Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human and Economic Development in China and India: A Comparative MDG Assessment

This paper assesses economic and human development in China and India using the United Nations set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as the framework for analyzing the relative performance of the two countries. The MDG framework was used by Rausch & Kostyshak (2009) to assess the development of Arab countries in the Middle East and Africa, and by Forster (2010) to examine development in SubSaharan Africa. In summary, the paper shows that China has been more successful in improving its positions relative to the set of MDGs than has India. China also leads several comparator groups while India lags them.
Belgium and the Netherlands: Two Different Ways of Coping with the Housing Crisis, 1945–70

ABSTRACT Belgium and the Netherlands are very different in their spatial outlook and in the way housing is organized. In Belgium individual private dwellings predominate whereas in the Netherlands social housing and planned neighborhoods are much more common. This article aims at unraveling the histories and sensibilities that led to this situation. It argues that the well-known diverging histories of architecture and urbanism make up only one explanation, which needs to be complemented by understanding the different processes of mediation between producers and consumers adopted by both countries. In tackling the postwar housing crisis, Belgium chose to stimulate private initiative by providing tax incentives for home builders. The Netherlands, on the other, hand mitigated the housing crisis by planning new estates of social housing, using new techniques of prefabrication that led to standardized flats. In the Netherlands the process of mediation, oriented towards “correct living,” was dominated by a national organization, which resolutely advocated modernist design as the most rational way to organize the home. In Belgium the task of mediation was taken up by “pillarized” social organizations rather than by a national institution. This resulted in a much stronger bottom-up influence from ordinary dwellers, who convinced their organizations to soften the modernist approach in favor of more traditionally inspired homes and interiors. The Belgian way of organizing home cultures thus came to resemble much more an “American way of living” than its Dutch counterpart—contradicting the prevailing literature that tends to stress the Americanization of Dutch culture while ignoring such patterns in Belgium.
An Inquiry into Ethical Foundations of Cost Benefit Analysis

Cost benefit analysis is one of the main tools in decision making in the natural resource sector. The conclusion of a development project through the EIA procedure is usually derived from the cost benefit analysis. To what extent ethical concerns have been integrated into this tool is therefore worth investigating. The objective of the paper is to review the theoretical and practical context of CBA in handling ethical issues (mainly intergenerational, intragenerational and interspecies equity) and to propose adjustments towards a more “ethical CBA”. The decisions from CBA are inherently biased towards present generation and the wealthy. The former is due to the positive discount rates used in the CBA and the latter is arising from the economic values and the hypothetical nature of compensation of CBA. Concerns towards non human species are dominated by preferences of the wealthy present human beings. The history of economic development of the world is therefore the history of this injustice which is reflected in the widening income gaps among present and the burgeoning environmental costs left to the future. World has paid only a very scant attention to the tools available to correct such intra and intergeneration inequities of CBA. The paper concludes emphasizing the immediate need to use appropriate adjustments to make the preferences of the present non-wealthy, unborn human beings and both present and future non-human beings be more explicitly reflected in the cost benefit analysis. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/jepsl.v1i2. 5144 Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka Vol.1(2) 2012 1-15
The Impact of Occupational Pensions on Retirement Age

This article contributes to the debate about retirement age and the extent to which occupational pensions influence the decision to retire. It uses the waves of Labour Force Survey (1984–91) and Quarterly Labour Force Survey (1992–2003) to review the changes in the actual average retirement age in the UK during the period 1984–2003 by gender and ethnicity. The article investigates the link between occupational pension schemes and the actual retirement age of men and women. It explores the impact of pension type on employees' expected retirement age and the decision to take early retirement using the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing (2002–03).
An analysis of electronic government research from the perspective of developing countries

The purpose of this paper is to explore the progress of research to date by systematically analysing the existing body of knowledge related to issues of e-government in developing and under-developed countries and to determine whether there is a lack of theoretical development and rigour in this area. Usable data relating to e-government research which is currently available were collected from 158 research articles identified from the ISI Web of Knowledge database and by manually identifying relevant articles from journals dedicated to electronic government research. Based on our investigation of the extant literature, we found that generic e-government applications were explored more than any specific applications. It was also discerned that adoption and diffusion were the most commonly explored themes; access to only one case study, website content, community, organisation, culture, or country were the major limitation across all the studies.
Taking initiative in market creation – a business ecosystem actor perspective

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of taking initiative in developing next generation communication services. Focusing on different actors in our analysis, we adopt a business ecosystem perspective, where the role of network effects and interoperability are seen as prerequisites for market creation. In order to create new markets, however, certain actors need to take the initiative and subsequent risks. We provide an exploratory case study on IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) technology, which shows that taking initiative by different actors differ significantly in various phases of the development of new communication offerings. Thus, it is important to recognise that there is not only a need for a hub firm to lead the development as a whole, but more likely there is a need for several actors taking the initiative in the right time and at the right place.
Cell Proliferation Method: Click Chemistry Based on BrdU Coupling for Multiplex Antibody Staining

