Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AC 2007-513: COST ESTIMATING CERTIFICATES OFFERED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD

Many projects in industry and government go over budget and schedule. In most engineering economics courses, the emphasis is on how to compare alternatives and learn about time value of money and interest and inflation rates. The students are usually given the costs and asked to compare the alternatives. However, this is the easy part of the analysis. The hard part of real project evaluations is developing the cost and investment numbers to do the engineering economics analysis. In most engineering economic textbooks, there is at most one chapter on cost estimation. More and more companies and government organizations are concerned that their engineers don’t know how to do accurate cost and schedule estimates. Cost estimation is a critical element to doing engineering economic evaluations. For example, one of the authors has presented short courses on cost estimation and economic evaluation to over 10,000 professionals, mostly engineers and engineering managers who are in industry and government. Most of these engineers have taken engineering economics courses while in college, and they have a good grasp of the fundamentals of engineering economics. However, most practicing engineers lack the fundamentals to do accurate cost and schedule estimates. To keep projects from going over budget and schedule, more and more organizations are requiring their engineers and engineering managers to obtain certifications in cost estimation from professional societies. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current certifications offered so practicing engineers and engineering educators will know what is available and what is required to earn these certifications. The four major cost estimating certifications offered by professional societies in the United States are discussed. Eligibility and certification requirements along with examination information are presented. In addition, because many engineers are working on international projects, cost estimation certifications offered by professional societies in other countries are also summarized.
Domestic Tourism in Italy: a Beta Regression Model

Planning and implementing strategies and programs to develop tourism has long been a priority issue for policy makers and decision makers. Hence, the interest in quantitative methods for assessing the extent to which possible modifications of some determinants can affect the tourism flows of the destination country. Besides, over the last decades, in Italy as well as in many other destinations worldwide, most of policy makers have shifted their priority from the promotion of inbound tourism to the promotion of domestic tourism. In this framework, the present study builds on a regional dataset and implements a beta regression model with a twofold aim: to investigate the relevance and the statistical significance of some determinants of Italian domestic tourism, and the extent to which possible modifications in such determinants can affect the tourism flows across the Italian regions.Among the several factors, the model showed the number of accommodation facilities, the number of great shopping centres and the hospital density as statistically significant, showing a good explained variation and a reasonable root mean square error. On this basis, simulation studies were performed to assess the impact of new investments, such as new accommodation facilities and new congress centres on local tourism flows.
Survey on customer related studies in Islamic banking

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to make a critical review of the selected customer related studies in Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach – In accordance with the aim, the selection criteria is decided to include the studies which have at least one citation according to a publicly available citation count database as of January 2013 and the subjectively selected uncited studies from recent years. According to the selection criteria, in total, 50 journal articles for the period of 1989-2013 are reviewed. Findings – This work identifies the main research subjects, the distribution for these subjects, the general characteristics of research methodologies and methods, the strengths and weaknesses of the studies and the direction of the research area. Practical implications – The foremost contributions of this work are that a researcher or someone who is interested in Islamic banking based customer related studies can attain a detailed picture about the most common research subjects, methodologies,.
Phlebotomine salivas inhibit immune inflammation‐induced neutrophil migration via an autocrine DC‐derived PGE2/IL‐10 sequential pathway

In the present study, we investigated whether saliva from Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus duboscqi inhibited antigen‐induced neutrophil migration and the mechanisms involved in these effects. The pretreatment of immunized mice with salivary gland extracts (SGE) of both phlebotomines inhibited OVA challenge‐induced neutrophil migration and release of the neutrophil chemotactic mediators, MIP‐1α, TNF‐α, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Furthermore, SGE treatment enhanced the production of anti‐inflammatory mediators, IL‐10 and PGE2. SGE treatments failed to inhibit neutrophil migration and MIP‐1α and LTB4 production in IL‐10−/− mice, also failing in mice treated with nonselective (indomethacin) or selective (rofecoxibe) cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors. COX inhibition resulted in diminished SGE‐induced IL‐10 production, and PGE2 release triggered by SGE remained increased in IL‐10−/− mice, suggesting that prostanoids are acting through an IL‐10‐dependent mechanism. SGE treatments in vivo reduced the OVA‐induced lymphoproliferation of spleen‐derived cells. Further, the in vitro incubation of bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (DC) with SGE inhibited the proliferation of CD4+T cells from OVA‐immunized mice, which was reversed by indomethacin and anti‐IL‐10 antibody treatments. Supporting these results, SGE induced the production of PGE2 and IL‐10 by DC, which were blocked by COX inhibition. These effects were associated with the reduction of DC‐membrane expression of MHC‐II and CD86 by SGE treatment. Altogether, the results showed that Phlebotomine saliva inhibits immune inflammation‐induced neutrophil migration by an autocrine DC sequential production of PGE2/IL‐10, suggesting that the saliva constituents might be promising therapeutic molecules to target immune inflammatory diseases.
Public Policy for the Canadian Financial System: From Porter to the Present and Beyond

