Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Happy Families or Poor Relations? — An Exploration of Familial Analogies in the Small Firm

RUTH HOLLIDAY IS WITH THE University of Central England in Birmingham and Gayle Letherby with Staffordshire University, England. The empirical data for this paper were collected as part of a wider project looking at the nature of operations management in the smaller manufacturing firm. The study uses ethnography in a number of small companies for periods of up to two months at a time. In these companies references by both owners and employees to the company being like a family were frequently made and this led the researchers to wonder why the analogy was used and what exactly was meant by it. Much work exists which either states that small firms are like "a happy family" or that they are "not happy and are therefore not like a family". The researchers thought that perhaps the family analogy was a useful one and could be used to explain authority structures, working relationships and exploitative practices within the small firm, particularly where these are to the detriment of women workers. They found that the description was small firms being "like a family" usually appeared to be used in a positive sense but as in the family the reality of daily life did not meet the ideal.
A single-motion-vector/cycle-generation optical flow processor employing directional-edge histogram matching

A VLSI optical flow processor capable of generating a single motion vector at every clock cycle has been developed. By employing a directional-edge histogram matching, the computational cost has been reduced and the influence of illumination change has been alleviated as well. In order to generate an edge histogram in a single clock cycle, a special data allocation scheme in on-chip SRAM banks has been developed. In addition, a parallel shift and matching architecture using compact absolute difference circuits has been introduced. As a result, single-motion-vector/cycle generation from an arbitrary pixel location has been established. A prototype chip was fabricated in a 0.18-µm 5-metal CMOS technology and the measurement results demonstrated about 1,000 times faster performance at a clock frequency of 20MHz than the software processing using a 2.8-GHz CPU.
Optimal Selling of an Asset with Jumps Under Incomplete Information

ABSTRACT We study the optimal liquidation strategy of an asset with price process satisfying a jump diffusion model with unknown jump intensity. It is assumed that the intensity takes one of two given values, and we have an initial estimate for the probability of both of them. As time goes by, by observing the price fluctuations, we can thus update our beliefs about the probabilities for the intensity distribution. We formulate an optimal stopping problem describing the optimal liquidation problem. It is shown that the optimal strategy is to liquidate the first time the point process falls below (goes above) a certain time-dependent boundary.
The vent-like homeobox gene VENTX promotes human myeloid differentiation and is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia

Recent data indicate that a variety of regulatory molecules active in embryonic development may also play a role in the regulation of early hematopoiesis. Here we report that the human Vent-like homeobox gene VENTX, a putative homolog of the Xenopus xvent2 gene, is a unique regulatory hematopoietic gene that is aberrantly expressed in CD34+ leukemic stem-cell candidates in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Quantitative RT–PCR documented expression of the gene in lineage positive hematopoietic subpopulations, with the highest expression in CD33+ myeloid cells. Notably, expression levels of VENTX were negligible in normal CD34+/CD38− or CD34+ human progenitor cells. In contrast to this, leukemic CD34+/CD38− cells from AML patients with translocation t(8,21) and normal karyotype displayed aberrantly high expression of VENTX. Gene expression and pathway analysis demonstrated that in normal CD34+ cells enforced expression of VENTX initiates genes associated with myeloid development and down-regulates genes involved in early lymphoid development. Functional analyses confirmed that aberrant expression of VENTX in normal CD34+ human progenitor cells perturbs normal hematopoietic development, promoting generation of myeloid cells and impairing generation of lymphoid cells in vitro and in vivo. Stable knockdown of VENTX expression inhibited the proliferation of human AML cell lines. Taken together, these data extend our insights into the function of embryonic mesodermal factors in human postnatal hematopoiesis and indicate a role for VENTX in normal and malignant myelopoiesis.
Developing a hospital quality improvement initiative in Lesotho.

PURPOSE Hospital-based quality improvement (QI) programs are becoming increasingly common in developing countries as a sustainable method of strengthening health systems. The aim of this paper is to present the results and lessons learned from a QI program in a large, rural, district hospital in Lesotho, Southern Africa. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Over a 15-month period, a locally-relevant, hospital-wide QI program was developed and implemented. The QI program consisted of: planning meetings with district and hospitals staff; creation of multi-disciplinary QI teams; establishment of a QI steering committee; design and implementation of a locally appropriate QI curriculum; and monthly consultation from technical advisers. Initial QI programming was developed in three distinct areas: maternity care, out-patient care, and referral systems. FINDINGS Partogram documentation in the maternity department increased by 78 percent, waiting time for critically ill patients in the out-patient department was reduced by 84 percent, and emergency referral times were reduced by 58 percent. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The design and early implementation of QI programs should focus on easily achievable, locally-relevant improvement projects. It was found that early successes helped to fuel further QI gains and the authors believe that the work building sustainable QI skill sets within hospital staff could be useful in the future when attempting to tackle larger national-level quality of care indicators. The findings add to the existing evidence suggesting that an increased use of locally-relevant quality improvement programming could help strengthen health care systems in low resource settings.
O Protocolo de Kyoto e os países em desenvolvimento: uma avaliação da utilização do Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo

