Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring muscle color on beef carcasses using the L*a*b* color space.

Because beef muscle color affects consumers' purchasing decisions, is a factor in determining USDA grades, and has been shown to be useful in sorting carcasses according to palatability, this study was conducted to determine the effects of measurement conditions on L*, a*, and b* values, to determine the relationships among USDA quality grading factors, muscle pH, electrical impedance, and colorimeter readings, and to develop a classification system that could be used to sort beef carcasses with respect to muscle color. Data were collected over 2 d from 145 beef carcasses in a commercial packing plant. The exposed longissimus muscle at the 12th/13th rib was used for all muscle pH, electrical impedance, and colorimeter measurements. A Minolta Chroma Meter CR-310 was used to obtain L*, a*, and b* readings. Bloom time, from 0 to 93 min, had a greater effect on a* and b* readings than on L* readings. The L* values stabilized after approximately 30 min bloom time, and a* and b* values stabilized after 78 min bloom time, but relative differences among carcasses in L*, a*, and b* values did not change after 3 to 12 min bloom time. Days postmortem, cut surface (anterior versus posterior), and within-muscle location (medial vs lateral) did not affect L*, a*, and b* readings (P > .05). Blotting the surface moisture from the longissimus muscle resulted in lower a* readings (P < .05), but did not affect L* and b* readings (P > .05). The L*, a*, and b* values were correlated with lean maturity scores (-.67, -.30, and -.40, respectively), dark cutter discount (-.60, -.76, and -.73, respectively), muscle pH (-.57, -.79, and -.78, respectively), and electrical impedance (-.27, -.21, and -.25, respectively). Two muscle color classification systems, nine classes each, are proposed, one system based on L* and one system based on b*. The main advantage of the L* categorization system over the b* system is that the L* value was less sensitive to bloom time, and the main advantage of the b* categorization system over the L* system is that the b* system was slightly more precise at segregating carcasses based upon corresponding differences in muscle pH. This research provides procedural guidelines for measuring beef muscle color and shows that a colorimeter can effectively aid researchers and graders in assessing beef carcass quality.
MD&A trends in standard & poor's top 100 companies

This article includes the results of a survey of trends in Management's Discussion and Analysis of the top 100 Standard & Poor's companies. Items surveyed included format, length, cross references, segments, year-by-year comparisons, price / volume analysis, unusual items, environmental matters, inflation, forward-looking information, cash flows, and liquidity and financial condition disclosures. Selections of forward-looking information for certain industry groups are included for illustrative purposes.
From government strategies to strategic public management: an exploratory outlook on the pursuit of cross‐sectoral policy integration

This paper discusses how public administrations handle government strategies on sustainable development (SD), and how this could (or should) change in the future. It puts SD strategies and their key objective of improving the horizontal integration of policies into the wider context of public administration in two respects. In a first step, the paper shows that SD strategies are a progressive step in the protracted debate on planning and strategic management in the public sector. In a second step, however, the paper explores the functioning of specialised public administrations as one explanation for the short-comings of SD strategies in Europe. Consequently, the paper concludes that SD strategies should be developed further into a tool of Strategic Public Management that helps to adapt administrative approaches to the integrative challenges of SD.
The common good as an invisible hand: Machiavelli's legacy to public management

Public management has been dominated by the quest for efficiency and has left us with fundamental ethical questions that remain unresolved. It is argued that Machiavellian thought may provide us with concepts and tools applicable to ruling societies confronted with uncertainties and change that are (1) in line with the most recent insights into institutional evolution and (2) appropriate to solve complex decision-making problems. The common good — a central concept of Machiavelli's thought — appears to be an invisible hand that lowers the transaction costs and acts as the keystone of complex public affairs thinking. This analysis is illustrated by a comparative case study of the two management projects of infrastructure crossing the Alps, the AlpTransit in Switzerland, and the Lyon Torino Link. It concludes with a proposal to upgrade the research program in public management that allows effectiveness (legitimacy of the ends) and effectiveness in its implementation. Points for practitioners The mainstream of public management theories and reform has been dominated by the quest of efficiency as a Holy Grail. I argue that theses reforms didn't deliver with their promises and left us with fundamental ethical questions unresolved: doing things right do not answer to the question of doing the right things. The main reason is a profound misunderstanding of the very nature of the ongoing change process that makes any kind one size fits all recipes inappropriate. Such a sea change occurred in the Renaissance era and Machiavelli bequeathed us a comprehensive understanding of how to rule a public body in a changing and uncertain world. I explain Machiavelli's misunderstood legacy and apply his teaching to analyzing two huge management projects of public infrastructures. I conclude on what has to be upgrade in the research programmes in public management to confront with the challenges of our era that call for a back to basics of classical political philosophy
Capacitively Coupled Plasma With an Asymmetric Dielectric Plate

