Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of corporate governance on the decision to voluntarily disclose corporate social responsibility reports: evidence from China

ABSTRACT This article investigates effects of corporate governance on the decision to voluntarily disclose corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. By using a unique longitude data set of Chinese publicly traded manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2016, this study finds that ownership structure and board characteristics are significantly associated with firms’ decisions to voluntarily disclose CSR reports. In particular, our study finds that state ownership, institutional ownership, managerial ownership and board size are positively and significantly associated with the decision to voluntarily disclose CSR reports. However, board independence is not related to the decision. We also find CEO duality is negatively and significantly related to the decision. Our findings highlight the role of corporate governance in firms’ transparency by influencing the voluntary disclosure of additional information on firms’ CSR activities.
Fairy Tales Don’t Come True: The Impact of Aspirational Distance on Teen Pregnancy Prevention Messages

The risks associated with teen sexual activity are not as universal as policy makers and programmers may suggest. Furthermore, the future presented by teen advocacy programs may not represent a reality that the teens experience in their communities and therefore may feel unobtainable. The goal of this research is to understand how teens evaluate their vulnerability associated with teen sexual activity and teen pregnancy relative to desirable life outcomes. Several focus groups were conducted with parenting and never-pregnant teens. The results contribute to the understanding of how disadvantaged teens assess risks and vulnerability.
A Framework for Data Quality for Synthetic Information

Data quality has been an area of increasing interest for researchers in recent years due to the rapid emergence of “big data” processes and applications. In this work, the data quality problem is viewed from the standpoint of synthetic information. Based on the structure and complexity of synthetic data, a need to have a data quality framework specific to it was realized. This thesis presents this framework along with implementation details and results of a large synthetic dataset to which the developed testing framework is applied. A formal conceptual framework was designed for assessing data quality of synthetic information. This framework involves developing analytical methods and software for assessing data quality for synthetic information. It includes dimensions of data quality that check the inherent properties of the data as well as evaluate it in the context of its use. The framework developed here is a software framework which is designed considering software design techniques like scalability, generality, integrability and modularity. A data abstraction layer has been introduced between the synthetic data and the tests. This abstraction layer has multiple benefits over direct access of the data by the tests. It decouples the tests from the data so that the details of storage and implementation are kept hidden from the user. We have implemented data quality measures for several quality dimensions: accuracy and precision, reliability, completeness, consistency, and validity. The particular tests and quality measures implemented span a range from low-level syntactic checks to highlevel semantic quality measures. In each case, in addition to the results of the quality measure itself, we also present results on the computational performance (scalability) of the measure.
A Novel Local Community Detection Algorithm Based on Contribution of Common Neighbor Nodes

Most of the local community detection algorithms based on node similarity often simply count the number of common neighbors as the basis of selecting members of the community that cannot accurately measure the value of a common neighbor node in the information transmission of nodes. For this, we use the new concept of a common neighbor contribution; borrowed from the idea about the local modularity, put forward a new fast community detection algorithm. The algorithm accurately selects candidate nodes to join the community, according to the contribution of the common neighbor node, also without calculating local modularity for each common neighbor node, and greatly improved the accuracy and efficiency in merging Members. the experimental results of the computer-generated network and the real networks verified reliability and efficiency of the algorithm.
Implementing Cash Transfer Programmes in Egypt Differently: An Economic Impact Analysis

Using a Computable General Equilibrium model, this study simulates replacing in-kind subsidies in Egypt with targeted unconditional and conditional cash transfers as well as a universal basic income scheme financed through subsidies removal and progressive income taxes. The findings of this study show a strong complementarity between cash transfer and productive investment in health and education. Accordingly, combining targeted cash transfer with education and health conditionality is more likely to stimulate the economy and generate better outcomes in terms of welfare effect, demand for labour and production in addition to the positive human capital impact expected in the long-run. Universal basic income would not be a panacea for mitigating the adverse effect of subsidies removal on the Egyptian economy and the welfare of low and middle-income households.
Poder local versus política local: a Câmara de Vereadores de Itapipoca (1824-2012)

