Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Union Wage Effects in Australia: Are There Variations in Distribution?

Previous research on union wage effects in Australia has focused on the central parts of the conditional wage distribution. This study uses quantile regression models to examine whether the union wage effect varies across the (conditional) wage distribution. The data draw upon the first four waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Union wage premiums are found across almost the entire wage distribution for both males and females. While for males it is evident that the union wage effect decreases when moving up the wage distribution, the effect for females is relatively stable except at the extremities of the distribution. Overall, unions are found to have a larger effect on male than on female wages. The decomposition results show that for males, the union wage effect explains a substantial proportion of the observed wage gap between union and non-union workers; this is not the case for females.
Application of Regression and Neural Network Models in Computing Forecasts for Crude Oil Productions

In this study, a quadratic regression model and a two layered layer recurrent neural network (TLLRNN) method were used to model forecasting performance of the daily crude oil production data of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The two methods were applied on the difference series and log difference series of the NNPC series. The results indicates that the two layered layer recurrent neural network model have better forecasting per-formance greater than the quadratic regression method based on the mean error square sense. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute error (MAE) were applied to ascertain the assertion that the two layered layer recurrent neural network method have better forecasting performance greater than the quadratic regression method. The outcome of the analysis also indicates that modeling forecasting performance of the NNPC data with the log dif-ference series of the data gives greater forecasting performances than modeling with the difference series of the NNPC data irrespective of the method used in modeling with the series. These results were achieved from 1 day ahead pre-dictions, 3 days ahead predictions and 5 days ahead predictions for 50 days sample length, 100 days sample length, 200 days sample length, 400 days sample length and 800 days sample length. Autocorrelation functions emerging from the increment series, that is, difference series and log difference series of the daily crude oil production data of the NNPC indicates significant autocorrelations and significant partial autocorrelations. The data used in this study is a time series data obtained from the daily crude oil production of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for a period of six years (1st January, 2008 - 31st December, 2013). The analysis for this study was simulated using MATLAB software, version 8.03
Evidence and Implications of Multiple Paradigms in Accounting Knowledge Production

Abstract This paper uses evidence gathered in two perception studies of Australasian and British accounting academics to reflect on aspects of the knowledge production system within accounting academe. We provide evidence of the representation of multiple paradigms in many journals that are scored by participants as being of high quality. Indeed most of the journals we surveyed are perceived by accounting academics as incorporating research from more than one paradigm. It is argued that this ‘catholic’ approach by journal editors and the willingness of many respondents in our surveys to score journals highly on material they publish from both paradigm categories reflects a balanced acceptance of the multi-paradigmatic state of accounting research. Our analysis is set within an understanding of systems of accounting knowledge production as socially constructed and as playing an important role in the distribution of power and reward in the academy. We explore the impact of our results on concerns emerging from the work of a number of authors who carefully expose localised ‘elites’. The possibilities for a closer relationship between research emerging from a multi-paradigm discipline and policy setting and practice are also discussed. The analysis provides a sense of optimism that the broad constituency of accounting academics operates within an environment conducive for the exchange of ideas. That optimism is dampened by concerns about the impact of local ‘elites’ and the need for more research on their impact on accounting academe.
Within-job wage discrimination and the gender wage gap : The case of Norway

It has been established for the USA that men and women working in the same occupation for the same employer receive more or less the same pay. So-called within-job wage discrimination is hence not a driving force for the gender wage gap. Below the authors report the first comparative and the second comprehensive empirical study of wage differences between men and women in the same specific occupation within the same establishment for a European economy : Norway. They report three striking findings. The first is that wage differences are relatively small when one compares men and women who work in the same occupation and establishment : women on average earn 2-6 per cent less per hour than men. The second finding is that it is occupational segregation which really accounts for the existing wage differences and that establishment segregation accounts for less. The third finding is that the within-occupation gaps are relatively small, at less than 10 per cent. They conducted these analyses for two years, 1984 and 1990
The role of social support in burnout among Dutch medical residents

