Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clusters and concentration of businesses in regions of some European countries as tools for economic development

In our paper we made an overview on the literature about the creation and role of clusters and concentration of economic activities in the development of regions in Europe. Based on data available, we tried to find the correlation between the welfare, the quality of life and the clusters (especially in the knowledgeintensive sectors). In our research we assumed that the concentration of a sector in a region can have influence on the quality of life and that higher knowledge-intensive sectors of manufacturing and services have greater contribution to welfare. During research two main questions may arise: After how many years can we see beneficial effects on quality of life if a region starts to specialize. And: Can quality of life react flexibly to the changes in economy? After our research we got to the conclusion that there is a time shift in this phenomenon, the correlation is not linear and the changes are not elastic. We assumed that knowledge-driven economy has greater effect on quality of life than traditional economy but this cannot be proven generally. Moreover, regional specialties in labor market and industrial traditions seem to have great impact. We collected the data from the Eurostat database. The sample data give the opportunity to calculate the labor based location quotient (LQ), Herfindahl index and Dissimilarity index as well. All the three indices can show us the same effects that we are interested, but we have chosen LQ for our research. Eurostat has a so called high-tech industry and knowledgeintensive service database, which was used and filtered to the employment data in order to calculate the labor based LQ. The database lasts from 1994 to 2008 and shows the employment in the different knowledge intensive sectors on regional levels in 33 countries. The aim of our research was to find out how much the clusters/economic concentrations affect the development of regions and to try to define possible development ways for the future.
The New Era of Expected Credit Loss Provisioning

Following the Great Financial Crisis, accounting standard setters have required banks and other companies to provision against loans based on expected credit losses. While the rules adopted by the two main standard-setting bodies differ, banks must in both cases provision for expected credit losses from the time a loan is originated, rather than awaiting "trigger events" signalling imminent losses. In the short term, provisions may rise but the impact on regulatory capital is expected to be limited. However, the new rules are likely to alter the behaviour of banks in credit downturns, potentially dampening procyclicality. Banks, supervisors and market participants must prepare for their respective roles in implementing the new approach and assessing its impact.
Financial Shocks and Corporate Investment Activity : The Role of Financial Covenants *

We examine whether shocks to credit institutions affect the choice among accountingbased covenants in private debt contracts and whether this effect represents a channel through which shocks to lenders affect corporate investment. We exploit plausibly exogenous variation in the payment defaults experienced by lenders outside the borrower’s region and industry. We find that financial institutions respond to payment default shocks by shifting the composition of financial covenants towards performance-based covenants (away from capital-based covenants) in newly signed credit agreements. In turn, the increased reliance on performance covenants constrains borrowers’ future investments, particularly among relationship-based borrowers. We also find that lender-specific shocks after a contract is in place affect investments, and that this effect varies depending on the composition of the covenants in place. Overall, our results are consistent with financial covenants being a channel through which idiosyncratic shocks to lenders propagate to the real sector.
A New Method for Evaluating the Quality of Medical Interpretation

ObjectivesTo develop and implement a method to evaluate the quality of medical interpretation in a pediatric outpatient setting and explore the patterns and correlates of errors and failures in translation. Design, Setting, and PatientsObservational study of a convenience sample of 13 Spanish-speaking families attending pediatric outpatient clinics at an urban teaching hospital, their English-speaking providers, and interpreters. Visits were audiotaped and transcribed. The transcripts were divided into segments consisting of continuous sections of dialogue in a single language, plus any translation of that dialogue, and segments were coded for characteristics of the translation, word count, and the identity of the speakers. Main Outcome MeasuresTranslation quality on an ordinal scale derived from a set of nominal codes. ResultsWe found that 66.1% of segments in which translation should have occurred were translated with substantial errors or omissions or not translated at all. In 29.8% of segments, the interpreter engaged in speech unrelated to interpretation. Quality of interpretation was inversely associated with the word count per segment and, independently, whether the interpreter engaged in speech acts which did not consist of interpretation, which we call “role exchange. ” We give several examples and qualitative discussion of “role exchange” and show that it not necessarily associated with mistranslation but may have egregious consequences. ConclusionsInterpreters who lack appropriate training fail to interpret accurately. Engaging in speech behaviors other than interpreting is associated with a higher rate of errors.
Performance of public sector information systems projects : the case of UK Central Government

