Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumer Benefits from the EU Digital Single Market: Evidence from Household Appliances Markets

This paper investigates price differences between online and offline retail channels in the EU Digital Single Market. Using price and sales data for ten different product categories sold both offline and online in 21 EU countries in 2009, and correcting for product characteristics, we find evidence that confirms the theory: online prices are lower than offline prices, price dispersion also tends to be lower online and online demand is more price-elastic than offline demand. In addition, from our demand estimates we compute the consumers' welfare effects of different scenarios. Our results indicate that a full price convergence across EU member states towards the lowest observed average price would significantly benefit consumers. Moreover, eliminating e-commerce would reduce consumer surplus in €34 billion while an increase in online sales between 10% and 25% would represent a change in consumer welfare in the range of €3.4 billion to €13 billion.
Ethical approach and Professional responsibility in workplace drug testing: An update on the eff ectiveness of the Italian current legislation -

The workplace drug testing (WDT) in USA is an established practice, carried out according to national guidelines for different purpose (as pre-employment screening, testing for cause, for scheduled categories of employers or random testing, etc.) [1-4] using either urine/blood or alternative matrices (oral fluid, hair, sweat, breath air) [5,6]. On the contrary, in Europe, the WDT is regulated by a patchwork of legislation or lack of it [7-9]. On one hand, many European countries recognize that toxicological controls might contribute to the improvement of safety in the workplace. However, they have difficulties in defining “scheduled categories of safety-critical jobs” and in proposing appropriate protocols to recognize cases of drug abuse or of excessive ethyl alcohol intake. In Italy, since October 2008, a specific law on the WDT is applied only to “workers were performing scheduled hazardous jobs,” in order to discourage the abuse of illicit substances and to reduce the likelihood of accidents. That law was introduced in accordance with the agreement of the Government/Region Conference [10,11] and with a Decree on Health and Safety at work [12]. It establishes that WDT must be carried out according two levels of mandatory standardized procedures. These procedures define the sample collection, the storage, the whole chain of custody of the biological samples and the analytical techniques that have to be used with related cut-off:
Endogenous Market-making and Formation of Trading Links

This paper develops a dynamic matching model to analyze the equilibrium trading structure in OTC markets. All traders have the same trading technology, and they optimally choose whom to connect to as well as whether to remain active in each period. We show that traders with more volatile preference (i.e. with higher needs for trade) always choose to match with traders with more stable preference (i.e., with less needs for trade) and they also leave the market earlier. The model therefore endogenously generates a core-periphery market structure, where traders with less trading needs develop more trading links in equilibrium and act like market makers. As the role of market-making is endogenous, we therefore provide an answer to why customers choose to trade with dealers instead of trading among themselves, and we can analyze how the market-making profit depends on underlying frictions.
Aligning Supply Chain Relational Strategy with the Market Environment: Implications for Operational Performance

This study melds the relational view and the environment-strategy-performance perspective to develop a theoretical framework and hypotheses specifying how supply chain partnership strategy as a response to competitive intensity and product complexity may influence operational performance. Empirical findings support the conventional wisdom relating collaboration and operational performance. For firms in industries that market complex products, the study finds evidence of a direct relationship with all three supply chain strategy factors, that is, resource specificity, resource complementarity, and collaboration. Interestingly, competitive intensity is positively associated with resource specificity, but is negatively associated with the need for resource complementarities. The findings provide an initial strategic response framework for appropriately aligning supply chain strategy with market context factors to achieve operational performance improvements.
Morphometric analysis of caudate veins for advanced liver surgery.

BACKGROUND Accurate knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the caudate lobe is indispensable in the performance of liver surgery. Although previous cast studies have provided much useful overall information about the locations of the caudate veins, little is known about how to establish the exact locations of the caudate and short hepatic veins prior to surgery. OBJECTIVES This study was conducted as a practical morphometric analysis of the caudate veins using preoperative enhanced computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS). METHODS From July 2003 to October 2005, 116 donor hepatectomies were performed for adult living donor liver transplantation. The numbers and locations of visible caudate veins were examined pre- and intraoperatively using CT and IOUS. RESULTS In the 116 patients, a total of 152 caudate veins were detected, which were classified as being of either typical (n= 135) or non-typical (n= 17) type. One caudate vein was detectable in 83 patients (72%), two in 30 patients (26%) and three in three patients (3%). A total of 67% of caudate veins detected by IOUS and 70% detected by CT were located on the ventral 60 ° of the inferior vena cava (IVC). The remaining veins were scattered on both lateral sides. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative CT and IOUS were useful in providing morphometric information of sizable caudate veins. Precise information on these veins is essential for the safe dissection of the caudate lobe from the IVC in advanced liver surgery.
Learner interaction using email: the effects of task modification