Determination of incorporation of the thymidine analog 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) into DNA is a widely used method to analyze the cell cycle. However, DNA denaturation is required for BrdU detection with the consequence that most protein epitopes are destroyed and their immunocytochemical detection for multiplex analysis is not possible. A novel assay is presented for identifying cells in active S‐phase that does not require the DNA denaturation step but nevertheless detects BrdU. For this purpose, cells were pulsed for a short time by 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) which is incorporated into DNA. The nucleotide‐exposed ethynyl residue was then derivatized by a copper‐catalyzed cycloaddition reaction (“click chemistry” coupling) using a BrdU azide probe. The resulting DNA‐bound bromouracil moieties were then detected by commercial anti‐BrdU monoclonal antibodies without the need for a denaturation step. This method has been tested using several cell lines and is more sensitive than traditional BrdU and allows multicolor and multiplex analysis in flow cytometry (FCM) and image‐based cytometry. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Test for Payment Card Biases

Abstract Concerns have been raised that payment cards used in contingent valuation method studies may be subject to range and centering biases. This paper develops a payment card using an exponential response scale. A test for biases is conducted with four versions of the payment card that have greatly different ranges and center values. Range and centering biases are not found except when the payment card truncates, or does not present, the upper end of the value distribution that respondents may desire to select.
Concomitant boost radiotherapy with concurrent weekly cisplatin in advanced head and neck cancers: a phase II trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To determine the safety and efficacy of concomitant boost radiotherapy (CBRT) with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy (CT) in advanced head and neck cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between February 2000 and June 2001, 95 previously untreated patients of advanced head and neck cancers were treated with CBRT and concurrent cisplatin CT. CBRT consisted of: phase I--44 Gy/22fx/4.5 weeks, phase IIa--16 Gy/8fx/1.5 weeks and phase IIb--10 Gy/8fx (delivered as a second daily fraction after a gap of 6h along with phase IIa). CT (cisplatin 35 mg/m(2)) was administered weekly usually preceding CBRT by an hour. RESULTS The median follow-up was 39 months (range 8-50 months). CBRT compliance (70 Gy in 40-44 days) was seen in 66% (63/95). Six cycles of CT was delivered in 73% (69/95). Acute grade III/IV mucosal toxicity was seen in 79% and resulted, on average, in a total weight loss of 7.9 kg from a mean pretreatment weight of 51 kg. Nasogastric tube placements were required in 26% (25/95) for an average duration of 19.3 days. Grade III leucopenia was seen in 2%. Mortality during and within 30 days of treatment was seen in 14% (13/95). Crude incidence of late subcutaneous fibrosis (grade III) was 21% (12/57) and a case of mandibular necrosis and thyroid cartilage necrosis each were seen. Initial loco regional disease clearance was seen in 59% (56/95) and the Kaplan-Meier estimates of 3-year loco-regional control rate and overall survival were 25% (median 7 months, 95% C.I. 3-11) and 27% (median 12 months, 95% C.I. 8-16), respectively. CONCLUSIONS On present evidence, in the settings of a developing country, CBRT with concurrent cisplatin cannot be recommended as primary therapy in advanced head and neck cancers without formal comparison with other treatment modalities.
Data Resource Management for CIM Systems: Challenges and Design Considerations

At the heart of successful automated manufacturing systems lies the idea of effective integration of various functions. In any sizeable application of a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system, an enormous amount of complex data needs to be logically integrated and managed. Presents and discusses the complex nature of CIM data and the difficulties associated with managing them. Given these difficulties, effective data management of such advanced manufacturing systems poses a challenging task for system designers and managers. Given the growing rate of diffusion of relational databases, it is important to explore the capabilities of this technology in serving the data management needs of manufacturing systems. Proposes a relational database schema, as opposed to a hierarchical or a network model. Uses appropriate examples from a Cellular Manufacturing setting to illustrate the proposed schema. Discusses issues related to distributing and logically integrating databases, and outlines managerial impli.
Overcoming the challenges of “drag torque” in a dual-lane actuator for an aircraft

