Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loyalty program in Africa: risk-seeking and risk-averse adventurers

Purpose – This article aims to test the relationship between expected attractiveness-satisfaction-loyalty for international adventure tourists visiting Tanzania. The proposed model is based on travel consumer behavior theoretical constructs extracted from the literature. Design/methodology/approach – This article aims to test the relationship between expected attractiveness-satisfaction-loyalty for international adventure tourists visiting Tanzania. The proposed model is based on travel consumer behavior theoretical constructs extracted from the literature. Findings – The findings for overall model differed from the moderating factors of high risk, low risk, first-time visit and repeat visit. Also, the results are interesting when satisfaction is tested as a mediator. Practical implications – Practitioners could consider the fact that repeat visits may change tourists’ perceptions toward destination and may even increase their inclination to take on risks. This may impact innovation of consumer products i.
A Single P450 Allele Associated with Insecticide Resistance in Drosophila

Insecticide resistance is one of the most widespread genetic changes caused by human activity, but we still understand little about the origins and spread of resistant alleles in global populations of insects. Here, via microarray analysis of all P450s in Drosophila melanogaster, we show that DDT-R, a gene conferring resistance to DDT, is associated with overtranscription of a single cytochrome P450 gene, Cyp6g1. Transgenic analysis ofCyp6g1 shows that overtranscription of this gene alone is both necessary and sufficient for resistance. Resistance and up-regulation in Drosophila populations are associated with a single Cyp6g1 allele that has spread globally. This allele is characterized by the insertion of an Accord transposable element into the 5′ end of the Cyp6g1 gene.
EX-OFFENDERS, SOCIAL TIES AND THE ROUTES INTO EMPLOYMENT

Although the role that employment plays in reducing re-offending has been widely acknowledged, less work has been done to explain why this should be the case. To begin to address this knowledge gap, this article focuses upon the various ways that exoffenders benefit from employment opportunities, some of the specific difficulties they face in finding employment and how some manage to overcome them legitimately or else employ other adaptive strategies. Based on in-depth research with a sample of 12 exoffenders, the research reveals the precise importance of the role of social relationships in securing and maintaining employment for ex-offenders. Importantly, the key role of social ties in the labour market for those who have them highlights the extent to which those leaving prison lack both the relevant vocational training and experience of the application process to compete effectively within a labour market that is already set heavily against them.
Investigating the Relationship Between Intellectual Capital Efficiency and Corporate Performance in Accepted Firms of Tehran Exchange

The increasing gap between market value and book value of firms leads many researches to recognize removed factors of financial statements in the firms. Among factors affecting firms but not represented in financial statements, there are brand equity, intellectual capital etc. This study aims to investigate the relationship between intellectual capital efficiency and corporate performance in accepted firms of Tehran Stock Exchange. Statistical population included 111 firms whose financial information was available from 2006 to 2011. According to performance evaluation measures in previous researches, return of asset (ROA), return of equity (ROE), and return on sale (ROS) explain financial measures of performance evaluation and Tobin Q, market value added (MVA), and economic value added (EVA) are economic performance evaluation measures. Next, to examine intellectual capital’s components (human capital, structural capital, and communicative capital) as independent variables, added value coefficient of intellectual capital proposed by Pulic (2000) was used. Correlation and regression tests were used to test hypotheses. The findings of tests showed that there is a positive and significant correlation between intellectual capital’s efficiency and firms’ performance.
Trends and prognoses of dental status in the Swedish population: analysis based on interviews in 1975 to 1997 by Statistics Sweden