Introduction OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS THE ROLE OF FINANCE and the importance of the financial sector in the Canadian and other advanced economies have grown substantially. For instance, financial liabilities have risen sharply relative to GDP and trading volumes have surged. Finance operates through a complex system of interconnected institutions (banks, dealers, insurers), markets (equities, fixed income, futures, derivatives), infrastructures (monetary system, payments and settlements) and interventions by governments as issuers, regulators and participants. The financial system plays a vital role in supporting and promoting economic activity by facilitating payments, transforming the maturities of assets and liabilities to suit the needs of households and
Bipolar II disorder and comorbidity.

The validity and reliability of the diagnosis of bipolar II disorder has been questioned by means of comorbidity with nonaffective disorders, including substance abuse, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders. This study examined the comorbid diagnosis of a sample of bipolar II patients, comparing patients with comorbidity and those with "pure" bipolar II disorder. Forty Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) bipolar II patients were assessed by means of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Lifetime Version (SADS-L) and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R axis I (SCID-II) for personality disorders. Patients fulfilling RDC criteria for any psychiatric disorder (except personality disorders) or DSM-IV criteria for any personality disorder were compared with patients without comorbidity. For practical reasons, cyclothymia was not considered as a comorbid diagnosis. Half of the sample had lifetime comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, mainly personality disorders (33%), substance abuse or dependence (21%), and anxiety disorders (8%). However, only the rates of suicidal ideation (74% v 24%, chi square [chi2] = 9.03, P = .003) and suicide attempts (45% v 5%, chi2 = 8.53, P = .003) were significantly different between patients with and without comorbidity. In summary, although the rates of comorbidity are relatively high in bipolar II disorder, most clinical and course variables are strikingly similar in patients with and without comorbidity except for suicidal behavior, suggesting that comorbidity does not reduce the validity of the diagnosis of bipolar II disorder.
External Motivating Factors for Greening Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises in China

Severe environmental degradation worldwide calls for imperative action from human society. Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute an important component in almost every economic entity in the world, are subject to growing concern, as their environmental performance is essential to regional and global environmental protection and sustainable industrial development. Due to the weakness of SMEs and the various barriers they encounter, pressure and incentives from outside are needed to engage SMEs in adopting environmental initiatives. In order to understand the current greening process of SMEs in China, this thesis identifies and evaluates several important motivating factors, their relative roles, current status and future directions in China’s green business initiative. Four factors, including the Chinese government, supply chain partners, international aid, and network & alliance, are found to be dominant in promoting the greening initiatives of Chinese SMEs. The Chinese central government regulates the environmental practice of SMEs, through creating an integrated framework of legislation and standards, which is however compromised by weak enforcement at a local level. More financial and technological support from the government is needed to improve the environmental behavior of SMEs. Through case studies, it is shown that pressure from supply chain partners can effectively push SMEs to carry out environmental management in their business practice. However, this might be limited to a small set of SMEs, and require more financial and technological cooperation across the supply chain. International aid from organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) greatly promotes the dissemination of green technology and experience to Chinese industries. However, the effort is ironically currently focused on large (e.g., state-owned) enterprises due to improper government interference. Networking among Chinese enterprises, including SMEs such as China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME), plays a key role in information exchange, experience sharing and cooperation. More efforts are nonetheless needed to shift to the area of corporate environmental management.
Pengaruh Corporate Social Responsibility Berbasiskan Karakteristik Social Bank Terhadap Kinerja Perusahaan Perbankan Di Bursa Efek Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to test empirically the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on the financial performance of banking companies listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). In contrast to previous studies, this study uses the social bank characteristics for the measurement of CSR. Social bank characteristics are a proxy of sustainability development. The company's performance is proxied by Tobin's Q. The sample was banking companies listed on the IDX in 2008 to 2012. This study used a multiple regression model and the R software to test the hypothesis. At the 5% significance level, the results show that CSR significantly affects the financial performance of banking companies listed in the IDX. The regression coefficient of CSR on corporate performance is -0.075769, thus CSR as measured by the social bank characteristics as a proxy of sustainability development is significantly negative on firm financial performance as measured by Tobin's Q. In other words, CSR-based sustainability development does not affect the increase of financial performance of banking companies that are listed in the IDX.
Requirement for total hip arthroplasty: an outcome measure of hip osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVE To assess if total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a valid outcome measure of hip osteoarthritis (OA), in respect to clinical and radiological assessments. METHODS A prospective 3 year study of patients who had painful hip OA with an initial radiographic joint space width > or =1 mm at the narrowest point. Dependent variable was THA. Patient data including body mass index, OA structural severity by radiograph, OA symptomatic severity (pain, function), and OA localization were recorded at entry. Pelvic radiographs were obtained before THA, when available, and once yearly during the study. RESULTS During the study 106 of 506 patients underwent THA. Risk was estimated (Kaplan-Meier method) to be 8+/-1, 16+/-2, and 23+/-2% after 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Factors predisposing to requirement for surgery were: age > or =70 years, female sex, superolateral migration of the femoral head, joint space width <2 mm, Kellgren-Lawrence grade > or =3, pain (visual analog scale) > or =50 mm, and Lequesne index > or =10 with a relative risk of 1.65, 1.71, 1.96, 1.85, 1.89, 1.86, and 2.59, respectively. Mean change in joint space width was 0.22+/-0.50 vs 0.97+/-1.35 mm/year in patients without and with THA, respectively (p<0.0001). Changes in radiological joint space width during the first year were highly predictive of requirement for THA during the 2 following years (risk of 5, 13, 25, and 79% in patients with a radiological joint space width worsening during the first year of 0, < or =25, >25 and < or =50, and >50%, respectively). CONCLUSION These data suggest that THA could be considered as a valid outcome measure in OA. However, further studies should be conducted in other countries with different health care systems to evaluate the inter-country reliability of this measurement.
ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THEIR DISCLOSURE BY SOME SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

