Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Value Sharing and Food System Dynamics for Milk, Tomato, and Cereals Food Chains

The aim of the paper is to analyse value sharing and food system dynamics of milk, tomato, and cereals food chains, so to explore the agro‐food enterprises capacity to be competitive and sustainable. The paper is based on the functionalist approach of Malassis and the notion of the system of the General Systems Theory. The methodology is aimed at creating a consolidated financial statement for each food chain so to re‐create the chain value and identify how this is shared among the different food chain stages. The analysis is carried out on primary and secondary data: around 2400 financial statements concerning 480 enterprises from 2003 to 2007 and stakeholders’ interviews. Results show that value is usually created in the processing and distribution stages, to the detriment of the primary sector, and that the retail managing practices tend to impose damaging structural changes on farms whose profitability is at times becoming sustainable only thanks to European subsidies. To conclude, there is evidence of inadequate definition of strategic and network alliance along the chain. Competitiveness is still a concept achieved by single food chain stages against others and food chain internal competition entails a declining sustainability of small farms and enterprises.
Baran: An Interaction-centred User Monitoring Framework

User Quality of Experience (QoE) is a subjective entity and difficult to measure. One important aspect of it, User Experience (UX), corresponds to the sensory and emotional state of a user. For a user interacting through a User Interface (UI), precise information on how they are using the UI can contribute to understanding their UX, and thereby understanding their QoE. As well as a userâs use of the UI such as clicking, scrolling, touching, or selecting, other real-time digital information about the user such as from smart phone sensors (e.g. accelerometer, light level) and physiological sensors (e.g. heart rate, ECG, EEG) could contribute to understanding UX. Baran is a framework that is designed to capture, record, manage and analyse the User Digital Imprint (UDI) which, is the data structure containing all user context information. Baran simplifies the process of collecting experimental information in Human and Computer Interaction (HCI) studies, by recording comprehensive real-time data for any UI experiment, and making the data available as a standard UDI data structure. This paper presents an overview of the Baran framework, and provides an example of its use to record user interaction and perform some basic analysis of the interaction.
E‐cadherin immunohistochemistry in breast pathology: uses and pitfalls

E‐cadherin immunohistochemistry is used commonly in surgical pathology practice to help distinguish lobular carcinoma in situ from ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive lobular carcinoma from invasive ductal carcinoma in histologically problematic or indeterminate cases. However, the interpretation of E‐cadherin immunostains is not always straightforward. Failure to recognize the pitfalls and limitations of E‐cadherin immunostains can lead to an erroneous diagnosis which may result in inappropriate patient management, particularly for patients with in‐situ lesions. In this paper we review the uses and, particularly, the pitfalls in the interpretation of E‐cadherin immunostains in distinguishing lobular from ductal lesions of the breast.
The Evolution of Network Industries: Lessons from the Conquest of the Online Frontier, 1979–95

In this paper we dissect the competitive dynamics of a network industry that has not been systematically studied in the past—the consumer‐oriented online networks of the pre‐1995 era. After briefly reconstructing the historical evolution of the industry we focus on a number of issues at the intersection of theory and data: the importance of direct and indirect network effects, tipping to a dominant player and the entry strategies adopted by two different waves of entrants. We also analyse price wars and the displacement of the leader in the first half of the 1990s. In the final section we focus on some remaining puzzles that suggest directions for further theoretical and empirical research.
Modeling spatial layout of features for real world scenario RGB-D action recognition

Depth information improves skeleton detection, thus skeleton based methods are the most popular methods in RGB-D action recognition. But skeleton detection working range is limited in terms of distance and view-point. Most of the skeleton based action recognition methods ignore fact that skeleton may be missing. Local points-of-interest (POIs) do not require skeleton detection. But they fail if they cannot detect enough POIs e.g. amount of motion in action is low. Most of them ignore spatial-location of features. We cope with the above problems by employing people detector instead of skeleton detector. We propose method to encode spatial-layout of features inside bounding box. We also introduce descriptor which encodes static information for actions with low amount of motion. We validate our approach on: 3 public data-sets. The results show that our method is competitive to skeleton based methods, while requiring much simpler people detection instead of skeleton detection.
A survey of mapreduce based parallel processing technologies

Along with the increasing Big Data challenges, the MapReduce based systems are extensively welcomed, because of their remarkable simplicity and scalability. However, from the first day MapReduce is proposed, its argument with parallel DBMSs never stops, as it over-focuses on the scalability but overlooks the efficiency. Accordingly, extended systems are proposed in order to improve the performance on the limited scale clusters. In the meantime, traditional RDBMS technologies like structured data model, transaction, SQL, etc. are also getting more attention. This paper reviews such systems, from Google and also the third parties, trying to indicate the directions for the future research.
The Privatization Process At The Irish Sugar Company – Logical Incrementalism Or Ensemble Des Jeux?

