Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foreign Reserves, Crises and Growth

Cette these comporte trois chapitres traitant de la question de l’accumulation de reserves de change dans les pays emergents. Sous differents angles, theorique comme empirique, les trois travaux presentes analysent les motivations d’accumulation de reserves de change et testent l’utilite de ces avoirs en devises etrangeres pendant la crise financiere mondiale de 2009. Le chapitre 1 montre que l’accumulation de reserves resulte de l’interaction entre une forte croissance de la productivite et des frictions sur le marche financier. De plus, l’accumulation de reserves est d’autant plus efficace que les flux de capitaux prives sont controles. Les gains du bien-etre issus d’une utilisation combinee de reserves et de controles de capitaux diminuent avec le developpement des marches financiers. A l’aide d’une base de donnees comprenant 112 pays emergents et en voie de developpement, le chapitre 2 examine la relation entre l’accumulation de reserves avant la crise de 2009 et la performance economique pendant la crise. Lorsque le ratio d’adequation de reserves de change est calcule en point de pourcentage par rapport a la dette exterieure a court terme, la performance economique d’un pays pendant la crise est positivement correlee avec les reserves de change d’avant la crise. Ce chapitre montre aussi les nouvelles tendances dans le comportement d’accumulation des reserves apres la crise. Le chapitre 3 traite de la question des effets de bilan et le role des reserves change. Il montre qu’en accumulant des reserves de change, le gouvernement est en mesure stabiliser l’economie nationale, en recapitalisant le secteur prive avec ses devises ou en faisant une relance fiscale.
The piecewise fuzzy output tracking control of uncertain T-S system with time delays

For the conservatism and difficulty of checking the stability of T-S fuzzy system with the common Lyapunov function approach, piecewise Lyapunov function and fuzzy Lyapunov function are proposed by using the fuzzy premise rules of the T-S system and membership functions respectively; the problem of robust control of a typical class of T-S fuzzy systems is studied by defining fuzzy Lyapunov function in each overlapping group; and The method of parametric design of output tracking controller is given in the form of LMI. And, the output tracking controller meets the disturbance attenuation gamma, the controller can guarantee that the closed-loop system is stable. Finally, The matrix shows the feasibility of the method.
Optimal load balancing method for symmetrically routed hybrid SDN networks

Software Defined Networking (SDN) makes load balancing efficient and intelligent. However, fully deploying an SDN presents economical, organizational and technical challenges. Therefore, load balancing in hybrid SDN networks where the routing protocol parameters are designed through an SDN channel is one of the hottest topics in the field. In addition, symmetrically routing is a practical requirement for network operators since asymmetrically routed flows make the network too complex to manage. In this paper, we propose a load balancing method for symmetrically routed hybrid SDN networks that can handle existing distributed routing parameters, link cost and path selection. The proposed method optimizes link cost and path selection simultaneously under a symmetrically routed condition, while traditional methods optimize them individually. In a numerical simulation, the load balancing performance of the proposed method is better and more stable than any of the traditional methods. Furthermore, the proposed method has high versatility, and provides the best performance even in networks without distributed routing protocols.
A consensus-based criterion standard definition for pediatric patients who needed the highest-level trauma team activation

Background Verbal prehospital reports on an injured patient’s condition are typically used by trauma centers to determine if a trauma team should be present in the emergency department prior to patient arrival (i.e., trauma team activation). Efficacy studies of trauma team activation protocols cannot be conducted without a criterion standard definition for which pediatric patients need a trauma team activation.
Is ‘Virchow’s triad’ useful?

