Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stakeholders’ Perspectives of Sustainable Tourism Development

The purpose of this study is to examine the perspectives of tourism stakeholders regarding sustainable tourism outcomes in protected areas. We compared the responses of residents with residents, and tourists with tourists, in two protected areas of Nepal, namely, the Annapurna Conservation Area and Chitwan National Park. Tourism sustainability was evaluated with six tourism impact subscales measuring negative and positive ecological, economic, and social impacts. Data were collected using the survey method. Respondents included 230 residents and 205 tourists in Annapurna, and 220 residents and 210 tourists in Chitwan. Data analysis involved a series of multigroup confirmatory factor analyses with Annapurna and Chitwan as comparison groups and tourism impact subscales as latent constructs. Results revealed that residents and tourists perceive positive and negative impacts differently across protected areas. This suggests that the form of tourism development affects the sustainability outcomes in protected areas. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.
GOVERNING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF PANGASIUS PRODUCTION IN VIETNAM: A REVIEW*

The Vietnamese government's policies for an export-led economy have supported the rapid growth of Pangasius production but have had limited success in mitigating the environmental and social impacts stemming from unplanned and ad hoc expansion. Recognising the poor performance of state regulation the industry and government have turned to private or market-based environmental and social standards for Pangasius production. The success of these private governance arrangements is dependent on the capacity of producers to comply with standards within their wider environmental, social, cultural and economic context. This paper reviews current concerns over the sustainability of Pangasius production and draws attention to the challenges private governance initiatives face in steering towards sustainable production.
Choices in IFRS Adoption in Spain: Determinants and Consequences

New Spanish GAAP based on IFRS came into force for separate financial statements in 2008. Companies were allowed to choose between 1 January 2007 and 1 January 2008 as their transition date. The first option commits companies to presenting comparative statements while the second allows them to disclose only the adjustments in equity. We analyze the determinants of companies that decided to choose early transition and also the consequences of this choice on the main accounting figures and ratios. Our results show that the determinants of the early transition date are size and growth. As for the consequences, there is a significant change in the accounting figures and ratios and therefore comparability may be impaired.
Effects of cryodevice type and donors' sexual maturity on vitrification of minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) oocytes at germinal vesicle stage

Germinal-vesicle-stage oocytes enclosed with compact cumulus cell layers (COCs) were recovered from adult or prepubertal minke whale ovaries, and were vitrified in a solution containing 15% ethylene glycol, 15% DMSO and 0.5 M sucrose using either a Cryotop or an open-pulled straw (OPS) as the cryodevice. The post-warm COCs with normal morphology were cultured for 40 h in a 390 mosmol in vitro maturation medium, and oocytes extruding the first polar body were considered to be matured. The proportion of morphologically normal COCs after vitrification and warming was higher when the COCs were cryopreserved by Cryotop (adult origin, 88.4%; prepubertal origin, 80.8%) compared with the OPS (adult origin, 67.7%; prepubertal origin, 64.2%). The oocyte maturation rate was higher in the adult/Cryotop group (29.1%) compared with those of the prepubertal/Cryotop group (14.4%), the adult/OPS group (14.3%) and the prepubertal/OPS group (10.6%). These results indicate that the Cryotop is a better device than the OPS for vitrification of immature oocytes from adult minke whales.
The Audit Committee Oversight Process

Audit committees are increasingly responsible for the quality of financial reporting and oversight of the audit processes in U.S. public companies (e.g. Blue Ribbon Committee [BRC] 1999; New York Stock Exchange [NYSE] 2004; SarbanesOxley Act [SOX] 2002), but as noted in the quote above, it is often challenging to provide effective oversight, especially in large, complex organizations. The intense focus on greater audit committee responsibility has led to a number of studies on audit committee performance (for reviews of the academic literature on audit committees, see Cohen, Krishnamoorthy, and Wright 2004; DeZoort, Hermanson, Archambeault, and Reed 2002; and Turley and Zaman 2004). Much of this
HRM strategies and labour turnover in the hotel industry: A comparative study of Australia and Singapore

This study explores the perceptions of HR managers on the strategic management of labour turnover in a selection of large hotels in Australia and Singapore. The main argument is that the effects of labour turnover can be mitigated with strategically managed human resources through the four key HR activities. The hotel industries in both Singapore and Australia revealed a comparable range of HR policies and practices being adopted, with an explicit recognition of the contribution an organization’s human resources have on the bottom-line. There was a clear convergence towards minimizing turnover primarily through the recruitment, selection and induction processes. This was despite fundamental social, economic and labour differences between Singapore and Australia.
Organic matter mineralization with the reduction of ferric iron: A review

