Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Selling Quantity and Purchasing Price for Intermediary Firms

Intermediary firms are economic agents that purchase from mostly small and numerous independent producers and sell to other firms or to the public. This article investigated how intermediary firms can optimally determine both selling quantity and purchasing price of a product. By incorporating the special structure of intermediary firms′ environments and by modifying the conventional economic order quantity (EOQ) model accordingly, we provide optimal decision rules regarding the selling quantity and purchasing price for intermediary firms under profit maximisation.
How Much Does the Public Know About the State Budget, and Does it Matter?

The budget crises of recent years have left the sense that California legislators are unwilling or unable to work together. Is public misinformation part of the problem? The Statewide Survey of the Public Policy Institute of California has repeatedly shown that most California voters have only the barest sense of where the state gets its money or what it spends it on. If voters were better informed, would they change their opinions about the budget, possibly opening a way to compromise? To answer this question, I simulate the effect of full information on opinions about budget-related issues. The results suggest that a hypothetical fully informed electorate might be less supportive of spending, but would mostly hold opinions about the budget similar to the ones they hold now. Budget opinion is driven less by information than by broad predispositions like party affiliation and ideology, as well as feelings about specific issues and groups.
Selección de portafolios de mínima varianza cuando están expuestos a diversos factores de riesgo: nota técnica

DADA LA APARENTE AUSENCIA DE UNA SOLUCION EXPLICITA PARA LA SELECCION DE PORTAFOLIOS OPTIMOS CON ACTIVOS RIESGOSOS CUANDO EL PROCESO GENERADOR DE DATOS (PGD) DE LOS RENDIMIENTOS OBEDECE A UNA RELACION LINEAL CON MULTIPLES FACTORES, EN ESTA NOTA SE PRESENTA UNA PROPUESTA DE SOLUCION. SE MUESTRA QUE BAJO LOS SUPUESTOS DE UN MODELO MULTIFACTORIAL ES POSIBLE RECURRIR A LA TEORIA CLASICA DE OPTIMIZACION PARA DETERMINAR LA COMBINACION OPTIMA DE ACTIVOS PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE UN PORTAFOLIO Y ADMINISTRAR SU EXPOSICION A LA INFLUENCIA DE LOS FACTORES CAUSALES DE RIESGO SISTEMATICO. EL METODO DE OPTIMIZACION SE BASA EN LA DERIVACION DE LA FRONTERA EFICIENTE QUE SE PRESENTA EN MERTON (1972) Y ES CONSISTENTE CON LOS MODELOS MULTIFACTORIALES TEORICOS, COMO EL DE ROSS (1976) U OTROS EMPIRICOS, SIEMPRE Y CUANDO SUPONGAN QUE EL PGD OBEDECE A UNA ESTRUCTURA LINEAL MULTIVARIADA. SE PRESENTA TAMBIEN EN EJEMPLO PEQUENO DE LA APLICACION DE ESTA A LA FORMACION DE UN PORTAFOLIOS QUE MINIMIZA EL RIESGO BAJO METAS DEL NIVEL DE SU EXPOSICION A LOS FACTORES DE RIESGO.
New Approaches to Innovation Policy: Some Norwegian Examples

The paper describes and assesses three Norwegian innovation policy tools. The tools cover three different models of strengthening firms' innovation capability, i.e. direct financial support, broker and advisory systems and technology or knowledge centres. The tools include some new elements in innovation policy design, and thus, some elements of good practice. Guidelines for good practice includes an interactive perspective on innovation support, a focus on innovation systems, context sensitivity and a regional focus, learning in the support system and receiver-oriented and proactive working methods.
Small business— small minded? Training attitudes and needs of the tourism and hospitality industry

The Australian tourism and hospitality industry consists of at least 80% small business operators scattered over a wide range of urban and rural environments, consequently it has not been easy for training providers to assess accurately the needs of the industry as a whole and provide specialised programmes. During 1996, Tourism Training Victoria conducted a survey of training needs of tourism and hospitality operators. Results indicate that there is a shortage of skilled staff and owner-managers with little management training or qualifications, who nonetheless recognise their shortcomings and needs for further education and training, particularly in the marketing and business areas. Barriers to further training include the cost of training and inflexibility of hours and place of delivery. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Structure of Cross-Sector Financial Supervision