Bagot and Arya (2008) demonstrated that ‘Virchow’s triad’ is a misnomer. The claim is not new, but these authors are to be congratulated for showing how the phrase originated through misinterpretations of Virchow’s writings. Anning (1957) may indeed have been the first to use it. However, we challenge their conclusion: ‘[given]. that the triad continues to be clinically relevant today. a triad pertaining to Virchow should remain’. Is it clinically relevant, or scientifically useful, to consider deep venous thrombosis (DVT) as a consequence of ‘stasis, endothelial injury and hypercoagulability’? What is meant by ‘stasis’ here – where must the blood be in ‘stasis’, for how long, and under what circumstances? These are not trivial questions: Hewson (1771), Lister (1863) and Baumgarten (1876) showed experimentally that cessation of blood flow in a vein for 2–3 h prevents coagulation, so such ‘stasis’ is presumably antithrombogenic, not prothrombogenic. Similarly, what is meant by ‘endothelial injury’ – what part of the endothelium is involved, how is it injured, and to what extent? If we can answer those questions, we then have to explain how these specific kinds of ‘stasis’ and ‘endothelial injury’ are causally connected to (i) each other and (ii) the local initiation of coagulation. Only then can we begin to describe the pathogenesis of DVT. As for ‘hypercoagulability’: many inherited and acquired thrombophilias have been characterized during the past half century, but we must regard them as exacerbating rather than ‘casual’. Thus, ‘Virchow’s triad’, as commonly taught to our students, is both imprecise and misleading. It does not elucidate the aetiology of DVT and tells us little or nothing of clinical value. Throughout their article, Bagot and Arya (2008) treat ‘thrombus’ and ‘clot’ as synonymous. But Virchow (1856) distinguished in vivo thrombi sharply from ex vivo clots: ‘(i) the structure of the thrombus is in layers; (ii) the fibrin content is denser; and (iii) the population of colourless corpuscles is denser, and to a striking degree’. That tripartite distinction is more deserving of the label ‘Virchow’s triad’ than the mantra ‘stasis, endothelial injury, hypercoagulability’ because (i) Virchow actually wrote it and (ii) it tells us something useful about the aetiology of DVT: venous thrombogenesis is not identical to clotting. We are surprised that the authors of so scholarly a historical review overlooked this. We are also surprised that Bagot and Arya (2008) apparently include us among the purveyors of the consensus ‘Virchow’s triad’ concept. The phrase is challenged unequivocally in Malone and Agutter (2006), which they cite, and in more detail in Malone and Agutter (2008). These publications address the questions about ‘stasis’ and ‘endothelial injury’ listed above and present a clinically relevant model of the aetiology of DVT. The monograph celebrates Virchow’s seminal contributions to the field, but recommends – contrary to Bagot and Arya (2008) – that the phrase ‘Virchow’s triad’, as commonly used, should be abandoned.
Psychopathology in methamphetamine-dependent adults 3 years after treatment.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Although psychiatric symptoms are frequently observed in methamphetamine (MA) users, little is known about the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in MA-dependent individuals. This is the first study to examine the association of psychiatric disorders with substance use and psychosocial functioning in a large sample of MA users 3 years after treatment. We predicted that psychiatric diagnoses and severity would be associated with substance use and poorer overall functioning over the 3 year post-treatment course. DESIGN AND METHODS Participants (N = 526) received psychosocial treatment for MA dependence as part of the Methamphetamine Treatment Project and were reassessed for psychosocial functioning and substance use at a mean of 3 years after treatment initiation. DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses were assessed at follow-up using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Addiction Severity Index. RESULTS Overall, 48.1% of the sample met criteria for a current or past psychiatric disorder other than a substance use disorder. Consistent with prior reports from clinical samples of cocaine users, this rate was largely accounted for by mood disorders, anxiety disorders and antisocial personality. Those with an Axis I psychiatric disorder evidenced increased MA use and greater functional impairment over time relative to those without a psychiatric disorder. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This initial investigation of psychiatric diagnoses in MA users after treatment indicates elevated rates of Axis I and II disorders in this population and underscores the need for integrated psychiatric assessment and intervention in drug abuse treatment settings.
Local governmental pre-alarm system of debt risk: a frame design

Local governmental pre-alarm system of is an essential part which can avoid governmental debt risk and debt crisis. This paper studies further into the Guanxin Economic De1 velopment Zone's current situation of debt risk and features adopting quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis combined with theory of local governmental debt risk. Thus, the author puts forward suggestion in order to establish prediction model of local govern-mental debt risk, then designs prediction index and standard. The paper focuses on the Guanxin Economic Development Zone's governmental debt risk and sets up a model by econometric techniques such as establishing AHP and extending the level. The paper provides a new idea to establish debt risk pre-alarm system for local government.
Understanding and Enhancing Soil Biological Health: The Solution for Reversing Soil Degradation

Our objective is to provide an optimistic strategy for reversing soil degradation by increasing public and private research efforts to understand the role of soil biology, particularly microbiology, on the health of our world’s soils. We begin by defining soil quality/soil health (which we consider to be interchangeable terms), characterizing healthy soil resources, and relating the significance of soil health to agroecosystems and their functions. We examine how soil biology influences soil health and how biological properties and processes contribute to sustainability of agriculture and ecosystem services. We continue by examining what can be done to manipulate soil biology to: (i) increase nutrient availability for production of high yielding, high quality crops; (ii) protect crops from pests, pathogens, weeds; and (iii) manage other factors limiting production, provision of ecosystem services, and resilience to stresses like droughts. Next we look to the future by asking what needs to be known about soil biology that is not currently recognized or fully understood and how these needs could be addressed using emerging research tools. We conclude, based on our perceptions of how new knowledge regarding soil biology will help make agriculture more sustainable and productive, by recommending research emphases that should receive first priority through enhanced public and private research in order to reverse the trajectory toward global soil degradation.
Foreign direct investment as an engine of growth

