Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keeping body and soul together: southern NGOs’ strategic responses to donor constraints

Most Southern Non-Governmental Organizations (SNGOs) depend on donor agencies for their survival. To qualify for donor funding, SNGOs typically have to meet a range of funding conditions. Critics argue that donor requirements may have undesirable consequences. Based on qualitative research involving 41 SNGOs in India and Ghana, this article explores (1) the (potentially) adverse effects of donor conditions on SNGOs and (2) the strategies that SNGOs employ to deal with these conditions. We demonstrate that certain donor conditions are difficult to reconcile with a view of development that emphasizes local ownership and a strong and autonomous civil society. We also show that SNGOs employ a multitude of strategies to deal with adverse donor conditions, highlighting that they are not powerless in their relations with donors. Yet, these strategies are not always available to all organizations and may have undesired consequences. Points for practitioners Private development aid is increasingly characterized by pressure for accountability and a tightening of funding arrangements. Donors supporting SNGOs need to take into consideration that their funding conditions may have a range of undesirable consequences. Our study offers an overview of these consequences, enabling donor agencies to systematically review their conditions in the light of their potentially adverse effects. In addition, our study shows that – when confronted when unworkable donor conditions – SNGOs employ strategic behaviour. This is particularly problematic when SNGOs resort to manipulating the perception of donors resulting in the creation of a paper reality.
Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness: Contrasts Between Especially Effective and Less Effective Organizations

How do key stakeholders of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) judge the effectiveness of their organization? Are the judgments of stakeholders similar, and how are board effectiveness and the use of practitioner-identified correct management procedures related to judgments of effectiveness? This study focuses on a subset of especially effective and less effective NPOs from a larger sample and finds that the especially effective have more effective boards (as judged by various stakeholder groups), have boards with higher social prestige, use more practitioner-identified correct management procedures, and use more change management strategies. Practical implications discussed include adopting more correct management procedures and change management strategies.
Attenuation of Neuronal Death by NMDA and Oxygen‐Glucose Deprivation in Cortical Neurons Maintained in High Glucose

Maintaining appropriate levels of glucose is essential for brain metabolism, and imbalance in glucose metabolism may result in catastrophic dysfunction of the nervous system.1,2 Hypoglycemia can produce neuronal injury through mechanisms involving activation of glutamate receptors sensitive to N-methyl-D-aspartate.3 Hyperglycemia also appears to be harmful to brain under certain pathological conditions. Systemic administration of high glucose aggravates degenerative events following hypoxic-ischemia or epilepsy.4,5 Several studies raise the possibility that increasing glucose entry to neurons may be beneficial against excitotoxicity and hypoxicischemia.6,7 We examined whether exposure to high glucose concentrations would influence the severity of excitotoxic neuronal death in vitro. Mixed cortical cell cultures, containing both neurons and glia, were prepared from brains of fetal ICR mice at 14– 15 d gestation as previously described.8 Cortical cell cultures (DIV 12) maintained in 25 mM glucose showed neuronal cell body swelling within 2 h and late death within 24 h following 10-min exposure to 100–1000 μM NMDA. The similar pattern of NMDA neurotoxicity was observed in cortical cell cultures placed in 100 mM glucose for 24 h prior to exposure to NMDA (TABLE 1). Cortical neurons maintained continuously in 100 mM glucose for 12–14 d were highly resistant to NMDA toxicity. Cortical cultures maintained in 25 mM or 100 mM glucose for 12–14 d showed the similar levels of vulnerability following 24-h exposure to 10 μM AMPA or 40 μM kainate. This suggests that prolonged exposure to high glucose protects neurons from injuries induced by NMDA, but neither AMPA nor kainate. Recognizing the property of the NMDA receptor complex as a major route of Ca2+ entry, the preferential neuroprotective effect of high glucose against NMDA likely involves detoxification of Ca2+ accumulated in neurons. To determine this possibility, we used fura-2 fluorescence microphotometry to analyze [Ca]i in cortical cell cultures. An increase in [Ca]i was detected immediately, peaked within 2 min, and was sustained over 10 min in neurons following exposure of cortical cul-
Feature extraction and reduction strategy based on pyramid HOG and hierarchal exploitation of cortex-like mechanisms

