Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
National urbanization policy in developing countries

This report focuses on the need for national urbanization policy. First, it presents a worldwide perspective on urbanization and explains why the need for active urbanization policies is greater for developing countries than it was in the past for economies that are now developed. It then discusses the factors affecting national spatial development and gives a country typology for national urbanization strategies. It also covers the determinants of the growth of urban systems, touching on migration, rural-urban interaction, and the roles of transport and industrialization. Next, the current status of national urbanization policy is assessed. The report concludes with a discussion on appropriate national urbanization strategies. The appendices cover urbanization issues in Latin America and in large centrally planned economies, such as the Soviet Union and China.
Paying for Environmental Protection in a Cross-national Perspective

The threat of global warming has attracted considerable attention from policy makers around the world. We analyse public support for environmental protection and the main drivers of support in Australia and cross-nationally using survey data from the International Social Survey and the Australian Survey of Social Attitudes. Support is measured as a series of trade-off questions based on willingness to pay extra taxes or prices, or accept cuts to one's standard of living to protect the environment. Willingness to pay more for environmental protection has decreased across a range of countries from 1993 to 2000 with the ‘routinisation’ of ‘the environment’ as a political issue. Risk perceptions regarding the dangers of global warming, having a tertiary education and holding post-materialist value orientations all increase the willingness to pay for environmental protection. In Australia, environmental support is still divided along partisan lines and global warming was as an important issue in the 2007 federal election.
Detection of Acute HIV Infections in High-Risk Patients in California

Background: Given the strong relation between sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the spread of HIV infection, recent outbreaks of syphilis in the United States could lead to increased rates of new HIV infection. STD clinics serving persons at risk for syphilis would be logical sites to monitor rates of acute HIV infection. The detection of acute HIV infection, however, is not routine and requires the use of HIV RNA testing in combination with HIV antibody testing. Methods: To determine the rate of acute HIV infection, we performed HIV RNA testing on pooled HIV antibody-negative specimens from persons seeking care at San Francisco City Clinic (SFCC) and from men seeking care at 3 STD clinics in Los Angeles. We compared prevalence of acute HIV infection among those groups. Results: From October 2003 to July 2004, we tested 3075 specimens from persons at the SFCC, of which 105 (3%) were HIV antibody-positive and 11 were HIV RNA-positive/HIV antibody-negative, resulting in a prevalence of acute HIV infection of 36 per 10,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26 to 50 per 10,000) and increasing by 10.5% the diagnostic yield of HIV RNA testing compared with standard testing. From February 2004 to April 2004, 1712 specimens were tested from men at 3 Los Angeles STD clinics, of which 14 (0.82%) were HIV-positive by enzyme immunoassay testing and 1 was HIV RNA-positive/HIV antibody-negative, resulting in a prevalence of 6 per 10,000 (95% CI: 3 to 13 per 10,000) and increasing the diagnostic yield for HIV infection by 7.1%. Conclusions: In our study, the addition of HIV RNA screening to routine HIV antibody testing in STD clinics identified a substantial increased proportion of HIV-infected persons at high risk for further HIV transmission, who would have been missed by routine HIV counseling and testing protocols. Further evaluation of the addition of HIV RNA screening to routine HIV antibody testing is warranted.
International Trade and the Environment: Policy Reform in a Polluted Small Open Economy

Abstract This paper investigates sufficient conditions for welfare-improving policy reforms in a small open economy facing many trade and pollution distortions. We investigate and compare reform in tax regimes, quota regimes, and mixed regimes, where some pollutants are regulated with taxes and others with quotas. It is also shown that the welfare benefits of reforming pollution policy are greater in an economy with international factor mobility than in an economy not subject to such mobility.
Efforts to Implement Smart Specialization in Practice—Leading Unlike Horses to the Water

Abstract This paper reflects on the implementation of the RIS3 policy agenda. Based on two surveys and various phone interviews, it underlines that Europe's diverse pattern of institutional arrangements poses locally contingent policy challenges in which regional governance capacities are at least as important an issue as techno-economic potentials. In detail, it demonstrates how Southern Europe profited from novel practices while Eastern Europe had to invest substantially to change existing routines. Concluding, it argues that the main merit of RIS3 processes may, in fact, lie in their contribution to changing routines and practices of governance even if those, for now, remain without measurable effect on policy.
Surgical treatment of bronchiectasis: a retrospective observational study of 138 patients.

