Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 6-18-2013 On Classifying Discussion Threads Using Travel Information Goal-Oriented Model

We study how to recommend discussion threads in the tourism domain to meet visitors’ travel information needs. This research-in-progress paper reports the first stage of our research, namely classifying discussion threads into travel goals. We propose an information goal-oriented model, which consists of four goals: Initiation, Attraction, Accommodation, and Route planning, that can be characterized using nine features. Seven of these nine features can be quantified based on lexicons, and the other two can be measured using the named entity recognition technique. Three lexicons can be further enhanced using WordNet. We conduct an experiment in evaluating the impact of these features on goal classification with a data set collected from TripAdvisor.com, the world's largest travelling website. The experimental results show that our approach generally has comparable or better performance than that of using purely lexical features, namely TF-IDF, for classification.
Motivations and strategies for a real revaluation of the Yuan

Most Western economists and policymakers agree that the Yuan is significantly undervalued and push for its quick nominal revaluation. This paper defends that many domestic and foreign factors could be responsible for the Yuan’s undervaluation, and the People’s bank of China (PBC) cannot optimally invest growing foreign exchange reserves. It provides a theoretical framework to discuss the optimal strategy associating a gradual nominal revaluation of the Yuan with higher inflation, and structural and macroeconomic policies to bring the real exchange rate to its equilibrium level. This strategy allows absorbing external imbalances while laying down the foundation for China’s long-term growth.
Dollar depreciation and inflation

a. The Broad Dollar Index measures dollar movements against the 26 currencies of our most important trading partners. The Major Currency Index measures dollar movements against 17 currencies of the large developed countries. The Other Important Trading Partner Index measures dollar movements against 19 emerging-market currencies. All three are constructed on a trade-weighted basis. b. Small differences in measuring the change in the Broad Dollar Index occur because the first figure above records daily observations, whereas the tables record monthly averages. c. Data through March 19, 2004. SOURCES: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, “Foreign Exchange Rates,” Federal Reserve Statistical Releases, H.10.
The political economy of state-formation in the Arab Middle East: Rentier states, economic reform, and democratization

ABSTRACT This article argues that rentier states stand in contrast to states that have to rely on domestic resource extraction. They display a particular path to state-formation that by and large defies the European path of state-formation: natural resource dependence (mainly oil dependence) has created weak states that are autonomous from societal demands and that do not rely on domestic taxation. State-formation has not been accompanied by political accountability, transparency, or what Charles Tilly has termed the ‘civilianisation of government’. In rentier states the expenditure side of public revenues is most clearly linked to a state-building agenda of creating societal peace and political acquiescence. On a theoretical level, this article offers a new reading of state-formation based on the form and the performance of the state. Focusing on a functional understanding of statehood, it thereby highlight where Arab states are strong (security function and in times of oil booms, welfare function) and where they are weak (representation function, and in times of fiscal crisis, welfare function).
An Extended Input–Output Model on Education and the Shortfall of Human Capital in China

Abstract This paper proposes an extended input–output model on education. Production is divided into two subsystems, the education sector and the non-education sector. The education sector is reflected by both ‘monetary flows’ and ‘student flows. ’ Second, static and dynamic extended input–output models, including human capital production and allocation, are built. Third, the 1999 Chinese extended input–output table on education is compiled. Based on this table, the relation between human capital production and national economic development is analyzed. In particular, it is found that too few university graduates are ‘produced’, while a surplus of young people with only primary-school education go into industry.
Indian Labour Regulation and Its Impact on Unemployment: A Leximetric Study, 1970-2006

This paper analyses a new leximetric dataset on Indian labour law over a long period 1970-2006. There are five broad aspects of labour law such as Alternative employment contracts, Regulation of working time, Regulation of dismissal, Employee representation and Industrial action. Indian labour regulation is more concerned with the regulation of dismissal. It is more pro-labour than any of the four major OECD countries such as France, Germany, UK and USA. There is no evidence that more labour friendly regulation leads to more unemployment and industrial stagnation. Rather the direction of causality is from unemployment and output to labour regulation.
Varieties of corporate social responsibility (CSR): CSR meets the “Nordic Model”

