Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Recent Weather Extremes on the Insurance Industry: Major Implications for the Atmospheric Sciences

Abstract Frequent and extremely damaging severe weather conditions in the United States during 1991–94 caused $40 billion in insured losses, creating major impacts and eliciting diverse responses in the weather insurance industry. Population, one reason for the growing national sensitivity to storm damage, explained much of the increase in the number of catastrophes (property losses > $10 million) as well as the increases in the amount of losses. The largest increases in storms occurred in areas experiencing the greatest population growth (west, southwest, south, and southeast). Shifts in atmospheric variables (particularly in the frequency of extratropical cyclones) explained most of the 1949–94 fluctuations found in the intensity of catastrophic storms (losses divided by storm frequency). The property-casualty sector raised rates, made major changes in insurance availability in high-risk areas, tightened underwriting restrictions in hurricane-prone areas, and is making extensive assessments of weather r.
Transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) before, during and after Sustained Low Efficiency Dialysis (SLED). A Prospective Study on Feasibility of TPTD and Prediction of Successful Fluid Removal

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients. AKI requires renal replacement therapy (RRT) in up to 10% of patients. Particularly during connection and fluid removal, RRT frequently impairs haemodyamics which impedes recovery from AKI. Therefore, “acute” connection with prefilled tubing and prolonged periods of RRT including sustained low efficiency dialysis (SLED) has been suggested. Furthermore, advanced haemodynamic monitoring using trans-pulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) and pulse contour analysis (PCA) might help to define appropriate fluid removal goals. Objectives, Methods Since data on TPTD to guide RRT are scarce, we investigated the capabilities of TPTD- and PCA-derived parameters to predict feasibility of fluid removal in 51 SLED-sessions (Genius; Fresenius, Germany; blood-flow 150mL/min) in 32 patients with PiCCO-monitoring (Pulsion Medical Systems, Germany). Furthermore, we sought to validate the reliability of TPTD during RRT and investigated the impact of “acute” connection and of disconnection with re-transfusion on haemodynamics. TPTDs were performed immediately before and after connection as well as disconnection. Results Comparison of cardiac index derived from TPTD (CItd) and PCA (CIpc) before, during and after RRT did not give hints for confounding of TPTD by ongoing RRT. Connection to RRT did not result in relevant changes in haemodynamic parameters including CItd. However, disconnection with re-transfusion of the tubing volume resulted in significant increases in CItd, CIpc, CVP, global end-diastolic volume index GEDVI and cardiac power index CPI. Feasibility of the pre-defined ultrafiltration goal without increasing catecholamines by >10% (primary endpoint) was significantly predicted by baseline CPI (ROC-AUC 0.712; p = 0.010) and CItd (ROC-AUC 0.662; p = 0.049). Conclusions TPTD is feasible during SLED. “Acute” connection does not substantially impair haemodynamics. Disconnection with re-transfusion increases preload, CI and CPI. The extent of these changes might be used as a “post-RRT volume change” to guide fluid removal during subsequent RRTs. CPI is the most useful marker to guide fluid removal by SLED.
Estimate of surface direct radiative forcing of desert dust from atmospheric modulation of the aerosol optical depth

Abstract. Measurements carried out on the island of Lampedusa, in the central Mediterranean, on 7 September 2005, show the occurrence of a quasi-periodic oscillation of aerosol optical depth, column water vapour, and surface irradiance in different spectral bands. The oscillation has a period of about 13 min and is attributed to the propagation of a gravity wave able to modify the vertical structure of the planetary boundary layer, as also confirmed by satellite images. The wave occurred during a Saharan dust event. The oscillation amplitude is about 0.1 for the aerosol optical depth, and about 0.4 cm for the column water vapour. The modulation of the downward surface irradiances is in opposition of phase with respect to aerosol optical depth and water vapour column variations. The perturbation of the downward irradiance produced by the aerosols is determined by comparing the measured irradiances with estimated irradiances at a fixed value of the aerosol optical depth, and by correcting for the effect of the water vapour in the shortwave spectral range. The direct radiative forcing efficiency, i.e., the radiative perturbation of the net surface irradiance produced by a unit of optical depth aerosol layer, is determined at different solar zenith angles as the slope of the irradiance perturbation versus the aerosol optical depth. The estimated direct surface forcing efficiency at about 60° solar zenith angle is −(181 ± 17) W m −2 in the shortwave, and −(83 ± 7) W m −2 in the photosynthetic spectral range. The estimated daily average forcing efficiencies are of about −79 and −46 W m −2 for the shortwave and photosynthetic spectral range, respectively.
Evolutionary models for cool brown dwarfs and extrasolar giant planets. The case of HD 209458

