rates.
Vertically Stacked ReRAM Composed of a Bidirectional Selector and CB-RAM for Cross-Point Array Applications

In this letter, we discuss our technique for fabricating a vertically stacked ReRAM device composed of one selector and one resistor (1S-1R). We demonstrate that the nanoscale via-hole structure and 1-kb array architecture of selector device exhibit higher current density ( ~ 107 A/cm2) and reliability, and we introduce bipolar resistive switching element-a conductive-bridge RAM that can be stacked on top of the selector device. The resulting integrated 1S-1R device performs robust bipolar switching operations and significantly reduces the leakage current in cross-point applications.
Non-Affine Option Pricing

The original Black-Scholes (BS) model introduced financial economists to continuous-time mathematics. But evidence quickly accumulated that the BS constant volatility lognormal diffusion is not adequate to describe the behavior of real world stock prices or, especially, interest rates. Recent work by Duffie and Singleton, and others, extended the returns processes for which options could be valued in more or less closed form to the affine jump-diffusion (AJD) class, which allows an arbitrary number of stochastic factors and a broad range of possible behavior. And yet, such models still impose significant limits on the ways that volatility can be made stochastic. This article shows how to break out of the AJD class to a much broader range of price processes. Chourdakis’s approach is to construct a continuous-time Markov chain that can approximate nearly any plausible state process. Moreover, beyond allowing option pricing for a richer set of price processes, the technique also offers improved computational efficiency for AJD-class models, relative to alternative techniques.
Does Human Generate Social and Institutional Capital? Exploring Evidence from Time Series Data in a Middle Income Country

This paper presents an analysis of the interaction of human capital investment and the development of social and political institutions. We find that human capital matters - for growth through its quality dimension; for distributional conflict by raising political aspirations. But human capital does not stand alone either. The level of economic development (output) matters, distributional (instability) conflict as well as the rights dispensation can come to influence human capital investment decisions in their own right. Social, human capital, political as well as economic dimensions are densely interwoven in webs of association.
Subcision for Acne Scarring: Technique and Outcomes in 40 Patients

Background Treatment of acne scars is a therapeutic challenge that may require multiple modalities. Subcision is a technique that has been anecdotally reported to be of value in treating so-called “rolling scars. ” Objectives To assess the efficacy of subcision in the treatment of “rolling” acne scars. Methods A standard technique was developed for subcision. This was then applied to the treatment of rolling scars in patients, 40 of whom completed treatment and the prescribed follow-up. Six-month follow-up data were obtained from both patients and investigators. Results Subcision is associated with patient and investigator reports of approximately 50% improvement. Ninety percent of treated patients reported that subcision improved their appearance. The side effects of swelling, bruising, and pain are transient, but patients may have persistent firm bumps at the treatment site. Conclusions Subcision appears to be a safe technique that may provide significant long-term improvement in the “rolling scars” of selected patients. When complete resolution of such scars does not occur, combining subcision with other scar revision procedures or repeat subcision may be beneficial.
Alternative Tests of Independence between Stochastic Regressors and Disturbances: Finite Sample Results

RegWuTest performs a Wu (or Durbin-Wu-Hausman) specification test on a regression just estimated by instrumental variables. Because it works off the last regression, there are no parameters. Wu(1973), "Alternative tests of independence between stochastic regressors and disturbances", Econometrica vol 42, 529-546. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
The BACHD Rat Model of Huntington Disease Shows Specific Deficits in a Test Battery of Motor Function