The aims of this study were to describe changes in dental status over the 22-year period from 1975 to 1997, and to make a prognosis of dental status based on these data for the years 2005 and 2015. The study is based on regular investigations of the living conditions performed by Statistics Sweden of samples varying between 11,582 and 14,964 participants and a response rate from 78% to 86%. The questions of the interview used in this study were focused on dental status and utilization of dental services. The prevalence of edentulism in the age group 25-74 years decreased from 19% in 1975 to 3% in 1996/97. The proportion of dentate persons increased from 75% in 1975 to 97% in 1996/97 in age group 45-64 years with similar trends in the other age groups. In 1996/97, 2.1% of the whole sample (16-84 years) reported that they had received implant-supported restorations. The rate was higher among the elderly and the edentulous subjects. The great regional differences in dental status found in the first part of the observation period remained only in the oldest age group in 1996/97. The prognosis predicts that 95% of the subjects in age group 65-74 years and 90% in age group 75-84 years will be dentate in the year 2015. The substantial increase of dentate subjects among the elderly that has occurred during the past few decades and its expected continuation in the coming years implies a great change in need and demand for dental care services.
Optimal forecasting of option prices using particle filters and neural networks

A novel online forecasting system on financial option prices is implemented in this paper by combining a particle filter with a neural network. The particle filter (PF) model is based on the Black-Sholes (BS) model for prediction, while the neural network is employed to capture the nonlinear residuals between the actual option prices and the PF predictions. Taking the transaction data of option prices on the Taiwan composite stock index (TWSI), we found that the forecasting performance of the hybrid model is superior to the traditional extended Kalman filter model and the PF model. Our results can help investors make a good hedge on their option positions.
The Regional Extraction Method: EC Input–Output Comparisons

This paper presents a method for quantifying inter-regional linkages on the basis of a many-region input—output table. The extraction method proposed can be seen as an extension of Strassert's hypothetical extraction method. Instead of extracting one sector from a sector-based model, the effects of hypothetically extracting a region from a many-region model are considered. It is shown that the method calculates so-called backward linkages. Forward linkages are obtained analogously from the matrix of allocation coefficients. The method is applied to intercountry linkages for the EC in the years 1970 and 1980.
Evidências de retornos anormais nos processos de IPO na Bovespa no período de 2004 a 2007: um estudo de evento

RESUMO A pesquisa aqui relatada teve como objetivo detectar anomalias na precificacao das acoes nos processos de Initial Public Offering (IPO – Oferta Publica Inicial) no mercado de capitais brasileiro. O tema apresenta importância crescente em face do progressivo aumento no numero de investidores individuais e de empresas que estao abrindo o capital na Bolsa de Valores de Sao Paulo (Bovespa). Foi aplicado estudo de evento para a mensuracao de retornos anormais em carteiras compostas por amostras entre 23 e 98 acoes de um total de 106 IPOs realizados entre 2004 e 2007, abrangendo as cotacoes das acoes no periodo de janeiro de 2004 a junho de 2008. Os resultados empiricos apresentaram evidencias de sobrevalorizacao nos precos das acoes no primeiro dia de negociacao, com retornos anormais entre 4,80% e 9,26%, seguida de significativas quedas nas cotacoes subsequentes. Os retornos anormais medios acumulados, excluido o retorno do 1° dia, atingiram -11,52% no final do sexto mes, -16,60% no final do 12° mes e -41,79% no final do 24° mes, evidenciando relevantes perdas de valor das carteiras analisadas no periodo, tanto em termos economicos quanto em nivel de significância estatistica, e caracterizando o fenomeno da underperformance , amplamente documentado pela academia, notadamente no mercado de capitais norte-americano.
Different Strategies to Bond Bis-GMA-based Resin Cement to Zirconia.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of different bonding strategies on short- and long-term bis-GMA-based resin cement bond strengths to zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty samples of fully-sintered zirconia (Prettau Zirconia) were sandblasted and randomly distributed into 5 groups (n = 24): UA: Scotchbond Universal Adhesive; SZP: Signum Zirconia Bond I + II; ZPP: Z-Prime Plus; EXP: MZ experimental primer; CO: no primer application (control). After performing these surface treatments, translucent tubes (0.8 mm diameter and 1.0 mm height) were placed on the zirconia specimens, and bis-GMA-based cement (Duo-Link) was injected into them and light cured. Specimens were tested for microshear bond strength either 24 h or 6 months (m) after water storage (37°C) and surfaces were characterized by SEM and EDX. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p < 0.05) were used to evaluate bond strength results. RESULTS The mean bond strengths (MPa ± SD) were: UA=14.6 ± 4.7a (24 h); 16.0 ± 4.8a (6 m); SZP = 14.0 ± 5.4ab (24 h); 11.9 ± 2.6ab (6 m); ZPP=8.0 ± 1.8b (24 h); 8.6 ± 3.3b (6 m); EXP = 1.2 ± 0.5c (24 h); 0.6 ± 0.7c (6 m); CO=1.0 ± 1.2c (24 h); 1.3 ± 1.2c (6 m). Bonding strategy significantly influenced bond strength (p = 0.0001), but storage time did not (p = 0.841). Groups UA and SZP showed a homogeneous layer covering the zirconia surface. In these groups, EDX demonstrated the presence of phosphorus. Group ZPP resulted in a nonhomogeneous layer, exposing the zirconia substrate underneath. EXP application resulted in an undetectable layer. CONCLUSION Water storage did not affect resin cement bond strengths to zirconia irrespective of the surface treatment. Bis-GMA-based resin cement bond strengths to zirconia are affected by specific bonding strategies.
The Coming of Post-Industrial Society, a venture in Social Forecasting