BACKGROUND We analyzed cases of bronchiectasis; its presentation, etiology, diagnosis, indications for surgery, surgical approach, and the outcome. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 138 patients who underwent surgery for bronchiectasis. RESULTS The mean age was 30.2±15.7 years. 55.8% patients were males. Symptoms were recurrent infection with cough in all patients, fetid sputum (79.7%), and hemoptysis (22.5%). The etiology was recurrent childhood infection (38.4%), pneumonia (29%), TB (9.4%), sequestration (4.3%), foreign body obstruction (4.3%), and unknown etiology (14.5%). CXR, CT scan, and bronchoscope were done for all patients. Bronchiectasis was left-sided in (55.1%) of patients. It was mainly confined to the lower lobes either alone (50.7%) or in conjunction with middle lobe or lingual (7.2%). Indications for resection were failure of conservative therapy (71.7%), hemoptysis (15.9%), destroyed lung (8%), and sequestration (4.3%). Surgery was lobectomy (81.2%), bilobectomy (8.7%), and pneumonectomy (8%). Complications occurred in 13% with no operative mortality. 84% of patients had relief of their preoperative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Surgery for bronchiectasis can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality at any age for localized disease. Proper selection and preparation of the patients and complete resection of the involved sites are required for the optimum control of symptoms and better outcomes.
Economic Development and the Value‐Relevance of Accounting Information — A Disclosure Transparency Perspective

Extending prior studies which suggest that the disclosure practice of developed economy entities tends to be more transparent than that of emerging economy entities, this study investigates whether such differences in the degree of disclosure transparency translate into different levels of value‐relevance of their accounting summary measures (i.e., book values and earnings). Consistent with theories that link disclosure quality with the impact of disclosure on investors' decisions, the evidence indicates that the accounting summary measures of developed economy entities are more value‐relevant than those of emerging economy entities in the U.S. stock market. This finding has some implications for the current policy debate in IASB regarding accounting for emerging economy entities.
Human Trafficking: Exploring the International Nature, Concerns, and Complexities

Human trafficking is a crime that undermines fundamental human rights and a broader sense of global order. It is an atrocity that transcends borders - with some regions known as exporters of trafficking victims and others recognized as destination countries. Edited by three global experts and composed of the work of an esteemed panel of contributors, Human Trafficking: Exploring the International Nature, Concerns, and Complexities examines techniques used to protect and support victims of trafficking as well as strategies for prosecution of offenders. Topics discussed include: How data on human trafficking should be collected and analyzed, and how data collection can be improved through proper contextualization; the importance of harmonization and consistency in legal definitions and interpretations within and among regions; the need for increased exchange of information and cooperation between the various actors involved in combating human trafficking, including investigators, law enforcement and criminal justice professionals, and social workers; problems with victim identification, as well as erroneous assumptions of the scope of victimization; and controversy over linking protection measures with cooperation with authorities.
Trends in Causes of Death in Low-Mortality Countries: Implications for Mortality Projections

type="main"> This study examines the potential role that information about trends in causes of death could have in improving projections of mortality in low-mortality countries. The article first summarizes overall trends in mortality by cause since the middle of the twentieth century. Special attention is given to the crucial impact of the smoking epidemic on mortality and on cause-of-death patterns. The article then discusses the implications for projections and reaches two conclusions. First, mortality projections can be improved by taking into account the distorting effects of smoking. Mortality attributable to smoking has risen in the past but has now leveled off or declined, thus boosting improvements in life expectancy. Second, making cause-specific projections is not likely to be helpful. Trends in specific medical causes of death have exhibited discontinuities in the past, and future trends are therefore difficult to predict.
Assessment of destination performance: a strategy map approach

Purpose – Notwithstanding a growing interest on destination management, little is known about the formation and evaluation of destination managers’ strategies. Strategy assessment is essential to understand whether, and how, destination managers allow the reconciliation of the diverse stakeholders’ interests within an integrated destination plan, pursuing the development of the destination. The purpose of this paper is the exploration and building of a strategy assessment approach. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology is adopted, to identify key dimensions of strategy assessment and their combination within an integrated destination plan. Data come from the city of Turin, and the destination management organization developed for 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Findings – The use of balanced scorecard approaches points out how a financial dimension is key in meta-management contexts, notwithstanding the public interests of the destination supply system. Also, this work discloses the formative process that characterizes strategic planning within supply networks of tourism destination. It describes the hierarchy of strategy assessment, taking into consideration externalities emerging from integrated supply systems developed at the destination level. Research limitations/implications – Limitations are intrinsic to case study methods, and points on findings generalizability. Practical implications – The paper offers insights on developing analytical capability within meta-management organizations, to diagnose value creation and competitiveness gaps. Also, it gives insights on developing co-ordination capabilities, allowing different strategic goals to be drawn into an integrated design. Originality/value – The paper offers a novel approach for developing a strategy map, and contributes to prior research on strategy assessment in meta-management.
Pay and Working Conditions in Finance and Utility Call Centres in Denmark and Germany