Abstract A review of the literature indicates that numerous microorganisms can reduce ferric iron during the metabolism of organic matter. In most cases, the reduction of ferric iron appears to be enzymatically catalyzed and, in some instances, may be coupled to an electron transport chain that could generate ATP. However, the physiology and biochemistry of ferric iron reduction are poorly understood. In pure culture, ferric iron‐reducing organisms metabolize fermentable substrates, such as glucose, primarily to typical fermentation products, and transfer only a minor portion of the electron equivalents in the fermentable substrates to ferric iron. However, fermentation products, especially hydrogen and acetate, may be important electron donors for ferric iron reduction in natural environments. The ability of some organisms to couple the oxidation of fermentation products to the reduction of ferric iron means that it is possible for a food chain of iron‐reducing organisms to completely mineralize nonrecal.
Nickel concentrations in plasma and urine of shipyard workers.

Nickel concentrations were analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry in plasma from workers at a repair shipyard and a construction shipyard. Four groups of workers were studied: (a) 62 welders, (b) 31 painters, (c) 27 riggers/carpenters, and (d) 21 shipfitters/pipefitters. Controls were 15 hospital workers and 28 retirees at the repair shipyard. In the combined groups of all tested workers at the repair shipyard, increased plasma Ni concentrations (greater than 5.2 micrograms/liter) occurred in 32 of 82 subjects (39%): (p less than .05 vs increased plasma Ni concentrations in 13 of 59 workers at the construction shipyard [22%], and p less than .001 vs increased plasma Ni concentrations in 1 of 43 controls [2%]). At both shipyards, plasma Ni concentrations were higher in the groups of painters and shipfitters/pipefitters than in the groups of welders and riggers/carpenters. In random urine specimens from workers at the construction shipyard. Ni concentrations exceeded 5.2 micrograms/liter in 9 of 24 welders [38%], (p less than .01 vs increased urine Ni concentrations in 1 of 15 controls [hospital workers]). The ratios of plasma/urine nickel concentrations were higher in painters (p less than .05) and lower in welders (p less than .05) than in other workers at the construction shipyard. Increased concentrations of nickel in body fluids of shipyard workers are attributed to exposures to nickel compounds and alloys in the working environment.
In vitro disintegration studies of weekly generic alendronate sodium tablets (70 mg) available in the US.

BACKGROUND Bisphosphonates as a class have the potential to cause upper gastrointestinal irritation. Although the generic alendronate sodium tablets are bioequivalent to the branded product, a potential concern is that the pharmaceutical attributes of the various generic formulations my affect the potential for local irritation and tolerability. SCOPE The in vitro disintegration times were determined using the method described in the US Pharmacopeia 30 (USP 30). The disintegration of three generic alendronate sodium tablets 70 mg available in the United States was compared to that of the branded product. FINDINGS The mean disintegration times of the generic alendronate sodium tablets ranged from 9 to 10 s for the Barr lots to 108 s for the Watson lot. The disintegration time of the branded product (Fosamax) was 53 s. The three Barr lots and one Teva lot had rapid disintegration times which were similar to the disintegration standards (< 30 s) for orally disintegrating tablets. Since there is no established disintegration time for alendronate sodium tablets there can be no assurance that the generic tablets are equivalent to the branded product in terms of esophageal exposure. However, the in vitro disintegration times have not been correlated with in vivo disintegration performance. CONCLUSIONS Copies of generic alendronate sodium tablets are approved based on the results of single-dose bioavailability studies in healthy subjects and this is not considered adequate to establish similar disintegration characteristics.
Gains from Trade in Used Goods: Evidence from Automobiles

I investigate the welfare effects of trade liberalization by exploiting a natural policy experiment in the economy of Cyprus. A 1993 law relaxed import restrictions on used vehicles and enabled the importation of second-hand Japanese automobiles into the country. This led to a dramatic shift of consumer purchases from new to used cars and a substantial expansion of the overall market. Welfare gains computed from a structural demand system average $2000 per purchaser per year over a four-year period after the policy change. The findings are suggestive of the potential for substantial gains from liberalizing trade in used goods.
Regression of vessels in the tunica vasculosa lentis is initiated by coordinated endothelial apoptosis: A role for vascular endothelial growth factor as a survival factor for endothelium

