Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NAV discount in REITs: the role of expert assessors

Using a unique hand-collected data set that comprises the 2009 balance sheets of all Italian listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), we test whether Net Asset Value (NAV) discount can be explained by expert assessor overestimations. Our results suggest that expert assessors make conservative assessments of NAV values; thus, they are not responsible for NAV discounts. Furthermore, using the balance sheet disaggregated data of each REIT, we cluster properties by region and intended use and find that certain regions and types of properties are more discount-prone than others.
URBAN HOUSING MARKETS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: CONVERGENCE, DIVERGENCE OR POLICY 'COLLAPSE'

The focus of this paper is on the effects of housing privatization reforms in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s in the context of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. The paper analyses the similarities and differences between Central and Eastern European countries in the process of housing privatization as a consequence of the specific historical 'pathdependency' process, economic and institutional development, cultural and political choice. Housing privatization is an urban phenomenon and the effects of housing reforms are mostly visible in large (capital) Central and Eastern European cities. Housing privatization reforms attempt to promote market efficiency and distributional equity objectives in the operation of (urban) housing markets. These effects are mostly visible in the form of: tenure change, differentiation in house prices, use of the housing stock, management and maintenance activities, mobility, residential differentiation, property rights regulations (i.e. zoning, rules, property register, condominium law, tax, etc.) and institution building and strengthening. It is argued that housing privatization reforms in Central and Eastern Europe did not achieve the stated objectives. The only objective that has been fulfilled is the control over budget expenditure for macroeconomic reasons, and rise in home ownership. The overall performance does not support 'convergence' towards establishment of efficient and equitable markets, but rather a 'policy collapse' with significant effects on polarization between and within urban housing markets in Central and Eastern Europe.
An Educator's Perspective

ENGAGEMENT It’s in the Environment To develop interest, attention, and motivation to participate in learning, students must first engage. Appleton, Christenson, and Furlong (2008) report: “Engagement is a predictor of academic performance. ” Furthermore, Schlechty (2002) suggests “authentic engagement” is key to helping students make meaning, solve problems, and find value in daily learning tasks. Schlechty (2002) notes that authentic engagement must include a student’s desire to make meaning, figure out problems, and have an interest in the topic. What contributing factors within the classroom will foster this type of authentic engagement? Like most educators, I strive to create an engaging academic environment in which my students flourish. Several strategies I use are as follows:
Spatial and Temporal Changes in Access Rights to Shellfish Resources in British Columbia

Over the past decade, the shellfish and finfish aquaculture industry has expanded rapidly in coastal British Columbia (BC) Canada. Foreshore and nearshore shellfish and finfish aquaculture leaseholds are sited in close proximity or in direct competition with habitat for wild shellfish. As a result, some wild shellfish harvesters believe shellfish farms are significantly reducing access to beaches and estuarine areas for wild harvesting, or that salmon farms are contaminating wild shellfish stocks. In this article, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to analyze spatial and temporal trends in the growth of shellfish and finfish aquaculture tenures in BC, while interviews with stakeholders in coastal communities are used to explore user conflicts and the implications of changing access rights on the distribution of marine resources. Qualitative and quantitative findings suggest that shellfish aquaculture provides significant economic opportunities for coastal communities, but that such development may hold increased risk of spatial conflicts over marine habitat as the aquaculture industry continues to grow.
Trends and Cycles in Macroeconomic Time Series

Two structural time series models for annual observations are constructed in terms of trend, cycle, and irregular components. The models are then estimated via the Kalman filter using data on five U.S. macroeconomic time series. The results provide some interesting insights into the dynamic structure of the series, particularly with respect to cyclical behavior. At the same time, they illustrate the development of a model selection strategy for structural time series models.
Isolation of equine herpesvirus type 5 in New Zealand.

AIM To report the first isolation of equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) in New Zealand as part of a study of equine respiratory viruses in New Zealand. METHODS Nasal swabs and peripheral blood leukocytes were collected from 114 foals and adult horses, inoculated on to equine fetal kidney, rabbit kidney and Vero cell lines and observed for cytopathic effect. EHV-5 isolates were identified using an EHV-5 specific polymerase chain reaction. All samples positive for EHV-5 were also checked for the presence of EHV-2, EHV-1 or EHV-4 DNA using published type-specific primers. The polymerase chain reaction results were further confirmed by dot blot and Southern hybridisation with specific DIG-labelled probes. RESULTS EHV-5 was isolated from nasal swabs or peripheral blood leukocytes of 38 out of 114 horses sampled. From horses sampled more than once, EHV-5 was often isolated on more than one occasion. Most of the horses were infected with both EHV-2 and EHV-5 viruses. It was not possible to make an association between EHV-5 isolation and the presence of respiratory disease. CONCLUSION EHV-5 is present in the New Zealand horse population. The exact role it plays in causing, or predisposing to, respiratory disease remains to be elucidated.
Debt for Nature: A Swap Whose Time Has Gone?