Despite the continuous need to enhance the value of public services, information systems projects in the public sector still underperform due to their high velocity of change and strategic ambiguity. Diverse studies have been carried out examining ‘project capabilities’ to contribute to the efficiency of information systems project management. However, most studies of project capabilities focus heavily on the project execution that aims for successful implementation of systems. This supplier-oriented approach leads to overlooking the significance of a project owner’s benefits realisation after implementing the information systems. Moreover, this formulation of project capabilities also does not distinguish between dynamic capabilities for benefits realisation and operational capabilities for project execution. For these reasons, the realisation of a project owner’s information systems benefits has still been far from satisfactory, in addition to having a poor rate of project success. In order to address this issue, this thesis develops a more nuanced perspective on project capabilities by distinguishing the dynamic capabilities of owners from the operational capabilities of suppliers and by developing the concept of owner dynamic capabilities. This is followed by analysis of the importance of benefits management as an owner dynamic capability. The aim of this study is to contribute to a deeper understanding of why public sector information systems projects are so challenging and how the project owner’s information systems benefits can be accelerated. A content analysis method was adopted, and 10 years of National Audit Office Value-for-Money reports were analysed covering 31 information systems projects. Theoretically the concept of ‘owner dynamic capabilities’ is introduced, and the experience of UK central government information systems projects is empirically reviewed. The results bring a key implication by showing the significance of benefits management as a distinctive ‘project back-end’ owner dynamic capability. This thesis makes three main contributions to the current literature in information systems project and benefits management. First, the concept of owner dynamic capability is introduced and theorised based on a unique data set of major public sector information systems projects. Second, the importance of project back-end capability is revealed as a distinctive dynamic capability, which owners require to move their information systems investment from practical completion (the system works as expected) to beneficial use (the system delivers the expected business benefits). Third, the key findings provide the future research agenda for project management disciplines.
Rheological, Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Golden Berry (Physalis peruviana L.) after Convective and Microwave Drying

Studies on methods for fixing foods (with a slight loss of bioactive compounds) and obtaining attractive products are important with respect to current technology. The drying process allows for a product with highly bioactive properties. Drying of Physalis fruit was carried out in a conventional manner, and in a microwave under reduced pressure at 120 W and 480 W. After drying, the fruits were subjected to strength and rheological tests. Water activity, content of carotenoids and polyphenols and antioxidant activity as well as colour were also examined. The study showed that Physalis is a difficult material for drying. The best results were obtained using microwave drying at a power of 480 W. Physalis fruit microwave-dried by this method is characterized by higher resistance to compression than the fruit dried by convection. Dried fruit obtained in this way was characterized by higher contents of bioactive compounds, better antioxidant properties, and at the same time the lowest water activity.
Morbidity and mortality conferences: Their educational role and why we should be there

Background: This article examines the value of morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences, and the multiple factors that contribute to their efficacy. Physicians’ morbidity and mortality conferences (M&MCs) focus on education by reviewing individual adverse events (AE), M&M. Alternatively, Quality Assurance (QA) conferences better examine system-wide issues (e.g., the role institutions play) in attaining or maintaining acceptable levels of patient care. Other issues examined in this review include: whether prospective vs. retrospective M&M data collection are more accurate, and how most states offer ‘nondiscovery’ of M&M proceedings. Methods: Most studies emphasize the educational role of M&MCs, and differentiate their role from QA. Studies comparing the accuracy of prospective vs. retrospective collection of M&M data were reviewed along with the medicolegal issues surrounding the protection of M&M data (‘nondiscovery’). Results: Multiple review articles emphasized that QA conferences typically identify system-wide failures (e.g., hospital policies) while M&MCs focus on physicians’ AE/morbidity/mortality. Additionally, the prospective collection of M&M data proved to be more accurate than retrospective analysis. Finally, most states protect M&M confidentiality (‘nondisclosure’); a glaring exception is Florida, ‘The Sunshine State,’ that allows ‘full disclosure. ’ Conclusion: This study reviews how M&MCs, differentiated from QA meetings, and educate physicians. It also documents how prospective collection of M&M data is more accurate than retrospective analysis. Additionally, it documents how in most states, medicolegal protections against discovery are in place, with Florida, the ‘Sunshine State’ remaining a glaring exception.
Rabies Status in Zambia for the Period 1985–2004