This paper aimed to evidence the benefits, opportunities and differences considered by Kyoto Protocol proposed for the developing countries. The Protocol analysis shows the differences related to treatment of developed and developing countries. The CDM, as a flexibility tool, favors the technologies and know-how from new enterprises transfers and stimulates sustainable development in CDM host countries. Beyond these benefits, the in development countries are allowed to get financial resources through CERs inter countries trading. If well applied, the CDM allows the in development countries to associate economic growth and technological development with the reduction of atmosphere pollution.
A New Outside Option Value for Networks: The Kappa-Value – Measuring Distribution of Power of Political Agreements

In an economic or social situation where agents have to group in order to achieve common goals, how can we calculate the coalitional rents of the agents arising from the coalition formation? Once we have formalized the situation via a TU-game and a network describing the economic structure, we can apply different allocation rules to assign the coalitional rents to the agents. We specifically analyze situations where parties with a specific vote distribution in a parliament have to build agreements in order to reach some required quorum. In this situation, we want to measure the (relative) distribution of power. We analyze the allocation rules called Position value (Meessen (1988) and Borm et al. (1992)) and graph-chi-value (Casajus (2009)). Applying the generalized framework (Gomez et al. (2008)), a framework where coalitions are not established yet, we fi nd that the graph-chi-value does not differ for networks referring to the same coalition while the Position value takes into account the specific role of an agent within the network, i.e. the communication path. We define and characterize a new outside option sensitive value, the Kappa-value, which takes into account both outside options and the role of an agent within the network.
The effects of work:rest duration on physiological and perceptual responses during intermittent exercise and performance

Abstract In this study, we examined the effects of different work:rest durations during 20 min intermittent treadmill running and subsequent performance. Nine males (mean age 25.8 years, s = 6.8; body mass 73.9 kg, s = 8.8; stature 1.75 m, s = 0.05; [Vdot]O2max 55.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 5.8) undertook repeated sprints at 120% of the speed at which [Vdot]O2max was attained interspersed with passive recovery. The work:rest ratio was constant (1:1.5) with trials involving either short (6:9 s) or long (24:36 s) work:rest exercise protocols (total exercise time 8 min). Each trial was followed by a performance run to volitional exhaustion at the same running speed. Testing order was randomized and counterbalanced. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood glucose were similar between trials (P > 0.05). Blood lactate concentration was greater during the long than the short exercise protocol (P < 0.05), whereas blood pH was lower during the long than the short exercise protocol (7.28, s = 0.11 and 7.30, s = 0.03 at 20 min, respectively; P < 0.05). Perceptions of effort were greater throughout exercise for the long than the short exercise protocol (16.6, s = 1.4 and 15.1, s = 1.6 at 20 min, respectively; P < 0.05) and correlated with blood lactate (r = 0.43) and bicarbonate concentrations (r = −0.59; P < 0.05). Although blood lactate concentration at 20 min was related to performance time (r = −0.56; P < 0.05), no differences were observed between trials for time to exhaustion (short exercise protocol: 95.8 s, s = 30.0; long exercise protocol: 92.0 s, s = 37.1) or physiological responses at exhaustion (P > 0.05). Our results demonstrate that 20 min of intermittent exercise involving a long work:rest duration elicits greater metabolic and perceptual strain than intermittent exercise undertaken with a short work:rest duration but does not affect subsequent run time to exhaustion.
Micro/nanorobots for biomedicine: Delivery, surgery, sensing, and detoxification

Small robots may solve big challenges in biomedicine, including diagnosis, detoxification, drug delivery, and surgery. Micro- and nanoscale robots that can effectively convert diverse energy sources into movement and force represent a rapidly emerging and fascinating robotics research area. Recent advances in the design, fabrication, and operation of micro/nanorobots have greatly enhanced their power, function, and versatility. The new capabilities of these tiny untethered machines indicate immense potential for a variety of biomedical applications. This article reviews recent progress and future perspectives of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine, with a special focus on their potential advantages and applications for directed drug delivery, precision surgery, medical diagnosis, and detoxification. Future success of this technology, to be realized through close collaboration between robotics, medical, and nanotechnology experts, should have a major impact on disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Sovereign Risk Premium and Divergent Fiscal Policies in a Monetary Union