Accounting estimates form part of the preparation of financial statements and should not affect faithful representation. The use of accounting estimates does not yield exact amounts, but, rather, amounts based on assumptions. The frequency of use of accounting estimates in financial statements depends on the measurement criteria prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). For example, in the absence of prices in an active market, and if measurement is at fair value, the fair value is based on assumptions. Disclosure of the assumptions on which accounting estimates are based enables the users of financial statements to judge if amounts are faithfully represented. The objective of the research on which this article is based was to establish what IFRSs require in terms of the disclosure of assumptions and estimation uncertainty and also if listed companies in the construction and materials sector comply with these disclosure requirements.
Using Profit and Loss Sharing (PLS) of Islamic Finance for Financing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Libya: Setting Up A Road Map

AbstractPurpose: This paper aims to setting up a road map for using profit-and-loss sharing (PLS) type of Islamic financing to overcome the financial difficulties of SMEs in Libya. Design/Methodology/Approach: The road map has been developed based on the conceptual framework of Ascarys's (2010) which use the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method, to analyse problems faced by Islamic banks when dealing with PLS financing. Findings: The study found that (1) there is a finance gap in financing SMEs in Libya; (2) most Libyan firms have knowledge about the existence of Islamic banking and finance; (3) loan has interest is the highest important reason as to why Libyan SMEs do not apply for any loan from the bank; (4) the portfolio of Islamic finance worldwide is dominated by non PLS financing; and (5) the conceptual framework of Ascarys's (2010) includes three aspects of the lack of PLS in Islamic banks namely, problems, alternative solution and development strategies. Research limitations: An empirical study is needed to provide more support to the suggested road map.Originality/Value: This is the first study that proposal the use of PLS for financing SMEs in Libya. The paper demonstrated various issues for PLS financing of SMEs in Libya which could help policy makers to undertake some serious public policy issues by understanding motives for encouraging Libyan Islamic banks and SMEs to deal with such PLS contracts.
Left atrial and left atrial appendage systolic function in patients with post-myocardial distal blocks

