Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovations in Doing and Being: Capability Innovations at the Intersection of Schumpeterian Political Economy and Human Development

Abstract This paper seeks to contribute to a conceptual perspective with which to approach the evaluations and explanation of social entrepreneurs as agents of social change. First, it discusses the capability approach as a comprehensive normative framework with which to articulate ‘the social’ in a way that deals with the triple challenge of specifying ‘the social’ in a context of conflicts of interests, value diversity and exclusive public spheres. Second, the paper proposes two explanatory hypotheses of innovation for social change: (a) social innovation as the carrying out of new combinations of capabilities; (b) social entrepreneurs as characterized by their capacity to imagine and carry out new combinations of capabilities. The combination of capabilities suggests a subset of human development where ethics meets innovation: a capability innovation pathway at the crossroads of long-term, societal perspectives on change (human development, Schumpeterian economic development) where innovation is social and capability advancement entrepreneurial.
Reducing Post‐Catheterization Bladder Dysfunction by Reconditioning

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of reconditioning upon bladder dysfunction caused by prolonged catheterization. Eight women undergoing surgery with baseline residual urine volumes (RUVs) not greater than 25 ml and catheterization durations of 36 to 106 hours qualified as subjects. Immediately prior to catheter removal, the four treatment group subjects received reconditioning, a procedure in which their catheters were clamped for three hours followed by five minutes of urinary drainage. This cycle was repeated twice more, totaling nine hours, ten minutes. The four control group subjects received no reconditioning. After catheter removal, reconditioned subjects resumed natural micturition significantly sooner than non-reconditioned subjects (t = −2.82, df = 6, p > 0.05). A t test showed no significant differences between the groups in post-indwelling catheterization RUVs following the first micturition, probably due to the small number of subjects, since the control group's mean post-catheterization RUV increased to a physiologically abnormal level (42.25 ml), while the reconditioned group's mean RUV stayed within normal limits. This study should be repeated to test for statistical significance in larger samples.
Early dynamic PET imaging shows hypervascularization as exact as contrast-enhanced MR

A man (age: 71 years) showed advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the right liver lobe. Standard F-FDG-PET/CT was requested in order to exclude extrahepatic tumour spread (Siemens, Biograph mCT40, TrueV). We decided to perform an additional, four minutes long, dynamic PET scan (list mode acquisition, axial field of view 21.8cm) starting simultaneously with the bolus injection of 252 MBq F-FDG. List mode raw data were reconstructed as follows: four time segments lasting 15 seconds (first minute) followed by three parts lasting 60 seconds (second to fourth minute). ROI-based analysis was performed (SUVmax, %) and displayed as time-intensity plots ( Fig. 1, bottom row). One week later, the patient underwent contrast-enhanced liver MR (Primovist, 0.1 ml/kg body weight, T1w 3D GRE fat-sat: native, 30, 50, 90, 180 s p. i.; Fig. 1 top row). Dynamic PET demonstrated a significant early signal increase in HCC peaking at 30 seconds after application. This was followed by a prompt decline. Maximal signal difference between HCC and benign liver tissue occurred 30 seconds after application but from 120 seconds onward there was no apparent difference ( Fig. 1, middle and bottom row). This was completely confirmed by contrast-enhanced MR ( Fig. 1, top raw). Standard ‘late’ PET at 90 minutes after tracer application showed no increase of glucose metabolism compared to surrounding liver tissue ( Fig. 1, middle row, right hand). Discussion, conclusion
Ultra wide band 24GHz automotive radar front-end

The recent approval granted by the FCC for the use of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) signals for vehicular radar applications has provided a gateway for production of these sensors as early as in 2004. However, the rules governing the allowable spectral occupancy create significant constraints on the operation of the sensors. The implications for waveform design and the consequent limitation on system architecture, including antenna design and receiver architecture are discussed. Other practical considerations such as available semiconductor technology with low-cost plastic packaging are reviewed. This is developed into a methodology for developing a single board sensor with integrated antenna. Results are presented for a specification compliant antenna, and a low-cost plastic package for 24GHz ICs. Finally, the required IC architecture for a Transceiver is presented, along with measured results of a single-chip homodyne I/Q down-conversion receiver fabricated in SiGe.
Effect of potential therapeutic agents in reducing oxidative stress in pulmonary tissues of recurrent airway obstruction-affected and clinically healthy horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY To determine and compare the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) in pulmonary tissues of horses affected with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and clinically healthy horses, and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents in reducing ROS and RNS in the tissues of these horses. OBJECTIVES We hypothesised that RAO-affected horses would have high levels of reactive species and that the test agents would reduce them. The objectives were as follows: 1) to determine the level of ROS and RNS in pulmonary tissues (bronchial and arterial rings) of RAO-affected and clinically healthy horses; and 2) to determine the ability of pentoxifylline, pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate and a combined use of endothelin A and B receptor antagonists (BQ123 and BQ788, respectively) in reducing reactive species. METHODS Arterial and bronchial rings were collected from the diaphragmatic lung lobe of each horse immediately after euthanasia. The levels of ROS and RNS were measured in control tissues and those incubated with test agents, using an electron paramagnetic resonance instrument. RESULTS The levels of ROS and RNS were significantly greater in arterial and bronchial tissues of RAO-affected than of clinically healthy horses. Pentoxifylline and endothelin antagonists reduced both ROS and RNS in tissues from RAO-affected horses. Basal levels of reactive species in clinically healthy horses were not affected by these agents. No difference in the level of reactive species was observed between arterial and bronchial tissues. CONCLUSIONS Horses affected by RAO had higher ROS and RNS than clinically healthy horses. Pentoxifylline and endothelin antagonists effectively reduced ROS and RNS in pulmonary tissues of RAO-affected horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE The study suggested a potential use for pentoxifylline and endothelin antagonists in treating RAO-affected horses. As endothelin is involved in physiological functions, therapeutic use of its antagonists is cautioned.
The Valuation of FDIC Deposit Insurance Using Option-pricing Estimates

