Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social values in health priority setting: a conceptual framework.

PURPOSE It is commonly recognized that the setting of health priorities requires value judgements and that these judgements are social. Justifying social value judgements is an important element in any public justification of how priorities are set. The purpose of this paper is to review a number of social values relating both to the process and content of priority-setting decisions. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A set of key process and content values basic to health priority setting is outlined, and normative analysis applied to those values to identify their key features, possible interpretations in different cultural and institutional contexts, and interactions with other values. FINDINGS Process values are found to be closely linked, such that success in increasing, for example, transparency may depend on increasing participation or accountability, and "content" values are found often to be hidden in technical criteria. There is a complex interplay between value and technical components of priority setting, and between process and content values. Levels of economic development, culture and need will all play a part in determining how different systems balance the values in their decisions. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Technical analyses of health priority setting are commonplace, but approaching the issues from the perspective of social values is a more recent approach and one which this paper seeks to refine and develop.
ADAPTING THE BALANCED SCORECARD TO SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT.

SUBTITLE: THE BALANCED SCORECARD CAN BE A POWERFUL TOOL FOR ACHIEVING A BALANCE BETWEEN FINANCIAL AND NONFINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. AND NO PART OF THE BUSINESS CAN BENEFIT MORE FROM THE APPLICATION OF BALANCED SCORECARD PRINCIPLES THAN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (SCM). SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED, A BALANCED SCORECARD APPROACH TO SCM WILL BRING NEW LEVELS OF OPERATING EFFICIENCIES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE TO ALL OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERS.
Quantification of regional lymph node involvement in lung cancer

Regional lymph node involvement in lung cancer is heterogeneous. From micrometastases in intrapulmonary lymph nodes—coded as N1(mi)—to bulky contralateral nodal disease—coded as N3—the different situations in between vary in anatomic extent and prognosis. However, regardless of the amount of tumour burden in the regional lymph nodes, the present nodal staging of the tumour, node and metastases (TNM) classification of lung cancer defines the extent of nodal involvement solely via anatomic location.1 Several studies have found that within every N category, there are prognostic modifiers. Thus, for pathologically staged I tumours, the number of removed lymph nodes at thoracotomy seems to have prognostic impact, although the cut-off varies in different studies from six to more than 15 removed lymph nodes.2 3 Within the N1 category, involvement of hilar (main bronchi) lymph nodes has been consistently associated with worse prognosis compared with involvement of intrapulmonary lymph nodes.4 5 Other indicators of worse prognosis in N1 disease are macroscopic nodal involvement and multiple nodal involvement,6 involvement of multiple nodal stations,7 and metastatic involvement—as opposed to direct nodal invasion, at least, in squamous cell carcinomas.8 As for N2 disease, skip pathologic (p) N2 (ie, pN2 without pN1 disease) is associated with better prognosis than pN2 with pN1.9 Single nodal station pN2 also has better prognosis than multiple nodal station pN2.10 Clinically evident multilevel N2 disease and bulky disease also have an adverse effect on prognosis, as well as the involvement of the highest mediastinal lymph node and extranodal extension. Even the specific nodal involvement depending on the lobar location of the primary tumour seems to have prognostic impact: superior mediastinal and aortic nodal disease with right and left upper lobe tumours, respectively, seem to have a better prognosis than the involvement of lower mediastinal nodes with …
How Belonging to an Online Group Affects Social Behavior A Case Study of Asheron's Call

The aim of this study was to investigate how group membership in an online game affects online and offline social interaction. Our main questions were: 1. Do people in online groups socialize more online and offline than people not in groups? 2. Do people in online groups have a different attitude towards bad behavior online? We surveyed Asheron’s Call users and logged online game observations to compare the subjective reports with objective measures. The results indicate that group members interact with other players online and offline more than non-group members, and that group members have a different attitude towards bad behavior online than non-group members.
Australian empirical study into genetic discrimination

This paper outlines a major empirical study that is being undertaken by an interdisciplinary team into genetic discrimination in Australia. The 3-year study will examine the nature and extent of this newly emerging phenomenon across the perspectives of consumers, third parties, and the legal system and will analyze its social and legal dimensions. Although the project is confined to Australia, it is expected that the outcomes will have significance for the wider research community as this is the most substantial study of its kind to be undertaken to date into genetic discrimination.
Silicon-based ultra-wide discrete band conversion

