Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the Japanese employment system degenerating? Evidence from the Basic Survey on Wage Structure

Despite the prolonged recession and sizable environmental changes after the burst of the Japanese economic bubble, a drastic degeneration has not been seen, either in seniority-based wages or in Japan's practice of lifetime employment, in the previous studies analyzing the negative impact of "the Lost Decade" (1992 to 2002). This result might indicate that the Japanese labor systems have a structural steadiness. This paper analyzes recent 20-year microdata from the Basic Survey on Wage Structure in an effort to examine recent developments in those two practices for male, full-time employees. First, regarding seniority-based wages, we investigate the development of the age-wage profile for lifetime employees, who are defined as those hired by a firm immediately after graduation and continued to work in the same firm until the survey date. We find that the wage slope gradually flattened in the 1990s; thereafter it eventually "kinked" around age 40 in 2007-2008. This change is most clearly observed for university graduates in the non-manufacturing industry. Second, regarding lifetime employment, we examine developments in the share of lifetime employees and five-year job retention rate. While we cannot detect any clear signs of changes for middle to older-aged workers, we find an evident downward trend of the share of lifetime workers for young university graduates after the late 1990s. The job retention rate also declined noticeably in the 2000s for highly educated young workers. Those results indicate that the two employment practices have been deteriorating simultaneously in recent years. Owing to the slow down of wage increases later in their careers, a higher portion of educated young workers may chose to depart from the tenure-track position. On the other hand, many older workers probably have to stay in their present jobs, in exchange for wage growth, since it is more difficult for them to find alternative jobs.
Effect of Space Radiation on the Leakage Current of MEMS Insulators

The effect of space radiation on the reliability of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices is an important consideration for future upper atmosphere and space applications. MEMS capacitors with insulator materials of silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>), silicon oxide (SiO<sub>2</sub>), and ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) were selected for radiation and leakage current studies. Leakage current was used as a measure of insulator performance and reliability, and is suggested here as a method to detect charge trapping, which also affects reliability. UNCD capacitors were orders of magnitude leakier than Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub>, with Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> being leakier than SiO<sub>2</sub>. SiO<sub>2</sub> devices exhibited unstable leakage current with accumulated electric field stress, and were not utilized in radiation studies. Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> capacitors exhibited leakage current decay (with a time constant of 190 s) under constant voltage stress above 2 MV/cm due to charge injection from the electrodes and trapping in the insulator. Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and UNCD capacitors were more sensitive to ionizing gamma radiation than to displacement damage from fast neutrons. Both Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and UNCD devices survived total doses of radiation representative of 20-100 years in the Van Allen radiation belts with 4 mm Al equivalent shielding. Capacitor equivalent circuit and resistor capacitor (RC) circuit charging models are developed to explain leakage current behavior of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> capacitors subjected to constant voltage stress and/or irradiation. In situ monitoring of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> capacitors placed next to the nuclear reactor core did not yield any single event effects at electric field strength of 1 MV/cm with a fast neutron fluence of 2×10<sup>12</sup> n/cm<sup>2</sup>. Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> MEMS capacitors appear best suited for upper atmosphere and space applications with their relatively low leakage current (low power consumption) and apparent radiation hardness.
ECONOMIES OF SCALE AND MERGER EFFICIENCIES IN THE CHILEAN PENSION FUNDS MARKET

Over the last twenty years there has been a significant concentration process in the pension fund manager industry in Chile (the number of firms has dropped from 21 in 1994 to only 6 in 2012). A major concern about the concentration of this industry is that firms might be able to exercise market power. However, significant efficiency gains could result from this concentration process, especially if there are economies of scale present in the industry. The welfare effect of a merger is, therefore, ambiguous. In this article, we estimate the welfare implications of a merger between two medium-sized pension fund managers in Chile. For this purpose, we estimate the size of the economies of scale in this industry and use the results to simulate the merger using a simple imperfect competition model. The estimations, based on quarterly financial information about the Chilean Pension Funds system for the last eight years, show robustly the presence of significant economies of scale in operating costs. The merger simulation indicates that, despite the cost savings, the merger would induce a small price increase. This effect reduces consumer welfare, but aggregate welfare increases because of the efficiency gains from the economies of scale. Since aggregate elasticity in this industry is zero (because affiliation is compulsory), the price increase does not generate any efficiency loss.
Learning Social Attitudes: Children's Sensitivity to the Nonverbal Behaviors of Adult Models During Interracial Interactions

