Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making the Smithkline Beecham merger work

Perhaps it is an understatement to say that merging two large companies, one predominantly American and the other British, is difficult. Moreover, a merger of such magnitude takes time. This article is, therefore, a “progress report” of the merger that officially began in July of 1989 between the former SmithKline Beckman corporation with the former Beecham, plc. The authors provide suggestions and some guidelines for what facilitates an effective merger, describe the process that has occurred thus far (with particular emphasis on the establishment of values and leadership practices for the desired merger culture), and conclude with the overall model that frames the culture initiative and change effort.
An Optimization Approach to Design of Generalized BSB Neural Associative Memories

This article is concerned with the synthesis of the optimally performing GBSB (generalized brain-state-in-a-box) neural associative memory given a set of desired binary patterns to be stored as asymptotically stable equilibrium points. Based on some known qualitative properties and newly observed fundamental properties of the GBSB model, the synthesis problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Next, we convert this problem into a quasi-convex optimization problem called GEVP (generalized eigenvalue problem). This conversion is particularly useful in practice, because GEVPs can be efficiently solved by recently developed interior point methods. Design examples are given to illustrate the proposed approach and to compare with existing synthesis methods.
How to conduct a " Senior Management Review " for Agile Project

Organizations delivering offshore software development services have traditionally focused on CMMI framework to deliver quality software. With agile methodologies gaining more wide spread acceptance, such organizations cannot stay away from them. There are concerns about combining agile methodologies with offshoring. There are also concerns about mismatch of agile methodologies with CMMI framework. In this paper we have looked at the problem from the perspective of an offshore software development organization and recounted our experience in adopting agile methodology in executing fixed price agile project. The challenges we have faced comes from three different dimensions. First is to address the issue of having an agile team split across two different countries. The second is to execute the agile project within the framework prescribed under CMMI. Here the challenge is not only to address the actual gap between CMMI and agile methodologies but also to address the perceived shortcomings of agile methodologies. The third dimension is to execute the project as a fixed price one where the requirement is not frozen at the beginning of the
Radiofrequency Ablation of Unresectable Primary and Metastatic Hepatic Malignancies: Results in 123 Patients

Although relatively uncommon in Western countries, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is probably the most common solid cancer in the world, with an annual incidence estimated to be at least 1 million new patients. 1–5 The optimal treatment for HCC is surgical excision with curative intent. Unfortunately, only 5% to 15% of newly diagnosed patients with HCC undergo a potentially curative resection. 6–11 Patients with disease confined to the liver may not be candidates for resection because of multifocal disease, proximity of tumor to key vascular or biliary structures that precludes a margin-negative resection, or inadequate functional hepatic reserve related to coexistent cirrhosis. Because there are few other curative treatment options in patients with unresectable liver-only disease, HCC is also one of the most lethal human malignancies, with 94% of patients dying as a result of their HCC. 12 The liver is second only to lymph nodes as a common site of metastasis from other solid cancers. 13 It is not uncommon, particularly in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, for the liver to be the only site of metastatic disease. Surgical resection of hepatic metastases in patients with colorectal cancer and carefully selected patients with other types of primary tumors with liver-only metastases can result in a significant long-term survival benefit in 20% to 35% of patients. 14–17 Further, prolongation of survival and significant palliation of symptoms may occur in many patients in whom cancer recurrence subsequently develops after resection of hepatic metastases. Once again, however, less than 10% to 15% of patients with liver-only solid tumor metastases are candidates for resection because of the presence of bilobar disease in which resection would sacrifice too great a volume of normal hepatic parenchyma; potentially unfavorable biology with the presence of more than four metastases; or tumor proximity to major vascular or biliary structures where at least a 1-cm tumor-free margin cannot be achieved. 18,19 Thus, for the majority of patients with primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies who are not candidates for surgical resection, novel treatment approaches to control and potentially to cure the liver disease must be explored. Localized application of thermal energy produces destruction of tumor cells. When tumor cells are heated above 45° to 50°C, intracellular proteins are denatured and cell membranes are destroyed through dissolution and melting of lipid bilayers. 20–23 Thus, unlike cryoablation, thermal ablation produces direct cytodestruction in treated tissues. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a localized thermal treatment technique designed to produce tumor destruction by heating tumor tissue to temperatures that exceed 50°C. In this study, we report our initial results in 123 patients with primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies treated with RFA of their liver tumors.
Education, Health, and Economic Growth Nexus: A Bootstrap Panel Granger Causality Analysis for Developing Countries