This study analyses how national institutions, sectoral bargaining structures and union strategies affect working conditions and pay by comparing call centres in two liberalized service sectors: financial services and utilities. We find more segmentation and expansion of low wage work in Germany and more cooperation on high-involvement practices at workplace level in Denmark. However, outcomes are not uniform; we find differences between sectors in the use of subcontracting and union power at the workplace-level. Poor economic performance, segmentation-oriented employer strategies, declining bargaining coverage and weakened unions in Germany have undermined formal constraints on employers, whereas better outcomes in Denmark are due to a pronounced stability of the regulative and normative institutional framework. However, the Danish model is also being weakened from the margins.
The Value of High Antistreptolysin O Titre as an Indicator of Tonsillectomy in Upper Egypt

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the benefit of performing of tonsillectomy in patients with raised serum ASO titre only in absence or presence of group A beta heamolytic streptococci (GABHS) in throat swab. Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study, 196 patients below the age of 14 were suffering from non-specific streptococcal infections, without fulfilling the clinical parameters used for the diagnosis of chronic tonsillitis 156 patients had a raised ASO titre above 200 iu/ml. Throat swab culture was performed in all patients. Results: The results showed that out of the 156 patients, 52 had positive throat swab for GABHS. All of the patients underwent tonsillectomy. Follow-up of the patients for one year after the operation, 88% of the first group with high ASO titre and positive throat swab showed improvement of symptoms; 25% of the second group with high ASO titre and negative throat swab showed improvement of symptoms. Conclusion: Our study shows that isolation of GABHS from the patients tonsils by throat swab along with high ASO titre may be an indication of tonsillectomy in absence of any other indications.
Capital Flows and Exchange Rate Volatility in India: How Crucial are Reserves?

This paper tests if the adequacy of reserves helps reduce exchange rate volatility in an environment of financial globalization, market-determined exchange rate and macroeconomic imbalances. It exploits the difference in the period after 2010 when India did not accumulate reserves but faced higher capital flow pressures, relative to a previous managed-float period marked by significant absorption of surplus capital flows. Along with other determinants, the sensitivity of rupee volatility is examined. The paper finds that adequate reserve holdings significantly reduce exchange rate volatility irrespective of the exchange rate regime; the effect is more through influence upon market sentiment and confidence than actual intervention. It contributes to existing evidence on the role of reserves in mitigating exchange rate volatility amid capital flow swings and offers insights into the policy environment depicted in the trilemma.
Some Determinants of Allowed Rates of Return on Equity to Electric Utilities

Using a variance components model, this paper examines the economic and political variables that may affect the rate of return on equity allowed electric utilities. The evidence indicates that both the risk and the size of the firm are positively related to the allowed return on equity. The use of book value in determining the rate base and the term of commissioners were also positively related to the allowed return. The compensation of the commissioners and whether they were elected or appointed were not related to the allowed return.
Instantaneous photonic microwave frequency measurement with a maximized measurement range

The use of photonic techniques to achieve frequency-to-power mapping is very attractive for instantaneous microwave frequency measurement. To have a large measurement range and a uniform measurement resolution in the range, to accurately evaluate the center frequency of a continuous-wave (CW) as well as a pulsed microwave signal, and to easily perform calibration of the measurement system, a linear amplitude comparison function (ACF), defined as the ratio of two powers of the microwave signal experiencing different power fading, is highly desirable. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate, for the first time, a novel technique to achieve a linear ACF for microwave frequency measurement with a maximized measurement range. For a measurement resolution of ≅0.4 GHz, a measurement range of 0˜25 GHz is obtained for a CW microwave signal and a measurement range of 3˜18 GHz is achieved for a pulsed microwave signal. The system is potentially integratable in a monolithically chip, which have the desirable features of small size, low cost and stable operations.
Professional and organizational obstacles to establishing a new specialist service in primary care: case study of an epilepsy specialist nurse.