This paper presents, within a new growth theory framework, an analysis of the role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in promoting economic growth. Evidence reported suggests that an important role is exerted by both the size of the domestic market and the competitive climate in relation to local producers. In addition, evidence is reported to indicate that interactions between FDI and human capital exert an especially important influence upon growth performance.
Effects of ivabradine on heart rate and left ventricular function in healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of the pacemaker funny current (I(f)) inhibitor ivabradine on heart rate (HR), left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, and left atrial performance in healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). ANIMALS 6 healthy cats and 6 cats with subclinical HCM. PROCEDURES Anesthetized cats underwent cardiac catheterization and were studied over a range of hemodynamic states induced by treatment with esmolol (200 to 400 μg/kg/min, IV), esmolol and dobutamine (5 μg/kg/min, IV), ivabradine (0.3 mg/kg, IV), and ivabradine and dobutamine. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, cardiac output, and left atrial function were studied via catheter-based methods and echocardiography. RESULTS Treatment with ivabradine resulted in a significant reduction of HR, rate-pressure product, and LV contractile function and a significant increase in LV end-diastolic pressure, LV end-diastolic wall stress, and LV relaxation time constant (tau) in cats with HCM. Concurrent administration of ivabradine and dobutamine resulted in a significant increase of LV contractility and lusitropy, with blunted chronotropic effects of the catecholamine. Left atrial performance was not significantly altered by ivabradine in cats with HCM. Regression analysis revealed an association between maximum rate of LV pressure rise and tau in cats with HCM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ivabradine had significant effects on several cardiovascular variables in anesthetized cats with HCM. Studies in awake cats with HCM are needed to clinically validate these findings.
Taking care of business: executive compensation in the U

The present invention relates to a digitally controlled phase shift network for use with an individual antenna element, as would form a part of a phased array radar system wherein a directional beam is formed and electrically scanned by control of the phase of each individual antenna element. The phase shift network here described is responsive to a computed digital signal which it converts in an electrically switched resistance-capacitance timing network to a pulse whose duration is an analog quantity stepped in equivalence to the digital input. The variable duration pulse is used to control the volt time area of a source of magnetizing energy to achieve stepped remanent states in the ferrite phase shifters corresponding to stepped angles of phase shift. A direct conversion of a digital signal into an analog phase shift angle is achieved while also providing electronic compensation for nonlinearity in the magnetization characteristics of the ferrite and for temperature drift.
Linking leaders' identity work and human resource management involvement: the case of sociocultural integration in Chinese mergers and acquisitions

Chinese mergers and acquisitions (M&A) practice has witnessed a series of reforms since the 1980s, with considerable impact on human resource management (HRM) practices, acquisition types and working conditions. This study examines the sociocultural integration in M&A and HRM involvement in the acquisition of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by privately owned enterprises in China using qualitative data from three M&A case studies. The research explores issues relating to firm ownership structure, party committee, leadership and value orientation using a comparative perspective to highlight the role of various factors in shaping the sociocultural integration process in M&A. The authors deploy identity theory to elucidate leaders' identity work in linking HRM activities, existing or emerging, that underpin this integration process. The findings shed important light on the influence of SOEs in private Chinese firms' M&A endeavours and the role of leaders' identity work and HRM involvement from a microfoundational perspective.
Cambio organizativo por las TIC en la empresa financiera: el caso de Renta 4

By the end of the 90’s, the break of the ITC forced companies to transform its organizational structure. For the financial sector, the new paradigm came together with a regulatory change, and in the case of Spain, with a change on the competitive environment. Nevertheless, not all players reacted on the same fashion and the same success. For Renta 4 the accomplishment came as a result of management compromise and its compromise with the new organization and its functions.
18F-Alfatide II and 18F-FDG Dual-Tracer Dynamic PET for Parametric, Early Prediction of Tumor Response to Therapy