In 1976, Daniel Bell's historical work predicted a vastly different society developing--one that will rely on the "economics of information" rather than the "economics of goods. " Bell argued that the new society would not displace the older one but rather overlie some of the previous layers just as the industrial society did not completely eradicate the agrarian sectors of our society. The post-industrial society's dimensions would include the spread of a knowledge class, the change from goods to services and the role of women. All of these would be dependent on the expansion of services in the economic sector and an increasing dependence on science as the means of innovating and organizing technological change.Bell prophetically stated in The Coming of the Post-Industrial Society that we should expect ". new premises and new powers, new constraints and new questions--with the difference that these are now on a scale that had never been previously imagined in world history. "
Controlling execution time variability using COTS for Safety-critical systems. (Contrôler la variabilité du temps d'exécution en utilisant COTS pour les systèmes Safety-critical)

Au cours de la derniere decennie, le domaine safety-critical s’appuie sur les Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) architectures de mono-coeur malgre leur variabilite du temps d'execution inherent. Aujourd'hui, l'industrie safety-critical envisage la possibilite d'utilisation des COTS de multi-coeur en tenant compte de la demande croissante de performance. Cependant, le passage de mono-coeur a multi-coeur aggrave le probleme de variabilite du temps d'execution du a la contention de ressources partagees. Les techniques standard pour gerer cette variabilite comme sur-approvisionnement de ressources ne peuvent pas etre appliquees a multi-coeur en considerant que les safety-marges compenseront la plupart voire tout le gain de performance donne par les multi-coeurs. Une solution possible serait de capturer le comportement des mecanismes de contention potentielle sur les ressources partagees relativement a chaque application co-fonctionnant sur le systeme. Malheureusement, les caracteristiques sur les mecanismes de contention ne sont pas generalement clairement documentees. Dans la these, nous introduisons les techniques de mesure basees sur un ensemble de stressing benchmarks et les hardware monitors a caracteriser 1) l'architecture en identifiant les ressources partagees et en etudiant leur mecanisme de contention. 2) les applications en etudiant comment elles se comportent relativement aux ressources partagees. Sur la base de ces informations, nous proposons une technique a estimer le WCET d'une application dans un co-running contexte predetermine en simulant le pire cas des contentions sur les ressources partagees produites par co-runners de l'application.
The collisional limit: an important consideration for membrane‐associated enzymes and receptors

