Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Econometric Analysis of the Impact of Terrorism on Tourism

This paper quantifies the impact that terrorism has had on tourism since 1970. To accomplish this task, the authors estimate a forecasting equation for a country's (region's) share of tourism using an ARIMA model with a transfer function based on the time series of terrorist attacks in the country (or region). Their results focus on three European countries--Greece, Italy, and Austria--that have experienced noteworthy terrorist attacks since 1970. The authors also calculate revenue losses for continental Europe. Since 1974 these losses are large, amounting to sixteen billion SDRs in present value terms. Much of the loss occurred in the 1980s. Copyright 1992 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
A frequency-response procedure for evaluating and selecting hearing aids for severely hearing-impaired children.

This report describes a procedure for evaluating the physical characteristics of hearing aids and for selecting hearing aids for severely hearing-impaired children. Narrow bands of noise, centered at octave intervals between 0.25 and 4 kHz are used to determine the maximum linear output, maximum gain, and maximum volume setting for linear output of hearing aids. Based on these physical characteristics, aids are selected for test with a specific hearing-impaired child. The aim of the selection procedure is to find an aid which will fit the greatest possible extent of the frequency-intensity area of speech into the restricted auditory sensation area of the child.
Toward Standardized Acoustic Radiation Force (ARF)-Based Ultrasound Elasticity Measurements With Robotic Force Control

Objective: Acoustic radiation force (ARF)-based approaches to measure tissue elasticity require transmission of a focused high-energy acoustic pulse from a stationary ultrasound probe and ultrasound-based tracking of the resulting tissue displacements to obtain stiffness images or shear wave speed estimates. The method has established benefits in biomedical applications such as tumor detection and tissue fibrosis staging. One limitation, however, is the dependence on applied probe pressure, which is difficult to control manually and prohibits standardization of quantitative measurements. To overcome this limitation, we built a robot prototype that controls probe contact forces for shear wave speed quantification. Methods: The robot was evaluated with controlled force increments applied to a tissue-mimicking phantom and in vivo abdominal tissue from three human volunteers. Results: The root-mean-square error between the desired and measured forces was 0.07 N in the phantom and higher for the fatty layer of in vivo abdominal tissue. The mean shear wave speeds increased from 3.7 to 4.5 m/s in the phantom and 1.0 to 3.0 m/s in the in vivo fat for compressive forces ranging from 2.5 to 30 N. The standard deviation of shear wave speeds obtained with the robotic approach were low in most cases (<;0.2 m/s) and comparable to that obtained with a semiquantitative landmark-based method. Conclusion: Results are promising for the introduction of robotic systems to control the applied probe pressure for ARF-based measurements of tissue elasticity. Significance: This approach has potential benefits in longitudinal studies of disease progression, comparative studies between patients, and large-scale multidimensional elasticity imaging.
ETFAD/EADV Eczema task force 2015 position paper on diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in adult and paediatric patients

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a clinically defined, highly pruritic, chronic inflammatory skin disease of children and adults. The diagnosis is made using evaluated clinical criteria. Disease activity is best measured with a composite score assessing both objective signs and subjective symptoms, such as SCORAD. The management of AD must consider the clinical and pathogenic variabilities of the disease and also target flare prevention. Basic therapy includes hydrating topical treatment, as well as avoidance of specific and unspecific provocation factors. Anti‐inflammatory treatment of visible skin lesions is based on topical glucocorticosteroids and the topical calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are preferred in sensitive locations. Tacrolimus and mid‐potent steroids are proven for proactive therapy, which is long‐term intermittent anti‐inflammatory therapy of the frequently relapsing skin areas. Systemic anti‐inflammatory or immunosuppressive treatment is indicated for severe refractory cases. Biologicals targeting key mechanisms of the atopic immune response are promising emerging treatment options. Microbial colonization and superinfection may induce disease exacerbation and can justify additional antimicrobial treatment. Systemic antihistamines (H1R‐blockers) may diminish pruritus, but do not have sufficient effect on lesions. Adjuvant therapy includes UV irradiation, preferably UVA1 or narrow‐band UVB 311 nm. Dietary recommendations should be patient specific and elimination diets should only be advised in case of proven food allergy. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy to aeroallergens may be useful in selected cases. Psychosomatic counselling is recommended to address stress‐induced exacerbations. ‘Eczema school’ educational programmes have been proven to be helpful for children and adults.
School education and HIV control in sub‐Saharan Africa: from discord to harmony?

