Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Healthcare in Equatorial Guinea, West Africa: obstacles and barriers to care

Introduction The provision of healthcare services in developing countries has received increasing attention, but inequalities persist. One nation with potential inequalities in healthcare services is Equatorial Guinea (Central-West Africa). Mitigating these inequalities is difficult, as the Equatoguinean healthcare system remains relatively understudied. Methods In this study, we interviewed members of the healthcare community in order to: 1) learn which diseases are most common and the most common cause of death from the perspective of healthcare workers; and 2) gain an understanding of the healthcare community in Equatorial Guinea by describing how: a) healthcare workers gain their professional knowledge; b) summarizing ongoing healthcare programs aimed at the general public; c) discussing conflicts within the healthcare community and between the public and healthcare providers; d) and addressing opportunities to improve healthcare delivery. Results We found that some causes of death, such as serious injuries, may not be currently treatable in country, potentially due to a lack of resources and trauma care facilities. In addition, training and informational programs for both healthcare workers and the general public may not be effectively transmitting information to the intended recipients. This presents hurdles to the healthcare community, both in terms of having professional competence in healthcare delivery and in having a community that is receptive to medical care. Conclusion Our data also highlight government-facility communication as an opportunity for improvement. Our research is an important first step in understanding the context of healthcare delivery in Equatorial Guinea, a country that is relatively data poor.
Measuring change in disability after inpatient rehabilitation: comparison of the responsiveness of the Barthel Index and the Functional Independence Measure

BACKGROUND The importance of evaluating disability outcome measures is well recognised. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was developed to be a more comprehensive and “sensitive” measure of disability than the Barthel Index (BI). Although the FIM is widely used and has been shown to be reliable and valid, there is limited information about its responsiveness, particularly in comparison with the BI. This study compares the appropriateness and responsiveness of these two disability measures in patients with multiple sclerosis and stroke. METHODS Patients with multiple sclerosis (n=201) and poststroke (n=82) patients undergoing inpatient neurorehabilitation were studied. Admission and discharge scores were generated for the BI and the three scales of the FIM (total, motor, and cognitive). Appropriateness of the measures to the study samples was determined by examining score distributions, floor and ceiling effects. Responsiveness was determined using an effect size calculation. RESULTS The BI, FIM total, and FIM motor scales show good variability and have small floor and ceiling effects in the study samples. The FIM cognitive scale showed a notable ceiling effect in patients with multiple sclerosis. Comparable effect sizes were found for the BI, and two FIM scales (total and motor) in both patients with multiple sclerosis and stroke patients. CONCLUSION All measures were appropriate to the study sample. The FIM cognitive scale, however, has limited usefulness as an outcome measure in progressive multiple sclerosis. The BI, FIM total, and FIM motor scales show similar responsiveness, suggesting that both the FIM total and FIM motor scales have no advantage over the BI in evaluating change.
KURUMSAL YÖNETİMİN BIST ŞİRKETLERİNİN PERFORMANSLARINA ETKİSİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI

Aim of this study is to investigate the impact of corporate governance practices on corporate performance. Sample of the study consists of 126 BIST manufacturing companies for the time period 2005-2011. Panel data analysis is employed in the study. In the regression models, return on assets, return on equity and Tobin’s Q are used as dependent variables. The independent variables are share of the biggest shareholder, share of the three biggest shareholders, proportion of publicly traded shares, size of the board of directors, proportion of institutionally owned shares, dual role of CEO as a member of board of directors, firm size and leverage ratio. Analysis results reveal that there is a relationship between performance and corporate governance practices of companies
Degrees of Freedom of Three-User SISO-X Networks With Hybrid CSI at the Transmitters

In this letter, we consider the degrees of freedom (DoF) of the three-user memoryless X networks with independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) fading across antennas and channel uses and under hybrid channel state information (CSI) at the transmitters (CSIT). Hybrid CSI implies that some part of the CSI available to the transmitters may be delayed while some part may be perfect. We show that with the help of some local instantaneous CSIT, in addition to the delayed CSIT, we can obtain a DoF greater than that achievable using existing schemes based on completely delayed CSIT. In our first result, we show that with local instantaneous CSIT available to every transmitter through its own receiver only, we can achieve a DoF of 4/3. In the second result, we show that with the help of local CSIT available to the transmitter only through its local links to all the receivers, a higher DoF of 3/2 can be obtained at the expense of some more feedback compared to the first result.
Quality function deployment: An empirical study in the UK

