Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Repatriations Risk on the Choice of Entry Modes Used by U.S. Manufacturing Firms in LDCs

The relationship between repatriations risk and modes of entry continues to interest researchers and practitioners alike. Frequently the structure of functions necessary to develop an efficient and effective international organization are determined by the mode of entry used. Repatriations risk in less developed countries (LDCs) is still a reality especially in light of their increasing debt burden. The objective of this study was to determine whether U.S. manufacturing firms used exporting instead of licensing as a hedge against repatriations risk in developing country markets. Using time-series (1973-86) and cross-sectional data (20 nations), the findings suggest that exporting was used to hedge against repatriations risk in LDCs.
Academic Entrepreneurship in Europe

This book advances our understanding of university spin-off creation and development in environments outside the high-tech clusters of the US. While there has been substantial university spin-off activity internationally in recent years, a number of major aspects are little understood. The authors argue that the nature of universities is changing as reduced public funding reflects a public debate on their role in society. An important aspect of this international phenomenon is an increased emphasis on the commercialization of university research and on academic entrepreneurship. These new ventures therefore involve the spinning-off of technology and knowledge generated by universities.
FMS Implementation Management: Promise and Performance

Although the demand for Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) is still growing, only a few companies are reported to have operational experience with these systems over a long period. Consequently, the supposed benefits of this new technology have yet to be widely proved in practice. The research reported was carried out to evaluate the experiences of a sample of early adopters of FMS in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium, by means of longitudinal case studies. The extent to which the companies managed to achieve their FMS implementation goals is described, and the influence of technical problems, market changes and organisational pressures on goal achievement is demonstrated. It is concluded that in order to introduce and operate FMS successfully, adopters should approach FMS implementation management in a more integrated manner.
Metabolic regulation of GLP-1 and PC1/3 in pancreatic α-cell line

Background and aims An intra-islet incretin system has been recently suggested to operate through modulation of the expression and activity of proconvertase 1/3 and 2 (PC1/3, PC2) in pancreatic alpha-cell accounting for local release of GLP-1. Little is known, whether this alpha-cell activity can be affected by the metabolic alterations occurring in type 2 diabetes, such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia or hyperglucagonemia. Materials and methods AlphaTC1/6 cells from a mice pancreatic cell line were incubated in the presence of two glucose (G) concentration (5.5 and 16.7 mM) for 16 h with or without free fatty acid, IL6 or glucagon. GLP-1 secretion was measured by ELISA and expression of PC1/3 and PC2 by RT-PCR and western blot; cell viability was determined by MTT method, Reactive Oxygen Species generation (ROS) by H2DCFDA fluorescence and apoptosis by Annexin staining and Propidium Iodine (PI) fluorescence. Results Upon 16.7G incubation, GLP-1 secretion (total and active) was significantly increased in parallel with a significant increment in PC1/3 expression, a slight increase in cell viability and ROS generation and by a decrement in PC2 expression with no change in cell apoptosis. When cells were incubated at 5.5mM glucose with FFA, also an increment in GLP-1 secretion and PC1/3 expression was observed together an increment in ROS generation, a decrement in cell viability, and a modest increment in apoptosis. When incubated with 16.7mM glucose with FFA, the increment in GLP-1 secretion was reduced to basal, accompanied by an increment in apoptosis and ROS generation. This was also observed with IL-6, but in this case, no modification in ROS generation or apoptosis was observed when compared to 16.7mM glucose. The presence of glucagon did not modify any of the parameters studied. Conclusion These data suggest that under hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemia or inflammatory conditions, alpha cells can increase expression PC1/3 and activate GLP-1 secretion, which may contribute protecting both alpha and beta-cells from glucose and lipotoxicity, while this effect seems to be lost in the presence of both pathophysiological conditions.
Central Asia since the Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Economic Reforms and eir Impact on State-Society Relations

In late 1991, with the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union, the five Central Asian republics became independent countries. The completely unexpected challenges of nation-building were superimposed on the transition from a centrally planned economy. Within the common bounds of resource-based economies and autocratic regimes, the five countries gradually became more differentiated as their governments introduced diverse national strategies for transition to a market-based economy. This article describes the different economic polices adopted by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan and analyzes the outcomes.
Pinning consensus in networks with time-varying topology and event-triggered diffusions via impulsive control

This paper studies pinning consensus of networks with time-varying topology via impulsive control. Event-triggered rules are employed in diffusion coupling terms to reduce the updating load of the coupled system. Sufficient conditions to pin the network to a prescribed value are proposed. It is proved that in case the coupling matrix across time intervals with length less than some given constant has spanning trees, then the proposed algorithms can realize consensus on the prescribed value when the impulsive controller is imposed randomly on one agent with appropriate impulsive strength and impulse intervals. The imposed pulses can be very sparse, with the impulsive intervals being lower bounded. Two kinds of event-triggered schemes coexist in this pinning control algorithm, one for updating the coupling diffusions; one for applying the impulsive control. Examples with numerical simulation are provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
La réalité actuelle des accords transnationaux dans les enterprises (Transnational agreements in enterprises: the current state of play)