In this work we propose a hierarchal feature extraction and reduction framework for object recognition. This framework is motivated by both primate visual cortex and ensemble classification based techniques for object recognition. By understanding the representation of the objects from edges based features, we select PHOG (pyramid histogram of oriented gradients) to describe an object. The curse of PHOG feature dimensionality has been addressed by using a technique which not only reduces dimensions of features, but this feature reduction technique also follows ensemble classification and the hierarchal theory of object recognition in ventral stream of primate visual cortex. Technique follows the feed forward models of object recognition in cortex but is less computationally expensive as compared to other cortex-like mechanisms in literature. We demonstrate the performance of proposed technique over Caltech, MIT-CBCL and INRIA datasets.
Trade Liberalization and the Theory of Endogenous Protection: An Econometric Study of U.S. Import Policy

Trade theorists continue to puzzle over their surprisingly small estimates of the impact of trade liberalization on imports. All explanations of the puzzle treat trade liberalization as a given. But the level of trade protection is not exogenous. The theory of endogenous protection predicts that higher levels of import penetration will lead to greater protection. This paper finds that when trade protection is modeled endogenously, its restrictive impact on imports is large, 10 times the size obtained from treating protection exogenously.
Family Money, Relational Life and (Class) Relative Wealth: An Empirical Analysis on Life Satisfaction of Secondary School Students

We investigate factors affecting happiness on a sample of Italian secondary school students. We find that money matters since family’s house ownership, mortgages and (class) relative wealth significantly affect life satisfaction. Other crucial factors are geographical residence (those living in Milan are significantly less happy), mother’s occupation, trust on family and friendships. Even though we cannot rule out inverse causality and other forms of endogeneity, the characteristics of many of the significant regressors such as family wealth, parental job and geographical residence (not under the decisional power of the student) suggest a direct causality nexus for these factors.
Elusive affinities

The affinity of two molecules for each other and its temperature dependence are determined by the change in enthalpy, free enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity upon dissociation. As we know the forces that stabilize‐protein–protein or protein–DNA association and the three‐dimensional structures of the complex, we can in principle derive values for each one of these parameters. The calculation is done first in gas phase by molecular mechanics, then in solution with the help of hydration parameters calibrated on small molecules. However, estimates of enthalpy and entropy changes in gas phase have excessively large error bars even under the approximation that the components of the complex associate as rigid bodies. No reliable result can be expected at the end. The fit to experimental values derived from binding and calorimetric measurements is poor, except for the dissociation heat capacity. This parameter can be attributed mostly to the hydration step and it correlates with the size of the interface. Many protein–protein complexes have interface areas in the range 1200–2000 Å2 and only small conformation changes, so the rigid body approximation applies. It is less generally valid in protein–DNA complexes, which have interfaces covering 2200–3100 Å2, large dissociation heat capacities, and affect both the conformation and the dynamics of their components. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ABSTRACT Large Employers Are More Cyclically Sensitive

We provide new evidence that large firms or establishments are more sensitive than small ones to business cycle conditions. Larger employers shed proportionally more jobs in recessions and create more of their new jobs late in expansions, both in gross and net terms. The differential growth rate of employment between large and small firms varies by about 5% over the business cycle. Omitting cyclical indicators may lead to conclude that, on average, these cyclical effects wash out and size does not predict subsequent growth (Gibrat’s law). We employ a variety of measures of relative employment growth, employer size and classification by size. We revisit two statistical fallacies, the Regression and Reclassification biases, that can affect our results, and we show empirically that they are quantitatively modest given our focus on relative cyclical behavior. We exploit a variety of (mostly novel) U.S. datasets, both repeated cross-sections and job flows with employer longitudinal information, starting in the mid 1970’s and now spanning four business cycles. The pattern that we uncover is robust to different treatments of entry and exit of firms and establishments, and occurs within, not across broad industries, regions and states. Evidence on worker flows suggests that the pattern is driven at least in part by excess layoffs by large employers in and just after recessions, and by excess poaching by large employers late in expansions. We find the same pattern in similar datasets in four other countries, including full longitudinal censuses of employers from Denmark and Brazil. Finally, we sketch a simple firm-ladder model of turnover that can shed light on these facts, and that we analyze in detail in companion papers.
Technological Innovations in Economic Development: Conceptual Bases and Practices of Introduction into Modern Conditions

