Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Old‐age Pensions in Spain: Recent Reforms and Some of Their Consequences for the Risk of Poverty

The starting point of this study is based on the supposition that the successive reforms carried out on the Spanish system of old-age pensions since the 1980s have altered both the intergenerational distribution of income and the risk of poverty for the elderly. The article will first outline how demographic factors and personal incomes affect the risk of poverty among the elderly. The second part focuses attention on the mediating role played by the social security system in the distribution of intergenerational income, and underlines how the adoption of a longitudinal viewpoint of the intergenerational positions helps us to understand the development of the risk of poverty among the elderly. The third part describes in brief the successive reforms that were carried out on the Spanish regime of retirement pensions. Finally, an analysis of the evolution of the personal incomes of the elderly and younger generations has been made, based on the data collected by the European Community Household Panel from 1994 to 2001. This analysis suggests that the reforms have increased the risk of poverty among the over-60s owing to a combination of two factors. On the one hand, there has been an increasing tendency among the over-60s to stop working completely, which has reduced job earnings especially for men aged between 60 and 70. Even more important has been the failure of public pensions to keep pace with the increase in the standard of living, though it is true that they have helped maintain the average purchasing power of the less well-off old-age pensioners.
From Quiet Revolution to Smart Growth: State Growth Management Programs, 1960 to 1999

State sponsorship of regional and statewide growth management programs is now four decades old. Surprisingly, much variation exists among scholarly accounts of the quiet revolution and the second wave of state growth management program history. The literature has expanded rapidly as state growth management programs have evolved in the 1990s into new phases of program history: a third wave and now a subsequent era called “smart growth. ” As we look ahead to newer state programs that are designed to curb sprawl and promote sustainability, it is useful to take a comprehensive look at where we have been. The state growth management literature deserves consolidation, reconsideration, and reconciliation. With almost three hundred annotated entries, this bibliography provides a thorough, but not exhaustive, review of the literature on state growth management programs. The bibliography’s primary purpose is to identify the states that are considered, or should be considered, growth management states.
Experimental analysis of proposed SP-TCT, TCT-BL and CT-HC configurations under partial shading conditions

In this paper, few novel configurations of solar photovoltaic (PV) array have been proposed to minimize the effect of partial shading conditions. To study partial shading effect a solar PV module of size 4×4 of proposed SP-TCT, TCT-BL and CT-HC have been assembled. For the investigations of shading effects two shading patterns have been considered i.e. horizontal and diagonal at constant solar insolation. The results of proposed solar PV module configurations have been compared in terms of I-V characteristics. The obtained results shows that among proposed configurations SP-TCT PV module is having better performance and efficiency under partial shading conditions. Furthermore, current losses and fill factor are also calculated to validate the proposed solar PV array configurations performance under partial shading conditions.
Swiss Residential Demand for Electricity by Time-of-Use: An Application of the Almost Ideal Demand System*

This study examines the residential demand for electricity by time-of-use in Switzerland. For this purpose, an almost ideal demand system (AIDS) model for peak and off-peak electricity consumption is estimated using panel data coveting the years 1987 to 1990 and 21 cities. The empirical analysis characterizes the Swiss residential electricity market as rather price responsive. The own partial price elasticities are estimated to range between -1.29 and -1.50 during the peak period and between -2.36 and -2.42 during the off-peak period. These elasticities show a high responsiveness of electricity consumption to changes in peak and off-peak prices. Moreover, the positive values of the partial cross price elasticities and substitution elasticities show that peak and offpeak electricity are substitutes.
Cohesive subgroup formation: Enabling and constraining effects of social capital in strategic technology alliance networks

In this paper we will examine the role of embeddedness and social capital in the process of cohesive subgroup formation in strategic technology alliance networks. More in particular, we will investigate the social mechanisms that enable and enforce cohesive subgroup formation. We will argue that the enabling effects of social capital in the beginning of the group formation process can turn into paralyzing effects as the block formation process progresses. Through the formation of subsequent ties, firms in social systems tend to rely heavily on their direct and indirect contacts in forming new partnerships. This so-called "local search" enables firms to create trustworthy and preferential relations. Over time, those relations tend to develop into strong ties, as firms rely on the same partners by replicating their existing ties. This enabling effect of social capital at the group level can, however, turn into a paralyzing effect as actors become locked-in, as they only rely on partners in their closed social system. Then searching for or switching to partners outside of the cohesive subgroup is hard to rationalize, in particular when trustworthy partners are already available in this system. The firms in cohesive subgroups tend to become more similar over time as a result of contagion and replication of their existing ties. This so-called phenomenon of overembeddedness induced by the paralyzing effects of social capital at the group level can lead to decreasing opportunities for learning and innovation for blockmembers involved.
Monetary denominational systems, technological changes and cost of cash