We present evolutionary models for cool brown dwarfs and extra-solar giant planets. The models re- produce the main trends of observed methane dwarfs in near-IR color-magnitude diagrams. We also present evolutionary models for irradiated planets, coupling for the first time irradiated atmosphere profiles and inner structures. We focus on HD 209458-like systems and show that irradiation effects can substantially affect the ra- dius of sub-jovian mass giant planets. Irradiation effects, however, cannot alone explain the large observed radius of HD 209458b. Adopting assumptions which optimise irradiation effects and taking into account the extension of the outer atmospheric layers, we still find � 20% discrepancy between observed and theoretical radii. An extra source of energy seems to be required to explain the observed value of the first transit planet.
Concentration in Mortgage Lending, Refinancing Activity and Mortgage Rates

We present evidence that high concentration in local mortgage lending reduces the sensitivity of mortgage rates and refinancing activity to mortgage-backed security (MBS) yields. A decrease in MBS yields is typically associated with greater refinancing activity and lower rates on new mortgages. However, this effect is dampened in counties with concentrated mortgage markets. We isolate the direct effect of mortgage market concentration and rule out alternative explanations based on borrower, loan, and collateral characteristics in two ways. First, we use a matching procedure to compare high- and low-concentration counties that are very similar on observable characteristics and find similar results. Second, we examine counties where concentration in mortgage lending is increased by bank mergers. We show that within a given county, sensitivities to MBS yields decrease after a concentration-increasing merger. Our results suggest that the strength of the housing channel of monetary policy transmission varies in both the time series and the cross section. In the cross section, increasing concentration by one standard deviation reduces the overall impact of a decline in MBS yields by approximately 50%. In the time series, a decrease in MBS yields today has a 40% smaller effect on the average county than it would have had in the 1990s because of higher concentration today.
Impact of demographic variables on emotional intelligence levels amongst a sample of early career academics at a South African higher education institution

Orientation: Emotional intelligence (EI) is highlighted by the literature as an important attribute that enables an individual to cope with changes and pressures in the work environment and subsequently yields consistent performance. However, some scholars debate the role of demographic diversities and their impact on levels of EI amongst individuals.Research purpose: This study examined the influence of demographic variables on EI levels amongst early career academics (ECAs). Motivation for the study: The study interrogates demographic variables and EI, two issues important in the 21st-century workforce setting. The relationship between the two may be of value to the debate surrounding the success of early career professionals in the higher education sector. The success of ECAs should be of importance to institutions of higher learning.Research approach/design and method: A quantitative approach was followed in conducting the study. Data were collected from a sample of 220 ECAs in a selected university in South Africa. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the participants using SurveyMonkey online data collection tool. EI was measured using the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale.Main findings: Significant EI level differences were observed based on the participants’ ethnic background. However, no significant differences in EI levels could be found based on the respondents’ gender, age and work experience.Practical/managerial implications: The findings may be relevant to career management and human resources forecasting.Contribution/value-add: The study adds to the literature on EI and career success of early career professionals.
Regret in Dynamic Decision Problems

The paper proposes a framework to extend regret theory to dynamic contexts. The key idea is to conceive of a dynamic decision problem with regret as an intra-personal game in which the agent forms conjectures about the behaviour of the various counterfactual selves that he could have been. We derive behavioural implications in situations in which payoffs are correlated across either time or contingencies. In the first case, regret might lead to excess conservatism or a tendency to make up for missed opportunities. In the second case, behaviour is shaped by the agent’s self-conception. We relate our results to empirical evidence.
HbA(1c) levels are genetically determined even in type 1 diabetes: evidence from healthy and diabetic twins.

HbA(1c), a measure of blood glucose regulation, reflects glucose levels in the preceding months. In diabetes, HbA(1c) levels predict the risk of microvascular complications. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic factors could influence HbA(1c) levels in normal subjects and type 1 diabetic patients. We performed a classical twin study of HbA(1c) in healthy nondiabetic female twins and 42 monozygotic (MZ) and 47 dizygotic (DZ) pairs. Interclass correlations (r) were higher in MZ (r = 0.77) compared with DZ (r = 0.53) twin pairs, suggesting a substantial genetic effect; this was confirmed by quantitative genetic model fitting. Additive genetic effects (heritability) explained 62% (95% CI 47-75) of population variance in HbA(1c); the remainder was attributable to the influence of unique environment (23% [15-36]) and age (14% [5-28]). Multivariate modeling showed that genetic factors also have a substantial influence on fasting glucose levels (51%). However, HbA(1c) heritability could not be explained by genes in common with fasting glucose. In the patients with type 1 diabetes, HbA(1c) levels were correlated in 33 MZ twins concordant for diabetes (r = 0.68; P < 0.001) but also in 45 MZ twins discordant for the disease (r = 0.52; P < 0.001). These significant correlations for HbA(1c) in both concordant and discordant pairs indicate a diabetes-independent familial effect. Thus, HbA(1c) levels are largely genetically determined and independent of the genes influencing fasting glucose. Even in type 1 diabetes, familial (i.e., diabetes-independent) factors influence protein glycation, implying that familial factors may explain, in part, the risk for microvascular complications, as indicated by high HbA(1c) levels.
Games and Meta-Games: Pricing Rules for Combinatorial Mechanisms

