Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
China moving up the value chain: What can be learned from the Asian NICs?

The excess supply of labor in China will be exhausted in the near future as the growth of the population slows down and the share of working-age people shrinks. Once the country crosses the “Lewis Turning Point”, the mobilization of resources can no longer drive growth. In order to compensate for the increasing labor cost and sustain its growth, Chinese firms will need to increase profitability by moving up the value chain. Although the overall strategic objective of upgrading is widely shared and the logic of the globally fragmented production system is now well understood, a strategic impetus is missing to make the transition happening in China. The article contributes some ideas to this debate. Since the challenges that China faces today are similar to the ones faced by South Korea and Malaysia 30 years ago, their experience can shed light to help China find a solution to upgrade its industry. As an impetus, China needs to shift its emphasis from “opening the market in exchange for technology” to “exchanging advanced technologies for other advanced technologies”. It is crucial to give priority to establishing a leading position in several technology-advance frontiers. This will require the Chinese government to take a proactive role in market orientation, resource allocation and the promotion of close collaboration between the public and private sector.
A Framework for XML Web Services Retrieval with Ranking

XML Web Services, which have been recently used to implement SOA (Service Oriented Architecture), have been making it possible to build and to execute business processes by dynamically calling services on World Wide Web. To use of these services, it is required for users to find relevant services from a collection of services dispersed on the web. We currently use UDDI, a distributed registry system for Web services, to find services. However, UDDI only supports exact keyword match and category based query towards UDDI data entries representing each Web service, so it is hard to get a ranked query result and alternate services which are other possible services when a currently chosen service is no more useful or unreachable. Moreover, UDDI does not use WSDI definitions that actually describe service interfaces and message formats of Web services as a target of queries. In this paper, we introduce a framework for XMI Web services retrieval, which can solve the current problems that lie on the UDDI. Our system is located on top of UDDI using UDDI data entries and WSDL files; it provides ranked query result of Web services and finding alternate Web services by using a similarity measure. In addition, we discuss related works and further features needed to improve performance of this Web service retrieval framework.
The Role of the Distal Runoff Vessel of the Descending Branch of the Lateral Circumflex Femoral System in Anterolateral Thigh Flap Surgery: A Case Series and Literature Review

BackgroundAs a distal portion of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral system (LCFS), the role of the distal runoff vessel in anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap surgery has long been overlooked. Recently, however, the distal runoff vessel has been increasingly used in many aspects of ALT flap surgery, and it has exhibited superior properties in solving some difficult problems. MethodsFourteen ALT flaps using the distal runoff vessel of the descending branch of the LCFS for extremity defects were retrospectively reviewed, and recent reports on using the distal runoff vessel were reviewed to determine the role of this vessel in ALT flap surgery. ResultsIn our series, the distal runoff vessel was used as a flow-through pattern in 10 cases, as a recombined chimeric flap in 2 cases, and as a backup vessel for flap salvage in 2 cases. All of the ALT flaps completely survived. None of the donor sites presented with additional morbidity as a result of harvesting the distal runoff vessel. In the literature review, the following are 5 other options for using the distal runoff vessel: in interposition artery and vein grafts, as the pedicle of the reverse-flow ALT flap, as the recipient vessel, to avoid twisting, and as a monitoring method. ConclusionsThe distal runoff vessel of the descending branch of the LCFS could be used for many aspects of the ALT flap surgery, and this vessel plays an irreplaceable role in some difficult reconstruction surgeries.
Location privacy in processing location dependent queries in mobile database systems

Emergence of the mobile computing paradigm helps people to work in a much more convenient and efficient way, anywhere and anytime. Today its application areas such as traffic reports, weather forecast, bill paying and healthcare are so popular. The field of data management is also extended with such new services and applications. A mobile database system is a special heterogonous distributed system that supports mobile computing. One of the most important types of queries in mobile environments is location dependant query. Its answer is dependent to the mobile user's location. However, revealing location information raises privacy concerns. This paper concentrates on query processing in this paradigm.
Maximizing Profits for North American Van Lines' Truckload Division: A New Framework for Pricing and Operations

The Commercial Transport Division of North American Van Lines dispatches thousands of trucks from customer origin to customer destination each week under high levels of demand uncertainty. Working closely with upper management, the project team developed a new type of network model for assigning drivers to loads. The model, LOADMAP, combines real-time information about drivers and loads with an elaborate forecast of future loads and truck activities to maximize profits and service. It provided management with a new understanding of the economics of truckload operations; integrated load evaluation, pricing, marketing, and load solicitation with truck and load assignment; and increased profits by an estimated $2.5 million annually, while providing a higher level of service.
Exploring market orientation in new export ventures

