Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Institutional Basis of Democratic Accountability

This article offers an institutional approach to accountability in representative democracies. Theorising accountability comprises both settled polities with well-entrenched institutions and unsettled polities with weak or contested institutions, and it is argued that agency theory and formal principal–agent models giving priority to compliance and control usually make assumptions that are unlikely to apply to the latter type of polity. An institutional approach challenges principal–agent assumptions regarding what accountability means and implies, what is involved in demanding, rendering, assessing and responding to accounts and assigning accountability, and how accountability institutions work and change. Accountability is related to fundamental issues in democratic politics and the paper treats distributions of information, normative standards of assessment, authority and power relations as endogenous to democratic politics. The paper also holds that institutions affect actors’ identities and roles through socialisation, internalisation and habitualisation, as well as through external incentives. An aspiration is to take a modest step towards understanding areas of application for competing approaches to democratic accountability.
On testing trained vector quantizer codebooks

This paper discusses a criterion for testing a vector quantizer (VQ) codebook that is obtained by "training". When a VQ codebook is designed by a clustering algorithm using a training set, "time-average" distortion, which is called the training-set-distortion (TSD), is usually calculated in each iteration of the algorithm, since the input probability function is unknown in general and cumbersome to deal with. The algorithm stops when the TSD ceases to significantly decrease. In order to test the resultant codebook, validating-set-distortion (VSD) is calculated on a separate validating set (VS). Codebooks that yield small difference between the TSD and the VSD are regarded as good ones. However, the difference VSD-TSD is not necessarily a desirable criterion for testing a trained codebook unless certain conditions are satisfied. A condition that is previously assumed to be important is that the VS has to be quite large to well approximate the source distribution. This condition implies greater computational burden of testing a codebook. In this paper, we first discuss the condition under which the difference VSD-TSD is a meaningful codebook testing criterion. Then, convergence properties of the VSD, a time-average quantity, are investigated. Finally we show that for large codebooks, a VS size as small as the size of the codebook is sufficient to evaluate the VSD. This paper consequently presents a simple method to test trained codebooks for VQ's. Experimental results on synthetic data and real images supporting the analysis are also provided and discussed.
Figuring out the Chinese high-tech export dynamics: What is the impact on the global trade frame? Ҩ

This paper examines the evolution of Chinese trade patterns over the period 19912010; the focus is on the shift of Chinese specialization towards more technologyintensive products and its impact on the global economy. We consider a pool of eight countries, two emerging (Brazil and India) and six industrialized economies (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, USA), to have a direct assessment of the structural change induced by Chinese export mix on countries with different specializations and comparative advantages. We start looking at the specialization pattern of China making use of the Lafay index, particularly suitable for this kind of analysis since it controls for intra-industry trade. The Lafay index is also computed net of processing and assembling trade for which we make use of Chinese revenues and customs data in combination with the UN Comtrade database. The analysis also measures to what extent China has been increasing exports in sectors considered more dynamic in terms of technological content and world demand. We then compare the degree of similarity between Chinese specialization structure and those of the eight countries above by making use of the Finger-Kreinin index in order to have a better idea of what countries might have been more exposed to Chinese competition. Finally, we directly quantify the gains/losses of sector market shares realized by China with respect to the countries considered. Our results confirm that China is shifting towards more technology-intensive productions while still increasing market shares in more traditional labour-intensive sectors. Furthermore, our results go in favour of the hypothesis that the shift of Chinese export towards more technology-intensive productions is not just depending on a measurement bias due to processing and assembling goods. Overall this brings a situation in which China is experiencing remarkable gains with respect to more industrialized countries (especially Italy, UK and Japan) while still competing with emerging economies (e.g. Brazil).
Simultaneous determination of production cycle and inspection schedules in a production system

Classical Economic Manufacturing Quantity EMQ models have usually ignored the possibility of process deterioration and the existence of defective items in the production lot. Moreover, the use of machine inspection for maintenance and restoration purposes has not been considered. On the other hand, past studies on maintenance models do not consider the length of a production run to be a decision variable. This paper addresses the problem of joint control of production cycles or manufacturing quantities and maintenance by inspection. A simple relationship has been developed to determine the effectiveness of maintenance by inspection. Furthermore, when maintenance by inspection is adopted, it is shown that the optimal inspection intervals are equally-spaced. The problem of simultaneous determination of EMQ and the inspection schedules is solved by using an approximation to the cost function. The resulting EMQ is found to be an adjustment to the classical EMQ. Finally, the relationships between different parameter values and the magnitudes of the cost penalty for using the classical EMQ are examined.
Patterns of motor disability in very preterm children.

