Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building an integrated issue management process as a source of sustainable competitive advantage

This paper defines the key values, principal participants and operational requirements that characterise a strategically relevant global issue management process. It is the authors' intention to reveal and provide support for the most important ‘truth’ about this great discipline: ‘Excellence and relevance is determined by the optimal mix of dedicated, focused and highly imaginative people with processes that unleash their remarkable innovative potential. You need both. ’ Copyright © 2002 Henry Stewart Publications.
A system to help teaching and learning algorithms

One of the big challenges that teachers and students face at early stages of CSET (Computer Science, Engineering, and Technology) courses are the difficulties related to teaching and learning algorithms. Usually, such knowledge is presented during introductory programming related disciplines, when students are also presented to some programming language to describe simple algorithms. Therefore, they need to learn not only the new language but also a formal way to describe the solution of problems using that language. This is much different from any formalism they were presented in their previous student's experience. This paper presents iVProg, a system conceived to overcome some of these difficulties by using visual programming. Some experiments were conducted during three years to evaluate students' performance without the system support and with it using different didactic approaches.
Organization culture: a case study of a leisure centre in the UK

There have been a number of studies which have attempted to describe and explain organization culture in relation to large companies and corporations and also the public sector. This study investigates a publicly owned leisure centre in the UK offering a wide range of sports provision. It seeks to identify the organization culture of the centre using a diagnostic instrument developed by Harrison and Stokes. It further explores the differing perceptions of organization culture at different levels in the hierarchy and between different departments and how this impacts on the operation of the centre. The study identifies a centre-wide culture of providing a quality service to the customer. Overall, the evidence suggests that there is a strong achievement orientation within the centre, but the study also finds that the centre's culture has elements within it consistent with a power and role culture orientation. The results also indicate that many managers and staff want to see a stronger support orientation.
The role of leverage and stock-based variables in the prediction of cash flows and earnings – some evidence from India

One of the objectives of accounting reporting system is to provide the analysts a true picture of the firm's financial position. Recognising this importance, the International Accounting Standards Board has prescribed IAS 7 (cash flow statement). Many studies have been carried out to assess the usefulness of cash flows in the prediction of future cash flows or more specifically profitability. This paper focuses on some other determinants of future profitability apart from the components of net income. It finds that the debt-equity ratio of a firm is also a deciding factor among the accrual components and past earnings.
Azithromycin May Reduce Cholestasis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Case Report and Serendipitous Observation

The newer macrolides have been shown to exert additional anti-inflammatory effects. We report the possible effect of azithromycin on primary sclerosing cholangitis in a patient treated with the drug for severe asthma. A 45-year-old woman with Crohn's disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis, also suffering from severe asthma, was treated with azithromycin 500 mg OD for 3 consecutive days a week because of the clinical suspicion of bronchiectasis and the severity of her asthma. When the therapy was discontinued, her urine again became darker, pruritus reappeared with the usual severity and laboratory parameters, evaluated after 6 weeks without azithromycin, also worsened. For these reasons macrolide treatment was re-established. Cholestasis-related symptoms and the dark colour of the urine were again reduced 6 weeks later and laboratory parameters were again reversed. We are therefore tempted to speculate that azithromycin may have an effect on primary sclerosing cholangitis on the basis of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Role of Positively Charged Amino Acids in the M2D Transmembrane Helix of Ktr/Trk/HKT Type Cation Transporters

Studies suggest that Ktr/Trk/HKT type transporters have evolved from multiple gene fusions of simple K+ channels of the KcsA type into proteins that span the membrane at least eight times. Several positively charged residues are present in the eighth transmembrane segment, M2D, in the transporters but not K+ channels. Some models of ion transporters require a barrier to prevent free diffusion of ions down their electrochemical gradient, and it is possible that the positively charged residues within the transporter pore may prevent transporters from being channels. Here we studied the functional role of these positive residues in three Ktr/Trk/HKT type transporters (Synechocystis KtrB mediated K+ uniporter, Arabidopsis AtHKT1 mediated Na
The Social and Economic Origins of Immigration