WHEN CONGRESS SET THE PREMIUM RATE for FDIC deposit insurance in the Banking Act of 1935 (which authorized a permanent federal insurance system), neither experience nor theory could offer much guidance regarding an appropriate fee structure. Although rates have since been periodically revised, the FDIC has yet to attempt to set the insurance rate at a 'ifair' level, that is, a level equal to administrative costs plus the ex ante value of the insurance. Such a premium is the rate that would be charged by competitive private insurers. However7 the Garn-St. Germain Act of 1982 directed the FDIC to consider the feasibility of a risk-based premium structure. In response the FDIC has suggested a trial system in which each insured bank will be placed in one of three risk-classes based on credit and interest-rate risk relative to capital, and a premium rate will be assigned to each group. Those rates will be determined in part by the loss experience of the entire banking system (FDIC 1983). Another approach to the determination of the appropriate insurance premium has been offered by Merton (1977) who suggested using the analogous relationship between deposit guarantees and put options to value FDIC insurance. In this paper, we follow Merton's suggestion and calculate bank-specific estimates of the proper premium for deposit insurance. For the banks in our sample, we find that FDIC rates greatly exceed estimates of the fair value of the insurance derived from the BlackScholes (1972) option-pricing model.
The Fruits of Abdication: Australian Multi-employer Award Respondency

This paper examines the structure of Australian multi-employer awards. It suggests that these awards do not exhibit occupational, industry or representational concentration and thus follow no clear rational principles. The hybrid award system is sub-optimal and can be explained by employer associations' neglect in the formative period of arbitration. Multi-employer awards are in need of reform if Australia is to become and remain internationally competitive.
Environmental policy in Ethiopia: a rejoinder to Keeley and Scoones

Ongoing land degradation in Ethiopia requires urgent action, and has been addressed at different levels of society, including widespread soil and water conservation activities, and the introduction of technologies which integrate local knowledge and farmer's initiatives. This comment, drawing on extensive research on soil erosion processes in Ethiopia since 1994, in intense cooperation with farmers and local authorities, challenges the conclusions of a paper published in this journal on environmental rehabilitation and rapid agricultural intensification for food self-sufficiency in Ethiopia (Keeley & Scoones 2000). In our view, this paper firstly underestimates the importance of environmental degradation and apparently rejects current conservation techniques and policy, and secondly makes an artificial contradiction between environmental rehabilitation policy and a participatory approach. In our experience, and in line with studies reviewed elsewhere, natural resources conservation in Ethiopia is directed towards an integration of food self-sufficiency with conservation/restoration of the environment, and frequently follows a participatory approach.
Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis of the hemolysin (cereolysin) determinant from Bacillus cereus

From a cosmid gene bank of Bacillus cereus GP4 in Escherichia coli we isolated clones which, after several days of incubation, formed hemolysis zones on erythrocyte agar plates. These clones contained recombinant cosmids with B. cereus DNA insertions of varying lengths which shared some common restriction fragments. The smallest insertion was recloned as a PstI fragment into pJKK3-1, a shuttle vector which replicates in Bacillus subtilis and E. coli. When this recombinant plasmid (pJKK3-1 hly-1) was transformed into E. coli, it caused hemolysis on erythrocyte agar plates, but in liquid assays no external or internal hemolytic activity could be detected with the E. coli transformants. B. subtilis carrying the same plasmid exhibited hemolytic activity at levels comparable to those of the B. cereus donor strain. The hemolysin produced in B. subtilis seemed to be indistinguishable from cereolysin in its sensitivity to cholesterol, activation by dithiothreitol, and inactivation by antibodies raised against cereolysin. When the recombinant DNA carrying the cereolysin gene was used as a probe in hybridization experiments with chromosomal DNA from a streptolysin O-producing strain of Streptococcus pyogenes or from listeriolysin-producing strains of Listeria monocytogenes, no positive hybridization signals were obtained. These data suggest that the genes for these three SH-activated cytolysins do not have extended sequence homology.
Empirical tests for the effect of regulation on firm and interruptible gas service