Rationale: Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. HD is usually diagnosed by the appearance of motor deficits, resulting in skilled hand use disruption, gait abnormality, muscle wasting and choreatic movements. The BACHD transgenic rat model for HD represents a well-established transgenic rodent model of HD, offering the prospect of an in-depth characterization of the motor phenotype. Objective: The present study aims to characterize different aspects of motor function in BACHD rats, combining classical paradigms with novel high-throughput behavioral phenotyping. Methods: Wild-type (WT) and transgenic animals were tested longitudinally from 2 to 12 months of age. To measure fine motor control, rats were challenged with the pasta handling test and the pellet reaching test. To evaluate gross motor function, animals were assessed by using the holding bar and the grip strength tests. Spontaneous locomotor activity and circadian rhythmicity were assessed in an automated home-cage environment, namely the PhenoTyper. We then integrated existing classical methodologies to test motor function with automated home-cage assessment of motor performance. Results: BACHD rats showed strong impairment in muscle endurance at 2 months of age. Altered circadian rhythmicity and locomotor activity were observed in transgenic animals. On the other hand, reaching behavior, forepaw dexterity and muscle strength were unaffected. Conclusions: The BACHD rat model exhibits certain features of HD patients, like muscle weakness and changes in circadian behavior. We have observed modest but clear-cut deficits in distinct motor phenotypes, thus confirming the validity of this transgenic rat model for treatment and drug discovery purposes.
Effect of moderate weight loss on health-related quality of life: an analysis of combined data from 4 randomized trials of sibutramine vs placebo.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether (1) patients who experience greater weight loss also experience correspondingly greater improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL); (2) the improvement in HRQOL is noticeable for patients achieving moderate (5%-10%) weight reduction; and (3) the relationship between weight reduction and HRQOL is similar for patients receiving sibutramine hydrochloride vs placebo. STUDY DESIGN We combined data from 4 double-blind, randomized, controlled trials of administration of sibutramine (20 mg/d) vs placebo. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients (n = 555) were mildly to moderately obese and had type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or hypertension that was well controlled with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or calcium channel blocker. The HRQOL was operationalized using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Question Short-Form (SF-36) instruments. The main statistical technique was a patient-level analysis of variance predicting change in HRQOL from study, treatment, and weight change. RESULTS Moderate weight loss was associated with a statistically significant improvement in HRQOL for approximately half of the subscales evaluated (P < .05). The greatest sensitivity to change was shown by the SF-36 general health perception and change in health since last year subscales and the IWQOL overall health, mobility, and total subscales. Greater weight loss was associated with the most improvement in HRQOL. Weight losses of 5.01% to 10.00% were associated with 2-unit changes in the SF-36 general health perception subscale and 10-unit changes in the IWQOL total subscale. Results were similar across study and treatment. CONCLUSIONS Moderate weight loss is associated with noticeably improved HRQOL. Improvements in HRQOL are achievable by patients receiving sibutramine.
NONDAMAGING PHOTOTHERMAL THERAPY FOR THE RETINA: Initial Clinical Experience With Chronic Central Serous Retinopathy

Purpose: To assess safety and clinical efficacy of the nondamaging photothermal therapy for the macula for the treatment of chronic central serous retinopathy. Methods: Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with persistent central serous retinopathy (>4 months of duration) were treated with the PASCAL Streamline) at 577-nm wavelength, using 200-&mgr;m retinal spot sizes. Using Endpoint Management Software, the laser power was first titrated for a barely visible burn with 15-ms pulses, which was defined as 100% pulse energy. Treatment was then applied over the area of serous retinal detachment and adjacent nonthickened retina, using 30% pulse energy with the spot spacing of 0.25 beam diameter. Changes in subretinal fluid, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity, and central macular thickness were measured over 6 months of follow-up. Pretreatment and posttreatment fluorescein angiography and fundus autofluorescence were also assessed. Results: On average, 532 spots have been applied per treatment. No visible laser marks could be detected by clinical observation, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, or fluorescein angiography. On average, 12 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters gain was achieved at 2 months and was sustained by 6 months (P < 0.001). Central macular thickness decreased from 350 &mgr;m to 282 &mgr;m (P = 0.004). Subretinal fluid completely resolved in 37% of the patients after first treatment, whereas 44% of the patients required retreatment after 3 months because of recurrent fluid or incomplete resolution. The remaining 19% of the patients received a second retreatment. By 6 months, in 75% of the patients, the subretinal fluid was completely resolved, whereas in 25%, there was some minimal fluid left. Conclusion: Photothermal therapy using 577-nm PASCAL laser with Endpoint Management graphic user interface was safe, and it improved visual acuity and resolution of subretinal fluid in chronic central serous retinopathy. Lack of tissue damage allows periodic retreatment without cumulative scaring, characteristic to conventional photocoagulation. This technique should be tested in the treatment of other macular disorders and may offer an alternative to conventional laser coagulation of the macula and to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor pharmacological treatments of macular diseases.
Overall Perceived Value of a Tourism Service Delivered via Different Media