In this paper the authors note that, over the last decade, in many countries the financial supervisory functions that were once performed by central banks have been combined with those performed by other official agencies and/or self-regulatory organizations to form a single financial services regulator. They consider three questions: (1) Why has this change occurred? (2) What role in supervision, if any, should the central bank continue to play? and (3) Do these organizational changes in financial supervision pose risks to financial stability?
On the Time Varying Nature of Herding Behavior: Evidence from Major European Indices

The recent financial crisis clearly demonstrated that herding behaviour incorporates an unhedgeable systemic risk, exposing investors and financial institutions to market prices and valuations, which cannot be solely explained by fundamentals. We examine the existence of herding behaviour of major European stock market indices employing daily data during a recent period from 15 April 2005 to 31 December 2012. Following the recent events that unfolded in the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis our analysis is further expanded on two subsamples namely north and south European countries. Since the observation of significant herding patterns is very sensitive not only to the selected indices universe, but also to the time frame under consideration, a novel approach of this work is to explore the dynamics of the system with the use of time rolling window of varying size. A snick review of our results indicates significant herding behaviour for the countries under examination. Finally, we test whether herding effects became more intense during the recent financial crisis as a function of the conducted rolling window size.
Collaborative transportation using MAVs via passive force control

This paper shows a strategy based on passive force control for collaborative object transportation using Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs), focusing on the transportation of a bulky object by two hexacopters. The goal is to develop a robust approach which does not rely on: (a) communication links between the MAVs, (b) the knowledge of the payload shape and (c) the position of grasping point. The proposed approach is based on the master-slave paradigm, in which the slave agent guarantees compliance to the external force applied by the master to the payload via an admittance controller. The external force acting on the slave is estimated using a non-linear estimator based on the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) from the information provided by a Visual-Inertial (VI) navigation system. Experimental results (online video [1]) demonstrate the performance of the force estimator and show the collaborative transportation of a 1.2 m long object.
Stress response in yeast mRNA export factor: reversible changes in Rat8p localization are caused by ethanol stress but not heat shock

Ethanol stress (10% v/v) causes selective mRNA export in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a similar manner to heat shock (42°C). Bulk poly(A)+ mRNA accumulates in the nucleus, whereas heat shock protein mRNA is exported under such conditions. Here we investigated the effects of stress on mRNA export factors. In cells treated with ethanol stress, the DEAD box protein Rat8p showed a rapid and reversible change in its localization, accumulating in the nucleus. This change correlated closely with the blocking of bulk poly(A)+ mRNA export caused by ethanol stress. We also found that the nuclear accumulation of Rat8p is caused by a defect in the Xpo1p/Crm1p exportin. Intriguingly, the localization of Rat8p did not change in heat shocked cells, suggesting that the mechanisms blocking bulk poly(A)+ mRNA export differ for heat shock and ethanol stress. These results suggest that changes in the localization of Rat8p contribute to the selective export of mRNA in ethanol stressed cells, and also indicate differences in mRNA export between the heat shock response and ethanol stress response.
Remote Neuro-Cognitive Impairment Sensing Based on P300 Spatio-Temporal Monitoring

A novel mobile healthcare solution for remotely monitoring neuro-cognitive efficiency is here presented. The method is based on the spatio-temporal characterization of a specific event-related potential, called P300, induced in our brain by a target stimulus. P300 analysis is used as a biomarker: the amplitude and latency of the signal are quality indexes of the brain activity. Up to now, the P300 characterization has been performed in hospital through EEG analysis and it has not been experimented an algorithm that can work remotely and learn from the subject performance. The proposed m-health service allows remote EEG monitoring of P300 through a “plug and play” system based on the video game reaction of the subject under test. The signal processing is achieved by tuned residue iteration decomposition (t-RIDE). The methodology has been tested on the parietal-cortex area (Pz, Fz, and Cz) of 12 subjects involved in three different cognitive tasks with increasing difficulty. For the set of considered subjects, a P300 deviation has been detected: the amplitude ranges around 2.8-8 μV and latency around 300-410 ms. To demonstrate the improvement achieved by the proposed algorithm respect the state of the art, a comparison between t-RIDE, RIDE, independent component analysis (ICA) approaches, and grand average method is here reported. t-RIDE and ICA analyses report the same results (0.1% deviation) using the same data set (game with a detection of 40 targets). Nevertheless, t-RIDE is 1.6 times faster than ICA since converges in 79 iterations (i.e., t-RIDE: 1.95s against ICA: 3.1s). Furthermore, t-RIDE reaches 80% of accuracy after only 13 targets (task time can be reduced to 65s); differently from ICA, t-RIDE can be performed even on a single channel. The procedure shows fast diagnosis capability in cognitive deficit, including mild and heavy cognitive impairment.
Movement prediction with sensory feedback and environmental interaction