This article presents an empirical analysis of the privatization process at Comhlucht Siuicre Eireann Teoranta (CSET), the Irish Sugar Company. The CSET privatization was significant in being the first in the modern Irish political context. It was also significant in that the primary momentum for the process was generated and sustained by strategic action at firm level. Yet, it was a transformation in which firm strategists were rarely in full control of events, and one that had national as well as organizational implications. The analysis suggests that even the most robust of firm-level models of change alone provides an inadequate guide to fully understanding such processes. It examines the case for viewing them through a more multi-level perspective.
Criteria to evaluate the application of policy instruments designed to internalise externalities from commercial fisheries : report to Ministry of Fisheries

LIST OF TABLES i LIST OF FIGURES iii PREFACE v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ix CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2 A Framework for Decision-Making 3 CHAPTER 3 Criteria for Selection of Management Tools for Marine Fisheries Externalities 5 3.1 Rationale for Criteria 5 3.2 Criteria Identification 6 CHAPTER 4 Environmental Criteria 9 CHAPTER 5 Rights Guaranteed Under The Treaty of Waitangi 13 CHAPTER 6 Socio-Economic Criteria 15 CHAPTER 7 Recreational Criteria 19 CHAPTER 8 Management Criteria 21 CHAPTER 9 Judging the Effectiveness of Instruments 23 CHAPTER 10 Overall Assessment and Guidance in Use of the Criteria 29 CHAPTER 11 Conclusions 31 REFERENCES 33 APPENDIX 1 Summary of Internalisation Instruments 35 APPENDIX 2 Publications from this Work 37
Why Smiles Exist in Foreign Exchange Options Markets: Isolating Components of the Risk Neutral Process

Abstract Prices of foreign exchange options systematically diverge from those consistent with several previous option pricing models. This paper examines whether alternative models better explaining the empirical dynamics of the foreign exchange futures markets can yield implied volatility surfaces similar to those observed for options on Foreign Exchange futures. The most suitable alternative models include jumps and stochastic volatility. The inclusion of both these factors introduces unspanned sources of risk and therefore, the martingale measure will not necessarily be unique. However, it is not the objective of this research to propose which martingale measure is optimal; the aim, instead, is to gain a deeper understanding of the properties (and particularly the order of magnitude) of the risk premium. This is done by choosing a feasible martingale measure (based upon the no arbitrage condition), assuming no market price of jump or stochastic volatility risks, and price options under this measure. The implied volatility biases from model-based option prices are then compared to the actual implied volatility surfaces for options on these markets. The systematic and substantive differences that are found suggest a negative risk premium, which is a relatively more important (and universal) component in FX option pricing than previously reported. Furthermore, it appears that the relative risk premium across strike price and time is similar across four foreign exchange options markets. This may imply that some systematic mechanism causes the risk premium in these markets.
Building capacities for sustainable energy in municipalities of Western Balkans

This paper discusses challenges of capacity building in sustainable urban energy planning and development in Western Balkan Countries (WBC). It identifies needs in training of municipal staff and addresses obstacles for transferring sustainable energy education from EU universities to universities of WBC. The analysis of the ten training courses developed and piloted in collaboration with academic and non-academic stakeholders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia shows that while international cooperation has a good potential to improve quality of capacity building and to catalyse university-society collaboration in WBC, significant efforts on national and local (university) levels are needed to fully capitalise on these opportunities. In particular, it is necessary to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to education in sustainable energy, incorporating economic, social and institutional aspects of energy production and consumption together with the technical ones. On the national level, the lifelong learning system should get political and financial support in WBC to ensure efficiency and continuity of the training activities.
A Quantitative Spatial Proteomics Analysis of Proteome Turnover in Human Cells*