This paper empirically analyzes the possible existence of Granger causality among three variables; education expenditure, health expenditure, and economic growth for the selected eight developing countries Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey over the period 1995-2012. For this purpose, we employ the Bootstrap Panel Granger Causality approach. Our analysis shows no robust evidence of Granger causality among education expenditure, health expenditure and economic growth for all the countries considered in this paper; only in two of eight developing countries Brazil and Mexicoa positive and significant causality running from both education and health expenditures to economic growth was observed; however, this result was significantly negative for Indonesia.
Family Ownership, Institutional Ownership, and Internationalization of SMEs*

Family ownership has been recognized as an important determinant of corporate strategic choices; however, little research investigates the effects of family ownership and corporate governance on internationalization in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper utilizes agency theory and the resource‐based view to analyze the relationships between family ownership, institutional ownership, and internationalization. Using a sample of Taiwanese SMEs, the finding of a positive family ownership–internationalization relationship suggests that family ownership may encourage internationalization. The interaction of family ownership and institutional ownership is positively related to internationalization, suggesting that SMEs with high family ownership are more likely to internationalize as institutional ownership increases.
The Institutionalization of a Voting Bloc

UCH of the current literature on decision-making in Congress is concerned with conflicting considerations a member must weigh or cross-pressures to which he is subjected. Frequently minimized, if not entirely overlooked, is the more fundamental problem of how he acquires an intelligent basis for any decision. How does he become acquainted with all the factors he should take into account? Amidst the welter of conflicting stimuli and many competing demands on his time, how does he even determine which issues merit his serious attention? With the impossibility of familiarizing himself with more than a fraction of the measures on which he must adopt a stand, whence does he turn for voting cues? Because of the requirements of their situation, the over-all leaders in either chamber do not afford much in the way of systematic guidance on how to vote. Once having settled upon a course of action, how does the individual member concert his efforts with those of like-minded colleagues to promote the objectives he favors? Essentially, these are all problems of communication. And they are particularly acute in the House of Representatives with nearly five hundred members, complicated and restrictive procedures, and internal power structures of almost incredible complexity and subtlety. The House Democratic Study Group, whose genesis is described below, is an institutional response to these needs for improved communication devised by liberal Democratic Representatives during the 86th Congress. During the past forty years, one of the most striking developments in Congress has been the rise of factional groupings. Since the early 1920's, newspapers, periodicals, and books have contained accounts of the "Farm Bloc," "Labor Bloc," "Bonus Bloc," and a variety of other blocs, actual and alleged. Some of these have represented nothing more than evanescent alignments on specific measures and have been largely figments of journalistic imagination. Others have persisted for protracted
A 1V CMOS LNA for low power ultra-wideband systems

This paper presents a broadband LNA for low power, low data-rate ultra-wideband systems in the frequency band of 100-960 MHz. The LNA is based on a common-gate structure with active shunt-feedback to provide a broadband 50 Omega input match and a low noise figure with minimal bias current. The simulated power gain of the LNA is 10.5 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1.66 GHz. The noise figure across the entire band is between 5.5 and 6 dB with an average value of 5.6 dB. The IIP3 ranges from -3.5 to -5.5 dBm, with an average value of -4.4 dBm. The circuit is designed using a standard 90 nm CMOS process, and draws only 425 muA from a 1 V supply.
The Link between Remittances and Economic Growth: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh

The main objective of this paper is to examine the link between remittances and economic growth in Bangladesh based on annual time series data ranges from 1976 to 2011. Using Granger causalities under Vector Autoregression (VAR) methodology to investigate the six possible directions that might link remittances and economic growth, trade and economic growth; and inflation and economic growth, we found bi-directional causality between remittances and economic growth, uni-directional causality between inflation and economic growth and no causality between trade and economic growth. In short period using impulse response functions, shocks on remittance growth could help to explain the effects on economic growth and similarly shocks on economic growth could help to explain the remittances growth in Bangladesh.
Conflict, Institutions, and Economic Behavior: Legacies of the Cambodian Genocide

