Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Globalisation and the Rural Poor

This article surveys how globalisation is affecting rural poverty. The forces of change may affect the welfare of the rural poor through their influence on productivity, growth, income distribution, technologies, the security of livelihoods, and policies. There are both credit and debit entries: large potential benefits, for example from accelerated growth, but also real dangers that the rural poor will be left behind, for example that they will not have access to the knowledge and other assets necessary for success in a commercialised world. The article also discusses some of the influences on the ways the forces of change work themselves out, stressing the importance of market access, positive government policy stances and the assets of the rural poor. For all their weak integration into economic life, the rural poor everywhere cannot escape the tides of change lapping the shores of their national economies and their agricultures. The forces of globalisation, commercialisation and liberalisation are particularly strong and intrusive. This article sets out to examine the little that is known about how these forces are affecting rural poverty. The first section summarises the chief forces of change impinging upon the rural poor; the next section considers the various avenues through which these forces impact on welfare; the third section examines the factors which determine these welfare consequences; and the final section sums up the findings.
Optimal placement of Distributed Generation for a projected load increase using Relative Electrical Distance approach

There is a lot of pressure on all the developed and second world countries to produce low emission power and Distributed Generation (DG) is found to be one of the most viable ways to achieve this. DG generally makes use of renewable energy sources like wind, micro turbines, photovoltaic, etc., which produce power with minimum green house gas emissions. While installing a DG it is important to define its size and optimal location enabling minimum network expansion and line losses. In this paper, a methodology to locate the optimal site for a DG installation, with the objective to minimize the net transmission losses, is presented. The methodology is based on the concept of Relative Electrical Distance (RED) between the DG and the load points. This approach will help to identify the new DG location(s), without the necessity to conduct repeated power flows. To validate this methodology case studies are carried out on a 20 node, 66kV system, a part of Karnataka Transco and results are presented.
No Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the μ‐Opioid Receptor Subunit Gene with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

Summary: We have investigated the reported association (p = 0.019) between the A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the opioid receptor μ subunit gene (OPRM1) and idiopathic absence epilepsy (IAE). Five SNPs, including A118G, were investigated by association studies in a sample of 240 probands with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), including 110 with IAE, and 257 controls. No significant association was found for A118G with IGE or IAE. The difference between the two studies was in the control samples that had significantly different allele frequencies (p = 0.00005), suggesting that population stratification may explain the earlier significant association with IAE. In the current study, none of the other four SNPs was significantly associated with IGE or IAE. Our results provide no support for association of A118G with either IAE or IGE and also exclude association in our sample of a small‐to‐moderate gene effect with IGE from a large part of OPRM1.
Estimating the Impact of Match-Play Promotional Offers on the Blackjack Business Volume of a Las Vegas Hotel Casino

Abstract A theoretical model advanced by Lucas and Kilby (2002) is modified and empirically tested to estimate the effect of match-play coupons on blackjack business volume. Although widely employed, little is known about the effectiveness of these play incentives. Using data from a Las Vegas Strip hotel casino spanning a 222-day period, a variable representing the dollar-value of match-play coupons redeemed fails to produce a positive effect on blackjack cash drop. Hypothesis testing is conducted via simultaneous multiple regression analysis at the . 05 alpha level. Variables representing the day of the week, holidays and special events produce positive effects on blackjack cash drop.
Modeling Carbon Export Out of Mature Peach Leaves

The characteristics of sorbitol and sucrose export out of mature leaves in seedlings of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv GF 305) were investigated by simulating carbon fluxes through the leaf. Three treatments were employed: a control treatment and two treatments modifying leaf export, the latter using either shading or girdling. Photosynthesis and 14C partitioning into sorbitol and sucrose were measured during carbohydrate pool buildup at the beginning of the photoperiod, and the export rate of sorbitol and sucrose was modeled using a PSPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) simulator. The simulation allowed prediction of the resulting sorbitol and sucrose contents, which were compared to experimental carbohydrate contents. The apparent Km for sorbitol and sucrose phloem loading, estimated by carbon flux modeling, was 6.6 and 4 mol m-3, respectively. The predicted export capacity of the leaf, characterized by the estimated Vmax values for phloem loading of sorbitol and sucrose, was similar to the photosynthetic carbon flux measured under the leaf growth conditions. This export capacity was enhanced in plants in which all leaves except those studied were shaded. The mature leaf had a higher storage capacity for sorbitol than for sucrose in control plants, especially in the girdled treatment. Sucrose content appears to be tightly regulated.
Mast cells as potent inflammatory cells.