Esta pesquisa investiga o processo de institucionalizacao do poder local e a dinâmica da politica local no municipio de Itapipoca. A analise se centra nos desenvolvimentos historicos da dinâmica politica local ao longo do periodo de 1824 a 2012. Atraves da historia da instituicao buscamos resgatar o processo pelo qual o poder local foi institucionalizado nos regimes politicos brasileiros, revelando as caracteristicas que a politica local assume num contexto institucionalizado. Este processo culmina com a resolucao de dois problemas principais: o regime de autonomia municipal e a criacao de mecanismos horizontais de accountability no governo local. O conceito de autonomia municipal e definido com base em tres dimensoes: financeira, politica e administrativa, sendo aplicado ao desenvolvimento historico da estrutura politica brasileira. O nivel de accountability e os problemas de representacao sao abordados tendo como referencia a pesquisa qualitativa realizada pela autora no municipio de Itapipoca ao longo dos anos de 2011 e 2012. Foca, especificamente, nos desenvolvimentos recentes da instituicao, com a analise da Câmara Municipal de Itapipoca no novo contexto institucional. Aborda o desenvolvimento partidario, a producao legislativa e o perfil politico dos representantes municipais na legislatura 2008-2012. A relacao entre o Poder Executivo e o Poder Legislativo e analisada atraves dos conceitos de agencia e das estrategias de consolidacao dos atores frente a conflitos na dinâmica municipal. Embora a competicao politica e os atores locais se institucionalizem cada vez mais, o sistema partidario encontra dificuldades para se consolidar na politica local. O surgimento do politico com perfil institucional se da em paralelo ao aumento de gastos da campanha e a generalizacao dos mecanismos de compra de votos, o que leva os agentes a se comprometer cada vez mais com atores com maior capacidade de investimento.
Parameter Estimation of ViscoelasticWallModels in a One-Dimensional Circulatory Network

BATTISTA, CHRISTINA. Parameter Estimation of Viscoelastic Wall Models in a One-Dimensional Circulatory Network. (Under the direction of Mette S. Olufsen and Mansoor A. Haider.) Flow and pressure waves originate from the contraction of the heart and propagate along deformable vessels where the waves are reflected, dampened, and dispersed within smaller sub-networks of vessels. Wave propagation in the circulatory system has been studied from many different angles with the most successful being from a fluid dynamics approach. This thesis develops and applies a one-dimensional nonlinear fluid dynamics model for pulse wave propagation in large systemic ovine arteries with the goal of enhancing the understanding of cardiovascular disease and potentially impacting diagnostic techniques related to systemic hypertension. Hypertension, high blood pressure, is associated with the stiffening of large or small arteries, and by stiffening the arteries in our network, we show the impact that each has on the pressure waveform. The Navier-Stokes equations that govern blood flow in the large arteries are highly dependent upon the parameters specified by both the inand outflow boundary conditions as well as the coupled arterial wall model. The most common outflow boundary condition, the three-element Windkessel model, requires diligent estimation of parameters to produce physiologically relevant and sensible results. Simultaneously, biomechanical properties of the arterial wall change along the axial direction, resulting in stiffer arteries and less viscoelasticity with progressively smaller vessels or as diseases progress. With a change in mechanical properties of the arterial wall, in particular viscoelasticity, various amounts of energy are lost throughout the system. Energy loss must then be compensated for in the downstream vasculature via means of the outflow boundary conditions. Thus the Windkessel model relies not only on pressure and flow but also the wall model and its parameters. While the Windkessel model has been implemented and studied for many years, the current approach for determining the parameters has been based on elastic wall models where minimal amounts of energy are lost as the pulse waves propagate along the network. When incorporating viscoelastic walls where larger energy losses are evident, it is a nontrivial task to estimate the outflow boundary condition parameters. This thesis presents a systemic approach for determining Windkessel parameters based on vessel radius, stiffness, and viscoelasticity. © Copyright 2015 by Christina Battista
A Logic Programming Based Framework for Intelligent Web Service Composition

This chapter presents a comprehensive logic programming framework designed to support intelligent composition of Web services. The underlying model relies on the modeling of Web services as actions, each described by a logic programming theory. This view allows the use of logic-based planning to address the Web service composition problem, taking advantage of the fact that logic-based planning enables the elegant introduction of a number of extensions and generalizations (e.g., dealing with incomplete knowledge and preferences). The theory describing each Web service is encoded as a logic programming module, and different semantics are allowed within different modules, thus better reflecting the practical use of different service description formalisms and ontologies.
A Note on Socially Insufficient Advertising in Tirole’s Duopoly Model

In his textbook Tirole (1988, pp. 291-294) presents a model of advertising with Hotelling duopolists. It has been inferred (e.g., Bagwell, 2007) that in the competitive equilibrium derived, there can be socially too little advertising. It is shown that given the assumptions in Tirole (1988), there cannot be socially too little advertising for this equilibrium.
COLLOCATION DICTIONARY OF ADJECTIVES IN TEACHING TURKISH: METHOD AND PRACTICE