This paper examines potential long-term effects of the Cambodian genocide under the Pol Pot regime (1975-'79) on individual economic behaviors, taking into account underlying institutions. Combining spatial genocide data and census microdata, we examine effects of the genocide on subsequent parental investments in children's education of couples who had their first child during and after the Pol Pot regime. Under the state ownership of spouses and children, resulting from the complete denial of private ownership, the two couples had different institutional experiences during the Pol Pot regime: the former couples were controlled as family organizations, whereas the latter ones were controlled as individuals. Our results suggest that the genocide negatively influenced subsequent educational investments in children among the former couples, but not the latter ones. We provide underlying mechanisms behind these findings, which are coherent with social context.
Inventory Model with Time-Dependent Holding cost under Inflation when Seller Credits to Order Quantity

In this study an inventory model is developed under which the seller provides the retailer a permissible delay in payments, if the retailer orders a large quantity. In this paper we establish an inventory model for non deteriorating items and time dependent holding cost under inflation when seller offers permissible delay to the retailer, if the order quantity is greater than or equal to a predetermined quantity. We then obtain optimal solution for finding optimal order quantity, optimal replenishment time and optimal total relevant cost. Finally, numerical example is given to illustrate the theoretical results and made sensitive analysis of various parameters on the optimal solution.
ANALISIS PENETAPAN PROFIT MARGIN PADA PRODUK PEMBIAYAAN MURABAHAH (Studi Kasus Pada BMT-MMU Sidogiri, Pasuruan)

The purpose of the research on BMT-MMU is to determine (1) Procedures murabaha (2) The murabaha margin. Methods of research using descriptive methods, sources of data in this study there are two sources of primary data and secondary data sources. Financing procedures in BMT-MMU financing system adopted in accordance with shariah guidelines, effective and efficient with the provisions previously a partner opened a savings account. Murabaha margin percentage margin calculation formula and the selling price. Keyword: Margin, financing, Murabahah.
Influence of fermentation time, cryoprotectant and neutralization of cell concentrate on freeze‐drying survival, storage stability, and acid and bile exposure of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis cells produced without milk‐based ingredients

Aims: To investigate the stability of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis VTT E‐012010 (=Bb‐12) during freeze‐drying, storage and acid and bile exposure. The effect of harvesting time and composition and pH of the cryoprotectant on the survival was evaluated. The procedure was performed by using a milk‐free culture medium and cryoprotectants to produce cells for nonmilk‐based applications.
Coping With Demand: Managing International Student Numbers at New Zealand Universities

Export education in New Zealand dates from the 1950s, with international students coming to study through the Commonwealth Colombo Plan. There has been a dramatic increase of international students studying in New Zealand. This research asks the questions: Are New Zealand public universities having to manage the international student numbers they face? If so, by what processes are they managing the numbers, and to what target number or percentages are these New Zealand education institutions aspiring? Selected for the study were the eight public universities in New Zealand. Of all respondents, seven have a target or quota of international students at their institution, ranging from 12% to 20% of the total enrolment. New Zealand public universities, although recognising the important contribution international students make to revenue streams and the internationalisation of their institution, saw it as important to consider other objectives and to manage international student numbers.
Controlling Money Supply And Price Level With Unknown Regime Shifts: The Case Of Chile

This paper investigates the relationship between money supply and price level using new tests for cointegration with two unknown regime shifts and bootstrap causality tests. Quarterly Chilean data from 1973: I to 2006: III is used. We find empirical evidence that the variables establish a long-run steady state relationship in the presence of two regime shifts. The elasticity of price level with regard to money supply is close to unity during the first period (prior to 1978: II). The elasticity is reduced during the second period (1978: III-1986: I) and it is also reduced for the remaining period but the reduction is smaller. We also conducted bootstrap causality tests that reveal the following: in the first sub-period there is bidirectional causality between the underlying variables. In the last two sub-periods money supply causes the price level only. This implies that money supply is weakly exogenous concerning the price level and that the monetary authority had enough independence to execute an active monetary policy in Chile.
Judgemental revision of sales forecasts: A longitudinal eetension