BACKGROUND Few evaluations of the effectiveness of specialist nurse-led services explore the nurse's experiences, attitudes and qualities. This can help us to understand why a service has the effects it does and to inform new specialist nurses of potential difficulties. AIM To explore the experiences, feelings and perceived problems of providing a new specialist nurse service from the nurse's perspective. METHODS This was a case study nested within a controlled trial that assessed the effectiveness of an epilepsy specialist nurse-led service on the quality of patient care. In-depth interviews were conducted with the specialist nurse at the end of the first and second year of the new service. Interviews were audio-tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed text was methodically coded and themes were identified. A descriptive account, summarizing the findings of both interviews, was written based on the thematic coding of text. RESULTS Overall, the epilepsy nurse felt a sense of achievement and believed that the service had had a beneficial impact on both patients and health care professionals in the locality. However, she experienced many operational problems, especially adapting to a primary care setting, difficulties in meeting practice staff and in motivating them, and contending with a heavy workload. These problems were partly attributable to her lack of community work experience and more generally to the structure of the service. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that specialist nurses responsible for providing primary care services would benefit from having theoretical knowledge and practical experience of working in the community prior to starting in post. The aims of a service need to be consistent with the available resources. Accounts of other specialist nurse's experiences of providing a primary care service could help to reduce set up time. Finally, support in the form of a coherent team is important to avoid feelings of professional isolation and to maximize effective use of specialist skills.
Does Increased Abortion Lead to Lower Crime? Evaluating the Relationship between Crime, Abortion, and Fertility

Abstract Donohue and Levitt (2001) attribute over half of the decline in U.S. crime rates during the 1990s to abortion legalization. This paper conducts similar research by exploiting cross-province time-series variation in Canadian data. The use of Canadian data allows me to separate the effects of teenage abortions from general abortion rates. This distinction is important, as more than a quarter of the drop in violent crime can be attributed to the increase in teenage abortions that occurred after legalization. These results suggest that lower crime rates from abortion legalization are due to better timing of births rather than lower cohort size. They are further substantiated by OLS estimates, which imply that the drop in teenage fertility rates during the 1960s and 1970s is responsible for more than half of the decline in violent crime rates witnessed during the 1990s.
Depth of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 3 in Peruvian Women: Implications for Therapeutic Depth of Necrosis

Objective To determine the involvement of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) in a population of women in a lower-resource setting. Methods One hundred twelve consecutive cone excision specimens with histological diagnosis of CIN3 were retrieved from the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases in Lima Peru. Two pathologists independently evaluated each specimen microscopically and confirmed 107 cases that could be measured by optical micrometry. Depth and breadth of the lesions were measured microscopically. Results The mean maximal depth of cervical involvement by CIN3 was 2 ± 0.13 mm; depth was less than 3.5 mm in 89.7% of cases and less than 5 mm in 93.5%. Mean breadth of CIN3 was 7.3 ± 4.4 mm; breadth was less than 15.9 mm in 95% of cases and less than 20.5 mm in 99.7%. The correlation coefficient between breadth and depth of CIN3 was 0.61. No significant correlation was found between age and depth. Conclusions Depth of CIN3 involvement in a developing country is significantly deeper than that reported in the United States. Treatment selection for women with CIN3 and risk of treatment failure may vary between developing and developed countries because of the difference in the depth of lesions. Countries with underscreened populations need to consider the increased disease severity in devising treatment strategies.
The importance of rural communities’ participation in the management of tourism management: A case study from Lesotho

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to analyse the importance of rural communities’ participation in the management of tourism development. Design/methodology/approach – A case study was conducted at the Katse and Mohale Tourism Development Area of Lesotho. This study was conducted in three villages adjacent to the Ts’ehlanyane Nature Reserve: Ha ‘Mali, Bokong Nature Reserve; Ha Lejone and Liphofung Nature Reserve; and Phelandaba using a mixed method design. In-depth interviews were conducted with Conservation Committee Forum members, and a survey was conducted on various stakeholders that included local rural communities, local authorities, nature reserve managers, tourism officers and environmental/conservation officers. Findings – Respondents from all three villages (Ha Lejone, Ha ‘Mali and Phelandaba) shared the same preference of greater community involvement and decision-making power in the management of tourism. Ha ‘Mali and Ha Lejone respondents recognised community members’ participation but the Phelandaba respondents generally disagreed that the communities were involved in management, as they indicated not being consulted in any planning about tourism. Practical implications – This study concluded that governments should not merely set aside conservation areas or construct tourist destinations in rural areas but should also empower local communities to participate in all stages of planning, developing and managing the tourism venture. Involving community members in the formulation of supporting tourism regulations, implementation, monitoring and evaluation procedures would be beneficial for sustainable development of rural tourism. Building partnership amongst all tourism-related stakeholders in rural tourism management is an ideal tool for promoting rural tourism. Originality/value – Although the case study specifically referred to KMTD, the information gathered was used to formulate a model of the elements influencing rural tourism benefit-sharing processes from the perspective of a rural local community.