In the last decade, new information was achieved on mast cells (MC). Their origin is assumed to be different from that of the basophils. There are two types of MC with differences in structure, distribution and function: conjunctival and mucosal. MCs are among the most important cells in the development of allergic inflammation through the cytokines and mediators released on the activation of the surface receptors (high-affinity receptors for IgE: Fc epsilon R1). The cytokines released by MCs, e.g., interleukin 5 (IL5), IL8, are chemoattractants for eosinophils and neutrophils, respectively. The two types of mediators released by MC-those preformed, such as histamine, tryptase, serotonin, and the newly-synthetized ones, such as prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), leukotrienes C4 (LTD4), D4 (LTD4), E4 (LTE4), induce vasodilatation, bronchoconstriction, cellular chemotaxis, increase vascular permeability. The involvement of MC in many human diseases was shown within in vivo and in vitro studies (in allergy, lung fibrosis, atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis, etc.).
The Development of Geographical Specialization of Venture Capital

Many regions have realized that access to capital is an important prerequisite for establishment and growth of businesses, and have therefore focused policies to ensure an adequate supply of risk capital. The growth of the venture capital industry in the 1990s put pressure on venture capital firms (VCFs) to act more strategically. Many VCFs have thus specialized along one or more dimensions: certain industries, stages of development of the firm, or geographical areas. A theoretical dichotomy is developed in this paper to explain regionally focused venture capital. A competence-based theoretical view sees increased competition in the industry as promoting the growth of geographical specialization, while, according to financial theory, it would lead to diversification in order to spread risk. The empirical analysis illustrates the development in the average distance between VCFs and their Danish portfolio firms. All venture capital investments are included. Findings suggest that the process of geographical specialization follows an inverted V-shaped curve. This is interpreted in light of the developments in competition and in the competencies in the market. VCFs search broadly for investment opportunities in the first phase of the emergence of the venture capital industry, but when competition increases they tend to confine themselves to investments within a closer geographical distance. The implications of these findings are important both for funds-of-funds, regional governments, and VCFs.
The Problematic Issue of Kufs Disease Diagnosis as Performed on Rectal Biopsies: A Case Report

Kufs disease, the late-onset form of a group of neurodegenerative disorders, known as the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses, is characterized by intraneuronal/extraneuronal accumulation of proteins that are visible as fingerprint inclusions and granular osmiophilic deposits (GRODs) at the ultrastructural level. A problematic case of Kufs disease in a 53-year-old female affected by progressive gait disturbances, myoclonus, epilepsy, and profound dementia is presented. Laboratory, biochemical, and molecular genetic tests were unremarkable. A magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a moderate atrophy over both hemispheres with no white matter changes. Ultrastructural examination of rectal mucosa biopsies showed fingerprint inclusions in perivascular smooth muscle cells. Pathological examination of autoptic tissues showed numerous intraneuronal PAS-positive, diastase-resistant inclusions corresponding to GRODs at the ultrastructural examination, but no fingerprint inclusions. Cerebellum, skeletal, and cardiac muscles, skin, and liver were unaffected. The present case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties encountered while examining Kufs disease pathological samples. Main problematic issues include (1) specificity and diagnostic value of fingerprint inclusions when found exclusively in perivascular smooth muscle cells; (2) safe distinction of GRODs from lipofuscin inclusions in cerebral tissue; and (3) reliability in using extraneural tissues and, in particular, rectal mucosa biopsies for diagnostic purposes.
VARIABLE SELECTION ON THE TIMING OF GERMINATION IN COLLINSIA VERNA (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

Natural selection on the timing of seed germination was investigated in a natural population of the winter annual Collinsia verna (Scrophulariaceae) for two years. The goal was to quantify 1) the importance of the timing of seed germination to life history evolution in this population and 2) variation in selection in time and space. During fall germination, seedlings were assigned to cohorts on the basis of their dates of germination. Growth, survivorship, and reproduction were censused throughout both years. Selection on the timing of germination was quantified using linear and quadratic regressions during three ecologically important periods in the life cycle, using the techniques of Lande and Arnold (1983) and Arnold and Wade (1984a, 1984b). Comparisons were made between years and on two spatial scales within years. Overall, selection favored early‐germinating plants in the first year. The primary determinant of the relationship of the timing of germination to fitness was fecundity selection, rather than viability selection on seedlings. Fecundity selection was respondible for from 54% to 80% of the change in the mean time of germination. Significant disruptive selection characterized the second field season, again mediated mainly through fecundity selection. There was also temporal and spatial heterogeneity in selection on this character. Transects and quadrats differed significantly in the direction and magnitude of natural selection. In addition, the direction of selection changed between episodes for the transects. The results illustrate the importance of the timing of germination to life‐history evolution in this annual plant and the complex action of natural selection on this character.
Botulinum toxin type a is a safe and effective treatment for neurogenic urinary incontinence: results of a single treatment, randomized, placebo controlled 6-month study.

