Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Resource Management Practices and Firm Performance: A Study of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Manufacturing in Kenya account for the greatest share of industrial production output characterized by relatively low value addition of 7.5 per cent recorded in 2010 to 2.3 per cent recorded in 2011, low employment and capacity utilization and a paltry 25 percent export volumes. However, the share of Kenyan products in the regional market is only 7 percent of the US $11 billion regional market and its contribution to the GDP has remained at about 10 percent since the 1960s. This has given rise to the concern that practicing managers have put little effort to improve the situation. This study therefore sought to establish the relationship between Human Resource Practices and firm performance in the manufacturing firms in Kenya. Used a census survey of the 68 medium and large manufacturing firms whose core activities involved in production and marketing of edible oils, soaps and detergents, beverages or sugar registered in the Kenya Association of Manufacturers directory 2012. Data was collected through self administered questionnaires sent to the Production Manager, Brand Manager, Human Resource Manager, Marketing Manager, or the relevant manager dealing with innovations. The main findings of this study reveals that manufacturing firms apply human resource management practices to different extents. For instance, some models of human resource management practices such as licensing are not commonly used, while others like hiring of skilled employees and teaching company schemes are very common with average composite mean score of 4.00 and 4.08 out of the best score of 5.0 respectively.
Long-Term Export Performance of Export Manufacturing Firms from a Developing Economic Environment: The Case of Thailand

Export performance literature still prevails with contradictory and inconclusive results. One serious shortcoming that might well be the cause of limitation in the literature is ignorance of choosing the appropriate time horizon in modeling of performance relationship. Little effort has been expended to specify the chronological relationship between long-term export performances and their determinants in the firm level. This article therefore developed a long-term export performance model to test the overlooked links. It found that in the long run export manufacturing firms from Thailand must achieve their noneconomic export performance goals prior to getting rewards by excellent economic export performance outcomes.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Potential Benefits of Weight Reduction

The prevalence of obesity in industrialized countries has reached epidemic proportions, with about one in three people being obese and another one in three people being overweight and at risk of developing obesity. In recent years, obesity has gained the traditional tetrad of cardiovascular risk factors of smoking: hypertension, dyslipidemia, and dysglycemia. Attention has also focused on the importance of abdominal (or central) obesity as a determinant of cardiovascular risk, independent of the body mass index. In addition to effects on coronary artery disease, obesity has an effect on cardiovascular disease, including stroke, ventricular function, peripheral arterial disease, and venous thromboembolism. The objectives of this review are to summarize the effects of obesity on cardiovascular disease, and the possible mechanisms for these associations, and to investigate the effects of weight-loss interventions on the burden of cardiovascular disease. Large ongoing clinical outcome trials, such as the SOS study, the Look-AHEAD trial, or the SCOUT study, should provide important information on the effects of surgical and nonsurgical obesity treatment on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Heterogeneity in Phenotype of Usher-Congenital Hyperinsulinism Syndrome

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the phenotype of 15 children with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) and profound hearing loss, known as Homozygous 11p15-p14 Deletion syndrome (MIM #606528). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Prospective clinical follow-up and genetic analysis by direct sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and microsatellite markers. RESULTS Genetic testing identified the previous described homozygous deletion in 11p15, USH1C:c. (90+592)_ABCC8:c. (2694–528)del. Fourteen patients had severe CHI demanding near-total pancreatectomy. In one patient with mild, transient neonatal hypoglycemia and nonautoimmune diabetes at age 11 years, no additional mutations were found in HNF1A, HNF4A, GCK, INS, and INSR. Retinitis pigmentosa was found in two patients aged 9 and 13 years. No patients had enteropathy or renal tubular defects. Neuromotor development ranged from normal to severe delay with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS The phenotype of Homozygous 11p15-p14 Deletion syndrome, or Usher-CHI syndrome, includes any severity of neonatal-onset CHI and severe, sensorineural hearing loss. Retinitis pigmentosa and nonautoimmune diabetes may occur in adolescence.
Complex synchronizations in Markovian models: a tensor-based proof of product form

We consider complex synchronizations in a generalized network of queues with signals (Gnetwork) or Stochastic Automata Networks without functions. Both models allow to describe their continuous time Markov chain as a summation of tensor (or Kronecker) products and sums of local description of queues (or automata). We give a purely algebraic proof of the product form results based on properties of the tensor products. These results generalizes many well-known results in queueing theory but also on all the models which allow a tensor based representation such as Stochastic Petri Nets or Stochastic Process Algebra.
Tax Structure and Tax Compliance