Motor development in very preterm children differs in several important ways from that of children born at full term. Variability is common, although the anatomic and physiologic bases for that variability are often poorly understood. Motor patterns over the first postnatal year may depend on behaviours learned during often long periods of neonatal intensive care. The normal pattern of development may be modified by disturbances of brain function caused both by the interruption of normal brain maturation ex-utero and the superimposition of focal brain injuries following very preterm birth. Abnormal patterns of development over the first year may evolve into clear neuromotor patterns of cerebral palsy or resolve, as "transient dystonias. " Cerebral palsy is associated with identified patterns of brain injury secondary to ischaemic or haemorrhagic lesions, perhaps modified by activation of inflammatory cytokines. Cerebral palsy rates have not fallen as might be expected over the past 10 years as survival has improved, perhaps because of increasing survival at low gestations, which is associated with the highest prevalence of cerebral palsy. Children who escape cerebral palsy are also at risk of motor impairments during the school years. The relationship of these impairments to perinatal factors or to neurological progress over the first postnatal year is debated. Neuromotor abnormalities are the most frequent of the "hidden disabilities" among ex-preterm children and are thus frequently associated with poorer cognitive ability and attention deficit disorders. Interventions to prevent cerebral palsy or to reduce these late disabilities in very preterm children are needed.
Fiscal policy councils: Unlovable or just unloved?

Summary Independent Fiscal Policy Councils (FPCs) share the attractive features of independent Monetary Policy Committees in central banks. They offer many of the advantages of both rules and discretion, without their drawbacks. Rules are bound to be counterproductive sometimes because unexpected events occur. Discretion, the most frequent practice so far, has been accompanied by debt buildups that are testimony of fiscal indiscipline. The question is why so few countries have adopted FPCs and why, when they did, they chose a soft version. This paper argues that there are serious difficulties, none insurmountable, and many misconceptions, which are examined one by one. It also asserts that the true reason why FPCs are not loved by governments is the same that lies behind fiscal discipline: the presence of highly effective interest groups.
Disability in Italian households: income, poverty and labour market participation

This article studies the economic effects of disabled members on Italian households, with the aim of identifying a suitable target group for welfare policies. Survey of Households Income and Wealth data for the year 2000 is used. Preliminary results show significant differences in levels of income and poverty diffusion to the detriment of households with disabled members. We propose an exogenous explanation: the replacement ratio between disability benefits and expected labour income shows that disability benefits do not compensate the potential incomes of the disabled person and of the possible carer, except in households with severe socioeconomic disadvantages. We also propose an endogenous explanation: applying a logit model we show that the labour market participation of the possible carer is reduced in households with disabled persons. In order to increase the income of the households with disabled members, policy recommendations include the provision of care services and structural policies to improve employment, income and educational opportunities for households at greatest disadvantage.
Parathyroid Hormone Has a Prosclerotic Effect on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Although accelerated atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are common in patients with renal failure, the pathogenesis of these changes is poorly understood. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are elevated in renal failure, and have been linked to uraemic vascular changes in some studies. We examined the in vitro effects of increasing doses of the 1–34 fragment of PTH on human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Factors examined were: (1) collagen production using tritiated hydroxyproline incorporation and transcription of procollagen α1(I) mRNA; (2) change in the surface area of collagen I lattices; (3) mRNA transcription of the collagen binding protein β1 integrin; (4) proliferation using tritiated thymidine incorporation, and (5) methyl tetrazolium salt conversion to estimate live cell number after 5 days’ exposure to PTH. PTH at a concentration of 200 pmol/l increased total collagen synthesis (188 ± 25% of control, p < 0.01) as well as transcription of procollagen α1(I) mRNA (136 ± 11% of control, p < 0.005). PTH also increased reorganisation of collagen I lattices (surface area 47 ± 8% of well for control vs. 35.7 ± 2.5 and 34.3 ± 3.0% for PTH 100 and 200 pmol/l, respectively, p = 0.02) and upregulated β1 integrin mRNA expression (160 ± 20% of control at PTH concentration of 200 pmol/l, p < 0.05). PTH had no effect on VSMC proliferation or number at doses up to 200 pmol/l. In conclusion, PTH increases production and reorganisation of collagen by VSMCs in vitro. It is possible that more aggressive control of hyperparathyroidism in patients with renal failure may help to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in this patient population.
PICTORIAL IMPACT OF TELEVISION POLITICAL ADVERTISING ON VOTERS IN A MULTI-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