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly being promoted as an instrument for global governance to address the regulatory vacuum surrounding transnational business activities and as a method for encouraging business to contribute to sustainable development at the national level. Originally a business-driven, American concept, CSR has now been adopted and promoted by a wide range of governments and multilateral institutions. However, the socio-political model underlying CSR is far from neutral and may conflict with existing models in the societies in which it is introduced. In this article a typology of possible governmental interpretations of CSR is developed, and how CSR is transformed and adapted in its meeting with Nordic governments in order to fit the “Nordic Model” of state-market-society relations is analyzed. The analysis suggests that pre-existing political-economic institutions and cultural norms deeply affect the interpretation of CSR, and that this, when combined with ongoing national political processes, leads to a highly transformed concept of CSR.
The media and democratic legitimacy in EU foreign policy : the role of transnational, British and Romanian media in the EU's approach to climate change and its policy towards Russia

The issue of democratic deficit and crisis of legitimacy has been at the forefront of the development of the European project in the last twenty years. However, little attention has been directed towards analysing the way in which democratic legitimacy underlines the construction of the EU s foreign policy. This thesis draws on a broad understanding of democratic legitimacy which is seen to encompass various aspects: transparency, accountability, responsiveness and openness to public debate. It shows that the media had a positive effect (although in contrasting degrees) on the democratic legitimacy of the EU s foreign policy in two issue areas, highlighting the ways in which it achieved this. Drawing on insights from political theory, it argues that the European public sphere has the potential to foster the four characteristics highlighted above through the ability of the media to politicise foreign policy issues, which are commonly closed off from democratic scrutiny. Three types of interaction effects between the media and policymakers within the European public sphere are identified: indexing, bounding and agenda setting. Firstly, indexing captures the ability of policymakers to influence and shape media discourse in order to aid their interests and goals by communicating in a favourable manner their policies to the general public. Secondly, through bounding the media can have a constraining or limiting effect on the range of policies and their effectiveness that policymakers can pursue, even if the latter are not aware of or willing to engage with the frames constructed by journalists. Finally, agenda setting captures the ability of the media to purposively influence decision-making processes through its discourse. Empirically two distinct areas of EU foreign policy are explored: the EU s approach to global climate change and its policy towards Russia. Hence, the study makes a significant contribution to the understanding of EU foreign policy and to its international actorness. Secondly, it extends in a comprehensive manner the debate regarding the crisis of legitimacy and democratic deficit in the EU to the realm of foreign policy. Finally, it also contributes to the literature on Foreign Policy Analysis which engages with the issue of democratic legitimacy.
La Struttura Dei Consumi Delle Famiglie in Italia

This article presents a household demand model for Italy estimated with data from 1ST AT' s family budgets surveys for the period 1985-93, Heterogeneous preferences are modeled within an Almost Ideal demand system by allowing parameters to depend on socio-demographic variables. Particular attention is paid to maintaining the negativity property of demand through a recently proposed semiflexible approach. The results allow estimation of the consumption structure and demand elasticities for several family types, as well as the construction of true cost-of-living indices.
Public policy makers: Improving export promotion programmes and entrepreneurial development in a lower emerging economy

Purpose - – Although there is great deal of research on export assistance programmes in developed countries, studies on developing countries in Africa has received scant attention in the literature. Lack of detailed information in many developing African countries makes it difficult to assess the effect of export promotion programmes (EPPs) on the firm’s export performance in foreign markets. The purpose of this paper is to explore entrepreneurial development in the value-added export sector of Ghana and screen EPPs provided by public policy makers to examine the impact of these programmes on export performance of Ghanaian firms in foreign markets. Design/methodology/approach - – A conceptual/exploratory paper is developed with discussion. Findings - – The paper suggests that the ability of exporters to enhance their performance is driven by the usage of outside market access, export development/training and information related export assistance programmes offered by public policy makers. Utilisation of EPPs builds experiential knowledge which serves as a source of competitive advantage for exporters to implement effective marketing mix strategies to enhance performance. Practical implications - – The study underscores the specific EPPs export managers can utilise to enhance performance and improve their international marketing strategy in foreign markets. Public policy makers need to work together with exporters to incorporate and develop programmes to suit the idiosyncrasies of foreign markets and boost the growth of value-added exports. Originality/value - – The study explores past literature to screen and evaluate the effect of EPPs and entrepreneurial development to boost export growth in Ghana – Sub-Sahara Africa.
Where the Good Signatures Are: The Number and Validity Rates of Initiative Petition Signatures Gathered in California Counties