A 3-D plasma model is used to investigate the impact of an azimuthally asymmetric quartz plate on a capacitively coupled discharge in an otherwise symmetric chamber. Large azimuthal nonuniformity in electron density arises due to electrical asymmetry. In addition, ion angular distributions show a linkage between azimuthal and radial angles in regions away from the symmetry plane.
Exploiting skewness to build an optimal hedge fund with a currency overlay

Abstract This paper documents an investigation into the use of portfolio selection methods to construct a hedge fund with a currency overlay. The fund, which is based on number of international stock and bond market indices and is constructed from the perspective of a Sterling investor, allows the individual exposures in the currency overlay to be optimally determined. As well as using traditional mean variance, the paper constructs the hedge funds using portfolio selection methods that incorporate skewness in the optimisation process. These methods are based on the multivariate skewnormal distribution, which motivates the use of a linear skewness shock. An extension to Stein's lemma gives the ability to explore the mean-variance-skewness efficient surface without the necessity to be concerned with the precise form of an individual investor's utility function. The results suggest that it is possible to use mean variance optimisation methods to build a hedge fund based on the assets and return forecasts described. The results also suggest that the inclusion of a skewness component in the optimisation is beneficial. In many of the cases reported, the skewness term contributes to an improvement in performance over and above that given by mean variance methods.
Environmental Attitudes in Cross-National Perspective: A Multilevel Analysis of the ISSP 1993 and 2000

This article discusses the determinants and the development of public concern for the state of the natural environment. First, we review some theoretical approaches that try to explain individual as well as cross-national differences in environmental attitudes. Particularly, we discuss Inglehart's theory of post-materialism, Dunlap and Mertig's globalization explanation, and the prosperity hypothesis. Second, we test these hypotheses by applying multilevel analysis to the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) data from the years 1993 and 2000. The results support, above all, the prosperity hypothesis. Individuals with higher relative income within countries display higher levels of environmental concern than their compatriots, and additionally, more concern is reported in wealthier countries than in poorer nations. The results indicate that environmental concern is also closely associated with post-materialistic attitudes and various socio-demographic variables. Comparing the environmental concern measured in the ISSP in 1993 with that in 2000 shows that environmental concern has more or less stabilized since the early 1990s in the countries under scrutiny.
Guinea‐Pig Ia Antigens: Functional Significance and Chemical Characterization

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains genes which control several important functions related to the immune system. Among these are the control of acceptance and rejection of tissue and organ allografts, the regulation of interactions between immunocompetent cells, the synthesis of several of the components of the complement system, and the regulation of the ability to moimt specific thymus-dependent immune responses (Katz & Benacerraf 1976). In addition, this complex contains genes which encode glycoproteins, expressed on plasma membranes of cells, which act as histocompatibility antigens. The genes for one set of these antigens, the I-region-assodated (Ia) antigens, are closely linked (or perhaps identical) to the specific immune-response (Ir) genes, and anti-la sera are thus valuable tools in the dissection of the function of Ir-gene products, and may provide an approach to the analysis of the structure of these molecules. The guinea-pig has been a favorite species in which to study genetic control of the immune response because of the ease with which in vivo and in vitro functions of thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes could be measured. A series of Ir genes linked to the guinea-pig MHC has been identified; in particular, responsiveness to the copolymer of L-glutamic add and L-lyskie (GL) and its haptenic conjugates, such as dinitrophenyl (DNP)-GL is controlled by an Ir gene(s) which is (are) linked to genes specifying MHC alloantigens of strain-2 guinea-pigs (Ellman et al. 1970). The gene(s) controlling responsiveness to the copolymer of L-glutamic acid
Generalized cognitive impairments, ability to perform everyday tasks, and level of independence in community living situations of older patients with psychosis.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationship between performance of instrumental activities of daily living, as measured with the University of California, San Diego, Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA), and measures of cognitive functioning and independence in the community living situation of older outpatients with psychotic disorders. METHOD One hundred eleven middle-aged and elderly outpatients with primary psychotic disorders were administered the UPSA, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, and standardized measures of psychopathology. Independence in the community living situation was rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the highest level of independence, such as living alone in an apartment or house. Ability in seven domains of neuropsychological functioning was assessed in 67 participants. RESULTS Total scores on the University of California, San Diego, Performance-Based Skills Assessment were significantly correlated with total and subscale scores on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, level of independence in the community living situation, and scores on the neuropsychological measures in the subset of patients who underwent neuropsychological testing. Lower scores on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale memory subscale and more severe negative symptoms were significantly associated with worse performance on the skills assessment. Performance on the skills assessment contributed uniquely to prediction of independence in the community living situation. CONCLUSIONS Generalized cognitive abilities are associated with everyday functioning capacity in older patients with psychosis. Reduction of cognitive deficits and negative symptoms may improve patients' ability to function independently in the community.
Intersectoral partnerships for sustainable development: The case for community forest management in Brazil.

