Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A framework for organisational change management in lean manufacturing implementation

Lean manufacturing system has been widely applied in manufacturing companies worldwide. However, the low success rate of lean transformations in many countries has given a cause for concern. Much of the literature had pointed out that the main reason is due to the failure in managing the change process during a lean manufacturing transformation. This paper presents a thorough literature review for lean manufacturing approach in the context of organisational change management. Finally, the authors have proposed an organisational change framework for lean manufacturing implementation that would serve as the basis for further empirical research and validation. The framework will further expand the body of knowledge by linking organisational change management with the transition to implementing a lean manufacturing system.
Clinical Utility of the Envelope Task in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Abstract Objective: Prospective memory (PM) is a cognitive function defined as the ability to perform an intention at an appropriate moment in the future. In the aging population, PM is essential for maintaining independent daily living. Introduced as a simple and quick way to assess PM in clinical settings, the envelope task has to date received very limited empirical and practical interest. Methods: The present study investigated the task’s clinical utility in detecting PM impairment in a sample composed of 49 healthy older adults (OA), 41 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and 64 individuals with amnestic and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) of heterogeneous etiology: 17 of idiopathic nature, 20 presenting an idiopathic rapid-eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, and 27 patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Results: The envelope task was highly sensitive and specific in discriminating Alzheimer’s disease patients from OA. Although it was specific in distinguishing MCI individuals from OA, its sensitivity was modest, especially in patients presenting a nonamnestic MCI subtype. Conclusions: Given its high specificity and simple low-cost administration procedure, the envelope task is a promising instrument for clinicians who seek to rapidly assess PM impairment in their daily practice. RÉSUMÉ Contexte: La mémoire prospective (MP) est une fonction cognitive qui se définit par la capacité à effectuer une action à un moment préalablement déterminé dans le futur. La MP joue un rôle crucial chez les personnes âgées dans le maintien de leur indépendance fonctionnelle dans la vie quotidienne. Parmi les mesures de PM décrites dans la littérature, la tâche de l'enveloppe est une épreuve simple et rapide à administrer, mais pourtant rarement utilisée par les chercheurs et les cliniciens. Méthodologie: L'objectif de la présente étude était d'investiguer l'utilité clinique de cette épreuve dans la détection de troubles de la MP auprès d'un échantillon composé de 49 sujets sains, 41 patients atteints de la maladie d'Alzheimer et 64 individus ayant un trouble cognitif léger (MCI) amnésique ou non-amnésique d'étiologies hétérogènes: 17 de nature idiopathique, 20 présentant un trouble comportemental en sommeil paradoxal et 27 atteints de la maladie de Parkinson. Résultats: La tâche de l'enveloppe s’est avérée très sensible et spécifique pour discriminer les patients atteints d’une maladie d’Alzheimer des sujets sains. Sa spécificité était bonne pour discriminer les MCI des sujets sains, mais la tâche de l’enveloppe demeurait peu sensible chez les MCI surtout chez les MCI non-amnésiques. Conclusion: En raison d’une grande spécificité et de la facilité d'administration, la tâche de l'enveloppe est donc une mesure intéressante pour tout de clinicien désirant rapidement évaluer la MP dans leur pratique.
Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica: Bazex syndrome

Abstract Bazex syndrome, or acrokeratosis paraneoplastica, is a cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by psoriasiform lesions associated with, usually, a squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. We present a case of Bazex syndrome associated with metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma with an unknown primary. The features of the condition are discussed in the light of current knowledge.
THE IMPACT OF TRADE-RELATED JOB LOSS: THE CASE OF THE GHANAIAN POULTRY INDUSTRY WORKER

This study attempts to assess the impact of increasing trade-related job losses among poultry farm workers in Ghana, owing to increasing poultry imports. Using a sample size of 500 poultry farm workers, the Ordered Probit and Probit models were used to empirically estimate the quantitative and qualitative impacts on the Ghanaian poultry farm workers who have suffered trade-related job losses owing to trade liberalisation. The results show that significant amounts of trade-related job losses have been recorded over time as a result of heavy importation of poultry into the country. Negative effects such as difficult financial status, poor physical health and loss of properties were observed. Others also suffered in terms of poor mental health (depression). The study therefore recommends the provision of credit facilities, creation of local demand and provision of subsidies in the areas of poultry feed and medication for the poultry industry in Ghana, to help the farmers remain in business.
Experiences and lessons learned for planning and supply of micronutrient powders interventions