White children show marked ingroup race preferences and a relative devaluation of Black people. The origin of these early interracial attitudes is to a large extent still unclear. The studies here test the possibility that preschool-aged children are particularly sensitive to the nonverbal behaviors performed by White adults during interracial interactions. In Study 1, children were shown a video displaying an interaction between a White and a Black adult. Across conditions, the White adult's verbal behaviors were either friendly or neutral, whereas his nonverbal behaviors showed either easiness (e.g., closeness, high eye contact) or uneasiness (e.g., distance, avoidance of eye contact). Results revealed that participants shaped their attitudes toward the Black target accordingly, independently from the White adults' verbal behaviors. Study 2 replicated the basic findings and demonstrated that the observed effects generalized to other Black targets. Results are discussed in relation to current approaches to understanding the formation of racial attitudes among children.
Strategies for the Prevention of MP3-Induced Hearing Loss Among Adolescents: Expert Opinions From a Delphi Study

OBJECTIVE. To identify parties involved in the prevention of MP3-induced hearing loss among adolescents and potentially effective prevention strategies and interventions. METHODS. Thirty experts in fields such as scientific research, medical practice, community health professions, education, youth work, music entertainment, and enforcement authorities participated in a qualitative, electronic, 3-round, Web-based Delphi study. RESULTS. Multiple parties involved in the prevention of MP3-induced hearing loss among adolescents were identified; the most relevant are the adolescents themselves, their parents, manufacturers of MP3 players and earphones, and the authorities. The experts did not expect that adolescents in general would perform the necessary protective behaviors to prevent MP3-induced hearing loss. Two environmental health protection measures were identified as both relevant and feasible to be implemented (ie, authorities encourage manufacturers to produce safer products, and public health campaigns will be held to improve knowledge of the risks of high-volume music, possible protective measures, and consequences of hearing loss). CONCLUSIONS. Authorities, the music industry in general, and especially manufacturers of MP3 players and earphones should recognize their responsibility and create a safer MP3-listening environment by taking measures to protect today's youth from the dangers of listening to high-volume music on MP3 players.
Here or There: Recent U.S. Immigrants’ Medical and Dental Tourism and Associated Factors

Applying Andersen’s health care utilization model, this paper shows the prevalence of immigrants’ medical and dental tourism and associated factors. An analysis of the 2003 New Immigrant Survey data shows that about 17% of immigrants received medical care in a foreign country, whereas about one-third obtained dental care outside the United States. Latino immigrants have a higher prevalence of both types of tourism than their Asian counterparts. Race, level of education, and health insured status are commonly associated with medical and dental tourism. The findings contribute to the scarce literature on immigrants’ health care utilization and medical and dental tourism.
FETI-DP Methods with an Adaptive Coarse Space

A coarse space is constructed for the dual-primal finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI-DP) domain decomposition method applied to highly heterogeneous problems by solving local generalized eigenvalue problems. For certain problems with highly varying coefficients, e.g., from multiscale simulations, the coefficient jump will appear in the condition number bound even if standard techniques such as scaling and the weighting of constraints are used. The FETI-DP theory is revisited and two central estimates are identified where the dependency on the coefficient contrast can enter the condition number bound. The first is a Poincare inequality and the second an extension theorem. These estimates are replaced by local eigenvalue problems. Enriching the FETI-DP coarse space by a few numerically computed eigenvectors yields independence of the contrast of the coefficients even in challenging situations.
Evaluating Value-at-Risk Forecasts: A New Set of Multivariate Backtests