This paper outlines the findings of a research project studying the effects of task modification on learner interaction when using email. Taking as its starting point interactionalist theories of SLA, it argues that if those interactional features characteristic of negotiation of meaning which have been identified as promoting SLA are to be preserved when tasks are transferred from a face-to-face spoken environment to a computer-mediated written asynchronous environment, then modifications to the tasks need to be made.
Fractures, stress and fluid flow prior to stimulation of well 27-15, Desert Peak, Nevada, EGS project

A suite of geophysical logs has been acquired for structural, fluid flow and stress analysis of well 27-15 in the Desert Peak Geothermal Field, Nevada, in preparation for stimulation and development of an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS). Advanced Logic Technologies Borehole Televiewer (BHTV) and Schlumberger Formation MicroScanner (FMS) image logs reveal extensive drilling-induced tensile fractures, showing that the current minimum compressive horizontal stress, Shmin, in the vicinity of well 27-15 is oriented along an azimuth of 114±17°. This orientation is consistent with the dip direction of recently active normal faults mapped at the surface and with extensive sets of fractures and some formation boundaries seen in the BHTV and FMS logs. Temperature and spinner flowmeter surveys reveal several minor flowing fractures that are well oriented for normal slip, although over-all permeability in the well is quite low. These results indicate that well 27-15 is a viable candidate for EGS stimulation and complements research by other investigators including cuttings analysis, a reflection seismic survey, pressure transient and tracer testing, and micro-seismic monitoring.
Cultural influence on insurance consumption: Insights from the Chinese insurance market

Despite fast growth in the past three decades, the Chinese insurance market is underdeveloped in terms of insurance density and penetration. In this study, we examine the cultural influence on insurance consumption in China and present evidence on the culture influence hypothesis. We find that demand-related factors explain insurance consumption while supply factors do not. Among the demand-side variables, those closely related to culture (i.e., percentage of saving in GDP and fraction of urban population) dominate economy-based variables in driving insurance consumption. Moreover, we obtain consistent evidence regarding cultural influence on insurance consumption using an international data-set across 56 countries. In general, our finding suggests that culture plays a significant role in determining insurance consumption.
[Study on antibacterial active components from Viola yedoensis].

OBJECTIVE Study on the antibacterial activity of Viola yedoensis and the antibacterial active compounds. METHOD The chemical compositions were isolated by means of solvent extraction, column chromatography on silica gel, sephadex LH-20 and crystallization. The antibacterial activities were tested by Neo-Sensitab disk-diffusion method, nephelometric analysis and plating method. RESULT One new compound (4) along with three known compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time and were identified as aesculetin (1), 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (2), scopoletin (3) and 5-methoxy-7-hydroxymethylcoumarin (4), respectively. All the compounds showed antibacterial and antibactericidal activities at varying degree on Streptococcus Aureas, S. agalactiae, S. uberis, S. dysgalactiae, E. coli and Salmonella, of which 1 was most active with 0.031- 0.313 g x L(-1) of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and 0.313 - 0.625 g x L(-1) of minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC). CONCLUSION Viola yedoensis has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity on animal pathogenic bacteria, and coumarins may be the main antibacterial activity ingredients.
Understanding search engines: mathematical modeling and text retrieval (software

A discussion of many of the key design issues for building search engines. It emphasizes the important roles that applied mathematics can play in improving information retrieval. The authors discuss not only important data structures, algorithms and software, but also user-centred issues such as interfaces, manual indexing, and document preparation. The authors bridge the gap between applied mathematics and information retrieval. They discuss some of the current problems in information retrieval that may not be familiar to applied mathematicians and computer scientists and present some of the driving computational methods (SVD, SDD) for automated conceptual indexing. This book introduces topics in a non-technical way and provides insights into common problems found in information retrieval. The more mathematical details are provided in sidebars or offset from the regular text.
How Do Retail Investors Choose Investments? Evidence from the Indian IPO After-Market

Research indicates that firms with high institutional investment outperform firms with low institutional investment, suggesting that institutions have informational advantages over individuals. We investigate whether IPO grading in India enables retail investors to invest more like institutions in the IPO aftermarket. We find that it does not. While institutions hold high grade, high priced IPO firms, small retail investors hold firms with low IPO grades and offer prices. However, individuals do not seem to earn lower returns, perhaps because grading or an open book-building method discourages the worst firms from going public.
Subtrochanteric shortening and derotational osteotomy in primary total hip arthroplasty for patients with severe hip dysplasia: 5-year follow-up.