PURPOSE We determined the safety and efficacy of each of 2 doses of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) (200 or 300 U BOTOX) injected into the detrusor for urinary incontinence caused by neurogenic detrusor overactivity of predominantly spinal cord origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 59 patients with urinary incontinence caused by neurogenic detrusor overactivity (due to spinal cord injury in 53 and multiple sclerosis in 6) requiring clean intermittent self-catheterization were randomized to receive a single dose into the detrusor of BTX-A (200 U or 300 U) or placebo. Changes in daily frequency of urinary incontinence episodes were monitored via a patient bladder diary during 24 weeks. Key urodynamic assessments (maximum cystometric capacity, reflex detrusor volume and maximum detrusor pressure during bladder contraction) were used to provide objective measures of the treatment effect on bladder function. The impact of treatment on quality of life was assessed using the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire. RESULTS There were significant posttreatment decreases in incontinence episodes from baseline in the 2 BTX-A groups (p </=0.05) but not in the placebo group. In addition, more patients who received BTX-A reported no incontinence episodes during at least 1 posttreatment evaluation period. Positive treatment effects were also reflected by significant improvements in bladder function in the BTX-A groups, as assessed by urodynamics and in patient quality of life. Benefits were observed from the first evaluation at week 2 to the end of the 24-week study. No safety concerns were raised. CONCLUSIONS Intramuscular injections of BTX-A into the detrusor can provide rapid, well tolerated, clinically significant decreases in the signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence caused by neurogenic detrusor overactivity during a 24-week study period.
A SIMULATION GAME FOR TEACHING SERVICE‐ORIENTED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: DOES INFORMATION SHARING HELP MANAGERS WITH SERVICE CAPACITY DECISIONS?

For decades, the Beer Game has taught complex principles of supply chain management in a finished good inventory supply chain. However, services typically cannot hold inventory and can only manage backlogs through capacity adjustments. We propose a simulation game designed to teach service‐oriented supply chain management principles and to test whether managers use them effectively. For example, using a sample of typical student results, we determine that student managers can effectively use end‐user demand information to reduce backlog and capacity adjustment costs. The game can also demonstrate the impact of demand variability and reduced capacity adjustment time and lead times.
Oxide Trapping in the InGaAs–$\hbox{Al}_{2} \hbox{O}_{3}$ System and the Role of Sulfur in Reducing the $ \hbox{Al}_{2}\hbox{O}_{3}$ Trap Density

Trap spectroscopy by charge injection and sensing method was applied to the In<sub>0.53</sub>Ga<sub>0.47</sub>As-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> system, yielding the spatial and energetic distribution of the traps inside the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> layer. The trap density inside the atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> layer was found to be significantly reduced by (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S treatment of the InGaAs surface prior to the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> deposition. Indium concentration inside the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> layer was found to be reduced once the InGaAs surface is (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S treated prior to the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> deposition as measured by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, indicating indium as a possible origin of the oxide traps. The results suggest a new mechanism for the sulfur action at the InGaAs surface, which might be responsible for the transistor performance improvements observed after ( NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S passivation. This mechanism involves sulfur as an indium diffusion/segregation barrier stabilizing the InGaAs surface during the ALD Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> deposition, lowering the oxide trap density. This, in turn, improves the electron mobility through a reduction in the Coulomb scattering of the carriers due to border traps and improves the device drive current.
State and Regulation of Industrial Relations in Spain: Old Wine in a New Governance Bottle?

The paper explores the politics and outcomes of changes in modes of regulation and governance of industrial relations in Spain. The recent return to peak agreements has been interpreted as evidence of enhanced coordination and the abandonment of a system characterized by pervasive state regulation and fragmented bargaining. The analysis of the impact of these changes allows us to characterize developments in terms of continuity beneath ‘surface’ change. Negotiated reforms and soft forms of industrial relations government at national level have failed to reduce fragmentation and enhance the articulation of collective bargaining. Whilst the law remains a key source of coordination, inter-associational coordination remains weak due to conflicting collective bargaining projects and the credible threat of government intervention.
A delisting prediction model based on nonfinancial information

The purpose of this study is to develop a model for predicting firm delistings based on nonfinancial information. The delisting model using nonfinancial information is more meaningful in that it can provide diverse stakeholders with earlier warning signals for predicting delistings. Nonfinancial information is generally disclosed to the public in a timely manner because it requires no procedure involving the settlement of accounts and audits. The results suggest that stakeholders should pay close attention to various qualitative factors that are not expressed in financial to predict delistings as early as possible and thus to minimize social losses from delistings.
Moderating role of a priori customer–firm relationship in service recovery situations