This thesis examines the roles of and the relationships amongst the public, private, Third, and intergovernmental sectors, in order to understand the dynamics of Intersectoral Partnerships (ISPs) and its impact as a sustainable development strategy in community forest management (CFM) projects in Brazil. Partnership literature highlights the value of ISPs' ability to pool resources; however, it fails to evaluate the role for each sector within partnerships. This study of ISPs reviews the theory behind sectors to explain their influence in partnerships and propose a solution utilizing sector strengths to optimize the impact of ISPs on sustainable livelihoods. This research tracks the evolution of ISPs in relation to development theories in literature to eventually focus on three Brazilian CFM projects. Backed by intergovernmental sector support, each of the three case studies represents a partnership with one of the public, Third or private sectors. An analysis of the production and commercialization process of CFM projects pinpoints valuable practical sector contributions and limitations. Sector strengths such as public sector infrastructure investments. Third sector monitoring of communities, private sector knowledge of marketing, and intergovernmental aid coordination create the foundation for ISPs in productive livelihoods. The research identifies training, certification, community organization and political voice as indicators of CFM projects' sustainability. ISPs prove their added value as a sustainable development strategy by addressing these elements better than any individual sector. This research recommends the clear delegation of responsibilities according to inherent sector strengths to maximize use of the wealth of resources provided by an ISP. A proactive approach to partnerships capitalizes on sector strengths and compensates for sector weaknesses to facilitate cooperation amongst sectors in the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods. The strategic use of the public, private, Third, and intergovernmental sectors within ISPs in project development and implementation will contribute to further reducing poverty and deforestation through CFM projects by promoting sustainable livelihoods for forest communities.
Web graph compression by edge elimination

Summary form only given. This work focuses on the problem of compressing the Web graph by means of eliminating some of the edges in its link structure. An algorithm is used to divide the task so that it can be executed on parallel processors. Ran on a test bed of generated Web graphs, the algorithm improved the compression ratio of both Huffman-coding schemes and Adler and Mitzenmacher's find reference algorithm tangibly. In the find reference case, improvement was up to 90%
Empirical Analyses of Extreme Value Models for the South African Mining Index

While the classical normality assumption is simple to implement, it is well known to underestimate the leptokurtic behaviour demonstrated in most financial data. After examining properties of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Mining Index returns, we propose two extreme value models to fit its negative tail with a higher degree of accuracy. The generalised extreme value distribution (GEVD) is fitted using the block maxima approach, while the generalised Pareto distribution (GPD) is fitted using the peaks-over-threshold method. Numerical assessment of value-at-risk (VaR) estimates indicates that both GEVD and GPD increasingly outperform the normal distribution as we move further into the lower tail. In addition, GEVD produces lower estimates relative to that of the historical VaR, and GPD provides slightly more conservative estimates for adequate capitalisation.
Determinants of Market Competitiveness in an Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Industry

This article introduces a detailed new model of competitiveness that focuses on environmental sustainability factors associated with travel destinations. The multiplicity of industries involved in destinations' planning and development requires the use of a competitiveness model that examines the relationships among all stakeholders involved in creating and integrating value-added products to sustain resources while maintaining market position relative to other competitors. The development of future destinations must be guided by effective and efficient management with a focus on sustainable customer base. Thus, destination management should focus on a systematic examination of unique comparative advantages that provide a special long-term appeal to the target travel customer segments. Therefore, sustaining the longevity of a given destination becomes a function of responding to market demand and competitive challenges. It is critical for future destination development plans to be compatible with market needs and environment integrity for the industry to maintain its economic viability.
Reported earnings, auditor's opinion, and compensation: theory and evidence