One of the biggest hurdles to qualifying an initiative for the ballot is gathering the required number of signatures. Yet little is known about these signatures’ representativeness or demographic origin. Using data from eight recent California initiatives, we study the distribution of signatures across counties. We then conduct regression analysis to study how characteristics of counties relate to the number of signatures gathered there. Besides the source of petition signatures, we also study the results of checks performed by county officials on these signatures to determine whether there are sufficient valid signatures (i.e., from registered voters) in order to qualify the petition for the ballot. We then conduct regression analysis of validity rates by county. Our findings indicate that a variety of social and political factors influence both the number and validity rate of signatures across counties, though the results are more consistent for the former. Finally, we demonstrate that signature gathering campaigns have consequences for outcomes by relating the intensity of the signature campaign within a county to ballot roll-off.
The interplay of the unemployment compensation system, fixed-term contracts and rehirings: The case of Spain

Purpose - – Using a Spanish administrative data set, the authors document the importance of recalls in labour market transitions. The authors focus on two issues: the interplay between the unemployment compensation system, the widespread use of fixed-term contracts and the layoff-rehire process; and the use of implicit contracts and, hence, the existence of cross-subsidisation between industries and firms within unemployment insurance. The purpose of this paper is to estimate a duration model with competing risks of exits in order to investigate the individual, job and firm attributes that influence the probabilities of leaving unemployment to return to the same employer or to find a new job. The findings indicate that recalls are very common and that, although they are widespread among the labour market, there are certain types of contract, firms and sectors which are more prone to use them. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors estimate a duration model with competing risks of exits in order to investigate the individual, job and firm attributes that influence the probabilities of leaving unemployment to return to the same employer or to find a new job with a different employer. Findings - – The findings indicate that recalls are very common and that, although they are widespread along the Spanish labour market, there are certain types of contract, firms and sectors which are more prone to use them. Practical implications - – Overall, the results suggest that there is room for the reform of the way the UCS is financed, in combination with changes in other labour market institutions. Originality/value - – The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it documents the importance of rehirings in labour market transitions, in general, and in compensated unemployment, in particular, highlighting the use of different types of contract (in particular, temporary ones) and using a large data set for Spain. Second, it examines the interplay between the unemployment compensation system, the use of temporary contracts and the layoff-rehire process, focusing its attention on the likely cross-subsidisation of firms and sectors with respect to unemployment benefits . This constitutes a relevant research and policy issue since it has to do with the design of the unemployment compensation system.
Expression analysis of six paralogous human hyaluronidase genes clustered on chromosomes 3p21 and 7q31.

Two new members of a family of putative hyaluronidase genes involved in glycosaminoglycan catabolism have been identified and mapped by FISH and YAC library screening to chromosome 7q31.3. One of these (HYALP1) is an expressed pseudogene with mutations in the genomic DNA and cDNA. The six members of the hyaluronidase family are grouped into two tightly linked triplets on human chromosomes 3p21.3 (HYAL1, HYAL2, and HYAL3) and 7q31.3 (HYAL4, SPAM1 (PH-20), and HYALP1). This arrangement could arise by an ancient cluster formation, followed by a more recent cluster block-duplication. All of the hyaluronidase genes have unique tissue-specific expression patterns as determined by Northern blot analysis of 23 human tissues. HYAL1, HYAL2, and HYALP1 are widely expressed, but HYAL3 is differentially expressed in bone marrow and testis, while HYAL4 is differentially expressed in placenta and skeletal muscle. SPAM1 (PH-20) was detectable only in testis by Northern blot as previously reported, but was detectable in fetal and placental cDNA libraries by PCR, suggesting a possible role for this gene during embryonic development.
Leaky wave Bull's eye antenna in V-band with mechanically steered dual beams

We experimentally demonstrate a mechanical steering mechanism for a Bull's eye antenna. Following holographic antenna principles, a leaky wave is fed onto a circular plate. The circular plate contains three pairs of opposing sectors, each of which is patterned to achieve a different beam steering effect. The circular plate is rotated under a mask that obscures two of the pairs of sectors, leaving only one pair of sectors exposed and able to influence the beam. We illustrate the flexibility of our approach with a design allowing a single beam along the boresight (0°), or double beams at either ±8° or ±15°. The gain is better than 15dBi for all beams.
Apnea duration is related to ventilatory oscillation characteristics in newborn infants.

