Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accounting for input in comitology committees: an uncomfortable silence

This article analyses to what extent comitology is an accountable form of governance. Past research related to this question exclusively focused on the formal arrangements between European institutions and the comitology committees, and showed that accountability is on the increase but still quite poorly developed. However, it took no notice of an equally important set of actors: the superiors of the committee participants working in national ministries. This article uses new survey and interview data collected among Dutch and Danish superiors of committee participants. It shows that superiors are generally able to sanction or reward the behaviour of their subordinates, but they do not actively process information and they do not often discuss the input of the committee participants. This article concludes that accountability for this multilevel governance setting is lost somewhere between the European and national levels.
Context in political communication : measurement and effects on political behavior

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Wireless Sensor Networks for Distributed Chemical Sensing: Addressing Power Consumption Limits With On-Board Intelligence

Chemicals detection and quantification is extremely important for ensuring safety and security in multiple application domains like smart environments, building automation, etc. Characteristics of chemical signal propagation make single point of measure approach mostly inefficient. Distributed chemical sensing with wireless platforms may be the key for reconstructing chemical images of sensed environment but its development is currently hampered by technological limits on solid-state sensors power management. We present the implementation of power saving sensor censoring strategies on a novel wireless electronic nose platform specifically designed for cooperative chemical sensing and based on TinyOS. An on-board sensor fusion component complements its software architecture with the capability of locally estimate air quality and chemicals concentrations. Each node is hence capable to decide the informative content of sampled data extending the operative lifespan of the entire network. Actual power savings are modeled and estimated with a measurement approach in experimental scenarios.
R&D-MARKETING INTEGRATION IN THE NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

The requirement of quick accommodation to dynamic changes strengthens the role of knowledge flow in interfunctional relations. The requirement of integrated knowledge is the most explicit in the relations of R+D and marketing, researchers are increasingly aware of its key role in innovation. The integration of R+D and marketing – the interface problem – is a decisive field in current international innovation researches; particularly its role in the development of new product is in the limelight. The issue of integration is complex, the possibility and necessity to connect knowledge elements are influenced by a wide range of external and organizational factors. There is close relation between integration and the strategic behavior of companies. The goal of theoretical researches is to reveal the causes of integration niche in order to create efficient and productive interface.
The dynamics of employee involvement and participation during turbulent times

Given that the global financial crisis (GFC) has impacted on patterns of human resource management, it is likely that this has also shaped employee involvement and participation (EIP). Unfortunately, very little independent and reliable data are available following the GFC; so, despite using material from company reports and a small survey conducted in the North West of the England, this paper also draws on literature and data from earlier periods of crisis and turbulence to examine how EIP can change at organisational level. The argument is developed around three quite different scenarios: theories of cycles and waves; contrasting business models and product market situations; HR architecture and sub-contracting. This shows that responses are generally uneven but a lot depends on the history of management–employee relations at the organisational level, as well as the context in which the organisation operates and the choices that senior managers make about how to respond to crisis and turbulent times. The paper concludes by suggesting that the regulatory space available in liberal market economies (LMEs) allows employers to choose from a range of options, whereas in co-ordinated market economies, where EIP is more deeply embedded into the institutional structure of the country, employers are more likely to continue involving their staff in some way to deal with crisis. In LMEs, employers aiming to differentiate themselves from the competition are more likely to seek creative responses that are based around higher levels of employee engagement.
Marmoset CYP3A21, a model for human CYP3A4: Protein expression and functional characterization of the promoter

Due to its small size and the relative evolutionary proximity, the marmoset has been proposed as a model for studies of human drug interactions and metabolism. The current study investigated the expression and regulation of marmoset CYP3A using mass spectrometry and reporter gene techniques. Expression levels of hepatic marmoset CYP3A protein range from 51 to 123 pmol mg−1 total protein (mean 85.2 pmol mg−1, n = 10) and CYP3A21 is the dominant hepatic CYP3A protein in marmosets. The sequence similarity between human CYP3A4 and CYP3A21 across the first 7.5 kb of the cloned CYP3A21 promoter is 88% within the xenobiotic-responsive enhancer module (XREM) and the proximal promoter. Both regulatory modules confer transcriptional activation of CYP3A21-luciferase reporter gene constructs cotransfected with hPXR in intestinal LS174T cells. The pronounced response to rifampin and the moderate response to dexamethasone were similar to those observed with CYP3A4. Taken collectively, these data establish substantial similarities in expression and gene regulation between marmoset CYP3A21 and human CYP3A4. CYP3A21 may be an equivalent of CYP3A4 in New World monkeys, consistent with the phylogenetic relationship between these genes. The marmoset, therefore, appears to be a suitable in vivo model to study CYP3A4 function and regulation.
CHALLENGES AND TRENDS IN FOREIGN TRADE FOR BUILDING THE RESILIENT ECONOMY OF UKRAINE