In this article the role of technological innovations in economic development is based on fundamental theories. The theoretic-methodological base for this work is a research of innovation technologies of businessmen-innovator after Schumpeter, basis innovations in the base of big cycles of economic market condition of Kondratiev, competence of technical-economic paradigm of Dosi and Freemen, methods to overstep "technological stalemate" in works of Mensch and Kliaynknekht, technological mode of Glasiev. The goal indexes, made by the Strategy of innovation development of Russian federation for the period till 2020, prove the importance of technological type innovations in modern economic conditions. The analysis of experience of innovation technologies assimilation in Belgorod region allows to give a positive valuation and at the same time to find problems of economic character, also to indicate ways of their solution. In particular the high price of use of renewable energy resources, as a rule, transforms innovation projects into economic unprofitable projects. With all that there is a proposition about expediency of realization of bioenergy projects in agro holding activities. Results of calculations allow to see the economic efficacy of such innovation projects and availability of additional effects in adjacent branches.
Analysis of the pH‐dependencies of the association and dissociation kinetics of HIV‐1 protease inhibitors

The kinetic constants for the interactions between HIV‐1 protease and a selection of inhibitors were determined at different pH‐values using a biosensor based interaction assay. Since this technique does not involve a substrate, it was possible to determine the pH‐dependencies of the association and dissociation rates of an inhibitor, without the complication of a pH‐dependent enzyme‐substrate/product equilibrium. The importance of these interactions was evaluated by correlating the free energy changes upon association and dissociation of inhibitors with the predicted change in electrostatic properties of the interacting groups as a result of altered pH. It was found that the kinetic parameters varied with pH in a unique manner for all inhibitors, demonstrating that the kinetic features were associated with the specific structure of each inhibitor. Association and dissociation had different pH‐profiles, indicating that the two processes proceeded by different pathways/mechanisms. The energy barrier for dissociation of the enzyme–indinavir complex increased with pH from 4.1 to 7.4, while it was generally reduced for the other inhibitors as the pH was increased from 5.1 to 7.4. The pH‐dependent interactions involved in the recognition/binding of inhibitors and in the stabilization of the complex were identified by analysing three‐dimensional structures of enzyme–inhibitor complexes. The interaction between the pyridine nitrogen of indinavir with Arg‐8 was hypothesized to be responsible for the unique pH‐dependency of indinavir. The analysis revealed features of interactions that are significant for understanding enzyme function and for optimization of new drug leads. It also highlighted the importance of environmental conditions on interactions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Power semiconductors for hybrid and electric vehicles

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the power semiconductor solutions for the hybrid electric vehicles, as based on the technologies existing today. First, the motivation for the electric vehicles is given, followed by the brief system overview. After that, the application specifics are discussed and mapped directly into power semiconductor requirements. Special attention is given to the IGBT based power modules. Based on the specific application a different module power ratings and technologies are proposed. A solution overview of both front-end (silicon chip) and back-end (packaging) technologies is given. Next point is the investigation of packaging and interconnection options, with quality and reliability of power modules in the focus. In the end, a future outlook, including ultra low module inductance, ultra thin wafer and SiC technology is given.
The Lost World of Administrative Law

The reality of the modern administrative state diverges considerably from the series of assumptions underlying the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and classic judicial decisions that followed the APA reviewing agency actions. Those assumptions call for statutory directives to be implemented by one agency led by Senate-confirmed presidential appointees with decision-making authority. The implementation (in the form of a discrete action) is presumed to be through statutorily mandated procedures and criteria, with judicial review to determine whether the reasons given by the agency at the time of its action match the delegated directions. This is the lost world of administrative law, though it is what students largely still learn. Today, there are often statutory and executive directives to be implemented by multiple agencies often missing confirmed leaders, where ultimate decision-making authority may rest outside of those agencies. The process of implementation is also through mandates in both statutes and executive orders, where the final result faces limited, if any, oversight by the courts. The mismatch has consequences for the legitimacy and efficacy of the federal bureaucracy: some positive, many negative. Because we do not think a return to the lost world is possible or perhaps even desirable, we propose some possible reforms in all three branches of the federal government to strengthen the match between current realities and administrative law and to further administrative law’s objectives of transparency, rule of law, and reasoned implementation of statutory mandates. We also hope that the proposed reforms can help foster the public interest goals of modern regulation, such as environmental quality or financial stability. We realize that many scholars and probably at least some judges are aware that formal administrative procedures, official records, and judicial review are only part of the dynamics of administrative governance. But administrative law, as developed by the courts and in governing statutes, has not meaningfully confronted the contemporary realities of the administrative state. It thus risks becoming irrelevant to the quality of governance.
Type IVB Pilus Operon Promoter Controlling Expression of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Gene in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Elicits Full Immune Response by Intranasal Vaccination