Rabies has been present in Zambia since the early years of the 20th century. It is a significant public health problem in Zambia. Domestic dogs accounted for 69.7% (1348/1935) of the samples received for rabies diagnosis for the period 1985–2004. Of the 1069 positive cases confirmed by the fluorescent antibody test, 747 (69.9%) were from domestic dogs, 139 (13.0%) from cattle and 98 (9.2%) from humans. Wildlife samples accounted for 4.5% (87/1935) of the samples tested with the jackal (Canis adustus) being the predominant species. Cases of rabies were highest in Lusaka Province followed by the Copperbelt, Southern and Central Provinces. The monthly distribution of canine rabies showed an average of 2.93 (95% CI 2.59–3.29) dog positive cases per month. The study confirms that rabies is endemic in Zambia and that the domestic dog is the principal maintenance host. The epidemiology and control measures currently used in Zambia are herein discussed highlighting their limitations and successes. Based on the findings obtained from this study we advocate for strengthening the delivery of public health services and that steps must taken to reduce the incidence of rabies in Zambia.
Influence of Budgetary Controls on Service Delivery in County Government of Nakuru in Kenya

In spite of collecting revenue from their jurisdictions, none of the county governments is financially autonomous. They have to rely on the disbursements from the central government. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of budgetary controls on service delivery in the County Government of Nakuru in Kenya. Of specific focus was the influence of revenue maximization and performance adjustment on service delivery. A crosssectional survey research design was adopted. All the 121 employees working with accounts/finance department of Nakuru County Government comprised the accessible population. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted to draw a sample of 66 respondents from the accessible population. This study used a self-administered, structured questionnaire to collect data. A pilot study was conducted before carrying out the main study. The collected data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Data analysis captured both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analysis were presented in form of tables. The study revealed that budgetary controls influenced service delivery in the County Government of Nakuru. Performance adjustments were found to be the most important in influencing service delivery. The study inferred that the county government has been striving to maximize revenue collection. Revenue maximization and performance adjustments were concluded to be important parameters in improving service delivery. The International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom Licensed under Creative Common Page 1053 study recommends that the county government ought to seal all loopholes that funds may be lost while automating revenue collection. These county governments are further advised to be flexible enough in order to adjust their budgets in the wake of unforeseeable macroeconomic effects.
Syndecan‐1 and syndecan‐4 can mediate the invasion of OpaHSPG‐expressing Neisseria gonorrhoeae into epithelial cells

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo) expressing the outer membrane protein OpaHSPG can adhere to and invade epithelial cells via binding to heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) receptors. In this study, we have investigated the role of syndecan‐1 and syndecan‐4, two members of the HSPG family, in the uptake of Ngo by epithelial cells. When overexpressed in HeLa cells, both syndecans co‐localize with adherent Ngo on the host cell surface. This overexpression of syndecan‐1 and syndecan‐4 leads to a three‐ and sevenfold increase in Ngo invasion respectively. In contrast, transfection with the syndecan‐1 and syndecan‐4 mutant constructs lacking the intracellular domain results in an abrogation of the invasion process, characteristic of a dominant‐negative mode of action. A concomitant loss of the capacity to mediate Ngo uptake was also observed with syndecan‐4 mutant constructs carrying lesions in the dimerization motif necessary for the binding of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2), and mutants that are deficient in a C‐terminal EFYA amino acid motif responsible for binding to syntenin or CASK. We conclude that syndecan‐1 and syndecan‐4 can both mediate Ngo uptake into epithelial cells, and that their intracellular domains play a crucial role in this process, perhaps by mediating signal transduction or anchorage to the cytoskeleton.
Methylated DNA for monitoring tumor growth and regression: How do we get there?

Abstract A wide range of protein cancer biomarkers is currently recommended in international guidelines for monitoring the growth and regression of solid tumors. However, a number of these markers are also present in low concentrations in blood obtained from healthy individuals and from patients with benign diseases. In contrast, evidence has accumulated that suggests that modified methylated DNA is strongly related to the cancer phenotype. The modifications found in modified methylated DNA include a global loss of methylation in the genomes of the tumor cells as well as focal hypermethylation of gene promoters. Because tumor cells naturally secrete DNA and upon cell death leak DNA, modified methylated DNA can be detected in blood, urine, sputum and other body fluids. At present international guidelines do not include recommendations for monitoring modified methylated DNA. The low level of evidence can partly be explained by incomplete collection of serial blood samples, by analytical challenges, and by lack of knowledge of how monitoring studies should be designed and how serial marker data obtained from individual patients should be interpreted. Here, we review the clinical validity and utility of methylated DNA for monitoring the activity of malignant disease.
Controls on Geyser Periodicity