Actuators for the more electric aircraft are predominantly based on permanent magnet machines to achieve the optimum power to weight ratio. High reliability of these actuators is important and typically this results in the adoption of a dual-lane multiphase topology. This is to provide redundancy in both the power electronics and the machine so as to achieve the desired reliability. However, in fault conditions, it is possible for the drag torque caused by a short-circuited phase of a permanent magnet machine to be sufficiently large that the rating of the healthy lane needs to be significantly overrated to ensure it can meet the operational specification. This effectively negates the advantages of the machine to some degree. Segmental Rotor Switched Reluctance machines have been demonstrated to provide enhanced performance compared with conventional Switched Reluctance machines and have the potential to overcome this problem of drag torque in a faulted lane whilst maintaining the necessary power to weight requirements. This paper explores some of the challenges involved in the design and realization of a novel motor and drive solution suitable for a fault tolerant aerospace nose-wheel actuator. For example, the actuator under investigation has a very short stack length resulting in significant end-winding effects. By introducing small sections of permanent magnet material between the stator teeth the performance of the machine can be improved even further, thus mitigating these end-winding effects. Design considerations and simulation results are presented with a narrative of our development program to date.
Polymorphisms in mitotic checkpoint-related genes can influence survival outcomes of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

This study was conducted to investigate the association between variants in mitotic checkpoint-related genes and clinical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 766 patients with NSCLC who underwent curative surgery were enrolled. Among the 73 variants evaluated, 4 variants were related with survival outcomes. BUB3 rs7897156C>T was associated with worse overall survival under a recessive model (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–2.33, P = 0.02). AURKB rs1059476G>A was associated with better overall survival under a recessive model (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.41–0.99, P = 0.05). PTTG1 rs1895320T>C and RAD21 rs1374297C>G were associated with worse disease-free survival. In the functional study, relative luciferase activity was higher at the BUB3 rs7897156T allele compared to that at the C allele. Western blot showed that the phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR in the AURKB variant-type (M298) was significantly lower than in the AURKB wild-type (T298). We found that 4 variants of mitotic checkpoint-related genes were associated with survival outcomes in patients with surgically resected NSCLC. Particularly, our results suggest that BUB3 rs7897156C>T and AURKB rs1059476G>A are functional variants.
A Basel perspective on bank leverage

Basel III introduces a leverage ratio that is expressed as the quotient of Tier 1 capital and a class of total unweighted assets. In this article, we use BankScope data to study Class I banks that have Tier 1 capital and total unweighted assets in excess of US $4 and 100 billion, respectively, and are internationally active. We also consider Class II banks that do not satisfy these conditions. Here, we find that Class I banks are more leveraged than their Class II counterparts under both Basel II and III regimes. Off-balance sheet items make up a larger proportion of unweighted assets for Class I banks than for Class II banks. Both these types of banks are more leveraged using Basel III leverage calculations than under a Basel II dispensation. It appears that, seen in isolation, high Basel leverage does not appear to be a reliable predictor of subsequent bank distress. However, bank leverage will be significantly influenced by an increase in regulation restrictiveness from Basel II to Basel III. In particular, more restrictive regulation is associated with relatively higher leverage. With respect to leverage, Basel III must clearly adopt more than just a one-size-fits-all approach.
A Fuzzy Approach to Social Worker's Turnover Intention

This study seeks to find the factors associated with social workers' turnover intention and show us how to manage turnovers by looking for some rules affecting turnover intentions. Our investigation surveying 331 social workers reveals that social workers' turnover intentions are affected by organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and burnout. Our pattern analyses using fuzzy ID3 show that the higher their commitment, the higher their job satisfaction stemming from promotion opportunities, rewards, and personal relations with peers and bosses. In addition, turnover intentions decreases (even if burnouts--the job-related stress--are very serious) when organizational commitment increases. We come to understand that organizational commitment could be a more important variable than job satisfaction and burnouts. Such results suggest that it would be necessary to consider how to improve social workers' organization-wide commitment rather than satisfaction and burnout related to jobs and environments.
Ensuring the long term viability of the New Zealand seed industry.

