Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perioperative and Long-term Outcomes From the Management of Parasagittal Meningiomas Invading the Superior Sagittal Sinus

BACKGROUND:Parasagittal meningiomas invading the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) pose formidable obstacles to surgical management. Invasion is often considered a contraindication to surgery because of associated morbidity, such as cerebral venous thrombosis. OBJECTIVE:We report our most recent experience with the resection of parasagittal meningiomas invading the SSS. METHODS:Between 1992 and 2004, 110 patients with parasagittal meningiomas underwent surgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Clinical charts, radiological studies, pathological features, and operative notes were retrospectively analyzed; only those patients with minimum 24 months follow-up (n = 61) were further studied. RESULTS:Tumor distribution by location along the SSS was: 21% anterior, 62% middle, and 17% posterior. All patients were managed with initial surgical resection with radiosurgery for residual/recurrent disease if indicated (19.6%). Pathological examination revealed 80% grade I meningiomas, 13% grade II meningiomas, and 7% grade III meningiomas. Simpson grade I/II resection was achieved in 81% of patients. Major complications included venous thrombosis/infarction (7%), intraoperative air embolism (1.5%), and death (1.5%); long-term outcomes assessed included recurrence (11%) and improvement in Karnofsky Performance Score (85%). CONCLUSION:On the basis of our study, the incidence of postoperative venous sinus thrombosis is 7% in the setting of a recurrence rate of 11% with a mean follow-up of 41 months. In comparison with the published literature, the data corroborate the rationale for our treatment paradigm; lesions invading the sinus can initially be resected to the greatest extent possible without excessive manipulation of vascular structures, whereas residual/recurrent disease can be observed and managed with radiosurgery.
‘All the world's a stage’: structure, agency and accountability in international aid

This paper explores recent critiques of aid and responses to them, with a particular focus on attempts to address accountability concerns. It describes, with particular reference to Africa and Melanesia, some of the assumptions that underpin these responses. Using the allegory of theatre, we suggest that much of the formal process of interaction between aid agencies and local actors can be seen as a ‘performance’, and what goes on behind the scenes is often, and sometimes deliberately, ignored. We review why this ‘theatre’ is constructed and how it is maintained, as well as why attempts to dismantle it, or at least change the way it functions, have not met with much success. As a result, we propose alternative ways of addressing issues of accountability, as it relates to International Aid and Cooperation, based on some rather different assumptions about states, civil society, citizens and change than those upon which many of the current attempts to address accountability are based.
Knowing and Not Knowing: The Internet and Political Information

Information is an essential element in meaningful decision making. In order to make qualified democratic decisions, correct political information is required. Even though indirect democracy is mainly based on decisions taken by elected representatives, citizens need to possess relevant information on politics and understand the rules of the political game in order to cast a meaningful vote. Recently, demands for more direct and participatory democracy in mature democracies have intensified the debate on politically sophisticated versus ignorant citizenry. This article focuses on the interplay between the use of the Internet and political knowledge. First, the role of the Internet in acquiring politically relevant information is deciphered. Second, an applied test of the virtuous circle hypothesis is carried out. It suggests that the most motivated citizens are also most likely to use the political opportunities of the Internet. Therefore, a third research question is examined: Does the obtained political information accumulate into higher political knowledge levels among the Internet users? The data consist of the national election study of 2003 in Finland. The results show that the role of the Internet in seeking political information is still limited. Even so, a distinct group of citizens who seek political information on the Internet can be identified. This group of ‘modern political citizens’ is rich in political information in many ways. Thus a virtuous circle does seem to exist. On the other hand, the data indicate that Internet use itself increases political knowledge only to a marginal degree when other variables are controlled for.
Ethnic and Racial Self-Employment Differences and Possible Explanations

We show that entrepreneurship rates differ substantially across 60 ethnic and racial groups in the United States. These differences exist within broad combinations of groups such as Asians and Hispanics, and are almost as great after regression controls, including age, education, immigrant status, and time in the country. We then provide evidence on a number of theories of entrepreneurship. An ethnic/racial group's self-employment rate is positively associated with the difference between average self-employment and wage/salary earnings for that group. Ethnic/racial groups which immigrate from countries with high business ownership rates do not have high business ownership rates in the U.S. Finally, we find that the more advantaged ethnic/racial groups, measured by wage/salary earnings, self-employment earnings, and unearned income, and not the more disadvantaged groups, have the highest self-employment rates.
Was tun Lehrlinge nach ihrer Ausbildung?: eine Analyse mit dem Linked Employer-Employee-Datensatz des IAB (What do apprentices do after their training?: an analysis using the IAB Linked Employer-Employee dataset)