In the last decade, numerous brain-computer interface (BCI) studies have been performed to help disabled people. However, previous BCI methods have several limitations. First, the BCI system has a time delay which makes user inconvenience. Second, user of the BCI only can select a choice among limited options. Last, accuracy of the BCI is low which is a barrier to practical use. Here, we suggested a novel BCI method to solve these problems. Our results demonstrated that BCI response time can be reduced by predicting motor intentions from the readiness potential (Bereitschaftspotential; RP or BP) signals. We also showed that movement trajectory could be predicted from the non-invasive MEG signals with considerably high accuracy. In addition, our results revealed that the BCI performance will be improved by combining feedback information. Furthermore, we showed possibility of a BCI with tactile feedback. Our results will promote the development of a practical BCI system.
Control of the ToxR virulence regulon in Vibrio cholerae by environmental stimuli

Many bacterial pathogens regulate the expression of virulence genes in a co‐ordinate manner in response to changes in the environment. For example, the human pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, possesses a virulence regulon composed of over 20 genes involved in colonization, toxin production and bacterial survival within the host, which are co‐ordinately regulated by external stimuli, such as temperature, pH and osmolarity. Although the expression of the regulon is dependent upon the transcriptional activator ToxR, most of these genes are controlled by a second transcriptional activator, ToxT, which is itself positively regulated by ToxR. The mechanisms by which environmental stimuli influence the ToxR regulon are not yet understood, but ToxR‐mediated control over the expression of toxT clearly plays a role. The recent finding that the global regulator cAMP‐CRP also influences the expression of the ToxR regulon under various environmental conditions raises new issues regarding the pathways and mechanisms by which this regulation is achieved and indicates that multiple overlapping systems are involved.
Central Bank Talk: Does it Matter and Why?

Statements released by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and congressional testimony by Chairman Greenspan are found to significantly affect market interest rates, indicating that central bank "talk" conveys important information to market participants. These effects arise not only because the statements provide information about the near-term policy inclinations of the FOMC but also because the statements convey information about the outlook for the economy. By contrast, statements raising questions about asset valuations typically have not generated a significant response of those asset prices.
An Evaluation of Bani (Dambo) Systems as a Smallholder Irrigation Development Strategy in Zimbabwe

There is little disagreement among experts that to increase agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the semiarid areas, in view of the fact that these areas receive limited rainfall and face frequent droughts and have only 15% of their irrigation potential developed and utilized, irrigation development is critical. Due to high costs of infrastructure development of conventional irrigation systems and the prevalence of general pessimism based on the current low level of performance of the already existing projects in terms of financial, managerial and environmental objectives, it is imperative to evauate smallholder irrigation systems under farmer management as an alternative and/or complementary irrigation development strategy. This paper compares and evaluates the socio-economic characteristics and the technical efficiency of the Bani system to the formal systems and makes recommendations for its development. Les experts conviennent generalement qu'il faut irriguer pour accroitre la production agricole dans l'Afrique sub-saharienne, surtout dans les regions semi-arides ou il pleut relativement peu, ou la secheresse sevit frequemment et ou les possibilites d'irrigation n'ont ete developpees qu'a quinze pour cent. Face au cout d'infrastructure eleve des systemes d'irrigation classiques et au pessimisme general qu'engendre la pietre performance des projets existants quant a la realisation des objectifs financiers, administratifs et environnementaux, il est imperieux d'evaluer l'utilite des petits systemes d'irrigation exploites par les cultivateurs comme solution de rechange ou solution complementaire a la strategie actuelle de developpement de l'irrigation. L'article que voici compare et evalue les parametres socioeconomiques et l'efficacite technique du systeme Bani aux systemes officiels en formulant des recommandations sur son extension.
The Confusing Side of Yield Management: Myths, Errors, and Misconceptions

This article focuses on errors and misconceptions that clutter the literature on hotel yield management. Using the basic tools of economics, it deals with three main topics. First, the article shows that of the oft-quoted list of necessary conditions for yield management sys tems, only perishable product is a true requirement. Second, the article discusses the mis use of the price demand elasticity concept and how it is being confused with willingness to pay. Third, the article discusses the reasons behind the observed increase in willingness to pay as time draws closer to the date of stay It show that alongside the oft-cited explanation that business travelers with higher willingness to pay book later, there is another consumer behavior phenomenon that must not be ignored: Customers of any segment, even leisure travelers, with a relatively low willingness to pay, are willing to pay more for the same room as time nears the date of stay.
A distributed framework for cooperation of many-objective evolutionary algorithms