In settings where full incentive-compatibility is not available, such as core-constraint combinatorial auctions and budget-balanced combinatorial exchanges, we may wish to design mechanisms that are as incentive-compatible as possible. This paper offers a new characterization of approximate incentive-compatibility by casting the pricing problem as a meta-game between the center and the participating agents. Through a suitable set of simplifications, we describe the equilibrium of this game as a variational problem. We use this to characterize the space of optimal prices, enabling closed-form solutions in restricted cases, and numerically-determined prices in the general case. We offer theory motivating this approach, and numerical experiments showing its application.
When the ones we love misbehave: Exploring moral processes within intimate bonds.

How do we react when our romantic partners, friends, or family members behave unethically? When close others misbehave, it generates a powerful conflict between observers' moral values and their cherished relationships. Previous research has almost exclusively studied moral perception in a social vacuum by investigating responses to the transgressions of strangers; therefore, little is known about how these responses unfold in the context of intimate bonds. Here we systematically examine the impact of having a close relationship with a transgressor on perceptions of that transgressor, the relationship, and the self. We predicted less negative emotional and evaluative responses to transgressors and smaller consequences for the relationship, yet more negative emotional and evaluative responses to the self when close others, compared with strangers or acquaintances, transgress. Participants read hypothetical wrongdoings (Study 1), recalled unethical events (Study 2), reported daily transgressions (Study 3; preregistered), and learned of novel immoral behavior (Study 4) committed by close others or comparison groups. Participants reported less other-critical emotions, more lenient moral evaluations, a reduced desire to punish/criticize, and a smaller impact on the relationship (compared with acquaintances) when close others versus strangers or acquaintances transgressed. Simultaneously, participants reported more self-conscious emotions and showed some evidence of harsher moral self-evaluations when close others transgressed. Underlying mechanisms of this process were examined. Our findings demonstrate the deep ambivalence in reacting to close others' unethical behaviors, revealing a surprising irony-in protecting close others, the self may bear some of the burden of their misbehavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Fast adaptive decision-selection equalizer convergence using a tree-structured algorithm

Previous research on adaptive equalization indicates that for some communications channels with nonlinear intersymbol interference (ISI) the decision state conventionally used as feedback can instead be used to select a detector model in order to achieve improved performance while maintaining simplicity compared to historic nonlinear solutions. For example, one method studied enhances the familiar adaptive decision feedback equalizer (ADFE) for binary transmission by using the past decision state to choose and adapt different sets of coefficients, i.e., different hyperplane detector boundaries. One notable drawback to the least-mean-squared (LMS) based adaptive decision-selection equalizer (ADSE) as implemented previously is decreased convergence rate. A tree-structured algorithm is proposed herein to speed convergence when the various conditional hyperplanes are not orthogonal in exchange for a manageable increase in memory and processing.
Perception of tone and vowel quantity in Thai

The current study examines the interaction of syllable tones and vowel quantity in the production and perception of mono-syllabic words of Thai. A speech corpus containing groups of words differing only as to tone type and vowel quantity was designed. These were embedded in a short carrier sentence of five mid tone syllables, with the target word being the center syllable. The utterances were analyzed with respect to the tonal and segmental features of the target words and F0 contours modeled using the Fujisaki model. Analysis shows that all mid tone sequences can be modeled using the phrase component only whereas the remaining tones require either single tone commands of positive or negative polarity, or a command pair. Based on the analysis results, a perception experiment was designed to explore the perceptual space between words of tone/vowel quantity contrasts. Results indicate, inter alia, that vowel quantity is perceived as shorter when words are presented in isolation than when embedded in a carrier sentence. Confusions generally occur more frequently between words of different vowel quantity than of different tones.
Men with a complete absence of normal sperm morphology exhibit high rates of success without assisted reproduction