When quantitative models are used for short-term multi-item sales forecasts it is possible that the managers who use such forecasts may disagree with at least some of the estimates obtained, and wish to change them so that they become more consistent with their own (subjective) evaluation of the marketplace. This study reports on an analysis of the effectiveness of judgemental revision of sales forecasts over six quarterly forecasting periods. The results give general support for the practice of forecast manipulation as a means of improving forecasting accuracy. It is also observed that the effectiveness of revision activity varies across different time periods.
Evidence for phage-mediated gene transfer among Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains on the phylloplane

As the use of genetically engineered microorganisms for agricultural tasks becomes more frequent, the ability of bacteria to exchange genetic material in the agricultural setting must be assessed. Transduction (bacterial virus-mediated horizontal gene transfer) is a potentially important mechanism of gene transfer in natural environments. This study investigated the potential of plant leaves to act as surfaces on which transduction can take place among microorganisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its generalized transducing bacteriophage F116 were used as a model system. The application of P. aeruginosa lysogens of F116 to plant leaves resulted in genetic exchange among donor and recipient organisms resident on the same plant. Transduction was also observed when these bacterial strains were inoculated onto adjacent plants and contact was made possible through high-density planting.
A Novel Quality of Service Assessment of Multimedia Traffic over Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

With the extensive growth of the Internet, wireless technology, and multimedia applications, quality of service (QoS) monitoring and measurement of the networks have become important. Network measurements are carried out to obtain information about important QoS parameters such as delay, loss and jitter. Each type of multimedia applications has its own requirements and limits on these parameters. To evaluate the QoS of multimedia applications transmitted over wireless networks, a fuzzy logic assessment system has been developed. The system showed how the end-to-end QoS could be measured without the necessity for complex mathematical models. The measured QoS were classified into three categories Good, Average, and Poor regions. In addition, and based on the proposed system, the distributions and the overall QoS were estimated. The results indicated that the measured QoS was a good indication of the network conditions and resource availability.
Environmental information in annual reports: a survey of Swedish accountants

This paper presents an investigation of how the new demands for auditing environmental information in the administrative reports are perceived by Swedish accountants. Responses from 123 surveyed authorized public accountants show that they have a positive attitude towards environmental information. The accountants demand additional training and they believe that the amount of environmental information companies present is going to increase in the future, or at least not decrease. The survey results are analyzed from the basis of two perspectives: large auditing firms have better resources to educate, guide and train their employees than small auditing firms; and accountants with experiences in auditing environmental information have more training and a different attitude towards environmental information compared to accountants with no experiences. Whether or not accountants have received any special training differs significantly between accountants with experience from auditing environmental information, and those with none.
Anthrax toxin edema factor: a bacterial adenylate cyclase that increases cyclic AMP concentrations of eukaryotic cells.

Anthrax toxin is composed of three proteins: protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF). These proteins individually cause no known physiological effects in animals but in pairs produce two toxic actions. Injection of PA with LF causes death of rats in 60 min, whereas PA with EF causes edema in the skin of rabbits and guinea pigs. The mechanisms of action of these proteins have not been determined. It is shown here that EF is an adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6. 1.1] produced by Bacillus anthracis in an inactive form. Activation occurs upon contact with a heat-stable eukaryotic cell material. The specific activity of the resulting adenylate cyclase nearly equals that of the most active known cyclase. In Chinese hamster ovary cells exposed to PA and EF, cAMP concentrations increase without a lag to values about 200-fold above normal, remain high in the continued presence of toxin, and decrease rapidly after its removal. The increase in cAMP is completely blocked by excess LF. It is suggested that PA interacts with cells to form a receptor system by which EF and perhaps LF gain access to the cytoplasm.
Understanding the Complex Dynamics of Transparency

This article contributes to the growing body of literature on government transparency by developing a model for studying the construction of transparency in interactions between governments and stakeholders. Building on theories about complex decision making, a heuristic model is developed that consists of a strategic, a cognitive, and an institutional perspective. To test the model's value, it is applied to two empirical cases: Dutch schools and the Council of the European Union. Applying the model to the school case provides insights into the connection between the introduction of transparency and the transformation in arrangements for safeguarding school quality. The case of the Council of the European Union highlights the role of transparency in the transformation of the council from a supranational to an intergovernmental body. The article concludes that the heuristic model, together with in-depth, longitudinal case studies, helps us understand government transparency in relation to broader transformations in the public sector.