Empirical studies on the social cost of payments all agree to recognize that coins and bills are the most costly payment instruments for society. In recent years, commercial and central banks implemented various strategies to reduce the holdings and the use of cash. Of these, non-pricing strategies such as the improvement of the currency system or the change of the manufacturing technology have been implemented. However, their actual effectiveness is an issue of discussion. This PhD deals with these non-pricing strategies, namely the optimal denominations for coins and banknotes, the cost efficiency of currency systems and payment instruments. The aim is to better understand the implications of the payment behavior, the manufacturing technology and the structure of the monetary denomination system (MDS) on the distribution of cash transactions in the economy and their social cost. First, we analyze the consequences of relaxing some restrictive assumptions of theoretical studies that compare the efficiency of MDS based on a French empirical distribution of cash transactions obtained from a nationally representative household survey. Next, we challenge the widespread belief that an efficient MDS reduces the social cost of cash by differentiating the variable costs of production of currency and fixed costs per denomination. We show that efficient payment solutions in terms of the principle of least effort may be more costly for the central bank, propose an original framework to measure the profitability of the adoption of a new manufacturing technology of currency and finally, parameterize and simulate a search model of money to compare the social cost of multiple MDS.
Exploring HRD in two Welsh NHS Trusts: analysing the discursive resources used by senior managers.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to examine human resource development (HRD) in the UK National Health Service (NHS), and particularly in two Welsh NHS Trusts, to help illuminate the various ways in which learning, training and development are talked about. The NHS is a complex organisation, not least with its recent devolution and separation into the four distinct countries of the UK. Within this, there are multiple and often conflicting approaches to human resource development associated with the various forms of employee, professional (nursing, medical etc.), managerial and organisational development. How people are developed is crucial to developing a modern health service, and yet, with the diverse range of health workers, HRD is a complex process, and one which receives little attention. Managers have a key role and their perceptions of HRD can be analysed through the discursive resources they employ. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH From an interpretivist stance, the paper employs semi-structured interviews with seven Directorate-General Managers, and adopts discourse analysis to explore how HRD is talked about in two Welsh NHS Trusts. FINDINGS The paper finds some of the different discourses used by different managers, including those with a nursing background and those without. It examines how they talk about HRD, and also explores their own (management) development and the impact this has had on their sense of identity. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The paper highlights some of the tensions associated with HRD in the NHS, including ambiguities between professional and managerial development, the functional and physical fragmentation of HRD, conflict between a focus on performance/service delivery and the need to learn, discursive dissonance between the use of the terms training and learning, a delicate balance between "going on courses" and informal, work-related learning, inequities regarding "protected time" and discourses shifting between competition and cooperation. These tensions are exposed to help develop a shared understanding of the complexities of HRD within the NHS. The paper concludes with a summary of the different discursive resources employed by senior managers to articulate and accomplish HRD. These are "surfaced" to enable managers and HRD practitioners, amongst others, to construct common repertoires and shared meaning.
Complete Sequence Analysis of Novel Plasmids from Emetic and Periodontal Bacillus cereus Isolates Reveals a Common Evolutionary History among the B. cereus-Group Plasmids, Including Bacillus anthracis pXO1

ABSTRACT The plasmids of the members of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group of organisms are essential in defining the phenotypic traits associated with pathogenesis and ecology. For example, Bacillus anthracis contains two plasmids, pXO1 and pXO2, encoding toxin production and encapsulation, respectively, that define this species pathogenic potential, whereas the presence of a Bt toxin-encoding plasmid defines Bacillus thuringiensis isolates. In this study the plasmids from B. cereus isolates that produce emetic toxin or are linked to periodontal disease were sequenced and analyzed. Two periodontal isolates examined contained almost identical ∼272-kb plasmids, named pPER272. The emetic toxin-producing isolate contained one ∼270-kb plasmid, named pCER270, encoding the cereulide biosynthesis gene cluster. Comparative sequence analyses of these B. cereus plasmids revealed a high degree of sequence similarity to the B. anthracis pXO1 plasmid, especially in a putative replication region. These plasmids form a newly defined group of pXO1-like plasmids. However, these novel plasmids do not contain the pXO1 pathogenicity island, which in each instance is replaced by plasmid specific DNA. Plasmids pCER270 and pPER272 share regions that are not found in any other pXO1-like plasmids. Evolutionary studies suggest that these plasmids are more closely related to each other than to other identified B. cereus plasmids. Screening of a population of B. cereus group isolates revealed that pXO1-like plasmids are more often found in association with clinical isolates. This study demonstrates that the pXO1-like plasmids may define pathogenic B. cereus isolates in the same way that pXO1 and pXO2 define the B. anthracis species.
Covenants with and without a Sword: Self-Governance Is Possible

