Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Alleged Stagnation of Capitalism

The assumption that capitalist globalization has been a period of overall stagnation is the dominant consensus opinion within Marxist political economy. This paper criticizes this opinion and shows that it rests on a mis-measure of the transition of the centrally planned economics of the ex-USSR, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and China developed by the official statistical agencies during the Cold War. This mis-measure has the effect of underestimating both the collapse of physical output in the ex-USSR and CEE during the transition and underestimating the growth of genuine national income after the creation of market economies where previously there had been none. This paper develops some alternative, much higher, estimates of the real growth of national income during the transition period.
Determinants of Board Participation in the Strategic Decisions of Small Corporations

Agency, strategic choice, and cognitive perspectives are used to examine the conditions under which chief executive officers (CEOs) of small private corporations involve the board of directors in strategic decisions. Logistic regression results (2,382 respondents to a cross–industry mail survey) indicate that board strategic participation is not the dominant practice in these firms but that boards are more likely to participate in strategic decisions when the firm is larger, the board has a critical mass of outside directors, the strategic issue under consideration involves an organizational transition or potential downturn, or CEO power (ownership) is low.
Education in Accountancy and Social Control: Questions and Comments

ABSTRACT : My paper considers two questions relating to the roles that education in college and university degree programs and in continuing professional education (CPE) programs play in the social control of the public accounting profession. These questions consider how: (1) educators should respond to the possibility that outside stakeholders might misinterpret the effect of ethics education in accounting degree programs in colleges and universities and ethics-related CPE, and (2) CPE should be used in the public accounting profession's disciplinary process. An assessment process and content similarity are suggested as ways to approach issues raised by the first question. CPE is most appropriate as a sanction when a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in public accounting unintentionally violates an ethical standard of the public accounting profession and an effort is being made to rehabilitate the CPA. However, if a CPA in public accounting intentionally violates an ethical standard of the public account.
Inverse Kinematics of an Anthropomorphic Robotic Hand

Received Jan 16, 2013 Revised May 15, 2013 Accepted Jun 4, 2013 Solution of inverse kinematic equations is a complex problem, the complexity comes from the nonlinearity of joint space and Cartesian space mapping that has multiple solutions. This is a typical problem in robotics where it is required to control the fingers of an anthropomorphic robotic hand to perform the tasks, it is designated to do. Multi-fingered hands having multiple joints on every finger, creates more complexity to such problems making it theoretically intractable. This work is intended to capture the problem through use of ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System) that needs limited mathematical expressions and gives reasonable good solution through number of iterative steps, which can be practically implemented. This method proves to be efficient, fast and has shorter response time. The proposed method has number of advantages such as ease of implementation time and better response with acceptable errors. Keyword:
Establishment Processes in a Developing Economy: The Case of Swedish Firms in Kenya

ABSTRACT This article addresses the establishment processes of Swedish firms in Kenya, in a network context. The emphasis is placed on the main conditions and problems that the establishing firms face, and how they deal with them. The model developed for the study consists of four variables, i.e., historical process, focal relationships, supporting relationships and general environment. The main result of the study implies, for successful establishment, the necessity of developing a network of supporting relationships which are usually lacking in the local market.
Nasotracheal intubation with three indirect laryngoscopes assisted by standard or modified Magill forceps

We assessed the effect of modifying standard Magill forceps on the laryngeal introduction of an Eschmann stylet during nasotracheal intubations with three indirect laryngoscopes (Airtraq™, C‐MAC® or GlideScope®) in patients with predicted difficult intubation. We allocated 50 participants to each laryngoscope. The stylet was advanced by one forceps followed by the other (standard or modified), with each sequence allocated to 25/50 for each laryngoscope. There were no differences in rates of failed tracheal intubation with the allocated laryngoscopes: 6/50, 5/50 and 5/50, respectively. An Eschmann stylet was advanced into the trachea less often with the standard forceps (65% vs 93%, p < 0.0001). Mean (SD) time for stylet advancement was longer with the standard forceps, 38 (30) vs 19 (19) s, p < 0.0001. In conclusion, the modified Magill forceps facilitated nasotracheal intubation, independent of the type of indirect laryngoscope.
Exp5 exports eEF1A via tRNA from nuclei and synergizes with other transport pathways to confine translation to the cytoplasm