HIV is widely regarded as a disease of poverty and ignorance. However, within sub-Saharan Africa, more developed countries and sub-populations appear to have higher levels of HIV prevalence. This paper considers the evidence and possible reasons for this, by focusing on the relationships between education and the spread of HIV at the macro and micro levels. It is concluded that more educated populations are initially particularly vulnerable to HIV but are also better equipped to mount effective responses. Expanding provision of and access to secondary education could facilitate HIV control but is severely hampered by the morbidity and mortality effects of HIV epidemics. Efforts to sustain and increase education levels and to reduce HIV infections should therefore be mutually re-enforcing but will require extensive resources. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DESIGNING GRADUAL TRANSITION TO MARKET ECONOMIES

D~ARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE ECONOMI~. -J DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES LUNIyERSlTY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY -rl WORKING PAPER NO. S86 DESIGNING GRADUAL TRANSITION TO MARKET ECONOMIES by Irma Adelman, Peter Berek and Dusan Vujovic ~GfHCUl.TURAL ECONOMICS \. ~~RARV G! ANN1N! FOUNDA 'rION OF California Agricultural Experiment Station Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics Berkeley, California March, 1991
Psychological contracts in employment : Cross-national perspectives

Introduction - Denise M Rousseau and Rene Schalk Psychological Contracts in Australia - Boris Kabanoff, Nerina L Jimmieson and Malcolm J Lewis A 'Fair Go' or a 'Not-so-Happy Transition'? Belgium - Luc Sels et al A Culture of Compromise Does Psychological Contract Theory Work in France? - Lo[um]ic Cadin Psychological and Normative Contracts of Work Group Members in the United States and Hong Kong - Cynthia Lee, Catherine H Tinsley and Zhen Xiong Chen India - Snehal Shah Caste, Commitments and Change Psychological Contracts in Israel - Moshe Krausz A Break with Tradition - Motohiro Morishima Negotiating New Psychological Contracts in Japan Psychological Contracts in Mexico - Hector R Diaz-Saenz and Patricia D Witherspoon Historical, Familial and Contemporary Forces on Work Relationships Psychological Contracts in The Netherlands - Charissa Freese and Rene Schalk Dualism, Flexibility and Security Economic Deregulation and Psychological Contracts - Simon Peel and Kerr Inkson The New Zealand Experience Psychological Contracts in Singapore - Soon Ang, Mei Ling Tan and Kok Yee Ng The Psychological Contract in the United Kingdom - Lynne Millward and Peter Herriot Psychological Contracts in the United States - Denise M Rousseau Diversity, Individualism and Associability in the Marketplace Learning from Cross-National Perspectives on Psychological Contracts - Denise M Rousseau and Rene Schalk
Employee Involvement and Organizational Citizenship: Implications for Labor Law Reform and “Lean Production#x201D;

Using data from surveys of employees and their supervisors in eight companies in 1992, the authors examine how each of two forms of employee involvement affected an important dimension of individual performance, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), defined as individual discretionary behavior that promotes the organization and is not explicitly rewarded. Involvement in work organization increased OCB both indirectly, by changing the job characteristics of individual tasks, and directly, independent of such changes. In contrast, involvement in decisions governing employment practices had only small indirect effects on OCB and no direct effect. These results inform the contemporary debate in labor law concerning the appropriate scope for employee involvement plans as well as the debate about the mechanism through which new production systems affect employee performance.
Effects of cost sharing on physician utilization under favourable conditions for supplier-induced demand.

The effects of cost sharing on the demand for ambulatory care in experimental circumstances are well understood since the Rand Health Insurance Experiment (HIE). However, in a non-experimental real-world context, supplier-induced demand of doctors might erode some of the significant negative out-of-pocket price elasticity identified in the HIE. Belgium is an interesting test case for this hypothesis because it has relatively high rates of patient cost sharing in its public health insurance system and a very high density of physicians, all remunerated fee-for-service. We have exploited the price variation generated by a substantial increase in patient co-payment rates in 1994 to estimate out-of-pocket price elasticities for three groups of users, and for three types of services using a fixed-effects model in levels and in differences. We obtain significant out-of-pocket price elasticities for the general population in the range from -0.39 to -0.28 for GP home visits, -0.16 to -0.12 for GP office visits and -0.10 for specialist visits. The estimates were generally lower and less significant for the groups of elderly and disabled. The differences we find in price responsiveness appear to be fairly robust and consistent with the HIE predictions. These results suggest that--at least in the short run--non-experimental utilization effects of cost sharing are very similar to the experimental evidence, even in a situation of favourable conditions for supplier-induced demand.
When is going green good for company image