Contemporary political theory often assumes that individuals cannot make credible commitments where substantial temptations exist to break them unless such commitments are enforced by an external agent. One such situation may occur in relation to common pool resources, which are natural or man-made resources whose yield is subtractable and whose exclusion is nontrivial (but not necessarily impossible). Examples include fisheries, forests, grazing ranges, irrigation systems, and groundwater basins. Empirical evidence, however, suggests that appropriators in common pool resources develop credible commitments in many cases without relying on external authorities. We present findings from a series of experiments exploring (1) covenants alone (both one-shot and repeated communication opportunities); (2) swords alone (repeated opportunities to sanction each other); and (3) covenants combined with an internal sword (one-shot communication followed by repeated opportunities to sanction each other).
Paving Professional Futures Ethnic Minority Accountants In the United Kingdom

There are some signs that ethnic minority entrepreneurs, particularly in the UK, are gradually diversifying into potentially more rewarding economic activities in the 'professions'. Yet, the experiences of these professional ethnic minority entrepreneurs have rarely been documented. This article explores the case of ethnic minority accountants operating as entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. The results highlight the importance of the small ethnic minority accountancy practice as a stepping-stone for ethnic minorities seeking to establish themselves in the profession. An unanticipated finding is the potential importance of the ethnic minority accountants as a business resource for their ethnic minority clients. Finally, although ethnic minority accountants appear to be operating successfully, continued reliance on such firms may prove problematic.
Pain as the Fifth Vital Sign

An increasingly common query from patients relate to the recommendation that pain be considered the fifth vital sign. The American Pan Society championed that effort several years ago to increase Patients' awareness that pain should be asked about, monitored, and managed. Now the federal Department of Veterans Affairs has also adopted this terminology in its pain management programs. Another common question from patients is when back pain should be considered serious. These two topics are addressed in language suitable for patient counseling.
Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using patellar bone tendon autograft and Rigidfix fixation - A midterm functional outcome.

Background Arthroscopic reconstruction of torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) with bone patellar tendon bone autograft (BTB) has become the gold standard in treating ACL tear with high success rate. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the functional outcome after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BTB via Rigidfix femoral fixation. Materials and method We evaluated the result of 21 knees that have been treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft for femoral fixation and bioabsorbable interference screw for tibia from March 2014 to August 2015. The mean follow up period was 18 months. Results and conclusion The Lysholm score postoperatively was 89.04. 23.8% of the 21 patients have good to excellent outcome, 66.7% patients have good to fair outcome and 9.5% patient have fair outcome. Level of Evidence IV.
How Robust Are Laboratory Measures of Growth Hormone Status?

Biochemical assessment of growth hormone (GH) status is required in both suspected GH deficiency and GH excess. GH secretion can either be measured through investigation of the pituitary or by monitoring markers that change as a consequence of GH action on its target tissues. The two most widely used and, to date, best validated biochemical parameters are immunoassay measurement of either human GH (hGH) or insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. The fundamental difference between measurement of hGH and IGF-I is that the first reflects GH secretion while the second reflects GH action. However, because GH secretion is pulsatile in nature, random blood sampling for determination of hGH levels is only minimally informative. Analytical methods for measuring GH and IGF-I show considerable between-method variability. Since these parameters are used in establishing diagnoses and in monitoring GH-related diseases, the endocrinologist should be aware of the specifications and limitations of the analytical methods available.
Encouraging Walking: The Case of Journey-to-school Trips in Compact Urban Areas