We propose two new tests for detecting clustering in multivariate Value-at-Risk (VaR) forecasts. First, we consider CUSUM-tests to detect non-constant expectations in the matrix of VaR-violations. Second, we propose χ2-tests for detecting cross-sectional and serial dependence in the VaR-forecasts. Moreover, we combine our new backtests with a test of unconditional coverage to yield two new backtests of multivariate conditional coverage. Results from a simulation study underline the usefulness of our new backtests for controlling portfolio risks across a bank’s business lines. In an empirical study, we show how our multivariate backtests can be employed by regulators to backtest a banking system.
Praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis mansoni during pregnancy

Abstract In a prospective study carried out in New Halfa Teaching Hospital, in eastern Sudan, between June 2001 and April 2003, 25 pregnant Sudanese women with schistosomiasis mansoni were each treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel (PZQ), at 40 mg/kg. The drug was given to six (24%), 12 (48%) and seven (28%) of the women during the first, second and third trimesters of their pregnancies, respectively. The patients were followed-up until delivery and their babies were followed-up until they were 1 year old. Although one patient, who received PZQ after 10 weeks of gestation, aborted (3 weeks post-treatment), this frequency of abortion is similar to that seen in the local community. None of the treated women died, and there were no stillbirths or congenital abnormalities in the newborn babies. Although this is a small trial, it appears that PZQ is a safe drug to use against schistosomiasis mansoni, even during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Difference in Expression of Phosphorylated Tau Epitopes between Sporadic Inclusion‐body Myositis and Hereditary Inclusion‐body Myopathies

Sporadic inclusion-body myositis (s-IBM) and the hereditary inclusion-body myopathies (h-IBMs) are severe and progressive muscle diseases, characterized pathologically by vacuolated muscle fibers containing paired-helical filaments (PHFs). An interesting feature of the s- and h-IBM muscle phenotype is its striking similarity to Alzheimer-disease (AD) brain. We immunostained muscle biopsies of 9 s-IBM patients, 9 autosomal-recessive h-IBM patients, 1 autosomal-dominant h-IBM patient, and 18 normal and disease-controls with several antibodies known to react with the hyperphosphorylated tau of AD-PHFs. Those included SMI-31, SMI-310, PHF-1, and ATS. In both s- and h-IBM, virtually all vacuolated muscle fibers had strongly immunoreactive inclusions with SMI-31, and by immuno-electronmicroscopy SMI-31 was exclusively localized to PHFs. Approximately 40 to 50% of both s- and h-IBM vacuolated muscle fibers were also immunoreactive with AT8 antibody. To the contrary, in h-IBM, there was no immunoreactivity with SMI-310 and PHF-1 antibodies, whereas in s-IBM the vacuolated muscle fibers had strong immunoreactivity with those two antibodies. By immunoelectronmicroscopy, SMI-310 and PHF-1 also were localized to PHFs. Within s-IBM muscle fibers, the structures immunoreactive with SMI-310 were congophilic, whereas h-IBM muscle fibers did not have congophilia. Our studies: (a) demonstrate a distinct difference between s-IBM and the h-IBMs in regard to the expression of immunoreactive phosphorylated tau and congophilia; (b) demonstrate a new “diagnostic duo” combination of SMI-31 and SMI-310 antibodies for identifying and distinguishing s-IBM and the h-IBMs; and (c) provide another close similarity of pathologic phenotypes between s-IBM muscle and AD brain, suggesting that similar pathogenic mechanisms may be active in both diseases.
On modelling the kinestatic charge detector for digital radiographic diagnostic and portal imaging

The kinestatic charge detection (KCD) principle has been a digital radiography technique for more than a decade. The advances of the KCD technique have gone from diagnostic imaging to portal imaging. However, little work has been done on understanding the selection of key KCD parameters and relationships between them. In the present study, an engineering model was established that could be used to optimize the placements of key parameters in terms of KCD system mechanical design. In the proposed KCD engineering model, the basic energy conservation law was applied to the process of ion transmission. It allows for the computation of the KCD design parameters such as the optimum grid placement, high voltage board tilt angle and grid wire space, as well as to provide recommendations on high voltage board and electric potentials and their ratio.
Carbetocin versus oxytocin for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery in high risk women