The development of the embryonic lens is dependent on the formation and regression of the tunica vasculosa lentis (TVL), which is a transiently occurring capillary plexus that surrounds the posterior part of the lens. In this study, by using the terminal deoxy‐nucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end‐labelling technique (TUNEL), electron microscopy, radioactive end‐labelling of DNA extracted from TVL, and the Comet assay, we show that widespread apoptosis of the endothelial cells that constitute the TVL is occurring already at embryonic day 17.5 (E17.5) of mouse development, much earlier than was reported previously (Jack [1972a] Am. J. Ophthalmol. 74:261–272; Lang [1997] Cell Death Diff. 4:12–20). In addition to apoptotic cell death, regression of this structure is associated with loss of capillary integrity, leakage of erythrocytes into the vitreal compartment, and phagocytosis of the apoptotic endothelium by tissue macrophages (hyalocytes).
Adaptive flood management: Institutional challenges and opportunities in the German Rhine basin

Almost two centuries of human interventions at the Upper Rhine to adapt the river systems to led to a serious increase of the flood risk and potential damage downstream. In 1982, the two riparian countries, Germany and France, agreed to re-establish the former protection level against a once-in-200-years flood, with Germany taking most of the workload. This can be considered as the starting point for the transition in flood management from a traditional, engineered safety discourse to a holistic, precautionary flood management policy in Germany with an ecological risk perspective. Considering as well the ecological aspects and socio-economic consequences, alternative flood management concepts were developed, for example combining hazard reduction with flood plain restoration (‘more room for water’) or introducing the ideas of precaution, damage minimization and individual selfresponsibility. The new concepts achieved the political acceptance and social goodwill, and could be consolidated and in the end legally institutionalized at the national level. Apart from the institutional elements overarching drivers and triggers such as new discourses, major flood events and in particular leading change actors or ‘policy entrepreneurs’ were necessary to initiate, support and implement the policy changes. A number of factors and possibilities are suggested to achieve completion of the transition such as a longer term horizon of flood management, a more effective interplay and cooperation among a range of actors and levels of governance and, most importantly, the political will to take action and follow a common vision. * This chapter is based on: Becker, G. 2009. Germany: Transitions in flood management in the Rhine basin. pp. 325 – 348. In: Huitema, D. , and S. Meijerink (eds.). 2009.Water policy entrepreneurs. A research companion to water transitions around the globe. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK.
Green Meetings – Do They Matter to their Closest Stakeholders?

Abstract The meeting industry may have negative influence on the environment; however, the research in this field is limited. The current study contributes to the gap by being the first to compare the perceptions of green meetings, their importance, and behaviour intentions by three main stakeholder groups: meeting venue managers, meeting organizers, and meeting delegates. A cross-sectional questionnaire study sampled 199 well-educated respondents aged 21–66 years. Role distribution included 39 meeting venue mangers, 43 meeting organizers, and 117 meeting delegates. Green meetings were perceived positively. Female delegates perceived green meetings more positively than did males. Venue managers perceived green meetings more positively compared to meeting delegates while organizers' perceptions fell between the two and did not differ significantly from the perceptions of others. Next, stakeholder perceptions of green meetings and behaviour intentions in relation to green meetings predicted the importance of green meetings. Finally, the importance of green meetings and the frequency of attending such meetings (low attendance predicted strong behaviour intentions) predicted behaviour intentions in relation to green meetings. Industry's stakeholders intended to adopt environmental practices, follow the guidelines of environmental codes of conducts required of the convention business, and personally contribute to the environmental benefits.
Determinants of Job Satisfaction of Municipal Government Employees

What variables explain variation in job satisfaction among municipal government employees? Using data from a recent survey of over 1,200 full-time municipal employees, this research tests the relative influence of 11 environmental variables and 3 demographic factors on variation in job satisfaction among this rarely studied group of employees. The regression analysis revealed that environmental factors such as promotional opportunities, pay and benefits satisfaction, performance appraisal satisfaction, equipment and resources, training, workload, supervisory relationships, and most important of all, departmental esprit de corps were significantly, and positively, related to overall job satisfaction. In contrast, demographic variables were relatively poor predictors of job satisfaction. Over 50 percent of the variation in job satisfaction among municipal employees is explained using this model.
Econometric Analysis of Costing System Components in Rail Rate Regulation

In response to Congressional directive, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) has created a railroad costing system that includes as key components ratios designed to estimate variable costs associated with freight transportation. The estimated variability ratios are used to determine freight surcharges, jurisdictional threshold rates, and basic rail rates in administrative law and federal court proceedings. In this article we assess the quality and reliability of the estimated variability ratios and their components against standards from economic theory and statistical theory and practice. Our work includes reproduction of the naive ICC regressions, updated naive regressions for the latest data set, estimation based on more secure econometric foundations, and sensitivity analyses comparing alternative estimation procedures. Fundamental questions arise concerning the scientific and evidentiary standards that are required for econometric methodology in policy making and regulatory activities.
Pressure-flow and volume-flow relationships of the systemic circulation of the dog.