This paper offers exploratory insights into the way in which market orientation (MO) is manifested in small entrepreneurial exporting firms. The construct of market orientation is employed for conceptual guidance and applied to two cases of highly internationalised small seafood exporters – an understudied context in both international marketing and international entrepreneurship literatures. Entrepreneurial orientation and the dynamic capability of the entrepreneurs emerge as key determinants for successful mobilisation and implementation of export market-orientated activities in the case firms. External relationships are also actively leveraged by the entrepreneurs to bring about effective execution of their MO processes for export performance.
On the Static and Dynamic Costs of Trade Restrictions

We analyze the costs of trade restrictions for a small developing economy. Capital goods are only introduced on the market if it is profitable to do so. The economy evolves to a balanced growth path in which income, welfare, and the share of introduced capital goods increase if trade restrictions fall. The adjustment path is asymmetric: an increase in trade restrictions will slow-down economic growth, while a decrease may give rise to a rapid catch-up process. The static costs of trade restrictions are smaller than the dynamic costs if, and only if, it changes the share of introduced capital goods.
The influence of service orientation and interaction orientation on consumer identification

A service orientation aims to provide professional and comprehensive service items to consumers in a sale or a non-sale situation, while an interaction orientation has the goal of creating good interaction ability with individual customers in order to maintain long-term, profitable customer relationships, and in the process obtaining valuable information about individual customers. These orientations build customer-centric operations and develop competitive advantages, thus enhancing firm performance and customer value. The main purpose of this study was to examine the relative and collective contributions of different strategic orientations on a firm's performance, with a focus on consumer–company identification. The structural equation model results indicate that (1) both service orientation and interaction orientation positively influence consumer–company identification and (2) interaction orientation results in higher perceived consumer identification.
Two Time Point Versus 4 Time Point Data Acquisition in Aqueous Humor Flow Rate Determinations by Fluorophotometry

Purpose:To establish the validity of a fluorophotometric protocol based on 2 time points to facilitate aqueous humor flow rate calculations in minimally cooperative species. Materials and Methods:A standard canine fluorophotometry protocol was followed in 6 dogs. Fluorescein concentrations were obtained at 4 time points: 5, 6, 7, and 8 hours after topical application of 3 drops of 10% fluorescein. At the 5- and 8-hour time points, each animal was scanned 4 times. Fluorophotometric parameters were calculated using: (1) the first 5-hour scan, the 6- and 7-hour scans, and the first 8-hour scan (ie, the “4 pt method”); and (2) using only the average of the 4 scans obtained at 5 hours and the average of the 4 scans obtained at 8 hours (ie, the “2 pt method”). Parameters calculated using each method were compared using paired t tests. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 methods of parameter acquisition (P>0.05 for all parameters). Conclusions:When fluorophotometric aqueous humor flow rate calculations are needed in species for which acquisition of fluorescein concentrations at >2 time points is difficult, using data obtained at 2 widely spaced points provides reasonably accurate estimates of flow rate provided multiple scans are performed at each of those 2 time points.
On the Sustainability of Budget Deficits in the Euro Area

We empirically examined the issue of budget sustainability for 11 euro area countries. Empirical analyses using non-stationary panel data analysis rejected, with statistical significance, the possibility of fiscal collapse in euro area countries during the period 1999 to 2005. This supports the notion that fiscal discipline rules are functioning and individual countries' fiscal deficits are steadily shrinking.
When Are Concerted Reforms Feasible? Explaining the Emergence of Social Pacts in Western Europe

Under what conditions do governments, employers, and unions enter formal policy agreements on incomes, employment, and social security? Such agreements, widely known as social pacts, became particularly prominent during the 1990s when European economies underwent major adjustment. This article seeks to explain national variation in adjustment strategies and specifically why concerted agreements were struck in some countries but not in others. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of 14 European countries is employed to assess main arguments about the emergence of pacts. The analysis yields two key findings. First, although prevailing arguments emphasize Economic and Monetary Union—related pressures, or alternatively unemployment, these factors were neither necessary nor in themselves sufficient for pacts to materialize. Rather, a high economic “problem load” appears to be causally relevant only when combined with particular political and institutional conditions, namely, the prevalence of electorally weak governments and/or an intermediate level of union centralization. Second, the analysis refines existing multicausal explanations of pacts by demonstrating three distinct, theoretically and empirically relevant causal pathways to concerted agreements.
A compact multi-band slotted circular patch MIMO antenna with defective ground surface for wireless application

A compact multi band slotted two elements MIMO antenna is designed on FR4 substrate with the dimensions 60×60×1.5 mm3 and an εr of 4.4. To achieve high isolation between the radiation elements, a Defected Ground Surface (DGS) technique is applied. The isolation between the elements and gain both increased considerably. In the simulated and measured return loss vs frequency results, multi bands are obtained. The maximum isolation is obtained as −36.32 dB at 8.8 GHz in the measured results.
Primary, return and onward migration in the U.S. and Canada: is there a difference?