Abstract This paper purports to review the performance of the Debt for Nature Swap (DNS) Programs in light of their dual objectives of lowering deforestation rates as well as the cost of debt servicing. It evaluates the performance of private and Public DNS and inquires whether such swaps have made any significant dent on the debt and deforestation problems besetting many developing countries. It also assesses the prospects for such swaps in the future. We argue that since the prospects for DNS are limited, a more conducive solution for the deforestation problem in many developing countries may lie in generalized resource transfers to these countries of the sort envisaged in recent proposals for a World Environmental Organization (WEO).
Economic Growth and Defense Spending in Developing Countries

This article investigates the causal relationship between economic growth and defense spending in 77 developing countries. The study employs Granger-causality tests using annual time series data for each of the 77 countries to analyse the presence and direction of causality between the two variables. The results indicate that the relationship between economic growth and defense spending cannot be generalized across countries. It may depend, among other things on the sample period of study and the level of socioeconomic development of the country concerned.
INFLATION TARGETING AND MONETARY POLICY INSTRUMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIAN AND GHANA

This paper attempts to examine whether or not one of the preconditions for a successful inflation - targeting framework is present in Nigeria and Ghana. That is, the paper wants to find out whether or not a stable and predictable relationship exists between inflation and monetary policy instruments in these countries. In achieving this objective, vector autoregressive models are built in line with the work of Goltschalk and Moore (2002) and Tutar (2002). Specifically, three VAR models are estimated starting with a two-variable model including money supply and prices, and then, adding some financial variables such as nominal exchange rate and interest rates in order to see their contribution to a VAR system for Nigeria and Ghana. It is observed from the VAR two- variable model that inflation is an inertial phenomenon in Nigeria and Ghana, and money innovations are not strong and statistically important is determining prices when compared will price shocks themselves. When adding financial variables like exchange rates and interest rates to the models, the paper does not observe any significant improvement in the model. In the short run, innovations in prices are mostly explained by their own shocks, the monetary policy instruments, such as interest rates and exchange rates, have little or no effect on prices. Therefore policy linkage between inflation and monetary policy instruments in Nigeria and Ghana is not strong in the short run and thus, these countries are not yet candidates for inflation targeting.
The role of Thymoglobulin induction in kidney transplantation: an update

The rabbit antithymocyte globulin Thymoglobulin first became available over 25 yr ago and is the most widely used lymphocyte‐depleting preparation in solid organ transplantation. Thymoglobulin targets a wide range of T‐cell surface antigens as well as natural killer‐cell antigens, B‐cell antigens, plasma cell antigens, adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors, resulting in profound, long‐lasting T‐cell depletion. Randomized studies have established the anti‐rejection efficacy of Thymoglobulin in kidney transplantation. Experimental and clinical data suggest that Thymoglobulin administration may ameliorate ischemia reperfusion injury, thus reducing the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF). Studies have demonstrated the benefit of using Thymoglobulin to facilitate immunosuppression minimization, both for corticosteroid and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal or avoidance, with potential improvement in cardiovascular and renal outcomes. The optimal cumulative dose for Thymoglobulin induction is 6–7.5 mg/kg, with vigilant short‐ and long‐term monitoring of hematological status. Induction with Thymoglobulin is now indicated in immunologically high‐risk patients, in those at increased risk of DGF and to maintain efficacy in low‐risk transplant recipients receiving steroid or CNI minimization or avoidance regimens. We suggest that in future trials Thymoglobulin be tested with costimulation signal blockers and other immunosuppressants with the objective of establishing operational tolerance.
Disability, Health and the Labour Market: Evidence from the Welsh Health Survey

This study uses data from the Welsh Health Survey to examine issues of disability/health measurement and its impact on labour market outcomes. The data suggest that self-reported disability, general health and summary composite measures of physical and mental health are broadly consistent both in measurement and predictions for labour market outcomes. This consistency in measurement is also demonstrated at the local level but the employment disadvantage associated with disability is found to vary considerably within Wales.
Culinary tourism strategic development: an Asia‐Pacific perspective