Contemporary immigration patterns represent a sharp break from the past, when international movements were dominated by flows out of Europe to a few key destination areas. Europe has now become a region of immigration, and, like other developed regions, it draws migrants from a variety of Third World countries. The large-scale movement of immigrants from developing to developed regions has both economic and social foundations. Economically, immigration originates not from simple wage differentials between poor and rich countries but from the spread of economic development to rapidly growing Third World populations and from a persistent demand for low-wage workers in developed nations. Immigration has many social foundations, but the formation of migrant networks is probably the most important. Networks build into the migration process a self-perpetuating momentum that leads to its growth over time, in spite of fluctuating wage differentials, recessions, and increasingly restrictive immigration policies in developed countries.
Current and future evidence-based acne treatment: a review

Introduction: Current acne treatment guidelines, as well as, treatment efficacy, safety, tolerability and patient preferences must all be considered in determining appropriate treatment regimes. Literature can assist physicians' evidence-based recommendations according to these factors. Areas covered: To determine the current and future direction of pharmacotherapy for treatment of acne, a PubMed search was conducted to identify all clinical trials involving the treatment of acne from 2009 to 2012. A total of 65 publications met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Literature was heavily focused on the efficacy and tolerability of topical combination therapies and supported their use compared with monotherapy. A few studies on topical antiandrogens and antioxidants showed an alternative approach to targeting acne. Studies on oral monotherapy provided some evidence for the use of pulsed azithromycin for acne in adolescents. Literature also supports the use of low-dose isotretinoin for moderate acne, which was comparable in efficacy to high-dose regimes and better tolerated. Expert opinion: Combination acne therapy, whether it be combination topical therapy or combination oral and topical therapy, is well supported by recent studies. Given the multifactorial pathogenesis of acne and the hurdles of adherence to treatment, we anticipate greater development of and reliance on combination acne products in the future.
Academics' attitudes towards PhD students' teaching: preparing research higher degree students for an academic career

An exploratory study of 473 academics in a metropolitan university investigated the attitudes of academic supervisors towards training for university teaching for doctoral students. The study investigated academic supervisors' levels of awareness and knowledge of teacher training opportunities, the relative importance of teaching – both lecturing and tutoring – compared with research in the academic selection process, and the academics' own entry into and attitudes about PhD students teaching during their candidature. Results indicate that academic supervisors are more aware of short courses and workshops than in-depth teaching certificates and diplomas. In terms of the relative value of aspects of academic work as selection criteria for new academics, the findings show that research output was considered the most important selection criteria above teaching experience or teaching qualifications and counter-intuitively, tutoring was reported as slightly more important than lecturing. Implications for university recruiters, university leaders and academic supervisors are discussed.
The Route Choice of the Brand Creation of Chinese Textile Original Equipment Manufacturers in the Post-Financial Crisis Era

Since the broke out of the financial crisis, the golden period for the export of Chinese textile and garment has passed, and the process for the global textile and garment manufacture base to transfer gradually from China to India, Pakistan and Southeast Asian countries has started, which is irreversible. It is difficult to finance and find talents; the information flow is not smooth; and the most critical problem is that Chinese textile enterprises which strongly depend on foreign markets can not obtain orders. As such, Chinese garment enterprises have to transfer from original equipment manufactures (OEMs) to brand enterprises to make "made in China" become "brand of China". The upgrade from OEM to brand creation is the requirement for the sustainable, stable and healthy development of Chinese economy, and also the necessary choice of the textile OEMs to respond to the changes of the domestic and abroad market as well as to develop their own ability. However, the transfer process from OEM to the brand creation is not smooth. The co-effect of many factors will make the textile OEMs dependent on the route and locked in the role of OEM in the value chain. This is proved by the industrial development history of some developing countries and regions as well as the fact of the bankruptcy of some Chinese textile enterprises under the global financial crisis. However, such "lock-in" is not rigid. It is absolutely possible for textile enterprises to upgrade from OEMs to brand creation under certain internal and external conditions.
Analysing Determinants of Visitor Spending for the Rural Tourist Market in North Portugal

This paper investigates if and to what extent socio-demographics and travel-related variables determine the individual daily and individual overall expenditure levels of tourists staying in rural areas of North Portugal. This analysis may help to increase understanding of the role that particular tourist segments and travel contexts play in enhancing the economic development of such areas. The results point to the relevance of variables such as age, domestic versus international markets, duration of stay and diverse benefits sought. The implications for destination marketing are discussed, as are further sustainability goals for tourism development in rural areas.
The real exchange rate and the Balassa–Samuelson hypothesis in SAARC countries: an appraisal