In couples with infertility, abnormal strict morphology of 0% normal forms (NF) is a criterion to proceed rapidly to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Since no data currently exist, we investigated the outcomes for men with 0% NF to determine reproductive success without the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). A cohort of 24 men with 0% NF were identified (2010-2013) with 27 randomly selected men with ≥4% NF as controls. Patient charts were reviewed with men contacted and administered an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved telephone questionnaire to ascertain outcomes. After a median follow-up time of 2.5 years, 29.2% of men with 0% NF did not require ART for their first pregnancy (controls = 55.6%, P ≤ 0.05). When all pregnancies were analyzed together, men with 0% NF achieved twenty pregnancies of which 75% did not require IVF (controls = thirty pregnancies; 76.7% did not require IVF). The average age of men and female partners was similar between men with 0% NF and ≥4% NF. All men had normal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, prolactin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and estradiol. Although, global semen parameters were worse in men with 0% NF, when a first pregnancy was a natural conception (NC), 100% of men with 0% NF (n = 7/7) and 37.5% of controls (n = 3/8) went on to have a subsequent pregnancy via NC. Men with 0% NF conceived without IVF in 29.2% of cases compared to 55.6% of controls. Strict morphology should not be used to predict fertilization, pregnancy, or live birth potential. In men with 0% NF, alternative modalities should be considered before immediate IVF.
Tensor decomposition-based feature extraction for noninvasive diagnosis of melanoma from the clinical color image

We propose a feature extraction method for noninvasive diagnosis of melanoma based on tensor decomposition of the clinical color image of skin lesion. Extracted features are elements of the core tensor in the corresponding Tucker3 model, and represent spatial-spectral profile of the lesion. In contrast to majority of methods that exploit either texture or spectral diversity of the tumor only, this method simultaneously captures spatial and spectral characteristics. The proposed procedure is demonstrated on a problem of noninvasive diagnosis of melanoma from cost-effective auto-fluorescence color images of skin lesions, with overall sensitivity 82.1% and specificity 86.9%.
Banking Relationships and Access to Equity Capital Markets: Evidence from Japan's Main Bank System

We study the role of banking relationships in IPO underwriting using a sample of 484 Japanese IPOs. Among other issues, we consider whether bank relationships lead to increased access to public equity markets, especially for smaller, lesser-known firms. When a firm in Japan goes public, it can engage an investment bank that is related through a common main bank, or can select an alternative investment bank. The main bank relationship can be an efficient way for the investment bank to acquire information generated by the main bank, but may give rise to conflicts of interest. We use data from two different investment banking regimes in Japan (a hybrid auction-method regime and a book-building regime) and find that main bank relationships give small issuers increased access to equity capital markets, but that issuers of large IPOs switch to non-related investment banks that are capable of managing large offerings. While we find evidence that investment banks seek to exploit bargaining power with related issuers, we also find that issuers respond to expected high issue cost by switching to non-related investment banks. The net result is that total issue costs through related and non-related investment banks are similar. With respect to aftermarket performance and use of offer proceeds, we find no evidence of conflict of interest or self-dealing for either the main bank or the investment bank.
Relationship marketing in Japan: the buyer‐supplier relationships of four automakers

Examines the individual buyer‐supplier relationships of the four major Japanese automobile manufacturers. Building on the relationship marketing and the interorganizational trust literature, relates their supplier management practices to the type of supplier organizations they use, the relative sales revenues, number of employees, and profitability of both buyers and suppliers, and the level of equity held by automakers in their suppliers. Major finding reveals that the major Japanese automakers have far more diversity than commonality in their supplier policies, and suggests that a comparison of major Japanese companies individually, not collectively, is a rich area of research into buyer‐supplier relationships.
Knowledge management, workplace climate, creativity and performance

Purpose This study aims at providing empirical evidence pertaining to the interaction among authentic leadership, workplace harmony, worker's creativity and performance in the context of telecommunication sector. These research streams remain important issues and of interest as the world continues to migrate toward a knowledge-based economy. Design/methodology/approach Applying structural equation modeling, this study diagnosed the impact of Authentic leadership (AL) on employees (n = 345) in two Jordanian telecommunication firms, specifically, how it shapes workplace climate, creativity and job performance. The study also tests the moderating role of knowledge sharing in the model, as well as the mediating role of workplace climate on the relationship between AL and positive organizational outcomes. Findings The empirical result suggests that AL positively influences workplace climate, creativity and job performance; workplace climate positively influences creativity and job performance; workplace climate mediates the relationship between AL and creativity, and job performance; and knowledge sharing behavior moderates the relationship between AL and workplace climate. Originality/value This study highlights the magnificent power of AL and knowledge sharing, not only in shaping the workplace atmosphere but also in delineating how these variables stimulate creativity and performance among employees. The implications for research and practice are discussed.