A model of individual tax compliance behavior, including evasion and avoidance, is developed and estimated. The model recognizes the importance of marginal income tax rates, payroll tax contributions and benefits, and the probability of detection and the penalty on unpaid taxes. Share equations for avoidance, evasion, and reported income are estimated using individual-level data. The estimation results indicate that the tax base rises with higher benefits for payroll tax contributions and falls with higher marginal tax rates; the base also falls with more severe penalties and more certain detection of evasion as individuals substitute towards avoidance income. Copyright 1990 by MIT Press.
Guide-wire detection using region proposal network for X-ray image-guided navigation

Detection of surgical devices, in particular of guide-wire detection, is prerequisite during image-guided navigation in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Guide-wire detection is a challenging task for following reasons: (i) X-ray images have a low signal-to-noise rate (SNR); (ii) there is a high similarity between guide-wires and some other adjacent anatomical skeletons' contours; (iii) guide-wires have various shapes and their motion is complex and nonlinear. Traditionally, guide-wires are detected using curve fitting method, and third-order B-spline curve model is always used to fit guide-wires, while B-spline fitting method has some obvious shortcomings such as it is a semi-automatic method which needs manual initialization, and it is not a real-time method because of high computational complexity. Recently, with the availability of large annotated datasets and the accessibility of hardware resources with GPUs, it is succeeded in detecting general objects with convolutional neural networks (ConvNet). In this paper, we present a novel image-based fully-automatic and real-time approach with ConvNet for guide-wires detection. ConvNet method is robust to guide-wires' various poses and other structures' effects. We evaluate our method on 22 different sequences of X-ray images. The detection accuracy evaluated by average precision (AP) reaches 89.2% and the detection speed achieves 40fps. Our experiment result shows a promising for accurate and real-time guide-wires detection in PCI navigation with ConvNet model.
Power Series Representations for European Option Prices under Stochastic Volatility Models

In the context of stochastic volatility models, we study representation formulas in terms of expectations for the power series' coefficients associated to the call price-function. As in a recent paper by Antonelli and Scarlatti the expansion is done w.r. t. the correlation between the noises driving the underlying asset price process and the volatility process. We first obtain expressions for the power series' coefficients from the generalized Hull and White formula obtained by Elisa Al\`os. Afterwards, we provide representations turning out from the approach for the sensitivity problem tackled by Malliavin calculus techniques, and these allow to handle not only vanilla options. Finally, we show the numerical performance of the associated Monte Carlo estimators for several stochastic volatility models.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) of Tour Operators: Learning from Each Other

This research determined to what extent tour operators in Western Canada who use natural, public-owned assets as a main feature of their business operations have developed formal or informal environmental management systems (EMS)and which EMS elements they use most frequently and most successfully. Furthermore, the research investigated which variables drive the use of EMS elements to ensure good environmental performance. The findings suggest that those operators who seek environmentally related business outcomes, possess supply-side tourism development values, and have more business experience, will have developed more sophisticated EMS and find these systems more useful in ensuring good environmental performance. With this information, park officials can develop a plan for knowledge sharing and the education of all tour operators. Park officials can design appropriate training and development programmes by considering the barriers that they might encounter in encouraging tour operators to implement certain policies and procedures. Tour operators can transfer some elements of EMS, widely recognised as useful, to other tour operators by ‘assimilation’, as few barriers exist to the implementation of these elements. However, if beliefs and attitudes must change before operators will use an element, learning by ‘accommodation’ will be a more appropriate approach.
Tyramine Reveals Failing α2-Adrenoceptor Control of Catecholamine Release and Total Peripheral Vascular Resistance in Hypertensive Rats

α2-Adrenoceptor-activation lowers central sympathetic output, peripheral, vesicular norepinephrine release, epinephrine secretion, and modulates vascular tension. We previously demonstrated that α2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of basal norepinephrine release was not reflected in plasma unless re-uptake through the norepinephrine transporter (NET) was blocked. Tyramine activates reverse norepinephrine transport through NET. Here we tested the hypothesis that tyramine, by engaging NET in release, also blocks re-uptake, and therefore allows manipulation of pre-junctional α2-adrenoceptors to directly regulate norepinephrine overflow to plasma. We compared in anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive controls (WKYs), the effect of α2-adrenoreceptor antagonist (L-659,066) and/or agonist (clonidine) on norepinephrine overflow and increase in total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) evoked by tyramine-infusion (1.26 μmol/min/kg, 15 min) and epinephrine secretion activated by the surgical stress. TPR was computed as blood pressure divided by cardiac output, recorded as ascending aortic flow. Plasma catecholamine concentrations after tyramine were higher in SHRs than WKYs. Pre-treatment with L-659,066 increased the catecholamine concentrations in WKYs, but only if combined with clonidine in SHRs. Clonidine alone reduced tyramine-induced norepinephrine overflow in SHRs, and epinephrine in both strains. Tyramine-induced increase in TPR was not different after clonidine, eliminated after L-659,066 and L-659,066 + clonidine in WKYs, but only after L-659,066 + clonidine in SHRs. We conclude that tyramine-infusion does allow presynaptic regulation of vesicular release to be accurately assessed by measuring differences in plasma norepinephrine concentration. Our results indicate that presynaptic α2-adrenoceptor regulation of norepinephrine release from nerve vesicles and epinephrine secretion is dysfunctional in SHRs, but can be restored by clonidine.
Stars of the Draco Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy Beyond Its Measured Tidal Boundary