The occasional short apneas seen in full-term infants within the first postnatal week are related to the minimum phase of oscillatory breathing patterns. To determine the relationship between breathing patterns and the longer and more frequent apneas seen in premature infants, we monitored respiration in 14 premature infants using a face mask and pneumotachograph. Tidal volume, breath duration, and ventilation were calculated on a breath by breath basis, converted to time-axis data strings, and filtered with a comb of zero phase shift digital band pass filters to detect breathing patterns. Compared with full-term infants, premature infants had breathing patterns that occurred more often and had twice the average amplitude. Of 182 apneas greater than or equal to 3 s long, 94% occurred at the minimum phase of oscillatory breathing patterns. All of the 38 apneas greater than or equal to 10 s long occurred at the minimum phase of oscillatory breathing patterns. Duration of apnea was related to breathing pattern characteristics, e.g., longer apneas were related to stronger, longer cycle-time breathing patterns. Apnea in the premature infant is not an isolated event but is one aspect of an underlying pattern.
Pharmaceutical Innovation, Longevity, and Medical Expenditure in Greece, 1995–2010

Abstract Longitudinal, disease-level data are used to analyze the impact of pharmaceutical innovation on longevity (mean age at death), hospital utilization, and medical expenditure in Greece during the period 1995–2010. The estimates indicate that pharmaceutical innovation increased mean age at death by 0.87 years (10.4 months) – about 44% of the total increase in longevity – and that diseases with larger increases in the cumulative number of drugs launched one to four years earlier had smaller increases in the number of hospital days. Real per capita pharmaceutical expenditure increased rapidly during this period, but 62% of the increase in pharmaceutical expenditure was offset by a reduction in hospital expenditure attributable to pharmaceutical innovation. The baseline estimate of the cost per life-year gained from pharmaceutical innovation in Greece is $17,117, which is a very small fraction of leading economists’ estimates of the value of (or consumers’ willingness to pay for) a one-year increase in life expectancy.
Towards a reorientation in land reform: From a market to locality-driven approach in South Africa’s land restitution programme

Despite general agreement that land reform can be a catalyst for positive rural change in sub-Saharan Africa, the means towards this end are frequently coloured in ideological hues, which manifest themselves in confounding binaries like racial justice/environmental justice, market/state and equity/efficiency. The fractures surrounding sub-Saharan land reform are most obvious in the south, where the land question traces its roots to racially motivated colonial policies. The South African government, like others in the region, is attempting to combat landlessness through market-led land reform. This article assesses the implementation of the country’s Land Restitution Programme in the Polokwane district. Its main argument is that the modernist mega-narratives, which inform the programme, create a disconnect between the state and the landless. To address this problem, the article proposes a reorientation in which local narratives will replace theoretical mega-narratives at the centre of land reform programmes.
Quantitation of pulmonary surfactant protein SP-B in the absence or presence of phospholipids by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that uses polyclonal or monoclonal anti-surfactant protein SP-B antibodies to quantitate purified SP-B in chloroform/methanol and in chloroform/methanol extracts of whole pulmonary surfactant at nanogram levels. This method has been used to explore the effect of the presence of different phospholipids on the immunoreactivity of SP-B. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies produced reproducible ELISA calibration curves for methanolic SP-B solutions with protein concentrations in the range of 20-1000 ng/mL. At these protein concentrations, neither dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol, nor phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylglycerol from egg yolk had significant effects on the binding of antibodies to SP-B up to protein-to-lipid weight ratios of 1:20. Coating of ELISA plates with SP-B concentrations higher than 1 microg/mL produced a substantial decrease in the binding of antibodies to the protein that was prevented by the presence of negatively charged but not zwitterionic phospholipids. Characterization of the secondary structure of SP-B by far-UV circular dichroism showed that phospholipids induced pronounced changes on the conformation of SP-B when the solvent was evaporated and dry lipid-protein films were formed, a necessary step to expose protein to antibodies in ELISA. Under these conditions, negatively charged lipids, but not zwitterionic ones, induced a marked decrease on the ellipticity of SP-B that would be associated with a conformation that is significantly more exposed to antibodies.
Does Composition of Government Spending Matter to Economic Growth in Nigeria? Evidence from Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds Test

This paper assesses the impact of the composition of government spending on economic growth in Nigeria using autoregressive distributed lag for the periods between 1980 and 2012. We found that the various types of government spending have different impact on economic growth. In view of the coefficient of the variables, the interpretation holds that an increase in administrative, health and transport and communication expenditure causes improvement in the economic output while expenditure on agriculture significantly reduces economic growth in the long run. The estimated short-run results revealed that the health and transport and communication expenditure have significant negative effect on real GDP. Administrative expenditure and education expenditure have no impact in the short run while agriculture has a significant short run impact on economic growth.