During the euro area (EA) sovereign debt crisis, lenders in financial markets raised default risk premiums on sovereign bonds issued by countries that were then considered too risky. Among some of these countries (especially Greece), fiscal policy had not been implemented according to good practices. In particular, the lack of fiscal discipline stemmed from pro-cyclical public spending. The (over-) reaction of financial markets translated into a sharp increase in the level of long-term interest rates in crisis-hit countries. Consequently, these countries were confronted with severe difficulties in trying to reduce public indebtedness. Moreover, the cost of borrowing for the private sector increased. In this article, we study the effects of asymmetric shocks causing a rise in the sovereign risk premium of one country of a monetary union. We analyze their effects on the domestic country (the one hit by the shock) and the spillovers on the rest of the union (RoU). To do so, we build an open monetary union DSGE model in which member countries are different from one another with regard to the degree of fiscal discipline (pro-cyclical versus counter-cyclical fiscal behaviour). We show that such a model is suitable to explain the mechanisms underlying divergent macroeconomic performance across EA countries after the Greek sovereign debt crisis.
Fast and accurate solution of eigenvalue problems for generalized ridge waveguides

A numerically efficient solution of the eigenvalue problems for TE- and TM-modes of the complex cross section waveguides with a generalized stepped profile is presented. The proposed problem formulation takes into consideration the wide range of the multi-ridge waveguide structures. The solution is based on Galerkin method with taking into account the edge condition. The weighted Gegenbauer polynomials are used as basis functions which ensure dramatically fast convergence and the high accuracy of the proposed method. The calculated spectra of 10-ridge and 20-ridge waveguides are studied.
Minimum variance beamformer applied to frequency components of the RF signal of the eye: Enhancing the image quality of curved interfaces

Minimum variance beamformer has high potential in improving image quality through an adaptive apodization weight optimization approach, but its impact is conventionally limited to lateral resolution enhancements. Recently, we reported a high range resolution technique that applies minimum variance beamformer to the frequency components of the RF signal after a delay-and-sum process. The technique has high performance in the improvement of the range resolution when a target has flat interfaces, such as a longitudinal section of an artery. In the present study, we report further advance of this technique to enhance image quality of a normal swine eye whose anatomy is marked by multiple layers of curved interfaces. The reference signal is acquired by the coherent integration of the echoes from isolated interfaces to take account of the attenuation and the interface shape. The proposed technique succeeded to offer a sharp rendering of the cornea boundaries of the swine eye, where the center frequency of the transmit ultrasound pulse was 12 MHz. Computationally, it required 5 seconds using a laptop PC with a single CPU for the depiction of an image in the ROI that consists of 422,528 pixels. We reckon that, if the proposed technique is implemented using GPUs, high-quality images of the eye (with both lateral and range resolution enhancements) can be readily achieved in real time.
Modelling the Behaviour of Export Volumes of Manufactures: an Evaluation of the Performance of Different Measures of International Competitiveness

The objective of this note is to compare the econometric performance of several different equations which attempt to model the behaviour of export volumes of manufactured goods. Such equations usually explain export volumes in terms of an index of world economic activity and an index of competitiveness. This note concentrates on the issue of competitiveness; namely, how should competitiveness be defined and measured when employed in an export volumes equation?
Commonly Employed Rodent Models of Experimental Acute Pancreatitis: Their Strengths and Weaknesses, Relevance to Human Disease, Selection, and Appropriate Use

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a disorder with a sudden onset that can present in mild edematous and severe necrotizing forms (50). Mild AP is usually self-limiting and is characterized by minimal or no distant organ dysfunction and an uncomplicated recovery. In contrast, severe necrotizing AP usually involves organ failure (pulmonary insufficiency, renal failure, shock, etc.), and local complications (such as infected necrosis, abscess, or pseudocyst formation). These complications of severe AP contribute to its high mortality and morbidity rates.
Phage Display-selected Sequences of the Heavy-chain CDR3 Loop of the Anti-digoxin Antibody 26-10 Define a High Affinity Binding Site for Position 16-substituted Analogs of Digoxin*

The heavy-chain CDR3 region of the high affinity (K a = 1.3 × 1010 m − 1) anti-digoxin monoclonal antibody 26-10 was modified previously to shift its specificity, by substitution of tryptophan 100 by arginine, toward binding analogs of digoxin containing substitutions at position 16. To further change specificity, two 5-mer libraries of the randomly mutagenized phage-displayed 26-10 HCDR3 region (positions 94–98) were panned against digoxin-bovine serum albumin (BSA) as well as against 16-acetylgitoxin-BSA. When a mutant Fab that binds 16-substituted analogs preferentially was used as a parent sequence, clones were obtained with affinities for digoxin increased 2–4-fold, by panning on digoxin-BSA yet retaining the specificity shift. Selection on 16-acetylgitoxin-BSA, however, resulted in nine clones that bound gitoxin (16-OH) up to 150-fold higher than the wild-type 26-10, due to a consensus mutation of SerH95 to GlyH95. The residues at both position H95 (serine) and position H100 (tryptophan) contact hapten in the crystal structure of the Fab 26-10-digoxin complex. Thus, by mutating hapten contact residues, it is possible to reorder the combining site of a high affinity antibody, resulting in altered specificity, yet retain or substantially increase the relative affinity for the cross-reactive ligand.
Does it pay to plan?: Strategic planning and financial performance