Many destinations view their food and cuisine as a market niche. Operating within the Asia-Pacific perspective, this study analyzed the key success factors in culinary tourism based on resource-based theory in seven benchmark countries to identify the structure of promotional strategic development in culinary tourism. The methodology primarily involved in-depth interviews and document analyses. The results identified four key success factors: (i) identifying and effectively using culinary tourism resources; (ii) evaluating governmental principles for promoting culinary tourism; (iii) adopting marketing strategies to promote culinary cultural sectors; and (iv) constructing educational environment for culinary culture and tourism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Work-Based Learning: A Critical Link to Secondary Students' Success

The connection between school and work can be a critical factor of success for many students at the secondary level, especially for those students who do not plan to pursue formal postsecondary educational opportunities. Work-based learning provides opportunities for students to gain experiences that empower their employment goals. The knowledge students gain from classroom experiences can be immediately applied in the work-based learning environments, which can vary in their breadth and depth from school activities such as field trips and guest speakers to more formal experiences such as job shadowing, apprenticeships, and internships. Although work-based learning can be a significantly beneficial experience, many high schools do not take advantage of offering this potentially rich educational experience for a number of reasons, such as the effort required to establish off-site programs and maintain on-going partnerships with local businesses. Additionally, students’ lack of interest in programs can be a significant obstacle, especially when work-based learning opportunities do not provide financial compensation. However, all stakeholders ‐ administrators, faculty, business partners, students, and parents ‐ can realize the benefits of work-based learning when the outcomes are measured and documented. The research outlined in this paper provides that documentation by describing a focused partnership approach to education as a theoretical framework as well as specific benefits of successful work-based learning programs including relationships to student outcomes, retention and graduation rates, post-secondary enrollment, students’ perceptions of relevant educational experiences, high quality work experiences, and interpersonal skill sets. The paper concludes with recommendations for work-based learning opportunities at the secondary level.
Consideration Set Formation with Multiproduct Firms: The Case of Within-Firm and Across-Firm Evaluation Costs

We consider a theoretical setting in which firms carry multiple products and consumers incur evaluation costs not only across firms but also within firms. Consumers judiciously decide the number of firms to include in their consideration sets as well as how many products from those firms. This decision depends on the relative trade-offs of evaluating an additional product and whether it is from a firm already included in the consideration set or from an entirely new firm. The composition of consumers' consideration set affects how firms compete in prices and in the number of products to offer. Contrary to previous literature, we find that firm differentiation can reduce firms' product lines and within-firm evaluation costs have either a positive or a negative effect on firms' prices. Interestingly, we show that within-firm evaluation costs and across-firm evaluation costs are different constructs. The number of products firms offer in equilibrium can exceed the socially optimal level if within-firm evaluation costs are significant. This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
The economics of wealth transfer tax

This paper discusses the merits of wealth transfer taxation on both efficiency and equity grounds. It first deals with the popular debate that is dominated by American economists. This debate concerns the US estate tax, which is one, among many, types of wealth transfer tax. After addressing the main issues prevailing in this debate and discussing the lack of popular support for such tax, the paper adopts a more theoretical approach to explore the pluses and the minuses of a wealth transfer tax. The main point is that the desirability of a wealth transfer tax depends on the motives of wealth accumulation and transmission.
Is There an Economic Bar for Marriage

Recent empirical research suggests that couples consider economic stability and future outlook to be prerequisites for marriage. This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 to more extensively investigate the existence and level of a hypothesized economic bar to marriage. I consider potential differences by socioeconomic status in levels of combined couple earnings associated with increases in marriage among cohabiting couples. Combined couple earnings are most important for those with a high school degree or less. At $26,000, marriage odds increase significantly and continue to increase for couples with less than a high school degree. For high school graduates, the increase is found after $34,000 of combined earnings. Because the earnings bar for marriage is far above the poverty threshold for a family of three ($13,861 in 2000) and above the phase-out for many government transfer programs, it is unlikely that income supplements or tax credits would push disadvantaged couples above the bar.
Adverse Wireless Communication Environment Impacts on AF Wireless Relay Networks