The purpose of this research is to compare the perceptions of Spanish and British tourists in the formation of the overall perceived value of the purchase decision-making process for a hotel stay. Comparison is made between two key tourism distribution channels: offline, via a travel agency; and online, via the Internet. The sample comprised 600 tourists. Of these, 300 (150 Spanish and 150 British) had purchased hotel accommodation for their last holiday via an offline travel agency, and the other 300 (again, 150 Spanish and 150 British) had done so via the Internet. Given that the two countries differ in their cultural dimensions, the results show that the “uncertainty-avoidance” and “individualism/collectivism” dimensions moderate the relationship between the antecedents of overall perceived value. These differences are not homogeneous, depending instead on the medium through which the service is purchased. The present research takes a comprehensive approach to overall perceived value formation, considering differences both in culture and also in distribution channel, and including different phases: purchase and use.
Arch Effects in Multifactor Market-Timing Models of Polish Mutual Funds

Arch Effects in Multifactor Market-Timing Models of Polish Mutual Funds Performance measurement of investment managers is a topic of interest to practitioners and academics alike. The traditional performance evaluation literature has attempted to distinguish stock-picking ability (selectivity) from the ability to predict overall market returns (market-timing). However, the literature finds that it is not easy to separate ability into two such dichotomous categories. To overcome these problems multifactor alternative market-timing models have been proposed. The author's recent research provides evidence of strong ARCH effects in the market-timing models of Polish equity open-end mutual funds. For this reason, the main goal of this paper is to present the regression results of the new GARCH(p, q) versions of market-timing models of these funds. We estimate multifactor extensions of classical market-timing models with Fama & French's spread variables SMB and HML, and Carhart's momentum factor WML. We also include lagged values of the market factor as an additional independent variable in the regressions of the models because of the pronounced "Fisher effect" in the case of the main Warsaw Stock Exchange indexes. The market-timing and selectivity abilities of fund managers are evaluated for the period January 2003-December 2010. Our findings suggest that the GARCH(p, q) model is suitable for such applications.
Human Capital Formation and International Trade

Abstract This paper develops a two-country, two-sector model of trade where the only difference between two countries is the cost of human capital formation. It is shown that this difference completely shapes the pattern of trade. Trade, in turn, affects the distribution of human capital both at extensive and at intensive margins, income distribution, and welfare in each country. Since not all agents gain from trade, the paper also investigates the conditions under which trade between two countries becomes possible if the final decision in each country is based on majority voting. Finally, the paper shows that lowering the cost of human capital in one country has asymmetric effects on human capital formation and the income inequality between skilled and unskilled workers across countries.
Factors associated with health service utilization under the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCMS) in Hainan, China: preliminary evidence from a household survey

In 2003, the Chinese rural health care system underwent substantial reform with the introduction of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCMS). In order to identify factors associated with health services utilization among rural residents enrolled in NRCMS in Hainan Province, China, we conducted a cross-sectional household survey in rural villages from six randomly selected Han and ethnic minority cities or counties in Hainan in 2009 to identify factors associated with health service utilization among rural residents enrolled in the NRCMS in Hainan Province, China. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with utilization of outpatient visits and inpatient visits. Among the total 871 subjects of observations, about 45% had at least one outpatient visit in the 12 months prior to the survey and 13% had at least one inpatient visit during that period. Outpatient visits were directly associated with location of residence (Han-concentrated region vs. ethnic minority-concentrated region), education level, presence of chronic disease, health insurance plan and satisfaction with quality of care in NRCMS network providers. Similarly, inpatient visitation was significantly associated with education level, presence of chronic disease and satisfaction with quality of care in NRCMS network providers. The use of both outpatient and inpatient services was significantly associated with location of residence, education level, presence of chronic disease, health insurance plan and satisfaction with quality of care in NRCMS network providers. Evidence suggests that NRCMS was significantly associated with access to care in rural areas, especially in ethnic minority regions in Hainan, but there still exist challenges in assessing the degree of unnecessary utilization of inpatient services.
pegas: an R package for population genetics with an integrated-modular approach

SUMMARY pegas (Population and Evolutionary Genetics Analysis System) is a new package for the analysis of population genetic data. It is written in R and is integrated with two other existing R packages (ape and adegenet). pegas provides functions for standard population genetic methods, as well as low-level functions for developing new methods. The flexible and efficient graphical capabilities of R are used for plotting haplotype networks as well as for other functionalities. pegas emphasizes the need to further develop an integrated-modular approach for software dedicated to the analysis of population genetic data. AVAILABILITY pegas is distributed through the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN): http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/pegas/index.html. Further information may be found at: http://ape.mpl. ird.fr/pegas/.
PCAOB Inspections and Large Accounting Firms