This paper empirically tests the Balassa–Samuelson (B-S) productivity bias hypothesis in seven South Asian countries. We use auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) modelling to develop a dynamic structure of the B-S hypothesis. Using annual data from Penn World Table Version 7.0 and the ‘bounds test’, we found no evidence of the B-S hypothesis in six sampled countries (Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and the only exception was Bangladesh. We found that a 1% increase in labour productivity in Bangladesh relative to the US will lead to 2.5% appreciation in the real exchange rate of Bangladesh. The speed of adjustment towards equilibrium was found to be high, with short-run disequilibrium correcting by nearly 25% per annum in Bangladesh. The two endogenously determined structural breaks are found to be negative and statistically significant. These results add new insights to the time-series literature on the B-S hypothesis.
On Combining Stated Preferences and Revealed Preferences Approaches to Evaluate Environmental Resources Having a Recreational Use

This work aims at analysing the value of recreational water uses for the Idro Lake (Lombardy, Northern Italy), which has been experiencing dramatic fluctuations in its levels in recent years, due to excessive productive withdrawal that affected recreational uses. It estimates the economic benefits deriving from recreational uses, by considering the current recreational demand and the hypothetical one obtained by considering an “improved quality” scenario. Through an on-site survey, we built a panel dataset. Following Whitehead et al. (2000) and Hanley et al. (2003) we get welfare estimates by combining SP and RP responses. The present CS is estimated in €134 per individual, whilst the increase in CS is estimated in €173 per individual. These figures can be confronted with the economic value of competitive uses and with the clean up costs, respectively, to infer some policy indications.
Profound deletion of mature T cells in vivo by chronic exposure to exogenous superantigen.

It has been noted previously that superantigens can under different circumstances stimulate activation, expansion, anergy, and/or deletion of reactive T cells in vivo and in vitro. Here, we present a detailed examination of the expansion and deletion of T cells in vivo in response to the superantigens staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) in the B10.BR mouse. Mice were either acutely or chronically exposed to varying doses of SEA, and the relative level of T cells bearing SEA-reactive V beta elements was followed over time in lymphocytes purified from peripheral blood, lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. In most cases, an initial sharp rise in the proportion of reactive T cells was followed by a dramatic decline. Cells of the CD4+ and CD8+ lineages displayed subtle differences in their kinetics of activation and deletion, as well as their sensitivity to different doses of SEA. Furthermore, cells bearing either of two V beta elements previously characterized as SEA-reactive showed some differences in their responses to SEA treatment. Acute exposure usually caused the disappearance of only 50% to 70% of reactive T cells; however, chronic exposure to SEA caused almost complete deletion of target T cells. Deletion was evident even in animals treated with very low doses of SEA, doses that were too small to cause any apparent T cell proliferation. Thus, proliferation does not appear to be a prerequisite for peripheral deletion of T cells.
Heterochronic Phosphorelay Gene Expression as a Source of Heterogeneity in Bacillus subtilis Spore Formation

ABSTRACT In response to limiting nutrient sources and cell density signals, Bacillus subtilis can differentiate and form highly resistant endospores. Initiation of spore development is governed by the master regulator Spo0A, which is activated by phosphorylation via a multicomponent phosphorelay. Interestingly, only part of a clonal population will enter this developmental pathway, a phenomenon known as sporulation bistability or sporulation heterogeneity. How sporulation heterogeneity is established is largely unknown. To investigate the origins of sporulation heterogeneity, we constructed promoter-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to the main phosphorelay genes and perturbed their expression levels. Using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, we showed that expression of the phosphorelay genes is distributed in a unimodal manner. However, single-cell trajectories revealed that phosphorelay gene expression is highly dynamic or “heterochronic” between individual cells and that stochasticity of phosphorelay gene transcription might be an important regulatory mechanism for sporulation heterogeneity. Furthermore, we showed that artificial induction or depletion of the phosphorelay phosphate flow results in loss of sporulation heterogeneity. Our data suggest that sporulation heterogeneity originates from highly dynamic and variable gene activity of the phosphorelay components, resulting in large cell-to-cell variability with regard to phosphate input into the system. These transcriptional and posttranslational differences in phosphorelay activity appear to be sufficient to generate a heterogeneous sporulation signal without the need of the positive-feedback loop established by the sigma factor SigH.
When One Is More Than Two: Increasing Our Memory

kids.frontiersin. org In our daily lives, we learn new things all the time. Unfortunately, it is usually difficult for us to remember everything that we learn. To increase our ability to remember, either for a few seconds or for many years, we can think in a way that ties together several pieces of information, so that they make fewer pieces of information. There are two ways the brain does this. One is called “chunking” and it is a way of thinking that allows us to keep more information in our memory for very short time periods. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that helps us with chunking. When we need to remember information for a long time, a different part of our brain, called the perirhinal cortex, performs a similar process called “unitization,” which links two or more items together through some sort of relationship between them. These ways of learning can help us when we need to remember lots of information, such as when we are studying for our exams!
Adaptive Transthoracic Refocusing of Dual-Mode Ultrasound Arrays