Mean systemic pressure-flow (Ps-Q) and volume-flow (V-Q) relationships of the systemic vascular bed were determined in two groups of dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (group I) and with methoxyflurane (group II). All blood returning to the heart (Q) was removed from the right atrial appendage and passed through a Starling resistor, a pump, a flowmeter , and then returned directly into the pulmonary artery. Ps was estimated from plateau values of right atrial pressure obtained during stop-flow procedures. Both the Ps-Q and V-Q relationships were nonlinear. This nonlinearity may be attributed to a redistribution of blood flow between systemic vascular compartments of unequal time constants. With group II, the Ps-Q and V-Q curves were shifted markedly to the right along the Ps and V axes, respectively. Evidence is presented which suggests that this shift was due to an effective back pressure other than right atrial pressure produced by a hepatic waterfall. The beta-adrenergic antagonist practolol increased the effective back pressure and augmented the shift in the Ps-Q and V-Q curves.
London 2012 Olympic legacy: a big sporting society?

The Olympic Charter (International Olympic Committee [IOC], 2010. Olympic charter. Lausanne: IOC. Available from:http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Olympic%20Charter/Charter_en_2010.pdf [Accessed 13 July 2011]) asserts that ‘the practice of sport is a human right’ and outlines role 12 of the IOC as being ‘to encourage and support the development of sport for all’. This signals an aspiration to the right to sport for all. Notwithstanding this, the UK Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government has consolidated and extended a shift in UK sport policy from ‘sport for social good’ to ‘competitive sport for sport's sake’. In December 2010, the government published ‘Plans for the Legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games’. The first of the four areas of focus is to harness ‘the United Kingdom's passion for sport to increase grass-roots participation, particularly by young people’ and encourage ‘the whole population to be more physically active’. This appears to relate to sport for some, and physical activity for others. Nevertheless, the coalition has signalled a belief in ‘big society’ and democratic not bureaucratic accountability. This article proposes a theoretical framework of a ‘big sporting society’ comprising three generations of sporting rights. This enables an evaluation of emergent sport policy in relation to the London 2012 Olympic Games legacy and the Olympic Charter. It is argued that the realization of the 2012 legacy relating to the IOC's aspiration to sport as a human right for all, and consequent democratic sporting accountability, necessitates a ‘sport for all’ rather than ‘competitive sport for sport's sake’ policy direction, and the development of all three generations of sporting rights, resulting in a ‘big sporting society’.
The identification and characterization of specific ARF-Aux/IAA regulatory modules in plant growth and development

The current model of auxin-inducible transcription describes numerous regulatory interactions between AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs (ARFs) and Aux/IAAs. However, specific relationships between individual members of these families in planta remain largely uncharacterized. Using a systems biology approach, the entire suite of Aux/IAA genes directly regulated by the developmentally pivotal ARF MONOPTEROS (MP) was recently determined for multiple Arabidopsis tissue types. This study showed that MP directly targets distinct subclades of Aux/IAAs, revealing potential regulatory modules of redundantly acting Aux/IAAs involved in MP-dependent processes. Further, functional analyses indicated that the protein products of these targeted Aux/IAAs negatively feedback on MP. Thus, comprehensive identification of Aux/IAAs targeted by individual ARFs will generate biologically meaningful networks of ARF-Aux/IAA regulatory modules controlling distinct plant pathways.
The geographic mobility of labor

What do you do to start reading geographic mobility of labor? Searching the book that you love to read first or find an interesting book that will make you want to read? Everybody has difference with their reason of reading a book. Actuary, reading habit must be from earlier. Many people may be love to read, but not a book. It's not fault. Someone will be bored to open the thick book with small words to read. In more, this is the real condition. So do happen probably with this geographic mobility of labor.
Accessing Board Positions: A Comparison of Female and Male Board Members' Views

In Australia, as in many Western industrialised countries, women accessing corporate board positions are still the exception to the rule. This paper reports research exploring men's and women's views on the factors crucial in attaining a board position. While both groups identified the importance of a strong track record, a good understanding of business principles and business contacts in gaining board positions, we found that women also highlighted the importance of high visibility and family contacts to account for their nomination to boards. It seems that women's competence has to be widely acknowledged in the public domain or through family connections before boards, or their nominating committees, will be prepared to "risk" having a woman on the board. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2005.