Abstract Objective: To compare effectiveness and tolerability of carbetocin versus oxytocin in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal delivery. Methods: A prospective double-blinded randomized study conducted on 200 pregnant women randomized into two groups: Group 1 (100 women) received single 100 μg IM dose of carbetocin and Group 2 received of 5 IU oxytocin IM. Both groups received their drug after fetal and before placental delivery. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two study groups regarding amount of bleeding (337.73 ± 118.77 versus 378 ± 143.2), occurrence of PPH (4 versus 16%), need for other uterotonics (23 versus 37%) and hemoglobin difference between before and after delivery (0.55 ± 0.35 versus 0.96 ± 0.62) (all being lower in carbetocin group) and measured hemoglobin 24 h after delivery (being higher in carbetocin group); however, there was no significant difference between the two study groups regarding occurrence of major PPH and the need for blood transfusion. Women in carbetocin group showed a statistically significant lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure immediately after delivery and at 30 and 60 min than women in oxytocin group. There was no significant difference between the two study groups regarding occurrence of nausea, vomiting, flushing, dizziness, headache, shivering, metallic taste, dyspnea, palpitation and itching. Women in carbetocin group experienced tachycardia more than women in oxytocin group. Conclusions: Carbitocin is a better alternative to traditional oxytocin in prevention of PPH after vaginal delivery with minimal hemodynamic changes and similar side effects.
Spaceflight‐induced alterations in cerebral artery vasoconstrictor, mechanical, and structural properties: implications for elevated cerebral perfusion and intracranial pressure

Evidence indicates that cerebral blood flow is both increased and diminished in astronauts on return to Earth. Data from ground‐based animal models simulating the effects of microgravity have shown that decrements in cerebral perfusion are associated with enhanced vasoconstriction and structural remodeling of cerebral arteries. Based on these results, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that 13 d of spaceflight [Space Transportation System (STS)‐135 shuttle mission] enhances myogenic vasoconstriction, increases medial wall thickness, and elicits no change in the mechanical properties of mouse cerebral arteries. Basilar and posterior communicating arteries (PCAs) were isolated from 9‐wk‐old female C57BL/6 mice for in vitro vascular and mechanical testing. Contrary to that hypothesized, myogenic vasoconstrictor responses were lower and vascular distensibility greater in arteries from spaceflight group (SF) mice (n=7) relative to ground‐based control group (GC) mice (n=12). Basilar artery maximal diameter was greater in SF mice (SF: 236±9 μm and GC: 215±5 μm) with no difference in medial wall thickness (SF: 12.4±1.6 μm; GC: 12.2±1.2 μm). Stiffness of the PCA, as characterized via nanoindentation, was lower in SF mice (SF: 3.4±0.3 N/m; GC: 5.4±0.8 N/m). Collectively, spaceflight‐induced reductions in myogenic vasoconstriction and stiffness and increases in maximal diameter of cerebral arteries signify that elevations in brain blood flow may occur during spaceflight. Such changes in cerebral vascular control of perfusion could contribute to increases in intracranial pressure and an associated impairment of visual acuity in astronauts during spaceflight. —Taylor, C. R. , Hanna, M. , Behnke, B. J., Stabley, J. N. , McCullough, D. J., Davis III, R. T. , Ghosh, P., Papadopoulos, A. , Muller‐Delp, J. M. , Delp, M. D. Spaceflight‐induced alterations in cerebral artery vasoconstrictor, mechanical, and structural properties: implications for elevated cerebral perfusion and intracranial pressure. FASEB J. 27, 2282–2292 (2013). www.fasebj. org
Access to Palliative Care Consultation and Advance Care Planning for Adults with High-Risk Leukemia.