Turkiye Turkcesinin soz varligini barindiran Turkce Sozluk'te (2005), madde basi olarak sozlukbirimsellestirilmis 11.320 sifat tanimli sozlukbirim yer almaktadir. Bugun, Turkiye Turkcesinin soz varligi uzerine yapilan calismalar degerlendirildiginde genel amacli sozluk calismalarinin yaninda ozel amacli sozluk calismalarinin yetersizligi ve sinirliligi acikca gozlemlenmektedir. Sozlukbilimde (lexicology), esdizim sozlukleri (collocation dictionary) ozellikle dil ogretimde onemli urunlerdendir. Ote yandan, esdizimlilik (collocation) alan yazinda, sozlukbilim uygulamalarinda ozellikle yabanci dil ogretiminde onceliklerin belirlenmesi asamasinda cokca basvurulan bir yontem olarak yerini almistir. Bu calismanin amaci, Turkiye Turkcesi soz varliginda sifat olarak tanimli sozlukbirimlerin esdizim sozlugunun olusturulma asamalarini yontem ve uygulama acisindan ortaya koymak, ana dili ve yabanci dil ogretiminde onemli bir yere sahip olan esdizim kavramini sifatlar acisindan bu anlamda degerlendirmektir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Sozlukbilim, esdizimlilik, sifat, Turkce ogretimi.
Language Learners Perceptions and Experiences on the Use of Mobile Applications for Independent Language Learning in Higher Education.

With the widespread use of mobile phones and portable devices it is inevitable to think of Mobile Assisted Language Learning as a means of independent learning in Higher Education. Nowadays many learners are keen to explore the wide variety of applications available in their portable and always readily available mobile phones and tablets. The fact that they are keen to take control of their learning and autonomy is thought to lead to greater motivation and engagement, and the link with games-based learning suggests that the fun factor involved should not be overseen. This paper focuses on the use of mobile applications for independent language learning in higher education. It investigates how learners use mobile apps in line with their classes to enhance their learning experience. We base our analysis on a survey carried out in autumn 2013 in which 286 credited and non-credited language students from various levels of proficiency at The University of Manchester express their perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of mobile applications for independent language learning, together with examples of useful apps and suggestions of how these could be integrated in the language class.
TartanCalib: Iterative Wide-Angle Lens Calibration using Adaptive SubPixel Refinement of AprilTags

Wide-angle cameras are uniquely positioned for mobile robots, by virtue of the rich information they provide in a small, light, and cost-effective form factor. An accurate calibration of the intrinsics and extrinsics is a critical pre-requisite for using the edge of a wide-angle lens for depth perception and odometry. Calibrating wide-angle lenses with current state-of-the-art techniques yields poor results due to extreme distortion at the edge, as most algorithms assume a lens with low to medium distortion closer to a pinhole projection. In this work we present our methodology for accurate wide-angle calibration. Our pipeline generates an intermediate model, and leverages it to iteratively improve feature detection and eventually the camera parameters. We test three key methods to utilize intermediate camera models: (1) undistorting the image into virtual pinhole cameras, (2) reprojecting the target into the image frame, and (3) adaptive subpixel refinement. Combining adaptive subpixel refinement and feature reprojection significantly improves reprojection errors by up to 26.59 %, helps us detect up to 42.01 % more features, and improves performance in the downstream task of dense depth mapping. Finally, TartanCalib is open-source and implemented into an easy-to-use calibration toolbox. We also provide a translation layer with other state-of-the-art works, which allows for regressing generic models with thousands of parameters or using a more robust solver. To this end, TartanCalib is the tool of choice for wide-angle calibration. Project website and code: http://tartancalib.com.
Information Hiding Capacity Model Based on Error-correcting Codes

Based on analyzing rationale of Error-Correcting Codes(ECC)-based information hiding algorithms, and studying on the main ECC-based information hiding algorithms, a model on the capacity of ECC-based information hiding and the theoretical derivation and solution of the model in ideal state (complete error correction circumstances) is introduced, the theoretical comparisons between block code and convolution code and the results are given. Ideas about the future work are also presented.
Mujer y alta dirección en el sector turístico

Esta obra define, contrasta y evalua empiricamente las caracteristicas del Techo de Cristal (TC) en el sector turistico. El TC es entendido como una barrera invisible que dificulta el ascenso laboral de las mujeres, especialmente a puestos directivos, y su desaparicion no es solo una cuestion de justicia social, sino tambien un asunto relativo a la perdida de talento y una cuestion de rentabilidad economica empresarial. A partir de esta definicion, se realiza una contextualizacion teorica, un estudio bibliometrico y un analisis de fuentes de informacion estadistica, a partir de las cuales se evaluan las causas y consecuencias del TC, las razones y estrategias del exito de mujeres directivas, y politicas y acciones encaminadas a la lucha contra dicho TC. Es evidente la falta de investigacion en el ambito de los estudios de genero en el sector turistico, incluso a pesar de la repercusion del mismo para la economia espanola y la importancia de la mujer para el turismo, como emprendedora y asalariada. Por lo tanto, esta publicacion se convierte en uno de los escasos libros editados a nivel nacional sobre la situacion y la importancia de la mujer en el turismo. La obra se dirige a estudiantes de grado, investigadores y profesores universitarios, profesionales del turismo, agentes politicos del sector turistico y, por extension, a cualquier persona interesada en conocer con mayor profundidad esta tematica.
Do Places of Worship Affect Housing Prices? Evidence from Germany