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the conditions under which US consumers, known for their “green” skepticism, are more (less) likely to respond favorably to a firm's environmental initiative in today's marketplace. Design/methodology/approach - The research paper investigates whether the general positive impact derived from the implementation of societal initiatives found by other researchers carries over when specific environmental initiatives are put into operation. The authors test hypotheses related to consumer responses to information about a firm's environmental initiative with varied salience of its public- and self-serving motives. Next, they test how consumer responses are affected by the level of perceived sincerity associated with a firm's environmental initiative. The role of brand commitment is also examined across both studies. Findings - The results reveal that consumers use a rather skeptical approach when interpreting a firm's environmental initiative and that these responses vary based on the level of brand commitment, as well as how the initiative is presented to them. Research limitations/implications - The generalizability of results is currently limited to a particular brand with strong brand equity, large market share, and highly experiential service (Starbucks). Practical implications - The authors provide insights into what marketers and policy makers should consider in the development of environmental initiatives, in order to increase the likelihood of positive consumer responses. Originality/value - The present research contributes to the development (and application) of more accurate models of consumer responses to a firm's environmental initiative.
Enhancing Accountability and Impacts of Agricultural Research Systems in Developing Countries

The recent evolution of agricultural research systems in developing countries is described, noting a change in focus from national public sector research organizations to one that emphasizes a diversified public-private system, in which clients, especially farmers, are key partners in financing, planning, implementing and monitoring research. Consistent with these changes, research planning, monitoring and evaluation has evolved from centrally-driven top-down approaches to give greater emphasis to decentralized and participatory approaches, in which client demands and satisfaction are key inputs. Although much progress has been made in reforms to enhance accountability and impacts of research, res systems still face major challenges in ensuring that demand-driven approaches provide coherent research programs consistent with national policy objectives, and in ensuring that they reflect the interests of the poor and are not captured by elites. Media Summary Investment in agricultural research has been one of the major drivers of growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. However, many research systems in developing countries face a crisis of funding and sustainability. New approaches to organizing and managing research systems provide increased participation by farmers in financing, planning and monitoring of agricultural research.
An efficient chunk based record encoding scheme for higher dimensional arrays

The structure of Multidimensional Array has been practiced in “Big Data” applications tremendously as it stores expediently and retrieves rapidly. However, performance issue of these applications also requires preservation of statistical properties while reducing data size at the same time. The data compression accomplishes this task by wrapping as many logical data as possible in terms of physical size reducing storage loss. The key demonstration of this paper is to devise an efficient data compression technique for a Multidimensional Extendible Array called Chunked Extendible Array. The proposed scheme compresses each of the chunks in a subarray of the extendible array simply having the information related to a particular extension history. The projected scheme decreases the storage cost of the underlying uncompressed sparse Chunked Extendible array.
Effects of Temperature and Duration of Storage on the Stability of Antioxidant Compounds in Egg Yolk and Plasma

Antioxidants help protect tissues from oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species. In view of the widespread interest in egg yolk and plasma antioxidants in relation to environmental and life-history variables, there is a need for knowledge on the necessary conditions for sample storage, which is currently lacking. In this study, our purpose was to examine the kinetics of the degradation of lutein, retinol, and tocopherol in egg yolk samples and the total antioxidant capacity in plasma samples stored at three different temperatures (−20°, −50°, and −80°C) for 24 mo. We found that yolk lutein was stable during the study period. Yolk retinol and tocopherol showed a steep early decline and then remained relatively stable, but retinol showed significant losses at the end of the study period too. In contrast to our expectations, there was no difference in the stability of antioxidant compounds of egg yolk samples stored at different temperatures. Plasma OXY level was stable during the first 6 mo, showed a slight decline between 6 and 12 mo, and declined more intensely after 12 mo of storage. We suggest that studies focusing on the analysis of egg yolk retinol or tocopherol concentrations and total plasma antioxidant capacity should analyze the samples in the first 6–7 mo after collection. For the analysis of yolk lutein, samples can be stored for 24 mo without significant degradation. The storage temperature of −20°C seemed to be sufficient, as a lower temperature did not significantly affect the slope of degradation of the samples.
CEO Views on the Value of International Business Skills and Education

This study uses survey data from the Fortune 500, the largest American companies, to replicate and extend prior research regarding the importance of international business education, various international business-related skills, and potential problem areas. Four research themes provided the focus for this study. (1) How important do senior executives perceive international business skills and knowledge to be for their companies, both overall and for recruitment for entry-level and senior positions? (2) What potential problem areas are the most important to international operations of the respondents’ companies? (3) With regard to preparing personnel for the challenges of international business, which international business courses are most important for early career positions at the respondents’ companies? (4) Do perceptions of the importance of the above three issues vary significantly based on the expected increase in the level of a company’s international activities over the next five years? Results support a continuing strong international focus in curriculum and teaching at business schools, while highlighting both stability and change in the perceived problem areas for international activities. Key skills and knowledge for international business are highlighted, along with potential challenges for university education efforts, especially at the undergraduate level.
REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS IN THE PERIPHERY: THE CASE OF THE BEAUCE IN QUÉBEC (CANADA)