ABSTRACT Attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strains have been considered to be attractive as potential live oral delivery vector vaccines because of their ability to elicit the full array of immune responses in humans. In this study, we constructed an attenuated S. enterica serovar Typhi strain stably expressing conserved nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) by integrating the N gene into the pilV gene, which was under the control of the type IVB pilus operon promoter in S. enterica serovar Typhi. BALB/c mice were immunized with this recombinant strain through different routes: intranasally, orogastrically, intraperitoneally, and intravenously. Results showed that the intranasal route caused the highest production of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG2a, and secretory IgA, where IgG2a was imprinted as a Th1 cell bias. Moreover, this recombinant live vaccine induced significantly high levels of specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activities and increased gamma interferon-producing T cells compared with the parental strain. Our work provides insights into how the type IVB pilus operon promoter controlling SARS-CoV N gene expression in Salmonella might be attractive for a live-vector vaccine against SRAS-CoV infection, for it could induce mucosal, humoral, and cellular immune responses. Our work also indicates that the type IVB pilus operon promoter controlling foreign gene expression in Salmonella can elicit full immune responses by intranasal vaccination.
Government Interventions, Market Integration, and Price Risk in Pakistan's Punjab

This paper empirically examines the spatial and intertemporal price relations of grains in Pakistan’s Punjab. The salient feature of the paper is that quantity variables such as market surplus and government release are incorporated in the price arbitrage model to quantify the effects of government interventions. Regression analysis using three-year crosssection data shows that the farm-gate prices of wheat after harvest are mostly explained by the government support price while those of Basmati paddy have more unexplained variation. This difference could be due to a difference in the price support mechanism. Investigation on intertemporal price relations shows that wholesale wheat prices regularly increase at the rate of storage costs in the first half of a food year, and that the price rise is repressed by the government release in the second half only in a normal year.
Enablers of total quality management implementation in manufacturing: A case study

A good quality management is essential for improving manufacturing competitiveness. Most modern companies in the West have recognized the need to alter their thinking in terms of quality and how that can improve their business performance. Total quality management (TQM) has received considerable global attention both from researchers and from practitioners. TQM has become an essential strategy in both manufacturing and service organizations. This paper deals with the implementation issues of TQM in a gas turbine company which is located in the UK. The research involves studying the current quality problems in the company by collecting and analysing the appropriate information through structured interviews of employees. The results of the project are discussed to highlight the key enablers of TQM implementation in the gas turbine company. Based on the literature and case experiences, a framework for the implementation of TQM is presented.
Effects of training on business results1

Currently, there is general agreement about the importance of training as a tool to help companies in the development of sustainable competitive advantages based on their human resources. However, the investment of companies in training activities is still very low. Among other reasons, that is due to the fact that they do not evaluate the effects of training on performance and therefore they do not know its economic impact for the company. There is also a lack of academic research analysing that issue, mainly at the empirical level. This paper studies empirically the effects of training on performance (effectiveness and profitability) using a sample of 457 European SMEs (including Spanish companies). 1 Our results show some evidence of significant relationships between training and performance.
EVALUATING CAPITAL BUDGETING MODELS IN SIMULATED ENVIRONMENTS

POLICY MAKERS MUST CHOOSE an appropriate capital budgeting model for their decision situations. Researchers have provided many alternative models, but there has been little work on evaluating the models. Most evaluations justify an individual model on the conformity of its assumptions with real world conditions, whereas the appropriate criterion for the choice of any decision model is the cost/benefit efficiency of alternative models. This paper addresses the relative expected benefit from various models by assessing the performance of six capital budgeting models in a set of simulated environments. In Part I the model for the simulated environments is established. The six capital budgeting models and their simplifications are described in Part II, and the results of the simulation are presented in Part III. Some conclusions, caveats, and areas for further research are specified in Part IV.
Innovations in Public and Non-profit Sector Organizations in China

This article provides background information on public and non-profit sector innovation in the past thirty years in the West as well as in China. We summarized and commented on the articles in this issue, which document cases of public and non-profit sector innovation in China and theorize their significance. These cases tell vivid stones about how Chinese organizations innovate and also point out the importance of the role of government in initiating or constraining these innovations. We find, through the review of these studies, that China's public and non-profit sector organization innovation experiences carry some important messages about the unique features of China's public and non-profit organizations that should not be ignored while studying changes in China.