Measuring the properties of endogenous cell proteins, such as expression level, subcellular localization, and turnover rates, on a whole proteome level remains a major challenge in the postgenome era. Quantitative methods for measuring mRNA expression do not reliably predict corresponding protein levels and provide little or no information on other protein properties. Here we describe a combined pulse-labeling, spatial proteomics and data analysis strategy to characterize the expression, localization, synthesis, degradation, and turnover rates of endogenously expressed, untagged human proteins in different subcellular compartments. Using quantitative mass spectrometry and stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture, a total of 80,098 peptides from 8,041 HeLa proteins were quantified, and their spatial distribution between the cytoplasm, nucleus and nucleolus determined and visualized using specialized software tools developed in PepTracker. Using information from ion intensities and rates of change in isotope ratios, protein abundance levels and protein synthesis, degradation and turnover rates were calculated for the whole cell and for the respective cytoplasmic, nuclear, and nucleolar compartments. Expression levels of endogenous HeLa proteins varied by up to seven orders of magnitude. The average turnover rate for HeLa proteins was ∼20 h. Turnover rate did not correlate with either molecular weight or net charge, but did correlate with abundance, with highly abundant proteins showing longer than average half-lives. Fast turnover proteins had overall a higher frequency of PEST motifs than slow turnover proteins but no general correlation was observed between amino or carboxyl terminal amino acid identities and turnover rates. A subset of proteins was identified that exist in pools with different turnover rates depending on their subcellular localization. This strongly correlated with subunits of large, multiprotein complexes, suggesting a general mechanism whereby their assembly is controlled in a different subcellular location to their main site of function.
Park users' quality evaluation: applying an analytical hierarchy process for managers

Parks are crucial for offering recreation opportunities to people. However, it is difficult for park managers to understand users' wants and needs in order to develop and manage appropriate recreation activities to meet them. This paper develops a useful instrument to gather information on park users' participation and quality evaluation of recreation activities. The analytic hierarchy process was introduced to analyze quality evaluation data and rank the quality level of recreation activities. Based on a survey conducted in four parks in Wuxi City, China, this paper identifies the profile of park users and their preferences for activities. A ‘PG–QL’ (participation gap–quality level) matrix was applied to define four types of recreation activities that result in recommendations for park managers.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGERIAL MYOPIA

This paper examines whether corporate governance mechanisms in Taiwan listing companies could reduce incentives for managers to engage in myopic research and development (R&D) investment behavior. Our results show that managers with higher ownerships are less likely to cut R&D investment to meet short-term earnings goals. The probability of reducing R&D investment for earnings-increasing firms is low when CEOs chair the board of directors or CEO compensation-performance sensitivity is high. And, the institutional investors for firms facing earnings marginally decreases could play a monitoring role in reducing incentives to manage earnings with cuts in R&D.
The Magnitude and Distribution of Open‐Loop Accommodation Using Three Different Methods of Opening the Loop

Purpose. The present study examines the magnitude, distribution, and relationship of open‐loop accommodation obtained using the three most common methods of opening the accommodation loop. Methods. Open‐loop accommodation was measured in 93 young, emmetropic subjects using a Canon Rl objective infrared optometer, and the accommodation loop was opened using the following methods: (1) dark empty field (DA), (2) bright empty field (BA), and (3) viewing a target through a small artificial pupil (PA). Results. PA was found to elicit significantly (p = 0.0001) higher values of open‐loop accommodation than either DA or BA and demonstrated a much wider distribution of values than DA or BA. A further experiment demonstrated that the higher PA was attributable to the proximal effect of placing a small artificial pupil close to the eye. Conclusions. Our results suggest that using a small artificial pupil to open the accommodation loop may not produce a veridical measure of open‐loop accommodation. (Optom Vis Sci 1998;75:897–902)
Improved Diabetes Care in a UK Health District

The present study reports an analysis of diabetes care in general practice in a London Health District. A specialist nurse facilitator used various techniques to obtain practice information building up individual practice profiles. Four groups of constraints were identified as affecting the provision of GP diabetes care. Individual practice plans were formulated, working with key staff, to apply various interventions to ameliorate identified constraints. Using a non‐prescriptive approach, GPs were encouraged to become involved in diabetes care in the way they felt most appropriate for their practice. Using this method, GP involvement in diabetes care has increased from 17 to 53% during the three years of the study.
TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF FRESHWATER POND POLYCULTURE PRODUCTION IN SELECTED ASIAN COUNTRIES: ESTIMATION AND IMPLICATION