Previous research on the effects of strategic planning on firm performance has yielded inconsistent and inconclusive findings. In this study, we use a recently validated measurement model of strategic planning to examine the planning-performance relationship in the California processing tomato industry. Results indicate a strong correlation between the degree of emphasis firms place on strategic planning and financial performance. Moreover, several specific strategic planning tools, specifically, the use of a mission statement, long-term goals, and ongoing evaluation, were also more heavily emphasized by high-performing firms. These results suggest that strategic planning does pay off in terms of improved financial performance and that some planning tools may have a significant impact. lEcon-Lit citations: L100, L660r © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Simultaneously printing the redistribution layer and filling of TSVs using a microengineered screen

This article reports the results obtained by screen printing through a microengineered electroformed nickel screen to successfully fill TSVs and print a redistribution layer on Si wafers. Redistribution lines were deposited down to 40μm width at 70μm pitch. Straight through hole sections on the microengineered screen formed a stencil / screen hybrid region enabling TSVs to be filled down to 8.5:1 aspect ratio. However multiple print passes were required to completely fill the vias. Rheological properties of the printing medium play a major impact on the print printing performance.
The Croatian preposition uz: A cognitive approach

objects 151 rame uz rame ‘shoulder to shoulder’, uz bok ‘side by side’, uz ostalo/ino 139 In constructions with static verbs and uz that predominantly convey proximity, the proximity meaning blends with the comitative and accompaniment meanings, especially in contexts in which verbs refer to having or carrying with. In these last contexts, the verbs nositi ‘to carry’, imati ‘to have’, and držati ‘to hold’ frequently occur; see (19): (19) Uza se nosi njezin list. ‘He carries her letter with him’ Examples such as (19) also convey emotional attachment of him to her letter. This implication is stronger with uza se than it would be with sa sobom ‘with him’. The group of verbs with similar stems that appear in static and dynamic uz-constructions—that is, posture verbs and change of posture verbs—may have
Neural microgenesis of personally familiar face recognition

Significance We addressed the open question of how the human brain recognizes personally familiar faces. A dynamic visual-stimulation paradigm revealed that familiar face recognition is achieved first and foremost in medial and anterior temporal regions of the extended face-processing system. These regions, including the amygdala, respond categorically to individual familiar faces. In contrast, activation in posterior core face-preferential regions is associated with the amount of visual information available, irrespective of familiarity. Through integration of core and extended face-processing systems, these observations provide a common framework for understanding the neural basis of familiar face recognition. Despite a wealth of information provided by neuroimaging research, the neural basis of familiar face recognition in humans remains largely unknown. Here, we isolated the discriminative neural responses to unfamiliar and familiar faces by slowly increasing visual information (i.e., high-spatial frequencies) to progressively reveal faces of unfamiliar or personally familiar individuals. Activation in ventral occipitotemporal face-preferential regions increased with visual information, independently of long-term face familiarity. In contrast, medial temporal lobe structures (perirhinal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus) and anterior inferior temporal cortex responded abruptly when sufficient information for familiar face recognition was accumulated. These observations suggest that following detailed analysis of individual faces in core posterior areas of the face-processing network, familiar face recognition emerges categorically in medial temporal and anterior regions of the extended cortical face network.
A Closer Examination of the Impact of Zoo Visits on Visitor Behaviour

Zoos suggest that they can play a role in fostering conservation behaviour, but there is only limited research support for such claims. This article examines why there might be a difference between the stated potential for zoos to influence visitor behaviour and existing research findings. The present study utilises a research design, methods and instruments that provide more sensitive measures of conservation behaviour outcomes. In particular, a distinction is made between behaviours that were already known to visitors and new/unknown behaviours. Two behaviours communicated during a bird presentation at an Australian zoo (recycling and removing road kill from the road) were chosen to test. Results include that, 81% of the respondents recalled hearing the conservation actions during the presentation and 54% stated an intention to increase their commitment or start an action. In 38 follow-up telephone interviews six months after their visit, 26 stated that they had started or increased their commitment to an action. However, only three had started a new action and these were actions previously known to them. The results frame a discussion on actions that zoos may wish to target if they wish to communicate more successfully.