Twenty-one primary hip arthroplasties were performed in Crowe grade 3 or 4 hip dysplasia using a subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy. Average patient age was 48.2 years. Average follow-up was 5.8 years (minimum, 2 years). Femoral fixation was cemented in 10 hips and uncemented in 11 hips. All acetabular components were uncemented, with 33% requiring structural autograft. Ninety-one percent of femoral osteotomies healed without complication. Two osteotomy nonunions required revision. Two acetabular revisions were performed for malposition and polyethylene failure. Three patients experienced postoperative dislocation. One cemented femoral component was revised for loosening. However, no neurologic deficiencies were identified. Harris hip score improved from 32.5 to 73.6. Limp improved in 60% of patients and dependence on assistive walking device improved in 40% of patients. Subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy is a safe and predictable method of restoring the anatomic hip center in high developmental hip dislocation. However, the complication rate in these patients is higher than primary hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.
Internal wave detection and location in SAR images using wavelet transform

An efficient computational framework far the extraction of mesoscale features, i.e., internal waves, present in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is discussed. The manifestation of internal wave packets on SAR ocean images has always been of considerable interest to oceanographers. If, as seems likely, the gray tone patterns of these images can be confirmed to correspond to trough and crest patterns of internal waves, a great deal can be learned about internal waves from satellite data. The first problem in a mesoscale detection system is to distinguish sea from land in the SAR imagery. A method for coastline detection based on a sequence of basic processing procedures followed by a contour tracing algorithm is introduced to obtain sea-land separation to enhance the internal wave detection problem. The utility of wavelet analysis as a tool for automatic oceanic internal wave detection and orientation from SAR images is then examined using the two-dimensional (2D) wavelet transform based on the multiscale gradient detection method. The authors show that the evolution of local maxima of the wavelet transform across scales characterize the local shape of these quasilinear periodic structures. The results from this study, on several ERS-1 and RADARSAT SAR images, show that wavelet analysis is an excellent tool for detecting and locating internal wave features from satellite images against internal wave look-alikes.
Hierarchical Curl-Conforming Nédélec Elements for Triangular-Prism Cells

New curl-conforming hierarchical vector basis functions are developed for triangular-prism cells. These bases are constructed by taking the product of base vectors with scalar orthogonal polynomials and are shown to maintain linear independence as their polynomial order is increased. The procedure for constructing these basis functions is described and specific functions are tabulated for orders up to 6.5. These bases are compatible with recently-proposed hierarchical bases for tetrahedral and hexahedral cells and will maintain tangential continuity with those bases if used in a mesh containing multiple cell shapes.
Counterfeits of luxury brands: exploring the role of lawfulness and legality

This study examines the influence of personality factors and attitudes toward consumers? willingness to knowingly purchase counterfeit luxury brands. The findings have uncovered contrasting evidence that attitudes do not influence consumers? willingness to purchase counterfeit luxury brands. Integrity has been noted to be a strong influencer of both attitudes and consumer willingness to purchase consistently. Both buyers and non- buyers were tested for their attitudinal differences. Status consumption and materialism did not play a role in influencing attitudes or willingness to purchase. Further managerial implications were provided to better allow luxury brand owners, the government and policy makers to better understand consumers of counterfeit luxury brands.
Effect of Tobamovirus Infection on Thermoluminescence Characteristics of Chloroplasts from Infected Plants

Changes of thermoluminescence characteristics as well as the O2-evolving capacity was analysed in chloroplasts isolated from Nicotiana benthamiana infected with pepper and paprika mild mottle viruses and their chimeric hybrids. The electron transport activity in thylakoids of virus-infected plants was inhibited and could be restored by adding DPC or Ca2+ which indicated that the virus infection altered the oxygen-evolving complex. In thermoluminescence characteristics of plants infected with either viruses, the first well defined response was a shift in the peak position of the B band from 20 °C to 35 °C corresponding to S3(S2)QB- and S2QB- charge recombinations, respectively, which showed an inhibition in the formation of higher S states in the water splitting system. Simultaneously, a new band appeared around 70 °C due to chemiluminescence of lipid peroxidation. Further progress of the viral infection dramatically decreased the intensity of bands originated from charge recombinations with a concomitant increase of the band at 70 °C indicating the general oxidative breakdown of injured thylakoids
ECB Unconventional Monetary Policy Actions: Market Impact, International Spillovers and Transmission Channels *