BACKGROUND Although strong evidence supports early palliative care (PC) and consistent advance care planning (ACP) for patients with poor-prognosis Stage IV solid tumors, best practice standards have not been established for hematologic malignancies. Our primary objective was to describe current access to specialty PC consultation and ACP for inpatients with high-risk leukemia. Secondary objectives were to describe components of ACP and PC practices. METHODS We enrolled all patients with high-risk leukemia (acute leukemia ≥65 years or relapsed leukemia >18 years) admitted to the University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital from October 1, 2015, to August 1, 2016. Structured chart reviews provided data on demographics, disease characteristics, PC consultation, frequency and components of documented ACP, and quality measures for PC practices. RESULTS Of 50 high-risk leukemia patients, 52% were 65 years of age or older with a new diagnosis of acute leukemia and 48% were under the age of 65 with relapsed leukemia. Most patients (64%) reported pain on admission. Twenty-two percent of patients died within 3 months of hospitalization. Sixteen percent of patients received PC consultation and 24% had complete ACP, with an identified surrogate decision-maker documented treatment preferences. CONCLUSIONS In this descriptive study of inpatients with high-risk leukemia, we found that despite a poor prognosis and high symptom burden, the frequency of PC consultation and ACP documentation was low. Findings suggest missed opportunities to provide PC to a high-risk subset of hematologic malignancies, and may help to target future interventions.
The role of elective neck dissection during salvage surgery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Conclusion: As the occult nodal metastasis ratio is low and there is no statistical benefit of elective neck dissection, elective neck dissection is not always necessary during salvage surgery. However, in patients with N positive at initial treatment and cases developing a recurrence within 1 year, elective neck dissection should be considered during salvage surgery. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ipsilateral or contralateral elective neck dissection during salvage surgery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A total of 154 node negative and previously undissected heminecks were electively dissected or observed. We estimated the occult metastasis rate in the electively dissected group and compared the regional control rate and disease-specific survival rate between the elective neck dissection group and the observation group. Results: Six of 80 electively dissected heminecks (7.5%) had occult nodal metastasis. When comparing the regional control rate and disease-specific survival rate between the elective neck dissection group and the observation group, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. However, N-positive cases at initial treatment and recurrent cases that developed within 1 year had a significant advantage for elective neck dissection during salvage surgery.
Combination of Irinotecan (CPT-11) plus 5-Fluorouracil and Leucovorin (FOLFIRI Regimen) as First Line Treatment for Elderly Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Phase II Trial

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with bolus and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) (FOLFIRI regimen) as first-line treatment of elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC). Methods: Thirty consecutive, previously untreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, aged (median 76 years; range 70–84) were enrolled. The performance status (WHO) was 0 in 8, 1 in 16 and 2 in 6 patients; 19 (63%) patients had prior surgery and 8 (27%) adjuvant chemotherapy. CPT-11 (180 mg/m2 as a 90 min i.v. infusion) was administered on day 1, LV (200 mg/m2 as a 2-hour i.v. infusion), 5-FU (400 mg/m2/d i.v. bolus followed by 600 mg/m2/d as a 22-hour i.v. continuous infusion) were given on days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks. Results: Complete response was achieved in one (3.3%) patient and partial response in 10 (33.3%) (overall response rate: 36.6%; 95% C.I.: 26.6–48.4%); 11 (36.6%) patients had stable disease and, 8 (26.6%) disease progression. The median duration of response was 7.5 months and the median time to disease progression 7.0 months. After a median follow-up period of 17 months, the median overall survival was 14.5 months. Main toxicities were: grade 3–4 neutropenia (n = 6; 20%), grade 3 thrombocytopenia (n = 1; 3.3%), grade 2 anemia (n = 9; 30%), grade 3–4 diarrhea (n = 5; 17%) and grade 3 asthenia (n = 3; 10%). There was one treatment-related death due to neutropenic sepsis. Conclusions: The FOLFIRI combination is an active regimen with manageable toxicity as front-line treatment in patients above 70 years of age.