Introduction The study aimed to evaluate function of the left atrium (LA) and of the left atrial appendage (LAA) after myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by intracardiac conduction disturbances. Material and methods The study comprised 59 patients with persistent post-myocardial distal blocks, who were allocated to one of the three following subgroups: study group I – 20 patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB); study group II – 20 patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB), and study group III –19 pts with left anterior hemiblock (LAHB). The control groups included patients with MI in their history and no BBBs (19 pts – group IV) and clinically healthy people (16 patients – group V). The parameters of LA and LAA systolic function were determined by means of transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Results We showed that patients who experienced myocardial infarction not complicated with conduction disturbances expressed compensatory LA systolic function enhancement. In patients with post-myocardial RBBB and LAHB significant enhancement of LA systolic function was observed as well but it was expressed to a lesser degree. There was also a tendency towards deterioration of LA systolic function in patients with post-myocardial LBBB. LBBB did not affect LAA systolic function negatively. Conclusions Parameters of LAA systolic function showed its enhancement in all patients after myocardial infarction irrespective of whether it was complicated by conduction disturbances.
Cellular Mechanisms of Calcium and Vitamin D in the Inhibition of Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Convincing evidence is available showing that dietary calcium and vitamin D impede the development of colonic carcinogenesis. The major cellular modes of action of calcium and vitamin D which can contribute to the inhibition of colonic neoplasia are reviewed in this article. These consist of complex series of signaling events induced by the chemopreventive agents acting at various tiers of colonic cell organization.
Six Sigma Management and Customer's Satisfaction

This article thinks our most organizations have realized the importance of customers but they don't achieve perfect customers' satisfaction. Six Sigma management was put forward and used by Motorola in 1987, which was perfected by GM in 1995. It is a systematic management by reducing changes in process and shortcomings, lowering the cost, satisfying customers perfectly and increasing profits. It is the key path to achieve perfect customers' satisfaction and sustainable development and increase competitiveness for organizations.
An 880 / 1760 MHz tunable bandwidth active RC low-pass filter using high gain amplifier

For 60GHz unlicensed applications, an analog base-band filter using an active RC type is presented. An 880 / 1760 MHz tunable bandwidth third order Butterworth low-pass filter using high gain amplifiers is fabricated in 90nm standard CMOS process. Drawing 29.2 mW from 1.2 V power supply, the low frequency gains of the filter are -1.2 and -2.5 dB, and the output third order intercept points (OIP3) are +2.85 and +2.35 dBm for the single channel and channel bonding conditions, respectively.
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome due to DOK7 mutations in a family from Chile

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are neuromuscular transmission disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding neuromuscular junction proteins. A 61-year-old female and her older sister showed bilateral ptosis, facial and proximal limb weakness, and scoliosis since childhood. Another female sibling had milder signs, while other family members were asymptomatic. Facial nerve repetitive stimulation in the proband showed decrement of muscle responses. Single fiber EMG revealed increased jitter and blocking. Muscle biopsy showed type 2-fiber atrophy, without tubular aggregates. Mutational analysis in the three affected siblings revealed two compound heterozygous mutations in DOK7: c.1457delC, that predicts p.Pro486Argfs*13 and truncates the protein C-terminal domain, and c.473G>A, that predicts p.Arg158Gln and disruption of the dok7-MuSK interaction in the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain. Unaffected family members carried only one or neither mutation. Discussion. Two of the affected sisters showed marked improvement with salbutamol treatment, which illustrates the benefits of a correct diagnosis and treatment of DOK7-CMS.
Universal extra dimensions and Z ---> b anti-b

We study, at the one loop level, the dominant contributions from a single universal extra dimension to the process $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{Z}b\overline{b}. $ By resorting to the gaugeless limit of the theory we explain why the result is expected to display a strong dependence on the mass of the top quark, not identified in the early literature. A detailed calculation corroborates this expectation, giving rise to a lower bound for the compactification scale which is comparable to that obtained from the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ parameter. An estimate of the subleading corrections is furnished, together with a qualitative discussion on the difference between the present results and those derived previously for the nonuniversal case.
APPLICATION OF STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS IN ENTERPRISES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

This research paper examines controlling instruments and its necessity in the modern enterprise management. Research was conducted in small, medium and large companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Goal of this research is multifaceted. It emphasizes importance of strategic and operational controlling instruments in companies and shows its contribution to company’s business success. Conducted research supports hypothesis. Analysis results show that companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina use relevant strategic and operational controlling instruments successfully and controlling function largely contributes to successful business performance of Bosnian-Herzegovinian companies.
Lessons learned from Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0525 trial.

Mark R. Gilbert, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center James Dignam, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Statistical Center Stephanie Pugh, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Statistical Center Terri S. Armstrong, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Jeffrey S. Wefel, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Ken Aldape, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Roger Stupp, University Hospital Zurich Monika Hegi, Lausanne University Hospitals Minhee Won, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Statistical Center Walter J Curran, Emory University