Recent years have seen a relatively small, but growing, number of multinational companies (MNCs) negotiating agreements or joint texts with representatives of their workforce at transnational level. There is both a European and a global dimension to this process: some of these texts cover the European operations of companies, whilst others extend to cover their worldwide activities. In view of the central theme of the colloquium, I shall primarily focus on developments amongst European Works Councils (EWCs).
Surgical experiences in 58 cases using the Nucleus 22 multichannel auditory brainstem implant

Patients with bilateral total deafness due to lesions of the vestibulocochlear nerve can be treated by electrical stimulation of the second auditory neuron. A 22-channel multi-electrode implant with transcutaneous transmission was developed that allows the selection of the most useful electrodes. Acoustic neuromas were removed from 49 out of 58 patients by ENT surgeons and neurosurgeons working in collaboration and using either a translabyrinthine or suboccipital approach. The central electroauditory prosthesis was implanted in the same procedure. Six patients were deaf after previous acoustic neuroma surgery without recurrence, three had diagnoses other than neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). There were no complications due to the implantation procedure. Side effects could be excluded by stimulation of the auditory electrodes alone. Most of the patients used their ABI daily. They reported perception of different sounds and frequencies, enhancement of lip-reading ability, and three of the patients were able to use the telephone.
Monitoring of lead acid batteries Continuous measurement of the acid concentration

A new sensor will be presented, detecting concentration and temperature inside of lead acid batteries. Inserted into battery-management-systems like for example badicheq, the unit is able to indicate the state of charge under almost any circumstances. It is important to know the state of charge of a lead acid battery and it is easy to detect by measuring the acid level and the acid density. While charging and discharging the battery these parameters change very fast and an automatic control is required. So far there is no commercial unit available. We like to present a zero series unit of such a control, called DensoFlex. The sensor material is a 100 mm long ion exchange material, which changes its length depending on the water concentration. In order to compensate temperature effects, we have placed a miniaturised temperature sensor close to the sensor. Therefore we are able to measure concentration and temperature at the same time in the liquid electrolyte. Depending on the battery type this is possible in-between the plates, at the edge of the plates or above the plates. DensoFlex has been inserted in stationary batteries with liquid electrolyte - like for example Ogi Block with the following results: 1) DensoFlex detects the self discharging rate, 2) maximal charging and discharging currents are detectable, 3) overcharging is preventable, and 4) together with a level control deep depletion is preventable As the fluid level has a high effect on the concentration, DensoFlex has to be connected with a level control. In this case the battery is in perfect control under open circuit conditions and discharge mode. To control the battery while charging one has also to consider the cell voltage
Rapid isoelectric focusing of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases with Pharmacia PhastSystem

A modified isoelectric focusing method for rapid semiquantitative identification of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases by use of the Pharmacia PhastSystem (Uppsala, Sweden) is described. Sonication of bacterial colonies collected directly from growth plates decreased the time required for the procedure. With sonic extracts of known beta-lactamase-producing strains used as controls, the assay could be completed in less than 2 h.
The Effects of Administration of Ethyl Alcohol to Mice on Megakaryocyte and Platelet Development

Summary The effects of administration to laboratory mice of 5-20% ethyl alcohol (v:v) as drinking water on megakaryocyte and platelet development were studied and compared with data on controls given tap water. In two separate experiments, mice given 5-15% ethyl alcohol (v:v) for 13 or 11 weeks showed decreases in platelet counts and platelet 35S uptake when compared to the control groups. Mice fed 5-20% alcohol for five weeks showed platelet counts, bone marrow megakaryocyte numbers and diameters that were significantly reduced to 72% (P <0.001), 45% (P <0.001), and 71% (P <0.01), respectively. The data implied that ethyl alcohol ingestion had a direct inhibitory effect on megakaryocyte and platelet development in mice, which resulted in a marked reduction in the levels of circulating platelets.
Field evaluation of the ICT Malaria P.f./P.v. immunochromatographic test in India