Abstract Realistic planning for a nutrition intervention is a critical component of implementation, yet effective approaches have been poorly documented. Under the auspices of “The Micronutrient Powders Consultation: Lessons Learned for Operational Guidance,” 3 working groups were formed to summarize experiences and lessons across countries regarding micronutrient powders (MNP) interventions for young children. This paper focuses on programmatic experiences in the planning stages of an MNP intervention, encompassing assessment, enabling environment and adaptation, as well as considerations for supply. Methods included a review of published and grey literature, key informant interviews, and deliberations throughout the consultation process. We found that assessments helped justify adopting an MNP intervention, but these assessments were often limited by their narrow scope and inadequate data. Establishing coordinating bodies and integrating MNP into existing policies and programmes have helped foster an enabling environment and support programme stability. Formative research and pilots have been used to adapt MNP interventions to specific contexts, but they have been insufficient to inform scale‐up. In terms of supply, most countries have opted to procure MNP through international suppliers, but this still requires understanding and navigating the local regulatory environment at the earliest stages of an intervention. Overall, these findings indicate that although some key planning and supply activities are generally undertaken, improvements are needed to plan for effective scale‐up. Much still needs to be learned on MNP planning, and we propose a set of research questions that require further investigation.
Ictal epileptic headache: Terms do matter in clinical practice! Reply to Cianchetti et al

Sir, We read with considerable interest the comments made by Cianchetti et al. (1) on the ‘ictal epileptic headache’ (IEH) criteria (2) and we agree that this rare, intriguing phenomenon deserves to be discussed extensively by experts in the field. However, we do not agree with their proposed use of the term ‘ictal headache’ (IH), which was supported by Dainese et al. (discussed in Striano et al. (3)), rather than IEH for two main reasons: 1. when the headache is the sole ictal event, it is important to highlight its epileptic origin; 2. as an ictal paroxysmal condition may be non-epileptic (e.g. vascular), the use of the term ‘ictal’ on its ownwould be somewhatmisleading. In addition, our proposal for the IEH criteria (2) includes the rare condition in which headache is the only ictal epileptic manifestation (2,4). We also disagree with Cianchetti et al.’s proposal (1) to eliminate the definition of ‘hemicrania epileptica’ from the forthcoming ICHD-III classification, believing instead that this term should be reserved for all cases in which an IEH is present and is associated synchronously or sequentially with other ictal sensory-motor events. Lastly, with regard to Cianchetti et al.’s concerns (1), we have previously pointed out (4) that the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) may be normal in IEH and that it may be possible to detect epileptic abnormalities exclusively by means of deep electrodes. Although this limitation will inevitably result in the IEH phenomenon being underestimated, it does not mean the use of EEG recording by cerebral deep electrodes is mandatory in such cases. Moreover, in view of the afore-mentioned considerations, we believe that our criteria B and D (2) are of considerable importance, as a seizure may not respond to antiepileptic treatment, just as it does not respond in numerous other seizure types (4).
Query Translation using Concepts Similarity based on Quran Ontology for Cross-Language Information Retrieval

In Cross-Language Information Retrieval (CLIR) process, the translation effects have a direct impact o n the accuracy of follow-up retrieval results. In diction ary-based approach, we are dealing with the words t hat have more than one meaning which can decrease the retrieval performance if the query translation retur n an incorrect translations. These issues need to be ove rcome using efficient technique. In this study we p roposed a Cross-Language Information Retrieval (CLIR) method based on domain ontology using Quran concepts for disambiguating translation of the query and to improve the dictionary-based query translation. For experimentation, we use Quran ontology written in E nglish and Malay languages as a bilingual parallelcorpora and Quran concepts as a resource for cross- language query translation along with dictionary-ba sed translation. For evaluation, we measure the perform ance of three IR systems. IR 1 is natural language query IR, IR 2 is natural language query CLIR based on dictionary (as a Baseline) and IR 3 is the retrieval of this research proposed method using Mean Average Precision (MAP) and average precision at 11 points of recall. The experimental result shows that our prop osed method brings significant improvement in retri eval accuracy for English document collections, but defi cient for Malay document collections. The proposed CLIR method can obtain query expansion effect and improve retrieval performance in certain language.
Should We Give Every Cow Its Calf? Monopoly, Competition and Transaction Costs in the Promotion of Innovation and Creativity