The study aims to assess the impact of foreign trade on the national economy's resilience in globalization. In research, it develops a methodology to identify the challenges and risks to the national economy in foreign trade. This methodology is approved on the example of Ukraine's economy. Indicators of Ukraine's foreign trade indicate the presence of such “narrow” places in the economy as the abilities: to adapt to external market's conditions, to respond fluctuations in demand for Ukrainian goods and recover from negative influences. This necessitates the creation of a national monitoring system of the economic trends in other countries, on the major commodity and financial markets, and the creation of not only “early warning” system, but “rapid response” to the processes in the global economy.
Impacts of new routes and ports on spatial competition for containerized imports into the United States

Major changes are occurring in the logistics of container shipping including growth in demands, increased ship size and development of new ports and routes to serve the US market. The Panama Canal is in the process of being expanded and potential exists for shipping through the Northwest Passage in addition to new ports being developed on the West Coasts of Canada and Mexico. All these alternatives are expected to compete with the US logistics system. The purpose of this paper is to analyse prospective impacts of these changes on the container flows for shipments to the US markets. A spatial network flow model of the logistics for containerized imports into the United States is developed. It includes ocean shipping in different size vessels operating as strings, port handling, congestion costs and rail shipping. The base model calibrates well with historical shipments through ports and the interior rail system. Then, we analyse impacts of new ports and routes on the US system.
Taxonomy of cost of quality (COQ) across the enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation phases

Companies declare that quality or customer satisfaction is their top priority in order to keep and attract more business in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The cost of quality (COQ) is a tool which can help determine the optimal level of quality investment. COQ analysis enables organizations to identify measure and control the consequences of poor quality. This study attempts to identify the COQ elements across the enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation phases for the ERP implementation services of consultancy companies. The findings provide guidance to project managers on how best to utilize their limited resources. In summary, we suggest that project teams should focus on “value-added” activities and minimize the cost of “non-value-added” activities at each phase of the ERP implementation project. Key words: Services, ERP implementation services, quality standard, service quality standard, cost of quality, project management, project quality management, project financial management.
Predictors of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among patients seen by private practitioners.

OBJECTIVE To identify the predictors of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among patients tested by general practitioners. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING General private practice, family planning and abortion clinic, adolescent clinic, sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic and community health clinic in downtown Montreal. PATIENTS The 2856 patients were included because of symptoms compatible with an STD, a history of sexual contact with a person known or suspected to have chlamydial infection, a history of a nonexclusive sexual relationship or presentation for an abortion. MEASURES Patient information was obtained by the attending physician on a standard form. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for Chlamydia trachomatis and culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae were performed on cervical (female) or urethral (male) samples. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of infection. RESULTS The EIA results were positive in 11.1% of the cases and the culture results in 2.3%. Among the males chlamydial infection was independently associated with low age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.88 per year), heterosexuality (OR = 4.99), urethral discharge (OR = 3.74) and the absence of a history of gonorrhea (OR = 0.51). Gonorrhea was associated with urethral discharge (OR = 24.3) and homosexuality (OR = 3.68). Among the females chlamydial infection was associated with low age (OR = 0.79 per year), a history of sexual contact with a person known to have chlamydial infection (OR = 2.30), multiple sexual partners in the previous 12 months (OR = 1.60) and a reason for the test other than screening purposes (OR = 0.60). Gonorrhea was associated with a reason other than screening (OR = 0.24) and low age (OR = 0.74 per year). Among the patients tested for screening purposes age was the only significant predictor of chlamydial infection (OR = 0.79 per year), and the prevalence of gonorrhea was 0.4%. The actual rate of chlamydial infection was 11.8% among the patients younger than 25 years, 5.7% among those 25 to 34 years and 0.6% among those over 34. CONCLUSIONS Age alone can be used as a criterion to screen for chlamydial infection among asymptomatic patients without a history of sexual contact with a person known or suspected to have such infection and with a history of a nonexclusive relationship. The prevalence in our population justifies screening people up to 34 years of age.
[Topical silver sulfadiazine-induced acute renal failure].