This paper proposes amplify-and-forward (AF) relay matrices for a one-source-one-destination pair and cooperative distributed N relay nodes under three adverse wireless relay communication environments: (1) broadband noise jamming (BNJ), (2) node geometry (NG), and (3) channel uncertainty (CU). The main objective of this paper is to analytically derive the minimum mean square error (MMSE)-based optimal relay amplifying matrix. Another objective of this paper is to analyze the MMSE cost function, relay power usage, and signal component power of the received signal at the destination using the derived optimal relay amplifying matrix. Finally, the impacts on these three wireless communication environments for the wireless relay networks will be observed by presenting bit error rate (BER) performance.
Integrating Process and Product Data: The Case of an Automated Writing Evaluation System

We explore how data generated by an online formative automated writing evaluation tool can help connect student writing product and processes, and thereby provide evidence for improvement in student writing. Data for 12,337 8th grade students were retrieved from the Criterion database and analyzed using statistical methods. The data primarily consisted of automated holistic scores on the student writing samples, and the number of attempts on a writing assignment. The data revealed trends of positive association between the number of revisions and the mean writing scores. User logs were sparse to support study of additional behaviors related to the writing processes of planning and editing, and their relation to the writing scores. Implications for enhancing automated scoring based feedback with learner analytics based information are discussed.
Assessment of Customer Satisfaction at Farm Gate Markets

This study attempted to gain empirical evidence of attitudes, preferences, and characteristics of consumers who attend farm gate markets, measuring their customer satisfaction. The article aims to explore whether the choice of this particular marketing channel is motivated by an emotional impulse or is the signal of an enduring attitudinal change justified by higher satisfaction with perceived food and service quality. A descriptive analysis of the customers' profiles was obtained with the cluster analysis, and a structural equation model to investigate the relationship between perceived quality and customer satisfaction and loyalty was proposed and tested.
Intimate partner violence among HIV positive pregnant women in South Africa

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and associated factors among pregnant HIV-infected women in primary health care facilities in Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Participants were 673 women who were, on average, 28.39 ± 5.73 years old. Data were collected through Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI), and analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Overall, 56.3% reported having experienced either psychological or physical IPV, and 19.6% reported physical IPV. In logistic multivariable regression analyses, higher levels of depressive symptoms and greater perceived stigma were associated with combined physical and psychological IPV. Psychological IPV and physical IPV were also individually associated with greater perceived stigma and higher levels of depressive symptoms. The design and implementation of evidence-informed interventions that can empower and protect HIV-infected pregnant women from IPV is essential to managing their health-related quality of life.
Monotreme IGF2 expression and ancestral origin of genomic imprinting.

IGF2 (insulin-like growth factor 2) and M6P/IGF2R (mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor) are imprinted in marsupials and eutherians but not in birds. These results along with the absence of M6P/IGF2R imprinting in the egg-laying monotremes indicate that the parental imprinting of fetal growth-regulatory genes may be unique to viviparous mammals. In this investigation, we have cloned IGF2 from two monotreme mammals, the platypus and echidna, to further investigate the origin of imprinting. We report herein that like M6P/IGF2R, IGF2 is not imprinted in monotremes. Thus, although IGF2 encodes for a highly conserved growth factor in chordates, it is only imprinted in therian mammals. These findings support a concurrent origin of IGF2 and M6P/IGF2R imprinting in the late Jurassic/early Cretaceous period. The absence of imprinting in monotremes, despite apparent interparental conflicts over maternal-offspring exchange, argues that a fortuitous congruency of genetic and epigenetic events may have limited the phylogenetic breadth of genomic imprinting to therian mammals. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 291:205-212, 2001.
Ideas that work: mobilizing Australian workers using a discourse of rights

In this paper, we focus on a potential mechanism for revitalizing unions' influence as broader political actors: their use of familiar and appealing discourses to frame political campaigns. Through a discursive analysis of campaign texts, we show how the Australian Council of Trade Unions successfully promoted a counter-discourse, which operated as a collective action frame to mobilize alternative meanings, identities and possibilities for agency that preceded the eventual repeal of radical employment relations legislation. In doing so, we demonstrate the role and potential of discourse in revitalization strategies available to the union movement. We conclude by arguing that the ability of unions to challenge and shape discourses to their advantage can be a powerful force in the regulation of labour markets and in the shaping of employment relations.
Long-Term Interest Rates as Predictors Stock Returns

MAURY R. W A L L is associate professor of jname at the School of Business Administration of Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He is also currently on the board of trustees of the Financial Markets Society of Princeton. Dr. Randall has written numerous articles for business and finance journals, including Financial Management and the Financial Analysts Journal, and is the author of a jnancial textbook. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University.