The work presented here is part of a wider research programme oriented around three specific questions. First, how do individual agents appropriate returns from innovation and how is this affected by the availability (or not) of intellectual property rights such as copyrights and patents? Second, how does this translate into the aggregate production of knowledge, once one takes account of the interaction between producers and the cumulative nature of the process of knowledge production? Finally, How can we incorporate this into an estimate of the welfare trade-off inherent in intellectual property rights (the basic prerequisite for formulating rational IP policy)? The dissertation contains theoretical work on each of these questions together with a brief introductory preamble and a review of the existing literature on the economics of knowledge. Chapter 3, entitled Cumulative Innovation, Sampling and the Hold-Up Problem, examines the interaction of producers through licensing in the context of a cumulative innovation process. With imperfect information about the value of innovations, intellectual property rights can result in hold-up and, therefore, it may be better not to have them. Incorporating ‘sampling’ by second-stage firms into the basic model, it is shown that, the lower the cost of sampling or the larger the differential between high and low value second-stage innovations, the more likely it is that a regime without intellectual property rights will be preferable. Chapter 4, entitled Innovation and Imitation with and without Intellectual Property Rights presents a simple, yet powerful, model of innovation without intellectual property rights based on first-mover advantage. This chapter introduces a model of imperfect competition in which imitation is costly and demonstrates that, in the absence of intellectual property rights, a significant proportion of innovations may still occur. Furthermore, welfare may be higher in the absence of these rights even though less innovation occurs. Chapter 5, deals with a more applied problem, namely the form of an optimal copyright regime. Entitled Forever Minus a Day? Some Theory and Empirics of Optimal Copyright, this chapter develops several novel general results before turning to the case of optimal copyright term. An estimate of optimal term of 14 years is derived – a level far below that in force in almost all jurisdictions at the present time. Furthermore, this estimate is one of the first which in the literature to be properly grounded in both theory and empirics. Finally, Chapter 6, entitled The Control of Porting in Two-Sided Markets, moves away from the economics of knowledge, into the area of (indirect) network effects and two-sided markets. The model it develops, focused on the control of porting by a dominant firm in a platform market, has particular relevance to a variety of past and present antitrust questions.
Malignant myoepithelioma of the breast: An immunohistochemical study by light and electron microscopy

Myoepitheliomas of the breast are extremely rare; only four cases have been reported to date. It is not clear whether these tumors behave in a benign or malignant fashion, and no metastatic spread has been documented. We report a myoepithelioma of the breast with metastatic spread to an axillary lymph node. Myoepithelial cell (MEC) differentiation in the tumor was characterized using electron microscopic (EM) criteria. Immunologic investigations at the LM and EM levels showed that the tumor cells were positive for S100 protein, actin, and epidermal cytokeratin; these findings are indicative of MEC differentiation. By immuno‐EM, cytokeratin filaments were present in a perinuclear location, while actin filaments were concentrated along the cell periphery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a breast myoepithelioma that has metastasized and also the first report of the immunologic characterization of a myoepithelioma at the light and electron microscopic levels.
Costimulation blockade in transplantation of nerve allografts: long‐term effects

Abstract Costimulation blockade can prevent rejection of nerve allografts in short‐term studies. We tested if costimulation blockade also prevented rejection of nerve allografts in long‐term experiments, thereby improving functional recovery. A 7‐mm sciatic nerve defect in C57/BL6 mice was bridged either by nerve allografts from Balb/C mice or by isogenic nerve grafts (isografts) from C57/BL6 mice. Costimulation blockade in the form of a triple treatment with anti‐LFA‐1, anti‐CD40L, and CTLA4Ig was given at post‐operative days 0, 2, 4, and 6 (intraperitoneal). Control mice (placebo; allografts) with nerve grafts were treated with isotype antibodies during the same time period. After 49 days, tetanic muscle force, wet weight of gastrocnemius muscle, histology, and morphometry in the tibial nerve were evaluated. Costimulation blockade diminished rejection of the nerve allografts. Axons bridged the graft. Treatment increased wet weight of the gastrocnemius muscle and resulted in a higher mean myelin area/nerve fiber in the tibial nerve distal to the nerve grafts. Tetanic muscle force and number of axons in tibial nerve showed no differences between groups. We conclude that rejection is suppressed by costimulation blockade. Treatment improves recovery of target muscle and myelination after nerve allografting.
Rebound Effect of Allowance for Corporate Equity on Debt Bias

We analyse if the Brazilian Allowance for Corporate Equity (ACE-type system) reduces the debt tax bias. Specifically, we study if the continuous treatment effect of interest on equity negatively affects the level of financial leverage. We find that the tax policy implemented is similar to the deductible cash dividends and not to an ACE. The empirical implication is that the interest on equity treatment increases the debt tax bias, producing a rebound effect to what is expected for this policy on the risk-taking behaviour and corporate capital structure. This rebound effect is homogeneous in firms with different financial constraints status. There are evidences that shareholders influence the cash distribution policy, adjusting the later to their own tax preferences. Therefore, there may be a "ACE clientele effect" induced by heterogeneity in tax preferences among shareholders.
MEASUREMENT OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN FOR THE TARGETING OF STATIN THERAPY IN THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF ACUTE CORONARY EVENTS