"The transition of western German apprentices at the end of their training is examined on the basis of a combined multiple choice and selection model. It models simultaneously a number of decisions made by the apprentices who have finished their training, as well as potentially existing internal and external wage offers depending on their characteristics. The analysis is carried out using the IAB Linked Employer-Employee dataset. The following results of the analysis are to be underlined: the level of the wage offer has a direct influence on an apprentice's decision to remain in the company where he/she has done his apprenticeship. In addition, a self-selection takes place of those apprentices who can obtain higher wages than expected either by staying in their company or by changing to another one. Thus, an efficient wage policy of the training company is possible in order to keep its apprentices after the training. Company-specific human capital plays a wage-increasing role both in the company's decision to make a wage offer as well as in the level of this wage offer. Wages below the market level which are based on the training company's insider-knowledge about the former apprentice's skills but which cannot be signalled to other companies (so-called wage compression) do not generally occur according to our results. Wage compression only happens in the case of apprentices who do not have an attractive offer immediately on completion of their training, and who therefore have to find a job on the open labour market. Thus, in Germany, training apprentices is obviously such a strong signal that it is not attractive for companies to use wage compression if they want to keep up with external wage offers for the good candidates. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
A strategic and operational approach to assess the lean performance in radial tyre manufacturing in India

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to assess the lean performance of a tyre manufacturing firm in India. The key objective is to find key strategic and operational decision-making dimensions for developing effective lean manufacturing environment in a tyre manufacturing organization. Design/methodology/approach - This research is empirical in nature where the opinions of a group of experts of an Indian tyre manufacturing firm were consulted to formulate an interpretive structural model (ISM) of the critical success factors of lean manufacturing implementation in a tyre manufacturing organization. The authors have developed an Excel-based template for quantitative assessment of lean performance indicators on the basis of feedback from the operational staff. Findings - This research work suggests that financial capability of an organization drives the top-management commitment for incorporating lean manufacturing practices in a tyre manufacturing organization. Organizational culture and human resource management are the important enablers for developing change management paradigm, which in turn leads to performance improvement. This study also reveals that over-processing as well as excessive defects are the most detrimental wastes in radial tyre manufacturing, which accounts for high manufacturing cost of radial tyre manufacturing in India. Research limitations/implications - Since this study is carried out in a single (case) organization, a relatively small sample size restricts the outcome from being considered for generic industrial application. This study none the less is useful for practicing managers and academicians for the development of lean manufacturing strategy in context with the tyre industry since it encompasses insightful views of experienced lower to upper middle level managers. Originality/value - This paper provides some key enablers for the successful implementation of lean tools in Indian tyre manufacturing, where lean practices are still in the early stage and little literature is available in this context with tyre manufacturing. Also an attempt has been made to develop a simple Excel-based template for lean assessment in the tyre industry. This template can be used in other industries by simply modifying the key attributes.
Do Acquirers’ Stock Prices Fully React to the Acquisition Announcement of Listed vs. Unlisted Target Firms? Out-of-Sample Evidence from Spain

Previous results are ambiguous about whether prices fully reflect value creation or destruction at the time of the acquisition announcement when samples are split into listed and unlisted target firms. We find that the Spanish market fully reacts to the acquisition announcement (showing value creation only for unlisted target firm acquisitions), except for the smallest bidders of public targets since we find significant positive abnormal returns for a 24-month post-acquisition window. This evidence is consistent with investors extrapolating the performance of large acquirers of public firm to smaller ones and, therefore, only identifying value creation in the long term.
The influence of evaluation in higher education