We report R- and V-band photometry derived from CCD imaging for objects in nine fields in and around the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy. The most distant fields are about 1. °3 from the center. We use these data to search for Draco stars outside of its measured tidal boundary. The search involves three methods: (1) plotting color-magnitude diagrams for individual fields, for sections of fields, and for combined fields and sections—a colour-magnitude diagram can reveal a population of Draco stars by the presence of the expected principal sequences; (2) measuring field-to-field fluctuations in the surface density of objects located near the Draco principal sequences in the color-magnitude diagram; (3) measuring intrafield fluctuations in the surface density of those objects. We find evidence for the presence of Draco stars immediately beyond the measured tidal boundary of Draco and place an upper limit on the number of such stars in more distant fields that lie close to the extension of its major axis. The best evidence is the presence of the Draco principal sequences in the color-magnitude diagram for some combined fields and sections of fields. The measurements of the field-to-field fluctuations in the stellar surface density confirm this result.
Long-Term Life of Ni/Cu Bellows: Effect of Diffusion on Thermomechanical Properties

The aim of this paper is to discuss different couplings between diffusion, re- crystallisation/grain growth, strain/stress, heat transfer and thermo-mechanical behaviour of metallic materials. The understanding of these different physical phenomena is needed to predict the long-term life of mechanical parts in components. Some results are presented and further studies are suggested to improve the evaluation of the (inter)diffusion and re- crystallisation parameters in fine-grained electroplated Ni/Cu materials. To illustrate the coupling between elasticity and diffusion, classical results in homogenisation consistent with the main diffusion regime are used to predict the change in elastic moduli with time.
The influence of cerebrospinal fluid pressure on the lamina cribrosa tissue pressure gradient.

PURPOSE To measure the tissue pressure gradient through the optic disk and to determine the relationship between intraocular, cerebrospinal fluid, and retrolaminar tissue pressures. The relationship of optic nerve subarachnoid space pressure to intracranial cerebrospinal fluid pressure also was explored. METHODS Micropipettes coupled to a pressure transducer were passed through pars plana and vitreous to enter the optic disk in the anesthetized dog. Using a micromanipulator, pipettes penetrated the optic disk in steps while pressure measurements were taken. In some animals, pipettes also were passed into the optic nerve subarachnoid space. Lateral ventricle cerebrospinal fluid pressure, intraocular pressure, and arterial blood pressure were measured concurrently, and the effect of raising CSF pressure was explored. RESULTS Retrolaminar tissue pressure was largely dependent on the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid pressure, which was on average 8.6 +/- 3.5 mm Hg (SD, n = 8) higher, and was independent of intraocular pressure. Most (85% +/- 15% [SD, n = 8]) of the pressure drop between intraocular pressure and retrolaminar pressure occurred across the anterior 400 microns of disk tissue. When the intraocular pressure was 21 mm Hg and the cerebrospinal fluid pressure was zero, retrolaminar tissue pressure averaged 7 mm Hg and the translaminar pressure gradient was 3.08 +/- 0.29 mm Hg/100 microns tissue (SD, n = 3). Optic nerve subarachnoid space pressure was equivalent to lateral ventricular pressure. CONCLUSIONS These results show that cerebrospinal fluid pressure largely determines retrolaminar tissue pressure; hence, along with intraocular pressure, it is of major importance in setting the translaminar tissue pressure gradient. Results also demonstrate hydrostatic continuity between the optic nerve subarachnoid space and the lateral ventricle. That the translaminar pressure gradient can vary independently of intraocular pressure may be of importance in understanding the pathophysiology of glaucoma.
Capital structure choice and ownership: evidence from electronics enterprises in China

Empirical studies on capital structure mostly focus on listed companies and also on countries other than China. In this paper, we employ a panel dataset for 4,716 large and medium-sized enterprises in the Chinese electronics industry during the period 2005–2007 in order to investigate the determinants of their capital structure choice. Using the debt ratio as the dependent variable, we find that firm size and potential growth have a positive effect on the debt ratio whereas profitability has a negative effect. We show that decisions on the debt ratio are based on mixed factors that the various theories suggest. The unlisted Chinese companies which are unable to access to the securities market are prone to acquire bank loans as sources for funds which provides room for the modification of pecking order theory based on listed companies. As to ownership structure, we find that those Chinese electronics enterprises with higher portions of foreign equity tend to have lower debt ratios.
The Role of Tourism in Planning the Smart City