This work examines the opinion of politically conscious viewers on the pictorial power of television political campaigns of the 2011 elections. The reason was to find out if television pictures can communicate and add information to political messages, causing viewers to react according to the source? s intention. The survey research method was adopted. The main instrument applied in the study was the questionnaire administered on 250 politically conscious viewers who also voted in Uyo metropolis. Some research questions were formulated and problem statement made to realize the objectives of this work. It was realized that television political campaign pictures of the 2011 elections did not have any significant impact on politically conscious viewers. Moreover, viewers were not deterred from one party to another because of campaign pictures. They adopted the ? continuance? action. It was also discovered that pictures add dimensions to political campaign messages, apart from being communicative. It was therefore recommended that television campaign pictures should appear real to either deter or reinforce viewer? s beliefs.
Allometric equations to predict the total above-ground biomass of radiata pine trees

Abstract• Radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) is the main exotic plantation tree species grown in New Zealand for wood production and as such represents a significant component of the terrestrial carbon cycle. • Using data for 637 trees collected in 13 different studies, a series of equations was developed that enable the total above-ground biomass of individual radiata pine trees to be estimated from information about height and diameter. A mixed-effects modelling approach was used when fitting these equations in order to account for random fluctuations in model parameters between studies due to site and methodological differences. Linear models were fitted to logarithmically transformed data, while weighted linear and non-linear models were fitted to data on the original arithmetic scale. • Based on a modified likelihood statistic (Furnival’s Index of Fit), models fitted to transformed data were found to perform slightly better than weighted models fitted to data on the original arithmetic scale; however, the latter do not require a means for correcting for the bias that occurs when estimates of biomass obtained from transformed models are back transformed to the original scale. • Recommendations for further development of these models including additional data collection priorities are given.
Hotel Management and Marketing on the Internet

Many hotel managers and hotel-operating companies are attempting to use the internet and worldwide web as an effective management and marketing tool. An exploratory survey finds thousands of hotel-related sites. Most such sites are hotel guides, chain hotels, and individual hotels, in that order. Current WWW hotel sites vary tremendously. Available functions of a web page include: travel information, reservations and payment, special promotions, links to partners, direct consumer feedback, employment opportunities, audio and video ads, gift certificates, shareholder information, newsletters, frequently asked questions, and a list of and links to individual hotels. The costs of establishing and maintaining a web site vary considerably, depending on the site-owner's commitment and objectives. The most effective hotel sites are those that give the consumer the easiest, most rewarding access to relevant and related information. For any web site, there are five important considerations for its successful management: defining the mission, calculating the margins, addressing the mechanics, planning the marketing, and performing the maintenance.
The Epidemiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

&NA; Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are among the most common encountered in primary practice. Reported symptoms certainly underrepresent the true prevalence of this disease in the population, because many patients do not seek care for symptoms of GERD and many physicians do not specifically ask about such symptoms when performing the review of systems. We describe the epidemiology of GERD. We begin by considering the prevalence of GERD as a function of the disease definition used. We then discuss the epidemiology of nonerosive reflux disease. After that, we consider the population risk factors for GERD. Next, we briefly touch on the epidemiology of GERD complications, including erosive esophagitis, strictures, and Barrett esophagus. We will end with a brief discussion of population screening of those with GERD for Barrett esophagus.
Taxes and Transport Externalites

The paper reviews the role of taxation in controlling transport externalities. It argues that the design of transport taxes should take into account pre-existing tax distortions in the economy and looks at the implications of restrictions on the transport instruments at the disposal of the policy maker. The relevance of equity considerations for transport pricing is also explored.
Continuous concentration of bacteria in a microfluidic flow cell using electrokinetic techniques