All too often, innovation research emphasizes core regions exemplifying successful innovation systems or "learning regions" such as, Silicon Valley, Route 128, Emilia-Romagna and Baden-Wurttemberg. However, lessons learned from these regions are seldom applicable elsewhere, in particular to territories where actors strategic to the innovation process are less diversified. The regional innovation system (RIS) in peripheral regions, and the likelihood of their acting as conduits for the innovation system, have seldom been the subjects of discussion. The objective of this paper is to study the way in which innovation occurs, including an investigation of actual innovation activities and capabilities of firms located in a peripheral area, and specific factors affecting their innovation activities. The discussion draws its empirical substance from the case of the Beauce in Quebec (Canada). A survey of 45 SMEs was conducted in order to get a better understanding of the key dimensions of innovation activities.
Superoxide Detection by Chemiluminescence, Fluorescence, and Spectrophotometry Methods

Pathology of vessel wall endothelium has been attributed to the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its effects during the onset of oxidative stress. The root of all ROS produced is superoxide (O2*-). Hence, its detection is imperative in filtering out appropriate antioxidants and obtaining deeper knowledge on its role. The present study used lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, hydroethidine fluorescence, and cytochrome c spectrophotometric assays to measure O2*-. The aim was to compare and contrast among the methods using human embryonic kidney cells (HEK). Superoxide production was induced by NADH via NAD(P)H oxidase system. The study showed that lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence assay was the most sensitive method whilst hydroethidine and cytochrome c assays were proficient as well.
Explaining World Savings

Data on the world saving distribution reveals three key features: (i) saving rates are significantly different across countries and they remain different for long periods of time; (ii) the average saving rate has remained relatively unchanged but the dispersion in saving rates has risen; and (iii) some countries and regions have shown very sharp changes in their average saving rates over short periods of time. These facts are problematic for the standard model with time-additive preferences where the rate of time preference has to be equal for all countries. Without equal rates of time preference, the asymptotic distribution of world wealth is typically degenerate. This paper provides an alternative explanation for the observed saving patterns. We formalize a model of the world economy that is comprised of open economies which are inhabited by infinitely-lived agents. Our main point of departure from the standard exogenous growth neoclassical model is that we endow agents with recursive preferences. Specifically, we follow Farmer and Lahiri (2002) and use a modified version of recursive preferences. The key implication of the Farmer-Lahiri specification is that it generates a determinate steady state wealth distribution within a growing world economy, a feature that typical models with recursive preferences cannot generate. The problem with the standard recursive preference specification is that it is inconsistent with balanced growth. The existence of balanced growth requires homothetic preferences. However, under homothetic preferences, the asymptotic wealth distribution in multi-agent environments is either degenerate or reflects the initial wealth distribution. The Farmer-Lahiri approach avoids this problem by making preferences time dependent. Agents in our model care about their relative position in the world distribution. World average wealth enters our preferences as an external effect. This time dependence in the model allows for preferences to exhibit increasing marginal impatience which is a necessary condition for a non-degenerate asymptotic wealth distribution. A positive productivity shock in our model induces a rise in saving which ultimately reverts back to its prior level due to the increasing marginal impatience of agents as their wealth rises relative to world wealth, thereby preserving an determinate asymptotic wealth distribution. In our quantitative work we divide the world into three regions: the G7, sub-Saharan Africa, and Emerging countries. We calibrate a three-country version of the model to match the world saving distribution in 1970 across these three groups. Using only the measured productivity shocks in these three groups between 1970 and 2010 as exogenous drivers, we then show that the model can generate both the stable average saving rate as well as the rising dispersion of saving observed in the data. Lastly, we show that the model can also generate sudden and long-lived switches in savings, a feature that is also observed in the data.
Impact of Interpopulation Divergence on Additive and Dominance Variance in Hybrid Populations

We present a theoretical proof that the ratio of the dominance vs. the additive variance decreases with increasing genetic divergence between two populations. While the dominance variance is the major component of the variance due to specific combining ability (\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{SCA}}^{2}\) \end{document}), the additive variance is the major component of the variance due to general combining ability (\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{GCA}}^{2}\) \end{document}). Therefore, we conclude that interpopulation improvement becomes more efficient with divergent than with genetically similar heterotic groups, because performance of superior hybrids can be predicted on the basis of general combining ability effects.