INTRODUCTION Prolonged topical application of silver sulfadiazine cream can induce argyria and adverse effects of sulphonamides. We report a case of a woman with acute renal failure following repeated applications of topical silver sulfadiazine on pyoderma gangrenosum wounds. CASE REPORT A 61 year-old woman suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and scleroderma was treated with corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/day) and topical application of silver sulfadiazine cream (200 g/day) for extensive pyoderma gangrenosum wounds on the legs. Three weeks later, the patient was transferred to intensive care because of pulmonary edema, oligoanuria and disrupted consciousness. Laboratory data revealed leukopenia (1100/mm(3)) with neutropenia and renal failure (serum creatinine 316 micromol/l). Proteinuria was moderate and ultrasonography of the kidneys was normal. Silver concentration in blood was 1818 nmol/l (N < 92 nmol/l) and 1381 nmol/l (N < 9 nmol/l) in urine. Sulfadiazine concentration in blood was undetectable. All the signs regressed after withdrawal of silver sulfadiazine and after several sessions of hemodialysis. DISCUSSION Various causes of renal failure are discussed in our patient. However, direct silver-induced renal toxicity is the most likely and is confirmed by the high concentration of silver in blood and urine and the improvement on withdrawal of the topical cream, without modification in the oral treatment. The absence of red corpuscles and crystals in the urine and undetectable concentrations of sulfadiazine in blood are not in favor of sulphonamide renal toxicity. Furthermore, the autoimmune diseases of our patient were well-controlled. Leukopenia could be secondary to silver sulfadiazine medullar toxicity. This observation confirms that this topical cream should not be used for long periods on extensive wounds.
THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR LABOR STANDARDS: A LAYMAN'S GUIDE

This paper explores the economic case for international labor standards which represents an affirmative stand alone case that complements the human rights approach. Labor standards played a key role in the creation of a prosperous nationally integrated U.S. economy. The earlier process of national economic integration and today’s process of global economic integration share much in common, pointing to the importance of labor standards. Contrary to received wisdom labor standards are not hidden protection. Instead, they constitute good development policy. They can help developing countries by contributing to institutional and political development, and by improving income distribution that in turn fosters deep development rooted in domestic markets. This will also benefit the global economy by alleviating global deflationary pressures caused by over- reliance on export-led growth. The world community has repeatedly endorsed labor standards. It is time to make them an integral part of the system of global economic governance now being constructed.
A Depth-Encoding PET Detector Inserting Glass Plate Between Crystal Layers

This study introduces a depth-encoding PET detector inserting a glass plate between the pixilated scintillation crystal layers. The principle of the proposed design was that the relative amount of light received by each photosensor will be altered by using the glass plate. This change in the light distribution can generate a pattern diagram of the 2D flood histogram that identifies depth position as well as X-Y position of γ-ray interaction. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted for the assessment of the DOI-PET detector of 4 ×4 array photosensor coupled with 2-layers of LSO arrays which consist of 4 ×4 arrays of 3 ×3 ×10 mm3 discrete crystals. The traced light distribution for each event was converted by the modified resistive charge division networks into the 2D flood histogram. Optical glass plates with 11 different thicknesses that range from 0 to 10 mm with a 1 mm step were modeled. This was done, to estimate the thickness which allows the extraction of the depth information from the 2D flood histogram. An experimental study was performed to acquire the flood histograms of the DOI-PET detectors with 3 and 5 mm thick glass plate. The effect of glass plate on light loss and count rate loss were assessed for two detector configurations with and without glass plate. The simulation results showed that the flood histogram without overlapping of each crystal position can be generated for the detectors by inserting the glass plates with thickness of 3 ~ 10 mm. They were also demonstrated in the acquired representative flood histograms which were obtained by the experimental study. The light and count rate losses measured from DOI-PET detector with 3 mm thick glass plate was ~ 5% and ~ 2%, respectively. This study demonstrated that the proposed DOI-PET detector can extract the 3D γ-ray interaction position without considerable performance degradations of PET detector from the 2D flood histogram.
A game theory approach for solving the transshipment problem: a supply chain management strategy teaching tool

Purpose – To describe how the well‐known Shapley Value concept from cooperative game theory can be used as an approach to solve the transshipment problem.Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a numerical example for a three‐person game in a non‐cooperative environment, a selected cooperative environment, and a fully cooperative environment. The well‐known Shapely Value concept from cooperative game theory is used as an approach to solve the transshipment problem and show “how” the pooling coalitions should be formed. The appurtenance of the Shapley Value is verified to ensure that a stable solution exists.Findings – The primary focus of this paper is to describe how the well‐known Shapley Value concept from cooperative game theory can be used as an approach to solve the transshipment problem and show “how” the pooling coalitions should be formed.Research limitations/implications – While pooling coalitions are presented, this paper does not discuss revenue sharing.Practical implications – This .
Using Precision Agriculture Technology for Economically Optimal Strategic Decisions: The Case of CRP Filter Strip Enrollment