A novel method for the concentration of bacterial solutions is presented that implements electrokinetic techniques, zone electrophoresis (ZE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF), in a microfluidic device. The method requires low power (< 3e‐5 W) and can be performed continuously on a flowing stream. The device consists of two palladium electrodes held in a flow cell constructed from layers of polymeric film held together by a pressure‐sensitive adhesive. Both ZE and IEF are performed with carrier‐free solutions in devices in which the electrodes are in intimate contact with the sample fluid. IEF experiments were performed using natural pH gradients; no carrier ampholyte solution was required. Experiments performed in buffer alone resulted in significant electroosmotic flow. Pretreatment of the sample chamber with bleach followed by a concentrated solution of cationic detergent effectively suppressed electroosmotic flow.
EU Institutional Reform: Evidence on Globalization and International Cooperation

If the received wisdom is right, the EU's rapid economic integration should have been asso? ciated with a transfer of economic policy sov? ereignty to the supranational level. This paper marshals several strands of evidence in support the received wisdom, although the relationship in the EU is clearly two-way. Economic inte? gration makes governments more interested in international cooperation, but the institutional reforms that facilitate such cooperation also facilitate deeper economic integration.
Interaction among secretagogues on pepsinogen secretion from rat gastric chief cells.

We examined the interaction among secretagogues that stimulate pepsinogen secretion through different pathways in vivo and in vitro. In in vitro study, a combined administration of secretin and carbachol or cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) to the culture medium of chief cells potentiated pepsinogen secretion. Moreover, the response induced by carbachol or CCK-8 with forskolin was greater than that with secretin. We examined the interaction among receptor-related second mediators, and found that carbachol- or CCK-8-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase was not affected by secretin or forskolin. Both these substances, however, significantly reduced secretin-induced cAMP production. On the contrary, CCK-8 significantly increased forskolin-induced cAMP production, while carbachol increased it slightly. Calcium ionophore, A23187, or protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), did not alter secretin- or forskolin-induced cellular cAMP production; and the reductive effect of carbachol or CCK-8 on secretin-induced cAMP production was restored by their competitive antagonists, atropine or lorglumide. EC50 of those antagonists was almost the same value as IC50 on pepsinogen secretion and [Ca2+]i increase. These results indicate that secretin-induced cAMP production is interfered with by receptor related agonists like CCK-8 and carbachol. It may be suggested that there is a kind of "cross-talk," between the adenylate cyclase system, that is, the secretin receptor, and carbachol or CCK-8 receptor. The interactions between secretin and other secretagogues (carbachol, CCK-8, tetragastrin and histamine) were examined using the perfused rat stomach. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Stability of Solutions to Classes of Traveling Salesman Problems

By performing stability analysis on an optimal tour for problems belonging to classes of the traveling salesman problem (TSP), this paper derives margins of optimality for a solution with respect to disturbances in the problem data. Specifically, we consider the asymmetric sequence-dependent TSP, where the sequence dependence is driven by the dynamics of a stack. This is a generalization of the symmetric non sequence-dependent version of the TSP. Furthermore, we also consider the symmetric sequence-dependent variant and the asymmetric non sequence-dependent variant. Amongst others these problems have applications in logistics and unmanned aircraft mission planning. Changing external conditions such as traffic or weather may alter task costs, which can render an initially optimal itinerary suboptimal. Instead of optimizing the itinerary every time task costs change, stability criteria allow for fast evaluation of whether itineraries remain optimal. This paper develops a method to compute stability regions for the best tour in a set of tours for the symmetric TSP and extends the results to the asymmetric problem as well as their sequence-dependent counterparts. As the TSP is NP-hard, heuristic methods are frequently used to solve it. The presented approach is also applicable to analyze stability regions for a tour obtained through application of the k-opt heuristic with respect to the k-neighborhood. A dimensionless criticality metric for edges is proposed, such that a high criticality of an edge indicates that the optimal tour is more susceptible to cost changes in that edge. Multiple examples demonstrate the application of the developed stability computation method as well as the edge criticality measure that facilitates an intuitive assessment of instances of the TSP.