This paper describes the design, development, implementation and findings of a survey conducted in the UK. Its aims were to evaluate the extent to which the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology was being used, how it was being applied, the main problems associated with its implementation and the benefits accrued. The paper begins with a brief literature review of QFD implementation problems and then goes on to discuss a postal survey that was conducted to attain not only the ''Voice of the User'' but also the ''Voice of the non-User''. The results showed that QFD-users regarded Behavioural Management as the key to successfully applying the technique. They also highlighted improvements in teamwork skills and better communications as the main benefits gained, even though QFD is considered to be a design tool for attaining better quality products, processes and/or services. In addition, the study revealed a considerable lack of knowledge about the methodology expressed by many respondents from top companies and universities.
[Visual evoked potentials and ultrasonography in ischemic optic neuropathy].

THE AIM OF THE PAPER To emphasize the importance of the examination VEP and Doppler ultrasonography for ION diagnostic establishment and their monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS There have been taken into VEP examination 43 patients, simple stimuli (flash) having used. For Doppler ultrasonography there have been taken into examination 38 patients whose extracerebral carotidian arterial system and ophthalmic artery have been examined. RESULTS AND DEBATES The VEP examination at the beginning of NOI have emphasized a depress of the amplitude of the VEP with normal VEP latency in 65.1% of cases and a depress of the amplitude with prolonged latency time in 4.7% of cases. VEP examination after 7-14 days from the ION beginning have emphasized only the depress of the amplitude in 48.8% of cases. Doppler ultrasonography examination have emphasized diffuse atherosclerotic lesions in 81.6% of cases and local carotidian stenosis in 7.9% of cases. CONCLUSIONS VEP and Doppler ultrasonography examinations complete in an efficient way the range of clinical examinations and permit the getting of useful results in ION diagnosis. The examinations are complementary allowing the estimation of the nervous conductibility degree of deterioration and of the vascular pathway of the illness. VEP and Doppler ultrasonography are easy reproducible and non-aggressive methods which bring important diagnosis elements and allow ION monitoring.
Odor Analysis of Decomposing Buried Human Remains *

Abstract: This study, conducted at the University of Tennessee’s Anthropological Research Facility (ARF), lists and ranks the primary chemical constituents which define the odor of decomposition of human remains as detected at the soil surface of shallow burial sites. Triple sorbent traps were used to collect air samples in the field and revealed eight major classes of chemicals which now contain 478 specific volatile compounds associated with burial decomposition. Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and were collected below and above the body, and at the soil surface of 1.5–3.5 ft. (0.46–1.07 m) deep burial sites of four individuals over a 4‐year time span. New data were incorporated into the previously established Decompositional Odor Analysis (DOA) Database providing identification, chemical trends, and semi‐quantitation of chemicals for evaluation. This research identifies the “odor signatures” unique to the decomposition of buried human remains with projected ramifications on human remains detection canine training procedures and in the development of field portable analytical instruments which can be used to locate human remains in shallow burial sites.
If They Like You, They Learn from You: How a Brief Weathercaster-Delivered Climate Education Segment Is Moderated by Viewer Evaluations of the Weathercaster

Local television (TV) weathercasters are a potentially promising source of climate education, in that weather is the primary reason viewers watch local TV news, large segments of the public trust TV weathercasters as a source of information about global warming, and extreme weather events are increasingly common (Leiserowitz et al.; U.S. Global Change Research Program). In an online experiment conducted in two South Carolina cities (Greenville, n = 394; Columbia, n = 352) during and immediately after a summer heat wave, the effects on global warming risk perceptions were examined following exposure to a TV weathercast in which a weathercaster explained the heat wave as a local manifestation of global warming versus exposure to a 72-h forecast of extreme heat. No main effect of the global warming video on learning was found. However, a significant interaction effect was found: subjects who evaluated the TV weathercaster more positively were positively influenced by the global warming video, and viewers who evaluated the weathercaster less positively were negatively influenced by the video. This effect was strongest among politically conservative viewers. These results suggest that weathercaster-delivered climate change education can have positive, albeit nuanced, effects on TV-viewing audiences.
The “missing links” between Islamic development objectives and the current practice of Islamic banking – the experience of the Sudanese Islamic banks (SIBs)