ABSTRACT While the application of precision agriculture technology to tactical, or within cropping season, decisions such as variable rate nutrient application may be an initial focus for producers, other decisions can be considered. Precision agriculture, as an information system, can provide data to help make spatially dependent strategic, or multiple cropping season, decisions. This research evaluates the economic benefit of filter strips on a diversified crop farm including corn and double cropped wheat with soybean. Economic analysis includes break-even computations permitting development of a decision-making criteria for the selection of these strips using historical yield monitor data. Results suggest that there is potential for this geographic information assisted process of filter strip delineation to increase overall net returns for producers with economically superior results to either a more naive approach of enrolling all eligible land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)or not participating in CRP. Furthermore, results suggest that information from precision agriculture, when coupled with appropriate economic analytical tools, can increase enrollment in CRP and enhance sustainabilily through increased profits and the environmental benefits from engaging in the CRP.
Product Variety and Demand Uncertainty: Why Markups Vary with Quality

We demonstrate that demand uncertainty can explain equilibrium product variety in the presence of sunk costs. Product variety is an efficient response to uncertainty because it reduces the expected costs associated with excess capacity. We find that within the firm's product line, the highest quality product has the highest profit margin but the lowest percentage margin, while the lowest quality product has the highest percentage margin but the lowest absolute margin. Both of these relationships are consistent with evidence available from marketing studies.
Electromechanical dysfunction of the left atrium associated with interatrial block.

OBJECTIVES Our purpose was to determine the effect of interatrial block (IAB, P-wave duration >/=120 ms) on left atrial (LA) dynamics. IAB is associated with LA enlargement (LAE). LA dysfunction is associated with decreased left ventricular filling, a propensity for LA appendage thrombus formation, and reduced atrial natriuretic peptide levels. We evaluated LA function in patients with and without IAB matched for LA size. METHODS Echocardiograms with LA enlargement were analyzed. Twenty-four patients had IAB, and 16 patients without IAB formed the control group. LA volumes, A-wave acceleration times (At), LA stroke volume (LASV), ejection fraction (LAEF), and kinetic energy (LAKE) were calculated. RESULTS The control group and patients with IAB had comparable maximal LA volume and diameter (P >.05). Patients with IAB had significantly longer At (115 +/- 39 ms vs 83 +/- 24 ms, P <.01) and smaller LASV (7 +/- 5 mL vs 17 +/- 6 mL, P <.01), LAEF (9% +/- 6% vs 25% +/- 8%, P <.01), and LAKE (20 +/- 14 vs 65 +/- 44 Kdyne/cm/s, P <.01). LAKE varied inversely with P-wave duration (r = -0.51, P <.01). P-wave duration and minimal LA volume were independent determinants of LAEF. CONCLUSIONS Patients with IAB have a sluggish, poorly contractile LA, and the extent of dysfunction is related to the degree of electrical delay from IAB. IAB should be considered a marker of an electromechanically dysfunctional LA and hence a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.
Hyaluronidase activity of bacteriophages of group A streptococci

A sensitive dye-binding assay was employed to study the hyaluronidase associated with temperate and virulent phages infected group A streptococci. Some enzyme was detectable in each purified phage preparation examined, but differences of several orders of magnitude separated the lower enzyme levels in virulent phages that required the addition of hyaluronidase for plaque formation and the higher levels in temperate phages that did not. Infection by virulent phage A25 was accompanied by the production of levels of hyaluronidase proportionate to the average burst size. Hyaluronidase was produced during infection by temperate phages at a much higher level than could be accounted for by the number of phage particles formed. The major portion of this hyaluronidase was free and apparently unassociated with phage or phage fragments. The phage-associated enzyme was tightly bound but could be released and solubilized by treatment with urea.
The Dissemination of Mass in the United States: Results and Implications of Recent BIPM Calibrations of US National Prototype Kilograms

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for the dissemination of the unit of mass within the United States of America through the national prototype kilogram K20 and its check standard K4. These platinum-iridium artifacts have been in use since 1889 and are periodically sent to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) for recalibration. The following is a brief description of the roles of the national prototype kilograms in the dissemination of mass in the United States of America, and the implications for NIST mass calibration customers of the most recent recalibrations of K20 and K4.