Nonlinear silicon photonics has been an immense research subject in the past several years with promising prospects of delivering chip scale signal modulation, shaping and characterization tools. In particular, broadband parametric process has been considered for applications ranging from wideband light amplifiers to signal characterization and signal shaping tools. Although underlying nonlinear effect, Kerr phenomena, in silicon has generated promising result of wavelength conversion, the success of these devices have been challenged by the presence of nonlinear losses such as two photon absorption and the two photon generated free carrier absorption. Experimental demonstrations were limited to conversion efficiencies below -10dB. Here, we present the prospect of ultra wide discrete band conversion schemes and the prospect of parametric process at mid-infrared wavelengths where nonlinear losses are not present. In particular, we explore the parametric wavelength conversion scheme at mid-wave infrared wavelength (2μm~6μm) by four-wavefixing process in silicon waveguides with new cladding materials, such as sapphire, that can provide transparency up to 6μm and facilitate phase matching condition for discrete wavelength bands as far as 60THz away from each other. Design criteria include the optimization of mode overlap integrals and dispersion engineering for an ultra-wide band signals. The particular results of wavelength conversion between 2μm bands and 5μm bands, and between 1. 8μm bands and >4μm bands will be presented. Prospects of frequency band conversion in generation of new infrared signals and low noise, room temperature detection of mid-infrared signals will also be discussed.
Social inference and mortuary practices: an experiment in numerical classification.

Abstract Recent cross‐cultural studies of ethnographically recorded mortuary procedures indicate that variations in the form of mortuary ritual symbolize and reflect the membership of the deceased in the components of a social system. Such formal patterns of burial procedure can best be identified archaeologically through the numerical classification of mortuary attributes. A general interpretive orientation towards the study of mortuary practices is developed in this paper as a basis for testing the relative utility of average‐ and complete‐linkage cluster‐analyses, fact‐analysis, and monothetic division using the sum of chi‐squares and the information statistic, for the classification of mortuary data. The results of this experiment indicate that classification with the information statistic is most suitable for analysis of thesocial dimensions of mortuary practices:
The Strategy of Designing Seek Current Profile to Reduce Acoustic Noise and Residual Vibrations

The acoustic noise level of hard disk drive (HDD) is becoming more important for HDD in home entertainment applications. The residual vibration is a significant factor not only to the acoustic problem but also to the performance of HDD. In this work, a pseudo sinusoidal wave is used to design a smooth current profile to reduce acoustic noise. With consideration of current saturation limit and the maximum seeking velocity limit, a systematic method is proposed to design parameters such as the period of sinusoidal wave, the saturation time and the coasting time such that the residual vibrations are significantly reduced.
Implementation of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in a Malaysian GLC: Perceptions of middle managers

This paper examines the perceptions of middle managers concerning several Balanced Scorecard (BSC) implementation issues using the case study approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was distributed to 280 middle managers in a selected organisation. The results of the study showed that middle managers perceived a moderate level of leadership and commitment from the top management towards the BSC implementation initiatives in the company. They also perceived that the BSC had some positive implications on their performance but they did not have a clear understanding of the workings. Middle managers also perceived that the company had good data processing and information technology to support the implementation process. However, clear guidelines on their individual performance evaluation process were not provided. These results indicate that the organisations derive benefits from the implementation of the BSC. Areas that can be improved to gain more benefits from implementing the system are highlighted.
Computer‐based morphometry of brain

Over the past decade, the importance of probing the anatomy of the brain has reemerged as an important field of neuroscience. In combination with functional imaging techniques, the rapid advancement of neuroimaging techniques—such as magnetic resonance imaging—and their growing applicability in studying brain morphometry has led to great advances in neuroscience research. Considering the requirements of the diverse technologies—from image processing to statistics—in performing morphometry of the brain, it is critical to have an overall understanding of this subject. The major objective of this review is to provide a practical introduction to this field. The review starts by covering basic concepts and techniques that are commonly used in morphometry of structural magnetic resonance imaging and then extends to further technical perspectives. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 20, 117–125, 2010
New Approaches to the Economics of Tax Evasion

The paper reviews recent models that have applied the techniques of behavioural economics to the analysis of the tax compliance choice of an individual taxpayer. The construction of these models is motivated by the perceived failure of the standard AllinghamSandmo model to predict correctly the proportion of taxpayers who will evade and the effect of an increase in the tax rate upon the chosen level of evasion. Recent approaches have applied non-expected utility theory to the compliance decision and have addressed social interaction. The models we describe are able to match the observed extent of evasion and correctly predict the tax effect but do not have the parsimony nor precision of the AllinghamSandmo model. Acknowledgements: Gareth Myles was a Visiting Professorial Fellow at the Australian School of Taxation (ATAX) during the preparation of this paper. He wishes to thank ATAX for their hospitality and support. The paper has benefitted from the comments of participants at seminars in Bath, Kent, and the joint HMRC/HMT International Conference on Institutional Taxation Analysis. Correspondence: Gareth Myles, Department of Economics, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PU, UK. e-mail: gdmyles@ex.ac. uk
A Review of Hot Deck Imputation for Survey Non‐response