Abstract Burnout levels among medical residents are considered high. A lack of social support has shown to have a direct effect on emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization, two of the three burnout indicators. In this study, we examined the satisfaction of medical residents with social support (emotional, appreciative and informative) received from supervisors, fellow medical residents, nurses and patients. In addition, the correlation between social support and burnout was studied. Medical residents were significantly more dissatisfied with the emotional, appreciative and informative support received from their supervisors compared with fellow residents and nurses (respectively, 13.4 ± 4.0 vs. 9.9 ± 2.8 and 10.0 ± 2.4; 10.0 ± 2.9 vs. 7.4 ± 2.0 and 7.3 ± 1.8; and 7.2 ± 2.3 vs. 5.4 ± 1.6 and 5.3 ± 1.5; p < .001). Significant independent effects were found on emotional exhaustion: from dissatisfaction with emotional support [Beta = . 44, p < . 001, total R 2 = . 25] and dissatisfaction with appreciative support from supervisors [Beta = . 30, p < . 01, total R 2 = . 11]. Moreover, dissatisfaction with emotional support from supervisors had an independent significant effect on depersonalization [Beta = . 33, p = . 001, total R 2 = . 14]. The best predictor of burnout appeared to be dissatisfaction with emotional support received from supervisors. Our results suggest that intervention programs should not only focus on the medical residents, but also on the supervisors to improve their supportive skills.
Taiwan'S Venture Capital

This paper investigates Taiwan's venture capital (VC) policies and the overall impact of VC on Taiwan's economy. The government of Taiwan, like those of Singapore and South Korea, has been actively involved in encouraging domestic VC. The effects of the government's VC policies in Taiwan are apparent not only in the multiplier effect, measured by an output/input ratio, but also in the composition of VC investments, which have come to focus much more on technology-intensive industries than have those in Japan or Hong Kong, where governments have made no special contribution to VC development. However, this paper also explores possible future alternatives to Taiwan's current VC policies.
Immunosuppressive properties of regulatory T cells generated by incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with supernatants of human RPE cells.

PURPOSE To determine whether supernatants of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can convert CD4⁺ T cells into regulatory T cells (Tregs) under Treg-induction conditions in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with supernatants from TGFβ2-pretreated human RPE lines on anti-CD3-coated plates. Cells were then separated with a CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg isolation kit and cultured with supernatants from RPE, anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies, high-dose IL-2, and TGFβ2. By flow cytometry sorting, CD25⁺CD45RA⁻ Tregs were separated. Expressions of CD25(high), Foxp3, CD152, and TNFRSF 18 on Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine production by Tregs was measured by ELISA. Proliferation of target T cells was assessed by [³H]thymidine incorporation or CFSE incorporation. In addition, mouse RPE-induced Tregs were used for the in vitro assay and in vivo experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) models. RESULTS Human RPE-induced Tregs expressed higher levels of the Treg markers CD25(high), Foxp3, CD152, and TNFRSF 18. In addition, RPE-induced Tregs included significant numbers of CD4⁺CD25(high)Foxp3(high)CD45RA⁻ active effector Tregs that significantly suppressed the activation of Th1/Th17 cell lines, indicating that they have immunosuppressive properties. Furthermore, CD4⁺CD25(low)Foxp3(low)CD45RA⁻ nonsuppressing cytokine-secreting T cells were removed from the in vitro-manipulated Treg population. Administration of mouse RPE-induced Tregs significantly suppressed ocular inflammation in mice with EAU. In addition, the Tregs suppressed retinal antigen-specific T cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS It is hoped that through the data provided in this study that Tregs might become useful as individualized therapeutic agents for ocular autoimmune diseases.
Economics of farm management in a global setting.

Preface. Acknowledgments. Chapter 1 Managing the Farm in an Integrated World Economy. Chapter 2 Management. Chapter 3 Business Plans. Chapter 4 Lessons from Microeconomics. Chapter 5 Lessons from Macroeconomics. Chapter 6 Government Policies Affecting Farming around the World. Chapter 7 Strategic Management: Planning. Chapter 8 Strategic Management: External and Internal Analysis. Chapter 9 Crafting Strategy. Chapter 10 Strategy Execution and Control. Chapter 11 Marketing Basics. Chapter 12 Financial Statements. Chapter 13 Financial Analysis. Chapter 14 Financial Management. Chapter 15 Enterprise Budgets: Uses and Development. Chapter 16 Partial Budgets. Chapter 17 Whole-Farm Planning. Chapter 18 Operations Management for the Farm. Chapter 19 Quality Management and Control. Chapter 20 Investment Analysis. Chapter 21 Land Ownership and Use. Chapter 22 Risk Management. Chapter 23 Production Contract Evaluation. Chapter 24 Human Resource Management. Chapter 25 Business Organization. Chapter 26 Farm Transfer and Succession Planning. Chapter 27 Farming in the Future. Appendices. Glossary. Index.
PERSISTÊNCIA E MEMÓRIA LONGA SAZONAL NA SÉRIE DE DESEMPREGO DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE SÃO PAULO