Importin β‐type transport receptors mediate the vast majority of transport pathways between cell nucleus and cytoplasm. We identify here the translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) as the predominant nuclear export substrate of RanBP21/exportin 5 (Exp5). This cargo–exportin interaction is rather un usual in that eEF1A binds the exportin not directly, but instead via aminoacylated tRNAs. Exp5 thus represents the second directly RNA‐binding exportin and mediates tRNA export in parallel with exportin‐t. It was suggested recently that 10–15% of the cellular translation would occur in the nucleus. Our data rule out such a scenario and instead suggest that nuclear translation is actively suppressed by the nuclear export machinery. We found that the vast majority of translation initiation factors (eIF2, eIF2B, eIF3, eIF4A1, eIF5 and eIF5B), all three elongation factors (eEF1A, eEF1B and eEF2) and the termination factor eRF1 are strictly excluded from nuclei. Besides Exp5 and importin 13, CRM1 and as yet unidentified exportins also contribute to the depletion of translation factors from nuclei.
Plantar malignant melanoma – a challenge for early recognition

The incidence of malignant melanoma has been continuously increasing over the last few decades. Non-plantar melanomas are nowadays usually diagnosed and treated surgically at an early stage. In contrast, melanoma in a plantar location is usually diagnosed at an advanced tumour stage, conferring a poor prognosis. To discover the reasons for this remarkable difference in recognition and prognosis, we analysed our cases of plantar malignant melanoma in a retrospective study. From 1990 to 1997, we treated 925 melanoma patients. Of these, 68 cases (7%) were classified as plantar melanoma. For non-plantar melanoma patients the mean age was 52.6 years, the mean Clark level was 2.8 and the mean tumour depth was 1.22 mm. In contrast, the mean age of patients with plantar melanoma was 63.3 years, the mean Clark level was 3.61 and the mean tumour depth was 2.55 mm. The mean time between the first observation of the plantar skin lesion and the first consultation with a physician (patients’ delay) was 4.8 years and, on average, it took an additional 7 months before adequate surgical treatment was performed (physicians’ delay). The prognosis of our patients was poor. In 98.5% (n = 67) further metastases were observed on follow-up. Since there is still no cure for advanced plantar malignant melanoma, the early detection and subsequent surgical treatment of plantar melanoma is decisive for the prognosis. Based on our results, the poor survival can be improved by a significant reduction in the time period between the first observation of a plantar skin lesion and surgical treatment. Therefore there is an urgent need for special preventive health care campaigns to reduce significantly both the patients’ and the physicians’ delay.
Interorganizational Innovation Across Geographic and Cognitive Boundaries: Does Firm Size Matter?

A key trend of recent literature is the increased use of interorganizational relationships to achieve organizational objectives. While the phenomenon of collaborative innovation has attracted significant academic interest in recent years, little research has been undertaken to examine how widespread the collaborative phenomenon is relative to organizational size or the diversity of partner organizations being leveraged for collaborative innovation activity. Consequently, this paper seeks to address two research questions. Firstly, the extent to which collaborative innovation is occurring within different sized firms that are research and development active, and secondly, are these different sized firms engaging in collaborative innovation activities with different types of partner organization. The results support earlier studies regarding the increasing practice by industry leveraging interorganizational collaborations in order to support innovation. Findings highlight that large‐scale firms are more active than SMEs in leveraging external resources for innovation and that small‐sized firms are the firm category least active in the practice. In addition, findings indicate that when small and medium‐ sized enterprises (SMEs) are collaborating, they leverage both vertical and horizontal partner linkages but that the sector is constrained by geographic distance in terms of the diversity of its collaborating partners.
OPTIMED : optimisation itérative pour la résolution de problèmes inverses de grande taille

This paper deals with image reconstruction using iterative algorithms. The fra me- work under consideration involves large amount of data and/or large ob servation operator. We proposed here algorithms for which we were able to state convergence proofs. The relia- bility and accuracy of the proposed approaches are demonstrated via th ree applications: the positron emission tomography (PET), the parallel magnetic resonance im aging (MRI) and two- dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR).
Canadian manufacturers' relative productivity performance, 1907–1990

In this paper I calculate TFP ratios for a sample of Canadian manufacturers relative to their American counterparts on an annual basis throughout most of the twentieth century. The data used to calculate these ratios are drawn from both industry-level and firm-level statistical sources. I find that, in contrast to the relative labour productivity evidence in the literature, when TFP is used as the measuring stick, there is virtually no evidence of consistent and substantial relative technical inefficiency on behalf of the Canadian manufacturers represented in my sample.
Internal and external incentives to engage in education and training – a framework for analysing the forces acting on individuals?

