Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Value Creation and the UK Economy: A Review of Strategic Options

In this review paper, we ask how UK business might realize improved productivity through value creation. Our aim is to evaluate the ability of UK firms to reduce the productivity gap by assessing the challenges associated with the following strategic options: (a) increasing efficiency and effectiveness through the adoption of better practices; (b) innovating to produce products or services that generate more revenue (through either higher prices or larger volumes) while remaining at the same position in the value chain; and (c) fundamentally changing position in the value or supply chain and moving to a position where the products and services that are delivered inherently generate more value. To this end, we contend that the core issues that affect such endeavours relate to the conceptualization and management of change and innovation. By considering the interconnections between firm-level activities and wider institutional processes and structures, we assess the links between knowledge production, skills provision and productivity, including the role of the state and other institutions in the context of the micro-processes of innovation. We conclude with a discussion of the research and policy implications of the attempt to make more sense of innovation and reduce the UK's productivity gap.
Constraints on evidence-based policy: insights from government practices

Insights are offered into UK government built environment policy-making processes through an insider's perspective (based on experience of being the chief executive of a public body, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment – CABE) on three empirical examples. The government's mandate was for policies to be evidence based. There was no shortage of demand for evidence, but it was fed into political and bureaucratic domains where less- or non-evidence-based influences were also at work. The questions considered are how much the evidence really influenced the content of policy; and whether making a policy ‘evidence based' led to its acceptance across government, causing departments to commit to its delivery. It is found that evidence (1) is powerful for defining issues to which policy should attend, (2) captures the attention of policy and decision-makers, but only if presented succinctly, and (3) is essential for testing outcomes. Supposedly evidence-based policy is not always truly evidence based. Many subjective forces counterbalance objectivity. The most significant reasons for this are mooted. Advice is offered on how to make evidence a more effective part of a process that will always be partly technical and objective, but also political and subjective.
Indeterminacy and Increasing Returns

We investigate properties of the one-sector growth model with increasing returns under two organizational structures capable of reconciling the existence of aggregate increasing returns with competitive behavior by firms. The first involves input externalities; the second involves monopolistic competition. We show, for parameters in close accord with recent literature on real business cycles, that the model displays an indeterminate steady state that can be exploited to generate a model of business fluctuations driven by self-fulfilling beliefs. In our first class of models, growth is generated by exogenous increases in factor productivity. In the second class the marginal product of capital is large enough for endogenous growth. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: E00, E3, O40.
A long photoperiod overrides non-photoperiodic factors in blue tits' timing of reproduction

Endocrinological studies have contributed considerably to the development of theory concerning the proximate aspects of the timing of reproduction. In non–domesticated, avian species, the relative importance of the photoperiodic and non–photoperiodic factors influencing later stages of the breeding cycle, such as the onset of egg laying, remains unclear because egg laying is difficult to obtain with captive populations and laboratory experiments of breeding are rarely carried out in the framework of long–term field studies. We set up a special experimental design such that captive Mediterranean blue tits (Parus caeruleus) can breed with success in large outdoor aviaries at similar latitudes and altitudes to their wild counterparts. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the non–photoperiodic factors responsible for large and consistent differences in the expression of natural breeding responses between three captive outdoor blue tit populations are ignored during long–day treatment. Based on these findings, an evolutionary explanation is provided for why the relative importance of the non–photoperiodic factors decreases with the progress of the season. The hypothesis can explain observed maladapted breeding dates in free–living populations and could possibly be used to increase the success of breeding programmes with some endangered, captive, non–domesticated, photoperiodic species.
Histological features predictive of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection.

AIMS: To assess which pathological features are associated with a sensitive marker of liver fibrogenesis and thus of the potential development of fibrosis in hepatitis C. METHODS: The degree of liver fibrogenesis was evaluated by quantification of type I collagen mRNA and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 mRNA (a major profibrogenic cytokine) in liver biopsy specimens from 28 patients with chronic hepatitis C and five controls, using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Results of mRNA quantification were correlated with histological lesions scored semiquantitatively in the same specimens. RESULTS: Type I collagen mRNA was more strongly expressed in patients than in controls and correlated with the degree of fibrosis, but not with any of the necro-inflammatory lesions (portal inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and lobular necrosis). TGF beta 1 mRNA concentration was higher in patients than in controls and correlated with histological grade of activity and lobular necrosis. This result was confirmed by in situ hybridisation experiments which showed that TGF beta 1 mRNA was mainly expressed in areas of focal lobular necrosis in chronic hepatitis C. CONCLUSION: This study shows that fibrosis, rather than necro-inflammatory lesions or activity scores, is associated with fibrogenesis and thus with potential aggravation of the fibrous deposit in chronic hepatitis C. Lobular necrosis is an important predictor of prognosis in chronic hepatitis C, as shown by its strong association with TGF beta 1 mRNA expression.
‘That lot up there and us down here’: social interaction and a sense of community in a mixed tenure UK retirement village