An activity-based approach is used to analyse one specific short-trip purpose that has persistently frustrated transport analysts trying to induce more walk, cycle or public transport based trips. This study of the journey-to-school trip is motivated by a general consensus that, to effect a more sustainable transport system, there is a necessity to reduce car use (especially for short trips). Resistance to modal transfer from cars has been shown to be embedded in various psycho-social obstacles which are not readily teased out in orthodox econometric studies of travel demand. We report on an empirical study which fuses psychometric (construction of coping scales) and econometric analyses (logit analysis) in an attempt to uncover the psychological and sociological factors influencing modal choice, as well as the usual range of economic and demographic factors.
An Examination of the Role of Beneficial Image in Tourist Destination Selection

This article outlines the use of the so-called beneficial image as a framework for the analysis of destination image for decision to visit a country for a vacation. The beneficial image is conceptualized as the image characteristics of a destination that subsequently influence tourists’ decision to visit particular vacation destinations. The beneficial image characteristics are conceptualized under five value dimensions—functional, social, emotional, epistemic, and conditional—which are a part of consumption value theory. In addition, the development of measurement in destination image via a category-based approach is outlined. The proposed framework and method are used to assess the destination images of both Thailand and the United States. The findings of the study have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed conceptual and methodological frameworks, both at theoretical and practical levels.
Cardiometabolic Health Among Cancer Survivors: A 13-Week Pilot Study of a Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Program.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the feasibility of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) as a safe method of improving cardiometabolic health among cancer survivors. DESIGN Descriptive and longitudinal pilot study for exercise intervention. SETTING University campus in Los Angeles, California. SAMPLE A multiethnic population of cancer survivors (N = 11) was recruited by convenience sampling and physician referral. METHODS Consenting participants were prescribed CART for one hour per day, three days per week for 13 weeks. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Components of cardiometabolic health were measured, including resting heart rate (HRrest), blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and android fat percentage at baseline and after 13 weeks of training. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein (CRP) also were assessed at baseline and after 13 weeks of training. FINDINGS More than half of the participants reported living with at least two other chronic diseases or conditions in addition to a cancer diagnosis. Five of six African American and Hispanic participants reported the presence of at least two risk factors for metabolic syndrome, compared to one of five Caucasian participants. After 13 weeks of training, participants experienced an average decrease in waist circumference. Decrease in waist circumference was associated with a decrease in CRP. A relationship also was suggested between number of exercise sessions attended and improvement in HRrest. CONCLUSIONS A CART intervention among cancer survivors should continue to be explored in a larger sample to establish efficacy and effectiveness at improving cardiometabolic health. Because of the higher risk of comorbidity among cancer survivors in comparison to cancer-free adults, improving cardiometabolic health is as important as monitoring cancer recurrence. A need exists for increased attention to the post-treatment cardiometabolic health of cancer survivors and also for examining potential cardiometabolic health disparities among non-Caucasian cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING CART may be a plausible alternative to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and improve cardiometabolic health among cancer survivors. Additional studies that continue to explore the efficacy and effectiveness of CART may provide more information to help nurses and physicians determine whether the cancer survivorship care plan should include an exercise-based alternative to intervene on cardiometabolic health.
Ku's essential role in keeping telomeres intact

Telomeres, the specialized nucleoprotein structures present at the ends of linear chromosomes, function to prevent natural chromosomal termini from activating the DNA damage response and becoming substrates for inappropriate DNA repair. Telomeres are organized into lariat-like structures known as t-loops, which are formed by the invasion of the terminal G-rich 3′ telomeric overhang into the proximal duplex telomeric tract on the same chromosome (1) (Fig. 1). T-loops have been proposed to be a crucial means by which the telomeric end is hidden from DNA double strand break (DSB) repair pathways, with nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) being the dominant mechanism of DSB repair in mammalian cells. Consequently, when telomeres become dysfunctional, and presumably no longer able to form t-loops, they can be engaged in NHEJ, giving rise to chromosome end-to-end fusions (2). Paradoxically, the Ku70/Ku86 heterodimer, a central component of NHEJ, is important at functional telomeres. There, instead of mediating NHEJ, Ku has been shown to contribute to various aspects of telomere structure and function. For example, Ku has been found to protect telomeres from inappropriate degradation and interchromosomal recombination and contribute to the tethering of telomeres to the nuclear periphery and the regulation of telomerase (3). Although Ku has a conserved role in NHEJ and appears to have at least one or more roles at the telomere across species, only in humans has it been shown to be an essential protein (4). The reason has been unknown, but it has been speculated that Ku's essential function lies in its telomeric, not NHEJ, role. In this issue of PNAS, Wang et al. (5) have not only confirmed this speculation but have revealed that Ku's essential role in human cells is to prevent dramatic telomere loss.