The increasingly ritualized and instrumental evaluation of higher education, initiated mainly from above, has resulted in little consideration of what is needed if evaluation is truly to support the development of higher education. Strategies for quality enhancement and accountability rarely consider the distinctive features of higher education development. This article describes the influence of an evaluation strategy that was locally initiated and deliberately involved stakeholders in the process. The evaluation was designed to support the development of an undergraduate medical education programme in Sweden. Based on experiences from the case, I argue that evaluations should, in the context of higher education, be made the responsibility of the teachers. Making the teachers responsible should develop both their ability to work with educational development and to a greater extent enable definitions of educational quality specific to education. The case describes an evaluation strategy that distinctly emanated from the need for knowledge by those who were responsible for the development of an undergraduate medical education programme in Sweden. The programme board established a dialogue with 10 of the stakeholders. The core aim was to learn more about the stakeholders’ expectations and views about the programme, but also to identify important areas for programme development. The dialogue with the stakeholders contributed to the creation of a qualified and nuanced development process and illuminated an evaluation process more associated with learning than quality enhancement. The commitment to cooperation, dialogue and enlightenment was, however, constantly threatened by a higher education culture that is increasingly characterized by productivity and efficiency.
No Case to Answer: Productivity Performance of the Australian Construction Industry

This article examines the productivity performance of the Australian construction industry and identifies some of the key factors affecting productivity growth. It also critically assesses the recent Productivity Commission (1999) report on the construction industry. In particular, the article challenges the argument of the Productivity Commission that a high level of unionisation within the industry is adverse for productivity growth. Moreover, the recommendations of the Commission directed at increasing productivity within the industry are argued to exacerbate those structural features of the construction industry which impose a constraint on productivity growth. The primary data sources are national and international official economic data on the industry and a number of case studies of major city building projects undertaken by the authors. The study finds that the Australian construction industry is within the top three OECD countries in terms of construction output per person employed.
Tests of the Rational Expectations Hypothesis

This paper reviews evidence on the structure of anticipation from a number of empirical studies. Jack Muth's "rational expectations hypothesis" is compared with a variety of alternative models, including Ferber's Law, the "implicit expectations" model of Edwin Mills, and Muth's new "errors in the variables" model. The cumulative evidence is of such strength as to compel the suspension of belief in the concept of rational expectations. This implies that it is a mistake to proceed under the maintained hypothesis that expectations are rational; instead, it is necessary to test the sensitivity of empirical and theoretical results to alternative assumptions about the structure by which anticipations are generated. Copyright 1986 by American Economic Association.
Consumer Credit: Too Much or Too Little (or Just Right)?

The intersection of research and policy on consumer credit often has a Goldilocks feel. Some researchers and policy makers posit that consumer credit markets produce too much credit. Other researchers and policy makers posit that markets produce too little credit. I review theories and evidence on inefficient consumer credit supply. For each of eight classes of theories I sketch some of the leading models and summarize any convincing empirical tests of those models. I also discuss more circumstantial evidence that does not map tightly onto a particular model but has the potential to shed light on, or obscure, answers to key questions. Overall there is a lack of convincing evidence on whether markets err and in which direction. We do not yet understand whether and under what conditions markets oversupply or undersupply credit, much less why.
Evidence for the involvement of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone in the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the neuropeptide corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) in neurodegeneration induced by traumatic brain injury, using a well characterized model of lateral fluid percussion injury in male, Sprague‐Dawley rats. In the first series of experiments, CRH gene expression was assessed by in situ hybridization after traumatic brain injury. A bilateral increase in CRH mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus was observed in rats subjected to traumatic brain injury compared with sham‐operated controls. A maximal (40%) increase in hybridization signal was detected 2 h after trauma compared with control rat brains. In addition, marked induction of CRH transcripts was found in the ipsilateral amygdala after trauma, but no increase was detected in the ipsilateral cortex around the area of damage. In a separate experiment, the effects of the CRH antagonist, D‐Phe CRH(12–41) (25 μg total dose), or appropriate vehicle injected intracerebroventricularly, was tested on infarct volume caused by brain injury. Repeated intracerebroventricular injection of D‐Phe CRH(12–41) significantly reduced, by 45%, the volume of cortical damage in injured rats compared with vehicle‐treated, trauma animals. The rapid upregulation of CRH gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus and amygdala following lateral fluid percussion injury and the marked neuroprotection achieved by inhibiting CRH action suggest that CRH is involved directly in the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury. This observation may have important implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating the neurological consequences of brain trauma and related conditions.
An overview of power quality state estimation