Using hedonic pricing models, this paper analyzes the impact of places of worship on the prices of adjacent condominiums in Hamburg, Germany. This is the first study on this subject to have been conducted outside the United States. It is also the first work to examine the externalities of places of worship of all five world religions. Furthermore, it is the first study that analyzes the effect of bell ringing on the adjacent residential property prices. Controlling for spatial dependence and by using potentiality variables positive externalities of places of worship within a radius of 1,000m were identified. Compared to properties beyond this threshold, price premiums of 4.8% were detected for condominiums at distances of 100m to 200m to the next place of worship. The results also show that the positive externalities near mosques do not differ from those of places of worship of other religions and that the positive effect of churches continues to be felt even after they have been deconsecrated. The influence of church bell ringing on the prices of surrounding residential properties, however, could not be substantiated.
Determinants of the Public Debt and the Role of the Natural Resources: A Cross-Country Analysis

This paper investigates the major drivers of the public debt growth in 184 countries. The underlying cross-country survey is conducted on the basis of the improved compilation of datasets on the central government debt for 2013. The study finds that oil abundance, economic growth rate, the share of mineral rent in the total revenue, interest rate payments for foreign borrowings, and being a developing country have statistically significant impact on the growth of the public debt. In contrast, defense spending, unemployment rate, and inflation rate do not have a statistically significant positive impact on the public debt rate.
Three Essays on Firm Dynamics and Development

This thesis is a collection of three essays on firm dynamics and development. These essays consider the interaction between the dynamics of allocative efficiency and economic growth from the three different perspectives. The first essay quantitatively analyses the role of allocative efficiency in explaining growth miracles. It builds a heterogeneous firm model with entry and exit. The model economy converges to a more efficient steady state by selecting more productive firms and reallocating resources to them. Frictions obstruct firm selection and labour reallocation and delay the convergence for decades. Meanwhile, slow efficiency improvement continuously increases productivity and contributes to miraculous growth. In counterfactual experiments, higher-level frictions decrease both the aggregate productivity in the new steady state and the speed of convergence. The second essay investigates how technological diffusion could shape the high productivity dispersion and exaggerate the so-called allocative inefficiency in emerging economies. It develops a growth model with heterogeneous firms and simulates the dynamics of its productivity distribution during a catch-up process. Firms in the model economy learn about new technology from the world frontier. Their learning speeds differ. When they start to catch up to the frontier, fast learners get close to the frontier in a short time while slow learners remain close to their original low productivity. Consequently, productivity dispersion increases. Furthermore, when adjustment costs exist, marginal productivity is correlated with productivity, so its dispersion increases as well. The economy appears more inefficient. After a long period of learning, slow learners ultimately narrow the gap to frontier. In the new steady state, the productivity dispersion is low again and the economy once again appears efficient even without the reductions to adjustment costs. In the simulation of China, the economy has already passed the bottom of U-shaped pattern. The
Aphasia My World Alone

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Contrarian and Momentum Investment Strategies in Pakistan Stock Exchange

In this study, we examine several aspects of the momentum strategies such as profitability, risk-based explanation, and decomposition of the momentum profits. For this purpose, we use weekly and monthly data of 581 firms listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the period 2004-2014. We found the presence of momentum profits over short- and long-horizons, while majority of the contrarian profits were observed only in the presence of penny stocks that have share prices of PKR 10 or less. As a robustness check, we computed returns through weighted relative strength scheme and average cumulative abnormal returns. Interestingly, both the methods have shown a similar pattern in returns. Further, to know which factor contributes more to momentum and contrarian profits, we used the model proposed by Lo and MacKinlay (1990). Our findings show that the overreaction effect is the largest contributing factor of contrarian profits in PSX, while cross-sectional risk is the second largest factor. Moreover, the lead-lag effect contributes positively to the contrarian profits. Similarly, the largest contributing factor for momentum profits is the underreaction effect whereas cross-sectional risk is the second largest factor that positively affects momentum profits. Unlike contrarian profits, lead-lag effect reduces the momentum profits in the PSX.
Framemaker 5.5.6 for Dummies

From the Publisher: This indispensable guide covers the FrameMaker features that both technical writers and business people need to produce powerful and effective long documents. It includes text editing and formatting, graphics, page design and layout, and more. The CD-ROM is loaded with templates, plug-ins, and examples from the book.