ABSTRACT The research documented in this article estimates the levels and determinants of farm-level technical efficiencies (TE) in freshwater pond polyculture systems in China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. The levels of country-specific TE were estimated for different production intensity levels by estimating stochastic production frontier functions involving the model for technical inefficiency effects. The results were compared with estimates from past studies of aquaculture TE. It was found that yield, input levels, and TE increases in line with intensity levels. TE estimates ranged from 42% among extensive farms in Vietnam to 93% among intensive farms in China. For low intensity farms, increased technical efficiency, and the resulting increased productivity, could be achieved by increasing human capital (through effective and efficient training and extension), provision of basic infrastructure (such as roads), easier access to seed supplies, and security of tenure or a well-defined system of land use rights. Increasing technical efficiency and productivity among intensive farms will result more from the continuous development of new technology and cross-country technology transfer. However, the realization of these potential increases in TE depends on governments in these countries continuing to provide adequate support for freshwater aquaculture development.
Expression of two markers of germinal center T cells (SAP and PD-1) in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In the present paper we report that SAP, an intracytoplasmic molecule that is involved in cell signaling, is an immunohistologic marker for germinal center T cells in paraffin-embedded tissue. We document its expression, and also that of PD-1 (another recently described marker of germinal center T cells to which a new antibody has been raised), in normal and neoplastic lymphoid tissue to evaluate the suggestion that helper T cells within the germinal centers of human lymphoid tissue are the cell of origin of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), and to assess the diagnostic value of these two markers. DESIGN AND METHODS Expression of SAP and PD-1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissue sections and in cell lines. Western blotting was performed on cell lines, and antibody specificity was confirmed by immunostaining of transfected cells. RESULTS Screening on more than 500 lymphoma biopsies showed that 95% (40/42) of cases of AITL expressed at least one of these markers. SAP was also expressed on many cases (15/21) of acute T lymphoblastic leukemia, in keeping with its presence in cortical thymocytes. However, PD-1 and SAP were also found in a minority of cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma other than AITL, in contrast to a report that the former marker is specific for AITL. This observation raises the possibility that such non-angioimmunoblastic cases may be related to germinal center helper T cells. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS These two markers provide additional evidence that AITL arises from germinal center T cells. They may also prove of value in the diagnosis of this disease since a negative reaction was rarely observed in this disorder.
Ignorance and Ricardian Equivalence

An immortal, intertemporally-optimizing consumer who is ignorant of the link between bonds and future taxes, is exposed to the changing level of US Federal government debt over the 30 years, 1961–90. Estimates of the cost of ignorance are about $1 to $10 per annum. Provided governments do not use bond-financing too aggressively, it may therefore be privately optimal for consumers to ignore the link between bonds and future taxes. Then bond-financed fiscal policy has significant systematic effects on aggregate demand and national savings.
How does a federal minimum wage hike affect aggregate household spending

This article finds that a federal minimum wage hike would boost the real income and spending of minimum wage households. The impact could be sufficient to offset increasing consumer prices and declining real spending by most non-minimum-wage households and, therefore, lead to an increase in aggregate household spending. The authors calculate that a $1.75 hike in the hourly federal minimum wage could increase the level of real gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 0.3 percentage points in the near term, but with virtually no effect in the long term.
Market maturity and property market behaviour: A European comparison of mature and emergent markets

Summary This paper explores the conventional notion of property market maturity, assesses its usefulness, and works towards a new paradigm of property market performance which centres on the explicit consideration of market maturity in addition to the usual economic determinants. A checklist of maturity characteristics is established and used as a framework for assessing the maturity of three case‐study office markets. London is confirmed as a mature market on the conventional criteria while Barcelona and Milan are identified as emerging markets. The case studies suggest that maturity needs to be articulated in more detail than is normally the case and that conventional forms of maturity may carry disadvantages as well as advantages. The paper concludes that the concept of maturity is too complex to provide a simple explanation of comparative property market activity, that maturity does not necessarily imply market efficiency, and that there is no single evolutionary path which will be followed by all pro.
Detecting past population bottlenecks using temporal genetic data

Population bottlenecks wield a powerful influence on the evolution of species and populations by reducing the repertoire of responses available for stochastic environmental events. Although modern contractions of wild populations due to human‐related impacts have been documented globally, discerning historic bottlenecks for all but the most recent and severe events remains a serious challenge. Genetic samples dating to different points in time may provide a solution in some cases. We conducted serial coalescent simulations to assess the extent to which temporal genetic data are informative regarding population bottlenecks. These simulations demonstrated that the power to reject a constant population size hypothesis using both ancient and modern genetic data is almost always higher than that based solely on modern data. The difference in power between the modern and temporal DNA approaches depends significantly on effective population size and bottleneck intensity and less significantly on sample size. The temporal approach provides more power in cases of genetic recovery (via migration) from a bottleneck than in cases of demographic recovery (via population growth). Choice of genetic region is critical, as mutation rate heavily influences the extent to which temporal sampling yields novel information regarding the demographic history of populations.