The simultaneous optimization of multiple objectives arises in several problems in different disciplines. This optimization, mainly for many-objective problems brings challenges to the state-of-the-art Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms. Given the various characteristics of the different problem instances and also the features of the algorithms, no single algorithm performs well in all problem instances. Although, if the algorithms characteristics could be combined, cooperatively, to face the problem together, the search ability can be improved. In this work, we evaluate this research question and propose a distributed framework for cooperation of Many-objective Evolutionary Algorithms. In the framework, different algorithms can be executed simultaneously, with small sub-populations and collectively solve the problem instance. The framework performs the cooperation by sharing solutions between the subpopulations. In this way, sharing the information learned from one algorithm to the other. The framework is evaluated using two state-of-the-art algorithms for cooperation, and compared to the algorithms executed alone. The results indicate that the cooperation improves the convergence and diversity of the algorithms in most problem instances. The obtained results motivate the investigation of future works on the proposed framework.
From credit valuation adjustments to credit capital commitments

We argue that capital requirements are needed to cover unexpected losses arising in incomplete markets. After observing that a complete market is an inappropriate context for answering such questions we turn to a theory of capital requirements developed for an incomplete markets economy where the law of one price is replaced by the law of two prices. We follow Carr, Madan and Vicente Alvarez (2011) in defining capital requirements and apply these methods to the problems of cross default exposures. We contend that credit valuation adjustments, being based on fundamentally contradictory principles fall short of what is required. We replace these computations by direct computations of credit capital commitments necessitated by credit exposures that we term a CCC theory. A variance swap example illustrates our CCC computations.
The unacknowledged impact of chronic schistosomiasis

Objectives: To summarize new knowledge on the range of disease due to chronic schistosomiasis and examine the debilitating burden of both light and heavy infection; to outline goals of disease prevention, including current age-targeted strategies and more extended programmes aimed at preventing transmission. Methods: A systematic search of 2004—2007 papers via PUBMED and related databases using `schistosom' and disability- or treatment-related subject headings. Reports were independently reviewed for inclusion. Results: Sixty-eight papers met review objectives. These suggest new evidence for a causative link between schistosome infection, antiparasite inflammation, and risk for anaemia, growth stunting and undernutrition in affected populations, as well as exacerbation of co-infections and impairment of cognitive development and work capacity. Formal quality-of-life assessment defines a significant 9.5—24% disability with the most aggressive schistosome species, Schistosoma japonicum. Discussion: Schistosomiasis represents a serious but under-recognized disease burden for many developing countries. Infection (and not intensity of infection) should be considered the defining feature of morbidity formation. Links between infection and long-term disabilities reduce the chances of combating rural poverty. Changes in our appreciation of schistosomiasis-related disease burden means it is no longer appropriate to leave infected persons untreated, and newer approaches to control should focus on preventing transmission.
Core issues in sustainable supply chain management – a Delphi study

Sustainable supply chain management has emerged as a growing topic, receiving increasing interest in the sustainability and supply chain management area. So far, the field is dominated by either case or survey based research. Few attempts have been made to take a broader look at the overarching issues, which form core topics of sustainable supply chain management. This paper presents the findings from a Delphi study where experts were asked to contribute their opinion. The Delphi study allows an aggregation of these opinions and extracts underlying topics in a structured manner. Four major topics were identified, which are (1) pressures and incentives for sustainable supply chain management, (2) identifying and measuring impacts on sustainable supply chain management, (3) supplier management (particularly addressing issues at the supplier–buyer interface) and (4) supply chain management (dealing with issues across all companies involved in the supply chain). The research presented contributes to substantiating and consolidating the field of sustainable supply chain management. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Agenda Setting and Issue Dynamics: Dam Breaching on the Lower Snake River

An important aspect of the policy process involves the evolution of abstract ideas into more concrete and refined items, each engendering political attention and conflict. In the process, certain subjects become prominent on the policy agenda, and some alternatives are seriously considered while others are not. By evaluating how ideas become issues in the first place, this research adds to our understanding on the origins of the policy process. The model offered by Kingdon (1995) is utilized to examine agenda setting in environmental policy and explore the evolution of the idea of dam breaching into a viable policy alternative in the Pacific Northwest. Focusing on the Clinton administration, the model's utility is demonstrated in identifying elements of the three “streams” of the policy process, yet uncertainty remains over the exact status of this agenda issue.