New Zealand‟s seed industry occupies around 50,000 ha and produced around 130,000 tonnes seed in both 2010 and 2011. Most of this production is based in Canterbury. Ryegrasses and peas (at around 30,000 tonnes each) are the largest seed crops by volume, but cereals, forage brassicas, oilseeds, forage legumes and vegetable seeds are also important. The upstream impacts of the seed industry in 2011 were estimated at $228M in direct sales, a total impact of $610M, and a contribution to New Zealand‟s GDP of $271M. Downstream impacts for New Zealand‟s pasture improvement delivered via New Zealand produced seeds are estimated to contribute $3.2B to GDP annually. The seed industry is vitally important to New Zealand‟s land-based industries and currently vibrant, but there are various threats to its long term viability. These include competition for land use, high production costs, reducing options for the use of chemicals and fertilisers, climate change, and loss of industry knowledge and infrastructure. The loss of the seed industry would remove around $1.0B from the “seeds” contribution (direct and indirect) to the New Zealand economy, threaten the profitability/viability of New Zealand‟s pastoral production industries, remove the present grass endophyte capability, and stop the $150M annual seed export industry as well as other downstream impacts. A bright and productive future for the seed industry will therefore require increased profitability using sustainable production practices, seed quality improvement, strategies to mitigate the effects of a number of environmental changes and an expansion of seed industry knowledge. Overcoming present technical constraints will require both fundamental and applied research. The New Zealand Seed Alliance has been established to provide a mechanism for increasing investment in seed research and development, to provide increasing opportunities for the industry to meet present and future market demands, and to enhance cooperation among the public and private sectors of the New Zealand seed industry.
The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase CgMK1 Governs Appressorium Formation, Melanin Synthesis, and Plant Infection of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes infects plant hosts with a specialized cell called an appressorium, which is melanized and required for plant cell wall penetration. Here, we show that the mitogen-activated protein kinase CgMK1 governs appressorium formation and virulence in the poplar anthracnose fungus C. gloeosporioides. Deletion of CgMK1 impairs aerial hyphal growth and biomass accumulation, and CgMK1 is responsible for the expression of melanin biosynthesis-associated genes. CgMK1 deletion mutants are unable to form appressorium and lose the capacity to colonize either wounded or unwounded poplar leaves, leading to loss of virulence. We demonstrate that the exogenous application of cAMP fails to restore defective appressorium formation in the CgMK1 deletion mutants, suggesting that CgMK1 may function downstream or independent of a cAMP-dependent signal for appressorium formation. Moreover, CgMK1 mutants were sensitive to high osmosis, indicating that CgMK1 plays an important role in stress response. We conclude that CgMK1 plays a vital role in regulating appressorium formation, melanin biosynthesis, and virulence in C. gloeosporiodes.
The Practice of Collaborative Governance

The paper draws upon the main challenges to implement the so called social organizations partnership model, designed in the 1990s to allow the transference of state activities to non-governmental entities in Brazil. Questions regarding the collaborative governance literature and field observations are raised with the aim of elaborating research questions to be further explored. The main challenges are related to the following themes: partnerships and institutional reforms; performance orientation; mixed governance systems; partnerships vs. outsourcing; and operational flexibility.
Oligodendroglioma arising in the glial component of ovarian teratomas: a series of six cases and review of literature

Aims To report the exceedingly rare occurrence of oligodendroglioma in the glial component of ovarian teratomas. Methods Six cases of oligodendrogliomas arising in the glial component of ovarian teratomas were studied and the literature was reviewed. Immunohistochemistry was performed by the Flex technique. Results The ages of the patients ranged from 12 to 28 years (mean 21 years). Four tumours were located in the right and one in the left ovary. The size of the ovarian cysts ranged from 7 cm to 29 cm (mean 19.6 cm). Four cases arose in immature and two cases in mature teratomas. In all cases, oligodendroglioma was WHO grade II. On immunohistochemistry, glial fibrillary acidic protein stain was positive in all cases. The Mib 1 (Ki 67) proliferative index was low and the tumour cells were negative for synaptophysin. Follow-up was available in five patients and ranged from 1 to 42 months. Two patients died of disease after 1 and 36 months of diagnosis, respectively. In both these cases oligodendroglioma arose in an immature teratoma. The remaining three patients are alive with a follow-up of 4–42 months. Conclusions Oligodendroglioma arising in the glial component of ovarian teratomas is exceedingly rare. Ovarian teratomas should be extensively sampled and carefully evaluated to rule out the possibility of a glial tumour. This is the single and largest series of oligodendrogliomas arising in ovarian teratomas. The prognosis is good for oligodendrogliomas arising in mature teratomas compared with those arising in immature teratomas, although long-term follow-up is needed to determine the exact behaviour.
The determinants of reinsurance in the Swedish property fire insurance market during the interwar years, 1919–39

Drawing a framework from agency theory, we use a panel data design to examine the factors motivating the level of demand for reinsurance in the rapidly developing Swedish property fire insurance market during the interwar period 1919–39. We find that as hypothesised, reinsurance enabled Swedish fire insurers to mitigate underwriting and solvency risks and thus increased their capacity to underwrite new business in uncertain economic times. This in turn helped to increase the supply of indemnity coverage for property (buildings) fire risks in the Swedish insurance market. We also find that as expected, investment earnings are inversely related to reinsurance purchases. However, contrary to what was hypothesised, reinsurance appears to be positively related to liquidity levels, suggesting that over our period of analysis, fire insurers could have been reinsuring to ‘protect’ earnings and accumulated cash reserves therefore enabling investment opportunities to be realised. Analysis of the sub-period 1919–28 further supports this contention, while our results for the economic depression years after 1929 show that reinsurance helped mitigate underwriting and insolvency risks, suggesting that the reinsurance decision of fire insurance companies could be motivated by macroeconomic factors.