A BSTRACT Background Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, even in the absence of hyperlipidemia, are associated with an increased risk of coronary events. Statin therapy reduces the level of C-reactive protein independently of its effect on lipid levels. We hypothesized that statins might prevent coronary events in persons with elevated C-reactive protein levels who did not have overt hyperlipidemia. Methods The level of C-reactive protein was measured at base line and after one year in 5742 participants in a five-year randomized trial of lovastatin for the primary prevention of acute coronary events. Results The rates of coronary events increased significantly with increases in the base-line levels of C-reactive protein. Lovastatin therapy reduced the C-reactive protein level by 14.8 percent (P<0.001), an effect not explained by lovastatin-induced changes in the lipid profile. As expected, lovastatin was effective in preventing coronary events in participants whose base-line ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was higher than the median ratio, regardless of the level of C-reactive protein (number needed to treat for five years to prevent 1 event, 47; P=0.005). However, lovastatin was also effective among those with a ratio of total to HDL cholesterol that was lower than the median and a C-reactive protein level higher than the median (number needed to treat, 43; P=0.02). In contrast, lovastatin was ineffective among participants with a ratio of total to HDL cholesterol and a C-reactive protein level that were both lower than the median (number needed to treat, 983; P=0.87). Conclusions Statin therapy may be effective in the primary prevention of coronary events among persons with relatively low lipid levels but with elevated levels of C-reactive protein. (N Engl J Med 2001;344:1959-65.)
To Pay or Not to Pay: Using Emerging Panel Data to Identify Factors Influencing Corporate Dividend Payout Decisions

In this study, the corporate dividend payout decisions of firms listed on the emerging Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states’ stock market were analysed. Panel data were obtained from 191 non-financial firms over the five year period from 1999 to 2003 and seven research hypotheses were tested. Random effects probit models were used to test the seven research hypotheses. The results revealed that government ownership, company profitability, and company size increases the probability of paying dividends, whereas the good investment opportunities decrease the probability of paying dividends. Overall, research findings indicated that companies listed on the GCC stock exchange paid dividends to reduce agency conflict, avoid exploiting minority shareholders, and enhance their company's reputation.
The Role of Academic Failure in Hyperactive Behavior

Numerous empirical studies have demonstrated that stimulant drugs such as Ritalin do not improve the academic performance of hyperactive youngsters, though short-term manageability may be improved. This interesting article reviews and integrates many of the central research papers. In addition, the authors propose a potentially useful means of conceptualizing how stimulant drugs may act to assist the hyperactive youngster and his teacher. Their conceptualization leads directly to a variety of intervention plans as well as suggesting future research. — G.M.S. The model and supporting research presented here propose that academic failure resulting from a variety of etiological factors is sufficient to generate the behavioral patterns observed in many hyperactive children. These responses can be strengthened and may persist because of the inadverlent social responses of teachers and peers or because of their effectiveness in reducing the frustration and anxiety elicited by failure. Treatment predictions confirmed by outcome research indicate that intervention focusing only on the child's hyperactive behavior will not result in improvements in academic achievement. In contrast, interventions aimed at increasing the child's level of success on academic tasks are likely to result in corresponding reductions in hyperactive behavior while improving the child's academic achievement.
Mapping of sites on the Src family protein tyrosine kinases p55blk, p59fyn, and p56lyn which interact with the effector molecules phospholipase C-gamma 2, microtubule-associated protein kinase, GTPase-activating protein, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Engagement of the B-cell antigen receptor complex induces immediate activation of receptor-associated Src family tyrosine kinases including p55blk, p59fyn, p53/56lyn, and perhaps p56lck, and this response is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of distinct cellular substrates. These kinases act directly or indirectly to phosphorylate and/or activate effector proteins including p42 (microtubule-associated protein kinase) (MAPK), phospholipases C-gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) and C-gamma 2 (PLC gamma 2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K), and p21ras-GTPase-activating protein (GAP). Although coimmunoprecipitation results indicate that the Src family protein tyrosine kinases interact physically with some of these effector molecules, the molecular basis of this interaction has not been established. Here, we show that three distinct sites mediate the interaction of these kinases with effectors. The amino-terminal 27 residues of the unique domain of p56lyn mediate association with PLC gamma 2, MAPK, and GAP. Binding to PI 3-K is mediated through the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of the Src family kinases. Relatively small proportions of cellular PI 3-K, PLC gamma 2, MAPK, and GAP, presumably those which are tyrosine phosphorylated, bind to the SH2 domains of these kinases. Comparative analysis of binding activities of Blk, Lyn, and Fyn shows that these kinases differ in their abilities to associate with MAPK and PI 3-K, suggesting that they may preferentially bind and subsequently phosphorylate distinct sets of downstream effector molecules in vivo. Fast protein liquid chromatography Mono Q column-fractionated MAPK maintains the ability to bind bacterially expressed Lyn, suggesting that the two kinases may interact directly.