SYNOPSIS: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the PCAOB's inspection reports of large, annually inspected accounting firms. The inspection reports identify audit deficiencies that have implications for audit quality. By examining the inspection reports in detail, we can identify the nature and severity of audit deficiencies; we can track the total number of deficiencies over time; and we can pinpoint common, recurring audit deficiencies. We focus on large accounting firms because they play a dominant role in the marketplace (i.e., they audit public companies that comprise approximately 99 percent of U.S.-based issuer market capitalization). We document a significant, downward linear trend in the number of deficiencies from 2004 to 2009. We also identify common, recurring audit deficiencies, determine the financial statement accounts most often impacted by audit deficiencies, and isolate the primary emphasis of the financial statement impacted. Our findings generally are consistent comparing Big 4 and .
On the Performance of Linear Contracts

We examine the ability of linear contracts to replicate the performance of optimal unrestricted contracts in the canonical moral hazard setting with a wealth constrained, risk averse agent. We find that in a broad class of environments, the principal can always secure with a linear contract at least 95% of the profit that she secures with an optimal unrestricted contract, provided the productivity of the agent's effort is not too meager.
Bargaining and Markets

Introduction. Bargaining Theory: The Axiomatic Approach. Nash's Solution. The Strategic Approach. A Model of Alternating Offers. The Relation between the Axiomatic and Strategic Approaches. A Strategic Model of Bargaining between Incompletely Informed Players. Models of Decentralized Trade: First Approach Using the Nash Solution. Strategic Bargaining in a Steady State Market. Strategic Bargaining in a Market with One-Time Entry. The Role of the Trading Procedure. The Role of Anonymity. References. Index.
Strategic Attack on Host Cell Gene Expression during Adenovirus Infection

ABSTRACT To understand the interaction between the virus and its host, we used three sources of cDNA microarrays to examine the expression of 12,309 unique genes at 6 h postinfection of HeLa cells with high multiplicities of adenovirus type 2. Seventy-six genes with significantly changed expression ratios were identified, suggesting that adenovirus only modulates expression of a limited set of cellular genes. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses on selected genes were performed to confirm the microarray results. Significantly, a pronounced transcriptional activation by the promiscuous E1A-289R transcriptional activator was not apparent. Instead, promoter sequences in 45% of the upregulated genes harbored a potential E2F binding site, suggesting that the ability of the amino-terminal domain of E1A to regulate E2F-dependent transcription may be a major pathway for regulation of cellular gene expression. CDC25A was the only upregulated gene directly involved in cell cycle control. In contrast, several genes implicated in cell growth arrest were repressed. The transforming growth factor beta superfamily was specifically affected in the expression of both the upstream ligand and an intracellular regulator. In agreement with previous reports, adenovirus also targeted the innate immune response by downregulating several cytokines, including CLL2, CXCL1, and interleukin-6. Finally, stress response genes encoding GADD45B, ATF3, and TP53AP1 were upregulated. Importantly, we also found a novel countermeasure—activation of the apoptosis inhibitor survivin.
Modeling of DFIG-Based WTs for Small-Signal Stability Analysis in DVC Timescale in Power Electronized Power Systems

This paper presents a dynamic modeling methodology of a DFIG-based wind turbine (WT) for small-signal stability analysis in DC-link voltage control (DVC) timescale in power electronized power systems. The DVC timescale (around 100 ms) is determined by DVC, terminal voltage control, active power control, and phase-locked loop in DFIG WT. Motion equation concept is introduced and extended to describe DFIG WT external characteristics in the concerned timescale. The relation between the active/reactive power imbalances and phase/magnitude dynamics of defined synthetic internal voltage (inner potential) vector are developed. The model in DVC timescale is similar to synchronous generator rotor motion equation that is in electromechanical timescale (around 1 s) and familiar to power engineers. With the developed model, characteristics of equivalent inertia, damping and synchronizing coefficients of DFIG WT in DVC timescale can be understood, and the dynamic interactions among multiple DFIG WTs, as well as between DFIG WT and other grid-connected devices in DVC timescale can be fully interpreted. Comparisons of eigenvalues show that the proposed model can hold the main behaviors of concern. Applications on the stability analyses of DFIG WT interconnected with VSC-HVDC system and two-DFIG WT system are taken as examples to validate the feasibility of the proposed model.