This study attempts to verify the moderating roles of the customer–firm relationship with regard to customers' responses to service failure and recovery. The hypotheses were tested based on the responses from 480 full-service restaurant customers, using t-tests and moderated regression analyzes. The findings indicate that in general, high relational customers tend to have high recovery expectations but, at the same time, respond more favorably to recovery efforts than do low relational customers in both low and high recovery situations. These results appear to stem from the wider zones of tolerance of high relational customers than those of low relational customers. This study demonstrates the importance of adopting the concept of zone of tolerance for accurate understandings of customers' responses to service failure and recovery.
Public attitudes towards the environmental impact of salmon aquaculture in Scotland

This paper reports the results of a survey of public attitudes towards aquaculture, using salmon farming in Scotland as a case study. The aims have been to identify the priority that people attach to the environmental performance of the salmon aquaculture industry, relative to other objectives, and to measure the economic benefits to society from salmon farmed using methods that cause less organic pollution. The results indicate that the public attach a relatively high importance to minimizing environmental damage from aquaculture, and this has its parallel in the finding that people are willing to pay a price premium for salmon produced in a more environmentally benign way. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
From Green Belts to Green Infrastructure? The Evolution of a New Concept in the Emerging Soft Governance of Spatial Strategies

Abstract The green belt idea is being questioned as an effective way of managing the protection and development of urban fringe areas, and a new concept—green infrastructure (GI)—is being proposed as a better way to plan and manage these spaces. GI is claimed to allow for more sophisticated and dynamic understandings of such spaces and to enable the identification and quantification of formerly under-appreciated assets of the urban fringe, including newly identified economic benefits. The rapid evolution in England of regional and sub-regional ‘soft governance’ bodies that prioritize economic development provides fertile territory for the claims for GI to be promoted. We track the progress of the new discourse around GI in two northern regions in relation to emerging strategies for spatial and economic development planning. We conclude that the policy purchase of the greenbelt is being challenged by the ‘upstart’ GI policy and we explore some implications of the evolving policy transition.
Association between Lipoprotein‐Associated Phospholipase A2 Gene Polymorphism and Coronary Artery Disease in the Chinese Han Population

The role of the lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 gene (PLA2G7) in atherosclerosis remains controversial. We investigated the frequency of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PLA2G7 (rs16874954 and rs1051931) and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD) in a cohort of CAD patients (n= 806) and age‐matched healthy controls (n= 482) in the Chinese Han population. The VF and FF genotype of rs16874954 was significantly more frequent in the CAD patients (13.5%) than in the controls (9.3%, P= 0.024). The association remained after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, history of diabetes, positive family history of CAD, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride (OR = 1.922; 95% CI [1.146–3.224]; P= 0.013). There was no significant difference in the frequency of any genotype of rs1051931 between the two groups. However, the frequency of the allele V379 was significantly greater in CAD patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) than in those without a history of MI (18.7% and 14.8%, P= 0.038). We conclude that there is significant association between the rs16874954 mutation and CAD in the Chinese Han population. The expression of rs1051931 variant in CAD patients may entail increased risk of MI.
Towards a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of small and medium enterprise policy

This research demonstrates the relevance of the evaluative cycle and its diverse methodological designs in small and medium enterprise (SME) policy. We structure our arguments based on the most common phases of the cycle, namely policy justification, needs, policy theory, implementation, impact and efficiency assessments. We use an in-depth case study of public assistance to an SME to illustrate how findings from these phases go beyond the results of the additionality practice in SME policy. We employ the findings as starting points to discuss several methodological designs for the evaluation of entire programmes, policies and systems.
A six bit, 6–18 GHz, RF-MEMS impedance tuner for 50 Ω systems

A six bit impedance tuner is presented. The tuner consists of six switched RF-MEMS capacitors distributed along a length of CPW transmission line, producing 64 different impedance states. This tuner is capable of tuning to a VSWR of 30:1 at 6 GHz and to VSWR of 110:1 at 16 GHz, with a loss better than 0.7 dB. The impedance tuner is designed to have a 50 Ω impedance from 6 to 18 GHz with all the switches in their upstate. By introducing capacitive loading between the RF-MEMS capacitors a better control of the impedance coverage was achieved without sacrificing the 50 Ω upstate impedance. In this state the return loss in a 50 Ω system is better than 22 dB from 6 to 18 GHz, with an insertion loss better than 0.6 dB. An alternative calculation of loss in impedance matching circuits is presented.