In India the only antigen-capture assays available for routine malaria diagnosis are designed to detect P. falciparum (Singh et al. 1997; Valecha et al. 1998) although most cases of malaria (60%) are caused by P. vivax (Sharma 1999). The aim of the present Indian study was to evaluate a commercial dipstick-based assay that is designed to detect P. vivax as well as P. falciparum and probably P. malariae and P. ovale. The assay investigated is known as the ICT Malaria P.f. /P.v. (TM) immunochromatographic test (ICT; AMRAD- ICT Bookvale Australia). This test is based on the detection of histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) from P. falciparum and a genus-specific pan-malarial antigen that appears to be present in all four of the Plasmodium species that can cause human malaria (Tjitra et al. 1999; Mason et al. 2001). The present investigation which was approved by the ethical committee of the Malaria Research Centre in Delhi formed part of a multicentre study of an epidemic tribal area of Madhya Pradesh in central Indian (Singh et al. 2000). The present data were generated during surveys in the urban areas of Delhi in northern India and Chennai in the south in September-October 1999. Delhi is an area with relatively low levels of malaria transmission sporadic transmission occurring from the end of April into May and again from the onset of the monsoon in July to October (Adak et al. 1998). The incidence of malaria in Chennai is much greater cases of malaria in the city representing 50%-70% of all those occurring in the state of Tamil Nadu (Dua et al. 1997). Chennai has fairly stable perennial transmission although there are peaks in July-August and October-November. In both Delhi and Chennai those who presented at malaria clinics with the typical signs and symptoms of malaria and those who were found to be febrile during active case-detection surveys in suburban area were enrolled. (excerpt)
Human Alfentanil Metabolism by Cytochrome P450 3A3/4. An Explanation for the Interindividual Variability in Alfentanil Clearance?

Alfentanil undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism and exhibits a high degree of interindividual variability in hepatic clearance. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the specific hepatic cytochrome P450 isozyme(s) that catalyzes alfentanil metabolism. Alfentanil metabolism by microsomes from rat and human livers was determined by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Rat liver alfentanil oxidation was increased threefold by treatment with pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile, an inducer of cytochrome P450 3A, but not by treatment with phenobarbital, β-naphthoflavone, or pyrazole (which induce P450s 2B, 1A, and 2E1, respectively). Human liver microsomal alfentanil metabolism was correlated strongly with the content of cytochrome P450 3A3/4 (r = 0.85, P < 0.005), measured by Western blot analysis with a rabbit anti-human P450 3A3/4 probe. Alfentanil metabolism was diminished by the P450 3A3/4 substrate and competitive inhibitor midazolam, and was abolished by the specific P450 3A3/4 inhibitor troleandomycin. No other selective inhibitor of P450 isozymes (P450s 1A2, 2A6, 2C9/10, 2D6, 2E1) diminished alfentanil metabolism. These results establish that human alfentanil metabolism is catalyzed predominantly, if not exclusively, by P450 3A3/4. Interindividual variability in human alfentanil disposition and alfentanil drug interactions may be attributable to individual differences in P450 3A3/4 activity.
The Asian regional response to its economic crisis and the global implications

This paper looks at regionalism through the lens of multilateralism in Asia– Pacific. Some of the substantial criticism from outside the region of Asia's multilateral institutions is warranted. That criticism is generally overdone, however, for two reasons: an inadequate understanding of the achievements of regional multilateralism over the past two or so decades; and an inadequate understanding of how the region responded to the economic crisis. The major achievements of regional multilateralism normative frameworks for economic and security relations—have come through largely unaffected by the crisis. The prime objective of regional policies—internal security—has ensured a continued priority for economic growth and open liberal economic development; and the priority to settling disputes by peaceful means has not changed. Some weaknesses will continue—ASEAN enlargement for example — but these are largely not related to the crisis. Regionalist impulses have been strengthened by the crisis, but are likely to continue to remain supportive of the global institutional framework. A heightened sense of a need for increased regional representation in the unrepresentative nature of global institutions has emerged. THE ASIAN REGIONAL RESPONSE TO ITS ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS1
Valuing Nonfatal Quality of Life Losses with Quality-Adjusted Life Years: The Health Economist's Meow

Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) measure utility lost to nonfatal health problems. Economists using existing, empirically validated QALY scales in unmonetized or monetized form can help guide jury valuations of suffering and quality of life loss, increase award predictability, and thus encourage settlement. Valuing a plaintiff's utility loss starts with medical assessment of health status changes on a QALY scale. Key considerations in scale selection are the ability to accurately measure the plaintiff's functional losses (e.g., using a scale differentiating sensory losses for a blinded victim) and availability of a good calibration that converts functional loss to utility loss. QALYs are replicable and objective. In regulatory analyses, their most controversial aspect is the method for converting functional losses to QALY losses, which theory suggests should be probabilistic. In post-event application, probabilistic rating is not theoretically required. Thermometer ratings yield valid multi-attribute utility loss estimates. The paper explains how to monetize QALYs.
Institutional Legitimacy in State–Market Partnership: Singapore and Botswana