Geyser eruption frequency is not constant over time and has been shown to vary with small (≤10–6) strains induced by seismic events, atmospheric loading, and Earth tides. The geyser system is approximated as a permeable conduit of intensely fractured rock surrounded by a less permeable rock matrix. Numerical simulation of this conceptual model yields a set of parameters that controls geyser existence and periodicity. Much of the responsiveness to remote seismicity and other small strains in the Earth can be explained in terms of variations in permeability and lateral recharge rates.
MRI evidence of persistent joint inflammation and progressive joint damage despite clinical remission during treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To determine the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of bones and joints in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated for 2 years from diagnosis with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and glucocorticoids. Method: Thirteen patients with early RA were treated according to clinical practice and followed with MRI, radiographs, and Disease Activity Score calculated on 28 joints (DAS28) at inclusion (baseline) and after 1, 4, 7, 13, and 25 months. MRI of the dominant wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints were assessed for synovitis, bone oedema, and erosions using the RA MRI Score (RAMRIS) and for tenosynovitis by an MRI tenosynovitis scoring method. Radiographs were assessed by the van der Heijde modified Sharp score (SHS). Clinical remission was defined by a DAS28 < 2.6. Results: MRI at baseline detected inflammation in joints and tendons in all patients as well as erosions in 10 out of 13 patients. Over time, the erosion score increased while the synovitis and tenosynovitis scores remained almost unchanged. Bone oedema strongly correlated with synovitis. Synovitis and tenosynovitis correlated well with the erosion score at baseline but not thereafter. The MRI changes showed that joint damage started early and continued in the presence of persistent synovial and tenosynovial inflammation. Conclusions: The observations made in this small study suggest that the treatment goal of ‘clinical remission’ should be supplemented by a ‘joint remission’ goal. To this end, MRI is an appropriate tool. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal use of MRI in early RA.
Interleukin-1beta-stimulated invasion of articular cartilage by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts is inhibited by antibodies to specific integrin receptors and by collagenase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE To study the role of integrin receptors in the invasion of cartilage by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSF). METHODS RSF were cocultured with cartilage slices alone or in the presence of various potential activators or inhibitors. The penetration of the cartilage surface by RSF was determined by live-cell imaging of fluorescent-labeled cells. RESULTS Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-8 stimulated the RSF invasion of cartilage. Invasion was specific for RSF and required a concentration gradient of IL-1beta. The IL-1beta-activated invasion of cartilage was inhibited by anti-IL-1 antibodies, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and collagenase inhibitors. RSF invasion was also inhibited by antibodies to alpha4, alpha5, alphaV, and beta1 integrins. CONCLUSION In this study, an IL-1beta concentration gradient was required for RSF invasion into cartilage, raising the possibility that in vivo invasion may be induced by IL-1beta released by chondrocytes. The IL-1beta activation of RSF assayed in vitro may contribute to the RSF invasion of cartilage in vivo. Cartilage invasion requires the availability of beta1 and alpha4, alpha5, and alphaV integrins and the presence of collagenase activity.
Questionable reliability of the polymerase chain reaction in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

To the Editor: Conventional methods of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical samples, such as microscopy or culture, are either low in sensitivity and specificity or time-consuming. The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been described as an alternative that allows the amplification and detection of DNA from a single bacterium in a matter of hours1. Despite over 30 published reports on the detection of M. tuberculosis by means of PCR, little is known about the reliability and reproducibility of this test. The possible consequences for treatment are substantial. Using a coded panel of samples containing various numbers .
Managing sudden phase transitions in complex adaptive systems: lessons from the financial crisis

Following a period of almost unbroken growth from 1998 to 2007 the Global Financial System suffered a catastrophic collapse between late 2007 and end of 2008 (Wray 2009, 2010). Bank share prices collapsed across the US and EU and the direct and collateral impacts were felt globally. The impacts of the crisis rapidly spread into the real economy and a deep recession began (Wray 2009, 2010). In the years prior to the Financial Crisis various complex products and risk management processes had been developed resulting in both a misplaced sense of confidence in the stability of the industry, and the development and incubation of a number of dangerous weaknesses at its core. As conditions changed these risks began to crystalise and rapidly move through gaps in defences of various institutions. The impacts were both swift and dramatic. How had an industry which had experienced numerous systemic events in the past allowed another crisis to develop unseen, and how were so many stakeholders unable to respond to the rapid change in their industry? Utilizing Kaufmann’s (1996) Fitness Landscape Theory to frame the financial industry as a complex adaptive system, this research assesses the evolution of the industry in the years prior to the Financial Crisis and how risk was able to build up unseen within the industry, examines the responses of 3 financial institutions during the Financial Crisis for evidence of their ability to adapt to changed environmental conditions. This research identifies the weaknesses and strengths within the three case studies and identifies structures and communication processes which could limit exposures to future phase transitions and improve decision making under strained conditions.