Because of the proximity of many bound receptors or enzymes, a membrane surface may become uniformly reactive so that every collision between a ligand and the membrane particle results in a binding or catalytic event. At this limit (the collisional limit), the reaction rate depends on membrane particle (cell) concentration and is independent of receptor concentration. Many receptor systems display properties that satisfy the requirements of a collisionally limited reaction. These include the presence of many receptors per cell. The filling of only a few of these receptors often generates the maximum cellular response, and the remaining receptors have been referred to as spare receptors. However, many receptors are needed to produce the collisional limit, and spare receptors may represent nature's evolution toward a reaction that provides the maximum rate as well as the maximum sensitivity to a ligand. Since receptors or enzymes provided on small membrane fragments will not function at the collisional limit, properties of reconstituted enzymes or receptors may not be extrapolated to the physiological situation. The use of normal bimolecular kinetic or equilibrium equations is inappropriate for reactions limited by collision and can give unusual results that lead to inappropriate conclusions. Determination of whether the collisional limit applies to a membrane‐bound system is important for understanding its properties and those of the physiological circumstance. — Abbott, A. J.; Nelsestuen, G. L. The collisional limit: an important consideration for membrane‐associated enzymes and receptors. FASEB J. 2: 2858‐2866; 1988.
Moving the Goalposts: Financial Market Regulation in Hong Kong and the Crash of October 1987

The article examines the operation of the Hong Kong stock and futures exchanges during the crash of October 1987 and in particular the controversial decision to close the exchanges. It argues that the closure decision exposes a serious conflict of interest and abuse of power on the part of the major decision makers and fundamental flaws in Hong Kong's self-regulatory system. Moreover, these events raise broader questions about the strengths and weaknesses of different regulatory regimes and about the value of different theoretical explanations of regulatory behavior. In particular, it is argued that the most influential theory concerning the regulation of financial markets—that of certain Chicago School economists—raises as many questions as it answers, and that an alternative view which locates cultural and organizational factors at its core provides a more satisfactory explanation of the events of October 1987.
Effects of the CYP 2 B 6 * 6 Allele on Catalytic Properties and Inhibition of CYP 2 B 6 In Vitro : Implication for the Mechanism of Reduced Efavirenz Metabolism and Other CYP 2 B 6 Substrates In Vivo

The mechanism by which CYP2B6*6 allele alters drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo is not fully understood. To test the hypothesis that altered substrate binding and/or catalytic properties contribute to its functional consequences, efavirenz 8-hydroxylation and bupropion 4-hydroxylation were determined in CYP2B6.1 and CYP2B6.6 proteins expressed without and with cytochrome b5 (Cyt b5) and in human liver microsomes (HLMs) obtained from liver tissues genotyped for the CYP2B6*6 allele. The susceptibility of the variant protein to inhibition was also tested in HLMs. Significantly higher Vmax and Km values for 8-hydroxyefavirenz formation and 2-fold lower intrinsic clearance (Clint) were noted in expressed CYP2B6.6 protein ( b5) compared with that of CYP2B6.1 protein ( b5); this effect was abolished by Cyt b5. The Vmax and Clint values for 4-hydroxybupropion formation were significantly higher in CYP2B6.6 than in CYP2B6.1 protein, with no difference in Km, whereas coexpression with Cyt b5 reversed the genetic effect on these kinetic parameters. In HLMs, CYP2B6*6/*6 genotype was associated with markedly lower Vmax (and moderate increase in Km) and thus lower Clint values for efavirenz and bupropion metabolism, but no difference in catalytic properties was noted between CYP2B6*1/*1 and CYP2B6*1/*6 genotypes. Inhibition of efavirenz 8-hydroxylation by voriconazole was significantly greater in HLMs with the CYP2B6*6 allele (Ki 1.6 0.8 M) than HLMs with CYP2B6*1/*1 genotype (Ki 3.0 1.1 M). In conclusion, our data suggest the CYP2B6*6 allele influences metabolic activity by altering substrate binding and catalytic activity in a substrateand Cyt b5dependent manner. It may also confer susceptibility to inhibition.
Bureaucrats Professional Local Government District Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Study of Placement of Structural Officers)