Hot deck imputation is a method for handling missing data in which each missing value is replaced with an observed response from a “similar” unit. Despite being used extensively in practice, the theory is not as well developed as that of other imputation methods. We have found that no consensus exists as to the best way to apply the hot deck and obtain inferences from the completed data set. Here we review different forms of the hot deck and existing research on its statistical properties. We describe applications of the hot deck currently in use, including the U.S. Census Bureau's hot deck for the Current Population Survey (CPS). We also provide an extended example of variations of the hot deck applied to the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Some potential areas for future research are highlighted.
Microsatellites from the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Microsatellite sequences from Litopenaeus schmitti, a penaeid shrimp species used in Cuban aquaculture, were identified from a 300-700 bp insert DNA library. A total of 910 colonies were obtained and screened for repetitions; 114 resulted positive: 106 for the oligonucleotides (TC)15, (TG)15 and (TAA)15 and 8 for the (GTG)15 oligonucleotide. Dinucleotide repetitions prevailed over other motifs and GT was the most abundant, representing 50%. Optimal amplification conditions were determined for two loci (Lsch-1 and Lsch-2), which were used to analyze three shrimp populations (one wild and two hatchet). Six alleles were found for Lsch-1 (GT)n and 8 alleles for Lsch-2 (composite). The results suggest that the two loci are useful for studying L. schmitti populations.
Implementing six-channel linear-phase paraunitary filter banks with quaternion arithmetic

Novel structures for six-channel linear-phase paraunitary filter banks (LPPUFBs) are presented, which are inherently lossless, regardless of the accuracy of their coefficient representation. This is achieved by using quaternion arithmetic, at the expense of increased computational load. The results are interesting from the finite-precision implementation point of view, and supplement our previous works on quaternionic structures for four- and eight-channel PUFBs.
Enhanced voltage balancing of a flying capacitor multilevel converter using Phase Disposition (PD) modulation

This paper analyses the natural voltage balancing characteristic of a three phase flying capacitor multilevel converter when it is operated under the spectrally optimal Phase Disposition (PD) PWM strategy. Using this analysis, it is shown that PD PWM has superior balancing characteristics compared to the Phase Shifted Carrier (PSC)PWM strategy, because it places more spectral energy into the differential mode sideband harmonics that drive the voltage balancing process. From this understanding, an enhanced balance booster filter network connection is proposed that significantly improves the natural balancing response of a flying capacitor converter for either PWM strategy. The analysis is confirmed by extensive simulation and experimental studies.
The Effect of Spirituality on Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Correlation with the Mental Health Status and Cognitive Perception for Their Illness. Study Protocol

Background: Patients who suffer from chronic renal disease face problems in many aspects of their life, problems that are physical, social as well as mental, such as stress, anxiety, depression. Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) exhibit a number of spiritual needs, which relate to and influence the psychological adaptation to the illness. Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate spirituality and spiritual needs of patients with CKD and the possible relation between spirituality, quality of life, mental health and perceptions of their illness. Moreover, the possible differences in spirituality, mental health, Quality of Life (QoL) and perceptions for the disease among End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients and patients suffering by third and fourth stage CKD will be assessed. Method: 300 patients diagnosed with 3rd, 4th stage and ESRD undergoing Hemodialysis (HD) treatment will be recruited to participate in this study. Each subject’s spiritual wellbeing, QoL, mental health status and illness perception will be measured using the following instruments: 1) The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12), 2) The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-DASS-21, 3) The Illness Perception Questionnaire, 4) The Quality of Life Index SF-36. Results: Patients’ spiritual well-being is expected to be related to their QoL, mental health and illness perception.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1‐induced neuronal death by TRADD contributes to the pathogenesis of Japanese encephalitis