This paper quantifies the impact of the most important ECB’s non-standard monetary policy measures on asset prices in the euro area and globally. The paper also tests for a number of transmission channels of policies to asset markets, including a portfolio balance channel and different risk channels. The results show that ECB policies were beneficial on impact for asset prices in the euro area and lowered market fragmentation in bond markets. Spillovers to advanced economies and emerging markets included a positive impact on global equity markets and confidence. We show that ECB policies lowered credit risk among banks and sovereigns in the G20 countries, while they did not lead to international portfolio rebalancing across regions and assets.
Hapten-specific T cell response to azobenzenearsonate-N-acetyl-L-tyrosine in the Lewis rat. I. Induction and suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity and in vitro proliferative responses.

Pretreatment of Lewis rats with a single i.p. injection of ABA-N-acetyl-tyrosine in incomplete Freund's adjuvant induced an unresponsiveness for delayed-type hypersensitivity to subsequent immunization with the same antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant. Complete suppression of in vitro antigen-induced proliferative responses required repeated pretreatment. Passive transfer of lymphoid cells from spleen and lymph nodes but not sera from suppressed rats induced unresponsiveness of hapten-specific T cell functions. Nylon wool-nonadherent cells and cells panned on F(ab')2 of rabbit anti-Lewis rat Ig plates suppressed the induction of DTH and in vitro antigen-stimulated proliferation. Adult thymectomy increased DTH and failed to abolish the induction of suppression.
Efficacy of a new accelerated streptokinase regime in acute myocardial infarction: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Studies of thrombolysis in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have focused on differences in outcome between groups receiving various regimes. Expedited treatment may influence the efficacy of nonfibrin specific thrombolytic agents in restoring early patency of the infarct-related artery (IRA), which is a major determinant of survival after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS We performed a randomized double blind clinical trial comparing an accelerated infusion (1.5 MU/20 min; group A, n = 200) with the conventional infusion (1.5 MU/60 min; group B, n = 100) of streptokinase (SK) in 300 patients with their first episode of acute STEMI. Demographics, clinical reperfusion rates, angiographic study findings, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), in-hospital morbidity and mortality and one year mortality were compared between two groups. RESULTS Mean age was 59 ± 12 years (79% male). There were no differences in baseline data between groups. Clinical, electrocardiographic and physiologic reperfusion indices revealed significant faster and higher reperfusion rates and better preserved LVEF at discharge in group A. Sixty-three percent of patients in either group underwent invasive coronary angiography at a mean of 5 days with comparable findings. Atrial fibrillation, malignant ventricular arrhythmias in the second day, in-hospital and late mortalities rates occurred more frequently in group B patients. In multivariate analysis, accelerated SK infusion was the only independent predictor of higher electrocardiographic reperfusion (OR = 3.2, CI: 1.93-5.3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The accelerated SK infusion regimen of 1.5 MU in 20 min is safe and well tolerated with significantly faster and higher clinical reperfusion rates, more preserved LV systolic function, less atrial and ventricular sustained arrhythmias, and less in-hospital and 1 year mortality rates in acute STEMI.
Self-reported Measures for Surveillance of Periodontitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of self-reported measures in predicting periodontitis in a representative US adult population, based on 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Self-reported gum health and treatment history, loose teeth, bone loss around teeth, tooth not looking right, and use of dental floss and mouthwash were obtained during in-home interviews and validated against full-mouth clinically assessed periodontitis in 3,743 US adults 30 years and older. All self-reported measures (> 95% item response rates) were associated with periodontitis, and bivariate correlations between responses to these questions were weak, indicating low redundancy. In multivariable logistic regression modeling, the combined effects of demographic measures and responses to 5 self-reported questions in predicting periodontitis of mild or greater severity were 85% sensitive and 58% specific and produced an ‘area under the receiver operator characteristic curve’ (AUROCC) of 0.81. Four questions were 95% sensitive and 30% specific, with an AUROCC of 0.82 in predicting prevalence of clinical attachment loss ≥ 3 mm at one or more sites. In conclusion, self-reported measures performed well in predicting periodontitis in US adults. Where preferred clinically based surveillance is unattainable, locally adapted variations of these self-reported measures may be a promising alternative for surveillance of periodontitis.