Much of SKOPE’s research over the last decade has had two linked, underlying themes. First, that of complexity within the patterns of demand for, and the supply and usage of, skill. Second, the consequent requirement for more finely- grained, deep-seated and systemic approaches to research in order to map and then make sense of existing […]
Higher brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity as an independent risk factor for future microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension: the J-TOPP study

Objective Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a new measure of arterial stiffness. We have shown that a higher baPWV is associated with more severe albuminuria in patients with essential hypertension. However, it is still unclear as to whether baPWV predicts the future albuminuria status in patients under standard care. Methods A total of 321 nondiabetic patients with essential hypertension who had normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria and were receiving treatment under the current hypertension guidelines were followed up for 2 years. Resting BP, fasting blood glucose, urinary albumin excretion and baPWV were measured before treatment, and periodically thereafter for 2 years. Results A 2-year treatment regimen lowered BP from 156/93 to 135/81 mmHg (P < 0.0001) and reduced the incidence of microalbuminuria from 25.8 to 14.0%. To determine the predictors for future microalbuminuria status, we compared the baseline data between patients with normoalbuminuria (n = 276) and those with microalbuminuria (n = 45) 2 years after the treatment. The microalbuminuric patients had a significantly higher baPWV and urinary albumin excretion and a significantly lower high-density lipoprotein concentration than the normoalbuminuric patients. Furthermore, the frequency of the use of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors was significantly lower in the microalbuminuric patients than in the normoalbuminuric patients. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that higher baPWV was an independent risk factor for microalbuminuria 2 years after treatment of hypertension. When we restricted our analysis to a cohort of patients without microalbuminuria at the baseline, we found that higher baPWV was an independent predictor of the development of microalbuminuria after 2 years. Conclusion Higher baPWV could be an independent risk factor for future microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension.
Asynchronous multiple scan chains

The long test application times needed for scan designs increase the costs of testing. In this paper we introduce the concept of asynchronous multiple scan chains in which groups of scan chains operate independently. This is achieved by using more than one made signal to control the scan flip-flops. Asynchronous multiple chains can provide large reductions in the test application time. We present an efficient test application scheme to exploit the asynchronous operation of the chains. Based on this scheme, we outline techniques to configure the chains so as to minimize the test time. Implementation results show significant savings in test application time and highlight interesting design tradeoffs between the control complexity, I/O pin count and test time.
The Infliximab Multinational Psoriatic Arthritis Controlled Trial (IMPACT): results of radiographic analyses after 1 year

Objective: Infliximab is effective in improving signs and symptoms of joint/skin involvement, functional status, and quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Using IMPACT trial data, we assessed the effect of infliximab (IFX) on structural damage in PsA. Methods: Patients with active PsA were randomly assigned to receive placebo (PBO/IFX) or infliximab 5 mg/kg (IFX/IFX) at weeks 0, 2, 6, and 14, with the primary endpoint at week 16. The PBO group received infliximab loading doses at weeks 16, 18, and 22. Thereafter, all patients received infliximab 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks through week 50. Hand/feet radiographs were obtained at weeks 0 and 50. Total radiographic scores were determined using the PsA modified van der Heijde-Sharp (vdH-S) score. Projected annual rate of progression was calculated by dividing x ray score by disease duration (years). Results: As reported previously, 65% of infliximab treated patients versus 10% of PBO treated patients achieved an ACR20 response at week 16 (p<0.001). At week 50, 69% of patients achieved an ACR20 response. Radiographs (baseline and week 50) were available for 72/104 patients. At baseline, estimated mean annual rate of progression was 5.8 modified vdH-S points/year. Mean (median) changes from baseline to week 50 in the total modified vdH-S score were −1.95 (−0.50) for PBO/IFX and −1.52 (−0.50) for IFX/IFX patients (p = NS). At week 50, 85% and 84% of patients in the PBO/IFX and IFX/IFX groups had no worsening in the total modified vdH-S score. Conclusion: Infliximab inhibits radiographic progression in patients with PsA through week 50.
Strategies for grassroots control of international aid

Official aid agencies and development banks are not set up to work with poor groups or to be directly accountable to them, even if their work is legitimized on the basis of these groups' needs. The bureaucracy of such agencies works primarily with and through national governments and is generally unable to catalyze or support the local social processes needed to make external finance effective in addressing many aspects of poverty. This paper describes an initiative to overcome these constraints — an international fund to support grassroots initiatives, managed by a transnational network of slum/shack/homeless people's federations and their support NGOs. This fund makes small grants available to savings groups that are members of these federations, to support them in securing land for housing and getting basic services. Over the last five years, more than 40 initiatives in 17 nations have received support. The fund demonstrates to international agencies what their monies could do if they were willing to relinquish more decision-making powers and more financial control to local organizations formed by and accountable to the urban poor.
Home Production-A Forgotten Industry