The boom in using high-tech but sensitive equipment has led to a considerable interest in power quality. Power quality, in addition to reliability, is a prerequisite for the continuous operation of many facilities using high-tech equipment. Utilities are therefore installing power quality monitors for evaluating network improvement or undertaking post-fault analysis. In addition, end-users are requesting for power quality information in order to gain an in-depth knowledge of their equipment performance to power quality variations. However, implementing monitoring at all nodes of the power network may not be warranted in term of cost and complexity. Because of this, there has been a significant increase in interest in using computer modeling and simulations to predict and estimate power quality at unmonitored points. In recent years, a wide range of state estimation methods has emerged, and this paper provides an overview of the commonly used power quality state estimation methods. It outlines the steps involved in the estimation and discusses the various important considerations as well as challenges faced by these endeavors
Osseointegrated trans-femoral amputation prostheses: Prospective results of general and condition-specific quality of life in 18 patients at 2-year follow-up

This is the first report on prospective outcome for individuals treated with bone-anchored trans-femoral amputation prostheses (OI-prostheses) using the method of osseointegration. The aim was to analyze general and condition-specific health related quality of life (HRQL) at 2-year follow-up as compared to the preoperative situation. The study population consists of the first 18 consecutively treated patients (8 male/10 female, mean age 45 years) in a clinical investigation with amputations mainly caused by trauma and tumour. At inclusion the mean time since the amputation was 15 years (10 months – 33 years). Two self-report questionnaires were answered preoperatively and at follow-up: the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Questionnaire for persons with a Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA). At follow-up 17/18 patients used the OI-prosthesis; one did not due to pain and loosening of the implant. Four of the scales of the SF-36 (Physical Functioning, Role Functioning Physical, Bodily Pain and Physical Component Score) and all four scores of Q-TFA (Prosthetic Use, Prosthetic Mobility, Problems and Global Health) were statistically significantly improved at follow-up showing superior general physical HRQL, increased prosthetic use, better prosthetic mobility, fewer problems and a better global amputation situation. Thus, osseointegrated prostheses represent a promising development in the rehabilitation of individuals with transfemoral amputation and increase their quality of life.
Multiple Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Dependent Steps in Activation of Protein Kinase B

ABSTRACT The protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt family of serine kinases is rapidly activated following agonist-induced stimulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). To probe the molecular events important for the activation process, we employed two distinct models of posttranslational inducible activation and membrane recruitment. PKB induction requires phosphorylation of two critical residues, threonine 308 in the activation loop and serine 473 near the carboxyl terminus. Membrane localization of PKB was found to be a primary determinant of serine 473 phosphorylation. PI3K activity was equally important for promoting phosphorylation of serine 473, but this was separable from membrane localization. PDK1 phosphorylation of threonine 308 was primarily dependent upon prior serine 473 phosphorylation and, to a lesser extent, localization to the plasma membrane. Mutation of serine 473 to alanine or aspartic acid modulated the degree of threonine 308 phosphorylation in both models, while a point mutation in the substrate-binding region of PDK1 (L155E) rendered PDK1 incapable of phosphorylating PKB. Together, these results suggest a mechanism in which 3′ phosphoinositide lipid-dependent translocation of PKB to the plasma membrane promotes serine 473 phosphorylation, which is, in turn, necessary for PDK1-mediated phosphorylation of threonine 308 and, consequentially, full PKB activation.
U.S. Shadow Economies, Corruption, and Entrepreneurship: State-Level Spatial Relations

This paper offers a new theory of the corruption-shadow economy relationship: one that defines it as either collusive – i.e., crony – or non-collusive. Using new estimates of state-level shadow economy size, and data on corruption convictions of U.S. public officials for the 48 contiguous states, I revisit this relationship empirically, controlling for spatial dependence. Additionally, I investigate the relationship between entrepreneurship and cronyism using productive entrepreneurship scores from Wiseman and Young (2014). Findings suggest that corruption and shadow economy size are positively related, and both contagious and cross-contagious in the U.S. states. These results are fairly robust to several methods of spatial modeling. New to this study, I also find that productive entrepreneurship is contagious across states. I attempt to draw the link between formal sector entrepreneurial outcomes, corruption, and the shadow economy using spatial GMM/IV modeling in an entrepreneurship regression.
Direct torque and stator and rotor flux control doubly converter fed induction machines

Starting from the general principle of eliminating all of the pulsational e.m. f. 's in the machine (associated to amplitude variations of the flux linkage space phasors) a new control strategy for doubly converter fed slip ring induction machines based on the simultaneous and direct machine torque and the stator and rotor fluxes control is proposed. Simulation results show clear improvements in torque response time and in d-axis current control over previous developments