"Using microdata sources available from the U.S. Census Bureau and Statistics Canada, this paper contrasts primary, return and onward migration in the two countries. These classifications are based on information on the region (state or province) of birth and region of residence at the start and end of the census period. To study the propensities to make a primary, return or onward migration, rates are calculated.and compared with previous census periods. Analysis reveals that both countries have experienced similar temporal patterns, and that primary, return and onward migration patterns tend to be similar. Analysis using a nested logit model further reveals that return and onward migration in both countries can be similarly explained. " Data are from the Public Use Micro Sample (PUMS) for the United States and the Public Use Micro File (PUMF) for Canada.
GPS-Assisted Spectrum Allocation for Cognitive Radio Networks with Femtocells

In this paper, a novel GPS-assisted scheme to reduce operation costs of cognitive radio networks with femtocells is proposed. In this scheme, the secondary user (SU) network, represented by the cognitive base station (CBS), determines the minimum number of channels needed for its operation before it starts purchasing spectrum from primary user (PU) networks. This is achieved by grouping the femtocell secondary users (FSU's) based on the distances between them. Simulations show that grouping the femtocells will result in a reduction in the number of channels to be purchased and will consequently cut the operation cost of the SU network.
Contribution of CD30/CD153 but not of CD27/CD70, CD134/OX40L, or CD137/4‐1BBL to the optimal induction of protective immunity to Mycobacterium avium

A panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for CD27 ligand (CD70), CD30 ligand (CD153), CD134 ligand (OX40L), and CD137 ligand (4‐1BBL) were screened in vivo for their ability to affect the control of Mycobacterium avium infection in C57Bl/6 mice. Only the blocking of CD153 led to increased mycobacterial burdens. We then used CD30‐deficient mice and found an increase in the proliferation of two strains of M. avium in these mice as compared with control animals. The increased mycobacterial growth was associated with decreased T cell expansion and reduced interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) responses as a result of reduced polarization of the antigen‐specific, IFN‐γ‐producing T cells. At late times but not early in infection, the lymphoid cuff surrounding granulomas was depleted in the CD30‐deficient animals. This report expands our knowledge about tumor necrosis factor superfamily members involved in the immune responses to mycobacterial infection by identifying CD30–CD153 interactions as required for optimal immune control of M. avium infection.
CALL OPTION VALUATION FOR DISCRETE NORMAL MIXTURES

In this study a mixture call option pricing model is derived to examine the impact of non-normal underlying returns densities. Observed fat-tailed and skewed distributions are assumed to be the results of independent Gaussian processes with nonstationary parameters, modeled by discrete k-component independent normal mixtures. The mixture model provides an exact solution with intuitive appeal using weighted sums of Black-Scholes (B-S) solutions. Simulating returns densities representative of equity securities, significant mispricing by B-S is found in low-priced at- and out-of-the-money near-term options. the lower the variance and the higher the leptokurtosis and positive skewness of the underlying returns, the more pronounced is this mispricing. Values of in-the-money options and options with several weeks or more to expiration are closely approximated by B-S.
The Asymmetries of European Integration and the Crisis of Capitalism in Portugal

This article analyses the crisis of Portuguese capitalism within the wider crisis of the Eurozone. Portugal's prolonged economic stagnation, associated with an increasingly dependent and fragile insertion in the Eurozone, can now be seen as an early manifestation of the asymmetries and fractures between the Eurozone's core and its periphery that are now wider and more visible. By focusing on the manifestations of ‘embedded neoliberalism’ in a country of the periphery, the article sheds light on how neoliberal restructuring has made the economic structure increasingly incompatible with the social developments that had previously helped to guarantee its legitimacy. The troika's structural adjustment reveals that this incompatibility is now fully assumed and that, in the absence of social resistance, the brunt of adjustment will be felt by the majority of workers.
Defining intellectual capital: a three‐dimensional approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a three‐dimensional framework to facilitate future definitions of intellectual capital (IC). The concept of IC is often ill‐defined and there is a multitude of different definitions for the construct of IC. The lack of a common platform for dialogue has negative implications for research and practice in the field as it has hinders cross‐disciplinary learning. This paper aims to presents a flexible framework in order to make important differences explicit and therefore, if adopted, facilitates the creation of a cohesive body of knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilises a systematic review process. This methodology was initially developed in the medical science to produce a replicable, scientific, and transparent analysis of evidence in the literature and has recently been broad into management science. A total of 938 papers were analysed to extract findings. The summary of the review protocol can be found in the Appendix.Findings – Analysin.
Interleukin-22 as a molecular adjuvant facilitates IL-17-producing CD8+ T cell responses against a HBV DNA vaccine in mice