While a number of studies have documented the neurotropism of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), little is known regarding the molecular mechanism of neuronal death following viral infection. The tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)‐associated death domain (TRADD) has been suggested to be the crucial signal adaptor that mediates all intracellular responses from TNFR‐1. Using mouse (Neuro2a) and human (SK‐N‐SH) neuroblastoma cell lines, we have shown that the altered expression of TNFR‐1 and TRADD following JEV infection regulates the downstream apoptotic cascades. Activation of TRADD led to mitochondria‐mediated neuronal apoptosis. As TRADD‐knockout animals or deficient cell lines are unavailable, it has been difficult to definitively address the physiological role of TRADD in diseases pathology following JEV infection. We circumvented this problem by silencing TRADD expression with small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) and have found that TRADD is required for TNFR‐1‐initiated neuronal apoptosis following in vitro infection with JEV. Interestingly, siRNA against TRADD also decreased the viral load in Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, siRNA against TRADD increased the survival of JEV‐infected mice by altering the expression of pro apoptotic versus antiapoptotic molecules. These studies show that the engagement of TNFR‐1 and TRADD following JEV infection plays a crucial role in neuronal apoptosis.
Breast Cancer — Patient Choice of Treatment: Preliminary Communication

Forty patients who have undergone treatment for breast cancer (mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiotherapy) were assessed, both preoperatively and at intervals up to one year following surgery, using tests of anxiety, depression, body satisfaction, marital adjustment, self-esteem, sociability and life change. The women were also interviewed to assess degree of concern about the disease, appearance and treatment. Wherever appropriate, patients were given a choice of treatment. Very little adverse psychosocial reaction has been found. It would appear that this is largely because most patients could opt for treatment which resulted in minimal disfigurement.
PilN Binding Modulates the Structure and Binding Partners of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type IVa Pilus Protein PilM*

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that expresses type IVa pili. The pilus assembly system, which promotes surface-associated twitching motility and virulence, is composed of inner and outer membrane subcomplexes, connected by an alignment subcomplex composed of PilMNOP. PilM binds to the N terminus of PilN, and we hypothesize that this interaction causes functionally significant structural changes in PilM. To characterize this interaction, we determined the crystal structures of PilM and a PilM chimera where PilM was fused to the first 12 residues of PilN (PilM·PilN(1–12)). Structural analysis, multiangle light scattering coupled with size exclusion chromatography, and bacterial two-hybrid data revealed that PilM forms dimers mediated by the binding of a novel conserved motif in the N terminus of PilM, and binding PilN abrogates this binding interface, resulting in PilM monomerization. Structural comparison of PilM with PilM·PilN(1–12) revealed that upon PilN binding, there is a large domain closure in PilM that alters its ATP binding site. Using biolayer interferometry, we found that the association rate of PilN with PilM is higher in the presence of ATP compared with ADP. Bacterial two-hybrid data suggested the connectivity of the cytoplasmic and inner membrane components of the type IVa pilus machinery in P. aeruginosa, with PilM binding to PilB, PilT, and PilC in addition to PilN. Pull-down experiments demonstrated direct interactions of PilM with PilB and PilT. We propose a working model in which dynamic binding of PilN facilitates functionally relevant structural changes in PilM.
Evaluating performance of manycore processors with various granularities considering yield and lifetime reliability

Performance is one of the most important targets in MPSoC design, and it is affected by a lot of factors, such as area, yield, application, and lifetime. Based on the performance, yield and lifetime reliability modeling and analysis of MPSoC, this work proposes a metric directing how to choose the granularity of MPSoC at high level design in order to obtain high performance when yield and lifetime reliability are considered. The results show that, with the given area (300mm2) and certain applications, the optimal performance is obtained at 3×3 mesh, and optimal design becomes 4×4 mesh when yield is considered, and it will prefer 5×5 mesh or 6×6 mesh when lifetime reliability is further considered.
Achieving Organizational Effectiveness through Human Capital Acquisition Practices-The Moderating Effects of Environment Turbulence and Knowledge Sharing Climate

To acquire talents from outside to enhance competitive advantage has become a leading issue in modern business organizations. When firms face constantly changing environments, build talents purely from inside may be inefficiency. However, new talents recruited from outside can only deliver their well-prepared knowhow smoothly in knowledge-sharing climate. This study then aimed to explore the impacts of a group of external human capital acquisition (EHCA) practices on organizational performance and to examine the moderating effects of two contingencies, environmental turbulence and the knowledge-sharing climate, on the effectiveness of these EHCA practices. Our findings imply that organizational abilities to attract and acquire human capital become a key competence for high performance companies. After successfully selecting and retaining external intelligence from outside, a firm can expect to accumulate, diversify, and then utilize its knowledge stores to promote operational efficiency and earn a positive expectation from the stock market. While typical strategic HRM models encourage building an internal labor market to gain an un-imitated advantage, paying skilled employees to reap profit promptly is still essential. However, talented employees from outside who join an organization must learn the shared language, fit in the social context, and embed themselves in the network composed by the original members before they can contribute to the firm's performance.