This paper deals with the persistence theme in the unemployment rate of Sao Paulo metropolitan region. SARFIMA fractional integration models were used to evaluate the dynamics of economic shock absorption by the unemployment series. The hysteresis hypothesis in the unemployment rate was evaluated using long-memory models. The results found using the fractional framework were compared with those of the I(0) -I (0) paradigm, and they showed the inability of the traditional SARIMA models to correctly extract the low-frequency behavior of the time series. It was shown that traditional seasonal model leads to an overvaluation of the persistence in the series.
Evaluation of Health on the Net seal label and DISCERN as content quality indicators for patients seeking information about thumb sucking habit

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of websites on the thumb sucking habit using DISCERN instrument and Health on the Net (HON) seal code at a single moment in time. Subjects and Methods: An Internet search engine (www.google.com) was used to identify websites comprising information on “thumb sucking habit. ” Of over 204,000 links for thumb sucking habit, the first 100 were analyzed in detail. After excluding discussion groups, news and video feeds, and removing carbon copy sites, only 36 relevant websites remained, which were then assessed using the DISCERN instrument and HON seal code. Using the 16 questions of DISCERN for assessing the reliability and quality of the consumer information which were scored from 1 to 5, an appropriate index of the quality of the information was generated. All the assessed websites were also checked for presence or absence of HON seal code. Results: The maximum score attainable for an outstanding website is 80. Of the 36 websites that were scored the highest score obtained by one of the websites according to the DISCERN tool was 55 of 80, and the lowest score achieved was 16 of 80. The websites achieving the maximum and minimum score were children.webmd. com and thebehaviorsolution.com, respectively. The HON seal was displayed only in three websites, which were medicinenet.com, righthealth.com, and children.webmd. com. Conclusions: By directing patients to validated websites on the thumb sucking habit, clinicians can ensure patients find appropriate information.
THE MAXIMUM CAPTURE PROBLEM IN A WEIGHTED NETWORK

This model considers a network of nodes (shopping facilities) which offer products to a group of potential customers. It is often assumed that customers patronize the facility which is closest to them. This assumption is justified only as long as the different facilities are comparable in their prices, convenience and other features. If these differences become non-negligible, a parameter measuring the differences, here called a weight, has to be introduced. An attraction function is defined in terms of consumer-facility distance and facility weight. The paper develops a model to optimize the location and weight of a new facility on a given network. The model is illustrated with a numerical example. (a)
‘When buying into the business, we knew it was seasonal’: perceptions of seasonality in Central Otago, New Zealand

Although the majority of the academic literature makes a convincing economic case when suggesting that seasonality is problematic, it is, arguably, equally important to consider whether businesses themselves perceive seasonality as a distinct problem. This paper considers the extent to which businesses and operations, variably involved in tourism, perceive seasonality. A case study of the Central Otago region of New Zealand is offered. The results suggest that although seasonality is perceived as a salient issue for the sector itself, it is not universally perceived to be inherently problematic from the perspective of the individual business/operator. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why and When Do Spot Prices of Crude Oil Revert to Futures Price Levels?

Recent studies of crude oil price formation emphasize the role of interest rates and convenience yield (the adjusted spot-futures spread), confirming that spot prices mean-revert and normally exceed discounted futures. However, these studies don't explain why such "backwardation" is normal. Also, models derived in these studies typically explain only about 1 percent of daily returns, suggesting other factors are important, too. In this paper, I specify a structural oil-market model that links returns to convenience yield, inventory news, and revisions of expected production cost (growth of which is related to backwardation). Although its predictive power is only a marginal improvement, the model fits the data far better. In addition, I find reversion of spot to futures prices only when backwardation is severe. Convenience yield behaves nonlinearly, but price response to convenience yield is also nonlinear. Equivalently, futures are informative about future spot prices only when spot prices substantially exceed futures.
Utilization of shared international freshwater resources – the meaning and role of “equity” in international water law

The principle of equitable and reasonable utilization is the predominant normative rule of international law relating to the utilization of international water resources. Hence, allocation of state rights in the use of an international watercourse has long been based on the somewhat nebulous concept of equity. This article investigates the meaning and role of equity. It argues that one reason for confusion about equity in international water law is that it has historically been invoked in relation to a number of different roles, ranging from that of a substantive rule of water apportionment to that of ensuring procedural fairness.
Demand Theories of the Fertility Transition: An Iconoclastic View

This paper challenges the widely held and influential view that the fertility transition is largely the consequence of changing parental demand for children brought about by changes in the economic costs and benefits entailed in childbearing. Using evidence from both historical and contemporary populations we argue that demand theories do not offer a plausible explanation of the fertility transition. Instead, we propose that ideational, rather than structural, economic change lies at the heart of the transition. In particular, we suggest that attitudes to birth control, broadly defined, play a crucial role.
Modelling forward freight rate dynamics—empirical evidence from time charter rates