ABSTRACT Retirement villages have been slow to emerge as a housing model for older people in the United Kingdom (UK) but the sector is now growing rapidly, with an increasing number of both private and not-for-profit developers entering the market. Research findings to date have indicated high levels of satisfaction among residents, but commentators have criticised this form of provision on the grounds that they are only an option for the better off. This paper reports a study of a retirement village that has attempted to address this issue by integrating residents from a range of socio-economic backgrounds and by making various tenures available in the same development. The paper begins with a brief history of retirement villages in the UK and an overview of the concept of community, including those of communities of place and interest and their role in social policy. The presented findings highlight a number of factors that impact on a resident's sense of community, including social interaction, the development of friendships, the built environment and the existence of common interests. The discussion focuses on the development of cross-tenure social networks and how residents' health and social status shapes community experience. It is concluded that the clustering model of mixed tenure is likely to emphasise differences in the socio-economic backgrounds of residents and that the success of retirement villages as communities depends on grasping the subtleties of the diversity of later life.
Ultrastructure and intracellular calcium response during activation in vitrified and slow-frozen human oocytes.

BACKGROUND The sensitivity of human oocytes to cryodamage may compromise their developmental competence following cryopreservation. Herein, we compared the ultrastructure and the response to the calcium (Ca²⁺) ionophore A23187 of fresh, slow-frozen and vitrified metaphase II (MII) human oocytes. METHODS Supernumerary fresh MII oocytes, donated under written informed consent, were cryopreserved through either a slow cooling procedure based on propane-1,2-diol and 0.3 M sucrose or a closed vitrification system based on dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG). Ultrastructure of fresh and cryopreserved oocytes was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and compared through morphometrical analysis; intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺](i)) dynamics was studied by evaluating the response to the Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187. RESULTS Morphometric analysis demonstrated a markedly higher proportion of oocytes with large vacuoles, inward displacement of organelles from the pericortical toward the deep cytoplasm, and mitochondrial damage in slow-frozen compared with both fresh and vitrified oocytes. A23187 increased the [Ca²⁺](i) in all oocyte groups and the peak average increase in slow-frozen oocytes was significantly higher than in both fresh and vitrified oocytes. Moreover, the ability of slow-frozen oocytes to recover [Ca²⁺](i) to basal levels was significantly reduced compared with both fresh and vitrified oocytes. CONCLUSIONS Closed vitrification based on DMSO and EG preserves the ultrastructural features and the ability to respond to the Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 significantly better than does slow freezing with 0.3 M sucrose. Damage to organelles involved in the [Ca²⁺](i) modulation might reduce the developmental competence of cryopreserved oocytes.
Interaction of Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633 and Bacteriophage gh-1 in Berea Sandstone Rock

Measurements of the passage of Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633 and a phage-resistant mutant through Berea sandstone rock were made. When bacteriophage gh-1 was adsorbed within the rock matrix, a reduction in the passage of the susceptible but not the resistant cells through the rock was observed.
An Overview of Source-Specific Multicast (SSM)

The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of Source-Specific Multicast (SSM) and issues related to its deployment. It discusses how the SSM service model addresses the challenges faced in inter-domain multicast deployment, changes needed to routing protocols and applications to deploy SSM and interoperability issues with current multicast service models.
Involvement of IFN‐γ receptor‐mediated signaling in pathology and anti‐malarial immunity induced by Plasmodium berghei infection

IFN‐γ has been implicated in the pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). We have used mice lacking the α chain of the IFN‐γ receptor (KO mice) to define its role in the pathogenesis of ECM. Infected KO mice did not develop ECM and showed no leukocyte or parasite sequestration in the brain, and no hemorrhages. The resistance of KO mice to ECM was associated with the absence of any increases of TNF‐α and ICAM‐1 proteins in the brain, which are both essential for ECM. Wild‐type (WT) mice which do not develop ECM, despite increased local production of TNF‐α protein, showed no leukocyte accumulation in the brain and this was correlated with the absence of ICAM‐1 protein from brain microvessels. KO mice infected with 106 parasitized erythrocytes (PE) of Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) did not develop ECM, but they had high parasitemia and died earlier than WT mice which did not develop ECM. However, KO mice did not develop higher parasitemia than WT mice when both groups were infected with a lower dose (5×105 PE) of PbA‐infected red blood cells. This indicates that different doses of PE may trigger different IFN‐γ responses and that there may be a threshold concentration for protection against parasitemia.
Limitations to oxygen transport and utilization during sprint exercise in humans: evidence for a functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity

Severe acute hypoxia reduces sprint performance. Muscle V̇O2 during sprint exercise in normoxia is not limited by O2 delivery, O2 offloading from haemoglobin or structure‐dependent diffusion constraints in the skeletal muscle of young healthy men. A large functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity exists and remains available at exhaustion during exercise in normoxia; this functional reserve is recruited during exercise in hypoxia. During whole‐body incremental exercise to exhaustion in severe hypoxia, leg V̇O2 is primarily dependent on convective O2 delivery and less limited by diffusion constraints than previously thought. The kinetics of O2 offloading from haemoglobin does not limit V̇O2 peak in hypoxia. Our results indicate that the limitation to V̇O2 during short sprints resides in mechanisms regulating mitochondrial respiration.
Imaging of patellar cartilage with a 2D multiple-echo data image combination sequence.

OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the diagnostic value of a 2D multiple-echo data image combination (MEDIC) MRI sequence in the detection of patellar cartilage defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study included 52 consecutive patients who had knee surgery within 4 months of undergoing an MRI examination including an axial 2D MEDIC (TR/TE, 884/26; flip angle, 30 degrees ) sequence. Cartilage was surgically graded on a 5-point scale: 0, normal; 1, softening or swelling; 2, partial thickness defect; 3, fissuring to the level of the subchondral bone; or 4, exposed subchondral bone. Cartilage was graded on MRI according to a scale that was almost identical to the surgical scale except that grade 1 lesions were defined as signal alteration or swelling of cartilage. Two blinded reviewers independently analyzed patellar cartilage. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and weighted kappa values for interobserver variability were calculated. RESULTS Low-grade cartilage lesions predominated in our study group. When grade 2 or higher was considered the threshold for relevance, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the MEDIC sequence was as high as 79%, 82%, and 81%, respectively. Increasing the threshold of relevance to grade 3 increased the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy to as high as 83%, 91%, and 90%, respectively. Interobserver agreement for the MEDIC sequence was good (weighted kappa = 0.68). CONCLUSION The 2D MEDIC sequence performs comparably to previously described sequences optimized for cartilage imaging such as the 3D double-echo steady-state or 3D spoiled gradient-recalled sequences with good interobserver agreement, high sensitivity, and excellent specificity for revealing low- to intermediate-degree cartilage defects.
Synthesis of the forward kinematics problem algebraic modeling for the general parallel manipulator: displacement-based equations

This paper closes a triptic to address the issue of the forward kinematics problem (FKP) aimed at certified solving with an exact algebraic method. This solving method was described in the first article published in Advanced Robotics. The second one investigated the formulation specifically applied to the planar parallel manipulators. This third paper is the logical one in the footsteps of the formersones, since it continues the formulation analyses and brings them to the general spatial parallel manipulator. Hence, this paper focuses on the displacement-based equation systems. This paper is the first one to present a synthesis on forward kinematics modeling focusing on finding an optimal mathematical formulation based on the displacement-based equation systems. The majority of parallel manipulators in applications can be modeled by the 6-6 hexapod or so-called Gough platform which is constituted by a fixed base and a mobile platform attached to six kinematics chains with linear (prismatic) actuators located between two revolute or Cardan joints. Again, in order to implement algebraic methods, the parallel manipulator kinematics shall be formulated as polynomial equations systems where the equation number is at least equal to the unknown numbers. Six geometric formulations were derived. The selected algebraic proven method is implementing Gröbner bases from which it constructs an equivalent univariate polynomial system. The resolution of this last system exactly determines the real solutions which correspond to the manipulator postures. The FKP resolution of the general 6-6 parallel manipulator outputs 40 complex solutions. Several instantiations shall be computed in order to select the model which leads to the FKP resolution with the lowest response times and smaller file sizes. It was possible to reject three modelings leading to bad performances or resolution failure. It was possible to determine one formulation where the solving computations were definitely better than the others.
Corporate social responsibility in the international insurance industry