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is mainly produced by activated Th1 cells, Th17 cells and NK cells and promotes anti-microbial defense, pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling responses. However, its potential use as a vaccine adjuvant has not been tested. In this study, we tested if a DNA construct expressing IL-22 (pVAX-IL-22) could be used as a molecular adjuvant to enhance host immune responses induced by HBV DNA vaccination (pcD-S2). After immunizing mice with pcD-S2 combined with pVAX-IL-22, we didn’t find enhancement of HBsAg-specific antibody responses in comparison to mice immunized with pcD-S2 alone. However, there was an enhancement of the level of IL-17 expression in antigen specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc17). By using CD8 T-cell knockout (KO) and IL-17 KO mice, Tc17 cells were found to be a dominant population driving cytotoxicity. Importantly, there was a correlation between pVAX-IL-22 enhancement of T lymphocytes and a reduction of HBsAg-positive hepatocytes in HBsAg transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that IL-22 might be used as an effective adjuvant to enhance cellular immune responses during HBsAg DNA vaccination since it can induce Tc17 cells to break tolerance in HBsAg transgenic mice.
THE OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY OF UNEMPLOYED LABOUR

Introduction Much concern has been expressed in recent years about the long‐run trend of unemployment in the UK. Abstracting from short‐run cyclical swings, the trend has been upwards for at least the last 20 years. The available evidence suggests that this trend has become more pronounced over time, so that by the mid‐1980s the long‐run equilibrium rate of unemployment was around eleven per cent. If the notion of the “non‐accelerating inflation rate of unemployment” is accepted — as it now is by most economists — this means that demand management policies alone can never restore the persistently low levels of unemployment enjoyed during the post‐war period. The main aim of labour market policies must be to act directly on the non‐accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU) itself. Only thus can the long‐run trend be reversed.
PhoP-PhoQ-Regulated Loci Are Required for Enhanced Bile Resistance in Salmonella spp

ABSTRACT As enteric pathogens, Salmonella spp. are resistant to the actions of bile. Salmonella typhimurium andSalmonella typhi strains were examined to better define the bile resistance phenotype. The MICs of bile for wild-typeS. typhimurium and S. typhi were 18 and 12%, respectively, and pretreatment of log-phase S. typhimurium with 15% bile dramatically increased bile resistance. Mutant strains of S. typhimurium andS. typhi lacking the virulence regulator PhoP-PhoQ were killed at significantly lower bile concentrations than wild-type strains, while strains with constitutively active PhoP were able to survive prolonged incubation with bile at concentrations of >60%. PhoP-PhoQ was shown to mediate resistance specifically to the bile components deoxycholate and conjugated forms of chenodeoxycholate, and the protective effect was not generalized to other membrane-active agents. Growth of both S. typhimurium and S. typhi in bile and in deoxycholate resulted in the induction or repression of a number of proteins, many of which appeared identical to PhoP-PhoQ-activated or -repressed products. The PhoP-PhoQ regulon was not induced by bile, nor did any of the 21 PhoP-activated or -repressed genes tested play a role in bile resistance. However, of the PhoP-activated or -repressed genes tested, two (prgC andprgH) were transcriptionally repressed by bile in the medium independent of PhoP-PhoQ. These data suggest that salmonellae can sense and respond to bile to increase resistance and that this response likely includes proteins that are members of the PhoP regulon. These bile- and PhoP-PhoQ-regulated products may play an important role in the survival of Salmonella spp. in the intestine or gallbladder.
Engine components fault diagnosis using an improved method of deep belief networks

In the aeronautical industry, there are multiple diagnosis methods available to improve the accuracy in diagnosing malfunctions due to degradation of rotating components in an engine. This study introduces an improved deep learning algorithm - ad_DBN, it is based on the Deep belief network (DBN) method, mimics the multilayer structure of a human brain. In addition to this, it adjusts connection weights adaptively during unsupervised and supervised learning phase. A comparison study of its performance to other methods, such as back propagation (BP) method, Radical Basis Function (RBF) method and Support Vector Machine (SVM) method is carried out. This is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm to detect faulty component(s) in an aeronautical turboshaft engine. Three aspects are compared in this study: diagnosis accuracy, noise filtering capability and training time. It was found that the ad_DBN algorithm has a supreme diagnosis accuracy of 96.84%, better noise filtering ability but longer training time than other methods.
Nanochannel fabrication and characterization using bond micromachining

This thesis deals with the fabrication and characterization of nanochannels (channels with at least one dimension in the sub-100 nm range). These channels are important for various areas of research, including DNA analysis systems and chemical sensors. In addition, the behavior of liquids in nano-confinement is of interest for many of the applications. The technologies currently used to fabricate nanochannels are often expensive and/or time consuming or simply not accurate enough. This creates a need for controlled, yet simple fabrication technologies.