This paper argues that firm and interruptible natural gas prices are comparable to peak and off-peak prices in the electric-utility industry, and the observed patterns of firm-interruptible natural gas contracts are not a random occurrence, but are a function of systematic variation in factors which characterize or delineate the various natural gas distribution systems, and that these factors are economic in nature. One of the most-important economic factors is the presence and effectiveness of government regulation. More specifically, through a proxy test, the hypothesis is analyzed that peak prices are reduced by rate-of-return regulation. Although there probably are net welfare gains from rate-of-return regulation, the decision to add additional storage capacity is quite sensitive to regulation, thus largely offsetting the consumer surplus gained from a lower peak-price under regulation.
Collective Bargaining in the Arts and Culture Sector: An Examination of Symphony Orchestras in Germany and the UK

This article compares the industrial relations practices in symphony orchestras in Germany and the United Kingdom. It looks in particular at four aspects: trade union density; collective bargaining structures; power relations, with particular reference to the seating arrangement for strings; and the experience of women. More specifically, it attempts to explain the comparatively very high levels of trade union density in this sector in both countries, and examines the similarities and differences of the UK and German collective bargaining frameworks in their national contexts.
Rebuilding the immune system: promising new therapy uses the HIV virus itself to awaken the damaged immune system. Interview by Brian Coppedge and Dan Dawson.

Dr. Ronald Moss, Senior Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs at the Immune Response Corporation, provides his opinions on immune restoration and a different approach to immune-based therapies. Dr. Moss explains why he thinks Remune is an effective immune-based therapy rather than a vaccine. Remune will allow the immune system to return to its normal functions as if it were healthy. The reasons that Remune does not evoke a strong antibody response and why it helps the body create more HIV-specific T-cells are explained. The major benefits and side effects of using Remune are detailed. How effectiveness of immune-based therapies can be measured, who would be appropriate for Remune therapy, and the status of Remune clinical trials are also discussed.
ColoRectal Cancer Predicted Risk Online (CRC-PRO) Calculator Using Data from the Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study

Background: Better risk predictions for colorectal cancer (CRC) could improve prevention strategies by allowing clinicians to more accurately identify high-risk individuals. The National Cancer Institute's CRC risk calculator was created by Freedman et al using case control data. Methods: An online risk calculator was created using data from the Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study, which followed >180,000 patients for the development of CRC for up to 11.5 years through linkage with cancer registries. Forward stepwise regression tuned to the c statistic was used to select the most important variables for use in separate Cox survival models for men and women. Model accuracy was assessed using 10-fold cross-validation. Results: Patients in the cohort experienced 2762 incident cases of CRC. The final model for men contained age, ethnicity, pack-years of smoking, alcoholic drinks per day, body mass index, years of education, regular use of aspirin, family history of colon cancer, regular use of multivitamins, ounces of red meat intake per day, history of diabetes, and hours of moderate physical activity per day. The final model for women included age, ethnicity, years of education, use of estrogen, history of diabetes, pack-years of smoking, family history of colon cancer, regular use of multivitamins, body mass index, regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and alcoholic drinks per day. The calculator demonstrated good accuracy with a cross-validated c statistic of 0.681 in men and 0.679 in women, and it seems to be well calibrated graphically. An electronic version of the calculator is available at http://rcalc.ccf. org. Conclusion: This calculator seems to be accurate, is user friendly, and has been internally validated in a diverse population.
Microstrip to buried waveguide probe feeds for V- and W-band in LTCC technology

This paper reports on V- and W-band uniplanar probe feeds from microstrip to buried substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) in LTCC technology. For the V- and W-band designs respectively, the measured mid-band insertion loss is 0.24 dB and 0.47 dB with relative bandwidths of 40% and 27 %. The measured average waveguide attenuation is 0.057 dB/mm for V-band and 0.15 dB/mm for W-band. These feeds enable very compact integration of low-loss antenna feed networks, LO distribution networks, etc.
Is stroke rehabilitation a metabolic problem?