We study the effect of the auditor's independence on executive compensation and executive effort allocation. Using principal-agent theory, we examine a compensation contract involving two signals, one for incentives and the other for control. The incentive signal is the earnings reported by the executive and the control signal is the auditor's opinion. The optimal weights on earnings and audit opinion in the agent's compensation contract are obtained in a LEN (linear compensation plan, exponential utility, normally distributed outcome) framework. The pay-performance sensitivity (incentive weight on earnings) increases monotonically as the auditor becomes more independent. However, the pay-opinion sensitivity (incentive weight on audit opinion) first increases and then decreases as the auditor becomes more independent. We test some of these results empirically with publicly available data and find that the executive is rewarded for higher reported earnings and penalised for audit qualification. Evidence also shows that the pay-performance sensitivity increases as the auditor becomes more independent.
RECENT TRENDS IN SALMON PRICE VOLATILITY

The price of farmed Atlantic salmon from Norway has increased in recent years. This new regime follows several years of consistently falling prices. At the same time price volatility has increased substantially. This article models the volatility of salmon prices and establishes empirically that volatility is on an increasing trend. Further empirical analysis suggests that the volatility trend is largely accounted for by the common trend in other food prices relevant to salmon, including meats, cereals, oils and fish meal observed in recent years. Other potentially contributing factors to volatility are also discussed. This includes the role of the 2005 maximum total allowable biomass restriction, the 2006 introduction of the Fish Pool ASA futures market for salmon, the Chilean Salmon crisis and the increasing use of bilateral contracts.
The Distinct Roles of the N-terminal Copper-binding Sites in Regulation of Catalytic Activity of the Wilson's Disease Protein*

Wilson's disease protein (WNDP) is a copper-transporting ATPase essential for normal distribution of copper in human cells. Recent studies demonstrate that copper regulates WNDP through several mechanisms. Six metal-binding sites (MBS) at the N terminus of WNDP are predicted to be involved in copper-dependent regulation of WNDP; however, specific roles of MBS remain poorly understood. To address this issue, we generated WNDP variants with mutations or truncation in the N-terminal region and characterized their functional properties. We show that copper cooperatively stimulates catalytic activity of WNDP and that this effect requires the presence of both MBS5 and MBS6. Mutations of MBS6 or MBS1–5 result in non-cooperative activation of the enzyme by copper, whereas the deletion of MBS1–4 does not abolish cooperativity. Our data further suggest that MBS5 and MBS6 together regulate the affinity of the intramembrane-binding site(s) for copper. Analysis of the copper-dependent stimulation of catalytic phosphorylation demonstrate that the MBS6 and MBS1–5 mutants have a 7–8-fold lower EC50 for copper activation, suggesting that their affinity for copper is increased. This conclusion is confirmed by a markedly decreased inhibition of these mutants by a copper chelator bathocuproine disulphonate. In contrast, deletion of MBS1–4 does not affect the affinity of sites important for catalytic phosphorylation. Rather, the MBS1–4 region appears to control access of copper to the functionally important metal-binding sites. The implications of these findings for intracellular regulation of WNDP are discussed.
Travel Safety, Terrorism and the Media: The Significance of the Issue-Attention Cycle

Terrorist attacks against tourists and tourism infrastructure have long been acknowledged as having significant impacts on travel behaviour. The article examines the impact of the terrorist attacks of the 11 September 2001 in the United States to reflect not only the impact of the media on influencing travel behaviour but also tourism policy, particularly with respect to security issues and government response to crisis. The article does this with respect to the notion of an issue-attention cycle of political attention to policy issues and the manner in which these are played out. Several stages of the cycle are identified and related to the post September 11 aftermath. The cycle suggests that a five stage pattern of policy attention will be followed: pre-problem stage, alarmed discovery and euphoric enthusiasm, realisation of the cost of significant progress, gradual decline of intense public interest and the post-problem stage. The model suggests that current adoption of post September 11 security measures will likely cease to find political support once the perceived terrorist threat receives less attention in the media and, related to this, the voting public.
Essential Oil Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Aerial Parts and Ripe Fruits of Echinophora spinosa (Apiaceae) from Italy

The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils obtained from the flowering aerial parts and ripe fruits of Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae) from central Italy were analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents of the oil from the aerial parts were β-phellandrene (34.7%), myristicin (16.5%), δ3-carene (12.6%), α-pinene (6.7%) and α-phellandrene (6.2%), and of the oil from the ripe fruits p-cymene (50.2%), myristicin (15.3%), α-pinene (15.1%) and α-phellandrene (8.1%). The two oils showed good antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile, C perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, Eubacterium limosum, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Candida albicans with MIC values respectively of 0.25, 0.25, 0.25, 0.25, 2.25, and 0.50%, v/v, and 0.13, 0.13, 0.13, 0.13, 2.25, 0.50%, v/v, for aerial parts and ripe fruits respectively. A less significant antimicrobial activity against bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, very important in the intestinal microflora, was also detected, with MIC values higher than 4.0%, v/v.