This paper investigates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of insurance companies. Rating institutions provide costly information about firms' CSR and it is not clear how they arrive at their assessment. We use a transparent framework to assess the CSR of insurance companies. We apply this framework to different types of insurers (financial conglomerates, life insurance companies, mixed insurers, general insurers) for more than 150 institutions from 20 countries. We find significant differences between different types of insurers and between countries. The results also suggest that social and ethical aspects of CSR are better integrated in the business activities of insurers than environmental aspects are. Financial conglomerates perform better than other types of insurers. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
To What Extent Do Exchange Rates and their Volatility Affect Trade

Trade deficits and surpluses are sometimes attributed to intentionally low or high exchange rate levels. The impact of exchange rate levels on trade has been much debated but the large body of existing empirical literature does not suggest an unequivocally clear picture of the trade impacts of changes in exchange rates. The impact of exchange rate volatility on trade also does not benefit from a clear theoretical cause-effect relationship. This study examines the impact of exchange rates and their volatility on trade flows in China, the Euro area and the United States in two broadly defined sectors, agriculture on the one hand and manufacturing and mining on the other. It finds that exchange volatility impacts trade flows only slightly. Exchange rate levels, on the other hand, affect trade in both agriculture and manufacturing and mining sectors but do not explain in their entirety the trade imbalances in the three countries examined.
National Border Effects: Location, not Nationality, Matters

A recent literature documents the downward impact of national borders on trade. This paper probes the relative importance of two potential sources of border effects: (1) pure locational factors, such as transport costs and tariffs; and (2) an inherent disadvantage for a firm selling in a foreign market. I am able to make this decomposition by using data on the local sales of foreign affiliates of US multinational enterprises, on US bilateral exports, and on domestic sales by host-country firms. The "border effect" arises almost entirely from locational factors. If a firm establishes and sells from a subsidiary located in the foreign country, its local sales are about on a par with those of domestic firms in that market. Copyright © 2007 The Author; Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Migration, Learning, and Development

US-educated Indian engineers played a major role in the establishment of the “Silicon Valley of Asia” in Bangalore. The experience of India and other countries shows that returning well-educated emigrants, despite their small numbers, can make a difference. This paper builds a model of “local” knowledge spillovers, in which migration of a small number of highly skilled individuals greatly affects country-level human capital accumulation. All economic activity occurs in pairs of individuals randomly matched to each other. Each pair produces the consumption good; the skills of the two partners are complementary. At the same time, the less skilled partner increases human capital by learning from the more skilled colleague. With poor institutions at home, highly skilled individuals leave the country seeking better opportunities abroad. On the contrary, improved institutions foster return migration of emigrants who have acquired more knowledge while abroad. These return migrants greatly amplify the positive effect of better institutions.
Student Entrepreneurship on Campus: A Survival Response or a Career Rehearsal? The Case of Egerton University Student Entrepreneurs

Kenya's university education faces a dilemma of increased demand for places against declining funding and increased graduate unemployment. The introduction of cost sharing, in an environment of increased poverty levels and inadequate educational loans and bursaries, has further aggravated matters. This article presents findings of a case study on 50 university students involved in small business ventures in an attempt to cope with their financial situations. The study sought to find out the characteristics of student entrepreneurs, reasons for entry into business and how they coped with studies while operating businesses. The study shows that most of the respondents came from humble backgrounds and ran business mainly for survival. These results have useful implications on the effects of Structural Adjustment Programmes in financing university education in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.
Shapley value predicts the distribution of eu expenditure among member states

The paper provides a game‐theoretic analysis of the allocation of expenditure from the EU budget among member states. The annual budgetary procedure is modelled as a cooperative game with transferable utility played by member states. The Shapley value of this game predicts the distribution of expenditure relatively well. When tested on data from 1976–95, the game‐theoretic model outperforms cross‐section models regressing EU expenditure on macroeconomic explanatory variables. This confirms that, contrary to the philosophy of cohesion, the aspect of redistribution plays a significant role in EU budgetary bargaining. Finally, the proposed model is used to forecast the budgetary implications of the prospective enlargement of the Union.
INSIGHTS INTO SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: A RESEARCH AGENDA

This paper offers insights regarding an agenda for service operations management (SOM) research. First, we motivate the need for an SOM research agenda. Second, we offer a research framework that paints a broad‐based picture of key architectural elements in the SOM research landscape. The framework builds upon prior and emerging research for designing, delivering and evaluating services. Third, in order to stimulate future research in SOM, we use this framework to hone in on five understudied and emerging research themes that underpin our proposed SOM research agenda.