Abstract The paper examines the impact of institutional legitimacy on Singapore's and Botswana's experience with state–market partnership in economic policy implementation – specifically, private sector development. The elements of institutional legitimacy seen as key factors influencing the success of economic policy implementation include: the moral and legal authority by which governments command the trust and acquiescence of the broader citizenry; the perception of the government's credibility and competence by organized interests in the market; and the government's ability to engage market interests in sustained collaborative networks. Institutional legitimacy, however, could be understood at two levels – the macro and meso levels.
RELATIVE AND DIFFERENTIAL INFORMATION CONTENT OF ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED, EARNINGS, OPERATING CASH FLOW AND STOCK RETURN

The lack of satisfaction about using the traditional performance assessment has resulted in presenting several suggestions about new performance assessment criteria. Economic value added is one of the most important items among these criteria. In this research the superiority of economic value added as an economic criterion of performance assessment, was tested in comparison with other accounting performance assessment criteria. Our sample involves 120 companies accepted in Tehran Stock Exchange during the time period between the years 2003 and 2010. We have used panel regression to test the relative data content of economic value added and other accounting criteria and also to test differential (growing) data content of economic value added elements. The results of testing the research hypotheses showed that accounting profit (net profit and net operational profit after taxation) has more data content to describe the traits of stock return compared to economic value added and operational cash flows. The promissory goods and operational cash flows also have differential (growing) data content compared to other economic value added elements in describing the traits of stock return.
Virologic and Host Characteristics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Pediatric Long Term Survivors

Background: There are limited data concerning determinants of varying clinical progression rates in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children. Therefore, we sought to determine whether viral or host factors associated with nonprogressive HIV-1 infection in adults play a role in limiting progression of infection in 5 vertically infected youths, ages 12–18 years, who have displayed no signs of advanced HIV-1 disease or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome despite having received minimal treatment with antiretroviral drugs. Results: The 5 individuals, whom we characterize as long term survivors, have maintained low loads of HIV-1 RNA in plasma when compared to many of their peers, and have also maintained normal and stable CD4+ T-lymphocyte numbers and percentages throughout their lives. Determination of their predominant HIV-1 sequences revealed that 4 of 5 patients harbor virus with markers of resistance to their therapy (one was never treated). Furthermore 2 harbored viral isolates that contained insertions in Gag or Vif that inhibit HIV-1 replication. Moreover, 2 were found to be heterozygous for the CCR2 polymorphism 64I, a genotype associated with slower progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in adults. All 5 expressed the histocompatibility leukocyte antigen DQ1 and 2 had unusual DR/DQ1 phenotypes. Conclusions: We believe that the limited antiretroviral therapy received by the long term survivors cannot solely account for their benign clinical status. Therefore, we conclude that other factors, including gene polymorphisms that affect viral replicative capacity, account for the long term survival in some, and deduce that, as in adults, no single factor (virologic or host) can account for this clinical phenotype in all cases.
Using patent technology codes to study technological change

Much work on technological change agrees that the recombination of new and existing technological capabilities is one of the principal sources of technological novelty. Patented inventions can be seen as bundles of distinct technologies brought together to accomplish a specific outcome – and this is how the US Patent Office defines inventions. The technologies constituting inventions are identified by the US Patent Office through an elaborate system of technology codes. A combinatorial perspective on invention, emblematic of approaches to technological change informed by evolutionary economics and complexity science, is inherent in the use of technology codes to summarize what is technologically novel about a patented invention. The technology codes represent a set of consistent definitions of technologies and their components spanning 220 years of inventive activity, and are an underutilized data resource for identifying distinct technological capabilities, defining technology spaces, marking the arrival of technological novelty, measuring technological complexity, and empirically grounding the study of technological change. The present discussion provides an introduction to the use of patent technology codes as well as some basic empirics. Our results highlight the highly discriminating nature of the codes and their usefulness in characterizing the type of processes by which technological capabilities generate novelty.
High efficiency and improved ESD characteristics of GaN-based LEDs with naturally textured surface grown by MOCVD

The following paper presents a study on GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with naturally textured surface grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The study utilizes a well-known approach of increasing light extraction efficiency. The approach is based on naturally formed V-shaped pits on surface that originate from low-temperature-growth (LTG) conditions of topmost p-GaN contact layer. In our experiment, the high-temperature-grown (HTG) p-GaN layer was inserted between the p-AlGaN electron-blocking layer and the LTG p-GaN contact layer, in order to suppress pit-related threading dislocations (TDs). These TDs may intersect the underlying active layer. The results of the experiment show that GaN-based LEDs with the HTG p-GaN insertion layer can effectively endure negative electrostatic discharge voltage of up to 7000 V. We also noted that application of 20-mA current injection yields output power of about 16 mW for the LEDs emitting around 465 nm. The output power results correspond to an external quantum efficiency of around 30%