Purpose – To vindicate whether or not there are signs of social and developmental role in the current practice of Islamic banking in Sudan, a criterion required by the rules guiding the Islamic circulation of money and investment. Design/methodology/approach – The objective of the paper is to draw attention to this important, but neglected aspect of Islamic finance, by assessing some indicators of Islamic banking in Sudan such as: the geographical distribution of Islamic banks (ISBs), short vs long-term investment, credit by modes of financing used, sectoral distribution of financing, role in poverty alleviation, harmonization of the Shari’aa rules with economic thinking to cope with today's modern and global world development constraints, and the developmental role of ISBs within globalization. Findings – Many banking indicators in Sudan are signs of the weak size of the financial sector and financial liquidity, low confidence in the banking system, and low and poor credit performance. Banks are also characterized by unti-developmental signs of regional inequality of distribution of branches, use of sales modes; uneven, short-term and modern-sector-biased distribution of investment, high share of demand deposits and shortages of long-term funds. Practical implications – The developmental role of ISBs needs to entwine economic development with social development by gearing production priorities towards common needs, via specialized branches, partnership modes, short and long term investment plans. It also requires the renewal of fiqh in the course of Ijtihad to devise new rules, or to change rules in accordance with globalization, and harmonization of economic and fiqh thinking. Originality/value – The analysis here is valuable in drawing attention to Islamic banking practitioners that the link between Islamic finance and development objectives (including social development) is still under trial, and some work needs to be undertaken despite the many years which have elapsed since the introduction of Islamic finance.
Effects and Side Effects of Measures to Attract Firms – A Micro-Simulation Study of Firm Location Choice

This paper investigates the effects of different possible options for cantonal and municipal authorities' intent on attracting firms: improvements in transport infrastructure, designation of new building zones, and tax reductions. These options have been tested by simulating the location decisions of existing firms. The parameters for these simulations have been estimated with a discrete choice model using data from the commercial registers of the Canton of St. Gallen and the two Appenzell cantons (Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden) covering the years 1991 to 2006. The aim of this paper is not only to show the effects, but also to detect potential negative side effects. The simulation results show that tax reductions have an unparalleled large effect, meaning positive effects in the municipalities concerned as well as negative side effects in adjacent municipalities. Generally, effects are more intense in regions with a large number of firms already present. Interestingly, due to large positive effects in a specific region, negative side effects can also be identified over long distances in other regions. Cities and towns are especially affected by these long-distance effects.
Outcomes with the Use of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Critically Ill Burn Patients

Recent data demonstrate a possible mortality benefit in traumatically injured patients when given subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). The purpose of this report is to examine the effect of rhEPO on mortality and transfusion in burn patients. We conducted a review of burn patients (greater than 30% total body surface area, intensive care unit [ICU] days greater than 15) treated with 40,000u rhEPO over an 18-month period (January 2007 to July 2008). Matched historical controls were identified and a contemporaneous cohort of subjects not administered rhEPO was used for comparison (NrhEPO). Mortality, transfusions, ICU and hospital length of stay were assessed. A total of 105 patients were treated (25 rhEPO, 53 historical control group, 27 NrhEPO). Hospital transfusions (mean 13,704 ± mL vs 13,308 ± mL; P = 0.42) and mortality (29.6 vs 32.0%; P = 0.64) were similar. NrhEPO required more blood transfusions (13,308 ± mL vs 6,827 ± mL; P = 0.004). No difference in mortality for the rhEPO and NrhEPO (32.0 vs 22.2%; P = 0.43) was found. Thromboembolic complications were similar in all three groups. No effect was seen for rhEPO treatment on mortality or blood transfusion requirements in the severely burned.
The labour relations heritage and lean manufacturing at Fiat

The objective of the paper is interpreting, from an evolutionary perspective, recent developments of work organization and human resource management policies at Fiat Auto, one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, which achieved a successful restructuring in the early 1990s. Building on a heritage of adversarial labour relations and ‘mass production’ organizational principles, Fiat developed an original and to some extent hybrid version of ‘lean’ human resource management practices (teamwork, flexible compensation, multi-skilling, etc.). The paper analyses this process of organizational change from an evolutionary perspective based on the concept of dynamic capabilities. From this standpoint, IR. HRM and work organization practices are the result of a learning process, based on original development, imitation, analogical replication, combination and selection of organizational capabilities; organizational capabilities have a cumulative and path-dependent nature; workplace innovations are also r.
Road Developments in the UK: An Analysis of Ecological Assessment in Environmental Impact Statements Produced between 1993 and 1997