Abstract Background: This study looks at the impact of inflammation during the rehabilitation stage of strokes and its effect on neuro-functional recovery. Methods: This study investigated 94 patients suffering from strokes and admitted to rehabilitation. Anthropometric characteristics, serum proteins and inflammatory markers, plasma amino acids and neurofunction were all assessed. Results: 55.3% patients had an inflammatory status (Interleukin-6 = 19.24 ± 23.01 pg ml−1 vs. 4.1 ± 1.6 pg ml−1 for non-inflamed subjects (p < 0.001). Inflammation was positively linked to positive proteins (alpha-1 globulin, p < 0.02) and negatively linked to negative proteins (albumin, p < 0.02; prealbumin, p < 0.01; transferrin, p < 0.05) of the acute-phase response. Inflammation was associated with low plasma concentrations of total amino acids. For the multiple logistic regression analysis, albumin (p < 0.001) and body weight maintenance (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of patient functional independence. Inflammation in dysphagic stroke (31.9%) patients was associated with more accentuated disability compared to non-inflamed dysphagics. The serum positive reactant alpha 1 globulin was the most powerful predictor of dysphagia severity (p < 0.001). At discharge, dysphagia improvement was associated with improved acute-phase negative proteins. Conclusions: An inflammatory status may persist for most patients with strokes during the rehabiliation stage of the disease, its prevalence being higher in dysphagic compared to non-dysphagic subjects. The improvement in circulating albumin and body weight maintenance are predictors of neuro-function, even in dysphagic subjects.
De l’alliance à la gouvernance: logiques d’action et logiques d’acteurs dans un centre financier aux entreprises desjardins

Resume**: Cet article presente une etude de cas d’un Centre financier aux entreprises, une forme d’alliance strategique entre des caisses Desjardins d’epargne et de credit. Nous recourons a un cadre d’analyse qui permet d’expliquer a la fois ce qui preside aux accords et aux conflits qui marquent ce nouvel arrangement organisationnel. Nous apprehendons ainsi l’organisation dans sa realite complexe, notamment les tensions que vit la cooperative qui a des activites dans un domaine hautement competitif et marchand tel que celui du financement aux entreprises. Ceci permettra de voir qu’outre les modes de gouvernance qui existent au sein des caisses Desjardins – hierarchique, marchand et democratique – la nouvelle logique connexionniste est porteuse d’un modele d’entreprise en reseau (Boltanski et Chiapello, 1999) ainsi que de nouvelles logiques d’acteurs (emergent, de l’interface et occasionnel) caracterisant l’entreprise incertaine (Francfort et al. 1995). Un nouveau mode de gouvernance en reseau vient s’articuler aux autres modes de gouvernance existants, ce qui induit des ruptures avec le cadre cooperatif traditionnel tout en assurant une certaine continuite avec les valeurs cooperatives.
Recognising symptoms of breast cancer as a reason for delayed presentation in Asian women--the psycho-socio-cultural model for breast symptom appraisal: opportunities for intervention.

INTRODUCTION Advanced presentation of breast cancer and the problem of late diagnosis is well documented. Patient delay beyond three months has been shown to reduce survival. This paper aims to explore the experience of Malaysian women presenting with advanced breast cancer with regards to their interpretation of breast symptoms. METHOD Purposive sampling of 19 breast cancer patients presenting with delayed treatment and/ or advanced cancer diagnosed within two years at the University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur were carried out. In-depth interviews were conducted using a self-devised interview guide. The interview guide covered the journey of the patient from discovering of symptoms to their present state. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim. NVivo 8 qualitative software was utilised for data management. Grounded theory with thematic analysis was utilised. RESULTS Nine women delayed seeking diagnosis although recognizing the symptom, five did not recognize symptom, three delayed treatment and two did not delay health attention. Themes that emerged with regards to triggering help seeking behavior were: a) poor symptom knowledge and recognition; b) importance of knowledge of the disease and its' outcomes; c) role of coping mechanisms and affect; and lastly d) role of significant others in appraising a breast symptom. CONCLUSION Symptom recognition remains an important public health issue in Malaysia. Educating women, their significant others and primary health and primary care providers in detecting early staged breast cancer are needed. Supporting and sanctioning women with breast symptoms are important. The psycho-social-cultural model of symptom appraisal may serve as an important addition to the fight against cancer in countries that do not have the resources for population based screening mammogram programmes.
Moral economy and civil society in eighteenth-century Europe: the case of economic societies and the business of improvement

This article traces the moral economy of provincial elites who contributed to economic societies that were active in eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Northern Europe. Such societies aimed at improving economic conditions in their respective cities, regions, or countries by advocating progressive methods of agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. The commitment of members of these societies was not explicitly motivated by economic gains, but by a more complex system of beliefs fueled by the love of their country and the promotion of the common good. The unselfish exploration of new means of production and commercial activity was at the heart of forming a moral economy of trust that guided cooperation within the societies. This moral economy was not subordinate to market rationality, but served as a foundation upon which trust between members was based. Especially in times of crises, as illustrated by the case of Carl Christian Böcker, secretary of the Finnish Economic Society, members could fall back on this moral economy of trust in order to convince others of their unselfish actions.