This study aims to explain and analyze about: (1) bureaucrat characteristics that exist in the local government of Kolaka district viewed from professional attributes, (2) influence of professional bureaucrats on the performance of local government district Kolaka, and (3) causative factors so that professional bureaucrats have not been established in local government district Kolala. This study used a qualitative approach with case study research. The author conducted in-depth investigation of the phenomenon of professional bureaucrats and local government performance in a real context. To investigate the phenomenon of professional bureaucrats, the author focuses on the placement of structural officials. Bureaucrats in district Kolaka can not be categorized as a professional bureaucrat. This is because bureaucrats have not been entirely have characteristic of knowledge, skills, attitude and work performance in accordance with the need to run the position effectively. Bureaucrats placement are strictly controlled by the head of the region by applying the characteristics of patrimonial where bureaucrats are recruited and promoted in return for a personal relationship with the head of the region.
Auditor-Provided Tax Services and Earnings Management in Tax Expense: The Importance of Audit Committees

Regulators do not prohibit auditors from providing tax services to their audit clients, provided these services are preapproved by audit committees. I examine whether the association between auditor-provided tax services and earnings management in tax expense varies with audit committee effectiveness. I develop a composite proxy for audit committee effectiveness by combining six audit committee characteristics. I find that auditor-provided tax services are less positively associated with earnings management in tax expense as audit committee effectiveness increases. My findings suggest that the knowledge spillover effect of auditor-provided tax services is more likely to dominate the independence impairment effect when auditor-provided tax services are preapproved by more effective audit committees.
Cellular and Molecular Pathways Leading to External Root Resorption

External apical root resorption during orthodontic treatment implicates specific molecular pathways that orchestrate nonphysiologic cellular activation. To date, a substantial number of in vitro and in vivo molecular, genomic, and proteomic studies have supplied data that provide new insights into root resorption. Recent mechanisms and developments reviewed here include the role of the cellular component—specifically, the balance of CD68+, iNOS+ M1- and CD68+, CD163+ M2-like macrophages associated with root resorption and root surface repair processes linked to the expression of the M1-associated proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor, inducible nitric oxide synthase, the M1 activator interferon γ, the M2 activator interleukin 4, and M2-associated anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 and arginase I. Insights into the role of mesenchymal dental pulp cells in attenuating dentin resorption in homeostasis are also reviewed. Data on recently deciphered molecular pathways are reviewed at the level of (1) clastic cell adhesion in the external apical root resorption process and the specific role of α/β integrins, osteopontin, and related extracellular matrix proteins; (2) clastic cell fusion and activation by the RANKL/RANK/OPG and ATP-P2RX7-IL1 pathways; and (3) regulatory mechanisms of root resorption repair by cementum at the proteomic and transcriptomic levels.
Role of Exchange-Rate Volatility in US Import Price Pass-Through Relationships

Many authors have noted a recent breakdown in the historical long-run relationship between US non-oil import prices and the nominal exchange rate. Known as pass through, this phenomenon has been the subject of both empirical and theoretical inquiry. This literature is reviewed in Chapter One. The alternative approach presented here builds upon the theoretical body of literature. Pass through is explained within the context of profit-maximising exporting firms but with the additional feature of being tested empirically. Chapter Two presents models highlighting the differing effects of exchange-rate variance on exporters under a system of flexible exchange rates. A risk-averse profit-maximising exporter setting price in the currency of the importing country will raise price the higher is variance. The opposite is true for an exporter setting price in its own currency where a higher variance results in a lower price. However, a firm which sets price in the importing country's currency can cover in the foreign exchange market, which lessens the positive influence of variance. The extent to which it covers hinges on the difference between the forward price of the importing country's currency and its expected value.
Corporate performance and the influence of human capital characteristics on executive compensation in the UK

The issue of executive pay has been the subject of intense debate in recent years. Discusses the factors determining executive pay using 1995 and 1996 data for a sample of 125 of the largest UK companies. Combines company performance and human capital characteristics as determinants of executive pay. Confirms the importance of company size as a strong influence on executive pay. Shows that profitability is a weak determinant of pay. Although human capital characteristics affect executive pay, the influence is not strong. When industry differences are taken into account, the impact of human capital diminishes further.