The article starts from the consideration that tourism, for the size it has assumed and for its role in the economies, can be considered an "urban phenomenon"; as such, it needs adequate governance processes, politics and tools in order to reduce impacts on the organization of cities and urban livability in general. The emerging paradigm of “Smart City” is an opportunity to reconsider the current mechanisms of government and planning of the cities, but it needs a holistic approach that goes beyond the one applied per parts that still seems to prevail in the declination of the components of urban smartness (economy, mobility, environment, people, living, governance). At present, the technological component seems to prevail probably due to the ease of diffusion of the instruments, rather than an innovation of the processes. Promotion initiatives seems to concentrate exclusively on the city branding, rather than on initiatives to make cities able to support an additional urban load expressed by the tourism demand. Yet, potentialities of the application of new technologies could strengthen the decisional role in defining adequate urban policies to manage urban tourism and to optimize urban supply of services and facilities. However, at present, urban smartness for tourism seems to be concentrated on the amount of apps available to enhance the use of specific resources or, more rarely, of the urban mobility systems. Both the “big data” and the “open data” revolution, in Italy, do not yet seem to have achieved the hoped results, and the availability of data to allow appropriate management actions, is still one of the main difficulties for those involved in the analysis and quantification of the phenomenon. In addition, the numerous rankings on urban smartness refer to the prevalence of one component on the others, failing to consider the complexity of the urban system and of tourism, in particular. With these premises, the article tries to underline how tourism could be the object of urban policies and strategies aimed at reducing impacts on the city.
Power Spectrum of Inflationary Attractors

Inflationary attractors predict the spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio to take specific values that are consistent with Planck. An example is the universal attractor for models with a generalised non-minimal coupling, leading to Starobinsky inflation. In this paper we demonstrate that it also predicts a specific relation between the amplitude of the power spectrum and the number of e-folds. The length and height of the inflationary plateau are related via the non-minimal coupling: in a wide variety of examples, the observed power normalisation leads to at least 55 flat e-foldings. Prior to this phase, the inflationary predictions vary and can account for the observational indications of power loss at large angular scales.
Macroeconomic Fluctuations and the Firms' Rate of Growth Distribution: Evidence from UK and US Quoted Companies.

We fit the asymmetric Subbotin distribution introduced by Bottazzi and Secchi (2003) on UK and US data on quoted companies, in order to detect sources of asymmetries in the transmission of aggregate shocks, and cyclical patterns of higher moments of the firmsi? ½ rate of growth distribution over the business cycle. We support the evidence provided by Higson et al. (2002, 2004) of a negative correlation between the rate of growth of GDP and the standard deviation and skewness of the distribu- tion. Kurtosis exhibits a procyclical pattern. Furthermore, we provide an explanation of the emergence of these stylised facts based on the evidence that the left tail of the distribution is more responsive to macroeconomic fluctuations than its right counterpart. The evidence points to financial factors as one of the main drivers of the observed pattern.
Maximum-Torque-Per-Ampere Operation of Anisotropic Synchronous Permanent-Magnet Motors Based on Extremum Seeking Control

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of a maximum-torque-per-ampere control strategy based on the extremum seeking control working principle, which provides useful insights for the definition of a systematic and quantitative design procedure. The focus is on the convergence properties to the optimal operating point, and a method for evaluating an upper bound of the convergence time is proposed. The analysis is supported by several experimental tests performed on an interior permanent-magnet synchronous motor.
Entry and Exit, Product Variety, and the Business Cycle

We study the stochastic behavior of a dynamic general equilibrium model with monopolistic competition. Each seller sells his product in the consumption goods as well as the investment goods market and has market power in both. Consumers derive utility from a CES aggregate of all the consumption goods and augment their capital stock by a CES aggregate of all the investment goods. We analyze the equilibrium of this economy allowing for an endogenous determination of the number of firms and therefore of products. The principal effect we highlight is the endogenous propagation and magnification of technology and preference disturbances through product space variations.
Simulation of AC Contactors Fed by a Distorted Source Using the Coupled Finite Element Method, Circuit and Mechanical Equations

This paper deals with the simulation and analysis of dynamic behaviour of electromagnetic AC contactors, when is fed by a voltage distorted source. The behavior under these conditions could compromise the operations in industrial plants, electric machines, etc. The contactor is modeled by 2D finite elements method (FEM), coupling with its mechanical and electrical equations. Analysis of results is based on the magnetic force which denotes the performance in opening and closing behavior of the device