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamics of forward freight rate dynamics. We specify our model in a Heath--Jarrow--Morton framework. This model was originally developed for interest rate markets and, in subsequent work, the model has been applied to various commodity markets. We analyse ten years of weekly time charter ( TC ) rates for a Panamax 65,000 dwt bulk carrier. Our data set consists of 6-, 12- and 36-month TC rates. We use this data to construct, each day, a forward rate function using a smoothing algorithm. We use the smooth data to investigate the factors governing the dynamics of the forward freight rate curve. We find a strange volatility structure in the data. Out results show that the volatility of the forward curve is bumped, with volatility reaching a peak for freight rates with roughly one year to maturity. Also, correlations between different parts of the term structure are in general low and even negative.
Use of vanishing points for the early estimation of the curvature of a road through a sequence of images

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are a result of many years of research with the main motivation of reducing the amount and the severity of traffic accidents. The use of cameras is now crucial for many of these systems, such as Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS). This paper proposes a method to estimate in advance the change of curvature of a road through vanishing points computed from the orientation of the texture in different regions of the image. This information can be used to aid drivers and control the vehicle speed in curves. The validity of the results is demonstrated experimentally using real public data in adverse lighting conditions.
Association between ozone and emergency department visits: an ecological study

The objective of this study was to examine the association between the levels of ozone concentration and emergency department (ED) visits for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions in Maryland in the United States by considering temporal and spatial characteristics, including socioeconomic status (SES), as a covariate. This study used multiple large datasets derived from government agencies for data of ozone, weather, census, and ED visits to represent Maryland in the summer of 2002. Block kriging was used to estimate the daily ozone and weather factors by ZIP code-day level. Results from a negative binomial regression showed that a 10-ppb increment of the 8-hr ozone level as a three-day average was associated with increased respiratory ED visits by 2.4%, after adjusting for weather factors, SES, and day of the week. For cardiovascular ED visits, an increment of 10 ppb of the 8-hr ozone level as a five-day average increased by 3.5%.
Inequality and Growth Reconsidered: Lessons from East Asia

East Asian economies have experienced rapid growth over three decades, with relatively low levels of income inequality, and appear to have also achieved reductions in income inequality. We argue that policies that reduced poverty and income inequalities, such as emphasizing high-quality basic education and augmenting labor demand, also stimulated growth. Closing two virtuous circles, rapid growth and reduced inequality led to higher demand for, and supply of, education. Moreover, low levels of income inequality may have directly stimulated growth. We expect cross-economy regression results that are consistent with a positive causal effect of low inequality on economic growth and with low inequality of income as an independent contributing factor to East Asia's rapid growth. We conclude that policies for sharing growth can also stimulate growth. In particular, investment in education is a key to sustained growth, both because it contributes directly through productivity effects and because it reduces income inequality. Copyright 1995 by Oxford University Press.
Rapid and Simple Polymerase Chain Reaction—Based Diagnostic Assays for GM2 Gangliosidosis Variant 0 (Sandhoff-Like Disease) in Japanese Domestic Cats

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays combined with microchip electrophoresis were developed and evaluated for diagnosis and genotyping of GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (Sandhoff-like disease) in Japanese domestic cats. A preliminary genotyping survey was carried out in the population of Japanese domestic cats (1,015 cats in total) in southern Japan. Three kinds of assays including PCR primer-induced restriction analysis (PIRA) and mutagenically separated (MS)-PCR were carried out using blood-stained Flinders Technology Associates filter papers (FTA cards) as templates. The PCR products were analyzed by both agarose gel and microchip electrophoreses. All assays were sufficient to determine the genotypes of this disease, but MS-PCR offered the most rapid and simplest test, as it does not need the restriction enzyme step required in PCR-PIRA. The use of microchip electrophoresis in combination with FTA cards for sampling could shorten the time required for genotyping and simplify the procedure as well. The genotyping survey in the current study did not find any cats that possessed the mutant allele, suggesting that the prevalence of this allele is low (<0.1%) in southern Japan.
Airborne Vehicle Mapping of Curvilinear Objects Using 2-D Splinegon

This paper describes a recently proposed algorithm in mapping the unknown obstacle in a stationary environment where the obstacles are represented as curved in nature. The focus is to achieve a guaranteed performance of sensor-based navigation and mapping. The guaranteed performance is quantified by explicit bounds of the position estimate of an autonomous aerial vehicle using an extended Kalman filter to track the obstacle and extract its map. The Dubins path planning algorithm is used to provide a flyable and safe path to the vehicle to fly from one location to another. The 2-D Splinegon technique is presented for the mapping of the unknown complex obstacles. This Splinegon technique, which is the most efficient and a robust way to estimate the boundary of a curved-nature obstacles, can provide mathematically provable performance guarantees that are achievable in practice.