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been required for certain proposed road developmentsin the UK since EC Directive (85/337) was implemented in 1988. The extent to which the requirements of the EIA Directive are met with respect to ecological issues has been explored in earlier reviews of road statements (Treweek et al., 1993) and of UK environmental impact statements (EISs) in general (Thompson et al., 1997). This paper describes the results of a further review of 40 EISs produced between 1993 and 1997 and also examines recent changes in the political context for EIA of proposed road developments,including developments in UK transport policy and the UK biodiversity process. The results of the review suggest that the ecological assessment of proposed road developments has improved in some respects, but also highlights the persistence of many shortcomings identified in earlier reviews. The reasons for ongoing failure to address these issues are explored. Key findings include a marked improvement in the extent of reference to consultation with statutory consultees and an increase in the proportion of EISs reporting the results of new ecological surveys. However, while potential ecological impacts were discussed in all the EISs reviewed, many still failed to predict the full range of potential ecological impacts.
Does Performance Consistency Pay Off Financially for Players? Evidence From the Bundesliga

The purpose of the current study is to investigate how consistency of professional soccer players’ performance affects salaries in the German Bundesliga. Using game-level data for five consecutive seasons (n = 34,413 player–match day observations), we find empirical evidence for a salary premium to players showing volatility in performance. Applying ordinary least squares, fixed-effects as well as quantile regression analyses, this effect remains robust.
Interest Rate Model Selection

Analysis of the most popular single-factor mortgage valuation models unambiguously rejects the lognormality of interest rates. Recent trends in the swaption market indicate normalization, supporting use of the Hull-White model, which can be quickly and accurately calibrated to at-the-money swaptions. Durations for TBA instruments come up shorter by the Hull-White model and are generally more in line with the empirical measures. The issue of negative rates is not found to be detrimental to the standard OAS pricing practice.
Suicide Terrorism and the Weakest Link

In this paper we examine a model of terrorism which focuses on the tradeoffs facing a terrorist organization that has the ability to utilize either or both suicide and conventional terrorism tactics. The terrorist organization’s objective is to successfully attack at least one target. Success for the target government is defined as defending all targets from any and all attacks. In this context, we examine how terrorist entities strategically utilize suicide attacks when other modes of attack are available, and the optimal anti-terrorism measures.
Labor Markets in the Transition Economies: An Overview

This paper reviews labor market developments in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union since the beginning of transition. The paper examines the relationship between aggregate employment and macroeconomic developments in these countries, emphasizing the changing interaction between aggregate output and employment, the role of wages and of labor market flexibility in determining the ability of these economies to provide suitable employment for their citizens. Attention is also given to the role of starting conditions and how the excess employment of the Communist period was either liquidated or accommodated. The second part of the paper deals with microeconomic issues pertaining to labor market performance in the region. The role of the nature and extent of privatization on employment outcomes is examined as is the role of sectoral restructuring. The role of entrepreneurship and the creation of new SMEs, capital formation and the emergence of new labor market institutions are also described.
Gauging the Sources of Growth of High-Tech and Low-Tech Industries: The Case of Korean Manufacturing

Literature argues that the source of growth for high-tech industries emanates from technological progress, while that for low-tech industries comes from technical efficiency improvement. Also, some empirical studies have shown that technological progress is often accompanied by deterioration in technical efficiency. The focus in this study is to discuss a methodology and test the above two hypotheses with regard to Korean manufacturing data from 1970 to 1997. The study found that the 2.5 per cent average annual rate of technological progress during this period was the major contributor to total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Korean manufacturing whereas technical efficiency grew by a modest 1.1 per cent per annum. The analysis also showed that technological progress was responsible for TFP growth in both high-tech and low-tech industries and that both technological progress and technical efficiency improvement co-existed in the case of Korean manufacturing industries.
Reference Effects of Price and Promotion on Brand Choice Behavior

When consumers are exposed to pricing and promotional activity by frequently purchased packaged goods, they may develop expectations that are used as points of reference in evaluating future activity. The authors build a model to test for the presence of these reference effects on brand choice behavior. The approach differs from previous research in two ways: (1) the model includes reference effects of promotion in addition to reference effects of price and (2) a threshold model is introduced to capture the formation of the consumer's promotional reference point. The authors calibrate a model of brand choice using IRI scanner panel data on ground coffee. The findings suggest that promotional activity has significant reference effects on consumer response.