We present experimental validation results of an adaptive, image-based refocusing algorithm of dual-mode ultrasound arrays (DMUAs) in the presence of strongly scattering objects. This study is motivated by the need to develop noninvasive techniques for therapeutic targeting of tumors seated in organs where the therapeutic beam is partially obstructed by the ribcage, e.g., liver and kidney. We have developed an algorithm that takes advantage of the imaging capabilities of DMUAs to identify the ribs and the intercostals within the path of the therapeutic beam to produce a specified power deposition at the target while minimizing the exposure at the rib locations. This image-based refocusing algorithm takes advantage of the inherent registration between the imaging and therapeutic coordinate systems of DMUAs in the estimation of array directivity vectors at the target and rib locations. These directivity vectors are then used in solving a constrained optimization problem allowing for adaptive refocusing, directing the acoustical energy through the intercostals, and avoiding the rib locations. The experimental validation study utilized a 1-MHz, 64-element DMUA in focusing through a block of tissue-mimicking phantom [0.5 dB/(cm? MHz)] with embedded Plexiglas ribs. Single transmit focus (STF) images obtained with the DMUA were used for image-guided selection of the critical and target points to be used for adaptive refocusing. Experimental results show that the echogenicity of the ribs in STF images provide feedback on the reduction of power deposition at rib locations. This was confirmed by direct comparison of measured temperature rise and integrated backscatter at the rib locations. Direct temperature measurements also confirm the improved power deposition at the target and the reduction in power deposition at the rib locations. Finally, we have compared the quality of the image-based adaptive refocusing algorithm with a phase-conjugation solution obtained by direct measurement of the complex pressures at the target location. It is shown that our adaptive refocusing algorithm achieves similar improvements in power deposition at the target while achieving larger reduction of power deposition at the rib locations.
The Costs of Political Influence: Firm-Level Evidence From Developing Countries

Arrangements by which politically connected firms receive economic favors are a common feature around the world, but little is known of the form or effects of influence in business–government relationships. We present a simple model in which influence requires firms to provide goods of political value in exchange for economic privileges. We argue that political influence improves the business environment for selected firms, but restricts their ability to fire workers. Under these conditions, if political influence primarily lowers fixed costs over variable costs, then favored firms will be less likely to invest and their productivity will suffer, even if they earn higher profits than non-influential firms. We rely on the World Bank's Enterprise Surveys of approximately 8000 firms in 40 developing countries, and control for a number of biases present in the data. We find that influential firms benefit from lower administrative and regulatory barriers (including bribe taxes), greater pricing power, and easier access to credit. But these firms also provide politically valuable benefits to incumbents through bloated payrolls and greater tax payments. Finally, these firms are worse-performing than their non-influential counterparts. Our results highlight a potential channel by which cronyism leads to persistent underdevelopment.
‘A pack a day for 20 years’: smoking and cigarette pack sizes

This study focuses on the determinants of cigarette consumption. In particular, the impact of cigarette pack sizes on the typical daily consumption of smokers is investigated. Results are presented from a new multi-modal count data model which allows for ‘pack-effects’ in daily consumption levels. Our results suggest that smokers regulate their consumption in accordance with the variety of pack sizes that are available to them.
Managerial Bargaining Power in the Determination of Compensation Contracts and Corporate Investment

This paper considers the design of managerial compensation contracts and their impact on corporate investment decisions and the managerial effort decision. The model relates the compensation scheme to outside share ownership and managerial bargaining position. Using the methods of mechanism design under asymmetric information, a shift in favor of effort is documented in the case where managerial bargaining strength is weak, while a shift toward more use of capital investment results from strong managerial bargaining power. The model distinguishes managerial equity holdings from contingent compensation contracts. Our results are related to the empirical literature on pay-performance sensitivities. Copyright 1999 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.