R ECENT years have witnessed an awakened interest in the economic activity taking place outside the market, and in particular the activity taking place at home. This interest spurred by the new consumption theory of Becker and Lancaster and by the estimates of the Measure of Economic Welfare of Nordhaus and Tobin (1973) has taken two distinct forms: an increased number of studies on the economics of household behavior and a renewed effort to place a money value on the household home activity. However, while the major thrust of the first type of studies is in the field of microeconomics, the estimates of home production refer, in general, to the economy as a whole. These estimates, crude as they are, indicate that home production is far from being a negligible part of the economic activity. Even in an advanced economy such as the United States the value added generated by the home sector seems to account for over one third of the output produced at the market (Hawrylyshyn, 1976). In less advanced economies this fraction is presumably even higher. It seems, therefore, of interest to repeat the question in a microeconomic context and examine the role of home production at the household level, rather than in the aggregate. In contrast to past studies which have focused on the labor inputs going into home production (Sirageldin, 1969; Walker and Gauger, 1973), the emphasis in this paper is on the measurement of productivity and total home output. The questions I try to answer are: What are the factors
Exchange Rate Pass-Through in East Asia †

Exporter’s price setting behavior and currency invoicing play a key role in the literature on the new open-economy macroeconomics. This paper estimates exchange rate pass-through coefficients for the exports of four ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. In addition, previous estimates of pass-through as well as invoicing behavior in East Asia are discussed in the context of regional integration. The new pass-through coefficients are estimated under two alternate specifications for up to 34 goods for each of the four ASEAN countries destined for up to 13 major markets. The results suggest: a) little pass-through is occurring in Southeast Asia and; b) this lack of pass-through is more likely attributable to the fact that they are small countries in a relatively integrated market, rather than evidence of pricing to market. The implications for regional monetary integration of this apparently low degree of pass-through are detailed.
Modular Upper Limb Prosthetic for Children

The technology for upper limb prosthetics has significantly improved over recent years. With the improvement in design and functionality of prosthetics, the cost of the devices has also increased making them unattainable for many. In the case of children amputees such high cost devices are unreasonable to obtain for growing children. This study examines the feasibility of a functional prosthetic design that accommodates for a child’s growth. The possibility of using this design as standard for developing low cost, widely available and easy to manufacture prosthetics will be examined.
Vascular Obstruction in Sickle Cell Disease

Initially, the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia was attributed to deoxygenation-induced polymerization of a mutant form of hemoglobin, hemoglobin S, as well as sickling of red blood cells that plug blood vessels causing the onset of a painful vasoocclusive crisis. Although hemoglobin S polymerization is central to the pathophysiology of this disease, the initiation of a vasoocclusive episode may involve multiple factors that disrupt the steady state and promote intravascular red blood cell sickling. Reversible sickling, red blood cell abnormalities, and transient ischemic events in this disease may cause endothelial injury resulting in abnormal erythrocyte-endothelium interactions, induction of inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte recruitment, and altered vascular tone. These factors can promote intravascular sickling by delaying red blood cell transit times in the microcirculation. This review briefly describes the role of these factors and some novel therapeutic approaches based on anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory agents.
Enhanced Cutaneous Lymphatic Network in the Forearms of Women with Postmastectomy Oedema

Postmastectomy oedema (PMO) of the arm is a common aftermath of axillary lymphatic damage during treatment for breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to quantify the forearm dermal lymphatic capillaries in order to determine whether they exhibit adaptive responses to PMO. Both forearms were examined by fluorescence microlymphography in 16 patients with oedema following treatment for breast cancer (mean swelling 25 ± 4%) and 19 patients treated for breast cancer but without oedema. Delineated lymphatic networks were analysed stereologically. The main findings were: (1) lymphatic density at any specified distance from the injection site was greater in the swollen arm than the control arm (p < 0.01, t test); (2) taking into account the increased skin area, the total length of lymphatic capillaries in a 1-cm annulus of skin was 676 ± 56 cm (swollen), compared with 385 ± 30 cm (control) (p < 0.001, t test); (3) fluorescent marker was transported over a greater distance before draining deep in the swollen arm (2.74 ± 0.33 cm) than in the control arm (1.59 ± 0.24 cm) (p = 0.02); (4) there was no evidence of lymphatic dilatation in the swollen arm, and (5) in breast cancer patients without swelling, the arm on the side of radiotherapy/surgery (otherwise referred to as the unswollen arm) showed none of the above changes, indicating that the changes are linked to the oedema rather than being universal responses to breast cancer or its treatment. It is concluded that microlymphatic changes occur in the swollen arm, namely a local superficial rerouting of lymph drainage and either lymphangiogenesis and/or increased recruitment of dormant lymphatic vessels. Since blood capillary angiogenesis occurs in the swollen arms, and lymphangiogenesis occurs in experimental lymphoedema, there is a precedent for proposing lymphangiogenesis in PMO. An increased number of functional vessels would help to maintain the ratio of local tissue drainage capacity to filtration capacity.