A single dynamic PET acquisition using multiple tracers administered closely in time could provide valuable complementary information about a tumor’s status under quasiconstant conditions. This study aimed to investigate the utility of dual-tracer dynamic PET imaging with 18F-alfatide II (18F-AlF-NOTA-E[PEG4-c(RGDfk)]2) and 18F-FDG for parametric monitoring of tumor responses to therapy. Methods: We administered doxorubicin to one group of athymic nude mice with U87MG tumors and paclitaxel protein-bound particles to another group of mice with MDA-MB-435 tumors. To monitor therapeutic responses, we performed dual-tracer dynamic imaging, in sessions that lasted 90 min, starting with injection via the tail vein catheters with 18F-alfatide II, followed 40 min later by 18F-FDG. To achieve signal separation of the 2 tracers, we fit a 3-compartment reversible model to the time–activity curve of 18F-alfatide II for the 40 min before 18F-FDG injection and then extrapolated to 90 min. The 18F-FDG tumor time–activity curve was isolated from the 90-min dual-tracer tumor time–activity curve by subtracting the fitted 18F-alfatide II tumor time–activity curve. With separated tumor time–activity curves, the 18F-alfatide II binding potential (Bp = k3/k4) and volume of distribution (VD) and 18F-FDG influx rate ((K1 × k3)/(k2 + k3)) based on the Patlak method were calculated to validate the signal recovery in a comparison with 60-min single-tracer imaging and to monitor therapeutic response. Results: The transport and binding rate parameters K1–k3 of 18F-alfatide II, calculated from the first 40 min of the dual-tracer dynamic scan, as well as Bp and VD correlated well with the parameters from the 60-min single-tracer scan (R2 > 0.95). Compared with the results of single-tracer PET imaging, 18F-FDG tumor uptake and influx were recovered well from dual-tracer imaging. On doxorubicin treatment, whereas no significant changes in static tracer uptake values of 18F-alfatide II or 18F-FDG were observed, both 18F-alfatide II Bp and 18F-FDG influx from kinetic analysis in tumors showed significant decreases. For therapy of MDA-MB-435 tumors with paclitaxel protein-bound particles, a significant decrease was observed only with 18F-alfatide II Bp value from kinetic analysis but not 18F-FDG influx. Conclusion: The parameters fitted with compartmental modeling from the dual-tracer dynamic imaging are consistent with those from single-tracer imaging, substantiating the feasibility of this methodology. Even though no significant differences in tumor size were found until 5 d after doxorubicin treatment started, at day 3 there were already substantial differences in 18F-alfatide II Bp and 18F-FDG influx rate. Dual-tracer imaging can measure 18F-alfatide II Bp value and 18F-FDG influx simultaneously to evaluate tumor angiogenesis and metabolism. Such changes are known to precede anatomic changes, and thus parametric imaging may offer the promise of early prediction of therapy response.
Informational efficiency of European equity markets

A technique developed by Granger (1969) (Granger causality) is used to determine the informational efficiency of the following eight European equity markets: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin, Milan, Brussels, Copenhagen and London from January 1980 to December 1989. Share prices should react instantaneously to new information, whereas real economic variables, such as industrial volume and unemployment rates may take longer to adjust. Granger causality may be used to determine whether changes and volatility in share price indices lead or are led by changes in industrial volume and unemployment rates. If markets are informationally efficient the share price variables should lead the real economic variables. This methodology was previously employed by Huang and Kracaw (1984) based on US data, and Kamarotou and O'Hanlon (1989) based on UK, US, Japanese and Canadian data. There was little evidence to suggest that either share price variables lead real economic variables, or vice versa. This is contrary to t.
Board Capital, CEO Power and R&D Investment in Electronics Firms

Manuscript Type. Empirical. Research Question/Issue. Building on resource dependence theory, this paper examines the effect of board capital and the moderating effect of CEO power on R&D investment. Research Findings/Insights. Based on a panel of electronics firms in Taiwan, the results indicate that board capital (directors' educational level, directors' industry‐specific experience and interlocking directorate ties) has a positive effect on R&D investment and that CEO power positively moderates this effect. The empirical evidence suggests that when powerful CEOs are present, directors with human and social capital will devote more effort to providing valuable strategic advice and resources and thus will support R&D investment to enhance innovative capabilities. Theoretical/Academic Implications. This study contributes to knowledge on corporate governance by bridging the gap in the relationship between board capital and R&D investment via an empirical inquiry into the influence of CEO power on a board's resource provision. The findings suggest that research aiming to elucidate the resource dependence role of board capital in shaping R&D investment should consider the potential moderating role of CEO power. Thus, this study should not only supplement the resource dependence literature by providing a more thorough understanding of the relationship between board capital and R&D investment but also delve into the black box of CEO‐board relations, an important topic within corporate governance research. Practitioner/Policy Implications. This study suggests that when the boards of firms competing in innovation through R&D investment (e.g., electronics firms) search for new board members, they should consider the educational level, industry‐specific experience and interlocking directorate ties of potential directors and how those potential directors complement or reinforce the existing board in order to enhance their ability to obtain valuable strategic information and substantial resources that would facilitate better R&D investment decisions. Additionally, those R&D firms may be advised to have a combination of a powerful CEO and a board consisting of directors with more education, directors with industry‐specific experience and directors with interlocking directorate ties because the presence of a powerful CEO may motivate directors to provide ongoing advice and resources, leading to increased R&D investment necessary to enhance innovation capabilities.